NEW LIGHT | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 28, 1906

“NEW LIGHT.”

THE claim to new light on religious questions is quite common in our day, and it is a blessing that we have reason to expect; for “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4:18. But everything that is new is not necessarily light. Even tho it be brilliant, it may dazzle, rather than strengthen, the sight. So Satan, knowing that increase of light upon the Word of God is due to them who walk in the light, and knowing the delusive effect of false light, takes advantage of those who are susceptible to deception. He is able to assume the rôle of “an angel of light;” therefore we are told that his ministers also may be so transformed. 2 Cor. 11:14, 15.

But while the people of God are assured of advancing light on His truth, we are not to understand that it is to be gained by throwing away truth that has led His people in the past, and looking for that which is altogether antagonistic to former teaching of the Spirit. As to such as would advocate such a course we have only to say, “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8:20. The law and the testimony will always be in harmony, and those through whom God

would give increased light will always harmonize with His recognized instruments and teaching of former days.

To those who walk in the light, new light from the same Source will be an addition to former light, and not a substitute for it; while those who feel that they must put out the light they formerly had from “the law and the testimony” in order to receive new light, merely exchange light for darkness and delusion. “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness.” Matt. 6:23. “Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.” Luke 11:35.

An Object-lesson.

Some imaginary new light came to certain ambitious princes in Israel during the sojourn in the wilderness. They had all along acknowledged Moses and Aaron as their leaders and as the mouthpieces of God; that is, they had nominally so acknowledged. But their envy and covetousness of position led them to murmur against Moses and Aaron. To these men they said, “Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them; wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?” Num. 16:3.

Now the Lord had selected Moses and Aaron for the positions they occupied, and this fact had been emphasized on various occasions, and acknowledged by the people in general. But by some means these dissatisfied “princes” had received new light, to the effect that all the people were holy, and therefore Moses and Aaron were no longer to be recognized as the special instruments of the Lord. That light had become darkness to them, and the new light was so dazzling and so alluring that it drew quite a following.

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, the leaders in this insurrection, were soon surrounded by two hundred fifty leading men, and, of course, a much larger number of less influential adherents. In fact, the dissension was so widespread that Moses and Aaron were greatly perplexed. But they took it to the Lord in prayer, and allowed His counsel to settle the matter. The record tells us how suddenly and effectually the new candle was snuffed out, and how the Lord vindicated not only His own choice of leaders, but also His testimony to the people through them.

Where Satan Finds Advocates.

It ever has been true that the adversary’s most obstructive work has been through a pretense of new light for the church; but invariably he has found his instruments among “princes” who have become skeptical regarding formerly accepted testimony, and envious of some who have been called to leading positions in the Lord’s cause. Ever since the days of the apostles there have been those who would arise in the church with an ambition to draw away disciples after themselves (Acts 20: 28-30); and their success has ever been through departure in some way from “the law and the testimony,” and the consequent following of some imaginary new light.

It is also true that in every crisis through which the church has passed, the Lord has vindicated the “old paths” marked out by His Spirit. The perversions thereof never have been able to stand the rays of the true light. So the people of God may rest assured that in every test, those who stand firmly on the true landmarks of “the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” will never fail of seeing the Lord’s side so emphatically marked that none need fail to discern it. The line will be drawn by the unerring hand of God, and not in the wisdom of men. G.