Steps to Life Lessons

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STEPS TO LIFE LESSONS

Does the Bible sometimes seem baffling to you? Are you trying to find the Lord through His Word, but you don't know where to begin? The Steps to Life Bible studies are designed to, step by step, lead you to the great truths of the Bible.

Supplemental Lesson 1 (S-1)

Is the Bible God's Word?

Introduction: The Bible says that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God," for "prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).The claim of the Bible is that it is the word of the living God, written by human penmen, to the inhabitants of earth. How can we know that this claim of the Bible is true?

1. What element is essential in order for us to believe the Bible? Heb. 11:3, 6 [Note: Not only the Bible testimony but most of our learning has been received through faith. As children, our parents showed us a ball and said, "This is a ball." We learned because we had faith in their word. Most of us have not been to Mongolia, but we believe it exists because we have faith in the authorities who have told us. Many people reject the Bible because of their belief in evolution, but evolution itself can be believed only on the basis of faith in someone's interpretation of selected evidence. The Further- study verse is Heb. 4:2]

2. What is faith? Heb. 11:1 [Ans: Faith is evidence, for it is founded upon evidence. God does not bypass the human mind. He says, "Come now, and let us reason together" (Isa. 1:18). God gives sufficient evidence upon which to honestly base our faith. But faith is founded upon evidence of things which are not seen with natural sight. We cannot see the wind, but we can see the evidences of the wind. Rom. 8:24, 25]

3. What is one evidence that God has given us on which we can base our faith? Isa. 45:18-21 [Ans: The God of the Bible claims to be the only God, the Creator of heaven and earth. As evidence, He says He has foretold current happenings "from ancient times." 2 Peter 1:19]

4. What knowledge does God alone have? Isa. 46:9, 10 [Note: In the lessons following in this series, we will note prophecies that foretold accurately events happening thousands of years later. We will note prophecies of Greece, Rome, and Europe, in some cases giving the specific dates for certain events. The Bible also describes the events and conditions of today. John 14:29]

5. What conditions does the Bible predict will prevail in society today? 2 Tim. 3:1-4 [Note: Sin has always existed in society, but the conditions describe in our text will increase in the last days. Matt. 24:37-39; Gen. 6:5]

6. What international conditions does the Bible picture for the last days? Matt. 24:6, 7 [ Rev. 11:18]

7. In the midst of calamities, violence, and threats of war, for what will many people be seeking and predicting? 1 Thess. 5:2, 3 [ Rev. 18:7, 8]

8. What religious conditions will prevail in the last days? 2 Peter 3:3-7a [Ans. Men and women will scoff at the faith of Christians, denying the evidences of creation and the flood. They will claim that all things continue in a uniform process of evolution that cannot be, and has not been, changed. Luke 18:8; Rom. 1:19-22]

9. While the moral conditions of society are deteriorating, while efforts to reduce international tensions are preoccupying us, and while evolution is replacing belief in creation, what will suddenly happen to earth? 2 Peter 3:10-13 [ Luke 21:34, 35]

10. How can we be preserved from the coming destruction? John 3:16 [ Ps. 91:1, 2, 7-10; 27:15; John 6:39, 40]

1 11. From whom do we receive the gift of faith, which we must have in order to believe and be saved? Rom. 12:3 [ Heb. 12:2; Mark 9:24; James 1:5, 17]

12. Through what process does God develop faith? Rom. 10:14, 17 [ 1 Cor. 1:2124; Matt. 24:14]

13. How only can we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? John 6:44, 45 [Only those who have learned from the Father can believe on Jesus Christ. As we ask God to teach us, while studying the Bible and opening our minds to the evidences of His presence, He will teach us; He will give us faith; and we will be drawn to Christ as our Savior. John 20:31; Mark 16:17]

14. What invitation does God give to each one of us? Ps. 34:8 [ Matt. 11:28-30]

Commitment: To be understood, the Bible must be studied from a higher standpoint than mere human logic. There must also be the element of conviction from God and an exercise of faith. In His Word, God has given abundant evidence upon which to base our faith in Him. We have looked at one evidence-He can foretell the future. The greatest evidence is the abiding presence of Christ within one's life. God is fair. He says, "Taste and see" for yourself (Ps. 34:8). You do not have to rely on another's faith. His promise is that "You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13). Will you give God a chance to demonstrate His goodness in your life?

Lesson 1

How to Understand the Bible

Introduction: Some people think that the Bible is so difficult to understand that they are afraid even to try. Others wonder why, if the Bible really can be understood, there are so many different churches, all claiming to believe the Bible and yet teaching different things. The reason for so many different beliefs is that, although many people claim to believe the Bible, they have not studied it the way God has told them to. God has told us how to understand the Bible. If we will just follow the method He has outlined, we can know exactly what it means. We can know truth! We can have eternal life! In this lesson we will learn how God tells us to study the Bible.

1. What claim does the Bible make about itself? 2 Tim. 3:16 [Note: Faith in the Bible as the inspired Word of God is developed by studying it. In these lessons we will witness how the Bible accurately reveals future events, and we will experience how it meets the needs of every human being. The Further-study verse is 2 Peter 1:20, 21]

2. Why were God's people in ancient times destroyed? Hosea 4:6 [Isa. 5:13]

3. What portion of God's Word is needed for real spiritual life? Matt. 4:4 [Deut. 8:3]

4. What did Jesus say was the basic theme of the Scriptures? John 5:39 [Note: The only part of the Bible written at this time was the Old Testament. Luke 24:44]

5. What did Jesus call those who do not believe all that the Bible says? Luke 24:25 [Matt. 22:29]

6. Why did Paul commend the Bereans? Acts 17:10, 11 [2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Chron. 20:20]

Thus, as we have just seen, if we are going to understand the Bible we must recognize that all of it is important and none of it is to be neglected. If we will study the whole Bible exactly as God tells us to, we will find the truth. Even children and those who are poorly educated can understand it. God gives us six rules for studying the Bible correctly. Let us look at these six principles.

7. What is one condition that God sets forth for understanding the Bible? Matt. 11:25 [Ans: We must be humble and teachable. 1 Cor. 1:21, 26-31]

2 8. What is a second condition that God gives for understanding the Bible? Isa. 28:9, 10 [Ans: We must let the Bible interpret itself by comparing Scripture with Scripture. We should study everything the Bible says on a subject to make sure we are not misinterpreting a given passage. 1 Cor. 2:13; Luke 24:27, 44]

9. What is a third condition for understanding the Bible? 1 Cor. 2:7, 10-14 [Ans: We must ask that the Holy Spirit guide us. John 16:13]

10. What is a fourth condition God sets forth for understanding the Bible? 2 Thess. 2:9-12 [Ans: We must really want to know truth. Some people are looking for excuses not to believe the truth. If they look ha2 enough, God will let them be deceived, but they will still be lost! Heb. 4:12; Rom. 1:28]

11. What is a fifth condition God gives for understanding the Bible? Jer. 29:13 [Ans: We must really search for truth. Even if we have all the true principles for studying the Bible, if we do not spend sufficient time studying, we still will not find God's truth for today. Matt. 13:45, 46; Isa. 44:3; Matt. 5:6]

12. What is a sixth condition for understanding the Bible? John 8:31, 32 [Ans: We must follow what we already know to be truth. Why should God reveal more truth to us if we are not following what He has already revealed to us? John 7:17; Matt. 13:12; 7:24-27]

Commitment: Is it your desire to let Jesus teach you truth through His Word? Will you endeavor to study His Word every day in the way God has told us to study it?

Lesson 2

How to Pray

Introduction: More Important than any rule or law is our loverelationship with Jesus Christ, which is developed through spending time in Bible study, prayer, and witnessing. When we study the Bible, God speaks to us. When we pray, we speak to Him. And when we witness, we speak to others about Him. In this lesson we will discover the secrets of prayer and how we can enjoy this privilege.

1. Prayer is talking to God from the heart as to a friend. How do we know that God will always answer our prayers in the best way? Rom. 8:32 [The Further-study verses are Psalms 102:17; 147:3-6]

2. How should we pray in these solemn times? 1 Peter 4:7 [Luke 21:34-36]

3. What did the disciples want Jesus to teach them? Luke 11:1. In response, what did Jesus say should be included in our prayers, Verses 2-4. And finally, what principle did Jesus give for obtaining answers to prayer? Verses 5-9. [Note: In verses 2-4, Jesus was not giving a formal prayer to recite but was answering the disciples' request, "Teach us to pray." Here He taught us what type of things to pray about and how we should persist in prayer. Matt. 6:9- 13; 7:7-11; Luke 18:1-7; 1 Thess. 5:17]

4. In Luke 11:2, above, Jesus taught us to pray to the Father. In whose name, or by whose authority, should we address the Father? John 15:16 [Note: We pray in Jesus' name because He is our mediator and Savior. Through His merits we gain access to the very throne of the universe. John 14:12-15; 16:23, 24; 1 Tim. 2:5]

5. When especially should we pray? Ps. 5:3 [Mark 1:35; Ps. 55:16, 17].

6. What kind of prayers should these morning prayers be? Matt. 6:5-8 [Ans: Personal, private prayers rather than formal, "prayerbook" prayers. Matt. 23:14]

7. Besides our private prayers, is there also a place for public prayer? Matt. 18:19, 20 [Acts 1:14; 2:1]

3 8. What attitude toward God should we exhibit in our prayers? Ps. 95:6, 7 [Ans: Reverence such as is shown by kneeling in awe and humility when possible. Isaiah 45:23; Phil 2:9, 10; Daniel 6:10; 2 Chron. 6:13; Ps. 141:1, 2]

9. On what specific occasions did Jesus and the apostles pray? Acts 27:35 [Ans: At meal times. Luke 24:30] Thus far we have noted four things that will make our prayers effective. We might call these conditions, or principles, of prayer. The four principles we have noted are: (1) being persistent, (2) praying with Jesus' authority, (3) being personal, and (4) having reverence. Now let us look at five more principles of prayer. See if you can remember all nine when we have completed the lesson.

10. What is a fifth condition? Ps. 37:5 [Ans: We must trust God. James 1:5-7; Heb. 11:6; Mark 11:24]

11. What is a sixth condition? 1 John 5:14 [Ans: We must want Cod's will to be done. This is a matter of faith. If we really believe God's way is best, we will want His will to be done. Matt. 26:39; James 4:3; Rom. 8:26-28]

12. What is a seventh condition? Prov. 28:9 [Ans: we must listen to God and obey Him. Why should we expect God to hear us, if we will not hear Him? And why should we expect Him to do what we ask, if we will not do what He asks? 1 John 3:22; Luke 6:46; John 14:12-15]

13. What is an eighth condition? Phil. 4:6 [Ans: we should praise God and be thankful for His goodness. Col. 4:2; Ps. 34:1]

14. What is a ninth condition? Mark 11:25, 26 [Ans: We should be willing to forgive others as we expect God to forgive us. Matt. 6:14, 15; 18:21-35]

Commitment: Will you plan to become better acquainted with Jesus by setting apart some time every morning to talk with Him in personal, private prayer?

STEP 1 (Lessons 1-10): Believing in Christ, Our Savior and Coming King

Lesson 3

Satan, Our Enemy

Introduction: In our last two lessons we learned how to develop a relationship with God. In this lesson we will study about Satan. Who is he? Is there really such a being? And if there is, has he existed from all eternity? Is he therefore another god, an enemy god, who is in conflict with Jehovah? We will answer these questions in this lesson.

1. Where did Jesus say Satan came from? Luke 10:18 [The Further-study verse is Jude 6]

2. Why did Satan fall from heaven? Isa. 14:1215 [2 Peter 2:4]

3. How did Satan come into being, and what was he like? Eze. 28:15 [Note: In verse 12 of this chapter Satan is referred to as the "king of Tyre." Just as the Lord was the real king behind the human ruler in Israel (I Chron. 29:23; Zeph. 3:5), so Satan was the real king behind the pagan kingdoms of Babylon and Tyre. Thus at certain points the prophecies of Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 reflect in a graphic manner Satan's own characteristics. Col. 1:16; Ps.148:1,2,5]

4. Since Satan was created as a holy and perfect angel, what change took place in him that caused him to be cast out of heaven? Eze. 28:13, 14, 17 [Note: Satan was "perfect" until "iniquity was found" in him. Ezekiel 28:16 says, "You sinned . . . O covering cherub." Satan thus became the first sinner, or, according to 1 John 3:4, 8, the first transgressor of God's law. 1 John 3:8 says, "The Devil has sinned from the beginning." In other words, he was the originator of sin. Ps. 80:1; John 8:44]

5. Who were expelled from heaven with Satan? Rev. 12:7-9, 12 [ Matt. 25:41]

6. How did this world become involved in Satan's rebellion? Gen. 3:1-6 [Note: As Satan later worked through the king of Tyre, so in Eden he used a serpent as his medium. Therefore the "serpent" also became one of Satan's titles (Rev. 12:9). [ Rom. 5:12]

4 7. In the beginning, Adam was made the ruler over this world (Gen.1:26). But after Satan caused Adam to sin he lost that dominion. Who then claimed rulership of this world? Luke 4:5-7 [ John 14:30; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 6:12]

8. What does Satan do to those who oppose truth? 2 Tim. 2:25, 26 [John 8:34-44; Eph. 2:13]

9. What warning does Peter give to Christians living in the last days? 1 Peter 5:6-9 [Eph 6:10-18]

10. How will Satan work in the last days, and who will he deceive? 2 Thess. 2:8-10 [Rev. 16:14]

11. How will Satan disguise his work and workers in the last days? 2 Cor. 11:1315 [Matt. 4:5, 6]

12. How can we overcome Satan? Rev. 12:11 [1 John 3:4-8; James 4:7, 8]

Commitment: Many people have wondered how a God of love could permit the sin and suffering in the world today. But God never intended it to be thus. God never made sin or suffering. He gave all His beings, including the angels, the power of choice; and one of those angels, the highest angel in heaven, chose to rebel. Then our first parents joined him in that rebellion. Thus sin entered our planet. Satan is at war with God and is seeking through intrigue, deception, and force to cause our eternal destruction. The Bible reveals his plans and disguises. It also reveals a Savior--Jesus Christ-- who will save us from Satan. Will you study His Word and allow Him to save you from the wiles of the Devil?

Lesson 4

Jesus, Our Friend

Introduction: All our lessons are about Jesus and His truth, but this is a special lesson on who Jesus is and what He wants to do for us. Because of Satan's rebellion, and because Jesus loved us too much to leave us under Satan's control, Jesus left heaven and came to this earth to redeem all who want to be saved.

JESUS' DIVINITY AND PREEXISTENCE

1. Shortly after Jesus was conceived within Mary, an angel explained His birth to Joseph and said He would be called Immanuel. What does Immanuel mean? Matt. 1:21-23 [The Further-study verses are Col. 2:9; Isa. 9:6; Rev. 22:13]

2. Where was Jesus before the world was formed? John 17:4, 5 [John 8:58]

3. What work did Jesus do in the beginning? John 1:1-3 [Ans: He created all things. Col. 1:16, 17]

4. What does Paul call Christ? 1 Cor. 10:4 [Ans: The Rock. 2 Sam. 23:3; Deut. 32:4; Ps. 18:2; 31:3; 42:9; 62:2, 6]

WHY JESUS CAME TO EARTH

5. Why are all human beings, including ourselves, doomed? Rom. 5:12 [Rom. 3:23; 6:23]

6. Life is only in God, and only by remaining in harmony with God can life continue. Through sin, the inhabitants of this world have placed themselves out of harmony with God and have received the death penalty. What has Jesus done to pay the penalty for our sins? Isa. 53:4-6 [John 1:29]

7. What did Jesus have to do to take our place (i. e., become our substitute) and pay for our sins? Phil. 2:5-8 [John 1:14; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 2:14]

8. Can we receive forgiveness by keeping God's law? Rom. 3:20 [Gal. 2:16]

9. If keeping the law will not save us, how can we be saved from our sins? Acts 16:30, 31 [Note: Belief in Jesus involves more than a mere acknowledgement of His existance, for "even the demons believe" that (James 2:19). Saving 5 belief means accepting Jesus as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), and as our personal Lord and Savior. Matt. 1:21]

10. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, what does God do with our "sins that were previously committed"? Rom. 3:24, 25 [Note: When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He becomes our substitute and we are free from condemnation. From that point on, Christ will begin to mold and fashion us after His own likeness. Eph. 2:8]

11. In order for us to be forgiven, a change must take place in our attitudes. We must be sorry for our sins. How can we become sorry (repentant) for our sins so that we can receive the merits of Christ's death in our behalf? Acts 5:30, 31 [Ans: We cannot make ourselves sorry for our sins. We must come to Jesus just as we are, and He will give us both repentance and forgiveness. Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 7:10; Luke 24:47]

12. Besides giving us repentance and forgiveness for the sins we have committed, what else does Jesus promise to do for us? 1 John 1:9 [Ans: To cleanse us. Eze. 36:25-29]

13. How does God cleanse us from sin, transforming our characters? Rom. 8:1-4, 13-14 [Ans: By giving us the same Spirit (that is, the same divine power) that kept Jesus from sin. 2 Cor. 5:21; Matt. 1:21; John 8:34-36]

14. After Jesus came down to live and die in our behalf, where did He go and what is He doing for us today? Heb. 4:14-16 [Ans: He went back to heaven to become our "High Priest" that He might help those who are weak and tempted and who call upon Him for help. Heb. 7:25; 2:17, 18; 6:19, 20]

15. What motive prompted God to give us this wonderful friend and Savior, Jesus, who can save us from sin and give us eternal life? John 3:16 [Acts 4:12; John 15:13; John 1:12; 1 John 3:1-3]

Commitment: If you believe in Jesus as your Savior, He will give you repentance and forgiveness, and He will help you in every time of need. God loves you, and He wants you to live with Him forever. That is why He gave His only Son to die in your place. That is why Jesus is still ministering for you in heaven as your High Priest. Will you accept Him as your Lord and Savior today? Will you ask Jesus to come into your life and make you His child?

