1. WHAT power was to make war upon the remnant church prior to the second advent?
"And _______________ [Satan] was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. 12:17.
2. What reward is promised to the overcomer?
"To him that overcometh will I give ___________________, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Rev. 2:7. See also Rev. 2:11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21. "He that overcometh shall inherit __________." Rev. 21:7.
3. Through whom are we able to conquer?
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors ___________________." Rom. 8:37.
4. Who was the invisible leader of the armies of Israel?
"Behold, there stood a man over against him with His sword drawn in His hand: and Joshua went unto Him, and said unto Him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And He said, Nay; but as ____________________________ am I now come." Joshua 5:13,14. See also 1 Cor. 10:1-4.
5. What is the character of the Christian's weapons of warfare?
"For the weapons of our warfare are _________________________________." 2 Cor. 10:4.
6. What are these weapons able to conquer?
"Casting down, ___________________, and ____________________________, and bringing into captivity __________________ to the obedience of Christ." Verse 5.
7. What are we to put on?
"________________________, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Eph. 6:11.
8. With what kind of forces do we have to contend?
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against ______________________." Verse 12.
NOTE.-The margin says, "wicked spirits" in "heavenly" places.
9. What are the first essentials of the needed armor?
"Stand therefore, having your ____________________________, and having on _____________________________." Verse 14.
10. What is the truth with which one's loins should be girded?
"Sanctify them through Thy truth: _____________________." "I am the way, the truth." John 17:17; 14:6.
11. What is meant by having the loins girded?
"Wherefore gird up __________________________." 1 Peter 1:13.
12. What is the righteousness of which the breastplate is composed?
"My tongue shall speak of Thy word: for __________________________." Ps. 119:172. "And this is His name whereby lie shall be called, _________________________________." Jer. 23:6. See Rom. 13:14; 1 Thess. 5:8.
13. With what are the feet to be shod?
"And your feet shod with ____________________________." Eph. 6:15. See also Eph. 2:14; James 3:18.
14. What piece of armor is next mentioned as necessary?
"Above all, taking ________________________, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Eph. 6:16 See 1 John 5:4; Heb. 11:6.
15. What armor is to be put on as a protection to the head?
"And take the _________________________." Eph. 6:17.
NOTE.-In 1 Thess. 5:8 the helmet is called "the hope of salvation." The helmet was worn to protect the head. So the hope of salvation will preserve the courage, and thus aid in protecting the spiritual life of the Christian pilgrim when beset by the enemy of righteousness.
16. With what sword is the Christian soldier to be armed?
"______________________, which is ____________________." Eph. 6:17.
NOTE.-By this Christ defeated the enemy. See Matt. 4:1-1; Luke 4:1-13. But no one can use this sword who does not know it. Hence, the importance of studying and knowing the Bible.
17. In what words are the courage, faithfulness, and loyalty of the remnant church expressed?
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and _______________________________." Rev. 12:11.
18. Will Christ's loyal soldiers be victorious under Him?
"And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had ____________________________ over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." Rev. 15:2.
________________________________________
SOLDIERS of Christ, arise,
And put your armor on;
Fight, for the battle will be ours;
We fight to win a crown.
We fight not against flesh,
We wrestle not with blood;
But principalities and powers,
And for the truth of God.
With wicked spirits, too,
That in high places stand,
Perverting oft the Word of God,
And say 'tis by command.
Put all the armor on,
Like valiant soldiers stand;
Let all your loins be girt with truth,
Waiting our Lord's command.
While Jesus is our friend,
And His rich grace supplies,
We'll march like valiant soldiers on:
We're sure to win the prize.
The battle's almost o'er;
The race is nearly run;
Then with our glorious, conquering King
We'll sit down on His throne.
CHARLES WESLEY.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.118 -- GROWTH IN GRACE
1. HOW does the apostle Peter close his second epistle?
"But ____________________, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18.
2. How may grace and peace be multiplied in believers?
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you __________________________." 2 Peter 1:2.
3. What is implied in a knowledge of God and Jesus Christ?
"And ____________________, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3.
4. By what may we be partakers of the divine nature?
"Whereby are given unto us _______________________: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4.
5. What graces are we to add in our character building?
"Add to your faith ___________ [courage]; and to virtue _________; and to knowledge _____________ [self-control]; and to temperance __________; and to patience ______________; and to godliness ______________; and to brotherly kindness ___________." Verses 5-7.
NOTES.-Faith is the first round in the Christian ladder, the first step Godward. " He that cometh to God must believe." Heb. 11:6.
But an inoperative faith is useless. "Faith without works is dead." James 2:20. To be of value, there must be coupled with faith that virtue, or courage of conviction, which impels to action.
To courage there needs to be added knowledge; otherwise, like the stumbling Jews, one may have a zeal, "but not according to knowledge." Rom. 10:2. Fanaticism is the result of such courage, or zeal. Knowledge, therefore, is an essential to healthy Christian growth.
To knowledge there needs to be added temperance, or self-control- self-government. See Acts 24:25, American Standard Version, and margin of Revised Version. To know to do good, and not do it, is as useless as is faith without works. See James 4:17. Instead of temperance, the Twentieth Century New Testament invariably says self-control.
Patience naturally follows temperance. It is well-nigh impossible for an intemperate person to be patient.
Having gained control of oneself, and become patient, one is in a condition to manifest godliness, or God-likeness.
Having become godly, kindness toward the brethren, or brotherly kindness, naturally follows.
Charity, or love for all, even our enemies, is the crowning grace, the highest step, the eighth round, in the Christian ladder.
The arrangement in this enumeration of graces is by no means accidental or haphazard, but logical and sequential, each following the other in natural, necessary order. The finger of Inspiration is seen here.
6. What is said of charity in the Scriptures?
"Charity _________________; . . . thinketh __________; ______________, but ____________________________________________." 1 Cor. 13:4-7. "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for _________________________." 1 Peter 4:8. "Love covereth all sins." Prov. 10:12.
7. What is charity called?
"And above all these things put on charity, which is ________________________." Col. 3:14.
8. What is the result of cultivating these eight graces?
"For if these things be in you, and abound, _____________________________ _____________________________." 2 Peter 1:8.
9. What is the condition of one who lacks these graces?
"But he that lacketh these things is __________________________________." Verse 9.
10. What is promised those who add grace to grace?
"If ye do these things, ____________________________." Verse 10.
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"But ____________________, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18.
2. How may grace and peace be multiplied in believers?
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you __________________________." 2 Peter 1:2.
3. What is implied in a knowledge of God and Jesus Christ?
"And ____________________, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3.
4. By what may we be partakers of the divine nature?
"Whereby are given unto us _______________________: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4.
5. What graces are we to add in our character building?
"Add to your faith ___________ [courage]; and to virtue _________; and to knowledge _____________ [self-control]; and to temperance __________; and to patience ______________; and to godliness ______________; and to brotherly kindness ___________." Verses 5-7.
NOTES.-Faith is the first round in the Christian ladder, the first step Godward. " He that cometh to God must believe." Heb. 11:6.
But an inoperative faith is useless. "Faith without works is dead." James 2:20. To be of value, there must be coupled with faith that virtue, or courage of conviction, which impels to action.
To courage there needs to be added knowledge; otherwise, like the stumbling Jews, one may have a zeal, "but not according to knowledge." Rom. 10:2. Fanaticism is the result of such courage, or zeal. Knowledge, therefore, is an essential to healthy Christian growth.
To knowledge there needs to be added temperance, or self-control- self-government. See Acts 24:25, American Standard Version, and margin of Revised Version. To know to do good, and not do it, is as useless as is faith without works. See James 4:17. Instead of temperance, the Twentieth Century New Testament invariably says self-control.
Patience naturally follows temperance. It is well-nigh impossible for an intemperate person to be patient.
Having gained control of oneself, and become patient, one is in a condition to manifest godliness, or God-likeness.
Having become godly, kindness toward the brethren, or brotherly kindness, naturally follows.
Charity, or love for all, even our enemies, is the crowning grace, the highest step, the eighth round, in the Christian ladder.
The arrangement in this enumeration of graces is by no means accidental or haphazard, but logical and sequential, each following the other in natural, necessary order. The finger of Inspiration is seen here.
6. What is said of charity in the Scriptures?
"Charity _________________; . . . thinketh __________; ______________, but ____________________________________________." 1 Cor. 13:4-7. "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for _________________________." 1 Peter 4:8. "Love covereth all sins." Prov. 10:12.
7. What is charity called?
"And above all these things put on charity, which is ________________________." Col. 3:14.
8. What is the result of cultivating these eight graces?
"For if these things be in you, and abound, _____________________________ _____________________________." 2 Peter 1:8.
9. What is the condition of one who lacks these graces?
"But he that lacketh these things is __________________________________." Verse 9.
10. What is promised those who add grace to grace?
"If ye do these things, ____________________________." Verse 10.
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www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.117 -- SPIRITUALISM
1. WHAT is Spiritualism defined to be?
"A belief that departed spirits hold intercourse with mortals by means of physical phenomena, as by rapping, or during abnormal mental states, as in trances, or the like, commonly manifested through a medium; spiritism."- Webster.
Spiritism: "The theory that mediumistic phenomena "are caused by spirits of the dead."- Webster.
NOTE.-"The very central truth of Spiritualism is the power and possibility of spirit return, under certain conditions, to communicate with those in the material form."- N. F. Ravlin, Spiritualistic lecturer, of California.
2. Did this doctrine exist in ancient times?
"Regard not them that have _____________________, neither seek after __________, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God." Lev. 19:31.
NOTE.-"The phenomenal aspect of modern Spiritualism reproduces all essential principles of the magic, witchcraft, and sorcery of the past. The same powers are involved, the same intelligences are operating."- F. F. Morse, in "Practical Occultism," page 85.
3. How does God regard sorcerers?
"And I will come near to you to judgment; _________________________." Mal. 3:5.
4. What does He say of the teachings of enchanters and sorcerers?
"Therefore harken not ye to. . . your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, . . . for ____________________________, to remove you far from your land." Jer. 27:9,10.
NOTES.-Rev. F. B. Meyer, of England, gives the following warning against dabbling in Spiritualism: "I have known several families that have been cursed by having recourse to clairvoyants and mediums. There are grave dangers in these things; and when occult powers are used for selfish ends, it is possible for men and women to be filled with evil spirits. as was the girl at Philippi. People are fools to play with the dregs of the spirit world."- Present Truth, Sept. 7, 1911.
"I am perfectly certain that the whole movement known as modem Spiritualism is in the hands and under the direction of the father of evil spirits; in other words, is thoroughly and unmistakably diabolical."- Dr. C. Williams, of London, England.
5. Before their entrance into Canaan, what instruction did Moses give Israel concerning these things?
"When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not _______________________________. There shall not be found among you anyone that _____________________, or that __________________, or an ________________, or _______________________________________. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God." Deut. 18:9-13.
NOTES.-Whoever consults or has to do with mediums or any who profess to receive instruction or communications from the spirits of the dead, disregards this plain instruction, and places himself upon the enemy's ground. Ever since Satan told that first lie in Eden, when he denied that death would be the result of sin, in the very face of death itself he, working upon man's natural dread of death and upon his distress at the thought of being separated from loved ones, has been endeavoring to persuade men to believe that the dead are not dead, and that men do not die. Idolatry, heathenism, Spiritualism, occultism, and the whole brood of false isms of this kind, it will be noticed, deal very largely with death. This, of itself, indicates their origin, and should be a warning to all to let them alone- to have nothing whatever to do with them. They are from beneath, and not from above. However promising or pleasing they may be at first, they are downward and destructive in their tendency, and ultimately lead away from God, into unbelief of His Word and into sin. They promise life by denying death, and apparently "make good" Satan's lie m Eden, through the ministration and manifestations of evil angels representing themselves to be the spirits of the dead.
In a sermon on "Spiritualism an Imposture," Rev. T. De Witt Talmage said: "Spiritualism takes advantage of those who are weak and morbid with trouble. We lose a friend. The house is dark, the world is dark, the future seems dark. If we had, in our rebellion and weakness, the power to marshal a host and recapture our loved one, we should marshal the host. Spiritualism comes in at that moment, when we are all worn out by watching,- all worn out, body, mind, and soul,- and says: 'Now I will open that door; you shall hear the voices. Take your places around the table; all be quiet now.' . . . O, I hate Spiritualism, because it takes advantage of people when they are weak, and worn out, and morbid under life's bereavements and sorrows! . . . If Spiritualism had its way, it would turn the world into a pandemonium of carnality. It is an unclean and adulterous system."
6. Under the theocracy of Israel, what was the law concerning witches and those who had familiar spirits?
"Thou shalt ___________________." Ex. 22:18. "A man also or woman that hath a ________________________________." Lev. 20:27.
NOTE.-This shows how dangerous and deadly everything of this character is in God's sight.
7. With what is witchcraft classed by Paul, and what does he say to those who are guilty of such things?
"Idolatry , witchcraft; hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies. . . . I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall _____________________________." Gal. 5:20-23.
8. What should one do if asked to inquire of a familiar spirit?
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: ________________________________?" Isa. 8:19.
NOTE.-Giving the sense of this passage, Dr. Adam Clarke says: "Should not a nation seek unto its God? Why should you seek unto the dead concerning the living?" But this is exactly what Spiritualism teaches men to do,- to seek unto the dead concerning the living.
9. What instruction does the apostle John give touching this subject?
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but ___________________________." 1 John 4:1.
10. By what are we to try them?
"__________________________: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.
11. Should we allow ourselves to be influenced by signs or wonders performed by those who would try to lead us away from God and His law?
"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; ____________________________________: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall wall after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice." Deut. 13:1-4.
12. How much do the dead know of what is going on among men?
"Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honor, and _____________________; and they are brought low, but ___________________." Job 14:20,21.
13. Do the dead know anything?
"For the living know that they shall die: but ___________________________." Eccl. 9:5. "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; _______________________." Ps. 146:4.
14. What scripture forever precludes the idea that the dead come back to earth to communicate with the living?
"Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; _________________________________________." Eccl. 9:6.
15. Then when miracles are performed by spirits purporting to be those of our dead friends, to what shall we attribute them?
"For they are _________________________________." Rev. 16:14.
16. What will be one characteristic of last-day apostasies?
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, __________________________________________." 1 Tim. 4:1.
NOTES.-The following items illustrate a condition widely prevalent:-
"'A lawyer with a national reputation, well known to me,' said J. L. Hall, of New York, 'never begins the preparation of a difficult case without getting "advice from the other side," as he describes the search. . . . Another distinguished man of New York City once asserted to me that he had his familiar spirit with which he talked as freely as with a human companion.'"- Washington Herald, May 8, 1911.
A noted Brooklyn divine some years ago, not realizing that he was voicing Spiritualistic views, gave expression to the following: "What are our departed Christian friends, who in this world had their joy in the healing art, doing now?- Busy at their old business. No sickness in heaven, but plenty of sickness on earth."- Christian Herald, July 8,1882.
Writing concerning "Communion With the Departed," General Booth, of the Salvation Army, said: "Through all my history, my personal intercourse with the spirit world has been but limited. I have not been favored with many visions, and it is but seldom that I dream dreams that impart either pleasure or profit; and yet I have a spiritual communion with the departed saints that is not without both satisfaction and service. And especially of late the memories of those with whom my heart has had the choicest communion in the past, if not the very beings themselves, have come in upon me as I have sat at my desk or lain wakeful on my bed in the night-season. Amongst these, one form, true to her mission, comes more frequently than all besides, assuring me of her continued partnership in my struggle for the temporal and eternal salvation of the multitudes- and that is my blessed, my beautiful wife!"- War Cry, Nov. 27, 1897.
"Dr. Joseph Parker, of the City Temple, London, has openly declared that he prayed to his departed wife every day. He said that he never came to the City Temple to preach without asking her to come with him. He further says: 'I encourage my friend to pray to his wife, and to pray God to ask her to come to his help. She will be more to him than twelve legions of unknown angels."- The Living Church, Nov. 14,1899.
"The emperor Nicholas . . . has fallen under the influence of a Spiritualist named Philipp, who rules the emperor to such an extent that His Majesty makes no important decision, even in relation to family life, without consulting his Spiritualistic guide."- Melbourne Age, Nov.15,1902.
In a statement given out Dec. 20, 1910, soon after the death of Mrs. Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Amelia Stetson, one of the leaders of the Christian Science Church of New York City, said: "Mrs. Eddy, who was the female Christ, will return to earth. I am watching and waiting for the manifestation of Mrs. Eddy in the semblance of human form. It may come today, it may come next week, it may not come for ten years, but it will surely come. . . . The millennium is at hand. Mrs. Eddy is not dead. She is still alive, and when she appears again on earth, it will be as herself- as Mary Baker Eddy."
