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In a most profound and similar way, the Millerites in the 1840's, found themselves at the pinnacle crossroads of much new light. As the intensity of the new light mounted, William Miller was compelled to formulate a system whereby to compare each new light contestant, both fairly and thoroughly from Scripture. He created what is known as the "Rules of Interpretation." This set of rules has been used by the S.D.A. Church as an effective process for discovering and validating truth. Below are the first four of fourteen.
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By systematically adhering to these rules we demonstrate our willingness to be led by His Spirit. Notice that each of these four points testify to following the "weight of evidence." Only then, can we have confidence to "follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth," and step onto the solid foundation of the tried and true, Scripturally based, new light.
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Each individual is accountable to the heavenly Father for their response to how they handle new light. They are also accountable to each other, as well as responsible for those who are under their care and instruction. This would include all those who might be led or swayed by their example. We simply cannot underestimate our responsibility as to how we handle each contestant of new light. It is imperative that on our knees before our Saviour, we lay our preconceived opinions, our hereditary and cultivated ideas, at the door of investigation.
In the mid 14th Century, John Wycliffe, the morning star of the Reformation, stood in the gap for truth. He believed truth must be firmly founded on the Rock of Scripture. In meeting the opposition of his day, he coined the phrase "Sola Scriptura", meaning that all doctrine must be based on Scripture alone. The Heavenly Father's ordained standard for all law, as well as all units of time reckoning, is found in none other than Scripture. There alone, has it been preserved and protected by an unseen hand, but only in the original Hebrew text. The promise of the Saviour that not one jot or one tittle shall be removed from the law until all be fulfilled, was specifying only the Hebrew text and not the erroneous translations that have created chaos and confusion within the intended Word of G-d.
"Like the Sabbath, the week originated at creation, and it has been preserved and brought down to us through Bible history." Councils on Education, p. 190
Since the dark ages, as truth has progressed, men and women have at times been faithful to walk in new light, but usually only to a point. Once a new church was organized and a creed developed, they would stop seeking or receiving new light. This scenario has taken place over and over again. Generally, each organization established a creed, and then built a wall around that creed to protect it from the darts of the enemy. It is this very wall constructed to keep out error that has also served to keep out truth. This makes it nearly impossible to receive new light. Thus, we have many protestant churches today with creeds cast in cement, dead churches with no "new light." It is "new light" that is necessary to sustain the life of the faithful within their organized assemblies, congregations or churches.
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In these last days the heavenly Father continues to penetrate the hearts of those would be faithful with His ever progressive new light on old truths. No matter what church organization or creed mankind is from, all have been steeped in the darkness of error. For such a time as this, our Father is calling His own to come out of error that has manifest itself in these organized churches and creeds, that He may equip the faithful with the light of His present truth. He is preparing a people that can stand with Him, unfettered by the errors and traditions of men. These will seek to dig deep in the mines of truth, reading deeper than the spurious translations, and doing tedious word studies from the original Hebrew and Greek languages, for each morsel of divine truth.