STEP I (Lessons 1-10): Believing in Christ, Our Savior and Coming King

Lesson 5

The New Birth

Introduction: As we observed in our last lesson, God sent His Son to save us "from our sins" that "whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (Matt. 1:21; John 3:16). Through faith in Jesus we receive (1) repentance for sin, (2) forgiveness for sin, and (3) power to overcome sin. This work of grace is the beginning of a "new life," which is called the "new birth" or "conversion." In this lesson we will see how this new birth takes place in our lives.

1. How many of us are naturally good? Rom. 3:10, 23 [The Further-study verses are John 8:34; Eccl. 7:20; Isa. 64:6]

2. Therefore, what is "most assuredly" necessary if we are going to receive the free gift of eternal life? John 3:3, 5, 6 [Matt. 18:3]

3. Can we change ourselves? Jer. 13:23 [Rom. 7:18-24]

STEPS TO CONVERSION

4. The Bible points out three steps to conversion. What is the first step? Acts 3:19 [Ans: We must repent of our sins. 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:38; 5:31; Rom. 2:4; Ps. 34:18]

5. Repentance means to be so sorry for our sins that we do not want to repeat them. Only God can give us that sorrow for sin, for we, by nature, love sin. What will true repentance lead us to do with our past, sinful way of life? Rom. 6:6, 16 [Ans: By God's help we will crucify the sinful habits we once cherished. True repentance also will

6 cause us to make restitution for our wrongs (such as paying back stolen goods) where we can. Num. 5:7; Eze. 33:15; Luke 19:8, 9; Rom. 8:13]

6. After repentance, what is the second step? 1 John 1:9 [Ans: We must confess our sins to God, asking for forgiveness. After confessing our sins, we are not to keep on dwelling upon them, but to have faith that God has forgiven them. There also may be people from whom we should ask forgiveness. Prov. 28:13; Ps. 32:5; 51:1-10; Lev. 5:5; 26:40- 42; Mark 1:5; James 5:16; Neh. 1:6-11; Rom. 5:1]

7. Thirdly, after repentance and forgiveness, how are we then to live? Rom. 6:4 [Ans: We are to live a new life, a righteous life, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 2:1-10; 1 John 2:6; 3:3]

8. What will happen if we repent of our sins but do not replace our evil deeds with good deeds? Luke 11:24-26 [Note: We must preoccupy the mind with good if we would not have it filled with evil. Matt. 6:24; Rom. 12:21]

NEW LIFE THROUGH JESUS

9. The end product of conversion is a new life of righteousness. How can we live this new life? Rom. 8:2-4 [Note: God has power to help even the worst sinner overcome his sins. 1 John 3:39; Heb. 10:16; Eze. 36:25-28; 1 Cor. 10:13; Phil. 4:13; John 8:34-36; Heb. 7:25]

10. Who showed us the way to live this new life of righteousness? John14:6 [Heb. 2:10, 11, 16-18; 1 Peter 2:21; Matt. 16:24]

11. In demonstrating a righteous life, Jesus showed us three things we can do to enable the Holy Spirit to give us this new life. What is one thing Jesus did, and taught us to do, to live the victorious Christian life? Luke 21:34-36 [Luke 6:12; Matt. 26:41]

12. A second thing Jesus did was to study the Bible and to resist temptation by quoting Scripture. What will regular Bible study do for us? 2 Peter 1:3, 4 [Note: When we study the Bible daily, the Holy Spirit fills us with holy thoughts and gives us strength to resist temptation. When Jesus was tempted, He quoted Scripture that He had memorized. If we will fill our minds with texts of the Bible and Christian songs, our minds will not be so easily affected by sin. Then, when we are tempted, if we will quote Scripture and pray for strength, we will obtain victory. Matt. 4:3, 4, 7, 10; Ps. 119:11; John 6:53-57, 63; John 17:17]

13. Thirdly, after receiving spiritual strength through prayer and Bible study, Jesus mentally and consciously resisted Satan and his temptations, and chose to do right (see Isa. 7:14, 15 and Luke 4:8). What should we do when tempted? James 4:7, 8 [Eph. 6:12, 13]

14. These three things--Prayer, Bible study, and exercising our will in refusing to sin and choosing to do good with the spiritual strength we have thus received--are the secrets for victorious Christian living. We must combine divine power with human effort. But we must do this every day, even moment by moment! How can we have a growing Christian experience? Col. 2:6 [Luke 9:23; 1 Cor. 15:31; 1 Thess. 5:17; Rev. 2:4]

15. When we have been truly born again, what will happen to us? 2 Cor. 5:17 [Phil. 1:6]

Commitment: Is it your desire to be born again into a spiritual life of righteousness, with Jesus as your example? Will you spend time with Jesus every day in prayer and Bible study, and with the strength you thus receive from God choose to resist sin and to follow the Lord Jesus Christ?

STEP 1 (Lessons 1-10): Believing in Christ Our Savior and Coming King

Lesson 6

Christ Cleanses the Temple

Introduction: In our last lesson we learned that Jesus has power to forgive and cleanse us. In this lesson we will learn about one aspect of our lives that Jesus wants to cleanse. 7 1. Why did God ask the Israelites to build Him a sanctuary? Ex. 25:8 [Note: God's real throne is in the sanctuary in heaven, but He manifested His presence in the earthly sanctuary (and temple) so that His people might realize His nearness. The Further-study verses are Ps. 11:4; Heb. 8:1 2; 2 Chron. 6:18 12; 7:1.]

2. What was one of the first things Jesus did after beginning His earthly ministry? John 2:14-17 [Ans. He cleansed the temple. Mark 11:15-17; Matt. 21:12, 13]

3. At the end of Jesus' ministry He again cleansed the temple. But because the religious leaders and people refused to keep the temple spiritually clean, God deserted it and it was soon destroyed. Although that temple no longer exists, does God still have a sacred dwelling place on earth? 1 Cor. 6:19, 20 [John 14:23]

4. In the New Testament, the Christian church and the Christian himself are called temples, because God desired to dwell within both. What will God do if we defile His temple? 1 Cor. 3:16, 17 [John 2:19, 21]

5. What is one way that Daniel believed his bodytemple could be defiled? Dan. 1:8, 12 [1 Cor. 9:25, 27]

6. What was the original diet God created for human beings? Gen. 1:29 [Gen. 9:3, 4; 7:2]

7. Man's original diet for the first 1656 years was of fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables; and the average lifespan was 912 years! When vegetation was destroyed by the flood, God gave permission for the people to eat animal flesh. He had made provision for this by bringing extra of the "clean" animals into the ark. Why did God prohibit the Israelites from eating "unclean" animals? Deut. 14:2. What are some of these "unclean" creatures? Verses 3- 20 [1 Peter 2:9; Lev. 11:147]

8. Some people, by misapplying Scripture, have suggested that these health laws from our Creator were only for the Jews (though Gentile bodies are really no different!). Paul's counsels on health were to the Gentiles (e. g., 1 Cor. 6:10, 19, 20; 10:31). How, and when, will God judge those who rebel against Him by defying His health laws? Isa. 66:15-17 [Rev. 21:27].

9. Besides eating "unclean" meat, what is another way we can defile the body? Prov. 23:29-33 [Note: In Bible times, wine meant grape juice--either fermented or fresh. Here it says, "Do not look on the wine when" it turns "red" and "swirls . . . smoothly." In other words, do not drink grape juice (or any other juice) after it has fermented. 1 Cor. 6:9-11]

10. Although cigarettes were not yet "invented" in Bible times, does not tobacco defile the body? [Note: Deut. 29:18 warns against a "poisonous herb"--KJV margin.]

11. How does Paul summarize the way we are to treat our body-temples? 1 Cor. 10:31 [1 Thess. 5:23]

12. What has God promised people who obey Him? Ex. 15:26 [Note: Though at times we may have infirmities which God does not choose to heal (see 2 Cor. 12:7-9), yet by following God's counsels we will have better health, and nothing will happen to us but what is for our best good; and ultimately we will be perfectly healed when Jesus restores His kingdom! 3 John 2]

Commitment: Today Jesus is asking us to respect our bodytemples so that we may have clearer minds and better health, and may be able to render Him more faithful service. Will you ask Him to give you power over everything that tends to defile the body?

Notes: There are some texts which, when taken out of context, could be "twisted to our own destruction" (2 Peter 3:16). Jesus said that "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth" (Matt. 15:11). But Jesus was not talking about food. He was not contradicting Scripture. The Pharisees He was addressing were not questioning food at all, but their human tradition of ritual washing before eating (verses 2, 20). Peter certainly did not understand Jesus to be changing the health laws, for years later he was given a vision of "all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' But Peter said, 'Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean'" (Acts 10:12-14). Perhaps there were lizards, cats, tigers, vultures, snakes, dogs-we probably would have asked to be excused too! But the vision was symbolic. Peter knew that. After the vision he "wondered within himself what the vision meant" (verse 17). And then he was "shown" that he "should not call any man common or unclean" (verse 28). The Jews called the Gentiles unclean dogs, but the time had come to take the gospel to these Gentiles. Read the whole account in Acts 10:9 to 11:18. Romans 14:2 says that

8 "He who is weak eats only vegetables." Meat was offered to idols, and those who were weak in the faith still superstitiously avoided food offered to idols. See 1 Cor. 8:4-11.

Lesson 7

Getting Started With Prophecy

Introduction: "Blessed is he who reads . . . this prophecy" (Rev. 1:3). This lesson begins our study of prophecy.

1. Who alone truly knows the future? Isa. 46:9, 10 [The Further-study verse is John 14:29] 2. Has God revealed the future? Amos 3:7 [2 Peter 1:19-21] 3. Which prophecies did Jesus mention by name, saying we should understand them? Matt. 24:15 [Rev. 10:1, 2] 4. For what time period was the book of Daniel especially written? Dan. 12:4 [Note: Daniel and Revelation are both about the last days; but Daniel was written first and Revelation builds on its prophecies. In order to understand the two books we must start with Daniel and with Daniel's first prophecy. Each succeeding prophecy is built upon the ones before. Dan. 8:17; 12:9] 5. What circumstances led up to Daniel's first prophecy? Dan. 2:1-3 [Dan. 2:1-23, 29] 6. Who explained the dream, and what period of earth's history did it picture? Dan. 2:27, 28 [Dan. 2:19] 7. What was the dream? Dan. 2:31-35 [Acts 17:26] 8. There are two vital principles we must understand to interpret correctly Daniel and Revelation: (1) These prophecies are given in symbols; and (2) The symbols are interpreted by the Bible itself. In this first prophecy, God makes it easy by giving the interpretation immediately. What did the head of gold represent? Dan. 2:36-38 [Note: Nebuchadnezzar represented Babylon. "King" and "kingdom" often mean the same in prophecy (Dan. 2:39; 7:17, 23). Hos. 12:10; Isa. 14:4] 9. What did the silver, bronze and iron represent? Dan. 2:39, 40 [Note: The three kingdoms that followed Babylon were Persia (or MediaPersia), Greece and Rome respectively. Dan. 5:28; 8:20, 21] 10. To see how prophecy builds on itself, note how these same four kingdoms are described again, in greater detail, in the next major prophecy of Daniel. What symbols did God use this time? Dan. 7:2-7, 17 11. What would happen to Rome, the fourth kingdom? Dan. 7:23, 24a [Note: As predicted, only three world powers followed Babylon. Rome was never succeeded, but from 351 to 476 A.D. it was divided up into the following divisions by warring factions within: AngloSaxons (England), Franks (France), Suevi (Portugal), Visigoths (Spain), Alamani (Germany), Burgundians, Lombards, Ostrogoths, Heruls, and Vandals.] 12. How is this breakup of Rome into modern Europe described in Daniel 2? Will Europe ever be reunited? Dan. 2:41-43 [Dan. 2:21] 13. What will happen in the days of divided Europe? Dan. 2:44 [Matt 21:44] 14. How does Revelation describe this event? Rev. 11:15-18 [Rev. 6:14-17]

Commitment: Babylon, Persia, Greece, and pagan Rome have all passed away--we are now living in the tiptoes of the image, just before the new kingdom is set up! When God's kingdom comes, with what group of people, as described in our last text, do you want to be found?

Lesson 8

What Will the Next Life Be Like?

Introduction: Many people picture heaven as an imaginary cloud carrying imaginary spirits who are listening with imaginary ears to imaginary music from imaginary harps-and then we wonder why some people are not excited about going there! Today we will see what heaven is really like. 9 1. Where did the human race come from? Gen. 1:26-28 [The Further-study verse is Ps. 8:4, 5]

2. What kind of world did God create for our happiness-a real, tangible world; or a makebelieve, invisible world? Gen. 1:1, 11, 20, 24 [Note: Our streams today are from the very waters God created; our trees are from the seeds of the trees He made. Rev. 4: 11]

3. What did God think of His creation? Gen. 1:31 [James 1:17, 18]

4. God made the human family to enjoy this world forever if they would be loyal and trustworthy. But, since Satan had already rebelled in heaven, what provision for free choice did God give our first parents? Gen. 2:8, 9, 15-17 [Note: Some understand this to mean that as soon as Adam and Eve sinned, they would come under the sentence of death. The KJV margin says: "dying thou shalt die." On the other hand, if God had not implemented the plan of salvation immediately, Adam and Even would have died at once. Rom. 6:23]

5. Our first parents failed, and what was the result? Rom. 5:12 [Gen. 3:6]

6. God created a perfect world for human beings to enjoy eternally, but through sin they lost that inheritance. Who provided them a second chance to obtain that eternal inheritance again? 1 Peter 1:3, 4, 18, 19 [Isa. 53:46]

7. What kind of life has Jesus promised to give back to us? John 10:10 [Note: Jesus promised a MORE abundant life (one of reality such as He created for us to enjoy in Eden, and which He said was "very good"), not a LESS abundant life. This not only applies to life in heaven, but to our present life as well. Right now God promises to give us peace, joy, and meaning to life. John14:13; Isa. 45:18; Mark 10:29, 30]

8. How long will this "more abundant" life last? John 10:27, 28 [John 3:16]

9. We have seen that God made man a tangible being to enjoy things, and God said it was "very good" (Gen. 1:31). What will the next life be like? Isa. 65:17, 21, 22, 25 [Rev. 21:4; 22:13]

10. Since "it is appointed for men to die," and to lay to rest these tangible bodies (Heb. 9:27), how will we become "real" people again? 1 Thess. 4:1518 [John 5:28, 29; 6:39, 40; 11:24]

11. How do we know that we will be resurrected to a new life? Who went through the portals of the tomb and was resurrected as an assurance to us that we will be resurrected too? 1 Cor. 15:2023 [Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5; Phil. 3:10, 11; 1 Cor. 15:12-19]

12. Since we will be resurrected as Jesus was, what was He like after His resurrection? Luke 24:33-43 [Matt. 26:29; I Cor. 15:17-23; Phil. 3:20, 21]

13. Will we know each other after our resurrection? 1 Cor. 13:12 [Note: The soldiers recognized Jesus after His resurrection. When Mary first met Him after that event, her eyes were too tearfilled to see, but she recognized His voice. Jesus hid His identity from the two men on the road to Emmaus so He could teach them truth, but they recognized His mannerisms when He blessed the food. The disciples and all others recognized Him when they saw Him. He was the "same Jesus" (Acts 1:11)! We, too, will be the same people when we are resurrected, and we will be recognized by our friends. Luke 24:3032; John 20: 16, 1929; Isa. 66:22]

14. It took Jesus' death to provide this abundant, real, eternal life. What does it take on our part to receive this treasure? Matt. 13:44 [ Matt. 16:24-26]

Commitment: God made us real human beings, to enjoy a real creation. Jesus came to restore this abundant life to us; but the parable in Matthew 13:44 says it takes all to buy the field. The field containing the treasure represents the Holy Scriptures, within which are hidden the treasures of the gospel-Jesus Christ and eternal life. The Bible teaches that it takes all to become a follower of Jesus, but this treasure is worth far more than everything we have. Will you make an entire surrender of your life to Jesus today that you may obtain this treasure?

10 Lesson 9

Our Redeemer, the Theme of Prophecy

Introduction: Multitudes today are losing faith in Jesus. How can we KNOW that He was the Savior of the world? We can know because of the Old Testament prophecies.

1. What did Jesus show was the theme of the Old Testament prophecies? Luke 24:2527 [The Further-study verses are Luke 24:44; John 5:39]

2. In what city did the Old Testament say Jesus was to be born? Micah 5:2 [ Luke 2:17; Isa. 9:6]

3. Was there also a specific time when Jesus was to appear? Gal. 4:4

4. When was that time to be? Dan. 9:24, 25 [Ans: Sixty-nine weeks after the command to restore and build Jerusalem. Ezra 6:14; 7:7-11]

5. Sixty-nine weeks is 483 days. In symbolic prophecy, what does a day represent? Eze. 4:6 [ Num. 14:34]

According to Ezra 6:14, the threefold decree to restore and build Jerusalem was completed by the Persian king Artaxerxes. This decree went forth shortly after Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth Jewish month in the seventh year of Artaxerxes' reign (Ezra 7:8, 9). Artaxerxes' first year, counted as year "zero" by the Jews, was from the autumn of 465 B.C. to the autumn of 464 B.C. The fifth Jewish month of his seventh year was in 457 B.C. Therefore the Messiah should appear 483 years after 457 B.C., which was 27 A.D. (There is no year "0" between B.C. and A.D., so you must add a year when going from B.C. to A.D.) Twenty-seven A.D. was the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar.

