William Miller’s Rules for Bible study

Studying the Bible is very important to our souls’ salvation, however, not understanding the scriptures might pose a challenge to us, with that said, our pioneers had laid a platform for us to follow in making this issue easy by using the correct application. DIVINE ENDORSEMENTReview and Herald November 25, 1884-Notes of Travel   “Those who are engaged in proclaiming the third angel’s message are searching the Scriptures upon the same plan that Father Miller adopted. In the little book entitled “Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chronology,” Father Miller gives the following simple but intelligent and important rules for Bible study and interpretation:

1. Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible; 2. All Scripture is necessary, and may be understood by diligent application and study; 3. Nothing revealed in Scripture can or will be hid from those who ask in faith, not wavering; 4. To understand doctrine, bring all the scriptures together on the subject you wish to know, then let every word have its proper influence; and if you can form your theory without a contradiction, you cannot be in error; 5. Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound to me, and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom is my rule, and not the Bible.”
“The above is a portion of these rules; and in our study of the Bible we shall all do well to heed the principles set forth.” {RH, November 25, 1884} RULES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

In studying the Bible, I have found the following rules to be of great service to myself, and now give them to the public by special request. Every rule should be well studied, in connection with the Scripture references, if the Bible student would be at all benefited by them.

1. Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible. Matthew 5:18

2. All Scripture is necessary, and may be understood by diligent application and study.
2 Timothy 3:15,16,17

3. Nothing revealed in the Scripture can or will be hid from those who ask in faith, not wavering. Deuteronomy 29:29; Matthew 10:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Philippians 3:15; Isaiah 45:11;  Matthew 21:22; John 14:13, 14; 15:7; James 1:5, 6; 1 John 5:13, 14, 15.

4. To understand doctrine, bring all the Scriptures together on the subject you wish to know; then let every word have its proper influence, and if you can form your theory without a contradiction, you cannot be in an error.  Isaiah 28:7-29; 35:8; Proverbs 19:27; Luke 24:27,44,45; Romans 16:26;   James 5:19; 2 Pet. 1:19,20

5. Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound it to me, and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom is my rule, not the Bible.
Psalms 19:7-11; 119:97-105; Matthew 23:8-10; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16; Ezekiel 34:18,19; Luke 11:52; Malachi 2:7,8

6. God has revealed things to come, by visions, in figures and parables, and in this way the same things are often times revealed again and again, by different visions, or in different figures and parables. If you wish to understand them, you must combine them all in one. Psalms 89:19;        Hosea 12:10; Habakkuk 2:2; Acts 2:17; 1 Corinthians 10:6; Hebrews 9:9, 24; Psalms 78:2;    Matthew 8:13, 34; Genesis 41:1-32; Daniel 2; 7; 8; Acts 10:9-16

7. Visions are always mentioned as such. 2 Corinthians 12:1

8. Figures always have a figurative meaning, and are used much in prophecy to represent future things, times and events; such as mountains, meaning governments; beasts, meaning kingdoms, waters, meaning people, lamps, meaning Word of God, day, meaning year. Daniel 2:35,44; 7:8,17; Revelation 17:1,15; Psalms 119:105; Ezekiel 4:6

9. Parables are used as comparison to illustrate subjects, and must be explained in the same way as figures, by the subject and Bible. Mark 4:13

10. Figures sometimes have two or more different significations; as day is used in a figurative sense to represent three different periods of time.
• Indefinite.
• Definite, a day for a year.
• Day for a thousand years.
If you put on the right construction it will harmonize with the Bible and make good sense, otherwise it will not. Ecclesiastes 7:14; Ezekiel 4:6; 2 Peter 3:8

11. How to know when a word is used figuratively: If it makes good sense as it stands, and does no violence to the simple laws of nature, then it must be understood literally; if not, figuratively. Revelation 12:1,2;17:3-7

12. To learn the true meaning of figures, trace your figurative word through your Bible, and where you find it explained, put it on your figure, and if it makes good sense you need look no further; if not, look again.

13. To know whether we have the true historical event for the fulfillment of a prophecy: If you find every word of the prophecy (after the figures are understood) is literally fulfilled, then you may know that your history is the true event. But if one word lacks a fulfillment, then you must look for another event, or wait its future development. For God takes care that history and prophecy doth agree, so that the true, believing children of God may never be ashamed. Psalms 21:5; Isaiah 14:17-19; 1 Peter 2:6; Revelation 17:17; Acts 3:18

14. The most important rule of all is, that you must have faith. It must be a faith that requires a sacrifice, and, if tried, would give up the dearest object on earth, the world and all its desires, character, living, occupation, friends, home, comforts and worldly honors. If any of these should hinder our believing any part of Gods word, it would show our faith to be vain. Nor can we ever believe so long as one of these motives lies lurking in our hearts. We must believe that God will never forfeit His word. And we can have confidence that He that takes notice of the sparrow, and numbers the hairs of our head, will guard the translation of His own word, and throw a barrier around  it, and prevent those who sincerely trust in God, and put implicit confidence in His word, from erring far from the truth, though they may not understand Hebrew or Greek.

By utilizing these principles and by the help of the Holy Spirit, you are sure to highlight or unfold the wondrous truths that this little book called the Bible has instore.


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8 responses to “William Miller’s Rules for Bible study”

  1. Troy Van Horn Avatar

    Rule #3 Isaiah 14:11 is a typo – should be Isaiah 45:11.

  2. Advent Cry Avatar

    Thank you. The correction has been made.

  3. Tree of Life Time(c) Avatar

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  4. Tree of Life Time(c) Avatar

    Somewhere I got the idea that one important rule of Bible Study is to go to the first occurrence of any given Scripture word. That is, in order to find and to better understand the meaning of such a scripture word. Are you aware of any such Bible Study rule and where such a rule may be more perfectly defined?

  5. Oniel Salmon Avatar

    Matthew 19:30 "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first."

    Matthew 20:16 "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."

    Psalms 119:160 "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever."

    Isaiah 46:9-10 "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:"

    Mat 18:16 "But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."

    2Co 13:1 "This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."

  6. Oniel Salmon Avatar

    I don't know if that answers your question, but I hope it helps.

  7. Tree of Life Time(c) Avatar

    Thanks! If that is not a straight answer to my question directly from the Scriptures, then I do not know what is…

    May the peace of our Creator rest over each our families and homes forever!

  8. Oniel Salmon Avatar

    You are welcome and God bless.

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