Bible Readings For Home Circle

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Bible Readings
for the Home Circle
Bible Readings for the Home Circle - 1914 edition, answering nearly 4,000 Bible questions, is much larger, older and more
comprehensive than the previous version on this website. This book has helped millions of people in their study of the Word of God for over
a hundred and twenty years. The 201 Bible Topics in 18 major sections, have been prepared in a simple question and answer format - with
the answer from the Bible. You will quickly see how this book can transform your personal and family Bible study into a fascinating
experience!
Written by a large number of Bible Students
First Edition Published in 1888
http://www.preparingforeternity.com/br1914/brhccontents.htm
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Table of Contents
The Bibles Origin, History & Place in the World ...........................4 Section 6
The Value of Bible Study ....................................................................6 The Sure Word of Prophecy
47. Prophecy, Why Given ............................................................ 68
48. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream ..................................................... 69
Section 1 49. The Gospel of the Kingdom ................................................. 71
The Bible; How to Study and Understand It 50. Four Great Monarchie ............................................................ 73
1. The Scriptures ..................................................................................7 51. The Kingdom and Work of Antichrist ................................ 75
2. The Study of the Scriptures ..........................................................8 52. The Vicar of Christ.................................................................. 78
3. Power in the Word .........................................................................10 53. A Great Prophetic Period ...................................................... 81
4. The Life-Giving Word ....................................................................11 54. The Atonement in Type and Antitype ................................ 85
5. Christ in All the Bible ....................................................................12 55. The Judgment .......................................................................... 88
56. The Judgment-Hour Message.............................................. 90
57. The Fall of Modern Babylon ................................................. 91
Section 2 58. The Closing Gospel Message .............................................. 93
Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy
59. Satan's Warfare Against the Church .................................. 95
6. Creation and the Creator ..............................................................14
60. A Great Persecuting Power .................................................. 97
7. The Origin of Evil ...........................................................................15
61. Making an Image to the Beast ............................................. 98
8. The Fall and Redemption of Man ...............................................16
62. The Seven Churches ............................................................ 101
9. Creation and Redemption ............................................................18
63. The Seven Seals.................................................................... 103
10. The Character and Attributes of God ......................................20
64. The Seven Trumpets ............................................................ 105
11. The Love of God...........................................................................21
65. The Eastern Question .......................................................... 108
12. The Deity of Christ .......................................................................22
66. The Seven Last Plagues...................................................... 110
13. Prophecies Relating to Christ...................................................23
67. The Mystery of God Finished ............................................. 112
14. Christ the Way of Life .................................................................25
15. Salvation Only Through Christ .................................................26
Section 7
Coming Events and Signs of the Times
Section 3 68. Our Lord's Great Prophecy ................................................ 114
The Way to Christ
69. Signs of the Times................................................................ 117
16.Faith .................................................................................................27
70. Increase of Knowledge ........................................................ 120
17.Hope .................................................................................................28
71. Conflict Between Capital and Labor ................................ 122
18.Repentance ....................................................................................29
72. Christ's Second Coming ..................................................... 123
19. Confession and Forgiveness ....................................................30
73. Manner of Christ's Coming ................................................ 125
20. Conversion, or the New Birth ...................................................32
74. Object of Christ's Coming .................................................. 126
21.Baptism ...........................................................................................33
75. The Resurrection of the Just ............................................. 127
22. Reconciled to God .......................................................................35
76. The World's Conversion...................................................... 128
23. Acceptance With God .................................................................36
77. The Gathering of Israel ........................................................ 131
24. Justification by Faith ..................................................................37
78. The Millennium ...................................................................... 132
25. Righteousness and Life .............................................................39
79. Length of the Day of the Lord ............................................ 134
26.Consecration..................................................................................40
80. Elijah The Prophet ................................................................ 135
27. Bible Election ................................................................................41
28. Bible Sanctification .....................................................................42
29. Importance of Sound Doctrine .................................................43 Section 8
30. Present Truth ................................................................................44 The Law Of God
31. The Obedience of Faith ..............................................................46 81. The Law of God ..................................................................... 137
82. Perpetuity of the Law ........................................................... 140
83. Why the Law was Given at Sinai ....................................... 142
Section 4 84. Penalty for Transgression .................................................. 144
Life, Parables, and Miracles of Christ
85. The Law of God in the Patriarchal Age ............................ 145
32. Birth, Childhood, and Early Life of Christ ..........................48
86. The Law of God in the New Testament ............................ 146
33. Christ's Ministry ...........................................................................50
87. The Moral and Ceremonial Laws....................................... 148
34. Christ the Great Teacher ............................................................51
88. The Two Covenants ............................................................. 150
35. Parables of Christ ........................................................................52
89. What was Abolished by Christ .......................................... 153
36. Miracles of Christ.........................................................................53
90. The Law and the Gospel ..................................................... 155
37. Sufferings of Christ .....................................................................55
38. The Resurrection of Christ ........................................................57
39. A Sinless Life ................................................................................58 Section 9
40. Our Pattern ....................................................................................59 The Sabbath
41. Our Helper and Friend ................................................................60 91. Institution of the Sabbath ................................................... 157
92. God's Memorial ..................................................................... 158
93. Reasons for Sabbath-Keeping .......................................... 159
Section 5
94. Manner of Observing the Sabbath .................................... 161
The Holy Spirit
95. Christ and the Sabbath........................................................ 163
42. The Holy Spirit and His Work ....................................................61
96. The Sabbath in the New Testament ................................. 165
43. Fruit of the Spirit ..........................................................................62
97. The Change of the Sabbath ................................................ 168
44. Gifts of the Spirit ..........................................................................63
98. The Seal of God and The Mark of Apostasy ................... 171
45. The Gift of Prophecy ...................................................................64
99. The Lord's Day ...................................................................... 173
46. The Outpouring of the Spirit .....................................................66
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100. Walking as He Walked ....................................................... 174 150. Preaching the Gospel ........................................................ 241
101. The Sabbath In History...................................................... 175 151. The Shepherd and His Work ............................................ 242
102. Sabbath Reform .................................................................. 178 152. Missionary Work ................................................................. 243
153. The Poor, and Our Duty Toward Them.......................... 244
Section 10 154. Christian Help Work ........................................................... 245
Christian Liberty 155. Visiting the Sick .................................................................. 246
103. The Author of Liberty .............................................................180 156. Healing the Sick .................................................................. 247
104. The Powers that Be .................................................................182 157. Prison Work ......................................................................... 248
105. Individual Accountability .......................................................185 158. Order and Organization .................................................... 249
106. Union of Church and State ....................................................186 159. Support of the Ministry ..................................................... 250
107. Sabbath Legislation ................................................................188 160. Free-Will Offerings ............................................................. 251
108. Who Persecute and Why........................................................189 161.Hospitality ............................................................................. 252
162. Who is the Greatest? .................................................. 253
Section 11
Life Only In Christ Section 15
109. Origin, History, And Destiny Of Satan ................................191 Admonitions and Warnings
110. What is Man? ................................................................... 193 163.Pride ........................................................................................ 254
111. Life Only in Christ....................................................................195 164.Selfishness ............................................................................ 255
112. The Intermediate State ...........................................................196 165.Covetousness ....................................................................... 256
113. The Two Resurrections ..........................................................197 166.Debts....................................................................................... 258
114. Fate of the Transgressor .......................................................199 167. Respect of Persons ............................................................ 259
115. The Ministration of Good Angels .........................................201 168.Backsliding ........................................................................... 260
116. The Dark Ministries of Bad Angels ......................................204 169.Unbelief .................................................................................. 261
117.Spiritualism ................................................................................205 170.Judging .................................................................................. 262
171. Gossiping and Backbiting ................................................ 263
172. Envy, Jealousy, and Hatred ............................................. 264
Section 12
173.Hypocrisy............................................................................... 265
Christian Growth And Experience
174. Danger in Rejecting Light ................................................. 266
118. Growth In Grace .......................................................................207
175. The Just Recompense ....................................................... 267
119. The Christian Armor ...............................................................208
120. Walking in the Light ................................................................209
121. Saving Faith ..............................................................................211 Section 16
122. Trials and Their Object ...........................................................212 The Home
123.Overcoming................................................................................213 176. The Marriage Institution .................................................... 268
124. The Ministry of Sorrow ...........................................................214 177. A Happy Home, and How to Make It ............................... 270
125. Comfort in Affliction ...............................................................215 178. Religion in the Home ......................................................... 271
126. Trusting in Jesus .....................................................................217 179. Honor Due to Parents ........................................................ 272
127.Patience ......................................................................................218 180. Child Training ...................................................................... 273
128.Contentment ..............................................................................219 181. The Mother ........................................................................... 274
129.Cheerfulness..............................................................................220 182. 100 Bible Stories, and Where to Find Them ................. 275
130. Christian Courtesy ..................................................................221 183. Promises for the Children ................................................ 276
131. Confessing Faults, Forgiving One Another ......................222 184. Evils of City Life .................................................................. 277
132. The Duty of Encouragement .................................................223 185.Purity ...................................................................................... 278
133. Unity of Believers ....................................................................224
134. Meekness and Humility ..........................................................225 Section 17
135.Sobriety .......................................................................................226 Health And Temperance
136.Wisdom .......................................................................................227 186. Good Health ......................................................................... 279
137.Diligence .....................................................................................228 187. Christian Temperance ....................................................... 280
138. Perfection of Character ..........................................................229 188. Evils of Intemperance ........................................................ 281
139. Sowing and Reaping ...............................................................230 189. The World's Curse .............................................................. 282
190. Scripture Admonitions ...................................................... 286
Section 13 191. True Temperance Reform ................................................. 287
Prayer And Public Worship
140. Importance of Prayer ..............................................................231 Section 18
141. Meditation and Prayer ............................................................232 The Kingdom Restored
142. Watching Unto Prayer ............................................................233 192. The Kingdom of Glory ....................................................... 288
143. Answers to Prayer ...................................................................234 193. The Saints' Inheritance...................................................... 289
144. Public Worship .........................................................................235 194. Promises to the Overcomer ............................................. 290
145. Reverence for the House of God .........................................236 195. The Subjects of the Kingdom .......................................... 291
146. Christian Communion ............................................................237 196. Eternal Life ........................................................................... 293
147. Praise and Thanksgiving .......................................................238 197. The Home of the Saved ..................................................... 294
148. The Value of Song ...................................................................239 198. The New Jerusalem ............................................................ 296
199. The Conflict Ended............................................................. 297
Section 14 200. Pleasures Forevermore ..................................................... 298
Christian Service 201. The Game of Life in Progress ..................................... 299
149. The Gift of Giving ............................................................... 240
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The Bibles
Origin, History & Place in the World
THE Bible contains proof in itself of its divine origin. No other The Bible in Native Tongues
book can answer the questionings of the mind or satisfy the
longings of the heart as does the Bible. It is adapted to every age Thus far, however, the Bible had been published only in ancient
and condition of life, and is full of that knowledge which
tongues, now little understood by the common people. Without
enlightens the mind and sanctifies the soul. the Word of God in their hands, the good seed sown among
In the Bible we have a revelation of the living God. Received by them was easily destroyed. "O," said the advocates of its pure
faith, it has power to transform the life. During all its history a teachings, "if the people only had the Word of God in their own
divine watch-care has been over it; and preserved it for the world. language, this would not happen! Without this it will be
impossible to establish the laity in the truth."
How When, and Why Written And why should they not have it in their own tongue? they
reasoned. Moses wrote in the language of the people of his time;
After the flood, as men became numerous, and darkness was the prophets spoke in the tongue familiar to the men whom
again settling over the world, holy men wrote as they were
moved by the Spirit of God. Thus God spoke to His people, and they addressed; and the New Testament was written in the
through them to the world, that a knowledge of God and of His language then current throughout the Roman world.
will might not perish from the earth. The translation of the Bible into English by John Wyclif, in 1380,
For centuries this work went on, until Christ, the promised Seed, was the chief event in the beginning of the Reformation. It also
came. With Him, and the blessed message of light and salvation prepared the way for the revival of Christianity in England, and
proclaimed by Him and by His apostles, the Scripture record the multiplying there of the Word by the millions, for all the world,
closed, and the Word of God was complete. that has followed.
To make such a translation at that time, says Neander, "required
Original Writings and Translations a bold spirit which no danger could appall." For making it Wyclif
was attacked from various quarters, because, it was claimed, "he
was introducing among the multitude a book reserved
The Old Testament Scriptures were first written in Hebrew, upon exclusively for the use of the priests." In the general
scrolls, or rolls of parchment, linen, or papyrus. These were later denunciation it was declared that "thus was the gospel by him
translated into Greek, the oldest translation being known as the laid more open to the laity, and to women who could read, than it
Septuagint. or "Version of the Seventy," made at Alexandria, for had formerly been to the most learned of the clergy; and in this
the Alexandrian Library, by a company of seventy learned Jews, way the gospel pearl is cast abroad, and trodden underfoot of
under the patronage of Ptolemy Philadelphus, swine." In the preface to his translation, Wyclif exhorted all the
people to read the Scriptures.
about 285 B. C. The original order for this translation is said to A sense of awe and a thrill of joy filled the heart of the great
have been given by Alexander the Great, who previously, upon German Reformer, when, at the age of twenty, while examining
visiting Jerusalem in 332 B. C., had learned from the prophecy of the volumes in the library of the university of Erfurt, he held in his
Daniel that Grecia was to overthrow the Persian kingdom. See hands, for the first time in his life, a complete copy of the Bible.
Josephus's " Antiquities of the Jews," book 11, chap. 8, par. 5. "O God," he murmured, "could I but have one of these books, I
This was the version in common use in the time of Christ. would ask no other treasure." A little later he found in a convent
The New Testament was all originally written in Greek, except a chained Bible. To this he had constant recourse.
Matthew, which was first written in Hebrew, and later translated But all these Bibles here, as elsewhere, save in England, were in
into Greek. an ancient tongue, and could be read only by the educated. Why,
At an early date, Latin translations, both of the Septuagint and of thought Luther, should the living Word be confined to dead
the Greek New Testament, were made by different individuals, languages? Like Wyclif, therefore, he resolved to give his
and the more carefully prepared Latin Vulgate of Jerome, the countrymen the Bible in their own tongue. This he did, the New
Bible complete, was made A. D. 383-405. Testament in 1522, and the Bible complete, the crowning work of
his life, in 1534.
Impressed with the idea that the people should read the
Printing and the Bible Scriptures in their mother tongue, William Tyndale, likewise, in
1525, gave to the English his translation of the New Testament,
Printing, however, being yet unknown, copies of the Bible could and later, of portions of the Old Testament Scriptures. His ardent
be produced only by the slow, laborious, and expensive process desire that they should know the Bible was well expressed in the
of handwriting. This necessarily greatly limited its circulation. statement that if God spared his life he would cause the boy that
Worse still, its illuminating and saving truths were largely hidden drives the plow to know more of the scriptures than was
for centuries by the errors, superstitions, and apostasy of the commonly known by the divines of his day.
dark ages. During this time the common people knew little of its The first complete printed English Bible was that of Miles
contents. Coverdale, printed at Zurich, Switzerland, in 1535. Matthew's
Bible, Taverner's Bible, and The Great Bible prepared at the
suggestion of Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, appeared soon
But with the invention of the art of printing about the middle of after. Thus the light of truth began to shine forth once more; but
the fifteenth century, and with the dawn of the great Reformation not without opposition.
in the century following, the Bible entered upon a new era,
preparatory to the final proclamation of the gospel through-out
the world. Burning of Bibles
Not a little significant is the fact that the first book printed from
movable type was the Bible in Latin, which came from the press As Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the princes under King
of John Gutenberg, at Mentz, Germany, in 1456, a copy of which, Zedekiah showed their contempt for God by burning the writings
in 1911, was sold in New York City for fifty thousand dollars, the of Jeremiah, and confining the prophet in a dungeon (Jer. 36:20-
highest price ever paid for a single book. 23; 38:1-6), so now men sought to stem the rising tide of reform
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by burning the Bible and its translators. ceased to be printed, and sold freely."
Bible burning was inaugurated in England by the destruction of Says Charles C. Coffin, in his "Story of Liberty," page 44: "The
copies of the Antwerp edition of Tyndale's New Testament, at St. people listen to the reading with wonder and delight. They begin
Paul's Cross, London, in 1527, followed by the burning of a to think; and when men begin to think, they take a step toward
second edition in 1530. A little later there were wholesale freedom. They see that the Bible gives them rights which hitherto
burnings of the writings and translations of Wyclif, Tyndale, Basil, have been denied them,- the right to read, to acquire knowledge.
Barnes, Coverdale, and others. Schools are started. Men and women who till now have not
Forty-three years after the death of Wyclif, or in A. D. 1428, by known a letter of the alphabet, learn to read; children teach their
order of the Council of Constance his bones were dug up and parents. It is the beginning of a new life, a new order of things in
burned. Oct. 6, 1536, by order of Charles V of Germany, Tyndale the community- the beginning of liberty."
was strangled and burned at the stake at Vilvorde, near Brussels.
"If Luther will not retract," wrote Henry VIII of England, "let The Bible to All the World
himself and his writings be committed to the flames."
Finally great Bible societies were organized in England, America,

Such, under the spiritual tyranny that ruled in those times, was and many of the countries of Europe, for the purpose of giving
the fate of many who stood for God and His Word. the Bible to the world,- to every nation, kindred,
The Word Not Bound

tongue, and people in its own language. Since its organization in
1804, the British and Foreign Bible Society, up to 1912, had
But the Word of God could not be forever bound. In attempting to published the Scriptures, or portions of them in 440 languages
prevent its circulation men soon discovered that they were and dialects, with a total of 53,274,516 entire Bibles, 84,059,610
undertaking a work beyond their strength. New Testaments, and 89,816,644 portions of the Bible, or a
The Bible had taken deep root in the hearts of the people. What grand total of 227,150,770 copies.
kings and prelates had sought to suppress and destroy, kings The total issue of the American Bible Society in the first ninety-
and prelates now began to foster and supply. six years following its organization, or from 1816 to 1912,
In his "Stories From English History," pages 196, 197, Henry P. amounts to 96,219,105 copies. It now publishes the Bible in over
Warron says: "Henry, by Cromwell's advice, ordered a one hundred languages.
translation of the Bible to be made in English, and a copy to be These, while the largest of their kind, are but two of the twenty-
placed in every church. There had been English translations seven Bible societies now disseminating the Scriptures.
before, but they had not been in the hands of the people Thus is the world being provided with the Word of God,
generally, and had only been read secretly and in fear. . . . preparatory to the giving of the closing gospel message to all
Cromwell then appointed Cranmer and the bishops to revise the mankind, the ending of the reign of sin, and the advent of the
Bible, and publish it without note or comment; and in the year Lord in glory. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached
1539 a copy of the English Bible was chained to the reading- in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the
desk of every parish church. From that time the Bible has never end come." Matt. 24:14.
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The Value of Bible Study
THE Bible is God's great text-book for man. It is His lamp to our the interrogation-point. Nothing so readily quickens thought or
feet and light to our path in this world of sin. The value of Bible awakens interest as a question. Children would learn little if they
study cannot, therefore be overestimated. asked no questions, and he would indeed be a poor teacher who
Considered from a literary standpoint alone, the Bible stands asked and answered none.
preeminent. Its terse, chaste style; its beautiful and impressive Knowing the value of this means of awakening thought, arousing
imagery; its interesting stories and well-told narratives; its deep interest, and imparting information, God, in His wisdom, inspired
wisdom and its sound logic; its dignified language and its those who wrote the Bible to ask many questions, that He might
elevated themes, all make it worthy of universal reading and set us to thinking and studying about the great themes with
careful study. which it deals. See Job 38:4,7; 14:14; Ps. 8:4; Mal. 3:1,2,8; Ex.
As an educating power, the Bible has no equal. Nothing so 32:26; 1 Chron. 29:5.
broadens the vision, strengthens the mind, elevates the thoughts, But God not only asks questions; He answers them. The
and ennobles the affections as does the study of the sublime and
stupendous truths of revelation. A knowledge of its principles is following may be cited as a few short Bible readings, taken, both
an essential preparation to every calling. To the extent that it is
studied and its teachings are received, it gives strength of questions and answers, directly from the Bible itself:-
character, noble ambition, keenness of perception, and sound "What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he
judgment. Of all the books ever written, none contains lessons may see good?
so instructive, precepts so pure, or promises so great as the "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Bible. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." Ps.
There is nothing that so convinces the mind of the inspiration of 34:12-14.
the Bible as does the reading of the Bible itself, and especially
"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who
those portions known as the prophecies. After the resurrection of
Christ, when everything else seemed to have failed to convince hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath
the disciples that He had risen from the dead, redness of eyes?
"They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed
He appealed to the inspired Word, and "expounded unto them in wine." Prov. 23:29,30.
all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself " (Luke 24:25- "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in
27), and they believed. On another occasion He said, "If they His holy place?
hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted
though one rose from the dead." Luke 16:31. up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive
As a guide, the Bible is without a rival. It gives a calm peace in the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of
believing, and a firm hope of the future. It solves the great
his salvation." Ps. 24:3-5. See also Psalm 15 and Isa. 33:14-17.
problem of life and destiny, and inspires to a life of purity,
patience, and well-doing. It fills the heart with love for God and a The Bible itself, therefore, sets the example of giving instruction
desire to do good to others, and thus prepares for usefulness and of imparting most valuable information by means of asking
here and for a home in heaven. It teaches the value of the soul, questions and answering them.
by revealing the price that has been paid to redeem it. It makes The readings in this book as originally prepared were contributed
known the only antidote for sin, and presents the only perfect by a large number of Bible workers, whose experience in giving
code of morals ever given. It tells of the future and the
Bible readings had taught them the most effective methods of
preparation necessary to meet it. It makes us bold for the right,
and sustains the soul in adversity and affliction. It lights up the presenting the different subjects treated. Over one million two
dark valley of death, and points to a life unending. It leads to God, hundred and fifty thousand copies of the book as thus prepared
and to Christ, whom to know is life eternal. In short, it is the one have been sold. [as of 1914]
book to live by and die by. The work has recently been thoroughly revised and rewritten,
As the king of Israel was instructed to write him a copy of the law, much enlarged, entirely reillustrated, with the readings classified
and to read therein "all the days of his life," that he might "fear and carefully arranged according to topics, by a large committee
the Lord," keep His word, and thus prolong his days and the
of able critics and Bible students. So extensive has been the
days of his children (Deut. 17:18-20) , so ought men now to
study the Bible, and from it learn that fear which is the beginning revision, and so much and valuable the new matter added, that
of wisdom, and that knowledge which is unto salvation. As an aid the present work is practically a new book, although retaining the
and incentive to this, "Bible Readings for the Home Circle" has same name and the same general plan as the former work. Thus
been prepared and published. prepared, it is once more sent forth on its mission of light and
blessing.
Bible Readings; Their Value and Use As a help in enabling the reader quickly to discover the words
which most directly answer the question asked, they are
Briefly stated, a Bible reading consists of questions asked generally printed in italic, unless the entire scripture quoted is
concerning some subject, and answers to them from the Bible. In required for the purpose.
other words, Bible readings mean a topical study of the Bible by "Bible Readings" will be found an excellent aid to private, family,
means of questions and answers. and public study of the Word of God.
In either receiving or imparting knowledge, there is nothing like
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Section 1: The Bible; How to Study and Understand It
Chapter 1: The Scriptures
1. BY what name are the sacred writings of the Bible which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and
commonly known? in the Psalms,concerning Me." Verse 44.
"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The
stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head 14. What does God's character preclude Him from doing?
of the corner?" Matt. 21:42.
"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised
before the world began." Titus 1:2.
2. What other title is given this revelation of God to man?
"And He answered and said unto them, My mother and My 15. What is God called in the Scriptures?
brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it." Luke
"He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are
8:21. judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is
He." Deut. 32:4.
3. How were the Scriptures given?
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2 Tim. 3:16.
16. What, therefore must be the character of His word?
"Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth." John 17:17
4. By whom were the men directed who thus spoke for God?
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but 17. What test should therefore be applied to every professed
holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
teacher of truth?
Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21. "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.
5. What specific instance is mentioned by Peter?
"Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been
18. What does God design that His word shall be to us in
fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake this world of darkness, sin, and death?
before concerning Judas,which was guide to them that took
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps.
Jesus." Acts 1:16. 119:105.
6. How does David express this same truth? 19. To what extent has God magnified His word?
"The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my
"Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name." Ps. 138:2.
tongue." 2 Sam. 23:2.
NOTE.-God did this by backing His promises with an oath based

7. Who, therefore, did the speaking through these men? upon Himself. Heb. 6:13,14. By this He pledged and placed at
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time
stake His name, or character, for the fulfillment of His word.
past unto the fathers by the prophets." Heb. 1:1.
20. In what is the true poetry of life to be found?

8. For what purpose were the Scriptures written? "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for
pilgrimage." Ps. 119:54.
our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
Scriptures might have hope." Rom. 15:4.
21. How long will the word of God endure?
"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God
9. For what is all scripture profitable?
shall stand forever." Isa. 40:8. "Heaven and earth shall pass
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for away, but My words shall not pass away." Matt. 24:35.
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness." 2 Tim. 3:16.
10. What was God's design in thus giving the Scriptures?

"That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto O Word of God incarnate,
all good works." Verse 17. O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging,
O Light of our dark sky!
11. What estimate did Job place upon the words of God? We praise Thee for the radiance
"Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I
That from the hallowed page,
have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary A lamp to guide our footsteps,
food." Job 23:12. Shines on from age to age.
12. Upon what evidence did Jesus base His Messiahship?

The church from her dear Master
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded Received the gift divine,
unto themin all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." And still that light she lifteth
Luke 24:27. O'er all the earth to shine.
It is the golden casket
13. What three general divisions did Jesus recognize as Where gems of truth are stored;
including all the writings of the Old Testament? It is the heaven-drawn picture
"And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto Of Christ the living Word.
you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, William How.
8
Chapter 2: The Study of the Scriptures
1. WHAT did Christ say to the Jews concerning the study of 8. What is one purpose for which the Holy Spirit was sent?
the Scriptures? "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
"Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all
and they are they which testify of Me." John 5:39 things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said
unto you." John 14:26.
2. For what were the Bereans commended?
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they 9. Why cannot the natural man receive the things of the
received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Spirit?
Scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know
NOTE.-"If God's Word were studied as it should be," says a them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor. 2:14.
modern Bible student, "men would have a breadth of mind, a
nobility of character , and a stability of purpose that are rarely 10. For what spiritual enlightenment should every one pray?
seen in these times. But there is little benefit derived from a "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of
hasty reading of the Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible Thy law." Ps. 119:18.
through, and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep
and hidden meaning. One passage studied until its significance 11. For what spiritual gift did the apostle Paul pray?
is clear to the mind and its relation to the plan of salvation is "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may
evident, is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
no definite purpose in view, and no positive instruction gained." knowledge of Him."Eph. 1:17.
3. By what comparison is it indicated that some portions of 12. Upon what conditions is an understanding of divine
God's Word are more difficult to understand than others? things promised?
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need "Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice f or
that one teach you again which be the first principles of the understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for
oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and
her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of
not of strong meat." Heb. 5:12. the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Prov. 2:3-5.
4. In what way is this comparison further explained? 13. What great blessing did Christ confer upon His disciples
"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
after His resurrection?
righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to "Then opened He their understanding, that they might
them that are of full age,even those who by reason of use have
understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45.
their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Verses
13,14.
14. What beings of a higher order than man desire to study
the truths revealed in the gospel of Christ?
5. What writings are specifically mentioned as containing
"Which things the angels desire to look into." 1 Peter 1:12.
some things difficult to understand?
"And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation;
even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom 15. What is promised him who wills to do God's will?
given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his "lf any man will [willeth to, R. V.] do His will, he shall know of the
epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself.'?
things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and John 7:17.
unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their
own destruction." 2 Peter 3:15,16. 16. How did Christ reprove those who, though familiar with
the letter of the Scriptures, failed to understand them?
NOTE.-Some scriptures are too plain to be misunderstood, while "Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the
the meaning of others cannot so readily be discerned. To obtain Scriptures, nor the power of God." Matt. 22:29.
a comprehensive knowledge of any Bible truth, scripture must be
compared with scripture, and there should be " careful research 17. What are the Scriptures able to do for one who believes
and prayerful reflection." But all such study will be richly them?
rewarded. "And that from a child thou hast known the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
6. Who alone comprehends the things of God? through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 3:15.
"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of
man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, 18. When asked by the rich young man the conditions of
but the Spirit of God." 1 Cor. 2:11. eternal life, to what did Jesus direct his attention?
"He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest
7. How thoroughly does the Spirit search out the. hidden thou?" Luke 10:26.
treasures of truth?
"But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit 19. Whom did Jesus pronounce blessed?
searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." Verse 10. "But He said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of
God, and keep it." Luke 11:28.
9
20. What did Christ say concerning the book of Daniel? Some read it for the wonders that are there,–
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation How David killed a lion and a bear;
spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso While others read it with uncommon care,
readeth, let him understand)." Matt. 24:15. Hoping to find some contradictions there.
21. What other book of the Bible is especially commended Some read as if it did not speak to them,
for our study? But to the people at Jerusalem.
One reads with father's specs upon his head,
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this
prophecy [the book of Revelation], and keep those things which And sees the thing just as his father said.
are written therein: for the time is at hand." Rev. 1:3.
Some read to prove a pre-adopted creed,
Hence understand but little that they read;
For every passage in the book they bend.
To make it suit that all-important end.
"How Readest Thou?"
It is one thing to read the Bible through, Some people read as I have often thought,
Another thing to read to learn and do. To teach the book instead of being taught;
Some read it with design to learn to read, And some there are who read it out of spite.
But to the subject pay but little heed. I fear there are but few who read it right.
Some read it as their duty once a week, But read it prayerfully, and you will see,
But no instruction from the Bible seek; Although men contradict, God's words agree;
While others read it with but little care, For what the early Bible prophets wrote,
With no regard to how they read, nor where. We find that Christ and His apostles quote.
Some read to bring themselves into repute, So trust no creed that trembles to recall
By showing others how they can dispute; What has been penned by one and verified by all.
While others read because their neighbors do,
To see how long 'twill take to read it through.
10
Chapter 3: Power in the Word
1. THROUGH what agency did God create the heavens? 14. Where should the word of Christ dwell?
"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." Col.
host of them by the breath of His mouth." "For He spake, and it 3:16.
was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." Ps. 33:6,9.
15. What did Christ say of the unbelieving Jews respecting
2. By what does Christ uphold all things? the word of God?
"Upholding all things by the word of His power." Heb. 1:3. "Ye have not His word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent,
Him ye believe not." John 5:38.
3. Of what are some willingly ignorant?
"For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God 16. How does the word of God work in the believer?
the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because,
and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye
overflowed with water, perished." 2 Peter 3:5,6. received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word
of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." 1
4. By what are the present heavens and earth reserved for a Thess. 2:13.
similar fate?
"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same 17. What nature is imparted through the promises of God?
word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious
judgment and perdition of ungodly men." Verse 7. promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine
nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
5. In what other scripture is it shown that creative power is lust." 2 Peter 1:4.
exercised through the word of God?
"Let them praise the name of the Lord: for He commanded, and 18. By what are believers made clean?
they were created." Ps. 148:5. "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto
you."John 15:3.
6. What change is wrought in one who is in Christ?
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [there 19. How may a young man cleanse his way?
is a new creation, R. V., margin]: old things are passed away; "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking
behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5:17. heed thereto according to Thy word." Ps. 119:9.
7. What is this new creation also called? 20. How did God heal His people anciently?
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from
thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of their destructions." Ps. 107:20.
God." John 3:3.
21. How did the centurion show his faith in the power of
8. Through what agency is this new creation, or new birth, Christ's word to heal?
accomplished? "The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by Thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only,
the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." 1 Peter 1:23. and my servant shall be healed." Matt. 8:8.
9. What is the first creative commandment recorded in the 22. What power has the word when hidden in the heart?
Bible? and what was the result of it? "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against
"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." Gen. 1:3. Thee."Ps. 119:11. See also Ps. 17:4.
10. What connection is there between the creation of light in 23. What did God humble Israel, and suffer them to hunger?
the beginning, and the light of the gospel? "And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed
"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, thee with manna, . . . that He might make thee know that man
hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth
the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Cor. 4:6. out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live." Deut. 8:3.
11. Why were the people astonished at Christ's teaching? 24. What is required beyond a mere hearing of the word?
"And they were astonished at His doctrine: for His word was with "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
power." Luke 4:32. your own selves." James 1:22.
12. What testified to the power of the word of Christ? 25. What is the result of doing God's will?
"And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that
saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power He doeth the will of God abideth forever." 1 John 2:17
commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out." Verse 36.
13. What did Christ say is the seed of the kingdom of God?
"The seed is the word of God." Luke 8:11.
11
Chapter 4: The Life-Giving Word
1. WHAT is the nature of the word of God? "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than and the Word was God." John 1:1. "And He was clothed with a
any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner God." Rev. 19:13.
of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4:12.
12. What was in the Word?
2. How are the oracles of God described? "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:4.
"This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the
angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our
13. What is Jesus therefore also called?
fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us." Acts "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard,
7:38. which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon,
and our hands have handled, of the Word of life." 1 John 1:1.
3. What did Christ declare His words to be?
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the 14. Why did the Jews fail to find life in the Scriptures?
words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
are life." John 6:63. and they are they which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me,
that ye might have life." John 5:39,40.
4. What was Peter's testimony concerning Christ's words?
"Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we
15. What constitutes a part of Christian experience?
go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." Verse 68. "And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the
world to come." Heb. 6:5. See answer to question 10.
5. What did Christ declare His Father's commandment to
be?
16. In assigning him his life-work, what instruction did
"And I know that His commandment is life everlasting." John Jesus give to Peter?
12:50. "Jesus saith unto him, Feed My sheep." John 21:17.
6. What lesson was intended by feeding the children of

17. What apostolic injunction indicates the way in which this
Israel with the manna? instruction is to be obeyed?
"And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,
thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His
know; that He might make thee know that man doth not live by kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." 2
of the Lord doth man live."Deut. 8:3. Tim. 4:1,2.
7. What interpretation did Jesus give to this lesson? 18. How are we instructed to pray for both physical and
"Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses spiritual nourishment?
gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you "Give us this day our daily bread." Matt. 6:11.
the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which
cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world." John
6:32,33. NOTE.-When "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us," the
thought of God was revealed in human flesh. When holy men of
God "spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," the thought
8. In further explanation of the meaning of this lesson, what of God was revealed in human language. The union of the divine
did Jesus declare Himself to be? and the human in the manifestation of God's thought in the flesh
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh
is declared to be "the mystery of godliness;" and there is the
to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall same mystery in the union of the divine thought and human
never thirst." Verse 35.
language. The two revelations of God, in human flesh and in
human speech, are both called the Word of God, and both are
9. What benefit is derived from eating this bread of life? the Word of life. He who fails to find Christ thus in the Scriptures
"As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he will not be able to feed upon the Word as the life-giving Word.
that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me. This is that bread which
came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and
are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever." Verses
57,58.
Like wandering sheep o'er mountains cold,
Since all have gone astray;
10. What instance is recorded of one who fed upon the true To life and peace within the fold,
manna? How may I find the way?
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was
unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by
Thy name, O Lord God of hosts." Jer.15:16. To Christ the Way, the Truth, the Life,
I come, no more to roam;
He'll guide me to my Father's house,
11. What name is applied to Jesus as the revelation of the To my eternal home.
thought of God in the flesh?
12
Chapter 5: Christ in All the Bible
1. OF whom did Christ say the Scriptures testify? 10. Who was the Rock that went with them?
"Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that
and they are they which testify of Me." John 5:39. spiritual Rock that followed [went with, margin] them: and that
Rock was Christ."1 Cor. 10:4.
NOTE.-"Search the Old Testament Scriptures: for they are they
that testify of Christ. To find Him in them is the true and 11. In what prophecy are Christ's life, suffering, and death
legitimate end of their study. To be able to interpret them as He touchingly foretold?
interpreted them is the best result of all Biblical learning." - Dean In the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah.
Alford.
12. Where is the price of Christ's betrayal foretold?
2. Of whom did Moses and the prophets write? "So they weighed for My price thirty pieces of silver." Zech. 11:12.
"Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found See Matt. 26:15.
Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did
write, Jesus of Nazareth,the son of Joseph." John 1:45. 13. Where in the Psalms are Christ's dying words recorded?
"My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?" Ps. 22:1. See
NOTE.-In her translation of the Old Testament Scriptures, Helen Matt. 27:46. "Into Thine hand I commit My spirit" Ps. 31:5. See
Spurrell expressed the following wish for all who should read her Luke 23:46.
translation: "May very many exclaim, as the translator has often
done when studying numerous passages in the original, I have 14. How is Christ's resurrection foretold in the Psalms?
found the Messiah!" "I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art
My Son;this day have I begotten Thee." Ps. 2:7. See Acts 13:33.
3. From whose words did Christ say the disciples ought to
have learned of His death and resurrection? 15. Where again in the Psalms is His resurrection foretold?
"O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have "For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer
spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to Thine Holy One to see corruption." Ps. 16:10. See Acts 2:25-31.
enter into His glory?" Luke 24:25,26.
16. In what words does Daniel foretell Christ's receiving His

4. How did Christ make it clear to them that the Scriptures kingdom?
testify of Him? "I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, one like the Son of
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of
unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning
days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was
Himself." Verse 27. given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people,
nations, and languages, should Serve Him: His dominion is an
5. What did He say a little later to the eleven? everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His
"These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." Dan. 7:13,14. See
with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in also Luke 1:32,33; 19:11,12; Rev. 11:15.
the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms,
concerning Me." Verse 44. 17. How is Christ's second coming described in the
Psalms?
6. Where in the Bible do we find the first promise of a "Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
Redeemer? before the Lord; for He cometh to judge the earth: with
"And the Lord God said unto the serpent, . . . I will put enmity righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with
between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her equity." Ps. 98:8,9. "Our God shall come, and shall not keep
seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel." silence: afire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very
Gen. 3:14,15. tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from
above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Gather
7. In what words was this promise renewed to Abraham? My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant
"In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." Gen. with Me by sacrifice." Ps. 50:3-5.
22:18. See also Gen. 26:4; 28:14.
18. What is Christ to one renewed after God's image?
8. To whom did this promised seed refer? "Christ is all, and in all." Col. 3:11.
"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He
saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy
seed, which is Christ." Gal. 3:16.
A Glory in the Word we find
9. Whom did God promise to send with Israel to guide them When grace restores our sight;
into the promised land? But sin has darkened all the mind,
"Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, And yeiled the heavenly light.
and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." Ex.
23:20. When God's own Spirit clears our view,
How bright the doctrines shine!
13
Their holy fruits and sweetness show The Branch. Zech. 6:12,13.
Their Author is divine. The Messenger of the covenant. Mal. 3:1.
The Sun of Righteousness. Mal. 4:2.
How blest we are, with open face
To view Thy glory, Lord, In the New Testament
And all Thy image here to trace, The Word. John 1:1.
Reflected in Thy Word! The Lamb of God. John 1:29.
CAMPBELL'S COLLECTION. The Bread of life. John 6:35.
The Light of the world. John 8:12.
The Door of the Sheep. John 10:7.
The Good Shepherd. Verse 11.
The Resurrection and the Life. John 11:25.
TITLES OF CHRIST The Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6.
The True Vine. John 15: 1.
In the Old Testament That Rock. 1 Cor. 10:4.
Seed of the woman. Gen. 3:15. The last Adam. 1 Cor. 15:45.
Mine Angel. Ex. 23:23. The Chief Corner-stone. Eph. 2:20.
A Star out of Jacob. Num. 24:17. The Man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 2:5.
A Prophet. Deut. 18:15,18. A Great High Priest. Heb. 4:14.
Captain of the host of the Lord. Joshua 5:14. The Author and Finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2.
A Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Prov. 18:24. The Chief Shepherd. 1 Peter 5:4.
My Beloved. Song of Solomon 2:10. An Advocate. 1 John 2:1.
Chiefest among ten thousand. Song of Solomon 5:10. Michael, the Archangel. Jude 9.
(One) altogether lovely. Song of Solomon 5:16. The Lion of the tribe of Judah. Rev. 5:5.
The Mighty God. Isa. 9:6. The Morning Star. Rev. 22:16.
The Everlasting Father. Isa. 9:6. King of kings, and Lord of lords. Rev. 19:16.
The Prince of Peace. Isa. 9:6.
The Lord Our Righteousness. Jer. 23:5,6. NOTE.-Christ is referred to in the Bible under something like
The Son of God. Dan. 3:25. three hundred different titles and figures, of which the above are
The Son of Man. Dan. 7:13. only examples. Why this is so is because He is all that these
Michael, . . . the Great Prince. Dan. 12:1. names and figures represent.
14
Section 2: Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy
Chapter 6: Creation and the Creator
1. BY whom were the heavens and the earth created? 11. To whom are those who suffer exhorted to commit their
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Gen. souls?
1:1. "Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God
commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator." 1 Peter
4: 19, R. V.
2. Through whom did God create all things?
"For by Him [the Son] were all things created, that are in heaven,
and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be 12. What gave special force to the oath of an angel?
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were "And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the
created by Him,and for Him." Col. 1:16. " All things were earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by Him that liveth
made by Him [through Him,R. V., margin]: and without Him was forever and ever,who created heaven, and the things that therein
not anything made that was made." John 1:3. " See also Heb. are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea,
1:1,2. and the things which are therein, that there should be time no
longer." Rev. 10:5,6.
3. What do the heavens declare?
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament 13. What contrast is drawn in the Scriptures between the
showeth His handiwork." Ps. 19:1. Creator and false gods?
"Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the
4. What was God's object in making the earth? heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth,
"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself and from under these heavens. . . . The portion of Jacob is not
that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He like them: for He is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod
created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited." Isa. 45:18. of His inheritance: The Lord of hosts is His name." Jer. 10:11-16.
5. In whose image was man created? 14. To whom is our worship justly due?
"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the
created He him; male and female created He them." Gen. 1:27. Lord our Maker." Ps. 95:6.
6. What home did God make for man in the beginning? 15. In view of the curse upon this creation, what has God
"And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and promised?
there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the
former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Isa. 65:17.
ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to
the sight, and good for food. . . . And the Lord God took the man, See Rev. 21:1.
and put him into the garden of Edento dress it and to keep it."
Gen. 2:8-15. 16. What is the true basis of the brotherhood of man?
"Have we not all one Father? hath not one God created us? why
7. What may be perceived through the things that are do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by
profaning the covenant of our fathers?" Mal. 2:10.
made?
"For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,
even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without
excuse." Rom. 1:20.
O THOU eternal One! whose presence bright
All space doth occupy, all motion guide;
8. Whose workmanship is the Christian? Unchanged through time's all devastating flight!
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good Thou only God - there is no God beside!
works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in Being above all beings! Mighty One,
them." Eph. 2:10. Whom none can comprehend and none explore;
Who fill'st existence with Thyself alone,
9. What assurance is given concerning the unfailing power Embracing all, supporting, ruling o'er;
of the Creator? Being whom we call God, and know no morel
" Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting
God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, Thou from primeval nothingness didst call
neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding." First chaos, then existence; Lord, on Thee
Isa. 40:28. Eternity hath its foundation; all
Sprung forth from Thee, - of light, joy, harmony,
10. What encouraging statement follows concerning the Sole origin, - all life, all beauty Thine;
supply of power to the faint? Thy word created all, and doth create;
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He Thy splendor fills all space with rays divine;
increaseth strength." Verse 29. Thou art and wert and shalt be! Glorious! Great!
Light-giving, life-sustaining Potentate!
DERZHAVIN.
15
Chapter 7: The Origin of Evil
1. WITH whom did sin originate? NOTE.-In a word, pride and self-exaltation led to Satan's
"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from downfall, and for these there is no justification or adequate
the beginning." 1 John 3:8. excuse. "Pride goeth, before destruction, and a haughty spirit
before a fall." Prov. 16:18. Hence, while we may know of the
NOTE.-Without the Bible, the question of the origin of evil would origin, cause, character, and results of evil, no good or sufficient
remain unexplained. reason or excuse can be given for it. To excuse it is to justify it;
and the moment it is justified it ceases to be sin. All sin is a
manifestation of selfishness in some form, and its results are the
2. From what time has the devil been a murderer? opposite of those prompted by love. The experiment of sin will
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye result finally in its utter abandonment and banishment forever, by
will do.He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in all created intelligences, throughout the entire universe of God.
the truth, because there is no truth in him." John 8:44. Only those who foolishly and persistently cling to sin will be
destroyed with it. The wicked will then "be as though they had
3. What is the devil's relationship to lying? not been" (Obadiah 16), and the righteous shall " shine as the
"When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, brightness of the firmament," and " as the stars forever and
and the father of it." Same verse. ever." Dan. 12:3. "Affliction shall not rise up the second time."
Nahum 1:9. See reading in Chapter 109 "Origin, History, and
Destiny of Satan," of this book.
4. Was Satan created sinful?
"Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast
created, till iniquity was found in thee." Eze. 28:15. 7. In contrast with the pride and self-exaltation exhibited by
Satan, what spirit did Christ manifest?
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be
NOTE.-This, and the statement in John 8:44 that he "abode not equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took
in the truth," show that Satan was once perfect, and in the upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness
truth. Peter speaks of "the angels that sinned" (2 Peter 2:4); and of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled
Jude refers to "the angels which kept not their first estate" (Jude Himself, and became obedient unto death,even the death of the
6); both of which show that these angels were once in a state of cross." Phil. 2:6-8.
sinlessness and innocence.
8. After man had sinned, how did God show His love, and
5. What further statement of Christ seems to lay the His willingness to forgive?
responsibility for the origin of sin upon Satan and his "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
angels? that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
"Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from everlasting life." John 3:16.
Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels."Matt. 25:41.
NOTE.- Inasmuch as God, who is love, who delights in mercy,
and who changes not, offered pardon and granted a period of
6. What led to Satan's sin, rebellion, and downfall? probation to man when he sinned, it is but reasonable to
"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast conclude that a like course was pursued toward the heavenly
corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness." Eze. 28:17. intelligences who first sinned, and that only those who persisted
"Thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will in sin, and took their stand in open revolt and rebellion against
exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the God and the government of heaven, were finally cast out of
mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: . . . I will be heaven. Rev. 12:7-9.
like the Most High." Isa. 14:13,14.
16
Chapter 8: The Fall and Redemption of Man
1. WHAT is sin declared to be? 11. What is God's attitude toward the sinner?
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is "For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the
the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. Lord God; wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." Eze. 18:32.
2. What precedes the manifestation of sin? 12. Can man free himself from the dominion of sin?
"Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin." James "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his
1:15. spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do
evil." Jer. 13:23.
3. What is the final result or fruit of sin?
"And sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." Same verse. 13. What place has the will in determining whether man shall
"The wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23. have life?
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth
say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will,
4. Upon how many of the human race did death pass as the
result of Adam's transgression? let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.
"By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and
so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. 14. To what extent has Christ suffered for sinners?
5:12. "In Adam all die." 1 Cor. 15:22. "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with
Hisstripes we are healed." Isa. 53:5.
5. How was the earth itself affected by Adam's sin?
"Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it
all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth 15. For what purpose was Christ manifested?
to thee."Gen. 3:17,18. "And we know that He was manifested to take away our
sins; and in Him is no sin. . . . He that committeth sin is of the
6. What additional curse came as the result of the first devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose
murder? the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works
"And the Lord said unto Cain, . . . And now art thou cursed from of the devil." 1 John 3:5-8.
the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's
blood from thy hand; when thou tillest the ground, it shall not 16. What was one direct purpose of the incarnation of
henceforth yield unto thee her strength." Gen. 4:9-12. Christ?
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,
7. What terrible judgment came in consequence of He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through
continued sin and transgression against God? death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is,
"And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the devil." Heb. 2:14.
the face of the earth. . . . The end of all flesh is come before Me;
for the earth is filled with violence." "And Noah was six hundred 17. What triumphant chorus will mark the end of the reign of
years old whenthe flood of waters was upon the earth. . . . The sin?
same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and
and the windows of heaven were opened." Gen. 6:7-13; 7:6-11. under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in
them, heard I saying,Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power,
be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb
8. After the flood, what came in consequence of further
apostasy from God? forever and ever." Rev. 5:13.
"And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which
the children of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the 18. When and by what means will the effects of sin be
people is one, and they have all one language; and this they removed?
begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the
they have imagined to do. Go to, let Us go down, and which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
there confound their language, that they may not understand one elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the
another's speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10.
thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the
city." Gen. 11:5-8. 19. How will the curse of the confusion of tongues be
brought to an end?
9 Into what condition has sin brought the entire creation? "For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one
pain together until now." Rom. 8:22. consent." Zeph. 3:9.
10. What explains God's apparent delay in dealing with sin? 20. How thoroughly will the effects of sin be removed?
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there
count slackness; but is long-suffering to us ward, not willing that shall beno more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall
any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 there be any more pain: for the former things are passed
Peter 3:9. away." Rev. 21:4. "And there shall be no more curse: but the
throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it [the holy city]; and
His servants shall serve Him." Rev. 22:3.
17
21. Will sin and its evil results ever appear again? He plants His footsteps in the sea
"What do ye imagine against the Lord? He will make an utter And rides upon the storm.
end:affliction shall not rise up the second time." Nahum 1:9.
"There shall beno more death." "And there shall be no more Deep in unfathomable mines
curse." Rev. 21:4; 22:3. Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
NOTE.- That sin exists none can deny. Why it was permitted And works His sovereign will.
has perplexed many minds. But He who can bring light out of
darkness (2 Cor. 4:6), make the wrath of man to praise Him (Ps. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
76:10), and turn a curse into a blessing (Deut. 23:5), can bring The clouds ye so much dread
good out of evil, and turn mistakes and downfalls into stepping- Are big with mercy, and shall break
stones to higher ground. Heaven will be happier for the sorrows
In blessings o'er your head.
of earth. "Sorrows remembered sweeten present joy," says
Robert Pollock, in "The Course of Time," page 29. In the final
outcome it will be seen that all things have worked together for Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
good to them that love God. Rom. 8:28. Cowper, despondent But trust Him for His grace;
and about to drown himself, was carried the wrong way by his Behind a frowning providence
driver, and went home to write the inspiring hymn below. He hides a smiling face.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,

And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
GOD moves in a mysterious way And He will make it plain.
His wonders to perform; WILLIAM COWPER.
18
Chapter 9: Creation and Redemption
1. WHAT is revealed concerning God in the first verse of the present you faultless before the presence of His glory with
Bible? exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Gen. majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." Jude
1:1. 24,25.
2. What contrast is repeatedly drawn in the 11. What is the measure of the power which is available for
Scriptures between the true God and false gods? the help of the believer?
"Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may
heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
and from under these heavens. . . . The portion of Jacob is not knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being
like them: for He is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling,
of His inheritance: The Lord of hosts is His name." Jer. 10:11-16. and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
See Jer. 14:22; Acts 17:22-29; Rev. 14:6-10. and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us ward
who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,
3. Through whom did God work in creating all things? which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead,
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places." Eph.
and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with 1:17-20.
God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not
anything made that was made." John 1:1-3. 12. How great was the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian
bondage?
4. Through whom is redemption wrought? "Ask now of the days that are past, which were before
thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there
hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been
justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through
Him." Rom. 5:8,9. heard like it? . . . Hath God assayed to go and take Him a nation
from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and
by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a
5. In what scripture do we learn that Christ, the active agent stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the
in creation, is also the head of the church? Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?" Deut.
"For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that 4:32-34.
are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by
Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all NOTE.- The great deliverance of Israel from bondage and
things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who oppression in Egypt is but a type of the power of God displayed
is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things He in the deliverance of man from the bondage and slavery of sin. In
might have the preeminence." Col. 1:16-18. both is seen a manifestation of creative power.
6. What scripture shows that the Creator is also the 13. What scripture plainly states that it is creative power
Redeemer? which transforms the believer?
"But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I works,which God hath before ordained that we should walk in
them." Eph. 2:10.
have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine." Isa. 43:1.
7. Who is declared to be the source of power to the weak? 14. Of what great work is the Sabbath both a memorial and a
"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting sign?
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou
God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not,
neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding. He labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of
the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy
giveth power to the faint;and to them that have no might He
increaseth strength." Isa. 40:28,29. son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor
thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days
the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them
8. What prayer of David shows that he regarded redemption is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the
as a creative work? Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Ex.20:8-11. "It is a sign between
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit Me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord
within me." Ps. 51:10. made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and
was refreshed." Ex. 31:17.
9. Who keeps the heavenly bodies in their places?
"To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the 15. Inasmuch as creation and redemption are both wrought
Holy One.Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created by the same creative power, of what besides the original
these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth creation was the Sabbath given to be a sign?
them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is "Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between
strong in power; not one faileth." Isa. 40:25,26. Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that
sanctify them." Eze. 20:12.
10. What can the same Holy One do for the believer?
"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to
19
16. Through whose agency is the material universe Christ, and the necessity of becoming new creatures through
sustained? faith in the saving power of Christ.
"And He [Christ] is before all things, and in Him all things hold
together."Col. 1:17, R. V., margin.
17. What statement shows that all things, both material and O WORSHIP the King, all-glorious above,
spiritual, are sustained by the same personal agency? And gratefully sing His wonderful love;
"But to us there is. . . . one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of days,
things,and we by Him." 1 Cor. 8:6. Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise!
18. Why is God worthy to receive glory and honor? O tell of His might, and sing of His grace,
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and Whose robe is the light; whose canopy, space;
power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure His chariots of wrath the deep thunder-clouds form,
they are and were created." Rev. 4:11. And dark is His path on the wings of the storm!
NOTE.- That comparatively modern view of creation known as Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
evolution, which rests upon human research rather than upon It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
divine revelation, and which substitutes an impersonal force for a It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
personal Creator, overthrows the very foundation of the gospel. And sweetly distils in the dew and the rain,
Redemption is simply the new creation, and the Creator is the
Redeemer, The Head of the original creation is the Head of the
new creation. The original creation was wrought through Christ Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail;
by the power of the word; the new creation, or redemption, is In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
wrought in exactly the same way. The evolutionary theory of Thy mercies, how tender! how firm to the end!
creation inevitably involves an evolutionary theory of the gospel, Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!
and sets aside the truth concerning sin, the atoning sacrifice of ROBERT GRANT.
20
Chapter 10: The Character and Attributes of God
1. IN what one word is the character of God expressed? 8. What treasures are hid in Christ?
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." 1 John 4:8. "In whom are hid all the treasures
of wisdom and knowledge." Col. 2:3.
2. What are some of the attributes of God?
"The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works." 9. In what language is the justice of God described?
Ps. 145:17. "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are
judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is
3. Does Christ possess these same attributes? He." Deut. 32:4.
"By His knowledge shall My righteous servant [Christ] justify
many." Isa. 53:11. "Neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to 10. In what words is His impartiality proclaimed?
see corruption." Acts 2:27. "For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great
God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor
taketh reward." Deut. 10:17. "Then Peter opened his mouth, and
4. When proclaiming His name to Moses, how did the Lord
define His character? said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of
"And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, persons: but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh
and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by righteousness, is accepted with Him." Acts 10:34,35.
before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord
God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in 11. To how many is the Lord good?
goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving "The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His
iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means works." Ps. 145:9.
clear the guilty ." Ex. 34:5-7.
12. Why did Christ tell us to love our enemies?
5. What is said of the tender compassion of God? "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse
"But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." Ps. 86:15. despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the
children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His
6. What is said of God's faithfulness in keeping His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the
promises? just and on the unjust." Matt. 5:44,45.
"Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful
God,which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him 13. How perfect does Christ tell His followers to be?
and keep His commandments to a thousand generations." Deut. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven
7:9. is perfect." Verse 48.
7. What is said of the strength and wisdom of God? "Behold,

God ismighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength
and wisdom."Job 36:5.
21
Chapter 11: The Love of God
1. WHAT is God declared to be? up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in
"God is love." 1 John 4:16. Christ Jesus." Eph. 2:4-6. See Titus 3:5,6.
2. How great is God's love for the world? 15. In what other way is God's love sometimes shown?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten "For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every
Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have son whom He receiveth." Heb. 12:6.
everlasting life." John 3:16.
16. In view of God's great love, what may we confidently
3. In what act especially has God's love been manifested?
expect?
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all,
that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Rom.
live through Him." 1 John 4:9. 8:32.
4. In what does God delight? 17. What is God's love able to do for His children?
"Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and "Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not harken unto Balaam;
passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee,
retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in because the Lord thy God loved thee." Deut. 23:5.
mercy." Micah 7:18.
18. When men appreciate God's love, what will. they do?
5. How are His mercies continually manifested? "How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the
"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy
His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is wings." Ps. 36:7.
Thy faithfulness." Lam. 3:22,23.
6. Upon how many does God bestow His blessings? 19. How enduring is God's love for us?
"He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have
sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matt. 5:45. loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-
kindness have I drawn thee." Jer. 31:3.
7. What did Jesus say of the one who loves Him?
"He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love 20. Can anything separate the true child of God from the
him, and will manifest Myself unto him." John 14:21. love of God?
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
8. Into what relationship to God does His love bring us? nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 3:1. Lord." Rom. 8:38,39.
9. How may we know that we are the sons of God?
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of 21. Unto whom will the saints forever ascribe praise?
God. . . . The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own
are the children of God." Rom. 8:14-16. blood, . . . to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever." Rev.
1:5,6.
10. How is the love of God supplied to the believer?
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is
shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto There's a wideness in God's mercy,
us." Rom. 5:5. Like the wideness of the sea;
There's a kindness in His justice,
11. In view of God's great love to us, what ought we to do? Which is more than liberty.
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one
another." 1 John 4:11. There is welcome for the sinner,
And more graces for the good;
12. With what measure of love should we serve others? There is mercy with the Saviour;
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His There is healing in His blood.
life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." 1
John 3:16.
For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of man's mind,
13. What exhortation is based upon Christ's love for us?
And the heart of the Eternal
"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given
Is most wonderfully kind.
Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-
smelling savor." Eph. 5:2.
If our love were but more simple,
14. Upon what ground does God's work for sinners rest? We should take Him at His word;
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He And our lives would be all sunshine
loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us In the sweetness of our Lord.
FREDERICK W. FABER.
together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us
22
Chapter 12: The Deity of Christ
1. HOW has the Father shown that His Son is one person of night unto Him, though He bear long with them?" Luke
the Godhead? 18:7. "And He [the Son of man] shall send His angels with a
"But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His
ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Thy kingdom." elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
Heb. 1:8. Matt. 24:31.
2. In what other scripture is the same truth taught? 13. Who are equally joined in bestowing the final rewards?
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him [God, the Father]:
and the Word was God." John 1:1.
for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is
a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Heb. 11:6. "For the
3. In what way did Christ refer to the eternity of His being?
Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels;
"And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the and then He shall reward every man according to his
glory which I had with Thee before the world was." John works." Matt. 16:27.
17:5. "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little
among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come
forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have NOTE.-In the texts (Matt. 16:27; 13:41; 24:31) in which Christ
been of old, from everlasting." Micah 5:2. See margin; and Matt. refers to the angels as "His angels" and to the kingdom as "His
2:6; John 8:58; Ex. 3:13,14. kingdom" and to the elect as "His elect," He refers to Himself as
"the Son of man." It thus appears that while He was on earth as
4. How was Christ begotten in the flesh? a man, He recognized His essential deity and His equality with
"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy His Father in heaven.
Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall
overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be 14. What fulness dwells in Christ?
born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35. "For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." Col.
2:9.
5. What scripture states that the Son of God was God
manifested in the flesh?
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, 15. What does God (Jehovah) declare Himself to be?
and the Word was God." "And the Word was made flesh, and "Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and His Redeemer the
dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside Me
only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1,14. there is no God." Isa. 44:6.
6. What does Christ say is His relation to the Father? 16. In what scripture does Christ adopt the same
"I and My Father are one." John 10:30. expression?
"And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give
7. How was He manifested on earth as a Saviour? every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Rev.
which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11. 22:12,13.
8. Why was it necessary that He should be born thus, and

partake of human nature? 17. Having such a wonderful Saviour, what are we exhorted
"Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto to do?
His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into
in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our
the people." Heb. 2:17. profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points
9. How was He recognized by the Father while on earth? tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Heb. 4:14,15.
"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased." Matt. 3:17.
Before the heavens were spread abroad,
10. What shows that Christ sustains the same relation to the From everlasting was the Word;
angels as does the Father? With God He was, the Word was God,
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with And must divinely be adored.
His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his
works." Matt. 16:27. See Matt. 24:31. Ere sin was born, or Satan fell,
He led the host of morning stars;
11. How did Christ assert an equal proprietorship with His His generation who can tell,
Father in the kingdom? Or count the number of His years?
"The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall
gather out ofHis kingdom all things that offend, and them which But lo! He leaves those heavenly forms;
do iniquity ." Matt. 13:41. The Word descends and dwells in clay,
That He may converse hold with worms,
12. To whom do the elect equally belong? Dressed in such feeble flesh as they.
"And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and ISAAC WATTS.
23
Chapters 13: Prophecies Relating to Christ
1. WHOM did Moses say the Lord would raise up? Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? . . . he said, I
"The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the
midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me, unto Him ye shall way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias." John 1:19-23.
harken." Deut. 18:15. See also verse 18.
12. How was Christ to be received by His own people?
2. What use of this prophecy by the apostle Peter shows "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and
that it referred to Christ? acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him;
"For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord He was despised,and we esteemed Him not." Isa. 53:3.
your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me. . . .
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, 13. How is the fulfillment of this prophecy recorded?
as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these
"He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the
days." Acts 3:22-24. world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own
received Him not."John 1:10,11.
3. In what language did Isaiah foretell Christ's birth?
"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call
14. What was predicted of Christ's preaching?
His name Immanuel." Isa. 7:14. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath
anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent
4. In what event was this prophecy fulfilled? Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the
"Now all this was done [the birth of Jesus of the Virgin Mary], captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound."
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Isa. 61:1.
prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall
bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which 15. What application did Jesus make of this prophecy?
being interpreted is, God with us." Matt. 1:22,23.
"And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and,
as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath
5. Where was the Messiah to be born? day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him
"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the
thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the
that is to be ruler in Israel." Micah 5:2. Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the
gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted,
6. When was Jesus born? to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to
"Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. . . . And He
king."Matt. 2:1. began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your
ears."Luke 4:16-21. See Luke 7:19-22.
7. Under what striking emblem was He prophesied of by

Balaam? 16. How, according to prophecy, was Christ to conduct
"There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise Himself when on trial?
out of Israel." Num. 24:17. "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His
mouth:He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep
before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth." Isa.
8. In what scripture does Christ apply the same emblem to 53:7.
Himself?
"I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and
morning star." Rev. 22:16. See also 2 Peter. 1:19; Rev. 2:28. 17. When accused by His enemies before Pilate, how did
Christ treat these accusations?
"Then said Pilate unto Him, Hearest Thou not how many things
9. What prophecy was fulfilled in the slaughter of the they witness against Thee? And He answered him to never a
children of Bethlehem? word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly." Matt.
"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, 27:13;14.
was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children
that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from: two
years old and under, according to the time which he had 18. What prophecy foretold of the disposal of Christ's
garments at the crucifixion?
diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which
was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a "They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My
voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, vesture." Ps. 22:18.
Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted,
because they are not." Matt. 2:13-18. 19. What record answers to this prophecy?
"And they crucified Him, and parted His garments, casting
10. How was Christ's first advent to be heralded? lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet,
"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the They parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture did
way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our they cast lots." Matt. 27:35.
God." Isa. 40:3.
20. What was foretold of His treatment while on the cross?
11. By whom was this fulfilled? "They gave Me also gall for My meat; and in My thirst they gave
"And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Mevinegar to drink." Ps. 69:21.
24
21. What was offered Christ at His crucifixion? and begged the body of Jesus. . . . He wrapped it in a clean linen
"They gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when He cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in
had tasted thereof, He would not drink." Matt. 27:34. See also the rock." Verses 57-60.
John 19:28-30.
25. What experience in the life of a noted prophet indicated
22. With whom did the prophet Isaiah say Christ would make the length of Christ's stay in the grave?
His grave? "But He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous
"And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given
death." Isa. 53:9. to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three
days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of
23. With whom was Christ crucified? man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Matt. 12:39,40.
"Then were there two thieves crucified with Him, one on the right
hand, and another on the left." Matt. 27:38.
26. What prophecy foretold Christ's triumph over death?
24. Who took charge of Christ's body after it was taken "For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer
Thine Holy One to see corruption." Ps. 16:10. See Acts 2:24-27.
down from the cross?
"A rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, . . . went to Pilate,
25
Chapter 14: Christ the Way of Life
1. WHAT does Jesus declare Himself to be? 15. What is declared to be one purpose of Christ's death?
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,
man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6. He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through
death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is,
2. In what condition are all men? the devil." Heb. 2:14.
"But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin." Gal.
3:22. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." 16. Through whom will Abraham receive the promise of the
Rom. 3:23. future inheritance?
"The Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I
3. What are the wages of sin? give this land." Gen. 12:7.
"The wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23.
4. How many are affected by Adam's transgression? 17. How many were embraced in God's promises to
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death Abraham?
by sin; and so death passed upon all men." Rom. 5:12. "And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed."
Acts 3:25.
5. What is the gift of God?
"The gift of God is eternal life." Rom. 6:23. 18. To whom does the "seed" in these promises refer?
"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He
6. How many may receive this gift? saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy
"And the Spirit and the bride say Come. And let him that heareth seed, which isChrist." Gal. 3:16.
say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever
will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.
19. What would make the death of Christ in vain?
7. In whom is the gift? "If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
"This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this Gal. 2:21.
life isin His Son." 1 John 5:11.
20. Why have all been reckoned under sin?
8. In receiving the Son, what do we have in Him? "But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise
"He that hath the Son hath life." Verse 12. by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." Gal.
3:22.
9. What loss do those sustain who do not accept Him?
"And he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Same verse.
21. How then do all become children of God?
10. In what other way is this same truth stated? "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Verse
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that 26.
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on him." John 3:36. 22. With whom are the children of God joint heirs?
"If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs,
11. After one truly receives Christ, whose life will be with Christ." Rom. 8:17.
manifested in him?
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."
Thou art the Way; to Thee alone,
Gal. 2:20.
From sin and death we flee;
And he who would the Father seek,
12. In what condition are all before they are quickened with Must seek Him, Lord, by Thee.
Christ?
"God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved
Thou art the Truth; Thy word alone,
us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together
True wisdom can impart;
with Christ." Eph. 2:4,5.
Thou only canst inform the mind
And purify the heart.
13. What is this change from death to life called?
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by
Thou art the Life; the rending tomb
the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." 1 Peter 1:23.
Proclaims Thy conquering arm;
And those who put their trust in Thee,
14. When man first transgressed, what was done to prevent Nor death nor hell shall harm.
him from living forever in sin?
"And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of
Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life;
life, and eat, and live forever. . . . So He drove out the man; and
Grant us that way to know,
He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a
That truth to keep, that life to win,
flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the
Whose joys eternal flow.
tree of life." Gen. 3:22-24.
26
Chapter 15: Salvation Only Through Christ
1. FOR what purpose did Christ come into the world? 8. How did Christ show from the Scriptures that the
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, promised Saviour of the world must be both human and
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. divine?
1:15. "While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is He? They say unto
2. Why was He to be named "Jesus"? Him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David
"Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His in spirit call Him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit
people from their sins." Matt. 1:21. Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy
footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is He his son?" Matt.
22:41-45.
3. Is there salvation through any other?
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be NOTE.- Another has aptly put this important truth concerning the
saved." Acts 4:12. union of the human and divine in Christ thus: "Divinity needed
humanity that humanity might afford a channel of communication
between God and man. Man needs a power out of and above
4. Through whom are we reconciled to God? himself to restore him to the likeness of God. There must be a
"All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by power working from within, a new life from above, before men
Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ."
to wit, thatGod was in Christ, reconciling the world unto
Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." 2 Cor. 5:18,19.
9. What two facts testify to the union of divinity and
humanity in Christ?
5. What has Christ been made for us, and for what purpose? "Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of
"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the
we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." Verse 21. Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the
resurrection from the dead." Rom. 1:3,4
6. How dependent are we upon Christ for salvation?
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: . . . without Me ye can do 10. How complete was Christ's victory over death?
nothing."John 15:5. "I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was
dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the
7. What three essentials for a Saviour are found in Christ? keys of hell and ofdeath." Rev. 1:17,18. See Acts 2:24.
Deity. "But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever
and ever." Heb. 1:8. 11. How complete is the salvation obtained in Christ?
Humanity. "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent "Wherefore, He is able also to save them to the uttermost that
forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law." Gal. 4:4. come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make
Sinlessness. "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His intercession for them." Heb. 7:25.
mouth." 1 Peter 2:22.
12. What should we say for such a Saviour?
"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." 2 Cor. 9:15.
27
Section 3: The Way to Christ
Chapter 16: Faith
1. WHAT is faith declared to be? 16. With what, therefore, is the faith of Jesus joined?
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the
things not seen." Heb. 11:1. commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12.
2. How necessary is faith? 17. In what other statement is the same truth emphasized?
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him." Verse 6. "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without
works is dead?"James 2:20.
3. Is mere assent to divine truth sufficient?
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils 18. How is faith brought to perfection?
also believe, and tremble." James 2:19. "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was
faith made perfect?" Verse 22.
4. What is required besides a belief in the existence of God?
"For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He 19. What is the result of faith's being put to the test?
is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Heb. 11:6, last "The trying of your faith worketh patience." James 1:3.
part.
20. What relationship to God is established by faith?
5. From whom does faith come? "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Gal.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of 3:26.
yourselves: it is the gift of God." Eph. 2:8.
21. How do the children of God walk?
6. Why did God raise Christ from the dead? "For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor. 5:7.
"Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the
dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in 22. Upon what condition may one expect answers to prayer?
God." 1 Peter 1:21. "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." James
7. What is Christ's relation to this faith? 1:6.
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." Heb.
12:2. 23. To what parts of the ancient armor is faith compared?
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able
8. What is the basis of faith? to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Eph. 6:16. "Putting
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of on thebreastplate of faith and love." 1 Thess. 5:8.
God." Rom. 10:17.
24. What chapter in the Bible is devoted to faith?
9. What relation does faith bear to knowledge? The eleventh chapter of Hebrews. In verses 33-38 are
"Through faith we understand that the worlds 'were framed by summarized the victories of the heroes of faith.
the word of God." Heb. 11:3.
25. What gives victory in our conflicts with the world?
10. By what principle is genuine faith actuated? "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1
"In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor John 5:4.
uncircumcision but faith which worketh by love." Gal. 5:6.
26. What is the ultimate purpose of faith?
11. Of what is faith a fruit? "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
souls." 1 Peter 1:8,9.
gentleness, goodness, faith." Verse 22.
12. What in the early church showed living faith?

"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of
love." 1 Thess. 1:3. 'Tis by the faith of joys to come
We walk through deserts dark as night;
13. What is necessary in order that the preaching of the Till we arrive at heaven, our home,
gospel may be profitable? Truth is our guide, and faith our light.
"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but
the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with
faith in them that heard it." Heb. 4:2. The want of sight she well supplies;
She makes the pearly gates appear;
14. What is the character of any act or service not performed Far into distant worlds she pries,
in faith? And brings eternal glories near.
"Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Rom. 14:23.
Though lions roar, and tempests blow,
15. How does Abraham's experience show that obedience And rocks and dangers fill the way,
and faith are inseparable? With joy we tread the desert through,
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place While faith inspires a heavenly ray.
which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he ISAAC WATTS.
went out, not knowing whither he went." Heb. 11:8.
28
Chapter 17: Hope
1. WHAT is the relation between faith and hope? "It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of salvation of the Lord." Lam. 3:26.
things not seen." Heb. 11:1.
13. What is said of the hope of the hypocrite?
2. Why were the Scriptures written? "So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for shall perish: whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall
our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the be a spider's web." Job 8:13,14.
Scriptures might have hope." Rom. 15:4.
14. What is the condition of one whose hope is in God?
3. Why should God's wonderful works be rehearsed to the "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose
children? hope is in the Lord his God." Ps. 146:5. "Blessed is the man that
"We will not hide them from their children, showing to the trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is." Jer.17:7.
generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength,
and His wonderful works that He hath done. . . . That they might 15. In what may the child of God abound?
set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
His commandments." Ps. 78:4-7. that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy
Ghost." Rom. 15:13.
4. In what condition are those who are without Christ?
"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the
16. In what do Christians rejoice?
flesh, . . . that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein
from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Rom. 5:2.
covenants of promise,having no hope, and without God in the
world." Eph. 2:11,12.
17. What will prevent us from being put to shame?
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is
5. What does hope become to the Christian? shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto
"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and us." Verse 5.
steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil." Heb. 6:19.
18. In the time of trouble, who will be the hope of God's

6. Who have hope in their death? people?
"The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous "The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from
hath hope in his death." Prov. 14:32. Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the
Lord will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the
7. In bereavement, from what hopeless sorrow are children of Israel." Joel 3:16.
Christians delivered?
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning 19. What inspiring words are spoken to such as hope in
them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which God?
have no hope." 1 Thess. 4:13. "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye
that hope in the Lord." Ps. 31:24.
8. Unto what has the resurrection of Christ begotten us?
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which 20. How long should our hope endure?
according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a "And we desire that every one of you do show the same
lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end." Heb. 6:11.
Peter 1:3.
9. What is the Christian's hope called?

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13. How cheering is the Christian's hope
While toiling here below!
It buoys us up while passing through
10. At what time did Paul expect to realize this hope? This wilderness of woe.
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that
day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His It points us to a land of rest
appearing." 2 Tim. 4:8. Where saints with Christ will reign;
Where we shall meet the loved of earth,
And never part again,-
11. What will this hope lead one to do?
"And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even
as He is pure." 1 John 3:3. A land where sin can never come,
Temptations ne'er annoy;
Where happiness will ever dwell.
12. What does the prophet Jeremiah say is a good thing for And that without alloy.
a man to do?
29
Chapter 18: Repentance
1. WHO are called to repentance? 10. What is the result of godly sorrow?
"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation." 2 Cor. 7:10.
repentance." Luke 5:32.
11. What does the sorrow of the world do?
2. What accompanies repentance? "The sorrow of the world worketh death." Same verse.
"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached
in His name among all nations." Luke 24:47.
12. How does godly sorrow for sin manifest itself?
"For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly
3. By what means is sin made known? sort, whatcarefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of
"By the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20. yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what
vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things
4. How many are sinners? ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter." Verse
11.
"We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are
all under sin." Verse 9.
13. What did John the Baptist say to the Pharisees and
5. What do transgressors bring upon themselves? Sadducees when he saw them come to his baptism?
"O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the
"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these
things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of wrath to come?" Matt. 3:7.
disobedience." Eph. 5:6.
14. What did he tell them to do?
"Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." Verse 8.
6. Who awakens the soul to a sense of its sinful condition?
"When He [the Comforter] is come, He will
reprove [convince, margin]the world of sin." John 16:8. NOTE.-"There can be no repentance without reformation.
Repentance is a change of mind; reformation is a corresponding
change of life." -Dr. Raleigh.
7. What are fitting inquiries for those convicted of sin?
"Men and brethren, what shall we do?" "Sirs, what must I do to
be saved?" Acts 2:37; 16:30. 15. When God sent the Ninevites a warning message, how
did they show their repentance, and what was the result?
"And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way;
8. What replies does Inspiration return to these inquiries?
"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus and God repented of the evil that H e had said that He would do
unto them;and He did it not." Jonah 3:10.
Christ for the remission of sins." "Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 2:38; 16:31.
16. What leads sinners to repentance?
9. What will the truly repentant sinner be constrained to do? "Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance
and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God
"I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin." Ps. 38:18.
leadeth thee to repentance?" Rom. 2:4.
30
Section 3:The Way to Christ
Chapter 19: Confession and Forgiveness
1. WHAT instruction is given concerning confession of sin? mercy upon him; and to our God. for He will abundantly
"Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall pardon." Isa. 55:7.
commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the
Lord, and that person be guilty; then shall they confess their sin 12. What reason is given for God's readiness to forgive sin?
which they have done."Num. 5:6,7.
"Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and
passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He
2. How futile is it to attempt to hide sin from God? retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in
"But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: mercy." Micah 7:18. See Ps. 78:38.
and be sure your sin will find you out." Num. 32:23. "Thou hast
set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy 13. Why does God manifest such mercy and long-suffering
countenance." Ps. 90:8. "All things are naked and opened unto toward men?
the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Heb. 4:13. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men
count slackness; but is long-suffering to us ward, not willing that
3. What promise is made to those who confess their sins? any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our Peter 3:9.
sins,and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.
14. What prayer did Moses offer in behalf of Israel?
4. What different results attend the covering and the "Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of this people according
confessing of sins? unto the greatness of Thy mercy, and as Thou hast forgiven this
"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso people, from Egypt even until now." Num. 14:19.
confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Prov. 28:13.
15. What reply did the Lord immediately make?
5. How definite should we be in confessing our sins? "And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy
"And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, word." Verse 20.
that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing." Lev. 5:5.
16. When the prodigal son, in the parable, repented and
NOTE.-"True confession is always of a specific character, and turned toward home, what did his father do?
acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as "When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had
to be brought before God only; they may be wrongs that should compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." Luke
be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through 15:20.
them; or they may be of a public character, and should then be
as publicly confessed. But all confession should be definite and 17. How did the father show his joy at his son's return?
to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are "The father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and
guilty."- "Steps to Christ," page 43.
put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be
6. How fully did Israel once acknowledge their wrong-doing? merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost,
"And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto and is found." Verses 22-24.
the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our
sins this evil, to ask us a king." 1 Sam. 12:19. 18. What is felt in heaven when a sinner repents?
"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the
7. When David confessed his sin, what did he say God did? angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Verse 10.
"I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not
hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; 19. What did Hezekiah say God had done with his sins?
and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." Ps. 32:5.
"Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but Thou hast in love
to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for Thou hast
8. Upon what did he rest his hope for forgiveness? cast all my sins behind Thy back." Isa. 38:17.
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving-
kindness:according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot
20. How completely does God wish to separate sin from us?
out my transgressions." Ps. 51:1. "Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." Micah
7 :19. "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He
9. What is God ready to do for all who seek for forgiveness? removed our transgressions from us." Ps. 103:12.
"For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in
mercy unto all them that call upon Thee." Ps. 86:5. 21. How did the people respond to the preaching of John?
"Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea. and all the
10. What is the measure of the greatness of God's mercy? region roundabout Jordan, and were baptized of him in
"For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy Jordan confessing their sins." Matt. 3:5,6.
toward them that fear Him." Ps. 103:11.
Page 95
11. How fully does the Lord pardon when one repents?
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his 22. How did some of the believers at Ephesus testify to the
thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord. and He will have sincerity of the confession of their sins?
31
"And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their Spirit's work is the refusal of pardon. In other words, the only
deeds.Many of them also which used curious arts brought their unpardonable sin is the sin which refuses to be pardoned.
books together, and burned them before all men: and they
counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of 25. Upon what basis has Christ taught us to ask
silver." Acts 19:18,19. forgiveness?
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Matt. 6:12.
23. Through whom are repentance and forgiveness granted?
"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew 26. What spirit must those cherish whom God forgives?
and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will
to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses,
and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:30,31. neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Verses 14,15.
24. What is the only unpardonable sin? 27. What exhortation is based on the fact that God has
"Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy forgiven us?
shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy "And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one
Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh
another,even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Eph.
a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but 4:32.
whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be
forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to
come." Matt. 12:31,32. 28. In what condition is one whose sins are forgiven?
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is
covered.Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not
NOTE.-As the Holy Spirit is the agent that convicts of sin, and
iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile." Ps. 32:1,2.
brings the offer of pardon through the Word, the denial of the
32
Chapter 20: Conversion, or the New Birth
1. How did Jesus emphasize the necessity of conversion? 13. What takes place when one is converted to Christ?
"Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as "Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old
little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of things are passed away; behold, they are become new." 2 Cor.
heaven." Matt. 18:3. 5:17, R. V., margin. See Acts 9:1-22; 22:1-21; 26:1-23.
2. In what other statement did He teach the same truth? 14. What is the value of merely outward forms?
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor
cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3. uncircumcision, but a new creature." Gal. 6:15.
3. How did he further explain the new birth? 15. Through what was the original creation wrought?
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the
born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom host of them by the breath of His mouth." Ps. 33:6.
of God." Verse 5.
16. Through what instrumentality is conversion wrought?
4. With what comparison did He illustrate the subject? "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by
"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." 1 Peter 1:23.
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it
goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Verse 8. 17. What change is wrought by beholding Jesus?
"But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the
5. What change is wrought in conversion, or the new birth? Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18.
with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)." Eph. 2:5.
NOTE.- A beautiful statue once stood in the market-place of an
6. What is one evidence of this change from death to life? Italian city. It was the statue of a Greek slave girl. It represented
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we the slave as tidy and well dressed. A ragged, uncombed little
love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in street child, coming across the statue in her play one day,
death." 1 John 3:14. stopped and gazed at it in admiration. She was captivated by it.
She gazed long and lovingly. Moved by a sudden impulse, she
7. From what is a converted sinner saved? went home and washed her face and combed her hair. Another
"Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error day she stopped again before the statue and admired it, and got
of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a a new idea. Next day her tattered clothes were washed and
multitude of sins." James 5:20. See Acts 26:14-18. mended. Each time she looked at the statue she found
something in its beauties to admire and copy, until she was a
transformed child. By beholding we become changed.
8. To whom are sinners brought by conversion?
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit
within me. . . . Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and 18. What are the evidences that one has been born of God?
sinners shall beconverted unto Thee." Ps. 51:10-13. "If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that everyone that
doeth righteousness is born of Him." "Beloved, let us love one
another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of
9. In what words to Peter did Jesus indicate the kind of God, and knoweth God." 1 John 2:29; 4:7.
service a converted person should render to his brethren?
"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to
have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for 19. What is true of every one who believes in Jesus?
thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." 1
John 5:1.
strengthen thy brethren."Luke 22:31,32.
10. What other experience is associated with conversion? 20. What do those born of God not do?
"For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that
is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they
should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should toucheth him not." Verse 18.
understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I
should heal them." Matt. 13:15. 21. What indwelling power keeps such from sinning?
"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed
11. What gracious promise does God make to His people? remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
1 John 3:9. See I John 5:4; Gen. 39:9.
"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger
is turned away from him." Hosea 14:4.
22. What will be the experience of those born of the Spirit?
12. By what means is this healing accomplished? "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
"He [Christ] was wounded for our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was Rom. 8:1.
upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isa. 53:5.
33
Chapter 21: Baptism
1. WHAT ordinance is closely associated with believing the 11. How fully are we thus united with Christ in His
gospel? experience of death and resurrection?
"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of
gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall His death, we shall be also in the likeness of
be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark His resurrection." Verse 5.
16:15,16.
12. What will follow this union with Christ in His death and
2. What did the apostle Peter associate with baptism in his resurrection?
instruction on the day of Pentecost? "Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one with Him." Verse 8.
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."
Acts 2:38. 13. In what working of God is faith to be exercised in
connection with baptism?
3. In reply to his inquiry concerning salvation, what was the "Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with
Philippian jailer told to do? Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt Him from the dead."Col. 2:12.
be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31.
14. At the beginning of His ministry, what example did Jesus
4. What followed immediately after the jailer and his family set for the benefit of His followers?
had accepted Christ as their Saviour? "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to
"And he took them [Paul and Silas] the same hour of the night, be baptized of him." Matt. 3:13.
and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his,
straightway." Verse 33. 15. What remarkable experience attended the baptism of
Jesus?
5. In connection with Christian baptism, what is washed "And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of
away? the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon
away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16. See Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son,
Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21. in whom I am well pleased." Verses 16,17.
6. By what means are sins washed away? 16. What promise is made to those who repent and are
"Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own baptized?
blood." Rev. 1:5. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
7. Into whose name are believers to be baptized? and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.
"Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy 17. What question did the eunuch ask after Philip had
Ghost." Matt. 28:19, R. V. preached Jesus unto him?
"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:
and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to
8. When believers are baptized into Christ, whom do they
put on? be baptized?"Acts 8:36.
"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put
on Christ." Gal. 3:27. 18. In order to baptize the eunuch, where did Philip take
him?
9. Into what experience are those baptized who are baptized "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went
down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he
into Christ?
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus baptized him." Verse 38.
Christ were baptized into His death?" Rom. 6:3.
19. How did the people of Samaria publicly testify to their
faith in the preaching of Philip?
NOTE.- Baptism is a gospel ordinance commemorating
the death, burial, andresurrection of Christ. In baptism public "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning
testimony is given to the effect that the one baptized has been the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and is raised with Him to baptized, both men and women." Verse 12.
walk in newness of life. Only one mode of baptism can rightly
represent these facts of experience, and that is immersion, - the 20. What instruction did the apostle Peter give concerning
mode followed by Christ and the primitive church. the Gentiles who had believed?
"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized,
10. How is such a baptism described? which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." Acts
as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, 10:47,48.
even so we also should walk in newness of life." Verse 4.
34
21. How perfect is the unity into which believers are brought Lord, in humble, sweet submission,
by being baptized into Christ? Here we meet to follow Thee,
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the Trusting in Thy great salvation,
members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Which alone can make us free.
Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one
body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or Naught have we to claim as merit;
free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." 1 Cor. All the duties we can do
12:12,13.
Can no crown of life inherit;
All the praise to Thee is due.
22. After being united with Christ in the likeness of His
death and resurrection, what should the believer do? Yet we come in Christian duty,
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which
Down beneath the wave to go;
are above,where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Col. 3:1. O the bliss! the heavenly beauty!
Christ the Lord was buried so.
ROBERT T. DANIEL
35
Section 3:The Way to Christ
Chapter 22: Reconciled to God
1. WHAT message of entreaty has God sent to us through 8. In thus reconciling the world unto Himself, what attitude
his appointed messengers? did God take toward men?
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not
beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye imputing their trespasses unto them." 2 Cor. 5:19.
reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20.
9. What rendered it possible for God to treat sinners thus?
2. Through whom is this reconciliation made? "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one
"All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us
Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation." all." Isa. 53:6.
Verse 18.
10. What was Christ made, to release men from sin?
3. What was required in order to effect this reconciliation? "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that
"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor.
by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall 5:21.
be saved by His life." Rom. 5:10.
11. How was He treated?
4. What basis for reconciliation was made by Christ's "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for
death? our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and
"Having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to with Hisstripes we are healed." Isa. 53:5.
reconcile all things unto Himself." Col. 1:20.
12. What did John declare concerning Him?
5. Through whom is the reconciliation received? "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away [beareth, margin]
"We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we the sin of the world." John 1:29.
have now received the atonement [reconciliation, margin]." Rom.
5:11. 13. To what place did Christ carry these sins?
"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that
Page 105 we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose
stripes ye were healed." 1 Peter 2:24.
6. By what union does Christ reconcile both Jew and Gentile
to God through the cross? 14. What is the great purpose of Christ in His work of
"And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the reconciliation?
cross, having slain the enmity thereby." Eph. 2:16. "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your
mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of
7. In what prophecy was the work of reconciliation foretold? His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and
"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy unreprovable in His sight." Col. 1:21,22.
holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins,
and to make reconciliation for iniquity." Dan. 9:24.
36
Chapter 23: Acceptance With God
1. IN whom has God made us accepted? and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." 1
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who John 5:8.
hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings. . . in Christ: according
as He hath chosen us in Him. . . to the praise of the glory of His 10. How does the Spirit witness to our acceptance with
grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved." Eph.
God?
1:3-6. "Because ye are sons, God bath sent forth the Spirit of His Son
into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Gal. 4:6. "The Spirit itself
2. What great gift comes with our acceptance of Christ? beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. "
"And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which Rom. 8:16.
seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting
life: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:40. See also
John 17:2. 11. Of what is Christian baptism an evidence?
"As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
3. What is the first and primary evidence of our acceptance Christ."Gal. 3:27.
with God? NOTE.-In baptism, the water and the Spirit both bear witness of
"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is God's acceptance. The same Spirit which, at Christ's baptism,
greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,"
His Son. . . . And this is the record, that God hath given to us witnesses to the acceptance of every sincere believer at his
eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:9-11. baptism.
NOTE.-The primary basis of all faith and acceptance is the word
of God, - that which God Himself has said. To receive and 12. To what does the blood of Christ witness?
believe this is the first essential to salvation, - the first evidence "These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. . . . If
of acceptance. we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one
with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us
4. Why did John write his testimony concerning God's love from all sin." 1 John 1:4-7. "In whom we have redemption
and purpose in giving Christ? through His blood,the forgiveness of sins." Eph. 1:7. See also
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of Rev. 1:5,6.
the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and
that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." Verse 13. When may we find acceptance with God through Christ?
13. "These are written,that ye might believe that Jesus is the "I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of
Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted
through His name." John 20:31. time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.
5. What witness does the true believer in Christ have that he 14. To whom, therefore, should we ascribe glory and honor?
is accepted of God? "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own
"He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His
himself: he that believeth not God bath made Him a liar; because Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
he believeth not therecord that God gave of His Son." 1 John Rev. 1:5,6.
5:10.
NOTE.-Faith and feeling should not be confounded. Faith is ours 15. What is another evidence of divine acceptance?
to exercise in the Word of God, regardless or our feelings, and "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we
often in opposition even to our feelings. Many fail to accept the love the brethren." 1 John 3:14.
pardon and assurance of the acceptance of Heaven, because
they do not take God at His word, but instead turn their attention 16. What blessed assurance is given all believers in Christ?
to their changeable moods and feelings. Faith always precedes "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall
the joyful feelings which naturally result from the assurance of keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7.
forgiveness and acceptance. This order is never reversed.
6. How only do any become children of God? Arise, my soul, arise,

"Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:26. Shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding Sacrifice
7. What is the foundation of faith? In my behalf appears;
"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom. Before the throne my Saviour stands,
10:17. My name is written on His hands.
8. What assurance has the believer of his union with God?
"Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because Five bleeding wounds He bears,
He hath given us of His Spirit." 1 John 4:13. Received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers,
9. What three definite witnesses of acceptance are They strongly speak for me.
mentioned by John? Forgive him, O, forgive! they cry,
"There are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, Nor let the contrite sinner die!
CHARLES WESLEY.
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Chapter 24: Justification by Faith
1. WHAT is the ground of justification on God's part? 12. What statement testifies to Abraham's faith in God?
"That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but
according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:7. was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully
persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to
perform." Rom. 4:20,21.
2. What is the means through which this justifying grace is
made available to the sinner?
"Much more then, being now justified by His [Christ's] blood, we 13. What did this bring to him?
shall be saved from wrath through Him." Rom. 5:9. "And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness." Verse
22.
3. How is justification laid hold upon?
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without 14. How may we receive this same imputed righteousness?
the deeds of the law." Rom. 3:28. "Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to
him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on
4. What is the only way sinners may be justified, or made Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead." Verses 23,24.
righteous?
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, 15. Why must justifying faith lay hold upon both the death
but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus and the resurrection of Christ?
Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by "Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for
the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be our justification." Verse 25. See 1 Cor. 15:17.
justified." Gal. 2:16.
NOTE.-The resurrection of Christ, the promised Seed (Gal. 3:16),
5. What concrete example makes clear the meaning of this was necessary in order to fulfill to Abraham the promise of an
doctrine? innumerable seed; and therefore Abraham's faith in the promise
"And He brought him [Abraham] forth abroad, and said, Look of God, which included the resurrection, was reckoned to him for
now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number righteousness. His faith laid hold upon that which made imputed
them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he righteousness possible. See Heb. 11:17-19.
believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for
righteousness." Gen. 15:5,6. 16. What is inseparable from the experience of justification
by faith?
6. How is the righteousness thus obtained described? "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through
"And be found in Him, not having thine own righteousness, which this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by
is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye
righteousness which is of God by faith." Phil. 3:9. could not be justified by the law of Moses." Acts 13:38,39.
7. Upon what basis is justification granted? 17. How has Christ made it possible for righteousness to be
"And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the imputed to the believer?
judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners,
many offenses unto justification." Rom. 5:16. so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Rom.
5:19.
8. Upon what basis does the reward come to one who
works? 18. What prophetic declaration foretold this truth?
"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, "In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall
but ofdebt." Rom. 4:4. glory." Isa. 45:25.
9. Upon what condition is faith reckoned for 19. What other prediction asserts the same great truth?
righteousness? "By His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that He shall bear their iniquities." Isa. 53:11.
justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
Verse 5. 20. What does the imputed righteousness of Christ enable
God to do, and still be just?
10. How does grace, as the ground of justification, exclude "To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might
righteousness by works? be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Rom.
"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is 3:26.
no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace:
otherwise work is no more work." Rom. 11:6. 21. By what name is Christ appropriately called?
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto
11. In what way are both Jews and Gentiles to be justified? David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper,
"Is He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles? and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days
Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God, which shall justify Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is
the circumcisionby faith, and uncircumcision through faith." Rom. His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR
3:29,30. RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jer. 23:5,6.
38
22. What blessed experience follows upon the acceptance of 32. Does faith exclude works?
Christ as our righteousness? "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with dead?"James 2:20.
God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1.
33. What is the evidence of genuine, living faith?
23. What does Christ thus become to the believer? "Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my
"For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken faith by my works." Verse 18.
down the middle wall of partition between us." Eph. 2:14.
34. What, then, are the visible proofs of genuine justification
24. On what basis is there no possibility of justification for by faith?
the sinner? "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be faith only." Verse 24. See also verse 22.
justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom.
3:20. 35. What great exchange has been wrought for us in Christ?
"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that
25. How does the death of Christ bear testimony to this? we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21.
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by
the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Gal. 2:21. NOTE.-Said Luther: "Learn to know Christ and Him crucified.
Learn to sing a new song - to despair of your own works, and to
26. What is proved by any attempt to be justified by the law? cry unto Him, Lord Jesus, Thou art my righteousness, and I am
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are Thy sin. Thou hast taken upon Thee what was mine, and given
justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." Gal. 5:4. to me what was Thine; what Thou wast not Thou becamest, that
I might become what I was not." -D'Aubigne's "History of the
27. Why did Israel fail to attain unto righteousness? Reformation," book 2, chap. 8.
"But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath
not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because
they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the
law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone." Rom. 9:31,32. Look upon Jesus, sinless is He;
Father, impute His life unto me.
28. What is revealed by the law? My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,
"By the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20. Cover with His life, whiter than snow.
29. What bears witness to the genuineness of the Deep are the wounds transgression has made:
righteousness obtained by faith, apart from the deeds of the Red are the stains; my soul is afraid.
law? O to be covered, Jesus, with Thee,
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is Safe from the law that now judgeth me!
manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets." Verse
21.
Longing the joy of pardon to know;
Jesus holds out a robe white as snow:
30. Does faith set aside the law of God? "Lord, I accept it! leaving my own,
"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, Gladly I wear Thy pure life alone."
weestablish the law." Verse 31.
Reconciled by His death for my sin,
31. What scripture shows that the righteousness which is Justified by His life pure and clean,
received by grace through faith must not be made an Sanctified by obeying His word,
excuse for continuing in sin? Glorified when returneth my Lord,
"What shall we say then ? Shall we continue in sin, that grace F. E. BELDEN.
may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live
any longer therein?" Rom. 6:1,2.
39
Chapter 25: Righteousness and Life
1. WHAT is assured to the believer in Christ? NOTE.-Life and righteousness are thus shown to be
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, inseparable.
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but
have everlasting life."John 3:16. 10. What does the prophet Jeremiah declare Christ to be?
"And this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD
2. What is revealed in the gospel? OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jer. 23:6.
"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to
faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Rom 1:17. 11. What does Christ declare Himself to be?
"I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6.
3. What has Christ brought to light through the gospel?
"Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and
12. How is righteousness received?
immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Tim. 1:10. "For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more
they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of
4. How closely are righteousness and life thus united? righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:17.
"In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof
there is no death." Prov. 12:28. 13. How is eternal life bestowed?
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
5. What does he find who follows after righteousness? through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.
"He that followeth after righteousness and mercy
findeth life,righteousness, and honor." Prov. 21:1. 14. What did Moses set forth as the basis of righteousness?
"And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all
6. Through what does grace reign unto eternal life? thesecommandments before the Lord our God, as He hath
"That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign commanded us." Deut. 6:25.
through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
Rom. 5:21.
15. What did Christ indicate as essential to eternal life?
"And He said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none
7. What is the very life of the Spirit? good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the
"And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the commandments." Matt. 19:17.
Spirit is life because of righteousness." Rom. 8:10.
NOTE.-The righteousness of God, which is obtained by faith in
8. What are the commandments of God declared to be? Christ, brings with it the life of God, which is inseparably
"All Thy commandments are righteousness." Ps. 119:172. connected with righteousness; and the life of God, which is
bestowed upon man as a gift through his faith in Christ, is a life
9. What did Jesus declare God's commandment to be? of righteousness,- the righteousness, or right-doing, of Christ.
"And I know that His commandment is life everlasting." John
12:50.
40
Chapter 26: Consecration
1. WHAT offering did King Hezekiah command to be made 11. How does He exhort us to the same consecration?
when he reestablished the worship of the temple? "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and
"And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matt. 11:29.
altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord
began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained
12. What does He make the condition of discipleship?
by David king of Israel." 2 Chron. 29:27. "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that
he hath, he cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:33.
2. After the people had united in this service, how did
Hezekiah interpret its meaning?
13. What is proof that one does not belong to Christ?
"Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Rom.
yourselves unto the Lord, come near and bring sacrifices and 8:9.
thank-offerings into the house of the Lord. And the congregation
brought in sacrifices and thank-offerings; and as many as were
of a free heart burnt offerings." Verse 31. 14. How should he walk who professes to abide in Christ?
"He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk,
even as He walked." 1 John 2:6.
NOTE.-The morning and the evening burnt offering, or the
continual offering (Ex. 29:42), symbolized the daily consecration
of the people to the Lord. 15. Do we belong to ourselves?
"Know ye not that. . . ye are not your own? for ye are bought with
a price." 1 Cor. 6:19,20.
3. How is this consecration urged upon all Christians?
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that
ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto 16. What are we therefore exhorted to do?
God, which is your reasonable service." Rom. 12:1. "Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are
God's." Verse 20.
4. What is the continual sacrifice of praise declared to be?
"Through Him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God NOTE.-Our time, strength, and means are God's, and should be
continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to His given to His service.
name." Heb. 13:15, R.V.
17. Of what are the bodies of Christians the temple?
5. How is the service of consecration to be carried forward "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy
by the Christian church? Ghostwhich is in you, which ye have of God?" Verse 19.
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by 18. When truly consecrated, for what is one ready?
Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5. "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send,
and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." Isa.
6. Who has set the example of complete consecration? 6:8.
"And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your
servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, 19. How is this willingness for service otherwise expressed?
but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matt. "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their
20:27,28. masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her
mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God." Ps. 123:2.
7. What position has Jesus taken among His brethren?
"For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he
that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you
as he that serveth." Luke 22:27.
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee!
8. In what does likeness to Christ consist? Take my hands, and let them move
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. At the impulse of Thy love.
2:5.
Take my feet, and let them be
9. What did Christ's spirit of meekness and consecration Swift and beautiful for Thee;
lead Him to do? Take my voice, and let me sing
"But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form Always, only, for my King.
of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." Verse 7.
Take my will, and make it Thine:
10. To what extent did Christ humble Himself? It shall be no longer mine!
"And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and Take my heart,- it is Thine own,-
became obedient unto death, even the death of the It shall be Thy royal throne.
cross." Verse 8. FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL.
41
Chapter 27: Bible Election
1. WHAT does the apostle Peter admonish us to do?

"Wherefore . . . brethren, give diligence to make your calling and 13. But what other scripture shows with whom God wills to
election sure." 2 Peter 1:10. be merciful, and with whom otherwise?
NOTE.- This text at once reveals the fact that our salvation, so "With the merciful Thou wilt show Thyself merciful; with
far as our own individual cases are concerned, is dependent an uprightman Thou wilt show Thyself upright; with
upon our own action. We are elected to be save; but we are to the pure Thou wilt show Thyself pure; and with the froward Thou
give diligence to make this election sure. If we do not, it will not wilt show Thyself froward."Ps. 18:25,26. See also Isa. 55:7.
meet its purpose in our case, and we shall be lost. NOTE.- God wills that men shall be saved. He has foreordained
the characters that will entitle men to salvation, but He does
2. What admonition given by Christ teaches the same truth? not compel anyone to receive Christ, possess this character, and
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no be saved. This is a matter of individual choice. By His mighty
man take thy crown." Rev. 3:11. acts and judgments in Egypt, God "hardened Pharaoh's heart."
NOTE.-Crowns have been prepared for each of the finally Ex. 7:3,13,22. But the same manifestations softened the hearts
redeemed. Every soul is a candidate in the race for eternal life, of others. The difference was in the hearts, and in the way God's
and hence for a crown. Faith in Jesus, and perseverance to the message and dealings were received; not in God. The same sun
end, will hold it fast. which melts the wax hardens the clay. Ex. 8:32 says that
Pharaoh hardened his own heart.
3. Upon what condition is the crown of life promised?
"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." 14. What, on man's part, is essential to salvation?
Rev. 2:10. "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." Joshua 24:15. "If any
manwilleth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching." John
4. In whom, and from what time, have we been chosen unto 7:17, R.V. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
holiness and salvation? saved." Acts 16:31. "Whosoever will, let him take the water of
"According as He hath chosen us in Him [Christ] before the life freely." Rev. 22:17.
foundation of the world." Eph. 1:4, first part. NOTE.- A man once wished to join a certain church, but said he
could not do so on account of the views this church held on the
5. What is the character of those thus chosen before the subject of "election." The minister to whom he was sent for help
foundation of the world? and enlightenment, failing to make the matter clear, an old
"That we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love." colored man, a layman, came to the rescue, and said: "Brother,
Same verse, last part, R.V. this is the very easiest thing in the church. You see, it is like this:
The votin' is goin' on all the time; and God, He is votin' for you;
6. To what has God foreordained those who attain to this and the devil, he is votin' agin you; and whichever way you vote,
character? that is the way theelection goes." Commenting upon this incident,
"Having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Rev. Wilbur Chapman, the noted evangelist, says: "I have
Christ unto Himself." Verse 5, R. V. studied theology some myself, and graduated at a theological
seminary; but I never got anything quite so good as that."
7. According to what does God call us?
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that 15. In what fact may every believer rejoice?
love God, to them who are the called according to His "But rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20,
purpose." Rom. 8:28. R.V.
8. According to what have we been predestinated? 16. Whose names are to be retained in the book of life?
"Being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who "He that overcometh, . . . I will not blot out his name out of the
worketh all things after the counsel of His own will." Eph. 1:11. book of life." Rev. 3:5.
9. How many does God desire to be saved?

"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
O, HAPPY day! that fixed my choice
knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim. 2:4. On Thee, My Saviour and my God;
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
10. Upon what condition is salvation offered? And tell its raptures all abroad.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts
16:31.
'Tis done, the great transaction's done;
11. For how long must this faith be preserved in order to I am my Lord's and he is mine;
bring final salvation? He drew me, and I followed on,
"He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Charmed to confess the voice divine.
Matt. 24:13. See James 1:12; Rev. 2:10.
Now rest, my long-divided heart,
12. What scripture is sometimes cited as evidence that God Fixed on this blissful center rest;
is arbitrary in His dealings with men? Nor ever from thy Lord depart,
"Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and With Him of every good possessed.
whom Hewill He hardeneth." Rom. 9:18. PHILIP DODDRIDGE.
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Chapter 28: Bible Sanctification
1. WHAT inspired prayer sets the standard of Christian 10. What change is thus brought about?
experience? "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Rom. 12:2.
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." I Thess. 5:23.
11. Can anyone boast of sinlessness?
2. How necessary is the experience of sanctification? "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
"Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8.
which no man shall see the Lord." Heb. 12:14, R.V.
12. What are we exhorted by the prophet to seek?
3. What encouragement is held out as an aid in attaining this "Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought
experience? His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification." 1 Thess. 4:3. shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." Zeph. 2:3.
NOTE.-Whatever is the will of God concerning us can be 13. In whose name should everything be done?
realized in our experience if our wills are in harmony with His will. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the
It is therefore a matter of great encouragement to know that our Lord Jesus." Col. 3:17.
sanctification is included in the will of God.
14. In all we do, whose glory should we have in view?
4. What distinct purpose did Christ have in giving Himself "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all
for the church? to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and
15. What classes of persons are necessarily shut out of the
cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." Eph. 5:25,26. kingdom of God?
"For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor
5. What kind of church would He thus be able to present to covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the
Himself? kingdom of Christ and of God." Eph. 5:5. "Know ye not that the
"That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not
having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
holy and without blemish." Verse 27. effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves,
nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall
6. In the experience of sanctification, what attitude must one inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:9,10.
assume toward the truth?
"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through 16. What must be crucified and eliminated from our lives if
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." 2 Thess. 2,13. we would be holy?
"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
7. What instruction shows that sanctification is a fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence,
progressive work? and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things' sake the
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience." Col.
3:5,6.
Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18. See chap. 1:5-7.
8. What description of the apostle Paul's experience is in 17. When purged from these sins, in what condition is a man,
harmony with this? and for what is he prepared?
"If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and
prepared unto every good work." 2 Tim. 2:21.
forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the
mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phil.
3:13,14. NOTE.-"Sanctification is the term used to describe the work of
God the Holy Ghost upon the character of those who are justified.
We are justified in order that we may be sanctified, and we are
9. By what is this cleansing from sin and fitting for God's
service accomplished? sanctified in order that we may be glorified. 'Whom He justified,
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer them He also glorified.' Rom. 8:30. The grace of God is given to
sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: make us holy, and so to fit us for God's presence in eternity; for
how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the 'without holiness no man shall see the Lord.' Heb. 12:14."-"The
eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your Catholic Religion" (Episcopal), by Rev. Vernon Staley, page 327.
conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Heb.
9:13,14. See also chap. 10:29.
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Chapter 29: Importance of Sound Doctrine
1. DOES it matter what one believes, so long as he is sincere? itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and
"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through shall be turned unto fables." Verses 3,4.
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." 2 Thess. 2:13.
11. What similar instruction was given to Titus?
NOTE.- Doctrine affects the life. Truth leads to life and God; error to "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: . . . in all
death and destruction. No one would think of saying it matters not things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing
what god one worships, so long as he is sincere any more than he uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity." Titus 2:1-7.
would think of saying it matters not what one eats ordrinks, so long
as he relishes what he eats and drinks; or what road he travels, so 12. What will sound doctrine enable the faithful teacher to do?
long as he thinks he is on the right road. Sincerity is a virtue; but it is "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may
not the test of sound doctrine. God wills that we shall know be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the
the truth, and He has made provision whereby we may know gainsayers." Titus 1:9.
what is truth.
13. What danger attends the teaching of false doctrine?
2. Did Joshua think it immaterial what God Israel served? "Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is
"Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: past already; and overthrow the faith of some." 2 Tim. 2:18.
and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of
the flood and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto 14. Who are the disciples of Jesus, and what gracious work
you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; does the truth do for those who receive it?
whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other "If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye
side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31,32.
dwell : but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua
24:14,15. 15. Through what are they to be sanctified?
NOTE.-The influence of all idolatrous worship is degrading. See Rom. "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth." John 17:17.
1:21-32; Numbers 15; 1 Cor. 10:20; 1 John 5:21.
16. What kind of worship results from false teaching?
3. How may we determine the truthfulness of any doctrine? "But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1 Thess. 5:21. commandments of men." Matt. 15:9.
4. By what should we test, or prove, all doctrine? 17. Can we close our ears to truth, and remain innocent before
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this God?
word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20. "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer
NOTE.-The Bible is the test of all doctrine. Whatever does not shall be abomination." Prov. 28:9.
harmonize and square with this, is not to be received. "There is but
one standard of the everlastingly right and the everlastingly wrong, 18. What did Christ say of those who will to do God's will?
and that is the Bible."- T .DeWitt Talmage. "If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the
teaching,whether it be of God, or whether I speak from Myself." John
5. Of what kind of doctrines should we beware? 7:17, R.V. See also Ps. 25:9; John 8:12.
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine." Eph. 4:14. See also Heb. 19. What will God allow to come to those who reject truth?
13:9. "Because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be
saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that
6. What is a "wind of doctrine"? they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed
"And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess. 2:10-12.
them." Jer. 5:13. Page 130
NOTE.-Calling a doctrine a wind of doctrine does not make it such.
That is a wind of doctrine which is not sustained by the Word of 20. By what doctrines are some to be misled in the last days?
God. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
7. For what is all scripture profitable? devils." 1 Tim. 4:1. See 2 Peter 2:1.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine." 2 Tim. 3:16. 21. What fate awaits blind teachers and their followers?
"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind
8. What advice was given to Timothy while preparing for the lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Matt. 15:14.
gospel ministry?
"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, 22. To whom will the gates of the heavenly city finally be
to doctrine. . . . Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine." 1 Tim. opened?
4:13-16. "Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the
truthmay enter in." Isa. 26:2. See also Rev. 22:14.
9. What solemn charge was given him concerning his public
work? Truth is the gem for which we seek,
"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who O tell us where shall it be found!
shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His For this we search, and pray, and weep,
kingdom; Preach the word; . . . reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long- That truth may in our hearts abound.
suffering and doctrine." 2 Tim. 4:1,2. We want the truth on every point,
10. Why did the apostle say this duty was so imperative? We want it all to practice by;
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but Do thou, O Lord, our eyes anoint
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having With a fresh unction from on high.
CHARLOTTE HASKINS.
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Chapter 30: Present Truth
1. BY what are men sanctified? the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the
"Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth. John 17:17. righteousness which is by faith." Heb. 11:7.
2. To what knowledge would God have all men come? 10. How many were saved in the ark?
"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the "The long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the
knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim. 2:4. ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved
by water."1 Peter 3:20.
3. After receiving a knowledge of the truth, what must one
do in order to be sanctified by it? NOTE.-Doubtless many who were lost in the flood held, in a
"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through nominal way, to faith in God; but the test as to the genuineness
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." 2 Thess. 2:13. of this came with Noah's special message; and the difference
between their faith and his was made plain when they rejected
the saving truth for that time, - the warning message concerning
4. And what besides a mere belief in the truth is necessary?
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, the coming flood.
through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience." 1 Peter 1:2.
11. What special message was given to Jonah for Nineveh?
"So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word
5. What effect does obedience to the truth have?
"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through of the Lord. . . . And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's
journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh
the Spirit." Verse 22.
shall be overthrown." Jonah 3:3,4.
6. How should the truth ever be cherished?