6. Thus the 69 weeks ended in Tiberius Caesar's 15th year. What happened that year? Luke 3:13, 21, 22.

7. The Hebrew word "Messiah" ("Christ" in Greek) means "anointed." If Jesus was the Messiah, (1) HOW was He anointed, thereby becoming the Messiah; and (2) WHEN did that happen? Acts 10:37, 38 [Ans: He was anointed by the Holy Spirit at His baptism in 27 A.D., exactly according to prophecy! Luke 3:21, 22; 4:18; John 1:41]

8. Did Jesus recognize the fulfillment of this prophetic time? Mark 1:15 [Note: The Greek word here is "pleroo," meaning "fulfilled," or "completed," as translated in the KJV, NKJV, and NASB. The time that had just been fulfilled was the 69 weeks. Matt. 4:17]

9. Although the Jewish people wanted a conqueror, what would happen to the Messiah sometime after 27 A.D.? Dan. 9:26a [Ans: He would be "cut off." Is. 53:8, 9]

10. Jesus' baptism marked the end of the 69 weeks and the beginning of the 70th week of probationary time allotted to the Jewish nation. What would happen in the middle of this prophetic week? Dan. 9:27a [Ans: Jesus, who made the covenant, would put an end to animal sacrifices by Himself being "cut off ' and becoming our sacrifice on the cross. Isa. 53:8; Heb. 10:6, 9-14, 18; Matt. 23:38; 27:51]

11. Did Jesus understand the prophetic time period pointing forward to His being "cut off" and doing away with sacrifices? Luke 9:51 [ Matt. 26:18; John 7:6-8]

12. Since after Jesus' death there were still 3 1/2 years of the final (70th) week for special ministry to the Jewish people, where did Jesus tell His disciples to begin their witness? Acts 1:8 [Note: Jesus confirmed the covenant of 490 years with the Jewish people (Rom. 15:8), first through His own ministry (Matt. 24:47), and then through His disciples. Luke 24:47]

13. When did the gospel begin to go to the Gentiles? Acts 7:59; 8:1, 4 [Note: In the stoning of Stephen, the Jewish nation once more rejected the covenant of mercy. Acts 10:9-17, 28, 29]

14. Was the Jewish nation still God's chosen people after 34 A.D.? Rom. 2:28, 29 [ Jer. 18:9, 10; Deut. 28:45, 46, 63; Matt. 21:43; 1 Peter 2:9, 10]

11 15. Under the New Covenant, who are the true Israel? Gal. 3:26-29 [ Gen. 17:4-7; 1 Cor. 7:19; Gal. 3:7; 6:15, 16; Eph. 2:11-22]

Commitment: Jesus alone fulfills the prophecies of the Messiah. Through Him we can each become a part of God's true people-spiritual Israel. Is it your desire to be a part of God's true Israel today?

Lesson 10

Jesus Returns to Earth

Introduction: The second coming of Jesus was the great theme of the apostles. It is estimated that one in every 25 verses of the New Testament speaks of this event. But Satan has sought to confuse people so that they will not be ready to meet Him. Before Jesus' first coming in Bethlehem, Satan was sucessful in confusing the Jewish people by causing them to misapply the prophecies of His second coming to His first coming. As a result, few were ready to receive Him. Now He is applying the prophecies of Jesus' first coming-such as the 70th week in Daniel 9-to His second coming. And again it is working effectively to deceive! Let us see what the Bible says about Jesus' second coming.

1. Before Jesus returned to heaven, what did He promise? John 14:13 [Note: Jesus promised that He would receive us to Himself WHEN He came again-NOT BEFORE, in some secret rapture, as some people are teaching today. The Further-study verses are Rev. 22:1214; Heb. 9:28; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Peter 1:13; 5:4; 1 John 2:28; Ps. 50:3]

2. How will Jesus come? Acts 1:9-11 [Matt. 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Isa. 66:15; Ps. 104:3, 4]

3. Will there be counterfeits of Jesus' second coming? Matt. 24:23-27 [ 2 Thess. 2:9, 10]

4. How can we know when the real Christ has come? Matt. 24:30, 31 [Ans: Everyone will see Him. There are many other identifying characteristics of Jesus' second coming described in the questions and verses below. See if you can list them all. Rev. 1:7]

5. What work of judgment will Jesus do at His coming? Matt. 25:31-34, 41, 46 [Ans: He will separate the righteous from the wicked and execute judgment upon the inhabitants of the earth. (The chronology of these events will be further detailed in Lesson 20.) Matt. 16:27; Ps. 50:3, 4; Isa. 66:15-17]

6. What historical event did Jesus use to illustrate this separation? Matt. 24:36-41 [Note: In this separation, those who were taken were taken away in death by the flood (verse 39), and the others were left alive in the ark. So will it be at Jesus' second coming. While people are doing common things, Jesus will come suddenly in judgment upon all. 2 Peter 3:37]

7. While we cannot know the hour, can we know when Jesus' coming is near? 1 Thess. 5:1-6 [ Matt. 24:32, 33]

8. Will Christ's coming be secret and silent, as a thief in the night? 2 Peter 3:10-12 [Ans. No, it will be a surprise as when a thief breaks in, but it will not be secret or silent-it will terrify the wicked as when a thief wreaks sudden carnage with great noise upon the household. Ps. 50:3; Isa. 66:15, 16]

9. See if you can answer these questions from the following passage: (1) At Jesus' second coming, what will happen to the righteous who have previously died? (2) What will happen to the righteous who are still living? (3) Will His coming be silent? 1 Thess. 4:1518 [ John 5:28, 29; 1 Cor. 15:5155]

10. What will happen to the kingdoms of the world when Jesus comes? Dan. 2:44 [ Rev. 6:14-17; 16:19-21]

11. What will happen to the wicked at Jesus' second coming? 2 Thess. 1:7-9 [ 2 Thess. 2:8; 2 Peter 2:9]

12. Will everyone who claims to be saved, be taken to heaven when Jesus comes? Matt. 7:21-23 [ 2 Thess. 2:11, 12]

12 13. What should we do to be ready for that day? Titus 2:11-14 [ Luke 21:34-36]

Commitment: Jesus' second coming will be a sudden, allencompassing surprise to the world, at which time all will be eternally separated-some for everlasting destruction and some for eternal life. Is the glorious appearing of Jesus your blessed hope? Do you want Jesus to redeem you from every lawless deed, and to write His law of love and righteousness in your heart, so that you will rejoice to see His face?

Lesson 11

The New-covenant Ministry of Jesus

Introduction: "Covenant" means promise or agreement. God's covenant is His promise and plan to save us. It is His "plan of salvation." The Bible speaks of two covenants-the old one, made at Sinai, and the new one, established and finished at the cross. Let us compare the two.

1. From where does Jesus carry on His new-covenant ministry for us? Heb. 8:1, 2 [Ans. At the right hand of God in the heavenly sanctuary. The Further-study verses are Rev. 1:13; 4:5; 8:3, 4; 11:19.]

2. Where were the old-covenant services performed? Heb. 9:15 [Ans: In the earthly sanctuary. See figure on back. Ex. 25-27; 16:33, 34; Num. 17:10; Ex. 25:8, 9, 40]

3. What did Paul call the old-covenant sanctuary, with its earthly services? Heb. 9:24 [Ans: "Copies" of the true. Note: The old covenant is a picture of the new covenant. It is the plan of salvation illustrated. In some respects it is like a picture of a man's wife. The man may show it to you and say, "This is my wife." But is it really? No, it is only a picture! He may treasure the picture, but it cannot replace his wife. The Jewish nation hung on to the old-covenant "picture" but rejected the One to whom it pointed forward-Jesus and His ministry. We could also illustrate it with a blueprint of a house which is made before the house is built. Heb. 8:35]

4. When God illustrated His plan of salvation at Sinai, what covenant did the people make with Him? Ex. 19:8 [Note: When God gave the old covenant at Sinai, the people promised to keep it, and they intended to, but they could not do so in their own strength (Rom. 8:3). They should have asked God for help; then the Savior, to whom the old covenant pointed forward, would have come into their hearts and delivered them from the power of sin. Matt. 1:21; John 8:34-36; Ex. 25:8]

5. What was the purpose of the laws of the earthly sanctuary? Gal. 3:24 [John 5:46, 47; Heb. 10:1]

6 . Everything in the old covenant-its people, its law, its sanctuary and services, its capital city, etc.-represented (or pictured) something in the new covenant established at the cross. Who did the HIGH PRIEST represent? Heb. 4:14-16 [1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 2:17; 3:1]

7. Who did the TEMPLE of the old covenant, the literal children of Abraham, represent? Gal. 3:9, 29 [Rom. 2:28, 29; Gen. 17: 17; Eze. 34:30; Matt. 3:9; John 8:37, 44]

8. What new-covenant capital city corresponds to the old-covenant CAPITAL? Gal. 4:24-26 [Note: Some people still look to old-covenant Jerusalem for the fulfillment of God's promises. Like the Pharisees, they are clinging to the old- covenant "picture"; but that covenant was nailed to the cross. The old covenant was like Hagar. Hagar was intended to be the midwife to deliver the child of promise, but she was never intended to be the mother of that child. Thus the old covenant was perfect for leading God's people to Christ and to the New Jerusalem, but it was never intended to take its place. John 8:34-36; Heb. 10:4; 11:8-10]

9. How did the old covenant SACRIFICES take away sins? Heb. 10:4, 5 [Ans: They didn't. Those who trusted in these sacrifices alone, were lost. The sacrificial system was designed to develop and show one's faith in the coming Messiah. Acts 4:12]

10. Who did the LAMB represent? John 1:29 [1 Cor. 5:7] 13 11. In the old covenant, what was one purpose of the ten-commandment LAW written on stone? Rom. 7:7-10 [James 1:23, 24; 2:10-12; Ex. 24:12; Deut. 4:13]

12. Besides providing forgiveness for breaking God's law, why else did Jesus come to earth? Rom. 8:3, 4 [Ans: To give us power to keep God's law. 1 John 3:4-6]

13. God's law was written on STONE in the old-covenant "picture." Where is it written in the new covenant? Heb. 10:16 [Eze. 11:19, 20; 2 Cor. 3:7-10, 18; 1 John 2:35]

Commitment: Some have wondered why, when the Ten Commandments were included in the old covenant, the New Testament says, "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may . . . enter . . . the [New Jerusalem] city" (Rev. 22:14, NKJV). But the old covenant merely foreshadowed the new. In the new covenant the commandments are to be written on our hearts. Do you want Jesus to perform this new-covenant ministry in your life?

STEP 2 (Lessons 11-20): Accepting Chnst's Final Message

Lesson 12

God's Court of Justice

Introduction: In our last lesson we learned that Jesus is working (ministering) for us in the heavenly sanctuary. We might call this sanctuary Jesus' and His Father's office or court. The ministering angels are their staff. There are many types of work carried on in the sanctuary, but one of the most important is that of judgment. Sometimes we think of judgment in negative terms, but the purpose of this judgment is to declare us "not guilty"--if possible! In this lesson we shall study the work of the judgment as carried on in the heavenly sanctuary.

1. What court summons do we all have pending? 2 Cor. 5:10 [The Further-study verse is Rom. 14:10.]

2. There are three parts to a court case: (1) Investigation, (2) Sentencing, and (3) Execution of the sentence. When will the investigative part of the judgment be done--before or after Jesus comes? Rev. 22:12 [Ans: Jesus comes WITH the rewards to pronounce sentence, therefore the investigative part of the judgment must already have been done. Matt. 16:27]

3. Must we appear in person, or is there a record of our lives that will be reviewed? Rev. 20:12 [Mal. 3:16]

4. With whom does this investigation of people's liferecord begin? 1 Peter 4:17 [Ans: With the professed followers of God. Daniel 7:22 states: "The Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High" (NKJV). The Beast had judged against the saints, but God judges for them. Actually, the words "in favor" are italicized in the NKJV, meaning they were supplied by the translators. The passage literally reads, "A judgment was made of the saints." Dan. 7:21, 22; Matt. 22:11-14]

5. Though no longer permitted in the sanctuary courtroom, who is the prosecuting attorney who accuses God's people? Rev. 12:9, 10 [Job 1:8-11]

6. Who is the defense attorney who serves as our advocate? 1 John 2:1 [Rom. 8:33, 34]

7. What will happen to the record of the sins of God's people who were converted and who repented of their sins? Acts 3:19 [1 John 1:9]

8. There are various books of record in heaven. What is the name of the register that records the names of those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Advocate? Rev. 21:27 [Phil. 4:3; Rev. 13:8; 20:12; 22:19]

9. What will happen to those who were once "saved" and registered in this book of life, but who continue to cherish sin? Ex.32:31-33 [Rev. 3:5; Eze. 18:21-24; 33:11-16]

14 10. Will all who profess that Jesus is their Savior, and who claim to be saved, ultimately be saved? Matt. 7:21-23 [2 Thess. 2:9-12]

11. Will we be judged by our religious profession or by some other means? Eccl. 12:13, 14 [James 2:12]

12. Although we are saved by grace through faith alone and not by works, for it is by faith that our sins are forgiven and our lives are changed, by what will we be judged? Matt. 16:27 [Rev. 22:12]

13. How do our works reveal our faith? Matt. 7:16-20 [James 2:17]

14. When God showed Daniel the future of the earth (Lesson 7), He depicted the rise of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome by four symbolic beasts; and then He used ten horns to depict the splintering of the Roman Empire into European fragments. What did Daniel see happening in the heavenly sanctuary, where God's throne is, sometime after the division of Rome into the European nations? Dan. 7:9, 10 [Rev. 14:6, 7]

15. Jesus offers to be our advocate in this court of justice, but He does not plead everyone's case. Jesus said He had never "known" (never represented or been the advocate of) those who called Him "Lord" in Matthew 7:21-23. How can we make sure that He will be our advocate and thus win our case, in the judgment? 1 John 2:16 [John 15:10; Prov. 28:9]

Commitment: The judgment in the heavenly sanctuary has eternal consequences for every one of us. Do you desire to have Jesus as your advocate in this judgment? Will you continue to learn from Him and to walk in the light that He is revealing to you so that you may have the assurance of eternal life in Him?

Lesson 13

By What Standard Will We Be Judged

Introduction: In our last lesson we learned that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ." In this lesson we will discover the standard by which we are to be judged.

1. Can we earn salvation? Eph. 2:8-10 [The Further-study verses are Rom.6:23; Gal. 2:16; Titus 3:5-8.]

2. What experience must we have to receive this free gift? John 3:3 [Note: While the gift is free and cannot be earned, it is conditional upon our being born again. John 1:12, 13; 1 John 5:4]

3. To be born again means to receive the gift of Jesus' divine nature (In the Scriptures, this nature is variously called life, power, seed,or spirit.) How can we receive this new nature? 2 Peter 1:3, 4 [Ps. 119:11]

4. Unless we are "eating" the Word of God, through Bible study and prayer, can we have Jesus' life (or nature) abiding in us? John 6:53, 63 [Note: God gives us a new spiritual birth through Christ Jesus, but we must nourish that spiritual life with spiritual food, just as our physical life is kept alive with physical food. Are we as careful about spending time in Bible study and prayer as we are in eating physical food? Matt. 4:4; John 15:4-7]

5. When we are born again, what must happen to the sinful habits in our life? Rom. 6:46 [1 John 3:3-9]

6. What is sin? 1 John 3:4 [Note: If sin is breaking God's law, and to be born again involves overcoming sin, then the truly born-again person who will pass the judgment must become a lawkeeper. Rom. 4:15; 7:7]

7. How will God know that we have been born again? By what standard will He judge us on the day of judgment? James 2:10-12 [1 John 2:36]

8. Since we were born in sin, and love sin, how can we have the new birth experience of victory over sin? Rom. 8:2-6, 13 [Note: We were born with a weak and fallen nature. This is the hereditary "law of sin and death." But when 15 Jesus became the Son of Man, He conquered sin by combining human nature with His divine nature, thereby "condemning sin in the flesh." He now offers us His divine nature "that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us" also. We are born again when we by faith surrender the soul to Christ to be filled with His Spirit, and, thus strengthened, begin to live a life of righteousness. John 8:34-36; I John 3:3-9; Titus 2:11-14]

9. How do we know that Jesus had no advantage over us so that we, too, can live victoriously over sin "just as" Jesus did (1 John 3:3)? Heb. 4:15, 16 [1 Cor. 10:13]

10. How could Jesus have been "tempted as we are"? Heb. 2:11, 14-18 [Ans: Because He was "made like His brethren." He came with a "heredity" like ours "to share our . . . temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life." "As the Son of Man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God, He gives us power to obey." "Jesus . . . exercised no powers, that men may not have through faith in Him. His perfect humanity is that which all His followers may possess." "In Christ, God has provided means for subduing every sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however strong."--The Desire of Ages, pp. 49, 24, 664, 429. Heb. 5:8, 9; Matt. 1:21, 23; Rom. 1:3; Phil. 2:7 cf. Rom. 8:3]

11. When Jesus gives us a new beginning (new birth) by imparting to us His Spirit (or nature), what does He write on our hearts? Heb. 8:10 [Phil. 2:5; Rev. 14:1]

12.What motive should prompt us to keep God's law? John 14:15 [2 Cor. 5:14; John 15:10; 2 Thess. 2:8-12 (especially note verse 10)]

13. Are God's commandments burdensome to those who are truly born again? 1 John 5:3, 4 [Ps. 119:47, 77, 97, 174]

14. Why will many who think they are born again be disappointed on the day of judgment? Matt. 7:21-23 [Note: The Greek literally reads: "Depart . . . you who work LAWLESSNESS" (ergazomenoi ten anomian). 1 John 2:36, 28]

15. How does the Bible summarize the answer to our question, "By what standard will we be judged on the day of judgment"? Eccl. 12:13, 14 [Rom. 2:13; James 1:25]

16. Who will be admitted into heaven? Rev. 22:14 [Note: The KJV and NKJV based on the "textus receptus" manuscript, read: "Blessed are they who do His commandments, that they may have the right to . . . enter." Rev. 14:12]

Commitment: Our salvation cost Jesus His life, but He offers salvation to us free if we will but surrender our sinful natures to Him, who has promised to "take away our sins" (1 John 3:5) and to write His law on our hearts. Thus it is that we will be judged according to God's law, for our works show whether we have been born again (1 John 2:29). "Let no one deceive you" on this point (1 John 3:6, 7)! The new birth involves a total, growing change of character, habits, and thinking (2 Cor. 5:17). Do you want Jesus to give you this new-birth experience, beginning today?