"A message purporting to come from Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, through Mr. William T. Stead, the noted English journalist, shortly after the formers death, says, 'There is no death; all is life; all is freedom.'"- Signs of the Times, Feb. 28,1911.
And soon after Mr. Stead himself went down on the "Titanic," April 15,1912, Spiritualists in different parts of the world received numerous messages purporting to have come from him.
17. How does Satan deceive the people?
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is _________________________." 2 Cor. 11:14.
18. What role do his agents assume?
"Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be _____________________." Verse 15.
19. Will Satan and his agents attempt to counterfeit the coming of Christ, and work signs and wonders to confirm their pretentious claims?
"Then if any man shall say unto you, ____________________, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christ's, and false prophets, _________________________; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt. 24:23,24.
20. What will be one of the last great signs performed by this means, to fasten men in deception?
"And he doeth great wonders, so that __________________________________, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live." Rev. 13:13,14.
21. What scripture shows that Satan is to work with special power and deceptive wonders just before Christ's second coming?
"Whose coming is _________________________________, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish." 2 Thess. 2:9,10. See also Rev. 12:12.
22. While many will be deceived by these wonders, and accept of the false Christ's that appear, what will those say who have maintained their love for the truth, and patiently waited for Christ's return?
"And it shall be said in that day, ___, THIS _________________________: THIS __________________________________." Isa. 25:9.
23. What warning has been given us through the apostle Peter?
"___________________; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
________________________________________
WICKED spirits gather round thee,
Legions of those foes to God-
Principalities most mighty-
Walk unseen the earth abroad;
They are gathering to the battle,
Strengthened for the last deep strife;
Christian, arm! be watchful, ready.
Struggle manfully for life.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
"A belief that departed spirits hold intercourse with mortals by means of physical phenomena, as by rapping, or during abnormal mental states, as in trances, or the like, commonly manifested through a medium; spiritism."- Webster.
Spiritism: "The theory that mediumistic phenomena "are caused by spirits of the dead."- Webster.
NOTE.-"The very central truth of Spiritualism is the power and possibility of spirit return, under certain conditions, to communicate with those in the material form."- N. F. Ravlin, Spiritualistic lecturer, of California.
2. Did this doctrine exist in ancient times?
"Regard not them that have _____________________, neither seek after __________, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God." Lev. 19:31.
NOTE.-"The phenomenal aspect of modern Spiritualism reproduces all essential principles of the magic, witchcraft, and sorcery of the past. The same powers are involved, the same intelligences are operating."- F. F. Morse, in "Practical Occultism," page 85.
3. How does God regard sorcerers?
"And I will come near to you to judgment; _________________________." Mal. 3:5.
4. What does He say of the teachings of enchanters and sorcerers?
"Therefore harken not ye to. . . your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, . . . for ____________________________, to remove you far from your land." Jer. 27:9,10.
NOTES.-Rev. F. B. Meyer, of England, gives the following warning against dabbling in Spiritualism: "I have known several families that have been cursed by having recourse to clairvoyants and mediums. There are grave dangers in these things; and when occult powers are used for selfish ends, it is possible for men and women to be filled with evil spirits. as was the girl at Philippi. People are fools to play with the dregs of the spirit world."- Present Truth, Sept. 7, 1911.
"I am perfectly certain that the whole movement known as modem Spiritualism is in the hands and under the direction of the father of evil spirits; in other words, is thoroughly and unmistakably diabolical."- Dr. C. Williams, of London, England.
5. Before their entrance into Canaan, what instruction did Moses give Israel concerning these things?
"When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not _______________________________. There shall not be found among you anyone that _____________________, or that __________________, or an ________________, or _______________________________________. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God." Deut. 18:9-13.
NOTES.-Whoever consults or has to do with mediums or any who profess to receive instruction or communications from the spirits of the dead, disregards this plain instruction, and places himself upon the enemy's ground. Ever since Satan told that first lie in Eden, when he denied that death would be the result of sin, in the very face of death itself he, working upon man's natural dread of death and upon his distress at the thought of being separated from loved ones, has been endeavoring to persuade men to believe that the dead are not dead, and that men do not die. Idolatry, heathenism, Spiritualism, occultism, and the whole brood of false isms of this kind, it will be noticed, deal very largely with death. This, of itself, indicates their origin, and should be a warning to all to let them alone- to have nothing whatever to do with them. They are from beneath, and not from above. However promising or pleasing they may be at first, they are downward and destructive in their tendency, and ultimately lead away from God, into unbelief of His Word and into sin. They promise life by denying death, and apparently "make good" Satan's lie m Eden, through the ministration and manifestations of evil angels representing themselves to be the spirits of the dead.
In a sermon on "Spiritualism an Imposture," Rev. T. De Witt Talmage said: "Spiritualism takes advantage of those who are weak and morbid with trouble. We lose a friend. The house is dark, the world is dark, the future seems dark. If we had, in our rebellion and weakness, the power to marshal a host and recapture our loved one, we should marshal the host. Spiritualism comes in at that moment, when we are all worn out by watching,- all worn out, body, mind, and soul,- and says: 'Now I will open that door; you shall hear the voices. Take your places around the table; all be quiet now.' . . . O, I hate Spiritualism, because it takes advantage of people when they are weak, and worn out, and morbid under life's bereavements and sorrows! . . . If Spiritualism had its way, it would turn the world into a pandemonium of carnality. It is an unclean and adulterous system."
6. Under the theocracy of Israel, what was the law concerning witches and those who had familiar spirits?
"Thou shalt ___________________." Ex. 22:18. "A man also or woman that hath a ________________________________." Lev. 20:27.
NOTE.-This shows how dangerous and deadly everything of this character is in God's sight.
7. With what is witchcraft classed by Paul, and what does he say to those who are guilty of such things?
"Idolatry , witchcraft; hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies. . . . I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall _____________________________." Gal. 5:20-23.
8. What should one do if asked to inquire of a familiar spirit?
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: ________________________________?" Isa. 8:19.
NOTE.-Giving the sense of this passage, Dr. Adam Clarke says: "Should not a nation seek unto its God? Why should you seek unto the dead concerning the living?" But this is exactly what Spiritualism teaches men to do,- to seek unto the dead concerning the living.
9. What instruction does the apostle John give touching this subject?
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but ___________________________." 1 John 4:1.
10. By what are we to try them?
"__________________________: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.
11. Should we allow ourselves to be influenced by signs or wonders performed by those who would try to lead us away from God and His law?
"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; ____________________________________: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall wall after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice." Deut. 13:1-4.
12. How much do the dead know of what is going on among men?
"Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honor, and _____________________; and they are brought low, but ___________________." Job 14:20,21.
13. Do the dead know anything?
"For the living know that they shall die: but ___________________________." Eccl. 9:5. "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; _______________________." Ps. 146:4.
14. What scripture forever precludes the idea that the dead come back to earth to communicate with the living?
"Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; _________________________________________." Eccl. 9:6.
15. Then when miracles are performed by spirits purporting to be those of our dead friends, to what shall we attribute them?
"For they are _________________________________." Rev. 16:14.
16. What will be one characteristic of last-day apostasies?
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, __________________________________________." 1 Tim. 4:1.
NOTES.-The following items illustrate a condition widely prevalent:-
"'A lawyer with a national reputation, well known to me,' said J. L. Hall, of New York, 'never begins the preparation of a difficult case without getting "advice from the other side," as he describes the search. . . . Another distinguished man of New York City once asserted to me that he had his familiar spirit with which he talked as freely as with a human companion.'"- Washington Herald, May 8, 1911.
A noted Brooklyn divine some years ago, not realizing that he was voicing Spiritualistic views, gave expression to the following: "What are our departed Christian friends, who in this world had their joy in the healing art, doing now?- Busy at their old business. No sickness in heaven, but plenty of sickness on earth."- Christian Herald, July 8,1882.
Writing concerning "Communion With the Departed," General Booth, of the Salvation Army, said: "Through all my history, my personal intercourse with the spirit world has been but limited. I have not been favored with many visions, and it is but seldom that I dream dreams that impart either pleasure or profit; and yet I have a spiritual communion with the departed saints that is not without both satisfaction and service. And especially of late the memories of those with whom my heart has had the choicest communion in the past, if not the very beings themselves, have come in upon me as I have sat at my desk or lain wakeful on my bed in the night-season. Amongst these, one form, true to her mission, comes more frequently than all besides, assuring me of her continued partnership in my struggle for the temporal and eternal salvation of the multitudes- and that is my blessed, my beautiful wife!"- War Cry, Nov. 27, 1897.
"Dr. Joseph Parker, of the City Temple, London, has openly declared that he prayed to his departed wife every day. He said that he never came to the City Temple to preach without asking her to come with him. He further says: 'I encourage my friend to pray to his wife, and to pray God to ask her to come to his help. She will be more to him than twelve legions of unknown angels."- The Living Church, Nov. 14,1899.
"The emperor Nicholas . . . has fallen under the influence of a Spiritualist named Philipp, who rules the emperor to such an extent that His Majesty makes no important decision, even in relation to family life, without consulting his Spiritualistic guide."- Melbourne Age, Nov.15,1902.
In a statement given out Dec. 20, 1910, soon after the death of Mrs. Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Amelia Stetson, one of the leaders of the Christian Science Church of New York City, said: "Mrs. Eddy, who was the female Christ, will return to earth. I am watching and waiting for the manifestation of Mrs. Eddy in the semblance of human form. It may come today, it may come next week, it may not come for ten years, but it will surely come. . . . The millennium is at hand. Mrs. Eddy is not dead. She is still alive, and when she appears again on earth, it will be as herself- as Mary Baker Eddy."
"A message purporting to come from Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, through Mr. William T. Stead, the noted English journalist, shortly after the formers death, says, 'There is no death; all is life; all is freedom.'"- Signs of the Times, Feb. 28,1911.
And soon after Mr. Stead himself went down on the "Titanic," April 15,1912, Spiritualists in different parts of the world received numerous messages purporting to have come from him.
17. How does Satan deceive the people?
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is _________________________." 2 Cor. 11:14.
18. What role do his agents assume?
"Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be _____________________." Verse 15.
19. Will Satan and his agents attempt to counterfeit the coming of Christ, and work signs and wonders to confirm their pretentious claims?
"Then if any man shall say unto you, ____________________, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christ's, and false prophets, _________________________; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt. 24:23,24.
20. What will be one of the last great signs performed by this means, to fasten men in deception?
"And he doeth great wonders, so that __________________________________, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live." Rev. 13:13,14.
21. What scripture shows that Satan is to work with special power and deceptive wonders just before Christ's second coming?
"Whose coming is _________________________________, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish." 2 Thess. 2:9,10. See also Rev. 12:12.
22. While many will be deceived by these wonders, and accept of the false Christ's that appear, what will those say who have maintained their love for the truth, and patiently waited for Christ's return?
"And it shall be said in that day, ___, THIS _________________________: THIS __________________________________." Isa. 25:9.
23. What warning has been given us through the apostle Peter?
"___________________; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
________________________________________
WICKED spirits gather round thee,
Legions of those foes to God-
Principalities most mighty-
Walk unseen the earth abroad;
They are gathering to the battle,
Strengthened for the last deep strife;
Christian, arm! be watchful, ready.
Struggle manfully for life.
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BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.116 -- THE DARK MINISTRIES OF BAD ANGELS
1. AGAINST whom do we wrestle?
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but __________________________ [margin, wicked spirits] in high places [margin, heavenly places]." Eph. 6:12.
NOTE.-"The facts of history concur with the statements of revelation in forcing upon us the unwelcome conviction that the human race is subject to the malevolent influence of an organized and all-pervading demonism. Alike in the career of nations and in the phenomena of personal destiny the presence of demoniacal skill and power is often prominent, frequently dominant, always evil."- "Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation," by E. A. Stockman, page 2.
2. To what place were the angels that sinned cast?
"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but ______________________ [Greek, tartarus, a place of darkness], and delivered them into _____________________, to be reserved unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4.
3. What is Satan himself called?
"The ______________." 2 Cor. 4:4. "The _________________." John 14:30. "The _________________________." Eph. 2:2.
4. How numerous are these wicked spirits, or fallen angels?
"And He asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is _______________: for we are ___________." Mark 5:9.
5. What is the chief occupation of Satan and his angels?
"And He was there in the wilderness forty days, __________________________." Mark 1:13. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, ________________________." 1 Peter 5:8. See Rev. 12:9,12; 16:14.
NOTES.-"In undiminished possession of their intelligence and strength, they constantly assault us in every weakness, through every avenue, by every means, by methods foul or fair. . . . Whom they cannot destroy they cease not to worry, torment. They inspire evil tempers; arouse dark passions; instill ill will; beget malice, envy; impose care, fear, distrust; suggest deceit, fraud, and all the forms of crime." "Supremely do they revel in the criminal domain. They foster falsehood incite revenge, fan jealousy, beget quarrels, help on thefts, robbery, and arson, further divorces, plan defalcations, instigate murders. They run the saloons and edit the Police News."- "Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation," pages 9,10,22.
6. What are we admonished not to do?
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: ____________________________________." Eph. 4:26,27.
NOTE.-Those who give vent to anger or retain old grudges, who parley with temptation or tamper with vice, who indulge in intemperance, pride, foolishness, or levity, or give way to any other weakness, give place to the devil; that is, they give the devil an opportunity to work through them- give him an advantage over them. We should therefore close every avenue to Satan and his angels. We should suppress anger, be sober and watchful, and nip in the bud every prompting to sin.
7. What spirits stand ever ready to deceive and ruin those who are off guard or bent on going astray?
"And the Lord said, Who shall persuade [margin, deceive] Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? . . . And _______________________________. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, ____________________________. And He said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so." 1 Kings 22:20-22. See 2 Thess. 2:10,11.
8. With what were many possessed in Christ's time?
"And they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were __________________________." Matt. 4:24.
NOTE.-Vampire-like, evil angels take possession of, and make their abode with, all over whose minds and bodies they can gain control. Only through Christ can this demoniacal captivity be broken. Until this is done, one in this condition is led captive by Satan "at his will." His self-control and power to resist temptation are gone. See 2 Tim. 2:26.
9. How do evil spirits sometimes treat those thus possessed?
"And as he was yet a coming, _________________________________." Luke 9:42.
NOTE.-Those under demoniacal control are simply the sport and plaything of the evil spirits possessing and controlling them.
10. As we near the closing scenes of human probation, why may we expect an increase in demoniacal manifestations?
"Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! ___________________________." Rev. 12:12.
NOTE.-Acquainted, as they are, with the laws of nature, Satan and his angels raise storms and scatter disease and death as far as lies within their power; and, as enemies of God, they likewise pervert the truth and disseminate error as far as possible. Far better, also, than the inhabitants of the world, do they know that the end of all things is fast approaching, and that their time to work is short.
11. Concerning what have we been definitely informed?
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that __________________________." 1 Tim. 4:1.
12. What class of God's servants have evil angels, through wicked men, seemed to make special objects of attack?
"Which of ___________________ have not your fathers persecuted?" Acts 7:52.
NOTES.-"Of all classes of men employed by the Heavenly Father in the work of redemption, none are more fiercely hated by the wicked angels than the whole line of the prophets; for from the first to the last they foretell the final and eternal overthrow and utter extinction of the 'powers of darkness,' the 'spirits of disobedience.'" - "Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation," page 14.
Evil angels also incite men and nations to war, and by this means divert their attention from things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and so take peace from the earth. Rev. 16:14. This will end in Armageddon.
"Familiar with the laws which govern mental conditions, the fallen hosts ply all their specious arts to excite personal suspicions and animosities, and to create national resentments and bloody conflicts, their chief delight being to compass the destruction of peace and the banishment of concord from the earth, to embitter the poor children of sin and sorrow against each other, and turn our world into an arena of strife and crime."- Id., page 22.
13. What will be the final doom of Satan and his angels?
"Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, _____________________________." Matt. 25:41. "And the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Mal. 4:1. See Rev. 20:9.
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"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but __________________________ [margin, wicked spirits] in high places [margin, heavenly places]." Eph. 6:12.
NOTE.-"The facts of history concur with the statements of revelation in forcing upon us the unwelcome conviction that the human race is subject to the malevolent influence of an organized and all-pervading demonism. Alike in the career of nations and in the phenomena of personal destiny the presence of demoniacal skill and power is often prominent, frequently dominant, always evil."- "Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation," by E. A. Stockman, page 2.
2. To what place were the angels that sinned cast?
"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but ______________________ [Greek, tartarus, a place of darkness], and delivered them into _____________________, to be reserved unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4.
3. What is Satan himself called?
"The ______________." 2 Cor. 4:4. "The _________________." John 14:30. "The _________________________." Eph. 2:2.
4. How numerous are these wicked spirits, or fallen angels?
"And He asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is _______________: for we are ___________." Mark 5:9.