"Buy the truth, and sell it not." Prov. 23:23. 12. What saved the people from the predicted overthrow?
"So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast,
and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least
NOTE.-That is, buy the truth at whatever sacrifice or cost, and of them. . . . And God saw their works, that they turned from their
sell it under no consideration. evil way; and God repented of the evil, that He had said that He
would do unto them; and He did it not." Verses 5-10. See Jer.
7. Does the Bible recognize what may be called "present 18:7-10.
truth"?
"Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in NOTE.-So likewise would God have spared the antediluvian
remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be world had they received Noah's message, and turned from their
established in the present truth." 2 Peter 1:12. evil ways.
NOTE.-Some truths are applicable in all ages, and are 13. What was the special mission of John the Baptist?
therefore present truth for every generation; others are of a "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The
special character, and are applicable to only one generation. same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all
They are none the less important, however, because of this; for men through Him might believe." John 1:6,7.
upon their acceptance or rejection depends the salvation or loss
of the people of that generation. Of this kind was Noah's
message of a coming flood. To the generation to whom it was 14. What answer did he return when asked concerning his
preached that message was present truth; to later generations it mission?
has been past truth, and not a present, testing message. "He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make
Similarly, had the first advent message of John the Baptist, of the straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias." Verse
Messiah at hand, been proclaimed in the generation either 23.
before or after John's time, it would not have been applicable -
would not have been present truth. The people of the generation 15. What did Christ say of those who rejected John's
before would not have lived to see it fulfilled, and to those living message?
after, it would have been wrongly timed. Not so with general "But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel
truths, such as love, faith, hope, repentance, obedience, justice, of God against themselves, being not baptized of him." Luke
and mercy. These are always in season, and of a saving nature 7:30.
at all times. Present truths, however always include all these,
and hence are saving in character, and of vital importance. 16. What did those do who were baptized of John?
"And all the people that heard Him, and the publicans, justified
8. What was the special message for Noah's day? God,being baptized with, the baptism of John." Verse 29.
"And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before
Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, NOTE.-That is, they honored God by this act, which showed their
behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of faith in His truth for that time.
gopher wood." Gen. 6:13,14.
17. Did God's chosen people receive Christ when He came?

9. How did Noah show his faith in this message? "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." John
"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet,
1:11.
moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by
45
18. What reason did they give for not receiving Him? condition of the Reformed churches, who are come to a period in
"We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we religion, and will go no farther than the instruments of their
know not from whence He is." John 9:29. reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to go any farther
than what Luther saw; and the Calvinists, you see, stick fast
NOTE.-That was the trouble; they had no faith in anything new. where they were left by that great man of God, who yet saw not
They knew that God spoke by Moses: it required little faith to all things. This is a misery much to be lamented; for though they
believe that. They felt perfectly safe in accepting him, for were burning and shining lights in their time, yet they penetrated
not into the whole counsel of God, but were they now living,
everything had demonstrated that he was sent of God. All could
see that. But here was One whom, although He had come in would be as willing to embrace further light as that which they
first received."
fulfillment of the prophecies of Moses and the prophets as their
long-looked-for Messiah, they felt there was a risk in accepting,
because they did not understand the prophecies relating to Him, 22. What does Christ say of that servant who, when He
and time had not worked out to their satisfaction the truthfulness comes, is found giving "meat in due season"?
of His claims. It required too muchfaith, as against their desire to "Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall
walk by sight, to accept Christ. It also called for a change of find so doing." Verse 46.
views in some things, and a reformation in life. So they rejected
Him. They believed in the flood, faith in which had saved Noah; NOTES.-The coming of Christ in glory has been the hope of the
they believed in Elijah also, and professed faith in all the faithful in all ages.
prophets; but when it came to this special truth for their time, • Luther declared: "I persuade myself verily, that the day of
they refused to accept it. Thus it has been in all ages, and thus judgment will not be absent full three hundred years. God will not,
we may expect it to continue to be to the end. cannot, suffer this wicked world much longer. The great day is
drawing near in which the kingdom of abominations shall be
19. How did Christ say those who rejected Him reasoned? overthrown."
"Ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers • Melanchthon said: "This aged world is not far from its end."
of the righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our Calvin bade Christians "not to hesitate, ardently desiring the day
fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the of Christ's coming as of all events most auspicious;" and
blood of the prophets." Matt. 23:29,30. declared that "the whole human family of the faithful will keep in
view that day." "We must hunger after Christ, we must seek,
contemplate," he adds, "till the dawning of that great day, when
NOTE.-While they condemned the action of their fathers in
slaying the prophets whom God had sent with messages of our Lord will fully manifest the glory of His kingdom."
reproof and warning applicable to those times, they soon filled up • Said Knox, the Scotch Reformer: "Has not our Lord Jesus
the measure of the iniquity of their fathers by putting to death the carried up our flesh into heaven? and shall He not return? We
Son of God. This showed that they would have done as did their know that He shall return, and that with expedition."
fathers had they lived in their day. Thus we see that present • Ridley and Latimer, who laid down their lives for the truth,
truths are testing truths. looked in faith for the Lord's coming. Ridley wrote: "The world
without doubt - this I do believe, and therefore I say it - draws to
an end."
20. What was the result of the Jews' not accepting Christ? • Said Baxter: "The thoughts of the coming of the Lord are most
"And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept sweet and joyful to me. It is the work of faith and the character of
over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy His saints to love His appearing, and to look for that blessed
day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hope."
hid from thine eyes."Luke 19:41,42. "Behold, your house is left
unto you desolate." Matt. 23:38.
23. What will be the burden of the closing gospel message?
"Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is
21. Is there to be a special message for the last days? come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not sea, and the fountains of waters. . . . Babylon is fallen, is
the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise fallen. . . . If any man worship the beast and his image, and
servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall
give them meat in due season?"Matt. 24:44,45. drink of the wine of the wrath of God." Rev. 14:7-10.
NOTE.-In the last days a message will go forth which will be 24. How are those described who accept this message?
"meat in due season" to the people. This must be the warning "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the
concerning the Lord's soon coming, and the preparation commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Verse 12.
necessary to meet Him. Because, such a message was not
always preached, is no evidence that it is not now to be
proclaimed. In his farewell address to the Pilgrim Fathers on their 25. How earnestly is this work to be prosecuted?
departure from Holland for America, John Robinson said: "The "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways
Lord knoweth whether I shall ever see your faces more; but and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be
whether the Lord bath appointed that or not, I charge you before filled." Luke 14:23.
God and His blessed angels to follow me no farther than I have
followed Christ. If God should reveal anything to you by any NOTE.- This work is now going on. In every part of the world the
other instrument or His, be as ready to receive it as you ever sound of this closing gospel message is being heard, and the
were to receive any truth by my ministry; for I am very confident people are being urged to accept it, and to prepare for Christ's
that the Lord hath more truth and light yet to break forth out of coming and kingdom. See readings in Chapters 56, 57, and 58
His Holy Word. For my part, I cannot sufficiently bewail the of this book.
46
Chapter 31:The Obedience of Faith
1. WHAT did the Lord command Abraham to do? 11. For what purpose is the mystery of the gospel made
"Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy manifest?
country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto "But now [the mystery] is made manifest, and by the scriptures of
a land that I will show thee." Gen. 12:1. the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting
God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith." Rom.
2. How did Abraham respond to this command? 16:26.
"So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot
went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when 12. For what purpose is the grace of Christ received?
he departed out of Haran." Verse 4. "Through whom we have received grace and apostleship, unto
obedience of faith among all nations, for His name's sake." Rom.
3. Of what was Abraham's obedience the fruit? 1:5. R.V.
"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a
place which he was to receive for an inheritance: and he went 13. What example of obedience has Christ set for us?
out, not knowing whither he went." Heb. 11:8, R.V. "And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
4. What command did the Lord later give to Abraham? Phil. 2:8.
"And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom
thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him 14. At what cost did even He learn the lesson of obedience?
there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things
tell thee of." Gen. 22:2. which He suffered." Heb. 5:8.
5. Upon what ground were the previous promises then 15. To whom did Christ become the author of salvation?
renewed to Abraham? "And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal
"And said, By Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because salvation unto all them that obey Him." Verse 9.
thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine
only son: that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will 16. How complete should this obedience be?
multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth
which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity
of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the world every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:5.
be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My voice."Verses 16-18.
17. What effect did the preaching of the apostles have upon
6. What enabled Abraham to endure the test? the hearers?
"By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he "And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
that had received the promises offered up his only begotten
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the
son." Heb. 11:17. priests were obedient to the faith." Acts 6:7.
7. Of what were the works of Abraham an evidence? 18. What effect did the preaching of the apostle Paul have
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had upon the Gentiles?
offered Isaac his son upon the altar?" James 2:21. "For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ
hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word
8. By his works what was shown to be perfect? and deed." Rom. 15:18.
"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was
faith made perfect?" Verse 22. 19. How highly does God regard obedience?
"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt
9. In what statement of the scripture was Abraham's offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
obedience really implied? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to harken than the
"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed fat of rams." 1 Sam. 15:22.
God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was
called the Friend of God." Verse 23. 20. With what sins are rebellion and stubbornness classed?
"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is
10. What kind of faith avails with God? as iniquityand idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king." Verse 23.
uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love." Gal. 5:6.
21. Whose voice had more weight with Saul than had the
NOTE.-The faith which justifies, is the faith which works. Those commandment of God?
who say, and do not, are not men of faith. The obedience which "And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have
is pleasing to God is the fruit of that faith which takes God at His transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words:
word, and submits to the working of His power, being fully because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice." Verse 24.
assured that what He has promised He is able also to perform.
This is the faith which is reckoned for righteousness. See Rom.
22. What charge did Jesus bring against the Pharisees?
4:21,22. "And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of
God, that ye may keep your own tradition." Mark 7:9.
47
NOTE.-Human tradition is simply the voice of man preserved in 26. Whose example are we urged to imitate?
the church. To follow the traditions of men instead of obeying the "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith
commandments of God is to repeat the sin of Saul. and patience inherit the promises." Heb. 6:12.
23. What will be the fate of those who do not obey the
gospel of Christ?
"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus
To obey is better than sacrifice, the Lord hath said;
shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming To harken when He commandeth, than an offering made.
fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey
not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thess. 1:7,8.
All ye who say, "There is naught to do since Christ doth save,"
Remember what He commands you in the Book He gave.
24. What condition is attained in obeying the truth?
"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through
the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love Remember only the doers of the word are blessed;
one another with a pure heart fervently." 1 Peter 1:22. 'Tis well to hear and believe it, but to do is best.
F. E. BELDEN.
25. What promise is made to the obedient?
"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the
land." Isa. 1:19.
48
Section 4: Life, Parables, and Miracles of Christ
Chapter 32: Birth, Childhood, and Early Life of Christ
1. IN what promise was a Saviour from sin first revealed? 12. How did the aged prophetess Anna express herself at
"And the Lord said unto the serpent, . . . I will put enmity the sight of Jesus?
between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her "And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the
seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel." Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in
Gen. 3:14,15. Jerusalem." Verse 38.
2. Through whom was a restoration of the lost dominion 13. What did the wise men of the East do when they had
promised to Abraham? found Jesus?
"To thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever." Gen.13:15. "When they were come into the house, they saw the young child
with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him: and
3. Who was this promised seed? when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him
"He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." Matt. 2:11.
thy seed, which is Christ." Gal. 3:16.
14. How came Jesus to live for a time in Egypt?
4. Where was Christ to be born? "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord
"And. . . he [Herod] demanded of them where Christ should be appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the
born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea." Matt. 2:4- young child, and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou
6. See Micah 5: 2. there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child
to destroy Him." Verse 13.
5. Of whom was Christ to be born?

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call 15. How does the revelator describe this satanic desire to
His name Immanuel." Isa. 7:14. destroy Christ?
"And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be
delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born." Rev.
NOTE.-Immanuel means " God with us." See Matt. 1:23. 12:4.
6. Before His birth, what did the angel say to Joseph 16. By what means did Herod seek to destroy Christ?
concerning the naming of the child? "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men,
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children
Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins." Matt. 1:21. that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two
years old and under." Matt. 2:16.
7. At His birth, what message did the angel bring to the
shepherds abiding in the field? 17. After Herod's death, where did Joseph and his family
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you live?
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might
you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called
the Lord." Luke 2:10,11. a Nazarene." Verse 23.
8. In what song of praise did a host of angels join? 18. What is said of Christ's childhood and early life?
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with
heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the wisdom: andthe grace of God was upon Him. . . . And He went
highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Verses down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject, unto
13,14. them." Luke 2:40-51.
9. What prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled at Christ's birth? 19. Upon returning from a feast at Jerusalem, how came
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the Joseph and Mary to lose Jesus when He was twelve years
government shall be upon His shoulder." Isa. 9:6. old?
"But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a
10. What did the prophet say His name should be called? day's journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and
"And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty acquaintance. And when they found Him not, they turned back
God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the again to Jerusalem, seeking Him." Verses 44,45.
increase of His government and peace there shall be no end."
Verses 6,7. NOTE.-This is how many lose Jesus today. They suppose He is
in their company, but do not see to it that He is with
11. What did the devout Simeon say when he saw the child them personally. Through carelessness it takes but a day to lose
Jesus? Him; but, when once lost, it sometimes takes days of sorrowful
"And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him searching, as it did Joseph and Mary, to find Him again.
after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms, and
blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant 20. What was Jesus doing when they found Him?
depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen "And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the
Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all temple,sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and
people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy asking them questions." Verse 46.
people Israel." Luke 2:27-32.
49
21. How did His questions and answers impress those who All praise to Thee, eternal Lord,
heard Him? Clothed in a garb of flesh and blood;
"And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding Choosing a manger for Thy throne,
and answers." Verse 47. While worlds on worlds are Thine alone!
22. With what words do the Scriptures conclude the record Once did the skies before Thee bow;
of Christ's early life? A Virgin's arms contain Thee now:
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with Angels, who did in Thee rejoice,
God and man." Verse 52. Now listen to Thine infant voice..
NOTE.-Christ's early life is a pattern for all children and youth. It A little child, Thou art our guest,
was marked by respect and love for His mother. He was That weary ones in Thee may rest;
obedient to His parents, and kind to all. He hated sin, and to Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth,
every temptation turned a deaf ear. He sought to understand the That we may rise to heaven from earth.
reason of things, and so increased in knowledge and wisdom.
He was sympathetic and tender-hearted, and ever ready to
Thou comest in the darksome night
relieve the oppressed, the sorrowing, and the suffering. If we To make us children of the light;
love Christ, we shall love to talk of Him; our sweetest thoughts
To make us, in the realms divine,
will be of Him; and by beholding Him we shall be changed into Like Thine own angels round Thee shine.
the same image. See note on question 17. of Chapter 20. of this
book.
All this for us Thy love hath done;
By this to Thee our life is won;
For this we tune our cheerful lays,
And tell our thanks in songs of praise.
MARTIN LUTHER.
50
Chapter 33: Christ's Ministry
1. WITH what words had John the Baptist announced people were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as
Christ's ministry? one having authority, and not as the scribes." Matt. 7:28,29.
"He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am
not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and 11. How did the common people receive Christ?
with fire." Matt. 3:11.
"And the common people heard Him gladly." Mark 12:37.
2. How old was Jesus when He began His ministry?
"And Jesus Himself began to be about thirty years of age." Luke 12. In His ministry, what work was closely associated with
3:23. His preaching?
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues
3. By what act and what miraculous manifestations was His and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner
ministry opened? of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." Matt.
"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from 4:23.
Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And
straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens NOTE.-In His ministry, Christ combined plain, practical teaching
opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him: and with practical, helpful relief work.
there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art My beloved
Son, in whom I am well pleased." Mark 1:9-11.
13. How extensive was His fame, and how many were
4. Before entering upon His ministry, through what attracted to Him?
experience did Jesus pass? "And His fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto
"And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and
He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and
was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him." those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and He
Verses 12,13. See also Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13. healed them. And there followed Himgreat multitudes of people
from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and fromJerusalem, and
5. With what was Jesus anointed for His work? from Judea, and from beyond Jordan." Verses 24,25.
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and
with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that 14. What expression used frequently in narrating His
were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him." Acts 10:38. ministry shows Christ's deep sympathy with mankind?
"But when He saw the multitude, He was moved with
6. Where did Jesus begin His ministry? compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered
"And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." "And Jesus went forth,
there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about. and saw a great multitude, and was moved with
And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all." Luke compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." Matt. 9:36;
4:14,15. 14:14.
7. How did He announce His mission while at Nazareth?

"And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, 15. In what few words did Christ sum up the object of His
as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath ministry?
day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was
the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the lost."Luke 19:10.
book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the
Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the 16. How did Christ feel over the impenitence of Jerusalem?
gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, "And when He was come near, He beheld the city,
to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to and wept over it."Luke 19:41.
the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the
acceptable year of the Lord. . . . And He began to say unto
NOTE.-In no other place did Christ appear so much a reformer
them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." Verses 16-
as in Jerusalem, the headquarters of the Jewish religion, which
21.
religion, though having come from Christ Himself, had
degenerated into mere formalism and a round of ceremony. Both
8. How were the people impressed with His preaching? the beginning and the close of His ministry here was marked by
"And all bare Him witness, and wondered at the gracious words a cleansing of the temple. See John 2:13-18 and Matt. 21:12-16.
which proceeded out of His mouth." Verse 22.
9. Why were the people at Capernaum astonished at His

teaching?
O Blessed Christ! my Strength, my King,
"And [He] came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and
He is my comfort and my stay;
taught them on the Sabbath days. And they were astonished at
In Him I hope, of Him I Sing,
His doctrine: for His word was with power." Verses 31,32.
While toiling o'er life's rugged way.
Chiefest among ten thousand He,
10. Wherein did His teaching differ from that of the scribes? For Christ, my King, is all to me.
"And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE.
51
Chapter 34: Christ the Great Teacher
1. WHAT report did the officers bring who were sent out by
the chief priests and Pharisees to take Jesus?
13. How were the two on the way to Emmaus affected by
"Never man spake like this man." John 7:46.
Christ's conversation with them?
"And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us,
2. How did Christ teach the people?
while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us
"He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." the Scriptures?" Luke 24:32.
Matt. 7:29.
NOTE.-"The teaching of the scribes and elders was cold and
formal like a lesson learned by rote. To them the Word of God 14. In His teaching, to what did Christ direct attention?
possessed no vital power. Their own ideas and traditions were "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded
substituted for its teaching. In the accustomed round of service unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning
they professed to explain the law, but no inspiration from God Himself." "And He said unto them, These are the words which I
stirred their own hearts or the hearts of their hearers." spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be
fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in
3. Why was Christ's preaching so impressive? the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me. Then opened
"For His word was with power." Luke 4:32. He their understanding, that they might understand the
Scriptures." Verses 27,44,45.
4. With what was He filled?
"And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, 15. How did He encourage His disciples to look for the
and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness." Verse 1. fulfillment of prophecy?
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,
5. How freely was the Holy Spirit bestowed upon Him? spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso
"For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for readeth, let him understand:) then let them which be in Judea
God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him." John 3:34. flee into the mountains." Matt. 24:15,16.
6. How had Christ's teaching by parables been foretold?
"I will open My mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of NOTE.-Christ was a faithful student, a consistent user, and a
old." Ps. 78:2. perfect expounder, of the Scriptures. He met temptation with the
Scriptures; He proved His Messiahship by the Scriptures; He
7. How was this fulfilled? taught from the Scriptures; and He told His disciples to look to
"Without a parable spake He not unto them." Matt. 13:34. the Scriptures as their counselor and guide for the future.
8. What question did Christ's wonderful teaching call forth?

"And when He was come into His own country, He taught them
in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and
said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty Blest they who seek
works? " Verse 54. While in their youth,
With spirit meek,
9. What did Isaiah say Christ would do with the law? The way of truth.
"He will magnify the law, and make it honorable." Isa. 42:21. To them the Sacred Scriptures now display
Christ as the only true and living way;
10. Because some thought He had come to destroy the law, His precious blood on Calvary was given
what did Christ say? To make them heirs of bliss in heaven.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I And e'en on earth the child of God can trace
am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till The blessings of his Saviour's grace.
heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass For them He bore
from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break His Father's frown;
one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he For them He wore
shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever The thorny crown;
shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Nailed to the cross,
kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your Endured its pain,
righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and That His life's loss
Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven." Might be their gain.
Matt. 5:17-20. Then haste to choose
That better part,
11. What testimony did Nicodemus bear concerning Him? Nor e'en refuse
"Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no The Lord thy heart,
man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with Lest He declare
him." John 3:2. "I know you not,"
And deep despair
12. What did Christ's words at Jacob's well lead the woman Should be your lot,
of Samaria to ask? Now look to Jesus, who on Calvary died,
"The woman then left her water-pot, and went her way into the And trust on Him who there was crucified,
city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man which told me all
things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" John 4:28,29.
52
Chapter 35: Parables of Christ
1. WHAT reference is made in the Psalms to Christ's use of The parable of the lost sheep, and that of the prodigal son. Luke
parables? 15:3-7, 11-32.
"I will open My mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old." Ps.
78:2. NOTE.-Each parable is designed to teach someone great and
important truth. The first twelve in the list here given are intended to
NOTE.-A parable primarily means teach the following lessons, respectively: (1) Good and evil in life and
a comparison or similitude; specifically it is a judgment. (2) Value of the gospel. (3) Seeking salvation. (4) The
shortstory or narrative drawn from life or nature, by means of which visible church of Christ. (5) Truths new and old. (6) Duty of forgiving
some important lesson is taught, or some moral drawn. others. (7) Call at various epochs. (8) Insincerity and repentance. (9)
Need of righteousness. (10) Watchful and careful profession. (11)
2. From what sources did Christ usually draw His parables? Use of abilities. (12) Final separation of good and bad.
From nature and from every day experiences.
3. For what are His parables noted? CHRIST'S PARABLES.

"Our Saviour's parables are distinguished above all others for
clearness, purity, chasteness, intelligibility, importance of instruction, I. Recorded in only one Gospel
and simplicity. They are taken mostly from the affairs of common life, The Tares - Gennesaret - Matt.13:24-30
and are intelligible, therefore, to all men." -Dr: Albert Barnes, on Matt. The hid treasure - Gennesaret. - Matt. 13:44
13:3. The goodly pearl - Gennesaret - Matt. 13:45,46
The draw-net - Gennesaret - Matt. 13:47-50
4. Following one of His parables, what did Christ say? Householder and treasure - Gennesaret - Matt. 13:52
"Who hath ears to hear let him hear." Matt. 13:9. The unmerciful servant - Capernaum - Matt. 18:23-35
Laborers in the vineyard - Jerusalem - Matt. 20:1-16
5. What question did the disciples then ask? The two sons - Jerusalem - Matt. 21:28-32
"And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest Thou Marriage of the king's son - Mt. of Olives - Matt. 22:1-14
unto them in parables?" Verse 10. The ten virgins - Mt. of Olives - Matt. 25:1-13
The ten talents - Mt. of Olives - Matt. 25:14-30
6. What reply did Christ make? The sheep and goats - Mt. of Olives - Matt. 25:31-46
"He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to The seed growing secretly - Gennesaret - Mark 4:26-29
know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not Householder and servants - Gennesaret - Mark 13:34-37
given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have The two debtors - Galilee - Luke 7:40-47
more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken The good Samaritan - Jerusalem - Luke 10:25-37
away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: The friend at midnight - Jerusalem - Luke 11:5-13
because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do The rich fool - Jerusalem - Luke 12:16-21
they understand." Verses 11-13. The wedding-feast - Jerusalem - Luke 12:35-40
NOTE.-Christ's object, therefore, in using parables was to teach the The wise steward - Jerusalem - Luke 12:42-48
mysteries, or truths, of the kingdom of heaven,-truths not necessarily The barren fig-tree - Jerusalem - Luke 13:6-9
difficult to understand, but which had long been hidden or obscured The seat to take - Jerusalem - Luke 14:7-11
by sin, apostasy, and tradition,- in such a way that the spiritually The great supper - Jerusalem - Luke 14:15-24
minded and those desirous of learning the truth, might understand Tower; king going to war - Jerusalem - Luke 14: 28-33
them, and the worldly-minded and unwilling would not. When asked The piece of money - Jerusalem - Luke 15:8-10
the meaning of any parable, Christ readily explained it to His The prodigal son - Jerusalem - Luke 15:11-32
disciples. See Luke 8:9-15; Matt. 13:36-43; Mark 4:33,34. The unjust steward - Jerusalem - Luke 16:1-12
Rich man and Lazarus - Jerusalem - Luke 16:19-31
7. After giving instruction by the use of parables, what question The unprofitable servant - Jerusalem - Luke 17:7-10
did Christ ask His disciples? The importunate widow - Jerusalem - Luke 18:1-8
"Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They Pharisee and publican - Jerusalem - Luke 18:9-14
say unto Him, Yea, Lord." Verse 51. The pounds - Jerusalem - Luke 19:11-27
8. How extensively did Christ make use of parables?

II. Recorded in two Gospels
"All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables;
House on rock and sand - Galilee - Matt. 7:24-27, Luke 6:47-49
and without a parable spake He not unto them." Verse 34.
The leaven in meal - Gennesaret - Matt. 13:33, Luke 13:20,21
The lost sheep - Jerusalem - Matt. 18:12-14, Luke 15:3-7
NOTE.-Parables are simply stories. All, young and old, like to hear a
story. Story-telling is one of the most successful means of awakening
an interest, securing attention, and teaching, illustrating, and III. Recorded in three Gospels
enforcing important truths. Christ, the greatest of all teachers, New cloth on old garment - Capernaum - Matt.
recognized this, and therefore made constant use of this method of 9:16, Mark 2:21, Luke 5:36
instruction. See reading on "Preaching the Gospel" in Chapter 150 of New wine in old bottles - Capernaum - Matt. 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke
this book. 5:37
The sower - Gennesaret - Matt. 13:3-9, Mark 4:3-9, Luke 8:4-15
9. How did Christ suggest that His disciples follow His example The mustard-seed Gennesaret - Matt. 13:31,32, Mark 4:30-
in teaching gospel truth? 32, Luke 13:18,19
"Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed The wicked husbandmen - Jerusalem - Matt. 21:33-43, Mark 12:1-
unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an 9,
householder,which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and Luke 20:9-16
old." Verse 52. The fig-tree - Mt. of Olives - Matt. 24:32,33, Mark 13:28,29, Luke
21:29-31
10. Which are some of the most touching and soul-winning of
Christ's parables?
53
Chapter 36: Miracles of Christ
1. WHAT testimony did the chief priests and Pharisees bear attract attention. Christ fed the five thousand with the multiplied
concerning Christ's work? loaves and fishes, and all men wondered. Every day God feeds
"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, millions of humanity with the multiplied fruits of the earth, and no
and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles." John one marvels. Christ, by a shortened process, changed water into
11:47. wine, and everybody was astonished; but every year God does
this in the usual way-through the vine-in almost limitless
2. By what did Peter, on the day of Pentecost, say that quantities, and no one is astonished. A divine miracle, therefore,
Christ had been approved by God? whenever performed, is wrought to heal and to save, and to call
"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man attention to the source of divine power.
approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs,
which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also 10. What did the people say when they saw these things?
know." Acts 2:22. "He hath done all things well: He maketh both the deaf to hear,
and the dumb to speak." Mark 7:37.
3. By what means did Christ claim to cast out devils?
"But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the 11. What kinds of disease and sickness did Jesus cure?
kingdom of God is come upon you." Luke 11:20. Matt. 12:28 "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,
says "by the Spirit of God." and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner
of sickness and all manner of disease among the
NOTE.-Under the third plague in Egypt,-that of turning the dust people." "Great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them
into lice,-the magicians, failing to duplicate it, said to Pharaoh, all." Matt. 4:23; 12:15.
"This is the finger of God." Ex. 8:18,19.
12. Who were brought to Him for healing?
4. Upon what ground did Nicodemus rest his belief that "And they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with
Christ was a teacher from God? divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed
"Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had
the palsy; and He healed them." Matt. 4:24.
man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with
him." John 3:2.
13. To the woman who had been healed by touching His
5. After the healing of the blind man, upon what charge did garment, what did Christ say made her whole?
"Thy faith hath made thee whole." Matt. 9:22.
some of the Pharisees seek to prove that Christ was not of
God?
"Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of 14. What did He say to the two blind men as He healed
God, because He keepeth not the Sabbath day." John 9:16, first them?
part. "According to your faith be it unto you." Verse 29.
NOTE.-This was a false charge. Christ did keep the Sabbath, but 15. To another whose sight He had restored, what did Christ
not according to the Pharisees' idea of Sabbath-keeping. See say?
reading on "Christ and the Sabbath," in Chapter 95 of this book. "Thy faith hath saved thee." Luke 18:42.
6. What question did others raise in opposition to this view? 16. Why did not Christ work many miracles in His own
"Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such country?
miracles? And there was a division among them." Same verse, "And He did not many mighty works there because of their
John 9:16 last part. unbelief."Matt. 13:58.
7. What was the result of Christ's working miracles at His 17. What lesson did Christ design to teach in healing the
first Passover? man sick of the palsy?
"Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast- "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon
day, many believed in His name, when they saw the miracles earth to forgive sins, (He said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say
which He did." John 2:23. unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine
house." Luke 5:24.
8. What question did the performing of these miracles lead
many to ask? NOTE.-By His miracles, therefore, Christ designed to teach faith
"And many of the people believed on Him, and said, When Christ in the power of God not only to restore the body, but to heal the
cometh, will He do more miracles than these which this man hath soul.
done"' John 7:31.
18. What effect did Christ's miracles have upon the
9. Why were many attracted to Christ? individuals restored, and the people who witnessed them?
"A great multitude followed Him, because they saw His miracles "And immediately he received his sight, and followed
which He did on them that were diseased." John 6:2. Him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave
praise unto God." "And all the people rejoiced for all the glorious
NOTE.-A miracle is the display of divine or superhuman power in things that were done by Him." Luke 18:43; 13:17
some unusual or extraordinary manner; hence its nature to
54
19. What message did Christ send to John the Baptist while CHRIST'S MIRACLES.
John was in prison, to strengthen his wavering faith?
"Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and I. Recorded in only one Gospel
see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers Two blind men healed - Matt. 9:27-31
are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up, and the A dumb demoniac healed - Matt. 9:32,33
poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, Piece of money in mouth of fish - Matt. 17:24-27
whosoever shall not be offended in Me." Matt. 11:4-6. Deaf and dumb man healed - Mark 7:31-37
A blind man healed - Mark 8:22-26
20. In what miracle did Christ bring to a climax His works on Passed through throng unseen - Luke 4:28-31
earth? Draft of fishes - Luke 5:1-11
"And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud Raising the widow's son - Luke 7:11-17
voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, Healing woman with infirmity - Luke 13:11-17
bound hand and foot with grave-clothes: and his face was bound Healing man with dropsy - Luke 11:1-6
about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let Healing ten lepers - Luke 17:11-19
him go." John 11:43,44. Healing ear of Malchus - Luke 22:50,51
Turning water into wine - John 2:1-11
21. What was the result of this great. miracle? Healing nobleman's son - John 4:46-54
"Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the Healing impotent man - John 5:1-16
things which Jesus did, believed on Him." Verse 45. Healing man born blind - John 9
Raising of Lazarus - John 11:1-46
Draft of fishes - John 21:1-11
22. Because of the interest which this miracle created in Him,
what did the Pharisees say?
"Behold, the world is gone after Him." John 12:19. II. Recorded in two Gospels
Healing centurion's servant - Matt 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10
Blind demoniac healed - Matt. 12:22-30, Luke 11:14-26
23. What did Jesus present to the people as a basis of Healing Syrophenician maiden - Matt. 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30
confidence in Him? Feeding the four thousand - Matt. 15:32-39, Mark 8:1-9
"If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not. But if I do, Cursing the fig-tree - Matt. 21:17-22, Mark 11:12-14
though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know, Demoniac in synagogue healed - Mark 1:23-28, Luke 4:33-37
and believe, that the Father is in Me, and I in Him." "Believe Me
that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me
III. Recorded in three Gospels
for the very works' sake." John 10:37,38; 14:11.
Healing the leper - Matt. 8:2,3, Mark 1:40-42, Luke 5:12,13
Healing Peter's mother-in-law - Matt. 8:14,15, Mark 1:30,31,
24. Did Jesus ever make use of ordinary means in Luke 4:38,39
performing His miracles? Stilling the storm - Matt. 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25
"When He had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made Legion of devils cast out - Matt. 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-
clay of the spittle, and He anointed the eyes of the blind man 37
with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Healing man sick of palsy - Matt. 9:1-8, Mark 2:3-12, Luke 5:18-
Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went his way 26
therefore, and washed, and came seeing." John 9:6,7. See also Healing woman with issue - Matt. 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke
Mark 7:33-35; 8:23-25; 2 Kings 5:1-14. 8:43-48
Raising Jairus's daughter - Matt. 9:18-26, Mark 5:22-43, Luke
25. Why were the miracles of Christ recorded by the inspired 8:41-56
writers? Healing man's withered hand - Matt. 12:10-13, Mark 3:1-5, Luke
"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His 6:6-10
disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, Walking on the sea - Matt. 14:22-33, Mark 6:48-51, John 6:16-21
that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; Curing demoniac child - Matt. 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, Luke
and that believing ye might have life through His name." John 9:38-42
20:30,31. Curing blind Bartimaeus - Matt. 20:30-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke
18:35-43
IV. Recorded in four Gospels

Feeding the five thousand - Matt. 14:15-21, Mark 6:35-44, Luke
9:12-17,
John 6:5-14
55
Chapter 37: Sufferings of Christ
1. FOR what purpose did Christ come into the world? cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter." Verses
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that 59-61,
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am
chief." 1 Tim. 1:15. 11. To what insults was Christ subjected at the house of the
high priest?
2. What constrained God to give His Son to die for man? "And the men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him. And
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, when they had blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face, and
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have asked Him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote Thee?"
everlasting life," John 3:16. See 1 John 4:9,10; Rom. 5:8. Verses 63,64.
3. What did the prophet say Christ would be called to 12. Where was Christ next taken?
endure? "And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the
"He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His chief priests and the scribes came together, and led Him into
mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep their council." Verse 66.
before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth. He
was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare 13. What admission did they secure from Him as the basis
His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for of condemning Him?
the transgression of My people was He stricken." Isa. 53:7,8. "Then said they all, Art Thou then the Son of God? And I He said
unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we any
4. Did Christ know beforehand the treatment He was to further witness? for we ourselves have heard of His own mouth."
receive? Verses 70,71.
"Then He took unto Him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold,
we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the 14. What was the next step in their plan to secure lawful
prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For authority to carry out their unlawful purpose?
He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall "And the whole multitude of them arose, and led Him unto
be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and, they
Pilate." Luke 23:1.
shall scourge Him, and put Him to death." Luke 18:31-33.
15. When Pilate desired Christ released, how did they

5. How heavy was the burden which rested on His soul on remonstrate?
the night of His betrayal?
"And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the
"And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and people,teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to
began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith He unto them,
this place." Verse 5.
My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here,
and watch with Me." Matt. 26:37,38.
NOTE.-This has ever been a favorite accusation of the enemies
of truth against the work of true reformers. The Romans at this
6. What prayer of Chris shows that the redemption of a lost
very time had a law forbidding the teaching of any new religion
world trembled in the balance in that terrible hour? "whereby the minds of men may be disturbed."
"And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed,
saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from
Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt." Verse 39, 16. When Pilate heard that Christ was from Galilee, what did
he do?
"And as soon as he knew that He belonged unto Herod's
7. How great was the agony of His soul?
jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was at
"And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His Jerusalem at that time." Verse 7.
sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the
ground." Luke 22:44.
17. Who appeared to accuse Christ before Herod?
"And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently
8. After He had prayed this remarkable prayer three times, accused Him." Verse 10.
what occurred?
"And while He yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was
called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew 18. To what indignities did Herod subject the Saviour?
near unto Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said unto him, "And Herod with his men of war set Him at naught, and mocked
Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?" Verses 47,48. Him,and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and Bent Him again to
Pilate." Verse 11.
9. To what place was Christ taken?
"Then took they Him, and led Him, and brought Him into the high 19. What did Pilate propose to do when Christ was again
priest's house. And Peter followed afar off." Verse 54. brought before him?
"I have found no cause of death in Him: I will therefore chastise
Him, and let Him go." Verse 22.
10. While at the high priest's house, how did Peter deny
Him?
"Another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also 20. Instead of consenting to His release, what did Christ's
was with Him: for he is a Galilean. And Peter said, Man, I know accusers now demand?
not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the "And they were instant [earnest] with loud voices, requiring that
56
He might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief 28. By what miracle, and phenomenon in nature did God
priests prevailed." Verse 23. indicate the character of the deed which was being
committed?
21. Although Pilate had declared his belief in Christ's "And it was about the sixth hour [noon], and there was a
innocence, yet what cruel punishment did he inflict upon darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was
Him? darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst." Luke
"Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him." John 19:1. 23:44,45.
22. What shameful treatment did Christ receive from the 29. What divine purpose was wrought out in the sufferings
soldiers? of Christ?
"And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon "For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all
things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of
His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee
before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the their salvation perfect through sufferings." Heb. 2:10.
Jews! And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him
on the head." Matt. 27:29,30. 30. For whom did Christ suffer all these things?
"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
23. After bringing Him to the place of crucifixion, what drink iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with
His stripes we are healed." Isa. 53:5.
was offered Christ to stupefy Him?
"They gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when He
had tasted thereof, He would not drink." Verse 34. 31. How much was included in the gift of Christ for the
salvation of man?
"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us
24. In what prayer for those who crucified Him did Christ
manifest the true spirit of the gospel,-love for sinners? all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all
things?" Rom. 8:32.
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what
they do."Luke 23:34.
25. With what words did the chief priests and others mock
Jesus while on the cross? 'Tis midnight; and on Olives' brow
"Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes The star is dimmed that lately shone:
and elders, said, He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He 'Tis midnight; in the garden, now,
be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, The suffering Saviour prays alone.
and we will believe Him." Matt. 27:41,42.
'Tis midnight; and from all removed,
NOTE.-In their blindness they could not see that Christ could not The Saviour wrestles lone with fears;
save others and save Himself at the same time. E'en that disciple whom He loved
Heeds not His Master's grief and tears.
26. As He cried out in agony on the cross, and said, "I
thirst," what was given Him? 'Tis midnight; and for others' guilt
"And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled The Man of Sorrows weeps in blood;
it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to Yet He who hath in anguish knelt,
drink." Verse 48. See John 19:28,29. Is not forsaken by His God.
27. What closed this terrible scene? 'Tis midnight; and from ether plains
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said It is Is borne the song that angels know;
finished:and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost." John Unheard by mortals are the strains
19:30. That sweetly soothe the Saviour's woe.
WILLIAM. B. TAPPAN.
57
Chapter 38: The Resurrection of Christ
1. IN what psalm was the resurrection of Christ foretold? for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and
"For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell [Heb., Sheol, the grave]: rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His
neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption." Ps. countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
16:10. and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead
men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear
2. In what way was Jonah a type of Christ? not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is
"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where
belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is
the heart of the earth." Matt. 12:40. risen from the dead." Matt. 28:1-7. See also Mark 16:1-16; Luke
24:1-8, 44-46; John 20:1-9.
3. In what plain words did Christ foretell His resurrection?

"From that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples, 10. Was it possible for Christ to be holden of death?
how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and
the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands
raised again the third day." Matt. 16:21. "And while they abode have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having
in Galilee, Jesus said unto. them, The Son of man shall be loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He
betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill Him, and the should be holden of it." Acts 2:23,24.
third day He shall be raised again." Matt. 17:22,23. "The Son of
man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and 11. How does Paul speak of the resurrection of Christ?
chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received,
day." Luke 9:22. See also Matt. 20:17-19; Mark 8:31; 9:31,32; how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and
10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34. that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day
according to the Scriptures." 1 Cor. 15:3,4.
4. When asked by the Jews for a sign of His Messiahship,
what did Jesus say? 12. Who does the apostle say saw Christ after He was risen?
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in "He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, He was
three days I will raise it up." John 2:19. seen ofabove five hundred brethren at once; . . . after that, He
was seen ofJames; then of all the apostles. And last of all He
5. To what temple did He refer? was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time!' Verses 5-8.
"Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in
building, and wilt Thou rear it up in three days? But He spake of 13. What importance is attached to Christ's resurrection?
the temple of His body." Verses 20,21. "If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith
is also vain. . . . Ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are
6. After His resurrection, what effect had this prediction fallen asleep in Christ are perished." Verses 14-18.
upon His disciples?
"When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples 14. What positive assurance of the resurrection is given?
remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed "But now is Christ risen from the dead; and become the first-
the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said." Verse 22. fruits of them that slept." Verse 20.
7. How did the chief priests and Pharisees seek to prevent 15. What great truth therefore follows?
the fulfillment of Christ's words concerning His "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
resurrection? Verse 22.
"Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the
chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, 16. What cheering message has Christ sent to His people
Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, touching His resurrection?
After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive
sepulcher be made sure until the third day, lest His disciples forevermore,Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Rev.
come by night, and steal Him away, and say unto the people, He 1:10.
is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the
first." Matt. 27:62-64.
17. What is the measure of the power of God which
believers may experience in their daily lives?
8. How did Pilate comply with their request? "That ye may know. . . . the exceeding greatness of His power to
"Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as
us ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty
sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the
sealing the stone, and setting a watch." Verses 65,66.
dead." Eph. 1:18-20.
9. How futile was all this? 18. What Christian ordinance has been given as a memorial
"In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first of Christ's burial and resurrection?
day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to
Baptism, the symbol of the new birth. Rom. 6:3-5.
see the sepulcher. And, behold, there was a great earthquake:
58
Chapter 39: A Sinless Life
1. WHAT testimony is borne concerning Christ's life on 7. Where did God, in Christ, condemn sin, and gain the
earth? victory for us over temptation and sin?
"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth." 1 Peter "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the
2:22. flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh,
and for sin,condemned sin in the flesh." Rom. 8:3.
2. What is true of all other members of the human family?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. NOTE.-God, in Christ, condemned sin, not by pronouncing
3:23. against it merely as a judge sitting on the judgment-seat, but by
coming and living in the flesh, in sinful flesh, and yet without
3. With what question did Christ challenge His enemies? sinning. In Christ, He demonstrated that it is possible, by His
"Which of you convinceth Me of sin?" John 8:46. grace and power, to resist temptation, overcome sin, and live
a sinless life in sinful flesh.
4. To what extent was Christ tempted?

"[He] was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." 8. By whose power did Christ live the perfect life?
Heb. 4:15. "I can of Mine own self do nothing." John 5:30. "The words that I
speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that
dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works." John 14:10.
5. In His humanity, of what nature did Christ partake?
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and
NOTE.-In His humanity Christ was as dependent upon divine
blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that
through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, power to do the works of God as is any man to do the same
that is, the devil." Heb. 2:14. thing. He employed no means to live a holy life that are not
available to every human being. Through Him, everyone may
have God dwelling in him and working in him "to will and to do of
6. How fully did Christ share our common humanity? His good pleasure." 1 John 4:15; Phil. 2:13.
"Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto
His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest
in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of 9. What unselfish purpose did Jesus ever have before Him?
the people." Verse 17. "For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the
will of Him that sent Me." John 6:38.
NOTE.- In His humanity Christ partook of our sinful, fallen nature.

If not, then He was not "made like unto His brethren," was not "in
all points tempted like as we are," did not overcome as we have
to overcome, and is not, therefore, the complete and perfect HAVE I need of aught, O Saviour!
Saviour man needs and must have to be saved. The idea that Aught on earth but Thee?
Christ was born of an immaculate or sinless mother, inherited no Have I any in the heavens,
tendencies to sin, and for this reason did not sin, removes Him Anyone but Thee?
from the realm of a fallen world, and from the very place where
help is needed. On His human side, Christ inherited just what Though I have of friends so many,
every child of Adam inherits,- a sinful nature. On the divine side, Love, and gold, and health,
from His very conception He was begotten and born of the Spirit. If I have not Thee, my Saviour,
And all this was done to place mankind on vantage-ground, and
Hold I any wealth?
to demonstrate that in the same way every one who is "born of CORIE F. DAVIS.
the Spirit" may gain like victories over sin in his own sinful flesh.
Thus each one is to overcome as Christ overcame. Rev. 3:21.
Without this birth there can be no victory over temptation, and no
salvation from sin. John 3:3-7.
59
Chapter 40: Our Pattern
1. IN whose steps should we follow? prayer to God." Luke 6:12. "He took Peter and John and James,
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered and went up into a mountain to pray." Luke 9:28.
for us,leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps." 1
Peter 2:21. 8. To what kind of work did Jesus devote His life?
"Who went about doing good." Acts 10:38.
2. How should the Christian walk?
9. For whom and why did Christ leave the riches of heaven?
even as He walked." 1 John 2:6. See Col. 2:6. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He
was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His
3. What mind should be in us? poverty might be rich." 2 Cor. 8:9.
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil.
2:5. 10. When reviled and mistreated, what did He do?
"Who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He
NOTE.-The mind of Christ was characterized by humility (verses suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that
6-8); dependence upon God (John 5:19,30); a determination to judgeth righteously." 1 Peter 2:23.
do only the Father's will (John 5:30; 6:38); thoughtfulness of
others (Acts 10:38); and a willingness to sacrifice and suffer, and
11. How did He pray for those who crucified Him?
even to die, for the good of others (2 Cor. 8:9; Rom. 5:6-8; 1 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what
Peter 2:24).
they do."Luke 23:34. See Acts 3:17.
4. As a child, what example did Christ set in the matter of

12. What is the inspired testimony concerning Him?
obeying His parents? "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore
"And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was
God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness
subject unto them." Luke 2:51. above Thy fellows." Heb. 1:9.
5. How are His childhood and youth described?

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with
God and man." Verse 52.
Majestic sweetness, sits enthroned
Upon the Saviour's brow;
6. What example did He set concerning baptism? His head with radiant light is crowned,
"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be
His lips with grace o'erflow.
baptized of him. But John forbade Him, saying, I have need to be
baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? And Jesus
answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it No mortal can with Him compare,
becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered Him." Among the sons of men;
Matt. 3:13-15. Fairer is He than all the fair
That fill the heavenly train.
SAMUEL STENNETT.
7. How did Christ teach the prayerful life?
"He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in
60
Chapter 41: Our Helper and Friend
1. THROUGH Christ, what has been opened to the house of 9. What kind of friend is He?
David? "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Prov. 18:24.
"In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of
David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for 10. What is the mark of a true friend?
uncleanness." Zech. 13:1.
"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Prov. 17:17.
2. Who has borne our sins, and stands ready to help us?
"I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save." Isa. 63:1. last
part.
I Will sing the wondrous story

3. For what purpose did Christ come to this world?
Of the Christ who died for me,
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was How He left His home in glory,
lost."Luke 19:10.
For the cross on Calvary.
4. Through what was Christ made a complete and perfect

I was lost, but Jesus found me,
Saviour? Found the sheep that went astray;
"For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all
Threw His loving arms around me,
things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of Drew me back into His way.
their salvation perfect through sufferings." Heb. 2:10.
I was bruised, but Jesus healed me,

5. Because of this, what is Christ able to do?
Faint was I from many a fall,
"For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
to succor them that are tempted." Verse 18.
But He freed me from them all.
6. How complete a Saviour is He?

Days of darkness still come o'er me,
"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost Sorrow's paths I often tread,
that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make
But the Saviour still is with me,
intercession for them." Heb. 7:25. By His hand I'm safely led.
7. From what is He able to keep us? Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me,
present you faultless before the presence of His glory with Sing it with the saints in glory,
exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and Gathered by the crystal sea.
majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." Jude FRANCIS H. ROWLEY.
24,25.
8. What does He call those who accept Him?

"Henceforth I call you not servants; . . . I have called
you friends." John 15:15.
61
Section 5: The Holy Spirit
Chapter 42: The Holy Spirit and His Work
1. WHAT precious promise did Jesus make to His disciples NOTE.-It is plain from these scriptures that the Holy Spirit is the
shortly before His crucifixion? personal representative of Christ upon the earth, abiding in the
"I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another church by dwelling in the hearts of the believers. It follows that
Comforter, that He may abide with you forever." John 14:16. any attempt to make a man the vicegerent of Christ in the place
of the third person of the Godhead is an attempt to put man in
2. Who is the Comforter, and what was He to do? the place of God. Thus does the fundamental principle of the
"But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will Papacy set aside the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring to your
remembrance all that I said unto you." Verse 26, R.V. 14. How has God revealed to US the hidden things of the
kingdom?
3. Why cannot the world receive Him? "But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit
"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Cor. 2:10.
receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him." Verse
17. 15. Who moved upon the prophets to give their messages?
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but
4. How intimate is His union with believers? holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
"But ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.
you." Same verse.
16. After Pentecost, how was the gospel preached?
5. Whose presence does the Holy Spirit bring to the "With the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." I Peter 1:12.
believers?
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." Verse 18. 17. How are believers sealed?
"In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that
6. What promise is thus fulfilled? Holy Spirit of promise." Eph. 1:13.
"Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt.
28:20. See also John 14:21-23. 18. What warning is therefore given?
"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto
7. What threefold union is thus established? the day of redemption." Eph. 4:30.
"At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in
Me, and I in you." Verse 20. 19. Is there a limit to the strivings of God's Spirit?
NOTE.-Rom. 8:9 shows the Spirit of each of the three persons of "And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man."
the Godhead to be one and the same Spirit. Gen. 6:3.
8. How does Jesus, through the Spirit, seek an entrance to NOTE.-The limit is determined by the creature rather than by the
every heart? Creator. It is when there is an utter abandonment to evil, and
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My further appeals would be without avail. God foreknowing all
voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with things, may designate a definite period of probation for man, as
him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20. in the case of the one hundred and twenty years before the flood
(Gen. 6:3); but His Spirit never ceases to strive with man as long
9. Why was it necessary for Christ to go away? as there is hope of his salvation.
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go
away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto 20. For what did David pray?
you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." John 16:7. "Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy
Spirit from me." Ps. 51:11.
10. What was the Comforter to do when He came?
"And when He is come, He will reprove [margin, convince] the 21. How willing is God to give to us the Holy Spirit?
world ofsin, arid of righteousness, and of judgment." Verse 8. "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children: how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the
11. By what other title is the Comforter designated? Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" Luke 1:13.
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you
from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from
the Father, He shall testify of Me." John 15:26.
12. What did Jesus say the Spirit of truth would do? O for that flame of living fire,
"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you Which shone so bright in saints of old;
into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever Which bade their souls to heaven aspire,
He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things Calm in distress, in danger bold!
to come." John 16:13.
NOTE.-The Spirit speaks (1 Tim. 4:1); teaches (1 Cor. Remember, Lord, the ancient days;
2:3); bears witness (Rom. 8:16); makes intercession (Rom. Renew Thy work, Thy grace restore;
8:26); distributes the gifts (1 Cor. 12:11); andinvites the And while to Thee our hearts we raise,
sinner (Rev. 22:17). On us Thy Holy Spirit pour.
WM. H. BATHURST.
13. Whom did Christ say the Holy Spirit would glorify?
"He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show
it unto you." Verse 14.
62
Chapter 43: Fruit of the Spirit
1. WHAT is the fruit of the Spirit?

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, 13. How should we treat those who have wronged us?
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Gal. "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place
5:22,23. unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith
the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst,
2. What are the works of the flesh? give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; head." Rom. 12:19,20.
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry ,
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, 14. How does faith determine our standing with God?
heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that
like." Verses 19-21. cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder
NOTE.-The evils here mentioned are a close parallel to the lists of them that diligently seek Him." Heb. 11:6.
found in Matt. 15:18,19; Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 1:29-31; and 2 Tim.
3:1-5. 15. How does God regard the meek and quiet spirit?
"Whose adorning. . . let it be the hidden man of the heart, . . .
3. How may the works of the flesh be avoided? even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the
"Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Gal. sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:3,4.
5:16.
16. In our Christian growth and experience, what is to
4. By what is the love of God shed abroad in the heart? accompany faith, courage, and knowledge?
"The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy "Add to your faith virtue [courage]; and to virtue knowledge; and
Ghost which is given unto us." Rom. 5:5. to knowledge temperance." 2 Peter 1:5,6.
NOTE.-One of the briefest and best definitions of temperance
5. What is love declared to be? is self-control. The word in the text means much more than mere
"And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of abstinence from intoxicating drinks,-the limited sense now
perfectness." Col. 3:14, R.V. frequently given to it. It means control, strength, power, or
ascendency over exciting and evil passions of all kinds. It
6. By what does genuine faith work? denotes the self-ru1e which the over-comer or converted man
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor has over the evil propensities of his nature. Commenting on this
uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love." Gal. 5:6. passage, Dr. Albert Barnes says: "The influences of the Holy
Spirit on the heart make a manmoderate in all indulgences;
7. What does love do? teach him to restrain his passions, and to govern himself."
"Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins." Prov.
10:12. "Have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall 17. How highly is he commended who controls his spirit?
cover the multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8. "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that
ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Prov. 16:32.
8. Of what does the kingdom of God consist?
"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; 18. What is said of all these different virtues?
but righteousness, andpeace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Rom. "Against such there is no law." Gal. 5:23, last clause.
14:17. NOTE.-The law condemns sin. But all these things, being virtues,
NOTE.-It is the Christian's privilege to have righteousness, are in harmony with the law. They are produced by the Spirit;
peace, and joy,-a righteousness which is of God by faith (Rom. and the law, which is spiritual, cannot, therefore, condemn them.
3:21,22); a peace that passeth understanding (Phil. 4:7), which
the world can neither give nor take away; and a joy that rejoices 19. From what condemnation does Spirit-leading save us?
evermore (1 Thess. 5:16; Phil. 4:4). "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." Verse 18.
9. In what way does love manifest itself? 20. To what unity are Christians exhorted?
"Love suffereth long; and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, peace." Eph. 4:3.
seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil."
1 Cor. 13:4,5, R.V.
Spirit of life, and light, and love,
10. What does God's gentleness do for us? Thy heavenly influence give;
"Thy gentleness hath made me great." Ps. 18:35.
Quicken our souls, our guilt remove,
That we in Christ may live.
11. What spirit should we show toward others?
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto
all men." 2 Tim. 2:24. His love within us shed abroad,
Life's ever-springing well;
Till God in us, and we in God,
12. What does the goodness of God do? In love eternal dwell.
"Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance THOMAS HAWEIS.
and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God
leadeth thee to repentance?" Rom. 2:4.
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Chapter 44: Gifts of the Spirit
1. CONCERNING what subject ought we to be informed? 7. How is unity preserved in the diversities of gifts?
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." 1 Cor.
ignorant." 1 Cor. 12:1. 12:4,
2. When Christ ascended, what did He give to men? 8. For what purpose is the manifestation of this one Spirit
"Wherefore He saith, When He ascended on high, He led given?
captivity captive [margin, a multitude of captives], and gave gifts "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
unto men." Eph. 4:8. withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to
another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to
3. What were these gifts that Christ gave to men? another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by
"And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and the same Spirit; to another theworking of miracles; to
some,evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers." Verse 11. another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to
another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of
tongues." Verses 7-10.
4. How are these gifts elsewhere spoken of?
"And God hath set some in the church,
first apostles, secondarilyprophets, thirdly teachers, after 9. Who controls the distribution of the gifts of the Spirit?
that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing
diversities of tongues." 1 Cor. 12:28. to every man severally as He will." Verse 11.
5. For what purpose were these gifts bestowed upon the 10. Was it God's design that all should possess the same
church? gifts?
"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all
the edifying of the body of Christ: . . . that we henceforth be no workers of miracles? have all the gifts of healing? do all speak
more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every with tongues? do all interpret?" Verses 29,30.
wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, 11. Were the gifts of the Spirit to continue forever?
may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even "Whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether
Christ," Eph. 4:12-15. there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be
knowledge, it shall be done away." 1 Cor. 13:8, R.V.
6. What result is to be obtained by the exercise of the gifts
in the church? 12. When will the gifts of the Spirit be no longer needed?
"Till we all come in [into, margin] the unity of the faith, and of the "When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the shall be done away." Verse 10.
measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Verse 13.
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Chapter 45: The Gift of Prophecy
1. How did God communicate with man in Eden? 13. What angel revealed to Daniel his visions and dreams?
"And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where "Whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I
art thou?" Gen. 3:9. had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly
swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I
2. Since the fall, by what means has God generally made
known His will to man? am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding." Dan.
"I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied 9:21,22. See also chapter 10, and Rev. 22:9,10.
visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the
prophets." Hosea 12:10. 14. What Spirit was in the prophets inditing their
utterances?
3. What things belong to God, and what to us? "O which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched
"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto
things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ
forever." Deut. 29:29. which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the
sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." 1 Peter
1:10,11.
4. How fully and to whom does God reveal His purposes?
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret
unto His servants the prophets." Amos 3:7. 15. How were the Lord's words to the prophets preserved?
"Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed:
then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters." Dan.
5. Can the wise men of the world foretell the future? 7:1. See Jer. 51:60; Rev. 1:10,11.
"Daniel answered before the king, and said, The secret which
the king hath demanded can neither wise men, enchanters,
magicians, nor soothsayers, show unto the king." Dan.2:27, R.V. 16. By whom has God spoken to us in these last days?
See notes on question 6. of chapter 47 of this book. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time
past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days
spoken unto us by His Son." Heb. 1:1,2.
6. Who did Daniel say could reveal secrets?
"But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets and maketh
known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter 17. What was one of the offices to be filled by the Messiah?
days." Verse 28. "The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the
midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall
harken." Deut. 18:15.
7. How did the prophet Daniel acknowledge the insufficiency
of human wisdom?
"As for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that 18. What was foretold through the prophet Joel?
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit
I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make
known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see
the thoughts of thy heart." Verse 30.
visions." Joel 2:28.
8. After revealing and interpreting the dream, what did

Daniel say? 19. When did this prediction begin to be fulfilled?
"But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it
"The great God hath made known to the king what shall come to
passhereafter." Verse 45. shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of
My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old
9. How does God show His foreknowledge? men shall dream dreams." Acts 2:16,17.
"Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I
declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them." Isa. 42:9.
20. What were some of the gifts Christ gave to His church?
"When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and
10. How does the Lord reveal Himself to His prophets? gave gifts unto men. . . . And He gave some, apostles; and
"If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and
known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in some, pastors and teachers." Eph. 4:8-11.
a dream." Num. 12:6.
21. By what means did God deliver and preserve Israel?
11. Under what influence did the prophets of old speak? "By a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but prophetwas he preserved." Hosea 12:13.
holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21. See 2 Sam. 23:2.
22. When Moses complained of his slowness of speech,
what did God say Aaron should be to him?
12. How are both the origin of prophecy and the means of "And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be,
communicating it still further shown? even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to him instead of God." Ex. 4:16.
show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass;
and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant
John." Rev. 1:1.
65
23. What did God afterward call Aaron? 30. What admonition is given regarding the gift of
"And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to prophecy?
Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet." Ex. 7:1. "Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which
is good." 1 Thess. 5:20,21.
24. What is one test by which to detect false prophets?
"When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing 31. What will characterize the last, or remnant, church?
follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make
not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the
shalt not be afraid of him." Deut. 18:22. commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ." Rev. 12:17.
25. What other test should be applied in determining the
validity of the claims of a prophet? 32. What is the "testimony of Jesus"?
"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev. 19:10.
and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder See Rev. 1:9.
come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go
after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve
33. What results when this gift is absent?
them; thou shalt not harken unto the words of that prophet, or "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth
that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to
the law, happy is he." Prov. 29:18. See also Ps. 74:9.
know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear
Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye
shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him." Deut. 13:1-4.
What poor, despised company
NOTE.-From these scriptures it will be seen that, in the first Of travelers are these,
place, if a prophet's words do not prove to be true, it is evidence Who walk in yonder narrow way,
that God has not sent that prophet. On the other hand, even Along the rugged maze?
though the thing predicted comes to pass, if the pretended
prophet seeks to lead others to break God's commandments, Ah! these are of a royal line,
this, regardless of all signs, should be positive evidence that he All children of a King,
is not a true prophet. Heirs of immortal crowns divine;
And lo! for joy they sing.
26. What rule did Christ give for distinguishing between true
and false prophets? Why do they, then, appear so mean,
"By their fruits ye shall know them." Matt. 7:20. And why so much despised?
Because of their rich robes unseen
27. What general rule is laid down for testing all prophets? The world is not apprized.
"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. But why keep they that narrow road,-
That rugged, thorny maze?
28. How did God's prophets anciently use the words of Why, that's the way their Leader trod,
former prophets in exhorting the people to obedience? They love and keep His ways.
"Should ye not hear the words which the Lord hath cried by the
former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in Why do they shun the pleasing path
prosperity?" Zech. 7:7. That worldlings love so well?
Because that is the road to death,
29. What is the promised result of believing God's The open road to hell.
prophets?
"Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe What! is there then no other road
His prophets, so shall ye prosper." 2 Chron. 20:20. To Salem's happy ground?
Christ is the only way to God,
No other can be found.
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Chapter 46: The Outpouring of the Spirit
1. FOR what did Christ, just before His ascension, tell His mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." Verses
disciples to wait? 20,21.
"And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but
tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power NOTE.-From this it seems evident that we may look for another
from on high."Luke 24:49.
outpouring of the Spirit for a final proclamation of the gospel to
all the world just before Christ's second advent and the
2. With what did He say they would be baptized? restitution of all things.
"Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
Acts 1:5.
8. What prophecy was fulfilled in the Pentecostal outpouring
of the Spirit in the time of the apostles?
NOTE.-John the Baptist had foretold this baptism. He said: "I "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and
indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that said, . . . These are not drunken, as ye suppose, . . . but this is
cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to
to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out My Spirit upon all
Matt. 3:11. flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
3. For what work was this baptism to prepare them? dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come out in those days of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy." Acts
upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, 2:14-18. See Joel 2:28,29.
and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth." Acts 1:8. 9. What expressions in the prophecy of Joel seem to imply a
double fulfillment of this outpouring of the Spirit?
4. What were some of the results of the preaching of the "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your
gospel under the outpouring of the Spirit? God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He
"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and
the latter rain in the first month." Joel 2:23. See also Hosea 6:3.
said . . . Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said
unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the NOTE.-In Palestine the early rains prepare the soil for the seed
gift of the Holy Ghost. . . . Then they that gladly received his sowing, and the latter rains ripen the grain for the harvest. So the
word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto early outpouring of the Spirit prepared the world for the extensive
them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:37-41. "And by the sowing of the gospel seed, and the final outpouring will come to
hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought ripen the golden grain for the harvest of the earth, which Christ
among the people; . . . and believers were the more added to the says is "the end of the world." Matt. 13:37-39; Rev. 14:14,15.
Lord,multitudes both of men and women." Acts 5:12-14. "And
the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples 10. For what are we told to pray at this time?
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the "Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord
priests were obedient to the faith." Acts 6:7. shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain to
everyone grass in the field." Zech. 10:1.
5. How did persecution affect the preaching of the gospel?
"And at that time there was a great persecution against the NOTE.-Before the apostles received the baptism of the Spirit in
church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered the early rain on the day of Pentecost, they all "continued with
abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the one accord in prayer and supplication." Acts 1:14. During this
apostles. . . . Therefore they that were scattered abroad went time they confessed their faults, put away their differences,
everywhere preaching the word." Acts 8:1-4. ceased their selfish ambitions and contentions for place and
power, so that when the time for the outpouring came, "they
NOTE.-"Persecution has only had a tendency to extend and were all with one accord in one place," ready for its reception. To
establish the faith which it was designed to destroy. . . . There is be prepared for the final outpouring of the Spirit, all sin and
no lesson which men have been so slow to learn as that to selfish ambition must again be put away, and a like work of
oppose and persecute men is the very way to confirm them in grace wrought upon the hearts of God's people.
their opinions, and to spread their doctrines."-Dr. Albert Barnes,
on Acts 4:4.
11. How is the closing work of the gospel under the out
pouring of the Spirit described by the revelator?
6. What words of Peter seem to indicate another outpouring "After these things I saw another angel come down from heaven,
of the Spirit? having great power; and the earth was lightened with his
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be glory." Rev. 18:1.
blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the
presence of the Lord." Acts 3:19.
12. What does this angel say?
"And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the
7. What event does he speak of as immediately following great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils,
these times of refreshing? and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and
"And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached hateful bird." Verse 2.
unto you: whom the heaven must receive [Syriac, retain] until the
times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the
67
NOTE.-The religious world will then be in much the same

condition as was the Jewish nation after it had rejected Christ at
His first advent. See 2 Tim. 3:1-5
Come, Holy Spirit, come,
Let Thy bright beams arise,
13. What did Peter on the day of Pentecost tell his hearers to Dispel the sorrow from our minds,
do? The darkness from our eyes.
"And with many other words did he testify and exhort,
saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." Acts Convince us all of sin,
2:40. Then lead to Jesus' blood,
And to our wondering view reveal
14. What similar call and appeal will be made under the final The mercies of our God.
outpouring of the Spirit?
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of Revive our drooping faith,
her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye Our doubts and fears remove,
receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto And kindle in our breasts the flame
heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Rev. 18:4,5.
Of never-dying love.
NOTES.-A great work will be accomplished in a short time under 'Tis Thine to cleanse the heart,
the final outpouring of the Spirit. Many voices all over the earth To sanctify the soul,
will sound the warning cry. Signs and wonders will be wrought by To pour fresh life in every part,
the believers, and, as at Pentecost, thousands will be converted And new-create the whole.
in a day.
Those who fail to heed this final gospel call, like the unbelieving
Jews, will be doomed to destruction. The seven last plagues will Come, Holy Spirit, come,
overtake them, as war, famine, death, and destruction overtook Our minds from bondage free;
the Jews, who, not believing in Christ, failed to heed His call to Then shall we know, and praise, and love
flee, and shut themselves up in Jerusalem to their doom. Those The Father, Son, and Thee.
who heed the call, and separate themselves from sin and from JOSEPH HART.
sinners, will be saved.
68
Section 6: The Sure Word of Prophecy
Chapter 47: Prophecy, Why Given
1. WHY were the Sacred Writings given? 10. When did he say he saw the majesty of Christ, and heard
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for the voice from heaven?
our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the "And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we
Scriptures might have hope." Rom. 15:4. were with Him in the holy mount." Verse 18.
2. By what means is all scripture given? 11. How does he emphasize the reliability of prophecy?
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2 Tim. 3:16, first part. "And we have the word of prophecy made more sure." Verse 19,
R.V. "Now more confirmed." Boothroyd's translation.
3. For what is it profitable?
"And is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for NOTE.-Every fulfillment of prophecy is a confirmation of the
instruction in righteousness." Same verse, last part. truthfulness and reliability of prophecy.
4. How was the prophecy given? 12. What admonition is therefore given?
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: "Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining
but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your
Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21. hearts." Verse 19, last part, R.V.
5. What is the Lord able to do regarding the future? 13. What has ever been the theme of God's prophets?
"Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your
declare:before they spring forth I tell you of them." Isa. 42:9. souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and
searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should
6. How far-reaching is God's ability to reveal the future? come unto you." 1 Peter 1:9,10.
"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, . . . and there
is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from 14. Whose spirit inspired their utterances?
ancient times the things that are not yet done." Isa. 46:9,10. "Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ
which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the
sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." Verse 11.
NOTES.-In contrast with this, note the following confession of a
noted modern historian as to man's inability to reveal the future:-
"History has yet made so slight progress toward the scientific 15. In what prophecy did Christ recognize Daniel as a
basis that she is able to foretell nothing that is to be hereafter. As prophet?
to the future, she is stone-blind. There is not a philosopher in the "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,
world who can forecast the historical evolution to the extent of a spoken of byDaniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso
single day. The historian is as completely dumb before the readeth, let him understand)." Matt. 24:15.
problems of 1895 as a charlatan weather-prophet ought to be
with respect to the meteorological conditions of the next season. 16. To what time were the prophecies of Daniel, as a whole,
The year will come and go. It will fulfil its purpose in the great to be sealed?
calendar of man-life. Its events and issues will be evolved with "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even
scientific exactitude out of antecedent conditions. But no man to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge
living can predict what the aspect and event will be. The tallest shall be increased." Dan. 12:4.
son of the morning can neither foretell nor foresee the nature of
what is to come in the year that already stands knocking at the
door."-John Clark Ridpath, in Christian at Work, Dec. 27, 1894. 17. What assurance was given by the angel that these
Knowing all things, the future is present with God. More, perhaps, prophecies would be understood in the last days?
than any other one thing, the prophecies of the Bible and their "And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up
fulfillment bear witness to its divine inspiration. and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and
made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and
none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall
7. To whom does God reveal the secrets of the future? understand." Verses 9,10.
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret
unto His servants the prophets." Amos 3:7.
18. What is the last book of the Bible called?
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him." Rev.
8. To whom do the things which have been revealed 1:1.
belong?
"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those
things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children 19. What is said of those who read, hear, and keep the
forever." Deut. 29:29. things contained in this book?
prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein."
9. What testimony did the apostle Peter bear concerning his Verse 3.
experience on the mount of transfiguration?
"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we
made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, but were eye-witnesses of His majesty." 2 Peter 1:16.
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Chapter 48: Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
(The Great Image of Daniel 2)

or the kingdoms of the world and the kingdom of God
1. WHAT statement did Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, 10. With what words did Daniel begin the interpretation of
make to his wise men whom he had assembled? the dream?
"And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my "Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath
spirit was troubled to know the dream." Dan. 2:3. given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And
wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field
and the fowls of the heaven hath He given into thine hand, and
2. After being threatened with death if they did not make
known the dream and the interpretation, what did the wise hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of
men say to the king? gold." Verses 37,38.
"The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is
not a man upon the earth that can show the king's NOTE.-The character of the Babylonian Empire is fittingly
matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such indicated by the nature of the material composing that portion of
things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a the image by which it was symbolized-the head of gold. It was "
rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that the golden kingdom of a golden age." The city of Babylon, its
can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is metropolis, according to history towered to a height never
not with flesh." Verses 10,11. equaled by any of its later rivals. "Situated in the garden of the
East; laid out in a perfect square sixty miles in circumference,
3. After the wise men had thus confessed their inability to fifteen miles on each side surrounded by a wall three hundred
do what the king required, who offered to interpret the and fifty feet high an eighty-seven feet thick, with a moat, or ditch,
around this, of equal cubic capacity with the wall itself; divided
dream?
"Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give into six hundred and seventy-six squares, laid out in luxuriant
pleasure-grounds and gardens, interspersed with magnificent
him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation."
Verse 16. dwellings,-this city, containing in itself many things which were
themselves wonders of the world, was itself another and still
mightier wonder. . . . Such was Babylon, with Nebuchadnezzar,
4. After Daniel and his fellows had sought God earnestly, youthful, bold, vigorous, and accomplished, seated upon its
how were the dream and its interpretation revealed to throne."
Daniel?
"Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night-
vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven." Verse 19. 11. What was to be the nature of the next kingdom after
Babylon?
"After thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee." Verse 39,
5. When brought before the king, what did Daniel say? first part.
"Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The
secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the
astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king; 12. Who was the last Babylonian king?
but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh "In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about
days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are threescore and two years old." Dan. 5:30,31. See also verses
these." Verses 27,28. 1,2.
6. What did Daniel say the king had seen in his dream? 13. To whom was Belshazzar's kingdom given?
"Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are "Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and
these; . . . Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This Persians." Verse 28.
great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee;
and the form thereof was terrible." Verses 28-31. 14. By what is the Medo-Persian Empire represented in the
great image?
7. Of what were the different parts of the image composed? The breast and arms of silver. Dan. 2:32.
"This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms
of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his 15. By what is Grecia, the kingdom succeeding Medo- Persia,
feet part of iron and part of clay." Verses 32,33. represented in the image?
"His belly and his thighs of brass." Verse 32. "And another third
kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth." Verse
8. By what means was the image broken to pieces?
"Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which 39.
smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and
brake them to pieces." Verse 34. 16. What is said of the fourth kingdom?
"And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as
9. What became of the various parts of the image? iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that
breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise." Verse 40.
"Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold,
broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the
summer threshing-floors; and the wind carried them away, that 17. What scripture shows that the Roman emperors ruled
no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image the world?
became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth." Verse 35. "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree
70
from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed." Luke 21. What is to take place in the days of these kingdoms?
2:1. "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a
kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: . . . but it shall break in
NOTE.-Describing the Roman conquests, Gibbon uses the very pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand
imagery employed in the vision of Daniel 2. He says: "The arms forever." Verse 44.
of the republic, sometimes vanquished in battle, always
victorious in war, advanced with rapid steps to the Euphrates, NOTE.-This verse foretells the establishment of another
the Danube, the Rhine, and the ocean; and the images universal kingdom, the kingdom of God. This kingdom is to
of gold or silver, or brass, that might serve to represent the overthrow and supplant all existing earthly kingdoms, and is to
nations and their kings, were successively broken by stand forever. The time for the setting up of this kingdom was to
the ironmonarchy of Rome."-"Decline and Fall of the Roman be "in the days of these kings." This cannot refer to the four
Empire," chap. 38, par. 1, under " General Observations," at the preceding empires, or kingdoms; for they were not
close of the chapter. contemporaneous, but successive; neither can it refer to an
establishment of the kingdom at Christ's first advent, for the ten
18. What was indicated by the mixture of clay and iron in the kingdoms which arose out of the ruins of the Roman Empire
feet and toes of the image? were not yet in existence. It must therefore be yet future.
"And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay,
and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided." Dan. 2:41. 22. In what announcement in the New Testament is the
establishment of the kingdom of God made known?
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in
19. In what prophetic language was the varying strength of
the ten kingdoms of the divided empire indicated? heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the
"And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign
the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly forever and ever." Rev. 11:15.
broken [margin, brittle]."Verse 42.
23. For what have we been taught to pray?
20. Were any efforts to be made to reunite the divided "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in
empire of Rome? heaven." Matt. 6:10.
"And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall
mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not 24. What event is closely associated with the establishment
cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." of God's everlasting kingdom?
Verse 43. "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His
NOTES.-Charlemagne, Charles V, Louis XIV, and Napoleon all kingdom." 2 Tim. 4:1.
tried to reunite the broken fragments of the Roman Empire, but
failed. By marriage and intermarriage ties have been formed with 25. With what prayer do the Scriptures close?
a view to strengthening and cementing together the shattered "He that testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.
kingdom; but none have succeeded. The element of disunion Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Rev. 22:20.
remains. Many political revolutions and territorial changes have
occurred in Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire in 476
A.D.; but its divided state still remains.
This remarkable dream, as interpreted by Daniel, presents in the
briefest form, and yet with unmistakable clearness, the course of Look for the way-marks as you journey on,
world empires from the time of Nebuchadnezzar to the close of Look for the way-marks, passing one by one:
earthly history and the setting up of the everlasting kingdom of Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four,-
God. The history confirms the prophecy. The sovereignty of the Where are we standing? Look the way-marks o'er.
world was held by Babylon from the time of this dream, B.C. 603,
until B.C. 538, when it passed to the Medes and Persians. The First, Babylonia's kingdom ruled the world,
victory of the Grecian forces at the battle of Arbela, in B.C. 331, Then Medo-Persia's banners were unfurled;
marked the downfall of the Medo-Persian Empire, and the And after Greece held universal sway,
Greeks then became the undisputed rulers of the world. The Rome seized the scepter,-where are we today?
battle of Pydna, in Macedonia, in B.C. 168, was the last
organized effort to withstand a world-wide conquest by the
Romans, and at that time therefore the sovereignty passed from Down in the feet of iron and of clay,
the Greeks to the Romans, and the fourth kingdom was fully Weak and divided, soon to pass away;
established. The division of Rome into ten kingdoms is definitely What will the next great, glorious drama be?-
foretold in the vision recorded in the seventh chapter of Daniel, Christ and His coming, and eternity.
and occurred between the years 351 A.D. and 476 A.D. F. E. BELDEN.
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Chapter 49: The Gospel of the Kingdom
1. WHAT gospel did Jesus preach? 8. What was this kingdom to do to the other kingdoms?
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, "The kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom." Matt. 4:23. in pieces and consume all these kingdoms." Same verse.
2. How extensively did He say this should be preached? 9. How long is this kingdom to continue?
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the "And it shall stand forever." Same verse, last clause.
world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end
come." Matt. 24:14. 10. What words of Christ imply the gospel's final triumph?
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock
3. What shows that it has always been God's purpose that I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
all the world should hear the gospel? against it."Matt. 16:18.
"Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country,
and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land
NOTE.-Anciently the gates to cities were places for holding
that I will show thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I courts, transacting business, and deliberating on public matters.
will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a The word gates, therefore, is used for counsels, designs,
blessing: and in thee shall all families of the earth be machinations, and evil purposes. The gates of hell mean the
blessed." Gen. 12:1-3. plottings, stratagems, and designs of Satan to overthrow the
"And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen church. But none of these are to prevail.
through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying,
In thee shall all nations be blessed." Gal. 3:8.
11. What promises to David will thus be fulfilled?
"Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever: . . .
4. How did God warn Israel against formalism? thy throne shall be established forever." 2 Sam. 7:16.
"Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and
with theirlips do honor Me, but have removed their heart far from
Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men: NOTE.-By uniting His divinity with humanity in becoming the Son
therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among of David, Christ laid the foundation upon which He built His
this people: . . . for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, church, and thus established the house of David forever. The
and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." Isa. kingdom of God, the house of David, and the church of Christ
29:13,14. are so inseparably connected in this prophecy that the
establishment of either involves the establishment of the other
two.
5. What shows that they had substituted the ritual service of
the temple for heart service?
"Thus saith the Lord, . . . Amend your ways and your doings, and 12. Through whom are these promises to be fulfilled?
I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye not in lying words, "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the
Baying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His
temple of the Lord, are these." Jer. 7:3,4 father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever;
and of His kingdom there shall be no end." Luke 1:32,33.
6. What national disaster did they bring upon themselves by
their apostasy from God? 13. In order to fulfil these promises, whose son did the Son
"So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they of God become?
were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who "The son of David." Matt. 22:42.
were carried away to Babylon for their transgression." 1 Chron.
9:1. 14. What is this union of divinity and humanity called?
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God
NOTE.-From the earliest times it has been God's purpose that was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels,
those who receive the gospel should make it known to others. preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up
For this purpose He chose a special people and established into glory." 1 Tim. 3:16.
them in Palestine, in the highway of the nations; but they shut up
the revelation of the truth to themselves, and so lost it. A few, like 15. What did Jesus call this same mystery?
Daniel and his companions, maintained a personal connection "And He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery
with God, although surrounded by spiritual declension and dry of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these
formalism, and so were chosen by God to carry out His plan that things are done in parables." Mark 4:11.
the gospel of the kingdom should be preached in Babylon. They
were tested and trained m Babylon, as shown m the first chapter
of Darnel, and then, being ready to make known the gospel, the 16. In what confession did the wise men of Babylon deny
way providentially opened for them by the dream of any knowledge of this essential doctrine of Christianity?
Nebuchadnezzar. "And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none
other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose
dwelling is not with flesh." Dan. 2:11.
7. In interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dream, what kingdom
did Daniel say would follow the four world empires?
"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a NOTE.-The union of the divine and human in the person of
kingdom, which shall never be destroyed." Dan. 2:44. Christ is "the mystery of godliness," or "the mystery of the
kingdom of God." In the case of the seed which is sown in the
field, this same principle is illustrated by the union of the
72
reproducing power with the material form. As the seed is thus that this very truth should be preached in Babylon. This mystery
capable of multiplying itself, so Christ reproduces His own of the kingdom of God was the real and essential secret which
character in believers, by making them partakers of the divine the wise men of Babylon could not make known to the king, and
nature. At His coming He bestows upon the subjects of the which could be learned only by revelation. This is the mystery
kingdom the gift of immortality (1 Cor. 15:51-53), and so the which "from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God"
kingdom will stand forever. It is quite likely that the wise men of (Eph. 3:9); and the "riches of the glory of this mystery" is "Christ
Babylon did not understand about the incarnation of God in the in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27), or "the mystery of the
flesh in the coming Messiah, but in their statement that the gospel " (Eph. 6:19).
dwelling of the gods was not with flesh they announced the
fundamental error of Babylon, both ancient and modern, and
20. How did Nebuchadnezzar acknowledge God as the
really denied the vital principle of Christianity. This was the revealer, and thus Daniel's intimate fellowship with Him?
essential secret, or mystery, of the kingdom of God, which "The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is,
needed to be known in Babylon, and which is still to be that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a
proclaimed throughout the world. revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this
secret." Verse 47.
17. Concerning what did Daniel and his companions pray?
"Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to 21. When the gospel of the kingdom has been fully preached,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: that they and Christ appears as King, what invitation will be extended
would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this to those who have learned "the mystery of the kingdom"?
secret." Verses 17,18. "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy
angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:
18. What would have been the result of failure on their part and before Him shall be gathered all nations. . . . Then shall the
to obtain a knowledge of this mystery? King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My
"That Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you .from the foundation
wise men of Babylon." Verse 18, last part. of the world." Matt. 25:31-34.
19. How was the secret concerning the king's dream

revealed, and thus the mystery of the kingdom of God made
known in Babylon? Thy kingdom come. Thus day by day
"Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night We lift our hands to God, and pray;
vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven." Verse 19.
But who has ever duly weighed
The meaning of the words He said?
NOTE.-The most vital truth of the gospel of the kingdom of God
was denied in the religion of Babylon. This made it necessary
73
Chapter 50: Four Great Monarchies
1. AT what time was Daniel's second vision given? 9. What was the first beast like?
"In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a "The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the
dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth,
dream, and told the sum of the matters." Dan. 7:1. and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was
given to it." Dan. 7:4.
NOTE.-That is, in the first year of Belshazzar's office as
associate king with his father Nabonadius, or 540 B.C. NOTE.-The lion, the first of these four great beasts, like the
golden head of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, represents the
Babylonian monarchy; the lion, the king of beasts, standing at
2. What effect did this dream have upon Daniel?
"I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the head of his kind, as gold does of metals. The eagle's wings
the visions of my head troubled me." Verse 15. doubtless denote the rapidity with which Babylon extended its
conquests under Nebuchadnezzar, who reigned from B.C. 604 to
B.C. 561. This kingdom was overthrown by the Medes and
NOTE.-The effect of Daniel's dream upon him, it will be noticed Persians in B.C. 538.
was similar to the effect of Nebuchadnezzar's dreams upon him;
it troubled him. See Dan. 2:1.
10. By what was the second kingdom symbolized?
"And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised
3. What did Daniel ask of one of the heavenly attendants up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it
who stood by him in his dream? between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour
"I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the much flesh." Verse 5.
truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the
interpretation of the things." Verse 16.
NOTE.-"This was the Medo-Persian Empire, represented here
under the symbol of abear. . . . The Medes and Persians are
4. What did the prophet see in this vision? compared to a bear on account of their cruelty and thirst after
"Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, blood, a bear being a most voracious and cruel animal."- Adam
behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great Clarke, on Dan. 7:5.
sea." Verse 2.
11. By what was the third universal empire symbolized?
5. What was the result of this strife?| "After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had
"And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four
another." Verse 3. heads; and dominion was given to it." Verse 6.
6. What did these four beasts represent? NOTES.-If the wings of an eagle on the back of a lion denoted
"These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall rapidity of movement in the Babylonian, or Assyrian, Empire (see
arise out of the earth." Verse 17. Hab. 1:6-8), four wings on the leopard must denote unparalleled
celerity of movement in the Grecian Empire. This we find to be
NOTE.-The word kings here, 88 in Dan. 2:44, denotes kingdoms, historically true.
as explained in verses 23 and 24 of the seventh chapter, the two "The rapidity of Alexander's conquests in Asia was marvelous:
words being used interchangeably in this prophecy. he burst like a torrent on the expiring Persian Empire, and all
opposition was useless. The gigantic armies collected to oppose
him melted like snow in the sunshine. The battles of Granicus,
7. In symbolic language, what is represented by winds? B.C. 334, Issus in the following year, and Arbela in B.C. 331,
Strife, war, commotion. See Jer. 25:31-33; 49:36,37. settled the fate of the Persian Empire, and established the wide
dominion of the Greeks."-"The Divine Program of the World's
NOTE.-That winds denote strife and war is evident from the History," by H. Grattan Guinness, page 308.
vision itself. As a result of the striving of the winds, kingdoms rise "The beast had also four heads." The Grecian Empire
and fall. maintained its unity but a short time after the death of Alexander,
which occurred in B.C. 323. Within twenty-two years after the
close of his brilliant career, or by B.C. 301, the empire was
8. What, in prophecy, is symbolized by waters? divided among his four leading generals. Cassander took
"And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest . . . Macedonia and Greece in the west; Lysimachus had Thrace and
are peoples,and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." Rev. the parts of Asia on the Hellespont and Bosporus in the north;
17:15. Ptolemy received Egypt, Lydia, Arabia, Palestine, and Coele-
Syria in the south; and Seleucus had all the rest of Alexander's
NOTE.-In the second chapter of Daniel, under the figure of an dominions in the east.
image of man, the mere political outline of the rise and fall of
earthly kingdoms is given, preceding the setting up of God's 12. How was the fourth kingdom represented?
everlasting kingdom. In the seventh chapter, earthly "After this I saw in the night-visions, and behold a fourth beast,
governments are represented as viewed in the light of Heaven,- dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great
under the symbols of wild and ferocious beasts,- the last, in iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the
particular, oppressing and persecuting the saints of the Most residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts
High. Hence the change in the symbols used to represent these that were before it; and it had ten horns." Verse 7.
kingdoms.
74
13. What was the fourth beast declared to be? 15. What change did Daniel see take place in these horns?
"Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon "I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up
earth,which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour among them another little horn, before whom there were three of
the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces." the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn
Verse 23. were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great
things." Verse 8.
NOTES.-"This is allowed on all hands to be the Roman Empire.
It was dreadful, terrible, and exceeding strong; . . . and became, 16. What inquiry on the part of Daniel shows that the fourth
in effect, what the Roman writers delight to call it, the empire of beast, and especially the little horn phase of it, constitutes
the whole world." -Adam Clarke, on Dan. 7:7. the leading feature of this vision?
The final overthrow of the Greeks, by the Romans, was at the "Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was
battle of Pydna, in 168 B.C. diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth
were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in
pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; and of the ten
14. What was denoted by the ten horns?
"And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall horns that were in his head, and of the other which came
arise."Verse 24. up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes,
and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more
stout than his fellows." Verses 19,20.
NOTES.-The Roman Empire was broken up into ten kingdoms
between the years 351 A.D. and 476 A.D.
17. When was the little horn to arise?
"The historian Machiavelli, without the slightest reference to this
prophecy, gives the following list of the nations which occupied "And another shall rise after them." Verse 24.
the territory of the Western Empire at the time of the fall of
Romulus Augustulus (476 A.D.), the last emperor of Rome: The NOTE.-The ten horns, as already shown, arose when Rome, the
Lombards the Franks, the Burgundians, the Ostrogoths, the fourth kingdom, was divided into ten kingdoms. This division was
Visigoths, the Vandals, the Heruli, the Suevi, the Huns, and the completed in A. D. 476. The little-horn power was to arise after
Saxons: ten in all. them.
"Amidst unceasing and almost countless fluctuations, the
kingdoms of modern Europe have from their birth to the present 18. What was to be the character of the little horn?
day averaged ten in number. They have never since the "And he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three
breaking up of old Rome been united into one single empire; kings."Same verse, last part.
they have never formedone whole even like the United States.
No scheme of proud ambition seeking to reunite the broken
fragments has ever succeeded; when such have arisen, they NOTES.- That power which arose in the Roman Empire after the
have been invariably dashed to pieces. fall of Rome in A.D. 476, which was entirely different from all the
"And the division is as apparent now as ever. Plainly and ten kingdoms into which Rome was divided (for it demanded and
palpably inscribed on the map of Europe this day, it confronts the exercised spiritual power over the other kingdoms), and before
skeptic with its silent but conclusive testimony to the fulfillment of whom three of the other kings -the Heruli the Vandals, and the
this great prophecy. Who can alter or add to this tenfold list of Ostrogoths -fell, was the Papacy.
the kingdoms now occupying the sphere of old Rome? Italy, Having located the place and the time of the kingdom of the little
Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany, England, Holland, horn, the study of its character and work will be considered in the
Belgium, Spain, and Portugal - ten, and no more; ten, and no readings which follow.
less."-"The Divine Program of the World's History," by H. Grattan
Guinness, pages 318-321.
75
Chapter 51: The Kingdom and Work of Antichrist
1. WHAT is said of the little horn as compared with the ten "The decision of the Pope and the decision of God constitute one
horns of the fourth beast of Daniel 7? decision, just as the opinion of the Pope and his disciple are the
"He shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three same. Since, therefore, an appeal is always taken from an
kings." Dan. 7:24. inferior judge to a superior, as no one is greater than himself, so
no appeal holds when made from the Pope to God, because
NOTE.-The Papacy, which arose on the ruins of the Roman there is one consistory of the Pope himself and of God Himself,
Empire, differed from all previous forms of Roman power, in that of which consistory the Pope himself is the key-bearer and the
it was an ecclesiastical despotism claiming universal dominion doorkeeper. Therefore no one can appeal from the Pope to God,
over both spiritual and temporal affairs, especially the former. It as no one can enter into the consistory of God without the
was a union of church and state, with the church dominant. mediation of the Pope who is the key-bearer and the doorkeeper
of the consistory of eternal life; and as no one can appeal to
himself, so no one can appeal from the Pope to God, because
2. What attitude of rivalry was the Papacy, represented by there is one decision and one curia [court] of God and of the
the little horn, to assume toward the Most High? Pope."-Writings of Augustinus de Ancona printed without title
"And he shall speak great words against the Most High." Verse page or pagination, Ques. VI, "On an Appeal From the Decision
25, first clause. of the Pope."
3. How does Paul, speaking of the man of sin, describe this "All the faithful of Christ must believe that the Holy Apostolic See
same power? and the Roman pontiff possesses the primacy over the whole
"Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, world, and that the Roman pontiff is the successor of the blessed
or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of Peter, prince of the apostles, and is true vicar of Christ, and the
God, showing himself that he is God." 2 Thess. 2:4. head of the whole church, and father and teacher of all
Christians, and that full power was given him in blessed Peter to
NOTES.-The following extracts from authoritative works, most of rule, feed, and govern the universal church by Jesus Christ our
them by Roman Catholic writers, will indicate to what extent the Lord."-" Petri Privilegium," in section on "The Vatican Council
Papacy has done this:- and Its Definitions," by Henry Edward Manning, archbishop of
"All the names which are attributed to Christ in Scripture, Westminster (Roman Catholic), London, Longmans, Green &
implying His supremacy over the church, are also attributed to Co., 1871, page 214.
the Pope."-Bellarmine, "On the Authority of Councils," book 2,
chap. 17. "We teach and define that it is a dogma divinely revealed; that
the Roman pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra, that is, when in
"For thou art the shepherd, thou art the physician, thou art the the discharge of the office of Pastor and Doctor of all Christians,
director, thou art the husbandman; finally thou art another God by virtue of his supreme apostolic authority he defines a doctrine
on earth." -From Oration of Christopher Marcellus in fourth regarding faith or morals to be held by the universal church, by
session of Fifth Lateran Council, Labbe and Cossart's " History the divine assistance promised to him in blessed Peter, is
of the Councils," published in 1672, Vol. XIV, col. 109. possessed of that infallibility with which the divine Redeemer
willed that His church should be endowed for defining doctrine
regarding faith or morals: and that therefore such definitions of
"For not man, but God, not by human but rather by divine the Roman pontiff are irreformable of themselves, and not from
authority, releases those whom, on account of the need of the the consent of the church."- Id., page 218.
churches or what is regarded as a benefit, the Roman pontiff
(who is vicegerent on earth, not of mere man, but of the true
God) separates [from their churches]."-"The Decretals of "Should Jesus Christ come in person from heaven into a church
Gregory IX," book 1, title 7, chap. 3. to administer the sacrament of reconciliation, and should He say
to a penitent, 'I absolve thee,' and should a priest sitting at His
side in the tribunal of penance pronounce over a penitent the
"The Pope is the supreme judge of the law of the land. He is the selfsame words, 'I absolve thee,' there is no question that in the
vicegerent of Christ; who is not only a priest forever, but also latter case, as in the former, the penitent would be equally
King of kings and Lord of lords."-From the Civilta Cattolica, loosed from his sin."-" Jesus Living in the Priest," by the Rev. P.
March 18, 1871, quoted in "Vatican Council," by Leonard Millet, S. J., English translation by the Rt. Rev. Thomas
Woolsey Bacon, American Tract Society edition, page 220. Sebastian Byrne, D. D., bishop of Nashville; New York, Benziger
Brothers printers to the Holy Apostolic See, 1901, pages 23, 24.
"Christ entrusted His office to the chief pontiff; . . . but all power Imprimatur, Michael Augustine, archbishop of New York.
in heaven and in earth has been given to Christ; . . . there fore
the chief pontiff, who is His vicar, will have this power."-Gloss on Among the twenty-seven propositions known as the "Dictates of
the "Extravagantes Communes," book 1, "On Authority and Hildebrand," who, under the name of Gregory VII, was Pope
Obedience," chap. 1 , on words Porro Subesse Romano Pontiff. from 1073-87, occur the following: -
Canon law, published in 1556, Vol. III, "Extravagantes "2. That the Roman pontiff alone is justly styled universal.
Communes," col. 29. "6. That no person . . . may live under the same roof with one
excommunicated by the Pope.
"Hence the Pope is crowned with a triple crown, as king of "9. That all princes should kiss his feet only.
heaven, and earth, and purgatory (Internorum)."-" Prompta "12. That it is lawful for him to depose emperors.
Bibliotheca," Ferraris, Vol. VI, page 26, article "Papa" (the Pope). "18. That his sentence is not to be reviewed by anyone; while he
alone can review the decisions of all others.
"19. That he can be judged by no one.
"22. That the Romish Church never erred, nor will it, according to
76
the Scriptures, ever err. perversion of God's words by which all promises of millennial
"26. That no one is to be accounted a Catholic who does not glory are wrested from their true sense, and referred to the
harmonize with the Romish Church. dominion and grandeur of the Church of Rome. The orator of the
"27. That he can absolve subjects from their allegiance to Pope, for instance, in the Lateran Council, declares that in the
unrighteous rulers."- Annals of Baronius, 1076, Vol. XI, col. 506. submission of all nations to Leo the prophecy was fulfilled: 'All
See Gieseler's "Ecclesiastical History," third period, div. 3, par. kings shall fall down and worship Him; all nations shall serve and
47, note 3; and Mosheim's " Ecclesiastical History," book 3, cen. obey Him.' The same antichristian feature appears in those
11, part 2, chap. 2, par. 9, note. advocates of the Papacy who would clear it from the guilt of
actual idolatry, because 'it is part of that church from which the
idols are utterly abolished.' Thus are the times changed; but only
"They have assumed infallibility, which belongs only to God.
They profess to forgive sins, which belongs only to God. They in the vain 'thoughts' of dreamers who see false visions and
profess to open and shut heaven, which belongs only to God. divine lying divinations; because the visible glory of Christ's
They profess to be higher than all the kings of the earth which kingdom remains still to be revealed."-" The First Two Visions of
belongs only to God. And they go beyond God in pretending to Daniel," Rev. T .R. Birks, M. A., London, 1845, pages 257, 258.
loose whole nations from their oath of allegiance to their kings,
when such kings do not please them. And they go againstGod, Although the ten commandments, the law of God, are found in
when they give indulgences for sin. This is the worst of all the Roman Catholic versions of the Scriptures, as they were
blasphemies."- Adam Clarke, on Dan. 7:25. originally given, yet the faithful are instructed from the
catechisms of the church, and not directly from the Bible. As it
4. How was the little horn to treat God's people? appears in these, the law of God has been changed and virtually
"And shall wear out the saints of the Most High." Dan. 7:25. reenacted by the Papacy. Furthermore, communicants not only
receive the law from the church, but they deal with the church
concerning any alleged infractions of that law, and when they
NOTES.-"Under these bloody maxims [previously mentioned], have satisfied the ecclesiastical authorities, the whole matter is
those persecutions were carried on, from the eleventh and settled.
twelfth centuries almost to the present day, which stand out on
the page of history. After the signal of open martyrdom had been
The second commandment, which forbids the making of, and
given in the canons of Orleans, there followed the extirpation of
the Albigenses under the form of a crusade, the establishment of bowing down to, images, is omitted in Catholic catechisms, and
the tenth, which forbids coveting, is divided into two.
the Inquisition, the cruel attempts to extinguish the Waldenses,
the martyrdoms of the Lollards, the cruel wars to exterminate the
Bohemians, the burning of Huss and Jerome, and multitudes of As evidence of the change which has been made in the law of
other confessors, before the Reformation; and afterwards, the God by the papal power, and that it acknowledges the change
ferocious cruelties practised in the Netherlands, the martyrdoms and claims the authority to make it, note the following from
of Queen Mary's reign, the extinction by fire and sword of the Roman Catholic publications:-
Reformation in Spain and Italy, by fraud and open persecution in
Poland, the massacre of Bartholomew, the persecution of the "Question.-Have you any other way of proving that the church
Huguenots by the League, the extirpation of the Vaudois, and all has power to institute festivals of precept?
the cruelties and prejudices connected with the revocation of the "Answer.-Had she not such power, she could not have done that
Edict of Nantes. These are the more open and conspicuous facts in which all modern religionists agree with her,-she could not
which explain the prophecy, besides the slow and secret have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the
murders of the holy tribunal of the Inquisition."-"The First Two week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a
Visions of Daniel," Rev. T. R. Birks, M. A., London, 1845, pages
change for which there is no Scriptural authority."-" A Doctrinal
248, 249. Catechism," Rev. Stephen Keenan, page 174. Imprimatur, John
Cardinal McCloskey, archbishop of New York.
A detailed summary of the number of the victims of the
Inquisition in Spain, under each Inquisitor-General, is given in
"Question.-How prove you that the church hath power to
"The History of the Inquisition in Spain," by Llorente, formerly command feasts and holy days?
secretary of the Inquisition, pages 206-208. According to this
"Answer.-By the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday,
authority the number who were condemned and perished in the which Protestants allow of; and therefore they fondly contradict
flames is 31,912. themselves, by keeping Sunday strictly, and breaking most other
feasts commanded by the same church.
"The church has persecuted. Only a tyro in church history will
deny that. . . . One hundred and fifty years after Constantine the "Question.-How prove you that?
Donatists were persecuted, and sometimes put to death. . . . "Answer.-Because by keeping Sunday they acknowledge the
Protestants were persecuted in France and Spain with the full church's power to ordain feasts, and to command them under
approval of the church authorities. We have always defended the sin: and by not keeping the rest by her commanded, they deny
persecution of the Huguenots, and the Spanish Inquisition. again, in fact, the same power."-" An Abridgment of the Christian
Wherever and whenever there is honest Catholicity; there will be Doctrine," composed in 1649, by Rev. Henry Tuberville, D. D., of
a clear distinction drawn between truth and error, and Catholicity the English College of Douay; New York, John Doyle, 1883,
and all forms of error. When she thinks it good to use physical page 58.
force, she will use it."-The Western Watchman (Roman Catholic),
of St. Louis, Dec. 24, 1908.
"Is not every Christian obliged to sanctify Sunday, to abstain on
that day from unnecessary servile work? Is not the observance
5. What else does the prophecy say the little horn would do? of this law among the most prominent of our sacred duties? But
"Arid he shall think to change the times and the law." Dan. 7:25,
you may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will
third clause, R.V. not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The
Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day
NOTES.- "The little horn, further, shall think to change times. which we never sanctify."-"The Faith of Our Fathers," by James
The description applies, in all its force, to the systematic
77
Cardinal Gibbons, Baltimore, John Murphy & Co., 1893, page NOTES.-A time in prophecy being the same as a year (see Dan.
111. 11:13, margin, and R.V.), three and one-half times would be
three and a half , years, or forty-two months, or twelve hundred
All Roman Catholic writers agree in this teaching. See chapter and sixty days, since the calendar year of 360 days, or twelve
97 of this book. months of thirty days each, is used in prophetic chronology. As
each day represents a year, the period, the end of which was to
mark the limit of the time of the supremacy of the little horn, the
6. Until what time were the saints, times, and laws of the Papacy, over the saints, times, and the law, would therefore be
Most High to be given into the hands of the little horn? twelve hundred and sixty years.
"And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and The decree of the emperor Justinian, issued in A.D. 533,
the dividing of time." Dan. 7:25, last clause. recognized the Pope as "head of all the holy churches."
(Justinian's Code, book 1, title 1. Baronius's Annals, A.D. 533.)
7. In what other prophecies is this same period mentioned? The overwhelming defeat of the Ostrogoths in the siege of Rome,
"And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that five years later, A.D. 538, was a death-blow to the independence
she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is of the Arian power then ruling Italy, and was therefore a notable
nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of date in the development of papal supremacy. With the period
the serpent." Rev. 12:14. "And there was given unto him a mouth 533-538, then, commences the twelve hundred and sixty years
speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given of this prophecy, which would extend to the period 1793-1798.
unto him to continue [margin, to make war] forty and two The year 1793 was the year of the Reign of Terror in the French
months." Rev. 13:5. See also Rev. 11:2. "And the woman fled Revolution, and the year when the Roman Catholic religion was
into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, set aside in France and the worship of reason was established in
that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and its stead. As a direct result of the revolt against papal authority in
threescore days." Rev. 12:6. the French Revolution, the French army, under Berthier, entered
Rome, and the Pope was taken prisoner Feb. 10,1798, dying in
exile at Valence, France, the following year. This period, 1793-
8. In symbolic prophecy what length of time is represented 1798, during which this death-stroke was inflicted upon the
by a day? Papacy fittingly and clearly marks the close of the long prophetic
"After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, period mentioned in this prophecy. Any standard history of the
even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, time may be consulted in substantiation of the facts here stated.
even forty years." Num. 14:34. See Eze. 4:6.
9. What will finally be done with the dominion exercised by the little horn?
"But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end." Dan. 7:20.
10. To whom will the dominion finally be given?