Lesson 14

The Sign of Allegiance to God

Introduction: In our last lesson we saw that we will be judged according to God's law. Keeping the law does not save us, but it shows whether we have been born again. In Revelation, the keeping of God's law is also what distinguishes God's people from those who follow the Beast. In this lesson we will learn why.

1. How is the "man of sin" (sometimes called the "Beast" power in Scripture) described by Paul? 2 Thess. 2:3, 4, 7-10 [Ans: "The lawless one" (NKJV) The Further-study verse is Dan. 7:25]

2. We will study about the Beast in our next lesson. There we will learn that most of the world will receive his mark of authority. These people who receive the mark of the Beast (unknowingly, of course,) will actually think they are saved through faith in Jesus and will be astounded to find, too late, that they are lost! How did Jesus describe these professed Christians in the last days who follow the "lawless" Beast power? Matt. 7:21-23 [Ans: Like the Beast, they "practice lawlessness" (NKJV) Rev. 22:14] 16 3. How many commandments may we disregard without being considered "lawless" by God? James 2:10-12 [Matt. 5:17-19]

4. What commandment in God's law do most Christians disregard? Ex. 20:8-11 [Note: By looking at the calendar we find that the seventh day of the week is Saturday, not Sunday! According to the Ten Commandments, "the seventh day [not the first day] is the Sabbath of the Lord [not of the Jews]." The Jews kept this day simply because, until they rejected Jesus, they were God's people. Our Further-study verse also makes it clear that the Sabbath is for Gentiles who are God's people. Is. 56:1-8]

5. When does the Biblical Sabbath begin and end? Lev. 23:32 [Ans: It begins at sundown Friday and ends at sundown Saturday. Gen. 1:5; Luke 23:54-56]

6. What day does Jesus claim as His day, the Lord's day? Mark 2:27, 28 [ Matt. 12:8]

7. What right does Jesus have to claim a day as His? Col. 1:16 [Ans. Because He made it. He is the Creator. John 1:3]

8. When did Jesus make the Sabbath? Gen. 2:13 [Note: Our Further-study verses show that God's people kept the Sabbath before Sinai; and there is still, after Jesus' death on the cross, a Sabbath rest to be kept. It was not just for the Jews and it has not passed away. There were, however, old-covenant yearly, ceremonial sabbaths (such as the Passover) which were given at Sinai and which, as "shadows of things to come," pointed forward to Christ and were fulfilled and done away with at the cross. Ex. 16:21-30; Matt. 24:20; Col. 2:16, 17 cf. Lev. 23:23-44]

9. How did Jesus relate to the Sabbath when He was on earth? Luke 4:16 [ Matt. 24:20; Isa. 42:21; Heb. 13:8]

10. On what day did Paul, long after the crucifixion, worship with both the Jews and the Gentiles? Acts 13:42-44 [ Acts 13:14; 16:13; 18:4, 11]

11. Was this Paul's custom? Acts 17:2 [Note: Paul was accused of many things by the Jews, but one thing he was never accused of was Sabbath breaking! The Bible contains a record of only one meeting that Paul held on the first day, and that was a farewell service that continued until after midnight. Also, Paul told the Corinthians to gather up their poor fund on the first day of the week. This was a weekday activity. Acts 20:7-11 (In this passage, the New English Bible says "Saturday night," instead of "the first day of the week."); 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2]

12. On what day did John, the last apostle, have a vision while in exile? Rev. 1:10 [Note: The only "Lord's Day" throughout Scripture is the Seventh-day Sabbath. Luke 23:56 (In this verse the followers of Jesus continued to recognize the binding claims of the fourth commandment after Jesus' death on the cross. And Luke, writing decades after the crucifixion, continues to call the seventh day "the Sabbath.")]

13. The Bible describes a people who will repair a broken-down law of God that has been trampled on for many generations. What commandment is it? Isa. 58:12-14 [ Rev. 12:17]

14. On what day will the redeemed worship God in the new earth? Isa. 66:22, 23 [ Ps. 119:152]

15. While all the commandments show our allegiance, which one is a special sign of allegiance that we may know that we are truly following God, as His people, and that He is our God? Eze. 20:19, 20 [ Rev. 14: 12]

Commitment: The Sabbath is the one commandment we must accept solely by faith in Jesus' authority. Keeping it does not save us, but it demonstrates our true allegiance. Today, during the judgment, God is again bringing His people back to full obedience. Though we are not held accountable until we have an opportunity to know the truth (James 4:17), out of love for us God is again teaching us these forgotten principles, that we may not inadvertently become followers of the "lawless" Beast. Is it your desire to follow Jesus all the way? Will you show your allegiance and love to Jesus by keeping His day of worship?

STEP 2 (Lessons 11-20): Accepting Christ's Final Message

Lesson 15 17 The Beast

Introduction: One of God's strongest warnings for the last days is against receiveing the mark of the Beast. Before identifying this mark, let us learn the identity of the Beast.

1. What warning does God give against worshiping the Beast? Rev. 14:9, 10 [The Further-study verse is Rev. 18:1- 5]

2. Why is God opposed to the Beast power? Rev. 13:1, 5-7 [Rev. 19:11,19; 18:6]

3. What does Paul call this power who seeks to exalt himself above God? 2 Thess. 2:3, 4, 8 [Ans: The "man of sin" and "the lawless one," (NKJV). Rev. 17:1-6]

4. What descriptions in Daniel, compared with what we read in Revelation 13:57, show that the "Beast" power is the same as the "Little Horn" of Daniel 7? Dan. 7:25 [Note: A "time" is a year (Dan. 4:16-32; Rev. 12:6,14). A time, two times, and a half a time equal 3 1/2 years, or 42 months, as denoted in Revelation 13. Revelation 12:14 refers to this period of time when the Beast rules as 1260 prophetic days (or literal years). Symbolic time prophecies are based on 30- day months, making 360 days a year. 3 1/2 times 360 equals 1260 days. Rev, 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; 13:5; Dan 12:7; Eze. 4:6; Num. 14:34]

5. Out of what kingdom did the little horn (Beast power) arise? Dan. 7:7, 8 [Ans: Out of the fourth kingdom, pagan Rome. See Lesson 7. Rev. 12:1-5; 13:2]

6. What happened to the Roman empire that made it possible for this new power to arise from its midst? Dan. 2:40, 41 [Ans: It was broken up. 2 Thess. 2:6,7]

7. Pagan Rome was divided into ten kingdoms between 351 and 476 A.D. When would the little horn arise? Dan. 7:24 [Note: It arose as a political power AFTER the ten; but Paul notes in 2 Thessalonians that, though not ruling politically until pagan Rome was "taken out of the way," it was already present in his day and would continue until Jesus' second coming. 2 Thess. 2:7-12]

8. What happened to three kingdoms before the little horn arose and exercised kingly power? Dan. 7:8 [Note: Three kingdoms from the divisions of Rome opposed the spiritual supremacy of the papacy. They were the Heruls, destroyed in 493; the Vandals, destroyed in 534; and the Ostrogoths, "uprooted" from Rome in 538 and destroyed in 553. The Pope began exercising civil authority in 538 A.D. 2 Thess. 2:7-9]

9. Would the little-horn kingdom be like the others? Dan. 7:24 [Ans. No. It would be religious as well as political. See verse 25. Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Cor. 11: 13-15]

10. What religious-political power arose out of Rome around 538? [Ans: The Papacy. Emperor Justinian declared the Pope the ruler of Rome in 533, but he did not start to reign until 538. The Pope was the temporal ruler of Rome from 538 until taken captive by Napoleon's General, Berthier, in 1798--EXACTLY 1260 YEARS FROM WHEN HE STARTED RULING! Rev. 17:3, 9, 18]

11. What kind of words does the little horn speak? Dan. 7:25a [Note: The Roman Catholic Church claims that the Pope "Is not a mere man, but as it were God." He is crowned with a triple crown as "king of heaven . . ., earth and . . . the lower regions." He "is of so great authority that he can modify . . . even divine laws."-- L. Ferraris, Prompt Bibliotheca, vol. VI, pp. 26-29. 2 Thess. 2:3, 4; Dan. 11:36, 37; Matt. 23:9; 1 Tim. 4:1-3]

12. What would this power do to the saints? Dan. 7:25b [Note: It is estimated that 50 million Christians were martyred during the middle ages. Rev. 17:6; 18:24]

13. Though the Pope was wounded by losing his political power in 1798, how large an influence will he again exert in the world? Rev. 13:3 [Rev. 18:1-3]

14. Does God have true and sincere followers in spiritual "Babylon"? Rev. 18:4 [Ans: Yes. God calls those within, who are obeying the truth they know, "My people." It is the system, not the people, to which God is opposed, for it is a

18 mixture of truth and error. God loves every person within every false system, but He is calling them to come out and to join His "sheepfold." John 10:16]

Commitment: Protestants arose from "protesting" against Rome, but now even they are "wondering" after the Beast. God has many people in the Catholic Church, but He is saying, "Come out of her, My people . . ." (Rev. 18:4). As we will see in the next lesson, soon all will have to decide between the traditions of Rome and the commandments of God. Are you willing to follow God all the way, even if all the world acknowledges another authority?

Lesson 16

The Mark of the Beast

Introduction: The Bible tells of a mark, or sign, that will identify the Beast and his followers. By receiving this mark one gives allegiance to the Beast, and acknowledges His authority to be greater than God's! In this lesson we will identify that mark.

1. What sign, or mark, reveals allegiance to God? Deut. 11:1, 8, 18 [Note: The outward observance of God's commandments is a "sign on your hand," and believing them is as "frontlets between your eyes." This is GOD'S symbolic mark in the forehead and in the hand. The Further-study verses are Duet. 6:6, 8; Ex. 13:9.]

2. People look at outward marks, but where does God look? 1 Sam. 16:7b [Ps. 37:37; Eze. 9:4]

3. Everyone will one day receive a mark. What mark will God's people receive? Rev. 14:1 [Rev. 7:24]

4. Anciently a name represented one's character. God wants to write His name-or character-in us. God's character is described in His law. Where will God's character, or law, be written? Will this writing be visible to mankind? Heb. 10:16 [Note: In prophecy the forehead symbolizes thoughts, and the hand symbolizes actions. Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10]

5. Which one of God's laws especially identifies God's people, marking them as those who accept His authority? Eze. 20:12, 20 [Note: The fourth commandment is God's "seal." It contains His NAME, TITLE, and DOMAIN-the elements of an official seal. Ex. 20:8-11]

6. Will the Beast power acknowledge God's authority? 2 Thess. 2:4 [Isa. 14:12-14]

7. What will the Beast boast that he can do to God's law? Dan. 7:25 [Note: The Pope claims preeminence over God, for he says he can change His laws! (See Lesson 15.) Only one of greater authority can change another's law. The Catholic Church repeatedly claims the responsibility for changing the Sabbath commandment as proof of its authority. "The day mentioned in the Bible is not the Sunday . . . but the Saturday It was the Apostolic Church which changed the changed to the Sunday." "Isn't it curious that non-Catholics . . . observe Sunday . . .[which] rests upon the authority of the Catholic Church and not upon an explicit text in the Bible? That observance remains as a reminder of the Mother Church."-John O'Brien of Notre Dame in The Faith of Millions, 1974, pp. 136-137, 400, 401. Rom. 6:16]

8. What is it that identifies and marks the Beast power? 2 Thess. 2:3, 7-9 [Ans: "Sin" and "lawlessness" (NKJV). Note: "Sin is lawlessness" (1 John 3:4).]

9. When Jesus comes, all will have accepted God's mark or the Beast's mark. How are those who have received the mark of the Beast described? Matt. 7:21-23 [Ans: They call Jesus "Lord" but "practice lawlessness" (NKJV). 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Matt. 7:13, 14; 1 John 2:3, 4]

10. How are those who receive God's mark (Rev. 14:1) described? Rev. 14:12 [Ans: They too call Jesus Lord, but they "KEEP" God's commandments. James 2:10]

19 11. What will Satan do to those who refuse to receive the mark of the Beasts authority by keeping Sunday? Rev. 12:17 [Rev. 22:14 (KJV or NKJV)]

12. How will Satan make war with them? Rev. 13:16, 17 [2 Tim. 3:12]

13. While God's followers symbolically receive God's name in their foreheads, the Beast's followers receive the Beast's name (his character of lawlessness), signified by a number. What is the number of the Beast? Rev. 13:18 [Note: This is the number of a "man." The Douay Bible notes that "The numeral letters of his name shall make up this number." In ancient Rome, numbers were letters of the alphabet-called Roman numerals. As such, every name had a numerical value. The Pope's official title is: VICARIUS FILII DEI- "Vicar of the Son of God" (Our Sunday Visitor, April 18, 1915). The numerical value of this name is 666. This is one explanation that fits the prophecy and, when compared with all other prophecies, helps to identify the Beast power. People will receive the Beast's name in their right hand when Sunday laws become enforced and they yield obedience, and they will receive it in their foreheads when his character of lawlessness is written in their minds. Rev. 15:2]

14. What warning has God given against receiving the mark of the Beast? Rev. 14:9-11 [Ps. 37:1220, 32-40]

Commitment: God says that the Sabbath marks His people as His, and that the Beast would make war on them. The Beast is that "lawless" one who would try to "change" God's law, specifically the command involving "times"- i. e., the Sabbath. Thus, when Sunday keeping is enforced by law it will constitute the mark of the Beast. "You are that one's slaves whom you obey" (Rom. 6:16). Today God is calling us to receive His mark (or seal). As you look upon your crucified Savior, will you acknowledge His authority by obeying Him and keeping His Sabbath?

The United States in Prophecy

Introduction: Today's lesson focuses on a dramatic event in the political and religious world.

1. In Lesson 15 we discovered that the Beast power of Revelation 13 represented the Papacy that reigned as a political power for 1260 years, from 538 A.D. until it received a deadly (but not permanent) wound in 1798. What did John see "coming up out of the earth" about the time this deadly wound (in verse 10) was inflicted? Rev. 13:10, 11

2. Notice that this is the only prophetic beast arising from "the earth." What does water symbolize? Rev. 17:15 [Note: All the other prophetic powers arose from existing civilizations ("water"). But here was a power arising toward the end of the 1700s in a largely unpopulated area. What country could this be? The Further-study verses are Dan. 7:3; Rev. 13:1]

3. How did this beast evolve? Rev. 13:11 [Note: "Coming up" is from the Greek word "anabaino," meaning to "grow or spring up as a plant" (see Matt. 13:7). Could this be the United States? Did this nation come from conquest or from growth (e.g., immigrants and land purchases)?]

4. The beast of Revelation 13:1, representing the nations of Europe, had crowns to represent kingdoms. Did the beast of verse 11 have any crowns? [Now note these clues: This nation was to (1) grow to power, (2) arise from a largely uninhabited territory, (3) toward the end of the 1700s, (4) without a king.]

5. What kind of horns did this beast have? Rev. 13:11 [Note: A lamb (versus a ram) depicts a young, new power, as America was in 1798.]

6. The dragon of Revelation 12 was pagan and the Beast of Revelation 13:1-10 was Catholic. Is the Lamblike beast involved with religion too? Rev. 13:12 [Note: He would cause to "worship." America became the seat of Protestant strength. Protestants brought separation of church and state. Thus this beast has two harmlessappearing horns, representing religious power and civil power.]