5. What is the chief occupation of Satan and his angels?
"And He was there in the wilderness forty days, __________________________." Mark 1:13. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, ________________________." 1 Peter 5:8. See Rev. 12:9,12; 16:14.
NOTES.-"In undiminished possession of their intelligence and strength, they constantly assault us in every weakness, through every avenue, by every means, by methods foul or fair. . . . Whom they cannot destroy they cease not to worry, torment. They inspire evil tempers; arouse dark passions; instill ill will; beget malice, envy; impose care, fear, distrust; suggest deceit, fraud, and all the forms of crime." "Supremely do they revel in the criminal domain. They foster falsehood incite revenge, fan jealousy, beget quarrels, help on thefts, robbery, and arson, further divorces, plan defalcations, instigate murders. They run the saloons and edit the Police News."- "Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation," pages 9,10,22.
6. What are we admonished not to do?
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: ____________________________________." Eph. 4:26,27.
NOTE.-Those who give vent to anger or retain old grudges, who parley with temptation or tamper with vice, who indulge in intemperance, pride, foolishness, or levity, or give way to any other weakness, give place to the devil; that is, they give the devil an opportunity to work through them- give him an advantage over them. We should therefore close every avenue to Satan and his angels. We should suppress anger, be sober and watchful, and nip in the bud every prompting to sin.
7. What spirits stand ever ready to deceive and ruin those who are off guard or bent on going astray?
"And the Lord said, Who shall persuade [margin, deceive] Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? . . . And _______________________________. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, ____________________________. And He said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so." 1 Kings 22:20-22. See 2 Thess. 2:10,11.
8. With what were many possessed in Christ's time?
"And they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were __________________________." Matt. 4:24.
NOTE.-Vampire-like, evil angels take possession of, and make their abode with, all over whose minds and bodies they can gain control. Only through Christ can this demoniacal captivity be broken. Until this is done, one in this condition is led captive by Satan "at his will." His self-control and power to resist temptation are gone. See 2 Tim. 2:26.
9. How do evil spirits sometimes treat those thus possessed?
"And as he was yet a coming, _________________________________." Luke 9:42.
NOTE.-Those under demoniacal control are simply the sport and plaything of the evil spirits possessing and controlling them.
10. As we near the closing scenes of human probation, why may we expect an increase in demoniacal manifestations?
"Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! ___________________________." Rev. 12:12.
NOTE.-Acquainted, as they are, with the laws of nature, Satan and his angels raise storms and scatter disease and death as far as lies within their power; and, as enemies of God, they likewise pervert the truth and disseminate error as far as possible. Far better, also, than the inhabitants of the world, do they know that the end of all things is fast approaching, and that their time to work is short.
11. Concerning what have we been definitely informed?
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that __________________________." 1 Tim. 4:1.
12. What class of God's servants have evil angels, through wicked men, seemed to make special objects of attack?
"Which of ___________________ have not your fathers persecuted?" Acts 7:52.
NOTES.-"Of all classes of men employed by the Heavenly Father in the work of redemption, none are more fiercely hated by the wicked angels than the whole line of the prophets; for from the first to the last they foretell the final and eternal overthrow and utter extinction of the 'powers of darkness,' the 'spirits of disobedience.'" - "Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation," page 14.
Evil angels also incite men and nations to war, and by this means divert their attention from things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and so take peace from the earth. Rev. 16:14. This will end in Armageddon.
"Familiar with the laws which govern mental conditions, the fallen hosts ply all their specious arts to excite personal suspicions and animosities, and to create national resentments and bloody conflicts, their chief delight being to compass the destruction of peace and the banishment of concord from the earth, to embitter the poor children of sin and sorrow against each other, and turn our world into an arena of strife and crime."- Id., page 22.
13. What will be the final doom of Satan and his angels?
"Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, _____________________________." Matt. 25:41. "And the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Mal. 4:1. See Rev. 20:9.
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BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.115 -- THE MINISTRATION OF GOOD ANGELS
1. OF what family does Paul speak in Ephesians?
"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom ________________________________ is named." Eph. 3:14,15.
2. By what name are the members of this family called?
"Now there was a day when __________________ came to present themselves before the Lord." Job 1:6. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called _________________." 1 John 3:1.
3. By what name are those composing the family in heaven commonly known to us?
"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many _____________ round about the throne." Rev. 5:11.
4. Did angels exist before the death of any of the human family?
"So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden ________________." Gen. 3:24.
Cherub: "A creature of a sacred and celestial nature."-Gesenius.
5. Who witnessed the laying of the foundations of the earth?
"Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner-stone thereof; when the ______________ sang together, and all ________________ shouted for joy?" Job 38:6,7.
6. How many of these beings did John see around the throne?
"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne; . . . and the number of them was _____________________________________." Rev. 5:11.
7. What does Paul say of their number?
"But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to _________________________." Heb. 12:22. See also Dan. 7:10.
8. Are angels of a higher order of beings than man?
"Thou hast made him ___________________________." Ps. 8:5.
NOTES.-There are different orders of angels: "Cherubim" (Gen. 3:24); "Seraphim" (Isa. 6:2,6); "Archangel" (1 Thess. 4:16; Jude 9).
Some of their names are: "Michael" (Dan. 10:13,21; 12:1; Jude 9); "Gabriel" (Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19); "Uriel" (2 Esdras [Apocrypha] 4:1,36; 5:20. See 1 Chron. 15:5); "Ariel" (doubtless of angelic origin. See Ezra 8:16).
Michael means, "Who is like God," and hence is a fit title for Christ. Gabriel signifies, "The strength of God," an appropriate name for the angel or being who stands next to Christ (Dan. 10:21). Uriel means, "The light of God;" Ariel, "The lion of God."
9. Is Christ ever called an angel?
"Behold, I send an _____________ before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." Ex. 23:20. See verse 23; Acts 7:38; and margin of 1 Cor. 10:4. "_________________ saved them." Isa. 63:9. "Michael the __________________." Jude 9. See also Dan. 12:1; 1 Thess. 4:16.
NOTE.-Angel means messenger. In Mal. 3:1, Christ is called "the messenger of the covenant."
10. What is said of the strength and character of the angels?
"Bless the Lord, ye His angels, ______________________________, harkening unto the voice of His word." Ps. 103:20.
11. What description is given of Gabriel in Daniel?
"His body also was like the ____________, and his face as the appearance of _____________, and his eyes as _____________, and his arms and his feet like in color to _______________, and the voice of his words ___________________." Dan. 10:6.
NOTE.-Similar descriptions are given of God, the "Ancient of days." in Dan. 7:9; and of Christ. "the Son of man." in Rev. 1:13-15.
12. What was the appearance of the angel that rolled away the stone from the sepulcher at the resurrection of Christ?
"His countenance was _______________, and his raiment ___________." Matt. 28:3.
13. What shows that the angels sent to Abraham and Lot were real beings?
"And he [Abraham] took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and __________________." " And he [Lot] made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat." Gen. 18:8; 19:3.
14. What reason does Paul give to encourage us to entertain strangers?
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: ____________________________." Heb. 13:2.
15. In his dream at Bethel, what did Jacob see?
"And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: _________________________________." Gen. 28:12.
16. To whose authority are the angels subject?
"Jesus Christ: who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; ____________________________________." 1 Peter 3:21, 22.
NOTE.-In Joshua 5:13-15, Christ is called "captain of the Lord's host."
17. In what work are angels engaged?
"Are they not all _________________, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? " Heb. 1:14.
18. What scripture indicates that each child of God has an accompanying angel?
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven _______________________________ which is in heaven." Matt. 18:10.
NOTE.-Another has said: "Christians who live in the light of God's countenance are always accompanied by unseen angels, and these holy beings leave behind them a blessing in our homes."
19. How is their watch-care over God's people expressed?
"The angel of the Lord _________________________________________." Ps. 34:7.
20. By what means were the three Hebrews protected while in the fiery furnace?
"I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is __________________ God. . . . Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath _________________________ that trusted in Him." Dan. 3:25-28.
21. When cast into the lions' den, how did Daniel say he had been saved from death?
"_______________________________, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me." Dan. 6:22.
22. When surrounded by the Syrian host, what did Elisha say, and for what did he pray, to encourage his frightened servant?
"And he answered, ____________________________________. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, ____________________. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; __________________________________________." 2 Kings 6:16,17.
23. What does the psalmist say of the chariots of God?
"The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even __________________." Ps. 68:17.
24. By what means were the apostles delivered from prison?
"_____________________ by night ____________________, and brought them forth." Acts 5:19.
25. How was Peter delivered later?
"_____________________________, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. . . . And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. . . . They came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forth with the angel departed from him." Acts 12:7-10.
NOTE.-"What we call physical law is no obstruction to angelic ministrations. Bolts and bars and prison gates disappear at their volition, and dungeons like palaces shine in their presence. No place can be so dismal, no cavern so deep and dark, no Inquisition cell so hidden and fetid, no fortress so strongly guarded, that they cannot find quick and easy access, if a child of God is there."- "Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation," by E. A. Stockman, pages 74, 75.
26. When Elijah was about to take a forty days' journey, how was he strengthened for it?
"_______________________________________; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God." 1 Kings 19:7,8.
27. After His forty days' fast and temptation in the wilderness, how was Christ strengthened?
"Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, _____________________." Matt. 4:11.
28. How was Christ strengthened while suffering in the garden of Gethsemane?
"And ___________________________________." Luke 22:43.
29. Are the angels interested in the plan of salvation?
"Which things ________________________________." 1 Peter 1:12.
30. Are they interested in the conversion of men? "Likewise, I say unto you, there ________________________________." Luke 15:10.
31. Before whom are we said to speak?
"Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou
shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; _______________________________________, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?" Eccl. 5:5,6.
32. For what must men give account in the judgment?
"But I say unto you, That __________________________ that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." Matt. 12:36. See also Eccl. 12:13,14.
33. Out of what will they be judged?
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged _______________________________, according to their works." Rev. 20:12.
34. What shows that the actions of men are recorded?
"And the Lord harkened, and heard it, and a _________________________ for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name." Mal. 3:16. See also Isa. 65:6; Jer. 2:22.
35. In the judgment how many angels minister before God?
"A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: _____________________ ______________________: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." Dan. 7:10.
NOTE.-Since the angels are our ministering spirits, and our lives are open before them, it is reasonable to infer that they make the record of our lives. Then when the books are examined, they will of necessity be present, to minister before God.
36. What does Christ promise overcomers?
"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but ___________________________________." Rev. 3:5.
37. What protection has God promised His people during the seven last plagues?
"There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. _____________________________________________________." Ps. 91:10-12.
38. When Christ comes, who will come with Him, and what will they do?
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father ______________." "And _______________________________ from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matt. 16:27; 24:31.
39. Where will all the saints then go?
"Then we which are alive and remain _______________________________, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:17.
NOTE.-We shall then have the privilege of seeing and conversing not only with the good and blest of all ages, but with the angels who have ministered to us during our earthly pilgrimage.
________________________________________
O, MAY Thine angels, while I sleep,
Around my bed their vigils keep;
Their love angelical instil,
Stop every avenue of ill!
May they celestial joys rehearse,
And thought to thought with me converse.
BISHOP KENT.
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"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom ________________________________ is named." Eph. 3:14,15.
2. By what name are the members of this family called?
"Now there was a day when __________________ came to present themselves before the Lord." Job 1:6. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called _________________." 1 John 3:1.
3. By what name are those composing the family in heaven commonly known to us?
"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many _____________ round about the throne." Rev. 5:11.
4. Did angels exist before the death of any of the human family?
"So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden ________________." Gen. 3:24.
Cherub: "A creature of a sacred and celestial nature."-Gesenius.
5. Who witnessed the laying of the foundations of the earth?
"Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner-stone thereof; when the ______________ sang together, and all ________________ shouted for joy?" Job 38:6,7.
6. How many of these beings did John see around the throne?
"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne; . . . and the number of them was _____________________________________." Rev. 5:11.
7. What does Paul say of their number?
"But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to _________________________." Heb. 12:22. See also Dan. 7:10.
8. Are angels of a higher order of beings than man?
"Thou hast made him ___________________________." Ps. 8:5.
NOTES.-There are different orders of angels: "Cherubim" (Gen. 3:24); "Seraphim" (Isa. 6:2,6); "Archangel" (1 Thess. 4:16; Jude 9).
Some of their names are: "Michael" (Dan. 10:13,21; 12:1; Jude 9); "Gabriel" (Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19); "Uriel" (2 Esdras [Apocrypha] 4:1,36; 5:20. See 1 Chron. 15:5); "Ariel" (doubtless of angelic origin. See Ezra 8:16).
Michael means, "Who is like God," and hence is a fit title for Christ. Gabriel signifies, "The strength of God," an appropriate name for the angel or being who stands next to Christ (Dan. 10:21). Uriel means, "The light of God;" Ariel, "The lion of God."
9. Is Christ ever called an angel?
"Behold, I send an _____________ before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." Ex. 23:20. See verse 23; Acts 7:38; and margin of 1 Cor. 10:4. "_________________ saved them." Isa. 63:9. "Michael the __________________." Jude 9. See also Dan. 12:1; 1 Thess. 4:16.
NOTE.-Angel means messenger. In Mal. 3:1, Christ is called "the messenger of the covenant."
10. What is said of the strength and character of the angels?
"Bless the Lord, ye His angels, ______________________________, harkening unto the voice of His word." Ps. 103:20.
11. What description is given of Gabriel in Daniel?
"His body also was like the ____________, and his face as the appearance of _____________, and his eyes as _____________, and his arms and his feet like in color to _______________, and the voice of his words ___________________." Dan. 10:6.
NOTE.-Similar descriptions are given of God, the "Ancient of days." in Dan. 7:9; and of Christ. "the Son of man." in Rev. 1:13-15.
12. What was the appearance of the angel that rolled away the stone from the sepulcher at the resurrection of Christ?
"His countenance was _______________, and his raiment ___________." Matt. 28:3.
13. What shows that the angels sent to Abraham and Lot were real beings?
"And he [Abraham] took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and __________________." " And he [Lot] made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat." Gen. 18:8; 19:3.
14. What reason does Paul give to encourage us to entertain strangers?
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: ____________________________." Heb. 13:2.
15. In his dream at Bethel, what did Jacob see?
"And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: _________________________________." Gen. 28:12.
16. To whose authority are the angels subject?
"Jesus Christ: who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; ____________________________________." 1 Peter 3:21, 22.
NOTE.-In Joshua 5:13-15, Christ is called "captain of the Lord's host."
17. In what work are angels engaged?
"Are they not all _________________, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? " Heb. 1:14.
18. What scripture indicates that each child of God has an accompanying angel?
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven _______________________________ which is in heaven." Matt. 18:10.
NOTE.-Another has said: "Christians who live in the light of God's countenance are always accompanied by unseen angels, and these holy beings leave behind them a blessing in our homes."
19. How is their watch-care over God's people expressed?
"The angel of the Lord _________________________________________." Ps. 34:7.
20. By what means were the three Hebrews protected while in the fiery furnace?
"I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is __________________ God. . . . Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath _________________________ that trusted in Him." Dan. 3:25-28.
21. When cast into the lions' den, how did Daniel say he had been saved from death?
"_______________________________, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me." Dan. 6:22.
22. When surrounded by the Syrian host, what did Elisha say, and for what did he pray, to encourage his frightened servant?
"And he answered, ____________________________________. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, ____________________. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; __________________________________________." 2 Kings 6:16,17.
23. What does the psalmist say of the chariots of God?
"The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even __________________." Ps. 68:17.
24. By what means were the apostles delivered from prison?
"_____________________ by night ____________________, and brought them forth." Acts 5:19.
25. How was Peter delivered later?
"_____________________________, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. . . . And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. . . . They came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forth with the angel departed from him." Acts 12:7-10.
NOTE.-"What we call physical law is no obstruction to angelic ministrations. Bolts and bars and prison gates disappear at their volition, and dungeons like palaces shine in their presence. No place can be so dismal, no cavern so deep and dark, no Inquisition cell so hidden and fetid, no fortress so strongly guarded, that they cannot find quick and easy access, if a child of God is there."- "Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation," by E. A. Stockman, pages 74, 75.
26. When Elijah was about to take a forty days' journey, how was he strengthened for it?
"_______________________________________; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God." 1 Kings 19:7,8.
27. After His forty days' fast and temptation in the wilderness, how was Christ strengthened?
"Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, _____________________." Matt. 4:11.
28. How was Christ strengthened while suffering in the garden of Gethsemane?
"And ___________________________________." Luke 22:43.
29. Are the angels interested in the plan of salvation?
"Which things ________________________________." 1 Peter 1:12.
30. Are they interested in the conversion of men? "Likewise, I say unto you, there ________________________________." Luke 15:10.
