THE INFINITE WISDOM OF GOD!
THE GREAT I AM IS
UNEXPLAINABLE—“In regard to the
personality and prerogatives of God, where He is, and what He is, this
is a subject which we are not to dare to touch. On this theme silence is
eloquence. It is those who have no experimental knowledge of God who
venture to speculate in regard to Him. Did they know more of Him, they
would have less to say about what He is. The one who in the daily life
holds closest communion with God, and who has the deepest knowledge of
Him, realizes most keenly the utter inability of human beings to explain
the Creator . .
“God
always has been. He is the great I AM. The psalmist declares, ‘Before
the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth
and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.’ He
is the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity. ‘I am the Lord, I
change not,’ He declares. With Him there is no variableness, neither
shadow of turning. He is ‘the same yesterday, and today, and
forever.’ He is infinite and omnipresent. No words of ours can
describe His greatness and majesty.”—Medical Ministry, 92.
HUMANS CANNOT EXPLAIN DIVINE
WISDOM—“Those are blessed with
clearest light who are willing thus to accept the living oracles upon
the authority of God. If asked to explain certain statements, they can
only answer: ‘It is so presented in the Scriptures.’ They are
obliged to acknowledge that they cannot explain the operation of divine
power or the manifestation of divine wisdom. It is as the Lord intended
it should be, that we find ourselves compelled to accept some things
solely by faith. To acknowledge this, is only to admit that the finite
mind is inadequate to grasp the infinite; that man, with his limited,
human knowledge, cannot understand the purposes of Omniscience.”—5
Testimonies, 700-701.
THE OMNISCIENT ONE IS ABOVE
DISCUSSION—“ ‘The secret things
belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong
unto us and to our children forever.’ Deuteronomy 29:29. The
revelation of Himself that God has given in His Word is for our study.
This we may seek to understand. But beyond this we are not to penetrate.
The highest intellect may tax itself until it is wearied out in
conjectures regarding the nature of God, but the effort will be
fruitless. This problem has not been given us to solve. No human mind
can comprehend God. None are to indulge in speculation regarding His
nature. Here silence is eloquence. The Omniscient One is above
discussion.
“Even
the angels were not permitted to share the counsels between the Father
and the Son when the plan of salvation was laid. And human beings are
not to intrude into the secrets of the Most High. We are as ignorant of
God as little children; but, as little children, we may love and obey
Him. Instead of speculating in regard to His nature or His prerogatives,
let us give heed to the words He has spoken.”—Ministry of
Healing, 429-430.
FROM THE BEGINNING GOD AND
CHRIST KNEW—“The plan for our
redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after the fall of
Adam. It was a revelation of ‘the mystery which hath been kept in
silence through times eternal.’ Romans 16:25, R.V. It was an unfolding
of the principles that from eternal ages have been the foundation of
God’s throne. From the beginning, God and Christ knew of the apostasy
of Satan, and of the fall of man through the deceptive power of the
apostate. God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its
existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency. So great
was His love for the world, that He covenanted to give His only-begotten
Son, ‘that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.’ John 3:16.”—Desire of Ages, 22 [1 Selected
Messages, 250 is a little different].
INFINITE AND ALL-WISE, SEES END
FROM THE BEGINNING—“God, the One
infinite and all-wise, sees the end from the beginning, and in dealing
with evil His plans were far-reaching and comprehensive. It was His
purpose, not merely to put down the rebellion, but to demonstrate to all
the universe the nature of the rebellion. God’s plan was unfolding,
showing both His justice and His mercy, and fully vindicating His wisdom
and righteousness in His dealings with evil.”—Patriarchs and
Prophets, 78.
THE OMNISCIENT ONE LOOKED DOWN
THE AGES—“Hundreds of years before
certain nations came upon the stage of action, the Omniscient One looked
down the ages and predicted the rise and fall of the universal kingdoms.
God declared to Nebuchadnezzar that the kingdom of Babylon should fall,
and a second kingdom would arise, which also would have its period of
trial. Failing to exalt the true God, its glory would fade, and a third
kingdom would occupy its place. This also would pass away; and a fourth,
strong as iron, would subdue the nations of the world . . In the history
of nations the student of God’s Word may behold the literal
fulfillment of divine prophecy. Babylon, shattered and broken at last,
passed away because in prosperity its rulers had regarded themselves as
independent of God, and had ascribed the glory of their kingdom to human
achievement. The Medo-Persian realm was visited by the wrath of Heaven
because in it God’s law had been trampled underfoot. The fear of the
Lord had found no place in the hearts of the vast majority of the
people. Wickedness, blasphemy, and corruption prevailed. The kingdoms
that followed were even more base and corrupt; and these sank lower and
still lower in the scale of moral worth.”—Prophets and Kings,
501-502.