20 7. Contrary to appearance, what will this beast eventually do? Rev. 13:11b, 12 [Note: Like a false prophet, its appearance is deceiving. The first Beast used civil power to enforce religion. Protestant America, "the land of the free," eventually will do the same! And it will lead the world in following the beast whose "deadly wound was healed." Rev. 13:3, 7, 12; 16:13, 14; 19:20]

8. What religious dogma will America enforce? Rev. 13:16 [As noted in Lesson 16, the mark of the Beast is its lawlessness, specifically its attempt to change the Sabbath, God's holy day, from Saturday to Sunday. America will thus enforce the mark of the papacy. Dan. 7:25; 2 Thess. 2:3, 8; Rev. 12:17]

9. This mark is symbolic. What mark do God's people receive, and how are they identified? Rev. 14:1, 12 [They receive their Father's name (i.e.,character) in their foreheads (i.e., minds) by keeping His laws, while the Beast's followers receive his name in their foreheads by keeping his laws. Ex. 13:9; Deut. 11:18; Eze. 20:20; Heb. 8:10; Rom. 6:16]

10. How will America enforce Sunday observance? Rev. 13:15-17 [Note: As disasters multiply because of the world's wickedness, there will be a great "backtoGod" movement to reclaim His blessings. This will result in stringent Sunday laws and oppressive acts against those who keep God's Sabbath. Rev. 12:17]

11. What kind of agents does Satan often use to deceive people? 2 Cor. 11:13-15 [Ans: Religious leaders. Matt. 7:15]

12. How will religious leaders who have discarded God's law deceive the people of America into enacting Sunday laws? Rev. 13:13, 14 [ Rev.16:14; 18:2, 3; 19:20]

13. What "signs" will these religious leaders use to deceive the people? 2 Thess. 2:810 [ Matt. 24:24]

14. The book of Revelation contains many symbols. What is one possible meaning of "fire from heaven" (Rev. 13:13)? Acts 2:3, 4 [Note: In Acts 2, fire from heaven represents the Holy Spirit and symbolizes the gift of tongues (See Lesson S3). However, the apparent gift of the Holy Spirit in Revelation 13 is a counterfeit, for it leads people to worship the Beast rather than to worship God. Matt. 3:11]

15. When Jesus comes again, what will He say to those who have received the counterfeit gifts of the Holy Spirit and the mark of the Beast ("lawlessness")? Matt. 7:21-23.

16. How deceptive will these signs be? Matt. 24:24 [ Rev. 12:9, 12]

Commitment: Before Jesus comes, all the world will be forced, on pain of boycott and death, to receive the mark of the Beast by keeping Sunday holy. But those who receive this mark will receive "the wrath of God" (Rev. 14:9,10). The question, then, is, Whom will we obey? Will we say, "The Lord is my light and . . . strength . . . Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear . . . for in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion" (Ps. 27:15)? Will you follow God regardless of any and all human pressure to follow another master?

SUPPLEMENTAL LESSONS (Sl-S4): Studies for Further Knowledge

Speaking in Tongues

Introduction: The tongues movement is bringing divergent religions into harmony, and could be paving the way for a united effort to enforce the mark of the Beast.

1. How will religious leaders of the United States deceive "those who dwell on the earth" into making an image to the Beast? Rev. 13:12, 13 [Note: See Lesson S-2. Some Bible students understand the fire to be literal; others consider it symbolic. The Further-study verses are 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Thess. 2:9, 10; Matt. 24:24; Rev. 16:13, 14; 19:20]

2. At Pentecost, what group received "fire from heaven," and what did it cause them to do? Acts 2:1-4 [Luke 3:16]

21 3. The spiritual gifts ("fire") in Revelation 13 bring a kind of unity, but they are counterfeit, for they result in efforts to cause all to worship the Beast. Can Satan counterfeit the gift of tongues by speaking through people? Mark 1:23-26 [Note: Ecstatic utterances have been reported in non-Christian cultures too. (See Phaedrus and Timaeus by Plato, and Aeneid by Virgil.) Mark 5:7-9]

4. 1 John 4:1 says, "Test the spirits, whether they are of God." How can we test tongues? Isa. 8:19, 20 [Note: A spirit must uphold God's law, including the Sabbath, or it is a counterfeit. Matt. 7:15, 20-23]

5. At Pentecost, did the apostles speak in languages or in unknown tongues? Acts 2:5-11 [Note: This gift enabled the disciples to fulfill Jesus' commission to take the gospel to "all the nations;" to every "tribe, tongue, and people" (Matt. 28:19; Rev. 14:6). The Pentecostal gift of tongues was the ability to speak in other languages. Some who did not understand these languages thought the disciples were drunk (verse 13). Each person did not miraculously hear in his own language while one of the apostles spoke, for the multitude did not receive the ''gift of ears." Apparently each disciple spoke to a different group, using its particular language. Acts 1:8; Col. 1:23]

6. Was the next occurrence of tongues like that at Pentecost? Acts 10:44-47 [Note: They "received . . . just as we have. " Acts 11:15; 15:8]

7. Do all born-again Christians receive the gift of tongues? 1 Cor. 12:4-11 [Rom. 12:6-8]

8. Did Jesus say every believer would receive every sign? Mark 16:17, 18 [Note: Are all Christians to "take up serpents"? Phil. 4:19; Matt. 28:18-20]

9. Who decides which gifts a person shall receive? 1 Cor. 12:11, 18 [Rom 12:6; Matt. 25:15]

10. Where are the gifts placed? 1 Cor. 12:18, 28 [Eph. 1:22, 23; 4:11, 12; Col. 1:24; 1 Cor. 12:13]

11. How important is the gift of tongues in relation to other spiritual gifts? 1 Cor. 12:28-31 [Note: Of the three places Paul enumerates these gifts he mentions tongues in only one, and there he lists it last. Paul was not encouraging the Corinthians to speak in tongues; he was correcting their misuse of the gift. Rom. 12:316; Eph. 4:7-16]

12. In 1 Corinthians 13:1 Paul says that to have love is more important than to speak in the language (or with the ability) of angels. What language do angels speak? Luke 1:26-31 [Dan. 9:21-23; Rev. 22:6-9; Matt. 1:20]

13. Tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 must be understood in harmony with the rest of the New Testament. Evidently some who had received the gift of tongues for missionary work exulted in their ability and began to preach, pray and sing in these foreign languages which the uneducated, who probably knew only Greek, did not understand. What was Paul's counsel to these people who misused their gifts? 1 Cor. 14:9-12 [Note: Most versions say "kinds of languages." Isa. 28:9, 10]

14. Paul did not forbid the use of tongues in church, but when one was used, what counsel did he give? 1 Cor. 14:27, 28

15. 1 Corinthians 14:14 says that one's "understanding is unfruitful" (in others) when thus misusing tongues. How does a speaker's understanding bear fruit? Col. 1:36 [Ans: By being understood by others. Rom. 1:13; John 15:8, 16; Phil. 1:22; 4:17]

16. Some congregations still pray or sing or preach in another language (e.g., Latin). Does this edify the congregation? 1 Cor. 14:14-17 [Note: Praying with the understanding means "understandably." 1 Cor. 14:2; Luke 1:47; 1 Cor. 2:11]

17. Why was the gift of tongues given? 1 Cor. 14:22 [Ans: Primarily for witnessing to others who spoke foreign languages. Mark 16:15-17]

18. What kind of ecumenical spirits are going to unite the world? Rev. 16:13, 14 [Note: These spirits come out of the "mouth" and are likened to "frogs." Frogs catch their prey with their tongues! Rev. 18:1-5]

19. For what purpose is the Holy Spirit given? John 16:13, 14 [Ans: To teach truth. 2 Thess. 2:9, 10]

22 Commitment: Though each spiritual gift is still given where needed, the special gift for the last days is the spirit of prophecy (Lesson 21), not tongues. Ecstatic utterances are a counterfeit gift that is uniting apostate Protestantism, Catholicism, and Spiritualism into spiritual Babylon ("Babel"). Will you heed God's invitation to come out of Babylon (Rev 18:15)?

Lesson 17

Where are the Dead?

Introduction: If, as some teach, the dead are already in heaven with Jesus, why are they resurrected at His second coming? Why did Jesus tell the disciples they would be with Him again when He returned instead of when they died (John 14:3)? Why does God forbid us to consult with our departed loved ones, if they are alive and can talk to us? In this lesson, we will learn the answers to these important questions.

1. What does God say about consulting spiritualists and the supposed spirits of the dead? Lev. 19:31 [Note: God warns that in the last days some "will give heed to deceiving spirits" (1 Tim. 4:1). These spirits deceive us by coming to us in "familiar" form, such as the form of some departed loved one. That is one reason they are called "familiar" spirits. The Further-study verses are Lev. 20:27; Deut. 18:10-12; Rev. 22:15]

2. Where does the spirit go at death? Eccl. 12:7 [Note: The spirit is the breath of life from God (i.e., the "element of life," the "spark of life," or the "life force"). Solomon uses "breath" and "spirit" interchangeably in Eccl. 3:19-21. Job 27:3; Gen. 2:7]

3. Is this spirit that returns to God, conscious? Eccl. 9:5 [Ps. 146:4; Ps 115:17]

4. What did Jesus call death? John 11:1114 [Note: Paul also called death a sleep. See 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; 1 Cor. 15:16-18; 11:30]

5. What did David call death? Ps. 13:3 [Note: Other Old Testament writers also called death a sleep. See Job 14:12; Jer. 51:39, 57; Dan. 12:2; 1 Kings 1:21]

6. Is there any memory in this sleep of death? Ps. 6:5 [Isa. 38:18; Eccl 9:5, 6, 10]

7. Did David go to heaven when he died? Acts 2:29, 34 [Acts 13:36]

8. Where will the dead be when Jesus resurrects them at His second coming? John 5:28, 29 [Job 14:12-15]

9. When do the dead go to heaven or to hell? Matt. 25:31-34, 41 [Matt. 16:27; John 14:2, 3; Rev. 22:12]

10. When did the thief on the cross look forward to being with Jesus? Did Jesus assure Him of salvation that very day? Luke 23:42, 43 [Note: The punctuation in the Bible was supplied by the translators, for there was no punctuation in the original Greek. The comma should go after the word "today" ("Assuredly I say unto you today, you will be with Me in Paradise."), for Jesus Himself did not go to heaven that day. See John 20:17; Luke 19:9]

11. Jesus often illustrated truth with parables which, like prophecies, use symbols. Yet some have rejected the very truth Jesus so plainly taught about death by taking literally some of the symbols in the parable of the "Rich man and Lazarus" (Luke 16). What did Jesus say would happen to those who try to understand parables without "having" (or knowing) what the rest of the Bible says on a subject? Matt. 13:10-13 [1 Cor. 2:1214; 2 Tim. 2:15; Luke 16:19-31]

12. What was the devil's first lie? Gen. 3:3, 4 [Question: Who do you think told the truth, Satan or God? Today Satan is still perpetuating his original lie, and he is doing so through religion and by misapplying and twisting Scripture, as he did with Jesus in Matthew 4:5, 6. 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Thess. 2:9-12]

23 13. With what promise did Paul tell us to "comfort one another" when death occurs? 1 Thess. 4:15-18 [1 Cor. 15:51-55; 1 John 5:11, 12; Rev. 1:18; John 6:39, 40]

Commitment: Isn't God's way really the best? Instead of floating around somewhere after death, a person sleeps until he is bodily resurrected as Jesus was. And, since he is unconscious, the resurrection is the next instant to him! Instead of a dying baby going to a strange place alone, the next thing he knows is his mother's smiling kiss! The parents will take up the raising of their departed child right where it left off! Will you accept Jesus' assurance that we will all go to heaven together, at the same time, after the resurrection?

Notes on the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31): God has written the Bible in such a way that we must compare Scripture with Scripture to understand it (Isa. 28:9, 10; I Cor. 2:13, 14; 2 Thess. 2:11, 12). If this parable provided the only information the Bible gives on death, we would have to conclude that the dead go directly to heaven or hell, but it is not. This story comes in the middle of a group of parables and is itself a parable, for it uses figurative language throughout--i.e., Lazarus went to "Abraham's bosom"; those in hades and heaven can see and talk to each other; and a drop of water suffices to cool one's tongue in hell. In this parable Jesus used common Jewish and Greek ideas (as evidenced in Josephus' works) to teach that (1) the rich have no advantage for salvation, (2) this life provides our only chance for salvation, and (3) the Scriptures are allsufficient for salvation. Jesus was not teaching a new doctrine on death, or He would be contradicting what He Himself repeatedly taught in other places.

Lesson 18

Would a God of Love Burn Sinners Forever?

Introduction: In the last lesson we learned that the dead sleep in their graves until Jesus resurrects them. When the righteous are resurrected they will go to heaven, and when the wicked are resurrected they will go to the lake of "everlasting fire." Yet, how could a God of LOVE torture sinners forever? It seems inconsistent with His character! In this lesson, as we compare "Scripture with Scripture," letting the Bible explain itself, we will find the truth of this matter, and you will understand the love of God as never before.

1. How does the Bible describe God? 1 John 4:7, 8 [The Further-study verse is Eze. 33:11.]

2. Will God's love excuse those who neglect or refuse to let Jesus take away their guilt? Num. 14:18 [Note: God does not hold the children accountable for their parents' sins (Eze. 18:20), but the results of sin are often passed on. God will forgive the sins of the penitent, but He will not excuse sin in those who try to justify themselves. Ex. 34:6, 7; Luke 12:47, 48; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:7]

3. When and how will the wicked be punished for their deeds? Matt. 25:31, 41, 46 [John 5:28, 29; Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12]

4. Thus the wicked will be cast into hell after the judgment of the last days. Some people, not comparing Scripture with Scripture, misinterpret 1 Peter 3:18-20 that says that Jesus was "put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient . . . in the days of Noah." What is a "soul in prison"? Isa. 42:6, 7 [Luke 4:18; John 8:34, 36; Isa. 61:1]

5. When did Jesus preach with the power of the Spirit to the souls who were prisoners of sin in Noah's day? Gen. 6:3 [Rom. 8:11; Matt. 24:38, 39]

6. When the wicked are cast into hell, will there be any rest during the time they are burning, and will their smoke or memory or anything about them ever return to earth again? Rev. 14:11 [Rev. 20:10]

7. Who has already suffered "eternal fire" as an example of the hell fire in the last days? Jude 7 [Note: "Eternal" or "everlasting" fire was a common Hebrew expression for a fire that could not be put out but burned until everything was consumed. Even today, if you say a fire could not be put out, it does not mean that it continues to burn even after everything has been reduced to ashes. 2 Peter 2:6; Eze. 20:47, 48; Jer. 17:27]

24 8. What will be left when the fire is through burning? Mal. 4:1, 3 [Isa. 47:14]

9. Is man immortal? 1 Tim. 6:15, 16 [Note: The Bible never calls man or his soul or his spirit or anything else about him, immortal. It says: God "alone has immortality." 1 Cor. 15:51-55; 2 Tim. 1:9, 10]

10. What will happen to the "soul" of the unrepentant person? Eze. 18:4, 20 [Obadiah 16]

11. How will the soul be destroyed? Matt. 10:28 [2 Peter 3:9-11]

12. What is death in hell called? Rev. 20:12-15 [Ans. The Second Death. Nahum 1:9]

13. Will every sinner receive the same punishment? Luke 12:45-48 [Rom. 2:6; Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12]

14. What will happen to Satan in the fire of hell? Eze. 28:18, 19 [Note: Though the Hebrew verbs here can technically be translated in either the past or future tense, the King James Version correctly translates this as future, for Satan obviously hasn't died yet!-- "Therefore WILL I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it SHALL devour thee, and I WILL bring thee to ashes upon the earth" (KJV). Rev. 20:9, 10]

15. After the wicked are through burning, where will they be found? Ps. 37:9, 10 [Ps. 145:20; Obadiah 16; Prov. 24:20]

16. What is the wages of sin? Rom. 6:23 [Rom. 5:21]

17. If we believe in Jesus, from what will we be saved? John 3:16 [John 17:3; John 4:14; John 6:27, 47]

Commitment: Isaiah 28:9, 10 says that anyone who clings to a preconceived interpretation of an isolated text, without comparing everything else the Bible says on the subject, cannot be taught truth! As we compare ALL that the Bible says on hell, it is evident that a God of love will not burn people forever. Satan has slandered and misrepresented the character of God! Aren't you glad that you can enjoy heaven without worrying about one of your relatives being tortured throughout eternal ages, while you are trying to be happy regardless? Does this wonderful truth help you to understand God's love more? Will you respond to that love by accepting Christ as your Savior?

Lesson 19

When Will the Judgment Begin?

Introduction: In Lessons 11 and 12 we learned that Jesus is involved in a work of investigative judgment in the heavenly sanctuary that must precede His second coming. In this lesson we will learn when that judgment began.

1. When Jesus comes, will the results of the judgment, showing who is saved or lost, be already known or will it remain to be decided? Rev. 22:12 [The Further-study verse is Matt. 16:27.]