"And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the
Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominionsshall serve and obey Him." Verse 27.
NOTE.-Here as in the second chapter of Daniel, the announcement of the setting up of the everlasting kingdom of God in the earth includes
a brief outline of the history of this world; and the prophecies of Daniel concerning the powers that would oppose the purpose of God,
furnish additional features of this outline. The exact fulfillment of this outline in the history of the world since the time of Nebuchadnezzar
constitutes an unimpeachable testimony to the inspiration of these prophecies, and furnishes a ground of confidence that the unfulfilled
portion of the prophecies will be wrought out in the future with absolute certainty and in every detail.
78
Chapter 52: The Vicar of Christ
1. WHAT appeared unto Daniel in 538 B.C., the same year in the death of Alexander at Babylon, B.C. 323, there followed a
which Babylon fell? brief period of confusion in the struggle for the kingdom, but the
"In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar succession was definitely determined by the battle of Ipsus, B.C.
a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that 301. Alexander's four leading generals- Cassander, Lysimachus,
which appeared unto me at the first." Dan. 8:1. Ptolemy, and Seleucus- became his successors.
"The vast empire created by Alexander's unparalleled conquests
2. Where was Daniel at this time? was distracted by the wranglings and wars of his successors,
"And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I and before the close of the fourth century before Christ, had
was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; become broken up into many fragments. Besides minor states,
and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai." Verse 2. four well-defined and important monarchies rose out of the
ruins. . . . Their rulers were Lysimachus, Cassander, Seleucus
Nicator, and Ptolemy, who had each assumed the title of king.
3. What first attracted the prophet's attention? The great horn was broken; and instead of it came up four
"Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood notable ones toward the four winds of heaven."- Myers's "History
before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns of Greece," page 457, edition 1902.
were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher
came up last." Verse 3.
11 What came out of one of the four horns of the goat?
"And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which
4. What power was represented by the ram having two waxedexceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east,
horns? and toward the pleasant land." Verse 9.
"The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of
Media and Persia." Verse 20.
12. What interpretation is given to this little horn?
"And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors
5. How are the rise and work of this power described? are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and
"I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up." Verse 23.
southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither
was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did
according to his will, and became great." Verse 4. 13. What did this little horn do to the people of God?
"And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down
some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped
6. What symbol was next introduced in the vision? upon them."Verse 10.
"And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from
the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the
14. In what literal language is this persecution of the people
ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes."
Verse 5. of God further described?
"And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and
he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and
7. What did the goat with the notable horn represent? shall destroy the mighty and the holy people." Verse 24.
"And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that
is between his eyes is the first king." Verse 21.
15. How was this little horn to exalt itself against Christ and
His mediatorial work?
8. How was the conquest of Medo-Persia by Grecia foretold "Yea, it magnified itself, even to the Prince of the host, and it
in this symbolic prophecy? took away from Him the continual burnt offering, and the place of
"And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved His sanctuary was cast down." Verse 11, R.V.
with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two
horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him,
but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and 16. In the interpretation of the vision, how is this self-
there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand." Verse exaltation set forth?
7. "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his
hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace
shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of
9. When the he goat "was strong," what princes; but he shall be broken without hand." Verse 25.
occurred? "Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when
he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up
four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven." Verse 8. 17. What similar language is used by the apostle Paul in
describing the "mystery of iniquity," or "man of sin"?
"That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,
10. Who was represented by " the great horn," and what and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who
followed when it was broken? opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or
"And the rough goat is the king [kingdom] of Grecia: and the that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God,
great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that showing himself that he is God." 2 Thess. 2:3,4.
being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall
stand up out of the nation, but not in his power." Verses 21,22.
NOTE.-The last two scriptures evidently describe one and the
same power,-a power which while religious and professedly
NOTES.-From the interpretation given, it is plain that the notable Christian, is anti-christian in spirit, and the very "man of sin"
"horn" upon the he goat represented Alexander the Great, who himself. Possessed with the selfish ambition of Lucifer (Isa.
led the Grecian forces in their conquest of Medo-Persia. Upon 14:12-14; Eze. 28:17), he assumes to occupy the very seat and
79
place of Deity in the temple of God. Professing to be Christ's 6:19,20; 7:1-3, 14-16, 23-25. The action which made the Pope
vicar, or personal representative on earth, he magnifies himself the vicar of God and the high priest of the apostasy, really took
against Christ, and "stands up," or reigns, in the place of, and away from Christ, as far as human intent and power were
"against," the Prince of princes. concerned, his place and work as the only mediator between
God and man (1 Tim. 2:5), and this took away from Him, as far
18. What was given into the hands of the power represented as man could take it away, the continual mediation, according to
by the little horn? the prediction in this prophecy.
"And the host was given over to it together with the continual
burnt offering through transgression." Dan. 8:12, first clause, R.V. The prophecies of Daniel are cumulative and widening in their
view, each carrying matters farther than the preceding one, and
19. What did this power do to the truth? bringing out more explicitly and more in detail important features
down the stream of time. In Daniel 2, under the fourth universal
"And it cast down truth to the ground, and it did its pleasure and
prospered." Same verse, last clause, R.V. kingdom, the Papacy is not represented under any direct symbol
or figure at all,-simply Rome in its united and divided state; In
Daniel 7 Rome is symbolized by the "little horn" coming up
NOTES.-The interpretation already given to this vision shows among the ten horns representing the divided state of Rome;
plainly that the power represented by the little horn is the while in Daniel 8 the only figure used to represent the fourth
successor of Medo-Persia and Grecia. In the vision of the world power is the "little horn" which waxed "exceeding great."
seventh chapter of Daniel, which is closely related to this vision, In each of these last two chapters the little horn is introduced to
the fourth beast represented the fourth kingdom, or Rome, in its tell especially of the workings of the same terrible power-Rome
entirety, special attention, however, being given to the "little papal. Both chapters deal with the same great apostasy. In the
horn" phase of its history. As shown by the work attributed to it, seventh chapter, the little horn takes away the law of God. In the
this little horn, which arose among the ten kingdoms into which eighth chapter, it takes away the gospel. Had it taken away only
Rome was divided, was to be a religio-political power, which was the law, this would have vitiated the gospel; for, with the law of
to change the times and law of God, and persecute the people of God gone, even the true gospel could not save, because the law
God. In the vision of the eighth chapter the ecclesiastical is needed to convict and give a knowledge of sin. And had the
features of this fourth world power are especially noticed and Papacy taken away only the gospel, and left the law, salvation
emphasized, and hence the only symbol there used to represent through such a system would still have been impossible, for
it is the "little horn" which waxed "exceeding great." there is no salvation for sinners through even the law of God
The religion of all the four great monarchies mentioned in these itself apart from Christ and the gospel. But to make apostasy
prophecies was paganism; but the paganism of ancient Babylon doubly sure, this power changes, vitiates, and takes away both
was re-produced in pagan Rome, and then adapted and adopted the law and the gospel.
by papal Rome. The little horn of the eighth chapter represents In changing the Sabbath, the Papacy struck directly at the very
Rome, both pagan and papal, in its ecclesiastical aspect, with its heart and seal of the law of God, just as in substituting its own
union of paganism, and later of apostate Christianity, with the mediatorial system for that of Christ's it struck directly at the
secular power; with its antichristian persecutions of the saints of heavenly sanctuary and its service, which, in his epistle to the
God; with its perversion of the priesthood of Christi and with its Hebrews, Paul shows to be the very heart and essence of the
assertion of both temporal and spiritual power over all the world. gospel.
It is evident that pagan Rome is introduced into this prophecy
chiefly as a means of locating the place and work of papal Rome,
20. What question was asked in the hearing of the prophet?
and the ecclesiastical features of pagan Rome as typical of the
same features accentuated in papal Rome, and that the "Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto
emphasis is to be placed upon the fulfillment of the prophecy in that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision
the work of papal Rome. A careful comparison of Dan. 7:21,25, concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of
with Dan. 8:10-12, R.V., and 2 Thess. 2:3,4, will amply justify this desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden
conclusion. underfoot?" Dan. 8:13.
"The Romans could not forget-never did forget-that they had
once been masters and rulers of the world. Even after they had 21. What answer was addressed to Daniel?
become wholly unfit to rule themselves, let alone the ruling of "And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred
others, they still retained the temper and used the language of days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Verse 14.
masters. . . . In the absence of an emperor in the West the popes
rapidly gained influence and power, and soon built up an
NOTE.-In verse 13, R.V., the vision is clearly defined. It is "the
ecclesiastical empire that in some respects took the place of the vision concerning the continual burnt offering [or continual
old empire and carried on its civilizing work."-Myers's "Rome; Its
mediation], and the transgression that maketh desolate," which
Rise and Fall," Boston, 1900, pages 398, 399, 442, 443. results in giving both the sanctuary and the people of God to be
The host and the stars of Dan. 8:10 are the same as the saints of
trodden underfoot. The time when the vision was to have its
the Most High of Dan. 7:25; and the Prince of the host of Dan. special application is stated in verse 17 to be "at the time of the
8:11 is the Prince of princes, or Christ. When the same being end," or in the last days. This is additional proof that this
appeared to Joshua. (Joshua 5:13-15, margin), He applies the prophecy was to find its complete fulfillment in papal Rome only,
same expression to Himself. as pagan Rome passed away many centuries ago. The
In Dan. 8:11-13, in the Revised Version, the words "burnt sanctuary and the twenty-three-hundred-day period here referred
offering" have been supplied by the translators after the word to are considered at length in succeeding readings. See Chapter
"continual," but this rendering seems to place too restricted a
53 and 54 of this book.
meaning upon the word "continual." The fact that no word is
connected with "continual" in the original text, although in the
typical service of the sanctuary it is used with "burnt offering" (Ex. 22. What prophetic period begins at the time when the
29:42), with "incense" (Ex. 30:8, here rendered perpetual), and continual mediation of Christ was taken away by the
with "showbread" (Num. 4:7), indicates that that which is Papacy?
continual represents thecontinual service or mediation of Christ "And from the time that the continual burnt offering shall be taken
in the heavenly sanctuary, in which an that was continual in the away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there
typical service found its antitype and fulfillment. See Heb.
80
shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days." Dan. 12:11, R.V.
NOTES.-lnasmuch as the taking away of the continual mediation of Christ is made the beginning of a prophetic period, there must be some
definite act at some definite time which, in form and intent, takes from Christ His priestly work in the heavenly sanctuary. This act was the
official decree of an ecclesiastical council held at Rome in 503 A.D., by which it was declared "that the Pope was judge as God's vicar, and
could himself be judged by no one." See Hardouins "Councils," Vol. II, page 983; Labbe and Cossart's "Councils," Vol. IV, col. 1364; and
Bower's "History of the Popes" (three-volume edition), Vol. I, pages 304, 305. The work of Clovis king of the Franks, who earned for himself
the title of "the eldest son of the church" by his campaigns to subdue the kingdoms hostile to the Papacy, contributed much toward putting
into practical effect this claim of the Papacy, which finally resulted in establishing the Pope as the head of the Roman priesthood which has
usurped the priestly work of Christ, and has established another system of mediation in its place. This work of Clovis came to its climax in
the period 503-508, and this period therefore becomes the natural one from which to date the 1290 years of Dan. 12:11, which would
accordingly end in the period 1793-98, at the same time as the 1260 years of Dan. 7:25.
"With Rome would have fallen her bishop, had he not, as if by anticipation of the crisis, reserved till this hour the master-stroke of his policy,
He now boldly cast himself upon an element of much greater strength than that of which the political convulsions of the time had deprived
him; namely, that the bishop of Rome is the successor of Peter, the prince of the apostles, and, in virtue of being so, is Christ's vicar on
earth. In making this claim, the Roman pontiffs vaulted at once over the throne of kings to the seat of gods: Rome became once more the
mistress of the world, and her popes the rulers of the earth."-" The Papacy," by J. A. Wylie, page 34.
23. What assurance was given to Daniel concerning the period of time mentioned in verse 14?
"And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true;wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days." Dan.
8:26.
NOTES.-By the expression "the vision of the evening and the morning" reference is made to the vision concerning the twenty-three hundred
days, as may be seen by referring to the marginal readings of Dan. 8:14.
The interpretation of the vision of chapter 8 closes without making any explanation of the long period of time which was mentioned to Daniel
in the answer to the question, "How long shall be the vision?" This important feature was left to be interpreted later. See the next chapter.
81
Section 6:The Sure Word of Prophecy
Chapter 53: A Great Prophetic Period
(The 2300 Days of Daniel 8)

or the time of restoration and of judgment
1. IMMEDIATELY after the vision of Daniel 8, what did Daniel 7. To what did Gabriel now direct Daniel's attention?
learn from his study of the prophecy of Jeremiah? "At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came
"In the first year of Darius . . . I Daniel understood by books the forth, and I am come to show thee: for thou art greatly beloved:
number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to thereforeunderstand the matter, and consider the vision." Dan.
Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in 9:23.
the desolations of Jerusalem." Dan. 9:1,2.
NOTES.-There is abundant evidence that the instruction in the
NOTE.-The first deportation to Babylon, when Daniel and his ninth chapter of Daniel supplements and interprets the vision of
companions were carried captive, was in B.C. 606, and the the eighth chapter. Note the following facts:-
seventy years of Jeremiah's prophecy would therefore expire In (1) Daniel did not understand the vision concerning the treading
B.C. 536. The first year of Darius was B.C. 538, and the down of his people and the sanctuary, and therefore searched
restoration period was therefore only two years distant from that the prophecies anew concerning the period of captivity.
time. (2) He evidently made a connection between the period of
seventy years mentioned by Jeremiah and the twenty-three
2. What did this nearness of the time of restoration from hundred days of the vision, and he at once began to pray
captivity lead Daniel to do? earnestly for the restoration of the city and the sanctuary.
"And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and (3) The angel Gabriel, who appeared to him at the first, and
supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes." Verse 3. interpreted all the vision with the exception of the twenty-three
hundred days, now appears, and again directs his attention to
the vision.
3. What urgent petition of the prophet connects this prayer (4) The events of the vision begin with the kingdom of the Medes
with the vision of the taking away of the continual mediation and Persians, the era of the restoration of the Jews to their own
and the desolation of the sanctuary recorded in Daniel 8? land. In the absence of any instruction to the contrary, this would
"Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Thy servant, and be the natural time in which to locate the beginning of the period
his supplications, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy of twenty-three hundred days; and this is the very time given for
sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake." Dan. 9:17. the beginning of the seventy weeks, which are clearly a part of
the twenty-three hundred days, and thus determine the time of
4. At the conclusion of Daniel's prayer, what assurance did their commencement.
Gabriel give him? (5) The seventy weeks, or four hundred and ninety years, extend
"And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, from the restoration of literal Jerusalem and the literal temple to
O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and the preaching of the gospel to all the world. See Acts 15:14-17.
understanding." Verse 22. This special preaching of the gospel was completed in one
generation, and was followed by the destruction of Jerusalem.
(6) The twenty-three hundred prophetic days, or twenty-three
5. What previous instruction connected with the vision of hundred literal years, begin at the same time as the four hundred
Daniel 8 was thus being more fully carried out? and ninety years, or seventy weeks, or in B.C. 457, when the
"And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which commandment to restore and build Jerusalem went forth; and
called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the extend from the restoration of literal Jerusalem and the typical
vision." Dan. 8:16. temple service after the captivity in ancient Babylon, in the time
of the Medes and Persians, to 1844 A.D., the time for the
6. Why was further instruction concerning this vision restoration of spiritual Jerusalem and of the knowledge of the
necessary? mediation of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, taken away by the
"And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose little horn, after the captivity in modern Babylon. This work of
up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the restoration is to be accomplished in one generation by preaching
vision, but none understood it." Verse 27. the gospel to all the world (Rev. 14:6-12), and this will be
followed by the destruction of the world, or fall of all nations, of
which the destruction of Jerusalem was a type.
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The 2300 Days
The heavy line represents the full 2300 year-day period, the longest prophetic period in the Bible.
Beginning in B.C. 457 when the decree was given to restore and build Jerusalem (Ezra 7:11-26;
Dan. 9:25), seven weeks (49 years) are measured off to indicate the time occupied in this work of
restoration. These, however, are a part of the sixty-nine weeks (483 years) that were to reach to
Messiah, the Anointed One. Christ was anointed in 27 A.D., at His baptism. Matt.3:13-17; Acts
10:38. In the midst of the seventieth week (31 A.D.), Christ was crucified, or "cut off," which marked
the time when the sacrifices and oblations of the earthly sanctuary were to cease. Dan. 9:26,27. The
remaining three and one-half years of this week reach to 34 A.D., or to the stoning of Stephen, and
the great persecution of the church at Jerusalem which followed. Acts 7:59; 8:1. This marked the
close of the seventy weeks, or 490 years, allotted to the Jewish people.
But the seventy weeks are a part of the 2300 days; and as they (the seventy weeks) reach to 34
A.D., the remaining 1810 years of the 2300-day period must reach to 1844, when the work of
judgment, or cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, was to begin. Rev. 14:6,7. Then special light
began to shine upon the whole sanctuary subject, and Christ's mediatorial or priestly work in it.
Four great events, therefore, are located by this great prophetic period,-the first advent, the
crucifixion, the rejection of the Jewish people as a nation, and the beginning of the work of final
judgment.
8. What portion of the 2300 days (years) mentioned in the 11. At the end of this time, what was to be done to Messiah?
vision, was allotted to the Jews? "And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah
"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy be cutoff." Verse 26, first part.
holy city." Verse 24, first clause.
12. How was the destruction of Jerusalem and the sanctuary
NOTES.-"As both the 2300 years of chapter 8 and the 'seventy by the Romans then foretold?
weeks' of chapter 9 start from the Persian period of Jewish "And the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the
history, in other words, as they both date from the restoration city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood,
era which followed the Babylonian captivity, their starting-points and unto the end of the war desolations are determined." Same
must be either identical or closely related chronologically."-" Light verse, last part.
for the Last Days," by H. Grattan Guinness, London, Hodder and
Stoughton, 1893, page 183. 13. What was Messiah to do during the seventieth week?
"There is plainly a close correspondence between the two "And He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week."
visions of Daniel 8 and Daniel 9. The seventy weeks are said to Verse 27, first clause. See Matt. 26:26-28.
be cut off for certain distinct objects; and this implies a longer
period from which they are separated, either the course of time
in general, or some period distinctly revealed. Now the previous 14. What was He to take away in the midst of this week?
date (the 2300 days) includes two events,- the restoration of the "And in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and
sacrifice, and the desolation. The first of these is identical in the oblation to cease." Same verse, next clause.
character with the seventy weeks, which are a period of the
restored polity of Jerusalem; and hence the most natural of the NOTE.-Ancient Babylon took away the typical service by the
cutting off is that which refers it to the whole period of the former destruction of the temple at the capture of Jerusalem. This
vision."-"First Elements of Sacred Prophecy," by T. R. Birks, service was restored at the rebuilding of Jerusalem, but was
London, 1843, pages 359, 360. perverted into mere formalism by the Jews, and was taken away
by Christ at the first advent, when He blotted out the handwriting
9. What was to be accomplished at the close of the seventy of ordinances, and "took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross."
weeks? Col. 2:14. He then became "a minister of the sanctuary, and of
"To finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." Heb.
make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting 8:2. Thus He established the service in the heavenly sanctuary.
righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to The little horn, the Papacy, as far as was within its power, took
anoint the Most Holy." Same verse, latter part. away from the people the mediation of Christ in the heavenly
sanctuary, and substituted for it the Roman priesthood, with the
Pope as Pontifex Maximus, or high priest. Power over this truth
NOTE.- For "the Most Holy," the Douay version reads, "the Saint of the gospel and over the people of God was allowed to the
of saints." Papacy because of transgression (Dan. 8:12, R.V.), just as the
people of Jerusalem were given into the hand of the king of
10. What portion of this period was to reach to Christ, the ancient Babylon for the same reason. 1 Chron. 9:1. Thus has the
Messiah, or Anointed One? Papacy "cast down the truth to the ground," and has trodden
"Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the underfoot the sanctuary and the people of God.
commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto Messiah
the Prince shall be seven. weeks, and threescore and two 15. How are the judgments upon Jerusalem again foretold?
weeks." Verse 25, first part.
"And for the overspreading of abominations He shall make it
desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined
NOTE.-The word Messiah means anointed, and Jesus was shall be poured upon the desolate." Remainder of verse 27.
anointed with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38) at His baptism in 27
A.D. Matt. 3:16. NOTE.-Seventy weeks would be four hundred and ninety days;
and as a day in prophecy represents a year (Num. 14:34; Eze.
4:6), this period would be four hundred and ninety years. The
commandment to restore and build Jerusalem was brought to its
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completion by Artaxerxes Longimanus in the seventh year of his (3) Ancient Babylon persecuted those who refused to accept her
reign (Ezra 6:14; 7:7,8), which, as already noted, was B.C. 457. dogmas and worship according to her laws. Modern Babylon has
From this date the sixty-nine weeks, or four hundred and eighty- done the same.
three years, would extend to the baptism of Christ in 27 A.D.,
and the whole period to 34 A.D., when the martyrdom of Stephen (4) The king of ancient Babylon set himself above God, and
occurred, and the gospel began to be preached to the Gentiles. attempted to make his kingdom an everlasting kingdom. So does
Before the end of that generation Jerusalem was destroyed by modern Babylon.
the Romans, 70 A.D. The twenty-three hundred years would
extend from B.C. 457 to 1844 A.D., when began the great
second advent movement, which calls upon all to come out of (5) Ancient Babylon rejected the true gospel as taught to
modern Babylon, and to prepare for the next great event, the Nebuchadnezzar, and the fall of Babylon came in consequence.
coming of Christ and the destruction of the world by fire. Modern Babylon has done the same in her rejection of the true
gospel as brought to her in the Reformation, and her fall is
inevitable and impending.
16. What question was asked in the vision of Daniel 8?
"Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said
unto that certain one which spake, How long shall be the vision (6) The fall of ancient Babylon came just at the time when it was
concerning the continual burnt offering, and the transgression giving expression to its contempt of all its enemies, and its
that maketh desolate, to give both the sanctuary and the host to confidence in its own permanence. This experience will be
be trodden underfoot?" Dan. 8:13. repeated in the history of. modern Babylon.
NOTES.-Literal Jerusalem was given into the hands of ancient 17. What prophetic period, therefore, extends to the
Babylon, and the typical service in the earthly sanctuary was deliverance of God's people from the captivity in modern
thus taken away. Dan. 1:1,2. This was prophetic of the Babylon, and the restoration to them of the mediation of
experience of spiritual Jerusalem in modern Babylon foretold in Christ?
the prophecies of Daniel and John, and of the taking away of the "And he said unto met Unto two thousand and three hundred
mediation of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. Dan. 7:25; 8:13. days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Verse 14.
These two visions expose the work of modern Babylon, the
Papacy, and determine the limit of its permitted power over the NOTE.-The earthly sanctuary was a type of the heavenly
people of God, and of its perversion of the gospel of Christ in sanctuary (Heb. 9:23,24; Lev. 16:29,30,33); the cleansing of the
substituting another mediatorial system for the work of Christ in earthly sanctuary was typical of the cleansing in the heavenly
the heavenly sanctuary. sanctuary; and this cleansing of the sanctuary accomplished on
The general theme upon which the book of Daniel treats is the great day of atonement is the closing work of Christ in His
Babylon, both ancient and modern. Chapters 1-6, inclusive, mediation for sin. And the commencement of the cleansing of the
present certain historical facts leading up to the fall of ancient heavenly sanctuary marks the beginning of a new era in the
Babylon, and an attempt to destroy the prophet Daniel himself experience of the people of God on earth; namely, the
and the final attempt to destroy the people of God,- a brief deliverance from the power of modern Babylon, the restoration to
historical outline, which is in itself a prophecy of modern Babylon. them of the knowledge of the mediation of Christ for them in the
Chapters 7-12, inclusive, contain prophecies relating especially heavenly sanctuary, and a cleansing from sin in preparation for
to modern Babylon, which supplement the historical prophecy of the second advent of Christ. The cleansing of the heavenly
the previous chapters, and which enable us to draw a very exact sanctuary involves the investigative judgment, which will be
and striking parallel between ancient and modern Babylon. A followed by the plagues, and Christ's coming. This period,
brief outline of this parallel may be stated thus:- therefore, determines the time of restoration and of judgment.
(1) In the religion of ancient Babylon, image-worship found a 18. What is said of those who live to see the deliverance
prominent place. The same is true of modern Babylon. from modern Babylon, and the restoration of the true
gospel?
(2) Ancient Babylon affirmed that the gods (or God) dwelt not in "Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three
the flesh. By the dogma of the immaculate conception of the hundred and five and thirty days." Dan. 12:12.
Virgin Mary (that is, that she herself was born without the taint of
original sin), modern Babylon teaches that God, in the person of
His Son, did not take the same flesh with us; that is, sinful flesh.
NOTE.-The 1335 days (years) of Dan. 12:12 are evidently a continuation of the 1290 days (years) of the previous verse, which commence
with the taking away of the mediation of Christ, in the period 503-508 A.D. See under question 22 in reading on "The Vicar of Christ," page
229. The 1335 days, or years, would therefore extend to the period 1838-43, the time of the preaching of the judgment-hour, in preparation
for the cleansing of the sanctuary, and the accompanying work at the end of the 2300 days, or years, of Dan. 8:14. At that time special
blessings were to come upon those who were delivered from the errors and bondage of Rome, and had their minds directed anew to the
mediation of Christ as the great High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary.
GENERAL NOTE ON THE PROPHECIES OF DANIEL.-The second chapter of Daniel presents in brief outline the divine program of history
leading up to the establishment of the everlasting kingdom of God. The seventh chapter of Daniel presents somewhat more in detail the
history of those earthly kingdoms which were to precede the establishment of the kingdom of God, the objective point of the prophecy being
the little horn and its effort to change the laws and ordinances of God, and to destroy the subjects of the heavenly kingdom. The period
allotted to the supremacy of this power, the Papacy (the 1260 years), is also indicated. The prophecy of the eighth chapter of Daniel covers
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the period from the restoration era in the time of the Persian kings and the establishment of the people of God in their own land, to the
restoration era just preceding the second advent of Christ and the setting up of His everlasting kingdom. In this chapter the leading theme is
the effort of the Papacy to substitute its own mediatorial system for the mediatorial work of Christ and the announcement of a prophetic
period (the 2300 years), at the end of which the counterfeit system introduced by the Papacy was to be fully exposed. The remaining
chapters of Daniel supplement the prophecies of the second, seventh, and eighth chapters, and show that at the end of the first portion of
the 2300-year period (the 70 weeks, or 490 years) Messiah was to appear and be cut off, following which would come the destruction of
Jerusalem. In the closing chapter two new periods are introduced (the 1290 years and the 1335 years), at the end of which, as with the
2300 years, was to come the movement preparatory to the setting up of God's everlasting kingdom in the earth, In harmony with the
prophecies of the second and seventh chapters.
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Chapter 54: The Atonement in Type and Antitype
1. WHAT did God, through Moses, command Israel to make? mercy-seat. These commandments are the foundation of God's
"And let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among government. To violate them is to commit sin, and so become
them." Ex. 25:8. subject to death. 1 John 3:4; Rom. 6:23. But there was a mercy-
seat reared above these holy and just commandments. In the
dispensation of His mercy, God grants the sinner the privilege of
2. What was offered in this sanctuary?
"In which were offered both gifts and sacrifices." Heb. 9:9. confessing his sins, and bringing a substitute to meet the
demands of the law, and thus of obtaining mercy.
3. Besides the court, how many parts had this sanctuary?

12. What was done with the blood of the offering?
"And the veil shall divide unto you between the holy place and
the most holy." Ex. 26:33. "And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and
put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour
out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar." Verse 30.
4. What was in the first apartment, or holy place?
"For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was
the candlestick,and the table, and the showbread; which is called NOTE.-After a person discovered his sin by the law which
the sanctuary." Heb. 9:2. "And he put the golden altar in the tent demanded the death of the transgressor, he first brought his
of the congregation before the veil." Ex. 40:26. See also Ex. offering, then he confessed his sin while laying his hands on the
30:1-6. head of the victim, thus, in figure, transferring his sin to the
victim; the victim was next slain in the court, or outer part of the
sanctuary, and its blood put on the horns of the altar and poured
5. What was contained in the second apartment? at the foot of the altar. In this way sins were pardoned, and, in
"And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the the typical service, transferred to the sanctuary.
holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the
covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was . . . the
tables of the covenant."Heb. 9:3,4. See also Ex. 40:20,21. 13. After the accumulation of the sins of the year in this way,
what service took place on the tenth day of the seventh
month of each year?
6. By what name was the cover of the ark known? "And this shall be a statute forever unto you: that in the seventh
"And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above upon the ark; and in month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your
the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee." Ex. souls, . . . for on that day shall the priest make an atonement for
25:21. you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins
before the Lord." Lev. 16:29,30.
7. Where was God to meet with Israel?
"And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with 14. How was the sanctuary itself to be cleansed, and how
thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim were the sins of the people to be finally disposed of?
which are upon the ark of the testimony." Verse 22. "And he [the high priest] shall take of the congregation of the
children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin-offering. . . . And
8. What was in the ark, under the mercy-seat? he shall take the two goats, and present them before the Lord at
"And He wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall
commandments. . . . And I turned myself and came down from cast lots upon the two goats, one lotfor the Lord, and the other
the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made." Deut. lot for the scapegoat." Verses 5-8.
10:4,5.
NOTE.-The Hebrew word for scapegoat is Azazel. See margin of
9. When did the priest minister in the first apartment of the verse 8. It is used as a proper name, and according to the
sanctuary? opinion of the most ancient Hebrews and Christians, refers to
"Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go Satan, or the angel who revolted and persisted in rebellion and
incontinually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the sin.
services." Heb. 9:6, R.V.
15. What was done with the blood of the goat upon which
10. Who alone went into the second apartment, how often, the Lord's lot fell?
and for what purpose? "Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering, that is for the
"But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, people, and bring his blood within the veil, . . . and sprinkle it
not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors upon the mercy-seat,and before the mercy-seat." Verse 15.
of the people." Verse 7..
16. Why was it necessary to make this atonement?
11. What were sinners desiring pardon instructed to do? "And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of
"And if anyone of the common people sin through ignorance, the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their
while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the
the Lord. . . then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in
female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned. And he the midst of their uncleanness." Verse 16.
shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin-offering, and slay the
sin-offering in the place of the burnt offering." Lev. 4:27-29. NOTE.-Sins were conveyed into the sanctuary during the year by
the blood of the personal sin-offerings offered daily at the door of
NOTE.-According to this, if a man sinned in Israel, he violated the tabernacle. Here they remained until the day of atonement,
one of the ten commandments that were in the ark under the when the high priest went into the most holy place with the blood
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of the goat on which the Lord's lot fell; and, bearing the sanctuary, can be made, which must take place at the time
accumulated sins of the year in before the mercy-seat, he there, assigned of God for it. And when the great atonement, or
in type, atoned for them, and so cleansed the sanctuary. cleansing, of the heavenly sanctuary has been made, God's
people will be forever free from sin, and the fate of all will be
17. After having made atonement for the people in the most forever sealed. See Rev. 22:11. This, as in the type will be a day
holy place, what did the high priest next do? of judgment.
"And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, The round of service in the earthly sanctuary was God's service.
It had to do with the sins of the people; not that the blood of the
and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall
bring the live goat: and Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the sacrifices offered there could in itself take away their sins, for it is
expressly said that it could not. Heb. 10:4. It could, however,
head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of
the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, show their faith in the efficacy of Christ's blood yet to be spilled,
putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away and to which the sanctuary work was intended constantly to
by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness."Verses 20,21. direct their minds. The work there was a type, or shadow, of
Christ's atoning work, and, as such, carries with it a significance
that cannot be overestimated. Upon a correct understanding of
NOTE.-The offering of the Lord's goat cleansed the sanctuary. the type depends a correct understanding of the antitype. The
By this offering the sins of the people, transferred there during entire sanctuary service was an object-lesson of most important
the year, were, in type, atoned for; but they were not by this and vital gospel truth,-that of man's salvation and the atonement
offering finally disposed of, or destroyed. The scapegoat, of sin.
symbolizing Satan, the great tempter and originator of sin, was
brought to the sanctuary, and upon his head were placed all
these sins which Satin had tempted God's people to commit. 23. What relation does the earthly sanctuary sustain to the
heavenly?
"Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as
18. What final disposition was made of the sins of the Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the
people? tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things
"And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount." Heb. 8:5.
not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness."
Verse 22.
24. By what comparison is it shown that the heavenly
sanctuary will be cleansed?
19. What was this earthly sanctuary and its round of "It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the
service? heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things
"Which was a figure for the time then present." Heb. 9:9. themselves with better sacrifices than these." Heb. 9:23.
20. Of what sanctuary, or tabernacle, is Christ the minister? 25. When Christ has finished His priestly mediatorial work in
"A minister of the sanctuary, arid of the true tabernacle, which the heavenly sanctuary, what decree will go forth?
the Lord pitched, and not man." Heb. 8:2. "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let
him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous
21. Of what was the blood of all the sacrifices of the former still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Rev. 22:11.
dispensation only a type?
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own 26. What event is directly connected with the blotting out of
blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained sin and the final refreshing from God's presence?
eternal redemption for us." Heb. 9:12. See Eph. 5:2. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be
blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the
NOTE.-Through the sacrifices and offerings brought to the altar presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ, which
of the earthly sanctuary, the penitent believer was to lay hold of before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive
the merits of Christ, the Saviour to come. In this way, and in this until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken
way only, was there any virtue connected with them. by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began."
Acts 3:19-21.
22. At the death of Christ, what miraculous occurrence
signified that the priestly work and services of the earthly 27. According to the view of the judgment presented
sanctuary were finished? to Daniel, what is to be given to Christ while still before the
"Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up Father?
the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain "I saw. . . and, behold, one like the Son of man came . . . to the
from the top to the bottom." Matt. 27:50,51. Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And
there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all
people, nations, and languages, should serve Him." Dan.
NOTES.-Type had met antitype; the shadow had reached the 7:13,14.
substance. Christ, the great sacrifice, had been slain, and was
about to enter upon His final work as our great high priest in the
sanctuary in heaven. 28. What will occur when the Lord descends from heaven?
The priestly work in the earthly sanctuary was typical of the work "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. In the earthly, the atonement with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:
was performed on the last day of the ceremonial year. All who and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and
did not then have their sins atoned for were "cut off," and the remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to
camp was cleansed from sin. The atonement day was virtually a meet the Lord in the air:and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1
day of judgment for Israel, and the people whose sins had been Thess. 4:16,17.
atoned for were free from sin, and could enter upon the services
of the new year clean in the sight of God. This work was kept up 29. What statement immediately following the
year after year. In the heavenly sanctuary, the sacrifice is offered announcement mentioned in Rev. 22:11, indicates that a
but once; and but one atonement, or cleansing of the heavenly judgment work had been in progress before Christ comes?
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"And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give 31. How may one know that this does not refer to the earthly
every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12. sanctuary?
"He said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of
NOTE.-The typical sanctuary service is fully met in the work of the end shall be the vision." Verse 17.
Christ. As the atonement day of the former dispensation was
really a day of judgment, so the atonement work of Christ will NOTE.-The prophetic period of 2300 days (years) extends to
include the investigation of the cases of His people prior to His 1844 A.D., while the divinely appointed services of the earthly
coming the second time to receive them unto Himself. sanctuary ceased at the cross (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 27:50,51), and
the sanctuary itself was destroyed in 70 A.D., when Titus
30. Is there a specified time for the cleansing of the captured Jerusalem. For explanation of the period here
heavenly sanctuary? mentioned, see the preceding reading.
"And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred
days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Dan. 8:14.
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Chapter 55: The Judgment
1. WHAT assurance have we that there will be a judgment? NOTE.-During this judgment scene, both the righteous and the
"God. . . hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the wicked dead are still in their graves. The record of each one's life,
world." Acts 17:30,31. however, is in the books of heaven, and by that record their
characters and deeds are well known. Christ is there to appear in
behalf of those who have chosen Him as their advocate. 1 John
2. Was the judgment still future in Paul's day?
"As he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to 2:1. He presents His blood, as He appeals for their sins to be
come,Felix trembled." Acts 24:25. blotted from the books of record. As the place of judgment is in
heaven, where God's throne is, and as Christ is present in
person, it follows that the work of judgment is also in heaven. All
3. How many must meet the test of the judgment? are judged by the record of their lives, and thus answer for the
"I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the deeds done in the body. This work will not only decide forever
wicked."Eccl. 3:17. "For we must all appear before the the cases of the dead, but will also close the probation of all who
judgment-seat of Christ;that every one may receive the things are living, after which Christ will come to take to Himself those
done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be who have been found loyal to Him.
good or bad." 2 Cor. 5:10.
12. After the subjects of the kingdom have been determined
4. What reason did Solomon give for urging all to fear God by the investigative judgment, what is given to Christ?
and keep His commandments? "And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a
"For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve
thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:14. Him." Dan. 7:14.
5. What view of the judgment scene was given Daniel? 13. When He comes the second time, what title will He bear?
"I beheld till the thrones were cast down [placed, R.V.], and the "And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name
Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and written, King of kings, and Lord of lords." Rev. 19:16.
the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the
fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued
14. What will He then do for each one?
and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered
unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with
His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his
Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." Dan.
7:9,10. works."Matt. 16:27. See also Rev. 22:12.
6. Out of what will all be judged? 15. Where will Christ then take His people?
"In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I
"And the books were opened: and another book was opened,
which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go
things which were written in the books, according to their works." and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you
Rev. 20:12. unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2,3.
7. For whom has a book of remembrance been written? 16. How many of the dead will be raised?
"For the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and
the Lord harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have
was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done
thought upon His name."Mal. 3:16. See Rev. 20:12. evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5:28,29. See also
Acts 24:15.
8. Who opens the judgment and presides over it?

"I beheld till the thrones were cast down [placed], and the 17. What time intervenes between the two resurrections?
Ancient of days did sit." Dan. 7:9. "And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness
of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped
the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon
9. Who minister to God, and assist in the judgment? their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with
"Thousand thousands [of angels] ministered unto Him, and ten Christ a thousand years.But the rest of the dead lived not again
thousand times ten thousand stood before Him." Verse 10. See until the thousand years were finished." Rev. 20:4,5.
Rev. 5:11.
18. What work did Daniel see finally assigned to the saints?
10. Who is brought before the Father at this time? "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and
"I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, one like the Son of prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came,
man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the
days, and they brought Him near before Him." Dan. 7:13. time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." Dan. 7:21,22.
11. What does Christ as the advocate of His people confess 19. How long will the saints engage in this work of
before the Father and His angels? judgment?
"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; "I And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was
and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will given unto them: . . . and they lived and reigned with Christ a
confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." Rev. thousand years." Rev. 20:4.
3:5. See Matt. 10:32,33; Mark 8:38.
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20. Who will thus be judged by the saints? advent; the judgment of the lost world and wicked angels by
"Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the Christ and the saints during the one thousand years following the
world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the second advent; and the executive judgment, or punishment of
smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how the wicked at the close of this period. The investigative judgment
much more things that pertain to this life?" 1 Cor. 6:2,3. takes place in heaven before Christ comes, in order to ascertain
who are worthy to be raised in the first resurrection, at His
21. How will the decisions of the judgment be executed? coming, and who among the living are to be changed in the
twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trump. It is necessary
"And out of His [Christ's] mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it
He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of for this to take place before the second advent, as there will be
no time for such a work between the coming of Christ and the
iron: and He treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath
of Almighty God." Rev. 19:15. raising of the righteous dead. The executive Judgment on the
wicked occurs after their cases have been examined by the
saints during the thousand years. Rev. 20:4,5; 1 Cor. 6:1-3. The
22. Why is the execution of the judgment given to Christ? investigative judgment is that which is announced to the world by
"For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the the angel's message of Rev. 14:6,7.
Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to
execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man." John
5:26,27.
23. How was the opening of the judgment to be made known Thou Judge of quick and dead,
Before whose bar severe,
to the world?
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the With holy joy or guilty dread,
everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, We all shall soon appear,-
and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying Our cautioned souls prepare
with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour For that tremendous day,
of His judgment is come." Rev. 14:6,7. And fill us now with watchful care,
And stir us up to pray.
CHARLES WESLEY.
NOTE.-There are three phases of the judgment mentioned in the
Scriptures,-the investigative judgment, preceding the second
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Chapter 56: The Judgment-Hour Message
1. WHAT prophetic view of the judgment was given Daniel? judgment-hour at hand, and calling upon all to worship the
"I beheld till the thrones were cast down [placed], and Creator. The facts of history answer to this interpretation of the
the Ancient of days did sit: . . . thousand thousands ministered prophecy: for at this very time (1844) just such a message was
unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before being proclaimed in various parts of the world. This was the
Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." Dan. beginning of the great second advent message which is now
7:9,10. being proclaimed throughout the world.
2. What assurance has God given of the judgment? 11. How is the true God distinguished from all false gods?
"Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge "Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the
the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth. . . .
whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath He [the true God] hath made the earth by His power, He hath
raised Him from the dead." Acts 17:31. established the world by His wisdom, and hath stretched out the
heavens by His discretion."Jer. 10:11,12.
3. What message announces the judgment-hour come?
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the 12. For what reason is worship justly due to God?
everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, "For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. . . .
and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying The sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry
with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before
of His judgment iscome: and worship Him that made heaven, the Lord ourMaker." Ps. 95:3-6.
and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Rev. 14:6,7.
13. Why do the inhabitants of heaven worship God?
4. In view of the judgment-hour, what is proclaimed anew? "The four and twenty elders fall down before Him, saying, Thou
"The everlasting gospel." Verse 6, first part. art worthy; O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for
Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and
5. How extensively is this message to be proclaimed? were created." Rev. 4:10,11.
"To every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Verse 6,
last part. 14. What memorial did God establish of His creative power?
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. For in six days the
6. What is the whole world called upon to do? Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them
"Fear God, and give glory to Him." Verse 7. is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the
Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Ex. 20:8-11.
7. What special reason is given for this?
"For the hour of His judgment is come." Same verse. 15. What place has the Sabbath in the work of salvation?
"Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between
8. Whom are all called upon to worship? Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord
"Him that made heaven, and earth." Same verse. that sanctify them." Eze. 20:12.
NOTE.-There is only one gospel (Rom. 1:16,17. Gal. 1:8), first
announced in Eden (Gen. 3:15), preached to Abraham (Gal. 3:8) 16. How many are concerned in the judgment?
and to the children of Israel (Heb. 4:1,2), and proclaimed anew in "For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ;
every generation. In Its development, the gospel meets the thateveryone may receive the things done in his body, according
needs of every crisis in the world's history. John the Baptist in his to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor. 5:10.
preaching announced the kingdom of heaven at hand (Matt.
3:1,2), and prepared the way for the first advent. John 1:22,23. 17. What will be the standard in the judgment?
Christ Himself in His preaching of the gospel announced the "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one
fulfillment of a definite-time prophecy (the sixty-nine weeks, or point, he is guilty of all. For He that said) Do not commit adultery,
483 years, of Dan. 9:25), and called the people to repentance, in said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou
view of the coming of the predicted Messiah. Mark 1:14,15. So kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and
when the time of the judgment comes, and Christ's second so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." James
advent is near, a world-wide announcement of these events is to 2:10-12.
be made in the preaching of the everlasting gospel adapted to
meet the need of the hour. 18. In view of the judgment, what exhortation is given?
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and
9. What prophetic period extends to the time of the keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For
cleansing of the sanctuary, or the investigative judgment? God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,
"And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:13,14.
days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Dan. 8:14. NOTE.-A comparison of Rev. 14:7 with Eccl. 12:13,14, suggests
that the way to give glory to God is to keep His commandments.
10. When did this long period expire? and that in giving the judgment-hour message, the duty of
In A. D. 1844. See reading in chapter 53. keeping the commandments would be emphasized. This is
NOTE.-Our Lord based His preaching of the gospel upon the plainly shown in the description given of the people who are
fulfillment of the first part of the 2300 days, or years (Mark gathered out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people as the
1:14,15), a prophecy which determined the time of the first result of the preaching of this message, in connection with the
advent. The whole period extends to the time of the judgment, other messages which immediately follow and accompany it. Of
just preceding the second advent, and at its expiration a special this people it is said, "Here are they that keep the
gospel message is sent to all the world proclaiming the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12.
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Chapter 57: The Fall of Modern Babylon
1. WHAT announcement immediately follows the judgment- the wine of Babylon while worship was offered to the false gods.
hour message of Rev. 14:6,7? Then came the handwriting on the wall, and the fall of ancient
"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is Babylon.
fallen,that great city." Rev. 14:8, first part.
12. In the visions of John, what interpretation is given to the
2. What reason is assigned for the fall of Babylon? woman who sat upon many waters?
"Because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which
her fornication." Same verse, last part. reigneth over the kings of the earth." Rev. 17:18.
3. How was the overthrow of ancient Babylon foretold? NOTE.-The great city which reigned over the kings of the earth in
"And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' John's time was Rome, and that city has given its name to the
excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and church which is represented by the woman, the Church of Rome,
Gomorrah." Isa. 13:19. or the Papacy.
4. What call was made to come out of Babylon? 13. In this same prophecy, how is the Church of Rome, the
"Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: Papacy, designated as the antitype of ancient Babylon?
be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord's "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY,
vengeance; He will render unto her a recompense." Jer. 51:6. BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND
ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Verse 5.
5. What did ancient Babylon do to all the nations?
"Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, that made 14. What specific statement emphasizes this identification?
all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of "With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication,
her wine; therefore the nations are mad." Verse 7. and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the
wine of her fornication." Verse 2. See verse 4.
6. What was the effect of this apostasy?
"Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take NOTES.-The Church of Rome is called Babylon, and its religion
balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed." Verse 8. is a revival of the religion of ancient Babylon. She claims a
priesthood with exceptional powers and privileges, just as did
7. Just before the fall of Babylon, what did her king do? ancient Babylon. Through the dogma of the immaculate
"Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his conception of the Virgin Mary, she denies that God in Christ
lords, anddrank wine before the thousand." Dan. 5:1. dwelt in the same flesh as fallen man has, just as ancient
Babylon did. See Dan. 2:11. She claims universal spiritual
jurisdiction and demands submission under pains and penalties,
8. By what command did the king repudiate the religion just as ancient Babylon did. See Daniel 3. She repudiates the
taught in Babylon by Daniel and others who feared God? fundamental gospel truth of justification by faith, and boasts of
"Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the works, just as ancient Babylon did. See Dan. 4:30. A careful
golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had comparison of the ritual of ancient and modern Babylon shows
taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, that the latter is copied from the former; and it is easy to trace
and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink the connection historically through the paganism of political
therein." Verse 2. Rome.
On the overthrow of Babylon by the Persians who nourished a
9. What marked the climax of Babylon's apostasy? traditional hatred for its idolatry, the Chaldean priesthood fled to
"Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the Pergamos, in Asia Minor, and made it the headquarters of their
temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the religion. . . . The last pontiff king of Pergamos was Attalus III,
king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in who at his death bequeathed his dominions and authority to the
them." Verse 3. Roman people, 133 B.C., and from that time the two lines of
Pontifex Maximus were merged in the Roman one.-"The False
Christ," J. Garnier, London, George Allen, 1900, Vol. II pages 94,
10. While drinking the wine, what gods did they honor? 95. Thus did the religion of ancient Babylon become the religion
"They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of of modern Babylon.
brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone." Verse 4.
15. What did Jesus say of the sacramental wine?
11. What immediately followed this complete apostasy? "This cup is the new covenant in My blood." Luke 22:20, R.V.
"In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about
threescore and two years old." Verses 30,31. 16. What is the essential teaching of the new covenant?
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, saith the Lord; I will put My laws into their mind,
NOTE.-The gospel of the kingdom was preached in Babylon and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and
(see reading on "The Gospel of the Kingdom," chapter 49), and they shall be to Me a people." Heb. 8:10.
Nebuchadnezzar was brought to acknowledge and to worship
the true God. But after the death of Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon
relapsed into idolatry again, and this apostasy was rendered 17. When Christ thus ministers the law in the heart, what
hopeless when Belshazzar used the sacred vessels from the does it become?
house of God, dedicated to the worship of God, in which to drink "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me
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free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, or another, rejected many fundamental doctrines of the Bible,
in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son such as,-
in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the The fall of man.
flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, The Bible doctrine of sin.
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:2-4. The infallibility of the Scriptures.
The sufficiency of the Scriptures as a rule of faith and practise.
18. In what other statement is this same truth expressed? The Deity of Christ, and His consequent headship over the
church.
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the
words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." The miraculous conception and the virgin birth of our Lord.
The resurrection of Christ from the grave.
John 6:63.
The vicarious, expiatory, and propitiatory atonement of Christ.
Salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
19. What kind of teaching have men substituted for the Regeneration by the power of the Holy Ghost.
words which are spirit and life? The efficacy of the all-prevailing name of Christ in prayer.
"Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the The ministration and guardianship of holy angels.
commandments of men. . . . And He said unto them, Full well ye Miracles as the direct manifestation and interposition of God's
reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your power.
own tradition." Mark 7:7-9. Although many leaders of modem Protestantism known as
higher critics have not formally adopted the creed of the Church
NOTES.-There are two cups, the cup of the Lord and the cup of of Rome, and have not become an organic part of that body, yet
Babylon. The Wine in the Lord's cup represents the living truth, they belong to the same class in rejecting the authority of God's
''as the truth is in Jesus;" the wine in the cup of Babylon Word, and accepting in its place the product of their own
represents her false doctrines, her substitution of human tradition reasonings. There is just as much apostasy in the one case as in
for the living word and law of God, and the illicit connection the other, and both must therefore be included in Babylon, and
which she has made between the church and the secular power, both will go down in the fall of Babylon. The warning message
depending upon political power to enforce her teachings, rather applies with equal force to both classes.
than upon the power of God. By this very thing, while maintaining
a form of godliness, she denies the power thereof. 2 Tim. 3:1-5. 21. To what extent is the apostasy, or fall, of modern
The following quotation states the position of that church in Babylon, the mother, and of her daughters, to be carried?
regard to tradition: "Though these two divine streams [the Bible "And after these things I saw another angel come down from
and tradition] are in themselves, on account of their divine origin, heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his
of equal sacredness, and are both full of revealed truths, still, of glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon
the two, tradition is to us more clear and safe."-"Catholic Belief," the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of
Rev. Joseph Faa Di Bruno, D. D. (Roman Catholic), page 45. devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every
The substitution of the law of the church for the law of God, in unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine
fulfilment of the prophecy in Dan. 7:25, testifies to the complete of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have
subordination of the Word of God to the authority of the church. committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth
The world-wide teaching of these doctrines in place of the pure are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." Rev.
gospel has led the world astray, and has made all the nations 18:1-3.
drink of the wine of her fornication. The Reformation of the
sixteenth century was an effort to return to the pure truths of
God's Word. In this the Reformers denied the supremacy of NOTE.-In its largest sense, Babylon includes all false religions-
tradition over the Bible. all apostasy. The gospel message announcing her final
overthrow should be a cause of rejoicing to every lover of truth
and righteousness.
20. What relation does the Church of Rome sustain to other
apostate churches?
"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, 22. What final call to come out of Babylon is to go forth?
BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of
ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Rev. 17:5. her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that
ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto
heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Verses 4,5.
NOTES.-In the creed of Pope Pius IV, an authoritative statement
of Roman Catholic belief, is found this statement: "I acknowledge
the Holy Catholic Apostolic Church forthe mother and mistress of 23. How complete is to be the fall of modern Babylon?
all churches."-Article 10. When the professed Protestant "And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and
churches repudiate the fundamental principle of Protestantism by cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great
setting aside the authority of God's Word, and accepting tradition city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at
and human speculation in its place, they adopt the fundamental all. . . . And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints,
and of all that were slain upon the earth." Verses 21-24.
principle of modern Babylon, and may be regarded as the
daughters of Babylon. Their fall is then included in the fall of
Babylon, and calls for a proclamation of the fall of modern 24. What song of triumph follows the overthrow of Babylon?
Babylon. "Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad
Many representatives of modern Protestantism have, in one way and rejoice, and give honor to Him." Rev. 19:6,7.
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Chapter 58: The Closing Gospel Message
1. WHAT indicates that the messages of the judgment-hour 7. Whose sovereignty is thus challenged?
and the fall of Babylon are two parts of a threefold "Forasmuch as there is none like unto Thee, O Lord; Thou art
message? great, and Thy name is great in might." Jer. 10:6. See also Ps.
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice." 71:19; 86:8; 89:6,8.
Rev. 14:9, first clause.
8. What specifications of "the man of sin" are thus fully
2. What apostasy from the worship of God is named in this met?
message? "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not
"If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin
his mark in his forehead, or in his hand." Same verse, last part. be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth
himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that
3. What is to be the fate of those who, instead of worshiping he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he
God, engage in this false worship? is God." 2 Thess. 2:3,4. See Chapter 51 of this book.
"The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is
poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he 9. What did Babylon give to the nations to drink?
shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the "She made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her
holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of fornication."Rev. 14:8, last part, See Chapter 57 of this book.
their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no
rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and 10. What are those to drink who accept the teachings of
whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." Verses 10,11. See Babylon, and thus render homage to the beast?
Isa. 33:13-17; 34:1-10; 1 Cor. 3:13; Heb. 12:29. "The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is
poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation." Verse
4. How are those described who heed this warning? 10, first part.
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the
commandments of, God, and the faith of Jesus." Verse 12. NOTE.-The cup of the Lord, which contains the new covenant in
the blood of Christ, and the cup of the wine of the wrath of
5. What description is given of the beast against whose Babylon are both offered to the world. To drink of the former, that
worship this closing warning message is given? is, to accept the teaching of the true gospel, is to receive
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up everlasting life; but to drink of the wine of Babylon, that is, to
out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his accept the false gospel taught by the Papacy, will result in
horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. drinking of the wine of the wrath of God from the cup of His
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet indignation. The true gospel means everlasting life; the false
were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: gospel means everlasting death.
and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great
authority." Rev. 13:1,2. 11. Under what threatened penalty is the worship of the
image of the beast enforced?
NOTE.-In this composite beast from the sea are combined the "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that
symbols of the seventh chapter of Daniel, representing Greece, the image of the beast should both speak, and cause [decree]
Medo-Persia, and Babylon. The blasphemous words spoken by that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should
it, its persecution of the saints, and the time allotted to it (verses be killed." Rev. 13:15.
5-7) show that this beast, under one of its seven-headed
manifestations, is identical with the little horn of the vision of the NOTE.-For an explanation of the image of the beast, see reading
seventh chapter of Daniel, modern Babylon, the Papacy. See on "Making an Image to the Beast," Chapter 61 of this book.
reading on "The Kingdom and Work of Antichrist," page 218. The
false worship here mentioned, the worship of the beast, is the
rendering of that homage to the Papacy which is due to God 12. What universal boycott is to be employed, in an attempt
alone. The system of religion enforced by the Papacy is the to compel all to receive the mark of the beast?
paganism of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free
indicated by the composite character of the beast (verse 2), and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their
disguised under the forms and names of Christianity. The foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had
Pontifex Maximus of the ancient pagan religions was continued the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his
in the Pope, who is the head of the Roman priesthood, and who, name." Verses 16,17.
in the exercise of his priestly functions, took away the mediation
of Christ, and substituted a system of human mediation in its NOTE.-Regarding the mark of the beast, see reading on "The
place, thus fulfilling the prophecy recorded in the eighth chapter Seal of God and the Mark of Apostasy," Chapter 98 of this book.
of Daniel. See reading on "The Vicar of Christ," Chapter 52 of
this book.
13. Who is the real power operating through the beast and
his image, and demanding worship?
6. What challenge is made by those who worship the beast? "The dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great
"And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the authority." Verse 2, last part.
beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the
beast? who is able to make war with him?" Verse 4.
14. Who is this dragon?
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called
94
the Devil,and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was 17. How many will yield to the demand to worship the
cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." beast?
Rev. 12:9. "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose
names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from
15. How did the devil seek to induce Jesus to worship him? the foundation of the world." Rev. 13:8.
"And the devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, showed
unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And 18. In the judgment-hour message, whom are all called upon
the devil said unto Him, All this power will I give Thee, and the to fear, glorify, and worship?
glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I "Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for
will I give it. If Thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made
Thine." Luke 4:5-7. heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of
waters." Rev. 14:7.
16. How did Jesus show His loyalty to God?
"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind Me, 19. Who will sing the song of Moses and the Lamb on the
Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and sea of glass?
Him only shalt thou serve." Verse 8. "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them
that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image,
and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on
NOTE.-The threefold message of Rev. 14:6-12 is proclaimed in
connection with the closing scenes of the great controversy the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the
song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb,
between Christ and Satan. Lucifer has sought to put himself in
the place of God (Isa. 14:12-14), and to secure to himself the saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty;
worship which is due God alone. The final test comes over the just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not
commandments of God. Those who acknowledge the supremacy fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy:
of the beast by yielding obedience to the law of God as changed for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy
and enforced by the Papacy, when the real issue has been judgments are made manifest." Rev. 15:2-4.
clearly defined, will, in so doing, worship the beast and his image,
and receive his mark. Such will take the side of Satan in his
rebellion against the authority of God.
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Chapter 59: Satan's Warfare Against the Church
1. UNDER what figure was the Christian church represented NOTE.-Primarily the dragon represents Satan, the great enemy
to the apostle John? and persecutor of the church in all ages. But Satan works
"And there appeared a great wonder [margin, sign] in heaven; a through principalities and powers in his efforts to destroy the
womanclothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and people of God. It was through a Roman king, King Herod, that he
upon her head a crown of twelve stars." Rev. 12:1. sought to destroy Christ as soon as He was born. Matt. 2:16.
Rome must therefore be symbolized by the dragon. The seven
NOTES.- Frequently in the Scriptures a woman is used to heads of the dragon are interpreted by some to refer to the
represent the church. See Jer. 6:2; 2 Cor. 11:2. The sun "seven hills" upon which the city of Rome is built; by others, to
represents the light of the gospel with which the church was the seven forms of government through which Rome passed;
clothed at the first advent (I John 2:8); the moon under her feet, and by still others, and more broadly, to the seven great
the waning light of the former dispensation; and the twelve stars, monarchies which have oppressed the people of God; namely,
Egypt, Assyria, Chaldea, Persia, Greece, pagan Rome, and
the twelve apostles.
"Woman in her innocence was attacked by 'that old serpent, papal Rome, in either of which Rome is represented and
included. See Chapter 60. The ten horns, as in the fourth beast
called , the Devil, and Satan.'. . . At the end of that first crafty
assault and speedy victory the dragon met with his rebuff, in of Daniel 7, evidently refer to the ten kingdoms into which Rome
was finally divided, and thus again identify the dragon with the
words like these: 'The seed of the woman shall bruise thy head,
and thou shalt bruise His heel.'. . . In the Revelation the scene is Roman power.
changed from Eden to the heavens, and before you stand again
the woman and the serpent, in the same position of antagonism 6. How is the conflict between Christ and Satan described?
as before, the serpent still the assailant, only this time more "And there was war in heaven; Michael and His angels fought
openly so. . . . The woman is no longer a simple, childlike against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and
personage, but a wonder; she walks not among the trees and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
flowers, but amid the orbs of heaven. She is clothed with the sun, And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the
the moon is under her feet, and upon her head is a coronet of Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast
twelve stars. In her you see the great cause of truth and out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Verses
righteousness embodied - she is, in fact, the church of God in all 7-9.
ages, the woman whose Seed blesses all the nations of the
earth." - C. H. Spurgeon, in The Tabernacle Pulpit, March 15, NOTE.-This conflict, begun in heaven, continues on earth. Near
1886.
the close of Christ's ministry, He said, "I beheld Satan as
lightning fall from heaven." Luke 10:18. "Now is the judgment of
2. How is the church at the first advent described? this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." John
"And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to 12:31. From the councils of the representatives of the various
be delivered." Verse 2. worlds to which Satan, as the prince of this world, was formerly
admitted (Job 1:6,7; 2:1,2), he was cast out when he crucified
Christ, the Son of God.
NOTE.-The church is in labor and pain while she brings forth
Christ and her children, in the midst of afflictions and
persecutions. See Rom. 8:19,22; 1 John 3:1,2; 2 Tim. 3:12. 7. What shout of triumph was heard in heaven following the
victory gained by Christ?
"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come
3. How are the birth, work, and ascension of Christ briefly
described? salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the
"And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast
with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to down, which accused them before our God day and night. . . .
His throne." Verse 5. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them."
Verses 10-12.
NOTE.-Specifically this must refer to Christ (see Ps. 2:7-9) ; but

through Him is also prefigured the experience of the people of 8. Why was woe at this same time proclaimed to the world?
God, who finally in the judgment are to share with Christ in ruling "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is
the nations with a rod of iron (Rev. 2:26,27), and, like Him, when come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth
their work on earth is accomplished be "caught up," at His that he hath but a short time." Verse 12, last part.
appearing, to God and to His throne. 1 Thess. 4:15-17.
NOTE.-This not only shows that, since the crucifixion of Christ,
4. What other sign, or wonder, appeared in heaven? Satan knows that his doom is sealed, and that he has but a
"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a limited time in which to work, but that his efforts are largely if not
great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven wholly now confined to this world, and concentrated upon its
crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the inhabitants. Better than many professed Christians, Satan knows
that time is short.
stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon
stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to
devour her child as soon as it was born." Verses 3,4. 9. What did the dragon do when cast to the earth?
"And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he
persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child." Verse
5. Who is this dragon said to be?
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called 13.
the Devil,and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world." Verse 9.
96
NOTE.-The persecution of Christians began under pagan Rome, the cause of reform by staying the hand of persecution and
but was carried on far more extensively under papal Rome. Matt. protecting the lives of those who dared to take their stand for the
24:21,22. right. The discovery of America, and the opening up of this
country as an asylum for the oppressed of Europe at this time,
10. What definite period of time was allotted to this great may also be included in the "help" here referred to.
persecution of God's people under papal Rome?
"And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that 13. What did Christ say would be the result if the days of
she might fly into the wilderness, unto her place, where she is persecution were not shortened?
nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of "Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh
the serpent." Verse 14. be saved:but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
Matt. 24:22.
NOTE.-This is the same period as that mentioned in Dan. 7:25
and, like the ten horns, identifies the dragon with the fourth beast 14. Still bent on persecution, how does Satan manifest his
of Daniel 7, and its later work with the work of the little horn of enmity against the remnant church?
that same beast. In Rev. 13:5 this period is referred to as "forty- "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make
two months," and in Rev. 12:6 as 1260 days, each representing war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the
1260 literal years, the period allotted to the supremacy of papal commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
Rome. Beginning in 538 A.D., it ended in 1798, when the Pope Christ." Rev. 12:17.
was taken prisoner by the French. The woman fleeing into the
wilderness fittingly describes the condition of the church during
NOTE.-To the very end, Satan will persecute and seek to
those times of bitter persecution. destroy the people of God. Against the remnant, or last portion of
the church, he is especially to make war. Their obedience to
11. What was Satan's design in thus persecuting the God's commandments, and their possession of the testimony of
church? Jesus, or spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10), are especially offensive
"And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the to him, and excite his intense ire.
woman,that he might cause her to be carried away of the
flood." Verse 15.
12. How was the flood stayed, and Satan's design defeated? Soldiers of Christ, arise,
"And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her And put your armor on;
mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of Fight, for the battle will be ours;
his mouth." Verse 16. We fight to win a crown.
NOTE.-The mountain fastnesses quiet retreats, and secluded We fight not against flesh,
valleys of southwestern Europe for centuries shielded many who We wrestle not with blood;
refused allegiance to the Papacy. Here, too, may be seen the But principalities and powers,
results of the work of the Reformation of the sixteenth century, And for the truth of God.
when many of the governments of Europe came to the help of CHARLES WESLEY.
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Chapter 60: A Great Persecuting Power
1. WHAT is the first symbol of Revelation 13? "And there was given into him a mouth speaking great things and
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and
the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to
crowns and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." Rev. 13:1. blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in
heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and
NOTES.-As already learned from studying the book of Daniel, a to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and
beast in prophecy represents some great earthly power or kingdom; tongues, and nations." Verses 5-7.
a head, a governing power; horns, a number of kingdoms; crowned
heads or crowned horns, political rulership; waters, "peoples, and
NOTE.-All these specifications have been fully and accurately met in
multitudes and nations, and tongues. Rev. 17:15.
the Papacy, and identify this beast as representing the same power
"The beasts of Daniel and John are empires. The ten-horned beast is
as that represented by the little horn phase of the fourth beast of
the Roman power. . . . The head is the governing power of the body.
Daniel 7, and the little horn of Daniel 8, in its chief and essential
The heads of this beast represent successive governments,"-
features and work. See Dan. 7:25; 8:11, 12, 24, 25. See readings in
"Romanism and the Reformation," by H. Grattan Guinness, pages
Chapter 51. and 52. of this book. For an explanation of the time
144, 145.
period mentioned, see readings in Chapter 51. and 52. of this book.
2. How is this beast further described?
"And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet 5. What was to be inflicted upon one of the heads of this beast?
were asthe feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his
lion." Verse 2, first part. deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the
beast." Verse 3.
NOTES.-These are the characteristics of the first three symbols of
Daniel 7,-the lion, bear, and leopard there representing the kingdoms
NOTE.-This wound was inflicted upon the papal head of this beast
of Babylon, Medo-Persia, andGrecia,-and suggest this beast as
representing or belonging to the kingdom symbolized by the fourth when the French, in 1798, entered Rome, and took the Pope
beast of Daniel 7, or Rome. Both have ten horns. Like the dragon of prisoner, and for a time, it seemed, abolished the Papacy. But in
1800 another Pope was placed upon the papal throne, and the
Revelation 12, it also has seven heads; but as the dragon
symbolized Rome in its entirety, particularly in its pagan phase, this, deadly wound began to be healed. Temporal dominion was taken
like the "little horn" coming up among the ten horns of the fourth away from the Papacy in 1870, but nevertheless its power and
influence among the nations have been increasing since then. "In
beast of Daniel 7, represents Rome in its later or papal form. Both it
and the little horn have "a mouth" speaking great things; both make that year," says Mr. Guinness in his work "Romanism and the
war upon the saints; both continue for the same length of time. Reformation," page 156, "the Papacy assumed the highest exaltation
to which it could aspire, that of infallibility." To such a position of
Allowing a very broad meaning to the symbol, the Douay or Catholic
Bible, in a note on Rev. 13:1, explains the seven heads of this beast influence over the nations is the Papacy finally to attain that just
as follows: "The seven heads are seven kings, that is, seven before her complete overthrow and destruction she will say, "I sit a
queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." Rev. 18:7. See
principal kingdoms or empires, which have exercised, or shall
exercise, tyrannical power over the people of God: of these, five Isa. 47:7-15; Rev. 17:18.
were then fallen, viz., the Egyptian, Assyrian, Chaldean, Persian,
and Grecian monarchies; one was present, viz., the empire of Rome; 6. What is said concerning the captivity and downfall of the
and the seventh and chiefest was to come, viz., the great Antichrist Papacy?
and his empire." That the seventh head represents Antichrist there "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth
can be little doubt, See Chapter 59 of this book. with the sword must be killed with the sword." Verse 10. See Ps.
18:25,26; 109:17; Jer. 50:29; Rev. 16:4-6.
3. What did the dragon give this beast?
"And the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great
authority."Verse 2, latter part. 7. What questions asked by its worshipers indicate the great
station to which this beast-power was to attain?
"And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast:
NOTE.-It is an undisputed fact of history that under the later Roman and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast'
emperors, beginning with Constantine, the religion of the Roman who is able to make war with him?" Rev. 13:4.
government was changed from pagan to papal; that when
Constantine removed the seat of his empire from Rome to
Constantinople in 330 A.D., the city of Rome was given up to the 8. How universal is the worship of this power to become?
bishop of Rome, who, from Constantine and succeeding emperors, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names
received rich gifts and great authority; that after the fall of Rome, in are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the
476 A.D., the bishop of Rome became the ruling power in Western foundation of the world." Verse 8.
Rome and by decree of Justinian, March 15, 533, was declared
"head of all the holy churches," and in a letter of the same year he 9. What did John say was to be the end of this beast?
was designated as "corrector of heretics." See Chapter 51. of this "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that
book. Thus Rome pagan became Rome papal; the seat of pagan wrought miracles before him. . . . These both were cast alive into a
Rome became the seat of papal Rome; church and state were lake of fire burning with brimstone." Rev. 19:20. See Isa. 47:7-15; 2
united; and the persecuting power of the dragon was conferred upon Thess. 2:3-8; Rev. 17:16,17; 18:4-8.
the professed head of the church of Christ, or papal Rome. As Dr. H.
Grattan Guinness, in his "Romanism and the Reformation," page 152
says, "The power of the Caesars lived again in the universal 10. In what similar language is the fate of the fourth beast of
dominion of the popes." Daniel 7 described?
"I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the
horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his
4. How are the character, work, period of supremacy, and great body destroyed, andgiven to the burning flame." Dan. 7:11.
power of the beast described?
98
Chapter 61: Making an Image to the Beast
THE PROPHECY OF REVELATION 13
1. WHEN was the papal head of the first beast of Revelation in religious matters. The only way the earthcan be made to
13 wounded? worship is by causing work to cease on it through voluntary or
In 1793-98, by the French Revolution and the temporary enforced rest, or sabbath keeping. "For as long as she [the land]
overthrow of the Papacy in the latter year. lay desolate she kept sabbath."2 Chron. 36:21. Enforced Sunday
observance is evidently implied here.
2. What did the prophet see coming up at this time?
"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he 6. What means will be employed to lead the people back into
had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." Rev. 3:11. this false worship?
"And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of
NOTES.-Mr. Wesley, in his notes or Revelation 13, written in those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the
1754, says of the two-horned beast: "He is not yet come, though beast." Verse 14, first part.
he cannot be far off; for he is to appear at the end of the forty-
two months of the first beast." 7. What will this power propose that the people shall do?
The previous beast came up out of the "sea," which indicates its "Saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make
rise among the peoples and nations of the world then in an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did
existence (Rev. 17:15); while this one comes up out of the live." Verse 14, latter part.
"earth." This would indicate that the later beast would arise
where there had not before been "peoples, and multitudes, and NOTE.- The beast "which had the wound by a sword, and did
nations, and tongues." In 1798, when the papal power received live," is the Papacy. That was a church dominating the civil
its deadly wound, the government of the United States, located power. In other words, it was a union of church and state, and
in the western continent, was the only great and independent enforced its religious dogmas by the civil power, under pain of
nation then coming into prominence in territory not previously confiscation of goods, imprisonment, and death. An image to this
occupied by people, multitudes, and nations. Only nine years beast would be another ecclesiastical organization clothed with
receding this (1789), the United States adopted its national civil power - another union of church and state - to enforce
Constitution. religious dogmas by law.
It is within the territory of the United States, therefore, that we
may look, according to the prophecy, for an ecclesiastical 8. Is there any evidence that such an image will be made?
movement to arise, and exercise a dominating control, not only Large and influential organizations, such as the National Reform
in the civil government of this country, but also in the other Association, the International Reform Bureau, the Lord’s Day
nations of the whole world as well. Alliance of the United States, and the Federal Council of the
Churches of Christ in America, have been formed, by professed
3. What is the character of this new power? Protestants, and for years have been persistently working to that
"He had two horns like a lamb." Rev. 13:11. end. Many Roman Catholic societies recently formed in the
United States, such as the Knights of Columbus and the
NOTE.-The Pilgrim Fathers were the vanguard of a great American Federation of Catholic Societies, are looking to a like
multitude of Protestants, who, when persecuted and outlawed in end - that of making America Catholic.
the lands of their birth, sought refuge in the New World, where
they developed rapidly under the protection of a government 9. What according to its constitution, is the avowed object
founded on the great Christian principles of civil and religious of the National Reform Association?
freedom. The two horns may well symbolize these two "To secure such an amendment to the Constitution of the United
fundamental principles. States as shall . . . indicate that this is a Christian nation, and
place all the Christian laws, institutions, and usages of the
4. Not withstanding the lamblike appearance of this power, government on a undeniably legal basis in the fundamental law
what is it ultimately to do? of the land." - Article II of the Constitution.
"And he spake as a dragon." Rev. 13:11.
NOTES.-Upon the question of making this a "Christian nation,"
NOTE.-The voice of the dragon is the voice of intolerance and Bishop Earl Cranston, D. D., of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
persecution. This indicates that the ecclesiastical development in an address delivered in Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church,
dealt with in this prophecy, obtaining a foothold for its initial Washington, D.C., March 13, 1910, made the following
power and influence in the government of the United States, will observation:-
repudiate the mild and lamblike principles of civil and religious "Suppose this were to be declared a Christian nation by a
liberty, and become like the beast before it, a world-wide Constitutional interpretation to that effect. What would that
persecuting power. This is why in Rev. 19:20 it is called "the mean? Which of the two contending definitions of Christianity
false prophet." Born of the Reformation, it will repudiate would the word Christian indicate? - The Protestant idea, of
Reformation principles. course, for under our system majorities rule, and the majority of
Americans are Protestants. Very well. But suppose that by the
5. How much power will this beast exercise? addition of certain contiguous territory with twelve or more
"And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before millions of Roman Catholics, the annexation of a few more
him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to islands with half as many more, and the same rate of
worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." Verse immigration as now, the majority some years hence should be
12. Roman Catholics, - who doubts for a moment that the reigning
Pope would assume control of legislation and government? He
NOTE.-The "first beast before him" (papal Rome) exercised the would say, with all confidence and consistency, 'This is a
power of persecution and putting to death all who differed from it Christian nation. It was so claimed from the beginning and so
99
declared many years ago. A majority defined then what NOTE.- By all of which is meant the securing, as far as possible,
Christianity was, the majority will define now what Christianity of compulsory State and national Sunday legislation,-the very
now is and is to be.' That 'majority' would be the Pope." - "The means by which the church gained control of the state and by
Church and the Government," page 7. which church and state were united in the fourth and fifth
The National Reformers in their attempts to justify the legal centuries of the Christian era.
establishment of Christianity as the national religion, have
erroneously declared that the statement of Justice Brewer of the 14. What is the purpose of the Federal Council of the
Supreme Court of the United States in 1892, "This is a Christian Churches of Christ in America?
nation," is a decision of the court, whereas it was only a "That the great Christian bodies of our country should stand
statement in the argument leading up to the decision of the court. together" in dealing with "questions like those of marriage and
In a sermon at the centenary of the establishment of the Roman divorce, Sabbath desecration, social evils," etc.-"Report of
Catholic hierarchy in the United States, in 1889, Archbishop Federal Council" (1908), pages 5, 6.
Ireland said: "Our work is to make America Catholic. . . . Our cry
shall be, 'God wills it,' and our hearts shall leap with crusader 15. How does it propose that the matter of "Sabbath
enthusiasm." desecration" shall be dealt with?
The theory of the National Reformers is thus expressed: "Every "That all encroachments upon the claims and the sanctities of
government by equitable laws, is a government of God; a the Lord’s day should be stoutly resisted through the press, the
republic thus governed is of Him, and is as truly and really Lord’s day associations and alliances, and by such legislation as
a theocracy as the commonwealth of Israel." - "Cincinnati may be secured to protect and preserve this bulwark of our
National Reform Convention," page 28. American Christianity." - Id., page 103.
10. How does this association regard the Catholic Church NOTE.-Thus it will be seen that the securing of laws for the
on this point? enforcement of Sunday observance is a prominent feature in all
"We cordially, gladly, recognize the fact that in South American these organizations in their efforts to "Christianize" the nation. In
republics, in France and other European countries the Roman doing this many fail to see that they are repudiating the principles
Catholics are the recognized advocates of national Christianity, of Christianity, of Protestantism, and of the United States
and stand opposed to all the proposals of government, and playing directly into the hand of that power
secularism. . . . Whenever they are willing to cooperate in which originated the Sunday sabbath, and gained control of the
resisting the progress of political atheism, we will gladly join civil power through Sunday legislation - the Papacy.
hands with them in a world’s conference for the promotion of
national Christianity, which ought to be held at no distant day. 16. What action of the American Federation of Catholic
Many countries could be represented only by Roman Catholics." Societies indicates that Catholics will gladly "join hand"
- Christian Statesman, Dec. 11, 1884, official organ of the a with Protestants in enforcing Sunday observance by law?
National Reform Association. "Our Societies in the various parts of the United States have
been urging the abolition of Sunday labor, and have indorsed
11. What has the Pope commanded all Catholics to do? and assisted the movement of closing the post-office on
"First and foremost, it is the duty of all Catholics worthy of the Sunday." - Tenth Annual Convention of American Federation of
name and wishful to be known as the most loving children of the Catholic Societies, Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 20-24, 1911.
church . . . to endeavor to bring back all civil society to the
pattern and form of Christianity which we have described." - NOTES.-With the active cooperation of the Lord’s Day Alliance
Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, "Immortale Dei," Nov. 1, 1885, "The of the United States, a Protestant organization, a proviso was
Great Encyclical Letters of Leo XIII," page 132. attached to the post-office appropriation bill, 1912, requiring that
"hereafter post-offices of the first and second classes shall not
NOTE.-The prophecy says that this power will make an image to be opened on Sundays for the purpose of delivering mail to the
the Papacy. In the days of Constantine and his successors, the general public."
church made use of the civil power to carry out her aims: through The following resolution was adopted by the Boston
this means the Papacy was developed. In our own day the same Archdiocesan Federation of Catholic Societies:-
theory is advocated, and prominent men in the nation, in both "We are unalterable opposed to any relaxation of the Sunday
church and sate, are doing all they can to bring about the same laws. Sunday is a day of rest to be devoted to the praise and
result, which, when their work is completed, cannot fail to fulfil service of God. We hold the safest public policy at present is to
the specifications of the prophecy. The climax will be an image of adhere to the rigid observance of the laws now safeguarding the
the Papacy. sanctity of the Lord’s day."-Boston Pilot, official organ of Cardinal
O’Connell, March 16, 1912.
12. What is the object of the International Reform Bureau?
"The Reform Bureau is the first 'Christian lobby' established at 17. What complaint is made against Sunday trains and
our national capital to speak to government in behalf of al Sunday newspapers?
denominations." -"History of the International Reform Bureau," "They get a great many passengers, and so break up a great
by its founder and superintendent Rev. W. F. Crafts, page 2. many congregations." "The laboring classes are apt to rise late
on Sunday morning, read the Sunday papers, and allow the hour
NOTE.-The securing of compulsory Sunday legislation is one of of worship to go by unheeded." -Elgin (Ill.) Sunday-law
the chief objects of this and other like organizations. Convention, November, 1887.
13. What are the objects of the Lord’s Day Alliance of the NOTES.-In the fourth century, Sunday games and Sunday
United States? theaters, it was complained, "hindered" the "devotion" of the
"(1) To preserve the Lord’s day [Sunday] for America; "faithful," because many of the members attended them in
(2) to secure an active Alliance in every State not yet preference to the church services. The church, therefore,
organized; (3) to induce the general government as far as demanded that the state should interfere, and enforce Sunday
possible to set the example of Sabbath observance; (4) to press observance by law. "In this way," says Neander, "the church
the rest-day feature of the fourth commandment, until every toiler received help from the state for the furtherance of her ends." In
in the land has guaranteed unto him fifty-two full rest days a this way church and state were united, and the Papacy was
year."- From leaflet published by the Alliance. placed in power. The same course pursued now will produce the
same results.
100
It is proper and right for the church to teach Sabbath observance, 23. Who is responsible for the present State Sunday laws of the
and decry Sabbath desecration; but it should not attempt to secure United States?
Sabbath observance through compulsory legislation; nor should it "During nearly all our American history the churches have influence
seek to fasten upon the people by any means the observance of a the States to make and improve Sabbath laws."- Rev. W. F. Crafts,
day which God has never enjoined and for which, as is admitted on in Christian Statesman, July 3, 1890.
all hands, there is no Scriptural command. See admissions in
Chapters 97. thru 101. of this book. NOTES.-"These Sunday laws are a survival of the complete union of
church and state which existed at the founding of the colony." -
18. What does the prophet say the two-horned-beast power will Boston Post, April 14, 1907.
attempt to enforce upon all the people? "Such laws [as the Maryland Sunday law 1723] were the outgrowth
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and of the system of religious intolerance that prevailed in many of the
bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads." Rev. colonies." -Decision of Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia,
13:16. Jan. 21, 1908.
The first Sunday law in America, that of Virginia, in 1610, required
NOTES.-This mark is the mark of the beast, or the false Sabbath. church attendance, and prescribed the death penalty for the third
See Rev. 14:9,10. God’s seal, or mark, is set in the forehead (Rev. offense. See "American State Papers," edition 1911, page 33.
7:3; 14:1), the seat of the mind, the Lord accepting only the worship
of conviction of conscience. The mark of the beast however, is said 24. Why is a national Sunday law demanded?
to be received in the hand or forehead. Some are deceived and give "The national Sunday law is needed to make the State laws
assent to the false teaching with their minds, receiving the mark in complete and effective." - Christian Statesman, April 11, 1889.
the forehead; others, coerced or indifferent, give formal, outward
consent, and so receive the mark in the hand. 25. Since the Sunday sabbath originated with the Roman power
Let the reader note this twofold aspect of the Sunday sabbath, as (the beast), to whom will men yield homage when, knowing the
expressed by one of the most ardent and active Sunday-law facts, they choose to observe Sunday, instead of the Bible
advocates in the United States: "We, the Sabbath Union, W.C.T.U., Sabbath, in deference to compulsory Sunday laws?
all the churches, and the Y.M.C.A., are laboring with all our might to "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his
carry the religious sabbath with our right arm, and the civil sabbath servants ye are to whom ye obey." Rom. 6:16.
with our left. Hundreds of thousands will receive it as a religious
institution, and all the rest will receive it as a civil institution, and thus NOTES.-"The observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an
we will sweep in the whole nation."-Rev. W. F. Crafts, in Sunday homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the
Union Convention, Wichita, Kans., Sept. 20, 1889. [Catholic] church."- Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today,"
page 213.
19. What means will be employed to compel all to receive this The conscientious observance of Sunday as the Sabbath on the part
mark? of those who hitherto have supposed it to be the Sabbath, has,
"And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the without doubt, been accepted of God as Sabbath-keeping. It is only
name of the beast, or the number of his name." Verse 17. when light comes that sin in imputed. John 9:41; 15:22; Acts 17:30.
See reading in Chapter 174. of this book.
NOTE.-That is, all who refuse to receive this mark will be boycotted,
or denied the rights and privileges of business and trade, or the 26. What does Christ say about our duty to the state?
ordinary means of gaining a livelihood. Already this spirit has begun "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and
to manifest itself in the movement to enforce Sunday observance. In untoGod the things that are God's." Matt. 22:21.
a sermon preached in Burlington, Kans., Sunday, Jan. 31, 1904, Rev.
Bascom Robins said:- NOTE.-The Sabbath belongs to God. Its observance, therefore
"In the Christian Decalogue the first day was made the Sabbath by should be rendered only to Him.
divine appointment. But there is a class of people who will not keep
the Christian sabbath unless they are forced to do so. But that can 27. What special miracle is finally to be performed to deceive
be easily done. We have twenty million of men, besides women and men, and fasten them in deception?
children, in this country, who want this country to keep the Christian "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down
sabbath. If we would say we will not sell anything to them, we will not from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." Rev. 13:13.
buy anything from them, we will not work for them or hire them to
work for us, the thing could be wiped out, and all the world would NOTE.-In the time of Elijah, in the controversy over Baal-worship,
keep the Christian sabbath." this was the test as to who was the true God,-the God that answered
by fire. 1 Kings 18:24. Now, as a counterfeit test, fire will be made to
20. By what authority was Sunday sabbath-keeping instituted? come down from heaven to confirm men in an idolatrous and false
By the authority of the Catholic Church. See Chapter 97. of this book. worship.
21. Why were the ancient Sunday laws demanded? 28. To what length will this effort to enforce the worship of the
"That the day might be devoted with less interruption to the purposes image of the beast be carried?
of devotion." "That the devotion of the faithful might be free from all "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the
disturbance." - Neander’s "Church History," Vol. II, pages 297, 301. image of the beast should both speak, and cause [decree] that as
NOTE.-In short, it was to secure the enforced observance of the day, many as would not worship the image of the beast should be
and through this means church attendance, and control over the killed." Verse 15.
people in religious things. 29. What deliverance will God finally bring to His people in this
controversy?
22. Why are they demanded now? "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that
"Give us good Sunday laws, well enforced by men in local authority, had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over
and our churches will be full of worshipers, and our young men and his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of
women will be attracted to the divine service. A mighty combination glass, having the harps of God." Rev. 15:2.
of the churches of the United States could win from Congress, the 30. What song will they sing?
State legislatures, and municipal councils, all legislation essential to "And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song
this splendid consummation." -Rev. S. V. Leech, D. D., in Homiletic of the Lamb." Verse 3.
Review, November, 1892. 31. What was the song of Moses?
A song of deliverance from oppression. See Exodus 15.
101
Chapter 62: The Seven Churches
1. WHAT title is given the last book of the Bible? 7. What were the names of these seven churches?
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ." Rev. 1:1. "What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven
churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna,
2. To whom do those things which are revealed belong? and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and
unto Philadelphia, and untoLaodicea." Verse 11.
"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those
things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for
ever." Deut. 29:29. NOTE.-These seven churches, and the messages addressed to
them, apply to seven periods or states of the church reaching
from the first to the second advent of Christ. "Under this
3. For what purpose was the Revelation given?
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to emblematical representation of the seven churches of Asia,"
show unto His servants things which must shortly come to says Vitringa, in the "Comprehensive Commentary," "the Holy
pass." Rev. 1:1. Spirit has delineated seven different states of the Christian
church which would appear in succession, extending to the
coming of our Lord and the consummation of all things." Their
4. What great event, according to this book, is imminent? good qualities and their defects are pointed out, with admonitions,
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, exhortations, and warnings suitable for each, all of which are
and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth also applicable to individual Christian experience.
shall wail because of Him." Verse 7.
8. By what title is the first state of the church distinguished?
NOTE.-This book not only opens and closes with the subject of "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write." Rev. 2:1.
Christ’s second coming, but its eight lines of prophecy all reach
down to this as the great culminating event to the church and the
world. NOTE.-The meaning of Ephesus is desirable, and fitly describes
the character and condition of the church in its first state, when
its members received the doctrine of Christ in its purity, and
5. What encouragement is given to study this book? enjoyed the benefits and blessings of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this This applies to the first century, or during the lifetime of the
prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for apostles. See dates in the accompanying diagram, showing the
the time is at hand." Verse 3. beginning and close of the seven periods.
6. To whom was the book dedicated?

"John to the seven churches which are in Asia." Verse 4.
9. After commending this church for their good works, what charge did the Lord bring against them?
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen,
and repent, and do the first works." Verse 4, 5.
NOTE.-The "first love" is the love of the truth, and the desire of making it known to others. The "first works" are the fruit of this love.
10. What name is given to the second state of the church?

"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write." Verse 8.
NOTE.-The meaning of Smyrna is myrrh, or sweet-smelling savor, and applies to the period of time when many of the saints of God
suffered martyrdom under pagan Rome.
11. How is the closing period of tribulation of the church during this time referred to?
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall
have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Verse 10.
NOTE.-The most severe of what is commonly known as "the ten persecutions" under pagan Rome, began under the emperor Diocletian,
and continued from 303 A.D. to 313 A.D., a period of ten prophetic days.
102
12. What name is given to the third state of the church? NOTE.-Sardis means song of joy, or that which remains. A
"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write." Verse 12. cause for joy at that time was the fact that the great tribulation of
the people of God was at an end. It was only as a result of the
NOTE.-The meaning of Pergamos is height, or elevation, and Reformation that any of God’s people were left remaining. See
fitly represents that period of the Christian church, beginning with Matt. 24:21,22, and note under question 14. The Sardis church
the reign of the emperor Constantine in 313 A.D., when the continued from the close of the papal power, 1798 A.D., until the
power which had put the Christians to death espoused the cause beginning of the great advent movement in 1833, which was
marked by the falling of the stars in November 13 of that year, as
of the church, and by rewards, edicts, and promised promotions
to office in the government, sought to induce the people to foretold by Christ in Matt. 24:29.
become Christians, thus bringing a flood of worldliness and
corruption into the church. Many of the heathen rites and 17. What endearing title is given the sixth church?
ceremonies previously introduced into the Christian religion, "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write." Rev. 3:7.
including the heathen festival, Sunday(sun’s day), were then
established by law, resulting in the first day of the week taking
NOTE.-Philadelphia means brotherly love, and applies to the
the place of the Sabbath of the Bible. church under the judgment-hour message. See reading in
Chapter 56. of this book.
13. How was the faithfulness of this church commended?
"I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s
18. What words to this church shoe the second advent
seat is:and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied My near?
faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr,
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no
who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth." Verse 13. man take thy crown." Verse 11.
NOTE.-Antipas comes from two Latin words, anti, opposed to, 19. What is Christ’s message to the last church?
and papas, father, or pope, and denotes a class of people who
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; . . . I
were opposed to papal rule. RegardingPergamos. know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou
wert cold or hot. . . . Because thou sayest, I am rich, and
14. What title was given to the fourth state of the church? increased with goods, and have need of nothing; . . . I counsel
"And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write." Verse 18. thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed. . . . As many as I
NOTE.-Thyatira means song of labor, or sacrifice of contrition, love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
and points out the condition of God’s people during the long, Verses 14-19.
dark period of 1260 years, beginning with the establishment of
papal supremacy in 538 A.D., and closing with the downfall of NOTE.-Laodicea signifies the judging of the people, or,
that power in 1798. During that time, millions of saints of God according to Cruden, a just people. This church exists in the time
were put to death in the most cruel manner that wicked men and of the judgment and the proclamation of the final warning
demons could invent. Christi referred to this time in His messages preceding Christ’s second coming. See Rev. 14:6-16.
wonderful prophecy recorded in Matthew 24, in these words: See readings in Chapters 56. thru 58. of this book. This is a time
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the of great profession, with but little vital godliness and true piety.
beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And
except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be 20. What encouragement is given to heed this message?
saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My
The tribulation of the 1260 years was cut short through the voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with
influence of the Reformation.
him, and he with Me." Verse 20
15. What promise did God leave for these persecuted ones?
NOTE.-The pointed, searching messages to the seven churches
"But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that contain most important lessons of admonition, encouragement,
overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I
and warning for all Christians in all ages. The seven promises to
give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of the overcomer found in this line of prophecy (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17,
iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21), with the eighth or universal promise recorded
even as I received of my Father." Verse 25-27. in Rev. 21:7, form a galaxy of promises as precious, as
comforting, and as inspiring as any recorded in the
16. By what name is the fifth state of the church addressed? Scriptures. See readings in Chapter 123. and Chapter 193. of
"Unto the angel of the church in Sardis write." Rev. 3:1. this book.
103
Chapter 63: The Seven Seals
1. WHAT did John see in the right hand of Him who sat on 7. What were the color and character of the fourth symbol?
the throne? "And when He had opened the fourth seal, . . . behold a pale
"And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a horse: and his name that sat on him
book written within and on the back side, sealed with seven was Death, and Hell [Greek, Hades, the grave]followed with
seals." Rev. 5:1. him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the
earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and
2. What did the Lamb do with this book? with the beasts of the earth." Verses 7,8.
"And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him NOTE.-This is an unnatural color for a horse. The original
that sat upon the throne." Verse 7. denotes the pale oryellowish color seen in blighted plants. The
symbol evidently refers to the work of persecution and death
3. Why was Christ declared worthy to open these seals? carried on by the Roman Church against the people of God from
"Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals the time of the beginning of papal supremacy in 538 A.D. to the
thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by time when the Reformers commenced their work of exposing the
Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and true character of the Papacy, and a check was placed upon this
nation." Verse 9. work of death.
4. What was shown upon the opening of the first seal? 8. On opening the fifth seal, what was seen under the altar?
"And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, . . . a white "And when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the
horse:and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and f
unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." Rev. or the testimony which they held." Verse 9.
6:1,2. NOTE.-When the Reformers exposed the work of the Papacy, it
NOTE.-The number seven in the Scriptures denotes completion was then called to mind how many martyrs had been slain for
or perfection. The seven seals embrace the whole of a class of their faith.
events in which is narrated the history of the church from the
beginning of the Christian era to the second coming of Christ. 9. What were these martyrs represented as doing?
The white horse, with his rider going forth to conquer, fitly "And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy
represents the early Christian church in its purity, going into all and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them
the world with the gospel message of salvation. that dwell on the earth?" Verse 10.
NOTE.-The cruel treatment which they had received cried for
5. What appeared upon the opening of the second seal? vengeance, just as Abel's blood cried to God from the ground.
"And when He had opened the second seal. . . . there went Gen. 4:10. They were not in heaven, but under the altar on which
out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that they had been slain. On this point Dr. Adam Clarke says: "The
sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill altar is upon earth, not in heaven." See note under next question.
one another: and there was given unto him a great sword"
Verses 3,4. 10. What was given these martyrs?
NOTE.-As whiteness in the first horse denoted the purity of the "And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was
gospel which its rider propagated, so the color of the second said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until
horse would show that corruption had begun to creep in when their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed
this symbol applies. It is true that such a state of things did as they were, should be fulfilled [have fulfilled their course,
succeed the apostolic church. Speaking of the second century, R.V.]." Verse 11.
Wharey, in his "Church History," page 39, says: "Christianity
began already to wear the garb of heathenism. The seeds of NOTE.-These had been slain during the hundreds of years
most of those errors that afterwards so entirely overran the covered by the preceding seal. Their persecutors, most of them,
church, marred its beauty, and tarnished its glory, were already at least, had died. And if they had at death passed to their
beginning to take root." Worldliness came in. The church sought punishment, as is by some supposed, why should the martyred
alliance with the secular power, and trouble and commotion were ones still importune for their punishment? In this, as in other
the result. This symbol extends from the dose of the first century parts of the Bible, the figure of personification is used, in which
to the time of Constantine, when a complete union of church and inanimate objects are represented as alive and speaking, and
state was effected. things that are not as though they were. See Judges 9:8-15; Heb.
2:11; Rom. 4:17. These martyrs had gone down as heretics
6. What was the color of the symbol under the third seal? under the darkness and superstition of the preceding seal,
"When He had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, covered with ignominy and shame. Now, in the light of the
Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that Reformation, their true character appears, and they are seen to
sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand." Verse 5. have been righteous, and hence are given "white robes." "The
NOTE.-The "black" horse fitly represents the spiritual darkness fine linen [white robes] is the righteousness of saints." Rev. 19:8.
that characterized the church from the time of Constantine till the Righteousness is ascribed to them; and when they have rested a
establishment of papal supremacy in 538. A.D. Of the condition little longer where they are,-under the altar,-till all others who are
of things in the fourth century, Wharey (page 54) says: to fall for their faith have followed them, then together they will be
"Christianity had now become popular, and a large proportion, raised to life and immortality.
perhaps a large majority, of those who embraced it, only
assumed the name, received the rite of baptism, and conformed 11. What was first seen on the opening of the sixth seal?
to some of the external ceremonies of the church, while at heart "And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there
and in moral character they were as much heathen as they were was agreat earthquake." Verse 12, first part.
before. Error and corruption now came in upon the church like a NOTE.-This doubtless refers to the great earthquake of
flood." November 1, 1755, commonly known as the Lisbon earthquake,
the effects of which were felt over an area of 4,000,000 square
miles. Lisbon, Portugal, a city containing 150,000 inhabitants,
104
was almost entirely destroyed. The shock of the earthquake, crucifixed images. Unfortunately, many ran to the churches for
says Mr. Sears, in his of the World," page 200, "was instantly protection; but in vain was the sacrament exposed; in vain did
followed by the fall of every church and convent, almost all the the poor creatures embrace the altars; images, priests, and
large public buildings, and one-fourth of the houses. In about two people were buried in one common ruin. . . . Ninety thousand
hours afterward, fires broke out in different quarters, and raged persons are supposed to have been lost on that fatal day."
with such violence for the space of nearly three days that the city
was completely desolated. The earthquake happened on a holy 12. What was to follow the great earthquake?
day, when the churches and convents were full of people, very "And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon
few of whom escaped. . . . The terror of the people was beyond became as blood." Same verse, latter part.
description. Nobody wept: it was beyond tears. They ran hither NOTE.-This refers to the dark day and night of May 19, 1780,
and thither, delirious with horror and astonishment, beating their when the darkness and gloom were such as to give the general
faces and breasts, crying, 'Misericordia! the world's at an impression that the day of judgment was at hand.
end!'. Mothers forgot their children, and ran about loaded with
13. What other event is mentioned under this seal? 15. How will this great event affect the world?
"And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree "And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men,
casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind." and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman,
Verse 13. and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks
of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on
us, and hide us from the face of Him that sits on the throne, and
NOTES.-This was fulfilled in the wonderful meteoric shower of
November 13, 1833. Describing the scene in the vicinity of from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is
Niagara Falls, one writer says: "No spectacle so terribly grand come; and who shall be able to stand?" Verses 15-17.
and sublime was ever before beheld by man as that of the
firmament descending in fiery torrents over the dark and roaring 16. After the sealing work brought to view in Revelation 7,
cataract."-"Our First Century," Page 330; also The American which takes place under the sixth seal, how is the seventh
Cyclopedia, edition 1881, article "Meteor." See readings just seal introduced?
referred to. "And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence
A contributor, writing for the Journal of Commerce of November in heaven about the space of half an hour." Rev. 8:1.
14, 1833, in regard to the falling stars of November 13, 1833,
said: "Were I to hunt through nature for a simile, I could not find NOTE.-The sixth seal introduced the events connected with the
one so apt to illustrate the appearance of the heavens as that second coming of Christ. The seventh seal most naturally,
which St. John uses in the prophecy. The falling stars did not therefore, would refer to that event, or to some accompanying
come as if from several trees shaken, but as from one; those
result of it. When Christ comes, all the holy angels will
which appeared in the east, fell toward the east; those which accompany Him (Matt. 25:31); and it follows that silence will
appeared in the west, fell toward the west; and those which
necessarily, therefore, reign in heaven during their absence. A
appeared in the south, fell toward the south. And they fell not as half hour of prophetic time would be about seven days. The
the ripe fruit falls-far from it-but they flew, they were cast, like the seven seals, therefore, bring us down to the second coming of
unripe fruit which at first refuses to leave the branch; and when, Christ.
under a violent pressure, it does break its hold, it flies
swiftly, straight off, descending; and in the multitude falling, some
cross the track of others, as they are thrown with more or less
force; but each one falls on its own side of the tree." See reading
in Chapter 69. of this book. It may be at morn, when the day is awaking,
When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking,
14. What is the next event mentioned in the prophecy? That Jesus will come in the fulness of glory
"And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; To receive from the world His own.
and every mountain and island were moved out of their places"
Verse 14. It may be at midday, it may be at twilight,
It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight
NOTE.-This event is still future, and will take place in connection Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory,
with Christ's second coming. We are now standing between the When Jesus receives His own.
two events-the last of the signs in the heavens, and the parting
of the heavens and removal of earthly things out of their places. O joy! O delight! should we go without dying
The great signs here mentioned which mark the approach of No sickness, no sadness, no dread, and no crying,
Christ's second coming and the dissolution of all earthly things, Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory,
are all in the past, and the world awaits the sound of the last When Jesus receives His own.
trump as the closing scene in earth's drama. H. L. TURNER.
105
Chapter 64: The Seven Trumpets
1. FOLLOWING the seven seals, under what symbols was a single night, near Carthage, he destroyed, by fire and sword,
the next series of thrilling events shown the Apostle John? more than half of the Roman fleet, consisting of 1,113 ships and
"And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to over 100,000 men. See Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman
them were given seven trumpets." Rev. 8:2. Empire," chapter 36.
2. With what do these trumpets deal? 5. What was to take place under the third trumpet?
With the wars, commotion, and political upheavals which result in "And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from
the breaking up and downfall of the Roman Empire the first four heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part
with the downfall of Western Rome, the fifth and sixth with the of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; and the name of
downfall of Eastern Rome, and the seventh with the final the star is calledWormwood: and the third part of the waters
downfall of Rome in its broadest sense, or all the kingdoms of became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because
the world. See Revelation 8 and 9 and 11:14-19. A trumpet is a they were made bitter." Verses 10,11.
symbol of war. Jer. 4:19,20; Joel 2:1-11.
NOTES.-The harassing invasions and conquests of Attila, the
3. Under what figures is the first trumpet described? Hun, are foretold here. His conquests were characterized by fire,
"The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled sword, and pillage along the Rhine, in Gaul, and northern Italy.
withblood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part He claimed descent from Nimrod, styled himself the "Scourge of
of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up." Rev. God" and the "Dread of the World," and boasted that grass
8:7. would never grow again where his horse had trod. His greatest
battle was at Chalons, in Gaul, 451 A.D., where of his 700,000
NOTES-"Twice, at least, before the Roman Empire became men from 100,000 to 300,000 are said to have been left dead on
the field. See Gibbon's Rome, Chapter 35, and "Fifteen Decisive
divided permanently into the two parts, the Eastern and the
Western, there was a tripartite division of the empire. The first Battles of the World," by Sir Edward Creasy, chapter 6.
Says Gibbon (chapter 34), "In the reign of Attila, the Huns again
occurred 311 A.D., when it was divided between Constantine,
Licinius, and Maximin; the other, 337 A.D., on the death of became the terror of the world"; and he proceeds to describe
Constantine, when it was divided between his three sons, "the character and actions of that formidable barbarian, who," he
Constantine, Constans, and Constantius."-Albert Barnes, on Rev. says, "alternately insulted and invaded the East and the West,
12:4. To Constantius was given Constantinople and the East; to and urged the rapid downfall of the Roman Empire."
Constans, Italy, Illyricum, and northern Africa; and to
Constantine 11, Britain, Gaul, and Spain. 6. What was to occur under the fourth trumpet?
This trumpet describes the first great invasion upon Western or "And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was
ancient Rome, by the Goths, under Alaric, from 395 A.D. to 410 smitten, and a third part of the moon, and the third part of the
A.D. In 408 he descended upon Italy, the middle "third part," stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day
pillaging and burning cities, and slaughtering their inhabitants. shone not f or a third part of it, and the night likewise." Verse 12.
Says Gibbon in his "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,"
chapter 33, closing sentence: "The union of the Roman Empire NOTE.-This trumpet brings us to the fall of Western Rome, in
was dissolved; its genius was humbled in the dust; and armies of
476 A.D., when the Herulian barbarians, under the leadership of
unknown barbarians, issuing from the frozen regions of the North, Odoacer, took possession of the city and scepter of Rome; and
had established their victorious reign over the fairest provinces of
the great empire which had hitherto been the empress of the
Europe and Africa." world was reduced to a poor dukedom, tributary to the exarch of
Ravenna. Its luminaries, or civil rulers, were smitten, and ceased
4. What striking figure is used to describe the destruction to shine. "Italy now became in effect a province of the empire of
wrought under the second trumpet? the East. The Roman Empire in the West had come to an end,
"And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain after an existence from the founding of Rome of 1,229 years."-
burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the Myer's "General History," page 348.
sea became blood; and the third part of the creatures which were
in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were 7. What was to be the character of the last three trumpets?
destroyed." Verses 8, 9. "And I beheld, and heard . an angel flying through the midst of
heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the
NOTE.-This describes the invasions and conquests of the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other voices of the
Vandals under the terrible Genseric-first of Africa and later of trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!" Verse 13.
Italy-from 428 to 476 A.D. His conquests were largely by sea. In
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8. After the fall of Western Rome, what power in the East bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon,
arose to harass and overrun the Roman world, East and but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon [margin, a
West? destroyer]." Verse 11.
Mohammedanism, commonly known as the Turkish or Ottoman NOTES.-For hundreds of years the Mohammedans and invading
power, which arose in Arabia, with Mohammed, in 622 A.D. Tartar tribes, like the locusts (Prov. 30:27), had no general
government or king over them, but were divided into bands, or
9. How is the fifth trumpet, or first woe, introduced? factions, under separate leaders. But in the twelfth century
"And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven Temuljin, king of the Mongols, or Moguls, who is described as
unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless "the most terrible scourge that ever afflicted the human race,"
pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke built up an empire "at the cost," it is estimated, says Myers in his
out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and, the sun and "General History," page 461, of "fifty thousand cities and towns
the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And and five million lives." This was followed by the more permanent
there came out of the smoke locustsupon the earth: and unto Tartar empire founded by Othman a century later, commonly
them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have known as the Ottoman Empire, and ruled by the sultan.
power." Rev. 9:1-3. From the first, the great characteristic of the Turkish government
NOTES.-Attila is symbolized by the star of the third trumpet (Rev. has been that of a "destroyer." Speaking of a war by the Turks
8:10,11); Mohammed, by the star of this trumpet. The bottomless upon the Byzantine Empire in 1050, Gibbon (chapter 57) says:
pit doubtless refers to the wastes of the Arabian desert, from "The myriads of Turkish horse overspread a frontier of six
which came forth the Mohammedans, or Saracens of Arabia, like hundred miles from Taurus to Erzeroum, and the blood of one
swarms of locusts. The darkening caused by the smoke from this hundred and thirty thousand Christians was a grateful sacrifice to
pit fitly represents the spread of Mohammedanism and its the Arabian prophet."
doctrines over Asia, Africa, and portions of Europe. Their power In 1058 the Turks wrested the Holy Land from the Saracens,
as scorpions is strikingly seen in their vigorous and speedy desecrated the holy places, and treated the pilgrims to
attacks upon, and overthrow of, their enemies. Jerusalem with cruelty. This brought on the nine unsuccessful
"Over a large part of Spain, over north Africa, Egypt, Syria, crusades of the next two centuries for the recovery of the Holy
Babylonia, Persia, north India, and portions of Central Asia were Land.
spread-to the more or less perfect exclusion of native customs,
speech, and worship-the manners, the language, and the religion 12. What definite period is mentioned under this trumpet?
of the Arabian conquerors."-Myers's "General History," page 401. "And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in
their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months." Verse
10. What command was given these locusts? 10. See also verse 5.
"And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass NOTES.-"It was on the twenty-seventh of July, in the year 1299,"
of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only says Gibbon, "that Othman first invaded the territory of
those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads." Nicomedia," in Asia Minor, "and the singular accuracy of the
Verse 4. date," he adds, "seems to disclose some foresight of the rapid
NOTES.-When the Arabian tribes were gathered for the and destructive growth of the monster."-"Decline and Fall of the
conquest of Syria, 633 A.D., the caliph Abu-Bekr, the successor Roman Empire," chap. 64, par. 14. This, then, we take to be the
of Mohammed, instructed the chiefs of his army not to allow their beginning of the period referred to.
victory to be "stained with the blood of women and children;" to A Bible month consists of thirty days; five months would be 150
"destroy no palm-trees, nor burn any fields of corn;" to "cut down days. Allowing a day for a year, 150 years from July 27, 1299
no fruit-trees, nor do any mischief to cattle;" and to spare those would reach to July 27, 1449. During this period the Turks were
religious persons "who live retired in monasteries, and propose engaged in almost constant warfare with the Greek Empire, and
to themselves to serve God in that way;" but, he said, "you will yet without conquering it.
find another sort of people that belong to the synagogue of Satan,
who have shaven crowns: be sure you cleave their skulls and 13. With what statement does the fifth trumpet close?
give them no quarter till they either turn Mohammedan or pay "One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more
tribute." In this, Mohammedanism, itself a false religion, is hereafter." Verse 12.
revealed as a scourge to apostate Christianity.
"In a short time they [the Mohammedan Saracens] had taken 14. What command is given under the sixth trumpet?
from the Aryans all the principal old Semitic lands-Palestine, "And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four
Syria, Mesopotamia, Assyria, and Babylonia. To these was soon horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth
added Egypt." -Encyclopedia Britannica, article angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are
"Mohammedanism." bound in the great river Euphrates." Verses 13, 14.
NOTES.-These four angels are understood to refer to the four
11. What were these locusts said to have over them? leading Turkish sultanies--Aleppo, lconium, Damascus, and
"And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the Bagdad-of which the Ottoman Empire was composed, situated in
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the country watered by the river Euphrates. 19. What is to be finished when the seventh trumpet is about
As a striking parallel it may be noted that under the sixth plague to sound?
(Rev. 16:12-16) the four angels of Rev. 7:1-3 will loose the winds "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is
of war, the waters of the river Euphrates (the Turkish Empire) will about to sound, then is finished the mystery of God, according to
be dried up, and the armies of the nations will assemble for the the good tidings which He declared to His servants the
battle of Armageddon. prophets." Rev. 10:7, R.V.
NOTE.-The mystery of God is the gospel. Eph. 3:3-6; Gal.
15. What warlike scene is given under this trumpet? 1:11,12. When this trumpet is about to sound, therefore, the
"The number of the armies of the horsemen was twice ten gospel will close, and the end will come. The "time of trouble," of
thousand times ten thousand: . . . and the heads of the horses Dan. 12:1, and the seven last plagues and the battle of
are as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceeds fire Armageddon, spoken of in Revelation 16, will take place when
and smoke and brimstone."Verses 16,17, R.V. this trumpet begins to sound.
NOTES.-In the year 1453, Mohammed 11 the Great, sultan of
the Ottomans, laid siege to the capital [Constantinople], with an 20. What events mark the sounding of the seventh trumpet?
army of over 200,000 men. After a short investment the place "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in
was taken by storm. The cross, which since the time of heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the
Constantine the Great had surmounted the dome of St. Sophia, kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for
was replaced by the crescent, which remains to this day."- ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before
Myers's "General History" edition 1902, pages 462, 463. God on their seats, f ell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
Thus Constantinople, the eastern seat of the Roman Empire saying, We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art,
since the days of Constantine, was captured by the Turks. and was, and art to come; because Thou has taken to Thee Thy
Reference also seems to be made here to the use of firearms, great power, and has reigned." Rev. 11:15-17.
which began to be employed by the Turks toward the close of NOTES.-The seventh trumpet, therefore, brings us to the setting
the thirteenth century, and which, discharged from horseback, up of God's everlasting kingdom.
would give the appearance of fire and smoke issuing from the
horses' mouths. In the battle of Armageddon, to which allusion 21. What is the condition of the nations, and what other
may here be made, an army of "twice ten thousand times ten events are due or impending at this time?
thousand," or two hundred million, will doubtless be assembled. "And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the
time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou
16. What was the result of this warfare by means of "fire and shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the
smoke and brimstone"? saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; and
"By these three was the third part of men killed." Verse 18. shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." Verse 18.
NOTE.-This shows the deadly effect of this new means of NOTES.-The closing scenes of this world's history and the
warfare. "Constantinople was subdued, her empire subverted, judgment are clearly brought to view here. Ever since the loss of
and her religion trampled in the dust by the Moslem independence by the Ottoman Empire in 1840, the nations have
conquerors."-Elliott's "Horae Apocalypticae," Vol. I, page 484. been preparing for war as never before, in view of international
complications and a world war which all fear is inevitable upon
17. What definite period is mentioned under this trumpet? the dissolution of Turkey and the final disposition of its territory.
"And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for Towering above all others, the Eastern question has been the
an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third one of paramount concern to them.
part of men." Verse 15. The investigative judgment began in heaven in 1844, at the close
NOTE.-An hour in prophetic time is equal to fifteen days; a day of the prophetic period of 2300 days. See readings in Chapters
stands for a year, a month for thirty years, a year for 360 years. 53. thru 56. of this book. When this is finished, the time of reward
Added together, these amount to 391 years and fifteen days, the will have arrived, the end will have come, and the saints will
time allotted for the Ottoman supremacy. Commencing July 27, themselves sit in judgment. See Rev. 20:4; 1 Cor. 6:1-3.
1449, the date of the close of the fifth trumpet, this period would
end August 11, 1840. In exact fulfillment of the words of 22. What scene in heaven was presented to the prophet as
Inspiration, this date marks the fall of the Ottoman Empire as an the seventh trumpet was about to sound?
independent power. Wasted beyond hope of recovery in a war "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was
with Mohammed Ali, pasha of Egypt, the sultan of Turkey seen in His temple the ark of His testament: and there were
submitted to the dictates of the four great powers of Europe- lightnings and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and
England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia,-and, through his minister great hail." Rev. 11:19.
Rifat Bey, on that very day, August 11, 1840, placed in the hands NOTES.-This forcibly calls attention to the closing work of Christ
of Mohammed Ali the decision, or ultimatum, drawn up by these in the second apartment, or most holy place, of the sanctuary in
powers. Since then Turkey has existed only by the help of heaven, which began in 1844. See readings referred to in
sufferance of the great powers of Europe, and has commonly preceding note. The reference to the ark of God's testament is a
been referred to as "the Sick Man of the East." forcible reminder also of that which is to be the standard in the
judgment,-the law of God, or ten commandments. See Eccl.
18. With what announcement does the sixth trumpet close? 12:13,14; Rom. 2:12,13; James 2:8-12.
"The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe comes From its dosing words-the reference to "great hail"- the seventh
quickly."Rev. 11:14. trumpet evidently embraces the seven last plagues (see Rev.
NOTE-The definite period under the sixth trumpet brings us to 16:17,18); and from its opening words-"the kingdoms of this
1840, when Turkey lost her independence. Her final downfall, we world are become the kingdoms of our Lord"-it marks the setting
understand, will come at the opening of the seventh trumpet. up of God's everlasting kingdom.
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Chapter 65: The Eastern Question
1. WHAT, briefly stated, is the Eastern question? of gaining Constantinople and the Indies, for," said he, "he who
The driving out of Turkey from Europe, and the final extinction of rules there will be the true sovereign of the world; excite war
the Turkish Empire, with the world-embracing events that follow. continually in Turkey and Persia; . . . get control of the sea by
It has been otherwise described as "the driving of the Turk into degrees; . . . advance to the Indies, which are the great depot of
Asia, and a scramble for his territory." the world. Once there, we can do without the gold of England."
The authenticity of this will has been questioned, but it outlines a
2. What scriptures are devoted to the Turkish power? policy which Russia has quite faithfully pursued.
Dan. 11:40-45; Revelation 9; and Rev. 16:12.
NOTE.-In the eleventh chapter of Daniel Turkey is dealt with 7. What since 1840 has saved Turkey from complete
under the title of the "king of the north;" in Revelation 9, under overthrow?
the Bounding of the fifth and sixth " trumpets; " and in Revelation The help and interference of various European powers.
16, under the symbol of the drying up of the water of the chief NOTE.-"It is not too much to say that England has twice saved
river of the Turkish Asiatic possessions, "the great river Turkey from complete subjection since 1853. It is largely-mainly-
Euphrates." The actual drying up of the river Euphrates was the due to our action that she now exists at all as an independent
signal for the overthrow of ancient Babylon. power. On both these occasions we dragged the powers of
Europe along with us in maintaining the Ottoman government."-
3. When did Turkey take Constantinople, and thus the Duke of Argyle (1895), in " The Turkish-Armemian Question,"
northern division of ancient Greece and Rome? page 17.
In A.D. 1453, under Mohammed II. See chapter 64.
NOTE.-After the death of Alexander the Great the Grecian 8. Why have these powers thus helped Turkey?
Empire was divided by his four leading generals, Cassander, Not from love for Turkey, but for fear of the international
Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy, into four parts,- east, west, complications that its downfall might entail.
north, and south,-the first three of which were shortly afterward NOTES.-In his Mansion House speech, Nov. 9., 1895, Lord
absorbed into one kingdom, the kingdom of the north, Egypt Salisbury, responding to a wide-spread demand for the
remaining the king, or kingdom, of the south. In the breaking up overthrow of the Turkish power, said: "Turkey is in that
of the Roman Empire the Turks gained possession of the Holy remarkable condition that it has now stood for half a century,
Land in A. D. 1058, and finally of Constantinople, and mainly because the great powers of the world have resolved
considerable portions of eastern Europe,-the kingdom of the that for the peace of Christendom it is necessary that the
north,-in 1453, to which, with varying fortunes and shrinking Ottoman Empire should stand. They came to that conclusion
geographical boundaries, it as held ever since. nearly half a century ago. I do not think they have altered it
now. The danger, if the Ottoman Empire fall, would not merely
4. How has Turkey been regarded by European nations? be the danger that would threaten the territories of which that
"The Turks have ever remained quite insensible to the influences empire consists; it would be the danger that the fire there lit
of European civilization, and their government has been a should spread to other nations, and should involve all that is
perfect blight and curse to the countries subject to their rule. most powerful and civilized in Europe in a dangerous and
They have always been looked upon as intruders in Europe; and calamitous contest. That was a danger that was present to the
their presence there has led to several of the most sanguinary minds of our fathers when they resolved to make the integrity
wars of modern times. Gradually they have been pushed out, and independence of the Ottoman Empire a matter of European
from their European possessions, and the time is probably not treaty, and that is a danger WHICH HAS NOT PASSED AWAY."
very far distant when they will be driven back across the "The Balkan, or Near Eastern, question has been one of the
Bosporus."-Myers's "General History," edition 1902, page 463. most complicated political problems of the world's history for half
a century. . . . For four centuries and a half, or ever since the
5. When did the independence of Turkey cease? conquering Turk crossed the Bosporus and took Constantinople,
In 1840, at the close of a two years' war between Turkey and the grim contest has been on to dislodge him by war and
Egypt, when the fate of Turkey was placed in the hands of four diplomacy."-American Review of Reviews, November, 1912.
great powers of Europe,-England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia. Nearly a century ago, Napoleon, while a prisoner on St. Helena,
See reading in Chapter 64. of this book. explained that when emperor of France, he would not consent
for Alexander, the czar of Russia, to have Constantinople..
6. What is one of the last predictions of the prophecy of "foreseeing that the equilibrium of Europe would be destroyed."
Daniel concerning the king of the north?
"But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him : 9. What is the divine prediction regarding the future and
therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly final downfall of the king of the north?
to make away many." Dan. 11:44. "And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the
NOTE.-Upon this, Dr. Adam Clarke, writing in 1825, said: "If the seas in the glorious holy mountain: yet he shall come to his end,
Turkish power be understood, as in the preceding verses, it may and none shall help him." Dan. 11:45.
mean that the Persians on the east and the Russians on NOTE.-It would seem natural that the Ottoman government
the north will at some time greatly embarrass the Ottoman should make its last stand at Jerusalem. Around the city of the
government." Such indeed was the case, and these conditions Holy Sepulcher and the tombs of the "saints" has been waged
brought on the Crimean war of 1853-56: between Russia and for long years a war between the followers of Islam and the
Turkey. In this war England and France came to the help of believers in the Christian religion. In this place, many Bible
Turkey, and prevented Russia from grasping Constantinople, her students believe, Turkey will come to her end in fulfillment of this
coveted prize, and thus gaining access to the Dardanelles and scripture.
the Mediterranean Sea, and so possessing herself of the
gateway of commerce between Europe and Asia. Without an 10. Under which of the seven last plagues is the water of the
outlet to the sea, Russia cannot be a strong naval power. In his Euphrates (Turkey) to be dried up, and for what purpose?
celebrated will, Peter the Great of Russia (1672-1725) "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river
admonished his countrymen thus: "Take every possible means
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Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of time will have come for Christ to receive His kingdom (Luke
the kings of the East might be prepared." Rev. 16:12. 19:11-15), and begin His reign. This great change will be
ushered in by the downfall, not only of Turkey, but of all nations
NOTE.-For years the drying-up process of the Turkish Empire (Rev. 11:15); by the time of trouble here spoken of; by the seven
has been in progress, as may be seen from the following:- last plagues described in Revelation 16; and by the deliverance
(1) In 1783 Turkey was compelled to surrender to Russia the of all God's people,-those whose names are found written in the
territory of the Crimea, including all the countries east of the book of life (Rev. 3:5; 20:12),-which shows that probation and
the investigative judgment will then be past.
Caspian Sea.
(2) In 1828 Greece secured her independence.
(3) In 1830 Algeria was ceded to France. 15. What will take place at this time?
(4) In 1867 Turkey was forced to recognize the independence of "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall
Egypt. awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and
(5) In the same year Turkey lost possession of Servia and everlasting contempt." Verse 2.
Bosnia.
(6) In 1878 the Treaty of Berlin granted autonomous government NOTES.-At the resurrection of Christ there was a special
to Bulgaria, and independence to Roumelia, Roumania, and resurrection, when many of the saints were raised from the dead,
Montenegro. were seen of many, and were taken to heaven with Christ at His
(7) n 1912 Tripoli was taken over by Italy. ascension. Matt. 27:52,53; Eph. 4:8. So, just prior to Christ's
(8) In 1912 and 1913 the Balkan States and Greece second coming and the general resurrection of the righteous,
dispossessed Turkey of nearly all of her remaining territory in many of the sleeping saints, and some colossal sinners (those
Europe. that "pierced Him," Rev. 1:7), it seems, will be raised to witness
His coming, and hear God's covenant of peace with His people.
11. Under this plague, what incites the nations to war? This line of prophecy, therefore, brings us down to the
"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth resurrection of the righteous, which takes place at the second
of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the advent.
mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of
devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the
16. What false message will go forth before destruction
earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that comes upon those unprepared for Christ's coming and
great day of God Almighty." Verses 13,14.
kingdom?
"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
12. At this time, what event is near at hand? cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace
"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and
keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his they shall not escape." 1 Thess. 5:2,3.
shame." Verse 15.
NOTE.-The so-called Christian nations will not go to Palestine
13. To what place will the nations be gathered for battle? merely to expel the Turks from the land. As in the crusades of
"And he gathered them together into a place called in the the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the idea will be to rescue the
Hebrew tongueArmageddon." Verse 16. Holy Land from the Mohammedans, and make Jerusalem the
center of a glorious kingdom, with Christ as king. The Papacy
NOTE.-Armageddon consists of a great triangular plain in itself, it is thought by some, will at this time remove its seat to
northern Palestine, twelve by fifteen by eighteen miles, extending Jerusalem, and issue a great peace proclamation, directing the
southeast from Mt. Carmel, otherwise known as the plain of nations to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into
Esdraelon, or valley of Jezreel. It has been the scene of many pruning-hooks, and calling upon all to come up to the mountain
great battles, such as that of Gideon's overthrow of the of the Lord, as described in Isa. 2:2-5 and Micah 4:1-5.
Midianites (Judges 6,7), when "the Lord set every man's sword Infatuated by the doctrine of a temporal millennium, many
nations will join in the call, and say, "For out of Zion shall go forth
against his fellow;' of Saul's defeat by the Philistines (1 Sam.
29:1; 1 Chronicles 10) ; and of Josiah's defeat by Pharaoh the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Isa. 2:3. But
this will be but the signal for the battle of Armageddon and the
Necho (2 Kings 23:29,30; 2 Chron. 35:20-24): and, as this
scripture indicates, it is the place where, under the influence of "sudden destruction" that is to overtake the world and bring to an
evil spirits just preceding Christ's second coming, the great end the present order of things. See Rev. 19:17-21; Eze. 38:14-
armies of the world will be gathered for their final struggle and 23; 39:17-22. Toward this consummation passing events all
utter destruction under the seventh plague. indicate we are rapidly hastening.
14. When the king of the north comes to his end, what,
according to the prophecy, is to take place?
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which Watchman on the walls of Zion,
standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time What, O tell us, of the night?
of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to Is the day-star now arising?
that same time: and at that time thy people shall be Will the morn soon greet our sight?
delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Dan. O'er your vision shine there now some rays of light?
12:1.
Tell, O tell us, are the landmarks
NOTE.-The expression "stand up" occurs eight times in this line On our voyage all passed by?
of prophecy (Daniel 11 and 12), and in each case means to Are we nearing now the haven?
reign. See Dan. 11:2,3,4,7,14,20,21; 12:1. Michael is Christ, as Can we e'en the land descry?
will be seen by comparing Jude 9, 1 Thess. 4:16, and John 5:25. Do we truly see the heavenly kingdom nigh?
When the Turkish Empire is brought to an end, therefore, the
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Chapter 66: The Seven Last Plagues
1. WHAT is God's final warning against false worship? 8. Why, under these plagues, does the Lord give men blood
"If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his to drink?
mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the "For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and Thou
wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture has given them blood to drink; for they are worthy." Verse 6.
into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with
fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the NOTE-In this is shown God's abhorrence of oppression and
presence of the Lamb." Rev. 14: 9,10. persecution. The plagues are God's rebukes against colossal
forms of sin.
NOTE.-During probationary time God's wrath is always tempered,
or mingled, with mercy. Thus the prophet Habakkuk prays, "In 9. What will be the fourth plague?
wrath remember mercy." Hab-3:2. God's wrath unmixed with "And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the
mercy is visited only when mercy has done its final work, and evil sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with
has gone to the limit, so that there is "no remedy." See Gen. 6:3; fire." Verse 8. See Joel 1:16-20.
15:16; 19:12,13; 2 Chron. 36:16; Matt. 23:37,38; Luke 19:42-44;
2 Peter 2:6; Jude 7.
NOTE.-Sun-worship is the most ancient and widespread of all
forms of idolatry. In this plague God manifests His displeasure at
2. In what is the wrath of God filled up? this form of idolatry. That which men have worshipped as, a god,
"And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven becomes a plague and tormentor. Thus it was in the plagues of
angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the Egypt. Those things which the Egyptians had worshipped
wrath of God."Rev. 15:1. became scourges to them instead of benefactors and blessings.
See "The Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation," by "An American
3. How does Joel describe the day of the Lord? Citizen," chapter 3.
"Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a
destruction from the Almighty shall it come." "For the day of the 10. Will even this terrible judgment lead men to repent?
Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" Joel 1:15; "And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the
2:11.
name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they
repented not to give Him glory." Verse 9.
4. What has Daniel said of this time?
"And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since 11. What will be the fifth plague?
there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy
"And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the
people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in beast; andhis kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed
the book." Dan. 12:1. See Eze. 7:15-19.
their tongues for pain." Verse 10.
NOTE.-The seven last plagues will be the most terrible scourges

NOTE.-This plague strikes at the very seat of the great apostasy
ever visited upon man. As Ahab accused Elijah of being the of the latter days, the Papacy. It will doubtless be similar in effect
cause of Israel's calamities (1 Kings 18:17,18), so, in the time of
to the like plague in Egypt, which was a darkness that could "be
trouble, the wicked and those who have departed from God will felt." Ex. 10:21-23. By this plague that haughty and apostate
be enraged at the righteous, will accuse them as being the cause
spiritual despotism which has set itself up as possessing all truth,
of the plagues, and will seek to destroy them as did Haman the and as being the light of the world, is enshrouded in midnight
Jews. See Esther 3:8-14. But God will miraculously deliver His darkness.
people at this time as He did then.
12. What takes place under the sixth plague?