31. Before whom are we said to speak?
"Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou
shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; _______________________________________, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?" Eccl. 5:5,6.
32. For what must men give account in the judgment?
"But I say unto you, That __________________________ that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." Matt. 12:36. See also Eccl. 12:13,14.
33. Out of what will they be judged?
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged _______________________________, according to their works." Rev. 20:12.
34. What shows that the actions of men are recorded?
"And the Lord harkened, and heard it, and a _________________________ for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name." Mal. 3:16. See also Isa. 65:6; Jer. 2:22.
35. In the judgment how many angels minister before God?
"A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: _____________________ ______________________: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." Dan. 7:10.
NOTE.-Since the angels are our ministering spirits, and our lives are open before them, it is reasonable to infer that they make the record of our lives. Then when the books are examined, they will of necessity be present, to minister before God.
36. What does Christ promise overcomers?
"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but ___________________________________." Rev. 3:5.
37. What protection has God promised His people during the seven last plagues?
"There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. _____________________________________________________." Ps. 91:10-12.
38. When Christ comes, who will come with Him, and what will they do?
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father ______________." "And _______________________________ from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matt. 16:27; 24:31.
39. Where will all the saints then go?
"Then we which are alive and remain _______________________________, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:17.
NOTE.-We shall then have the privilege of seeing and conversing not only with the good and blest of all ages, but with the angels who have ministered to us during our earthly pilgrimage.
________________________________________
O, MAY Thine angels, while I sleep,
Around my bed their vigils keep;
Their love angelical instil,
Stop every avenue of ill!
May they celestial joys rehearse,
And thought to thought with me converse.
BISHOP KENT.
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All rights reserved.
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.114-- FATE OF THE TRANSGRESSOR
1. WHAT question does Peter ask regarding the wicked?
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the
house of God: and if it first begin at us, ___________________________?" 1 Peter 4:17.
2. What does the Bible say is the wages of sin?
"For the wages of sin is ______________." Rom. 6:23. "The soul that sinneth, it shall ___________." Eze. 18:4.
Die: "To pass from physical life; to suffer a total and irreparable loss of action of the vital functions; to become dead; to expire; perish."- Webster.
3. What will be the character of this death?
"Who shall be punished with _______________________ from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power." 2 Thess. 1:9.
Destroy: "To unbuild; to break up the structure and organic existence of; to demolish; to spoil utterly; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate."- Webster.
4. How complete will be the destruction of the wicked?
"Fear Him which is able to ___________________________." Matt. 10:28.
5. What does Christ say will befall those who do not repent?
"Except ye repent, ___________________________________." Luke 13:3.
Perish: "To be destroyed; to pass away: to become nothing; to be lost; to waste away; to die."- Webster.
6. How does the apostle Peter say they shall perish?
"But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and ____________________________." 2 Peter 2:12.
7. To what are the wicked in their punishment compared?
"But the wicked shall perish, and __________________________________." Ps. 37:20.
Consume: "To destroy; as by decomposition, dissipation, waste, or fire."- Webster.
8. How does John the Baptist describe the destruction of the wicked?
"He that cometh after me is mightier than I, . . . whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but ____________________________________." Matt. 3:11,12.
9. For whom does Christ say the fire which will finally destroy the wicked was originally prepared?
"Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, ________________________________." Matt. 25:41.
NOTE.-This fire is called "everlasting" because of the character of the work it does; just as it is called "unquenchable" because it cannot be put out, and not because it will not go out when it has done its work.
10. What will be the result of this punishment?
"As the whirlwind passeth, _______________________: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation." Prov. 10:25.
11. Will any part of the wicked be left?
"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and ________________ that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall _______________________, saith the Lord of hosts, that __________________." Mal. 4:1.
12. What will then be their condition?
"For as ye have drunk upon My holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and _______________________________." Obadiah 16.
13. Where will the place of the wicked then be?
"For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, ___________________________________." Ps. 37:10.
NOTE.-It would be difficult to keep the wicked in eternal torment without any place for them, even, in which to exist.
14. Where are both the righteous and the wicked to be recompensed?
"Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed ________________________: much more the wicked and the sinner." Prov. 11:31.
15. Do the wicked go directly to their punishment at death, or wait till the day of judgment?
"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to ______________________________________." 2 Peter 2:9.
16. To what are the present heavens and earth reserved?
"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, __________________________________________." 2 Peter 3:7.
NOTE.-Both the present heavens and earth and sinners await the fires of the last day.
17. What will be the result of the fires of the last day? "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of
God, wherein ________________________________________________." Verses 12, 10.
18. By what means does Christ say His kingdom is to be cleansed from sin and sinners?
"The; Son of man shall send forth His angels, and _________________________." Matt. 13:41,42.
NOTE.-Satan and the wicked now have this world as their "place." In due time Christ will have it. He will cleanse it from sin and sinners, and restore it, that He may give it to the saints of the Most High for an everlasting possession. See Dan. 7:18,22,27.
19. When are the wicked dead to be raised to receive their final punishment?
"But the rest of the dead lived not again _______________________." Rev. 20:5.
20. Whence will come the fire that will destroy them?
"And they went up on the breadth of the earth. and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: ______________________________________." Verse 9.
NOTE.-This is called God's "strange act" and His "strange work,"- the work of destruction. Isa. 28:21. But by this means God will once and forever cleanse the universe of sin and all its sad results. Death itself will then be at an end- cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:14.
21. To what will this fire reduce the wicked?
"And ye shall tread down the wicked; for ________________________________, saith the Lord of hosts." Mal. 4:3.
NOTE.-The wicked are to be utterly destroyed- consumed away into smoke, brought to ashes. Having inseparably allied themselves with sin, they have forfeited the right to life and an immortal existence, and chosen the way of death and destruction. By their choice they have proved themselves worthless. For this reason they are compared to chaff, briers, thorns, etc. Their destruction will consequently be no real loss. "They will themselves have lost their opportunity to obtain eternal life; but by the way in which they used their probationary time they proved themselves unworthy of it. Their destruction will, in fact, be an act of love and mercy on the part of God; for to perpetuate their lives would only be to perpetuate sin, sorrow, suffering, and misery. Terrible, therefore, as this judgment will be, there will, in consequence of it, be nothing of value lost,- nothing lost worth saving. The experiment of sin will be over, and God's original plan of peopling the earth with a race of holy, happy beings will be carried out. 2 Peter 3:13.
22. What is this final destruction of the wicked called? "This is ___________________________." Rev. 20:14.
23. After the burning day, what will appear?
"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for________________________, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13.
24. Where will the righteous then be found?
"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun ____________________." Matt. 13:43.
25. What promise of the Saviour will then be fulfilled?
"Blessed are the meek: for ____________________." Matt. 5:5. See also Ps. 37:11,29; Isa. 65:17-25; Dan. 7:18.
26. What universal song of praise will then be sung?
"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, ________________ __________________________." Rev. 5:13.
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"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the
house of God: and if it first begin at us, ___________________________?" 1 Peter 4:17.
2. What does the Bible say is the wages of sin?
"For the wages of sin is ______________." Rom. 6:23. "The soul that sinneth, it shall ___________." Eze. 18:4.
Die: "To pass from physical life; to suffer a total and irreparable loss of action of the vital functions; to become dead; to expire; perish."- Webster.
3. What will be the character of this death?
"Who shall be punished with _______________________ from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power." 2 Thess. 1:9.
Destroy: "To unbuild; to break up the structure and organic existence of; to demolish; to spoil utterly; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate."- Webster.
4. How complete will be the destruction of the wicked?
"Fear Him which is able to ___________________________." Matt. 10:28.
5. What does Christ say will befall those who do not repent?
"Except ye repent, ___________________________________." Luke 13:3.
Perish: "To be destroyed; to pass away: to become nothing; to be lost; to waste away; to die."- Webster.
6. How does the apostle Peter say they shall perish?
"But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and ____________________________." 2 Peter 2:12.
7. To what are the wicked in their punishment compared?
"But the wicked shall perish, and __________________________________." Ps. 37:20.
Consume: "To destroy; as by decomposition, dissipation, waste, or fire."- Webster.
8. How does John the Baptist describe the destruction of the wicked?
"He that cometh after me is mightier than I, . . . whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but ____________________________________." Matt. 3:11,12.
9. For whom does Christ say the fire which will finally destroy the wicked was originally prepared?
"Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, ________________________________." Matt. 25:41.
NOTE.-This fire is called "everlasting" because of the character of the work it does; just as it is called "unquenchable" because it cannot be put out, and not because it will not go out when it has done its work.
10. What will be the result of this punishment?
"As the whirlwind passeth, _______________________: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation." Prov. 10:25.
11. Will any part of the wicked be left?
"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and ________________ that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall _______________________, saith the Lord of hosts, that __________________." Mal. 4:1.
12. What will then be their condition?
"For as ye have drunk upon My holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and _______________________________." Obadiah 16.
13. Where will the place of the wicked then be?
"For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, ___________________________________." Ps. 37:10.
NOTE.-It would be difficult to keep the wicked in eternal torment without any place for them, even, in which to exist.
14. Where are both the righteous and the wicked to be recompensed?
"Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed ________________________: much more the wicked and the sinner." Prov. 11:31.
15. Do the wicked go directly to their punishment at death, or wait till the day of judgment?
"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to ______________________________________." 2 Peter 2:9.
16. To what are the present heavens and earth reserved?
"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, __________________________________________." 2 Peter 3:7.
NOTE.-Both the present heavens and earth and sinners await the fires of the last day.
17. What will be the result of the fires of the last day? "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of
God, wherein ________________________________________________." Verses 12, 10.
18. By what means does Christ say His kingdom is to be cleansed from sin and sinners?
"The; Son of man shall send forth His angels, and _________________________." Matt. 13:41,42.
NOTE.-Satan and the wicked now have this world as their "place." In due time Christ will have it. He will cleanse it from sin and sinners, and restore it, that He may give it to the saints of the Most High for an everlasting possession. See Dan. 7:18,22,27.
19. When are the wicked dead to be raised to receive their final punishment?
"But the rest of the dead lived not again _______________________." Rev. 20:5.
20. Whence will come the fire that will destroy them?
"And they went up on the breadth of the earth. and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: ______________________________________." Verse 9.
NOTE.-This is called God's "strange act" and His "strange work,"- the work of destruction. Isa. 28:21. But by this means God will once and forever cleanse the universe of sin and all its sad results. Death itself will then be at an end- cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:14.
21. To what will this fire reduce the wicked?
"And ye shall tread down the wicked; for ________________________________, saith the Lord of hosts." Mal. 4:3.
NOTE.-The wicked are to be utterly destroyed- consumed away into smoke, brought to ashes. Having inseparably allied themselves with sin, they have forfeited the right to life and an immortal existence, and chosen the way of death and destruction. By their choice they have proved themselves worthless. For this reason they are compared to chaff, briers, thorns, etc. Their destruction will consequently be no real loss. "They will themselves have lost their opportunity to obtain eternal life; but by the way in which they used their probationary time they proved themselves unworthy of it. Their destruction will, in fact, be an act of love and mercy on the part of God; for to perpetuate their lives would only be to perpetuate sin, sorrow, suffering, and misery. Terrible, therefore, as this judgment will be, there will, in consequence of it, be nothing of value lost,- nothing lost worth saving. The experiment of sin will be over, and God's original plan of peopling the earth with a race of holy, happy beings will be carried out. 2 Peter 3:13.
22. What is this final destruction of the wicked called? "This is ___________________________." Rev. 20:14.
23. After the burning day, what will appear?
"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for________________________, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13.
24. Where will the righteous then be found?
"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun ____________________." Matt. 13:43.
25. What promise of the Saviour will then be fulfilled?
"Blessed are the meek: for ____________________." Matt. 5:5. See also Ps. 37:11,29; Isa. 65:17-25; Dan. 7:18.
26. What universal song of praise will then be sung?
"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, ________________ __________________________." Rev. 5:13.
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Sunday, September 21, 2008
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.113 -- THE TWO RESURRECTIONS
Chapter 113.
The Two Resurrections
1. WHAT comes to all men as the result of the fall?
"In Adam ______________." 1 Cor. 15:22. See also Rom. 5:12.
2. Where do all go at death?
"All go unto ____________; all are of ____________, and __________________." Eccl. 3:20.
3. In what condition is man while in the grave? "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;
for __________________________________________." Eccl. 9:10.
NOTE.-That is, man, when dead, has no use of the powers of mind or body. He cannot, therefore, while in the grave, praise God, or even think of Him (Ps. 6:5); for in the day he dies his thoughts perish. Ps. 146:2-4. See preceding reading.
4. What has been promised in order that man may be redeemed from this condition?
"________________________________________: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction." Hosea 13:14.
5. Through whom will come this redemption from the grave?
"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, ______________________________________." 1 Cor. 15:21,22.
6. What would have been the result to the dead had not Christ procured their release from the grave?
"For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then ____________________________." Verses 16-18.
7. Why did God give His only begotten Son to the world?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, ________________________________, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
8. What did the Sadducees in Christ's time deny?
"Then came to Him certain of the Sadducees, __________________________." Luke 20:27.
9. How did Christ, from the Old Testament Scriptures, prove the resurrection?
"Now that the ______________________________________________." Verses 37,38.
NOTE.-That is, in view of the resurrection- of the fact that there is to be a resurrection- all live unto God. In His purpose, all are alive. It is in this sense that Paul speaks of God as the one "who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." Rom. 4:17.
10. Under what illustration from nature are the resurrection and the final salvation of the righteous taught?
"That ___________________________________." 1 Cor. 15:36. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, ______________________________________________." John 12:24.
NOTES.-The seed dies to spring forth into new life. In this we are taught the lesson of the resurrection. All who love God will spring forth to life, and live again through endless ages in the earth made new.
The Open Grave.- The truth of the resurrection has been forcibly illustrated by the following incident: In the city of Hanover, Germany, is a grave known as "The open grave." It is that of a woman, an infidel German princess, who died over one hundred years ago, and who, on her death-bed, gave orders that her grave should be covered with a great marble slab, weighing perhaps a ton, surmounting solid blocks of stone firmly bound together with clasps of iron, with this inscription placed on the lowermost stone of the tomb: "This grave purchased for eternity, must never be opened." But no human device can thwart the plans of God, or hinder the workings of life from Him. It happened, providentially no doubt, that a birch-tree seed was buried with the princess. Soon it began to sprout. Its tiny shoot, soft and pliable at first, found its way up through the ponderous stones of the massive masonry. Slowly and imperceptibly, but with irresistible power, it grew, until at last it burst the bands of iron asunder, and opened this never-to-be-opened grave, leaving not a single stone in its original position. What a rebuke to infidelity! and what a mute but striking promise that, erelong, in God's own time, all graves shall be opened, and the sleeping ones awake from their dusty beds!
11. Where are the dead when they hear the voice of Christ calling them to life?
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are __________________ shall hear His voice, and shall come forth." John 5:28,29.
12. How many distinct classes will have a resurrection?
"There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the ___________________." Acts 24:15.
13. By what terms did Christ refer to the two resurrections?
"All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto ___________________________; and they that have done evil, unto ______________________________." John 5:28,29.
14. When will the resurrection of the just occur?
"For _____________________________________, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: ____________________________." 1 Thess. 4:16. See also 1 Cor. 15:23.
15. When are the righteous to be recompensed?
"For thou shalt be recompensed ______________________________." Luke 14:14.
16. In what condition did David expect to rise?
"As far me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, __________________________________________." Ps. 17:15.
17. What great contrast will be seen between the present body and the one to be put on in the resurrection?
"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in _________________; it is raised in _________________: it is sown in ______________; it is raised in _________; it is sown in _____________; it is raised in _____________; it is sown a _____________; it is raised a _________________." 1 Cor. 15:42-44.
18. After whose body will these resurrected ones be fashioned?
"We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned ___________________________." Phil. 3:20,21.
19. What will the righteous do upon rising from the grave?
"Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. ______________________________: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." Isa. 26:19.
20. In what words will their triumph over death and the grave be expressed? ,
"O death, ____________________________________?" 1 Cor. 15:55.
21. How long will they live?
"______________________: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Luke 20:36.
22. How long do the other class wait after the first resurection before they are raised?
"And they [the righteous] lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. _________________________________________." Rev. 20:4,5.
23. What is to be their fate?
"And _____________________________________________." Verse 9.
24. Who are to share this fate?
"But the _____________, and ________________, and the _______________, and ___________, and _____________, and ______________, and ____________, and _____________, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Rev. 21:8.
25. What is the last enemy to be destroyed?
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is ___________." 1 Cor. 15:26. See Rev. 20:13,14.
26. How will the righteous ever afterward appear?
"Then shall the righteous ___________________________ in the kingdom of their Father, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matt. 13:43.
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All rights reserved.