2. Has God foretold a specific day for His second coming? Matt. 24:33, 36 [Matt. 24:42-44]

3. Has God appointed a specific day for the judgment to begin? Acts 17:31 [Amos 3:7]

4. Will God's people know and proclaim this set time? Rev. 14:6, 7 [Acts 24:25]

5. In Daniel 7:2-8, God revealed the successive rise and fall of earthly powers from ancient Babylon through the Papal power of the middle ages (the "little horn"), which came to an end in 1798. (See Lessons 7 and 15.) What did Daniel see happening in heaven sometime after this? Dan. 7:9, 10 [Rev. 5:811]

25 6. As Daniel's prophecies each expand on the one before, the next prophecy gives the exact date for this judgment to begin. We noted in Lesson 12 that God's throne, before which the judgment is held, is in the sanctuary in heaven. Another term for this judgment in the sanctuary is the "cleansing of the sanctuary." This expression is used because the record of sins for those who pass the judgment will be cleansed and blotted out of the books of record (Lev. 16:16, 30, 34; Heb. 9:7-12, 23, 24; 10:16, 17; Isa. 43:25; Acts 3:19 KJV), while the names of those who do not pass the judgment will be blotted out of the book of life (Ex. 32:33; Rev. 3:5; Lev. 23:28-31). When does the Bible say that this "cleansing of the sanctuary" would begin? Dan. 8:14 [Ans: After 2300 prophetic days, or literal years. Remember, a day in prophecy equals one year. Eze. 4:6; Num. 14:34; Rev. 11:1519]

7. The angel Gabriel explained to Daniel the whole vision of Daniel 8, except the last part, the starting date for the 2300 years (possibly because Daniel fainted). Did Gabriel come back to finish the explanation? Dan. 9:21-23

8. In explaining "the vision" of the 2300 years, Gabriel said that 490 years of it (70 weeks) were "determined" for certain purposes. (The word "determined" is from the Hebrew "chathak," which literally means to "cut off.") For whom were these first 490 years cut off? Dan. 9:24 [Ans: The Jewish nation. Matt. 21:43; Eph. 2:11-14]

9. In Lesson 9 we learned that this 490year period lasted from 457 B.C. to 34 A.D. Four hundred and ninety years cut off from 2300 leaves 1810 years from 34 A.D. until the cleansing of the sanctuary, or the beginning of the judgment. What year would that be? [Ans: 34 A.D. plus 1810 years comes out to 1844 A.D.]

10. As the Passover in the spring (Jewish first month) symbolically pointed forward to Jesus' crucifixion, what ceremony in the autumn (Jewish seventh month) symbolically pointed forward to the cleansing of the sanctuary? Lev. 16:2934 [Note: As Jesus died on the very day of the Passover in 31 A.D., so the judgment must have begun on the Day of Atonement in 1844, which was on October 22. Lev. 23:26-32] l 1. In light of the fact that the judgment has already begun, how should we live? Eccl. 12:13, 14 [1 John 2:3-6; 3:1- 8]

12. Who has promised to be our advocate in this judgment? 1 John 2:1, 2 [Micah 7:9; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:25]

13. If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior by allowing Him to forgive our past sins and to write His law in our hearts, what attitude can we have toward the judgment? 1 John 2:28 [Ans: One of confidence. Heb. 10:19-23]

14. After the judgment is finished, what decree will God issue? Rev. 22:11, 12 [Note: As the door of the ark was closed seven days before the flood began, so probation will close shortly before Jesus comes. Matt. 24:37-41]

Commitment: God could have finished this judgment, which He began on October 22, 1844, long ere this, but He delays, for He is "longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish" (2 Peter 3:9). Yet He will not wait forever. God has already given us longer to repent than He gave the people of Noah's day. Will you choose today, while probation lingers, to let Jesus be your advocate in the judgment by making Him the Lord of your life?

Lesson 20

The Thousand-year Reign of the Saved

Introduction: This lesson is about a prophecy that describes a time when the saved will reign with Christ. Here we will learn the answers to such questions as, "Where will the redeemed live, in heaven or on earth?" and, "Where will hell be located?"

1. How long will the saved reign with Christ? Rev. 20:4 [The Further-study verses are 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 3:21; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3]

26 2. When does the thousand years begin? Rev. 20:6 [Ans: At the first resurrection. Dan. 7:26, 27 (In this verse the reign of the redeemed begins when the "little-horn" Beast power is destroyed, for that coincides with the resurrection); Matt. 19:28]

3. Thus the resurrection marks the beginning of the thousand years. When does this resurrection take place? 1 Thess. 4:15-17 [Ans: At Jesus' second coming. 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; John 6:54; 11:24; Matt. 24:30, 31]

4. Where will the righteous be taken at Jesus' second coming in order to reign with Him for a thousand years? John 14:2, 3 [Ans: They will be taken to heaven, where Jesus is. Acts 1:11; Eph. 6:9; Heb. 9:24; Col. 1:5]

5. What will happen to the wicked when Christ returns? 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 2:8 [Rev. 14:14-20]

6. If the righteous are taken to heaven at Jesus' second coming, and all the wicked are destroyed, who will be left to bury them? Jer. 25:33 [Rev. 19:21]

7. Revelation pictures a dreadful earthquake mingled with fire at Jesus' second coming. What will the earth be like during the thousand years while the righteous are reigning with Jesus in heaven? Jer. 4:23-26 [Rev. 16:18- 21; Gen. 1:1, 2]

8. Where will the Devil be during the thousand years? Rev. 20:1-3 [Note: The expression "bottomless pit" comes from "abussos," the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word "tehom" ("deep" or "abyss") in Genesis 1:2, which describes this earth in a condition of chaos. Jeremiah 4:23 says that this earth will again be "without form, and void," as in Genesis 1:2. Thus Satan will be chained to this desolate and empty earth. Job 1:6, 7 (This verse tells of the time Satan could still go back to heaven, along with the sons of God [from other planets], to represent earth. But during the thousand years he will be isolated upon dark, cold, sunless, uninhabited earth. It will indeed be like a bottomless pit!)]

9. What will come down from heaven to earth at the close of the thousand years? Rev. 21:2, 10 [Rev. 3:12; Ps. 37:9-11; Matt. 5:5; Zech. 14:4, 9]

10. Will the "rest of the dead" (the wicked who were not resurrected, along with those who were slain at Jesus' second coming) ever live again? Rev. 20:5 [John 5:28, 29]

11. Satan is bound to this planet during the thousand years with no one to tempt, for the righteous are in heaven and the wicked are dead. But after the thousand years, when the wicked are raised, what will Satan do? Rev. 20:7, 8 [Eze. 38:18-23]

12. What will happen to the wicked at this time? Rev. 20:9a, 11-13 [Note: The judgment of the righteous takes place before the second coming, but the records of the wicked are reviewed by the saved during the thousand years--Jesus allows them to reign with Him on His judgment seat. After the thousand years, the wicked receive their final sentence, as written in the books. 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; 1 Peter 4:17; Joel 3:12-17]

13. The sentence is death. What is this death called? Rev. 20:9b, 10, 14, 15 [Ans: The "second death." The "first death" is an unconscious sleep prior to the resurrection, but the second death is annihilation in the lake of fire. Rev. 20:6; Eze. 28:9; 39:6; Ps. 37:10; Obadiah 16]

14. This earth, after the thousand years, will become the eternal home of the saved (Matt. 5:5; Ps. 37:9). What will it be like? Isa. 65:17, 21-25 [Rev. 21:1-4]

Commitment: Where will you spend the thousand years? If we will take up our cross and follow Jesus today (Matt. 16:24), we will reign with Him then (Rev. 3:21), as He has promised. Will you choose to follow Jesus all the way, whatever the cost?

Lesson 21

27 Elijah Returns

Introduction: We are now beginning our third step to eternal life-finding and joining God's true church, the body of Christ (Col. 1:24). Let us begin by studying a fascinating prophecy about how Elijah is going to return to earth!

1. By what name did Jesus refer to John the Baptist? Matt. 11:13-15 [The Further-study verses are Mal. 3:1; Matt. 17:11-13]

2. Was John the Baptist really Elijah? John 1:19-21 [1 Cor. 15:45]

3. If John the Baptist was not really Elijah, why was he given that title? Luke 1:17 [Matt. 3:1-3]

4. Does the work of some messengers from the Lord include more than the word "prophet" signifies? Luke 7:26- 28 [1 Cor. 12:28]

5. Elijah, like John the Baptist, did not write a book of the Bible. He was a "reformation" prophet, sent to bring the people back to the true worship of God. What was Elijah's message? 1 Kings 18:21 [Isa. 58:1]

6. What had Israel forsaken that demanded a reformation? 1 Kings 18:18 [Neh. 9:13-16; 13:17, 18; Dan. 9:10, 11]

7. With the Christian world trampling on God's Sabbath and forsaking His commandments, as Israel was doing in Elijah's day, will God again send another trumpetlike message calling upon people to choose between God and the Beast, as Elijah called Israel to choose between God and Baal? Rev. 14:6-12 [Rev. 18:1-5]

8. Will God send another "Elijah-prophet" to go along with this "Elijah" message of Revelation 14? Mal. 4:5 [Note: Though John the Baptist partially fulfilled this prophecy, the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" is specifically Jesus' second coming, and finds its major fulfillment then. Another messenger of the Lord will come to do two things: (1) To prepare God's people to give His final message to the world, and (2) to help them be ready for His second coming, as John the Baptist prepared a people for Jesus' first coming. Rev. 6:17]

9. How long has God promised to continue sending prophets to His people? Eph. 4:11-13 [Note: We have not yet come to "the fullness of Christ." That is yet in the future (1 John 3:2; Rev. 3:21; 14:1, 12; 19:7, 8; 22:11, 12; 2 Peter 3:14). John 16:12, 13]

10. Jesus warned against false prophets, but did He say there would be no more prophets of any kind? Matt. 7:15-17, 20 [Note: Why would Jesus tell us to test the prophets, instead of reject them, if there were not to be any more true prophets? 1 John 4:1]

11. What test does the Bible give to help us differentiate between true and false prophets? Isa. 8:20 [Heb. 13:8; James 1:17; Mal. 3:6]

12. While the Bible warns against accepting false prophets, it also warns against rejecting true prophets. What warning does Paul give about quenching the Spirit? 1 Thess. 5:19-21 [Note: After testing a prophet we are to hold fast to the good (for Satan always tries to discredit God's messengers and cause us to lose faith in them). Let us not sin against, and quench, the Holy Spirit by despising prophecies. 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Chron. 20:20; Matt. 10:40, 41]

13. Though but few accepted them, God sent reformationprophets to prepare a people for the flood, to save the northern kingdom of Israel, and to prepare for Jesus' first coming. He has promised to do so again before Jesus' second coming. God's unchanging truth is revealed in the Bible, but He loves us too much to leave anything undone to save us, and so He has promised to again communicate with us directly. What has God promised not to do? Amos 3:7 [Hosea 12:13]

14. How does God reveal His secrets to His prophets? Num. 12:6 [2 Peter 1:21; Gen. 46:2; Num. 24:15, 16; Isa. 1:1; Eze. 1:1; Dan. 10:7-9; Hosea 12:10; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 16:9, 10; 18:9; Rev. 9:17]

15. Who only will recognize Jesus' voice when He speaks through someone He has called to be His messenger? John 10:27 [John 7:17; 8:31, 32; 14:16-18]

28 Commitment: Will you determine, by God's help, to walk so close to Jesus that you will be able to recognize, and be willing to accept, the voice of a messenger from Him-even a prophetic messenger?

STEP 3 (Lessons 21-30): Becoming Part of Christ's Remnant People

Lesson 22

God's People Identified

Introduction: Throughout history God has had a special people with a special message. In this lesson we will discover who are God's special people in this age.

1. Who did God say were His people? Eze. 34:30, 31 [Ans: "The house of Israel." (See Lesson 11.) The Further-study verse is Heb. 8:10]

2. Is God, then, dependent upon the literal descendants of Abraham to have a people? Matt. 3:9, 10 [Matt. 21:43]

3. In God's sight, are all of Abraham's descendants a part of the true "house of Israel"? Rom. 9:6, 24-26 [Rom. 2:28, 29; John 8:39, 44]

4. How can we become part of God's true Israel? Gal. 3:7, 8, 14, 26-29 [Col. 2:10-13]

5. Is there any hope for Gentiles who refuse to become true Israelites through Jesus Christ? Eph. 2:11-14 [Ans: ". . . having no hope." 1 Peter 2:6, 9, 10]

6. Besides "Israel," by what other terms does the Bible refer to God's people? Eph. 1:22,23 [Ans: "Church" and "Christ's body." Col. 1:24]

7. In Greek the word "angel" means God's "messenger" and often refers to God's church when used symbolically in prophecy. How far will God's people take His message in the last days? Rev. 14:6, 7 [Matt. 24:14]

8. What other symbol does God use to represent Israel (or Zion) in prophecy? Jer. 6:2 [Isa. 51:16; Eph. 5:23; Rev. 19:7]

9. What will the dragon do to God's lastday church, as symbolized by a woman? Rev. 12:17a [Eph. 6:12]

10. Besides being worldwide, as noted in question 7, what other identifying marks does God give to help us recognize His true people symbolized by a woman? Rev. 12:17b [Rev. 14:12]

11. Thus, God's people will keep all the commandments, including the Sabbath commandment. They also will have "the testimony of Jesus Christ." What is "the testimony of Jesus Christ"? Rev. 19:10 [Rev. 22:9]

12. In summary, God's lastday church will be a (1) Christian, (2) worldwide, (3) commandmentkeeping church (4) that has the gift of prophecy. Do you know of a church that fits these specifications today?

13. The Seventh-day Adventist Church alone meets the Biblical requirements. Like ancient Israel, this church was called into being by God and He invites all people into its fellowship. In 1844 God gave this church the promised gift of prophecy through Ellen G. White. After two men, one after the other, refused to be God's messenger, He chose this 17yearold woman. She continued her inspired, prophetic ministry until she died in 1915. What other women did God call to be His prophets? Judges 4:4; Luke 2:36 [Ex. 15:20; lsa. 8:3; 2 Kings 22:14; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 21:9]

14. Ellen White had only a limited, formal education, yet she wrote profound truths about Jesus, the Scriptures, education, health, marriage, administration, prophecy, and latterday events that we are seeing happening today. What kind of human instruments does God often choose to do His work? 1 Cor. 1:27-29 [Zech. 4:6]

29 15. Who inspires prophets to write or speak God's messages? 2 Peter 1:21 [Jer. 1:5; Hosea 12:13; Luke 1:70]

16. When God appoints a prophet, where is he placed? 1 Cor. 12:28 [Ans: As with other spiritual gifts, the gift of prophecy is placed within God's true church. Eph. 4:1114]

Commitment: As responsible human beings in search of salvation, we must identify two very important things: (1) God's last true church and (2) the reformation messenger God promised to send before His second coming. But if we find one we have found them both, for the prophet is placed within the church. After applying all the Biblical tests, it is then up to us to listen to the gentle voice of Jesus, saying, "Follow Me." It has never been popular to follow Jesus, but He is calling you today to become a part of His true church. Will you accept that invitation just now?

Lesson 23

God's Final Generation

Introduction: Today we study a prophecy found in Revelation 10. In this prophecy God describes how He would "generate" His final movement to warn the world and to prepare a people for Christ's second coming, which is described in the next chapter.

1. What did the mighty angel of Revelation 10 have in His hand? Rev. 10:1, 2 [The Further-study verse is Rev. 4:3.]

2. What little book of the Bible had been closed until the "time of the end"? Dan. 12:4 [Note: Daniel is the only Bible book that had been closed and was thus to be opened in the last days. Dan. 12:9]

3. What message did the angel proclaim from the book of Daniel after it was opened? Rev. 10:5-7 [Note: The KJV translates verse 6 literally and correctly as, "time ('chronos') no longer." Dan. 2:44; 7:9, 10, 26, 27; 8:14]

4. This prophecy foretells the rise of a people to whom God would speak by opening up the meaning of the prophecies of Daniel. These people believed Jesus was coming soon, at a time revealed in the book of Daniel. Thus there would be "time no longer." As they received (or ate) the message, how did it taste? Rev. 10:8, 9 [Ps. 119:103]

5. Though the prophecies of Jesus' coming, in the book of Daniel, were sweet to contemplate, they were not fully understood. When time did not end the way the people expected it to with Jesus' second coming, how did those who had received the message of Daniel feel? Rev. 10:10 [Note: This was fulfilled in the Advent Movement headed by William Miller, who, in 1831, began a great revival by preaching Daniel's message about the cleansing of the sanctuary, which he expected to take place around 1844. Eventually he settled on October 22, 1844 as the exact date. This was the correct date that foretold the beginning of the judgment in the heavenly sanctuary (See Lesson 19). God permitted them to misunderstand the word "sanctuary" to mean the earth, instead of the real sanctuary in heaven where the judgment must take place and Christ receive His kingdom before He returns. Thus, when the judgment hour arrived, they were expecting Jesus to come, and they were bitterly disappointed. Rev. 19:6-9; Luke 12:36 (This wedding is the judgment, not the second coming, for we are to WAIT until "He will return FROM the wedding.")]