5. What will be the first plague, and upon whom will it fall? "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great
"And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the river Euphrates;and the water thereof was dried up, that the way
earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men of the kings of the East might be prepared." Verse 12.
which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which
worshipped his image." Rev. 16:2.
NOTE.-This, we understand, refers to the drying up of the
Turkish Empire by the great world powers preparatory to the
6. What will constitute the second plague? battle of Armageddon. See preceding reading.
"And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it
became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in
the sea." Verse 3. 13. How are the nations gathered to the battle of
Armageddon?
"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth
7. What will be the third plague? of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the
"And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of
fountains of waters; and they became blood." Verse 4. devils working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the
earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that
NOTE.-The second plague affects the sea. The third plague great day of God Almighty. . . . And he gathered them together
comes closer to the habitations of men, and affects the land. The into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon." Verses
water supplies are contaminated. 13-16.
111
NOTE.-This scripture shows that it is the spirit of Satan which 19. How suddenly will the plagues come upon modern
incites men to war, and explains why the great nations of the Babylon?
world are now at war. The dragon represents paganism; the "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and
beast, the Papacy; and the false prophet, apostate mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire:
Protestantism-the three great religious apostasies since the for strong is the Lord God who judges her. . . . For in one hour is
Flood. The plain of Esdraelon, in south-western Galilee, is the thy judgment come." Rev. 18:8-10.
Armageddon here referred to.
20. What famine will come at this time upon those who have
14. At this time what event is imminent? rejected God's messages of mercy?
"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and "Behold, the days come, says the Lord God, that I will send a
keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
shame." Verse 15. but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from
sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to
and fro to seek the Word of the Lord, and shall not find it." Amos
15. What takes place under the seventh plague?
"And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air. . . . And 8:11,12. See Luke 13:25; Prov. 1:24-26; Heb. 12:15-17.
there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a
great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the 21. What announcement is made under the seventh plague?
earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city "And there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from
was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations the throne, saying, It is done." Rev. 16:17.
fell." Verses 17-19.
NOTE.-God made man to bless him. Gen. 1:28. When His
16. What accompanies the earthquake? blessings are abused, He withholds them, to teach men their
"And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone source and their proper use. Haggai 1:7-11. Judgments are sent
about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because that men may learn righteousness." Isa. 26:9; 1 Kings 17:1. That
of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding men do not repent under the plagues is no evidence that God
great." Verse 21. See Job 38:22,23; Ps. 7:11-13. has ceased to be merciful and forgiving. They simply
demonstrate that all have determined their destiny, and that even
17. What will the Lord he to His people at this time? the severest judgments of God will not move the ungodly and
"The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from impenitent to repentance.
Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the
Lord will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the 22. Just preceding Christ’s second coming, what solemn
children of Israel."Joel 3:16. See Jer. 25:30,31; Haggai 2:21; decree will go forth showing that the cases of all have been
Heb. 12:26; Ps. 91:5-10. decided?
"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let
him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous
NOTE.-To prepare His people and the world for these terrible
judgments, the Lord, as in the days of Noah, sends a warning still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come
quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according
message to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. See Rev.
14:6-10. as his work shall be." Rev. 22:11,12.
18. Just before the pouring out of the plagues, what call 23. What psalms seem to have been written especially for
the comfort and encouragement of God's people during the
does God send to His people still in Babylon?
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of time of the seven last plagues?
Psalms 91 and 46. See also Isa. 33:13-17.
her, My people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that
you receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto
heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Rev. 18:4,5.
See Gen. 19:12-17; Jer. 51:6.
The great decisive day is at hand!
NOTE.-As before the flood, many of God's people will doubtless The day when Christ will come,
be laid away to rest shortly before the time of trouble. See Isa. To call His children home
57:1; Rev. 14:13. Referring to the time before the Flood, an And to seal the sinner's doom,
ancient book says: "And all men who walked in the ways of the Is at hand.
Lord, died in those days, before the Lord brought the evil upon
man which He had declared, for this was from the Lord, that they Where will the sinner hide in that day?
should not see the evil which the Lord spoke of concerning the It will be in vain to call,
sons of men."-Book of Jasher 4:20. See also chapter 5:21 of the "You mountains, on us fall,"
same book. For His hand will find out all
In that day.
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Chapter 67: The Mystery of God Finished
1. FOLLOWING his description of the sixth trumpet, what NOTE.-The message of Revelation 10 is the same as that of Rev.
did John see? 14:6,7; and the later messages of Rev. 14:8-12 answer to the
"And I saw another mighty angel come down from instruction, "Thou must prophesy again," of Rev. 10:11. But all
heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, are last-day messages, and indicate that the end of all things is
and his face was as it were the sun." Rev. 10:1. near at hand.
2. What did he have in his hand?

"And he had in his hand a little book open." Verse 2.
How long, O Lord our Saviour,
NOTE.-The book of Daniel, which was to be "sealed," or closed, Wilt Thou remain away?
till the time of the end, is doubtless referred to here. See Dan. Our hearts are growing weary
12:4,9. Of Thy so long delay.
O when shall come the moment
3. What solemn announcement did this angel make? When, brighter far than morn,
"And the angel which I saw. . . . lifted up his hand to heaven, and The sunshine of Thy glory
sware by Him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven, Shall on Thy people dawn?
and the things that therein are, . . . that there should be time no
longer." Rev. 10:5,6. How long, O gracious Master,
Wilt Thou Thy household leave?
NOTE.-Not literal nor probationary time, but prophetic time. The So long hast Thou now tarried,
2300-day period, which ended in 1844, must be alluded to here. Few Thy return believe.
See chapter 53. No prophetic period in the Bible reaches beyond Immersed in sloth and folly,
this. Thy servants, Lord, we see;
And few of us stand ready
With joy to welcome Thee.
4. What did the angel say was to be finished when the
seventh trumpet was about to sound?
"But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall O, wake Thy slumbering people;
begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as He Send forth the solemn cry;
hath declared to His servants the prophets." Verse 7. Let all the saints repeat it,-
"The Saviour draweth nigh!"
Mayan our lamps be burning,
NOTE.-The mystery of God is the gospel. Eph. 3:1-6; Gal. Our loins well girded be,
1:11,12. The gospel, then, is to be finished as the seventh Each longing heart preparing
trumpet is about to sound. With joy Thy face to see.
5. What was John told to do with the little book?

"Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the
angel . . . and eat it up." Verses 8,9.
Great Lines of Prophecy
6. What was to be the result of the eating of this book?

"It shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet The Great Image of Daniel 2. This prophecy, written over
as honey." Verse 9, last part. twenty-five hundred years ago, is one of the greatest, briefest,
and most comprehensive prophecies in the Bible. Under the
symbol of a great metallic image, the rise and fall of nations is
7. What does the apostle say of his experience in this outlined till the end of time and the setting up of God's
matter? everlasting kingdom. See chapter 48.
"And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up;
and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had
eaten it, my belly was bitter." Verse 10. The Four Beasts of Daniel 7. This line of-prophecy covers the
same ground as that of Daniel 2, but with additional features
introduced, especially that concerning the development and work
NOTE.-In this is most strikingly foretold the experience of those of the "little horn" power of the fourth beast, under which God's
who proclaimed the advent and judgment-hour message of people were to be oppressed until delivered and placed in
1843-44. Joyous in the hope that Christ was coming then, like possession of the kingdom "forever and ever." See chapter 50.
the early disciples regarding His first advent (Luke 24:21; Acts
1:6,7), they were bitterly disappointed, and found that there was
The 2300 Days of Daniel 8. This prophecy, after tracing the
still a work on earth for them to do, as did the early disciples
following the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. course of empire down through Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome,
introduces the longest prophetic period in the Bible, reaching
from the beginning of the movement to restore and build
8. What words of the angel to John show that both literal Jerusalem before Christ's first advent, to a similar work to be
and probationary time were to continue yet for a time, and performed by God's people in the last days preparatory to
that God had a still further message for the world? Christ's second advent. See chapter 53.
"And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many
peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." Verse 11.
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The Seventy Weeks of Daniel 9. This prophecy fixes the date The Prophecies of the Revelation. These are supplemental to
of the beginning of the 2300 days, of which the seventy weeks the prophecies of Daniel. Under the Seven Churches, the Seven
are a part; definitely marks the time of Christ's first advent; and Seals, the Seven Trumpets, the Great Red Dragon, the Leopard
briefly refers to the "consummation" and the overthrow of the last Beast, and the Two-Horned Beast, the history and experience of
of earthly kingdoms. See chapter 53. the church and of earthly kingdoms are traced during the
Christian era, to the end of the age. See chapter 60.
The Standing Up of Michael-Daniel 11 and 12. A literal
prophecy tracing the rise and fall of kings and kingdoms from the Christ's Great Prophecy. Christ's claim to being a prophet, and
early rulers of Persia in the sixth century B.C., to the overthrow the greatest of all prophets, is fully established by His prophecy
of Turkey, the "king of the north," and the "standing up," or reign, recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. In this He
of Michael, the Great Prince, which is Christ. See chapter 65. depicts minutely the destruction of Jerusalem, the great
tribulation of the Dark Ages, and the signs that were to herald
His second coming. See chapters 68 and 69.
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Section 7: Coming Events and Signs of the Times
Chapter 68: Our Lord's Great Prophecy
1. HOW did Christ feel concerning Jerusalem, as He was NOTE.-These were to precede and culminate in the great
about to make His final visit to the city before His calamity and overthrow, first, of Jerusalem, and finally of the
crucifixion? whole world; for, as already noted, the prophecy has a double
"And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept application, first, to Jerusalem and the Jewish nation, and
over it, saying, If thou had known, even thou, at least in this thy secondly, to the whole world; the destruction of Jerusalem for its
day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are rejection of Christ at His first advent was a type of the destruction
hid from your eyes." Luke 19:41,42. of the world at the end for its rejection of Christ in refusing to
heed the closing warning message sent by God to prepare the
2. In what words did He foretell its destruction? world for Christ's second advent.
"For the days shall come upon thee, that your enemies shall cast
a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in 8. In what language did Christ briefly describe the
on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy experiences of His people previous to these calamities?
children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:
upon another; because thou knew not the time of thy visitation." and you shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake. And
Verses 43,44. then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and
shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and
3. What pitiful appeal did He make to the impenitent city? shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love
of many shall wax cold." Verses 9-12.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kills the prophets, and
stones them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have
gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathered her 9. Who did He say would be saved?
chickens under her wings, and you would not!" Matt. 23:37. "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Verse 13.
4. As He was about to leave the temple, what did He say?
"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." Verse 38. 10. When did Christ say the end would come?
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the
world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end
NOTE.-That which was to fill up their cup of iniquity was their
final rejection and crucifixion of Christ, and their condemnation come." Verse 14.
and persecution of His apostles and people after His resurrection.
See Matt. 23:29-35; John 19:15; Acts 4-8. NOTES.-In A.D. 60 Paul carried the gospel to Rome, which was
then the capital of the world. In A.D. 64 he wrote of the saints of
5. Hearing these words, what questions did the disciples "Caesar's household" (Phil. 4:22); and the same year he says
that the gospel had been "preached to every creature which is
ask?
"Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign under heaven." Col. 1:23. Very soon after this (October, 66 A.D.)
of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Matt. 24:3. the Romans began their attacks against Jerusalem; and three
and one-half years later the overthrow of the city and of the
Jewish nation followed in the notable five months' siege under
NOTE.-Christ's answers to these questions are worthy of the Titus, in the spring and summer of 70 A.D.
most careful study. The destruction of Jerusalem and the Thus it was respecting the end of the Jewish nation; and thus it
overthrow of the Jewish nation attending it are a type of the final will be in the end of the world as a whole. When the gospel, or
destruction of all the cities of the world, and the overthrow of all good news, of Christ's coming kingdom has been preached in all
nations. To some extent, therefore, the descriptions of the two the world for a witness unto all nations, the end of the world-of all
great events seem to be blended. When Christ referred to the nations-will come. As the end of the Jewish nation came with
destruction of Jerusalem, His prophetic words reached beyond overwhelming destruction, so will come the end of the world.
that event to the final conflagration when the Lord shall rise out Armageddon, the battle of the nations, will be fought, and the
of His place "to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their world will be swept with the besom of destruction under the
iniquity, and when the earth shall disclose her blood, and shall seven last plagues. See readings in Chapters 65. and 66. of this
no more cover her slain." Isa. 26:21. Thus the entire discourse book.
was given not for the early disciples only, but for those who were
to live during the closing scenes of the world's history. During the
discourse Christ did, however, give definite signs, both of the 11. What sign did Christ mention by which His disciples
destruction of Jerusalem and of His second coming. might know when the destruction of Jerusalem was near?
"And when you shall see Jerusalem compassed with
armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh." Luke 21:
6. In His reply, how did Christ indicate that neither the end 20.
of the world nor of the Jewish nation was immediately at
hand?
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man 12. When this sign appeared, what were the disciples to do?
deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am "When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,
Christ; and shall deceive many. And you shall hear of wars and spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso
rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things readeth, let him understand:) then let them which be in
must come to pass, but the end is not yet." Verses 4-6. Judea flee into the mountains."Matt. 24:15,16.
7. What did He say of the wars, famines, pestilences, and NOTE.-In October, 66 A.D., when Cestius came against the city,
earthquakes which were to precede these events? but for some unaccountable reason suddenly withdrew his army
"All these are the beginning of sorrows." Verse 8. from it, the Christians discerned in this the sign foretold by Christ,
and fled. After the departure of Cestius, Josephus, in his "Wars
115
of the Jews," chapter 20, says that "many of the most eminent of "And except those days should be shortened, there should no
the Jews swam away from the city, as from a ship when it is flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be
going to sink." It is a remarkable fact that in the terrible siege shortened." Verse 22.
which occurred under Titus three and one-half years later, not a
single Christian is known to have lost his life, while 1,100,000 NOTE.-Through the influence of the Reformation of the sixteenth
Jews are said to have perished in it. Here is a most striking century, and the movements which grew out of it, the power of
lesson on the value and importance of studying and believing the the Papacy to enforce its decrees against those it pronounced
prophecies, and giving heed to the signs of the times. Those who
heretics was gradually lessened, until with the exception of Spain,
believed what Christ had said, and watched for the sign which persecution ceased almost wholly about the middle of the
He had foretold, were saved, while the unbelieving perished. So
eighteenth century -the beginning of an epoch of freedom.
it will be in the end of the world. The watchful and believing will
be delivered, while the careless and unbelieving will be snared
and taken. See Matt. 24:36-44; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Thess. 5:1-6. 17. Against what deceptions did Christ then warn us?
"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there;
believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false
13. When the sign appeared, how suddenly were they to prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch
flee? that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Verses
"Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take 23, 24.
anything out of his house: neither let him which is in the field
return back to take his clothes." Verses 17,18.
18. Answering the question as to what would be the sign of
His coming and the end of the world, what did Christ say?
14. Besides telling His disciples when to flee, how did Christ "There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in
further show His solicitude and tender care for them? the stars; and upon the earth, distress of nations, with perplexity;
"But pray you that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear,
theSabbath day." Verse 20. and for looking after those things which are coming on the
earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Luke 21:25,26.
NOTES.-The winter would be an unfavorable time in which to
flee, entailing discomfort and hardship; and an attempt to flee on 19. When were the first of these signs to appear, and what
the Sabbath day would doubtless have been met with difficulty, were they to be?
so false and pharisaical were the notions of the Jews respecting "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be
the true character and object of the Sabbath. See Matt. 12:1-14; darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars
Luke 13:14-17; Mark 1:32; 2:23-28; John 5:10-18.
shall fall from heaven." Matt. 24:29.
The prayers of Christ's followers were heard. Events were so
overruled that neither Jews nor Romans hindered the flight of the
Christians. Upon the retreat of Cestius, the Jews pursued after 20. How is this expressed by Mark?
his army, and the Christians thus had an opportunity to leave the "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be
city. The country also had been cleared of enemies who might darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of
have endeavored to intercept them. At the time of this siege, the heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be
Jews were assembled at Jerusalem to keep the Feast of shaken." Mark 13:24,25.
Tabernacles, and thus the Christians of Judea were able to
escape unmolested, and in the autumn, a most favorable time for NOTE.-As already noted, papal persecution almost wholly
flight. ceased about the middle of the eighteenth century. Then, true to
Christ's words, the signs of His coming at once began to appear.
15. What trying experience did Christ then foretell?
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the 21. When was there a wonderful darkening of the sun?
beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." Verse On May 19, 1780.
21.
NOTE.-May 19, 1780, is known in history as "the dark day." On
NOTES.-In paragraph 4 of his preface to his "Wars of the Jews," this day over a large portion of the New World, upon which at
Josephus, referring to the destruction of Jerusalem, says: "The this time the eyes of all the world were centered, there occurred,
misfortunes of all men, from the beginning of the world, if they be at midday, a remarkable darkness. "Candles were lighted in
compared to these of the Jews, are not so considerable." In this many houses. The birds were silent, and disappeared. The fowls
terrible calamity, the prophecy of Moses recorded in Deut. 28:47- retired to roost." In harmony with the impression God evidently
53 was literally fulfilled. He said: "Thou shall eat the fruit of your designed should be made by the sign, many thought the day of
own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, . . . in the judgment was at hand. See next reading.
siege, and in the straitness, wherewith your enemies shall
distress thee." For an account of the fulfillment of this, see
Josephus's "Wars of the Jews," book 6, chap. 3, par. 4. 22. When did the moon refuse to give her light?
Following the destruction of Jerusalem came the persecution of The night following the darkening of the sun, May 19, 1780.
the early Christians under the pagan emperors during the first
three centuries of the Christian era, that begun under Diocletian NOTE.- Although it was full moon only the night before, the
in 303 A.D., and continuing for ten years (Rev. 2:10), being the darkness of this night was so intense that for a time no luminous
most bitter and extensive persecution of God's people the world body whatever appeared in the heavens, and a sheet of white
had yet witnessed. Following this came the still greater and more paper could not be seen when held within a few inches of the
terrible persecution of the saints during the long centuries of eyes. See next reading.
papal supremacy, foretold in Dan. 7:25 and Rev. 12:6. All these
tribulations occurred under either pagan or papal Rome.
23. What sign was to follow the darkening of the sun and the
moon?
16. For whose sake did Christ say the period of papal "And the stars shall fall from heaven." Matt. 24:29.
persecution would be shortened?
116
24. When did the stars fall, as here predicted? 30. What did Christ say of the certainty of this prophecy?
November 13, 1833. "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these
things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My
NOTE.-On the morning of November 13, 1833, there occurred word shall not pass away." Matt. 24:34,35.
the most wonderful exhibition of shooting stars the world has
ever seen. Those who witnessed it, says Professor Olmsted, the NOTE.-Everyone at all acquainted with history knows that what
celebrated astronomer of Yale College, "probably saw the Christ foretold concerning the destruction of Jerusalem came
greatest display of celestial fireworks that has ever been since true to the very letter. So likewise may we be assured that what
the creation of the world, or at least within the annals covered by He has said concerning the end of the world will as certainly and
the pages of history." The extent of this shower, he says, was as literally be fulfilled.
such as to cover no inconsiderable part of the earth's surface."
And, like the darkening of the sun and moon, it was considered
31. Who alone knows the exact day of Christ's coming?
by many who saw it as "the harbinger of the coming of the Son "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of
of man."
heaven, but My Father only." Verse 36.
25. What were to be the signs on earth of Christ's coming?

32. What did Christ say would be the moral condition of the
"And upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea world just preceding His advent?
and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for
"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the
looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the Flood
powers of heaven shall be shaken." Luke 21:25,26.
they were eating anddrinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew
NOTE.-This is an exact picture of the condition of things in the not until the Flood came, and took them all away; so shall also
world today. Through greed of gain, lawlessness, licentiousness, the coming of the Son of man be." Verses 37-39.
increasing violence, trouble between capital and labor,
international complications, and the awful horror of modern wars, 33. In view of the fact that we do not know the exact time of
the nations are perplexed, and men's hearts tremble with fear as Christ's coming, what important admonition has He given
they look into the future. The elements are also disturbed, as us?
seen in great earthquakes and storms on land and sea. "Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think
not the Son of man cometh." Verse 44.
26. What did Christ say was to be the next great event
following these signs? 34. What will be the experience of those who say in their
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with hearts that the Lord is not soon coming?
power and great glory." Verse 27. See Matt. 24:30. "But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord
delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow servants,
27. When these things should begin to come to pass, what and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant
did Christ tell His people to do? shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder [cut him off,
lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh." Luke 21:28. margin], and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there
shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Verses 48-51.
28. When the trees put forth their leaves, what do we know?
"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet
tender, and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh." Matt.
24:32. IN the sun, and moon, and stars,
Signs and wonders have appeared;
29. What may be known with equal certainty when these Earth has groaned with bloody wars,
signs have been seen? And the hearts of men have feared.
"So likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that
it is near, even at the doors." Verse 33. "So likewise you, when But, though from His awful face
you see these things come to pass, know you that the kingdom
Heaven shall fade and earth shall fly,
of God is nigh at hand." Luke 21:31. Fear not you, His chosen race,
Your redemption draws nigh.
REGINALD HEBER.
117
Chapter 69: Signs of the Times
1. FOR what did Christ reprove the Pharisees and opinion that the day of judgment was at hand. The legislature of
Sadducees? Connecticut was in session at Hartford, but being unable to
"O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye transact business, adjourned."-President Dwight, in "Historical
not discern the signs of the times?" Matt. 16:3. Collections."
"In some places persons could not see to read common print in
2. What sign had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah by the open air for several hours together. Birds sang their evening
which Christ, at His first advent, might be known as the songs, disappeared, and became silent the barnyard; and
Messiah? candles were lighted in the silent; fowls went to roost; cattle
"Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a sought the barnyard and candles were lit in the houses. The
virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name obscuration began about ten o'clock in the morning, and
Immanuel." Isa. 7:14. For fulfillment, see Matt. 1:22,23. continued until the middle of the next night, but with differences
of degree and duration in different places. . . . The true causes of
this remarkable phenomenon are not known." Webster's
3. Where had the prophet said Christ should he born? Unabridged Dictionary, edition 1883, page 1604, in article "The
"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the Dark Day."
thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me Herschel, the great astronomer, says: "The dark day in Northern
that is to be ruler in Israel." Micah 5:2. For fulfillment, see Matt. America was one of those wonderful phenomena of nature which
2:1. will always be read with interest, but which philosophy is at a
loss to explain."
4. What prophet had foretold Christ's ride into Jerusalem? The darkness was not caused by any eclipse of the sun by the
"Rejoice greatly, 0 daughter of Zion; shout, 0 daughter of moon, for it was full moon only the night before, and
Jerusalem: behold, thy King comes unto thee: He is just, and consequently the moon was on the opposite side of the earth
having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt from the sun.
the foal of an ass." Zech. 9:9. For fulfillment, see Matt. 21:4,5. "The darkness of the following evening was probably as deep
and dense as ever had been observed since the Almighty first
gave birth to light; it wanted only palpability to render it as
5. What question did the disciples ask Christ concerning extraordinary as that which overspread the land of Egypt in the
His secondcoming? days of Moses. If every luminous body in the universe had been
"And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came shrouded in impenetrable shades, or struck out of existence, it
unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? was thought the darkness could not have been more complete. A
and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the sheet of white paper, held within a few inches of the eyes, was
world?" Matt. 24:3. equally invisible with the blackest velvet." - "Our First Century,"
by R. M. Devins, Page 94.
6. How, according to Luke, did Christ answer this question? The darkness of the night was as supernatural as that of the
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in previous day, from the fact, as stated by Dr. Adams, that "the
the stars;and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; moon had fulled the day before."
the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for
fear, and for looking after those things Which are coming on the 10. When was there a remarkable display of falling stars?
earth." Luke 21:25,26. November 13, 1833.
7. What, according to Matthew's account, did Christ say NOTES.-The celebrated astronomer and meteorologist,
were to he the signs in the sun, moon, and stars? Professor Olmsted, of Yale College, says: "Those who were so
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun fortunate as to witness the exhibition of shooting stars on the
bedarkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars morning of November 13, 1833, probably saw the greatest
shall fall from heaven." Matt. 24:29. display of celestial fireworks that has ever been since the
creation of the world, or at least within the annals covered by the
8. In what language had some of the Old Testament pages of history. . . . The extent of the shower of 1833 was such
prophets already foretold these signs? as to cover no inconsiderable part of the earth's surface, from
"And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, the middle of the Atlantic on the east to the Pacific on the west;
and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into and from the northern coast of South America to undefined
darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and he regions among the British possessions on the north the
terrible day of the Lord come." Joel 2:30,31. "The sun and exhibition was visible, and everywhere presented nearly the
the moon shall be darkened, and the starsshall withdraw their same appearance."
shining." Joel 3:15. "For the stars of heaven and the "At Niagara the exhibition was especially brilliant, and probably
constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be no spectacle so terribly grand and sublime was ever before
darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her beheld by man as that of the firmament descending in fiery
light to shine." Isa. 13:10. "I will cause the sun to go down at torrents over the dark and roaring cataract."-The American
noon, and I willdarken the earth in a clear day." Amos 8:9. Encyclopedia, edition 1881, article "Meteor."
Upon reading a statement that modern fireworks excel this
greatest exhibition of shooting stars, Mr. Clarkson, father of the
9. When were the sun and moon darkened? former editors of the paper from which the following quotation is
May 19, 1780. made, and himself agricultural editor of it, said: "The writer of
that sentence did not witness the glorious meteoric shower of
NOTES.-"The nineteenth of May, 1780 was a remarkably dark November, 1833, when the display was so much superior to any
day. Candles were lighted in many houses. The birds were silent, artistic display of fireworks that neither language nor any element
and disappeared. The fowls retired to roost. It was the general in nature can furnish comparisons. The comparison of the sheet-
118
iron thunder of the theatres to the electric display of Providence Everyone familiar with present-day conditions knows that this is
when the heavens are all on fire, and the earth trembles would the case.
be tolerable. But the awful grandeur of the display on the night of
the thirteenth of November, 1833, which made the stoutest heart NOTES.-"We are marching toward the unknown. Who knows
stand in awe, and the most defiant infidel quake with fear, is what tomorrow has in store for us?"-Signor Crispi, ex-Prime
never to he compared with the most brilliant fireworks. Those Minister of Italy.
who witnessed the meteoric shower named saw the greatest "In regard to the future I am filled with disquietude when I think
display that man ever will see until the day that Peter speaks of
how easy it is to fan these international jealousies, and how
when the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the difficult it seems to allay them." -Lord Balfour, of England.
elements shall melt with fervent heat. The agricultural editor of
"In this world of ours we seem to ' be borne down by commercial
the Register was out alone with a team and load of lumber all and spiritual controversy. . . . We grope in the daytime with fear
night on that never-to-be forgotten night. And he cannot now and trembling for the future. Poor, distracted man is tossed over
consent to hear of human fireworks being superior to that most the night to a more distraught tomorrow." -John Wanamaker, ex-
grand and sublime spectacle ever before or since beheld by man. Postmaster-General of the United States.
Patent fireworks are no nearer this wonderful phenomenon than "The bonds of society are relaxed; traditional principles are
a lightning-bug is equal to the Sun." -Iowa State Register, July losing their sacredness, and perils hitherto unknown are
12, 1889. menacing the life of the social organism."- Archbishop Ireland.
Frederick A. Douglas, in his book "My Bondage and My These, with forebodings of coming droughts, famines, fires,
Freedom," page 186, says: "I witnessed this gorgeous spectacle,
storms, earthquakes, tidal waves, and pestilences, are filling
and was struck with awe. The air seemed filled with bright men's hearts with fear.
descending messengers from the sky. It was about daybreak
when I saw this sublime scene. It was not without the suggestion
at that moment that it might be the harbinger of the coming of the 13. What may be said of "the sea and the waves roaring"?
Son of man; and in my state of mind I was prepared to hail Him Great tidal waves and storms at sea, with cyclones and
as my friend and deliverer. I had read that the stars shall fall from tornadoes on land, have become fearfully frequent of late years,
heaven, and they were now falling." making men apprehensive of still greater calamities to come.
A single star appeared to the wise men, and directed them to the
Savior, at His first advent. Myriads of stars have announced the 14. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to
nearness of His second advent. characterize the time of the end?
It will be seen that these signs produced the very impression that "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even
God evidently intended that they should-that the day of judgment, to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge
Christ's coming, and the end of the world are near at hand. shall be increased." Dan. 12:4.
11. Have we reached the time when there is "distress of NOTES.-The time of the end began in 1798. See Dan. 7:25;
nations, with perplexity"? 11:35; 12:4- 9, and the reading "The Kingdom and Work of
Every intelligent person knows that the world is in a state of Antichrist," pages 25, 26, under questions 5-8. Since 1798 there
unrest at the present time, and that men are troubled and has been a most wonderful increase of all kinds of knowledge,
perplexed at the outlook of present conditions throughout the both scientific and religious. Men have been "running to and fro"
civilized world. through both the world and the Word of God. The prophecies of
Daniel are now themselves understood. Since 1798 five great
NOTES.-"Those who study the map of Europe at the present Bible and tract societies have been organized; namely, the
moment, and the condition of things in Europe, must feel that London Religious Tract Society, the British and Foreign Bible
there is hanging over us a war-cloud greater than any that has Society, the American Bible Society, the American Tract Society,
hung over Europe before. It means when it bursts, and burst it and the International Tract Society, besides many, smaller
will as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow, a war of extinction of societies of the same kind. From these have gone forth to the
devastation, between great nations whose populations are world hundreds of millions of copies of the Bible, and countless
armed and trained to fight."-Lord Wolseley. pages of tracts and pamphlets, disseminating knowledge upon
"It is impossible for anyone to contemplate the present naval and the truths of salvation. Besides these, millions of copies of
military arrangements without the gravest forebodings. . . . In fact, religious papers are being circulated annually in the various
we never now have any real peace; we live practically in a state countries of the world. Missions have been established in all
of war." -Sir John Lubbock. parts of the world. All this has been accomplished since 1798.
"The danger, if the Ottoman Empire fall; would not merely be the Concerning the increase of knowledge in the material, scientific,
danger that would threaten the territories of which that empire and intellectual worlds, see the next reading.
consists; it would be the danger that the fire there lit should
spread to the other nations, and should involve all that is most 15. What is predicted of the moral condition of the world in
powerful and civilized in Europe in a dangerous and calamitous the last days?
contest." -Lord Salisbury, in Mansion House Speech, London, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
Nov. 9, 1895. come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,
"There can be no division of either of those countries [Turkey or boasters, proud, blasphemers, . . . lovers of pleasures more than
Persia] without setting all the nations of Europe at the throats of lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power
each other." -Washington Post, April 24, 1909. thereof." 2 Tim. 3:1-5.
"This is the most unsettled condition of the world since the
crucifixion of Christ. The stability of government is no longer a
fact. Change is in the atmosphere. . . . Statesmen are at their 16. How did the Apostle Peter say the message of the Lord's
wits' end. Philosophers speculate In Vain." - The Late Bishop coming would be treated by some?
Newman. "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last
days scoffers,walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is
the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all
12. Are men's hearts now "failing them for fear, and for things continue as they were from the beginning of the
looking after those things which are coming on the earth"? creation." 2 Peter 3:3,4.
119
17. What will God's faithful servants be doing at this time? asunder. And appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there
"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Verses 50, 51.
made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due
season?" Matt. 24:45.
NOTE.-The "meat in due season" here spoken of evidently refers We know not the hour of the Master's appearing,
to the proclamation of the message based upon the signs which Yet signs all foretell that the moment is nearing
indicate the near approach of the Lord. The preaching of this When He shall return,-'tis a promise most cheering,-
message is what causes scoffers mockingly to ask, "Where is But we know not the hour.
thepromise of His coming?"
There's light for the wise who are seeking salvation,

18. What are all admonished to do when these signs have There's truth in the Book of the Lord's revelation,
appeared? Each prophecy points to the great consummation,-
"Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think But we know not the hour.
not the Son of man comes." Verse 44.
We'll watch arid we'll pray, with our lamps trimmed and burning,
19. How will Christ's coming overtake those evil servants We'll work and we'll wait till the Master s returning,
who say in their hearts, "My Lord delays His coming"? We'll sing and rejoice, every omen discerning,-
"The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not But we know not the hour.
for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him F. E. BELDEN.
120
Chapter 70: Increase of Knowledge
1. ACCORDING to the words of the angel to Daniel, when more than 285,000 such schools, with over 28,000,000 officers,
might the world look for an increase of knowledge? teachers, and pupils.
"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even
to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge 4. What may be said of the developments in the line of
shall be increased." Dan. 12:4.
scientific inventions since 1798?
These have been remarkable, phenomenal, and without parallel
NOTE.-The prophecies of Daniel were not to be shut up till in the history of the world. The people of a century and a quarter
the end, for then there would be no time either to develop ago knew nothing of steamships, steam and electric railways,
knowledge or to use the knowledge thus acquired, but until "the telegraphs, telephones, photographs, phonographs, sewing-
time of the end," which refers to a short period just preceding the machines, anesthetics, submarine cables, linotypes, monotypes,
end. During this time there was to be a wonderful increase of motion pictures, X-rays, aeroplanes, wireless telegraphy. Were
knowledge. Especially were the prophecies of the Book of Daniel they to be raised from the dead, they would be as much
to be unsealed, studied, and understood at this time. astonished at all these things as would the people of four
thousand years ago.
2. Until what time were the saints to he persecuted under
the Roman power? NOTES.-"Of a verity, this is the age of invention."-Scientific
"And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to American.
purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: "The great facts of the nineteenth century stand out so
because it is yet for a time appointed." Dan. 11:35. conspicuously above the achievements of any preceding century
that it would be affectation of humility not to recognize and speak
NOTE.-The time of the end, as shown by this text, was even of them."-Union Handbook, 1870.
"The most striking characteristic of our times is the rapid strides
then, in the days of Daniel, an appointed time, in the mind of God.
This is not strange, when we learn that in the Scriptures both the which the world is making in science, general intelligence, and
inventions."-Chicago Republican, March 14, 1872.
judgment and the end itself are said to be appointed times. Acts
17:31; Dan. 8:19. The close of the period allotted for this "Never was there such activity of invention within the history of
persecution (1798) was to mark the beginning of "the time of the mankind as at the present day."-Phrenological Journal, April,
end." See reading in Chapter 51. of this book. 1871.
"More has been done, richer and more prolific discoveries have
been made, grander achievements have been realized, in the
3. According to the prophecy, how long was the power course of the fifty years of our lifetime than in all the previous
represented by the little horn, or papal Rome, to persecute lifetime of the race."- London Spectator.
the saints? Some of the principal inventions and discoveries of modern
"And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and times are the following:-
shall wear out the saints of the Most High. . . . and they shall be Balloon in 1798.
given into his handuntil a time and times and the dividing of Gas for lighting purposes in 1798.
time." Dan. 7:25. Cast-iron plough in 1800.
Steel pen in 1803.
NOTES.-As shown in the reading on "The Kingdom and Work of Steamboat in 1807.
Antichrist," chapter 51, this expression, "a time and times and Steam printing-press in 1811.
the dividing of time," represents 1260 years, extending from the Revolver 1825
year 533-538 A.D., the time of the decree of Emperor Justinian Railway-cars in 1825.
recognizing the Pope as head of all the churches and the Lucifer-match 1829.
successful campaign against Arianism, to the period 1973-98, Mower and reaper in 1833.
when as a result of the French Revolution, the papal power Electric telegraph in 1837.
received its deadly wound and the Pope was carried into Electrotyping in 1837.
captivity. This, then, locates the beginning of "the time of the Photography in 1839.
end" in 1798. Up to that point the Book of Daniel, as a whole, Sewing-machine in 1846.
was to be closed up; in other words, not understood by the Anesthesia in 1846.
people. But when the power that had placed this embargo on the Submarine cable in 1851.
Word of God, and had tried to shut it away from the people, was Machine-gun in 1861.
broken, then light of all kinds, Biblical, scientific, inventive, and Monitor war-ship in 1862.
industrial, began to shine and penetrate in every direction. Automatic air-brake in 872.
It is a singular and striking fact that immediately following the Telephone in 1876.
overthrow of the papal power in 1798, Bible societies, tract Phonograph in 1877.
societies, and Sunday schools sprang up in large numbers. The Electric railway in 1879.
London Religious Tract Society was organized in 1799, the Modern seismograph in 1880.
British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804, the American Bible Linotype in 1885.
Society in 1816, and the American Tract Society in 1825. The Steam-turbine in 1888.
Bible has now been translated into more than four hundred and Roentgen or X-ray in 1895.
fifty languages and dialects, and sent to every part of the globe. Wireless telegraphy in 1895.
Before that time access to the Bible was confined to Motion pictures in 1895.
comparatively few. Now the humblest person may possess it, Monotype in 1896.
and is as free to read and study it as is the most exalted in the Radium in 1902.
land. A little more than one hundred years ago there was not a Aeroplane, first successful flying, Dec. 17, 1903.
Sunday school in the world, the first one being organized by
Robert Raikes, at Gloucester, England, in 1784. Now there are It will be noticed that none of these inventions antedate 1798. Go
121
back a little over a century and we find the world about where it kindred, tribe, and people in the world. Therefore we may know
was in the days of the patriarchs. For thousands of years there that the end is near.
seemed to be scarcely any advancement or improvement in
knowledge. But suddenly with the opening of the nineteenth 6. When we see all these things, what are we to know?
century, the world awoke from its long sleep, and a new era "When you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at
dawned,-the time of the end, when knowledge was to be the doors." Verse 33.
increased.
5. What did the Savior say should precede the end?

world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end Lift up the trumpet, and loud let it ring;
come!' Matt. 24:14. Jesus is coming again!
Cheer up, you pilgrims, be joyful and sing;
Jesus is coming again!
NOTE.-Luther, the Wesleys, and others could not, in their day,
proclaim the Lord's coming to be at hand, as the signs heralding
this event had not taken place. But now, the sun and moon have Echo it, hilltops, proclaim it, you plains;
been darkened, and the stars have fallen, as predicted by the Jesus is coming again!
Savior; knowledge has most wonderfully increased, as stated by Coming in glory, the Lamb that was slain;
the angel to Daniel; and the gospel has gone to nearly every Jesus is coming again!
JESSIE E. STROUT.
122
Chapter 71: Conflict Between Capital and Labor
1. WHAT is one reason why the last days were to be

perilous? 7. Who gives men the power to get wealth?
"Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous." 2 Tim. 3:2. "But thou shall remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that gives
thee power to get wealth." Deut 8:18.
2. When, according to prophecy, were men to amass great
wealth? 8. How does James say the rich have treated the just?
"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that "You have condemned and killed the just; and he does not resist
shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your you." James 5:6.
garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and NOTE.-There is nothing more rapacious and heartless than
the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat greed, or covetousness. To obtain its ends, it disregards the
your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for rights, the welfare, and even the lives of those affected by its
the last days." James 5:1-3. merciless schemes and intrigues. The righteous, or just, however,
NOTE.-We have reached the age of vast accumulations of do not make forcible resistance to this unjust treatment.
wealth, when there seems to be a mad rush for making money
quickly, and the millionaire and the multimillionaire are much in 9. How have the rich defrauded the laborers?
evidence. Speaking on this subject, Rev. H. W. Bowman, in his "Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your
work "War Between Capital and Labor," says: "Such colossal fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of
fortunes, such hoarding of treasures, such combinations of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of
wealth, with such rapid increase in poverty, were never sabaoth." Verse 4.
witnessed before. Our age alone fits the prophetic mold."
10. Seeking a fair remuneration, what do many laborers do?
3. Why did Christ, in the parable, reprove the man who hid Form labor unions, engage in strikes, boycotts, etc.
his talent? NOTE-While these means may hold matters in check for a time,
"Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap and afford temporary relief, they cannot eradicate the evil, and
where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: thou bring about a final solution. The evil is deep-seated; it lies in the
oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and heart; and nothing but conversion-a change of the heart and of
then at my coming I should have received mine own with the affections-can eradicate it. It is the sin of selfishness, or
usury." Matt. 25:26,27. covetousness-a failure to love one's neighbor as oneself. The
NOTE.-"Servility to wealth," says J. S. Mill, "is a social curse." conflict between capital and labor is an inevitable and an
Vespasian spoke truly when he said, "Riches are well, if gotten irrepressible conflict as long as sin and selfishness are in the
well and well spent;" and Peter Cooper likewise uttered a great world. And near the end it becomes the most acute and intense,
truth when he said, "A man of wealth is but a steward for the because then sin comes to the full.
good of mankind." James A. Patten, the retired Chicago
millionaire wheat broker, announcing his intention to give away 11. Do the Scriptures indicate that there will he violence
his fortune to charity, said: "I believe a man should give away a manifested in this conflict?
good share of his wealth while he is living. He can't take a dollar "Woe to him that increases that which is not his! how long? And
out of the world with him, although I know some men who seem to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! Shall they not rise up
to believe they can. Personally, I mean to get rid of the most of suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and
my fortune. I hope to help many charitable institutions before I thou shall be for booties unto them?" Hab. 2:6,7,
die. I doubt the advisability of leaving any great sum of money to
one's children. Many lives have been ruined by large bequests. 12. Would God have His people unite in these
The offspring of a rich man are better off if they are required to combinations?
hustle for themselves."-Washington Times, November 5, 1910. "Say you not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people
shall say, A confederacy; neither fear you their fear, nor be
4. What did Christ tell the rich young man to do? afraid." Isa. 8:12.
"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou
has, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in 13. Whom should we fear and dread?
heaven: and come and follow Me." Matt. 19:21. "Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and
let Him be your dread." Verse 13.
5. What, in the parable, did God say to the rich man who
thought to build larger barns in which to store his goods? 14. What are God's people told to do at this time?
"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the
required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the
has provided?" Luke 12:20. earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and
latter rain. Be you also patient; establish your hearts: for the
6. How does James say the rich have lived? coming of the Lord draws nigh."James 5:7,8.
"You have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; you
have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter." James 5:5. 15. What commands obeyed would bring about a peaceful
NOTE.-This indicates that they have lived in luxury and for solution to this wide-spread and growing conflict?
pleasure, quite heedless of the needs of the poor and of the "Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself." Matt. 22:39. "Look not
great world about them. They have lived simply to have a good every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of
time themselves, with no thought of their responsibility to God or others." Phil. 2:4. "Whatsoever you would that men should do to
to their fellow men. you, do you even so to them." Matt. 7:12.
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Chapter 72: Christ's Second Coming
1. WHAT promise did Christ make concerning His coming? coming back again to receive His followers to Himself, this world
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in loses its hold on him. Gas stocks, and water stocks, and stocks
Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I in banks and railroads are of very much consequence to him
would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go then. His heart is free, and he looks for the blessed appearing of
and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you his Lord, who, at His coming, will take him into His blessed
unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-3. kingdom."-"The Second Coming of Christ," by D. L. Moody,
pages 6, 7.
2. Following the signs of His coming, what did Christ say " 'This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall
would take place? so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven,' is
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with the parting promise of Jesus to His disciples, communicated
power and great glory." Luke 21:27. through the two men in white apparel, as a cloud received Him
out of their sight. When after more than fifty years in glory He
breaks the silence and speaks once more in the Revelation
3. Will the world be prepared to meet Him? which He gave to His servant John, the post-ascension gospel
"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: which He sends opens with, 'Behold, He comes with clouds,' and
and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall closes with, 'Surely I come quickly.' Considering the solemn
see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power emphasis thus laid upon this doctrine, and considering the great
and great glory." Matt. 24:30. "Behold, He cometh with clouds; prominence given to it throughout the teaching of our Lord and of
and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: His apostles, how was it that for the first five years of my pastoral
and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him." Rev. 1:7. life it had absolutely no place in my preaching? Undoubtedly, the
reason lay in the lack of early instruction. Of all the sermons
4. Why will many not be prepared for this event? heard from childhood on, I do not remember listening to a single
"But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delays one upon this subject." -"How Christ Came to Church," by A. J.
his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to Gordon, D.D., pages 44, 45.
eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall
come in a day when he looks not for him. And in an hour that he 7. At His ascension, what assurance was given of Christ’s
is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his return?
portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing "And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up,
of teeth." Matt. 24:48-51. behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said,
You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this
5. What will the world be doing when Christ comes? same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so
"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the come in like manner as you have seen Him go into
Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the heaven." Acts 1:10,11.
Flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew 8. How ancient is this doctrine of Christ's coming?
not until the Flood came, and took them all away; so shall also "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these,
the coming of the Son of man be." Verses 37-39. "Likewise also saying,Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His
as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, saints, to execute judgment upon all." Jude 14,15.
they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot
went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and
destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son NOTE.-Seeking to cast reflection upon modern believers in the
of man is revealed." Luke 17:28-30. advent doctrine, a man in Hungary not long ago remarked to a
colporteur of this faith that he had heard that the first Adventist
preacher is still living. "Yes," replied the colporteur, "the first
NOTE.-The idea is, not that it is wrong in itself to eat, drink, Adventist preacher is still living, yet the Adventist faith is
marry, buy, sell, plant, or build, but that men's minds will be so thousands of years old. The Bible says that Enoch also, the
taken up with these things that they will give little or no thought to seventh from Adam, preached the coming of Christ in glory and
the future life, and make no plans or preparation to meet Jesus power, and Enoch is still living. He was translated to heaven
when He comes. without seeing death, and will never die."
6. Who is it that blinds men to the gospel of Christ? 9. What was Job's confidence concerning Christ's coming?
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at
which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, the latter day upon the earth: . . . whom I shall see for myself,
who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Cor. 4:4. and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be
consumed within me." Job 19:25-27.
NOTES.-"To my mind this precious doctrine-for such I must call
it-of the return of the Lord to this earth is taught in the New 10. How does David speak of Christ's coming?
Testament as clearly as any other doctrine in it; yet I was in the "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall
church fifteen or sixteen years before I ever heard a sermon on it. devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about
There is hardly any church that does not make a great deal of Him." Ps. 50:3. "For He cometh, for He cometh to judge the
baptism; but in all of Paul's epistles I believe baptism is spoken earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the
of only thirteen times, while it speaks about the return of our Lord people with His truth." Ps. 96:13.
fifty times; and yet the church has had very little to say about it.
Now I can see a reason for this. The devil does not want us to
see this truth; for nothing would wake up the church so much. 11. How does Paul give expression to this hope?
The moment a man takes hold of the truth that Jesus Christ is "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for
124
the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Phil. 3:20. "Looking for that waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isa.
blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and 25:9.
our Savior Jesus Christ!" Titus 2:13.
19. Has the exact time of Christ's coming been revealed?
12. What is Peter's testimony regarding it? "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of
"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we heaven, but My Father only." Matt. 24:36.
made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, but were eye-witnesses of His majesty." 2 Peter 1:16. 20. In view of this fact, what does Christ tell us to do?
"Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord does
13. When are the saints to he like Jesus? come." Verse 42.
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet
appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall NOTE.-"In the Scriptures, the constant note, the continually
appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." 1 recurring exhortation, is to be prepared for the Lord's coming."-
John 3:2. Dean Alford. "The proper attitude of a Christian is to be always
looking for his Lord's return."-D. L. Moody. See "How Christ
14. What scriptures show that Christ's coming will be a time Came to Church," by A. J. Gordon, pages 49, 50.
of reward?
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with 21. What warning has Christ given that we might not be
His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his taken by surprise by this great event?
works."Matt. 16:27. "And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be
is with Me,to give every man according as his work shall be." overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this
Rev. 22:12.
life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare
shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
15. To whom is salvation promised at Christ's appearing? Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be
"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to
them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:34-36.
sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28.
22. What Christian grace are we exhorted to exercise in our
16. What influence has this hope upon the life? expectant longing for this event?
"We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.
we shall see Him as He is. And every man Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the
that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and
pure." 1 John 3:2,3. latter rain. Be you alsopatient; establish your hearts: for the
coming of the Lord draws nigh." James 5:7,8.
17. To whom does Paul say a crown of righteousness is
promised?
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure
is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,
I am waiting for the coming
I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of Of earth's long-expected Lord;
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me For the signs are now fulfilling
at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love That He gave us in His Word.
His appearing." 2 Tim. 4:6-8. I am watching, I am waiting,
For that promised happy day;
18. What will the waiting ones say when Jesus comes? Yet I do not cease my working;
"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have I must work as well as pray.
waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have W. S. CRUZAN.
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Chapter 73: Manner of Christ's Coming
1. IS Christ coming again? 5. How did Christ Himself say He would come?
"I will come again." John 14:3. "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with
His angels." Matt. 16:27. "Then shall all the tribes of the earth
2. How does Paul speak of this coming? mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds
of heaven with power and great glory." Matt. 24:30. "For
"Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second
time without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28. whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him
shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He shall come in His
own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels." Luke 9:26.
3. Did the early disciples think that death would he the
second coming of Christ?
"Peter seeing him. [John] says to Jesus, Lord, and what shall 6. How many will see Him when He comes?
this man do? Jesus says unto him, If I will that he tarry till I "Behold, He comes with clouds; and every eye shall see
come, what is that to thee? follow thou Me. Then went this Him, and they also which pierced Him." Rev. 1:7.
saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not
die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that NOTE.-Christ's second coming will be as real as was His first,
he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" John 21:21-23. and as visible as His ascension, and far more glorious. To
spiritualize our Lord's return is to pervert the obvious meaning of
NOTES.-From this it is evident that the early disciples regarded His promise, "I will come again," and nullify the whole plan of
death and the coming of Christ as two separate events. redemption; for the reward of the faithful of all ages is to be given
" 'Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think at this most glorious of all events.
not the Son of man cometh.' Some people say that means death;
but the Word of God does not say it means death. Death is our 7. What wonderful demonstration will accompany the Lord's
enemy, but our Lord hath the keys of death; He has conquered coming?
death, hell, and the grave. . . . Christ is the Prince of life; there is "The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with
no death where He is; death flees at His coming; dead bodies the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the
sprang to life when He touched them or spoke to them. His dead in Christ shall rise first." 1 Thess. 4:16.
coming is not death. He is the resurrection and the life. When-
He sets up His kingdom, there is to be no death, but life for 8. What warning has Christ given concerning false views of
evermore."-"The Second Coming of Christ," by D. L. Moody,
the manner of His coming?
pages 10, 11. "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there;
believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false
4. At His ascension, how did the angels say Christ would prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch
come again? that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold,
"And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you,
was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in
while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, the secret chambers; believe it not." Matt. 24:23-26.
behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said,
Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this 9. How visible is His coming to be?
same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so "For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto
come in like manner as you have seen Him go into the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Verse
heaven." Acts 1:9-11. 27.
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Chapter 74: Object of Christ's Coming
1. FOR what purpose did Christ say He would come again? day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His
"I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place appearing." 2 Tim. 4:8.
for you,I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that
where I am, there you may be also." John 14:2,3. 13. Will this he a time of judgment?
"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these,
2. What part will the angels have in this event? saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints,
"And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, to execute judgment upon all." Jude 14,15.
and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from
one end of heaven to the other." Matt. 24:31.
14. How did David express himself on this point?
"For He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge
3. What takes place at the sounding of the trumpet? the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth." Ps.
"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, 96:13.
with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God:
and the dead in Christ shall rise first." 1 Thess. 4:16. 15. When did Paul say Christ would judge the living and the
dead?
4. What will be done with the righteous living? "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall and His kingdom."2 Tim. 4:1.
we ever be with the Lord." Verse 17.
16. What great separation will then take place?
5. What change will then take place in both the living and "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy
the sleeping saints? angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:
"We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his
sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall sheep from the goats." Matt. 25:31,32.
be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and
this mortal must put onimmortality." 1 Cor. 15:51-53. 17. What will He say to those on His right hand?
"Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, you
6. When are the saints to be like Jesus? blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from
"But we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like the foundation of the world." Verse 34.
Him; for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2.
18. What will He say to those on the left?
7. How many will receive a reward when Christ comes? "Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and
His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his his angels."Verse 41.
works."Matt. 16:27.
8. What does He say He will bring with Him when He comes?

"Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every
AT the Bounding of the trumpet, when the saints are gathered
man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12. home,
We shall greet each other by the crystal sea;
9. What promise is made to those who look for Him? When the Lord Himself from heaven to His glory bids them come,
"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto What a gathering of the faithful that will be!
them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without
sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28. When the angel of the Lord proclaims that time shall be no more,
We shall gather, and the saved and ransomed see;
10. When did Christ say the good would he recompensed? Then to meet again together, on the bright, celestial shore,
"For thou shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the What a gathering of the faithful that will be!
just." Luke 14:14.
At the great and final judgment, when the hidden comes to light,
11. Have the worthies of old gone to their reward? When the Lord in an His glory we shall see;
"And these all, having obtained a good report through At the bidding of our Saviour, "Come, ye blessed, to My right,"
faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better What a gathering of the faithful that will be!
thing for us, that they without us should not be made
perfect." Heb. 11:39,40. When the golden harps are sounding, and the angel bands
proclaim
12. When did Paul expect to receive his crown? In triumphant strains the glorious jubilee;
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, Then to meet and join to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that What a gathering of the faithful that will be!
J. H.KURZENKNABE.
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Chapter 75: The Resurrection of the Just
1. CONCERNING what should we not be ignorant? foundation and hope of the Christian church. Every fundamental
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning truth of Christianity is involved in the resurrection of Christ. If this
them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others could be overthrown, every essential doctrine of Christianity
which have no hope." 1 Thess. 4:13. would be invalidated. The resurrection of Christ is the pledge of
our resurrection and future life.
2. What is set forth as the basis for hope and comfort?
"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them 10. What does Christ proclaim Himself to be?
also which sleep, in Jesus will God bring with Him." Verse 14. "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever lives and
3. When will this resurrection of the saints take place? believes in Me shall never die." John 11:25,26. "1 am He that
"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,
are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not
Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Rev. 1:18.
prevent [precede] them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself
shall descend from heavenwith a shout, with the voice of the
Archangel, and with the trump of God:and the dead in Christ NOTE.-Christ changed death into a sleep. Absolute death knows
shall rise first." Verses 15,16. no waking; but through Christ all who have fallen under the
power of death will be raised, some to a life unending, some to
4. What will then take place? everlasting death.
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall 11. What question does Job ask and answer?
we ever be with the Lord." Verse 17. "If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed
time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shall call, and I will
5. With what are we to comfort one another? answer Thee:Thou wilt have a desire to the work of Thine
"Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Verse 18. hands." Job 14:14,15.
NOTE.-The hope of a resurrection from the dead to a life
immortal is the great hope set forth in the gospel. 12. Why did Job wish that his words were written in a book,
graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever?
6. Concerning what did Christ tell us not to marvel? "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms
are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." Job 19:25,26.
that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that
have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 13. How does Paul say the saints will he raised?
5:28,29. "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we
shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at
7. What is said of those embraced in the first resurrection? the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on raised incorruptible." 1 Cor. 15:51,52.
such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests
of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." 14. What great change will then take place in their bodies?
Rev. 20:6. "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it
israised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in
8. Upon what one fact does Paul base the Christian hope? glory: it issown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a
"Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say natural body; it israised a spiritual body." Verses 42-44.
some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if
there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and 15. What saying will then be brought to pass?
if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; Verse 55.
because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom
He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead 16. When did David say he would be satisfied?
rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your "As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be
faith is vain; you are yet in your sins. Then they also which are satisfied,when I awake, with Thy likeness." Ps. 17:15.
fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have
hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." 1 Cor. 15:12- 17. What comforting promise has God made concerning the
19. sleeping saints?
"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem
9. What positive declaration does the apostle then make? them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first thy destruction." Hosea 13:14.
fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man
came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, 18. What else has He promised to do?
even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Verses 20-22. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there
shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall
NOTE.-The resurrection of Christ is in many respects the most there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
significant fact in history. It is the great and impregnable Rev. 21:4. See readings in Chapters 192. thru 201. of this book.
128
Chapter 76: The World's Conversion
1. WHAT did Christ say would be the condition of the world 5. Are things to grow better or worse before the Lord
at His second coming? comes?
"As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and
the Son of man." Luke 17:26. See also verses 27-30. worse, deceiving, and being deceived." Verse 13.
2. How was it in the days of Noah? NOTE.-"Even to the end of time there will still be occasion for the
"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the same complaint; the world will grow no better, no, not when it is
earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was drawing toward its period. Bad it is, and bad it will be, and worst
only evil continually. . . . And the earth was filled with of all just before Christ's coming."-Matthew Henry, on Luke 18:8.
violence." Gen. 6:5-11.
6. According to the parable of the wheat and the tares, how
NOTE.-In a sermon delivered at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 2, 1912, long are the good and bad to remain together?
Bishop A. W. Wilson (Methodist) said: "Old Rome in her worst "The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the
days never harbored such conditions of vice as are prevalent in kingdom; but "the tares are the children of the wicked one; the
our highest social circles. Never at any period of the world's enemy that sowed them is the devil." ""Let both grow together
history has the moral stratum been so thin or so low." until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the
reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in
3. How did Paul characterize the last days? "bundles to burn them." Matt. 13:38,39,30.
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come." 2 Tim. 3:1. 7. When does the harvest come?
"The harvest is the end of the world." Verse 39.
4. What did he say would make those times perilous?
"For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, NOTES.-Thus it is plain that the wicked (the tares) live with the
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, righteous (the wheat) till the end of the world. There is, then, no
without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, time before Christ's coming for a sinless state, in which all men
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, will be converted and turn to God.
heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of Harper's "Book of Facts," edition 1906, article "Religion,"
God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." classifies the population of the globe religiously as follows:-
Verses 2-5.
Non-Christian Christian
Buddhists 400,000,000 Roman Catholics 175,000,000
Brahmans 250,000,000 Protestants 110,000,000
Mohammedans 180,000,000 Greek Church 90,000,000
Fetish-worshipers 150,000,000 Various 25,000,000
Jews 8,000,000
Various 62,000,000
TOTAL 1,050,000,000 TOTAL 400,000,000
From this it will be seen that only about one fourth of the world's population are even nominal Christians.
8. For what purpose did Christ say the gospel was to be consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the
preached in all the world? brightness of His coming." 2 Thess: 2:8.
world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end 10. How long was the little horn of Dan. 7:25 to make war
come." Matt. 24:14. with the saints?
"I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and
NOTES.-He dill not say that all would receive the gospel, but that prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and
the gospel was to bepreached in all the world for a witness unto judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time
all nations, and that then the end would come. came that the saints possessed the kingdom." Dan. 7:21,22.
Commenting on Rev. 20:2, Dr. Adam Clarke says: "Probably no
such time shall ever appear , in which evil shall be wholly 11. How will the day of the Lord come upon the world?
banished from the earth, till after the day of judgment, when, the "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
earth having been burned up, a new heaven and a new earth
cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace
shall be produced out of the ruins of the old, by thy mighty power and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and
of God; righteousness alone shall dwell in them."-Clarke's
they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that
Commentary, edition 1860. that day should overtake you as a thief." 1 Thess. 5:2-4. .
9. When is the "man of sin," or "mystery of iniquity," called NOTE.-There will be but two classes in the world then: those in
also "that Wicked," to come to an end?
darkness, who are looking for a time of peace and safety, and
"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall those not in darkness, who are looking for the day of the Lord,-a
day of waste and destruction,-the coming of Christ and the end
129
of the world. See Jer. 7:1-19; Dan. 12:1; Joel 2:1-11; Zephaniah nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they
1. learn war anymore." Micah 4:1-3. See also Isa. 2:2-5.
12. What will some who are in darkness say when they hear NOTE.-Notice, this is not what the Lord says, but what the Lord
about the Lord's coming? says many nationsshall say in the last days. And this is the very
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days message now heard in every land,-a great world's peace
scoffers,walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the movement; a call for all nations to disarm, to go to war no more,
promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things and to profess religion.
continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2
Peter 3:3,4. 14. What message indicates the true condition of things?
"Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the
13. What will be popularly taught in the last days? mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
"But in the last days. . . many nations shall come, and say, Come, beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into
and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of spears: let the weak say, I am strong." Joel 3:9,10.
the God of Jacob; . . . and He shall judge among many people,
and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their
NOTE.-On this question of preparing for war, note the following:-
swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks:
Armies of the World
NATIONAL ARMY
REGULAR STANDING ARMY (1909)
INCLUDING RESERVES
Austria-Hungary 409,000 5,840,000

Belgium 45,000 125,000
British Empire 250,000 1,050,000
China 60,000 1,000,000
Denmark 14,000 68,000
France 630,000 4,350,000
Germany 617,000 3,000,000
Greece 28,000 178,000
Italy 264,000 3,200,000
Japan 225,000 600,000
Netherlands 40,000 500,000
Norway 30,000 95,000
Persia 24,500 105,000
Portugal 30,000 175,000
Russia 1,100,000 5,200,000
Servia 35,000 353,000
Spain 100,000 1,000,000
Sweden 62,000 500,000
Switzerland 140,000 275,000
Turkey 350,000 1,500,000
United States 89,128 208,054
TOTAL 4,542,628 29,322,054
Naval Expenditures of the Great Powers for Ten Years-1902-11
Expenditure Now Construction
Great Britain $1,761,500,000 $589,875,000

Germany 737,695,000 351,010,000
France 660,695,000 236,430,000
Russia 556,730,000 164,280,000
Italy 301,145,000 82,750,000
Austria 154,070,000 74,165,000
United States 1,150,680,000 367,050,000
Japan 288,505,00 76,155,000
TOTAL $5,611,320,000 $1,941,715,000
Thus in only ten years these eight great powers spent over seven and one-half billion dollars on their navies.
"The immense armies maintained by European countries have come to be a terrific drain upon their respective nations."-Nelson's
Encyclopedia, article "Army."
130
15. While making these war preparations, what are men say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon
saying? them." 1 Thess. 5:2,3. All heedless of the signs of the times, and
"They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people indifferent to the future, the world will come up to the day of the
slightly,saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." Jer. 6:14. Lord unprepared. As a thief in the night, coming with stealthy,
muffled tread, this day will take all unawares who are not looking,
NOTE.-Every one conversant with existing conditions in the watching, and waiting for their Lord's return. Instead or looking
world today knows this is true. While the message or peace is for the world's conversion, we should be looking for Christ's
coming.
being proclaimed, the nations are arming as never before; wars
are in progress almost continually; international complications
are constantly arising; and a world war is reared as imminent,
and constantly looming in sight. The world today is a vast armed
camp.
THE coming King is at the door,
Who once the cross for sinners bore,
16. But does not the Bible say that the heathen are to be But now the righteous ones alone
given to the Lord for an inheritance? He comes to gather home.
"Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine
inheritance,and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy The signs that show His coming near
possession." Ps. 2:8.
Are fast fulfilling year by year,
And soon we'll hail the glorious dawn
17. What will the Lord do with them? Of heaven's eternal morn.
"Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them
in pieces like a potter's vessel." Verse 9. "And out of His mouth
Look not on earth for strife to cease,
goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the Look not below for joy and peace,
nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He
Until the Saviour comes again
treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty To banish death and sin.
God." Rev. 19:15.
Then in the glorious earth made new.

NOTE.-How suddenly surprised those who have been preaching
We'll dwell the countless ages through;
peace and safety will be when the end comes is indicated in the This mortal shall immortal be,
text already quoted: "For yourselves know perfectly that the day And time, eternity.
of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall F. E. BELDEN.
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Chapter 77: The Gathering of Israel
1. BECAUSE of disobedience, what experience came to Jerusalem, which is to be the metropolis of the new earth. In Rev.
Israel? 11:2 it is used as a type of God's people during the long period
"I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the of 1260 years of papal persecution, who are there referred to as
earth." Jer. 34:17. See Jer. 25:8-11. "the holy city," which the Gentiles "tread underfoot forty and two
months."
2. What prophecy spoke of their return from captivity?
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, 6. What will terminate the "times" allotted to the Gentiles?
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the
end. . . . And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end
search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith come." Matt. 24:14.
the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you
from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven 7. Why was the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles?
you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place "Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the
whence I caused you to be carried away captive." Jer. 29:11-14. Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name." Acts 15:14.
See also Jer. 23:3.
NOTE.-The first dispersion of the Jews occurred B.C. 606-588, 8. What false idea of this gathering were some to hold?
under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. In B.C. 457, under "And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up
Artaxerxes, the Persian king, large numbers of Jews returned to to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of
Palestine, their homeland. Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His
paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord
3. How had Moses spoken of another and greater from Jerusalem." Micah 4:2.
dispersion?
"The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end 9. For what will the heathen he assembled in Palestine?
of the earth. . . . and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until "Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of
thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst. . . . Jehoshaphat. . . . Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision
and the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one [margin, concision, or threshing; i.e., war] : for the day of the
end of the earth even unto the other." Deut. 28:49-64. Lord is near in the valley of decision." Joel 3: 12-14.
NOTE.-This calamity and dispersion occurred in 70 A.D., under
Titus, the Roman general. Says the Popular and Critical Bible 10. Under whose influence are the nations to be assembled?
Encyclopedia, Vol. II, article "Jerusalem," page 932: "Jerusalem "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth
seems to have been raised to this greatness as if to enhance the of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the
misery of its overthrow. So soon as the Jews had set the seal to mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of
their formal rejection of Christ, by putting Him to death, and devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the
invoking the responsibility of His blood upon the heads of earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that
themselves and of their children (Matt. 27:25), the city's doom great day of God Almighty." Rev. 16:13,14.
went forth. Titus, a young, brave, and competent Roman general, NOTE.-Infatuated by the doctrine of the world's conversion and a
with an army of sixty thousand trained, victorious warriors, temporal millennium of peace, prosperity, and good will among
appeared before the city in April, 70 A.D., and the most men, the deluded nations will aim to make Jerusalem the center
disastrous siege of all history began." See reading in Chapter 68. of a glorious kingdom, at which place they will doubtless expect
of this book. Christ will come and take up His reign as their king. This was the
favorite idea of the crusaders in the Dark Ages. But the
4. Under what striking symbol was all this foretold? crusaders were mistaken in their conception, and sorely
"Thus saith the Lord, Go and get a potter's earthen disappointed. So also will the modern crusaders be mistaken
bottle, and. . . . break the bottle . . . and . . . say unto them, Thus and disappointed; for one object of Christ's second coming will
saith the Lord of hosts;Even so will I break this people and this be to "smite the nations" and to destroy these armies assembled.
city, as one breaks a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole Rev. 19:15.
again." Jer. 19:1-11.
NOTE.-"No city on the globe has suffered more from war and 11. Unto whom are God's people to be gathered?
sieges than Jerusalem. . . . Storming legions, battering-rams, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from
and catapults have razed it again and again. And yet, the between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the
general outline of the city has always been preserved. Zion and gathering of the people be." Gen. 49:10.
Mt. Moriah remain in full view from Olivet, and there, on those
hills, stretching away toward the west, city after city has come 12. How did Christ speak of the gathering of the Gentiles?
and gone in the passing ages."-Popular and Critical Bible "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must
Encyclopedia, Vol. II, article "Jerusalem," pages 928, 929. bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold,
and one shepherd." John 10:16.
5. How long was Jerusalem to be trodden down of the
Gentiles? 13. What great gathering yet awaits God's people?
"And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His
away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His
down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be people. . . . And He shall set up an ensign for the nations,
fulfilled." Luke 21:24. and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together
NOTE.-Jerusalem stands for the people, the truth, and the true the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." Isa.
worship of God. It is first mentioned in the Bible as Salem (Gen. 11:11,12. "And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a
14:18); is spoken of figuratively as a mother bringing forth the trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four
children of God (Gal. 4:26,27); and is a type of the holy city, New winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matt. 24:31.
132
Chapter 78: The Millennium
1. WHAT text definitely brings the millennium to view?

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: . . . and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand
years." Rev. 20:4.
2. Whom does Paul say the saints are to judge?

"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints
shall judge the world? . . . Know you not that we shall judge angels?" 1 Cor. 6:1-3.
NOTE.-From these scriptures it is plain that the saints of all ages are to be engaged with Christ in a work of "judgment" during the
millennium, or one thousand years.
3. What prophecy had Paul upon which to base his statement?

"I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was
given to the saints of the Most High." Dan. 7: 21,22.
4. How many resurrections are there to be?

"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have
done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5:28,29.
THE MILLENNIUM
• The millennium is the closing period of God's great week of time-a great sabbath of rest to the earth and to the people of God.
• It follows the close of the gospel age, and precedes the setting up of the everlasting kingdom of God on earth.
• It comprehends what in the Scriptures is frequently spoken of as "the day of the Lord."
• It is bounded at each end by a resurrection.
• Its beginning is marked by the pouring out of the seven last plagues, the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the righteous dead,
the binding of Satan, and the translation of the saints to heaven; and its close, by the descent of the New Jerusalem, with Christ and the
saints, from heaven, the resurrection of the wicked dead, the loosing of Satan, and the final destruction of the wicked.
• During the one thousand years the earth lies desolate; Satan and his angels are confined here; and the saints, with Christ, sit in judgment
on the wicked, preparatory to their final punishment.
• The wicked dead are then raised; Satan is loosed for a little season, and he and thehost of the wicked encompass the camp of the saints
and the holy city, when fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them. The earth is cleansed by the same fire that destroys
the wicked, and, renewed, becomes the eternal abode of the saints.
• The millennium is one of "the ages to come." Its close will mark the beginning of the new earth state.
5. What class only have part in the first resurrection? NOTE.-This scripture shows plainly that the righteous are all
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on taken to heaven immediately after the first resurrection. This
such the second death hath no power." Rev. 20:6. accords with the words of Christ in John 14:1-3, where He says,
"I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place
6. What will Christ do with the saints when He comes? for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that
"I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, where I am, there you may be also." Peter desired to accompany
there you may be also." John 14: 3. Christ to those mansions; but Jesus answered, "Thou canst not
follow Me now; but thou shalt follow Me afterwards."John 13:36.
This makes it clear that when Christ returns to earth to receive
NOTE.-In other words, Christ will take them to heaven, there to His people, He takes them to the Father's house in heaven.
live and reign with Him during the one thousand years.
8. What becomes of the living wicked when Christ comes?
7. Where did John, in vision, see the saints? "As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives,
could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into
tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise
with white robes, and palms in their hands." Rev. 7:9. also as it was in the days of Lot; . . . the same day that Lot went
out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven,
133
and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the "The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years
Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:26-30. were finished." Verse 5.
9. What does the Apostle Paul say concerning this? NOTES.-From this we see that the beginning and the close of
"When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden the millennium, or one thousand years, are marked by the two
destruction comes upon them. . . . and they shall not escape." 1 resurrections.
Thess. 5:3. The word millennium is from two Latin words, mille, meaning a
thousand, and annus,year-a thousand years. It covers the time
NOTE.-When Christ comes, the righteous will be delivered and during which Satan is to be bound and wicked men and angels
taken to heaven, and all the living wicked will be suddenly are to be judged. This period is bounded by distinct events. Its
destroyed, as they were at the time of the flood. For further proof beginning is marked by the close of probation, the pouring out of
the seven last plagues, the second coming of Christ, and the
see 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 6:14-17; 19:11-21; Jer. 25:30-33. There
will be no general resurrection of the wicked until the end of the resurrection of the righteous dead. It closes with the resurrection
of the wicked, and their final destruction in the lake of fire. See
one thousand years. This will leave the earth desolate and
without human inhabitant during this period. above diagram.
10. What description does the prophet Jeremiah give of the 14. What change is made in Satan's condition at the close of
the one thousand years?
earth during this time?
"I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the "After that he must be loosed a little season." Verse 3.
heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo,
they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, NOTE.-At the close of the one thousand years, Christ,
lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. accompanied by the saints, comes to the earth again, to execute
I beheld, and, lo, thefruitful place was a wilderness, and all the judgment upon the wicked, and to prepare the earth, by a re-
cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and creation, for the eternal abode of the righteous. At this time, in
by His fierce anger." Jer. 4:23-26. answer to the summons of Christ, the wicked dead of all ages
awake to life. This is the second resurrection, the resurrection
NOTE.-At the coming of Christ the earth is reduced to a chaotic unto damnation. The wicked come forth with the same rebellious
state-to a mass of ruins. The heavens depart as a scroll when it spirit which possessed them in this life. Then Satan is loosed
is rolled together; mountains are moved out of their places; and from his long period of captivity and inactivity.
the earth is left a dark, dreary, desolate waste. See Isa. 24:1-3;
Rev. 6:14-17. 15. As soon as the wicked are raised, what does Satan at
once proceed to do?
11. How does Isaiah speak of the wicked at this time? "When the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed
"It shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which
are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather
host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth
upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as them together to battle:the number of whom is as the sand of the
sea." Verses 7,8.
prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the
prison, and after many days shall they be visited." Isa. 24:21,22.
16. Against whom do the wicked go to make war, and what
12. How long is Satan to be imprisoned on this earth? is the outcome?
"They went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the
"I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the
bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came
down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." Verse 9.
the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan,
and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the
bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he NOTES.-This is the last act in the great controversy between
should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years Christ and Satan. The whole human race meet here for the first
should be fulfilled." Rev. 20:1-3. and last time. The eternal separation of the righteous from the
wicked here takes place. At this time the judgment of God is
NOTE.-The word rendered "bottomless pit" in this text is abusos, executed upon the wicked in the lake of fire. This is the second
the Greek term employed by the Septuagint in Gen. 1: 2, as the death. This ends the great rebellion against God and His
equivalent of the Hebrew word rendered "deep" in our English government. Now is heard the voice of God as He sits upon His
versions A more literal translation would be "abyss." It is a term throne, speaking to the saints, and saying, "Behold, I make all
applied to the earth in its desolate, waste, chaotic, dark, things new;" and out of the burning ruins of the old earth there
springs forth before the admiring gaze of the millions of the
uninhabited condition. In this condition it will remain during the
one thousand years. It will be the dreary prison-house of Satan redeemed, "a new heaven and a new earth," in which they shall
find an everlasting inheritance and dwelling-place.
during this period. Here, in the midst of the smoldering bones of
wicked dead, slain at Christ's second coming, the broken-down The millennium is a great sabbath of rest, both for the earth and
for God's people. For six thousand years the earth and its
cities, and the wreck and ruin of all the pomp and power of this
world, Satan will have opportunity to reflect upon the results of inhabitants have been groaning under the curse of sin. The
his rebellion against God. But the prophecy of Isaiah says, "After millennium, the seventh thousand, will be a sabbath of rest and
many days shall they be visited." release; for, says the prophet concerning the land, "as long as
she lay desolate she kept sabbath." 2 Chron. 36:21. "There
remaineth therefore a rest [margin, keeping of a sabbath] to the
13. The righteous dead are raised at Christ's second coming. people of God." Heb. 4:9. This precedes the new earth state.
When will the rest of the dead, the wicked, be raised?
134
Chapter 79: Length of the Day of the Lord
1. WHAT is the character of the "day of the Lord"? 6. What great event will take place at Christ's coming?
"The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven: . . . and the
even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry dead in Christ shall rise first." I Thess. 4:16.
there. bitterly.That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and
distress." Zeph. 1:14,15.
7. How long after this will the wicked dead be raised?
"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years
2. Under which of the seven seals does this day begin? were finished." Rev. 20:5.
"And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there
was a great earthquake, . . . for the great day of His wrath is
8. As they gather around the holy city, what will take place?
come; and who shall be able to stand?" Rev. 6:12-17. "And fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured
them." Verse 9.
3. What signs were to appear under this seal?
"The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon
9. What is this destruction called?
became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and
even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters,
of a mighty wind." Verses 12, 13. and all liars, shall have their part, in the lake which burneth with
fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Rev. 21:8.
NOTE.-For dates and fulfilment of these signs, see chapters 68
and 69. The Lisbon earthquake of 1755 should not be
10. Unto what are the present heavens and earth reserved?
confounded with that to take place under the seventh plague. "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same
Rev. 16:18. word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of
judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:7.
4. Under which seal will the Lord come?
"And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence NOTE.-When the fire from heaven destroys the wicked, the earth
in heaven about the space of half an hour." Rev. 8:1. itself will also be burned and purified.
NOTE.-This silence in heaven is the result of Christ and the

11. Does the day of the Lord include this burning day?
angels leaving heaven to come to this earth. See reading in "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the
Chapter 63. of this book. which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the
5. With what is the day of wrath to open? works that are therein shall be burned up." Verse 10.
"And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven
angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the NOTE.-The day of the Lord, therefore, begins with the seven last
wrath of God."Rev. 15:1. plagues and the coming of Christ, and continues for one
thousand years, or till the wicked are destroyed, and the earth is
NOTE.-These plagues immediately precede Christ's coming. renewed and given to the saints.
See Rev. 16:12-15, and reading in chapter 66.
135
Chapter 80: Elijah the Prophet
1. WHAT promise, through the prophet Malachi, does the according to my word." 1 Kings 17:1. Elijah's message was a call
Lord make concerning Elijah? to repentance and obedience to God's commandments.
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of
the great and dreadful day of the Lord." Mal. 4:5. 9. What plain proposition did he submit to all Israel?
"And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt
2. What will this prophet do when he comes? you between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him: but if
"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the Baal, then follow him." 1 Kings 18:21.
heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the
earth with a curse." Verse 6.
NOTE.-The result of the test by fire which followed on Mt.
Carmel, can be read in the remainder of this wonderful chapter.
3. Whom did Christ indicate as fulfilling this prophecy? There was a great turning to God, the people saying, "The Lord,
"And His disciples asked Him, saying, Why then say the scribes He is the God; the Lord, He is the God." Verse 39.
that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto
them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say 10. What was the burden of the message of John the
unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but Baptist?
have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Like wise shall also "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." "Bring forth
the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood thereforefruits meet for repentance." Matt. 3:2,8.
that He spoke unto them of John the Baptist." Matt. 17:10-13.
11. What was the result of this message?

4. When John the Baptist was asked if he were Elijah, what "Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the
did he say? region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan,
"And he said, I am not." John 1:21. confessing their sins." Verses 5,6.
5. Who did he say he was? NOTE.-There was a genuine work of repentance and reform.
"He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make John was not satisfied with a mere profession of religion. He told
straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias." Verse the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his baptism, to
23. "bring forth fruits" answerable to an "amendment of life." He
wished to see religion in the life, the heart, the home. Thus he
6. In what sense does the angel Gabriel explain John the prepared a people for Christ's first advent.
Baptist to be the Elijah of Mal. 4:5?
"Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 12. But when, according to the prophecy, was Elijah to be
And he shall go before Him [Christ] in the spirit and power of sent?
Elias, to turn the hearts' of the fathers to the children, and the "Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord."
disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people
Mal. 4:5.
prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:16,17.
13. How is this great and dreadful day described in this

NOTE.-John went forth "in the spirit and power of Elias," and, in same prophecy?
preparing a people for Christ's first advent, did a work similar to "For, behold, the day comes, that shall burn as an oven; and all
that done by Elijah the prophet in Israel centuries before. See I the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the
Kings 17 and 18. In this sense, and in this sense only, he was
day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, that it
the Elijah of Mal. 4:5. shall leave them neither root nor branch." Verse 1.
7. Near the close of the three and one-half years drought in NOTE.-This day is yet future. It cannot be, therefore, that the
Israel, brought about as a judgment through the
work done by John the Baptist at Christ's first advent is all that
intercessions of Elijah (James 5:17) in consequence of was contemplated in the prophecy concerning the sending of
Israel's apostasy, what accusation did King Ahab bring
Elijah the prophet. It must be that there is to be another and
against Elijah? greater fulfillment of it, to precede Christ's second advent, and to
"And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto prepare, or "make ready," a people for that great event.
him,Art thou he that troubles Israel?" 1 Kings 18: 17.
14. What is the burden of the threefold message of Rev.

8. What answer did Elijah make? 14:6-10?
"And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is
father's house, in that you have forsaken the commandments of come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the
the Lord, and thou has followed Baalim." Verse 18. sea, and the fountains of waters. . . . Babylon is fallen, is fallen,
that great city,because she made all nations drink of the wine of
NOTE.-Israel had departed from God, forsaken His the wrath of her fornication. . . . If any man worship the beast and
commandments, and gone off into idolatry. Jezebel, Ahab's his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
wicked and idolatrous wife, had "cut off the prophets of the Lord" the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is
(Verse 4), was supporting hundreds of the prophets of Baal, and poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation." Rev.
was seeking Elijah to slay him. Elijah called for a famine on the 14:6-10.
land, and said to Ahab, "As the Lord God of Israel lives, before
whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but
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NOTE.-Like the messages of Elijah and John, this is a call to There can be little religion in the heart of one who cares not for
repentance and reform,-a call to forsake false, idolatrous worship, the eternal interests of his loved ones. When this message has
and to turn to God, and worship Him, and Him alone. The first done its work, God will smite the earth with a curse; the seven
part of this threefold message points out the true God, the last plagues will fall, and usher in the great day of the Lord
Creator, in language very similar to that found in the fourth, or described in the preceding chapter.
Sabbath, commandment. This is the message now due the world,
and that is now being proclaimed to the world. Those who are
proclaiming these messages constitute the Elijah for this time, as
John and his co-laborers did at the time of Christ's first advent.
LIGHT is beaming, day is coming!
Let us sound aloud the cry;
15. How are the people described who are developed by the We behold the day-star rising
threefold message here referred to?
Pure and bright in yonder sky!
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the Saints, be joyful;
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Verse 12.
Your redemption draws nigh.
NOTE.-These will be the ones who will be ready to meet Jesus

We have found the chart and compass,
when He comes. They have heeded the Elijah-call to repentance And are sure the land is near;
and reform. They have become concerned, not only for their own
Onward, onward, we are hasting,
individual salvation, but for the salvation of their friends and Soon the haven will appear;
relatives. By this message the hearts of the fathers are turned to
Let your voices
the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Each Sound aloud your holy cheer.
becomes burdened for the conversion and salvation of the other.
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Section 8: The Law of God
Chapter 81: The Law of God
The Law of God

I
Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
II
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven
above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow
down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the
iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate
Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.
III
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless
that taketh His name in vain.
IV
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but
the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor
thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger
that is within thy gates : for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in
them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed
it.
V
Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy
God giveth thee.
VI
Thou shalt not kill.
VII
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
VIII
Thou shalt not steal.
IX
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
X
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man
servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.
1. WHEN God brought His people out of Egypt, how did He 7. Can man of himself, unaided by Christ, keep the law?
republish His law? "I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I
"And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can
heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye do nothing."John 15:5. See also Rom. 7:14-19.
heard a voice. And He declared unto you His covenant, which
He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and
8. What provision has been made so that we may keep
He wrote them upon two tables of stone."Deut. 4:12,13. See also God's law?
Neh. 9:13,14. "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the
flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh,
2. Where are the ten commandments recorded? and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of
In Ex. 20:2-17. the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but
after the Spirit." Rom. 8:3,4.
3. How comprehensive are these commandments?
"Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole 9. What is the nature of God's law?
duty of man." Eccl. 12:13. "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under
sin." Rom. 7:14.
4. What inspired tribute is paid to the law of God?
"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony NOTE.-In His comments on the sixth and seventh
of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the commandments, recorded in Matt. 5:21-28, Christ demonstrated
Lord are right,rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord the spiritual nature of the law, showing that it relates not merely
is pure, enlightening the eyes." Ps. 19:7,8. to outward actions, but that it reaches to the thoughts and intents
of the heart. See also Heb. 4:12. The tenth commandment
5. What blessing does the psalmist say attends the keeping forbids lust, or all unlawful desire. Rom. 7:7. Obedience to this
of God's commandments? law, therefore, requires not merely an outward compliance, but
"Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of genuine heart service. This can be rendered only by a
them there is great reward." Verse 11. regenerated soul.
6. What did Christ state as a condition of entering into life?

"If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matt. 19:17.
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10. How is the law further described? thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law." James
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the 2:10,11.
commandment holy, and just, andgood." Verse 12.
NOTE.-This shows that the ten commandments are a complete
11. What is revealed in God's law? whole, and together constitute but one law. Like a chain of ten
"And knowest His [God's] will, and approvest the things that are links, all are inseparably connected together. If one link is broken,
more excellent, being instructed out of the law." Rom. 2:18. the chain is broken.
12. When Christ came to this earth, what was His attitude 23. How may we be freed from the guilt of our sins, or our
toward God's will, or law? transgressions of God's law?
"Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our
Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.
heart." Ps. 40:7,8. See Heb. 10:5,7.
24. Why are we admonished to fear God and keep His
13. Who did He say would enter the kingdom of heaven? commandments?
"Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with
is in heaven." Matt. 7:21. every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl.
12:13,14.
14. What did He say of those who should break one of God's
commandments, or should teach men to do so? 25. What will be the standard in the judgment?
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law
commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the of liberty." James 2:12.
least in the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:19, first part.
26. What is said of those who love God's law?
15. Who did He say would be called great in the kingdom? "Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall
"But whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be offend them." Ps. 119:165.
called great in the kingdom." Same verse, last part.
27. What would obedience to God's commandments have
16. How did Christ estimate the righteousness of the scribes insured to ancient Israel?
and Pharisees? "O that thou hadst harkened to My commandments! then had thy
"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of
the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no the sea." Isa. 48:18.
case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Verse 20.
28. What is another blessing attending the keeping of God's
17. For what did Christ reprove the Pharisees? commandments?
"But He answered and said unto them, Why do ye also "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good
transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" Matt. understanding have all they that do His commandments." Ps.
15:3. 111:10.
18. How had they done this? 29. In what does the man delight whom the psalmist
"For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother. . . . describes as blessed?
But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the
a gift, . . . and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the
Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by seat of the scornful. Buthis delight is in the law of the Lord; and
your tradition." Verses 4-6. in His law doth he meditate day and night." Ps. 1:1,2. See Rom.
7:22.
19. In consequence of this, what value did Christ place upon
their worship? 30. Why is the carnal mind enmity against God?
"But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not
commandments of men." Verse 9. subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:7.
20. What is sin declared to be? 31. How do those with renewed hearts and minds regard the
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is commandments of God?
the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments:
and His commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3.
21. By what is the knowledge of sin?
"For by the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20. See Rom. 32. What is the essential principle of the law of God?
7:7. "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling
of the law." Rom. 13:10.
22. How many of the commandments is it necessary to
break in order to become a transgressor of the law? 33. In what two great commandments is the law of God
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one briefly summarized?
point, he is guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, and yet if with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great
commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love
139
thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all 34. What is said of one who professes to know the Lord, but
the law and the prophets." Matt. 22:37-40. does not keep His commandments?
"He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments,
NOTE.-"Does any man say to me, 'You see, then, instead of the is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:4.
ten commandments, we have received the two commandments,
and these are much easier'? I answer that this reading of the law 35. What promise is made to the willing and obedient?
is not in the least easier. Such a remark implies a want of "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the
thought and experience. Those two precepts comprehend the land." Isa. 1:19.
ten at their fullest extent, and cannot be regarded as the erasure
of a jot or tittle of them. Whatever difficulties surround the 36. How does God regard those who walk in His law?
commands are equally found in the two, which are their sum and "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the
substance. If you love God with all your heart, you must keep the
Lord." Ps. 119:1.
first table; and if you love your neighbor as yourself, you must
keep the second table."-"The Perpetuity of the Law of God," by C.
H. Spurgeon, page 5.
140
Chapter 82: Perpetuity of the Law
1. HOW many lawgivers are there? 6. What does it mean when used with reference to law?
"There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy." To perform, to keep, or to act in accordance with; as, "Bear ye
James 4:12. one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Gal. 6:2.
See also Matt. 3:15; James 2:8,9.
2. What is said of the stability of God's character?
"For I am the Lord. I change not." Mal. 3:6. 7. How did Christ treat His Father's commandments?
"I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love."
3. How enduring are His commandments? John 15:10.
"The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His
commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and 8. If one professes to abide in Christ, how ought he to walk?
are done in truth and uprightness." Ps. 111:7,8. "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk,
even as He walked." 1 John 2:6.
4. Did Christ come to abolish or to destroy the law?
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I 9. What is sin?
am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matt. 5:17. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is
the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4.
NOTES.-The law; broadly, the writings of Moses; specifically, the
ten commandments, or moral law, from which the writings of NOTE.-This text does not say that sin was the transgression of
the law, but that it is this, thus demonstrating that the law is still
Moses primarily derived their name. The prophets; that is, the
writings of the prophets; Neither of these Christ came to destroy, in force in the gospel dispensation. "Whosoever" likewise shows
but rather to fulfil, or meet their design. the universality of its binding claims. Whoever of any nation, race,
"The laws of the Jews are commonly divided into moral, or people commits sin, transgresses the law.
ceremonial, and judicial. The moral laws are such as grow out of
the nature of things which cannot, therefore, be changed,-such 10. In what condition are all men?
as the duty of loving God and His creatures. These cannot be "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom.
abolished, as it can never be made right to hate God, or to hate 3:23.
our fellow men. Of this kind are the ten commandments; and
these our Saviour neither abolished nor superseded. The 11. How many are included in the "all" who have sinned?
ceremonial laws are such as are appointed to meet certain "What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise:
states of society, or to regulate the religious rites and
for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are
ceremonies of a people. These can be changed when all under sin." Verse 9.
circumstances are changed, and yet the moral law be
untouched."- Dr. Albert Barnes, on Matt. 5:18.
"Jesus did not come to change the law, but He came to explain it, 12. By what are all men proved guilty?
and that very fact shows that it remains; for there is no need to "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to
explain that which is abrogated.... By thus explaining the law He them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped,
confirmed it; He could not have meant to abolish it, or He would and all the world may become guilty before God." Verse 19.
not have needed to expound it.... That the Master did not come
to alter the law is clear, because after having embodied it in His NOTE.-It is what the law says, and not what one may interpret it
life, He willingly gave Himself up to bear its penalty, though He to mean, that proves the sinner guilty. Moreover, God is no
had never broken it, bearing the penalty for us, even as it is respecter of persons, but treats Jew and Gentile alike. Measured
written, 'Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, by the law, all the world are guilty before God.
being made a curse for us.'... If the law had demanded more of
us than it ought to have done, would the Lord Jesus have
rendered to it the penalty which resulted from its too severe 13. Does faith in God make void the law?
demands? I am sure He would not. But because the law asked "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea,
only what it ought to ask, namely, perfect obedience, and we establish the law." Verse 31.
exacted of the transgressor only what it ought to exact, namely,
death as the penalty for sin,-death under divine wrath,-therefore 14. What, more than all else, proves the perpetuity and
the Saviour went to the tree, and there bore our sins, and purged immutability of the law of God?
them once for all."-"The Perpetuity of the Law of God," by C. H. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten
Spurgeon, pages 4-7. Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
"The moral law contained in the ten commandments, and everlasting life." John 3:16. "Christ died for our sins." 1 Cor. 15:3.
enforced by the prophets, He did not take away. It was not the
design of His coming to revoke any part of this.... Every part of
this law must remain in force upon all mankind and in all ages, NOTE.-Could the law have been abolished, and sin been
as not depending either on time or place, or any other disposed of in this way, Christ need not have come and died for
circumstance liable to change, but on the nature of God, and the our sins. The gift of Christ therefore, more than all else, proves
nature of man, and their unchangeable relation to each other."- the immutability of the law of God. Christ must come and die,
John Wesley, in his "Sermons," Vol. I, No.25, pages 221,222. and satisfy the claims of the law, or the world must perish. The
law could not give way. Says Spurgeon in his sermon on "The
Perpetuity of the Law of God," "Our Lord Jesus Christ gave a
5. When used with reference to prophecy, what does the greater vindication of the law by dying because it had been
Word fulfilmean? broken than all the lost can ever give by their miseries." The fact
To fill up; to accomplish; to bring to pass; as, "that it might
be fulfilledwhich was spoken by Esaias the prophet." Matt. 4:14.
141
that the law is to be the standard in the judgment is another proof "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the
of its enduring nature. See Eccl. 12:13,14; James 2: 8-12. commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12.
15. What relation does a justified person sustain to the law?

"For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers
of the law shall be justified." Rom. 2:13. O THAT the Lord would guide my ways
To keep His statutes still!
O that my God would grant me grace
16. Who has the promise of being blessed in his doing? To know and do His will!
"But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so
continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth, but a doer that O send Thy Spirit down to write
worketh,this man shall be blessed in his doing." James 1:25, R. Thy law upon my heart,
V. Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,
Nor act the liar's part.
17. By what may we know that we have passed from death
unto life? From vanity turn off my eyes,
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we Let no corrupt design
love the brethren." 1 John 3:14. Nor covetous desire arise
Within this soul of mine.
18. And how may we know that we love the brethren?
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love Order my footsteps by Thy word,
God, and keep His commandments." 1 John 5:2. And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
19. What is the love of God? But keep my conscience clear.
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments."
Verse 3. Make me to walk in Thy commands,
'Tis a delightful road ;
20. How are those described who will be prepared for the Nor let my head, nor heart, nor hands
coming of Christ? Offend against my God.
Isaac Watts.
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Chapter 83: Why the Law was Given at Sinai
1. HOW does Nehemiah describe the giving of the law at NOTES.-The Greek word here translated "added" is the same
Sinai? one that is translated "spoken" in Heb. 12:19.
"Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest "The meaning is that the law was given to show the true nature
with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and of transgressions, or to show what sin is. It was not to reveal
true laws, good statutes and commandments: and madest away of justification, but it was to disclose the true nature of
known unto them Thy holy Sabbath, and commandedst them sin; to deter men from committing it; to declare its penalty; to
precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses Thy servant," convince men of it, and thus to be ancillary to, and preparatory to,
Neh. 9:13,14. the work of redemption through the Redeemer. This is the true
account of the law of God as given to apostate man, and this use
2. What is declared to be the chief advantage possessed by of the law still exists."-Dr. Albert Barnes, on Gal. 3:19.
the Jews?
"What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there or 8. How is this same truth again expressed?
circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just,
were committed the oracles of God." Rom. 3:1,2. and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me?
God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me
NOTE.-The law was not spoken at this time exclusively for the by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might
benefit of the Hebrews. God honored them by making them the become exceeding sinful."Rom. 7:12,13.
guardians and keepers of His law, but He intended that it should
be held by them as a sacred trust for the whole world. The 9. For what purpose did the law enter?
precepts of the decalogue are adapted to all mankind, and they "Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound." Rom.
were given for the instruction and government of all. "Ten 5:20.
precepts, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, cover the duty
of man to God and to his fellow men;" and all are based upon the NOTE.-By the giving of the law at Sinai, then, God designed, not
great fundamental principle of love. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy
to increase or multiply sin, but that men might, through a new
God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy revelation of Him and of His character and will, as expressed in
strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." a plainly spoken and plainly written law, the better see the awful
Luke 10:27. In the ten commandments these principles are sinfulness of sin, and thus their utter helplessness and undone
carried out in detail, and are made applicable to the condition condition. While in Egypt, surrounded as they were with idolatry
and circumstances of man. and sin, and as the result of their long bondage and hard
servitude, Israel even, the special people of God, had largely
3. Before the giving of the law at Sinai, what did Moses say forgotten God and lost sight of His requirements. Until one
when Jethro asked him concerning his judging the people? realizes that he is a sinner, he cannot see his need of a Saviour
"When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge from sin. Hence the entering, or republication, of the law to the
between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes world through Israel at Sinai.
of God, and His laws." Ex. 18:16.
10. By what is the knowledge of sin?
4. What explanation did Moses give the rulers of. Israel "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20. See also Rom.
concerning the withholding of the manna on the seventh 7:7.
day in the wilderness of Sin, before they reached Sinai?
"And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath 11. Under what condition is the written law good?
said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord....
"But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully." 1 Tim.
Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the 1:8.
Sabbath, in it there shall be none." Ex. 16:23-26.
12. And what is indicated as the lawful use of the law?

5. When some went out to gather manna on the seventh day,
"Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but
what did the Lord say to Moses? for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for
"And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep My
sinners, for unholy andprofane, for murderers of fathers
commandments and My laws?" Verse 28. and murderers of mothers, formanslayers, for whoremongers, for
them that defile themselves with
NOTE.-It is evident therefore that the Sabbath and the law of mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if
God existed before the law was given at Sinai. there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine."
Verses 9,10.
6. What question does Paul ask concerning the
law? "Wherefore then serveth the law?" Gal. 3:19. NOTE.-In other words, the lawful use of the written law is to
show what sin is, and to convince sinners that they are sinners,
NOTE.-That is, of what use or service was the law announced at and that they need a Saviour. God's design, then, in giving the
law at Sinai was to shut men up under sin, and thus lead them to
Sinai? What special purpose had God in view in giving it then?
Christ.
7. What answer is given to this question?

"It was added, because of transgressions, till the seed should 13. Who does Christ say need a physician?
"They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are
come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by
angels in the hand of a mediator." Same verse. sick." Matt. 9:12.
143
NOTE.-Speaking of how to deal with those "who are not stricken grace. But if you make out that the law is altered so that a man
of their sins," and "have no deep conviction of guilt," D. L. Moody can keep it, you have left him his old legal hope, and he is sure
in his "Sermons, Addresses, and Prayers," says: "Just bring the to cling to it. You need a perfect law that shuts man right up to
law of God to bear on these, and show them themselves in their hopelessness apart from Jesus, puts him into an iron cage, and
true light.... Don't try to heal the wound before the hurt is felt. locks him up, and offers him no escape but by faith in Jesus;
Don't attempt to give the consolation of the gospel until your then he begins to cry, 'Lord, save me by grace, for I perceive that
converts see that they have sinned-see it and feel it." I cannot be saved by my own works.' This is how Paul describes
it to the Galatians: 'The Scripture hath concluded all under sin,
14. Whom does Christ say He came to call to repentance? that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them
that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law,
"For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance." Verse 13. shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ,
that we might be justified by faith.' I say you have deprived the
15. What is the strength of sin? gospel of its ablest auxiliary when you set aside the law. You
"The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law." 1 have taken away from it the schoolmaster that is to bring men to
Cor. 15:56. Christ. They will never accept grace till they tremble before a just
and holy law. Therefore the law serves a most necessary and
16. What are the wages of sin? blessed purpose, and it must not be removed from its place."-
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life "The Perpetuity of the Law of God," by C. H. Spurgeon,
through Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 6:23. pages10,11.
" And let it be observed that the law did not answer this end
merely among the Jews, in the days of the apostles: it is just as
17. Could a law which condemns men give them life? necessary to the Gentiles to the present hour. Nor do we find
"Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if that true repentance takes place where the moral law is not
there had been a law given which could have given life, verily preached and enforced. Those who preach only the gospel to
righteousness should have been by the law." Gal. 3:21. sinners, at best only heal the hurt of the daughter of My people
slightly."-Dr. Adam Clarke, on Rom. 7:13 (edition 1860).
18. What, therefore, was the purpose, or special design, of Commenting on Gal. 3:23, Mr. Spurgeon, in his "Sermon Notes,"
the giving of the law at Sinai? CCXII, says: "Here we have a condensed history of the world
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto before the gospel was fully revealed by the coming of our Lord
Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Verse 24. Jesus. . . . The history of each saved soul is a miniature likeness
of the story of the ages." That is, in his experience, each
individual that is saved is first in darkness; he then comes to
NOTES.-"What is the law of God for? for us to keep in order to Sinai and learns that he is a sinner; this leads him to Calvary for
be saved by it?-Not at all. It is sent in order to show us that we the pardon of his sins, and so to full and final salvation.
cannot be saved by works, and to shut us up to be saved by
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Chapter 84: Penalty for Transgression
1. WHAT is the wages of sin? "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or
"For the wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23. three witnesses." Verse 28.
2. What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if 9. What awaits those who despise the means of grace?
they transgressed, and partook of the forbidden fruit? "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be
"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and
eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was
die." Gen. 2:17. sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit
of grace?" Verse 29.
3. Who does God say shall die?
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Eze. 18:4. 10. Is it the duty of gospel ministers to execute vengeance?
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech you by us." 2 Cor. 5:20. See 2 Tim. 2:24-26.
4. How did death enter the world?
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death
by sin;and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. 11. To whom does vengeance belong?
Rom. 5:12. "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Rom. 12:19.
5. Why did God destroy the antediluvian world? 12. To whom has execution of judgment been committed?
"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the "For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the
earth.... And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to
created from the face of the earth." Gen.6:5-7. execute judgment also." John 5:26,27. See Jude 14,15.
6. While God is merciful, does this clear the guilty? 13. Because evil is not punished immediately, what
"The Lord is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity presumptuous course do many pursue?
and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty." Num. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed
14:18. See also Ex. 34:5-7. speedily,therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in
them to do evil."Eccl. 8:11.
7. What is the result of willful sin?
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge 14. What message has God commissioned His ministers to
of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a bear to men?
certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which "Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they
shall devour the adversaries." Heb. 10:26,27. shall eat of the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall
be ill with him:for the reward of his hands shall be given him." Isa.
8. Under the theocracy, how were the rebellious or willful 3:10,11.
transgressors treated?
145
Chapter 85: The Law of God in the Patriarchal Age
1. CAN there be sin where there is no law? 12. What was the character of their deeds?
"Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no "And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the
transgression." "Sin is not imputed when there is no law." Rom. wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing
4:15; 5:13. and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with
their unlawful deeds)." 2 Peter 2:7,8.
2. Through what is the knowledge of sin obtained? NOTE.-Their deeds would not have been unlawful had there
"For by the law is the knowledge of sin." "I had not been no law then in existence. Unlawful means "contrary to law."
known sin, but by the law." Rom. 3:20; 7:7.
13. What did Joseph, in Egypt, say when tempted to sin?
3. What statement shows that sin was in the world before "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against
the law was given on Mt. Sinai? God?" Gen. 39:9.
"For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed
when there is no law." Rom. 5:13. 14. What did God say to Abraham concerning the
NOTE.-The fact that sin was imputed before the law was given at Amorites?
Sinai is conclusive proof that the law existed before that event. "In the fourth generation they [Israel] shall come hither again:
for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." Gen.15:16.
4. When did sin and death enter the world?
"Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the 15. Of what sin were the Amorites specially guilty?
world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for "And he [Ahab] did very abominably in following idols, according
that all have sinned." Verse 12. to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before
the children of Israel." 1 Kings 21:26.
5. With what words did God admonish Cain?
"If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest 16. Why did the Lord abhor the Canaanites?
not well, sin lieth at the door." Gen. 4:7. "Ye shall therefore keep all My statutes, and all My judgments,
and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein,
6. What shows that God imputed sin to Cain? spew you not out. And ye shall not walk in the manners of the
"And He said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these
blood crieth unto Me from the ground. And now art thou cursed things, and therefore I abhorred them." Lev. 20:22,23.
from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy NOTE.-The statement that "they committed all these things"
brother's blood from thy hand." Verses 10,11. refers to what had been previously forbidden to the Israelites.
Among these things was idolatrous worship (Lev. 20:1-5),
7. What was the difference between Cain's and Abel's showing that the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, were amenable
characters? to the law of God, and were abhorred of God for violating it.
"Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one; and slew his brother.
And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, 17. Why did God make His promise to the seed of Abraham?
and his brother's righteous." 1 John 3:12. "Because Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My
NOTE.-There must, therefore, have been a standard at that time commandments, My statutes, and My laws." Gen. 26:5.
by which the characters of men were weighed. That standard NOTE.-Then God's commandments and laws existed in the time
must have defined the difference between right and wrong, and of Abraham.
pointed out man's duty. But this is the province of the law of God.
Hence the law of God must have existed at that time. 18. Before giving the law at Sinai, what did God say because
some of the people went out to gather manna on the
8. In what condition was the world before the flood? seventh day?
"The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled "And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep My
with violence." Gen. 6:11. commandments and My laws?" Ex. 16:28.
9. What did God purpose to do with the people of that day? 19. Had the Lord spoken regarding the Sabbath previous to
"And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before this time?
Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, "This is that which the Lord hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the
behold, I will destroy them with the earth." Verse 13. holy Sabbath." Verse 23.
10. What is Noah called? 20. Before coming to Sinai, what had Moses taught Israel?
"And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth "When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge,
person, a preacher of righteousness." 2 Peter 2:5.
between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes
NOTE.-Noah must have warned the antediluvians against sin, of God, and His laws." Ex. 18:16.
and preached repentance and that obedience of faith which
brings the life into harmony with the law of God.
11. Why did the Lord destroy Sodom? NOTE.-All this shows that the law of God existed from the
"The men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the beginning, and was known and taught in the world before it was
Lordexceedingly." Gen. 13:13. proclaimed at Sinai.
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Chapter 86: The Law of God in the New Testament
1. BY what means did the Jews know God's will? law,-love to one's neighbor,-which the rich young man, in his
"Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and covetousness, was not keeping.
makest thy boast of God, and knowest His will,... being
instructed out of the law." Rom. 2:17,18. 8. Does faith render the law void?
"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea,
2. What did they have in the law? we establish the law." Rom. 3:31.
"Which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law."
Verse 20. 9. How is the law fulfilled?
"Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that
NOTE.-The written law presents the form of knowledge and of loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not
the truth. Grace and truth, or grace and the reality or realization commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou
of that which the written law demands, came by Jesus Christ. He shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be
was the law in life and action. any other commandment [touching our duty to our fellow men], it
is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love
3. What did Jesus say of His attitude toward the law? thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor:
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." Rom. 13:8-10.
am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matt. 5:17.
10. What is of more importance than any outward
ceremony?
NOTE.-By the expression "the law" here is meant the five books
of Moses; and by "the prophets," the writings of the prophets. "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the
Christ did not come to set aside or to destroy either of these, but keeping of the commandments of God." 1 Cor. 7:19.
to fulfil both. The ceremonialism of types and shadows contained
in the books written by Moses He fulfilled by meeting them as 11. What kind of mind is not subject to the law of God?
their great Antitype. The moral law, the great basic fabric "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it
underlying all of Moses' writings Christ fulfilled by a life of perfect is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom.
obedience to all its requirements. The prophets He fulfilled in His 8:7.
advent as the Messiah, Prophet, Teacher, and Saviour foretold
by them. 12. What proves that the law is an undivided whole?
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one
4. What did He teach concerning the stability of the law? point, he is guilty of all. For He that said [margin, that law which
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or said], Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou
one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a
Verse 18. transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that
shall be judged by the law of liberty." James 2:10-12.
5. In what instruction did He emphasize the importance of
keeping the law? 13. How is sin defined?
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is
commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4.
least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and
teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of
14. How may we know that we love the children of God?
heaven." Verse 19. "By this we know that we love the children of God, when
we love God, and keep His commandments." 1 John 5:2.
6. What did Christ tell the rich young man to do in order to
enter into life?
15. What is the love of God declared to be?
"If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matt. 19:17. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments: and His commandments are not grievous."
7. When asked which commandments, what did Jesus say? Verse 3.
"Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit
adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 16. How is the church of the last days described?
Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make
neighbor as thyself." Verses 18,19. war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the
commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
NOTE.-While not quoting all of the ten commandments, Jesus Christ." "Here is the patience of the saints:here are they that
quoted sufficient of them to show that He referred to the moral keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev.
law. In quoting the second great commandment He called 12:17; 14:12.
attention to the great principle underlying the second table of the
How blest the children of the Lord,

Who, walking in His sight,
Make all the precepts of His Word
Their study and delight!
147
What precious wealth shall be their dower,

Which cannot know decay;
Which moth and rust shall ne'er devour,
Or spoiler take away.
HARRIET AUBER.
Love the Fulfilling of the Law
"If the love of god is shed abroad in your heart," says Mr. Moody, "you will be able to fulfil the
law." Paul reduces the commandments to one: "Thou shalt love," and says that "love is the
fulfilling of the law." This truth may be demonstrated thus:-
1. Love to God will admit no other god.