The Two Resurrections
1. WHAT comes to all men as the result of the fall?
"In Adam ______________." 1 Cor. 15:22. See also Rom. 5:12.
2. Where do all go at death?
"All go unto ____________; all are of ____________, and __________________." Eccl. 3:20.
3. In what condition is man while in the grave? "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;
for __________________________________________." Eccl. 9:10.
NOTE.-That is, man, when dead, has no use of the powers of mind or body. He cannot, therefore, while in the grave, praise God, or even think of Him (Ps. 6:5); for in the day he dies his thoughts perish. Ps. 146:2-4. See preceding reading.
4. What has been promised in order that man may be redeemed from this condition?
"________________________________________: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction." Hosea 13:14.
5. Through whom will come this redemption from the grave?
"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, ______________________________________." 1 Cor. 15:21,22.
6. What would have been the result to the dead had not Christ procured their release from the grave?
"For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then ____________________________." Verses 16-18.
7. Why did God give His only begotten Son to the world?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, ________________________________, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
8. What did the Sadducees in Christ's time deny?
"Then came to Him certain of the Sadducees, __________________________." Luke 20:27.
9. How did Christ, from the Old Testament Scriptures, prove the resurrection?
"Now that the ______________________________________________." Verses 37,38.
NOTE.-That is, in view of the resurrection- of the fact that there is to be a resurrection- all live unto God. In His purpose, all are alive. It is in this sense that Paul speaks of God as the one "who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." Rom. 4:17.
10. Under what illustration from nature are the resurrection and the final salvation of the righteous taught?
"That ___________________________________." 1 Cor. 15:36. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, ______________________________________________." John 12:24.
NOTES.-The seed dies to spring forth into new life. In this we are taught the lesson of the resurrection. All who love God will spring forth to life, and live again through endless ages in the earth made new.
The Open Grave.- The truth of the resurrection has been forcibly illustrated by the following incident: In the city of Hanover, Germany, is a grave known as "The open grave." It is that of a woman, an infidel German princess, who died over one hundred years ago, and who, on her death-bed, gave orders that her grave should be covered with a great marble slab, weighing perhaps a ton, surmounting solid blocks of stone firmly bound together with clasps of iron, with this inscription placed on the lowermost stone of the tomb: "This grave purchased for eternity, must never be opened." But no human device can thwart the plans of God, or hinder the workings of life from Him. It happened, providentially no doubt, that a birch-tree seed was buried with the princess. Soon it began to sprout. Its tiny shoot, soft and pliable at first, found its way up through the ponderous stones of the massive masonry. Slowly and imperceptibly, but with irresistible power, it grew, until at last it burst the bands of iron asunder, and opened this never-to-be-opened grave, leaving not a single stone in its original position. What a rebuke to infidelity! and what a mute but striking promise that, erelong, in God's own time, all graves shall be opened, and the sleeping ones awake from their dusty beds!
11. Where are the dead when they hear the voice of Christ calling them to life?
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are __________________ shall hear His voice, and shall come forth." John 5:28,29.
12. How many distinct classes will have a resurrection?
"There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the ___________________." Acts 24:15.
13. By what terms did Christ refer to the two resurrections?
"All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto ___________________________; and they that have done evil, unto ______________________________." John 5:28,29.
14. When will the resurrection of the just occur?
"For _____________________________________, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: ____________________________." 1 Thess. 4:16. See also 1 Cor. 15:23.
15. When are the righteous to be recompensed?
"For thou shalt be recompensed ______________________________." Luke 14:14.
16. In what condition did David expect to rise?
"As far me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, __________________________________________." Ps. 17:15.
17. What great contrast will be seen between the present body and the one to be put on in the resurrection?
"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in _________________; it is raised in _________________: it is sown in ______________; it is raised in _________; it is sown in _____________; it is raised in _____________; it is sown a _____________; it is raised a _________________." 1 Cor. 15:42-44.
18. After whose body will these resurrected ones be fashioned?
"We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned ___________________________." Phil. 3:20,21.
19. What will the righteous do upon rising from the grave?
"Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. ______________________________: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." Isa. 26:19.
20. In what words will their triumph over death and the grave be expressed? ,
"O death, ____________________________________?" 1 Cor. 15:55.
21. How long will they live?
"______________________: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Luke 20:36.
22. How long do the other class wait after the first resurection before they are raised?
"And they [the righteous] lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. _________________________________________." Rev. 20:4,5.
23. What is to be their fate?
"And _____________________________________________." Verse 9.
24. Who are to share this fate?
"But the _____________, and ________________, and the _______________, and ___________, and _____________, and ______________, and ____________, and _____________, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Rev. 21:8.
25. What is the last enemy to be destroyed?
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is ___________." 1 Cor. 15:26. See Rev. 20:13,14.
26. How will the righteous ever afterward appear?
"Then shall the righteous ___________________________ in the kingdom of their Father, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matt. 13:43.
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www.preparingforeternity.com
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BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.112 -- THE INTERMEDIATE STATE
Chapter 112.
The Intermediate State
1. By what figure does the Bible represent death?
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are __________, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." 1 Thess. 4:13. See also 1 Cor. 15:18,20; John 11:11-14.
NOTE.-In sound sleep one is wholly lost to consciousness; time goes by unmeasured; and the mental functions which are active during consciousness are suspended for the time being.
2. Where do the dead sleep?
"And many of them that ________________________shall awake." Dan. 12:2. See also Eccl. 3:20; 9:10.
3. How long will they sleep there?
"So man lieth down, and riseth not: _______________________, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep." Job 14:12.
4. For what did Job say he would wait after death?
"If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, ____________________________." Verse 14.
5. Where did he say he would wait?
"__________________________: I have made my bed in the darkness." Job 17:13.
6. While in this condition, how much does one know about those he has left behind?
"His sons come to honor, and _______________________; and they are brought low, but ___________________." Job 14:21.
7. What becomes of man's thoughts at death?
"His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; ________________________." Ps. 146:4.
8. Do the dead know anything?
"For the living know that they shall die: ______________________, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." Eccl. 9:5.
9. Do they take any part in earthly things?
"Also their __________, and their ___________, and their _________, is now ________________________________________." Verse 6.
NOTE.-If one continued in consciousness after death, he would know of the promotion or dishonor of his sons. But Job says he does not know this. Not only so, but in death one loses all the attributes of mind,- love, hatred, envy, etc. Thus it is plain that his thoughts have perished, and that he can have nothing more to do with the things of this world. But if, as taught and held by some, man's powers of thought continue after death, he lives; and if he lives, he must be somewhere. Where is he? Is he in heaven, or in hell? If he goes to either place at death, what then is the need of a future judgment, or of a resurrection, or of the second coming of Christ? If the judgment does not take place at death, but men go to their reward at death, then their rewards precede their awards, and there would arise the possibility that some have at death gone to the wrong place, and must needs be sent to the other, after having been in bliss or torment for ages, perhaps.
10. What does the psalmist say about the dead praising God?
"____________________________, neither any that go down into silence." Ps. 115:17.
11. How much does one know of God when dead?
"For in death _____________________." Ps. 6:5.
NOTE.-There is not even a remembrance of God. As already seen, the Bible everywhere represents the dead as asleep. If they were in heaven or in hell, would it be fitting to represent them thus? Was Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, in heaven when the Saviour said, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth"? John 11:11. If so, calling him to life was really robbing him of the bliss of heaven that rightly belonged to him. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, recorded in Luke 16, was given to teach, not consciousness in death, but that in the judgment riches will avail nothing unless rightly and beneficently used, and that poverty will not keep one out of heaven.
12. But are not the righteous dead in heaven?
"For __________________________." Acts 2:34.
13. What must take place before the dead can praise God?
"Thy dead men shall live, together with My dead body shall they arise. __________________________: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." Isa. 26:19.
14. When did David say he would be satisfied?
"As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, _____________________________." Ps. 17:15.
15. Were there to be no resurrection of the dead, what would be the condition of those fallen asleep in Christ?
"For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. _______________________________." 1 Cor. 15:16-18.
16. When is the resurrection of the righteous to take place?
"For ____________________________ with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: _____________________________." 1 Thess. 4:16.
NOTES.-If, as stated in Eccl. 9:5, the dead know not anything, then they have no knowledge of the lapse of time. "Six thousand years in the grave to a dead man is no more than a wink of the eye to the living." To them, consciousness, our only means of measuring time, is gone; and it will seem to them when they awake that absolutely no time has elapsed. And herein lies a most comforting thought in the Bible doctrine of the sleep of the dead, that in death there is no consciousness of the passing of time. To those who sleep in Jesus, their sleep, whether long or short, whether one year, one thousand years or six thousand years, will be but as if the moment of sad parting were followed instantly by the glad reunion in the presence of Jesus at His glorious appearing and the resurrection of the just.
It ought also to be a comforting thought to those whose lives have been filled with anxiety and grief for deceased loved ones who persisted in sin, to know that they are not now suffering in torments, but, with all the rest of the dead are quietly sleeping in their graves. Job 3:17.
Again, it would mar the felicity of one's enjoyment in heaven could he look upon earth and see his friends and relatives suffering from persecution, want, cold, or hunger, or sorrowing for the dead. God's way is best,-that all sentient life, animation, activity, thought, and consciousness should cease at death, and that all should wait till the resurrection for their future life and eternal reward. See Heb. 11:31,40.
________________________________________
SLEEP on, beloved! sleep, and take thy rest;
Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour's breast.
We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best-
Good night.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
The Intermediate State
1. By what figure does the Bible represent death?
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are __________, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." 1 Thess. 4:13. See also 1 Cor. 15:18,20; John 11:11-14.
NOTE.-In sound sleep one is wholly lost to consciousness; time goes by unmeasured; and the mental functions which are active during consciousness are suspended for the time being.
2. Where do the dead sleep?
"And many of them that ________________________shall awake." Dan. 12:2. See also Eccl. 3:20; 9:10.
3. How long will they sleep there?
"So man lieth down, and riseth not: _______________________, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep." Job 14:12.
4. For what did Job say he would wait after death?
"If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, ____________________________." Verse 14.
5. Where did he say he would wait?
"__________________________: I have made my bed in the darkness." Job 17:13.
6. While in this condition, how much does one know about those he has left behind?
"His sons come to honor, and _______________________; and they are brought low, but ___________________." Job 14:21.
7. What becomes of man's thoughts at death?
"His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; ________________________." Ps. 146:4.
8. Do the dead know anything?
"For the living know that they shall die: ______________________, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." Eccl. 9:5.
9. Do they take any part in earthly things?
"Also their __________, and their ___________, and their _________, is now ________________________________________." Verse 6.
NOTE.-If one continued in consciousness after death, he would know of the promotion or dishonor of his sons. But Job says he does not know this. Not only so, but in death one loses all the attributes of mind,- love, hatred, envy, etc. Thus it is plain that his thoughts have perished, and that he can have nothing more to do with the things of this world. But if, as taught and held by some, man's powers of thought continue after death, he lives; and if he lives, he must be somewhere. Where is he? Is he in heaven, or in hell? If he goes to either place at death, what then is the need of a future judgment, or of a resurrection, or of the second coming of Christ? If the judgment does not take place at death, but men go to their reward at death, then their rewards precede their awards, and there would arise the possibility that some have at death gone to the wrong place, and must needs be sent to the other, after having been in bliss or torment for ages, perhaps.
10. What does the psalmist say about the dead praising God?
"____________________________, neither any that go down into silence." Ps. 115:17.
11. How much does one know of God when dead?
"For in death _____________________." Ps. 6:5.
NOTE.-There is not even a remembrance of God. As already seen, the Bible everywhere represents the dead as asleep. If they were in heaven or in hell, would it be fitting to represent them thus? Was Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, in heaven when the Saviour said, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth"? John 11:11. If so, calling him to life was really robbing him of the bliss of heaven that rightly belonged to him. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, recorded in Luke 16, was given to teach, not consciousness in death, but that in the judgment riches will avail nothing unless rightly and beneficently used, and that poverty will not keep one out of heaven.
12. But are not the righteous dead in heaven?
"For __________________________." Acts 2:34.
13. What must take place before the dead can praise God?
"Thy dead men shall live, together with My dead body shall they arise. __________________________: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." Isa. 26:19.
14. When did David say he would be satisfied?
"As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, _____________________________." Ps. 17:15.
15. Were there to be no resurrection of the dead, what would be the condition of those fallen asleep in Christ?
"For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. _______________________________." 1 Cor. 15:16-18.
16. When is the resurrection of the righteous to take place?
"For ____________________________ with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: _____________________________." 1 Thess. 4:16.
NOTES.-If, as stated in Eccl. 9:5, the dead know not anything, then they have no knowledge of the lapse of time. "Six thousand years in the grave to a dead man is no more than a wink of the eye to the living." To them, consciousness, our only means of measuring time, is gone; and it will seem to them when they awake that absolutely no time has elapsed. And herein lies a most comforting thought in the Bible doctrine of the sleep of the dead, that in death there is no consciousness of the passing of time. To those who sleep in Jesus, their sleep, whether long or short, whether one year, one thousand years or six thousand years, will be but as if the moment of sad parting were followed instantly by the glad reunion in the presence of Jesus at His glorious appearing and the resurrection of the just.
It ought also to be a comforting thought to those whose lives have been filled with anxiety and grief for deceased loved ones who persisted in sin, to know that they are not now suffering in torments, but, with all the rest of the dead are quietly sleeping in their graves. Job 3:17.
Again, it would mar the felicity of one's enjoyment in heaven could he look upon earth and see his friends and relatives suffering from persecution, want, cold, or hunger, or sorrowing for the dead. God's way is best,-that all sentient life, animation, activity, thought, and consciousness should cease at death, and that all should wait till the resurrection for their future life and eternal reward. See Heb. 11:31,40.
________________________________________
SLEEP on, beloved! sleep, and take thy rest;
Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour's breast.
We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best-
Good night.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.111 -- LIFE ONLY IN CHRIST
Chapter 111.
Life Only In Christ
1. WHAT is the wages of sin?
"The wages of sin is ____________." Rom. 6:23.
2. Through whom only is there salvation from sin?
"_________________________: for there is none other name under .heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.
NOTE.-If men do not die, why should Christ die to save them from death? And what need of the resurrection and the second advent?
3. Why did God send His only begotten Son to this world?
"That whosoever believeth in Him should not ______________, but have __________________________." John 3:16.
4. What does Christ declare Himself to be?
"I am the way, the truth, and _____________." John 14:6.
5. What does He say He gives to those who follow Him?
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and _____________________________; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." John 10:27,28.
6. Upon what is the possession of this life conditioned?
"Except ye __________________________, ye have no life in you." John 6:53.
7. In whom is the life eternal?
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, ________________." 1 John 5:11.
8. Who only have this life?
"______________________; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Verse 12. "_____________________________________, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24.
9. What is Christ therefore fittingly called?
"When Christ, who is _________________, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." Col. 3:4.
________________________________________
THERE Is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away.
Thou dying Lamb! Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power,
Till all the ransomed church of God
Are saved, to sin no more.
E'er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.
Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared,
Unworthy though I be,
For me a blood-bought, free reward-
Eternal life for me.
There in a nobler, sweeter song,
I'll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stam'ring tongue
Is ransomed from the grave.
WILLIAM COWPER.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
Life Only In Christ
1. WHAT is the wages of sin?
"The wages of sin is ____________." Rom. 6:23.
2. Through whom only is there salvation from sin?
"_________________________: for there is none other name under .heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.
NOTE.-If men do not die, why should Christ die to save them from death? And what need of the resurrection and the second advent?
3. Why did God send His only begotten Son to this world?
"That whosoever believeth in Him should not ______________, but have __________________________." John 3:16.
4. What does Christ declare Himself to be?
"I am the way, the truth, and _____________." John 14:6.
5. What does He say He gives to those who follow Him?
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and _____________________________; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." John 10:27,28.
6. Upon what is the possession of this life conditioned?
"Except ye __________________________, ye have no life in you." John 6:53.
7. In whom is the life eternal?
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, ________________." 1 John 5:11.
8. Who only have this life?
"______________________; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Verse 12. "_____________________________________, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24.
9. What is Christ therefore fittingly called?
"When Christ, who is _________________, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." Col. 3:4.
________________________________________
THERE Is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away.
Thou dying Lamb! Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power,
Till all the ransomed church of God
Are saved, to sin no more.
E'er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.
Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared,
Unworthy though I be,
For me a blood-bought, free reward-
Eternal life for me.
There in a nobler, sweeter song,
I'll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stam'ring tongue
Is ransomed from the grave.
WILLIAM COWPER.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.110 -- WHAT IS MAN?
Chapter 110.
What is Man?
1. IN what condition was man created?
"Thou madest him ___________________________." Ps. 8:5.
2. What will be the final condition of the righteous?
"_____________________________; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Luke 20:35,36.