6. After October 22, 1844, there was "[prophetic] time no longer"-- Jesus could now come as soon as His final movement finished work--but the Adventists joyfully thought there would be "[literal] time no longer." Why were they "bitterly" disappointed? Rev. 10:11 [Note: The KJV says, "Thou must prophesy (i. e., teach the prophecies) again before many peoples." Their work was not yet finished as they had hoped. Matt. 24:14]

7. Who else had been bitterly disappointed because they had misunderstood the prophecies, and had expected Jesus to set up Him earthly kingdom? Luke 24:17-21 [Luke 19:35-40]

8. The disciples had the right time but misunderstood what was to happen and were scoffed at; but did either the scoffing or their misunderstanding prove the prophecy wrong? 1 Cor. 1:18, 23, 24 [Rom. 1:16]

30 9. To help generate and establish His final, Advent Movement, Jesus promised to give certain signs that would immediately follow the tribulation period. What were they? Matt. 24:29, 30 [Note: The tribulation of prophecy is that period of persecution that existed during the 1260 years of Papal dominion (See Dan. 7:25, Rev. 6:9-13, and Lesson 15). Toward the end of this period, just after persecution ceased, came the historic "Dark Day" on May 19, 1780. Next came the greatest star (or meteorite) shower of history on November 13, 1833, just two years after Miller began preaching. Many, at the time, recognized these signs as fulfilling Christ's prophecy, and it gave great impetus to the Advent Movement. Rev. 6:9-14; Joel 2:31; Luke 21:25-33]

10. The Greek word for "generation" (genea) "literally [means] those descended from a common ancestor" (Anedt and Gingrich's Lexicon, but it may mean the lifetime of a person, movement, or nation. It is the generation of God's final movement, or church, that concerns prophecy. How long would "this" generation that God began at the time of these heavenly signs, last? Matt. 24:32-34 [Ps. 22:30, 31 KJV]

11. Was this a conditional prophecy? Matt. 24:35 [Note: Some prophecies are conditional--i.e., "If you do this, this will happen...." Others, as this one, are unconditional. Jer. 18:7-10; Jonah 3:10; Gen. 41:32; Dan. 2:45]

Commitment: The Advent Movement of Revelation 10, which proclaimed the special messages of Daniel and Revelation, became the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is God's final generation that will not pass away until Jesus comes. Would you like to become a part of this, God's final movement, that is preparing for Jesus' second coming?

Lesson 24

Baptism

Introduction: Having identified God's remnant church, the true follower of Jesus will want to know how to join it. Jesus said: "Other sheep I have who are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock" (John 10:16). Generally one joins the church through baptism, though those who previously have been baptized may join by receiving Jesus as absolute Lord of their life and accepting the Biblical principles upon which the church is built. In this lesson we will learn the meaning and importance of baptism, as well as the way Jesus showed it should be administered.

1. What two things are involved in being born again? John 3:5 [Note: It takes love AND a legal ceremony for a good marriage. There also are two aspects to the new birth: The spiritual part is our new, loverelationship with Jesus; and the official part is baptism, where we publicly pledge ourselves to Him. Both are called for in Scripture. The Further-study verse is 1 John 5:4-6]

2. Through what rite do we "put on Christ"? Gal. 3:27 [Note: "Baptism" is a Greek word meaning "to dip" or "to immerse." It was carried over directly into English in our Bibles, being made a "theological" term. To call sprinkling baptism is a misuse of the term. Acts 22:16]

3. What does baptism represent? Rom. 6:3-5 [Note: Immersion represents two things: 1) Our faith in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection; and 2) our death to self, burial of our old habits of sin, and our resurrection to a new way of life in Jesus. Col. 2:11-13]

4. Why was Jesus baptized, and what was God's response? Matt. 3:13-17 [Luke 3:21, 22]

5. Was Jesus sprinkled, or immersed? Mark 1:10 [Note: There is not a single instance of sprinkling in the New Testament. Sprinkling was substituted by noninspired men after the death of the apostles. Eph. 4:5]

6. If Jesus Himself was baptized, should any of us consider ourselves too important to be baptized? Should pride prevent anyone from being buried in water for Him, when He was buried in a tomb for us?

7. In the Old Testament, the animal sacrifices pointed to Jesus' death. Were these sacrifices effectual without faith on the part of the worshiper? Heb. 10:4 [Lev. 4:35; Lev. 23:27-30; Rom. 9:31, 32; Deut. 32:20; Hab. 2:4]

31 8. In this respect, baptism is like these sacrifices. While baptism is necessary, can baptism itself, without faith, save us? Mark 16:16 [Note: Baptizing infants is meaningless because they have no faith. An infant can be dedicated to the Lord, as Jesus was as a baby, but baptism is meaningful only when it expresses the believer's faith. 1 Peter 3:21; Heb. 11:6; Rom. 5:1, 2]

9. At Pentecost, what did Peter tell the new converts to do? Acts 2:38 [Acts 8:12, 38]

10. What were the new converts "added" to when they were baptized? Acts 2:41, 47 [Note: Some Bible versions omit "to the church." See KJV or NKJV. Acts 5:14]

11. What symbol represents the church? Eph. 1:22, 23 [Ans: 'The church . . . is His body.' Col. 1:24]

12. What are we to be baptized "into"? 1 Cor. 12:13 [Ans: Christ's body, the church. verses 27, 28]

13. What is given to those who are baptized? 1 Cor. 12:7-12 [Ans: Everyone receives some gift of the Holy Spirit for service in God's work and in His church. "Not more surely is the place prepared for us in the heavenly mansions than is the special place designated on earth where we are to work for God."--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 327. Rom. 12:4-11]

14. What are we to do with these gifts after we are baptized? John 15:2, 8 [Matt. 12:30]

15. What was Jesus' last commission to the disciples? Matt. 28:18-20 [Mark 16:15, 16]

16. On one occasion, what did Paul do to those who had been baptized before learning all of the gospel? Acts 19:3-5 [Ans: He baptized them again. Acts 17:30]

Commitment: Jesus said, "Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father" (Matt. 10:32). Once God gives us the opportunity to develop a faithrelationship with Jesus, and then as we learn how to publicly confess that relationship through baptism by immersion, salvation is conditional upon our obedience. Would you like to request baptism today and begin to prepare for that wonderful event? And while you are preparing for baptism, will you pray that God will show you what gifts He has given you to be used in service for Him and His church?

Lesson 25

Preparing for Eternity

Introduction: In Lesson 6 we learned that our bodies are temples "of the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 6:19). We need clear minds so God can effectively communicate to us, and we need healthy bodies with which to serve Him properly. As with money and time, God has made us stewards of our body-temples. The principles of healthful living are set forth in the Bible, but because ours is a special generation that God wants to translate, and because this generation is facing health problems that have never existed before, God has given us special health counsels through Ellen White. To shed light on the Bible, we will quote from her books, The Ministry of Healing (MH) and Counsels on Diet and Foods (CD). Not all these principles are standards for church fellowship--some are ideals to grow into.

1. Why is God holding off earth's final disasters? Rev. 7:1-3 [The Further-study verse is Mal. 3:2, 3]

2. What will the church be like when Jesus returns? Eph. 5:25-27 [Rev. 19:7, 8]

3. Therefore, to be acceptable, how should we present our bodies to God? Rom. 12:1, 2 [1 Cor. 10:31]

4. To what extent is God concerned about our physical health? 3 John 2 [Ex. 15:26]

5. How should we live if we hope to win the "imperishable crown"? 1 Cor. 9:24-27 [1 Peter 2:9]

32 6. What do the Scriptures say about wine? Prov. 20:1 [Note: The immediate effect of intoxicating drink is to deaden the conscience and distort reasoning. It has destroyed millions of lives and homes--surely it is not of heavenly origin. Jesus refused even to taste vinegar upon the cross, and the wine He used for communion was "new" (unfermented) wine. The Adventist Church believes in total abstinence from alcoholic beverages. This applies also to mindaltering drugs, except for true medical purposes. Tobacco, tea, and coffee contain addictive drugs and poisons, and must be given up before baptism. "Tobacco is a slow, insidious, but most malignant poison. In whatever form it is used, it tells upon the constitution .... Can you as Christians indulge a habit that is paralyzing your intellect and robbing you of power rightly to estimate eternal realities?" "Tea and coffee do not nourish the system.... What seems to be strength is only nervous excitement.... These nerve irritants ... wear away the life forces." MH 327, 329, 326. Rom. 6:3, 6, 16; 2 Peter 1:6 KJV; Matt. 27:34; 26:29; Prov. 23:29-33; Isa. 28:7; Gal 5:1921; 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Hosea 4:11; Lev. 10:9-11]

7. What is another area of intemperance that Solomon warns about? Prov. 23:2, 19-21 [Note: We should not overeat even of good food. Rom. 8:12-14; Matt. 4:4]

8. What balancing counsels about work does God give? Prov. 6:6; 23:4 [Note: God wants us to be balanced--neither lazy nor "workaholics." Matt. 6:31-34; Ex. 20:8-11; 2 Thess. 3:10-13; 1 Tim. 6:8; 5:8]

9. What was God's original diet for mankind? Gen. 1:29 [Note: While vegetarianism is not a test of church fellowship, it is a goal toward which to work for "Flesh was never the best food; but its use is now doubly objectionable, since disease in animals is so rapidly increasing." MH 313. In most countries, modern transportation and refrigeration make it unnecessary to include flesh in the diet. Moreover, "Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away." "God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to His original design,--that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth." CD 380. Dan. 1:8-20]

10. What does the Bible say about honey as part of one's diet? Prov. 24:13; 25:16, 27 [Note: Just as "It is not good to eat much honey," so it is not good to eat much sugar. "Far too much sugar is ordinarily used .... Especially harmful are the custards and puddings in which milk, eggs, and sugar are the chief ingredients." There are other refined foods that, especially when eaten to excess, tend to weaken our bodies. "Fine-flour bread", for example, "is lacking in nutritive elements to be found in bread from the whole wheat." MH 301, 300]

11. Into what kind of environment did God place our original parents? Gen. 2:15 [Note: "The Creator chose for our first parents the surroundings best adapted for their health and happiness." MH 261. Exercise in nature promotes health of body and soul.]

12. What disposition leads to health? Prov. 17:22 [Note: This is that joyful, happy, inner peace that comes from Christ. John 14:27; 15:11]

13. Can healthful living earn us a place in heaven? What do you think should be our motive for healthful living? Eph. 2:8-10 [2 Cor. 5:14; Titus 2:11-14]

Commitment: Keeping our body-temples in health involves the proper use of "pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, . . . diet, . . . water, [and] trust in divine power." MH 127. Will you dedicate your bodytemple to God for His service? Will you invite the Holy Spirit to teach you how to preserve your health, preparing you to meet Jesus at His coming?

Lesson 26

The Christian's Dress and Adornment

Introduction: "Jesus Christ . . . gave Himself for us, that He might . . .purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (Titus 2:13,14). When we really love Jesus we will be zealous to glorify Him in the way we live. This involves such practical matters as eating, dressing, giving, spending our time, relating to family members, and witnessing. These things will not save us, but if Jesus is abiding in our hearts we will be growing more and more like Him every day. These last six lessons discuss these issues. Our topic today is on how to dress to the glory of Christ.

33 1. What did Jesus say about the way men look at women? Matt. 5:27-29 [Note: God made the home for perfect compatibility. He made the man to notice his wife, and the woman to be noticed by her husband. But when men lust, or women dress to invite lust, outside of marriage, it is adultery. Thus the Bible deals with men's eyes and women's dress. [The Further-study verses are Prov. 4:25; Heb. 4:12; Mark 7:21; Isa. 55:7; Ps. 139:23, 24]

2. How are wives to be submissive to their husbands? 1 Peter 3:1-5 [Ans: By modesty in conduct, conversation, and dress. God made men and women equal, but in the home He made the wife to be submissive to her husband's godly affections (not the world's). Women are not to seek the world's attraction by wearing outward ornamentation. Submission was to help create peace and happiness for wives, but in sin men have often exploited their wives rather than loving them and encouraging them to reach their potential. Eph. 5:22, 25-28]

3. How should Christian women dress, and what should they not wear? 1 Tim. 2:9 [Note: This text sets forth perfect guidelines for dress: modest, appropriate, and moderate dress; but not extreme hairdos, gold, pearls, or costly clothing. Deut. 22:5]

4. When the Lord judges His people, what fault does He find with the "daughters of Zion"? Isa. 3:13, 16, 18-24 [Note: Many of these items of jewelry came from the idolworshipping countries around Israel. People in many heathen countries still adorn themselves heavily with jewelry. Num. 31:50; 1 Kings 16:31; 2 Kings 9:30]

5. Today, since 1844, we are living in the "hour of God's judgment." When coming down to judge ancient Israel, what did God tell them to do with the ornaments that they had adopted from the surrounding countries? Ex. 33:5, 6 [Mal. 3:2, 3; 1 Peter 2:9]

6. Along with the household idols, what else did Jacob bury before meeting with God? Gen. 35:1-4 [Hosea 2:13]

7. What trait of character was at the root of Lucifer's downfall? Eze. 28:13, 15, 16 [Note: Pride led Lucifer to become selfcentered. No doubt, his appearance when adorned with jewels encouraged him to exalt himself. God is training us for heaven, therefore He forbids us to wear jewelry lest we encourage pride. Rev. 21:19-21; Isa. 14:12-14]

8. In what kind of dress does God picture the woman that represents Satan's kingdom? Rev. 17:4, 5 [Rev. 18:5-7, 16; Rev. 12:1]

9. What kind of garment is to clothe God's people? Rev. 19:8 [Note: Our outer garments of simplicity and modesty should reveal that we are wearing the inner garment of Christ's character. The "fine linen" garment of Revelation, which all the saved must wear, is "the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him."-- Christ's Object Lessons, p. 310. Matt. 22:11-13; Job. 29:14; Isa. 52:1]

10. Who gives us this garment of Christ's righteousness? Zech. 3:2-5 [Isa. 64:6; Rev. 3:18]

11. As with the symbolic clothing that represents our characters, in what condition should our real clothing be when we meet with the Lord? Ex. 19:10 [Num. 8:21]

12. What will eventually become of the world's vain adornments? 1 John 2:15-17 [James 4:4]

13. How can we glorify God in our bodies? Rom. 12:1, 2 [John 17:15]

Commitment: God uses clothing to represent our characters; and in reality the outer covering often reveals what is inside. God calls for every Christian to be renewed, both within and without. He wants us to dress tastefully and becomingly, in a manner that will attract attention to Jesus instead of to ourselves. External adornments that encourage pride God forbids--His perfect character is the only adornment the true Christian needs. And that adornment will be more attractive to the regenerate heart than external glitter! Is it your desire to reflect Jesus' character in your manner of dress?

Lesson 27

34 God's Treasurers

Introduction: Human beings were created loving and trustworthy, but sin has made us selfcentered, greedy, and dishonest. Therefore, out of love, God has created ways to help us develop love and trust again so that we can be comfortable in heaven, and in harmony with its unselfish spirit. Today we will study this part of God's plan of redemption.

1. Who is the owner of the earth and everything in it? Ps. 50:10-14 [The Further-study verse is Deut. 10:14.]

2. Money can be a great blessing, but what happens when we covet it and love it instead of the Giver? 1 Tim. 6:6-10 [Matt. 19:23, 24]

3. Who gives us the skill and strength to acquire money? Deut. 8:18 [Acts 17:28; Eccl. 5:19]

4. In one sense, we own nothing; everything we have is only loaned to us. When must we give an account of the goods entrusted to us? Luke 12:16-21 [Ps. 49:10, 16, 17]

5. Since everything comes from God, and He has promised to provide for us, what attitude should we have about our daily needs? Matt. 6:25, 26 [Isa. 33:16]

6. Because God has promised to provide for us and we are not to worry, should we then be lazy and expect Him to make up for our lack of industry, planning, and frugality? 2 Thess. 3:7-10 [Gen. 3:19; 1 Thess. 4:11, 12; 1 Tim. 5:8]

7. What portion of our wealth does God claim for Himself? Lev. 27:30 [Note: Tithe is from a Hebrew word which means 'tenth'. While all we have comes from the Lord; He permits us to use 9/l0ths and asks us to return 1/10 to test our faithfulness. "All the tithe . . . IS the Lord's." When we pay our tithe, we are but returning to God what is already His. Gen. 14:18-20; Gen. 28:18-22]

8. What was the tithe used for in Israel? Heb. 7:5 [Note: The Levites were the tribe especially set apart for ministry to the Lord. Today the tithe is to be used for the support of God's ministry throughout the world. 1 Cor. 9:13, 14; Matt. 10:9, 10; Heb. 7:6, 9; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, pp. 245-251]

9. Did Jesus recognize the principle of tithing? Luke 11:42 [Note: Tithe does little good for the giver when given for show or to earn favor with God. Jesus said the Pharisees did right in giving their tithe, but they did it from a wrong motive, and were neglecting essential virtues, such as love, mercy, and faith. They needed a change of heart. Matt. 23:23]

10. Beside the tithe, what else did the children of Israel give to further the work of the Lord? Ex. 35:4, 5; 36:3-5 [Note: The tithe is not an offering. We cannot offer God something He already owns! If we want to give something to the Lord, we must go beyond the tithe as did the children of Israel. In the Adventist Church, while the tithe supports the ministry, offerings support church schools, welfare work, various mission projects around the world, and local church programs. 1 Cor. 16:2]

11. What does God call those who withhold their tithes and offerings, and what does He promise those who are faithful with their tithes? Mal. 3:8-10 [Note: If robbing man is bad, how much more serious it is to rob God! Luke 6:38; Prov. 11:24, 25]

12. What factors besides the amount of money are important when we give to God? Luke 21:1-4 [Ps. 50:5; 2 Cor. 8:12]

13. In what spirit should we give our offerings? 2 Cor. 9:7 [2 Cor. 8:9; Rom. 12:8; Matt. 6:1-4]

14. Besides giving tithes and offerings to support God's work and workers, in what other kinds of giving should we become involved? Matt. 25:34-40 [Ps. 41:1-3]

15. Where only is our money secure? Matt. 6:19, 20 [Luke 12:33, 34]

16. In what way are we affected by our giving habits? Matt. 6:21 [Matt. 19:21] 35 Commitment: In the Adventist Church, ordained ministers, within a given country, receive the same basic salary regardless of the size of the church. The money given by church members does not go to them directly, but is sent to a central office for budgeting and distribution. The pastors encourage and lead the members into selfsacrifice and giving-- not for themselves, but to help each one develop character and get ready for heaven. God does not need our money-He could rain down gold from heaven--but He is helping us to learn to trust Him, and to become loving and selfsacrificing, as Jesus was. Jesus gave His life; what can we give in comparison with that?

