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Our Study Now and in the Hereafter, March 30
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace.
Ephesians 2:7
.
Disobedience has closed the door to a vast amount of knowledge that might
have been gained from the Word of God. In eternity we shall learn that which, if
we had received the enlightenment that it was possible for us to obtain here, would
have opened our understanding. And understanding means obedience to all God’s
commandments. The plan of God’s government would have been understood. The
heavenly world would have opened its chambers of grace and glory for exploration.
Human beings would have been altogether different from what they now are in
form, in speech, in song, for, by exploring the mines of truth, they would have
been ennobled. The mystery of redemption, the knowledge of God and of Jesus
Christ in His mediatorial character, the incarnation of Christ our Redeemer, His
atoning sacrifice, would not be, as they now are, vague in our mind. They would
have been, not only better understood, but altogether more highly appreciated.
These themes will employ the hearts and minds and tongue of the redeemed
through the everlasting ages, and new developments of them will be opened up,
which Christ longed to open to His disciples, but which they did not have faith to
seek and grasp. Forever and ever, new views of the perfection and glory of Christ
will appear.
Men of decided piety and talent catch views of eternal realities, but they are
not understood, because the things that are seen eclipse the glory of the unseen.
By many, man’s wisdom is thought to be higher than the wisdom of the divine
Teacher. So God’s Lesson Book, containing treasure, is looked upon as old-
fashioned, so much so as to be thought tame and stale. But it is not so regarded
by those who have been quickened and vivified by the Holy Spirit. They see the
priceless treasure, and would sell all to buy the field that contains it....
Many drink at the low, turbid waters of the valley, having forsaken the fountain
of living water, the pure, snow-water of Lebanon. But those who make the Word of
God their study, those who dig for the treasures of truth, will appreciate the weighty
principles taught, and will digest them. As a result, they will themselves become
imbued with the Spirit of Christ, and by beholding, they will become changed into
His likeness. Those who appreciate the Word will teach like disciples who have
been sitting at the feet of Jesus, and have accustomed themselves to learn of Him,
that they might know Him whom to know aright is life eternal.—
Manuscript 45,
March 30, 1898, 45
, “Hidden Treasure.”
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