3. What are angels called?
"And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels ___________________, and His ministers a flame of fire." Heb. 1:7.
4. What is the difference between the two Adams?
"The first man Adam was made _______________; the last Adam was made a _________________________________." 1 Cor. 15:45.
5. Are our present bodies natural or spiritual?
"Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but _______________; and afterward that which is spiritual." Verse 46.
6. When will the righteous have spiritual bodies?
"It is sown a natural body; __________________________. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." Verse 44.
7. To what does the sowing here spoken of refer?
"That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it ________." Verse 36.
NOTE.-Man does not now possess the undying, spiritual nature of the angels, except as he holds it by faith in Christ; nor will he until the resurrection. Then, if righteous, he will be made immortal, and he cannot die any more (Luke 20:36), because he will be "equal unto the angels."
8. How is man's nature defined?
"Shall __________________________-?" Job 4:17. Mortal: "Subject to death."-Webster.
9. What is God's nature?
"Now unto the King __________________________-, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Tim. 1:17.
Immortal: "Exempt from liability to die."-Webster.
10. Of what was man formed in the beginning?
"And the Lord God formed man ________________________." Gen. 2:7, first part.
11. What act made him a living soul?
"And [God] ________________________________--; and man became a living soul." Same verse, last part.
NOTES.-The living soul was not put into the man; but the breath of life which was put into man, made him- the man, made of the earth- a living soul, or creature.
The original for "living soul" in this text is nephesh chaiyah. On the use of this expression in Gen. 1:24, translated "living creature," Dr. Adam Clarke says: "A general term to express all creatures endued with animal life, in any of its infinitely varied gradations, from the half-reasoning elephant down to the stupid potto, or lower still, to the polyp, which seems equally to share the vegetable and animal life.
12. Are other creatures besides man called "living souls"?
"And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea;
and it became as the blood of a dead man: and _________________________." Rev. 16:3. See also Gen. 1:30, margin.
13. Do others besides man have the "breath of life"?
"And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of ____________, and of __________, and of _________, and of ______________ that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: _______________________________." Gen. 7:21,22.
14. Is their breath the same as man's?
"As the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, _______________________; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity." Eccl. 3:19.
NOTE.-That is, here men, as well as beasts, die. This present life, with them, as with the rest of the animal creation, is dependent upon their breath. When this is gone, they, the same as beasts, die. In this respect they have no preeminence over beasts. But men have a future unending life held out before them, and may, if they will, die in hope of eternal life, which is a very great preeminence over the rest of the animal creation.
15. What does Job call that which God breathed into man's nostrils?
"All the while my breath is in me, and _____________________." Job 27:3.
16. When man gives up this spirit, what becomes of it?
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and _______________________." Eccl. 12:7.
NOTE.-That is, the spirit of life by which man lives, and which is only lent him of God, at death goes back to the great Author of life. Having come from Him, it belongs to God, and man can have it eternally only as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ. Rom. 6:23. When the spirit goes back to God, the dust, from which man was made a "living soul" in the beginning, goes back as it was, to the earth, and the individual no longer exists as a living, conscious, thinking being, except as he exists in the mind, plan, and purpose of God through Christ and the resurrection. In this sense "all live unto Him" (Luke 20:38), for all are to be raised from the dead. See John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15; Rom. 4:17.
17. Who only have hold of the life eternal?
"____________________________; and ______________________________." 1 John 5:12.
NOTE.-The veriest sinner has this temporal life; but when he yields up this life, he has no prospect nor promise of the life eternal, That can be received only through Christ.
18. Why was Adam driven from the garden of Eden and, excluded from the tree of life?
"And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and _____________________." Gen. 3:22.
19. What was done to keep man away from the tree of life?
"So He drove out the man; and _____________________________, to keep the way of the tree of life." Verse 24.
20. How are all men in the natural state regarded?
"We all . . . were by nature the ____________________, even as others." Eph. 2:3.
21. If the wrath of God abides on a person, of what does it deprive him?
"He that believeth not the Son ______________________-; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36.
22. Through whom is the sinner saved from wrath?
"Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath __________________." Rom. 5:9.
23. With whom is the Christian's future life hid?
"For ye are dead [to sin], and your life ___________________________." Col. 3:3.
24. When will this life be bestowed upon the believer?
"___________________________, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." Verse 4.
NOTE.-The word immortal occurs but once in the English Bible (1 Tim. 1:17), and is there applied to God.
25. Who only possesses inherent immortality?
"Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; __________________________________." 1 Tim. 6:15,16.
NOTE.-God is the only Being who possesses original life or immortality in Himself. All others must receive it from God. See John 5:26; 6:27; 10:10,27,28; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:11.
26. Through whom has immortality been brought to light?
"But is now made manifest by the appearing of _______________________." 2 Tim. 1:10.
27. To whom is eternal life promised?
"To them who by patient continuance in well-doing ________________________, eternal life." Rom. 2:7.
NOTE.-One does not need to seek for a thing which he already possesses. The fact that we are to seek for immortality is proof in itself that we do not now possess it.
28. When will the faithful be changed to immortality? "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but ______________________________: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Cor. 15:51,52.
29. What is then to be swallowed up?
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, ______________________________." Verse 54. See verse 57.
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All rights reserved.
What is Man?
1. IN what condition was man created?
"Thou madest him ___________________________." Ps. 8:5.
2. What will be the final condition of the righteous?
"_____________________________; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Luke 20:35,36.
3. What are angels called?
"And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels ___________________, and His ministers a flame of fire." Heb. 1:7.
4. What is the difference between the two Adams?
"The first man Adam was made _______________; the last Adam was made a _________________________________." 1 Cor. 15:45.
5. Are our present bodies natural or spiritual?
"Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but _______________; and afterward that which is spiritual." Verse 46.
6. When will the righteous have spiritual bodies?
"It is sown a natural body; __________________________. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." Verse 44.
7. To what does the sowing here spoken of refer?
"That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it ________." Verse 36.
NOTE.-Man does not now possess the undying, spiritual nature of the angels, except as he holds it by faith in Christ; nor will he until the resurrection. Then, if righteous, he will be made immortal, and he cannot die any more (Luke 20:36), because he will be "equal unto the angels."
8. How is man's nature defined?
"Shall __________________________-?" Job 4:17. Mortal: "Subject to death."-Webster.
9. What is God's nature?
"Now unto the King __________________________-, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Tim. 1:17.
Immortal: "Exempt from liability to die."-Webster.
10. Of what was man formed in the beginning?
"And the Lord God formed man ________________________." Gen. 2:7, first part.
11. What act made him a living soul?
"And [God] ________________________________--; and man became a living soul." Same verse, last part.
NOTES.-The living soul was not put into the man; but the breath of life which was put into man, made him- the man, made of the earth- a living soul, or creature.
The original for "living soul" in this text is nephesh chaiyah. On the use of this expression in Gen. 1:24, translated "living creature," Dr. Adam Clarke says: "A general term to express all creatures endued with animal life, in any of its infinitely varied gradations, from the half-reasoning elephant down to the stupid potto, or lower still, to the polyp, which seems equally to share the vegetable and animal life.
12. Are other creatures besides man called "living souls"?
"And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea;
and it became as the blood of a dead man: and _________________________." Rev. 16:3. See also Gen. 1:30, margin.
13. Do others besides man have the "breath of life"?
"And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of ____________, and of __________, and of _________, and of ______________ that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: _______________________________." Gen. 7:21,22.
14. Is their breath the same as man's?
"As the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, _______________________; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity." Eccl. 3:19.
NOTE.-That is, here men, as well as beasts, die. This present life, with them, as with the rest of the animal creation, is dependent upon their breath. When this is gone, they, the same as beasts, die. In this respect they have no preeminence over beasts. But men have a future unending life held out before them, and may, if they will, die in hope of eternal life, which is a very great preeminence over the rest of the animal creation.
15. What does Job call that which God breathed into man's nostrils?
"All the while my breath is in me, and _____________________." Job 27:3.
16. When man gives up this spirit, what becomes of it?
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and _______________________." Eccl. 12:7.
NOTE.-That is, the spirit of life by which man lives, and which is only lent him of God, at death goes back to the great Author of life. Having come from Him, it belongs to God, and man can have it eternally only as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ. Rom. 6:23. When the spirit goes back to God, the dust, from which man was made a "living soul" in the beginning, goes back as it was, to the earth, and the individual no longer exists as a living, conscious, thinking being, except as he exists in the mind, plan, and purpose of God through Christ and the resurrection. In this sense "all live unto Him" (Luke 20:38), for all are to be raised from the dead. See John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15; Rom. 4:17.
17. Who only have hold of the life eternal?
"____________________________; and ______________________________." 1 John 5:12.
NOTE.-The veriest sinner has this temporal life; but when he yields up this life, he has no prospect nor promise of the life eternal, That can be received only through Christ.
18. Why was Adam driven from the garden of Eden and, excluded from the tree of life?
"And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and _____________________." Gen. 3:22.
19. What was done to keep man away from the tree of life?
"So He drove out the man; and _____________________________, to keep the way of the tree of life." Verse 24.
20. How are all men in the natural state regarded?
"We all . . . were by nature the ____________________, even as others." Eph. 2:3.
21. If the wrath of God abides on a person, of what does it deprive him?
"He that believeth not the Son ______________________-; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36.
22. Through whom is the sinner saved from wrath?
"Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath __________________." Rom. 5:9.
23. With whom is the Christian's future life hid?
"For ye are dead [to sin], and your life ___________________________." Col. 3:3.
24. When will this life be bestowed upon the believer?
"___________________________, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." Verse 4.
NOTE.-The word immortal occurs but once in the English Bible (1 Tim. 1:17), and is there applied to God.
25. Who only possesses inherent immortality?
"Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; __________________________________." 1 Tim. 6:15,16.
NOTE.-God is the only Being who possesses original life or immortality in Himself. All others must receive it from God. See John 5:26; 6:27; 10:10,27,28; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:11.
26. Through whom has immortality been brought to light?
"But is now made manifest by the appearing of _______________________." 2 Tim. 1:10.
27. To whom is eternal life promised?
"To them who by patient continuance in well-doing ________________________, eternal life." Rom. 2:7.
NOTE.-One does not need to seek for a thing which he already possesses. The fact that we are to seek for immortality is proof in itself that we do not now possess it.
28. When will the faithful be changed to immortality? "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but ______________________________: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Cor. 15:51,52.
29. What is then to be swallowed up?
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, ______________________________." Verse 54. See verse 57.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.109 -- ORIGIN, HISTORY, AND DESTINY OF SATAN
Chapter 109.
Origin, History,
and Destiny Of Satan
1. HAVE any others than the human family sinned?
"God spared not ___________________, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved, unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4.
2. What is the name of the one who led the angels to sin?
"Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for ___________ and his angels." Matt. 25:41.
3. By what other names is he known?
"And the great ______________was cast out, that old _______________, called the Devil, and ___________, which deceiveth the whole world." Rev. 12:9. See also Isa. 14:12, where he is called "Lucifer."
4. What was Satan's condition when created?
"______________ in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Eze. 28:15.
5. What description is given of him by the prophet Ezekiel?
"Thus saith the Lord God; _________________________________________. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, . . . the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire." Verses 12-14.
NOTE.-From this it is evident that Satan was a high and exalted angel before he fell, a masterpiece of wisdom and beauty. From the reference to his "tabrets" and "pipes" it seems probable that he was chorister of heaven, and led the angelic host in song. In the earthly sanctuary the cherubim overshadowed the mercy-seat. Ex. 25:16-22; Heb. 9:3-5; Ps. 99:1.
6. What unholy, ambitious spirit took possession of Satan, and led to his fall?
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, _____________________ above the stars of God: _______________________, in the sides of the north: ______________________________________." Isa. 14:13,14.
7. Did pride also contribute to his fall?
"______________________________, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy ______________." Eze. 28:17.
8. What does Solomon say precedes destruction and a fall?
"____________ goeth before destruction, and an __________________ before a fall." Prov. 16:18.
9. How does the prophet Isaiah describe Satan's fall?
"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! _________________________________________!" Isa. 14:12.
10. Why was Satan cast from his high position?
"By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, ___________________________: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire." Eze. 28:16.
11. When cast out of the mountain of God, to what place were Satan and his angels banished, to be kept till the judgment?
"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but _________________________, to be reserved unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4.
NOTE.-This, we understand, is the darkness surrounding this world, and is symbolic of the darkness of utter hopelessness and despair in rebellion and sin. When Satan led man to sin, darkness was brought upon this world. But God did not leave man to hopelessness. In His mercy and great love He caused "the light of the glorious gospel of Christ" to shine, to call men "out of darkness into His marvelous light." That Satan and the angels who fell with him had a period of probation and opportunity to repent, there can be no doubt. Their fate is the result of stubborn rebellion and persistence in sin in spite of the overtures of mercy and the offers of pardon. For this they were cast out of heaven. The wicked angels are kept in everlasting chains of darkness.
12. How is the conflict which took place in heaven between Christ and Satan described by the revelator?
"_____________________: ______________________________________; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great ____________________: he was cast ___________________________________." Rev. 12:7-9.
13. In what terms did Christ refer to Satan's fall?
"And He said unto them, ___________________________________." Luke 10:18.
14. Has Satan ever appeared before God since his fall?
"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, __________________________________." Job 1:6. See also chapter 2:1.
15. When asked whence he came, what was Satan's reply?
"Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, ______________________________." Job 1:7. See Job 2:2.
NOTE.-By tempting man to sin, Satan usurped man's dominion over the earth. Rom. 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19. This he now claims as his kingdom (Luke 4:6); hence the temptation in offering the kingdoms of this world to Christ. As the "god" and ruler of this world, Satan, for four thousand years before the crucifixion of Christ, appeared before God among the representatives of other worlds, as the representative of this world. After accomplishing the death of Christ, the Son of God, the sinless One, Satan was cast out of this council, or assembly, and has not been permitted to enter it since. This was his second fall, and the one doubtless, to which Christ, just before His crucifixion, alluded when he said, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." John 12:31. His final fall and destruction are still future.
16. What has been the character of Satan since his fall?
"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for ___________________________." 1 John 3:8.
17. Was he ever in the truth?
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and ______________________, because there is no truth in him." John 8:44.
NOTE.-The expression "abode not in the truth" implies that Satan was once in the truth, but that he did not remain there.
18. What is the only "beginning" of which we have record?
"In the beginning God ___________________________." Gen. 1:1.
19. What besides a murderer did Christ say Satan is?
"When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for _____________________." John 8:44.
20. What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if they transgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit?
"Thou shalt ________________________." Gen. 2:17.
21. What did Satan say to Eve concerning this?
"And the serpent said unto the woman, ____________ NOT _________." Gen. 3:4.
NOTE.-This, as far as the record shows, was the first lie,- a direct denial of the word of God. By persuading Eve to accept and believe it, Satan led our first parents to commit sin; and, as "the wages of sin is death," by it, also, he caused their death, and so became, in reality, the first murderer. A lie, therefore, is a twin brother to murder, and one of the most hateful things to God, the "God of truth." See Prov. 6:16-19. "The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." Prov. 12:19. "All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." Rev. 21:8. See also Rev. 21:27; 22:15.
22. What has been the result of sin's entrance into the world?
"By one man sin entered into the world, and ________________." Rom. 5:12. "By one man's disobedience ________________." Verse 19. "____________________." 1 John 5:19. "In Adam _____________." 1 Cor. 15:22.
23. When Christ came to redeem man, what did Satan do?
"And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, __________________." Mark 1:12,13. See also Matt. 4:1-11.
24. How severely was Christ tempted of Satan?
"For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was _______________________, yet without sin." Heb. 4:15.
25. What has the church suffered since the days of Christ?
"And when the dragon [Satan] saw that he was cast unto the earth, ______________________________[the church]." Rev. 12:13.
NOTE.-Many millions of the people of God have been put to death since the beginning of the Christian era, under pagan and papal persecutions, all of which have been instigated by Satan. See Buck's Theological Dictionary, any commentary or church history on the subject of persecution, and the readings in Chapters 51., 59., 60. and 108. of this book.
26. Is the remnant church to feel his wrath, and why?
"And the ___________________________________________ Christ." Verse 17.
27. How will Satan deceive men in the last days?
"And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth ______________________." Rev. 13:14.
NOTE.-This, we understand, refers to Spiritualistic manifestations and miracles to be wrought to fasten men in error and deception.
28. What will influence the nations to gather for the great battle of Armageddon?
"They are _________________________, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, _______________________________." Rev. 16:14.
29. Why will men be allowed thus to fall under the delusion of Satan?
"____________________________, that they might be saved. _________________ ________________: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess. 2:10-12. See 1 Kings 22:20-23.
30. For how long is Satan to be bound at the second advent?
"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and ________________________________." Rev. 20:1,2.