Lesson 28

Stewards of Time

Introduction: God has made us stewards not only of the money and health He has given us, but of our time. Today's lesson is about this stewardship of time.

1. What illustration does the Bible use to show the brief nature of our earthly life? James 4:14 [The Further-study verse is Isa. 40:6-8]

2. Unless we are saved, we shall live only a short time. Thus, what should be our chief purpose in life? 1 Tim. 6:11, 12 [Note: Our major goal in life is to be saved and to help others be saved. Everything else is secondary. Ps. 37:9- 11, 20, 3538; Matt. 16:24-26]

3. What activities occupied the people before the flood? Were they concerned about their own salvation or the salvation of others? Matt. 24:37, 38 [Gen. 6:5]

4. After being converted, what use did Paul make of His time on earth? Phil. 3:13, 14 [2 Tim. 4:7, 8]

5. Since most of us have already wasted much of the time allotted to us, as did the antediluvians, what should we do now? Eph. 5:15-20 [Col. 4:5]

6. What does Jesus say about wasting time in worldly cares and activities in these last days? Luke 21:34-36 [Note: "Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive .... Satan will, if possible . . ., so arrange affairs as to hedge up their way, entangle them with earthly treasures, cause them to carry a heavy, wearisome burden, that their hearts may be overcharged with the cares of this life and the day of trial may come upon them as a thief."--The Great Controversy, p. 625. 2 Tim. 3:1, 4b]

7. In view of the above, what relationship should we maintain with worldly activities that merely consume our time or, worse yet, develop a taste for the common and trivial? Eph. 5:8-11 [Note: "Card playing should be prohibited.... Evil angels are familiar guests in these places. There is nothing in such amusements beneficial to soul or body."--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 652. What do you think about dancing and gambling? 2 Tim. 2:22; Ibid., vol. 1, p. 514]

8. On what kind of subjects should we focus our time and thoughts? Phil. 4:8 [Note: In general, movies not only consume time, they lead to sinful, lustful thoughts, and should likewise be discarded by Christians. Most television programs do not even meet Paul's first requirement--"whatever things are true." Most, like novels, are fictitious. 2 Cor. 3:18]

9. How compatible is Christianity with worldly activities and friendships? 2 Cor. 6:14, 17, 18; 7:1 [1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4; 3:11-13]

10. What did Jesus say about the man who was saved from sin but did not then spend his time wisely in doing good? Luke 11:24-26 [Note: If we would fill our minds with Bible truths and Christian songs instead of television and rock music, our Christian experience would grow. Our thoughts and our time need to be preoccupied with Christ so that Satan may find no entrance. Rom. 6:18, 19, 22; Rev. 3:20; Matt. 12:30]

36 11. What is one activity in which we can profitably participate? Matt. 18:20 [Note: "Those who are really seeking for communion with God will be seen at the prayer meeting."--Steps to Christ, p. 98. Acts 2:44-47]

12. To help us realize that our time belongs to God, He has reserved a special portion of time for Himself. What should we do on the Sabbath? Isa. 58:13, 14 [Note: The Sabbath is not to be spent in idleness, but in attending church, visiting the sick, exploring God's nature, studying the Bible, praying, and enjoying Christian fellowship. Matt. 12:12]

13. What Sabbath activity becomes even more important as we near the time for Christ to return? Heb. 10:24, 25 [Lev. 23:3; Luke 4:16]

14. What weekday activities are inappropriate during the holy hours of the Sabbath? Neh. 13:15-18 [Note: Buying and selling, engaging in sports, watching television, washing cars, cleaning the house, etc., are our own works. Even our Sabbath meals, God says, should be prepared as much as possible before the Sabbath begins so that we can spend our time with Him. Ex. 16:23; Isa. 58:13, 14]

15. Satan works tirelessly to get us to put off spending time with Jesus. What does Paul warn about this fatal delay? Heb. 3:12-15 [Acts 24:25]

Commitment: We are each the product of the way we spend our time. If we spend our time with Jesus we will become more like Him, but if we spend it with the world and in worldly activities we will become like it. Let us spend the first part of each day with Jesus, and then keep Him with us throughout the day as we travel, work, play, or socialize. Our sojourn in this world is short. Will you just now vow to please Jesus by being a faithful steward of your time?

Lesson 29

Sanctified Homes

Introduction: Among the sins of Noah's day that led God to destroy the world was the almost universal flouting of God's standards for marriage, sexual relations, and the home. "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of [the coming of] the Son of Man" (Luke 17:26). Today we are seeing that fulfilled. In this lesson we will study about God's plan for marriage and the home. Again we will quote from the Spirit of Prophecy (the writings of Ellen White) to shed additional light on the Bible. AH refers to a compilation of her writings on the home called Adventist Home.

1. With what were the antediluvians obsessed? Matt. 24:37-39 [Note: "There is in itself no sin in eating and drinking, or in marrying and giving in marriage . . . if that which is lawful is properly treated, and not carried to sinful excess. But in the days of Noah, men married without consulting God, or seeking His guidance and counsel." So it is at the present day. And marriage ceremonies are "made matters of display, extravagance, and selfindulgence." AH 121, 100. The Further- study verses are 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Luke 17:26-30]

2. Who established the institution of marriage? Gen. 2:21-24 [Matt. 19:4-6]

3. Are religious orders made more holy by celibacy? Heb. 13:4a [Ans: "Marriage is honorable among all." 1 Tim. 4:1- 3]

4. While marriage is honorable, what does the Bible call those who engage in sex outside of marriage? Heb. 13:4b [Note: "Fornicators" (KJV-"whoremongers") is from the Greek word "pornos" from which we get the word "pornography." This verse warns against all sexual relations outside of marriage. 1 Cor. 6:9, 10]

5. On what basis did the antediluvians choose marriage partners? Gen. 6:1, 2 [Note: The descendants of Seth were called the "sons of God" (See 1 John 3:1). They married the descendants of Cain, who were unconverted. This resulted not in the conversion of the unconverted spouses, but in the apostasy of the "sons of God." Gen. 24:1-3; 26:34, 35; 28:1]

6. What counsel does God give about marriage between a believer and an unbeliever? 2 Cor. 6:1418 [Deut. 7:1-3]

37 7. Should one already married to an unbeliever seek a divorce? 1 Cor. 7:13 [1 Peter 3:1]

8. Christ set forth only one legitimate reason for divorce. What was it? Why do you think He considered this reason legitimate? Matt. 19:5, 6, 9 [Note: The Bible does not require the innocent party to divorce the unfaithful marriage partner. In some cases forgiveness can be granted, and trust reestablished. 1 Cor. 7:10-15, 39; Mark 10:11, 12; Deut. 24:1-4]

9. Marriage is not always ideal (as in the case of Paul) and young people should not be hurried into this sacred relationship. But when entered into in the fear of God, how does marriage help to preserve the purity of society? 1 Cor. 7:1-3 [Note: The spouse is to render what is "due." "Marriage . . . in this degenerate age . . . covers vileness of every description . . . [as] previous to the flood." God never designed that marriage should cover base lust. "The fact that all the relations of life are of a transitory nature should have a modifying influence on all we do and say." AH 121, 122. 1 Cor. 7:5, 8, 9; Col. 3:18, 19; Ps. 24:3, 4; 2 Peter 1:4]

10. How important is it that we control our eyes and our thoughts? Matt. 5:27-30 [Note: The antediluvians gave full rein to evil thoughts (Gen. 6:5). Doubtless they enjoyed sensual songs, pictures, and jokes. Col. 3:5-8]

11. How is the spiritual life affected if wives are not honored and understood? 1 Peter 3:7 [ 1 John 4:7-8]

12. What is God's ideal for the husbandwife relationship? Eph. 5:22, 25 [Note: God took Eve from Adam's side to be his "helper comparable to him" (Gen. 2:18, NKJV), not his slave. She was to be submissive to his godly affections and Christian leadership as an equal partner. They were to be "one." Gen. 2:18, 24]

13. What two commandments in the Decalogue deal with the home? Ex. 20:12, 14 [Matt. 19:16-19]

14. In what way may parents show true love to their children? Prov. 13:24 [Note: Discipline and love must always go together. Eli is an example of one who mistook indulgence for love, and did not discipline his sons. 1 Sam. 3:13; Titus 2:4; Ps. 127:3]

15. What disposition in children is a sign of the last days? 2 Tim. 3:1, 2 [1 Tim. 3:25; Isa. 8:18]

16. How does Paul summarize the ideal parentchild relationship? Eph. 6:1-4 [Col. 3:20, 21]

Commitment: Today's society is like Noah's. Jesus said, "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil" (John 17:15). Will you determine, by God's help, to be pure in both thought and deed; and to fulfill your Christian duty as a husband, wife, parent, or child?

Lesson 30

"So Send I You"

Introduction: This is our final lesson. I hope these lessons have indeed been steps to eternal life for you. Yet we are not through, for it is God's plan that each person who obtains truth shall share it with others.

1. After Jesus had finished His work on earth, what plan did He have for carrying His work forward? John 17:18 [The Further-study verse is Matt. 16:24]

2. Jesus came to save sinners. How did He do this? John 17:3, 4 [John 14:6, 7, 10]

3. Jesus' first work was to reveal His Father's character. Thisis to be our first work. What character traits ("fruits") arewe to develop? Gal. 5:22, 23 [Note: "By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life." MH 470. "The last message of mercy to be given to 38 the world, is a revelation of His [God's] character of love.... In their own life and character they [the children of God] are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them." COL 415, 416. Isa. 29:17-19; 32:15

4. What character "fruits" does Peter say we should develop? Are all these developed at once? 2 Peter 1:5-11 [Eph. 2:19-22]

5. What will God do to those who do not bear this fruit? What will He do to those who do? John 15:1, 2 [Note: "The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian. To live such a life . . . costs at every step effort, selfsacrifice, discipline. It is because they do not understand this that many are so easily discouraged .... They pray for Christlikeness of character . . . and they are . . . placed in circumstances that seem to call forth all the evil of their nature.... Trials and obstacles are the Lord's chosen methods of discipline and His appointed conditions of success.... He permits the fires of affliction . . . that they may be purified.'' MH 470, 471. James 1:2-4]

6. What connection must be maintained if one is to bear fruit to God's glory? John 15:4-8 [Eph. 3:17-21]

7. How can we abide in Christ and grow in grace? 2 Peter 1:2-4 [Ans: Through daily (1) study of the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, (2) prayer, (3) keeping Christ in our thoughts, and (4) praising God even in the midst of trials. John 6:56, 63; 17:17-19; Col. 1:9, 10; 1 Thess. 5:16-18; Isa. 55:7; 1 Peter 1:6, 7; James 1:2-4; Phil. 4:6-8]

8. Beyond setting the example of a good life, Jesus sought opportunities to tell about salvation. What was His final commission to His disciples? Matt. 28:18-20 [Mark 16:15, 16; Isa. 43:10; Matt. 24:14]

9. What will Jesus do for us if we share our faith? Matt. 10:32, 33 [Eze. 33:8, 9]

10. Is it possible to have a "neutral" influence for Jesus? Matt. 12:30 [Matt. 6:24]

11. Who did Jesus promise to send to give power to our witness? Acts 1:8 [John 14:12, 16-18]

12. After Christ's ascension, what condition among the disciples made it possible for God to give them the Holy Spirit? Acts 2:1 [Acts 4:32-35; Eph 4:3]

13. What results were produced by the Holy Spirit's influence? Acts 2:37-41 [Acts 4:4; 5:14; 6:7]

14. The Spirit works to convict and convert everyone, but after conversion He gives various gifts for witnessing. How many receive these gifts from the Spirit, and are the gifts the same? 1 Cor. 12:4-7 [1 Cor. 12:14-27]

15. Who decides what gifts a person receives? 1 Cor. 12:11, 18 [Eph. 4:11-13]

16. What gifts does Paul list in his letter to the Romans, and how should they be used? Rom. 12:4-12 [Note: We might call some of these gifts "natural talents," but even natural talents have been entrusted to us to be used for God, and when the Holy Spirit takes control of these talents they become effective for winning souls to Jesus. 1 Cor. 12:7-10]

17. What abilities do you have that the Holy Spirit could use to win souls? [Suggestions: The ability to use the telephone for Christ, visiting, giving these same Bible studies to someone else, encouraging the discouraged, hospitality that witness, giving out literature, sharing your testimony, writing letters that witness, praying for others, musical abilities, raising children for Christ, bringing others to church, financially supporting God's work, gospel medical missionary abilities. . . . Matt. 25:14-30]

Commitment: We are all saved for service, and only through service can we maintain a living, growing relationship with Christ. Won't you make it a lifelong goal to work and witness for Christ, starting today?

39 Supplemental Lesson 4 (S-4)

The New-Covenant Ceremonies

Introduction: In Old Testament times righteousness by faith was illustrated through the sacrificial system. In the New Testament it is illustrated through the communion service.

1. In the sacrificial system of ancient Israel, what two elements had special significance? Ex. 24:6-8; Lev. 3:16, 17 [Ans: Blood and fat. The Further-study verses are Eze. 44:7, 15]

2. What spiritual reality did the blood represent? Rom. 3:23-26 [Ans: It pointed forward to Jesus' blood, which was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Forgiveness is also called justification. Lev. 17:10-14]

3. What special meaning was associated with the fat? 1 Sam. 15:22 [Note: As the blood pointed forward to Christ's blood and represented forgiveness, so the fat represented Christ's body, and obedience, or sanctification. King Saul sacrificed the fat of animals, but he had not obeyed the Lord, therefore his offering was unacceptable. Gen. 4:4. Compare Lev. 17:6 and Num. 18:17 with Eph. 5:1, 2 and 1 Peter 1:22.]

4. What two symbols did Christ include in the new-covenant communion service? Luke 22:19, 20 [1 Cor. 10:16- 18]

5. What did the wine, or grape juice, represent? Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Peter 1:18-20 [Ans: As the blood of the animal sacrifice pointed to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, so the wine represented Jesus' blood that was shed for "the remission of sins." The "fruit of the vine" Jesus used was "new" and untainted. Yeast, which causes fermentation, was a symbol of sin, hence its use was prohibited at the Passover feast. Rom. 3:24-26; Rev. 13:8; Ex. 34:7]

6. As the fat of the sacrifices anciently represented Jesus' body, so the bread in the communion service is a symbol of Christ's body. What was accomplished by the death of Christ on the cross for us? Heb. 10:10 [Note: As the blood and fat of the Old Testament sacrifices were symbols of justification and sanctification, so the grape juice and bread of the new covenant may be viewed as symbols of this two-fold work of grace. Justification and sanctification must always go together, for Jesus died not merely to forgive sin, and thus account us righteous, but to free us from the dominion of sin, and thus make us righteous. 1 Peter 1:2; 2:24; Matt. 1:21; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:3-6]

7. What great gift do we receive through partaking of the "bread of life"? John 6:47, 48, 51 [John 6:33-35]

8. What did Christ mean when He said we should eat of His flesh? John 6:51, 63 [Note: When we read the Bible with the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, our lives are changed. Jesus' life, as manifested in the Bible, becomes our life. We should partake of this spiritual food just as regularly as we partake of physical food. When we partake of the bread of the communion service, we pledge to partake of His Word. John 1:1, 14, 18; 17:14, 17]

9. In the new-covenant service, what order is followed in partaking of the grape juice and the bread? 1 Cor. 11:23-26 [Note: Sanctification begins simultaneously with justification when we surrender ourselves totally to Christ. As soon as we surrender, Christ offers us free and complete forgiveness. But while sanctification begins at the time of justification, it must continue as long as we live. Both justification and sanctification are the work of grace. 1 Cor. 6:11; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 10:14]

10. What warning does Paul give to us about partaking of the new-covenant service "in an unworthy manner," without discerning its sacred character? 1 Cor. 11:27-30 [2 Cor. 13:5; Heb. 10:29]

11. In order to prepare the disciples' hearts for the communion ceremony, what service did Jesus perform for them? John 13:3-5 [Mark 10:43-45]

12. How important was it for Jesus to wash the disciples' feet? John 13:6-8 [1 Cor. 6:11]

13. After Jesus had washed their feet, were the disciples spiritually clean? John 13:9, 10 [Note: The disciples had already been washed in baptism, hence did not need a rebaptism. They had not apostatized. But they had harbored jealousy and unbelief, and needed to be cleansed from these sins. Eph. 5:26, 27] 40 14. After washing their feet, what did Jesus say to His disciples? How do we know that He was establishing a ceremony that He wants us to follow today? John 13:12-15 [Matt. 20:27, 28]

15. Some, like Peter, hesitate to have their feet washed, or to wash another's feet. But what promise is given to those who follow Jesus' example? John 13:15-17 [Matt. 23:11, 12; John 15:11]

16. While the communion service reminds us of Christ's death, toward what future event does it point? Matt. 26:29 [1 Cor. 11:26]

Commitment: Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you" (John 6:53). Will you pledge to partake of Christ's body, both in the communion service and through the study of His Word, so that you may become more like Jesus? As you drink the grape juice, will you accept Christ's forgiveness, give thanks for His atoning blood, and determine to be among those who shall be with Jesus when He drinks the fruit of the vine in heaven? And will you follow Jesus' example in the footwashing ceremony, giving thanks that through Jesus your sins are washed away?