HE KNOWS THE END FROM THE
BEGINNING—“God knows the end from the
beginning. He knew, before the birth of Jacob and Esau, just what
characters they would both develop. He knew that Esau would not have a
heart to obey Him. He answered the troubled prayer of Rebekah and
informed her that she would have two children, and the elder should
serve the younger. He presented the future history of her two sons
before her, that they would be two nations, the one greater than the
other, and the elder should serve the younger. The first-born was
entitled to peculiar advantages and special privileges, which belonged
to no other members of the family.”—Story of Redemption, 87.
ALL THINGS OPEN TO HIS SURVEY—“The
Bible shows us God in His high and holy place, not in a state of
inactivity, not in silence and solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand
times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy beings, all
waiting to do His will. Through these messengers He is in active
communication with every part of His dominion. By His Spirit He is
everywhere present. Through the agency of His Spirit and His angels He
ministers to the children of men.
“Above
the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to
His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that
which His providence sees best.”—Ministry of Healing, 417.
HIS KNOWLEDGE AS BROAD AS THE
UNIVERSE—“The knowledge of God is as
high as heaven and as broad as the universe.”—Christ’s Object
Lessons, 42.
AN INFINITUDE OF KNOWLEDGE AND
WISDOM—“Let none think that there is
no more knowledge for them to gain. The depth of human intellect may be
measured; the works of human authors may be mastered; but the highest,
deepest, broadest flight of the imagination cannot find out God. There
is infinity beyond all that we can comprehend. We have seen only the
glimmering of divine glory and of the infinitude of knowledge and
wisdom; we have, as it were, been working on the surface of the mine,
when rich, golden ore is beneath the surface, to reward the one who will
dig for it. The shaft must be sunk deeper and yet deeper in the mine,
and the result will be glorious treasure.”—My Life Today, 108.
THE EVENTS OF TOMORROW OPEN TO
HIM—“He whose servant you are, knows
the end from the beginning. The events of tomorrow, which are hidden
from your view, are open to the eyes of Him who is omnipotent.”—Mount
of Blessing, 100.
HOW DARE WE TRY TO EXPLAIN THE
OMNISCIENT ONE—“God’s Word and His
works contain the knowledge of Himself that He has seen fit to reveal to
us. We may understand the revelation that He has thus given of Himself.
But it is with fear and trembling, and with a sense of our own
sinfulness, that we are to take up this study, not with a desire to try
to explain God, but with a desire to gain that knowledge which will
enable us to serve Him more acceptably.
“Let
no one venture to explain God. Human beings cannot explain themselves,
and how, then, dare they venture to explain the Omniscient One? Satan
stands ready to give such ones false conceptions of God.
“To
the curious I bear the message that God has instructed me not to frame
answers to the questions of those who inquire in regard to the things
that have not been revealed. The things that are revealed belong unto us
and to our children. Beyond this, human beings are not to attempt to go.
We are not to attempt to explain that which God has not revealed. We are
to study the revelation that Christ, the Great Teacher, has given of the
character of God, that in spirit and word and act we may represent Him
to those who know Him not.”—Medical Ministry, 91-92.
OMNISCIENCE IS BEYOND OUR
UNDERSTANDING—“To acknowledge that we
cannot fully comprehend the great truths of the Bible is only to admit
that the finite mind is inadequate to grasp the infinite; that man, with
his limited, human knowledge, cannot understand the purposes of
Omniscience.”—Steps to Christ, 108.
DIVINE WISDOM IS
UNEXPLAINABLE—“Those are blessed with
clearest light who are willing thus to accept the living oracles upon
the authority of God. If asked to explain certain statements, they can
only answer: ‘It is so presented in the Scriptures.’ They are
obliged to acknowledge that they cannot explain the operation of divine
power or the manifestation of divine wisdom. It is as the Lord intended
it should be, that we find ourselves compelled to accept some things
solely by faith.”—5 Testimonies, 700-701.
THE EVER WATCHFUL EYE OF
OMNISCIENCE—“The ever watchful eye of
Omniscience is upon all our works, and although He can marshal the
armies of heaven to do His will, He condescends to accept the services
of frail, erring mortals.”—3 Bible Commentary, 1153 (Signs, July
14, 1881).
GOD’S WISDOM ALL IN ALL—“My
brother, you should consider the wisdom of God as all in all.”—4
Testimonies, 116.
HE HAS DIVINE FOREKNOWLEDGE—“Realize
fully the importance of being just with Him who has divine
foreknowledge. Let everyone search His heart diligently.”—Christian
Stewardship, 74.
DIVINE WISDOM INEXHAUSTIBLE—“The
supply of divine wisdom is inexhaustible, and the Lord encourages us to
draw largely from it.”—3 Bible Commentary, 1147.
THE EYE OF OMNISCIENCE—“Men
in their blindness boast of wonderful progress and enlightenment; but to
the eye of Omniscience are revealed the inward guilt and
depravity.”—6 Testimonies, 14-15.