31. What is to take place at the close of the thousand years?
"And when the thousand years are expired, ___________________________, and shall ___________________________ which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, ___________________________: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea." Verses 7,8.
NOTE.-Satan's evil career began in rebellion against God in heaven, and ends in rebellion against Him on earth.
32. As Satan and his host compass the camp of the saints, what will take place?
"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and ______________________________________." Verse 9.
33. What is to be Satan's final doom?
"_________________________________ in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and __________________________." Eze. 28:18,19.
NOTE.-A gladsome thought! Satan, sin, and sinners are finally to come to an end, and be no more. Then God will have a clean universe.
34. Why did Christ partake of our nature?
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; ___________________________________." Heb. 2:14.
35. What exhortations are given to Christians in view of Satan's hatred against God and all that is good?
"_______________________; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom _____________________." 1 Peter 5:8,9. "____________________, and he will flee from you." James 4:7.
36. With what weapon did Christ successfully meet Satan's temptations?
The Word of God. "It is _______, . . . It is ________, . . . It is _________." Matt. 4:4-10.
NOTE.-The Word of God is the "sword of the Spirit." Eph. 6: 17. If Christ met and vanquished the enemy with this, so also may we. But no one can use it who is unfamiliar with it. How important, then, that we search, study, and know it! See first readings in this book, and reading on "Importance of Sound Doctrine."
________________________________________
GRACIOUS Father, guard Thy children
From the foe's destructive power;
Save, O save them, Lord, from falling
In this dark and trying hour!
Thou wilt surely prove Thy people,
All our graces must be tried;
But Thy Word illumes our pathway,
And in God we still confide.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
Origin, History,
and Destiny Of Satan
1. HAVE any others than the human family sinned?
"God spared not ___________________, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved, unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4.
2. What is the name of the one who led the angels to sin?
"Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for ___________ and his angels." Matt. 25:41.
3. By what other names is he known?
"And the great ______________was cast out, that old _______________, called the Devil, and ___________, which deceiveth the whole world." Rev. 12:9. See also Isa. 14:12, where he is called "Lucifer."
4. What was Satan's condition when created?
"______________ in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Eze. 28:15.
5. What description is given of him by the prophet Ezekiel?
"Thus saith the Lord God; _________________________________________. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, . . . the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire." Verses 12-14.
NOTE.-From this it is evident that Satan was a high and exalted angel before he fell, a masterpiece of wisdom and beauty. From the reference to his "tabrets" and "pipes" it seems probable that he was chorister of heaven, and led the angelic host in song. In the earthly sanctuary the cherubim overshadowed the mercy-seat. Ex. 25:16-22; Heb. 9:3-5; Ps. 99:1.
6. What unholy, ambitious spirit took possession of Satan, and led to his fall?
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, _____________________ above the stars of God: _______________________, in the sides of the north: ______________________________________." Isa. 14:13,14.
7. Did pride also contribute to his fall?
"______________________________, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy ______________." Eze. 28:17.
8. What does Solomon say precedes destruction and a fall?
"____________ goeth before destruction, and an __________________ before a fall." Prov. 16:18.
9. How does the prophet Isaiah describe Satan's fall?
"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! _________________________________________!" Isa. 14:12.
10. Why was Satan cast from his high position?
"By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, ___________________________: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire." Eze. 28:16.
11. When cast out of the mountain of God, to what place were Satan and his angels banished, to be kept till the judgment?
"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but _________________________, to be reserved unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4.
NOTE.-This, we understand, is the darkness surrounding this world, and is symbolic of the darkness of utter hopelessness and despair in rebellion and sin. When Satan led man to sin, darkness was brought upon this world. But God did not leave man to hopelessness. In His mercy and great love He caused "the light of the glorious gospel of Christ" to shine, to call men "out of darkness into His marvelous light." That Satan and the angels who fell with him had a period of probation and opportunity to repent, there can be no doubt. Their fate is the result of stubborn rebellion and persistence in sin in spite of the overtures of mercy and the offers of pardon. For this they were cast out of heaven. The wicked angels are kept in everlasting chains of darkness.
12. How is the conflict which took place in heaven between Christ and Satan described by the revelator?
"_____________________: ______________________________________; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great ____________________: he was cast ___________________________________." Rev. 12:7-9.
13. In what terms did Christ refer to Satan's fall?
"And He said unto them, ___________________________________." Luke 10:18.
14. Has Satan ever appeared before God since his fall?
"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, __________________________________." Job 1:6. See also chapter 2:1.
15. When asked whence he came, what was Satan's reply?
"Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, ______________________________." Job 1:7. See Job 2:2.
NOTE.-By tempting man to sin, Satan usurped man's dominion over the earth. Rom. 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19. This he now claims as his kingdom (Luke 4:6); hence the temptation in offering the kingdoms of this world to Christ. As the "god" and ruler of this world, Satan, for four thousand years before the crucifixion of Christ, appeared before God among the representatives of other worlds, as the representative of this world. After accomplishing the death of Christ, the Son of God, the sinless One, Satan was cast out of this council, or assembly, and has not been permitted to enter it since. This was his second fall, and the one doubtless, to which Christ, just before His crucifixion, alluded when he said, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." John 12:31. His final fall and destruction are still future.
16. What has been the character of Satan since his fall?
"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for ___________________________." 1 John 3:8.
17. Was he ever in the truth?
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and ______________________, because there is no truth in him." John 8:44.
NOTE.-The expression "abode not in the truth" implies that Satan was once in the truth, but that he did not remain there.
18. What is the only "beginning" of which we have record?
"In the beginning God ___________________________." Gen. 1:1.
19. What besides a murderer did Christ say Satan is?
"When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for _____________________." John 8:44.
20. What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if they transgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit?
"Thou shalt ________________________." Gen. 2:17.
21. What did Satan say to Eve concerning this?
"And the serpent said unto the woman, ____________ NOT _________." Gen. 3:4.
NOTE.-This, as far as the record shows, was the first lie,- a direct denial of the word of God. By persuading Eve to accept and believe it, Satan led our first parents to commit sin; and, as "the wages of sin is death," by it, also, he caused their death, and so became, in reality, the first murderer. A lie, therefore, is a twin brother to murder, and one of the most hateful things to God, the "God of truth." See Prov. 6:16-19. "The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." Prov. 12:19. "All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." Rev. 21:8. See also Rev. 21:27; 22:15.
22. What has been the result of sin's entrance into the world?
"By one man sin entered into the world, and ________________." Rom. 5:12. "By one man's disobedience ________________." Verse 19. "____________________." 1 John 5:19. "In Adam _____________." 1 Cor. 15:22.
23. When Christ came to redeem man, what did Satan do?
"And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, __________________." Mark 1:12,13. See also Matt. 4:1-11.
24. How severely was Christ tempted of Satan?
"For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was _______________________, yet without sin." Heb. 4:15.
25. What has the church suffered since the days of Christ?
"And when the dragon [Satan] saw that he was cast unto the earth, ______________________________[the church]." Rev. 12:13.
NOTE.-Many millions of the people of God have been put to death since the beginning of the Christian era, under pagan and papal persecutions, all of which have been instigated by Satan. See Buck's Theological Dictionary, any commentary or church history on the subject of persecution, and the readings in Chapters 51., 59., 60. and 108. of this book.
26. Is the remnant church to feel his wrath, and why?
"And the ___________________________________________ Christ." Verse 17.
27. How will Satan deceive men in the last days?
"And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth ______________________." Rev. 13:14.
NOTE.-This, we understand, refers to Spiritualistic manifestations and miracles to be wrought to fasten men in error and deception.
28. What will influence the nations to gather for the great battle of Armageddon?
"They are _________________________, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, _______________________________." Rev. 16:14.
29. Why will men be allowed thus to fall under the delusion of Satan?
"____________________________, that they might be saved. _________________ ________________: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess. 2:10-12. See 1 Kings 22:20-23.
30. For how long is Satan to be bound at the second advent?
"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and ________________________________." Rev. 20:1,2.
31. What is to take place at the close of the thousand years?
"And when the thousand years are expired, ___________________________, and shall ___________________________ which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, ___________________________: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea." Verses 7,8.
NOTE.-Satan's evil career began in rebellion against God in heaven, and ends in rebellion against Him on earth.
32. As Satan and his host compass the camp of the saints, what will take place?
"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and ______________________________________." Verse 9.
33. What is to be Satan's final doom?
"_________________________________ in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and __________________________." Eze. 28:18,19.
NOTE.-A gladsome thought! Satan, sin, and sinners are finally to come to an end, and be no more. Then God will have a clean universe.
34. Why did Christ partake of our nature?
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; ___________________________________." Heb. 2:14.
35. What exhortations are given to Christians in view of Satan's hatred against God and all that is good?
"_______________________; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom _____________________." 1 Peter 5:8,9. "____________________, and he will flee from you." James 4:7.
36. With what weapon did Christ successfully meet Satan's temptations?
The Word of God. "It is _______, . . . It is ________, . . . It is _________." Matt. 4:4-10.
NOTE.-The Word of God is the "sword of the Spirit." Eph. 6: 17. If Christ met and vanquished the enemy with this, so also may we. But no one can use it who is unfamiliar with it. How important, then, that we search, study, and know it! See first readings in this book, and reading on "Importance of Sound Doctrine."
________________________________________
GRACIOUS Father, guard Thy children
From the foe's destructive power;
Save, O save them, Lord, from falling
In this dark and trying hour!
Thou wilt surely prove Thy people,
All our graces must be tried;
But Thy Word illumes our pathway,
And in God we still confide.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.108 -- WHO PERSECUTE AND WHY
Chapter 108.
Who Persecute and Why
1. BECAUSE Jesus had not kept the Sabbath according to their ideas, what did the Jews do?
"______________________________________, because He had done these things on the Sabbath day." John 5:16.
2. What kind of fast is most acceptable to God?
"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? ________________________________?" Isa. 58:6.
NOTE.-This is what Jesus did. He, the Author and Lord of the Sabbath, in addition to attending and taking part in religious services (Luke 4:16), went about doing good, healing the sick, relieving the oppressed, and restoring the impotent, lame, and blind, on the Sabbath day. But this, while in perfect accord with the law of God, the great law of love, was contrary to the traditions and perverted ideas of the Jews respecting the Sabbath. Hence they persecuted Him, and sought to slay Him.
3. Why did Cain kill Abel?
"For this is the message that ye have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? _________________________________." 1 John 3:11,12.
NOTE.-The following comment upon this passage by M. de Chesnais, a Catholic priest of New Zealand, is well put: "If you would read the Word of God, you would find that from the beginning all good people were persecuted because they were good. Abel wag slain by his brother because he was good, and Cain could not endure the sight of him."- Kaikoura (New Zealand) Star, April 10, 1884.
4. Commenting upon the treatment of Isaac, the son of Sarah, by Ishmael, the son of the bondwoman, what principle does the apostle Paul lay down?
"But as then, ______________________________________, even so it is now." Gal. 4:29.
5. What other instances of persecution mentioned in the Bible, demonstrate the correctness of this principle?
a. Esau, who sold his birthright, persecuted Jacob, who
vowed his loyalty to God. Gen. 25:29-34; 27:41; 32:6.
b. The wayward and envious sons of Jacob persecuted Joseph, who feared God. Genesis 37; Acts 7:9.
c. The idolatrous Egyptians persecuted the Hebrews, who worshiped the true God. Exodus 1 and 5.
d. The Hebrew who did his neighbor wrong thrust Moses, as mediator, aside. Ex. 2:13,14; Acts 7:26,27.
e. Saul, who disobeyed God, persecuted David, who feared God. 1 Samuel 15, 19, 24.
f. Israel, in their apostasy, persecuted Elijah and Jeremiah, who were prophets of God. 1 Kings 19:9,10; Jer. 36:20-23; 38:1-6.
g. Nebuchadnezzar, while an idolater, persecuted the three Hebrew captives for refusing to worship idols. Daniel 3.
h. The envious and idolatrous princes under Darius, persecuted Daniel for daring to pray to the God of heaven. Daniel 6.
i. The murderers of Christ persecuted the apostles for preaching Christ. Acts 4 and 5.
j. Paul, before his conversion, persecuted the church of God. Acts 8:1; 9:1,2; 22:4,5,20; 26:9-11; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 1:12,13.
NOTE.-The history of all the religious persecutions since Bible times is but a repetition of this same story,- the wicked persecute the righteous. And thus It will continue to be until the conflict between good and evil is ended.
6. Who does Paul say shall suffer persecution?
"Yea, and _______________________________________________." 2 Tim. 3:12.
7. What is essential to extensive religious persecution? Ecclesiastical control of the civil power, or a union of church and state.
8. Since persecution is invariably wrong, and the persecutor is generally in the wrong on religious subjects, what must be true of persecuting governments?
They likewise must be in the wrong.
NOTES.-"There are many who do not seem to be sensible that all violence in religion is irreligious, and that, whoever is wrong, the persecutor cannot be right."- Thomas Clarke.
"Have not almost all the governments in the world always been in the wrong on religious subjects?"- Macaulay.
"Do not the Scriptures clearly show that they who persecute are generally in the wrong, and they who suffer persecution in the right,- that the majority has always been on the side of falsehood, and the minority only on the side of truth?"- Luther.
"Religion was intended to bring peace on earth and good will towards men, and whatever tends to hatred and persecution, however correct in the letter, must be utterly wrong in the spirit."- Henry Varnum.
God never forces the will or the conscience; but, in order to bring men under sin, Satan resorts to force. To accomplish his purpose, he works through religious and secular rulers, influencing them to enact and enforce human laws in defiance of the law of God.
9. Under what terrible deception did Christ say men would persecute His followers?
"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that _____________________." John 16:1,2.
10. Who is the original murderer?
"Ye are of your father ____________, and the lusts of your father ye will do. __________________________, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." John 8:44.
11. When James and John wished to call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritans who did not receive Christ, what did Christ say to them?
"He turned, and rebuked them, and said, ______________________________." Luke 9: 55;56.
NOTES.-Some or the reasons given in justification of persecution may be noted in the following quotations:-
"The state cannot afford to permit religious liberty. We hear a great deal about religious tolerance, but we are only tolerant in so far as we are not interested. A person may be tolerant toward a religion if he is not religious. . . Intolerance means fervor and zeal. The best the state can do is to establish a limited religious liberty; but beyond a certain degree of tolerance the state cannot afford to admit the doctrine."- Monsignor Russell (Catholic), quoted in Washington Post, May 5, 1910.
"The church has persecuted. Only a tyro in church history will deny that. . . . We have always defended the persecution of the Huguenots, and the Spanish Inquisition. When she thinks it good to use physical force, she will use it. . . . But will the Catholic Church give bond that she will not persecute at all? Will she guarantee absolute freedom and equality of all churches and all faiths? The Catholic Church gives no bonds for her good behavior."- Editorial in Western Watchman (Catholic), of St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 24,1908.
"The Inquisition was a very merciful tribunal; I repeat it, almost a compassionate tribunal. . . . A man was only allowed to be racked once, which no one can deny was a most wonderful leniency in those times."- Catholic Mirror, official organ of Cardinal Gibbons, Aug. 29, 1896.
"We confess that the Roman Catholic Church is intolerant; that is to say, that it uses all the means in its power for the extirpation of error and sin; but this intolerance is the logical and necessary consequence of her infallibility. She alone has the right to be intolerant, because she alone has the truth. The church tolerates heretics where she is obliged to do so, but she hates them mortally, and employs all her force to secure their annihilation."- Shepherd of the Valley (St. Louis, Mo.), 1876.
This erroneous position has been well refuted by Lord Macaulay in the following words: "The doctrine which, from the very first origin of religious dissensions, has been held by all bigots of all sects, when condensed into few words and stripped of rhetorical disguise, is simply this: I am in the right, and you are in the wrong. When you are the stronger, you ought to tolerate me; for it is your duty to tolerate truth. But when I am the stronger, I shall persecute you; for it is my duty to persecute error."- Essay on "Sir James Mackintosh."
Benjamin Franklin well said: "When religion is good it will take care of itself; when it is not able to take care of itself, and God does not see fit to take care of it, so that it has to appeal to the civil power for support, it is evidence to my mind that its cause is a bad one."- Letter to Dr. Price.
John Wesley gave the following Christian advice: "Condemn no man for not thinking as you think. Let every one enjoy the full and free liberty of thinking for himself. Let every man use his own judgment, since every man must give an account of himself to God. Abhor every approach, in any kind or degree, to the spirit of persecution. If you cannot reason nor persuade a man into the truth, never attempt to force a man into it. If love will not compel him to come, leave him to God, the Judge of all."
12. What does Christ say of those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake?
"___________________ which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. _______________, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. _________________: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matt. 5:10-12. See Rev. 2:10; 6:9-11.