2. Love will not debase the object it adores.
3. Love to God will never dishonor His name.
4. Love to God will reverence His day.
5. Love to parents will honor them.
6. Hate, not love, commits adultery.
7. Lust, not love, commits adultery.
8. Love will give, but never steal.
9. Love will not slander nor lie.
10. Love's eye is not covetous.
Principles Underlying the Ten Commandments
1. Faith and loyalty. Heb. 11:6; Matt. 4:8-10.

2. Worship. Jer. 10:10-12; Ps. 115:3-8; Rev. 14:6,7.
3. Reverence. Ps. 111:9; 89:7; Heb. 12:28; 2 Tim. 2:19.
4. Holiness, or sanctification, and consecration. 1 Peter 1:15,16; Heb. 12:14; Ex. 31:13; Eze.
20:12; 1 Cor. 1:30; Prob. 3:6.
5. Obedience, or respect for authority. Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20; 2 Kings 2:23,24.
6. Love. Lev. 19:17; 1 John 3:15; Matt. 5:21-26, 43-48.
7. Purity. Matt. 5:8; Eph. 5:3,4; Col. 3:5,6; 1 Tim. 5:22; 1 Peter 2:11.
8. Honesty. Rom. 12:17; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10-12.
9. Truthfulness. Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Prov. 6:16-19; 12:19; Rev. 21:27; 22:15.
10. Contentment and unselfishness. Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5; 1 Tim. 6:6-11; Heb. 13:5.
148
Chapter 87: The Moral and Ceremonial Laws
1. WHAT title of distinction is given the law of God? offer their oblations unto the Lord, in the wilderness of Sinai."
"If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt Lev. 7:37,38.
love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect of
persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as 9. Were the ten commandments a distinct and complete law
transgressors." James 2:8,9.
by themselves?
"These words the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the
2. By what law is the knowledge of sin? mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick
"I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, darkness, with a great voice: and He added no more. And He
except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." Rom. 7:7. wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me."
Deut. 5:22. "And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to Me into
NOTE.-The law which says, "Thou shalt not covet" is the ten the mount, and be there: and I will give theetables of
commandments. stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written." Ex.
24:12.
3. By what are all men to be finally judged?
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God 10. Was the ceremonial law a complete law in itself?
and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man: "The law of commandments contained in ordinances." Eph. 2:15.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret
thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:13,14. 11. On what did God write the ten commandments?
"So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law "And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded
of liberty." James 2:12. you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them
upon two tables of stone." Deut. 4:13.
NOTE.-The law which is here called " the law or liberty," is the
law which says, "Do not commit adultery" and "Do not kill," for 12. In what were the laws or commandments respecting
these commandments had just been quoted in the verse sacrifices and burnt offerings written?
immediately preceding. In verse 8, this same law is styled "the "And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give
royal law;" that is, the kingly law. This is the law by which men
according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer
are to be judged. unto the Lord, as it is written in the book of Moses." 2 Chron.
35:12.
4. What system was established on account of man's
transgression of the law of God?
13. Where were the ten commandments placed?
The sacrificial system, with its rites and ceremonies pointing to "And he took and put the testimony into the ark, . . . and put the
Christ.
mercy-seat above upon the ark." Ex. 40:20.
5. Why did the patriarch Job offer burnt offerings?

14. Where did Moses command the Levites to put the book
"And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his of the law which he had written?
day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink
"Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the
with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law, and put
gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early
it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God."
in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the Deut, 31:25,26.
number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have
sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job
continually." Job 1:4,5. 15. What is the nature of the moral law?
"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps. 19:7.
"For we know that the law is spiritual." Rom. 7:14.
6. How early was this sacrificial system known?
"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than
Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God 16. Could the offerings commanded by the ceremonial law
testifying of his gifts." Heb. 11:4. See Gen. 4:3-5; 8:20. satisfy or make perfect the conscience of the believer?
"Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were
offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did
7. By whom was the ten commandment law proclaimed? the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience." Heb. 9:9.
"And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye
heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye
heard a voice. And He declared unto you H is covenant, which 17. Until what time did the ceremonial law impose the
He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and service performed in the worldly sanctuary?
He wrote them upon two tables of stone." Deut. 4:12,13. "Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and
carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of
reformation." Verse 10.
8. How was the ceremonial law made known to Israel?
"And the Lord called unto Moses, . . . saying, Speak unto the
children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring 18. When was this time of reformation?
an offering," etc. Lev. 1:1,2. "This is the law of the burnt offering, "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by
of the meat-offering, and of the sin-offering, and of the trespass- a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that
offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and
peace-offering; which the Lord commanded Moses in mount calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy
Sinai, in the day that He commanded the children of Israel to place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Verses 11,12.
149
19. How did Christ's death affect the ceremonial law? 21. What miraculous event occurred at the death of Christ,
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, signifying that the sacrificial system was forever at an end?
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to "Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up
His cross." Col. 2:14. "Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in
even the law of commandments contained in ordinances." Eph. twain from the top to the bottom." Matt. 27:50,51.
2:15.
22. In what words had the prophet Daniel foretold this?
20. Why was the ceremonial law taken away? "And He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:
"For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment and in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the
because of its weakness and unprofitableness (for the law made oblation to cease." Dan. 9:27.
nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope,
through which we draw nigh unto God." Heb. 7:18,19, R. V.
23. How enduring is the moral law?
"Concerning Thy testimonies, I have known of old that Thou hast
founded them forever." Ps. 119:152.
THE TWO LAWS CONTRASTED
The Moral Law The Ceremonial Law
Is called " the law. . . contained in

Is called the " royal law." James 2:8.
ordinances." Eph. 2:15.
Was spoken by God. Deut. 4:12,13. Was spoken by Moses. Lev. 1:1-3.
Was written by God on tables of stone. Ex. Was "the handwriting of ordinances." Col.
24:12. 2:14.
Was written by Moses in a book. 2 Chron.

Was written "with the finger of God." Ex. 31:18.
35:12.
Was placed in the ark. Ex. 40:20 1 Kings 8:9; Was placed in the side of the ark. Deut.
Heb. 9:4. 31:24-26.
Is "perfect." Ps. 19:7. "Made nothing perfect." Heb. 7:19.
Is to "stand fast forever and ever." Ps. 111:7,8. Was nailed to the cross. Col. 2:14.
Was not destroyed by Christ. Matt. 5:17. Was abolished by Christ. Eph. 2:15.
Was taken out of the way by Christ. Col.

Was to be magnified by Christ. Isa. 42:21.
2:14.
Was instituted in consequence of sin.

Gives knowledge of sin. Rom. 3:20; 7:7.
Leviticus 3-7
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Chapter 88: The Two Covenants
1. WHAT two covenants are contrasted in the Bible? book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people."
"In that He saith, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Verses 4-7.
Now that which decayeth and "waxeth old is ready to vanish
away." Heb. 8:13. 11. What did the people once again promise to do?
"And they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be
2. By what other terms are these covenants designated? obedient."Verse 7.
"For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no
place have been sought for the second." Verse 7. 12. How was this covenant then confirmed and dedicated?
"And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which
3. In connection with what historical event was the old offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen
covenant made? unto the Lord. And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in
"Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in basins; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he
the daywhen I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the
of Egypt;because they continued not in My covenant, and I people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and
regarded them not, saith the Lord." Verse 9. See Ex. 19:3-8. be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the
people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the
4. When God was about to proclaim His law to Israel, of Lord hath made with you concerning all these words." Verses 5-
what did He tell Moses to remind them? 8.
"Tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the
Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought 13. How does Paul describe this dedication of the covenant?
you unto Myself." Ex. 19:3,4. "For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people
according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats,
5. What proposition did He submit to them? with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the
"Now therefore, if ye will obey M y voice indeed, and keep My book, and all the people,saying, This is the blood of the
covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all testament which God hath enjoined unto you." Heb. 9:19,20.
people:for all the earth is Mine: and ye shall be unto Me a
kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." Verses 5,6. NOTE.-We here have the complete account of the making of the
first or old, covenant. God promised to make them His peculiar
6. What response did the people make to this proposition? people on condition that they would keep His commandments.
"And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Three times they promised to obey. The agreement was then
Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of ratified, or sealed, with blood.
the people unto the Lord." Verse 8.
14. Within less than forty days after the making of this
7. In this covenant with Israel, what obligation was imposed covenant, while Moses tarried in the mount, what did the
upon the people? people say to Aaron?
"Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My "Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this
covenant." Verse 5, first part. Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we
wot not what is become of him." Ex. 32:1.
8. What was the Lord's covenant which they were to keep as
their part of this covenant? 15. When Moses came down from Sinai, what did he see?
"And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded "And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the
you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger
upon two tables of stone." Deut. 4:13. waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake
them beneath the mount." Verse 19.
NOTE.-The ten commandments were the "covenant" to which
the Lord referred, when, in proposing to make a covenant with NOTE.-The great object and secret of the old covenant is
Israel, He said, "If ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My revealed here. The people did not realize the weakness and
covenant," etc. Ex. 19:5. The ten commandments were termed sinfulness of their own hearts, or their need of divine grace and
God's covenant before the covenant was made with Israel: help to keep the law; and so, in their ignorance, they readily
hence they cannot be the old covenant itself. They were not an pledged obedience to it. But almost immediately they began to
agreement made, but something which God commanded them to commit idolatry, and thus to break the law of God, or the very
perform, and promised blessings upon condition they were kept. conditions laid down as their part of the covenant. In themselves
Thus the ten commandments-God's covenant became the conditions were good; but in their own strength the people
the basis of the covenant here made with Israel. The old were unable to fulfil them. The great object of the old covenant
covenant was made concerning the ten commandments; or, as therefore was to teach the people their weakness, and their
stated in Ex. 24:8, "concerning all these words." A covenant inability to keep the law without the help of God. Like the law
means a solemn pledge or promise based on conditions. itself, over which the old covenant was made, this covenant was
designed to shut them up to the provisions of the new or
9. After the law had been proclaimed from Sinai, what did everlasting covenant, and lead them to Christ. Gal. 3:23,24. And
the people again say? the lesson which Israel as a nation had to learn in this, each
"And all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the individual now must learn before he can be saved. There is no
words which the Lord hath said will we do." Ex. 24:3. salvation for anyone while trusting in self. Unaided, no one can
keep the law. Only in Christ is there either remission of sins or
10. That there might be no misunderstanding, what did power to keep from sinning. The breaking of the tables of the law
Moses do? signified that the terms of the covenant had been broken; the
"And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, . . . and he took the renewing of the tables (Ex. 34:1,28), God's patience and long-
suffering with His people.
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of Abraham, it follows that there is nothing in what is called the

16. Wherein does the new covenant differ from and excel the new or second covenant that was not in the covenant made with
old? Abraham. The second covenant existed in every essential
"But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how feature, except its ratification, long before the first, even from the
much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was days of Adam. It is called second because its ratification
established uponbetter promises." Heb. 8:6. occurred after the covenant made and ratified at Sinai.
22. What is necessary where there is a covenant?
17. What are the "better promises" upon which the new "For where a covenant is, there must also of necessity be the
covenant was established? death of that which establishes it. For a covenant is made firm
"This shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of over the dead victims; whereas it is of no force while that which
Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law if their establisheth it liveth." Heb. 9:16,17, Boothroyd's translation.
inward parts, and write it in their hearts; . . . I will forgive their 23. With whose blood was the new covenant dedicated?
iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Jer. 31:33,34. "And [He took] the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This
See Heb. 8:8-12. cup is the new covenant in My blood, even that which is poured
out for you." Luke 22:20, R. V.
NOTE.-These are simply the blessings of the gospel through 24. What power is there in the blood of this covenant
Christ. They are promised upon condition of repentance, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our
confession, faith, and acceptance of Christ, the Mediator of the Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood
new covenant, which means salvation and obedience. In the old of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good
covenant there was no provision for pardon and power to obey. It work to do His will." Heb. 13:20,21.
is true there was pardon during the time of the old covenant, but 25. Through which covenant only is there remission of sins?
not by virtue of it. Pardon then, as now, was through the "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the
provisions of the new covenant, the terms of which are older eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish unto God, cleanse
than the old covenant. your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And
for this cause He is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death
18. In what statement was Christ promised as a Saviour and having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that
Deliverer of the race as soon as sin entered? were under the first covenant, they that have been called may
"And the Lord God said unto the serpent, . . . I will put enmity receive the promise of the eternal inheritance." Heb. 9:14,15, R.
between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her V.
seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel." NOTE.-The fact that Christ, as mediator of the second covenant,
Gen. 3:14,15. died for the remission of the transgressions that were under the
first covenant, shows that there was no forgiveness by virtue of
NOTE.-The covenant of grace, with its provisions of pardon the first covenant.
peace, dates from the foundation of the world. 26. Under the old covenant, what did the people promise?
To keep the law of God in their own strength.
19. To whom was this covenant-promise later renewed? NOTE.-Under this covenant the people promised to keep all the
"And God said unto Abraham, . . . Sarah thy wife commandments of God in order to be His peculiar people, and
shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac this without help from anyone. This was virtually a promise to
and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting make themselves righteous. But Christ says, "Without Me ye can
covenant, and with his seed after him." " I will make thy seed to do nothing." John 15:5. And the prophet Isaiah says, " All our
multiply as the stars of heaven, . . . and in thy seed shall all the righteousnesses are as filthy rags." Isa. 64:6. The only perfect
nations of the earth be blessed." Gel 17:15-19; 26:4. righteousness is God's righteousness, and this can be obtained
only through faith in Christ. Rom. 3:20-26. The only
20. Who was the seed here referred to? righteousness that will insure an entrance into the kingdom of
"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He God is "the righteousness which is of God by faith." Phil. 3:9. Of
saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy those who inherit the kingdom of God, the Lord says, "Their
seed, which is Christ." Gal. 3:16. righteousness is of Me" (Isa. 54:17); and the prophet Jeremiah
says of Christ, "This is His name whereby He shall be called,
21. What shows that the new or second covenant and the The Lord Our Righteousness." Jer. 23:6.
Abrahamic covenant are virtually the same? 27. Under the new covenant, what does God promise to do?
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs "I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in
according to the promise." Verse 29. their hearts." Jer. 31:33.
NOTE.-No one should allow himself to be confused by the NOTE.-The new covenant is an arrangement for bringing man
terms first covenant andsecond covenant. While the covenant again into harmony with the divine will, and placing him where he
made at Sinai is called the first covenant, it is by no means the can keep God's law. Its "better promises" bring forgiveness of
first covenant that God ever made with man. Long before this He sins, grace to renew the heart, and power to obey the law of God.
made a covenant with Abraham; He also made a covenant with The dissolution of the old covenant and the making of the new in
Noah, and with Adam. Neither must it be supposed that the first no wise abrogated the law of God.
or old covenant existed for a time as the only covenant with
mankind, and that this must serve its purpose and pass away 28. Where was the law of God written under the old
before anyone could share in the promised blessings of the
covenant?
second or new covenant. Had this been the case, then during "And I made an ark of shittim-wood, and hewed two tables of
that time there would have been no pardon for anyone. What is stone. . . . And He wrote on the tables. . . the ten
called the new or second covenant virtually existed before the commandments, which the Lord spake unto you in the mount out
covenant made at Sinai; for the covenant with Abraham was of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the Lord
confirmed in Christ (Gal. 3:17), and it is only through Christ that gave them unto me." Deut. 10:3,4.
there is any value to the new or second covenant. There is no
blessing that can be gained by virtue of the new covenant that
was not promised to Abraham. And we, with whom the new 29. Where is the law of God written under the new
covenant is made, can share the inheritance which it promises covenant?
only by being children of Abraham, and sharing in his blessing. "But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of
Gal. 3:7,9. And since no one can have anything except as a child
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Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their 31. What unites all believers under the new covenant?
inward parts, and write it in their hearts." Jer. 31:33. "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the
flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the
Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye
were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of
30. What reason is given for making the new covenant? Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no
"For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye
who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of
place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with
them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will Christ." Eph. 2:11-13.
make a new covenant." Heb. 8:7,8.
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE TWO COVENANTS

NOTE.-The chief fault in connection with the old covenant lay
with the people. They were not able, in themselves, to fulfil their
part of it, and it provided them no help for so doing. There was 1. Both are called covenants.
no Christ in it. It was of works and not of grace. It was valuable 2. Both were ratified with blood.
only as a means of impressing upon them their sinfulness and 3. Both were made concerning the law of God.
their need of divine aid. 4. Both were made with the people of God.
5. Both were established upon promises.
DISSIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE TWO COVENANTS
OLD COVENANT NEW COVENANT
Called the old covenant. Called the new covenant.
Called the first covenant. Called the second covenant.
A temporary compact. An everlasting covenant.
Dedicated with the blood of animals. Ratified with the blood of Christ.
Was faulty. Is a better covenant.
Was established upon the promises of the

Is established upon the promises of God.
people.
Had no mediator. Has a mediator.
Had no provision for the forgiveness of sins. Provides for the forgiveness of sins.
Under this, the law was written on tables of

Under this, the law is written in the heart.
stone.
Was of works. Is of grace.
Conditions: Repent and be forgiven; believe and

Conditions: Obey and live; disobey and die.
be saved.
THE OLD THE NEW
If. If ye. If ye will. If ye will do. I. I will. I will do.
If ye will do all. I will do all.
If ye will do all, then-ye shall be I will do all, and-will be your God,

My people, and I will be your God. and ye shall be My people.
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Chapter 89: What was Abolished by Christ
1. HOW did Christ's death on the cross affect the whole wit, the doing of the will of God. . .
sacrificial system? If they had been efficacious, there would have been no need of
"After threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off. . . . His coming to make an atonement."-Dr. Albert Barnes, on Heb,
And He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: 10:9.
and in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the
oblation to cease." Dan. 9:26,27. 9. In what statement to the woman at Jacob's well did Jesus
intimate that the ceremonial system of worship would be
2. What did Christ nail to His cross? abolished?
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh,
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem,
His cross."Col. 2:14. worship the Father." John 4:21.
3. What did He thus abolish? NOTE.-The worship of the Jews centered in the typical system,
"Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of or ritual service, of the temple, "at Jerusalem," while the
commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself Samaritans had instituted a rival service "in this mountain," Mt.
of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might Gerizim. In His statement to the woman of Samaria, Jesus
reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain therefore indicated that the time was at hand when the whole
the enmity thereby." Eph. 2:15,16. typical system would be done away.
4. To what did the ordinances pertain that were thus 10. What test cast arose in the time of the apostles over this
abolished? question?
"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in "And certain men which came down from Judea taught the
respect of anholy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of
days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Moses, ye cannot be saved." Acts 15:1.
Christ." Col. 2:16,17.
11. What requirement was made by these teachers from
5. From what statement do we learn that these ordinances Judea concerning the ceremonial law?
related to the sacrificial system? "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from
"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls,
the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we
which they offered year by year continually make the comers gave no such commandment." Verse 24.
thereunto perfect." Heb. 10:1.
12. After conferring over this matter, what decision was
6. What occurred at the time of the crucifixion which reached by the apostles?
indicated that the typical system had been taken away by "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon
Christ? you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye
"And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from
top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent." things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep
Matt. 27:51. yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well." Verses 28,29.
7. In what language is this clearly stated? 13. What charge was made against Stephen concerning his
"Then said He, Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God, He taketh away attitude toward the ceremonial law?
the first, that He may establish the second." Heb. 10:9. "And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to
speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the
8. What is the first which He took away? law: for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall
"Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses
offerings andoffering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst delivered us." Acts 6:13,14.
pleasure therein; which are offered by the law," Verse 8.
14. What similar charge was brought against the apostle
NOTES.-"He taketh away the first." The connection plainly Paul?
indicates that what Christ took away was ceremonialism as "This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the
expressed in the typical service of sacrifices and offerings, and law." Acts 18:13.
that what He established, by giving Himself to do the will of God,
was the experience of doing the will of God on the part of the 15. What statement did Paul make concerning his faith and
believer. Thus He made possible the answer to the petition manner of worship?
which He taught His disciples, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they
in heaven." Instead of abolishing the moral law, Christ made call heresy,so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all
such provision that every believer in Him may become a doer of things which are written in the law and in the prophets." Acts
that law. 24:14.
"The word first here refers to sacrifices and offerings, He
takes them away; that is, He shows that they are of no value in
NOTE.-The charge against Stephen and Paul was not based
removing sin. He states their inefficacy, and declares His upon any violation of the moral law, but upon their teaching
purpose to abolish them. 'That He may establish the second'- to concerning the ceremonial law; and Paul's admission that he
154
was guilty of what they called heresy meant simply that he NOTE.-In the ceremonial law there was "a shadow of good
differed from them as to the obligation to observe any longer the things to come," a type of the mediatorial work of Christ, our
precepts of the law which was imposed upon them "until the time great High Priest. The moral law makes known sin, places the
of reformation." The simple fact that such charges were sinner under condemnation, and forces him to Christ for pardon
preferred against these able exponents and teachers of the and cleansing. The ceremonial law was abolished by the work of
gospel shows that in their view the ceremonial law had been Christ, but the moral law was established by both His life and
abolished by the death of Christ, and that like the giving of the death.
moral law at Sinai it was designed to lead men to Christ.
19. What testimony did Christ bear concerning His relation
16. What is one of the offices of the moral law? "Wherefore to the law and the prophets?
the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the
might be justified by faith." Gal. 3:24. prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matt. 5:17.
17. How is this same teaching expressed in another place? NOTE.-"Christ kept the law. If He had ever broken it, He would
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one have had to die for Himself; but because He was a Lamb without
that believeth." Rom. 10:4. spot or blemish, His atoning death is efficacious for you and me.
He had no sin of His own to atone for, and so God accepted His
sacrifice. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to
NOTE.-Murdock's translation of the Syriac New Testament
renders this passage: "For Messiah is the aim of the law, for everyone that believeth. We are righteous in God's sight
because the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus
righteousness, unto everyone that believeth in Him."
Christ is unto all and upon all them that believe."- "Weighed and
Wanting," by D. L. Moody, pages 123,124. See also notes in
18. In what statement is there a similar use of the word end? Chapters 82., 83. and 86. of this book.
"Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your
souls." 1 Peter 1:9. See also 1 Tim. 1:5; James 5:11.
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Chapter 90: The Law and The Gospel
1. WHAT is one of the uses of the law? faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Phil.
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be 3:8,9.
justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom.
3:20. 12. What relation does the law sustain to this
righteousness?
2. In thus making known sin, and the consequent need of a "But now the righteousness of God without the law is
Saviour, what part does the law act? manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets." Rom.
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto 3:21.
Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Gal. 3:24.
13. Does the faith which brings righteousness abolish the
3. What is the gospel declared to be? law?
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid:
of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, yea, we establish the law." Verse 31.
and also to the Greek." Rom. 1:16.
NOTE.-The law reveals the perfection of character required, and
4. What is the significance of the name bestowed by the so gives a knowledge of sin; but it is powerless to confer the
angel upon the Saviour before His birth? character demanded. In the gospel, the law, first written in the
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His heart of Christ, becomes "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins." Matt. Jesus," and is thus transferred to the heart of the believer, in
1:21. whose heart Christ dwells by faith. Thus the new covenant
promise is fulfilled that the law shall be written in the heart. This
5. In whom is this power to save from sin revealed? is the genuine experience of righteousness by faith,- a
"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, righteousness which is witnessed by the law, and revealed in the
and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, life in harmony with the law. The gospel is thus seen to be the
both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom provision for restoring the law to its place in the heart and life of
the one who believes on Christ, and accepts His mediatorial
of God." 1 Cor. 1:23,24.
work. Such faith, instead of making void the law, establishes it in
the heart of the believer. The gospel is not against the law,
6. What was foretold concerning Christ's attitude toward the therefore, but upholds, maintains, and presents the law to us in
law of God? Christ.
"Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of
Me, I delight to do Thy will, O M y God: yea, Thy law is within My
14. What did Christ take away?
heart."Ps. 40:7,8.
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the
7. What is the first promise of the new covenant? world." John 1:29.
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, saith the Lord; I will put My laws into their mind,
and write them in their hearts." Heb. 8:10. 15. What has Christ abolished?
"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour
Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life
8. What is Christ's relation to this new covenant? and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Tim. 1:10.
"But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how
much also He is the mediator of a better covenant; which was
16. What change is brought about through the gospel?
established upon better promises." Verse 6.
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of
the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory,
9. How is this same work for man otherwise described? even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18. See note on
"For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: question 17 of Chapter 20. of this book.
whereforeit is of necessity that this Man have somewhat also to
offer. For if He were on earth, He should not be a priest, seeing
that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law." Verses NOTE.-It is sometimes claimed that Christ changed, abolished,
3,4. or took away the law, and put the gospel in its place; but this
shows a misapprehension of the real work of Christ. The
individual believer is changed by beholding the glory revealed in
10. What is necessary on the part of the individual in order the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4; John 1:14); death has been abolished
to receive the benefit of Christ's work? through the death of Christ; and sin has been taken away by the
"With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the great Sin-bearer; but the law of God still remains unchanged as
mouthconfession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10:10. the very foundation of His throne.
11. For what did the apostle Paul trust Christ? 17. What spiritual interpretation did Christ give to the sixth
"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency commandment?
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt
suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the
may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his
righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and
whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca,shall be in danger of
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the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool,shall be in justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom.
danger of hell-fire." Matt. 5:21,22. 3:20.
18. How did He interpret the seventh commandment? 23. In what way are all believers in Jesus justified?
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is
not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh in Christ Jesus." Verse 24.
on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her
already in his heart." Verses 27,28. 24. After this work of grace has been accomplished, is the
believer expected to go on in sin?
19. Of what prophecy was this teaching a fulfillment? "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace
"The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness' sake; He will may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live
magnify the law, and make it honorable." Isa. 42:21. any longer therein?" Rom. 6:1,2.
NOTE.-Christ not only gave a spiritual interpretation to the law NOTE.-Even in the days of Abraham the same gospel of
and Himself observed it according to that interpretation, but He righteousness by faith was preached as now, while the law made
showed the holiness and the immutable nature of the law by known sin, and witnessed to the righteousness obtained through
dying on the cross to pay the penalty of its transgression. In this faith, just as it has done since the cross. From this it is evident
way, above all He magnified the law, and showed its far-reaching, that the relation between the law and the gospel has always
immutable, and imperishable nature. been the same.
20. In what promise was the gospel preached to Abraham? 25. What was Christ's personal attitude toward the law?
"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I
heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matt. 5:17. "If ye keep My
saying,In thee shall all nations be blessed." Gal. 3:8. commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept
My Father's commandments, and abide in His love." John 15:10.
21. On what basis was Abraham accounted righteous?
"For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was 26. What scripture shows that God's remnant people will
counted unto him for righteousness." Rom. 4:3. have a right conception of the proper relation between the
law and the gospel?
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the
22. What scripture cuts off all hope of justification by
works? commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12.
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be
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Section 9: The Sabbath
Chapter 91: Institution of the Sabbath
1. WHEN and by whom was the Sabbath made? assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into
"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of the house of the Lord." Wherever used in the Bible, the word sanctify
them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had means to appoint, to proclaim, or to set apart, as in the margin of
made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He Joshua 20:7; , 2 Kings 10:20,21; Zeph. 1:7. So when the Sabbath
had made." Gen. 2:1,2. was sanctified, as the last act by which it was made for man, an
appointment, or proclamation, of the Sabbath was given. See Ex.
2. After resting on the seventh day, what did God do? 19:23.
"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in "If we had no other passage than this of Gen. 2:3, there would be no
it He had rested from all His work which God created and made." difficulty in deducing from it a precept for the universal observance of
Verse 3. a Sabbath, or seventh day, to be devoted to God as holy time, by all
of that race for whom the earth and its nature were specially
3. By what three distinct acts, then, was the Sabbath made? prepared. The first men must have known it. The words He hallowed
God rested on it; He blessed it; He sanctified it. itcan have no meaning otherwise. They would be a blank unless in
Sanctify: "To make sacred or holy; to set apart to a holy or religious reference to some who were required to keep it holy."- Lange's
use."-Webster. Commentary, Vol. I, page 197.
4. Did Christ have anything to do with creation and the making

9. How did God prove Israel in the wilderness?
of the Sabbath?
"Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from
"All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything
heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate
made that was made." John 1:3. See also Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Heb.
every day; that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law,
1:2.
or no." Ex. 16:4.
NOTE.-Christ, being the active agent in creation, must have rested
on the seventh day with the Father. It is therefore His rest day as 10. On which day was a double portion of manna gathered?
well as the Father's. "And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered
twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of
5. For whom does Christ say the Sabbath was made? the congregation came and told Moses." Verse 22.
"And He said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not
man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27.
11. What reply did Moses make to the rulers?
NOTE.-It was not made for the Jews alone. The Jews derive their "And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said,
name from Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, from whom they Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord." Verse 23.
are descended. The Sabbath was made more than two thousand
years before there was a Jew. When Paul says, "Neither was the NOTE.-This was a full month and more before they came to Sinai.
man created for the woman; but the woman for the man" (1 Cor.
11:9), we understand him to mean that marriage was ordained of
God for all men. So likewise with the Sabbath. It was made for the 12. When had God said this?
race. In the beginning, when He sanctified the Sabbath. Gen. 2:3.
6. What does the Sabbath commandment require? NOTE.-In the wilderness of Sin, before Israel came to Sinai, Moses
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou said to Jethro, his father-in-law, "I do make them know the statutes of
labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the God, and His laws" (Ex. 18:16), which shows that these statutes and
Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor laws existed before they were proclaimed on Sinai.
thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle,
nor thy stranger that is within thy gates." Ex. 20:8-10.
13. What did some of the people do on the seventh day?
7. What reason is given in the commandment for keeping the "It came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the
Sabbath day holy? seventh day for to gather, and they found none." Ex. 16:27.
"For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all
that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord 14. How did God reprove their disobedience?
blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Verse 11. "And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep My
commandments and My laws?" Verse 28.
NOTE.-The Sabbath is the memorial of creation, and the sign of
God's creative power. Through the keeping of it God designed that
man should forever remember Him as the true and living God, the 15. Why was double manna given on the sixth day?
Creator of all things. "See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore He
giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every
8. Did God bless and sanctify the seventh day while He was man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day."
resting upon it, or when His rest on that day was past? Verse 29.
"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in
it He HAD rested from all His work which God created and made." 16. How, then, did the Lord prove the people (verse 4) whether
Gen. 2:3. they would keep His law, or not?
Over the keeping of the Sabbath.
NOTES.-God blessed and sanctified the seventh day then future,
answering to the day on which He had just rested. The acts of
blessing and sanctifying involve the idea of a future use of those NOTE.-Thus we see that the Sabbath commandment was a part of
things which are blessed and sanctified. Past time cannot be used. It God's law before this law was spoken from Sinai; for this incident
is gone forever. The blessing and sanctification of the day, therefore, occurred in the wilderness of Sin, before the children of Israel came
must have related to the future- to all the future seventh days. to Sinai, where the law was given. Both the Sabbath and the law
In Joel 1:14 we read: "Sanctify [i. e., appoint] ye a fast, call a solemn existed from creation.
158
Chapter 92: God's Memorial
1. WHAT is to endure throughout all generations? idolatrous surroundings, the keeping of the Sabbath had become not
"Thy name, O Lord, endureth forever; and Thy memorial, O Lord, only almost obsolete, but well-nigh impossible. See reading on
throughout all generations." Ps. 135:13. "Reasons for Sabbath-Keeping," under questions 9 and 10, on
Memorial: "Anything intended to preserve the memory of a person or Chapter 93 of this book. Their deliverance from bondage was in
event; something which serves to keep some person or thing in order that they might keep God's law (Ps. 105:43-45), and
remembrance, as a monument or a practise."-Webster. particularly the Sabbath, the great seal, sign, and memorial-
institution of the law. The recollection of their bondage and
2. What illustration of this is given in the Bible? oppressed condition in Egypt was to be an additional incentive for
"And these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel keeping the Sabbath in the land of freedom. The Sabbath, therefore,
forever." Joshua 4:7. besides being a memorial of creation, was to be to them a memorial
of their deliverance from bondage, and of the great power of God as
3. What are these stones to commemorate? manifested in this deliverance. And as Egypt stands as a symbol of
"And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children the condition of everyone in the world under the slavery of sin, so the
shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these Sabbath is to be kept by every saved soul as a memorial of the
stones? then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came deliverance from this slavery by the mighty power of God through
over this Jordan on dry land." Verses 21,22. Christ.
NOTE.-These stones were to be a standing memorial, or reminder,

10. Of what else does God say He gave the Sabbath to His
of Israel's coming dry-shod over the Jordan.
people to be a sign, or reminder?
"Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me
4. What was another memorial instituted to commemorate
and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify
another signal providence in behalf of the Israelites?
them." Eze. 20:12.
"And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a
feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast
by an ordinance forever." Ex. 12:14. NOTE.-Sanctification is a work of redemption,- of making holy sinful
or unholy beings. Like the work of creation itself, this requires
NOTE.-This, the Passover, was a periodical memorial, to be creative power. See Ps. 51:10; John 3:3,6; Eph. 2:10. And as the
observed on the fourteenth day of the first month of each year, the Sabbath is the appropriate sign or memorial of the creative power of
day on which the Israelites were delivered from Egyptian bondage, God wherever displayed, whether in creation, deliverance from
and its celebration was to be, with the seven days' feast of human bondage, or deliverance from the slavery of sin, it is to be
unleavened bread following and connected with it, in kept as a sign of the work of sanctification. This will be one great
commemoration of that event. See Ex. 13:3-9. reason for the saints' keeping it throughout eternity. It will remind
them not only of their own creation and the creation of the universe,
5. Does God design that His great work of creating the heavens but also of their redemption.
and the earth shall be remembered?
"The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have
11. Through whom do we have sanctification?
pleasure therein. His work is honorable and glorious: and His
righteousness endureth forever. He hath made His wonderful works "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us
to be remembered." Ps. 111:2-4. wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 1
Cor. 1:30.
6. What has He commanded men to observe in memory of this
great work? NOTE.-Then, as the Sabbath is a sign or memorial of sanctification,
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy; . . . for in six days the and as Christ is the one through whom the work of sanctification is
Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and accomplished, the Sabbath is a sign or memorial of what Christ is to
rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, the believer. Through the Sabbath, therefore, God designed that the
and hallowed it." Ex. 20:8-11. believer and Christ should be very closely linked together.
7. Of what was this memorial to be a sign?

"And hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and 12. What statement of the redeemed shows that they will
you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God." Eze. 20:20. remember God's creative power?
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for
8. How long was the Sabbath to be a sign of the true God? Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and
"It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever: for in six werecreated." Rev. 4:11.
days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He
rested, and was refreshed." Ex. 31:17. 13. How often will they congregate to worship the Lord?
NOTE.-It is manifest that if the object of the Sabbath was to keep "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall
God as the Creator in mind, and it had been faithfully kept from the remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name
first, there would not now be a heathen or an idolater on the face of remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to
the earth. another,and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to
worship before Me, saith the Lord." Isa. 66:22,23.
9. What besides creation were Israel to remember when they
kept the Sabbath? NOTE.-The Sabbath, which is the memorial of God's creative power,
"And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and will never cease to exist. When this sinful state of things shall give
that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand way to the sinless new earth, the fact upon which the Sabbath
and by a stretched-out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded institution is based will still remain; and those who shall be permitted
thee to keep the Sabbath day." Deut. 5:15. to live in the new earth will still commemorate the creative power of
God, while singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Rev. 15:3. See
NOTE.-There is a deep significance to this scripture not apparent to Rev. 22:1,2.
those unacquainted with the facts. In Egypt, through oppression and
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Chapter 93: Reasons for Sabbath-Keeping
1. WHAT is the one great feature by which the true God is and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I
distinguished from all false gods? am the Lord that doth SANCTIFY you." Ex. 31:13.
"The Lord is the true God, He is the living God, and an
everlasting king. . . . The gods that have not made the heavens NOTE.-To sanctify is to make holy, or to set apart for a holy use.
and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from
The sanctification, or making holy, of sinful beings can be
under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, He wrought only by the creative power of God through Christ by the
hath established the world by His wisdom, and hath stretched Holy Spirit. In I Cor. 1:30 we are told that Christ is made unto us
out the heavens by His discretion." Jer. 10:10-12. "sanctification;" and in Eph. 2:10 it is said that "we are His
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." The
2. When Paul wished to preach the true God to the Sabbath, therefore, is a sign of sanctification, and thus of what
idolatrous Athenians, how did he describe Him? Christ is to the believer, because it is a reminder of the creative
"Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I power of God as manifested in the work of regeneration. It is the
unto you. God that made the world and and things therein." Acts sign of the power of God, therefore, in both creation and
17:23,24. redemption. To the believer, it is the evidence, or sign, that he
knows the true God, who, through Christ, created all things, and
3. What did the apostles say to the idolaters at Lystran? who, through Christ, redeems the sinner and makes him whole.
"We. . . preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities
unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, 9. What special reason did the Israelites have for keeping
and all things that are therein." Acts 14:15. See also Rev. 10:6; the Sabbath?
14:6,7. "And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt,
and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a
mighty hand and by a stretched-out arm: therefore the Lord thy
4. What reason is given in the fourth commandment for
keeping the Sabbath day holy? God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day." Deut. 5:15.
"For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and
all that in them is, and rested the seventh day." Ex. 20:11. NOTE.-In their bondage the Israelites had to some extent lost
the knowledge of God, and departed from His precepts. The
NOTES.-The Sabbath is the great memorial or creation and or Sabbath came to be greatly disregarded by them; and in
consequence of the oppression of the Pharaohs, especially the
God's creative power, a constant reminder or the true and living
God. God's design in making the Sabbath, and in commanding Pharaoh of the exodus, as witnessed by the rigorous exactions
that it be kept holy, was that man might never forget Him, the made upon them by this latter king through their taskmasters, its
Creator of all things. observance was made apparently impossible. See Ex. 5:1-19.
"The original Sabbath being a perpetual memorial of God, the The special point, both of reform and of conflict, just preceding
Creator calling man to imitate God in the observance of the their deliverance from bondage, was over the matter of Sabbath
same, man could not keep the original Sabbath and forget observance. Moses and Aaron had shown them that obedience
God."- Prof. E. W. Thomas, M. A., in Herald of Gospel Liberty, to God was the first condition of deliverance. Their efforts to
June 19,1890. restore the observance of the Sabbath among the Israelites had
come to the notice of Pharaoh; hence his accusation against
When we remember that two thirds of the world's inhabitants
today are idolaters, and that since the fall, idolatry, with its train them, "Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let[hinder] the
people from their works? get you unto your burdens. . . . Behold,
of associated and resultant evils, has ever been a prevailing sin,
and then think that the observance of the Sabbath, as God the people of the land are many, and ye make them rest
ordained it, would have prevented all this, we can better [Heb., Shabbath] from their burdens." Ex. 5:4,5. Deliverance
appreciate the value of the Sabbath institution, and the from this oppression was indeed, therefore, an additional and
importance of Sabbath-keeping. special reason for their keeping the Sabbath. But Egypt and
Egyptian bondage simply represent sin and the bondage of sin.
See Rev. 11:8; Hosea 11:1; Matt. 2:15; Zech. 10:10. Every one,
5. What does God say the Sabbath will be to those who therefore who has been delivered from sin has the same reason
hallow it, or keep it holy? for keeping the Sabbath as had the Israelites who were released
"And hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me from Egyptian bondage.
and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God." Eze.
20:20.
10. What does the psalmist say was the reason why God
brought His people out of Egypt, and placed them in
6. How important is it that we know God? Canaan?
"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true "And He brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with
God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3. gladness: and gave them the lands of the heathen: . . . that they
might observe His statutes, and keep His laws." Ps, 105:43-45.
7. Is there any danger of God's chosen people forgetting
Him? NOTE.-Their deliverance from Egyptian bondage was a reason
"Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping His for the keeping not only of the fourth commandment, but of every
commandments, and His judgments, and His statutes." Deut. precept of God's law. This is indicated by the preface or
8:11. preamble to the law as given on Sinai: "I am the Lord thy God,
which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the
8. What other reason is given for keeping the Sabbath? house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,"
"Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me etc. Ex. 20:2,3. See also Lev. 19:35-37; Deut. 10:19; 15:2-15;
24:17,18. Likewise, every one who, through Christ, has been
delivered from the bondage of sin, God calls to obedience, not
160
only in the matter of Sabbath-keeping, but to every precept of 13. Was the Sabbath intended as a day for public worship?
His holy law. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of "Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath
man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from of rest, an holy convocation." Lev. 23:3.
polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil." Isa. 56:2.
NOTE.-A convocation is an assembly of people.
11. What is the meaning of the word sabbath?
Rest. 14. Does the New Testament teach the same duty?
"Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good
NOTE.-Previous to the fall, God designed that man's time should works:not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the
be occupied with pleasant, invigorating, but not wearisome labor. manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the
Gen. 2:15. Laborious, wearisome toil came in consequence of more, as ye see the day approaching." Heb. 10:24,25.
sin. Gen. 3:17-19. While under the fall the Sabbath, therefore,
may bring physical rest to both man and the beasts of burden 15. What does Malachi say of those that fear the Lord?
(Ex. 23:12) in a way not originally intended, physical rest was not "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and
its original and primary design or purpose. Cessation from the the Lord harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance
ordinary labors and occupations of the week was ordained, not
was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that
because these are wrong or sinful in themselves, but that man thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of
might have an appointed time and a frequently recurring period
hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare
for the contemplation of the Creator and His works. Under the them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Mal.
gospel, the Sabbath is a sign of spiritual rest and freedom from
3:16,17.
sin. So we read, "For he that is entered into His rest, he also
hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His." Heb.
4:10. 16. Will the Sabbath be observed as a day of worship in the
new earth?
"For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will
12. Who gives this rest from sin? make, shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed
"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one
give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another , shall all
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord." Isa. 66:22,23.
Matt. 11:28,29.
NOTE.-"Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our heart is restless

NOTE.-The Sabbath, then, is the sign of the soul-rest which till it find its rest in Thee."-St. Augustine.
Christ gives to the weary and ladened with sin.
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Chapter 94: Manner of Observing the Sabbath
1. WHAT is first commanded in the Sabbath commandment? 9. What kind of labor is to be done through the week?
"Remember the Sabbath day." Ex. 20:8. "Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work." Ex. 20:9.
2. Which day is the Sabbath? 10. Is any of this kind of work to be done on the Sabbath?
"The seventh day is the Sabbath." Verse 10. "In it thou shalt not do any work." Verse 10.
3. For what purpose are we to remember the Sabbath day? NOTE.-If the Sabbath is to be kept "holy," mere physical rest one
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." Verse 8. day in seven cannot be the great object of the Sabbath institution.
NOTE.-All through the week the keeping holy of the Sabbath day 11. How does the Lord, through the prophet Isaiah, indicate
is to be remembered, or borne in mind. No business contracts or what is true Sabbath-keeping?
arrangements are to be made, no manner of living indulged in, "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy
which will prevent or interfere with the proper or holy observance pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy
of the day when it comes. The keeping of this commandment, of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own
therefore, is in the interests of, and with a view to, holy living all ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own
the time. The commandment itself enjoins a duty, and is to be words: then shalt thoudelight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause
kept, all through the week; the Sabbath is to be kept when it thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with
comes. The Sabbath commandment, therefore, like every other the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath
precept of the decalogue, but contrary to the conception of many, spoken it." Isa. 58:13,14.
is to be kept all the time, and not simply one day in the week. In
this matter we should distinguish between the Sabbath and the NOTE.-"Whether the Sabbath becomes a delight or a burden
Sabbathcommandment. depends upon the spirit with which a man meets it. Indeed, the
spirit of the man settles the question as to the benefits to come
4. Who made the Sabbath day holy? from any duty he may perform. One man cannot understand why
"Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed his neighbor should prefer the park or the ball ground to the
it." Verse 11. church, simply because his spirit is different. He has cultivated
the higher nature until he loves spiritual things above all others,
NOTE.-God made the Sabbath day holy; we are to keep it holy. and to him the Sabbath is indeed a delight. It comes to his weary
soul as a reminder of God, and brings him nearer to heaven in
heart and mind than does any other day."-Sabbath Recorder,
5. What is it that makes a thing holy? Dec. 12,1910.
God's presence in it. See Ex. 3:5; 29:43-46; Joshua. 5:13-15.
Page 427
6. Then in order to keep the Sabbath day holy, what must be
recognized?
God's presence in the day; His blessing upon it; and 12. What is the character of God, and how only can He be
His sanctificationof it. truly worshiped?
"God is a Spirit: and they that. worship Him must worship Him in
spirit and in truth." John 4:24.
Page 426
NOTE.-This is one reason why the attempt to produce Sabbath-
7. When, according to the Bible, does the Sabbath begin? keeping by human Sabbath laws is altogether out of place. Such
"And the evening and the morning were the first day." laws can never produce true Sabbath-keeping, for that
"And the evening and the morning were the second day," etc. is spiritual, and must be of the mind and from the heart, and
See Gen. 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31. notperfunctory, mechanical, nor of force.
NOTE.-The evening begins "at the going down of the sun." See 13. What is one thing for which God has given the Sabbath
Deut.16:6; Mark 1:32; Deut. 23:11; 1 Kings 22:35,36; 2 to be a sign?
Chron.18:34. That He sanctifies His people, or makes them holy. See Ex.
31:13; Eze. 20:12; and Chapter 92.
8. Does the Bible recognize this as the proper time for
beginning and ending the Sabbath? 14. What does the "psalm for the Sabbath day" suggest as
"From even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath." Lev. proper acts and themes for thought and meditation on the
23:32. Sabbath?
"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing
NOTE.-One great advantage of keeping the Sabbath according praises unto Thy name, O Most High: to show forth Thy loving-
to the Bible method of reckoning the day, that is, from sunset to kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night, upon
sunset, over keeping it according to the Roman reckoning, or an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon
from midnight to midnight, is that by the former one is awake to the harp with a solemn sound. For Thou, Lord, hast made me
welcome and to bid adieu to the day when it comes and goes, glad through Thy work: I will triumph in the works of Thy
while by the latter he is asleep when the day begins and ends. hands. O Lord, how great are Thy works! and Thy thoughts are
God's ways are always best. The setting of the sun is a great very deep." Ps. 92:1-5.
natural sign for marking the division of time into days.
162
15. What do the works of God declare? "Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days." Matt.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament 12:12.
showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night
unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, NOTE.-Not a little of Christ's earthly ministry was devoted to
where their voice is not heard." Ps. 19:1-3. See margin. uplifting the Sabbath, and showing the beneficent character of
the Sabbath institution. It was not meant to be a day of sorrow,
NOTE.-God designed that the Sabbath should direct the minds austerity, or gloom. Disinterested works of love and mercy
of men to His created works, and through these to Him, the toward man or beast are always in place on the
Creator. Nature itself speaks to our senses, telling us that there Sabbath. Lawful means "according to law."
is a God, the Creator and Supreme Ruler of the universe. The
Sabbath, ever pointing to God through nature, was designed to 20. What day is especially indicated as the day to prepare
keep the Creator constantly in mind. The proper keeping of it,
for the Sabbath?
therefore, must naturally tend to prevent idolatry, atheism, "And that day [the sixth day] was the preparation, and the
agnosticism, infidelity, irreligion, and irreverence; and, being
Sabbath drew on." Luke 23:54. See also Ex. 16:22,23.
promotive of the knowledge and fear of God, must of necessity
be a deterrent to sin. In this may its value and importance be
seen. NOTE.-In order to keep the Sabbath day holy, it must be
remembered all through the week; and on the sixth day, or the
day just before the Sabbath, special preparation should be
16. Was the Sabbath designed to be a day for public made to be ready to welcome and observe the day when it
worship?
comes.
"Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath
of rest,an holy convocation." Lev. 23:3.
21. How did the Israelites in the wilderness on the sixth day
prepare for the Sabbath?
NOTE.-The word convocation means "a calling together," and is
"And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice
always used in the Bible with reference to meetings of a religious as much bread, two omers for one man." Ex. 16:22.
character.
NOTES.-The Sabbath should not be a day of either ordinary

Page 429
labor, idleness, or amusement, but one of rest, reflection, holy
joy, worship, and helpfulness. It should be the happiest, the
17. What example did Christ set in Sabbath observance? brightest, and the best of all the week. Such it should be made
"And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the for young and old. Very early the children can be taught the
Sabbath day, and stood up for to read." Luke 4:16. stories of creation and redemption, and taken out amid the
handiworks of God and taught to see Him and to commune with
18. What else did Jesus do on the Sabbath? Him through nature. Preparation for the Sabbath, therefore, is an
"And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and essential to its proper observance. God's blessing is upon the
opened his eyes." John 9:14. first moments of the Sabbath as well as upon the last; and, as far
as possible, everything should be got in readiness so that the
entire day may be devoted to God and humanity in the manner
NOTE.-A large share of Christ's ministry consisted of miracles indicated.
and acts of mercy performed for the relief of suffering humanity; In making the Sabbath, God rested upon, blessed, and sanctified
and not a few of these were done on the Sabbath. On this day, the day. Ex. 20:11. Whoever, then, keeps the Sabbath aright,
as on other days, He "went about doing good." See next reading. may expect that there will be brought into his life God's rest,
blessing, and sanctification.
19. With what words did He justify acts of mercy on the the
Sabbath day?
163
Chapter 95: Christ and the Sabbath
1. OF what did Christ say the Son of man is Lord? 8. How did Jesus answer them?
"The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day." Matt. 12:8. "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I
See also Mark 2:28. work."Verse 17.
2. Who made the Sabbath? NOTE.-The ordinary operations of nature, as manifested in

"All things were made by Him, [Christ, the Word]; and without God's almighty, upholding, beneficent, and healing power, go on
Him was not anything made that was made." John 1:3. on the Sabbath the same as on other days; and to cooperate
with God and nature in the work of healing, relieving, and
restoring on the Sabbath, cannot, therefore, be out of harmony
3. Did Christ, while on earth, keep the Sabbath?
"As His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the with God's will, nor a violation of His Sabbath law.
Sabbath day, and stood up for to read." Luke 4:16.
9. What effect did this answer have upon the Jews?
"Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not
4. Although Lord, Maker, and an observer of the Sabbath,
how was He watched and spied upon by the scribes and only had broken the Sabbath [i. e., in their estimation], but said
Pharisees on this day? also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God."
"And the scribes and Pharisees watched Him, whether He would Verse 18.
heal on the Sabbath day; that they might find an accusation
against Him." Luke 6:7. 10. Because the disciples plucked a few ears of corn on the
Sabbath day to satisfy hunger, what accusation did the
5. With what question did Christ meet their false ideas and Pharisee make against them to Christ?
reasoning's regarding Sabbath-keeping? "And the Pharisees said unto Him, Behold, why do they on the
"Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful Sabbath day that which is not lawful?" Mark 2:24.
on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to
destroy it?"Verse 9. 11. What was Christ's reply?
"And He said unto them, Have ye never read what David did,
6. How did they manifest their displeasure at His healing the when he had, need, and was an hungered, he, and they that
man with the withered hand on the Sabbath? were with him? how he went into the house of God in the days of
"And they were filled with madness; and communed one with Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the showbread, which is not
another what they might do to Jesus." Verse 11. "And the lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which
were with him? And He said unto them, The Sabbath was made
Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the
Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him." Mark 3:6. for man, and not man for the Sabbath." Verses 25-27.
NOTE.-They were angry because, notwithstanding the fact that 12. Because of Christ's healing a woman of an infirmity on
the Sabbath, what did the ruler of a certain synagogue say?
by the miracle performed Christ had given evidence that He was
from God, He had shown no respect for their views of Sabbath- "And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation,
because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said
keeping, but, on the contrary, had shown these to
bewrong. Wounded pride, obstinacy, and malice, therefore, unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work:
in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath
combined to fill them withmadness; and they went out
immediately and held council with the Herodians,- their political day." Luke 13:14.
enemies with whom they disagreed in the matter of paying
tribute to a foreign power,- for the purpose of accomplishing His 13. How did Christ answer him?
death. "The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not
each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the
7. Because Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath day, and stall, and lead him away to watering? and ought not this woman,
bold him to take up his bed and walk, what did the Jews being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these
do? eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?"
"Therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay Verses 15,16.
Him,because He had done these things on the Sabbath day."
John 5:16. 14. What effect did Christ's answers have upon the people?
"And when He had said these things, all His adversaries
NOTE.-It is a fact worthy of note that over the question of proper were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious
Sabbath observance the Jews not only persecuted Jesus, things that were done by Him." Verse 17.
but first took counsel to kill Him. Not the least of the malice which
finally culminated in His crucifixion, was engendered over this 15. By what method of reasoning did Christ justify acts of
very question of Sabbath observance. Christ did not keep the mercy on the Sabbath day?
Sabbath according to their ideas of Sabbath-keeping, and so "Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will
they sought to kill Him. And they are not alone. Many today are not straightway pull him out on the Sabbath day? And they could
cherishing this same spirit. Because some do not agree with not answer Him again to these things." Luke 14:5,6. "What man
their ideas regarding the Sabbath, or Sabbath observance, they shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall
seek to persecute and oppress them,-seek laws, and alliances into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it
with political powers, to compel respect for their views. out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it
is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days." Matt. 12:11,12.
164
16. Into what perplexity did Christ's working of miracles on been buried, and by which it had been degraded and turned
the Sabbath throw the Pharisees? aside from the channel of blessing and practical service to man
"Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, designed by its Maker. The Pharisees had placed the
because He keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can institution above man, and against man. Christ reversed the
a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a order, and said, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not
division among them." John 9:16. man for the Sabbath." He showed that it was to minister to the
happiness, the comfort, and the well-being of both man and
beast.
NOTE.-The working of these wonderful, beneficent, and gracious
miracles on the Sabbath was an evidence that Christ was from Because of the false ideas which the Jews held concerning the
Sabbath and its observance, and the conflict which Christ had
God, and that His views of Sabbath-keeping were right. By these
miracles God was setting the seal of His approval to Christ's with them in consequence, many of the professed followers of
views and teachings respecting the Sabbath, and to His manner Christ a little later were led into the error of rejecting the Sabbath
of of observing it, and thus condemning the narrow and false itself as Jewish, and, without any divine command or Scripture
views of the Pharisees. Hence the division. warrant, to substitute another day in its place.
17. According to Isaiah, what was Christ to do with the law? 18. Knowing that the unbelieving Jews would still cling to
"He will magnify the law, and make it honorable." Isa. 42:21. their false ideas respecting the Sabbath, and that flight from
Jerusalem and Judea on that day would be attended with
difficulty, for what, in view of the coming destruction and
NOTES.-In nothing, perhaps, was this more strikingly fulfilled desolation of the city and people, did Christ tell His
than in the matter of Sabbath observance. By their traditions, disciples to pray?
numerous regulations, and senseless restrictions the Jews had "But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the
made the Sabbath a burden, and anything but a delight. Christ Sabbath day." Matt. 24:20.
removed all these, and by His life and teachings put the Sabbath
back in its proper place and setting, as a day of worship and
beneficence, a day for doing acts of charity and mercy, as well NOTE.-Christ's experience with the Jews, the chosen and
as engaging in contemplation of God and in acts of devotion. professed people of God at that time, respecting the Sabbath is
but a type of what, according to prophecy, is to occur in the last
Thus He magnified it and made it honorable. One of the most
prominent features of Christ's whole ministry was this great work days. Already it is beginning to find its parallel in the movement
to enforce Sunday observance by law. See readings in Chapters
of Sabbath reform. Christ did not abolish the Sabbath,
nor change the Sabbath; but He did rescue it from the rubbish of 61., 106. and 107. in this book.
tradition, the false ideas, and the superstitions with which it had
165
Chapter 96: The Sabbath in the

New Testament
1. ACCORDING to the New Testament, what day immediately NOTE.-It was Paul's manner, as it was Christ's custom (Luke
precedes the first day of the week? 4:16), to attend religious services on the Sabbath.
"In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first
day of the week." Matt. 28:1.
11. How did the apostle spend the working days of the week
when at Corinth?
NOTE.-According to the New Testament, therefore, the Sabbath "After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to
had passed when the first day of the week began. Corinth; and found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus,
lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; . . . and because he
2. After the crucifixion, what day was kept by the women was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by
who followed Jesus? their occupation they weretent-makers." Acts 18:1-3. See Eze.
"And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; 46:1.
and rested the Sabbath day according to the
commandment." Luke 23:56. 12. What did he do on the Sabbath days?
"And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and
3. What day is the Sabbath, "according to the persuaded the Jews and the Greeks." Acts 18:4.
commandment"?
"But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Ex. 13. How long did he continue this work there?
20:10. "And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the
word of God among them." Verse 11.
4. What was Christ's custom respecting the Sabbath?
"And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, NOTE.-Here, then, were seventy-eight Sabbaths on which Paul
as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath preached in one city. The record further says that he worked at
day, and stood up for to read." Luke 4:16. his trade, and we may justly infer that Paul worked at tent-
making just as many Sundays as he preached Sabbaths. If to
5. In what instruction to His disciples did Christ recognize these seventy-eight Sabbaths we add the three he spent at
the existence of the Sabbath long after His ascension? Thessalonica, the one at Philippi, and the two at Antioch, we
"But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the have a record of eighty-four Sabbaths on which the apostle held
Sabbath day." Matt. 24:20. religious services, while, so far as the record shows, he held only
one meeting on the first day of the week, and that a night
meeting, immediately following the Sabbath. See Acts 20.
NOTE.-The destruction of Jerusalem under Titus occurred in the Evidently Sunday was not the Sabbath in Paul's day.
spring and summer of 70 A.D. The flight of the Christians took
place three and one-half years earlier, or late in October, 66 A.
14. On what day was John in the Spirit?
D., following the arrival and sudden withdrawal of Cestius and
his army. See readings in Chapter 68. of this book. "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day." Rev. 1:10.
6. On what day did the Jews meet for worship? 15. Who is Lord of the Sabbath?
"Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being "The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." Mark 2:28.
read in the synagogues every Sabbath day." Acts 15:21.
16. What, through the prophet Isaiah, does the Lord call the
7. On what day did Paul and Barnabas preach at Antioch? Sabbath?
"They came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy
on theSabbath day." Acts 13:14. pleasure onMy holy day." Isa. 58:13.
8. When did the Gentiles request that Paul should repeat the 17. Why does the Lord call the Sabbath His day?
sermon he had preached at Antioch on the Sabbath? "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and
"And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the
Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Ex.20:11.
Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to
them the next Sabbath."Verse 42.
18. Through whom did God create the world?
9. On what day did Paul and his companions preach to the "God. . . hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, . . .
by whom also He made the worlds." Heb. 1:1,2.
devout women at Philippi?
"And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a riverside,
where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake NOTES.-From beginning to end, the Bible recognizes but one
unto the women which resorted thither." Acts 16:13. weekly Sabbath,- the day upon which God rested in the
beginning; which was made known to Israel at Sinai (Neh.
10. What was Paul's manner respecting the Sabbath? 9:13,14); was observed by Christ and His apostles; and is to be
kept by the redeemed in the world to come. Isa. 66:22,23.
"They came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the
Jews: and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and The terms Sabbath, Sabbaths, and Sabbath days occur sixty
times in the New Testament, and in every case but one refer to
three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the
Scriptures." Acts 17:1,2. the seventh day. In Col. 2:16,17, reference is made to the annual
sabbaths connected with the three annual feasts observed by
166
Israel before the first advent of Christ. in the New Testament and to a systematic accounting and laying
The first day of the week is mentioned but eight times in the New by in store at home on that day for the poor saints in Judea and
Testament, six of which are found in the four Gospels, and refer Jerusalem.
to the day on which Christ arose from the dead. See Matt. 28:1; It is evident, therefore, that the Sabbath of the New Testament is
Mark 16:2,9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1,19. The other two (Acts 20:7; the same as the Sabbath of the Old Testament, and that there is
1 Cor. 16:2) refer to the only religious meeting held on the first nothing in the New Testament setting aside the seventh-day
day of the week after the ascension, in apostolic times, recorded Sabbath, and putting the first day of the week in its place.
The Law of God
As Given By Jehovah As Changed By Man
I
I
I am the Lord thy God: thou shalt not have

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
strange gods before Me.
II
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven

Image, or any likeness of anything that is in
heaven above, or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the
earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to
them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God
am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the
fathers upon the children unto the third and
fourth generation of them that hate Me; and
showing mercy unto thousands of them that
love Me and keep My commandments.
III
II
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy
God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him
God In vain.
guiltless that taketh His name in vain.
IV
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy
work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of
the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any III
work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy
man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy
Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy
gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven
and earth, the sea, and all that in them is,
and rested the seventh day: wherefore the
Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed
it.
V
IV
Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy
days may be long upon the land which the Honor thy father and thy mother.
Lord thy God giveth thee.
VI V
Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not kill.
VII VI
Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
167
VIII VII
Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not steal.
IX VIII
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy
neighbor. neighbor.
IX
X
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
thou shalt. not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor
his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor X
his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy
neighbor's. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.
(Ex. 20:3-17.) (Butler's Catechism. pg. 28.)
168
Chapter 97: The Change of the Sabbath
1. OF what is the Sabbath commandment apart? NOTES.-"They [the Catholics] allege the Sabbath changed into
The law of God. See Ex. 20:8-11. Sunday, the Lord's day, contrary to the decalogue, as it appears;
neither is there any example more boasted of than the changing
2. What, according to prophecy, was to be Christ's attitude of the Sabbath day. Great, say they, is the power and authority
of the church, since it dispensed with one of the ten
toward the law?
"The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness sake; He will commandments."- Augsburg Confession, Art. XXVIII.
magnify the law, and make it honorable." Isa. 42:21. "It (the Roman Catholic Church] has reversed the fourth
commandment, doing away with the Sabbath of God's Word,
and instituting Sunday as a holy day."- N. Summerbell, in
3. In His first recorded discourse, what did Christ say of the "History of the Christians," page 418.
law?
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I
am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matt. 5:17. 10. Why did God command Israel to hallow the Sabbath?
"And hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me
and you,that ye may know that 1 am the Lord your God." Eze.
4. How enduring did He say the law is? 20:20.
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or
one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
Verse 18. NOTE.-As the Sabbath was given that man might keep God in
mind as Creator, it can be readily seen that a power endeavoring
to exalt itself above God would first try to cover up or remove
5. What did He say of those who should break one of the that which calls man's special attention to his Creator. This could
least of God's commandments, and teach men so to do? be done in no other way so effectually as by setting aside God's
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least memorial-the seventh-day Sabbath. To this work of the Papacy
commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the Daniel had reference when he said, "And he shall . . . think to
least in the kingdom of heaven." Verse 19. change times and laws." Dan. 7:25.
NOTE.-From this it is evident that the entire code of ten 11. Does the Papacy acknowledge that it has changed the
commandments is binding in the Christian dispensation, and that Sabbath?
Christ had no thought of changing any of them. One of these It does.
commands the observance of the seventh day as the Sabbath.
But the practice of most Christians is different; they keep the first
NOTE.-"Question.- How prove you that the church hath power to
day of the week instead, many of them believing that Christ
changed the Sabbath. But, from His own words, we see that He command feasts and holy days?
"Answer.- By the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday,
came for no such purpose. The responsibility for this change
must therefore be looked for elsewhere. which Protestants allow of; and therefore they fondly contradict
themselves by keeping Sunday strictly, and breaking most other
feast days commanded by the same church."- "Abridgment of
6. What did God, through the prophet Daniel, say the power Christian Doctrine," by Rev. Henry Tuberville, D. D., of Douay
represented by the "little horn" would think to do? College, France (1649), page 58.
"And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear "Ques.- Have you any other way of proving that the church has
out the saints of the Most High: and he shall think to change the power to institute festivals of precept?
times and the law." Dan. 7:25, R. V. "Ans.- Had she not such power, she could not have done that in
which all modern religionists agree with her,- she could not have
NOTE.-For a full explanation of this symbol, see readings on substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week,
"The Kingdom and Work of Antichrist" and "The Vicar of Christ," for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for
in previous chapters. which there is no Scriptural authority."- "A Doctrinal Catechism,"
by Rev. Stephen Keenan, page 174.
"The Catholic Church of its own infallible authority created
7. What did the apostle Paul say the "man of sin" would do? Sunday a holy day to take the place of the Sabbath of the old
"For that day shall not come, except there come a falling away law."- Kansas City Catholic, Feb. 9, 1893.
first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who "The Catholic Church, . . . by virtue of her divine mission,
opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or changed the day from Saturday to Sunday."- Catholic Mirror,
that is worshiped." 2 Thess. 2:3,4. official organ of Cardinal Gibbons, Sept. 23, 1893.
"Ques.- Which is the Sabbath day?
NOTE.-There is only one way by which any power could exalt "Ans.- Saturday is the Sabbath day.
itself above God, and that is by assuming to change the law of "Ques.- Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?
God, and to require obedience to its own law instead of God's "Ans.- We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the
law. Catholic Church, in the Council of Laodicea (A. D. 336),
transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday ."-"The
Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine," by Rev. Peter
8. What power has claimed authority to change the law of Geiermann, C. SS. R.., page 50, third edition, 1913, a work
God? which received the "apostolic blessing" of Pope Pius X, Jan. 25,
The Papacy. 1910.
What was done at the Council of Laodicea was but one of the
9. What part of the law of God especially has the Papacy steps by which the change or the Sabbath was effected. See
thought to change? under questions 17-21. The date usually given for this council is
The fourth commandment. 364 A. D.
169
12. Do Catholic authorities acknowledge that there is no together on the Sabbath as well as on the next day; which
command in the Bible for the sanctification of Sunday? custom is never observed at Rome."- "Ecclesiastical History."
They do. book 7, chap. 19.
All this would have been inconceivable and impossible had there
NOTE.-"You may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and been a divine command given for the change of the Sabbath.
you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of The last two quotations also show that Rome led in the apostasy
Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of and in the change of the Sabbath.
Saturday, a day which we never sanctify."- Cardinal Gibbons, in
"The Faith of Our Fathers," edition1892, page 111. 16. What striking testimony is borne by Neander, the noted
"Sunday is a Catholic institution, and its claims to observance church historian, regarding the origin of the Sunday
can be defended only on Catholic principles. . . . From beginning sabbath?
to end of Scripture. there is not a single passage that warrants "Opposition to Judaism introduced the particular festival of
the transfer of weekly public worship from the last day of the Sunday very early, indeed, into the place of the Sabbath. . . . The
week to the first."- Catholic Press (Sydney, Australia), Aug. 25, festival of Sunday, like all other festivals, was always only a
1900. human ordinance, and it was far from the intentions of the
apostles to establish a divine command in this respect, far from
13. Do Protestant writers acknowledge the same? them, and from the early apostolic church, to transfer the laws of
They do. the Sabbath to Sunday. Perhaps at the end of the second
century a false application of this kind had begun to take place;
for men appear by that time to have considered laboring on
NOTE.-"Is there no express commandment for observing the first Sunday as a sin."-Neander's "Church History," Rose's translation,
day of the week as Sabbath, instead of the seventh day?- None page 186.
whatever. Neither Christ, nor His apostles, nor the first Christians
celebrated the first day of the week instead of the seventh as the
Sabbath."- New York Weekly Tribune, May 24, 1900. 17. Who first enjoined Sunday-keeping by law? Constantine
"The Scriptures nowhere call the first day of the week the the Great.
Sabbath. . . . There is no Scriptural authority for so doing, nor of
course any Scriptural obligation."- The Watchman (Baptist). NOTES.-"The earliest recognition of the observance of Sunday
"The observance of the first instead of the seventh day rests on as a legal duty is a constitution of Constantine in 321 A. D.,
the testimony of the church, and the church alone."- Hobart enacting that all courts of justice, inhabitants of towns, and
Church News (Episcopalian), July 2, 1894. workshops were to be at rest on Sunday (venerabili die Solis),
with an exception ill favor of those engaged in agricultural
14. How did this change in observance of days come about, labor."- Encyclopedia Britannica, ninth edition, article "Sunday."
"Constantine the Great made a law for the whole empire (321 A.
suddenly or gradually?
Gradually. D.) that Sunday should be kept as a day of rest in all cities and
towns ; but he allowed the country people to follow their work."-
Encyclopedia Americana, article "Sabbath."
NOTE.-"The Christian church made no formal, but a gradual and "Unquestionably the first law, either ecclesiastical or civil, by
almost unconscious transference of the one day to the other."- which the Sabbatical observance of that day is known to have
"The Voice From Sinai," by Archdeacon F. W. Farrar, page 167. been ordained, is the edict of Constantine, 321 A.D.,-
This of itself is evidence that there was no divine command for Chambers's Encyclopedia, article "Sabbath."
the change of the Sabbath.
18. What did Constantine's law require?
15. For how long a time was the seventh-day Sabbath "Let all the judges and town people, and the occupation of all
observed in the Christian church? trades rest on the venerable day of the sun; but let those who
For many centuries. In fact, its observance has never are situated in the country, freely and at full liberty, attend to the
wholly ceased in the Christian church. business of agriculture; because it often happens that no other
day is so fit for sowing corn and planting vines; lest the critical
NOTES.-Mr. Morer, a learned clergyman of the Church of moment being let slip, men should lose the commodities granted
England, says: "The primitive Christians had a great veneration by heaven."- Edict of March 7, 321 A. D., Corpus Juris Civilis
for the Sabbath, and spent the day in devotion and sermons. Cod., lib. 3, tit. 12, 3.
And it is not to be doubted that they derived this practice, from
the apostles themselves."- "Dialogues on the Lord's Day," page NOTE.-This edict, issued by Constantine, under whom the
189. Christian church and the Roman state were first united, in a
Prof. E. Brerwood, of Gresham College, London (Episcopal), manner supplied the lack of a divine command for Sunday
says: "The Sabbath was religiously observed in the Eastern observance, and may be considered the original Sunday law,
church three hundred years and more after our Saviour's and the model after which all Sunday laws since then have been
passion."- "Learned Treatise of the Sabbath," page 77. patterned. It was one of the important steps in bringing about
Lyman Coleman, a careful and candid historian, says: "Down and establishing the change of the Sabbath.
even, to the fifth century the observance of the Jewish Sabbath
was continued in the Christian church, but with a rigor and
solemnity gradually diminishing until it was wholly discontinued."- 19. What testimony does Eusebius (270-338), a noted bishop
"Ancient Christianity Exemplified," chap. 26, sec. 2. of the church, a flatterer of Constantine, and the reputed
The historian Socrates, who wrote about the middle of the fifth father of ecclesiastical history, bear upon this subject?
century, says: "Almost all the churches throughout the world "All things whatsoever that it was duty to do on the Sabbath,
celebrate the sacred mysteries on the Sabbath of every week, these we have transferred to the Lord's day."-"Commentary on
the Psalms," Cox's "Sabbath Literature," Vol. 1, page 361.
yet the Christians of Alexandria and at Rome, on account of
some ancient tradition, refuse to do this."- "Ecclesiastical
History," book 5, chap. 22. NOTE.-The change of the Sabbath was the result of the
Sozomen, another historian of the same period, writes: "The combined efforts of church and state, and it was centuries before
people of Constantinople, and of several other cities, assemble it was fully accomplished.
170
20. When and by what church council was the observance 24. What do Catholics say of the observance of Sunday by
of the seventh day forbidden, and Sunday observance Protestants?
enjoined? "It was the Catholic Church which, by the authority of Jesus
"The seventh-day Sabbath was . . . solemnized by Christ, the Christ, has transferred this rest to the Sunday in remembrance of
apostles, and primitive Christians, till the Laodicean Council did, the resurrection of our Lord. Thus the observance of Sunday by
in a manner, quite abolish the observation of it. . . The Council of the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to
Laodicea [A. D. 364] . . . first settled the observation of the Lord's the authority of the [Catholic] church."- "Plain Talk About the
day."- Prynne's " Dissertation on the Lord's Day Sabbath," page Protestantism of Today," by Mgr. Segur, page 213.
163.
25. What kind of worship does the Saviour call that which is
21. What did this council, in its twenty-ninth canon, decree not according to God's commandments?
concerning the Sabbath and Christians who continued to "But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the
observe it? commandments of men." Matt. 15:9.
"Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday [Sabbath],
but shall work on that day. . . . If, however, they are found 26. When Israel had apostatized, and were almost
Judaizing, they shall be shut out from Christ."- Hefele's "History universally worshiping Baal, what appeal did Elijah make to
of the Councils of the Church," Vol. II, page 316. them?
"How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God,
NOTES.-Some of the further steps taken by church and state follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him." 1 Kings 18:21.
authorities in bringing about this change may be noted as
follows:- NOTE.-In times of ignorance God winks at that which otherwise
"In 386, under Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius, it was would be sin; but when light comes He commands men
decreed that all litigation and business should cease [on everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30. The period during which the
Sunday]. . . . saints, times, and the law of God were to be in the hands of the
"Among the doctrines laid down in a letter of Pope Innocent I, Papacy has expired (Dan. 7:25); the true light on the Sabbath
written in the last year of his papacy (416), is that Saturday question is now shining; and God is sending a message to the
should be observed as a fast-day. . . .
world, calling upon men to fear and worship Him, and to return to
"In 425, under Theodosius the Younger, abstinence from the observance of His holy rest day, the seventh-day Sabbath.
theatricals and the circus [on Sunday] was enjoined. . . .
Rev. 14:6-12; Isa. 56:1; 58:1,12-14. See readings in Chapters
"In 538, at a council at Orleans, . . . it was ordained that 58., 98., 102., and 120. of this book.
everything previously permitted on Sunday should still be lawful;
but that work at the plow, or in the vineyard, and cutting, reaping,
threshing, tilling, and hedging should be abstained from, that
people might more conveniently attend church. . . .
"About 590 Pope Gregory, in a letter to the Roman people WHO is on the Lord's side
denounced as the prophets of Antichrist those who maintained Always true?
that work ought not to be done on the seventh day."- "Law of There's a right and wrong side,
Sunday," by James T. Ringgold, pages 265-267. Where stand you?
The last paragraph of the foregoing quotation indicates that even
as late as 590 A. D. there were those in the church who
observed and who taught the observance of the Bible Sabbath, Thousands on the wrong side
the seventh day. Choose to stand,
Still 'tis not the strong side,
True and grand.
22. What determines whose servants we are?
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to
obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey?" Rom. 6:16. Come and join the Lord's side:
Ask you why?-
'Tis the only safe side
23. When tempted to bow down and worship Satan, what By and by.
reply did Christ make? F. E. Belden.
"Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the
Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." Matt. 4:10,11.
171
Chapter 98: The Seal of God and the Mark of Apostasy
1. WHAT does the Bible present as the object of a sign, or NOTE.-The fourth commandment alone reveals the name,
seal? authority, and dominion of the Author of this law. In six days, (1)
"Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it the Lord (name); (2) made (office, Creator); (3)heaven and
be not changed." Dan. 6:8. earth (dominion). This commandment alone, therefore, contains
"the seal of the living God." By what is revealed in this
NOTE.-That is, affix the signature of royalty, that it may have the commandment is shown what God is referred to in the other
proper authority, and thus be of force. Anciently it was customary commandments. By the great truth revealed here all other gods
for kings to use a ring, containing their name, initials, or are shown to be false gods. The Sabbath commandment,
monogram, for this purpose. Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, "wrote therefore, contains the seal of God; and the Sabbath itself, the
letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal." 1 Kings observance of which is enjoined by the commandment, is
21:8. Of the decree issued under Ahasuerus for the slaying of all inseparably connected with this seal; it is to be kept in in memory
of the fact that God is the Creator of all things; and it is itself
the Jews throughout the Persian Empire it is said that "in the
name of King Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the called a "sign" of the knowledge of this great truth. Ex. 31:17;
Eze. 20:20.
king's ring." Esther 3:12.
2. What are the three essentials to an official seal? 7. What reason does God give for the Sabbath being an
To be complete, an official seal must show three things: (1) The everlasting sign between Him and His people?
"It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever: for in
name of the lawgiver; (2) his official position, title, or authority,
and so his right to rule; and (3) his kingdom, or the extent of his six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh
day He rested, and was refreshed." Ex. 31:17.
dominion and jurisdiction. Thus: "Woodrow Wilson, President of
the United States," "George IV, King of Great Britain," "Nicholas
II, Czar of Russia." NOTE.-The Sabbath is the sign, or mark, or seal, of the true God,
the Creator.
3. With what is God's seal connected?
"Bind up the testimony, seal THE LAW among My disciples." Isa. 8. Of what does God say the keeping or hallowing of the
8:16. Sabbath is a sign?
"And hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me
and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God." Eze.
4. Does the first commandment show who the author of the
law is? 20:20.
"Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." Ex. 20:3.
9. Of what besides a knowledge of God as Creator, is the
Sabbath a sign?
NOTE.-Who the "me" here spoken of is, the commandment itself
does not state. Such a prohibition might come from any source. "Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me
Any heathen could claim it as a command from his god, and, so and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I
far as the commandment itself goes, no one could disprove his am the Lord that doth SANCTIFY you." Ex. 31:13.
claim.
NOTE.-The Sabbath is the great sign of God's creative power
wherever and however manifested, whether in creation or
5. Does the second, third, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth,
or tenth commandment indicate the author of the redemption; for redemption is creation- re-creation. It requires
decalogue? the same power to redeem that it does to create. "Create in me a
No; none of them. clean heart." Ps. 51:10. "For we are His workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works," Eph, 2:10. At each recurrence of
the Sabbath, God designs that it shall call Him to mind as the
NOTE.-The second commandment forbids the making of and One who created us, and whose grace and sanctifying power are
bowing down to images, but does not in itself reveal who the true working in us to fit us for His eternal kingdom.
God is. The third commandment says, "Thou shalt not take the
name of the Lord thy God in vain," but it likewise fails to reveal
the true God and giver of the law. A worshiper of the sun might 10. What scripture shows that a special sealing work is to
say he kept this commandment so far as it itself reveals what take place just before the letting loose of the winds of
destruction upon the earth?
god is meant. So of the other commandments here referred to. In
the last five commandments the name of God is not even "And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four
corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the
mentioned.
wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any
tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having
6. Which commandment alone of the decalogue reveals the the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the
true God and Author of the law? four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we
labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.And I
the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were
son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of
thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six the children of Israel." Rev. 7:1-4. See Eze. 9:1-6.
days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in
them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed
the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Verses 8-11. 11. Where did the apostle see this same company a little
later, and what did they have in their foreheads?
"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with
172
Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's change was her act, . . . and the act is a mark of her
name written in their foreheads." Rev. 14:1. ecclesiastical authority in religious things." See readings in
Chapters 97. and 102. of this book.
NOTE.-The seal of God and the Father's name must refer to the The true Sabbath being a sign of loyalty to the true God, it is but
same thing. The seal is the sign or stamp of perfection and natural that the false sabbath should be regarded as a sign of
God's name stands for His character, which is perfection. And allegiance to apostasy. And such we find to be the case.
the Sabbath of God, kept as God ordained it to be kept, holy,
and in holiness, is a sign of this same thing- perfection of 17. What do papal authorities say of the observance of
character. When this seal is finally placed upon God's people, it Sunday by Protestants?
will be an evidence that His grace and His sanctifying power "The observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage
have done their work, and fitted them for heaven. In the world to they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the [Catholic]
come, all will keep the Sabbath, and will therefore have this seal church."- "Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today," by
or mark of sanctification, holiness, and perfection of character. Monsignor Segur, page 213.
Isa. 66:22,23.
NOTE.-The statement here made is true, and a full realization of
12. What is said of the character of these sealed ones? the fact will lead those who honestly, but ignorantly, have
"And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault heretofore been observing Sunday as the Sabbath, to refuse
before the throne of God." Verse 5. longer to pay homage to apostasy and return to the observance
of that which is the sign of loyalty to heaven,- the only weekly
day of rest which God, in His Word, has commanded men to
13. How is the remnant church described?
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep keep holy, the seventh day.
the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Verse 12.
18. What will be the dragon's attitude toward the remnant
people who keep the commandments of God?
14. Against what three things does the third angel of
Revelation 14 warn men? "And the dragon was wroth, with the woman, and went to make
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the
any manworship the beast and his image, and receive his mark commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of Christ." Rev. 12:17.
the wrath of God." Verses 9,10.
19. How strongly will this false worship and the enforcement
NOTE.-The beast represents the Papacy; the image to the beast of this mark be urged?
represents another ecclesiastical body dominating civil power. "That the image of the beast should both speak, and cause
See readings in Chapters 60. and 61. of this book. And over [decree] that as many as would not worship the image of the
against the seal of God stands the mark of the beast, the mark of beast should be killed.And he causeth all, both small and great,
rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand,
apostasy. Against this false and idolatrous worship and the
reception of this mark, God sends this solemn warning. or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he
that had the mark." Rev. 13:15-17. See note under question 19
in Chapter 52. of this book.
15. What power mentioned in the thirteenth chapter of
Revelation is to enforce this mark?
"And he [the two-horned beast] causeth all, both small and great, 20. Over what do the people of God finally gain the victory?
"And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them
rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand,
or in their foreheads." Rev. 13:16. that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image,
and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on
the sea of glass, having the harps of God." Rev. 15:2.
NOTE.-The two-horned beast is understood to represent the
United States of America. See reading in Chapter 61. of this
book. As this nation repudiates her principles of civil and
religious liberty, and becomes a persecuting power, other
nations will follow her example in oppressing those who refuse to THE God that made the earth,
yield their allegiance to God. And all the worlds on high,
Who gave all creatures birth,
In earth, and sea, and sky,
16. What does the Papacy set forth as the mark, or sign, of
its power and authority? After six days in work employed,
"Question.-How prove you that the church hath power to Upon the seventh a rest enjoyed.
command feasts and holy days?
"Answer.-By the very act of changing the Sabbath into The Sabbath day was blessed,
Sunday, which Protestants allow of."- "Abridgment of Christian Hallowed, and sanctified;
Doctrine," by Rev. Henry Tuberville, D. D., page 58. It was Jehovah's rest,
And so it must abide;
NOTES.-In a letter written in November, 1895, Mr. H. F. Thomas, 'Twas set apart before the fall,
chancellor to Cardinal Gibbons, replying to an inquiry as to 'Twas made for man, 'twas made for all.
whether the Catholic Church claims to have changed the R. F. COTTRELL.
Sabbath, said: "Of course the Catholic Church claims that the
173
Chapter 99: The Lord's Day
1. FROM what time was Christ, the Word, associated with and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the
God, the Father? Sabbath day, and stood up for to read." Luke 4:16. "I have kept
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, My Father's commandments."John 15:10.
and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with
God." John 1:1,2. 12. Did Christ's followers keep the Sabbath after His death?
"And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and
2. By whom were all things created? rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment." Luke
"Which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in 23:56.
God, who created all things by Jesus Christ." Eph. 3:9.
13. Did they observe it after His resurrection?
3. By whom were the worlds made? "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures." Acts
past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days 17:2. See also Acts 13:14, 42, 44; 16:13; 18:1-4, 11.
spoken unto us by His Son, . . . by whom also He made the
worlds." Heb. 1:1,2. 14. On what day does John say he was in the Spirit?
"I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day." Rev. 1:10.
4. How does Paul again express this same truth?
"For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that 15. What day does the commandment say is the Lord's?
are in earth, visible and invisible, . . . all things were created by "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord." Ex. 20:10.
Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all
things consist." Col. 1:16,17. 16. By whose Spirit did the prophets write?
"The Spirit of Christ which was in them." I Peter 1:11.
5. Was there anything made without Christ?
"All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything 17. What does the prophet Isaiah, speaking for God through
made that was made." John 1:3. this Spirit of Christ, call the seventh-day Sabbath?
"My holy day." Isa. 58:13.
6. Was the Sabbath "made"?
"And He said unto them, The Sabbath was MADE for 18. Does Christ anywhere in the Scriptures ever claim any
man." Mark 2:27. other day of the week than the seventh as His?
He does not.
7. Then by whom was the Sabbath made?
By Christ. NOTE.-We do not need to speculate as to what day is the Lord's,
NOTE.-This conclusion is inevitable. If all things were made by if we will but take the Word of God for our guide, for loyalty to
Christ, and without Him was not anything made that was made,
which John was banished to the isle of Patmos. See Rev. 1:9.
and the Sabbath was one of the things that was made, then it
follows that the Sabbath must have been made by Christ. This
being so, the Sabbath must be the Lord's day. 19. If John, therefore, referred to a day of the week, on what
day must he have been in the Spirit?
8. What did God do in the beginning on the seventh day? The seventh day.
"And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had
made; andHe rested on the seventh day from all His work which NOTE.-No other day of the week in all the Bible is claimed by
He had made." Gen. 2:2. God as His day. During the second, third, and fourth centuries of
NOTE.-If all things were made by Jesus Christ, then He, with the the Christian era, when apostasy came in like a flood, men,
Father, rested on the first seventh day from all His labor in the without any warrant or command of Scripture, thinking to do
work of creation. honor to Christ and despite to the Jews who crucified Christ,
began to neglect the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and
9. After resting on the seventh day, what did God do? to honor the day of the week on which Christ rose from the dead,
"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because the first day, as "the Lord's day" until finally the Sabbath was
that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and almost wholly lost sight of, and the Sunday quite generally took
made." Verse 3. its place. But there was no more warrant for this change in the
NOTE.-And inasmuch as this blessing and this sanctification of divine and unchangeable law of God than there was for other
the day were a part of the making of the Sabbath as well as the errors and changes which crept into the professed Christian
resting upon the day, these also must have been done by Christ; church during this same time, such as abstaining from meat on
for the Sabbath was made by Him. Friday in honor of the crucifixion; Mariolatry, or the worship of the
Virgin Mary; the mass; purgatory; indulgences; prayers for the
10. How much honor is due to Christ? dead; saint-worship; and the human vicarship of Christ. There
"That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the was no more divine authority for one than for the others. All
Father."John 5:23. "I and My Father are one." John 10:30. came in through apostasy. The Bible knows but one true and
NOTE.-In keeping the Sabbath, then, we honor Christ equally living God, one Lawgiver, one Mediator between God and man,
with the Father. one Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, one body, one Spirit, one
hope, one faith, one baptism, and one Sabbath.See Jer. 10:10-
11. Did Christ keep the Sabbath? 12; Rev. 14:6, 7; 1 Tim. 2:5; Eph. 4:4-6; Ex. 20:8-11.
"And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up:
174
Chapter 100: Walk as He Walked
1. THE way of the Christian life was set for us by Jesus Himself. Testament."- Christian Union, June 26, 1890.
"He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even Dr. Edward T. Hiscock (Baptist): "There was and is a commandment
as He walked." 1 John 2:6. "Leaving us an example, that ye to 'keep holy the Sabbath day,' but that Sabbath was not Sunday. It
should follow His steps." 1 Peter 2:21. will, however, be readily said, and with some show of triumph, that
the Sabbath was transferred from the seventh to the first day of the
2. The footprints that Jesus set for us to follow, lead week. . . . Where can the record of such a transaction be found? Not
unvaryingly along the way of God's commandments. in the New Testament- absolutely not."- The New York Examiner,
"I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love." Nov. 16, 1893.
John 15:10. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments." 1 John 5:3. Dr. D. H. Lucas (Disciple): "There is no direct Scriptural authority for
designating the first day the Lord's day."- Christian Oracle, Jan. 23,
3. The pathway is the same today as when Jesus walked in 1890.
Judea. Cardinal Gibbons (Roman Catholic): "You may read the Bible from
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Heb. Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing
13:8. the sanctification of Sunday."-"Faith of Our Fathers," edition 1892,
page 111.
4. When it is shown that Jesus kept the seventh day holy as our
example, many ask, "Why have not scholars and church-men Prize Essay of American Sunday-school Union: "Up to the time of
found out that there is no Bible authority for first-day Christ's death, no change had been made in the day. . . . So far as
sacredness? the record shows, they [the apostles] did not give any explicit
The answer is, They have found it so, and have freely declared the command enjoining the abandonment of the seventh-day Sabbath,
fact. and its observance on the first day of the week."- "Lord's Day, '
pages 185, 186.
Testimony of Eminent Men
Encyclopedias and Church Manuals
5. The extracts that follow are from noted clergymen, scholars, "Dictionary of Christian Antiquities:" "The notion of a formal
and eminent writers, all of whom doubtless kept the Sunday as substitution by apostolic authority of the Lord's day [meaning
a matter of church custom. But they nevertheless bear witness Sunday] for the Jewish Sabbath, and the transference to it, perhaps
that there is no Bible command for it. in a spiritualized form, of the Sabbatical obligation established by the
Church of England Writers promulgation of the fourth commandment, has no basis whatever,
Archdeacon Farrar: "The Sabbath is Saturday, the seventh day of either in the Holy Scriptures or in Christian antiquity."- Article
the week." "The Christian church made no formal, but a gradual and "Sabbath," Smith and Cheetham.
almost unconscious transference of the one day to the other."- "The "Cyclopedia of Biblical Theology:" "It must be confessed that there is
Voice From Sinai," pages 163,167. no law in the New Testament concerning the first day."- Article
Canon Eyton (of Westminster): "There is no word, no hint, in the New "Sabbath," McClintock and Strong.
Testament about abstaining from work on Sunday." "The observance Methodist Episcopal "Theological Compend," by Amos Binney: "It is
of Ash Wednesday or Lent stands exactly on the same footing as the true, there is no positive command for infant baptism. . . . Nor is
observance of Sunday." "Constantine's decree was the first public there any for keeping holy the first day of the week."- Pages 180,
step in establishing the first day of the week as a day on which there 181.
should be secular rest as well as religious worship. . . . Into the rest Protestant Episcopal "Manual of Christian Doctrine:" "Is there any
of Sunday no divine law enters."- "The Ten Commandments," command in the New Testament to change the day of weekly rest
Trubners & Co. from Saturday?- None."- Page 127.
Canon Knox-Little, replying to those who quote the example of Christ Protestant Episcopal "Explanation of Catechism:" "The day is now
against the High-church ritualism, says:- changed from the seventh to the first day; . . . but as we meet with no
"It is certain that our Lord when on earth did observe Saturday, and Scriptural direction for the change, we may conclude it was done by
did not observe Sunday." "If they are consistent, as I have said, they the authority of the church."
must keep Saturday, not Sunday, as the day of rest."-
"Sacerdotalism," Longman Company. 6. What influence do the Bible and history show working in the
Sir William Domville: "Centuries of the Christian era passed away church immediately after apostolic days?
before the Sunday was observed by the Christian church as a "Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things,
Sabbath."- "Examination of Six Texts," chap. 8, page 291. to draw away disciples after them." Acts 20:30.
Writers of Other Churches NOTE.-"In the interval between the days of the apostles and the
Bishop Grimelund, of Norway (Lutheran) : "The Christians in the conversion of Constantine, the Christian commonwealth changed its
ancient church very soon distinguished the first day of the week, aspect. . . . Rites and ceremonies of which neither Paul nor Peter
Sunday; however, not as a sabbath, but as an assembly day of the ever heard, crept silently into use, and then claimed the rank of
church, to study the Word of God together."- "Geschichte des divine institutions."- Dr. W. D. Killen's (Presbyterian) "The Ancient
Sonntags," page 60. Church," Preface.
Dr. R. W. Dale (British Congregationalist): "It is quite clear that
however rigidly or devotedly we may spend Sunday, we are not 7. What did Christ say of worship based upon I the
keeping the Sabbath. . . . The Sabbath was founded on a specific, commandments of men?
divine command. We can plead no such command for the "In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the
observance of Sunday. . . . There is not a simple line in the New commandments of men." Matt. 15:9.
Testament to suggest that we incur any penalty by violating the
supposed sanctity of Sunday."- "The Ten Commandments," Hodder 8. What did He say should be done with every plant not planted
and Stoughton, pages 106, 107. by God?
Dr. Lyman Abbott (American Congregationalist): "The current notion "Every plant, which My Heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be
that Christ and His apostles authoritatively substituted the first day rooted up." Verse 13.
for the seventh, is absolutely without any authority in the New
175
Chapter 101: The Sabbath in History
1. WHEN and by what acts was the Sabbath made?

"And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made." Gen.
2:2,3.
2. What division of time is marked off by the Sabbath?

The week.
NOTES.-"One of the most striking collateral confirmations of the Mosaic history of the creation is the general adoption of the division of time
into weeks, which extends from the Christian states of Europe to the remote shores of Hindustan, and has equally prevailed among the
Hebrews. the Egyptians, Chinese, Greeks, Romans, and northern barbarians,- nations some of whom had little or no intercourse with
others, and were not even known by name to the Hebrews."- Home's "Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy
Scriptures," Vol. I, page 69, edition 1841.
"Seven has been the ancient and honored number among the nations of the earth. They have measured their time by weeks from the
beginning. The original of this was the Sabbath of God, as Moses has given the reasons for it in his writings."- "Brief Dissertation on the
First Three Chapters of Genesis," by Dr. Lyman Coleman, page 26.
Gen. 7:4,10; 8:10,12, show that the week was known at the time of the flood.
3. How widely recognized is the seventh-day Sabbath

in the different languages of the world today?
It is very generally so recognized.
NOTE.-Some years ago the late Dr. William Mead Jones, of London, published a "Chart of the Week," showing the style of the weekly cycle
and the designations of the different days of the week in one hundred and sixty different languages. This chart shows very vividly that the
seven-day period, or week, was known from the most ancient times, and that in no fewer than one hundred and eight of these languages
the seventh day is designated as the Sabbath, or holy day. The following is from this chart:-
English The seventh day The Sabbath
Hebrew Shabbath Sabbath
Greek Sabbaton Sabbath
Latin Sabbatum Sabbath
Arabic Assabt The Sabbath
Persian Shambin Sabbath
Armenian Shapat Sabbath
Turkish Yomessabt Day the Sabbath
Abyssinian Sanbat Sabbath
Russian Subbota Sabbath
Polish Sobota Sabbath
Hindustani Shamba Sabbath
Malay Ari-Sabtu Day Sabbath
Afghan Shamba Sabbath
German Samstag Sabbath
Prussian Sabatico Sabbath
French Samedi Sabbath day
Italian Sabbato Sabbath

176
Spanish Sabado Sabbath
Portuguese Sabbado Sabbath
4. What reason did God assign at Sinai for having blessed 10. How does he speak of God's giving the Sabbath to
and set apart the seventh day as a day of holy rest? Israel?
"For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and "Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with
all that in them is, and rested the seventh day." Ex. 20:11. them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true
laws, good statutes and commandments: and madest known
5. What promise did God make to Israel, through Jeremiah, unto them Thy holy Sabbath."Neh. 9:13,14.
if they would keep the Sabbath?
"And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently harken unto Me, saith NOTE.-Let it be noted that this text does not say that
the Lord, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on God made the Sabbath then, but simply that He made
the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work it known to Israel then. They had largely forgotten it while in
therein; then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and Egypt. See readings in Chapters 92. and 93. of this book.
princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on
horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the 11. How did Christ, while on earth, regard the Sabbath?
inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain forever." Jer. "And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up:
17:24,25. and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the
Sabbath day, and stood up for to read." Luke 4:16.
6. What did He say would happen if they did not hallow the,
Sabbath day? 12. By what did Christ recognize the Sabbath law?
"But if ye will not harken unto Me to hallow the Sabbath day, and "And He said unto them, . . . It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath
not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem days." Matt. 12:11,12.
on the Sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof,
and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be
quenched." Verse 27. NOTES.-William Prynne says: "It is certain that Christ Himself,
His apostles, and the primitive Christians for some good space of
time, did constantly observe the seventh-day Sabbath."-
7. What befell the city of Jerusalem when it was captured by
"Dissertation on the Lord's Day Sabbath," page 33.
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in 588 B.C.? Morer, a learned clergyman of the Church of England, says:
"And all the vessels of the house of God. . . he brought to
"The primitive Christians had a great veneration for the Sabbath,
Babylon. Andthey burnt the house of God, and brake down the and spent the day in devotion and sermons. And it is not to be
wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire." 2
doubted that they derived this practice from the apostles
Chron. 36:18,19. themselves, as appears by several scriptures to that purpose."-
Morer's "Dialogues on the Lord's Day," page 189.
8. Why was this done? The historian Neander says: "Opposition to Judaism introduced
"To fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the the particular festival of Sunday very early, indeed, into the place
land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate of the Sabbath. . . . The festival of Sunday, like all other festivals,
she kept sabbath." Verse 21. was always only a human ordinance, and it was far from the
intentions of the apostles to establish a divine command in this
NOTE.-Sabbath Israel's Babylonish captivity, under respect,- far from them, and from the early apostolic church, to
Nebuchadnezzar and his sons, was seventy years long because transfer the laws of the Sabbath to Sunday. Perhaps at the end
that for 420 years, or for six times seventy years,- from the days of the second century a false application of this kind had begun
to take place; for men appear by that time to have considered
of Solomon to Nebuchadnezzar's time,- they had largely
neglected to keep the Sabbath. See Eze. 22:8,26; Jer. 25:8-11; laboring on Sunday as a sin."- Neander's "Church History,"
Rose's translation, page 186.
17:24, 27; 2 Chron. 36:15-21. The seventy years' desolation
made up for the 420 years of Sabbath desecration. So during the Dr. Lyman Abbott says: "The current notion that Christ and His
apostles authoritatively substituted the first day of the week for
millennium, or the one thousand years after Christ's second
advent, the whole earth will lie desolate, or keep sabbath, for one the seventh, is absolutely without. any authority in the New
thousand years, because that for six thousand years the world's Testament."- Christian Union, June 26,1890.
inhabitants have disregarded the Sabbath. See this period and Archdeacon Farrar says: "The Christian church made no formal,
condition pointed out in Rev. 20:1-4; Isa. 24:1-6; Jer. 4:23-27. but a gradual and almost unconscious transference of the one
The periods of rest and desolation of the land are divinely day to the other."- "The Voice From Sinai," page 167.
appointed sabbatical compensations for man's irreligion, as
manifested in Sabbath desecration. They are impressive lessons 13. What was the first effort of the Roman Church in behalf
on the importance of keeping the seventh-day Sabbath, and the of the recognition of Sunday?
results of breaking and disregarding it. In 196 A. D., Victor, bishop of Rome, attempted to impose on all
the churches the Roman custom of having the Passover, or
Easter, as it is commonly called, celebrated every year on
9. After Israel's restoration from the Babylonian captivity,
what did Nehemiah say was the reason for their Sunday. See Bower's "History of the Popes," Vol. I, pages 18,19.
punishment?
"Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, NOTE.-This, Dr. Bower, in his "History of the Popes," Vol. I, page
What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath day? 18, styles "the first essay of papal usurpation."
Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil
upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel
14. What was one of the principal reasons for convoking the
by profaning the Sabbath." Neh. 13:17,18. Council of Nice?
"The question relating to the observance of Easter, which was
agitated in the time of Anicetus and Polycarp, and afterward in
177
that of Victor, was still undecided. It was one of the principal 22. How generally does the historian Socrates, who wrote
reasons for convoking the Council of Nice, being the most about the middle of the fifth century, say the Sabbath was
important subject to be considered after the Arian controversy."- observed by the Christian churches of his time?
Boyle's "Historical View of the Council of Nice," page 23, edition "Although almost all churches throughout the world celebrate the
1836. sacred mysteries on the Sabbath of every week, yet the
Christians of Alexandria and at Rome, on account of some
15. How was the matter finally decided? ancient tradition, refuse to do this."-Socrates's "Ecclesiastical
History," book 5, chap. 22.
"Easter day was fixed on the Sunday immediately following the
full moon which was nearest after the vernal equinox."- Id., page
24. 23. What day was observed in the dark ages by some of the
Waldenses?
"They kept the Sabbath day, observed the ordinance of baptism
16. In urging the observance of this decree on the churches,
what reason did Constantine assign for it? according to the primitive church, instructed their children in the
articles of the Christian faith and the commandments of God."-
"Let us have nothing in common with the most hostile rabble of
the Jews."- Id., page 52. Jones's "Church History," Vol. II, chap. 5, sec.4.
17. What had Constantine already done, in 321 A.D., to help 24. Who among the early Reformers raised this question of
Sabbath observance?
forward Sunday to a place of prominence?
He issued an edict requiring "the judges and town people, and "Carlstadt held to the divine authority of the Sabbath from the
Old Testament."- "Life of Luther," by Dr. Barnes Sears, page 402.
the occupation of all trades" to rest on "the venerable day of the
sun." See Encyclopedia Britannica, article "Sunday;" and this
work, page 443. 25. What did Luther say of Carlstadt's Sabbath views?
"Indeed, if Carlstadt were to write further about the Sabbath,
Sunday would have to give way, and the Sabbath- that is to say,
18. Who did Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea, and one of
Constantine's most ardent supporters, say had transferred Saturday- must be kept holy."- Luther, Against the Celestial
the obligations of the Sabbath to Sunday? Prophets, quoted in "Life of Martin Luther in Pictures," page 147.
"All things whatsoever that it was duty to do on the
Sabbath, these WE have transferred to the Lord's day."- 26. What claim is now made by the Roman Church
Eusebius's "Commentary on the Psalms," quoted in Cox's concerning the change of the Sabbath to Sunday?
"Sabbath Literature," Vol. I, page 361. "Question.- Have you any other way of proving that the church
has power to institute festivals of precept?
19. What did Sylvester, bishop of Rome, 314 A.D. to 337 A.D., "Answer.- Had she not such power, she could not have done that
do for the Sunday institution by his "apostolic authority"? in which all modem religionists agree with her,- she could i not
He officially changed the title of the first day, calling it the have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the
week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a
LORD's DAY. See "Historia Ecclesiastica," by M. Ludovicum
Lucium, cent. 4, cap. 10, pages 739,740, edition Basilea, 1624. change for which there is no Scriptural authority."- "Doctrinal
Catechism," by Rev. Stephen Keenan, page 174.
20. What did the Council of Laodicea decree in 364 A.D.?