THE INFINITE, OMNISCIENT ONE—“To
love Him, the Infinite, the Omniscient One, with the whole strength and
mind and heart, means the highest development of every power. It means
that in the whole being—the body, the mind, as well as the soul—the
image of God is to be restored.”—Counsels to Parents and
Teachers, 32.
“Only
under the direction of the Omniscient One shall we, in the study of His
works, be enabled to think His thoughts after Him.”—Education,
134.
“Too
late they are made to see that the Omniscient One is jealous of His law
and that He will in no wise clear the guilty. They learn now that Christ
identifies His interest with that of His suffering people.”—Great
Controversy, 668.
THE
INFINITE EYE—“The infinite Eye can
search the heart, and read every defect in the character.”—Sons
and Daughters of God, 130.
THE FOUNTAIN OF ALL WISDOM—“Those
who teach the Word must themselves live in hourly contact, in conscious,
living communion with God. The principles of truth and righteousness and
mercy must be within them. They must draw from the Fountain of all
wisdom.”—6 Testimonies, 48.
THE ALL-SEEING JUDGE—“The
all-seeing Judge weighs motives, and He will reward as the works have
been.”—4 Testimonies, 334.
THE INFINITE MIND—“In
all His teaching, Christ brought the minds of men in contact with the
Infinite Mind. He did not direct the people to study men’s theories
about God, His Word, or His works. He taught them to behold God as
manifested in His works, in His Word, and by His providences.”—8
Testimonies, 201.
INFINITE IN WISDOM—“From
time to time the unseen hand that holds the scepter of government is
stretched out to restrain iniquity. Unmistakable evidence is given that
the Creator of the universe, the One infinite in wisdom and love and
truth, is the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, and that none can with
impunity defy His power.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, 123.
THE WISEST MEN CANNOT COMPREHEND
HIS WISDOM OR POWER—“God is the source
of all wisdom. He is infinitely wise and just and good. Apart from
Christ, the wisest men that ever lived cannot comprehend Him. They may
profess to be wise; they may glory in their attainments; but mere
intellectual knowledge, aside from the great truths that center in
Christ, is as nothingness. ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom .
. but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and
knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment,
and righteousness, in the earth.’ Jeremiah 9:23, 24.
“If
men could see for a moment beyond the range of finite vision, if they
could catch a glimpse of the Eternal, every mouth would be stopped in
its boasting. Men living in this little atom of a world are finite; God
has unnumbered worlds that are obedient to His laws and are conducted
with reference to His glory. When men have gone as far in scientific
research as their limited powers will permit, there is still an infinity
beyond what they can apprehend.
“Before
men can be truly wise, they must realize their dependence upon God, and
be filled with His wisdom. God is the source of intellectual as well as
spiritual power. The greatest men who have reached what the world
regards as wonderful heights in science are not to be compared with the
beloved John or the apostle Paul. It is when intellectual and spiritual
power are combined that the highest standard of manhood is attained.
Those who do this, God will accept as workers together with Him in the
training of minds.”—Counsels to Parents and Teachers, 66.
OMNISCIENT AND OMNIPOTENT—“The
silent petition that he [Nehemiah] sent up to heaven was the same that
he had offered for many weeks, that God would prosper his request. And
now, taking courage at the thought that he had a Friend, omniscient and
omnipotent, to work in his behalf, the man of God made known to the king
his desire for release for a time from his office at the court, and for
authority to build up the waste places of Jerusalem, and make it once
more a strong and defensed city. Momentous results to the Jewish city
and nation hung upon this request. ‘And,’ says Nehemiah, ‘the king
granted me according to the good hand of my
God upon me.’ ”—Christian Service, 172 (Southern
Watchman, March 8, 1904).
A GOD OF INFINITE KNOWLEDGE—“Men
sometimes suppose that they discover new scientific truths; but they
cannot teach God anything. Our God is a God of infinite knowledge.”—4
Bible Commentary, 1145 (Manuscript 116, 1902).
HIS KNOWLEDGE IS INFINITE—“If
we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve everything
that we cannot see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities will only
increase and deepen. But if we come to God, feeling helpless and
dependent, as we really are, and in humble, trusting faith make known
our wants to Him whose knowledge is infinite, who sees everything in
creation, and who governs everything by His will and word, He can and
will attend to our cry, and will let light shine into our hearts.
Through sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of
the Infinite. We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the
face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this
is even so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us
in love and pitying tenderness.”—Steps to Christ, 96-97.
GOD
GIVES SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE—“God
gives sufficient evidence for the candid mind to believe; but he who
turns from the weight of evidence because there are a few things which
he cannot make plain to his finite understanding will be left in the
cold, chilling atmosphere of unbelief and questioning doubts, and will
make shipwreck of faith.”—5 Testimonies, 675-676.
Continue- God Knows the
Future!
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