Canon 29. "Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday NOTE.-Through want of sufficient light and investigation, and
[Sabbath], but shall work on that day; but the Lord's day they because of the efforts of some who opposed the Sabbath during
the Reformation, Sunday was brought from Catholicism into the
shall especially honor."- "A History of the Councils of the
Church," Charles Joseph Hefele, Vol. II, page 316. Protestant church, and is now cherished as an institution of the
Lord. It is clear, however, that it is none of His planting, but
rather the work and result of apostasy. But a message is now
21. How late did Christians keep the Sabbath? going forth to revive the truth on this point, and calling for a
"Down even to the fifth century, the observance of the Jewish genuine reformation upon it. See reading in Chapters 56. thru 58.
Sabbath was continued in the Christian church."- Lyman in this book and the next reading.
Coleman's "Ancient Christianity Exemplified," chap. 26, sec. 2.
178
Chapter 102: Sabbath Reform
1. WHAT kind of worship does Christ say results from 9. When God's salvation is near to come, upon whom does
doctrines based on the commandments of men? He pronounce a blessing?
"But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the "Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for My
commandments of men." Matt. 15:9. salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to be
revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man
2. What commandment did Christ say the Pharisees had that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting
made void by their teaching? it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil." Isa. 56:1,2.
"For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother. . . .
But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is 10. Is this promised blessing confined to anyone class?
a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor "Also the sons of the STRANGER that join themselves to the
not his father or his mother, he shall be free." Verses 4-6. Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His
servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting
3. What was the result of their course? it, and taketh hold of My covenant; even them will I bring to My
"Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of
your tradition." Verse 6. prayer." Verses 6, 7.
NOTE.-By a gift or dedication of property to the temple service, NOTE.-It is evident from these scriptures that in the last day,
they taught that a man might be freed from the duties enjoined when men are waiting for the Saviour to appear, there will be a
by the fifth commandment. call for those who really love the Lord to separate themselves
from the world, to observe the Lord's true Sabbath, and to depart
4. What question did the disciples soon afterward ask from all evil.
Christ?
"Knowest Thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they 11. What does God tell His ministers to do at this time?
heard this saying?" Verse 12. "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show
My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their
5. What answer did the Saviour make? sins." Isa. 58:1.
"But He answered and said, Every plant, which My Heavenly
Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." Verse 13. 12. What message of Sabbath reform does He send?
NOTE.-What is true of the fifth commandment is true of every "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy
other commandment. If through tradition men set aside any other pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy
of God's commandments, the words of Christ to the Pharisees of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own
are equally applicable to them. They are guilty of making void the ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own
commandment of God, and of instituting vain worship. words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause
thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with
6. When, and by whom, was the Sabbath "planted "? the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath
"For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and spoken it." Verses 13,14.
all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the
Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Ex. 20:11. NOTE.-The Sabbath of Jehovah is not now, by the majority even
of professed Christians, called holy and honorable. By many it is
7. Who claims to have planted the Sunday institution? stigmatized as "Jewish." The Lord foresaw how this would be in
"Question.- Has the [Catholic] church power to make any this age, and inspired the prophet to write as he did. "If thou turn
alterations in the commandments of God? away thy foot from the Sabbath." This is a strong expression,
"Answer.- . . . Instead of the seventh day, and other indicating that many would be trampling upon God's day, and
festivals appointed by the old law, the church has prescribed the
doing their own pleasure upon it, instead of seeking God, and
Sundays and holy days to be set apart for God's worship; and honoring Him by keeping the Sabbath holy.
these we are now obliged to keep in consequence of God's
commandment, instead of the ancient Sabbath."- "Catholic
Christian Instructed," by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Challoner, page 211. 13. What will those be called who engage in this
NOTE.-"We Catholics, then, have precisely the same authority reformation?
for "keeping Sunday holy, instead of Saturday, as we have for "And thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The
every other article of our creed; namely, the authority of 'the restorer of paths to dwell in." Verse 12.
church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth' (I Tim.
3:15); whereas, you who are Protestants have really no authority 14. What does another prophet say professed teachers
for it whatever; forthere is no authority for it in the Bible, and you among God's people have done?
will not allow that there can beauthority for it anywhere else. Both "Her priests have violated My law, and have profaned Mine holy
you and we do, in fact, follow tradition in this matter; things:they have put no difference between the holy and
but we follow it, believing it to be a part of God's word, and the profane; neither have they shown difference between the
church to be its divinely appointed guardian and unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from My
interpreter; you follow it, denouncing it all the time as a fallible Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them." Eze. 22:26.
and treacherous guide, which often 'makes the commandment of
God of none effect.'"- "Clifton Tracts," Vol. IV, article "A Question
for All Bible Christians," page 15. 15. What have they done to maintain their theories?
"And her prophets have daubed them with untempered
8. When is final salvation to be brought to God's people? mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus
"Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken." Verse 28.
ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:5.
NOTES.-Untempered mortar is that which is improperly worked,
and will not therefore hold together or stand the test. Thus it is
179
with the reasons advanced for keeping Sunday instead of the 18. Under which of the seven last plagues will this hail fall?
Bible Sabbath, the seventh day. They are not only unsound and "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; . . . and
untenable in themselves, but are utterly inconsistent, the cities of the nations fell: . . . and every island fled away, and
contradictory, and destructive one of the other, among the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great
themselves. They are like the witnesses employed by the Jewish hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent." Rev.
leaders to condemn Christ. Of these the record says: "The chief 16:17-21.
priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put
Him to death; and found none. For many bare false 19. In order to prepare His people for that terrible time, what
witness against Him, but their witness agreed not does God expect His ministers to do?
together." Mark 14:55,56. The lack of agreement among them "Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the
was evidence in itself of the falsity of their testimony. In nothing, hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of
perhaps, is a lack of agreement better illustrated than in the the Lord." Eze. 13:5.
reasons assigned for Sunday-keeping. Note the following:-
One says the Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to 20. Instead of trying to close up this breach made in God's
the first day of the week. law [the loss of the Sabbath], and so make up the hedge,
Another says that the Sabbath commandment requires only one what have they done?
day of rest after six of labor, and hence there has been no "They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord
change. saith: and the Lord hath not sent them: and they have made
Some reason that all ought to keep Sunday, because although, others to hope that they would confirm the word." Verse 6.
as they affirm, God did not appoint a particular day,
yet agreement is necessary; and to have any or every day a 21. During these closing scenes, what message is God
sabbath would be equal to no sabbath at all. sending to the world to turn men from false worship to the
Others, to avoid the claims of God's law, assert that the Sabbath worship of the true and living God?
precept is one of those ordinances which was against us, "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is
contrary to us blotted out, and nailed to the cross.Still, they admit come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the
that a day of rest and convocation is necessary, and therefore sea, and the fountains of waters. . . . Babylon is fallen, is fallen,
the day of Christ's resurrection, they say, has been chosen. that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of
Another class say they believe it is impossible to know which is the wrath of her fornication. . . . If any man worship the beast and
the seventh day,although they have no difficulty in ascertaining his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
which is the first. the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is
Some are so bold even as to declare that Sunday is the original poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation." Rev.
seventh day. 14:7-10.
Others, with equal certainty say that those who keep the seventh
day are endeavoring to be justified by the law, and are fallen NOTE.-This is the last gospel message to be sent to the world
from grace. before the Lord comes. Under it will be developed two classes of
Another class, with more liberal views, say they believe that people, one having the mark of the beast (the Papacy) , and the
every one should be fully persuaded in his own mind, whether he other keeping the commandments of God, and having His seal,
keep this day, or that, or none at all. the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
Still again, as if having found the great desideratum or missing
link in the argument, men credited with even more than ordinary 22. What, besides attending and taking part in religious
intelligence, will sometimes declare that it isimpossible to keep services (Luke 4:16), did Christ do on the Sabbath day?
the seventh day on a round and rolling earth; and yet, strange to "Who went about doing good." Acts 10:38. See Matt. 8:14-17;
say, they find no difficulty in keeping Sunday anywhere, and 12:1-15; Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-6; Luke 6:1-11; 13:11-17; 14:1-6;
believe that this day should be observed the world over! John 5:1-18; 9:1-41.
Lastly, and more terrible and presumptuous than all the rest, NOTE.-When we come to study the life of Christ, we find that He
some, like Herod of old in slaying all the children of Bethlehem in did not make the Sabbath a day of idleness, nor even a day
order to make sure of killing Christ, have gone so far as to teach confined wholly to public and private worship, but one of active
that all ten commandments have been abolished, in order to service in blessing others. On this day especially He went about
avoid the duty enjoined in the fourth. But as in the case of Herod, doing good, ministering to the sick, and bringing relief to those
God's Anointed escaped the murderous blow of this wicked king, long bound by Satan. Luke 13:15,16; John 5:5,6. And as He is
so in the judgment such will have to meet God over His broken our pattern in all things, we, too, like Him, should seek to make
law, and will find that the Sabbath precept stands there the Sabbath a day for helping and blessing others. To loose the
unchanged with the rest. bands of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, deal bread to the
Said Christ, "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least hungry, clothe the naked, and let the oppressed go free, is the
commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the fast which God has chosen, and the Sabbath-keeping most
least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and acceptable to Him. Isa. 58:1-12. In this kind of work and ministry
teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of there is room for a world-wide Sabbath reform.
heaven" Matt. 5:19.
16. What does the Lord say will become of this wall thus BROTHER! up to the breach
daubed with untempered mortar? For God's freedom and truth;
"Say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it Let us act as we teach,
shall fall:there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great With the wisdom of age,
hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it." Eze. 13:11. and the vigor of youth.
Heed not their cannon-balls;
17. When are these hailstones to fall? Ask not who stands or falls;
Grasp the sword of the Lord,
"Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou
seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the And-Forward!
time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?" Job 28:22,23.
180
Section 10: Christian Liberty
Chapter 103: The Author of Liberty
1. HOW is the bondage of Israel in Egypt described? 8. Because Israel failed to do this, became oppressive, and
"And the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and disregarded and misused the Sabbath, what did God do?
theycried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the "Therefore thus saith the Lord; Ye have not harkened unto Me, in
bondage." Ex. 2:23. Compare with James 5:1-4. proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to
his neighbor: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord,
2. Who heard their groaning? to thesword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make
"God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth." Jer. 34:17.
with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob." Verse 24. See also Jer. 17:24-27; 2 Chron. 36:19-21.
3. What did God say to Moses? 9. What fault did God find with the way in which Israel came
"Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come to celebrate her fasts and seasons of worship?
unto Me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the "Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all
Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send your labors. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite
thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth My people the with the fist of wickedness." Isa. 58:3,4.
children of Israel out of Egypt." Ex. 3:9,10.
10. What does God set forth as the acceptable fast to Him?
4. In giving Israel His law, how did God describe Himself? "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of
"I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the
the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." Ex. 20:2. oppressed go free, and that yebreak every yoke? Is it not to deal
thy bread to the hungry, and that thoubring the poor that are cast
out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover
5. What provision did God make against slavery and him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" Verses
oppression in Israel? 6, 7.
"And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be
sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh
year thou shalt let him go free from thee. And when thou sendest NOTE.-All this shows that God loves liberty, and hates bondage
and oppression.
him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away
empty: thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of
thy floor, and out of thy wine-press: of that wherewith the Lord 11. What was Christ's mission to this world?
thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. And thou "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me
shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the
Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee: therefore I broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
command thee this thing today." Deut. 15:12-15. "Thou shalt recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are
neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in bruised." Luke 4:18.
the land of Egypt." Ex. 22:21. See 2 Cor. 1:3,4.
NOTE.-The Gospels show that a large part of Christ's time even
6. What was one reason assigned why Israel should keep on the Sabbath was devoted to relieving the oppressed and
the Sabbath? distressed.
"And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of
Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence 12. In what condition are those who commit sin? "Whosoever
through a mighty hand and by a stretched-out arm: therefore the committeth sin is the servant of sin." John
Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day." Deut. 8:34.
5:15.
13. Why was Christ's name to be called Jesus?

NOTE.-This would suggest the idea that in their servitude and "And thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His
oppression in Egypt they had had difficulty regarding the people from their sins." Matt. 1:21.
observance of the Sabbath, which is a fact. From the accusation
brought against Moses and Aaron by Pharaoh, as recorded in Ex.
5:5,- "Ye make them rest [Heb., Shabbath] from their burdens,"- 14. What lies at the root of all sin?
it is plain that the Sabbath had been denied them, that they had "When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin." James 1:15. " I
been required to work on the Sabbath, and that Moses and had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt
Aaron were teaching them to keep it. Where individual rights and not covet." Rom. 7:7.
religious liberty are recognized, Sabbath observance is neither
denied nor required by civil law. NOTE.-Lust, covetousness, and unlawful desire are only
different names for selfishness. Selfishness lies at the root of all
7. What proclamation was to be made throughout the land of sin; and selfishness is simply the love of self to the disregard of
Israel every fifty years? the equal rights of others.
"And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty
throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be 15. By what scripture is the equality of rights clearly shown?
a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Lev. 19:18.
possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family." Lev.
25:10.
16. What rule of conduct has Christ laid down in harmony
with this command?
181
"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so 21. What is present where the Spirit of the Lord is?
to them." Matt. 7:12. "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there isliberty." 2 Cor. 3:17.
NOTE.-Selfishness, then, must be uprooted from men's hearts
before they will recognize the equal rights of their fellow men. 22. What kind of worship only is acceptable to God?
"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall
17. Who alone can cleanse men's hearts from selfishness? worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John 4:23,24.
saved." Acts 4:12. See also 1 John 1:9.
18. Who alone, then, can give men real freedom?

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free FREEDOM and reason make brave men;
indeed." John 8:36. Take these away, what are they then?-
Mere groveling brutes, and just as well
19. What was Christ's attitude toward unbelievers? The beasts may think of heaven or hell.
"If any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him
not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." Know, then, that every soul is free
John 12:47. To choose his life, and what he'll be;
For this eternal truth is given:
20. What spirit did Christ say should control His disciples? That God will force no man to heaven.
"But Jesus called them to Him, and saith unto them, Ye
know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles He'll call, persuade direct him right,
exerciselordship over them; and their great ones exercise Bless him with wisdom, love, and light,
authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but In nameless ways be good and kind,
whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and But never force the human mind.
whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For
even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:42-45.
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Chapter 104: The Powers that be
1. WHO should be subject to civil government? NOTE.-This decree was in direct conflict with the second
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For commandment of God's law, which forbids making, bowing down
there is no power but of God." Rom. 13:1. to, and serving images. It was religious, idolatrous, and
persecuting in character.
2. By whom are the powers that be ordained?
"The powers that be are ordained of God." Same verse. 10. What answer did the three Hebrew captives, Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-nego, return when asked by the king
3. What does one resist, who resists civil authority? why they had not fallen down and worshiped the golden
image, as he had commanded?
"Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the
ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the
themselves damnation." Verse 2. king, O Nebuchadnezzar , we are not careful to answer thee in
this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver
us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of
NOTE.-"That is, they who rise up against government itself, who thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,
seek anarchy and confusion, who oppose the regular execution that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image
of the laws. It is implied, however, that those laws shall not be which thou hast set up." Verses 16-18.
such as violate the rights of conscience or oppose the law of
God."- Dr. Albert Barnes, on Rom. 13:2.
11. What did Nebuchadnezzar then do?
"Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his
4. What do the Scriptures indicate as the proper sphere and visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-
legitimate work of civil authority? nego: . . . and he commanded the most mighty men that were in
"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. . . . If his army; to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to
thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword cast them into the burning fiery furnace." Verses 19, 20.
in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath
upon him that doeth evil." Verses 3, 4.
12. After their miraculous deliverance, what did
Nebuchadnezzar say?
5. For whom is law made? "Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of
"Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent His angel,
but for the lawless and disobedient." 1 Tim. 1:9. and delivered His servants that trusted in Him, and have
changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they
6. How are Christians admonished to respect civil authority? might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God."
"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and Verse 28.
powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work."
Titus 3:1. " Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the NOTE.-By preserving these men in the fire, and thus changing
Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto the king's word, God was demonstrating before all the world,
governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment through this greatest of then-existing earthly kingdoms, that with
of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. . . . Honor the question of religion civil governments can of right have
all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." 1 nothing whatsoever to do; that religion is a realm outside the
Peter 2:13-17. "For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are legitimate sphere of civil authority; and that every individual
God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. should be left free to worship, or not to worship, according: to the
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; dictates of his own conscience. The lesson to be learned from
custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom this is that, although ordained of God, civil governments are not
honor." Rom. 13:6,7. ordained to direct or oppress men in religious matters.
7. In what words does Christ show that there is another 13. How only did the envious princes and rulers under King
realm outside of Caesar's, or civil government? Darius conclude that they could effect the downfall of
"Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Daniel?
Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Matt. 22:21. "Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against
this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of
8. To whom alone did He say worship is to be rendered? God." Dan. 6:5.
"Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou
serve."Matt. 4:10. 14. To this end, what decree did they prevail upon the king
to make and sign?
9. What decree did King Nebuchadnezzar once make "That whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty
respecting worship? days,save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions."
"To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that Verse 7.
at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and NOTE.-Unlike the decree of Nebuchadnezzar, this decree
worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set forbade the worship of the true God, and was therefore in direct
up. And whoso falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same conflict with the first commandment, which forbids the worship of
hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace."' Dan. 3:4- any other than the true God. Like it, however, it was religious and
6. persecuting in character.
183
15. How did Daniel regard this decree? 24. Upon the apostles being called before the council again,
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into what question did the high priest ask them?
his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward "Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this
Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine,
prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." Verse 28.
aforetime." Verse 10.
25. What reply did the apostles make?
16. What was finally done with Daniel? "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We
"Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast ought to obey God rather than men." Verse 29.
him into the den of lions." Verse 16.
NOTE.-"Obedience is to be rendered to all human governments
17. What did Darius say to Daniel the next morning when he in subordination to the will of God. These governments are a
came to the lions' den? recognized necessity, in the nature of the case, and their
"The king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the existence is manifestly in accordance with the divine will. Hence
living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to the presumption is always in favor of the authority of civil law,
deliver thee from the lions?" Verse 20. and any refusal to obey must be based on the moral proof that
obedience will be sin. . . . It is still true that obedience to human
law often involves sin against God and man. There are cases so
18. What was Daniel's reply?
"Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever. My God clear that no one can question the duty to refuse obedience. In
all times and in all lands such cases have arisen." "It is too
hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they
have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was obvious to need discussion, that the law of God, the great
found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt." principle of benevolence, is supreme, and that 'we ought to obey
Verses 21, 22. God rather than men' in any case of conflict between human law
and the divine."- "Moral Philosophy," by James H. Fairchild,
pages 178-181.
NOTE.-Here again was demonstrated by a most remarkable
miracle, wrought in the face of the greatest nation then in
existence, that with the directing, prescribing, proscribing, or 26. Who is higher than the "higher powers"?
interfering with religion or its free exercise, civil governments can "If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting
of right have nothing whatever to do; that religion is an individual of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter:
matter, and should be left to the dictates of each one s own for He that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be
higher than they."Eccl. 5:8.
conscience.
19. Before leaving His disciples, what command did Christ NOTE.-In attempting to defend the right of civil government to
give them? enforce religious observances by law, some still ask, "Shall we
not obey the powers that be?" We answer, "Yes, when they are
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature." Mark 16:15. in harmony with the higher powers that be. God made His law for
all the universe. He created man;. He gives the bounteous
provisions of nature, and holds our breath and life In His hand.
20. What counter-command did the Jewish Sanhedrin soon He is to be recognized, His law honored, before all the great men
afterward give them? and the highest earthly powers."
"And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all
nor teach in the name of Jesus." Acts 4:18.
27. Because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman in
accordance with the command of King Ahasuerus (Esther
21. What reply did Peter and John make? 3:1-6), what decree did Haman succeed in having the king
"But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it issue and send to every province throughout the Persian
be right in the sight of God to harken unto you more than unto Empire?
God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we "And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's
have seen and heard." Verses 19, 20. provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews,
both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even
22. For continuing to preach Jesus, what did the Jewish upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month
rulers do to the apostles? Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of the
"Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, writing for a commandment to be given in every province was
(which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with published unto all people, that they should be ready against that
indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in day." Esther 3:13,14.
the common prison." Acts 5:17,18.
NOTES.-By an overruling of Providence the carrying out of this
23. What did an angel of God then do? terrible decree was averted, and Haman was hanged on the very
"But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and gallows which he had erected for the execution of Mordecai. See
brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple Esther 7:9,10.
to the people all the words of this life." Verses 19, 20. God has placed the sword (civil authority) in the hands of Caesar
(civil government) for the punishment of evil-doers; but when the
sword is raised to slay the innocent, as in the case of the
NOTE.-Here once again is demonstrated the fact that men have children of Bethlehem (Matt. 2:16) ; or to enforce idolatrous
no right to interfere with the free exercise of religion, and that worship, as in the case of the three Hebrews (Daniel 3); or
when the laws of men conflict with the law and Word of God, we to prohibit the worship of the true God,as in the case of Daniel
are to obey the latter, whatever the consequences may be. God (Daniel 6); or to slay all of God's people, as in the time of Esther;
Himself has set the seal of His approval to such a course. John or to enforce the observance of a false sabbath, as in the case of
Bunyan was imprisoned for twelve years for daring to preach the all Sunday laws, it is an abuse of civil authority, and not a proper
gospel contrary to law. or justifiable use of it; and God honors those who, under such
184
circumstances, in the face of persecution, oppression, and death, make it mischievous. . . .

remain loyal and true to Him. "It should always be remembered that the great end of
"Government is never the gainer in the execution of a law that is government is human well-being, that law and authority are
manifestly unjust. . . . Conscientious men are not the enemies, nothing in themselves, and that all their sacredness arises from
but the friends, of any government but a tyranny. They are its the uses which they serve. The machinery of government is
strength, and not its weakness. Daniel, in Babylon, praying valuable only for the work it does; in itself, it has no value. . . .
contrary to the law, was the true friend and supporter of the The most grievous of all imperfections in government is the
government; while those who, in their pretended zeal for the law failure to secure the just and good result. . . . Injustice and
and the constitution, would strike down the good man, were its oppression are not made tolerable by being in strict accordance
real enemies. It is only when government transcends its sphere with the law. Nothing is surer, in the end, than the reaction of
that it comes in conflict with the consciences of men. such wrong to break down the most perfectly constituted
"But it is objected that the example is corrupting,- that a bad man government."- "Moral Philosophy," by James H. Fairchild, pages
will violate a good law, because the good man refuses to obey a 184-186.
wicked law. The cases are just as unlike as right and wrong and God is above all earthly rulers, and His law above all human
any attempt to justify the one by the other is gross dishonesty. laws. He made us, and we therefore owe allegiance to Him
Unquestionably, the principle can be abused by the wicked, and before any earthly power, potentate, or tribunal. And this is
so can any truth whatever; but the principle of unquestioning saying nothing in disparagement of civil authority exercised in its
obedience to human law is false, and needs no perversion to rightful domain- civil things.
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Chapter 105: Individual Accountability
1. WHAT is religion? NOTE.-Every one, therefore, who acts as master in Christ's

"The recognition of God as an object of worship, love, and church, or lords it over God's heritage (1 Peter 5:3), puts himself
obedience."-Webster. Other definitions equally good are: "The in the place of Christ.
duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of
discharging it." "Man's personal relation of faith and obedience to
7. To whom, then, as servants, are we responsible in
God." matters of faith and worship?
"Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own
2. In religious things, whom alone did Christ say we should master he standeth or falleth." Rom. 14:4.
recognize as Father?
"And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your 8. Whose servants are we not to be?
Father, which is in heaven." Matt. 23:9. " Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." 1
Cor. 7:23.
3. When tempted to fall down and worship Satan, what
Scripture command did Christ cite in justification of His NOTE.-"Satan's methods ever tend to one end,- to make men
refusal to do this? the slaves of men," and thus separate them, from God, destroy
"Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it faith in God, and so expose men to temptation and Sin. Christ's
is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only work is to set men free, to renew faith, and to lead to willing and
shalt thou serve." Matt. 4:10. See Deut. 6:13; 10:20. loyal obedience to God. Says Luther: "It is contrary to the will of
God that man should be subject to man in that which pertains to
4. To whom alone, then, is each one accountable in religious eternal life. Subjection in spirituals is a real worship, and should
things? be rendered only to the Creator."- D' Aubigne's "History of the
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to Reformation," edited by M. Laird Simons, book 7, chap. 11.
God." Rom. 14:12.
9. Where must all finally appear to render up their account?
NOTE.-With this agree the words of Washington : "Every man "For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that
who conducts himself as a good citizen, is accountable alone to every one may receive the things done in his body, according to
God for his religious faith, and should be protected in worshiping that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor. 5:10.
God according to the dictates of his own conscience."- Reply to
Virginia Baptits, in 1789. NOTE.-Inasmuch, then, as religion is an individual matter, and
each individual must give account of himself to God, it follows
5. What do those do, therefore, who make men accountable that there should be no human constraint nor compulsion in
to them in religious affairs? religious affairs.
They put themselves in the place of God. See 2 Thess. 2;3,4.
6. Why, in religious matters, did Christ say men should not

be called masters? DARE to be a Daniel,
"Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Dare to stand alone;
Christ."Matt. 23:10. Dare to have a purpose firm,
Dare to make it known.
P. P. BLISS.
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Chapter 106: Union of Church and State
1. WHAT was already at work in the church in Paul's day? NOTE.-The "theocratical theory" was that of a government
"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work." 2 Thess. 2:7. administered by God through the church, particularly through the
church bishops.
2. What class of men did he say would arise in the church?
"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous 10. What was the date of Constantine's famous Sunday
wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your law?
own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw A. D. 321.
away disciples after them."Acts 20:29,30.
11. When and by whom was the Council of Nice convened?
3. Through what experience was the church to pass, and By the emperor Constantine, 325 A. D.
what was to develop in the church, before Christ's second
coming? 12. Under what authority were its decrees published?
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not
"The decrees. . . were published under the imperial
come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin authority, and thus obtained a political importance."- Id., page
be revealed,the son of perdition." 2 Thess. 2:3. 133.
4. In what was shown the first tangible evidence of this

13. What was one principal object in calling this council?
"falling away" from the truth of God? "The question relating to the observance of Easter, which was
The adoption of heathen rites and customs in the church.
agitated in the time of Anicetus and Polycarp, and afterward in
that of Victor, was still undecided. It was one of the principal
NOTE.-"The bishops augmented the number of religious rites in reasons for convoking the Council of Nice, being the most
the Christian worship, by way of accommodation to the infirmities important subject to be considered after the Arian controversy."
and prejudices, both of Jews and heathen, in order to facilitate "It appears that the churches of Syria and Mesopotamia
their conversion to Christianity. . . . For this purpose they gave continued to follow the custom of the Jews, and celebrated
the name of mysteries to the institutions of the gospel, and Easter on the fourteenth day of the moon, whether falling on
decorated particularly the holy sacrament with that solemn title. Sunday or not. All the other churches observed that solemnity on
They used in that sacred institution, as also in that of baptism, Sunday only, namely; those of Rome, Italy, Africa, Lydia, Egypt,
several of the terms employed in the heathen mysteries, and Spain, Gaul, and Britain; and all Greece, Asia, and Pontus."-
proceeded so far, at length, as even to adopt some of the rites Boyle's "Historical View of the Council of Nice," page 23, edition
and of the ceremonies of which those renowned mysteries 1836.
consisted." - Mosheim's "Ecclesiastical History" (Maclaine's
translation), cent. 2, part 2, chap. 4, pars. 2-5.
14. How was the matter finally decided?
"Easter day was fixed on the Sunday immediately following the
5. How early was this tendency manifested? full moon which was nearest after the vernal equinox."- Id., page
"This imitation began in the eastern provinces; but, after the time 24.
of Adrian [emperor 117-138 A.D.], who first introduced the
mysteries among the Latins, it was followed by the Christians 15. What was decreed by the Council of Laodicea, A.D. 364?
who dwelt in the western parts of the empire."- Id., par. 5.
That Christians should keep the Sunday, and that if they
persisted in resting on the Sabbath, "they shall be shut out from
6. What has been one great characteristic of the Papacy? Christ." See Hefele's "History of the Councils of the Church," Vol.
A union of church and state, or the religious power dominating II, page 316.
the civil power to further its ends.
16. What imperial law was issued in A. D. 386?
7. When was th union of church and state formed from "By a law of the year 386, those older changes effected by
which the Papacy grew? Constantine were more vigorously enforced; and, in general, civil
During the reign of Constantine, 313-337 A.D. transactions of every kind on Sunday were strictly forbidden."-
Neander's "Church History," Vol. II, page 300.
8. What was the character and the work of many of the
bishops at that time? 17. What petition was made to the emperor by a church
"Worldly-minded bishops, instead of caring for the salvation of convention of bishops in A. D. 401?
their flocks, were often but too much inclined to travel about, "That the public shows might be transferred from the Christian
and entangle themselves in worldly concerns."- Neander's Sunday and from the feast-days to some other days of the
"History of the Christian Religion and Church" (Torrey's week."- Id.
translation), Vol. II, page 16.
NOTE.-The desired law was secured in 425 A.D.
9. What did the bishops determine to do?
"This theocratical theory was already the prevailing one in the 18. What was the object of the church bishops in securing
time of Constantine; and. . . the bishops voluntarily made these Sunday laws?
themselves dependent on him by their disputes, and by their "That the day might be devoted with less interruption to the
determination to make use of the power of the state for the purposes of devotion." "That the devotion of the faithful might be
furtherance of their aims."- Id., page 132. free from all disturbance."- Id., pages 297,301.
187
19. How was the "devotion" of the "faithful" disturbed? still not to be neglected. . . . Many, like bad servants, must often
"Church teachers. . . were, in truth, often forced to complain be reclaimed to their Master by the rod of temporal suffering, ere
that in such competitions the theater was vastly more frequented they can attain to this highest stage of religious development."-
than the church."-Id., page 300. Id., pages 214,215.
20. What does Neander say of the securing of these laws? 23. What is Neander's conclusion regarding this theory?
"In this way the church received help from the state for the "It was by Augustine, then, that a theory was proposed and
furtherance of her ends."- Id., page 301. founded, which, tempered though it was, in its practical
application, by his own pious, philanthropic spirit, nevertheless
NOTE.-In this way, more perhaps than in any other, church and contained the germ of that whole system of spiritual despotism,
state were united. In this way the church gained control of the of intolerance and persecution, which ended in the tribunals of
the Inquisition." "He did not give precedence to the question,
civil power, which she later used as a means of carrying on most
bitter and extensive persecutions. In this way she denied Christ What is right? over the question, What is expedient? But a theory
which overlooks these distinctions leaves room for any
and the power of godliness.
despotism which would make holy ends a pretext for the use of
unholy means."-Id., pages 217,249,250.
21. When the church had received help from the state to this
extent, what more did she demand?
NOTE.-It was thus that the union of church and state was formed,
That the civil power should be exerted to compel men to serve
God as the church should dictate. out of which was developed "the beast," or Papacy, of the
Apocalypse, which made "war with the saints" and overcame
them. A like course cannot fail to produce like results today. Dr.
22. What did Augustine, the father of this theocratical or Philip Schaff, in his work on "Church and State," page 11, well
church-and-state theory, teach concerning it? says: "Secular power has proved a satanic gift to the church, and
"Who doubts but what it is better to be led to God by instruction ecclesiastical power has proved an engine of tyranny in the
than by fear of punishment or affliction? But because the former, hands of the state."
who will be guided only by instruction, are better, the others are
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Chapter 107: Sabbath Legislation
1. WHO made the Sabbath? "In the year 425, the exhibition of spectacles on Sunday and on
"In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all the principal feast-days of the Christians was forbidden, in order
that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord that the devotion of the faithful might be free from all
blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Ex. 20:11. disturbance."- Id., pages 300, 301.
2. To whom does the Sabbath belong? 14. What does the historian say of this legislation?
"The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Verse 10. "In this way the church received help from the state for the
furtherance of her ends. . . . But had it not been for that
3. To whom, then, should its observance be confusion of spiritual and secular interests, had it not been for
rendered? "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and the vast number of mere outward conversions thus brought
to God the things that are God's." Mark 12:17. about, she would have needed no such help."-Id., page 301.
NOTE.-When men make Sabbath laws, therefore, they require
Sabbath observance to be rendered to the government, or,
presumably, by indirection, to God through the 15. What did Charlemagne's Sunday law of 800 require?
government, which amounts to the same thing. "We decree. . . that servile works should not be done on the
Lord's day, . . . that is, that neither should men do field work,
4. In religious things, to whom alone are we accountable? either in cultivating the vineyards or by plowing in the fields, by
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." cutting or drying hay, or by placing a fence, or by making
Rom. 14:12. clearings in the woods or felling trees or working on stones or
NOTE.-But when men make compu1sory Sabbath laws, they constructing houses or working in the garden; neither should
make men accountable to the government for Sabbath they come together to decide public matters nor be engaged in
observance. the hunt. . . . Women may not do any textile work nor cut out
clothes nor sew nor make garments. . . . But let them come
5. How does God command us to keep the Sabbath day? together from all sides to church to the solemnities of the mass,
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." Ex. 20:8. and let them praise God for all things which he does for us on
6. What does He indicate as one of its purposes? that day."- "Historical Chronicles of Germany," Sec. 2, Vol. I, 22
"Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath General admonition, 789,
of rest,an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the M. Martio 23, page 61, par. 81.
Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings." Lev. 23:3.
16. How does the Sunday law of Charles II, of 1676, read?
7. Seeing, then, that the Sabbath is holy, is to be kept "For the better observation and keeping holy the Lord's day,
holy, and is a day for holy convocations, what must be its commonly called Sunday: be it enacted. . . that all the laws
character? enacted and in force concerning the observation of the day, and
It must be religious. repairing to the church thereon, be carefully put in execution; and
that all and every person and persons whatsoever shall on every
8. What, then, must be the nature of all Sabbath legislation? Lord's day apply themselves to the observation of the same, by
It is religious legislation. exercising themselves thereon in the duties of piety and true
religion, publicly and privately."- "Revised Statutes of England
9. When the state enacts religious laws, what is effected? From 1235-1685 A.D." (London, 1870), pages 779,780; cited in
A union of church and state. "A Critical History of Sunday Legislation," by A. H. Lewis, D. D.,
pages 108, 109.
10. What has always been the result of religious legislation,
or a union of church and state?
Religious intolerance and persecution. 17. What did the first Sunday law enacted in America, that of
Virginia, in 1610, require?
11. What was Constantine's Sunday law of March 7, 321? "Every man and woman shall repair in the morning to the divine
"Let all the judges and town people, and the occupation service and sermons preached upon the Sabbath day, and in the
of all trades rest on the venerable day of the sun; but let those afternoon to divine service, and catechizing, upon pain for the
who are situated in the country, freely and at full liberty, attend to first fault to lose their provision and the allowance for the whole
the business of agriculture; because it often happens that no week following;for the second, to lose the said allowance and
other day is so fit for sowing corn and planting vines; lest the also be whipped; and for the third to suffer death."- Articles,
critical moment being let slip, men should lose the commodities Laws, and Orders, Divine, Politique, and Martial, for the Colony
granted by heaven."- Corpus Juris Civilis Cod., lib. 3, tit. 12, 3. in Virginia: first established by Sir Thomas Gates, Knight,
Lieutenant-General, the 24th of May, 1610.
12. What further imperial legislation in behalf of Sunday
observance was issued in 386? NOTES.-These are the original Sunday laws, after which all the
"By a law of the year 386, those older changes effected by the Sunday laws of Europe and America have been modeled.
emperor Constantine were more rigorously enforced, and, in Church attendance is not generally required by the Sunday laws
general, civil transactions of every kind on Sunday were strictly of the present day, nor was it required, in terms, by the earliest
forbidden."-Neander's "Church History," Vol. II, . page 300, Sunday laws; but that is and ever has, been the chief object of all
edition 1852. Sunday legislation from Constantine's time on, and it is as much
out of place today as it ever was.
13. At the instance of church bishops, what still further law
was secured under Theodosius the Younger, in 425?
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Chapter 108: Who Persecute and Why
1. BECAUSE Jesus had not kept the Sabbath according to NOTE.-The history of all the religious persecutions since Bible
their ideas, what did the Jews do? times is but a repetition of this same story,- the wicked persecute
"Therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay the righteous. And thus It will continue to be until the conflict
Him,because He had done these things on the Sabbath day." between good and evil is ended.
John 5:16.
6. Who does Paul say shall suffer persecution?
2. What kind of fast is most acceptable to God? "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of persecution." 2 Tim. 3:12.
wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the
oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?" Isa. 58:6. 7. What is essential to extensive religious
persecution? Ecclesiastical control of the civil power, or a union
NOTE.-This is what Jesus did. He, the Author and Lord of the of church and state.
Sabbath, in addition to attending and taking part in religious
services (Luke 4:16), went about doing good, healing the sick, 8. Since persecution is invariably wrong, and the persecutor
relieving the oppressed, and restoring the impotent, lame, and is generally in the wrong on religious subjects, what must
blind, on the Sabbath day. But this, while in perfect accord with be true of persecuting governments?
the law of God, the great law of love, was contrary to the They likewise must be in the wrong.
traditions and perverted ideas of the Jews respecting the
Sabbath. Hence they persecuted Him, and sought to slay Him.
NOTES.-"There are many who do not seem to be sensible that
all violence in religion is irreligious, and that, whoever is wrong,
3. Why did Cain kill Abel? the persecutor cannot be right."- Thomas Clarke.
"For this is the message that ye have heard from the beginning, "Have not almost all the governments in the world always been
that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that in the wrong on religious subjects?"- Macaulay.
wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he "Do not the Scriptures clearly show that they who persecute are
him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's generally in the wrong, and they who suffer persecution in the
righteous." 1 John 3:11,12.
right,- that the majority has always been on the side of falsehood,
and the minority only on the side of truth?"- Luther.
NOTE.-The following comment upon this passage by M. de "Religion was intended to bring peace on earth and good will
Chesnais, a Catholic priest of New Zealand, is well put: "If you towards men, and whatever tends to hatred and persecution,
would read the Word of God, you would find that from the however correct in the letter, must be utterly wrong in the spirit."-
beginning all good people were persecuted because they were Henry Varnum.
good. Abel wag slain by his brother because he was good, and God never forces the will or the conscience; but, in order to bring
Cain could not endure the sight of him."-Kaikoura (New Zealand) men under sin, Satan resorts to force. To accomplish his
Star, April 10, 1884. purpose, he works through religious and secular rulers,
influencing them to enact and enforce human laws in defiance of
4. Commenting upon the treatment of Isaac, the son of the law of God.
Sarah, by Ishmael, the son of the bondwoman, what
principle does the apostle Paul lay down? 9. Under what terrible deception did Christ say men would
"But as then, he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that persecute His followers?
was born after the Spirit, even so it is now." Gal. 4:29. "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be
offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the
5. What other instances of persecution mentioned in the time cometh, thatwhosoever killeth you will think that he doeth
Bible, demonstrate the correctness of this principle? God service." John 16:1,2.
a. Esau, who sold his birthright, persecuted Jacob, who
vowed his loyalty to God. Gen. 25:29-34; 27:41; 32:6. 10. Who is the original murderer?
b. The wayward and envious sons of Jacob persecuted Joseph, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye
who feared God. Genesis 37; Acts 7:9. will do.He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in
c. The idolatrous Egyptians persecuted the Hebrews, who the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a
worshiped the true God. Exodus 1 and 5. lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
d. The Hebrew who did his neighbor wrong thrust Moses, as John 8:44.
mediator, aside. Ex. 2:13,14; Acts 7:26,27.
e. Saul, who disobeyed God, persecuted David, who feared God. 11. When James and John wished to call down fire from
1 Samuel 15, 19, 24. heaven to consume the Samaritans who did not receive
f. Israel, in their apostasy, persecuted Elijah and Jeremiah, who Christ, what did Christ say to them?
were prophets of God. 1 Kings 19:9,10; Jer. 36:20-23; 38:1-6. "He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what
g. Nebuchadnezzar, while an idolater, persecuted the three manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to
Hebrew captives for refusing to worship idols. Daniel 3. destroy men's lives, but to save them." Luke 9: 55;56.
h. The envious and idolatrous princes under Darius, persecuted
Daniel for daring to pray to the God of heaven. Daniel 6.
i. The murderers of Christ persecuted the apostles for preaching NOTES.-Some or the reasons given in justification of
Christ. Acts 4 and 5. persecution may be noted in the following quotations:-
j. Paul, before his conversion, persecuted the church of God.
Acts 8:1; 9:1,2; 22:4,5,20; 26:9-11; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 1:12,13. "The state cannot afford to permit religious liberty. We hear a
great deal about religious tolerance, but we are only tolerant in
190
so far as we are not interested. A person may be tolerant toward evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding
a religion if he is not religious. . . Intolerance means fervor and glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they
zeal. The best the state can do is to establish a limited religious the prophets which were before you." Matt. 5:10-12. See Rev.
liberty; but beyond a certain degree of tolerance the state cannot 2:10; 6:9-11.
afford to admit the doctrine."- Monsignor Russell (Catholic),
quoted in Washington Post, May 5, 1910. "In the furnace God may prove thee,
"The church has persecuted. Only a tyro in church history will Thence to bring thee forth more bright;
deny that. . . . We have always defended the persecution of the
But He can never cease to love thee;
Huguenots, and the Spanish Inquisition. When she thinks it good Thou art precious in His sight:
to use physical force, she will use it. . . . But will the Catholic
God is with thee,-
Church give bond that she will not persecute at all? Will she God, thine everlasting light."
guarantee absolute freedom and equality of all churches and all
faiths? The Catholic Church gives no bonds for her good
behavior."- Editorial in Western Watchman (Catholic), of St. 13. What divine precepts received and obeyed would do way
Louis, Mo., Dec. 24,1908. with all oppression and persecution?
"The Inquisition was a very merciful tribunal; I repeat it, almost a "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Matt. 22:39.
compassionate tribunal. . . . A man was only allowed to be "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do
racked once, which no one can deny was a most wonderful ye even so to them." Matt. 7:12.
leniency in those times."- Catholic Mirror, official organ of
Cardinal Gibbons, Aug. 29, 1896. 14. What does love not do?
"We confess that the Roman Catholic Church is intolerant; that is "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling
to say, that it uses all the means in its power for the extirpation of of the law." Rom. 13:10.
error and sin; but this intolerance is the logical and necessary
consequence of her infallibility. She alone has the right to be
intolerant, because she alone has the truth. The church tolerates
heretics where she is obliged to do so, but she hates them
mortally, and employs all her force to secure their annihilation."- THE BIGOT'S CREED
Shepherd of the Valley (St. Louis, Mo.), 1876. Believe as I believe- no more, no less;
This erroneous position has been well refuted by Lord Macaulay That I am right, and no one else, confess;
in the following words: "The doctrine which, from the very first Feel as I feel, think only as I think;
origin of religious dissensions, has been held by all bigots of all Eat what I eat, and drink but what I drink;
sects, when condensed into few words and stripped of rhetorical Look as I look, do always as I do;
disguise, is simply this: I am in the right, and you are in the And, only then, I'll fellowship with you.
wrong. When you are the stronger, you ought to tolerate me; for
it is your duty to tolerate truth. But when I am the stronger, I shall
persecute you; for it is my duty to persecute error."- Essay on That I am right, and always right, I know,
"Sir James Mackintosh." Because my own convictions tell me so;
Benjamin Franklin well said: "When religion is good it will take And to be right is simply this: to be
care of itself; when it is not able to take care of itself, and God Entirely and in all respects like me.
does not see fit to take care of it, so that it has to appeal to the To deviate a jot, or to begin
civil power for support, it is evidence to my mind that its cause is To question, doubt, or hesitate, is sin.
a bad one."- Letter to Dr. Price.
John Wesley gave the following Christian advice: "Condemn no Let sink the drowning man, if he'll not swim
man for not thinking as you think. Let every one enjoy the full Upon the plank that I throw out to him;
and free liberty of thinking for himself. Let every man use his own Let starve the famishing, if he'll not eat
judgment, since every man must give an account of himself to My kind and quantity of bread and meat;
God. Abhor every approach, in any kind or degree, to the spirit of Let freeze the naked, too, if he'll not be
persecution. If you cannot reason nor persuade a man into the Supplied with garments such as made for me.
truth, never attempt to force a man into it. If love will not compel
him to come, leave him to God, the Judge of all."
'Twere better that the sick should die than live,
Unless they take the medicine I give;
12. What does Christ say of those who are persecuted for 'Twere better sinners perish than refuse
righteousness' sake? To be conformed to my peculiar views.
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: 'Twere better that the world stood still than move
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men In any way that I do not approve.
shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of
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Section 11: Life Only In Christ
Chapter 109: Origin, History,

and Destiny Of Satan
1. HAVE any others than the human family sinned? "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them
"God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be
hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved, reserved unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4.
unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4.
NOTE.-This, we understand, is the darkness surrounding this
2. What is the name of the one who led the angels to sin? world, and is symbolic of the darkness of utter hopelessness and
"Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared despair in rebellion and sin. When Satan led man to sin,
for the deviland his angels." Matt. 25:41. darkness was brought upon this world. But God did not leave
man to hopelessness. In His mercy and great love He caused
3. By what other names is he known? "the light of the glorious gospel of Christ" to shine, to call men
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the "out of darkness into His marvelous light." That Satan and the
Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world." Rev. 12:9. angels who fell with him had a period of probation and
See also Isa. 14:12, where he is called "Lucifer." opportunity to repent, there can be no doubt. Their fate is the
result of stubborn rebellion and persistence in sin in spite of the
4. What was Satan's condition when created? overtures of mercy and the offers of pardon. For this they were
"Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast cast out of heaven. The wicked angels are kept in everlasting
created, till iniquity was found in thee." Eze. 28:15. chains of darkness.
5. What description is given of him by the prophet Ezekiel? 12. How is the conflict which took place in heaven between
"Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of Christ and Satan described by the revelator?
wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the "And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels
garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, . . . the fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in
thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent,
cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he
holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with
midst of the stones of fire." Verses 12-14. him." Rev. 12:7-9.
NOTE.-From this it is evident that Satan was a high and exalted 13. In what terms did Christ refer to Satan's fall?
angel before he fell, a masterpiece of wisdom and beauty. From "And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from
the reference to his "tabrets" and "pipes" it seems probable that heaven."Luke 10:18.
he was chorister of heaven, and led the angelic host in song. In
the earthly sanctuary the cherubim overshadowed the mercy- 14. Has Satan ever appeared before God since his fall?
seat. Ex. 25:16-22; Heb. 9:3-5; Ps. 99:1. "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present
themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among
6. What unholy, ambitious spirit took possession of Satan, them." Job 1:6. See also chapter 2:1.
and led to his fall?
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will 15. When asked whence he came, what was Satan's reply?
exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the "Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro
mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." Job 1:7. See
above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High." Isa. Job 2:2.
14:13,14.
NOTE.-By tempting man to sin, Satan usurped man's dominion
7. Did pride also contribute to his fall? over the earth. Rom. 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19. This he now claims as
"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast his kingdom (Luke 4:6); hence the temptation in offering the
corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness." Eze. 28:17. kingdoms of this world to Christ. As the "god" and ruler of this
world, Satan, for four thousand years before the crucifixion of
8. What does Solomon say precedes destruction and a fall? Christ, appeared before God among the representatives of other
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a worlds, as the representative of this world. After accomplishing
fall." Prov. 16:18. the death of Christ, the Son of God, the sinless One, Satan was
cast out of this council, or assembly, and has not been permitted
9. How does the prophet Isaiah describe Satan's fall? to enter it since. This was his second fall, and the one doubtless,
"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! to which Christ, just before His crucifixion, alluded when he said,
how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this
nations!" Isa. 14:12. world be cast out." John 12:31. His final fall and destruction are
still future.
10. Why was Satan cast from his high position?
"By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of 16. What has been the character of Satan since his fall?
thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from
thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy the beginning." 1 John 3:8.
thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire."
Eze. 28:16. 17. Was he ever in the truth?
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye
11. When cast out of the mountain of God, to what place will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in
were Satan and his angels banished, to be kept till the the truth,because there is no truth in him." John 8:44.
judgment?
192
NOTE.-The expression "abode not in the truth" implies that the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the
Satan was once in the truth, but that he did not remain there. battle of that great day of God Almighty." Rev. 16:14.
18. What is the only "beginning" of which we have record?
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Gen. 29. Why will men be allowed thus to fall under the delusion of
1:1. Satan?
"Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be
19. What besides a murderer did Christ say Satan is? saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that
they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed
"When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar,
not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess. 2:10-12.
and the father of it." John 8:44. See 1 Kings 22:20-23.
20. What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if 30. For how long is Satan to be bound at the second advent?
they transgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit? "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the
"Thou shalt surely die." Gen. 2:17. bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the
dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound
21. What did Satan say to Eve concerning this? him a thousand years." Rev. 20:1,2.
"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall NOT surely
die." Gen. 3:4. 31. What is to take place at the close of the thousand years?
"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed
NOTE.-This, as far as the record shows, was the first lie,- a direct out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in
denial of the word of God. By persuading Eve to accept and believe the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them
it, Satan led our first parents to commit sin; and, as "the wages of sin together to battle:the number of whom is as the sand of the sea."
is death," by it, also, he caused their death, and so became, in reality, Verses 7,8.
the first murderer. A lie, therefore, is a twin brother to murder, and
one of the most hateful things to God, the "God of truth." See Prov. NOTE.-Satan's evil career began in rebellion against God in heaven,
6:16-19. "The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying and ends in rebellion against Him on earth.
tongue is but for a moment." Prov. 12:19. "All liars shall have their
part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." Rev. 21:8. 32. As Satan and his host compass the camp of the saints, what
See also Rev. 21:27; 22:15. will take place?
"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the
22. What has been the result of sin's entrance into the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down
world? from God out of heaven, and devoured them." Verse 9.
"By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin." Rom.
33. What is to be Satan's final doom?
5:12. "By one man's disobedience many were made
"I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that
sinners." Verse 19. "The whole world lieth in wickedness." 1
behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be
John 5:19. "In Adam all die." 1 Cor. 15:22. astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be
any more." Eze. 28:18,19.
23. When Christ came to redeem man, what did Satan do?
"And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And NOTE.-A gladsome thought! Satan, sin, and sinners are finally to
He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of come to an end, and be no more. Then God will have a clean
Satan." Mark 1:12,13. See also Matt. 4:1-11. universe.
24. How severely was Christ tempted of Satan? 34. Why did Christ partake of our nature?
"For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He
are,yet without sin." Heb. 4:15. might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Heb.
2:14.
25. What has the church suffered since the days of Christ?
"And when the dragon [Satan] saw that he was cast unto the 35. What exhortations are given to Christians in view of Satan's
earth, he persecuted the woman [the church]." Rev. 12:13. hatred against God and all that is good?
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
NOTE.-Many millions of the people of God have been put to death lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist
since the beginning of the Christian era, under pagan and papal steadfast in the faith." 1 Peter 5:8,9. "Resist the devil, and he will flee
persecutions, all of which have been instigated by Satan. See Buck's from you." James 4:7.
Theological Dictionary, any commentary or church history on the
subject of persecution, and the readings in Chapters 51., 59., 60. 36. With what weapon did Christ successfully meet Satan's
and 108. of this book. temptations?
The Word of God. "It is written, . . . It is written, . . . It is written."Matt.
26. Is the remnant church to feel his wrath, and why? 4:4-10.
"And the dragon ,vas wroth with the woman, and went to make war
with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, NOTE.-The Word of God is the "sword of the Spirit." Eph. 6: 17. If
and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Verse 17. Christ met and vanquished the enemy with this, so also may we. But
no one can use it who is unfamiliar with it. How important, then, that
27. How will Satan deceive men in the last days? we search, study, and know it! See first readings in this book, and
"And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those reading on "Importance of Sound Doctrine."
miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast." Rev.
13:14. GRACIOUS Father, guard Thy children
From the foe's destructive power;
NOTE.-This, we understand, refers to Spiritualistic manifestations Save, O save them, Lord, from falling
and miracles to be wrought to fasten men in error and deception. In this dark and trying hour!
Thou wilt surely prove Thy people,
28. What will influence the nations to gather for the great battle All our graces must be tried;
of Armageddon? But Thy Word illumes our pathway,
"They are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto And in God we still confide.
193
Chapter 110: What is Man?
1. IN what condition was man created? 12. Are other creatures besides man called "living souls"?
"Thou madest him a little lower than the angels." Ps. 8:5. "And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea;
and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul
2. What will be the final condition of the righteous? died in the sea." Rev. 16:3. See also Gen. 1:30, margin.
"Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the
angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the 13. Do others besides man have the "breath of life"?
resurrection." Luke 20:35,36. "And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and
ofcattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth
upon the earth, and every man: all in whose nostrils was the
3. What are angels called?
"And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and breath of life." Gen. 7:21,22.
His ministers a flame of fire." Heb. 1:7.
14. Is their breath the same as man's?
"As the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one
4. What is the difference between the two Adams?
"The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all
made a quickening spirit." 1 Cor. 15:45. is vanity." Eccl. 3:19.
NOTE.-That is, here men, as well as beasts, die. This present

5. Are our present bodies natural or spiritual? life, with them, as with the rest of the animal creation, is
"Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is dependent upon their breath. When this is gone, they, the same
natural; and afterward that which is spiritual." Verse 46. as beasts, die. In this respect they have no preeminence over
beasts. But men have a future unending life held out before them,
6. When will the righteous have spiritual bodies? and may, if they will, die in hope of eternal life, which is a very
"It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a great preeminence over the rest of the animal creation.
natural body, and there is a spiritual body." Verse 44.
15. What does Job call that which God breathed into man's
7. To what does the sowing here spoken of refer? nostrils?
"That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die." Verse "All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my
36. nostrils." Job 27:3.
NOTE.-Man does not now possess the undying, spiritual nature 16. When man gives up this spirit, what becomes of it?
of the angels, except as he holds it by faith in Christ; nor will he "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit
until the resurrection. Then, if righteous, he will be made shall return unto God who gave it." Eccl. 12:7.
immortal, and he cannot die any more (Luke 20:36), because he
will be "equal unto the angels." NOTE.-That is, the spirit of life by which man lives, and which is
only lent him of God, at death goes back to the great Author of
8. How is man's nature defined? life. Having come from Him, it belongs to God, and man can
"Shall mortal man be more just than God?" Job 4:17. Mortal: have it eternally only as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ.
"Subject to death."-Webster. Rom. 6:23. When the spirit goes back to God, the dust, from
which man was made a "living soul" in the beginning, goes
back as it was, to the earth, and the individual no longer exists
9. What is God's nature? as a living, conscious, thinking being, except as he exists in the
"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise mind, plan, and purpose of God through Christ and the
God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Tim. 1:17. resurrection. In this sense "all live unto Him" (Luke 20:38), for all
Immortal: "Exempt from liability to die."-Webster. are to be raised from the dead. See John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15;
Rom. 4:17.
10. Of what was man formed in the beginning?
"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground." Gen. 17. Who only have hold of the life eternal?
2:7, first part. "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of
God hath not life." 1 John 5:12.
11. What act made him a living soul?
"And [God] breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man NOTE.-The veriest sinner has this temporal life; but when he
became a living soul." Same verse, last part. yields up this life, he has no prospect nor promise of the life
eternal, That can be received only through Christ.
NOTES.-The living soul was not put into the man; but the breath
of life which was put into man, made him- the man, made of the 18. Why was Adam driven from the garden of Eden and,
earth- a living soul, or creature. excluded from the tree of life?
The original for "living soul" in this text is nephesh chaiyah. On "And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of
the use of this expression in Gen. 1:24, translated "living life, and eat, and live forever." Gen. 3:22.
creature," Dr. Adam Clarke says: "A general term to express all
creatures endued with animal life, in any of its infinitely varied
gradations, from the half-reasoning elephant down to the stupid 19. What was done to keep man away from the tree of life?
potto, or lower still, to the polyp, which seems equally to share "So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the
the vegetable and animal life. garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned
every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Verse 24.
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20. How are all men in the natural state regarded? NOTE.-God is the only Being who possesses original life or
"We all . . . were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." immortality in Himself. All others must receive it from God. See
Eph. 2:3. John 5:26; 6:27; 10:10,27,28; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:11.
21. If the wrath of God abides on a person, of what does it 26. Through whom has immortality been brought to light?
deprive him? "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour
"He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life
God abideth on him." John 3:36. and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Tim. 1:10.
22. Through whom is the sinner saved from wrath? 27. To whom is eternal life promised?
"Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be "To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory
saved from wrath through Him." Rom. 5:9. and honor and immortality, eternal life." Rom. 2:7.
23. With whom is the Christian's future life hid? NOTE.-One does not need to seek for a thing which he already
"For ye are dead [to sin], and your life is hid with Christ in possesses. The fact that we are to seek for immortality is proof in
God." Col. 3:3. itself that we do not now possess it.
24. When will this life be bestowed upon the believer? 28. When will the faithful be changed to immortality? "Behold,
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
appear with Him in glory." Verse 4. changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
NOTE.-The word immortal occurs but once in the English Bible incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Cor. 15:51,52.
(1 Tim. 1:17), and is there applied to God.
29. What is then to be swallowed up?
25. Who only possesses inherent immortality? "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this
"Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to
Lord of lords; who only hath immortality." 1 Tim. 6:15,16. pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in
victory." Verse 54. See verse 57.
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Chapter 111: Life Only In Christ
1. WHAT is the wages of sin? 9. What is Christ therefore fittingly called?

"The wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23. "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also
appear with Him in glory." Col. 3:4.
2. Through whom only is there salvation from sin?
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under .heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved." Acts 4:12.
THERE Is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins;
NOTE.-If men do not die, why should Christ die to save them And sinners plunged beneath that flood
from death? And what need of the resurrection and the second Lose all their guilty stains.
advent?
The dying thief rejoiced to see
3. Why did God send His only begotten Son to this world? That fountain in his day;
"That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but And there may I, though vile as he,
haveeverlasting life." John 3:16. Wash all my sins away.
4. What does Christ declare Himself to be? Thou dying Lamb! Thy precious blood
"I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6. Shall never lose its power,
Till all the ransomed church of God
5. What does He say He gives to those who follow Him? Are saved, to sin no more.
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:
and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, E'er since by faith I saw the stream
neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." John 10:27,28. Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.
6. Upon what is the possession of this life conditioned?
"Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His
blood, ye have no life in you." John 6:53. Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared,
Unworthy though I be,
For me a blood-bought, free reward-
7. In whom is the life eternal?
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and Eternal life for me.
this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:11.
There in a nobler, sweeter song,
I'll sing Thy power to save,
8. Who only have this life?
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of When this poor lisping, stam'ring tongue
Is ransomed from the grave.
God hath not life." Verse 12. "He that heareth My word, and
believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not WILLIAM COWPER.
come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
John 5:24.
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Chapter 112: The Intermediate State
1. By what figure does the Bible represent death? 11. How much does one know of God when dead?
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning "For in death there is no remembrance of Thee." Ps. 6:5.
them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which
have no hope." 1 Thess. 4:13. See also 1 Cor. 15:18,20; John NOTE.-There is not even a remembrance of God. As already seen,
11:11-14. the Bible everywhere represents the dead as asleep. If they were in
heaven or in hell, would it be fitting to represent them thus? Was
NOTE.-In sound sleep one is wholly lost to consciousness; time Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, in heaven when the Saviour said, "Our
goes by unmeasured; and the mental functions which are active friend Lazarus sleepeth"? John 11:11. If so, calling him to life was
during consciousness are suspended for the time being. really robbing him of the bliss of heaven that rightly belonged to him.
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, recorded in Luke 16, was
given to teach, not consciousness in death, but that in the judgment
2. Where do the dead sleep? riches will avail nothing unless rightly and beneficently used, and that
"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall poverty will not keep one out of heaven.
awake." Dan. 12:2. See also Eccl. 3:20; 9:10.
12. But are not the righteous dead in heaven?
3. How long will they sleep there? "For David is not ascended into the heavens." Acts 2:34.
"So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no
more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep." Job 13. What must take place before the dead can praise God?
14:12. "Thy dead men shall live, together with My dead body shall they
arise.Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the
4. For what did Job say he would wait after death? dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." Isa. 26:19.
"If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed
time will I wait, till my change come." Verse 14. 14. When did David say he would be satisfied?
"As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be
5. Where did he say he would wait? satisfied,when I awake, with Thy likeness." Ps. 17:15.
"If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the
darkness." Job 17:13. 15. Were there to be no resurrection of the dead, what would
be the condition of those fallen asleep in Christ?
6. While in this condition, how much does one know about "For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be
those he has left behind? not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they
"His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." 1 Cor.
brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them." Job 14:21. 15:16-18.
7. What becomes of man's thoughts at death? 16. When is the resurrection of the righteous to take place?
"His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
very day his thoughts perish." Ps. 146:4. with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and
the dead in Christ shall rise first." 1 Thess. 4:16.
8. Do the dead know anything?
"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not NOTES.-If, as stated in Eccl. 9:5, the dead know not anything, then
anything,neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of they have no knowledge of the lapse of time. "Six thousand years in
them is forgotten." Eccl. 9:5. the grave to a dead man is no more than a wink of the eye to the
living." To them, consciousness, our only means of measuring time,
9. Do they take any part in earthly things? is gone; and it will seem to them when they awake that absolutely no
"Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is time has elapsed. And herein lies a most comforting thought in the
now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in Bible doctrine of the sleep of the dead, that in death there is no
anything that is done under the sun." Verse 6. consciousness of the passing of time. To those who sleep in Jesus,
their sleep, whether long or short, whether one year, one thousand
NOTE.-If one continued in consciousness after death, he would years or six thousand years, will be but as if the moment of sad
know of the promotion or dishonor of his sons. But Job says he does parting were followed instantly by the glad reunion in the presence of
not know this. Not only so, but in death one loses all the attributes of Jesus at His glorious appearing and the resurrection of the just.
mind,- love, hatred, envy, etc. Thus it is plain that his thoughts have It ought also to be a comforting thought to those whose lives have
perished, and that he can have nothing more to do with the things of been filled with anxiety and grief for deceased loved ones who
this world. But if, as taught and held by some, man's powers of persisted in sin, to know that they are not now suffering in torments,
thought continue after death, he lives; and if he lives, he must be but, with all the rest of the dead are quietly sleeping in their graves.
somewhere. Where is he? Is he in heaven, or in hell? If he goes to Job 3:17.
either place at death, what then is the need of a future judgment, or Again, it would mar the felicity of one's enjoyment in heaven could he
of a resurrection, or of the second coming of Christ? If the judgment look upon earth and see his friends and relatives suffering from
does not take place at death, but men go to their reward at death, persecution, want, cold, or hunger, or sorrowing for the dead. God's
then their rewards precede their awards, and there would arise the way is best,-that all sentient life, animation, activity, thought, and
possibility that some have at death gone to the wrong place, and consciousness should cease at death, and that all should wait till the
must needs be sent to the other, after having been in bliss or torment resurrection for their future life and eternal reward. See Heb.
for ages, perhaps. 11:31,40.
10. What does the psalmist say about the dead praising SLEEP on, beloved! sleep, and take thy rest;
God? Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour's breast.
"The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best-
silence." Ps. 115:17. Good night.
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Chapter 113: The Two Resurrections
1. WHAT comes to all men as the result of the fall? "That which thou sowest is not quickened, ~xcept it die." 1 Cor.
"In Adam all die." 1 Cor. 15:22. See also Rom. 5:12. 15:36. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall
into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth
2. Where do all go at death? forth much fruit." John 12:24.
"All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust
again."Eccl. 3:20. NOTES.-The seed dies to spring forth into new life. In this we are
taught the lesson of the resurrection. All who love God will spring
3. In what condition is man while in the grave? "Whatsoever forth to life, and live again through endless ages in the earth
made new.
thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;
for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge. nor wisdom, in The Open Grave.- The truth of the resurrection has been forcibly
the grave, whither thou goest." Eccl. 9:10. illustrated by the following incident: In the city of Hanover,
Germany, is a grave known as "The open grave." It is that of a
woman, an infidel German princess, who died over one hundred
NOTE.-That is, man, when dead, has no use of the powers of years ago, and who, on her death-bed, gave orders that her
mind or body. He cannot, therefore, while in the grave, praise grave should be covered with a great marble slab, weighing
God, or even think of Him (Ps. 6:5); for in the day he dies his perhaps a ton, surmounting solid blocks of stone firmly bound
thoughts perish. Ps. 146:2-4. See preceding reading. together with clasps of iron, with this inscription placed on the
lowermost stone of the tomb: "This grave purchased for eternity,
4. What has been promised in order that man may be must never be opened." But no human device can thwart the
redeemed from this condition? plans of God, or hinder the workings of life from Him. It
"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem happened, providentially no doubt, that a birch-tree seed was
them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be buried with the princess. Soon it began to sprout. Its tiny shoot,
thy destruction." Hosea 13:14. soft and pliable at first, found its way up through the ponderous
stones of the massive masonry. Slowly and imperceptibly, but
with irresistible power, it grew, until at last it burst the bands of
5. Through whom will come this redemption from the grave? iron asunder, and opened this never-to-be-opened grave, leaving
"For since by man came death, by man came also the not a single stone in its original position. What a rebuke to
resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ infidelity! and what a mute but striking promise that, erelong, in
shall all be made alive."1 Cor. 15:21,22. God's own time, all graves shall be opened, and the sleeping
ones awake from their dusty beds!
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Page 517
6. What would have been the result to the dead had not
Christ procured their release from the grave? 11. Where are the dead when they hear the voice of Christ
"For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be calling them to life?
not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that
also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." Verses 16- are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth."
18. John 5:28,29.
7. Why did God give His only begotten Son to the world? 12. How many distinct classes will have a resurrection?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten "There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of
Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have the just and unjust."Acts 24:15.
13. By what terms did Christ refer to the two resurrections?
8. What did the Sadducees in Christ's time deny? "All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come
"Then came to Him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and
there is any resurrection." Luke 20:27. they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of
damnation." John 5:28,29.
9. How did Christ, from the Old Testament Scriptures, prove
the resurrection? 14. When will the resurrection of the just occur?
"Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a
bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For He is not a God of the God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first." 1 Thess. 4:16. See
dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him." Verses 37,38. also 1 Cor. 15:23.
NOTE.-That is, in view of the resurrection- of the fact that there 15. When are the righteous to be recompensed?
is to be a resurrection- all live unto God. In His purpose, all are "For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the
alive. It is in this sense that Paul speaks of God as the one "who just." Luke 14:14.
quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as
though they were." Rom. 4:17.
16. In what condition did David expect to rise?
"As far me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be
10. Under what illustration from nature are the resurrection satisfied,when I awake, with Thy likeness." Ps. 17:15.
and the final salvation of the righteous taught?
198
17. What great contrast will be seen between the present angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the
body and the one to be put on in the resurrection? resurrection." Luke 20:36.
"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in
corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonor; it is 22. How long do the other class wait after the first
raised in glory; it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power; it is resurection before they are raised?
sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." 1 Cor. 15:42- "And they [the righteous] lived and reigned with Christ a
44. thousand years.But the rest of the dead lived not again until the
thousand years were finished." Rev. 20:4,5.
Page 518
23. What is to be their fate?
18. After whose body will these resurrected ones be "And fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured
fashioned?
them." Verse 9.
"We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall
change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His
glorious body." Phil. 3:20,21. 24. Who are to share this fate?
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable,
and murderers,
19. What will the righteous do upon rising from the grave? and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all
"Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they
liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and
arise.Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the brimstone: which is the second death." Rev. 21:8.
dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." Isa. 26:19.
25. What is the last enemy to be destroyed?

20. In what words will their triumph over death and the grave
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1 Cor. 15:26.
be expressed? , See Rev. 20:13,14.
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1
Cor. 15:55.
26. How will the righteous ever afterward appear?
"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
21. How long will they live? their Father, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matt. 13:43.
"Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the
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Chapter 114: Fate of the Transgressor
1. WHAT question does Peter ask regarding the wicked? cannot be put out, and not because it will not go out when it has
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the done its work.
house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of
them that obey not the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17. 10. What will be the result of this punishment?
"As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the
2. What does the Bible say is the wages of sin? righteous is an everlasting foundation." Prov. 10:25.
"For the wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23. "The soul that
sinneth, it shall die." Eze. 18:4. 11. Will any part of the wicked be left?
"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all
Die: "To pass from physical life; to suffer a total and irreparable the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the
loss of action of the vital functions; to become dead; to expire; day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts,
perish."- Webster. that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Mal. 4:1.
3. What will be the character of this death? 12. What will then be their condition?
"Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the "For as ye have drunk upon My holy mountain, so shall all the
presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power." 2 Thess. heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall
1:9. swallow down, andthey shall be as though they had not
been." Obadiah 16.
Destroy: "To unbuild; to break up the structure and organic
existence of; to demolish; to spoil utterly; to bring to naught; to 13. Where will the place of the wicked then be?
put an end to; to annihilate."- Webster. "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt
diligently consider his place, and it shall not be." Ps. 37:10.
4. How complete will be the destruction of the wicked?
"Fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in NOTE.-It would be difficult to keep the wicked in eternal torment
hell." Matt. 10:28. without any place for them, even, in which to exist.
5. What does Christ say will befall those who do not repent? 14. Where are both the righteous and the wicked to be
"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3. recompensed?
"Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much
Perish: "To be destroyed; to pass away: to become nothing; to more the wicked and the sinner." Prov. 11:31.
be lost; to waste away; to die."- Webster.
15. Do the wicked go directly to their punishment at death,
or wait till the day of judgment?
6. How does the apostle Peter say they shall perish?
"But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations,
and toreserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be
destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not;
and shall utterly perish in, their own, corruption." 2 Peter 2:12. punished." 2 Peter 2:9.
7. To what are the wicked in their punishment compared? 16. To what are the present heavens and earth reserved?
"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same
"But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall
be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of
judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:7.
consume away." Ps. 37:20.
NOTE.-Both the present heavens and earth and sinners await

Consume: "To destroy; as by decomposition, dissipation, waste,
or fire."- Webster. the fires of the last day.
8. How does John the Baptist describe the destruction of 17. What will be the result of the fires of the last
day? "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of
the wicked?
"He that cometh after me is mightier than I, . . . whose fan is in God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and
the elements shall melt with fervent heat." "The earth also, and
His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His
wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with the works that are therein shall be burned up." Verses 12, 10.
unquenchable fire." Matt. 3:11,12.
18. By what means does Christ say His kingdom is to be
cleansed from sin and sinners?
9. For whom does Christ say the fire which will finally
destroy the wicked was originally prepared? "The; Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall
"Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which
Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire." Matt.
angels."Matt. 25:41. 13:41,42.
NOTE.-This fire is called "everlasting" because of the character NOTE.-Satan and the wicked now have this world as their
of the work it does; just as it is called "unquenchable" because it "place." In due time Christ will have it. He will cleanse it from sin
and sinners, and restore it, that He may give it to the saints of
200
the Most High for an everlasting possession. See Dan. by the way in which they used their probationary time they
7:18,22,27. proved themselves unworthy of it. Their destruction will, in fact,
be an act of love and mercy on the part of God; for to perpetuate
19. When are the wicked dead to be raised to receive their their lives would only be to perpetuate sin, sorrow, suffering, and
final punishment? misery. Terrible, therefore, as this judgment will be, there will, in
"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years consequence of it, be nothing of value lost,- nothing lost worth
were finished." Rev. 20:5. saving. The experiment of sin will be over, and God's original
plan of peopling the earth with a race of holy, happy beings will
be carried out. 2 Peter 3:13.
20. Whence will come the fire that will destroy them?
"And they went up on the breadth of the earth. and compassed
the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came 22. What is this final destruction of the wicked called? "This
is the second death." Rev. 20:14.
down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." Verse 9.
NOTE.-This is called God's "strange act" and His "strange 23. After the burning day, what will appear?
work,"- the work of destruction. Isa. 28:21. But by this means "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for
new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
God will once and forever cleanse the universe of sin and all its
sad results. Death itself will then be at an end- cast into the lake 2 Peter 3:13.
of fire. Rev. 20:14.
24. Where will the righteous then be found?
21. To what will this fire reduce the wicked? "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
"And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes their Father." Matt. 13:43.
under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith
the Lord of hosts." Mal. 4:3. 25. What promise of the Saviour will then be fulfilled?
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5.
NOTE.-The wicked are to be utterly destroyed- consumed away See also Ps. 37:11,29; Isa. 65:17-25; Dan. 7:18.
into smoke, brought to ashes. Having inseparably allied
themselves with sin, they have forfeited the right to life and an 26. What universal song of praise will then be sung?
immortal existence, and chosen the way of death and destruction. "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and
By their choice they have proved themselves worthless. For this under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in
reason they are compared to chaff, briers, thorns, etc. Their them, heard I saying,Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power,
destruction will consequently be no real loss. "They will be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb
themselves have lost their opportunity to obtain eternal life; but forever and ever." Rev. 5:13.
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Chapter 115: The Ministration of Good Angels
1. OF what family does Paul speak in Ephesians? NOTE.-Angel means messenger. In Mal. 3:1, Christ is called
"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord "the messenger of the covenant."
Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is
named." Eph. 3:14,15. 10. What is said of the strength and character of the angels?
"Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His
2. By what name are the members of this family called? commandments, harkening unto the voice of His word." Ps.
"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present 103:20.
themselves before the Lord." Job 1:6. "Behold, what manner of
love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be
11. What description is given of Gabriel in Daniel?
called the sons of God." 1 John 3:1. "His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the
appearance oflightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his
3. By what name are those composing the family in heaven arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of
commonly known to us? his words like the voice of a multitude." Dan. 10:6.
"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about
the throne." Rev. 5:11. NOTE.-Similar descriptions are given of God, the "Ancient of
days." in Dan. 7:9; and of Christ. "the Son of man." in Rev. 1:13-
4. Did angels exist before the death of any of the human 15.
family?
"So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the
12. What was the appearance of the angel that rolled away
garden of Eden cherubim." Gen. 3:24. the stone from the sepulcher at the resurrection of Christ?
"His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as
Cherub: "A creature of a sacred and celestial nature."-Gesenius. snow."Matt. 28:3.
5. Who witnessed the laying of the foundations of the earth? 13. What shows that the angels sent to Abraham and Lot
"Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid were real beings?
the corner-stone thereof; when the morning stars sang together, "And he [Abraham] took butter, and milk, and the calf which he
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" Job 38:6,7. had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under
the tree, andthey did eat." " And he [Lot] made them a feast, and
6. How many of these beings did John see around the did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat." Gen. 18:8; 19:3.
throne?
"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about 14. What reason does Paul give to encourage us to entertain
the throne; . . . and the number of them was ten thousand times strangers?
ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." Rev. 5:11. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have
entertained angels unawares." Heb. 13:2.
7. What does Paul say of their number?
"But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living 15. In his dream at Bethel, what did Jacob see?
God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company "And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and
of angels."Heb. 12:22. See also Dan. 7:10. the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angls of God
ascending and descending on it." Gen. 28:12.
8. Are angels of a higher order of beings than man?
"Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels." Ps. 8:5. 16. To whose authority are the angels subject?
"Jesus Christ: who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand
NOTES.-There are different orders of angels: "Cherubim" (Gen. of God;angels and authorities and powers being made subject
3:24); "Seraphim" (Isa. 6:2,6); "Archangel" (1 Thess. 4:16; Jude unto Him." 1 Peter 3:21, 22.
9).
Some of their names are: "Michael" (Dan. 10:13,21; 12:1; Jude NOTE.-In Joshua 5:13-15, Christ is called "captain of the Lord's
9); "Gabriel" (Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19); "Uriel" (2 Esdras host."
[Apocrypha] 4:1,36; 5:20. See 1 Chron. 15:5); "Ariel" (doubtless
of angelic origin. See Ezra 8:16). 17. In what work are angels engaged?
Michael means, "Who is like God," and hence is a fit title for "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them
Christ. Gabriel signifies, "The strength of God," an appropriate who shall be heirs of salvation? " Heb. 1:14.
name for the angel or being who stands next to Christ (Dan.
10:21). Uriel means, "The light of God;" Ariel, "The lion of God."
18. What scripture indicates that each child of God has an
accompanying angel?
9. Is Christ ever called an angel? "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say
"Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way,
unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face
and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." Ex. of My Father which is in heaven." Matt. 18:10.
23:20. See verse 23; Acts 7:38; and margin of 1 Cor. 10:4. "The
Angel of His presencesaved them." Isa. 63:9. "Michael the
Archangel." Jude 9. See also Dan. 12:1; 1 Thess. 4:16. NOTE.-Another has said: "Christians who live in the light of
God's countenance are always accompanied by unseen angels,
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and these holy beings leave behind them a blessing in our 27. After His forty days' fast and temptation in the
homes." wilderness, how was Christ strengthened?
"Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and
19. How is their watch-care over God's people expressed? ministered unto Him." Matt. 4:11.
"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear
Him, and delivereth them." Ps. 34:7. 28. How was Christ strengthened while suffering in the
garden of Gethsemane?
20. By what means were the three Hebrews protected while "And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven,
in the fiery furnace? strengthening Him." Luke 22:43.
"I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they
have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. . . . 29. Are the angels interested in the plan of salvation?
Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of "Which things the angels desire to look into." 1 Peter 1:12.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent His angel,
and delivered His servants that trusted in Him." Dan. 3:25-28. 30. Are they interested in the conversion of men? "Likewise, I
say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God
21. When cast into the lions' den, how did Daniel say he had over one sinner that repenteth." Luke 15:10.
been saved from death?
"My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' 31. Before whom are we said to speak?
mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou
innocency was found in me." Dan. 6:22. shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy
flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an
22. When surrounded by the Syrian host, what did Elisha error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy
say, and for what did he pray, to encourage his frightened the work of thine hands?" Eccl. 5:5,6.
servant?
"And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more 32. For what must men give account in the judgment?
than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak,
pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." Matt.
the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the
12:36. See also Eccl. 12:13,14.
mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about
Elisha." 2 Kings 6:16,17.
33. Out of what will they be judged?
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the
23. What does the psalmist say of the chariots of God?
books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the
"The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which
angels."Ps. 68:17. were written in the books, according to their works." Rev. 20:12.
24. By what means were the apostles delivered from prison?

34. What shows that the actions of men are recorded?
"The angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and "And the Lord harkened, and heard it, and a book of
brought them forth." Acts 5:19. remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the
Lord, and that thought upon His name." Mal. 3:16. See also Isa.
25. How was Peter delivered later? 65:6; Jer. 2:22.
"The angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the
prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up,
35. In the judgment how many angels minister before God?
saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his "A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand
hands. . . . And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten
and follow me. . . . They came unto the iron gate that leadeth thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the
unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they books were opened." Dan. 7:10.
went out, and passed on through one street; and forth with the
angel departed from him." Acts 12:7-10.
NOTE.-Since the angels are our ministering spirits, and our lives
are open before them, it is reasonable to infer that they make the
NOTE.-"What we call physical law is no obstruction to angelic record of our lives. Then when the books are examined, they will
ministrations. Bolts and bars and prison gates disappear at their of necessity be present, to minister before God.
volition, and dungeons like palaces shine in their presence. No
place can be so dismal, no cavern so deep and dark, no
Inquisition cell so hidden and fetid, no fortress so strongly 36. What does Christ promise overcomers?
guarded, that they cannot find quick and easy access, if a child "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;
of God is there."- "Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation," and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will
by E. A. Stockman, pages 74, 75. confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." Rev.
3:5.
26. When Elijah was about to take a forty days' journey, how
was he strengthened for it? 37. What protection has God promised His people during
"And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and the seven last plagues?
touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come
great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee,
the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their
the mount of God." 1 Kings 19:7,8. hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." Ps. 91:10-12.
203
38. When Christ comes, who will come with Him, and what the angels who have ministered to us during our earthly
will they do? pilgrimage.
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with
His angels." "And they shall gather together His elect from the
four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matt. 16:27;
24:31.
O, MAY Thine angels, while I sleep,
Around my bed their vigils keep;
39. Where will all the saints then go? Their love angelical instil,
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together Stop every avenue of ill!
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall May they celestial joys rehearse,
we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:17. And thought to thought with me converse.
BISHOP KENT.
NOTE.-We shall then have the privilege of seeing and
conversing not only with the good and blest of all ages, but with
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Chapter 116: The Dark Ministries of Bad Angels
1. AGAINST whom do we wrestle?

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, 8. With what were many possessed in Christ's time?
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, "And they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with
against spiritual wickedness [margin, wicked spirits] in high places divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with
[margin, heavenly places]." Eph. 6:12. devils."Matt. 4:24.
NOTE.-"The facts of history concur with the statements of revelation NOTE.-Vampire-like, evil angels take possession of, and make their
in forcing upon us the unwelcome conviction that the human race is abode with, all over whose minds and bodies they can gain control.
subject to the malevolent influence of an organized and all-pervading Only through Christ can this demoniacal captivity be broken. Until
demonism. Alike in the career of nations and in the phenomena of this is done, one in this condition is led captive by Satan "at his will."
personal destiny the presence of demoniacal skill and power is often His self-control and power to resist temptation are gone. See 2 Tim.
prominent, frequently dominant, always evil."- "Footprints of Angels 2:26.
in Fields of Revelation," by E. A. Stockman, page 2.
9. How do evil spirits sometimes treat those thus possessed?
2. To what place were the angels that sinned cast? "And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare
"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to him."Luke 9:42.
hell[Greek, tartarus, a place of darkness], and delivered them
into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4. NOTE.-Those under demoniacal control are simply the sport and
plaything of the evil spirits possessing and controlling them.
3. What is Satan himself called?
"The god of this world." 2 Cor. 4:4. "The prince of this world." John 10. As we near the closing scenes of human probation, why
14:30. "The prince of the power of the air." Eph. 2:2. may we expect an increase in demoniacal manifestations?
"Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is
4. How numerous are these wicked spirits, or fallen angels? come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that
"And He asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, he hath but a short time." Rev. 12:12.
My name is Legion: for we are many." Mark 5:9.
NOTE.-Acquainted, as they are, with the laws of nature, Satan and
5. What is the chief occupation of Satan and his angels? his angels raise storms and scatter disease and death as far as lies
"And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted within their power; and, as enemies of God, they likewise pervert the
of Satan." Mark 1:13. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary truth and disseminate error as far as possible. Far better, also, than
the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may the inhabitants of the world, do they know that the end of all things is
devour." 1 Peter 5:8. See Rev. 12:9,12; 16:14. fast approaching, and that their time to work is short.
NOTES.-"In undiminished possession of their intelligence and 11. Concerning what have we been definitely informed?
strength, they constantly assault us in every weakness, through "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
every avenue, by every means, by methods foul or fair. . . . Whom depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
they cannot destroy they cease not to worry, torment. They inspire devils." 1 Tim. 4:1.
evil tempers; arouse dark passions; instill ill will; beget malice, envy;
impose care, fear, distrust; suggest deceit, fraud, and all the forms of 12. What class of God's servants have evil angels, through
crime." "Supremely do they revel in the criminal domain. They foster wicked men, seemed to make special objects of attack?
falsehood incite revenge, fan jealousy, beget quarrels, help on thefts, "Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?" Acts 7:52.
robbery, and arson, further divorces, plan defalcations, instigate
murders. They run the saloons and edit the Police News."- NOTES.-"Of all classes of men employed by the Heavenly Father in
"Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation," pages 9,10,22. the work of redemption, none are more fiercely hated by the wicked
angels than the whole line of the prophets; for from the first to the
6. What are we admonished not to do? last they foretell the final and eternal overthrow and utter extinction of
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your the 'powers of darkness,' the 'spirits of disobedience.'" - "Footprints
wrath:neither give place to the devil." Eph. 4:26,27. of Angels in Fields of Revelation," page 14.
NOTE.-Those who give vent to anger or retain old grudges, who Evil angels also incite men and nations to war, and by this means
parley with temptation or tamper with vice, who indulge in divert their attention from things pertaining to the kingdom of God,
intemperance, pride, foolishness, or levity, or give way to any other and so take peace from the earth. Rev. 16:14. This will end in
weakness, give place to the devil; that is, they give the devil an Armageddon.
opportunity to work through them- give him an advantage over them. "Familiar with the laws which govern mental conditions, the fallen
We should therefore close every avenue to Satan and his angels. hosts ply all their specious arts to excite personal suspicions and
We should suppress anger, be sober and watchful, and nip in the animosities, and to create national resentments and bloody conflicts,
bud every prompting to sin. their chief delight being to compass the destruction of peace and the
banishment of concord from the earth, to embitter the poor children
7. What spirits stand ever ready to deceive and ruin those who of sin and sorrow against each other, and turn our world into an
are off guard or bent on going astray? arena of strife and crime."-Id., page 22.
"And the Lord said, Who shall persuade [margin, deceive] Ahab, that
he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? . . . And there came forth a 13. What will be the final doom of Satan and his angels?
spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him. And "Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me,
the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said, angels."Matt. 25:41. "And the day that cometh shall burn them up,
Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so." 1 saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor
Kings 22:20-22. See 2 Thess. 2:10,11. branch." Mal. 4:1. See Rev. 20:9.
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Chapter 117: Spiritualism
1. WHAT is Spiritualism defined to be? occultism, and the whole brood of false isms of this kind, it will be
"A belief that departed spirits hold intercourse with mortals by noticed, deal very largely with death. This, of itself, indicates their
means of physical phenomena, as by rapping, or during origin, and should be a warning to all to let them alone- to have
abnormal mental states, as in trances, or the like, commonly nothing whatever to do with them. They are from beneath, and not
manifested through a medium; spiritism."- Webster. from above. However promising or pleasing they may be at first, they
Spiritism: "The theory that mediumistic phenomena "are caused are downward and destructive in their tendency, and ultimately lead
by spirits of the dead."-Webster. away from God, into unbelief of His Word and into sin. They promise
life by denying death, and apparently "make good" Satan's lie m
Eden, through the ministration and manifestations of evil angels
NOTE.-"The very central truth of Spiritualism is the power and representing themselves to be the spirits of the dead.
possibility of spirit return, under certain conditions, to In a sermon on "Spiritualism an Imposture," Rev. T. De Witt Talmage
communicate with those in the material form."- N. F. Ravlin, said: "Spiritualism takes advantage of those who are weak and
Spiritualistic lecturer, of California. morbid with trouble. We lose a friend. The house is dark, the world is
dark, the future seems dark. If we had, in our rebellion and weakness,
2. Did this doctrine exist in ancient times? the power to marshal a host and recapture our loved one, we should
"Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek marshal the host. Spiritualism comes in at that moment, when we are
after wizards,to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God." Lev. all worn out by watching,- all worn out, body, mind, and soul,- and
19:31. says: 'Now I will open that door; you shall hear the voices. Take your
places around the table; all be quiet now.' . . . O, I hate Spiritualism,
NOTE.-"The phenomenal aspect of modern Spiritualism because it takes advantage of people when they are weak, and worn
reproduces all essential principles of the magic, witchcraft, and out, and morbid under life's bereavements and sorrows! . . . If
sorcery of the past. The same powers are involved, the same Spiritualism had its way, it would turn the world into a pandemonium
intelligences are operating."- F. F. Morse, in "Practical of carnality. It is an unclean and adulterous system."
Occultism," page 85.
6. Under the theocracy of Israel, what was the law
3. How does God regard sorcerers? concerning witches and those who had familiar spirits?
"And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." Ex. 22:18. "A man also or
witness against the sorcerers." Mal. 3:5. woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely
be put to death." Lev. 20:27.
4. What does He say of the teachings of enchanters and
sorcerers? NOTE.-This shows how dangerous and deadly everything of this
"Therefore harken not ye to. . . your enchanters, nor to your character is in God's sight.
sorcerers, . . . for they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far
from your land." Jer. 27:9,10. 7. With what is witchcraft classed by Paul, and what does he
say to those who are guilty of such things?
NOTES.-Rev. F. B. Meyer, of England, gives the following warning "Idolatry , witchcraft; hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
against dabbling in Spiritualism: "I have known several families that seditions, heresies. . . . I have also told you in time past, that
have been cursed by having recourse to clairvoyants and mediums. they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
There are grave dangers in these things; and when occult powers Gal. 5:20-23.
are used for selfish ends, it is possible for men and women to be
filled with evil spirits. as was the girl at Philippi. People are fools to 8. What should one do if asked to inquire of a familiar
play with the dregs of the spirit world."- Present Truth, Sept. 7, 1911. spirit?
"I am perfectly certain that the whole movement known as modem "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have
Spiritualism is in the hands and under the direction of the father of familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that
evil spirits; in other words, is thoroughly and unmistakably mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to
diabolical."- Dr. C. Williams, of London, England. the dead?" Isa. 8:19.
5. Before their entrance into Canaan, what instruction did NOTE.-Giving the sense of this passage, Dr. Adam Clarke says:
Moses give Israel concerning these things? "Should not a nation seek unto its God? Why should you seek unto
"When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth the dead concerning the living?" But this is exactly what Spiritualism
thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those teaches men to do,- to seek unto the dead concerning theliving.
nations. There shall not be found among you anyone that
maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that 9. What instruction does the apostle John give touching this
useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a subject?
witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they
wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an are of God." 1 John 4:1.
abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations
the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou
10. By what are we to try them?
shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God." Deut. 18:9-13.
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to
NOTES.-Whoever consults or has to do with mediums or any who this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.
profess to receive instruction or communications from the spirits of
the dead, disregards this plain instruction, and places himself upon 11. Should we allow ourselves to be influenced by signs or
the enemy's ground. Ever since Satan told that first lie in Eden, when wonders performed by those who would try to lead us away
he denied that death would be the result of sin, in the very face of from God and His law?
death itself he, working upon man's natural dread of death and upon "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams,
his distress at the thought of being separated from loved ones, has and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder
been endeavoring to persuade men to believe that the dead are not
come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go
dead, and that men do not die. Idolatry, heathenism, Spiritualism,
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after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve Nov.15,1902.
them; thou shalt not harken unto the words of that prophet, or In a statement given out Dec. 20, 1910, soon after the death of Mrs.
that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Amelia Stetson, one of
know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and the leaders of the Christian Science Church of New York City, said:
with all your soul. Ye shall wall after the Lord your God, and fear "Mrs. Eddy, who was the female Christ, will return to earth. I am
Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice." Deut. watching and waiting for the manifestation of Mrs. Eddy in the
13:1-4. semblance of human form. It may come today, it may come next
week, it may not come for ten years, but it will surely come. . . . The
millennium is at hand. Mrs. Eddy is not dead. She is still alive, and
12. How much do the dead know of what is going on among when she appears again on earth, it will be as herself- as Mary
men? Baker Eddy."
"Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons "A message purporting to come from Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, the
come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, founder of Christian Science, through Mr. William T. Stead, the noted
but he perceiveth it not of them." Job 14:20,21. English journalist, shortly after the formers death, says, 'There is no
death; all is life; all is freedom.'"- Signs of the Times, Feb. 28,1911.
13. Do the dead know anything? And soon after Mr. Stead himself went down on the "Titanic," April
"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not 15,1912, Spiritualists in different parts of the world received
anything."Eccl. 9:5. "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his numerous messages purporting to have come from him.
earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." Ps. 146:4.
17. How does Satan deceive the people?
14. What scripture forever precludes the idea that the dead "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of
come back to earth to communicate with the living? light."2 Cor. 11:14.
"Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now
perished;neither have they any more a portion forever in anything 18. What role do his agents assume?
that is done under the sun." Eccl. 9:6. "Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as
the ministers of righteousness." Verse 15.
15. Then when miracles are performed by spirits purporting to
be those of our dead friends, to what shall we attribute them? 19. Will Satan and his agents attempt to counterfeit the coming
"For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles." Rev. 16:14. of Christ, and work signs and wonders to confirm their
pretentious claims?
16. What will be one characteristic of last-day apostasies? "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there;
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall believe it not. For there shall arise false Christ's, and false
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if
devils." 1 Tim. 4:1. it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt. 24:23,24.
NOTES.-The following items illustrate a condition widely prevalent:- 20. What will be one of the last great signs performed by this
"'A lawyer with a national reputation, well known to me,' said J. L. means, to fasten men in deception?
Hall, of New York, 'never begins the preparation of a difficult case "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down
without getting "advice from the other side," as he describes the from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them
search. . . . Another distinguished man of New York City once that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had
asserted to me that he had his familiar spirit with which he talked as power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the
freely as with a human companion.'"- Washington Herald, May 8, earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had the
1911. wound by a sword, and did live." Rev. 13:13,14.
A noted Brooklyn divine some years ago, not realizing that he was
voicing Spiritualistic views, gave expression to the following: "What 21. What scripture shows that Satan is to work with special
are our departed Christian friends, who in this world had their joy in power and deceptive wonders just before Christ's second
the healing art, doing now?- Busy at their old business. No sickness coming?
in heaven, but plenty of sickness on earth."- Christian Herald, July "Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs
8,1882. and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in
Writing concerning "Communion With the Departed," General Booth, them that perish." 2 Thess. 2:9,10. See also Rev. 12:12.
of the Salvation Army, said: "Through all my history, my personal
intercourse with the spirit world has been but limited. I have not been 22. While many will be deceived by these wonders, and accept
favored with many visions, and it is but seldom that I dream dreams of the false Christ's that appear, what will those say who have
that impart either pleasure or profit; and yet I have a spiritual maintained their love for the truth, and patiently waited for
communion with the departed saints that is not without both Christ's return?
satisfaction and service. And especially of late the memories of those "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, THIS is our God; we have waited
with whom my heart has had the choicest communion in the past, if for Him, and He will save us: THIS is the Lord; we have waited for
not the very beings themselves, have come in upon me as I have sat Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isa. 25:9.
at my desk or lain wakeful on my bed in the night-season. Amongst
these, one form, true to her mission, comes more frequently than all 23. What warning has been given us through the apostle Peter?
besides, assuring me of her continued partnership in my struggle for "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
the temporal and eternal salvation of the multitudes- and that is my lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
blessed, my beautiful wife!"- War Cry, Nov. 27, 1897.
"Dr. Joseph Parker, of the City Temple, London, has openly declared
that he prayed to his departed wife every day. He said that he never
came to the City Temple to preach without asking her to come with WICKED spirits gather round thee,
him. He further says: 'I encourage my friend to pray to his wife, and Legions of those foes to God-
to pray God to ask her to come to his help. She will be more to him Principalities most mighty-
than twelve legions of unknown angels."- The Living Church, Nov. Walk unseen the earth abroad;
14,1899. They are gathering to the battle,
"The emperor Nicholas . . . has fallen under the influence of a Strengthened for the last deep strife;
Spiritualist named Philipp, who rules the emperor to such an extent Christian, arm! be watchful, ready.
that His Majesty makes no important decision, even in relation to Struggle manfully for life.
family life, without consulting his Spiritualistic guide."- Melbourne Age,
207
Section 12: Christian Growth and Experience
Chapter 118: Growth in Grace
1. HOW does the apostle Peter close his second epistle? 4:17. Instead of temperance, the Twentieth Century New
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Testament invariably says self-control.
Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18. Patience naturally follows temperance. It is well-nigh impossible
for an intemperate person to be patient.
Having gained control of oneself, and become patient, one is in a
2. How may grace and peace be multiplied in believers?
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge condition to manifestgodliness, or God-likeness.
of God, and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter 1:2. Having become godly, kindness toward the brethren, or brotherly
kindness, naturally follows.
Charity, or love for all, even our enemies, is the crowning grace,
3. What is implied in a knowledge of God and Jesus Christ? the highest step, the eighth round, in the Christian ladder.
"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true The arrangement in this enumeration of graces is by no means
God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3. accidental or haphazard, but logical and sequential, each
following the other in natural, necessary order. The finger of
4. By what may we be partakers of the divine nature? Inspiration is seen here.
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious
promises:that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, 6. What is said of charity in the Scriptures?
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; . . . thinketh no evil; rejoiceth
Peter 1:4. not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things,
believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." 1 Cor.
5. What graces are we to add in our character building? 13:4-7. "And above all things have fervent charity among
"Add to your faith virtue [courage]; and to virtue knowledge; and yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." 1 Peter
to knowledge temperance [self-control]; and to 4:8. "Love covereth all sins." Prov. 10:12.
temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to
godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly 7. What is charity called?
kindness charity." Verses 5-7. "And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of
perfectness." Col. 3:14.
NOTES.-Faith is the first round in the Christian ladder, the first
step Godward. " He that cometh to God must believe." Heb. 11:6. 8. What is the result of cultivating these eight graces?
But an inoperative faith is useless. "Faith without works is dead." "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that
James 2:20. To be of value, there must be coupled with faith ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our
that virtue, or courage of conviction, which impels to action. Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:8.
To courage there needs to be added knowledge; otherwise, like
the stumbling Jews, one may have a zeal, "but not according to
knowledge." Rom. 10:2. Fanaticism is the result of such courage, 9. What is the condition of one who lacks these graces?
or zeal. Knowledge, therefore, is an essential to healthy Christian "But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off,
growth. and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." Verse 9.
To knowledge there needs to be added temperance, or self-
control- self-government. See Acts 24:25, American Standard 10. What is promised those who add grace to grace?
Version, and margin of Revised Version. To know to do good, "If ye do these things, ye shall never fall." Verse 10.
and not do it, is as useless as is faith without works. See James
208
Chapter 119: The Christian Armor
1. WHAT power was to make war upon the remnant church 13. With what are the feet to be shod?
prior to the second advent? "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
"And the dragon [Satan] was wroth with the woman, and went to peace." Eph. 6:15. See also Eph. 2:14; James 3:18.
make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the
commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus 14. What piece of armor is next mentioned as necessary?
Christ." Rev. 12:17. "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Eph. 6:16 See 1 John 5:4;
Heb. 11:6.
2. What reward is promised to the overcomer?
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which 15. What armor is to be put on as a protection to the head?
is in the midst of the paradise of God." Rev. 2:7. See also Rev. "And take the helmet of salvation." Eph. 6:17.
2:11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21. "He that overcometh shall inherit all
things." Rev. 21:7. NOTE.-In 1 Thess. 5:8 the helmet is called "the hope of salvation."
The helmet was worn to protect the head. So the hope of salvation
3. Through whom are we able to conquer? will preserve the courage, and thus aid in protecting the spiritual life
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through of the Christian pilgrim when beset by the enemy of righteousness.
Him that loved us." Rom. 8:37.
16. With what sword is the Christian soldier to be armed?
4. Who was the invisible leader of the armies of Israel? "The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Eph. 6:17.
"Behold, there stood a man over against him with His sword
drawn in His hand: and Joshua went unto Him, and said unto NOTE.-By this Christ defeated the enemy. See Matt. 4:1-1; Luke 4:1-
Him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And He said, Nay; 13. But no one can use this sword who does not know it. Hence, the
but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come." Joshua importance of studying and knowing the Bible.
5:13,14. See also 1 Cor. 10:1-4.
17. In what words are the courage, faithfulness, and loyalty of
the remnant church expressed?
5. What is the character of the Christian's weapons of "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word
warfare? of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Rev.
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty 12:11.
through God to the pulling down of strongholds." 2 Cor. 10:4.
18. Will Christ's loyal soldiers be victorious under Him?
6. What are these weapons able to conquer? "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that
"Casting down, imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth hadgotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of
captivity every thoughtto the obedience of Christ." Verse 5. glass, having the harps of God." Rev. 15:2.
7. What are we to put on?

"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand SOLDIERS of Christ, arise,
against the wiles of the devil." Eph. 6:11. And put your armor on;
Fight, for the battle will be ours;
8. With what kind of forces do we have to contend? We fight to win a crown.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities,against powers, against the rulers of the
We fight not against flesh,
darkness of this world, againstspiritual wickedness in high
We wrestle not with blood;
places." Verse 12. But principalities and powers,
And for the truth of God.
NOTE.-The margin says, "wicked spirits" in "heavenly" places.
9. What are the first essentials of the needed armor? With wicked spirits, too,
"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and That in high places stand,
having onthe breastplate of righteousness." Verse 14. Perverting oft the Word of God,
And say 'tis by command.
10. What is the truth with which one's loins should be
girded? Put all the armor on,
"Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth." "I am the Like valiant soldiers stand;
way, the truth." John 17:17; 14:6. Let all your loins be girt with truth,
Waiting our Lord's command.
11. What is meant by having the loins girded?
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind." 1 Peter 1:13. While Jesus is our friend,
And His rich grace supplies,
12. What is the righteousness of which the breastplate is We'll march like valiant soldiers on:
composed? We're sure to win the prize.
"My tongue shall speak of Thy word: for all Thy commandments
are righteousness." Ps. 119:172. "And this is His name whereby The battle's almost o'er;
lie shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness." Jer. 23:6. See The race is nearly run;
Rom. 13:14; 1 Thess. 5:8. Then with our glorious, conquering King
We'll sit down on His throne.
CHARLES WESLEY.
209
Chapter 120: Walking in the Light
1. HOW important is it that we walk in the light when it truth from Peter, that he might be saved. God never changes. He
comes to us? does the same now with sincere, devoted persons. All may now
"Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for receive advanced light, if, like Cornelius, they seek it, and are
he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth." John willing to walk in it when it comes to them. If it is neglected, they
12:35. are guilty before God, and will be left to the buffetings of the
enemy.
NOTE.-It is important to settle a plain question of duty at once,
and not delay obedience under the excuse of waiting for more 7. What will become of the light which one has if he fails to
light. To do as did Balaam- ask God again concerning that which walk in it?
He has plainly and expressly spoken- is dangerous. Nor should "The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is
we, like the unbelieving Jews, seek a sign from heaven to single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is
convince us that we ought to obey the written Word. Has God evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that
spoken? Is it His word? Then obey. Do not insult Heaven with the light which is in thee be not darkness." Luke 11:34,35.
the question whether it is right to obey. If one gets an answer to
such prayers, it will more than likely be a permission to have 8. Why did Christ say that the sin of those who rejected Him
one's own chosen way of continuing in disobedience, the end of remained?
which is death. See 1 Kings 22:1-36; Eze. 14:1-5. "Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin:
but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth." John
2. Upon what condition are we promised cleansing from 9:41. See also John 15:22.
sin?
"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have NOTE.-With advanced light comes increased responsibility. Duty
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His
is always in proportion to one's light and privileges. Present truth
Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7. always brings with It present duty. See reading on "Present
Truth," chapter 30. of this book.
3. How long may the just expect increased light to shine
upon their pathway?
9. Why are those condemned that do not come to the light?
"But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the
and more unto the perfect day." Prov. 4:18.
world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil." John 3:19.
4. For whom is light sown?
"Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in 10. If one is really seeking for truth, what will he do?
heart." Ps. 97:11.
"But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may
be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." Verse 21.
NOTE.-The more earnestly one desires to know the will of God
while living up to all the light he has, the more light and truth from 11. What will those who reject light and truth, finally be led
God will shine upon his pathway. The fact that one has the
to believe?
evidence of his acceptance with God, is no proof that he has all "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that
the light there is for him. If light is sown for the righteous, such
they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who
are the very ones who may expect advanced light to come to believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2
them, and to see new duties presented to them from a study of Thess. 2:11,12.
the Word of God.
NOTE.-The opposite of light is darkness; the opposite of truth is

5. Who was told by an angel of God that his ways pleased a lie. For those who reject light and truth, only darkness and
the Lord? error remain. God is sometimes in the Scriptures represented as
"He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an sending that which he permits to come. See Ps. 81:12; 1 Kings
angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto 22:20-23; Rom. 1:21-28.
him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and
said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and
thine alms are come up for a memorial before God." Acts 10:3,4. 12. Who is the light of the world?
"I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in
darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12.
6. Because Cornelius's ways pleased the Lord, was this
evidence that he had nothing more to learn or do?
"And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose 13. How are we to walk in Christ?
surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye
house is by the seaside: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to in Him." Col. 2:6.
do." Verses 5,6.
14. What has God given to guide our feet aright in the path
NOTE.-The reason why the Lord favored Cornelius with a visit of truth and duty?
from one of His angels, was not because Cornelius knew the "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps.
way of salvation perfectly, but because the Lord saw in him a 119:105. See Prov. 6:23.
sincere desire for more light, and a willing mind to comply with
every known requirement. That spirit was pleasing to God, and
He therefore opened the way for Cornelius to learn the whole
210
15. What does the entrance of God's word give? "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of
"The entrance of Thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding our confidence steadfast unto the end." Heb. 3:14. See Matt.
unto the simple." Ps. 119:130. 10:22; 24:12,13; Heb. 10:35-39.
16. Who does Christ say will be blessed through the

prophecies of the book of Revelation?
WALK in the light! so shalt thou know
prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein." Rev. That fellowship of love
1:3. His Spirit only can bestow
Who reigns in light above.
NOTE.-We are in the last days, in the generation that is to hear
the final warning message contained in this book. See Rev. 14:6- Walk in the light! and thou shalt own
10; 18:1-5. Those who accept this message are described as Thy darkness passed away;
keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. See Because that light on thee hath shone
Rev. 12:17; 14:12; 22:14; and readings in chapters 56 thru 58. In which is perfect day.
Now especially these chapters should be studied.
Walk in the light! and e'en the tomb

17. May those who have once been led of God, be rejected No fearful shade shall wear;
by Him on account of unbelief? Glory shall chase away its gloom,
"I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once For Christ hath conquered there.
knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the
land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not." Jude
5. Walk in the light! and thine shall be
A path, though thorny, bright;
For God, by grace, shall dwell in thee,
18. Upon what condition only may we be made partakers of And God Himself is light.
Christ?
BERNARD BARTON.
211
Chapter 121: Saving Faith
1. WHAT is faith? 10. Upon what condition are we made partakers of Christ?
"Faith is the substance [margin, ground, or confidence] of things "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb. 11:1. confidence steadfast unto the end." Heb. 3:14.
2. How important is faith? 11. Upon what conditions has God promised us cleansing and
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to the forgiveness of our sins?
God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship
diligently seek Him." Verse 6. one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us
from all sin. . . . If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to
3. How only can we truly know God? forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1
"Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to John 1:7-9.
whomsoever the Son will reveal Him." Matt. 11:27.
NOTE.-Intelligent faith as to what God will do for us touching any
4. In whom must we believe in order to be saved? matter must be gained by what God's Word says concerning that
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten point. No one can consistently hope for that which God has not
Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have promised. To expect that God will do that which He has never
everlasting life." John 3:16. promised to do is only presumption. Faith is distinct from
presumption. To have abiding confidence in the promise of God is
5. What challenge does the apostle James make as to the faith; but presumption may rest entirely on feeling or desire. Feeling
evidence that one has genuine faith? cannot therefore be relied on in the matter of faith. Faith is a pure
"Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my belief, a confiding trust, in the promises of God, irrespective of
faith bymy works." James 2:18. feeling. This perfect trust enables one to surmount difficulties under
the most trying circumstances, even when the feelings are
6. How did Abraham show that he had perfect faith in God? depressed or well-nigh crushed.
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered
Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his 12. Upon what, then, is genuine, saving faith based?
works, and by works was faith made perfect?" Verses 21,22. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom.
10:17.
7. By what practical example does the apostle illustrate the
difference between genuine, living faith, and a dead faith?
13. What was the cause of Peter's sinking after he had started to
"If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one
meet the Saviour on the stormy sea?
of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;
"And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him,
notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to
and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou
the body; what doth it profit?" Verses 15,16.
doubt?" Matt. 14:31.
8. How necessary are works in maintaining living faith?
"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is NOTE.-The boisterous sea caused Peter to doubt the strength of
dead? . . . .For as the body without the spirit [margin, breath] is dead, Christ's word, "Come."
so faith without works is dead also." Verses 20-26.
14. With what is it our privilege to be filled?
NOTES.-The apostle was not here arguing for justification or
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
salvation by faith and works, but for a living faith- a faith that works.
"There are two errors against which the children of God- particularly ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Rom.
those who have just come to trust in His grace- especially need to 15:13.
guard. The first. . . is that of looking to their own works, trusting to
anything they can do, to bring themselves into harmony with God. He NOTE.-Faith may be strengthened by daily exercise. It is not some
who is trying to become holy by his own works in keeping the law, is great thing, done once for all, that gives an individual faith; but an
attempting an impossibility. All that man can do without Christ is every-day, simple, childlike trust in God, and an implicit obedience to
polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, His Word. Some make faith a more difficult matter than God would
through faith, that can make us holy. The opposite and no less have them, because they try to embrace too much at one time. They
dangerous error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping take on the burdens of tomorrow or next week, when the Lord
the law of God; that since by faith alone we become partakers of the supplies strength only for today. When tomorrow comes, grapple
grace of Christ, our works have nothing to do with our with its duties, but not until it does come. We should remember the
redemption. . . . Obedience- the service and allegiance of love- is the precious promise, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." Deut.
true sign of discipleship. . . . Instead of releasing man from 33:25.
obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the
grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience. We do not
earn salvation by our obedience for salvation is the free gift of God, AWAY, my unbelieving fear!
to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. . . . That so- Fear shall in me no more have place:
called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the My Saviour doth not yet appear,
obligation of obedience to God, is not faith, but presumption."-"Steps He hides the brightness of His face;
to Christ," pages 64-66. But shall I therefore let Him go,
Says Luther: "If Christ alone takes away sin, we cannot do so by all And basely to the tempter yield?-
our works. But good works follow redemption as surely as fruit No, in the strength of Jesus, no;
appears upon a living tree."- D' Aubigne's "History of the I never will give up my shield.
Reformation," book 2, chap. 6. CHARLES WESLEY.
9. What does the hope of salvation lead one to do?

"And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as
He is pure." 1 John 3:3.
212
Chapter 122: Trials and Their Object
1. WHAT does the apostle Peter say concerning the trials asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they
through which every believer must pass? wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute,
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they
try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves
rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, of the earth." Heb. 11:35-38.
when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12,13. 8. How many does Paul say will suffer persecution?
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
2. How important is the trial of our faith? persecution." 2 Tim. 3:12.
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of
gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found 9. Does God willingly afflict the children of men?
unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus "For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief,
Christ." 1 Peter 1:7. yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His
mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of
NOTES.-"When David was fleeing through the wilderness, men." Lam. 3:31-33.
pursued by his own son, he was being prepared to become the
sweet singer of Israel. The pit and the dungeon were the best 10. Why, then, does God permit the chastening rod to fall?
schools at which Joseph ever graduated. The hurricane that "For they [parents] verily for a few days chastened us after their
upset the tent and killed Job's children prepared the man of Uz own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of
to write the magnificent poem that has astonished the ages. His holiness." Heb. 12:10.
There is no way to get the wheat out of the straw but to thresh it
out. There is no way to purify the gold but to burn it."- Talmage's 11. Referring to Peter's coming sore trial, for what did Christ
"One Thousand Gems," page 83. say He had prayed?
Nothing "happens" to the Christian. Everything that enters his life "Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
is sent or permitted to come by an all-wise and all-loving but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." Luke 22:31,32.
Heavenly Father, and is designed for the perfection of character,
and the fitting up and the enlargement of capacity for service. 12. What cheering promise is made to those who endure the
The rocks and rough places on the mountainside are the things trials and temptations of this life?
we climb on. Even failures, If taken rightly, may become "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is
stepping-stones to higher ground. tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath
promised to them that love Him." James 1:12.
3. What reason did Paul give for glorying in tribulations? NOTE.-Says a Christian writer: "Our sorrows do not spring out of
"We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation the ground. God 'doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children
worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, of men.' When He permits trials and afflictions, it is for our profit,
hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God that we might be partakers of His holiness.' If received in faith,
is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a
unto us." Rom. 5:3-5. blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the
means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are who
4. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to befall would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to see
the people of God down through the ages? comfort in Him! The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove
"And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing,
yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by squaring, and chiseling, and their burnishing and polishing, is a
spoil, many days." Dan. 11:33. painful process. It is hard to be pressed down to the grinding-
wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in
5. Why was this to be? the heavenly temple."
"And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to
purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end."
Verse 35. THERE'S never a night but is followed by day,
And the darkest to dawn must give place:
6. Looking forward to the conflicts through which His There's never a sorrow that crosses our way
followers must pass, what cheering message did Christ
But is sent with a message of grace.
send them through the revelator? It comes to the peasant, it comes to the king,
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the It comes in our pleasures and pain;
devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be It comes from the Father of mercies, to bring
tried; . . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown To His fold His own stray ones again.
of life. . . . He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second O sou1! is thy burden too heavy to bear?
death." Rev. 2:10,11. Does the load seem too weighty for one?
There's a Helper at hand all thy sorrows to share,
7. What description does Paul give of the sufferings 'Tis thy Father's own well-beloved Son.
endured by some of God's people in former ages?
Then cast every burden on Jesus thy Lord,
"Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might And thy troubles will quickly depart;
obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel Make every sweet promise in His precious Word
mockings andscourgings, yea, moreover An entrance to His loving heart.
of bonds and imprisonment: they werestoned, they were sawn REV. JOHN WILLIAMS.
213
Chapter 123: Overcoming
1. WHAT overcomes the world? 8. With what does the apostle Paul tell us to overcome evil?
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world." 1 John "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
5:4, first part. Rom. 12:21.
2. In whose victory may the Christian ever rejoice and take 9. Why was Jacob's name changed to Israel?
courage? "And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men,
peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good and hast prevailed."Gen. 32:28.
cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
3. Who is it that overcomes?

"Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES
Jesus is the Son of God?" 1 John 5:5.
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which
is in the midst of the paradise of God." Rev. 2:7.
4. Through what, then, is the victory gained in the work of "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
overcoming? Verse 11.
"And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna."
faith."Verse 4, last part. Verse 17.
"He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him
5. Through whom do we obtain the victory? will I give power over the nations." Verse 26.
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;
Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57. "Nay, in all these things we are and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will
more than conquerors through Him that loved us." Rom. 8:37. confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." Rev.
3:5.
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My
6. How did Christ overcome when tempted? God." Verse 12.
By the Word of God. See Matt. 4:1-11. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne,
even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His
7. How do the Scriptures say the saints overcame the throne." Verse 21.
enemy? "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God,
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the and he shall be My son." Rev. 21:7.
word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the
death." Rev. 12:11.
214
Chapter 124: The Ministry of Sorrow
1. WHY is it better to go to the house of mourning than to 7. In what language is the same truth again expressed?
the house of feasting? "Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for He hath torn, and He
"It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the will heal us; He hath smitten, arid He will bind us up." Hosea 6:1.
house of feasting: for that is the end of all men and the living will See also Isa. 61:1-3.
lay it to his heart." Eccl. 7:2.
8. Whom does the Lord chasten?
2. What did David ask God to teach him? "For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every
"Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, son whom He receiveth." Heb. 12:6.
what it is, that I may know how frail I am." Ps. 39:4 See also Ps.
90:12. 9. Is this, for the time being, a source of pleasure?
"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but
3. Why is sorrow better than laughter? grievous:nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of
"Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Verse 11.
countenance the heart is made better." Eccl. 7:3.
NOTE.-"Many of the sweetest joys of Christian hearts are songs
NOTE.-"Many of the loveliest songs of peace and trust and hope which have been learned in the bitterness of trial." "Many a cold,
which God's children sing in this world they have been taught in icy nature is made warm and tender by the grief that crushes it."-
the hushed and darkened chambers of sorrow. . . . Afflictions, "Week-Day Religion," by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 91, 93.
sanctified, soften the asperities of life. They tame the wildness of
nature. They temper human ambitions. They burn out the dross 10. What, aside from sin, causes more sorrow than all else?
of selfishness and worldliness. They humble pride. They quell Death, or the loss of loved ones.
fierce passions. They reveal to men their own hearts, their own
weakness, faults, blemishes, and perils. They teach patience
and submission. They discipline unruly spirits. They deepen and 11. Does death bring to Christians unassuaged sorrow?
enrich our experience."-Week-Day Religion," by J. R. Miller, D. "I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
D., pages 92, 93. which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have
no hope." 1 Thess. 4:13.
5. Does God delight to afflict any?
"For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, NOTE.-The loss of loved ones God often uses as a means of
yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His conversion and of severing the ties which bind to earth.
mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of Persecution; sickness; the loss of sight, hearing, or limb; the loss
men." Lam. 3:31-33. of property; or other calamities may likewise be instrumental in
drawing us nearer to God. See Ps. 119:71; Isa. 26:9.
6. Does He afflict to leave the one chastened in despair?
"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore 12. What do our transient afflictions do for us?
despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: for He maketh "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us
sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Cor. 4:17.
whole." Job 5:17,18. See Rom. 8:28.
215
Chapter 125: Comfort in Affliction
1. ARE God's people free from affliction? "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth knees."Verse 12. See also Job 4:3,4; Isa. 35:3.
him out of them all." Ps. 34:19.
15. What did Job say in the midst of his afflictions?
2. How does God regard the afflicted? "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." Job 13:15.
"He heareth the cry of the afflicted." Job 34:28.
16. What is God called in the Scriptures?
3. What has He promised to be to those in trouble? "The God of all comfort." 2 Cor. 1:3.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in
trouble." Ps. 46:1. 17. Whom does God comfort?
"God, that comforteth those that are cast down." 2 Cor. 7:6.
4. With what feelings does the Lord look upon His children?
"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that 18. What promise is made to those that mourn?
fear Him." Ps. 103:13. "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Matt.
5:4.
5. What does He know and remember?
"For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are 19. Why does God comfort us in tribulation?
dust." Verse 14. "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be
able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort
6. What has the Lord promised to be to the oppressed? wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." 2 Cor. 1:4.
"The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in
times of trouble." Ps. 9:9. NOTE.-One who has passed through trouble and affliction
himself, and received comfort from God, is better able to minister
7. What has God promised His children when passing comfort to others.
through trials and. afflictions?
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and 20. How should we sympathize with others in their
through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou sorrows?
walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall "Weep with them that weep." Rom. 12:15. "To him that is
the flame kindle upon thee." Isa. 43:2.
afflicted pity should be showed from his friend." Job 6:14.
8. What did David say with reference to his being afflicted? 21. Does Jesus sympathize with us in our afflictions?
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with
statutes." Ps. 119:71.
the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as
we are." Heb. 4:15.
9. When afflicted, for what did he pray?
"Look upon my affliction and my pain; and forgive all my 22. How did He manifest His sympathy in the case of Mary
sins." Ps. 25:18.
and her friends weeping over the death of Lazarus?
"When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also
10. Before he was afflicted, what did he do? weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was
"Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto Him,
word." Ps. 119:67. Lord, come and see.Jesus wept." John 11:33-35.
11. What did Christ learn through suffering? NOTE.-Not alone for Mary and her friends did Jesus weep.
"Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things Looking down through the ages, He saw the tears and the
which He suffered." Heb. 5:8. heartaches which death would bring to mankind in this sin-
stricken world. His heart was touched with human woe, and He
wept with those that wept.
12. In perfecting character, what must come to all?
"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you
as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the 23. Whatever may come, what blessed assurance has every
Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: for whom the Lord one who loves God?
loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He "And we know that all things work together for good to them that
receiveth." Heb. 12:5,6. love God." Rom. 8:28.
13. Is this chastening a pleasant experience? NOTE.-If one loves God, he may rest assured that out of every
"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but trial and affliction good will come.
grievous:nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of
righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Verse 11.
24. In bereavement, like whom should we not sorrow? "As
others which have no hope." 1 Thess. 4:13.
14. What courage and strength, therefore, should come to
us even in the hour of affliction? 25. When our friends fall asleep in death, with what words
are we told to comfort one another?
216
"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them andweepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again
also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. . . . For the withrejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Ps. 126:5,6.
Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead
in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord
in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.Wherefore SOMETIME when all life's lessons have been learned,
comfort one another with these words." Verses 14-18. And sun and moon forevermore have set,
The things that our weak judgments here have spurned,
The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet,
26. What promise has God made to bereaved mothers? Will flash before us, out of life's dark night,
"Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine As stars shine most in deepest tints of blue,
eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord;
And we shall see how all God's ways were right,
and they shall come again from the land of the enemy." Jer. And how what seemed reproof was love most true.
31:16.
MAY RILEY SMITH.
27. What did Christ say would be the experience of His

BE of good cheer! I know sometime
people in this world? Life's song will run in perfect rhyme.
"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I
Somewhere, I know, all things will be
have overcome the world." "Ye shall weep and lament, but the Attuned to perfect harmony.
world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow
Sometime, somewhere, each sad refrain
shall be turned into joy." John 16:33, 20. Shall be its own surcease of pain.
The compensation love will send
28. In what respect is the reaping of God's people to differ Will be in bringing friend to friend;
from their sowing? And all the heartaches that we bore,
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth In God's good time will be no more.
ROBERT LEE WALDEN.
217
Chapter 126: Trusting In Jesus
1. WHAT did the prophet Isaiah predict of Christ? 8. By what does one gain the victory over the world?
"And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1
for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His John 5:4.
rest shall be glorious." Isa. 11:10.
9. What encouragement does Jesus give us to meet
NOTE.-Paul renders this, "In Him shall the Gentiles trust." Rom. cheerfully the troubles and trials of life?
15:12. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have
peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
2. Why does God wish us to trust in Jesus?
"That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in
Christ." Eph. 1:12. 10. What has this firm trust in Jesus led many to do?
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the
word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the
3. What did the Ephesians do upon hearing the gospel?"
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, death." Rev. 12:11. "And others had trial of cruel mockings and
the gospel of your salvation." Verse 13, first part. scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they
were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain
with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and
4. What experience followed this trust in Jesus? goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the
"In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that world was not worthy)." Heb. 11:36-38.
Holy Spirit of promise." Verse 13, last part.
11. What did it lead Moses to do?
NOTE.-To trust in Jesus is to believe in Him, to have abiding and "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be
unbounded confidence in Him. When such trust exists, we are called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer
sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of
sin for a season;esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches
5. What is the gospel to every one that believes? than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of recompense of the reward." Verses 24-26.
God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." Rom. 1:16.
12. What is promised those who trust in Jesus?
6. How does God regard one who abandons his faith? "Now "There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or
the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back My soul shall father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and
have no pleasure in him." Heb. 10:38. the gospel's, buthe shall receive an hundredfold now in this time,
houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children,
and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal
7. Is there danger of believers losing their hold on Christ? life." Mark 10:29,30.
"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax
cold."Matt. 24:12.
13. What is Jesus able to do?
present you faultless before the presence of His glory." Jude 24.
218
Chapter 127: Patience
1. WHAT has the Bible to say concerning patience? 9. How are we exhorted to run the Christian race?
"The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." Eccl. 7: 8. "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking
"Be patient toward all men." 1 Thess. 5:14. "In your unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith!' Heb. 12:1,2.
patience possess ye your souls." Luke 21:19.
10. For what glorious event are we bidden patiently to wait?
2. What contrast is drawn between the patient and the hasty "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and
in spirit? into the patient waiting for Christ." 2 Thess. 3:5. "Be
"He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. . . . Be
hasty of spirit exalteth folly." Prov. 14:29. ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord
draweth nigh." James 5:7,8.
3. Who are cited as examples of patience?
"Take, my brethren, the prophets. . . for an example of suffering 11. What will be one characteristic of the remnant church?
affliction, and of patience. . . . Ye have heard of the patience "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the
of Job."James 5:10,11. commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12.
4. What is said of those who endure? 12. What should be the language of every heart?
"Behold, we count them happy which endure." Verse "I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I
11. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation." James 1:12. hope." Ps. 130:5.
"He that endureth to the endshall be saved." Matt. 10:22.
13. When Christ comes, what will His people say?
5. What does the trying of faith work? "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have
"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have
patience." James 1:3. "Not only so, but we glory in tribulations waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isa.
also: knowing that tribulationworketh patience." Rom. 5:3. 25:9.
6. What grace is to be added to temperance, or self-control?

"And to temperance patience." 2 Peter 1:6
THE home where changes never come,
NOTE.-Patience naturally follows temperance. Hence the Nor pain nor sorrow, toil nor care;
importance of right living,- of gaining control over the appetites Yes! 'tis a bright and blessed home;
and passions. Who would not fain be resting there?
7. Why are we exhorted to patience? Yet when bowed down beneath the load
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect By heaven allowed, thine earthly lot,
and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:4. Thou yearn'st to reach that blest abode,
Wait, meekly wait, and murmur not.
8. What important test of perfection of character is given? W. H. BELLAMY
"If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and
able also to bridle the whole body." James 3:2.
219
Chapter 128: Contentment
1. WHAT does the apostle say is great gain? heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we cease." Gen. 8:22.
brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry
nothing out." 1 Tim. 6:6,7. 8. Upon whom should we cast all our care?
"Casting all your care upon Him [God]; for He careth for you." 1
2. With what are we exhorted to be content? Peter 5:7.
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content
with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave NOTES.-"Contentment produces, in some measure, all those
thee, nor forsake thee." Heb. 13:5. "And having food and raiment
effects which the alchemist usually ascribes to what he calls the
let us be therewith content." 1 Tim. 6:8. philosopher's stone. If it does not bring riches, it does the same
thing by banishing the desire for them. If it cannot remove the
3. Concerning what does Christ tell us not to be anxious? disquietudes arising from a man's mind, body, or fortune, it
"Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, makes him easy under them."- Addison."
What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For A contented mind sees something good in everything,-fair
after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your Heavenly weather in every wind, blessings in every storm.
Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." Matt. "If we cannot get what we like, we should try to like what we get."
6:31,32, R. V. "There is no malady more severe than habitual discontent."-
Fleming.
NOTE.-"Live not in careful suspense." Luke 12:29, margin. "If you cannot frame your circumstances in accordance with your
wishes, frame your will in harmony with your circumstances."-
Epictetus.
4. What evils befall those who are determined to be rich? "A contented mind is a continual feast."
"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and
into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in
destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all
evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the
faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Tim. GOD holds the future in His hand,
6:9,10. O heart of mine, be still!
His love will plan the best for thee,
5. By what illustrations did Christ teach contentment? The best, or light or dark it be:
Then rest ye in His will.
"Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which
neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how
much more are ye better than the fowls? . . . Consider the God holds the future in His hand,
lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say Why should I shrink or fear?
unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one Through every dark and cloudy day-
of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the Yea, all along my pilgrim way-
field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He His love will bless and cheer.
clothe you, O ye of little faith?" Luke 12:24-28.
God holds the future in His hand,
6. What lesson in contentment did Paul say he had learned? And I can trust His love.
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be The past declares His faithfulness;
content." Phil. 4:11. His eye will guide, His heart will bless.
Till I am safe above.
7. What ancient promise should lead to contentment?
"While the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and cold and
220
Chapter 129: Cheerfulness
1. BEFORE leaving His disciples, what did Jesus say to them? same philosophical way. If there is one beam of cheer or hope
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have anywhere in their lot, they will find it. . . . We have no right to project
peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I the gloom of our discontent over any other life. Our ministry is to be
have overcome the world." John 16:33. ever toward joy. There is nothing so depressing in its effects upon
others as morbidness. . . . Discontent helps nothing. . . . One never
feels better for complaining."- "Week-Day Religion," by J. R. Miller, D.
2. What were some of the cheering words He said to them?
D., pages 236-241.
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.
"How many people," says Jeremy Taylor, "are busy in the world
In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would
gathering together a handful of thorns to sit upon."
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare
"As a little girl was eating, the sun dashed upon her spoon, and she
a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that
cried, 'O mama, I have swallowed a spoonful of sunshine!' Would
where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-3.
God that we all might indulge in the same beverage!"- Talmage's
"One Thousand Gems," page 56.
3. In what spirit should we serve the Lord?
"Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence
10. Even when persecuted, what are we told to do, and why?
with singing."Ps. 100:2.
"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall
separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast
4. What is sown for the upright in heart? out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that
"Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in
heart." Ps. 97:11. heaven." Luke 6:22,23.
5. What effect has a merry heart? 11. When beaten by the Jewish rulers for preaching Christ, what
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth did the apostles do?
the bones." Prov. 17:22. "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that
they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." Acts 5:41.
NOTE.-From this we may learn the influence which the mind has
over the body. Cheerfulness is conducive to life and health; sorrow, 12. After receiving "many stripes," with their feet made fast in
care, anxiety, and worry tend to disease and death. the stocks, what did Paul and Silas do while in prison?
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto
God: and the prisoners heard them." Acts 16:25.
6. What effect do helpful, cheerful words have upon the heart?
"Heaviness in the heart of' man maketh it stoop: but a good word
maketh it glad." Prov. 12:25. 13. What assurance is given that the child of God may bravely
endure every trial and hardship of life?
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
7. By what temporal blessings does God fill men's hearts with
God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Rom.
gladness?
8:28.
"Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did
good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our
hearts with food and gladness." Acts 14:17. 14. How constant should our rejoicing be?
"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." Phil. 4:4.
8. Why and for what may every child, of God rejoice?
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; NOTE.-"Good cheer is the hall-mark of a brave and healthy soul. To
forHe hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath give way to gloomy thoughts, otherwise the 'blues,' is a sign of
covered me with the robe of righteousness." Isa. 61:10. weakness. This isn't asserting that no one but weaklings is attacked
by the blues; but it is one thing to be attacked and another to rout the
disturber. And that is what the brave soul does. There may be a very
9. Against what are Christians warned?
real and tangible reason why the heart faints and halts, for life is
"Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were serious, and the world full of unexpected trials; but to sit and brood
destroyed of the destroyer." 1 Cor. 10:10.
over a trouble only makes it look larger and larger until it finally
obscures the horizon line, and darkness descends upon the soul.
NOTES.-"There are those who take to gloom as a bat to darkness or Wherefore, the thing to do is to cast aside all thoughts of worry for a
as a vulture to carrion. They would rather nurse a misery than moment,-just say to yourself, It is only for a moment,- and when you
cherish a joy. They always find the dark side of everything, if there is return to it again you will be surprised to find it has lessened in size
a dark side to be found. They appear to be conscientious grumblers, and importance."- The New World.
as if it were their duty to extract some essence of misery from every
circumstance. . . . On the other hand, there are rare spirits who
always take cheerful views of life. They look at the bright side. They
find some joy and beauty everywhere. . . . In the most faulty picture
they see some bit of beauty which charms them. In the most WHEN things don't go to suit you,
disagreeable person they discover some kindly trait or some bud of And the world seems upside down,
promise. In the most disheartening circumstances they find Don't waste your time in fretting,
something for which to be thankful, some gleam of cheer breaking But drive away that frown;
through the thick gloom. . . . When a ray of sunlight streamed Since life is oft perplexing,
through a crack in the shutter and made a bright patch on the floor in 'Tis much the wisest plan
the darkened room, the little dog rose from his dark corner and went To bear all trials bravely,
and lay down in the one sunny spot; and these people live in the And smile whene'er you can.
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Chapter 130: Christian Courtesy
1. WHAT should be our conduct one toward another?

"Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous." 1 Peter 3:8.
2. How many should we honor?

"Honor all men. Love the brotherhood." 1 Peter 2:17.
3. Whom should we salute?

"If ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?" Matt. 5:47.
4. What respect should be shown the aged?

"Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man." Lev. 19:32. See 2 Kings 2:23,24.
5. Whom especially should children honor?

"Honor thy father and thy mother." Ex. 20:12.
6. How should faithful gospel ministers be regarded?

"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor." 1 Tim. 5:17.
7. What is the basis of true Christian courtesy?

"Charity [love] . . . is kind; . . . charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own." 1 Cor.
13:4,5.
NOTE.-Genuine Christian courtesy is the outgrowth of love, and manifests itself in thoughtful consideration for others.
222
Chapter 131: Confessing Faults and Forgiving One Another
1. WHAT has God promised to do when we confess our is acknowledged and sincerely confessed, that very moment it is
sins? forgiven. David said, "I have sinned." The immediate answer was
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our returned, "The Lord also hath put away thy sin."
sins,and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.
8. Is it ever right to tell a brother of his faults?
2. How has it been made possible for sins to be forgiven? "If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his
"If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast
Christ the righteous: and He is the propitiation for our sins." 1 gained thy brother." Matt. 18:15. "Thou shalt not hate thy brother
John 2:1,2. in thine heart:thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not
suffer sin upon him." Lev. 19:17.
3. To whom should sins be confessed, and why?
"Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in 9. In what spirit should this kind of work be done?
Thy sight." Ps. 51:4. See Gen. 39:9. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself,
4. What instruction is given concerning confession of lest thou also be tempted." Gal. 6:1.
faults?
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, NOTE.-It is much easier to tell some one else of a brother's
that ye may be healed." James 5:16. faults than it is to tell himof them himself; but this is not the
Christian way to proceed. The first efforts should be made with
NOTES.-The Bible makes a distinction between a sin and a fault. the offender in person, and alone. But it is easier even to tell a
We sin against God; for sin is the transgression of His law. 1 brother ofhis faults than it is to confess to him our own. This,
John 3:4. We trespass one against another. These offenses, again, let it be noted, is the one very difficult lesson to learn, the
while involving sin, are called faults, and should be corrected by one Christian duty difficult to perform. Only humility and the
confession and forgiveness. The only remedy for either pointed grace of God will enable one, to do it.
out in the Word of God is heartfelt confession. One writer aptly
says: "Confess your sins to God, who only can forgive them, and 10. When we pray; what does Christ tell us to do, and why?
your faults to one another. If you have given offense to your "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against
friend or neighbor, you are to acknowledge your wrong, and it is ally: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you
his duty freely to forgive you. Then you are to seek the your trespasses."Mark 11:25.
forgiveness of God, because the brother you have wounded is
the property of God, and in injuring him you sinned against his 11. It we do not forgive others, what will God not do?
Creator and Redeemer." "But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in
To confess one's faults is not an easy thing to do; in fact, it is heaven forgive your trespasses." Verse 26. See, for illustration,
one of the hardest lessons to learn, for it requires the grace of Christ's parable recorded in Matt. 18:23-35.
humility as well as that of sorrow and true repentance. It has
been said that the four hardest words to pronounce in the 12. What words of Joseph to his brethren show that he
English language are, " I made a mistake." Frederick the Great forgave them for selling him into Egypt?
wrote to the Prussian senate, "I have just lost a battle, and it is "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye
my own fault." Concerning this Goldsmith says, "His confession sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve
shows more greatness than his victories." life. . . . So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God." Gen.
The confession should not only be complete, but it should be as 45:5-8.
broad and as public as was the offense. Private offenses should
be confessed in private. 13. What was Christ's reply to Peter's question as to the
number of times we should forgive one another?
5. When we do wrong, what is the natural thing for us to "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my
do? brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus
Excuse it, seek to hide it, or blame some one else for it. See Gen. saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until
3:12,13; 4:9. seventy times seven."Matt. 18:21,22.
6. After David's great sin had been pointed out to him, what NOTE.-That is, an unlimited number. We must pardon offenses
did he say? against us though ever so often done; we must forgive to the end.
"I have sinned." 2 Sam. 12:13. "I acknowledge my
transgressions." Ps. 51:3.
14. What spirit did Jesus manifest toward those who nailed
7. When David in contrition of heart confessed his sin, what Him to the cross?
was God's word to him by Nathan, the prophet? "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what
"And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. they do."Luke 23:34.
And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy
sin; thou shalt not die." 2 Sam. 12:13. 15. How did Stephen manifest the same spirit toward those
who stoned him?
NOTE.-This scripture is especially encouraging. God hates sin. "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, . . . and he kneeled
He wants us likewise to hate it and shun it, because it invariably down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their
gets us into trouble, causes sorrow of heart, and in the end charge." Acts 7:59,60. See 1 Peter 4:8.
brings death. But when involved in it, as was David, as soon as it
223
Chapter 132: The Duty of Encouragement
1. WHEN the ten spies brought back an evil report from the 7. When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came against
land of Canaan, what did Caleb say? Jerusalem, what did King Hezekiah say to Israel?
"And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the
up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there
it." Num. 13:30. be more with us than with him: with him is an army of flesh; but
with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles." 2
2. What did the ten spies say? Chron. 32:7,8.
"But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up
against the people; for they are stronger than we." Verse 31. 8. What effect did these words have upon the people?
"And the people rested themselves upon the words of
3. What effect did this evil report have upon the people? Hezekiah king of Judah." Verse 8.
"And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried;
and the people wept that night. And all the children of 9. How did Josiah seek to promote the worship of God?
Israel murmuredagainst Moses and against Aaron: and the "And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to
whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died the service of the house of the Lord." 2 Chron. 35:2.
in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this
wilderness! . . . And they said one to another, Let us make a 10. By what message, through the prophet Haggai, did God
captain, and let us return into Egypt." Num. 14:1-4. seek to encourage the people to rebuild the temple?
"Be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O
4. With what words did Moses seek to encourage Joshua? Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye
"And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of people of the land,saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you,
all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage. . . . The Lord, He it is saith the Lord of hosts."Haggai 2:4.
that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee,
neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed." Deut. 31:7,8. 11. What encouraging message has Christ left us?
"Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
5. In his final charge to Joshua, what did Moses, speaking
for God, say to him? NOTES.-A dispirited man, like a discouraged horse, is powerless
"And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be to perform his task.
strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of "What men need most in this world's struggle and strife is not
Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with
usually direct help, but cheer. . . . Many men have fainted and
thee. " Verse 23. succumbed in the great struggles whom one word of cheer
would have made strong to overcome. We should never, then,
6. After Moses' death, how did the Lord encourage Joshua? lose an opportunity to say an inspiring word. We know not how
"The Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, much it is needed, nor how great and far-reaching its
saying, . . . There shall not any man be able to stand before thee consequences may be."- "Week-Day Religion," by J. R. Miller, D.
all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: D., page 170.
I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good
courage." Joshua 1:1-6.
224
Chapter 133: Unity of Believers
1. WHAT relation do the Father and the Son sustain to each he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he
other? is God." Verses 3,4.
"I and My Father are one." John 10:30.
NOTE.-The huge system of error now fostered in the papal
2. In what does this oneness consist? church is the result of the falling away here referred to. Says
"I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath Wylie in his "History of Protestantism," Vol. III, page 25: "Rome
sent Me." John 5:30. manifestly was the schismatic; she it was that abandoned what
was once the common faith of Christendom, leaving by that step
NOTE.-Their oneness, therefore, consists in their having the to all who remained on the old ground the indisputably valid title
same mind, will, and purpose. of the true church."
3. What did Christ pray the Father in behalf of His 10. Together, what do believers in Christ form?
disciples? "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." 1
"That they may be one, even as We are one." John 17:22. See Cor. 12:27.
also verses 11 and 23.
11. Being members of Christ's body, of what else do we
4. Why did Christ desire this oneness, or unity, to exist become members?
among His followers? "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one
"That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in members one of another." Rom. 12:5.
Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may
believe that Thou hast sent Me." Verse 21. 12. As members of one another, what is the duty of each?
"That there should be no schism in the body; but that the
5. By what did Christ say all men should know His members should have the same care one for another." 1 Cor.
disciples? 12:25.
"By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have
love one to another." John 13:35. 13. What should they endeavor to keep?
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk
NOTE.-"God has united believers in church capacity in order that worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness
one may strengthen another in good and righteous endeavor. and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in
The church on earth would indeed be a symbol of the church in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
heaven if its members were of one mind and of one faith. It is peace." Eph. 4:1-3.
those who are not moved by the Holy Spirit that mar God's plan,
and cause division, and strengthen the forces of darkness. 14. What unity of faith is finally to exist among God's
Those who are sanctified by the blood of Christ will not watchmen?
counterwork God's work, nor perpetuate division in the church. "Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together
When there is disunion among believers, the world concludes shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall
that they cannot be the people of God because they are working bring again Zion." Isa. 52:8.
against one another. When believers are one with Christ, they
will be united among themselves." 15. What solemn message, just before the Lord's coming,
will unite God's people in bonds of faith and love?
6. How did Paul show his concern in this matter? "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the
Christ,that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no sea, and the fountains of waters. . . . Babylon is fallen, is fallen,
divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of
the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Cor. 1:10. the wrath of her fornication. . . . If any man worship the beast and
his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
7. What was a prominent cause of division in the early the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God." Rev. 14:7-
church? 10. See Rev. 18:1-5.
"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves
enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own 16. How are those who receive this message described?
selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the
disciples after them."Acts 20:29,30. commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Verse 12.
8. What was already at work in the church in Paul's day? 17. When the Lord comes, what will be the united cry of
"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now God's people?
letteth [hindereth] will let, until he be taken out of the way." 2 "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have
Thess. 2:7. waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have
waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isa.
9. Before Christ should come, what did Paul say was to take 25:9.
place?
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not
come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin
HOW blest the sacred tie that binds
be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth In sweet communion kindred minds!
himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that How swift the heavenly course they run
Whose hearts, whose faith, whose hopes, are one.
225
Chapter 134: Meekness and Humility
1. WHAT promise is made to the meek?

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5. 11. Who should labor for one overtaken in a fault, and in
Meek: "Mild of temper; not easily provoked or irritated; what spirit?
forbearing; submissive; humble."- Webster. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual,restore such an one in the spirit of
2. What did Christ say of His own character? meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Gal.
"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and 6:1.
lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matt. 11:29.
12. With what should Christian women adorn themselves?
3. What is said of the character of Moses? "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting
"Now, the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but
were upon the face of the earth." Num. 12:3. let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not
corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which
4. Whom has God promised to guide in judgment? is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:3,4.
"The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach
His way." Ps. 25:9. NOTE.-The instruction given here, in principle applies with equal
force to men professing godliness. It is the needless display of
5. Of what is meekness a fruit? apparel and outward adornment that is here condemned. God
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, desires the ornaments within, displayed in the heart and life
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against rather than those without, simply to be seen of men. Needless
such there is no law." Gal. 5:22,23. outward adornment, therefore, may generally be taken as an
indication that the inward adornment, so precious in the sight of
6. What does Christ say of those who exalt themselves? God, is lacking. Neatness in dress is not here discouraged.
"For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that
humbleth himself shall be exalted." Luke 14:11. 13. Why are we exhorted to humble ourselves?
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of
NOTE.-The spirit of self-exaltation is of Satan. See Isa. 14:12-14; God, that He may exalt you in due time." 1 Peter 5:6.
Eze. 28:17. Christ humbled Himself, made Himself of no
reputation, and became obedient even to the death on the cross. NOTE.-"The higher a man is in grace, the lower he will be in his
See Phil. 2:5-8. own esteem."-Spurgeon.
7. By what means did Jesus illustrate true humility? 14. With what has the Lord promised to beautify the meek?
"And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst "For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the
of them, and said, . . . Whosoever therefore shall humble himself meek with salvation." Ps. 149:4.
as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of
heaven." Matt. 18:2-.4. 15. What are the meek exhorted to seek?
"Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought
NOTES.-Humility is "freedom from pride and arrogance; His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye
lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth."It shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." Zeph. 2:3.
implies a sense of one's own unworthiness through imperfection
and sinfulness, and consists in rating our claims low, in being NOTE.-The fact that the meek are exhorted to seek meekness,
willing towaive our rights, and to take a lower place than might is evidence that the meek themselves should cherish and
be our due. It does not require that we under-rate ourselves or cultivate meekness, and that sanctification, or the development
our life-work. The humility of Christ was perfect, yet He had a of a perfect character, is a progressive work.
true sense of the importance of His life and mission,
"Humility is like a tree, whose root when it sets deepest in the 16. What inheritance is promised the meek?
earth, rises higher, and spreads fairer, and stands surer, and "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt
lasts longer, and every step of its descent is like a rib of iron."- diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek
Bishop Taylor. shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the
abundance of peace." Ps. 37:10,11.
8. How will humility lead us to esteem others?
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness
of mindlet each esteem other better than themselves." Phil. 2:3.
I COUNT this thing to be grandly true:
That a noble deed is a step toward God,
9. With whom does God dwell? Lifting the soul from the common clod
"I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a To a purer air and a broader view.
contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble> and
to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isa. 57:15.
We rise by the things that are under our feet;
10. When asked a reason for our hope, in what spirit should By what we have mastered of good and gain;
we answer? By the pride deposed and the passion slain,
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always And the vanquished ills that we hourly meet.
to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the J. G. HOLLAND.
hope that is in you with meekness and fear." 1 Peter 3:15.
226
Chapter 135: Sobriety
1. To what extent did Solomon test the pleasures of this 7. What testimony does the apostle Peter bear on this point?
world? "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to
"Whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the
not my heart from any joy." "I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13.
prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure." Eccl. 2:10, 1.
8. Why are foolish talking and jesting to be avoided?
2. How much true enjoyment did such a course afford? "Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not
"Behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit." Verse 11. convenient." Eph. 5:4.
3. Of what does Solomon bid the young, in the buoyancy of NOTE.-To indulge in such things is not becoming a Christian.
youth, to be mindful? Life, with all its responsibilities and great issues at stake, is too
"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee serious a matter to be spent in such vanities.
in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and
in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things 9. What is the thought of foolishness declared to be?
God will bring thee into judgment." Eccl. 11:9. "The thought of foolishness is sin." Prov. 24:9.
4. How does the grace of God teach us that we should live?

NOTE.-Levity, foolishness, light and loose talking, throw us off
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all our guard, and open the way to temptation and sin. To avoid sin,
men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
we must be sober and constantly on guard.
should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present
world." Titus 2:11,12.
10. Why are sobriety and vigilance especially necessary?
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
5. What classes of individuals are admonished to be sober?
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1
"That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, Peter 5:8.
in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in
behavior as becometh holiness, . . . that they may teach the
young women to be sober. . . . Young men likewise exhort to be 11. What other consideration should lead us to sobriety and
sober-minded." Verses 2-6. watchfulness?
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and
watch unto prayer." 1 Peter 4:7.
NOTE.-These four classes include all. All should be sober.
6. What similar advice is given in the epistle to the Romans?

"Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and
drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife HOW vain are all things here below!
and envying." Rom. 13:13. How false, and yet how fair!
Each pleasure bath its poison, too,
And every sweet a snare.
ISAAC WATTS
227
Chapter 136: Wisdom
1. WHY are we told to get wisdom? 13. What effect does wisdom have upon the countenance?
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom." Prov. 4:7. "A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine." Eccl. 8:1.
NOTE.-Wisdom implies the ability to judge soundly and deal 14. In what did Christ say the children of this world excel the
sagaciously. It is knowledge, with the capacity to make due use children of light?
of it. One may have abundance ofknowledge, and at the same "For the children of this world are in their generation wiser than
time possess little wisdom. the children of light." Luke 16:8.
2. Of how much value is wisdom? NOTE.-That is, they show more prudence, more cunning, and
"She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst more intelligence about their business than do Christians
desire are not to be compared unto her." Prov. 3:15. concerning the things of God's kingdom. "They show more skill,
study more plans, contrive more ways, to provide for themselves
than the children of light do to promote the interests of religion."-
3. What blessings follow the acquisition of wisdom?
"Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to Dr. Albert Barnes.
honor,when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine
head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to 15. In what did the apostle say he would have us wise, and
thee." Prov. 4:8,9. in what simple?
"I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple
concerning evil." Rom. 16:19.
4. Who gives wisdom?
"For the Lord giveth wisdom?" Prov. 2:6.
16. How many kinds of wisdom are there?
5. How may it be obtained? "Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect:
yet not the wisdom of this world. . . . But we speak the wisdom of
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given Godin a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained
him." James 1:5. before the world unto our glory." 1 Cor. 2:6,7.
17. How is worldly wisdom regarded by God?

6. When Solomon became king, what did he ask the Lord to
give him? "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." 1 Cor.
"Give me now wisdom and knowledge." 2 Chron. 1:10. 3:19.
18. What is the character of that wisdom which comes from

7. How did the Lord regard this request?
"And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this God?
thing." 1 Kings 3:10. "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James 3:17.
8. How was Solomon's prayer answered?
"And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this
thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked 19. What wisdom are the Scriptures able to give?
riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine "And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures,
enemies; . . . behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith
have given thee a wise and an understanding heart. . . . And I which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 3:15.
have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches,
and honor." Verses 11-13.
9. Are great men always wise? BROAD is the road that leads to death,
"Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand And thousands walk together there;
judgment." Job 32:9. But wisdom shows a narrow path,
With here and there a traveler.
10. What is the beginning of wisdom?
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good Deny thyself, and take thy cross,
understanding have all they that do His commandments." Ps. Is thy Redeemer's great command;
111:10. Nature must count her gold but dross,
If she would gain that heavenly land.
11. By what means was the psalmist made wiser than his
enemies? The fearful soul that tries and faints,
"Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than And walks the ways of God no more,
mine enemies: for they are ever with me." Ps. 119:98. Is but esteemed almost a saint,
And makes his own destruction sure.
12. Why did his understanding excel that of his teachers? ISAAC WATTS.
"I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy
testimonies are my meditation." Verse 99.
228
Chapter 137: Diligence
1. WHAT general command has God given concerning labor? 11. What has Paul said of the professed Christian who does not
"Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work." Ex. 20:9. provide for his own family?
"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own
house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." 1 Tim.
2. Instead of living upon the earnings of others, what instruction
5:8.
is given?
"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working
with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to 12. What picture has Solomon given of the slothful man?
him that needeth." Eph.4:28. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man
void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and
nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was
3. What general rule does Paul lay down upon this subject?
broken down." Prov. 24:30,31.
"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if
any would not work, neither should he eat." 2 Thess. 3:10.
NOTES.-"An indolent man draweth his breath, but does not live."-
Cicero.
4. In what language does he condemn idleness?
"The parent who does not teach his child a trade, teaches him to be
"For we hear that there are some which walk among you
a thief."-Brahmanic Proverb.
disorderly,working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are
"When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers therefore are the
such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with
founders of human civilization."- Daniel Webster .
quietness they work, and eat their own bread." Verses 11,12.
"If a man be indolent, the best discipline to which he can be
subjected is to suffer the evils of penury."- Wayland.
5. What example did the apostle himself set in this matter? "Nothing can be done with a man who will not work. We have in our
"Neither did we eat any man's bread for naught; but wrought with scheme of government no room for the man who does not wish to
labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to pay his way through life by what he does. . . . Capacity for work is
any of you." Verse 8. absolutely necessary, and no man can be said to live in the true
sense of the word if he does not work."- Theodore Roosevelt.
"Luck is waiting for something to turn up. Labor, with keen eyes and
6. What labor was appointed man in consequence of the fall?
strong will, will turn up something. Luck whines. Labor whistles. Luck
"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the relies on chances. Labor, on character. Luck slips down to indigence.
ground." Gen. 3:19. Labor strides upward to independence. Luck lies in bed, and wishes
the postman would bring him news of a legacy. Labor turns out at six
NOTE.-A life of laborious and perpetual toil, in a world cursed with o'clock, and with busy pen or ringing hammer lays the foundation of
weeds, thorns, and thistles, was appointed to man in consequence of a competence."- Cobden.
the entrance of sin. This was a part of the curse. And yet even this
was appointed in love, and, under existing circumstances, is a 13. In spiritual matters, what is also necessary?
blessing in disguise. It was a discipline rendered necessary because "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to
of sin, to place a check upon the indulgence of appetite and passion,
virtue knowledge. . . . Give diligence to make your calling and
to develop habits of industry and self-control, and to teach lessons election sure." 2 Peter 1:5-10.
on overcoming evil. Were not man called to labor thus, his sins and
miseries would be multiplied manyfold.
NOTE.-In temporal matters the difference between a prosperous
man and a sluggard lies principally in the improvement of
7. What are some of the results of industry?
opportunities. One grasps these, while the other is too indolent to do
"He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread." Prov. 28:19. "The
so. In the gaining of eternal life this same principle applies. God has
hand of the diligent maketh rich." Prov. 10:4. "The soul of the diligent placed salvation within the reach of all. None need be lost. Christ
shall be made fat." Prov. 13:4. died for all, but all will not be saved, for some do not care enough for
eternal life diligently to lay hold of it.
8. What results from slackness and indolence in business?
"He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand." Prov. 10:4. "The
soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing." Prov. 13:4.
NEAT be your farm; 'tis long confessed

9. What does Solomon say concerning diligence in business?
The neatest farmer is the best;
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Eccl. 9:10.
Each bog and marsh industrious drain,
"Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy Nor let vile balks deform the plain,
herds." Prov. 27:23. "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but Nor bushes on your headland grow,
he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame." Prov. 10:5.
Nor briers a sloven culture show.
Neat be your barns, your houses sweet;
NOTE.-"The way to wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the way to Your paths be clean, your dooryards neat;
market. It depends chiefly on two words- industry and frugality; that No moss the sheltering roof enshroud,
is, waste neither time nor money,but make the best of both. Without No wooden panes the windows cloud;
industry and frugality nothing will do; and with them everything."- No sink drains should above ground flow,
Benjamin Franklin. Nor weeds with rankling poison grow;
But flowers expand, and fruit-trees bloom,
And fragrant shrubs exhale perfume.
10. What does Solomon say of the industrious woman? Neatly enclose your garden round;
"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the Smooth, enrich, and clear the ground;
bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her For if to taste and profit you incline,
husband also, and he praiseth her." Prov. 31:27,28. Beauty and use you always should combine.
229
Chapter 138: Perfection of Character
1. WHY are we exhorted to patience? 10. What does God's word then become to the believer?
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect "Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart." Jer.
and entire, wanting [lacking] nothing." James 1:4. 15:16, last part.
2. How perfect does Christ tell us to be? 11. Why are the Scriptures given?
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven "All scripture is: given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
is perfect." Matt. 5:48. doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect; thoroughly
3. In whom are we complete? furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:16,17.
"And ye are complete in Him." Col. 2:10.
12. How may the lack of wisdom be supplied?
4. After accepting Christ, what are we to do? "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
go on unto perfection." Heb. 6:1. him." James 1:5.
5. In what is the Christian to grow? 13. In how many things may we ask help from God?
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and
Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18. supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God." Phil. 4:6.
6. How may one grow in grace?

"Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; . . . knowledge; . . . 14. What is an evidence of perfection?
temperance; . . . patience; . . . godliness; . . . brotherly "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and
kindness; . . . charity." 2 Peter 1:5-8. able also to bridle the whole body." James 3:2.
7. Why does Christ desire this growth in His followers? 15. What is the bond of perfection?
"That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not "And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of
having spot,or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should perfectness." Col. 3:14. See Phil. 3:13,14; Heb. 12:14.
be holy and without blemish." Eph. 5:27.
16. How perfect would God have us become?
8. What will cause the Christian to grow? "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray
"As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved
may grow thereby." 1 Peter 2:2. blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess.
5:23.
9. In order to grow by the word of God, what must one do?

"Thy words were found, and I did eat them," Jer. 15:16.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart." Ps. 119:11. See Col. 3:16.
230
Chapter 139: Sowing and Reaping
1. WHAT does Paul say regarding sowing and reaping? 5. How is the same truth again taught touching the wicked?
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man "As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not
soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. 6:7. inblessing, so let it be far from him." Ps. 109:17.
2. How is the same truth expressed by Christ? 6. According to what was judgment called upon Babylon?
"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye "Recompense her according to her works; according to all that
shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, she hath done, do unto her." Jer. 50:29.
and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your
7. Why did Christ tell Peter to put up his sword?
bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be "Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the
measured to you again." Luke 6:37,38. sword shall perish with the sword." Matt. 26:52.
NOTES.-A man's deeds, good or evil, usually return to bless or

8. Why was the Papacy to go into captivity?
curse him. A farmer who sold butter to a village storekeeper and "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that
took sugar in exchange, complained that he was getting short killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword." Rev. 13:10.
weight. "Look here," said he to the merchant, "it seems to me See Lev. 25:10; Jer. 34:17.
you're giving me short weight sugar." "No," replied the
storekeeper, "that cannot be, for in measuring out that sugar of
yours I always use a pound of your butter as a weight." 9. What is to be the punishment of spiritual Babylon?
"Good and evil come back. . . . God made the universe on the "Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her
plan of the circle. Isa. 40:22. . . . We ourselves start the circle of double according to her works." Rev. 18:6.
good or bad actions, and it will surely come around again to us
unless by divine intervention it be hindered. Those bad or good 10. What does the psalmist say win come to the persecutor?
actions may make the circuit of many years; but come back to us "His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent
they will as certainly as that God sits on the circle of the earth. . . . dealing shall come down upon his own pate." Ps. 7:16.
What a stupendous thought that the good and the evil we start
come back to us! Do you know that the judgment-day will be only
the point at which the circle joins, the good and the bad we have NOTE.-In his letter addressed to the Jews, dated Nov. 16, 1905,
done coming back to us, unless divine intervention hinders,- President Roosevelt said: "I feel very strongly that if any people
coming back to us, welcome of delight or curse of are oppressed anywhere, the wrong inevitably reacts in the end
condemnation?"- T. DeWitt Talmage. on those who oppress them; for it is an immutable law in the
spiritual world that no one can wrong others and yet in the end
himself escape unhurt."
3. On what condition does Christ say God will forgive us?
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will
also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, 11. What befell Haman, who sought to slay all the Jews?
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matt. 6:14,15. "So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for
See also Matt. 18:23-35. Mordecai." Esther 7:10. See Ps. 9:15.
4. According to what principle does God deal with men? 12. If one would have friends, what must he do?
"With the merciful Thou wilt show Thyself merciful; with "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly." Prov. 18:24.
an uprightman Thou wilt show Thyself upright; with
the pure Thou wilt show Thyself pure; and with the froward Thou
wilt show Thyself froward."Ps. 18:25,26.
231
Section 13: Prayer and Public Worship
Chapter 140: Importance of Prayer
1. BY what title does the psalmist address God? NOTE.-Contention and discord quench the spirit of prayer. 1
"Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come." Ps. Peter 3:1-7. Many grieve the Spirit and drive Christ from their
65:2. homes by giving way to impatience and passion. Angels of God
flee from homes where there are unkind words, contention, and
2. Of whom does the Bible teach that God is a rewarder? strife.
"A rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Heb. 11:6.
11. What did Christ say concerning secret prayer?
3. How willing is God to hear and answer prayer? "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and
children,how much more shall your Father which is in heaven thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matt.
give good things to them that ask Him?" Matt. 7:11. 6:6.
4. What above all else shows God's willingness to do this?
"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, 12. To what place did Jesus retire for secret devotion?
how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Rom. "And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a
8:32. mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He
was there alone." Matt. 14:23.
5. Upon what conditions are we promised needed
blessings? 13. For whom did Christ teach us to pray?
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that
find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Matt. 5:44.
knocketh it shall be opened." Matt. 7:7,8.
NOTES.-"Prayer is not the overcoming of God's reluctance; it is
the taking hold of God's willingness." "Prayer is the opening of NOTE.-We cannot hate those for whom we pray.
the heart to God as to a friend." Prayer does not change God;
but it does change us and our relation to God. It places us in the 14. When praying, what must we do in order to be forgiven?
channel of blessings, and in that frame of mind in which God can "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against
consistently and safely grant our requests. any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you
"How shall we pray so as to be heard and to receive help? For your trespasses." Mark 11:25.
one thing, there must be a real desire in our hearts. Forms of
words do not make prayer: we must want something, and must
realize our dependence upon God for it."- J. R. Miller, D. D. 15. With what should our prayers be mingled?
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and
6. From whom do all good and perfect gifts come? supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh unto God." Phil. 4:6.
down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning." James 1:17. 16. How often should we pray?
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit."
7. If one lacks wisdom, what is he told to do? Eph. 6:18. "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thess. 5:17. "Every day will
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy name forever and ever." Ps.
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." 145:2.
Verse 5.
17. How often did David say he would pray?
"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:
8. How must one ask in order to receive? and He shall hear my voice." Ps. 55:17. See Dan. 6:10.
"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let 18. What is said of Cornelius and his family?
not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." "A devout man, and one that feared God with all his
Verses 6,7. See Mark 11:24. house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God
alway." Acts 10:2.
NOTE.-"Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's 19. In whose name did Christ teach us to pray?
storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of "And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do." John
Omnipotence." 14:13.
9. Under what condition does the Lord not hear prayer? 20. Why did the unjust judge answer the widow's prayer?
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." Ps. "Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow
66:18. See Isa. 59:1,2; James 4:3. troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she
weary me." Luke 18:4,5.
10. Whose prayers does Solomon say are an abomination?
"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his NOTE.-The lesson of the parable is that "men ought always to
prayer shall be abomination." Prov. 28:9. pray, and not to faint." Verse 1. If this woman, by her persistence
in asking, obtained her request from such a man, surely God,
who is just, will answer the earnest, persistent prayers of His
people. though the answer may be long delayed.
232
Chapter 141: Meditation and Prayer
1. WHAT was one of Paul's injunctions to Timothy? NOTE.-This does not mean that we should be constantly bowed
"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them." Tim. before God in prayer, but that we should not neglect prayer, and
4:15. that we should ever be in a prayerful frame of mind, even when
walking by the way or engaged in the duties of life,- ever ready to
send up our petitions to heaven for help in time of need.
NOTE.-Meditation is to the soul what digestion is to the body. It
assimilates, appropriates, and makes personal and practical that
which has been seen, heard, or read. 9. That we might be prepared for His coming, what
admonition did Christ give?
"Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time
2. When did David say he would praise God with joyful lips?
"When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in is. . . . And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." Mark
the night-watches." Ps. 63:6. 13:33-37. See also Luke 21:36.
10. Why are watchfulness and prayer especially imperative

3. How will such meditation be to one who loves God?
"My meditation of Him shall be sweet." Ps. 104:34. in the last days?
"Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is
come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth
4. In what does the psalmist say the man who is blessed that he hath but a short time." Rev. 12:12.
delights and meditates?
"His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he
meditate day and night." Ps. 1:2.
5. With what adversary do we constantly have to contend? LORD, what a change within us one short hour
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a Spent in Thy presence will prevail to make!
What heavy burdens from our bosoms take!
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1
Peter 5:8. What parched grounds refresh, as with a shower!
We kneel, and all around us seems to lower!
We rise, and all, the distant and the near,
6. When is a man tempted? Stands forth in sunny outline, brave and clear.
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own We kneel, how weak! we rise, how full of power!
lust, and enticed." James 1:14. Why, therefore, should we do ourselves this wrong,
Or others, that we are not always strong,
7. That we may not be overcome, what are we told to do? That we are ever overborne with care,
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit That we should ever weak or heartless be,
indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt. 26:41. Anxious or troubled, when with us is prayer,
And joy and strength and courage are with Thee?
ARCHBISHOP TRENCH.
8. How constantly should we pray?
"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thess. 5:17. "Continuing instant in
prayer." Rom. 12:12.
233
Chapter 142: Watching Unto Prayer
1. UNTO what are we exhorted to watch? shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isa.40:31.
and watch unto prayer." 1 Peter 4:7.
9. For what did Habakkuk say he would watch?
2. What is one of the petitions of the Lord's prayer? "Lead us "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will
not into temptation." Matt. 6:13. watch to see what He will say unto me." Hab. 2:1.
3. By what means can we escape temptation? NOTE.-Some are very anxious that God should hear them when
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the they pray, but are quite indifferent as to what He says in reply.
spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt. 26:41.
10. How may we escape the evils coming on the world?
NOTE.-We should couple with our prayers a spirit of "Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be
watchfulness, thus cooperating with God In answering them. accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to
This is watching unto prayer. pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:36.
4. How is this duty again expressed? NOTE.-Vigilance, as well as prayer, is necessary if we would
"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving." escape the evils, delusions, and calamities of the last days.
Col. 4:2.
11. What will be the result of not watching?
5. How faithful should we be in this matter? "But and if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, his coming; and shall begin to beat the men servants and
andwatching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken, the lord of that
all saints." Eph. 6:18. servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an
hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will
appoint him his portion with the unbelievers." Luke 12:45,46.
6. When did Israel prevail in battle?
"And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel
prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed." Ex. 12. What will Christ's servants be doing when He comes?
17:11. "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye
yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will
7. When the householder ceased watching, what happened? return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh,
they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those
"But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in
what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall
would not have suffered his house to be broken up." Matt. 24:43. find watching." Verses 35-37.
13. How general is the command to watch?

8. What experience comes to those who wait upon the Lord?
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they "And what I say unto you I say unto all, WATCH." Mark 13:37.
234
Chapter 143: Answers to Prayer
1. HOW does God anticipate the needs of His children? 12. When Daniel and his fellows were about to be slain because
"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer and the wise men of Babylon could not reveal to Nebuchadnezzar
while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isa. 65:24. his dream, how did God answer their united prayers?
"Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night-vision. Then
Daniel blessed the God of heaven." Dan. 2:19.
2. Is there any limit to God's ability to help?
"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that
we ask or think." Eph. 3:20. NOTE.-In 1839 the sultan of Turkey decreed that not a
representative of the Christian religion should remain in the empire.
Learning of this, Dr. William Goodell, an American missionary to
3. How fully has God promised to supply our needs?
Turkey, came home to his friend and colleague, Dr. Cyrus Hamlin,
"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by
the first president of Robert College, Constantinople, with the sad
Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19.
news: "It is all over with us; we have to leave. The American consul
and the British ambassador say it is no use to meet with antagonism
4. Do we always know what to pray for? this violent and vindictive monarch." To this Dr. Hamlin replied: "The
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what Sultan of the universe can, in answer to prayer, change the decree of
we should pray for as we ought." Rom. 8:26. the sultan of Turkey. " They gave themselves to prayer. The next day
the sultan died, and the decree was never executed. See Dan.
4:17,24,25.
5. Does God always see fit to grant our petitions?
"For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength 13. When Peter was imprisoned and about to be executed by
is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:8,9. Herod, what did the church do?
"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without
ceasing of the church unto God for him." Acts 12:5.
NOTE.-Paul's affliction, it seems, was impaired sight. Acts 9:8,9,18;
22:11-13. The retaining of this imperfection would be a constant
reminder to him of his conversion, and hence a blessing in disguise. 14. How were their prayers answered?
"Behold, the angel of the Lord came Upon him, . . . and he saith unto
him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. . . . And they went
6. If an answer does not come at once, what should we do?
out, and passed on through one street ; and forthwith the angel
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." Ps. 37:7. departed from him." Verses 7-10.
7. Why was the parable of the importunate widow given? 15. Because Solomon asked for wisdom rather than for long life
"And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought and riches, what besides wisdom did God give him?
always to pray, and not to faint." Luke 18:1.
"Because thou hast asked this thing, . . . behold, I have done
according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an
NOTE.-The importunate widow got her request because of her understanding heart. . . . And I have also given thee that which thou
persistency. God wants us to seek Him, and to seek hast not asked, both riches, and honor." 1 Kings 3:11-13.
Him earnestly, when we pray. He is a rewarder of them
that diligently seek Him. Heb. 11:6. NOTE.-The following are some things we are taught in the Scriptures
to pray for:-
8. How did Elijah pray before obtaining his request? (1) For daily bread. Matt. 6:11. (2) For the forgiveness of sin. 2 Chron.
"Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed 7:14; Ps. 32:5,6; 1 John 1:9; 5:16. (3) For the Holy Spirit. Luke 11:13;
earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the Zech. 10:1; John 14:16. (4) For deliverance in the hour of temptation
space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the and danger. Matt. 6:13; John 17:11,15; Prov. 3:26; Psalm 91; Matt.
heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit." James 24:20. (5) For wisdom and understanding. James 1:5; 1 Kings 3:9;
5:17,18. See Rev. 11:3-6. Dan. 2:17-19. (6) For peaceable and quiet lives. 1 Tim. 2:1,2. (7) For
the healing of the sick. James 5:14,15; 2 Kings 20:1-11. (8) For the
prosperity of the ministers of God and the gospel. Eph. 6:18,19; Col.
9. Upon what condition does Christ say we shall receive? 4:3; 2 Thess. 3:1. (9) For those who suffer for the truth's sake. Heb.
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye 13:3; Acts 12:5. (10) For kings, rulers, and all in authority. 1 Tim.
pray,believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 2:1,2; Ezra 6:10. (11) For temporal prosperity. 2 Cor. 9:10; James
11:24. 5:17,18. (12) For our enemies. Matt. 5:44. (13) For all saints. Eph.
6:18. (14) For all men. 1 Tim. 2:1. (15) For the Lord to vindicate His
10. Without this faith, will God answer prayer? cause. 1 Kings 18:30-39. (16) For the coming of Christ and of God's
"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is kingdom. Matt. 6:10; Rev. 22:20.
like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not
that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." James
1:6,7.
PRAYER makes the darkest cloud withdraw;

11. What petitions may we confidently expect God to hear? Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask Gives exercise to faith and love,
anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He Brings every blessing from above.
hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that
we desired of Him." 1 John 5:14,15.
Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian's armor bright;
NOTE.-God's will is expressed in His law, His promises, and His And Satan trembles when he sees
Word. Ps. 40:8; Rom. 2:17,18; 1 Peter 1:4. The weakest saint upon his knees.
WILLIAM COWPER.
235
Chapter 144: Public Worship
1. HOW only can God be truly worshiped? 12. What caution is given regarding behavior in God's house?
"God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more
and in truth." John 4:24. ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not
that they do evil." Eccl. 5:1. See 1 Tim. 3:15.
2. How are we instructed to worship the Lord?
"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in 13. What day has God specially designed for public worship?
the beauty of holiness." Ps. 29:2. "The seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation." Lev.
23:3.
3. What attitude is indicative of reverence in worship?
"O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord 14. How has God commanded us to keep this day?
our Maker." Ps. 95:6. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. . . . In it thou shalt not
do any work." Ex. 20:8-10. See Isa. 58:13,14.
4. Is singing a part of divine worship?
"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with 15. Are offerings an appropriate part of divine worship?
praise." "Come before His presence with singing." Ps.100:4,2. "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name: bring an
offering, and come into His courts." "Vow, and pay unto the Lord
your God: let all that be round about Him bring presents unto
5. Does the Bible approve of the use of musical instruments in
Him that ought to be feared." Ps. 96:8; 76:11.
the worship of God?
"Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with
the psalteryand harp. Praise Him with 16. Will there be public worship in the new creation?
the timbrel and dance [margin, pipe]: praise Him with stringed "As the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall
instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name
Him upon the high-sounding cymbals." Ps. 150:3-5. See also Ps. remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to
92:1-3. another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to
worship before Me, saith the Lord." Isa. 66:22,23.
6. What is promised to those who wait upon the Lord?
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they RULES ON GOING TO CHURCH
shallmount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be
weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isa. 40:31.
1. Go early to church. Not only be punctual, but be in your place
before the hour announced for the service to begin.
7. Is Christ's presence limited to large congregations? 2. Go in a reverent spirit. On the way remember whither you go.
"Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in Avoid lightness of manner and conversation on worldly topics.
the midst of them." Matt. 18:20. 3. Before you enter and as you enter the church breathe a silent
prayer of invocation for the influence of the Holy Spirit.
4. As you take your place, bow your head reverently in prayer for
8. What were David's feelings concerning public worship?
yourself and for all others who enter the sanctuary.
"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the
5. Resolve that you will foster no thought, fix your eyes on no object,
Lord." "My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord:
utter no word, that will tend to divert your mind from the holy purpose
my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God." "For a day in Thy
for which you have come into this place.
courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the
6. As the minister enters the pulpit, offer an earnest silent prayer in
house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Ps.
his behalf.
122:1; 84:2,10.
7. In all the service take an active part, as hearer, as worshiper.
8. At the close of the service, after a moment of prayerful silence,
9. What admonition has Paul given concerning assembling for greet with cheerfulness and good will all whom you happen to meet,
public worship? remembering that Christian fellowship is a part of Christian worship.-
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner Bishop Vincent.
of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye
see the day approaching." Heb. 10:25.
NOTE.-An excellent suggestion is contained in the notice posted at
the doorway of many churches: "Whosoever thou art that entereth
10. Does God take account of the meetings of His people? this church, remember it is the house of God. Be reverent, be silent,
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the be thoughtful. And leave it not without a prayer to God, for thyself, for
Lord harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was him who ministers, and for those who worship here."
written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought
upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in
that day when I make up My jewels [margin, special treasure]; and I
will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Mal.
3:16,17. BEFORE Jehovah's awful throne,
Ye nations, bow with sacred Joy;
Know that the Lord is God alone;
11. Is there a blessing in habitual church attendance? "Blessed
He can create, and He destroy.
are they that dwell in Thy house: they will be still [ever and
constantly] praising Thee." "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that
I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days His sovereign power, without our aid,
of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His Made us of clay, and formed us men;
temple." Ps. 84:4; 27:4. And when like wandering sheep we strayed,
He brought us to His fold again.
ISAAC WATTS.
236
Chapter 145: Reverence for the House of God
1. WHY did God instruct His people to build a sanctuary? NOTE.-This, like the two cleansings of the temple by Christ at
"And let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among the beginning and close of His ministry (John 2:13-17; Matt.
them." Ex. 25:8. 21:12-16), shows that God is particular in regard to the worship
and conduct of the worshipers in His house. No performance or
2. How did He tell them to regard this dwelling-place of exercise should be permitted in any church or building especially
God? dedicated to God's service which is not in keeping with its sacred
"Ye shall keep My Sabbaths, and reverence My sanctuary: I am character, or conducive to reverence for God and for holy things.
the Lord." Lev. 19:30. It should not be made a place for feasting, visiting, or worldly
entertainment and amusement.
3. What does the Lord say of things dedicated to His
service? 9. For what purpose are we exhorted to have
"Every devoted thing is most holy unto the Lord." Lev. 27:28. grace? "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be
moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God
4. When God met Moses at the burning bush, why did He tell acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a
him to take off his shoes? consuming fire." Heb. 12:28,29.
"And He said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy
feet,for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." Ex. 3:5. 10. In what spirit did David say he would worship?
See also Joshua 5:15. "But as for me, I will come into Thy house in the multitude of Thy
mercy: and in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple." Ps.
NOTE.-The presence of God made the place holy. Whenever 5:7.
God meets with His people, that place is holy.
11. What instruction has Solomon given respecting our
5. When the tabernacle was reared anciently, what conduct in the house of God?
occurred? "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be
"Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they
of the Lord filled the tabernacle." Ex. 40:34. See 2 Chron. consider not that they do evil." Eccl. 5:1.
5:13,14.
12. How extensively has God said He would be honored?
6. Why should all show respect for the house of worship. "For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the
"The Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence same My name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every
before Him." Hab. 2:20. place incense shall be offered unto My name, and a pure
offering: for My name shall be great among the heathen, saith
NOTE.-A failure to recognize this fact leads many to treat the the Lord of hosts." Mal. 1:11.
house of worship without due respect. Nothing seems more
appropriate to divine worship than that a sense of awe and 13. For how many did God design that His house should be
silence should pervade the place of worship, and that only the a house of prayer?
sound of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving to God should be "Even them [the sons of the stranger] will I bring to My holy
heard within its walls. Both upon entering and just before leaving mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer: their
the house of God it is highly appropriate and a most excellent burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon Mine
practice for each worshiper to bow the head for a few moments altar; for Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all
in silent prayer. people." Isa. 56:7.
NOTE.-The fifty-sixth chapter of Isaiah contains a prophecy
7. How did Christ manifest His regard for the sanctity of relating to New Testament times. It is plain, therefore, that Christ
God's house? enunciated a general principle, applicable to all houses
"And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, dedicated to God' s service, when, quoting this prophecy, He
and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, said that God's house should be a house of prayer for all nations.
and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats See margin of Mark 11:17.
of them that sold doves; and would not suffer that any man
should carry any vessel through the temple. And He taught, 14. Who is present in all assemblies met in Christ's name?
saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there
nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of am I in the midst of them." Matt. 18:20.
thieves." Mark 11:15-17.
NOTE.-This cleansing occurred at the close of Christ's public
ministry. There was a similar cleansing also at the beginning of WITH reverence let the saints appear,
His ministry. See John 2:13-17. And bow before the Lord;
His high commands with reverence hear,
8. What punishment did God bring upon Nadab and Abihu And tremble at His word.
or offering strange or common fire in the tabernacle
service?
"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them O Jesus, Lord of earth and heaven,
his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and Our life and joy, to Thee
offered strange fire before the Lord, which He commanded them Be honor, thanks, and blessing given
not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, Through all eternity.
and they died before the Lord." Lev. 10:1,2. ISAAC WATTS.
237
Chapter 146: Christian Communion
1. WHAT was connected with the worship of God before the Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in
first advent? remembrance of Me." 1 Cor. 11:23,24.
"Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine
service,and a worldly sanctuary." Heb. 9:1. 6. What is signified by the wine?
"In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the
NOTE.-Paul says that these ordinances consisted "in meats and new covenant in My blood: this do, as oft as ye drink it, in
drinks, and divers washings," imposed "until the time of remembrance of Me." Verse 25, R.V.
reformation," and that they were "a shadow of good things to
come." Heb. 9:10; 10:1.
7. What do both the bread and the wine commemorate?
"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do
2. To whom did the sacrificial offerings point forward? show the Lord's death till He come." Verse 26.
"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given
Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-
8. What caution is given concerning engaging in this
smelling savor."Eph. 5:2. ordinance unworthily?
"Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord,
NOTE.-Through the provisions of the sacrificial law, the unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the
repentant sinner showed his faith in the coming Redeemer, who Lord. . . . He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and
was to shed His blood for the sins of mankind. These sacrificial drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's
offerings were ordinances which pointed forward to the work of body." Verses 27-29.
Christ, which they typified. Since the crucifixion, the ordinances
of the Christian church point backward, and are designed to NOTE.-The last expression shows what is meant by eating and
show faith in the work of Christ already accomplished. drinking unworthily. It is not the one who has a deep sense of his
sinfulness and of his unworthiness of God's mercy and grace,
3. What does the Lord desire us to keep in mind? but he who does not discern that Christ died for his sins- who is
"By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I not penitent- that eats and drinks unworthily.
preached unto you, . . . how that Christ died for our
sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and 9. What preparation should be made for this service?
that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 "Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread,
Cor. 15:2-4. and drink of that cup." Verse 28.
4. What ordinance commemorates Christ's burial and 10. What is essential to Christian fellowship and cleansing
resurrection? from sin?
"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship
through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
from the dead." Col. 2:12. cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.
5. For what purpose was the Lord's Supper instituted? 11. What still higher fellowship does the Christian enjoy?
"The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took "And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son
bread:and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Jesus Christ." Verse 3.
238
Chapter 147: Praise and Thanksgiving
1. WHEN did the psalmist say he would bless the Lord? 10. How often, and for how much, should we render thanks?
"I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in
my mouth." "Every day will I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Eph. 5:20.
name forever and ever." Ps. 34:1; 145:2.
11. With what exhortation does the psalmist c16se his
2. What do those do who offer praise? songs of praise?
"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me." Ps. 50:23. "Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in
the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts:
praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with
3. Where does David say he will praise God?
"My praise shall be of Thee in the great congregation: I will pay the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp.
my vows before them that fear Him." Ps. 22:25. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed
instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals:
praise Him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that
4. What does he exhort all to do? hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord." Psalm 150.
"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name
together." Ps. 34:3.
5. What personal experience does he say he will declare in

the hearing of all who fear God? O WORSHIP the Lord in the beauty of holiness,
Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;
"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He
hath done for my soul." Ps. 66:16. With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,
Kneel and adore Him, the Lord is His name.
6. What effect do such testimonies have upon the humble?

Low at His feet lay thy burden of carefulness,
"My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear
thereof, and be glad." Ps. 34:2. High on His heart He will bear it for thee,
Comfort thy sorrows, and answer thy prayerfulness,
Guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.
7. Into what condition did those lapse anciently who failed
to glorify God and to be thankful?
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as Fear not to enter His courts in the slenderness
God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, Of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine:
and their foolish heart was darkened." Rom. 1:21. Truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,
These are the offerings to lay on His shrine.
8. What element should enter into all our worship?

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and These, though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness,
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known He will accept for the Name that is dear;
unto God." Phil. 4:6. See Col. 4:2. Mornings of joy give for evenings of tearfulness,
Trust for our trembling, and hope for our fear.
9. In how many things should we give thanks?

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:18.
239
Chapter 148: The Value of Song
1. HOW early in the world's history do we read of singing? their way by the music of sacred song, so God bids His children
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the today gladden their pilgrim life. There are few means more
earth? . . . when the morning stars sang together, and all the effective for fixing His words in the memory than repeating them
sons of God shouted for joy?"Job 38:4-7. in song. And such song has wonderful power. It has power to
subdue rude and uncultivated natures; power to quicken thought
2. What did Israel do when delivered from Egypt? and to awaken sympathy, to promote harmony of action, and to
"Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the banish the gloom and foreboding that destroy courage and
Lord, . . . The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become weaken effort."- "Education," pages 167,168.
my salvation: . . . and I will exalt Him." Ex. 15:1,2. "O that we might sing evening and morning, and let song touch
song all the way through! O that we could put songs under our
burden! O that we could extract the sense of sorrow by song!
3. How did the angels manifest their joy at Christ's birth? Then sad things would not poison so much. Sing in the house;
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the teach your children to sing. When troubles come, go at them with
heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the song. When griefs arise, sing them down. Lift the voice of praise
highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke against cares. Praise God by singing; that will lift you above trials
2:13,14. of every sort. Attempt it. They sing in heaven, and among God's
people on earth song is the appropriate language of Christian
4. How are we told to come before the Lord? feeling."- Henry Ward Beecher.
"Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with
singing."Ps. 100:2. See 2 Chron. 29:30. 7. What instrument did John see the saints have?
"I saw. . . them, . . . having the harps of God." Rev. 15:2.
5. How does David say such service is regarded by God?
"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him 8. And what song are they to sing?
withthanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an "And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the
ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs." Ps. 69:30,31. song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works,
Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of
6. What instruction did Paul give concerning singing? saints." Verse 3. See Ps. 87:7.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Col. 3:16.
See also Eph. 5:19; James 5:13; Ps. 149:5,6.
OUT of my heart I sing a song,
O world so great and grand!
NOTES.-Music, like poetry and flowers, is elevating and refining But hearts are weak, and hands reach out
in its nature, and should therefore have its place in the worship For the touch of a kindly hand.
of God, and in the life and experience of God's people. It is
adapted to every mood and feeling of the human soul, and many
O song that I sing, I pray you bring
times has reached hearts when other means have failed. Next to
prayer, music seems best adapted to worship. To some sad soul thy balm;
Fall soft, I pray, like the breath of May,
"The history of the songs of the Bible is full of suggestion as to
the uses and benefits of music and song. Music is often Or the touch of a loving hand.
perverted to serve purposes of evil, and it thus becomes one of
the most alluring agencies of temptation. But, rightly employed, it I sing for hearts that ache and break,
is a precious gift of God, designed to uplift the thoughts to high I sing for hearts that are true;
and noble themes, to inspire and elevate the soul. As the O world so vast, O world so wide,
children of Israel, journeying through the wilderness, cheered I sing my song for you!
240
Section 14: Christian Service
Chapter 149: The Gift of Giving
1. WHAT example of giving has God given to the world? 8. What did Christ say of the blessedness of giving?
"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten "I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to
Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus,
everlasting life." John 3:16. how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts
20:35.
2. By what were Abraham's faith and devotion tested?
"By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he NOTE.-The government of God is founded on the principle of
that had received the promises offered up his only begotten benevolence, or the desire to bless others. Our richest blessings
son." Heb. 11:17. come as the result of the good things we have passed on to our
fellow men.
3. What did Christ do to redeem us?
"Who gave Himself for our sins." Gal. 1:4. See also Titus 2:14; 1 "The quality of mercy is not strained,
Tim. 2:6. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath; it is twice blessed-
4. Why did He lay aside His riches and become poor? It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He
was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His 9. For what was Christ anointed by the Holy Spirit?
poverty might be rich." 2 Cor. 8:9. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath
anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent
5. After Abraham was blessed, what was he to be? Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the
"I will bless thee, . . . and thou shalt be a blessing." Gen. 12:2. captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound."
Isa. 61:1. See Luke 4:18.
6. As Christ sent out His disciples to preach, to heal the sick,

and to raise the dead, what did He say to them? NOTE.-The Holy Spirit is given to fit God's children for service.
"Freely ye have received, freely give." Matt. 10:8.
10. After being thus anointed, what did Jesus do?
"Who went about doing good." Acts 10:38.
7. Why does God comfort us in our troubles?
"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation; that we may be
able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort
wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." 2 Cor. 1:4.
HAVE you had a kindness shown?
NOTE.-All who accept the gospel take upon themselves the Pass it on;
obligation to pass its blessings on to others. In this way the work 'Twas not given for you alone.
of salvation is extended. Every soul reclaimed from sin, God Pass it on;
expects to join in the same work for others which lifted him up, Let it travel down the years,
and placed his feet upon the Rock. The good things of God are Let it wipe another's tears,
not to be selfishly kept to ourselves. We receive to give. Says Till in heaven the gift appears-
Whittier, "The soul is lost that's saved alone." And as love Pass it on.
prompted God's great gift, so His love in our hearts will prompt
us to give, to minister, and to engage in loving service for the
welfare and the happiness of others.
241
Chapter 150: Preaching the Gospel
1. BEFORE leaving His disciples, what great commission 11. How did Christ present the truth to the people?
did Christ give them? "And with many such parables spake He the word unto them, as
"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the they were able to hear it." Mark 4:33.
gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15.
NOTE.-Ministers should learn to adapt their labors to those for
NOTE.-The word gospel means good news, or glad tidings. whom they labor- to meet the people where they are.
2. What is the gospel of Christ?
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of 12. What rule for teaching doctrine is laid down in the
God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." Rom. 1:16. Bible?
"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line
3. How extensively and for how long did Christ say the upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." Isa.
gospel should be preached? 28:10.
world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end 13. How should the servant of God labor?
come." Matt. 24:14. "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto
all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that
4. Why was the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles? oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them
"Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." 2 Tim. 2:24,25.
Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name." Acts 15:14.
5. How are those who preach the gospel described? NOTE.-While the claims of the law of God are presented to the
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of that bringeth sinner, ministers should never forget that love- the love of God-
good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of is the only power that can soften the heart and lead to
good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God repentance and obedience, and that to save men is their great
reigneth." Isa. 52:7. work,
6. What was the object of Christ's ministry? 14. As a preparation for their work, what did Christ do to the
"I the Lord have called Thee in righteousness, and will hold apostles?
Thine hand, and will keep Thee, and give Thee for a covenant of "Then opened He their understanding, that they might
the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45.
bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in
darkness out of the prison-house."Isa. 42:6,7. 15. For what did He tell them to tarry in Jerusalem?
"But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with
7. For what purpose did Christ select the apostle Paul, and power from on high." Verse 49.
send him to the Gentiles?
"And He said, . . . I have appeared unto thee for this 16. How did the apostles preach the gospel?
purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness . . . to open their "With the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." 1 Peter 1:12.
eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the
power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of 17. What was the result of this preaching?
sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith "Many of them which heard the word believed." "And the word of
that is in Me." Acts 26:15-18. Godincreased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in
Jerusalemgreatly; and a great company of the priests were
8. What is the Christian minister commanded to preach? obedient to the faith." Acts 4:4; 6:7.
"Preach the word." 2 Tim. 4:2.
9. Of what did Christ say the Scriptures testify? 18. What promise is made to the faithful gospel minister?
"They are they which testify of Me." John 5:39. "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall
doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with
him." Ps. 126:6.
NOTE.-Every one, therefore who preaches the word aright, will
preach Christ. Paul, who faithfully preached God's word, said he
was determined not to know (i.e., to make known) anything"
save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." 1 Cor. 2:2. Jonathan
Edwards was once asked by a young minister what he thought of TO EVERY clime, where lost by sin,
a sermon he had just preached. "It was a very poor sermon, The grace of Christ a soul may win,
indeed," said Mr. Edwards. "Why?" asked the young minister. From here Thy messengers go forth
"Because," said Mr. Edwards, "there was no Christ in it." All the From east to west, from south to north,
great truths of the Scriptures center in Christ. Rightly understood,
all lead to Him. Christ, therefore, should be presented in every
Perchance, in heaven one day to me
discourse as the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, of
Some blessed soul may come and say,
the great plan of salvation.
All hail, beloved! But for thee
My soul to death had been a prey.
10. How does God expect His ministers to preach the word? Ah, then what sweetness in the thought
"He that hath My word, let him speak My word faithfully." Jer. One soul to glory to have brought!
23:28.
242
Chapter 151: The Shepherd and His Work
1. WHO did Christ say is the good shepherd? shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him
"I am the good shepherd." John 10:11. ruler over all his goods." Matt. 24:45-47.
2. What is Christ elsewhere called? 13. What excuses are made by some for not expounding the
"The Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." "The chief prophecies?
Shepherd." 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4. "And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book
that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying,
3. What does the expression "the chief Shepherd" imply? Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: and
That there are under-shepherds. the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this,
I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned." Isa. 29:11,12.
4. How does the good shepherd manifest his love and care
for the sheep? NOTE.-The prophecies of Daniel were to be unsealed at "the
"The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." John 10:11. time of the end." See Dan. 12:4,9,10; Rev. 10:1,2. In Jer. 25:34-
37 is found a warning message addressed to unfaithful
shepherds.
5. What does the hireling, or false shepherd, do, and why?
"The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for
the sheep." Verse 13. 14. After receiving his commission to preach, how did the
apostle Paul feel?
"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for
6. What example will the true shepherd set before his flock? necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not
"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works." Titus 2:7. the gospel!" 1 Cor. 9:16.
7. What is the special work of the gospel shepherd? 15. How faithfully will the true shepherd watch the flock?
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over "They watch for your souls, as they that must give
the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the account." Heb.13:17.
church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood."
Acts 20:28. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking
the oversight thereof." 1 Peter 5:2. See also John 21:15-17. NOTE.-Mark Guy Pearse once said to Mr. Spurgeon: "When I
was a young fellow in London, I used to sit right over there and
hear you preach, and you will never know how much good you
8. With what kind of food will the true shepherd feed the did me. You used to wind me up like an eight-day clock. I was
flock? bound to go right for a week after hearing you."
"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who shall judge the quick .and the dead at His appearing and His
16. If God's watchmen fail to warn the wicked, what terrible
kingdom: Preach the word." 2 Tim. 4:1,2. "O son of man, I have
set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou responsibility will be charged to their account?
"If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that
shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me." Eze.
33:7. See Eze. 3:17-21. wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at
thine hand."Eze. 33:8. See Isa. 3:10,11.
9. Was there to come a time when people would not listen to

plain Bible truth?
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves WATCHMAN, blow the gospel trumpet,
teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears Every soul a warning give;
from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 2 Tim. 4:3,4. Whosoever hears the message
May repent and turn and live.
10. Instead of the straight testimony, what kind of preaching
will such demand? Sound it loud o'er every hilltop,
"Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, Gloomy shade and sunny plain;
prophesy deceits." Isa. 30:10. Ocean depths repeat the message,
Full salvation's glad refrain.
11. What test is given by which we may distinguish between
true and false shepherds? Sound it in the hedge and highway,
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to Earth's dark spots where exiles roam;
this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20. "For Let it tell all things are ready,
the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek Father waits to welcome home.
the law at his mouth."Mal. 2:7.
Blow the trumpet, trusty watchman,
12. What will those servants be doing upon whom Christ Blow it loud o'er land and sea;
pronounces a blessing when He comes? God commissions, sound the message!
"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath Every captive may be, free.
made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due DR.. H. L. GILMOUR.
season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he cometh
243
Chapter 152: Missionary Work
1. WHAT has been given to every man? 12. What will bring to the Lord this satisfaction and joy?
"For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his "He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied." Isa.
house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his 53:11.
work." Mark 13:34.
13. How will Christ demonstrate His joy over the saved?
2. Besides work, what else has been given to every man? "He will joy over thee with singing." Zeph. 3:17.
"And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to
another one;to every man according to his several ability." Matt. 14. What did Paul set forth as his crown of rejoicing?
25:15.
"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even
ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For
3. What are those called to whom this work is committed? ye are our glory and joy." 1 Thess. 2:19,20.
"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far
country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them
15. Since this joy comes to Christ only through His self-
his goods." Verse 14. denial and suffering for others, in what way must all others
partake of that joy?
4. What use did these servants make of their talents? "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also
"Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with live with Him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we
the same, and made them other five talents. . . . But he that had deny Him, He also will deny us." 2 Tim. 2:11,12.
received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's
money." Verses 16-18. 16. What motive should prompt to soul-saving labor?
"For the love of Christ constraineth us." 2 Cor. 5:14.
5. What excuse did the one who hid his talent make?
"I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there
17. Whom does every faithful Christian worker represent?
thou hast that is thine." Verse 25. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye
6. What did his master say to him? reconciled to God." Verse 20.
"His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful
servant." Verse 26. 18. What does God do with the unfruitful members?
"Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and
7. What did he say the servant should have done? every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring
"Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the forth more fruit." John 15:2.
exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine
own with usury." Verse 27. 19. Can one occupy a mere neutral position toward Christ?
"He that is not with Me is against Me: and he that gathereth not
8. What is characteristic of slothful persons? with Mescattereth." Luke 11:23.
"The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in
the streets." Prov. 22:13. 20. For what does the Lord tell us to pray?
"The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye
NOTE.-That is, they see great obstacles before them, and are therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth
always ready with excuses. laborers into His harvest." Luke 10:2.
9. What was the fate of the slothful servant? 21. How are we cautioned against delaying the work?
"And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh
shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt. 25:30. harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on
the fields; for they are white already to harvest." John 4:35.
10. What was said to the servant who improved his talents?
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful 22. What promise is made to those who sow the
servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make gospel seed?
thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and
lord." Verse 21. weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again
with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Ps. 126:5,6.
11. Why did Christ endure the cruel death on the cross?
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for 23. What promise is made to soul-winners?
the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the "He that winneth souls is wise." Prov. 11:30. "And they that be
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." wise [margin, teachers] shall shine as the brightness of the
Heb. 12:2. firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars
forever and ever." Dan. 12:3.
244
Chapter 153: The Poor, and Our Duty Toward Them
1. WHAT is God's attitude toward the poor? 8. What classes are we especially enjoined to help?
"He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and "Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge
him that hath no helper." Ps. 72:12. the fatherless, plead for the widow." Isa. 1:17.
2. For what purpose did Christ say God had anointed Him? 9. What is pure and undefiled religion declared to be?
"He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor." Luke "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is
4:18. this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to
keep himself unspotted from the world." James 1:27.
3. When did He say we could minister to the
poor? "Whensoever ye will ye may do them good." Mark 14:7. 10. What kind of fast is most acceptable to God?
"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? . . . Is it not to deal thy
4. What did Paul say regarding our duty to the poor? bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast
out to thy house?when thou seest the naked, that thou cover
"I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to
support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" Isa.
how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 58:6,7.
20:35.
11. What is promised those who do this work?
5. What promises are made to those who consider the poor? "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry
and He shall say, Here I am. . . . And if thou draw out thy soul to
"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him
in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise
alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and Thou wilt not in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday. And the Lord
deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and
him upon the bed of languishing: Thou wilt make all his bed in make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and
his sickness." Ps. 41:1-3. like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." Verses 9-11.
6. How does the Lord regard kindness shown to the poor? 12. How did the patriarch Job treat the poor?
"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that "I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I
which he hath given will He pay him again." Prov. 19:17. "For searched out." Job 29:16.
God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of
love, which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have 13. What did Christ tell the rich young man to do?
ministered to the saints, and do minister." Heb. 6:10. "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou
hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
7. What fate awaits those who turn a deaf ear to the poor? heaven: and come and follow Me." Matt. 19:21.
"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry
himself, but shall not be heard." Prov. 21:13. NOTE.-From Matt. 25:31-45 we learn that Christ identifies
Himself with needy, suffering humanity; and that any neglect
shown them He regards as done unto Himself.
245
Chapter 154: Christian Help Work
1. WHAT was the character of Christ's work among men? 15. When Christ sent out the seventy, what did He tell them
"Who went about doing good." Acts 10:38. to do in the cities whither they went?
"And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The
2. What will His true followers do? kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." Verse 9.
even as He walked." 1 John 2:6. 16. Amidst poverty, suffering, and distress, what kind of
workers does God wish to see?
3. In ministering to the needy, whom are we really serving? "But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of
them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison-houses: they are
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My
brethren,ye have done it unto Me." Matt. 25:40. for a prey, NONE DELIVERETH: for a spoil, and none saith,
RESTORE. Who among you will give ear to this?" Isa. 42:22,23.
4. How long will there be poor in the world?

17. What is our duty toward the outcast and wandering?
"Ye have the poor always with you." Matt. 26:11.
"Hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth. Let Mine
outcastsdwell with thee." Isa. 16:3,4.
5. What relation do all sustain to God?
"The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them
18. What incentive have Christians for doing prison work?
all."Prov. 22:2.
"I was in prison, and ye came unto Me." Matt. 25:36.
6. What is one good evidence of genuine repentance?

"Break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities 19. Who notes the groans of the prisoner?
"From heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the
by showing mercy to the poor." Dan. 4:27.
groaning of the prisoner." Ps. 102:19,20.
7. What is one evidence that one has a knowledge of God?

"He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well 20. What work constitutes the fast most acceptable to God?
"Is not this the fast that I have ordained, to untie the knots of
with him: was not this to know Me? saith the Lord." Jer. 22:16.
wickedness; to relax the burden of the yoke; and rescue those
who are oppressed by violence: and that ye withdraw every
8. What classes are subjects for Christian help work? yoke? Is it not to part thy bread with the famished, and to bring
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, the vagrant poor into thy house? when thou seest the naked, that
To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep thou clothe him? " Isa. 58:6,7, Spurrell's Version.
himself unspotted from the world." James 1:27.
21. What promises are made to those who thus minister to
9. Is it our duty always to give what is expected or asked? the wants and distresses of others?
"Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as 1 "If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted
have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as
and walk." Acts 3:6. See 2 Cor. 12:8. the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and
satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou
10. What is sometimes of greater value even than money to shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose
discouraged souls? waters fail not." Verses 10,11.
"I smiled on them when they had no confidence." Job 29:24,
margin R. V.
11. What divine law of retroaction attends giving? SOMEBODY near you is struggling alone
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed Over life's desert sand;
down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give Faith, hope, and courage together are gone:
into your bosom. Forwith the same measure that ye mete withal Reach him a helping hand,
it shall be measured to you again." Luke 6:38. See Ps. 18:25,26; Turn on his darkness a beam of your light;
109:17; Gal. 6:7. Kindle to guide him, a beacon-fire bright;
Cheer his discouragement; soothe his affright;
12. What is promised those who give to the poor? Lovingly help him to stand.
"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that
which he hath given will He pay him again." Prov. 19:17. "He that Somebody near you is hungry and cold;
giveth unto the poor shall not lack." Prov. 28:27. Send him some aid today.
Somebody near you is feeble and old,
13. How did Job learn of the needs of the poor? Left without human stay:
"The cause of. him that I knew not I searched out." Job 29:16, R. Under his burdens put hands kind and strong;
V. "I used to investigate." Jewish Version. Speak to him tenderly, sing him a song;
Haste to do something to help him along
Over his weary way.
14. What parable illustrates practical Christian help work? MRS. E. E. WILLIAMS.
The parable of the good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-37.
246
Chapter 155: Visiting the Sick
1. FOR what will Christ finally commend the righteous?

"I was sick, and ye visited Me." Matt. 25:36.
2. Why, in His earthly ministry, did Christ heal the sick?

"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." Matt. 8:17.
3. With what is Christ touched?

"With the feeling of our infirmities." Heb. 4:15.
4. What relief did He bring to Peter's household?

"And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And He touched her hand, and the fever
left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them." Matt. 8:14,15.
5. What example did He leave us?

"Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him." Acts 10:38. "As He is, so are we in
this world." 1 John 4:17.
6. What should we not forget in our ministry for the sick?

"Pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16.
247
Chapter 156: Healing the Sick
1. WHAT does the Lord declare Himself to be? "Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them
"I am the Lord that healeth thee." Ex. 15:26. "Who power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And He
forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." Ps. sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the
103:3. sick." Luke 9:1,2. See Matt. 10:1,7,8; Luke 10:1,9.
2. What was promised Israel on condition of obedience? 12. What notable miracle was performed by the apostles
"Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, . . . and the Lord shortly after the day of Pentecost?
will take away from thee all sickness." Deut. 7:11-15. "Then Peter said [to the lame man], Silver and gold have I none;
but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of
3. When through disobedience Jeroboam's hand was Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand,
withered, by what means was it restored? and lifted him up: andimmediately his feet and ankle-bones
"And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Entreat received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and
now the face of the Lord thy God, and pray for me, that my hand entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and
may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the praising God." Acts 3: 6-8.
Lord, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became
as it was before." 1 Kings 13:6. 13. Among others, what gift has God set in the church?
"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily
4. When Miriam was stricken with leprosy, how was she prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of
healed? healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." 1 Cor.
"And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I 12:28.
beseech Thee." Num. 12:13.
14. In sickness, what is every child of God privileged to do?
5. What mistake did Asa make in his severe affliction? "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church;
"And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of
his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his the Lord." James 5:14.
disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians." 2
Chron. 16:12. 15. What assurance of blessing is given to those who ask
according to God's will?
6. How was a child restored to life by Elijah? "The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise
"And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven
unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray Thee, let this him." Verse 15.
child's soul come into him again. And the Lord heard the voice of
Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he
NOTE.-Physical healing may not always be for our good or to the
revived." 1 Kings 17:21,22.
glory of God. Hence we must be ready to pray with Jesus,
"Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done." Luke 22:42. Paul
7. How was Hezekiah's prayer for restoration from sickness
was denied the removal of infirmity, but the Lord assured him,
answered? "My grace is sufficient for thee." 2 Cor. 12:9. It is not a denial of
"Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard faith to make use of the simple remedial means that God has
thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days given, or those ordinary essentials upon which He makes life
fifteen years." Isa. 38:5. dependent, as proper food, pure air, rest, exercise, and sunshine.
8. What constituted a large part of Christ's ministry?
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner WE MAY not climb the heavenly steeps,
of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." Matt. To bring the Saviour down;
4:23. In vain we search the lowest deeps,
For Him no depths can drown.
9. In doing this, what prophecy was fulfilled?
"He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were But warm, sweet, tender, even yet
sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the A present help is He;
prophet, saying,Himself took our infirmities, and bare our And faith has yet its Olivet,
sicknesses." Matt. 8:16,17. And love, its Galilee.
NOTE.-The essence or the gospel is restoration, or healing of
body, soul, and spirit. See John 3:16. Luke 4:17-19; Acts 3:19- The healing of the seamless dress
21; Rom. 8:21-23; 1 Cor. 15:51-55. Is by our beds of pain;
We touch Him in life's throng and press,
10. In the case of the woman healed of an infirmity, what And we are whole again.
gave effect to her touch of Christ's garment?
"And He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith Through Him the first fond prayers are said
hath made thee whole; go in peace." Luke 8:48. Our lips of childhood frame;
The last low whispers of our dead
11. Before sending out the twelve, what power did Christ Are burdened with His name.
give them? JOHN G. WHITTIER.
248
Chapter 157: Prison Work
1. WHAT does Christ give us as one reason why He will bid the greatness of Thy power preserve Thou those that are
the righteous welcome into His kingdom? appointed to die."Ps. 79:11.
"I was in prison, and ye came unto Me." Matt. 25:36.
9. How does God regard His people who are in prison?
2. What is pure and undefiled religion declared to be? "For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not His
To visit those in affliction. James 1:27. prisoners." Ps. 69:33.
NOTE.-In 1909 there were 100,221 prisoners in 195 penal 10. Why has the devil been permitted to cast some of God's
institutions in the United States, or an average of 112 to each people into prison?
100,000. "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the
devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried. . . .
3. What does God see when He looks down from heaven? Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
Rev. 2:10. See Dan. 11:33-35.
"For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from
heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the
prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death." Ps. NOTE.-Dr. William Dodd (1729-77), an unfortunate English
102:19,20. divine, who, under stress of circumstances, became a heavy
forger, was imprisoned at Newgate for a time, and finally
4. For what purpose did God send His Son into the world? executed. Upon visiting him, John Wesley found "a penitent and
hopeful malefactor," and in his "Journal" says: " A real, deep
"To bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in
darkness out of the prison-house." Isa. 42:7. work of God seemed to be already begun in his soul. Perhaps by
driving him too fast, Satan has driven him to God, to that
repentance which shall never be repented of." Visiting him
5. For what work did Christ say He was anointed? shortly before his execution, Mr. Wesley is reported to have
"To preach the gospel to the poor; . . . to preach deliverance to replied to Mr. Dodd's apologies for receiving him in the
the captives, . . . to set at liberty them that are bruised." Luke condemned cell, "Courage, brother; perhaps God saw that
4:18. nothing else would do." See "Life of John Wesley," by Richard
Watson, page 207.
6. Why did the psalmist wish to be brought out of the
prison-house of sin? 11. How would God have us sympathize with those in bonds
"Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name." Ps. and adversity?
142:7. "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them;
and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the
7. Whose prison-house does Satan not open? body."Heb. 13:3.
"That made the world, as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities
thereof;that opened not the house [the grave] of his 12. What blessed invitation will Christ finally extend to those
prisoners." Isa. 14:17. who have ministered to the wants of the needy, and visited
the sick and those in prison?
8. For what does the psalmist pray? "Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye
"Let the sighing of the prisoner come before Thee; according to blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from
the foundation of the world." Matt. 25:34.
249
Chapter 158: Order and Organization
1. OF what is God the author? 9. What word came through the Spirit to the ministering
"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all prophets and teachers laboring at Antioch?
churches of the saints." 1 Cor. 14:33. See 1 Cor. 11:16. "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost
said,Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I
2. Why did Paul give instruction to Timothy concerning the have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and
duties and qualifications of bishops and deacons? laid their hands on them, they sent them away." Acts 13:2,3.
"These things write I unto thee, . . . that thou mayest
know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of 10. What is one of the gifts which God has set in the
God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground church?
[margin, stay] of the truth." I Tim. 3:14,15. "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily
prophets, thirdly teachers, after that . . . helps, governments." 1
3. How should everything pertaining to God's work be Cor. 12:28.
done?
"Let all things be done decently and in order." 1 Cor. 14:40. NOTE.-The word here rendered governments implies the work or
NOTE.-"Order is heaven's first law."- Milton. In the Scriptures office of "steering, piloting, directing."
Christians are likened to soldiers, and their work to that of a
warrior, or to a conqueror going forth to conquer. 2 Tim. 2:3,4; 1 11. For the direction of matters in each local church, what
Tim. 1:18; Rev. 6:2. As order, organization, direction, and instruction did the apostle Paul give to Titus?
discipline are necessary in an army, so are they also in the "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in
church. The weapons used and the object sought are different in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every
each case (Rom. 13:4; 2 Cor. 10:3.4); but the necessity for order city, as I had appointed thee." Titus 1:5.
and organization are the same in both.
12. What instruction did he give to the members of the
4. What is one prime essential of soldiers in an army? church as to their relationship to those thus appointed?
"All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect "Obey them that have the rule [margin, guide] over you, and
heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel." 1 Chron. submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that
12:38. must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with
grief." Heb. 13:17. See 1 Peter 5:5; Mark 10:42-45.
5. That the burden of judging and looking after the affairs of
Israel might not all rest on Moses, what instruction did 13. What instruction and caution are given to elders?
Jethro, his father-in-law, give him? "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an
"Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, elder, . . .Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the
such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place oversight thereof,not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy
such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of lucre, but of a ready mind;neither as being lords over God's
hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:1-3.
the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter
they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall NOTE.-For the qualifications and duties of elders, see 1 Tim. 3:1-3;
judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the Titus 1:6-9; Acts 20:28-31; and the scripture just quoted. How God
burden with thee." Ex. 18:21,22. regards rebellion against divinely appointed authority and leadership,
is illustrated in the expulsion of Satan and his angels from heaven,
6. How many apostles did Christ at first ordain to preach the and in the fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. See Rev. 12:7-9;
gospel? Numbers 16. The unity and harmony which should exist among
"And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that believers is described in John 13:34,35; 17:20-23; and Eph. 4:1-6.
The evil of place-seeking in the church is shown in Mark 10:35-45
He might send them forth to preach." Mark 3:14.
and Luke 14:7-11; and of ecclesiastical tyranny, in Dan. 7:25;
8:24,25; 2 Thess. 2:3,4; and John 16:2. The course to be pursued
7. How many did He later appoint to this work? toward offending members, and in cases where differences arise, is
"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and pointed out in Matt. 18:15-18; 5:23,24; Gal. 6:1; 1 Tim. 5:19,20; Titus
sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, 3:10,11; 1 Corinthians 5; and Acts 15. And the guide-book in all
whither He Himself would come." Luke 10:1. matters of both doctrine and discipline should be the Bible. Isa. 8:20;
2 Tim. 3:16,17; 4:1,2.
8. When the number of the disciples multiplied, what
instruction did the apostles give the believers, that none HAS someone seen Christ in you today?
might be neglected in the daily ministration of temporal Christian, look to your heart, I pray;
necessities? The little things you have done or said-
"Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of Did they accord with the way you prayed?
honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may Have your thoughts been pure and words been kind?
appoint over this business." Acts 6:3. Have you sought to have the Saviour's mind?
The world with a criticizing view
NOTE.-The men thus selected were known as deacons. The lesson Has watched; but did it see Christ in you?
to be learned from this is that leaders and people should unite in Has some one seen Christ in you today?
planning and providing for the necessary organization and officering Christian, look to your life, I pray;
of the church according to its growth and needs. This cooperation is There are aching hearts and blighted souls
again shown in the words of Paul, "Whomsoever ye shall approve by Being lost on sin's destructive shoals,
your letters, them will I send." 1 Cor. 16:3. See also Acts 15:22. And perhaps of Christ their only view
May be what they see of Him in you.
Will they see enough to bring hope and cheer?
Look to your light! does it shine out clear?
250
Chapter 159: Support of the Ministry
1. WHAT is one way in which we are commanded to honor NOTE.-It is thus evident that the duty of paying tithes was
God? recognized by the patriarchs as a religious obligation.
"Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all
thine increase." Prov. 3:9. 12. After what order was Christ made a high priest?
"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an
2. What part of one's income has the Lord especially high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec." Heb. 6:20.
claimed as His?
"And all the tithe [tenth] of the land, whether of the seed of the
land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the NOTE.-As Christ's priesthood succeeded the Aaronic or Levitical
Lord." Lev. 27:30. priesthood, which was supported by the tithes of Israel; and as
Christ was made a priest after the order of Melchisedec, who
3. For whose support and for what work was the tithe received tithes of the patriarchs before the Levitical priesthood
devoted in Israel? was ordained, it is but logical and natural to conclude that the
"Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for ministry under Christ's priesthood should be supported by the
an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the same means as were both of these priest-hoods,- the tithes of
service of the tabernacle of the congregation." Num. 18:21. God's people.
4. In what language does Paul approve of the same method 13. Did Christ Himself approve of tithe-paying?
of support for the gospel ministry? "Ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted
"If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and
shall reap your carnal things? . . . Do ye not know that they faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other
which minister about holy things 1ive of the things of the temple? undone." Matt. 23:23.
and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the
altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the
gospel should live of the gospel." 1 Cor. 9:11-14. 14. Of what is one guilty who withholds the tithe and free-
will offerings?
5. Upon what fundamental basis does the requirement of "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say,
tithe-paying rest? Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings." Mal. 3:8.
"The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and
they that dwell therein." Ps. 24:1. 15. Concerning what does the Lord ask us to prove Him, and
upon what conditions does He promise great blessings?
6. Who owns all the gold and silver in the world? "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be
"The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord of hosts." meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord
Haggai 2:8. of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour
you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to
7. Who owns all the cattle and fowls of the earth? receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he
"For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine
thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts."
beasts of the field are Mine." Ps. 50:10,11. Verses 10,11.
8. Who gives man power to get wealth?

"But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that
giveth thee power to get wealth." Deut. 8:18.
MY GRACIOUS Lord, I own Thy right
To every service I can pay,
9. What statement of Christ shows that man is not an And call it my supreme delight
original owner, but a steward of God's goods? To hear Thy dictates, and obey.
"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into afar
country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them
his goods." Matt. 25:14. See 1 Cor. 4:7. What is my being, but for Thee,-
Its sure support, its noblest end?
'Tis my delight Thy face to see,
10. How early in the history of the world do we read of tithe- And serve the cause of such a Friend.
paying?
"For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God,
who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and I would not sigh for worldly joy,
blessed him; to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of Or to increase my worldly good;
all." Heb. 7:1,2. See Gen. 14:17-20. Nor future days or powers employ
To spread a sounding name abroad.
11. What vow did Jacob make at Bethel?

"And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will 'Tis to my Saviour I would live-
keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and To Him who for my ransom died;
raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in Nor could all worldly honor give
peace; then shall the Lord be my God: . . . and of all that Thou Such bliss as crowns me at His side.
shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee." Gen. 28:20- PHILIP DODDRIDGE.
22.
251
Chapter 160: Free-Will Offerings
1. By what has God ordained that His work be sustained? required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou
"Tithes and offerings." Mal. 3:8. hast provided?" Verse 20.
2. How are we told to come into His courts? 10. What application does Christ make of this parable?
"Bring an offering, and come into His courts." Ps. 96:8. "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich
toward God." Verse 21. See 1 Tim. 6:7.
NOTE.-Various offerings are mentioned in the Bible, such as
thank-offerings, peace-offerings, sin-offerings, and trespass- 11. By what means can men lay up treasure in heaven?
offerings. "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which
wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no
3. In celebrating the three annual feasts, what instruction thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth." Luke 12:33. See 1
did God give to His people anciently? Tim. 6:7.
"Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto Me in the
year. . . . And none shall appear before Me empty." Ex. 23:14,15. 12. What charge was Timothy instructed to give the rich?
"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-
4. With what spirit would God have us give? minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be
give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to
giver." 2 Cor. 9:7. communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good
foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on
eternal life." 1 Tim. 6:17-19.
5. On what condition did Paul say he would have a reward?
"If I do this thing willingly, I have a reward." 1 Cor. 9:17.
13. How does God regard such a course?
"But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such
6. What has Christ said regarding giving? sacrifices God is well pleased." Heb. 13:16.
"It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35.
14. According to what rule should one give?
7. How does God regard the covetous man? "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of
"The wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the the Lord thy God which He hath given thee." Deut. 16:17
covetous,whom the Lord abhorreth." Ps. 10:3. See Ex. 18:21.
15. Upon what basis are gifts acceptable to God?
8. What warning did Christ give against covetousness? "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to
"Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." 2 Cor.
consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he 8:12.
possesseth." Luke 12:15.
16. What indicates where our hearts are?
9. How, in the parable, did God regard the selfish rich man? "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke
"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be 12:34.
252
Chapter 161: Hospitality
1. WHAT do the Scriptures say concerning hospitality?

"Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:9,10. "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; . . . distributing to the
necessity of saints; given to hospitality." Rom. 12:10-13.
2. Is a mere expression of good wishes sufficient?

"If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;
notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?" James 2:15,16.
3. When should we exercise hospitality?

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Gal. 6:10.
4. What encouragement is given to entertain strangers?

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Heb. 13:2. See Gen.18:1-8; 19:1-3.
5. What blessings are promised those who do such work?

"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." Prov. 11:25. I Kings 17:8-16.
253
Chapter 162: Who is the Greatest?
1. AT the last Passover, what did Christ say to His

disciples? 9. What answer did Jesus make?
"And he said unto them, With desire have I desired to eat this "Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not
Passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." Verse 7.
any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God."
Luke 22:15,16. 10. How did Peter feel about the Saviour's washing his feet?
"Peter saith unto Him, Thou shalt never wash my feet." Verse 8.
2. Concerning what had there been a strife among the
disciples? 11. What was the Master's reply to Peter?
"And there was also a strife among them, which of them "Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with
should be accounted the greatest." Verse 24. Me."Same verse.
3. How did Christ rebuke this spirit? NOTE.-This ordinance is a type of a higher cleansing,- the
"And He said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise cleansing of the heart from the stain of sin. It is a rebuke to all
lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them selfishness and seeking of place and preferment among Christ's
are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is professed followers, and a witness to the fact that, in God's sight,
greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is it is true humility and loving service which constitute real
chief, as he that doth serve." Verses 25,26. See Mark 10:42-45. greatness.
4. What did the Saviour say of His own position? 12. Learning that union with Christ depended on this service,
"For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that what did Peter say?
serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he "Simon Peter saith unto Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my
that serveth." Verse 27. hands and my head." Verse 9. See verse 10.
5. Notwithstanding that He was their Lord and Master, what 13. After having washed their feet, what did Christ say?
example of humility and willing service did Christ give? "I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done
"He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments. and took a to you." Verse 15.
towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a
basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them 14. What did He say about their washing one another's
with the towel wherewith He was girded." John 13:4,5. feet?
"Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I
6. What was the custom anciently respecting feet-washing? then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also
"Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your ought to wash one another's feet." Verses 13,14.
feet." "And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into
your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your 15. What did Christ say would be their experience in
feet." "And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, obeying His instruction?
and gave them water, and they washed their feet." Gen. 18:4; "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." Verse 17.
19:2; 43:24. See also Judges 19:21; 2 Sam. 11:8. 16. How does Christ regard an act performed toward the
humblest of His disciples?
7. How did Christ reprove Simon for misjudging Him in "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My
permitting a woman who was a sinner to wash His feet? brethren,ye have done it unto Me." Matt. 25:40.
"And He turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou
this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest Me no water
NOTE.-The great lesson intended to be taught by the instituting
for My feet:but she hath washed My feet with tears, and wiped of this ordinance evidently was such humility as would lead to
them with the hairs of her head." Luke 7:44.
willing service for others. The ordinance itself has been practiced
by many of the most devout followers of Christ during the
NOTES.-From the scriptures just cited, it appears that the usual Christian era, and is still observed by some. Kitto, in his
custom in Christ's time was for the guests to wash their own Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, says it became "a part of the
feet. observances of the early Christian church," and that "traces of
"As sandals were ineffectual against the dust and heat of an the practice abound in ecclesiastical history." The Waldenses
Eastern climate, washing the feet on entering a house was an held it as an ordinance of the church (see their "Confession of
act both of respect to the company and of refreshment to the Faith," page 12); and according to the Cyclopedia of Biblical
traveler:"- Complete Dictionary of the Bible, by Smith and Literature (Vol. III, page 616), "the Church of England at first
Barnum, article "Washing the Hands and Feet."
carried out the letter of the command." It is a great test of
At a feast it was an Oriental custom for servants or slaves to character, and its observance tends to unite hearts in Christian
wash the feet of guests. See 1 Sam. 25:40,41. It was not the
fellowship and love.
custom, however, of equals to wash the feet ofequals, much less
for superiors to wash the feet of inferiors. But this is the very
thing that Christ did when He washed the disciples' feet, and
instituted the ordinance of feet-washing. In this lies the lesson of
humility and willingness to serve which He designed to teach. I WILL never, never leave thee,
I will never thee forsake;
8. What question did Peter ask concerning this proffered I will guide, and save, and keep thee,
service? For My name and mercy's sake:
"Then cometh He to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Fear no evil,
Him, Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?" John 13:6. Only all My counsel take.
254
Section 15: Admonitions and Warnings
Chapter 163: Pride
1. HOW does the Lord regard pride?

"Six things doth1he Lord hate: . . . a proud look," etc. Prov. 6:16-19.
2. Of what is pride a forerunner?

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Prov. 16:18. See Prov. 29:23.
3. What was the cause of Satan's downfall?

"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty." Eze. 28:17.
4. What is God's attitude toward the proud?

"God resisteth the proud." James 4:6. See Ps. 40:4; 101:5; 138:6; 1 Tim. 6:4.
5. Why should we not indulge in pride?

"An high look, and a proud heart, . . . is sin." Prov. 21:4.
6. What is to be one of the sins of the last days?

"Men shall be . . . proud." 2 Tim. 3:2.
7. How are the proud now generally regarded?

"Now we call the proud happy." Mal. 3:15.
8. What is to be the fate of the proud?

"All the proud . . . shall be stubble: and the day that
cometh shall burn them up." Mal. 4:1.
255
Chapter 164: Selfishness
1. WHAT great commandment excludes selfishness?

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Matt. 22:39.
2. What sin is forbidden by the tenth commandment? "Thou shalt not covet." Ex. 20:17.
3. What sins are to characterize the last days?

"Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous." 2 Tim. 3:2.
4. How prevalent is this sin of self-seeking?

"For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's." Phil. 2:21.
5. What does charity not do?

"Charity . . . seeketh not her own." 1 Cor. 13:4,5.
6. How are we admonished with regard to selfishness?

"Let no man seek his own." 1 Cor. 10:24. "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Phil. 2:4.
"Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." 1 Cor. 10:33. "Let
everyone of us please his neighbor for his good to edification." Rom. 15:2.
7. What example of unselfishness did Christ leave us?

"For your sakes He became poor." 2 Cor. 8:9. "Even Christ pleased not Himself." Rom. 15:3. See 1 John 3:17.
256
Chapter 165: Covetousness
1. WHAT warning did Christ give concerning covetousness? and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold, . . . I
"And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of coveted them, and took them." Joshua 7:21.
covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of
the things which he possesseth." Luke 12:15. 13. What did covetousness lead Judas to do?
"And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief
2. What commandment forbids this sin? priests, to betray Him unto them. And when they heard it, they
"Thou shalt not covet." Ex. 20:17. were glad, andpromised to give him money. And he sought how
he might convenientlybetray Him." Mark 14:10,11.
Covetous: "Inordinately desirous; excessively eager to obtain
and possess (especially money); avaricious."- Webster. 14. Why are the last days to be perilous?
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
3. What showed this principle to have been strong in the For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers." 2 Tim. 3:1,2.
rich man who already had abundance?
"And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build
greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I 15. What parable did Christ give to correct the false idea of
will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many the Pharisees that wealth was a sign of special favor with
years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." Luke 12:18,19. God?
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Luke 16: 19-31.
4. What did God say to him?
"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be 16. What did He point out as one of the dangers of the
required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou possession of wealth?
hast provided?"Verse 20. "And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His
disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the
5. What application of this parable did the Saviour make? kingdom of God! . . . Jesus answereth again, and saith unto
"So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter
toward God." Verse 21. into the kingdom of God!" Mark 10:23,24.
6. What does Paul call covetousness? NOTE.-And how hard it is for those who have riches not to trust
"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; in them!
fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence,
and covetousness, which is idolatry." Col. 3:5. 17. As a rule, what class generally accept the gospel?
"Harken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of
NOTE.-"Do not wade far out into the dangerous sea of this this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath
world's comfort. Take the good that God provides you, but say of promised to them that love Him?" James 2:5.
it, 'It passeth away;' for indeed it is but a temporary supply for a
temporary need. Never suffer your goods to become your god."- 18. How difficult did Christ say it is for a rich man to enter
Spurgeon. the kingdom of God?
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than
7. What do these sins bring upon mankind? for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." Mark 10:25.
"For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children
of disobedience." Verse 6. NOTE.-If Christ here referred to a small, low gate in the walls of
Jerusalem, called "The Needle's Eye," as is thought by some,
8. What double service did Christ say is impossible? the force of the statement still remains; for, before a camel could
"Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Luke 16:13. pass through this gate, it was necessary that he should be
relieved of his burden, and get down on his knees and creep
through.
9. Of what sin were the Pharisees guilty?
"And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these
things: and they derided Him." Verse 14. 19. Why was the rich young man desiring salvation,
unwilling to sell what he had and give alms, as Christ told
him to do?
10. What reply did Christ make? "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away
"And He said unto them, Ye, are they which justify yourselves sorrowful: for he had great possessions." Matt. 19:16.
before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is
highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of
God." Verse 15. 20. What is the love of money declared to be?
"For the love of money is the root of all evil." 1 Tim. 6:10.
11. How does the Lord regard the covetous?

"For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the 21. What evils befall those who are determined to be rich?
covetous,whom the Lord abhorreth." Ps. 10:3. "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and
into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in
destruction and perdition." Verse 9.
12. What did this sin lead Achan to do?
"When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment,
257
22. Who gives man the power to get wealth? your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for
"But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped
giveth thee power to get wealth." Deut. 8:18. down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and
the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of
23. How may all, rich and poor, honor God? the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and
"Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of
thine increase." Prov. 3:9. slaughter." James 5:1-5.
24. What caution is given concerning riches? 32. Will silver or gold be able to deliver in the day of wrath?
"If riches increase, set not your heart upon them." Ps. 62:10. "Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in
the day of the Lord's wrath." Zeph. 1:18. See also Prov. 11:4.
25. Can riches be retained to men's hurt?

"There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, 33. What will the rich men do with their money then?
namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt." Eccl. "They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be
5:13. removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver
them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy
their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling-
26. What charge is given to the rich? block of their iniquity." Eze. 7:19.
"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-
minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who
giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they NOTES.-When the steamer "Central America," with nearly six
be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to hundred passengers aboard, was wrecked off Cape Hatteras,
Sept. 12, 1857, in a fearful storm, many of the passengers who
communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good
foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on were returning miners from the gold-mines of California, divested
themselves of their treasure belts and scattered the gold upon
eternal life." 1 Tim. 6:17-19.
the cabin floors, telling those to take it who would, lest its weight
about their persons should carry them to their death. "Full purses,
27. What makes rich without adding sorrow? containing in some instances thousands of dollars, lay around
"The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no untouched. Carpetbags were opened, and the shining metal was
sorrow with it." Prov. 10:22. poured out on the floor with the prodigality of death's despair.
One of the passengers opened a bag and dashed about the
28. How are true riches obtained? cabin twenty thousand dollars in gold-dust, and told him who
"By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and wanted to gratify his greed for gold to take it. But it was passed
life." Prov. 22:4: by untouched, as the veriest dross."-"Our first Century," pages
642,643.
When the steamship "Arctic" was lost from a collision in mid-
29. How did Moses esteem the reproach of Christ? ocean, Sept. 20, 1854, one passenger offered thirty thousand
"Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the pounds sterling, or one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, if the
treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of life-boats would put back to save him. They turned to do so, but
the reward." Heb. 11:26. he sank before they reached him.- Id., page 614.
30. What two classes of rich men are mentioned in the 34. As stewards of God's gifts, what are we told to do?
Bible? "And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon
"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into
maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." Prov. 13:7. everlasting habitations." Luke 16:9. "As every man hath received
the gift,even so minister the same one to another, as good
NOTE.-In Luke 12:16-20 is an example of the first class; in Acts stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10.
4:34-37 are examples of the second.
31. What solemn warning is addressed to the rich who, in

the last days, have heaped up treasure, and oppressed the IS NOT the way to heavenly gain
poor? Through earthly grief and loss?
"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that Rest must be won by toil and pain;
shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your The crown repays the cross.
garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; HENRY F. LYTE.
and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat
258
Chapter 166: Debts
1. WHAT general rule is laid down in the Bible respecting 12. When King Jehoash wished to repair the temple, what
the meeting of obligations? provision did he make for raising the necessary means?
"Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; "And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the
custom to whom custom. . . . Owe no man anything, but to love dedicated things that is brought into the house of the Lord, . . .
one another." Rom. 13:7,8. and all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into
the house of the Lord, let the priests take it to them, every man
2. In what condition is one who borrows? of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the
"The borrower is servant to the lender." Prov. 22:7. house, wheresoever any breach shall be found." 2 Kings 12:4,5.
3. To what extent is one responsible for that borrowed? 13. When, after sixteen years, it was found that these repairs
"And if a man borrow aught of his neighbor, and it be hurt, or had not yet been made, what was done?
die, . . . he shall surely make it good." Ex. 22:14.
"Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it,
and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into
4. Why did the young man in Elisha's time feel so bad about
the house of the Lord: and the priests that kept the door put
the loss of an ax head? therein all the money that was brought into the house of the
"But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water:
Lord." Verse 9.
and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed." 2
Kings 6:5.
14. What was done with the money thus raised?
5. What miracle was wrought by Elisha for its restoration? "They gave the money . . . into the hands of them that did the
"And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did work, . . . and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that
swim."Verse 6. wrought upon the house of the Lord." Verse 11.
NOTE.-From this we may learn God's willingness to help those NOTES.-These examples furnish good lessons on financing
who honestly seek to meet their obligations. gospel enterprises. In each instance, it will be noticed, the
means were provided before the work of building was begun. No
6. How does the good man guide his affairs? debt, therefore, was created. In all business transactions this
"A good man showeth favor, and lendeth: he will guide his plan is an excellent one to follow.
affairs with discretion." Ps. 112:5. "Debt! There is no worse demoralizer of character. The sad
records of defaulting, embezzling, and dishonest failure which
7. To what should those listen who lack business we meet with so constantly in the daily press are often, indeed
discretion? most frequently, the result of the demoralization of debt, and the
"Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but consequent desperate efforts of extraction. The financial props
he that regardeth reproof shall be honored." Prov. 13:18. have given way. . . . Debt ruins as many households and
destroys as many fine characters as rum; it is the devil's
NOTE.-It is wise for those who, from lack of natural business mortgage on the soul, and he is always ready to foreclose. Pay
ability find themselves constantly running into debt, to seek all your bills. Look every man in the face, conscious that you owe
advice and counsel from those endowed with more wisdom in the world no more than it owes you. Be indebted for nothing but
such matters. love, and even that be sure you pay in kind, and that payments
are frequent."- Talmage.
"This running into debt is a great cause of dishonesty. . . . Young
8. Which of Christ's parables teaches business discretion? men are growing quite shameless about being in debt; and the
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down
immorality extends throughout society. Tastes are becoming
first, andcounteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish more extravagant and luxurious, without the corresponding
it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to
increase of means to enable them to be gratified. But they are
finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man gratified nevertheless; and debts are incurred, which afterwards
began to build, and was not able to finish." Luke 14:28-30. weigh like a millstone round the neck. . . . The safest plan is to
run up no bills, and never get into debt; and the next is if one
9. How were means provided for building the tabernacle? does get into debt, to get out of it again as quickly as possible. A
"And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of man in debt is not his own master: he is at the mercy of the
Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded, tradesman he employs. . . . No man can be free who is in debt.
saying, Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: The inevitable effect of debt is not only to injure personal
whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the independence, but, in the long run, to inflict moral degradation.
Lord; gold, and silver, and brass," etc. Ex. 35:4-9. The debtor is exposed to constant humiliations."- "Thrift," by
Samuel Smiles, pages 243-247.
10. What provision did David make for building the temple? The following testimony on this subject is borne by a Chicago
"I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God." 1 lady, who had been happily wedded for fifty years. "I know why
John and I have been happy during these fifty years. In the first
Chron. 29:2.
place, we have made it a rule never to go in debt. I have lived in
Chicago sixty-eight years, and never during that time have I
11. How did the people respond to his call for owed a person a cent. . . . I believe a good deal of unhappiness
contributions? is caused by spending more than you make. It has been our
"Then the chief of the fathers and princes . . . offered willingly. . . . policy to buy what we could well afford to have, and then stop."-
Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because Chicago Tribune, Aug. 24, 1902.
with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the
king also rejoiced with great joy." Verses 6-9.
259
Chapter 167: Respect of Persons
1. OF what has God made all nations? 7. By what illustration is this sin made plain?
"And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto
appointed, and the bounds of their habitation." Acts 17:26. your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and
there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have
2. To how many is God good? respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him,
"The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou
works." Ps. 145:9. there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not then partial in
yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?" James
2:1-4.
3. Is God a respecter of persons?
"Neither doth God respect any person." 2 Sam. 14:14.
8. What led to the appointment of deacons in the early
Christian church?
4. Who is accepted with God? "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was
"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive multiplied,there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the
that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily
feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with ministration." Acts 6:1.
Him." Acts 10:34,35.
9. What mistake did Peter and others make some years later
5. What prohibitions are given in the Scriptures against in their conduct?
having respect of persons? "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the
"Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain
the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they
man." Deut. 1:17. " Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them
thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled
person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried
neighbor." Lev. 10:15. "Blessed is that man that . . . respecteth away with their dissimulation." Gal. 2:11-13.
not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies."Ps. 40:4.
10. How are all national, unholy, and unjust distinctions
6. Of what are those guilty who respect persons? among men swept away in Christ?
"If ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put
of the law as transgressors." James 2:9. "He that despiseth his on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond
neighborsinneth." Prov. 14:21. nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in
Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:27,28. See also Col. 3:11.
260
Chapter 168: Backsliding
1. How does God regard backsliding? selves.Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in
"Thy backslidings shall reprove thee: . . . it is an evil thing and you, except ye be reprobates?" 2 Cor. 13:5.
bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that My fear
is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts." Jer. 2:1:9. "If any 11. If one has God's law in the heart, what will not occur?
man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him." Heb.
"The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall
10:38. slide." Ps. 37:31.
2. What has ever bee the tendency of God's people? 12. What is one characteristic of backsliding?
"My people are bent to backsliding from Me." Hosea 11:7.
"Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine
ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will
3. What inevitably leads to departure from God? return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart. of shall we return?" Mal. 3:7.
unbelief, in departing from the living God." Heb. 3:12.
13. In response, what neglected ordinance does God cite?
NOTE.-Unbelief is "the sin which doth so easily beset us." Heb. "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say,
12:1. Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings." Verse 8.
4. In what ways did the constant backsliding of the people of 14. What remedy is indicated?
Jerusalem manifest itself? "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be
"Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord
perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour
return. I harkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to
repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I receive it." Verse 10.
done? everyone turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into
the battle." Jer. 8:5,6. 15. Because of Christ's plain teachings, what did some of
His disciples do?
5. To what is backsliding likened? "From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no
"Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so more with Him." John 6:66.
have ye dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel, saith the
Lord." Jer. 3:20. 16. When the backslider repents, what does God do?
"Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto Him, Take
6. To regain God's favor, what must the backslider do? away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the
"Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed calves of our lips. . . . I will heal their backsliding, I will love them
against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him." Hosea 14:2-4.
strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed My
voice, saith the Lord." Verse 13. 17. Will there be special danger of backsliding in the last
days?
7. On what condition does God promise mercy to sinners? "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his cold." Matt. 24:12.
thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have
mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." 18. What are some of the evils against which we are
Isa. 55:7. specially warned at this time?
"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be
8. Why must the wicked forsake their thoughts and ways? overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways life, and so that day come upon you unawares." Luke 21:34.
My ways, saith the Lord." Verse 8.
19. In view of the perils surrounding us, what are we told to
NOTE.-God desires that we shall think His thoughts, which are do?
right thoughts, pure thoughts, everlasting thoughts. He desires "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted
also that we shall take on His ways, which are ways of worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to
pleasantness, and walk in His paths, which are paths of peace. stand before the Son of man." Verse 36.
9. What is especially necessary to prevent backsliding?

"Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly
is ready, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:38.
O FOR a closer walk with God!
A calm and heavenly frame,
10. What are believers exhorted to do? A light to shine upon the road
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own That leads me to the Lamb.
WILLIAM COWPER.
261
Chapter 169: Unbelief
1. WHAT warning is given in the Bible concerning unbelief? cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the
unbelief, in departing from the living God." Heb. 3:12. race that is set before us." Heb. 12:1.
2. Without faith, what is impossible?

NOTE.-The "every weight" here spoken of includes those traits
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him." Heb. 11:6. of character and habits of life that retard or hinder our running
successfully the Christian race. These are to be laid aside. But
3. How only can we be justified? there is one thing referred to here that is more than a weight; it is
"Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our a sin,and one that easily besets us all,- the sin of unbelief. To be
Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1. unbelieving, therefore, is sinful.
4. By what do the just live?
"Now the just shall live by faith." Heb. 10:38. 13. Why did many fail to enter into God's rest anciently?
"And to whom sware He that they should not enter into His rest,
NOTE.-If men are justified by faith, and are to live by faith, it but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not
follows that to be unbelieving is not to be justified, and enter in because of unbelief." Heb. 3:18,19.
consequently not to live in the sense here referred to.
14. How are these unbelieving ones spoken of?
5. In whom does the Lord have no pleasure? "But with whom was He grieved forty years? was it not with them
"But if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?" Verse
him." Same verse. 17.
6. What kind of report did the ten spies bring back
concerning the promised land? 15. What lesson should we learn from their course?
"They brought up an evil report of the land which they had "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering
searched." Num. 13:32. into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." Heb.
4:1.
7. What did Caleb say of the ability of Israel to take it?
"Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to NOTE.-God does not change. If He was grieved at the unbelief
overcome it." Verse 30. of the Israelites, and refused them admittance to Canaan in
consequence, He cannot permit us to enter the heavenly rest as
8. What did the ten spies say? long as we indulge in unbelief.
"But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up
against the people; for they are stronger than we." Verse 31.
16. What should all labor to do?
"Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall
9. Why did not Israel attain to the standard of after the same example of unbelief." Verse 11.
righteousness?
"But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath
not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because 17. Against what are we warned when rebuked of God?
they sought it not by faith." Rom. 9:31,32. "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint
when thou art rebuked of Him." Heb. 12:5.
10. When told of the disciples' failure to heal an afflicted son,

what did Christ say of that generation? 18. Whom does the Lord chasten?
"He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long "For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every
shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto son whom He receiveth." Verse 6.
Me." Mark 9:19.
19. When God made a promise to Abraham that seemed
11. What did Christ say to Thomas because he did not impossible of fulfillment, how did the patriarch receive it?
believe the testimony of his brethren concerning His "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but
resurrection? was strong in faith, giving glory to God." Rom. 4:20.
"Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither
thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but 20. For what was Abraham's faith counted?
believing."John 20:27. "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was
counted unto him for righteousness." Verse 3.
NOTE.-The Lord rebuked Thomas for his unbelief, because he
would not accept the testimony of so many credible witnesses 21. When troubled with doubts, how should we pray? "Lord, I
who had seen Him. How much more reprehensible is that believe; help Thou mine unbelief." Mark 9:24.
unbelief which holds out against the present "cloud of witnesses"
of prophecy fulfilled and fulfilling!
22. What is promised those who believe when they pray?
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when
12. After speaking of the numerous examples of faith ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have
presented in Hebrews 11, what does Paul exhort us to do? them." Mark 11:24.
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a
262
Chapter 170: Judging
1. WHAT warning does Christ give concerning judging? "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
"Judge not, that ye be not judged." Matt. 7:1. restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself,
lest thou also be tempted." Gal. 6:1.
2. What is Satan called in the Scriptures?
"The accuser of our brethren . . . which accused them 13. Of what are those generally guilty who judge others?
before our God day and night." Rev. 12:10. "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that
judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest
NOTE.-Then when we judge, accuse, and condemn one another, thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." Rom. 2:1.
we are doing the work of Satan.
14. Whom are we not likely to judge and condemn?
"For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." 1
3. If we bite and devour one another, what may we expect?
"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not Cor. 11:31.
consumed one of another." Gal. 5:15.
15. What instruction does James give regarding judging?
"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of
4. Before attempting to judge, criticize, or correct others,
what should we first do? his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and
judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but
considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt the law, but a judge." James 4:11. See Titus 3:2.
thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye:
and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first 16. Why is it safer not to judge and condemn others? "Judge
cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not
clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." Matt. 7:3-5. be condemned." Luke 6:37. "For with what judgment ye judge,
ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be
5. What did Christ say He did not come to do? measured to you again." Matt. 7:2. See Ps. 18:25,26.
"If any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him
not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." "For 17. To what time are we exhorted to defer judgment?
God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord
that the world through Him might be saved." John 12:47; 3:17. come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness,
and will make manifest the counsels of the heart." 1 Cor. 4:5.
6. What question does Paul ask concerning judging?
"Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own
master he standeth or falleth." Rom. 14:4.
"JUDGE NOT;" the workings of his brain
7. To whom are all to give account? And of his heart thou canst not see.
"So then everyone of us shall give account of himself to What looks to thy dim eyes a stain,
God." Verse 12. In God's pure Bight may only be
A scar, brought from some well-won field
8. What exhortation, therefore, does the apostle give? Where thou wouldst only faint and yield.
"Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this
rather, that no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in The look, the air, that frets thy sight,
his brother's way." Verse 13. May be a token that, below,
The soul has closed in deadly fight
9. Instead of railing on His enemies, what did Christ do? With some infernal, fiery foe
"Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, Whose glance would scorch thy smiling grace,
He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth And cast thee shuddering on thy face.
righteously."1 Peter 2:23.
The fall thou darest to despise-
10. Wherein do man's judging and God's judging differ? Perhaps the angel's slackened hand
"For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the Has suffered it, that he may rise
outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1 Sam. And take a firmer, surer stand;
16:7. "Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God Or, trusting less to earthly things,
May henceforth learn to use his wings.
knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among
men is abomination in the sight of God." Luke 16:15.
And judge none lost, but wait and see,
11. How does Christ tell us to judge? With hopeful pity, not disdain;
The depth of that abyss may be
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous
judgment."John 7:24. The measure of the height of pain,
And love, and glory, that may raise
The soul to God in after-days.
12. How, by whom, and in what spirit should those having ADELAIDE A. PROCTER.
committed faults be dealt with?
263
Chapter 171: Gossiping and Backbiting
1. WHAT does the ninth commandment forbid?

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."
14. To whom is the promise made of abiding in the
Ex. 20:16.
tabernacle of the Lord, and dwelling in His holy hill?
"He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and
NOTE.-The evident object of this commandment is to guard the
speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his
rights, interests, and reputation of our neighbor, by guarding our tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach
conversation, and confining our words to that which is strictly against his neighbor." Ps. 15:2,3.
true.
2. What instruction did John the Baptist give the soldiers NOTE.-"Never carry a sword in your tongue to wound the
who asked of him advice regarding the way of life? reputation of any man," says Kirkle. Noah Webster laid down this
"And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse rule: "We should say nothing of a person in his absence that we
any falsely; and be content with your wages." Luke 3:14. should be unwilling to say if he were present." How few govern
their conversation according to this rule! See Prov. 31:10,26.
3. What is one test of a perfect man?
"If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and 15. What caution is given in regard to receiving an
able also to bridle the whole body." James 3:2. accusation against an elder?
"Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or
4. How did Christ teach the importance of guarding our three witnesses." 1 Tim. 5:19.
speech?
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by NOTE.-"He that lends an easy and credulous ear to calumny is
thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be either a man of very mean morals, or has no more sense of
condemned." Matt. 12:36,37. understanding than a child."- Menander.
5. To whom are our words all known? 16. Can man, unrenewed by grace, control his tongue?
"For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou "For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of
knowest it altogether." Ps.139:4. things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but
the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly
6. Of what are one's words an index? poison." James 3:7,8.
"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Matt.
12:34.
17. As a guard against the misuse of the power of speech,
7. What conduct is condemned by the Scriptures? therefore, for what should we pray?
"Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth j keep the door of my
people:neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: lips." Ps. 141: 3.
I am the Lord." Lev. 19:16.
18. What vow did David take against offenses of the
8. To what are the words of a talebearer compared? tongue?
"The words of a talebearer are as wounds." Prov. 26:22. "I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue:
I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before
9. What is their effect? me." Ps. 39:1.
"He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that
repeateth a matter separateth very friends." Prov. 17:9.
19. What is a sure cure for backbiting?
"Thou shalt love "thy neighbor as thyself." Matt. 22:39.
10. What would follow if there were no talebearers? "Where
"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so
no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no
to them." Matt. 7:12. "Speak evil of no man." Titus 3:2. See also
talebearer, the strife ceaseth." Prov. 26:20.
James 4:11.
11. Among other things, what did Paul fear he would find in
the Corinthian church? 20. What are those words like which are fitly spoken?
"For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of
and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest silver." Prov. 25:11.
there be debates, envyings, wraths,
strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults." 2 Cor.
12:20.
12. What result follows backbiting and like evils? "KEEP a watch on your words, my darlings,
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt For words are wonderful things:
love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one They are sweet like bees' fresh honey;
another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." Gal. Like the bees they have terrible stings;
5:14,15. They can bless like the warm, glad sunshine,
And brighten a lonely life;
13. How may a backbiting tongue be rebuked? They can cut in the strife of anger,
"The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry Like an open, two-edged knife."
countenance a backbiting tongue." Prov. 25:23.
264
Chapter 172: Envy, Jealousy, and Hatred
1. WHAT does Solomon say of envy?

"Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?" Prov. 27:4.
2. What is said of jealousy?

"Jealousy is cruel as the grave." Song of Solomon 8:6.
3. What is said of one who hates his brother?

"Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer." 1 John 3:15.
4. What did envy lead the chief priests to do with Christ?

"For he [Pilate] knew that the chief priests had delivered Him [to be crucified] for envy." Mark 15:10.
5. What did it lead the Jews to do in Paul's day?

"But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, andspake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting
and blaspheming." Acts 13:45.
6. What exists where envy and strife are?

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."James 3:16.
7. Why should the heart be closely watched?

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."Prov. 4:23.
265
Chapter 173: Hypocrisy
1. OF what sin were the Pharisees guilty? "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he
"Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which to thee; but his heart is not with thee." Prov. 11:9; 23:7.
is hypocrisy." Luke 12:1.
7. Which of the apostles was once guilty of dissimulation?
NOTE.-Hypocrisy is a feigning to be what one is not; "And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him [Peter];
dissimulation; a concealment of one's real character or motives; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their
especially, the assuming of a false appearance of virtue or dissimulation." Gal. 2:13.
religion.
8. Why did Paul say he opposed Peter in this matter?
2. How did the Pharisees show themselves to be "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the
hypocrites? face,because he was to be blamed." Verse 11.
"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This
peopledraweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me
9. What did David say he would not do?
with their lips; but their heart is far from Me." Matt. 15:7,8. "I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with
dissemblers."Ps. 26:4.
3. How did they make void one of God's commandments?
"For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother. . . .
10. How pure should be our love?
But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is "Let love be without dissimulation." Rom. 12:9.
a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor
not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made
the commandment of God of none effect by your 11. What will become of the hypocrite's hope?
tradition." Verses 4-6. "So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope
shall perish." Job 8:13.
4. How did Christ say hypocrites pray?
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: 12. What is to be the fate of that servant who, while
for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the professing to love the Lord, shows by his actions that he is
corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say worldly, and is not looking nor longing for His coming?
unto you, They have their reward." Matt. 6:5. "The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh
not for Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut
him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the
5. What does Christ call one who readily sees the faults of hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt.
others, but does not see nor correct his own? 24:50,51. "The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath
"Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; surprised the hypocrites." Isa. 33:14.
and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy
brother's eye." Matt. 7:5.
13. What is characteristic of heavenly wisdom?
"The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
6. How does a hypocrite treat his neighbor? gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
"An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor." without partiality, andwithout hypocrisy." James 3:17.
266
Chapter 174: Danger in Rejecting Light
1. HOW does God regard sins of ignorance?

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." Acts 17:30.
2. To whom is sin imputed?

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good. and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17.
3. In what words did Christ teach the same truth?

"Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth." "If I had not come
and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak[margin, excuse] for their sin." John 9:41; 15:22. See John 3:19.
4. In view of this, what instruction does He give?

"Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you. . . . While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of
light." John 12:35,36.
5. Who courts the light?

"Every one that doeth evil hateth the light. . . . But he that doeth truthcometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are
wrought in God." John 3:20,21.
267
Chapter 175: The Just Recompense
1. HOW has God recompensed men in the past? 7. What is said of those who render evil for good?
"For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every "Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his
transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of house."Prov. 17:13.
reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"
Heb. 2:2,3.
8. What principle of justice should govern us in our
dealings?
2. How are all to be rewarded in the judgment? "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the
"For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that power of thine hand to do it." Prov. 3:27.
every one may receive the things done in his body, according to
that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor. 5:10. "Who 9. Where are all to be recompensed?
will render to every man according to his deeds: . . . for there is "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much
no respect of persons with God." Rom. 2:6-11. "Be not deceived; more the wicked and the sinner." Prov. 11:31.
God is not mocked: forwhatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
also reap." Gal. 6:7.
10. In meting out the final awards, what may we be sure God
will do?
3. What will be the reward of the wrong-doer? "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Gen.
"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh 18:25. "Justice andjudgment are the habitation of Thy
reap corruption." Verse 8. "Tribulation and anguish, upon every throne: mercy and truth shall go before Thy face." Ps. 89:14.
soul of man that doeth evil."Rom. 2:9.
4. What will be the recompense of the righteous?

"But he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life
everlasting."Gal. 6:8. "But glory, honor, and peace, to every man O THAT the Lord would guide my ways
that worketh good. Rom. 2;10. To keep His statutes still!
O that my God would grant me grace
To know and do His will!
5. What general rule of recompense is laid down in the
Bible?
"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye Order my footsteps by Thy word,
judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it And make my heart sincere;
shall be measured to you again." Matt. 7:1,2. "With Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
the merciful Thou wilt show Thyselfmerciful; with an upright man But keep my conscience clear.
Thou wilt show Thyself upright; with thepure Thou wilt show
Thyself pure; and with the froward Thou wilt show Make me to walk in Thy commands,
Thyself froward." Ps. 18:25,26. 'Tis a delightful road;
Nor let my head, nor heart, nor hands
6. In view of this, what are we warned not to Offend against my God.
do? "Recompense to no man evil for evil." Rom.12:17. "Not ISAAC WATTS.
rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing." 1 Peter 3:9.
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Section 16: The Home
Chapter 176: The Marriage Institution
1. AFTER creating man, what did God say? to age. Around it cluster all the purest and truest joys of home
"And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be and the race. When the divine origin of marriage is recognized,
alone."Gen. 2:18. and the divine principles controlling it are obeyed, marriage is
indeed a blessing; but when these are disregarded, untold evils
are sure to follow. That which, rightly used, is of greatest
2. What, therefore, did God say He would make?
"I will make him an help meet for him." Same verse. blessing, when abused becomes the greatest curse.
NOTE.-Not a helpmeet nor a helpmate, but- two words- a 8. By what commands has God guarded the marriage
relation?
help meet for him; that is,fit or suitable for him. The word meet in
the original means a front, a part opposite, a counterpart or mate. "Thou shalt not commit adultery." "Thou shalt not covet thy
Man's companion, or help, was to correspond to him. Each was neighbor's wife." Ex. 20:14,17.
to be suited to the other's needs.
9. What New Testament injunction is given respecting
3. Could such a help be found among the creatures which marriage?
God had already made? "Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be
"And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge." Heb.
and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found 13:4, R. V.
an help meet for him." Verse 20.
NOTE.-By many, marriage. is lightly regarded- is often made
4. What, therefore, did God do? even a subject of jest. Its divine origin, its great object, and its
"And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and possibilities and influences for good or evil are little thought of,
he slept: and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh and hence it is often entered into with little idea of its
instead thereof; and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from responsibilities or its sacred obligations. The marriage
man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man." Verses relationship is frequently used in the Scriptures as a symbol of
21,22. the relationship existing between God and His people. See Rom.
7:1-4; 2 Cor. 11:2; Hosea 2:19, 20; Rev. 19:7.
NOTE.-How beautiful, in its fullness of meaning, is this simple

but suggestive story, at which skeptics sneer. God did not make 10. After the fall, what sort of marriages were introduced by
man after the order of the lower animals, but "in His own image." men, which were productive of great evil?
"And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of
Neither did He choose man's companion, or "help," from some
other order of beings, but made her from man- of the same the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of
God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took
substance. And He took this substance, not from man's feet, that
he might have an excuse to degrade, enslave, or trample upon them wives of all which they chose." Gen. 6:1,2.
her; nor from man's head, that woman might assume authority
over man; but from man's side, from over his heart, the sect of NOTE.-Not only was there plurality of wives, which in itself is an
affections, that woman might stand at his side as man's evil, but the "sons of God," descending from Seth, married the
equal, and, side by side with him, together, under God, work out "daughters of men," the descendants from the idolatrous line of
the purpose and destiny of the race,- man, the strong, the noble, Cain, and thus corrupted the seed, or church, of God itself. All
the dignified; woman, the weaker, the sympathetic, the loving. the barriers against evil thus being broken down, the whole race
How much more exalted and inspiring is this view than the theory was soon corrupted, violence filled the earth, and the flood
that man developed from the lower order of animals. followed.
5. What did Adam say as he received his wife from God? 11. What restriction did God make respecting marriages in
"And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my Israel?
flesh:she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out "Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the
of Man." Verse 23. tribe of their father shall they marry." Num. 36:6.
6. What great truth was then stated? 12. What prohibition did God give His chosen people
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall against intermarrying with the heathen nations about them,
cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Verse 24. and why?
"Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou
7. In what words does Christ recognize marriage as of God? shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto
thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following Me, that
"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What
therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the Lord be
kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly." Deut. 7:3,4.
Matt. 19:6.
NOTE.-Thus was the marriage institution ordained of God in NOTE.-Intermarriage with the ungodly was the mistake made by
Eden, before man sinned. Like the Sabbath, it has come down to the professed people of God before the flood, and God did not
wish Israel to repeat that folly.
us with the Edenic dews of divine blessing still upon it. It was
ordained not only for the purpose of peopling the earth and
perpetuating the race, but to promote social order and human 13. What instruction is given in the New Testament
happiness; to prevent irregular affection; and, through well- regarding marriage with unbelievers?
regulated families, to transmit truth, purity, and holiness from age "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
269
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what NOTE.-This passage indicates that in early Bible times parents
communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath generally had more to do in the selection of life companions for
Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an their children than they commonly have now. Young people who
infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? are wise will seek the advice and counsel of their parents, and
for ye are the temple of the living God." 2 Cor. 6:14-16. above all, will seek to know the will of God, before entering upon
this important relationship, with its grave responsibilities and its
NOTE.-This instruction forbids all compromising partnerships. momentous consequences.
Marriage of believers with unbelievers has ever been a snare by
which Satan has captured many earnest souls who thought they 15. For how long does marriage bind the contracting
could win the unbelieving, but in most cases have themselves parties?
drifted away from the moorings of faith into doubt, backsliding, "For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to
and loss of religion. It was one of Israel's constant dangers, her husband so long as he liveth." Rom. 7:2. See 1 Cor. 7:39.
against which God warned them repeatedly. "Give not your
daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your
16. What only does Christ recognize as proper ground for
sons, nor seek their peace [by such compromise] or their wealth dissolving the marriage relationship?
forever." Ezra 9:12. See also Ex. 34:14-16; Judges 14:1-3. Ezra "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for
9 and 10; and Neh. 13:23-27. Even Solomon fell before the fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery." Matt.
influence of heathen wives. Concerning him the inspired Word 19:9.
has left this melancholy record: "His wives turned away his heart
after other gods." 1 Kings 11:4. No Christian can marry an
unbeliever without running serious risk, and placing himself upon NOTE.-Civil laws recognize other reasons as justifiable causes
the enemy's ground. The Scriptures do not advocate separation for separation, such as extreme cruelty, habitual drunkenness, or
after the union has been formed (see 1 Cor. 7:2-16), but good other like gross offenses; but only one offense, according to
sense should teach us that faith can best be maintained, and Christ, warrants the complete annulment of the marriage tie.
domestic happiness best insured, where both husband and wife
are believers, and of the same faith. Both ministers and parents,
therefore, should warn the young against all improper marriages.
THERE is a bliss beyond all that the minstrel has told,
14. What instruction did Abraham give his servant Eliezer When two that are linked in one heavenly tie,
when sending him to select a wife for his son Isaac? With heart never changing and brow never cold,
"Thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my Love on through all ills, and love on till they die.
father's house." Gen. 24:40. MOORE.
270
Chapter 177: The Happy Home, and How to Make It
1. WHERE and by whom were the foundations of home 14. By what means may the mother bind the hearts of the
laid? loved ones at home together?
"And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the
Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed." Gen. law of kindness." Prov. 31:26.
2:8.
NOTE.-"We want to get into the hearts of our children if we hold
2. In making this home, what besides man was needed? them, and help them, and bless them, and take them to heaven
"And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be with us."- Frances Murphy.
alone; I will make him an help meet [one adapted, or suitable] for
him." Verse 18. 15. How will such a mother be regarded?
"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also,
3. After creating Adam and Eve, what did God say to them? and he praiseth her." Verse 28.
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth." Gen. 1:28. NOTE.-"Show me a loving husband, a worthy wife, and good
children, and no pair of horses that ever flew along the road
4. To what are the wife and children of the man who fears could take me in a year where I could see a more pleasing sight.
the Lord likened? Home is the grandest of all institutions."- Spurgeon.
"Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife
shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy 16. How faithfully should parents teach the precepts and
children like olive-plantsround about thy table." Ps. 128:2,3. commandments of God to their children?
"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt
5. What are children declared to be? talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou
"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord." Ps. 127:3. "Children's walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou
children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are risest up." Deut. 6:7.
their fathers." Prov. 17:6.
NOTES.-"The home should be made a school of instruction,
6. How should the wife relate herself to her husband? rather than a place of monotonous drudgery. The evenings
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the should be cherished as precious seasons, to be devoted to the
Lord.For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is instruction of the children in the way of righteousness. But how
the head of the church." Eph. 5:22,23. many children are sadly neglected! They are not educated in the
home, that they may comprehend the truth of God, and are not
7. And how should husbands regard their trained to love justice and to do judgment. They should be
wives? "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved patiently instructed, that they may understand the laws that
the church, and gave Himself for it. . . . So ought men to love govern them, and that they may know the springs of their actions.
their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth They are to be brought into harmony with the laws of heaven, to
himself. . . . Let every one of you in particular so love his wife cherish the truth as it is in Jesus. In this way they may be fitted to
even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her join the society of the angels, and to stand in the presence of the
husband." Verses 25-33. adorable Redeemer."- Sabbath School Worker, August, 1896.
"A church within a church, a republic within a republic, a world
8. Against what are husbands cautioned? within a world, is spelled by four letters- home! If things go right
"Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them." Col. there, they go right everywhere; if things go wrong there, they go
3:19. wrong everywhere. The door-sill of the dwelling-house is the
foundation of church and state. . . . In other words, domestic life
9. Why should wives be in subjection to their husbands? overarches and undergirds all other life. . . . First, last, and all the
"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, time, have Christ in your home."-Talmage.
if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won
by the conversation [manner of life] of the wives." 1 Peter 3:1. 17. What is the great secret of a happy home?
"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and
10. Why should husbands be considerate of their wives? hatred therewith." Prov. 15:17.
"Likewise; ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge,
giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as
being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not HAPPY the home when God is there,
hindered." Verse 7. And love fills every breast;
When one their wish, and one their prayer,
11. Why should children obey their parents? And one their heavenly rest.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." Eph.
6:1.
Happy the home where Jesus' name
Is sweet to every ear;
12. How should parents bring up their children?
Where children early lisp His fame,
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring And parents hold Him dear.
them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Verse 4.
13. Why should fathers not provoke their children to anger? Happy the home where prayer is heard,
"Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be And praise is wont to rise;
discouraged."Col. 3:21. Where parents love the Sacred Word,
And live but for the skies.
271
Chapter 178: Religion in the Home
1. HOW well acquainted is God with each individual's life? 9. Wherever Abraham went, what was his practice?
"Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising. Thou "And there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the
understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path name of the Lord." Gen. 12:8. See also Gen. 13:4; 21:33.
and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For
there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it NOTE.-"The manner in which the family worship is conducted is
altogether." Ps. 139:2-4. very important. It should be made so pleasant as to be looked
forward to with gladness even by the youngest children. Too
2. What is the beginning of wisdom? often it is made tedious, monotonous, or burdensome. . . . To
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good make it dull and irksome is treason to true religion. . . . A few
understanding have all they that do His commandments." Ps. minutes given every day to preparation for family worship will
111:10. serve to make it, as it should be, the most pleasant and attractive
incident of the day."- "Week-Day Religion," by J. R. Miller, D. D.,
3. Upon whom is God's fury to be poured? pages 81-83.
"Pour out Thy fury upon the heathen that know Thee not, and
upon the families that call not on Thy name." Jer. 10:25. 10. What instruction suggests the giving of thanks for daily
food?
4. How are parents instructed to bring up their children? "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:18.
them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Eph. 6:4.
NOTE.-As a rule, children will reflect the life and principles
NOTE.-"Religion is love, and a religious home is one in which manifested in their parents. The reason why so many children
love reigns. There must be love in action, love that flows out in are irreverent, irreligious, and disobedient today is because their
all the home intercourse, showing itself in a thousand little parents are so. Like parent like child. If parents would see a
expressions of thoughtfulness, kindness, unselfishness, and different state of things, they must themselves reform. They must
gentle courtesy ."- "Week-Day Religion," by J. R. Miller, D. D., bring God into their homes, and make His Word their counselor
page 83. and guide. They must teach their children the fear of God, and
that His Word is the voice of God addressed to them, and that it
5. How faithfully should parents teach their children the is to be implicitly obeyed. "In too many households prayer is
Word of God? neglected. . . . If ever there was a time when every house should
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in be a house of prayer, it is now. Fathers and mothers should
thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy often lift up their hearts to God in humble supplication for
children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, themselves and their children. Let the father, as priest of the
and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, household, lay upon the altar of God the morning and evening
and when thou risest up." Deut. 6:6,7. sacrifice, while the wife and children unite in prayer and praise.
In such a household Jesus will love to tarry."- "Christian
6. What is the value of proper early instruction? Education," page 221.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he
will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6.
ARE ALL the children in? The night is falling,
NOTE.-No man ever said that he began the service of God too And storm-clouds gather in the threatening west;
young. No parent ever regretted bringing up his children to love, The lowing cattle seek a friendly shelter;
fear, honor, and obey God; The bird lilies to her nest;
The thunder crashes; wilder grows the tempest,
7. How early were the Scriptures taught to Timothy? And darkness settles o'er the fearful din;
"And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Come, shut the door, and gather round the hearthstone:
Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation Are all the children in?
through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 3:15.
Are all the children in? The night is falling,
NOTE.-Timothy's father was a Greek, and his mother a Jewess. When gilded sin doth walk about the streets.
From a child he had been taught the Scriptures. The faith of his O, "at the last it biteth like a serpent"!
mother and of his grandmother in the Word of God had early Poisoned are stolen sweets.
been implanted in him through their faithful instruction. 2 Tim. 1:5. O mothers, guard the feet of inexperience,
The piety which he saw in his home life had a molding influence Too prone to wander in the paths of sin!
upon his own life. This, with his knowledge of the Scriptures, O, shut the door of love against temptation!
qualified him to bear responsibilities and to render faithful service Are all the children in?
later in the cause of Christ. His home instructors had cooperated
with God in preparing him for a life of usefulness. Thus it should Are all the children in? The night is falling,
be in every home. The night of death is hastening on apace;
The Lord is calling, "Enter thou thy chamber,
8. Why did God confide in Abraham, and commit sacred And tarry there a space."
trusts to him? And when He comes, the King in all His glory,
"For I know him, that he will command his children and his Who died the shameful death our hearts to win,
household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to O, may the gates of heaven shut about us,
do justice and judgment." Gen. 18:19. With all the children in!
ELIZABETH ROBBER.
272
Chapter 179: Honor Due to Parents
1. BY what is every child known? NOTE.-The word translated gift in this text means a thing
"Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, dedicated to God, and therefore not to be used for any other
and whether it be right." Prov. 20:11. purpose. In this way the Jewish teachers, by their traditional law,
taught children that by saying that their property was thus
2. What is the duty of every child? dedicated to the temple or to religious purposes, they were free
"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the from the obligation to honor and support their parents, thus
law of thy mother." Prov. 1:8. making void one of the commandments of God. This Christ
condemned.
3. What does the fifth commandment require of children?
"Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long 12. In what other way do some dishonor their father and
upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Ex. 20:12. mother?
"There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not
NOTE.-While this precept refers directly to our earthly parents, it bless their mother." Prov. 30:11.
also includes God, our Father in heaven; for in honoring them we
honor Him. To the child too young to know God, the earthly 13. What will be the fate of the one who curseth his father or
parent takes the place of God. Learning to honor, respect, and his mother?
obey his earthly parents is the child's first and most important "Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put
lesson in learning to honor, respect, and obey God, his Heavenly out in obscure darkness." "The eye that mocketh at his father,
Parent. Benjamin Franklin well said: "Let a child's first lesson be and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall
obedience, and the second may be what thou wilt." pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it." Prov. 20:20; 30:17.
4. For how long a time should one honor his parents? 14. What will be the reward of those who honor their
"Harken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy parents?
mother when she is old." Prov. 23:22. "Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long
upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Ex. 20:12.
NOTE.-As long as parents live, they should be honored and
respected by their children. The duty enjoined in the fifth NOTE.-The fullness of this promise will be realized in the life to
commandment does not cease at maturity, nor when the child come when the earth, restored to its Edenic beauty, will become
leaves the parental roof. the eternal home of all those who have truly honored their
parents and kept all God's commandments.
5. What is the character of a child who will not listen to his
father's instruction? 15. What comment has the apostle Paul made upon this
"A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth commandment?
reproof is prudent." Prov. 15:5. "Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment
with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live
6. What course on the part of children is well-pleasing to the long on the earth." Eph. 6:2,3.
Lord?
"Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing 16. In what age of the world is disobedience to parents to be
unto the Lord." Col. 3:20. especially manifest?
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
7. In what spirit should children obey their parents? For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." Eph. proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy."
6:1. 2 Tim. 3:1,2.
8. What is one way in which a child may dishonor his NOTE.-Disobedience to parents is a marked characteristic of the
parents? present generation. Never before was it so common or so wide-
"He that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father." Prov. spread. The root of the evil, however, lies not so much in the
28:7. children as in the parents. Many of the latter are disobedient to
God, their Father in heaven, and so have failed to bring up their
9. What is said of one who robs his father or his mother? children in the fear of God and in the ways of righteousness.
"Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no Bible instruction, lessons of faith, and prayer must not be
transgression;the same is the companion of a destroyer." Verse neglected in the home if we would see obedient, God-fearing
24. children growing up in the world.
10. How did Jesus honor His parents?

"He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was
BE KIND to thy father, for when thou wert young,
subject unto them." Luke 2:51. Who loved thee so fondly as he?
He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue,
11. How did the Jewish leaders in the days of Christ, for the And joined in thy innocent glee.
sake of gain, make void the fifth commandment?
"But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is
a gift,by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor Be kind to thy mother, for lo! on her brow
not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made May traces of sorrow be seen;
the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition." Matt. O well may'st thou cherish and comfort her now,
15:5,6. For loving and kind hath she been.
273
Chapter 180: Child Training
1. HOW should parents train their children? have embittered the lives of the parents, and have extended their
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will baleful influence from generation to generation. Any child that is
not depart from it." Prov. 22:6. "And, ye fathers, provoke not your permitted to have his own way will dishonor God and bring his father
children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of and mother to shame."
the Lord." Eph. 6:4.
12. Whom does the Lord chasten?
2. How diligently should parents teach children God's Word?
"For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son
"These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine
whom He receiveth." Heb. 12:6.
heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children." "Ye
shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in
NOTE.-From this we may learn that all child training should be done
thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest
in love, and that proper child training is an evidence of true love.
down, and when thou risest up." Deut. 6:6,7; 11:19.
13. Against what evil should fathers guard?
3. What high ideal should be placed before the young?
"Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the
discouraged." Col. 3:21.
believers,in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in
purity." 1 Tim. 4:12.
NOTE.-Correction should never be given in anger, for anger in the
parent stirs up anger in the child. It is well to pray with a child before
4. What duty does God require of children?
correcting him, and frequently mild but faithful instruction, admonition
and prayer are all the training necessary,- are, in fact, the best
training that can be given. But in any case of perverseness,
5. What is to be one of the prominent sins of the last days?
stubbornness, or willful disobedience, the correction, whatever it may
"For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
be, should be persisted in until the child yields submissively to the
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy." 2
will and wishes of the parent. It is best, generally, that correction
Tim. 3:2.
should be done in private, as this tends to preserve the self-respect
of the child, a very important element in character building. No
6. Why did God reprove Eli?
correction nor training should be violent or abusive, or given for the
"In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken
purpose of breaking the will of the child, but rather to direct the will,
concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I
bring it into proper subjection, and the child to a realizing sense of
have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which
what is right and duty.
he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he
restrained them not." 1 Sam. 3:12,13.
14. How are the present effects and future results of
chastisement contrasted?
7. How should the youth be taught to regard the aged? "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous,
"Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the but grievous:nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of
old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord." Lev. 19:32. righteousnessunto them which are exercised thereby." Heb. 12:11.
15. What question must every unfaithful parent meet? "Where is

8. What are some good fruits of proper child training?
the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful
"Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give
flock?" Jer. 13:20.
delight unto thy soul." Prov. 29:17.
NOTE.-Happy will those parents be who can say, "Behold, here am I
9. What will result if correction is withheld? and the children Thou gavest me." See Isa. 8:18.
"The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth
his mother to shame." Verse 15. See Prov. 22:15.
THE OLDEST university was not on India's strand,
10. Is there danger of delaying correction too long? Nor in the valley of the Nile, nor on Arabia's sand;
"Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for From time's beginning it has taught and still it teaches free
his crying." Prov. 19:18. See Prov. 23:13,14. Its learning mild to every child- the school of Mother's Knee.
11. Does proper correction evidence a want of parental love? The oldest school to teach the law, and teach it deeply, too,
"He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him Dividing what should not be done from what each one should do,
chasteneth him betimes." Prov. 13:24. Was not in Rome nor Ispahan nor by the Euxine Sea;
But it held its sway ere history's day- the school of Mother's Knee.
NOTE.-One Christian mother writes thus concerning the importance
of child training: "Children who are allowed to come up to manhood The oldest seminary, where theology was taught,
or womanhood with the will undisciplined and the passions Where love to God, and reverent prayer, and the Eternal Ought
uncontrolled, will generally in after-life pursue a course which God Were deep impressed on youthful hearts in pure sincerity,
condemns. The neglect of parents to properly discipline their children Came to the earth with Abel's birth- the school of Mother's Knee.
has been a fruitful source of evil in many families. The youth have
not been restrained as they should have been. Parents have
The oldest, and the newest, too, it still maintains its place, And from
neglected to follow the directions of the Word of God in this matter,
its classes, ever full, it graduates the race.
and the children have taken the reins of government into their own
Without its teaching, where would all the best of living be?
hands. The consequence has been that they have generally
'Twas planned by heaven this earth to leaven- the school of Mother's
succeeded in ruling their parents, instead of being under their
Knee.
authority. False ideas and a foolish, misdirected affection have
nurtured traits which have made the children unlovely and unhappy,
274
Chapter 181: The Mother
1. WHY did Adam call his wife's name Eve? A Christian mother above all others, can deeply implant and
"And Adam called his wife's name Eve: because she was the faithfully cherish the seeds of truth in the young and tender heart.
mother of all living." Gen. 3:20. More even than the father, the mother molds the life, character,
and destiny of man. Every stage and phase of life is touched and
NOTE.-It is said that the three sweetest words in any language influenced by her. Infancy, childhood, youth, manhood, and old
are mother, home, and heaven. age alike center in her. She is both the morning and the evening
star of life,- the angel spirit of the home.
2. What did God say to Abraham concerning his wife,

Sarah? 7. What tender, filial regard did Christ manifest for His
"And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will' mother in the hour of His death?
"When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple
bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people
shall be of her." Gen. 17:16. standing by, whom He loved [John], He saith unto His
mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith He to the
disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took
3. What commandment guards the honor of the mother? her unto his own home." John 19:26,27.
8. How early did Timothy know the Scriptures?
4. How early did Hannah dedicate her son Samuel to God? "And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures." 2
"And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt Tim. 3:15.
indeed . . . give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give
him unto the Lord all the days of his life." 1 Sam. 1:11.
9. What is said of his mother and his grandmother?
"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in
5. To whom did God commit the care and early training of thee, which dwell first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother
His only begotten Son? Eunice." 2 Tim. 1:5.
"And when they were come into the house, they saw the . young
child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him."
Matt. 2:11. NOTE.-No position in life is superior to that of the mother, no
influence more potent for good or evil. "All that I am or hope to
be, I owe to my mother," said Abraham Lincoln. "All that I have
6. Under the influence of her tender care and faithful ever accomplished in life, owe to my mother," declared D. L.
instruction, what is said of the child life of Jesus? Moody. "A kiss from my mother," said Benjamin West, "made me
"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with a painter." "My mother was the making of me," declares the
wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him. . . . And Jesus noted inventor, Thomas A. Edison. And Andrew Carnegie, the
increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and millionaire, who gave his mother his earnings when a boy, adds,
man." Luke 2:40-52. "I am deeply touched by the remembrance of one to whom I owe
everything that a wise mother ever gave to a son who adored
NOTES.-"The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules her." It has been truly said that the home is the primeval school,
the world." the best, the most hallowed, and the most potential of all
academies, and that the mother is the first, the most influential,
and therefore the most important of all teachers. See poem in
"A mother is a mother still, previous chapter.
The holiest thing on earth."
275
Chapter 182: 100 Bible Stories, and Where to Find Them 54. The Story of Absalom. 2 Samuel 15-18.
55. Solomon Asks for Wisdom. 1 Kings 3:5-15.
56. Solomon's Wisdom Displayed. 1 Kings 3:16-28.
THIS list is given to assist parents in finding Bible stories to
read to their children. Early in life children should be taught 57. Dedication of the Temple. 1 Kings 8.
to love, respect, and read the Bible. And nothing else will so 58. Solomon and His Idolatrous Wives. 1 Kings 11:1-13.
readily interest them in it as its wonderful, captivating, and 59. The Disobedient Prophet. 1 Kings 13.
instructive stories. 60. Elijah. 1 Kings 17-19.
61. Jezebel Procures for Ahab Naboth's Vineyard. 1 Kings 21.
62. The Death of Ahab. 1 Kings 22:1-40.
1. Creation. Genesis 1. 63. Elijah Translated. 2 Kings 2.
2. The Fall. Genesis 2,3. 64. Elisha. 2 Kings 4-7.
3. Cain and Abel. Genesis 4. 65. Naaman Cured of the Leprosy. 2 Kings 5.
4. The Flood. Genesis 6-8. 66. Fifteen Years Added to Hezekiah's Life. 2 Kings 20:1-11.
5. The Rainbow. Gen. 9:8-17. 67. The Rebuilding of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 1-6.
6. The Tower of Babel. Gen. 11:1-9. 68. Esther, Mordecai, and Haman. Book of Esther.
7. Abraham's Departure for Canaan. Genesis 12. 69. Job and His Afflictions. Job 1; 2:1-10.
8. Abraham and Lot Divide the Land. Genesis 13. 70. The Sluggard and Field of the Slothful. Prov. 6: 6-11; 24:30-
9. Abraham's Deliverance of Lot. Gen. 14:13-24. 34
10. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 18,19. 71. The Industrious Woman. Prov. 31:10-31.
11. Abraham Offering Up Isaac. Gen. 22:1-19. 72. The Poor Wise Man. Eccl. 9:14-18.
12. Jacob and Esau. Genesis 27. 73. The New Earth. Isa. 11:6-11; 35; 65:17-25; 66:22,23.
13. Jacob's Ladder. Gen. 28:10-15. 74. The Fall of Satan. Isa. 14:6-20; Eze. 28:11-19; Rev. 12:1-9.
14. Jacob Serving Laban. Genesis 29. 75. How Jeremiah and His Writings Were Treated. Jer. 36; 38:1-
15. Jacob Wrestling With the Angel. Genesis 32. 13.
16. Story of Joseph. Genesis 37-48. 76. Daniel Refuses the King's Meat and Wine. Daniel 1.
17. Moses in the Ark of Bulrushes. Ex. 1:7-22; 2:1-10. 77. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream. Daniel 2.
18. The Plagues of Egypt. Exodus 7-12. 78. The Fiery Furnace. Daniel 3.
19. Crossing the Red Sea. Exodus 14. 79. Nebuchadnezzar Humbled. Daniel 4.
20. Quails and Manna Sent. Exodus 16. 80. Belshazzar's Feast. Daniel 5.
21. Giving of the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20. 81. Daniel in the Lions' Den. Daniel 6.
22. The Golden Calf. Exodus 32. 82. Jonah. Book of Jonah.
23. Making of the Tabernacle. Exodus 35-40. 83. The Birth of Jesus. Matthew 2.
24. Nadab and Abihu. Lev. 10:1-11. 84. Jesus and the Doctors in the Temple. Luke 2:39-52.
25. Sedition of Miriam and Aaron. Numbers 12. 85. The Baptism of Jesus. Matthew 3.
26. The Ten Spies. Numbers 13,14. 86. The Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness. Matt. 4:1-11.
27. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Numbers 16. 87. Nicodemus's Visit to Christ. John 3:1-21.
28. Moses' Sin at the Waters of Meribah. Num. 20:1-13. 88. Christ Stilling the Tempest. Matt. 8:23-27.
29. Fiery Serpents. Num. 21:4-9. 89. Christ Walking on the Sea. Matt. 14:22-33.
30. Balaam. Numbers 22-24. 90. Christ Cleansing the Temple. John 2:13-17; Matt. 21:12-16.
31. Death of Moses. Deuteronomy 34. 91. The Resurrection of Lazarus. John 11.
32. Rahab Hiding the Spies. Joshua 2. 92. Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ. Matthew 27,28.
33. Taking of Jericho. Joshua 6. 93. The Ascension of Christ. Acts 1:1-12.
34. Achan. Joshua 7. 94. Pentecost. Acts 2.
35. Sun and Moon Stand Still Joshua 10:1-14. 95. The Stoning of Stephen. Acts 6,7.
36. Cities of Refuge. Joshua 20. 96. The Conversion of Saul. Acts 9:1-31.
37. Joshua's Final Charge to Israel. Joshua 24. 97. Peter Delivered From Prison. Acts 12.
38. Gideon's Army. Judges 6,7. 98. Paul Before King Agrippa. Acts 26.
39. Parable of the Trees. Judges 9:7-15. 99. The Heroes of Faith. Hebrews 11.
40. Shibboleth and Sibboleth. Judges 12:1-6. 100. The New Jerusalem. Revelation 21,22.
41. Samson. Judges 13-16.
42. Ruth. Book of Ruth.
43. The Child Samuel. 1 Samuel 1,2.
44. Eli and His Sons. 1 Samuel 3.
45. The Ark Among the Philistines. 1 Samuel 5,6. THOU TRUEST friend man ever knew,
46. Israel Asking for a King. 1 Samuel 8. Thy constancy I've tried;
47. Saul's Disobedience. 1 Samuel 15. When all were false, I found thee true,
48. David Chosen King. 1 Samuel 16. My counselor and guide.
49. David and Goliath (David kills lion) 1 Samuel 17. The mines of earth no treasures give
50. David and Jonathan. 1 Sam. 18:1-4. That could this Volume buy:
51. Saul and the Witch of Endor. 1 Samuel 28. In teaching me the way to live
52. Uzzah's Presumption. 2 Sam. 6:1-7. It taught me how to die.
53. David's Great Sin. 2 Samuel 11,12. GEORGE PERKINS MORRIS.
276
Chapter 183: Promises for the Children
1. WHAT is said of the fifth commandment? NOTE.-From this we learn that while disobedience to parents
"Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment and the breaking up of home ties will characterize the last days
with promise." Eph. 6:2. (2 Tim. 3:1-3; Matt. 24:37-39; Gen. 6:1,2), God's message for
the last days will strengthen the cords of love and affection, and
bind the hearts of parents and children together.
2. What is promised those who honor their father and their
mother?
"Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long 9. What peaceful, happy conditions will prevail in the next
upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Ex. 20:12. world as compared with those of this life?
"They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they
3. What does God desire to teach the children? are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with
"Come, ye children, harken unto Me: I will teach you the fear of them." "The sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and
the Lord." Ps. 34:11. the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They
shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth
shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the
4. What is the fear of the Lord declared to be? sea." Isa. 65:23; 11:8,9.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good
understanding have all they that do His commandments." Ps.
111:10.
5. What is said of the poor but wise child? A PAIR of very chubby legs
"Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish Incased in scarlet hose,
king, who will no more be admonished." Eccl. 4:13. A pair of little stubby boots
With rather doubtful toes,
A little kilt, a little coat,
6. How did Christ show His tender regard for children? Cut as a mother can-
"Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for And, lo! before us strides in state
of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 19:14. The future's "coming man."
7. How did He show that He loved them? Ah! blessings on those little hands,
"And He took them up in His arms; put His hands upon Whose work is yet undone,
them, and blessed them." Mark 10:16. And blessings on those little feet,
Whose race is yet unrun.
8. With what promise do the Old Testament Scriptures And blessings on the little brain,
close? That has not learned to plan.
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the What e'er the future holds in store,
coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall God bless the "coming man."
turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the
children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a
curse." Mal. 4:5,6.
277
Chapter 184: Evils of City Life
1. WHEN Abraham told Lot to choose that part of the 11. Foretelling the condition of the world previous to His
country which he preferred, what choice did Lot make? second advent, to what did Christ liken it?
"And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they
that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the
Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord. . . . Then same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone
Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan." Gen. 13:10,11. from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the
day when the Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:28-30.
2. Where did Lot dwell?
"Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the NOTE.-The cities of today are fast becoming like Sodom and
cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom." Verse 12. Gomorrah- centers and sink-holes of vice, pride, violence, confusion,
and crime. The cities of the United States, while containing only
3. What was the character of the inhabitants of Sodom? about one half the population of the country, furnish ninety-seven per
"But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord cent of the crime. Out of 268 boys in the Kansas State Reform
exceedingly." Verse 13. School a few years ago, all but three came from cities. In New York
City a murder is committed every thirty-six hours. The numerous
holidays, the whirl of excitement, pleasure, and sports, theatergoing,
4. What further description is given of this city?
horse-racing, gambling, liquor drinking, and reveling in the cities,
"Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness attract thousands from the sober duties of life, and stimulate every
of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her evil passion to activity. What a poor place, therefore, are the cities of
daughters,neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and today in which to rear a family! Too many, like Lot, have pitched their
needy. And they were haughty; and committed tent toward Sodom.
abomination before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw
good." Eze. 16:49,50. See Gen. 19:1-9. 12. Of what is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah a
type?
5. How did their conduct affect Lot? "And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes
"And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample
wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing unto those that after should live ungodly." 2 Peter 2:6.
and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their
unlawful deeds)." 2 Peter 2:7,8. NOTE.-The destruction of such cities as Sodom and Gomorrah,
Babylon and Jerusalem, is set forth as a type of the destruction
6. Before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, whom did the awaiting the world. Says one writer: "The time is near when the large
Lord send to deliver Lot and his family? cities will be visited by the judgments of God. In a little while these
"And there came two angels to Sodom at even. . . . And the men cities will be terribly shaken. No matter how large or strong their
[angels] said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son-in-law, buildings, no matter how many safeguards against fire may have
and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in been provided, let God touch these buildings and in a few minutes or
the city, bring them out of this place: for we will destroy this place, in a few hours they will be in ruins. The ungodly cities of our world
because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the are to be swept away by the besom of destruction. In the calamities
Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it." Gen.19:1-13. that are now befalling immense buildings and large portions of the
cities, God is showing us what will come upon the whole earth," The
destruction of the great cities now almost wholly given up to sinful
7. What did Lot do, and how were his efforts rewarded?
pleasure, pride mammon-worship, and idolatry, is impending. It is
"And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons-in-law, which time, therefore, that those who are really in earnest concerning their
married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for children's salvation begin to think about leaving these cities.
the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked
unto his sons-in-law." Verse 14. 13. What is to take place under the seventh plague?
"And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air;
8. What did the angels say to Lot the next morning? . . . and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since
"Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so
thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. . . . Escape for thy great. . . . And the cities of the nations fell." Rev. 16:17-19.
life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the
plain; escape to the mountain,lest thou be consumed." Verses
15-17.
HOW PRONE are professors to rest on their lees,
9. What then took place? To study their pleasure, their profit and ease!
"Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah Though God says: "Arise, and escape for thy life!
And look not behind thee; remember Lot's wife."
brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and He
overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of
the cities, and that which grew upon the ground." Verses 24,25. Awake from thy slumbers, the warning believe;
'Tis Jesus that calls you, the message receive;
10. Because she disregarded the instruction given by the While dangers are pending, escape for thy life!
angels, what became of Lot's wife? And look not behind thee; remember Lot's wife.
"But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a
pillar of salt." Verse 26. The ways of religion true pleasure afford,
No pleasures can equal the joys of the Lord.
NOTE.-As a result of choosing a city life, Lot lost nearly all his Forsake then the world, an escape for thy life,
family. And look not behind thee; remember Lot's wife.
278
Chapter 185: Purity
1. WHAT did Christ say of the pure in heart? ratherreprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matt. 5:8. things which are done of them in secret." Eph. 5:11,12.
2. What did He declare to be a violation of the seventh 13. How should we guard our conversation?
commandment? "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister
not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever: looketh grace unto the hearers." Eph. 4:29.
on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her
already in his heart." Verses 27,28.
14. What scripture shows that social impurity was one of the
chief sins which brought on the deluge?
3. What exhortations did the apostle Paul give Timothy? "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of
"Flee also youthful lusts." 2 Tim. 2:22. "Keep thyself pure." 1 Tim. the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of
5:22. God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took
them wives of all which they chose. . . . And God saw that the
4. To whom are all things pure? wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every
"Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and continually. . . . And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I
conscience is defiled." Titus 1:15. have created from the face of the earth. . . . The earth also
was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence"
Gen. 6:1-11.
5. When tempted to sin, what noble example did Joseph
set?
"How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" 15. What was the character of the inhabitants of Sodom?
Gen. 39:9. "But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the
Lordexceedingly." Gen. 13:13. "And they
were haughty, and committed abomination before Me: therefore I
6. Against what are the people of God warned? took them away as I saw good," Eze, 16:50, See also verse 49.
"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not
be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither
filthiness, norfoolish talking, nor jesting, which are not NOTE.-Gen. 19:1-9 and 2 Peter 2:6-8 show that they were
convenient: but rather giving of thanks." Eph. 5:3,4. exceedingly corrupt in morals.
7. What are mentioned as works of the flesh? 16. What did Christ say would be the condition of the world
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are at His second advent?
these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviouness." Gal. "As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of
the Son of man. . . . Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; . . .
5:19.
even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is
revealed." Luke 17:26-30.
8. What is said of those who do such things?
"They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of
God."Verse 21. 17. What does the Lord call upon the wicked man to do?
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts:and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have
9. Against keeping company with whom are we warned? mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."
"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any Isa. 55:7.
man that is called a brother be a fornicator." 1 Cor. 5:11.
18. What are the proper things to engage one's mind?
10. Why are evil associations to be avoided? "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." 1 arehonest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things
Cor. 15:33. are pure,whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are
of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
11. What inexorable law is laid down in the Scriptures? think on these things."Phil. 4:8.
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh NOTE.-The greatest foes to social purity are immoral associates,
shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit impure literature, improper dress, idleness, intemperance, and
shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Gal. 6:7,8. theatergoing, including questionable picture shows, all of which
are confined almost exclusively to city life. For this reason
"Keep virtue's simple path before your eyes, parents should look well to their children's home life; their
Nor think from evil good can ever rise."- Thomson. companions; the books, papers, and magazines they read; how
their time is occupied; what they eat, drink, and wear; where they
spend their nights; and the character of their amusements.
12. Instead of sanctioning evil, what should we do? "Pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness" were
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but contributing causes to the gross immorality of Sodom, and its
consequent downfall. Eze. 16:49,50.
279
Section 17: Health and Temperance
Chapter 186: Good Health
1. WHAT did the apostle John wish concerning Gaius? 9. What example did Daniel set in this matter?
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself
be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2. with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he
drank." Dan. 1:8.
2. What did God promise His people anciently?
"And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy 10. With what food did he ask to be provided?
bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the "Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give
midst of thee." Ex. 23:25. us pulse to eat, and water to drink." Verse 12.
3. Upon what conditions was freedom from disease 11. What was the original diet prescribed for man?
promised? "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing
"If thou wilt diligently harken to the voice of the Lord thy God, seed,which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in
and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for
commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of meat." Gen. 1:29.
these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the
Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee." Ex. 15:26. 12. Why did the Lord restrict the Hebrews in their diet?
"For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord
4. What does the psalmist say the Lord does for His people? hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all
"Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy the nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt not eat any
diseases." Ps. 103:3. abominable thing." Deut. 14:2,3.
5. What constituted a large part of Christ's ministry? "Who NOTE.-Both mind and body are affected by the food we eat.
went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of
the devil."Acts 10:38. See Luke 13:16. "And Jesus went about all 13. What effect does cheerfulness have upon the health?
Galilee, . . .healing all manner of sickness and all manner of "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Prov. 17:22.
disease among the people." Matt. 4:23.
14. How did the Saviour provide rest for His disciples?
6. Why should the health of the body be preserved? "And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your place, and rest awhile." Mark 6:31.
body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor. 6:20.
15. How are we exhorted to present our bodies to God?

7. What is the body of the believer said to be? "I beseech you. . . that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy holy, acceptable unto God." Rom. 12:1.
Ghostwhich is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your
own?" Verse 19.
16. What high purpose should control our habits of life?
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all
8. What will God do to those who defile this temple? to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.
"If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for
the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." 1 Cor. 3:17.
280
Chapter 187: Christian Temperance
1. CONCERNING what did Paul reason before Felix? himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine
"He reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to which he drank." Dan. 1:8. See Judges 13:4.
come." Acts 24:25.
11. Instead of these, what did he request?
NOTE.-Temperance means habitual moderation and control in the "Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give
indulgence of the appetites and passions; in other words, self-control. us pulse to eat, and water to drink." Verse 12.
2. Of what is temperance a fruit? 12. At the end of the ten days' test, how did he and his
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, companions appear?
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Gal. "And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer
5:22,23. and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion
of the king's meat." Verse 15.
NOTE.-"Temperance puts wood on the fire, meal in the barrel, flour
in the tub, money in the purse, credit in the country, contentment in 13. At the end of their three years' course in the school of
the house, clothes on the back, and vigor in the body."- Benjamin Babylon, how did the wisdom of Daniel and his companions
Franklin. compare with that of others?
"Now at the end of the days . . . the king communed with
3. Where in Christian growth and experience is temperance them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah,
placed by the apostle Peter? Mishael, and Azariah: . . . and in all matters of wisdom and
"Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten
knowledgetemperance; and to temperance patience; and to times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in
patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to all his realm." Verses 18-20.
brotherly kindness charity." 2 Peter 1:5-7. See Chapter 118
Growth in Grace. 14. What warning is given against leading others into
intemperance?
NOTE.-Temperance is rightly placed here as to order. Knowledge is "Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy
a prerequisite to temperance, and temperance to patience. It is very
bottle to him, and makest him drunken." Hab. 2:15.
difficult for an intemperate person to be patient.
15. What kind of professed Christians are not
4. What is said of those who strive for the mastery?
fellowshipped?
"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all
"But now I have written unto you not to keep company,
things."1 Cor. 9:25.
if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or
an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard." 1 Cor. 5:11.
5. In running the Christian race, what did Paul say he did?
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that
16. Can drunkards enter the kingdom of God?
by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should
"Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, . . . nor thieves,
be a castaway." Verse 27.
nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall
inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:9,10. See Rev. 21:27.
6. Why are kings and rulers admonished to be temperate?
"It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest
17. For what perfection of character did the apostle pray?
they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray
the afflicted." Prov. 31:4,5.
God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved
blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess.
7. Why were priests forbidden to use intoxicating drink
5:23.
while engaged in the sanctuary service?
"And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor
NOTE.-For notable examples of total abstinence in the Bible, see the
strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the wife of Manoah, the mother of Samson (Judges 13:4, 12-14);
tabernacle: . . .that ye may put difference between holy and Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:15); the Rechabites (Jer.
unholy, and between unclean and clean." Lev. 10:8-10. 35:1-10); and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-15).
8. Why is indulgence in strong drink dangerous? SONG OF THE RYE

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with I WAS made to be eaten,
the Spirit." Eph. 5:18. And not to be drank;
To be threshed in the barn,
NOTE.-The danger in the indulgence of stimulating foods and drinks Not soaked in a tank.
is that they create an unnatural appetite and thirst, thus leading to I come as a blessing
excess. Both food and drink should be nourishing and non- When put through a mill;
stimulating. As a blight and a curse
When run through a still.
9. For what should men eat and drink?
"Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, Make me up into loaves,
and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for And your children are fed;
drunkenness! " Eccl. 10:17. But if into drink,
I'll starve them instead.
10. Why did Daniel refuse the food and wine of the king? In bread I'm a servant,
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile The eater shall rule;
In drink I am master,
The drinker a fool.
281
Chapter 188: Evils of Intemperance
1. WHAT do the Scriptures say of wine? severe forms of chorea, infantile convulsions, epilepsy, or idiocy."-
"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever "Alcohol," page 44.
is deceivedthereby is not wise." Prov. 20:1.
7. To what extent is intemperance the cause of crime?
NOTE.-All intoxicating drinks are deceptive. They seem to give A lord chief justice of England declared, "If sifted, nine tenths of
strength, but in reality cause weakness; they seem to create heat, the crime of England and Wales could be traced to drink."-
but in fact lower the general temperature; they seem to impart vitality, "Alcohol."
but really destroy life; they seem to promote happiness, but cause
the greatest unhappiness and misery. To intemperance may be 8. What may be said of the use of tobacco?
attributed much of the world's sorrow. Being a rank poison, its use is highly injurious.
2. What is one of the evil results of intemperance? NOTES.-"Tobacco is the most subtle poison known to chemists,
"Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: for except the deadly prussic acid."- M. Orfila, president Medical
the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty." Prov. Academy, Paris.
23:20,21. "Tobacco is ruinous in our schools and colleges, dwarfing body and
mind."- Dr. Willard Parker.
3. What are other evil effects of intemperance? "Whoredom "I shall not hesitate to pronounce tobacco in young men to be evil,
and wine and new wine take away the heart." Hosea 4:11. "They and only evil, physically, mentally, and morally."- Edward Hitchcock,
also have erredthrough wine, and through strong drink are out of of Amherst College.
the way; . . . they err in vision, they stumble in judgment." Isa. "The use of intoxicating liquor by men, and the use of cigarettes by
28:7. boys, is creating a race of feeble-minded, unhealthy, and valueless
citizens."- John Wanamaker.
NOTE.-"One of the subtlest effects of this many-sided drug is to "We might as well go to the insane asylum for our men as to employ
cigarette smokers."- The late E. H. Harriman, railroad magnate.
produce a craving for itself, while weakening the will that could resist
that craving."- "Alcohol," by Dr. Williams, page 48. "Cigarettes are ruining our children, endangering their lives, dwarfing
their intellects, and making them criminals, fast. The boys who use
them seem to lose all sense of right, decency, and righteousness."-
4. With what sins is drunkenness classed? Judge Crane, of New York City.
"Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, "Cigarette smoking in the case of boys partly paralyzes the nerve
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, cells at the base of the brain, and this interferes with the breathing
heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such and heart action. The end organs of the motor nerves lose their
like." Gal. 5:19-21. excitability, next the trunks of the nerves, and then the spinal
cord. . . . The power of fine coordination is decidedly lost."- Prof.
5. What are common accompaniments of intemperance? Sims Woodhead, of Cambridge University.
"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who "The use of cigarettes affects the nervous system, weakens the
hathbabbling? who hath wounds without cause? who willpower, and destroys the ability of the boy to resist temptation; and
hath redness of eyes?They that tarry long at the wine; they that because of this he easily falls a victim of those habits which not only
go to seek mixed wine." Prov. 23:29,30. destroy the mind and soul, but irresistibly lead him into a violation of
the laws of the state."- George Torrance, superintendent Illinois State
6. How do intoxicants serve one in the end? Reformatory.
"Look not thou upon the wine when it is red; when it giveth his Tobacco using is demoralizing in its general effects, and tends to
color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth create an appetite for strong drink. It originated with the natives of
North America, the Indians. In November, 1492, when Columbus
like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." Verses 31,32.
discovered the island of Cuba, he sent two sailors to explore it, who,
when they returned, reported, among many other strange and
NOTES.-The effects of alcoholic liquors are thus described in the
curious discoveries, that the natives carried with them lighted
American Prohibition Year Book for 1912, pages 26,27:-
firebrands, and puffed smoke from their mouths and noses, which
"On the Individual. Alcoholic liquors, whether fermented brewed, or
they supposed to be the way the savages had of perfuming
distilled, are poisonous, increasing greatly the liability to fatal
themselves. They afterward declared that they "saw the naked
termination of diseases, weakening and deranging the intellect,
savages twist large leaves together, and smoke like devils."
polluting the affections, hardening the heart, and corrupting the
Originating with the wild barbarians of America, the smoking habit,
morals, 'bequeathing to posterity' a degeneration of physical and
after some years, was introduced into Europe, and was rapidly
moral character.
adopted, not only by the lower classes, but by those in high authority,
"On the Family. A disturber and destroyer of its peace, prosperity,
even princes and nobles participating in the new intoxication. It has
and happiness, and thus removing the sure foundation for good
since become well-nigh universal.
government, national prosperity and welfare.
"On the Community. Producing demoralization, vice, and wickedness,
counteracting the efficacy of religious efforts and of all means for the 9. Where does intemperance often begin?
intellectual elevation, moral purity, social happiness. and eternal Intemperance often begins in the home. Many who would not
good of mankind." think of placing on their tables wine or liquor of any kind will load
"On the State. Promoting crime and pauperism, paralyzing thrift and them with food that creates a thirst for strong drink,- with strong
industry, corrupting politics, legislation. and the execution of laws." tea and coffee, injurious condiments, rich pastry, highly
Alcohol tends to destroy the higher forms of cells, those directly seasoned foods, and the like.
concerned with the vital processes, particularly the delicate brain-
cells, and to replace them with useless and harmful connective
tissue, or what is commonly known as scar tissue. Reliable statistics 10. What will drunkards, with other workers of iniquity,
demonstrate that the total abstainer has an advantage of at least never inherit?
twenty-one per cent over the moderate drinker. "Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, . . . nor thieves, nor covetous,
"The offspring of alcoholics show impaired vitality of the most deep- nordrunkards, . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor.
seated character, such as deformities, neuroses, which may take the 6:9,10.
282
Chapter 189: The World's Curse
1. WHAT admonition against intemperance did Christ give that is especially applicable at the present time?
"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so
that day come upon you unawares." Luke 21:34.
2. What did He say would be the condition of the world just before His second coming?
" As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. . . . They were eating and drinking. marrying and giving in
marriage." Matt. 24:37,38.
3. How has the consumption of liquor increased in gallons in the United States since 1840:-
GAL PER
SPIRITS WINES LIQUORS TOTAL
CAPITA
1840 43,060,884 4,873,096 23,310,843 71,244,823 4.17
1850 51,833,473 6,316,393 36,563,009 94,712,875 4.08
1860 89,968,651 10,933,981 101,346,669 202,249,301 6.43
1870 79,895,708 12,225,067 204,756,156 296,876,931 7.70
1880 63,526,694 28,098,179 414,220,165 505,845,038 10.08
1890 87,829,623 28,945,993 855,929,559 972,705,175 15.53
1900 97,356,864 29,988,467 1,222,387,104 1,349,732,435 17.76
1910 133,538,864 60,548,078 1,851,340,256 2,045,427,018 21.86
1911 138,585,989 62,859,232 1,966,911,744 2,169,356,695 22.79
The total consumption of alcoholic liquors in the United States for barrels of beer were drunk, an increase of 320,000 barrels over
forty-two years (1870-1911) was 43,611,000,564 gallons. the same months of 1911; 1,950,000,000 cigars were smoked, a
The drink bill of the United States for 1911 was estimated at record consumption; and more than 3,800,000,000 cigarettes
$1,833,- 653,425, or nearly twice the national debt. were consumed, an increase of 1,000,000,000 over the same
The number of liquor dealers in the United States in 1910 was period of the previous year.
255,765, or over a quarter of a million.
The capital invested in the manufacture of liquor in the United 4. What can be said of intemperance in Great
States in 1850 was less than $10,000,000. In 1910, sixty years Britain? Speaking of intemperance in Great Britain. the English
later, it had increased to over $770,000,000, or more than 7,700 Watchword says:-
per cent.
The total internal revenue received by the United States for
liquor for forty-nine years, or from 1863 to 1911, was "Thanks to our brewers and publicans, and the cooperation of
$5,245,916,047.01. the magistrates who license them, an the consent of the
The use of whisky, beer, cigars, and cigarettes in the United Christian church which permits the liquor traffic to continue, we
States increased enormously in 1912. During the three months have:-
of July, August, and September of this year alone, 33,150,000 "1,000,000 paupers on the rates through drink,
gallons of whisky were used, an increase of 450,000 gallons 100,000 criminals in jail through drink,
over the corresponding period of the previous year; 19,800,000 50,000 lunatics in asylums through drink,
60,000 deaths annually through drink, and a standing army of-
60,000 confirmed drunkards."
5. To what extent is beer manufactured in the world today?
The enormous extent of the beer industry in the world at the present time is indicated by the following table prepared in 1903 by Gambrinus,
of Vienna:-
No. of Breweries
Germany 18,230
United Kingdom 5,547
America and Australia 2,210
Austria-Hungary 1,436
283
Belgium 3,319
France 3,360
Russia 920
Sweden 250
Denmark 370
Switzerland 228
Holland 372
Other Countries 260
TOTAL 36,502
The amount of beer produced by these 36,502 breweries is estimated at considerably over 150,000,000 barrels annually.
Gallons or Liquor Consumed Annually by the World Today
WINE BEER SPIRITS
Australia 7,925,000 47,976,000 3,297,000
Austria-Hungary 192,800,000 545,674,043 120,000,000
Belgium 8,948,200 395,285,258 9,895,000
Bulgaria 29,100,000 946,000 770,000
Denmark 63,213,000 4,000,000
Dominion of Canada 1,386,235 39,896,636 6,054,790
France 1,710,900,000 289,103,000 97,177,968
German Empire 79,600,000 1,782,778,000 124,313,300
Holland 1,980,000 9,328,000
Italy 856,520,000 6,725,000 11,150,400
New Zealand 126,000 7,381,000 602,000
Newfoundland 7,200 312,000 364,000
Norway 8,756,000 1,672,000
Portugal 108,320,000
Romania 52,840,000 1,320,000 6,996,000
Russian Empire 76,620,000 151,633,892 232,813,382
Servia 6,605,000
Spain 428,000,000 20,000,000
Sweden 898,200 44,440,000 10,730,500
Switzerland 22,190,000 45,452,000
United Kingdom 26,349,873 1,021,123,632 38,133,721
United States 62,000,000 1,851,342,256 133,538,684
TOTAL 3,673,115,708 6,323,357,717 810,836,745
Grand total, 10,807,310,170 gallons.- American Prohibition Year Book, 1912.

284
Comparative Annual Cost of Liquor and

Other Things in the United States
Intoxicating liquor $1,752,000,000
Tobacco 1,200,000,000
Iron and steel 1,035,000,000
Jewelry and plate 800,000,000
Printing and publishing 750,000,000
Lumber 700,000,000
Cotton goods 675,000,000
Automobiles 500,000,000
Woolen and worsted goods 475,000,000
Flour 455,000,000
Boots and shoes 450,000,000
Panama Canal 400,000,000
Public education 371,000,000
Sugar and molasses 310,000,000
Furniture 245,000,000
Si1k goods 240,000,000
Potatoes 210,000,000
Confectionery 200,000,000
Church and home work 175,000,000
Soft drinks 120,000,000
Tea and coffee 100,000,000
Brick 100,000,000
Millinery 90,000,000
Patent medicines 80,000,000
Chewing-gum 13,000,000
Foreign missions 12,000,000
NOTES.-"Grape-juice has killed more people than grape-shot."- Spurgeon.

"O that men should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away their brains!"-Shakespeare.
"The liquor traffic is the most degrading and ruinous of all human pursuits."- William McKinley.
"All its history is written in tears and blood."- Robert J. Burdette.
"In every community three things always work together,- the grog-shop, the jail, and the gallows,- an infernal trinity."- Henry Ward Beecher.
"Give me a sober population, not wasting their earnings in strong drink, and I will know where to get my revenue."- William E. Gladstone.
"I have looked into a thousand homes of the working people of Europe; I do not know how many in this country. In every case, as far as my
observation goes, drunkenness was at the bottom of the misery."- Carroll D. Wright, former Commissioner of Labor, U.S.A.
"The liquor traffic is a hydra-headed monster, which, with ceaseless and tireless energy, wastes the substance of the poor, manufactures
burdensome taxes for the public, monopolizes the time of courts, fills the jails and penitentiaries and asylums, terrorizes helpless women
and children, and mocks the law."- Gen. Nelson A. Miles.
"I have no sympathy with the statement so often made, that the manufacture and sale of liquor have contributed to the industrial
development of the nation. On the contrary, I believe that liquor has contributed more to the moral, intellectual, and material deterioration of
the people, and has brought more misery to defenseless women and children, than has any other agency in the history of mankind."- John
Mitchell, vice-president American Federation of Labor.
"The saloon is the mortal enemy of peace and order, the despoiler of man and the terror of women, the cloud that shadows the face of
children, the demon that has dug more graves and sent more souls unshriven to judgment than all the plagues that have wasted life since
the plagues of Egypt, or all the wars since Joshua stood before Jericho."-Henry W Grady.
285
WHAT A BARREL OF WHISKY CONTAINS
A BARREL of headaches, of heartaches, of woes;

A barrel of curses, a barrel of blows;
A barrel of sorrow for a loving, weary wife;
A barrel of care, a barrel of strife;
A barrel of unavailing regret;
A barrel of cares, a barrel of debt;
A barrel of hunger, of poison, of pain;
A barrel of hopes all blasted and vain;
A barrel of poverty, ruin, and blight;
A barrel of tears that run in the night;
A barrel of crime, a barrel of groans;
A barrel of orphans' most pitiful moans;
A barrel of serpents that hiss as they pass,
That glow from the liquor in the bead of the glass;
A barrel of falsehoods; a barrel of cries
That fall from the maniac's lips as he dies!
286
Chapter 190: Scripture Admonitions
(A RESPONSIVE READING) "They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed
wine." Verse 30.
"Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may
follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his
them!" Isa. 5:11. color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright." Verse 31.
"And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in "At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."
their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither Verse 32.
consider the operation of His hands." Verse 12.
"Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
"And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor adulterers, . . . nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor
strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee." Lev. 10:8,9. revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor.
6:9,10.
"They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter
to them that drink it." Isa. 24:9. "Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor
strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing." Judges 13:4.
"It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor
for princes strong drink." Prov. 31:4. "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your
"Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose own?" 1 Cor. 6:19.
glorious beauty is a fading flower." Isa. 28:1.
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your
"He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine body, and in your spirit, which are God's." Verse 20.
and oil shall not be rich." Prov. 21:17.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all
to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.
"For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and
drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags." Prov. 23:21.
"Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy
bottle to him, and makest him drunken also." Hab. 2:15. LOOK not upon the wine
That sparkles in its flow,
For death is slumbering there,
"Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of
strength to mingle strong drink." Isa. 5:22. Beneath its ruddy glow.
No happiness it bringeth,
At last it only stingeth;
"Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the It biteth, and it wringeth
Spirit." Eph. 5:18. The heart with bitter woe.
"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is Lift up the tempted soul
deceived thereby is not wise." Prov. 20:1. Now fallen in despair,
Direct his thoughts above,
"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who To God, who heareth prayer.
hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath His arm in mighty power
redness of eyes?"Prov. 23:29. Can bid the demon cower,
And in temptation's hour
Will an escape prepare.
F. E. BELDEN.
287
Chapter 191: True Temperance Reform
1. WHAT was the original food provided for man? NOTE.-When they complained at God's dealings with them, and
"And God said, Behold, I have given you longed for the food of Egypt, God gave them their desires, but
every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, sent "leanness into their soul." See Numbers 11; Ps. 106:13-15;
and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to 1 Cor. 10:6. Like many today, they were not content with a
you it shall be for meat." Gen. 1:29. simple but wholesome and nourishing diet.
NOTE.-In other words, vegetables, grains, fruits, and nuts. 7. Where, above all, should true temperance reform begin?
In the home.
2. After the flood what other food was indicated as
permissible? NOTE.-Unless fathers and mothers practice temperance, they
"Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the cannot expect their children to do so.
green herb have I given you all things." Gen. 9:3.
8. What classes of men especially should be strictly
NOTE.-From this it is evident that flesh food was not included in temperate?
the original diet provided for man, but that on account of the "Be thou an example of the believers." 1 Tim. 4:12.
changed conditions resulting from the fall and the flood, its use
was permitted.
NOTE.-Of all men in the world, ministers and physicians should
lead strictly temperate lives. The welfare of society demands this
3. When God chose Israel for His people, what kinds of flesh of them, for their influence is constantly telling for or against
food were excluded from their diet? moral reform and the improvement of society. By precept and
Those called unclean. See Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. example they can do much toward bringing about the much-
needed reform.
4. What special food did God provide for the children of
Israel during their forty years' wandering in the wilderness? 9. Can the fact that the liquor traffic brings in a large
"Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from revenue to the state justify men in licensing it?
heaven for you." "And the children of Israel did eat manna forty "Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a
years, until they came to a land inhabited." Ex. 16:4, 35. city byiniquity." Hab. 2:12.
5. At the same time what did God promise to do for them? NOTE.-In all the walks and relationships of life, whether in the
"I will take sickness away from the midst of thee." Ex. 23:25. home, the medical profession, the pulpit, or the legislative
assembly, men should stand for temperance. To license the
6. What testimony does the psalmist bear regarding their liquor traffic is to legalize and foster it. It cannot exist nor thrive
physical condition? without the patronage of each rising generation, a large number
"There was not one feeble person among their tribes." Ps. of whom it must necessarily ruin, body, soul, and spirit. For the
105:37. state to receive money from such a source, therefore, must be
highly reprehensible. The practice has fittingly been likened to a
father catching sharks, and baiting his hook with his own children.
288
Section 18: The Kingdom Restored
Chapter 192: The Kingdom of Glory
1. WHO is to reign finally over God's kingdom?

"And Thou, O tower of the flock [Christ], . . . unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion." Micah 4:8.
2. When asked if He was a king, what did Christ say?

"To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world." John 18:37.
3. In His transfiguration how did Christ appear?

"His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light."Matt. 17:2.
4. Who else appeared on this occasion?

"There appeared unto them Moses and Elias." Verse 3.
NOTE.-In this miniature representation of Christ's kingdom, as in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt: 21:1:9}, Christ appeared as King;
Moses (Jude 9} represented the sleeping saints to be raised at Christ's coming; and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) the living saints to be translated
then.
5. For what purpose will Christ come again?

"To be glorified in His saints." 2 Thess. 1:10.
6. Of what will the saints speak?

"They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom." Ps. 145:11.
7. How enduring is this kingdom to be?

"Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom." Verse 13.
289
Chapter 193: The Saints' Inheritance
1. HOW great reward has God promised those that love 9. What are the meek to inherit?
Him? "But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither themselves in the abundance of peace." Ps. 37:11.
have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love Him." 1 Cor. 2:9.
10. What is promised to the willing and obedient?
"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the
2. By what have these things been revealed to us? land." Isa. 1:19.
"But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit
searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." Verse 10.
11. What delights and pleasures await the child of God?
"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is
3. What reward awaits the true child of God? fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures
"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, forevermore." Ps. 16:11.
ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting
life." Rom. 6:22.
4. What will he reap who sows to the Spirit? I WILL sing you a song of that beautiful land,
"He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life
The far-away home of the soul,
everlasting." Gal. 6:8. Where no storms ever beat on the glittering strand,
While the years of eternity roll.
5. For what purpose did God give ms Son to the world?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
O, that home of the soul! in my visions and dreams
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but Its bright jasper walls I can see,
have everlasting life."John 3:16.
Till I fancy but thinly the veil intervenes
Between the fair city and me.
6. What is to be the reward of those whose works are good?
"Who will render to every man according to his deeds: . . . glory, That unchangeable home is for you and for me,
honor,and peace, to every man that worketh good." Rom. 2:6-10.
Where Jesus of Nazareth stands;
The King of all kingdoms forever is He,
7. What will he receive who endures temptation? And He holdeth our crowns in His hands.
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is
tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath
O, how sweet it will be in that beautiful land,
promised to them that love Him." James 1:12. So free from all sorrow and pain;
With songs on our lips and with harps in our hands,
8. What promise is made to them that walk uprightly? To meet one another again!
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace MRS. ELLEN H. GATES.
and glory:no good thing will He withhold from them that walk
uprightly." Ps. 84:11.
290
Chapter 194: Promises to the Overcomer
1. WHAT are we admonished to overcome? New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." God: and I Will write upon him My new name." Verse 12.
Rom. 12:21. (g) "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My
throne,even as I also overcame, and am set down with My
Father in His throne." Verse 21.
NOTE.-In John 5:4 that which we are to overcome is called "the
world;" and in 1 John 2:15-17 the things of which "the world "
consists are described as "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of 5. In what one promise are all these promises summed up?
the eye, and the pride of life." "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God,
and he shall be My son." Rev. 21:7.
2. What only can overcome the world?
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world." 1 John NOTE.-Here are the exceeding great and precious promises to
5:4. the overcomer, eight in number. They embrace everything,-
eternal life, health, happiness, and an everlasting home. What
3. What gives us the victory in our conflict with the world? more could be asked?
"And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our
faith." Same verse.
4. What promises are made by Christ to the overcomer? IN heaven there will be no parting, no pain to bear;
(a) "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of No care-worn brow, no sigh, no silvery hair;
life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Rev. 2:7. No death to snatch our loved ones from our side,
(b) "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second No angry waves, no sea, no treacherous tide.
death." Verse 11.
(c) "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden
In heaven there'll be no thirst, no cry for bread;
manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new No soul who knows not where to lay his head;
name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." No one to feel the winter's chilling blast,
Verse 17. For there the piercing storms will all be past.
(d) "He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to
him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with
a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to In heaven there'll be no toil without repay;
shivers: even as I received of My Father. And I will give him the No building for a brief, ephemeral day;
morning star ." Verses 26-28. For all the joys that prophets old have told
(e) "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white 'Twill take the endless ages to unfold.
raiment; andI will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but
I will confess his name before My Father, and before His In heaven there'll be no weary pilgrim band;
angels." Rev. 3:5. No seekers for a better, fairer land;
(f) "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My For all who reach that blissful, happy shore,
God,and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the Will never cry nor sigh, nor wish for more.
name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is
291
Chapter 195: The Subjects of the Kingdom
1. UPON whom was the name Israel first bestowed? 11. To whom did Jesus first send the twelve disciples?
"And he said, Thy name shall be called no "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them,
more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of
and with men, and hast prevailed." Gen. 32:28. the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of
the house of Israel." Matt. 10:5,6.
NOTE.-Israel means a "prince," or "one who prevails with God."
12. When the woman of Canaan came to Christ, beseeching
2. Afterward who came to be called by this title? Him to heal her daughter, what did He say?
"But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost
"Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came
into Egypt; . . . Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, sheep of the house of Israel." Matt. 15:24.
Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. . . .
Joseph." Ex. 1:1-5. 13. When she persisted in her request, and fell down to
worship Him, what did He say?
NOTE.-In other words, the descendants of Jacob, the grandson "But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's
of Abraham, were known as the twelve tribes of Israel. bread, and to cast it to dogs." Verse 26.
NOTE.-By her persistent faith, this woman, although a Canaanite,

3. What special blessings were conferred on the Israelites?
"Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and showed that she was really a true child of Abraham.
the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and
the service of God, and thepromises; whose are the fathers, and 14. While dining with Zaccheus, what did Christ say? "This
of whom as concerning the fleshChrist came, who is over all." day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a
Rom. 9:4,5. son of Abraham." Luke 19:9.
4. Who constitute the true Israel, or seed of Abraham? 15. What did He say to the woman of Samaria as to the
"They are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they source of salvation?
are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship:
thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the for salvation is of the Jews." John 4:22.
flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the
promise are counted for the seed." Verses 6-8. 16. When the Jews rejected Paul's preaching of the gospel,
what did he and Barnabas say?
5. What did John the Baptist say to the Pharisees and "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was
Sadducees who came to his baptism? necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to
"And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves
father; for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." Acts
raise up children unto Abraham." Matt. 3:9. 13:46.
6. What determines whether one is a child of Abraham? NOTE.- From all this it is plain that had not the Jews as a nation
"Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the rejected Christ, they would still have maintained the
children of Abraham." Gal. 3:7. preeminence as the children of God, and as God's light-bearers
to the world. But on account of this rejection, they were rejected
NOTE.-Because of unbelief many of the Israelites fell in the as God's peculiar people, and others took their place, and now
wilderness, and were not permitted to enter the promised land. bear the name of Israel in common with those who were first
Num. 14:27-33; Deut. 1:34-36. called by that name.
7. To whom must one belong in order to be Abraham's 17. Under what figure are the Gentile believers represented
seed? who have become a part of the true Israel of God?
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou,
being a wild olive-tree, wert grafted in among them, and with
according to the promise." Verse 29.
them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive-tree; boast not
against the branches." Rom. 11:17,18.
8. In what scripture are Christians recognized as Israel?
"And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them,
18. Lest the Gentile grafts should boast, saying that the
and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." Gal. 6:16.
Jews were broken off to let them come in, what warning is
given them?
9. To whom is the epistle of James addressed? "Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou
"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: for if God spared
twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting." James 1:1. not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not
thee." Verses 20,21.
10. To whom is the gospel the power of God unto salvation?
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power 19. What encouragement is held out concerning the
of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, branches which have been broken off?
and also to the Greek." Rom. 1:16.
292
"And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted 24. Whose names are on the twelve gates of the city?
in: for God is able to graft them in again." Verse 23. "And [the wall] had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels,
and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve
20. What will be the final result of the gospel? tribes of the children of Israel." Verse 12.
"And so all Israel shall be saved." Verse 26.
25. Who will walk in the light of the city?
21. Before Gentiles become Israelites, in what condition are "And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light
they? of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into
"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles, . . . at it." Verse 24.
that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of NOTE.-This city, the New Jerusalem, will be for all the nations of
promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." Eph. the saved; and yet all who enter therein will enter through gates
2:11,12. on which are written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel,
from which it is evident that all who are saved will belong to
NOTE.-If, in order to be saved, Gentiles must become Israelites Israel. The name Israel will be perpetuated in the new earth state,
and very appropriately so, because of its meaning. All who share
as is everywhere asserted, then when converted from their
Gentile ways to the ways of Israel, they certainly must have faith in that future home of the saved will be overcomers- princes and
prevailers with God. See Rev. 3:12. 21:7. Christ recognized this
in Christ, and their lives must conform to the moral law which
God gave to Israel, otherwise it would not be the commonwealth division of the saved into twelve nations, in selecting His
apostles. He chose twelve. He recognized it again when to the
of Israel, but of the Gentiles. The writing of the law in the heart is
one of the provisions of the new covenant with true Israel. See twelve He said: "Ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration
Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:8-12. when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also
shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of
Israel." Matt. 19:28. And the apostles, after Christ's resurrection
22. How are God's remnant people described? and ascension, themselves recognized it, when, to fill the place
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the of Judas, who fell, they appointed another, in order to preserve
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12. the proper number, twelve.
23. Whose names are in the foundations of the holy city?

"And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the
names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." Rev. 21:14.
293
Chapter 196: Eternal Life
1. WHAT precious promise has God made to His children? 10. When will immortality be conferred upon the saints?
"And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a
life." 1 John 2:25. moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on
2. How may we obtain eternal life?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." 1 Cor.
Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have 15:51-53.
NOTE.-In accepting Christ the believer receives "that eternal life,
3. Who has everlasting life? which was with the Father," and this eternal life he retains as
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." Verse 36. long as Christ dwells in the heart by faith. This wondrous gift may
be lost by failure to maintain the faith which holds Christ fast. At
the resurrection, immortality is conferred upon those who have
4. Where is this everlasting, or eternal life? fallen asleep in Christ, and thus the possession of eternal life
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, becomes a permanent experience.
and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:11.
5. What therefore follows?

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of
God hath not life." Verse 12. TOIL on a little longer here,
For thy reward awaits above,
Nor droop in sadness or in fear
6. What does Christ give His followers? Beneath the rod that's sent in love;
"I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish." John The deeper wound our spirits feel,
10:28. The sweeter heaven's balm to heal.
7. Why, after the fall, was man shut away from the tree of Faith lifts the veil before our eyes,
life? And bids us view a happier clime,
"Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and Where verdant fields in beauty rise,
eat, and live forever." Gen. 3:22. Beyond the withering blasts of time;
And brings the blissful moment near,
8. What has Christ promised the overcomer? When we in glory shall appear:
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which
is in the midst of the paradise of God." Rev. 2:7. Then let us hope; 'tis not in vain;
Though moistened by our grief the soil,
9. To what is the life of the redeemed compared? The harvest brings us joy for pain,
"For as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and The rest repays the weary toil;
Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." Isa. 65:22. For they shall reap, who sow in tears,
Rich gladness through eternal years.
ANNIE R. SMITH.
294
Chapter 197: The Home of the Saved
1. FOR what purpose was the earth created? 12. What promise was made to Abraham concerning the
"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God land?
Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, "And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated
He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited." Isa. 45:18. from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where
thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
2. To whom has God given the earth? for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy
"The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth SEED forever." Gen. 13:14,15.
hath He given to the children of men." Ps. 115:16.
13. How much did this promise comprehend?
3. For what purpose was man made? "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not
"Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the
hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet." Ps. 8:6. See Gen. righteousness of faith." Rom. 4:13.
1:26; Heb. 2:8.
14. How much of the land of Canaan did Abraham own in his
4. How did man lose his dominion? lifetime?
Through sin. Rom. 5:12; 6:23. "And He gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to
set his foot on: yet He promised that He would give it to him for a
possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no
5. When man lost his dominion, to whom did he yield it? child." Acts 7:5. See Heb. 11:13.
"For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in
bondage." 2 Peter 2:19.
15. How much of the promised possession did Abraham
expect during his lifetime?
NOTE.-Man was overcome by Satan in the garden of Eden, and "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place
there yielded himself and his possessions into the hands of his which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he
captor. went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in
the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in
6. In tempting Christ, what ownership did Satan claim? tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same
"And the devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, showed promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose
unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And builder and maker is God." Heb. 11:8-10.
the devil said unto Him, All this power will I give Thee, and the
glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I 16. Who is the seed to whom this promise was made?
will I give it." Luke 4:5,6. "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He
saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy
7. Through whom is this first dominion to be restored? seed, which is Christ." Gal. 3:16.
"And Thou, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter
of Zion,unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the 17. Who are heirs of the promise?
kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem." Micah 4:8. "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise." Verse 29.
NOTE.-The "tower of the flock" is Christ.
18. Why did not these ancient worthies receive the
8. Why did Christ say the meek are blessed? promise?
"Blessed. are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5. "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith,
received not the promise: God having provided some better thing
for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Heb.
NOTE.-This inheritance cannot be realized in this life; for here 11:39,40.
the truly meek generally have little of earth's good things.
19. What is to become of our earth in the day of the Lord?
9. Who does David say have most now? "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the
"For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
the wicked. ...Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the
than heart could wish." Ps. 73:3-7. works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10.
10. Where are the righteous to be recompensed? 20. What will follow this great conflagration? "Nevertheless
"Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much we, according to His promise, look for new
more the wicked and the sinner." Prov. 11:31. heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
Verse 13.
11. What will be the difference between the portion of the
righteous and the wicked? NOTE.-As shown in the reading on "The Millennium," chapter 78,
"Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to at the coming of Christ, the living wicked will die, and the saints
inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see will be taken to heaven to dwell with Christ a thousand years, or
it." Ps. 37:34. until the wicked of all ages are judged, and the time comes for
their destruction and the purification of the earth by the fires of
295
the last day. Following this, the earth will be formed anew, and 29. What does Daniel say of this kingdom?
man, redeemed from sin, will be restored to his original dominion. "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the
kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of
21. To what Old Testament promise did Peter evidently the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting
refer? kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him." Dan,
"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and 7:27.
the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Isa.
65:17. NOTE.-Let imagination picture the home of the saved fair and
beautiful as it may, yet remember that it will be more glorious
22. What was shown the apostle John in vision? than our brightest imagination can conceive. See 1 Cor. 2:9.
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven
and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more
sea." Rev. 21:1.
O, SWEETLY through the gloomy years
23. What will the saints do in the new earth? That roll their dimming veil between,
"And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall The promised goodly land appears,
plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, Arrayed in never-fading green!
and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as And from that peaceful, happy clime,
the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect Transporting bursts of song arise,
shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in And, rolling through the mists of time,
vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the Tell us of joy that never dies.
blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them." Isa. 65:21-23.
As voyagers on the stormy deep
24. How readily will their wants be supplied? Look for some bright and sunny bay
"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; Where winds and waves are hushed in sleep,
and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Verse 24. And joy lights up the happy day,
So o'er the tossing sea of years
We glance the eye and stretch the hand
25. What peaceful condition will reign throughout the earth
then? Where, robed in fadeless light, appears
"The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat The border of the shining land.
straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They
shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, saith the Lord." There angel hosts of glorious ones,
Verse 25. With sinless hearts and stainless hands,
Call us in glad and loving tones
26. What seasons of worship will be observed in the new And bid us welcome to their bands.
earth? Hark! how their harps and voices tell
"For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I shall make, The glories of that radiant strand,
shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and And bid us breast the waves that swell
your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new Between us and the shining land.
moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh
come to worship before Me, saith the Lord." Isa. 66:22,23. Ear hath not heard, eye hath not seen,
The glories of that home of song;
27. What will the ransomed of the Lord then do? Though stormy billows roll between,
"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to I go to join the angel throng.
But of the joys beyond the tide,
Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall
obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee The welcomes on that golden strand,
The best shall be from Him who died
away." Isa. 35:10.
To bring us to the shining land.
H. L. HASTINGS.
28. How extensive will be the reign of Christ?
"He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river
unto the ends of the earth." Ps. 72:8.
296
Chapter 198: The New Jerusalem
1. WHAT was one of Christ's parting promises to His 12. Of what are the twelve gates composed?
disciples? "And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate
"In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I was of one pearl." Rev. 21:21.
would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2.
13. What is written on these gates?
2. What does Paul say God has prepared for His people? "The names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel." Verse
"But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: 12.
wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He
hath prepared for them a city." Heb. 11:16. 14. Of what are the streets of the city composed?
"And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent
3. Where is this city, and what is it called? glass." Verse 21.
"But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us
all." Gal. 4:26. 15. Why will this city have no need of the sun or moon?
"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to
4. For what did Abraham look? shine in it:for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the
"For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose light thereof.And the nations of them which are saved shall walk
builder and maker is God." Heb. 11:10. in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and
honor into it." Verses 23,24. See Rev. 22:5; Isa. 60:19,20.
5. What assurance has God given to believers?
"God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath 16. Why are its gates not to be closed?
prepared for them a city." Heb. 11:16. "And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall
be no night there." Rev. 21:25.
6. What did John see concerning this city?
"And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down 17. What will be excluded from this city?
from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her "And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth,
husband." Rev. 21:2. neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie." Verse
27.
7. How many foundations has this city?
"And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the 18. Who will be permitted to enter it?
names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." Verse 14. "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may
have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates
8. What is the measurement of the city? into the city." Rev. 22:14.
"And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the
breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve NOTE.-The late English and American revisions render this,
thousand furlongs."Verse 16. "Blessed are they that wash their robes," etc. The result is the
same, for those who wash their robes cease to sin, and hence
NOTE.-The measure around it, as the words length and breadth do God's commandments.
imply, and as was the early custom of measuring cities, is 12,000
furlongs. This is equal to 1,500 miles, 375 miles on each side, 19. When this city becomes the metropolis of the new earth,
making a perfect square. The area of this city is therefore what will be the condition of God's people?
140,625 square miles, or 90,000,000 acres, or "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there
3,920,400,000,000 square feet. Allowing 100 square feet to each shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall
person, or a space ten feet square, the city would hold there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
39,204,000,000 persons, or twenty-six times the present Rev. 21:4.
population of the globe.
20. What will flow through the city?
9. What is the height of the wall? "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,
"And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." Rev. 22:1.
four cubits." Verse 17.
21. What stands on either side of the river?
NOTE.-One hundred and forty-four cubits are equal to 216 feet. "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river,
was therethe tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and
10. Of what material is the wall constructed? yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for
"And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was the healing of the nations." Verse 2.
pure gold, like unto clear glass." Verse 18.
NOTE.-The tree of life which Adam lost through transgression is
11. With what are the twelve foundations adorned? to be restored by Christ. Access to this is one of the promises to
"And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with the over-comer. Rev. 2:7. Its bearing twelve kinds of fruit, a new
all manner of precious stones. The first foundation kind each month, suggests a reason why in the new earth "from
was jasper; the second,sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the one new moon to another," as well as "from one Sabbath to
fourth, an emerald; the fifth,sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the another," all flesh is to come before God to worship, as stated in
seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl;the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, Isa. 66:22,23.
a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth,
an amethyst." Verses 19,20. See Ex. 28:15-21; Isa. 54:11,12. 22. What will be the privilege of those who enter there?
"And they shall see His face." Rev. 22:3,4. See Matt. 5:8; Heb.
12:14; 1 Cor. 13:12.
297
Section 18
The Kingdom Restored
Chapter 199.
The Conflict Ended
1. IN narrating the work of creation, what statement is made on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My
concerning its completion? holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the
"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Isa.11:6-9.
of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He
had made." Gen. 2:1,2. 7. How does the prophet again speak of this time?
"The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth
2. When expiring on the cross, what did Christ say? into singing."Isa. 14:7.
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is
finished:and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost." John 8. What universal chorus of praise will then be heard?
19:30. "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and
under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in
3. At the pouring out of the seventh plague, what them, heard I saying,Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power,
announcement will be made? be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb
"And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there forever and ever." Rev. 5:13.
came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne,
saying, It is done." Rev. 16:17.
4. And when the new heavens and the new earth have
O WHAT a mighty change
appeared, and the holy city, New Jerusalem, has descended Shall Jesus' followers know,
from God and become the metropolis of the new creation, When o'er the happy plains they range,
what announcement will then be made?
Incapable of woe!
"And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things
new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and
faithful. And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, There all our griefs are past;
the beginning and the end." Rev. 21:5,6. There all our sorrows end;
We gain a peaceful rest at last,
With Jesus Christ our Friend.
5. In the new earth, what will be no more?
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there
shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall No slightest touch of pain,
there be any morepain: for the former things are passed away." Nor sorrow's least alloy,
Verse 4. "And there shall be no more curse." Rev. 22:3. Can violate our rest, or stain
Our purity of joy.
6. What will then be the condition of all the earth?
"The wolf also shall dwell with the Iamb, and the leopard shall lie In that eternal day,
down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling No clouds nor tempest rise;
together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the There gushing tears are wiped away.
bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the Forever from our eyes.
lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play CHARLES WESLEY.
on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand
298
Chapter 200: Pleasures Forevermore
1. WHAT will finally be the privilege of God's children? 9. How will the ransomed of the Lord return to Zion?
"And they shall see His face." Rev. 22:4. "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come
to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they
2. How perfect will be their knowledge of God? shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee
away." Isa. 35:10.
"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face
to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I
am known." 1 Cor. 13:12. 10. How enduring will be their pleasures?
"For as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine
elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." Isa. 65:22.
3. Whom will they be like?
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet
appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall 11. How long will they possess the future kingdom?
appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." 1 "But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and
John 3:2. possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever." Dan. 7:18.
4. From what ills will the saints be forever delivered? 12. How long will they reign?
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there "And they shall reign forever and ever." Rev. 22:5.
shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall
there be any morepain: for the former things are passed away."
Rev. 21:4.
I AM longing for the home land,

5. How completely will the pains and sorrows of the former
And its rest from sin and strife;
world pass away? I am yearning for the welcome
"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the
With its warmth of light and life;
former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Isa. 65:17. And the days seem long and weary,
Margin, "Come upon the heart;" i. e., to be desired. Mid earth scenes so dark and dreary,
While I wait for my Redeemer
6. Who will dwell with the redeemed? To come in clouds for me.
"He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God
Himself shall be with them, and be their God." Rev. 21:3. O the home land, blessed home land,
With its bliss beyond compare!
7. What will it mean to dwell in God's presence? How our ardent souls are yearning
"In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there For the joys that wait us there!
are pleasures forevermore." Ps. 16:11. And we haste to barge our treasure
On the river of Thy pleasure,
8. What peaceful condition will prevail in the earth made In the home where life eternal
new? Awaits the ransomed throng.
"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN.
earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters
cover the sea." Isa. 11:9.
299
Chapter 201: The Game of Life in Progress
IN these three beautiful pictures illustrating the game of life, now, when too late to make amends, he sees his fatal moves
Satan, the prince of darkness, is represented as playing with and his great mistakes.
man for his soul.
The figures on the wall have changed their visage, and seem
The scene chosen is a wide vault, whose arch is embellished ready to pounce upon the doomed and helpless man. The lion
with lizard-shaped monsters, which adhere closely to the two also has become more fierce, and thirsts for his blood, while the
pillars, down which they seem to creep. On the left-hand side of angel turns in sadness from the scene and weeps.
the picture, near Satan, is an open-mouthed lion ready to devour
his victim at the first opportunity.
The entire view is one of inexpressible sorrow and regret.
The upper surface of a sarcophagus is transformed into a chess-

The Game of Life Won
board, beside which man sits, his head resting on his hand, and
his countenance full of careful thought as to what moves he
should make next. IN the closing scene of this allegorical representation of man's
conflict with the powers of darkness, we have pictured the happy
issue of a faithful Christian life.
Opposite him is Satan, seated, his chin resting on his hand, his
hair and beard bristling wildly, and every feature expressive of
cunning intent, and a determination to watch every move, take Satan has been defeated, and has departed.
advantage of every mistake, and win if possible.
The sleeping lion, the open Word, the cross and crown, all speak
Beneath the arch, in the background, stands a lovely angel form of victory.
unnoticed by either of the players, but watching intently the
progress of the game. Instead of sitting in sorrow and mourning over defeat, the man,
with cheerful looks and thankful heart, lifts his eyes toward
The Game of Life Lost heaven, and rejoices that he has met and vanquished his deadly
foe.
HERE we see the results of the game lost. Satan has been
victorious. With a wild and horrid leer and a deathlike grip he has In the place of the ugly monsters on the wall, cherubs are seen,
seized his victim, and in triumph points to the sure but gruesome with laurel wreaths ready to place upon the victor's brow, while
signs of death,- the skulls and cross-bones. Amidst smoke and the angel, with joyful satisfaction, points the victor to his
flame, the hand of Death rises to strike man with his poisoned exceeding great reward.
dart.
This is the game which all, whether conscious of the fact or not,
In sadness and despair man sits, with covered face, and weeps are playing. What its outcome will be in each case depends upon
over his defeat. His hope is gone; he knows no peace; he feels how each one meets and fights life's battle day by day. All may
the icy clasp of his conquering foe. With keen regret, he now be victors if they will.
ponders over his loss of faith, his neglect of prayer, and his
failure to study and follow his Guide-book. Life, with its "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of
opportunities for gaining the life to come, has been wasted; and life." Prov. 4:23.
The Goodly Land
We have heard from the bright, the holy land,

We have heard, and our hearts are glad;
For we were a lonely pilgrim band,
And weary, and worn, and sad.
They tell us the saints have a dwelling there,
No longer are homeless ones;
And we know that the goodly land is fair,
Where life's pure river runs.
They say green fields are waving there,

That never a blight shall know;
And the deserts wild are blooming fair,
And the roses of Sharon grow.
There are lovely birds in the bowers green,
Their songs are blithe and sweet;
And their warblings, gushing ever new,
The angels' harpings greet.
300
We have heard of the palms, the robes, the crowns,

And the silvery band in white;
Of the city fair, with pearly gates,
All radiant with light;
We have heard of the angels there, and saints,
With their harps of gold, how they sing;
Of the mount, with the fruitful tree of life,
Of the leaves that healing bring.
The King of that country, He is fair,

He's the joy and light of the place;
In His beauty we shall behold Him there,
And bask in His smiling face.
We'll be there, we'll be there in a little while,
We'll join the pure and the blest;
We'll have the palm, the robe, the crown,
And forever be at rest.
W. H. HYDE.

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1

Finally great Bible societies were organized in England, America,

The Word Not Bound

The Value of Bible Study

Section 1: The Bible; How to Study and Understand It

Chapter 1: The Scriptures

NOTE.-God did this by backing His promises with an oath based

20. In what is the true poetry of life to be found?

10. What was God's design in thus giving the Scriptures?

12. Upon what evidence did Jesus base His Messiahship?

Section 1: The Bible; How to Study and Understand It

Chapter 2: The Study of the Scriptures

Section 1: The Bible; How to Study and Understand It

Chapter 3: Power in the Word

Section 1: The Bible; How to Study and Understand It

Chapter 4: The Life-Giving Word

6. What lesson was intended by feeding the children of

Section 1: The Bible; How to Study and Understand It

Chapter 5: Christ in All the Bible

16. In what words does Daniel foretell Christ's receiving His

Section 2: Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy

Chapter 6: Creation and the Creator

Section 2: Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy

Chapter 7: The Origin of Evil

Section 2: Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy

Chapter 8: The Fall and Redemption of Man

Blind unbelief is sure to err,

Section 2: Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy

Chapter 9: Creation and Redemption

Section 2: Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy

Chapter 10: The Character and Attributes of God

7. What is said of the strength and wisdom of God? "Behold,

Section 2: Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy

Chapter 11: The Love of God

Section 2: Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy

Chapter 12: The Deity of Christ

8. Why was it necessary that He should be born thus, and

Section 2: Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy

Chapters 13: Prophecies Relating to Christ

7. Under what striking emblem was He prophesied of by

Section 2: Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy

Chapter 14: Christ the Way of Life

Section 2: Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy

Chapter 15: Salvation Only Through Christ

Section 3: The Way to Christ

Chapter 16: Faith

12. What in the early church showed living faith?

Section 3: The Way to Christ

Chapter 17: Hope

18. In the time of trouble, who will be the hope of God's

9. What is the Christian's hope called?

Section 3: The Way to Christ

Chapter 18: Repentance

Section 3:The Way to Christ

Chapter 19: Confession and Forgiveness

Section 3: The Way to Christ

Chapter 20: Conversion, or the New Birth

Section 3: The Way to Christ