"In the furnace God may prove thee,
Thence to bring thee forth more bright;
But He can never cease to love thee;
Thou art precious in His sight:
God is with thee,-
God, thine everlasting light."
13. What divine precepts received and obeyed would do way with all oppression and persecution?
"Thou _______________________." Matt. 22:39.
"All things whatsoever ye would that __________________________." Matt. 7:12.
14. What does love not do?
"__________________________: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." Rom. 13:10.
________________________________________
THE BIGOT'S CREED
Believe as I believe- no more, no less;
That I am right, and no one else, confess;
Feel as I feel, think only as I think;
Eat what I eat, and drink but what I drink;
Look as I look, do always as I do;
And, only then, I'll fellowship with you.
That I am right, and always right, I know,
Because my own convictions tell me so;
And to be right is simply this: to be
Entirely and in all respects like me.
To deviate a jot, or to begin
To question, doubt, or hesitate, is sin.
Let sink the drowning man, if he'll not swim
Upon the plank that I throw out to him;
Let starve the famishing, if he'll not eat
My kind and quantity of bread and meat;
Let freeze the naked, too, if he'll not be
Supplied with garments such as made for me.
'Twere better that the sick should die than live,
Unless they take the medicine I give;
'Twere better sinners perish than refuse
To be conformed to my peculiar views.
'Twere better that the world stood still than move
In any way that I do not approve.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
Who Persecute and Why
1. BECAUSE Jesus had not kept the Sabbath according to their ideas, what did the Jews do?
"______________________________________, because He had done these things on the Sabbath day." John 5:16.
2. What kind of fast is most acceptable to God?
"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? ________________________________?" Isa. 58:6.
NOTE.-This is what Jesus did. He, the Author and Lord of the Sabbath, in addition to attending and taking part in religious services (Luke 4:16), went about doing good, healing the sick, relieving the oppressed, and restoring the impotent, lame, and blind, on the Sabbath day. But this, while in perfect accord with the law of God, the great law of love, was contrary to the traditions and perverted ideas of the Jews respecting the Sabbath. Hence they persecuted Him, and sought to slay Him.
3. Why did Cain kill Abel?
"For this is the message that ye have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? _________________________________." 1 John 3:11,12.
NOTE.-The following comment upon this passage by M. de Chesnais, a Catholic priest of New Zealand, is well put: "If you would read the Word of God, you would find that from the beginning all good people were persecuted because they were good. Abel wag slain by his brother because he was good, and Cain could not endure the sight of him."- Kaikoura (New Zealand) Star, April 10, 1884.
4. Commenting upon the treatment of Isaac, the son of Sarah, by Ishmael, the son of the bondwoman, what principle does the apostle Paul lay down?
"But as then, ______________________________________, even so it is now." Gal. 4:29.
5. What other instances of persecution mentioned in the Bible, demonstrate the correctness of this principle?
a. Esau, who sold his birthright, persecuted Jacob, who
vowed his loyalty to God. Gen. 25:29-34; 27:41; 32:6.
b. The wayward and envious sons of Jacob persecuted Joseph, who feared God. Genesis 37; Acts 7:9.
c. The idolatrous Egyptians persecuted the Hebrews, who worshiped the true God. Exodus 1 and 5.
d. The Hebrew who did his neighbor wrong thrust Moses, as mediator, aside. Ex. 2:13,14; Acts 7:26,27.
e. Saul, who disobeyed God, persecuted David, who feared God. 1 Samuel 15, 19, 24.
f. Israel, in their apostasy, persecuted Elijah and Jeremiah, who were prophets of God. 1 Kings 19:9,10; Jer. 36:20-23; 38:1-6.
g. Nebuchadnezzar, while an idolater, persecuted the three Hebrew captives for refusing to worship idols. Daniel 3.
h. The envious and idolatrous princes under Darius, persecuted Daniel for daring to pray to the God of heaven. Daniel 6.
i. The murderers of Christ persecuted the apostles for preaching Christ. Acts 4 and 5.
j. Paul, before his conversion, persecuted the church of God. Acts 8:1; 9:1,2; 22:4,5,20; 26:9-11; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 1:12,13.
NOTE.-The history of all the religious persecutions since Bible times is but a repetition of this same story,- the wicked persecute the righteous. And thus It will continue to be until the conflict between good and evil is ended.
6. Who does Paul say shall suffer persecution?
"Yea, and _______________________________________________." 2 Tim. 3:12.
7. What is essential to extensive religious persecution? Ecclesiastical control of the civil power, or a union of church and state.
8. Since persecution is invariably wrong, and the persecutor is generally in the wrong on religious subjects, what must be true of persecuting governments?
They likewise must be in the wrong.
NOTES.-"There are many who do not seem to be sensible that all violence in religion is irreligious, and that, whoever is wrong, the persecutor cannot be right."- Thomas Clarke.
"Have not almost all the governments in the world always been in the wrong on religious subjects?"- Macaulay.
"Do not the Scriptures clearly show that they who persecute are generally in the wrong, and they who suffer persecution in the right,- that the majority has always been on the side of falsehood, and the minority only on the side of truth?"- Luther.
"Religion was intended to bring peace on earth and good will towards men, and whatever tends to hatred and persecution, however correct in the letter, must be utterly wrong in the spirit."- Henry Varnum.
God never forces the will or the conscience; but, in order to bring men under sin, Satan resorts to force. To accomplish his purpose, he works through religious and secular rulers, influencing them to enact and enforce human laws in defiance of the law of God.
9. Under what terrible deception did Christ say men would persecute His followers?
"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that _____________________." John 16:1,2.
10. Who is the original murderer?
"Ye are of your father ____________, and the lusts of your father ye will do. __________________________, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." John 8:44.
11. When James and John wished to call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritans who did not receive Christ, what did Christ say to them?
"He turned, and rebuked them, and said, ______________________________." Luke 9: 55;56.
NOTES.-Some or the reasons given in justification of persecution may be noted in the following quotations:-
"The state cannot afford to permit religious liberty. We hear a great deal about religious tolerance, but we are only tolerant in so far as we are not interested. A person may be tolerant toward a religion if he is not religious. . . Intolerance means fervor and zeal. The best the state can do is to establish a limited religious liberty; but beyond a certain degree of tolerance the state cannot afford to admit the doctrine."- Monsignor Russell (Catholic), quoted in Washington Post, May 5, 1910.
"The church has persecuted. Only a tyro in church history will deny that. . . . We have always defended the persecution of the Huguenots, and the Spanish Inquisition. When she thinks it good to use physical force, she will use it. . . . But will the Catholic Church give bond that she will not persecute at all? Will she guarantee absolute freedom and equality of all churches and all faiths? The Catholic Church gives no bonds for her good behavior."- Editorial in Western Watchman (Catholic), of St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 24,1908.
"The Inquisition was a very merciful tribunal; I repeat it, almost a compassionate tribunal. . . . A man was only allowed to be racked once, which no one can deny was a most wonderful leniency in those times."- Catholic Mirror, official organ of Cardinal Gibbons, Aug. 29, 1896.
"We confess that the Roman Catholic Church is intolerant; that is to say, that it uses all the means in its power for the extirpation of error and sin; but this intolerance is the logical and necessary consequence of her infallibility. She alone has the right to be intolerant, because she alone has the truth. The church tolerates heretics where she is obliged to do so, but she hates them mortally, and employs all her force to secure their annihilation."- Shepherd of the Valley (St. Louis, Mo.), 1876.
This erroneous position has been well refuted by Lord Macaulay in the following words: "The doctrine which, from the very first origin of religious dissensions, has been held by all bigots of all sects, when condensed into few words and stripped of rhetorical disguise, is simply this: I am in the right, and you are in the wrong. When you are the stronger, you ought to tolerate me; for it is your duty to tolerate truth. But when I am the stronger, I shall persecute you; for it is my duty to persecute error."- Essay on "Sir James Mackintosh."
Benjamin Franklin well said: "When religion is good it will take care of itself; when it is not able to take care of itself, and God does not see fit to take care of it, so that it has to appeal to the civil power for support, it is evidence to my mind that its cause is a bad one."- Letter to Dr. Price.
John Wesley gave the following Christian advice: "Condemn no man for not thinking as you think. Let every one enjoy the full and free liberty of thinking for himself. Let every man use his own judgment, since every man must give an account of himself to God. Abhor every approach, in any kind or degree, to the spirit of persecution. If you cannot reason nor persuade a man into the truth, never attempt to force a man into it. If love will not compel him to come, leave him to God, the Judge of all."
12. What does Christ say of those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake?
"___________________ which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. _______________, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. _________________: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matt. 5:10-12. See Rev. 2:10; 6:9-11.
"In the furnace God may prove thee,
Thence to bring thee forth more bright;
But He can never cease to love thee;
Thou art precious in His sight:
God is with thee,-
God, thine everlasting light."
13. What divine precepts received and obeyed would do way with all oppression and persecution?
"Thou _______________________." Matt. 22:39.
"All things whatsoever ye would that __________________________." Matt. 7:12.
14. What does love not do?
"__________________________: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." Rom. 13:10.
________________________________________
THE BIGOT'S CREED
Believe as I believe- no more, no less;
That I am right, and no one else, confess;
Feel as I feel, think only as I think;
Eat what I eat, and drink but what I drink;
Look as I look, do always as I do;
And, only then, I'll fellowship with you.
That I am right, and always right, I know,
Because my own convictions tell me so;
And to be right is simply this: to be
Entirely and in all respects like me.
To deviate a jot, or to begin
To question, doubt, or hesitate, is sin.
Let sink the drowning man, if he'll not swim
Upon the plank that I throw out to him;
Let starve the famishing, if he'll not eat
My kind and quantity of bread and meat;
Let freeze the naked, too, if he'll not be
Supplied with garments such as made for me.
'Twere better that the sick should die than live,
Unless they take the medicine I give;
'Twere better sinners perish than refuse
To be conformed to my peculiar views.
'Twere better that the world stood still than move
In any way that I do not approve.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.107 -- SABBATH LEGISLATION
Chapter 107.
Sabbath Legislation
1. WHO made the Sabbath?
"In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and _____________________; wherefore ___________________________." Ex. 20:11.
2. To whom does the Sabbath belong?
"The seventh day is the Sabbath of ________________________." Verse 10.
3. To whom, then, should its observance be rendered? "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and __________________________." Mark 12:17.
NOTE.-When men make Sabbath laws, therefore, they require Sabbath observance to be rendered to the government, or, presumably, by indirection, to God through the government, which amounts to the same thing.
4. In religious things, to whom alone are we accountable?
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself ______________." Rom. 14:12.
NOTE.-But when men make compulsory Sabbath laws, they make men accountable to the government for Sabbath observance.
5. How does God command us to keep the Sabbath day?
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it ____________." Ex. 20:8.
6. What does He indicate as one of its purposes?
"Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, ___________________________; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings." Lev. 23:3.
7. Seeing, then, that the Sabbath is holy, is to be kept holy, and is a day for holy convocations, what must be its character?
It must be religious.
8. What, then, must be the nature of all Sabbath legislation?
It is religious legislation.
9. When the state enacts religious laws, what is effected?
A union of church and state.
10. What has always been the result of religious legislation, or a union of church and state?
Religious intolerance and persecution.
11. What was Constantine's Sunday law of March 7, 321?
"Let all the judges and town people, and the occupation
of all trades rest on the venerable day of the sun; but let those who are situated in the country, freely and at full liberty, attend to the business of agriculture; because it often happens that no other day is so fit for sowing corn and planting vines; lest the critical moment being let slip, men should lose the commodities granted by heaven."- Corpus Juris Civilis Cod., lib. 3, tit. 12, 3.
12. What further imperial legislation in behalf of Sunday observance was issued in 386?
"By a law of the year 386, those older changes effected by the emperor Constantine were more rigorously enforced, and, in general, civil transactions of every kind on Sunday were strictly forbidden."- Neander's "Church History," Vol. II, . page 300, edition 1852.
13. At the instance of church bishops, what still further law was secured under Theodosius the Younger, in 425?
"In the year 425, the exhibition of spectacles on Sunday and on the principal feast-days of the Christians was forbidden, in order that the devotion of the faithful might be free from all disturbance."- Id., pages 300, 301.
14. What does the historian say of this legislation?
"In this way the church received help from the state for the furtherance of her ends. . . . But had it not been for that confusion of spiritual and secular interests, had it not been for the vast number of mere outward conversions thus brought about, she would have needed no such help."- Id., page 301.
15. What did Charlemagne's Sunday law of 800 require?
"We decree. . . that servile works should not be done on the Lord's day, . . . that is, that neither should men do field work, either in cultivating the vineyards or by plowing in the fields, by cutting or drying hay, or by placing a fence, or by making clearings in the woods or felling trees or working on stones or constructing houses or working in the garden; neither should they come together to decide public matters nor be engaged in the hunt. . . . Women may not do any textile work nor cut out clothes nor sew nor make garments. . . . But let them come together from all sides to church to the solemnities of the mass, and let them praise God for all things which he does for us on that day."- "Historical Chronicles of Germany," Sec. 2, Vol. I, 22 General admonition, 789,
M. Martio 23, page 61, par. 81.
16. How does the Sunday law of Charles II, of 1676, read?
"For the better observation and keeping holy the Lord's day, commonly called Sunday: be it enacted. . . that all the laws enacted and in force concerning the observation of the day, and repairing to the church thereon, be carefully put in execution; and that all and every person and persons whatsoever shall on every Lord's day apply themselves to the observation of the same, by exercising themselves thereon in the duties of piety and true religion, publicly and privately."- "Revised Statutes of England From 1235-1685 A.D." (London, 1870), pages 779,780; cited in "A Critical History of Sunday Legislation," by A. H. Lewis, D. D., pages 108, 109.
17. What did the first Sunday law enacted in America, that of Virginia, in 1610, require?
"Every man and woman shall repair in the morning to the divine service and sermons preached upon the Sabbath day, and in the afternoon to divine service, and catechizing, upon pain for the first fault to lose their provision and the allowance for the whole week following; for the second, to lose the said allowance and also be whipped; and for the third to suffer death."- Articles, Laws, and Orders, Divine, Politique, and Martial, for the Colony in Virginia: first established by Sir Thomas Gates, Knight, Lieutenant-General, the 24th of May, 1610.
NOTES.-These are the original Sunday laws, after which all the Sunday laws of Europe and America have been modeled. Church attendance is not generally required by the Sunday laws of the present day, nor was it required, in terms, by the earliest Sunday laws; but that is and ever has, been the chief object of all Sunday legislation from Constantine's time on, and it is as much out of place today as it ever was.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
Sabbath Legislation
1. WHO made the Sabbath?
"In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and _____________________; wherefore ___________________________." Ex. 20:11.
2. To whom does the Sabbath belong?
"The seventh day is the Sabbath of ________________________." Verse 10.
3. To whom, then, should its observance be rendered? "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and __________________________." Mark 12:17.
NOTE.-When men make Sabbath laws, therefore, they require Sabbath observance to be rendered to the government, or, presumably, by indirection, to God through the government, which amounts to the same thing.
4. In religious things, to whom alone are we accountable?
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself ______________." Rom. 14:12.
NOTE.-But when men make compulsory Sabbath laws, they make men accountable to the government for Sabbath observance.
5. How does God command us to keep the Sabbath day?
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it ____________." Ex. 20:8.
6. What does He indicate as one of its purposes?
"Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, ___________________________; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings." Lev. 23:3.
7. Seeing, then, that the Sabbath is holy, is to be kept holy, and is a day for holy convocations, what must be its character?
It must be religious.
8. What, then, must be the nature of all Sabbath legislation?
It is religious legislation.
9. When the state enacts religious laws, what is effected?
A union of church and state.
10. What has always been the result of religious legislation, or a union of church and state?
Religious intolerance and persecution.
11. What was Constantine's Sunday law of March 7, 321?
"Let all the judges and town people, and the occupation
of all trades rest on the venerable day of the sun; but let those who are situated in the country, freely and at full liberty, attend to the business of agriculture; because it often happens that no other day is so fit for sowing corn and planting vines; lest the critical moment being let slip, men should lose the commodities granted by heaven."- Corpus Juris Civilis Cod., lib. 3, tit. 12, 3.
12. What further imperial legislation in behalf of Sunday observance was issued in 386?
"By a law of the year 386, those older changes effected by the emperor Constantine were more rigorously enforced, and, in general, civil transactions of every kind on Sunday were strictly forbidden."- Neander's "Church History," Vol. II, . page 300, edition 1852.
13. At the instance of church bishops, what still further law was secured under Theodosius the Younger, in 425?
"In the year 425, the exhibition of spectacles on Sunday and on the principal feast-days of the Christians was forbidden, in order that the devotion of the faithful might be free from all disturbance."- Id., pages 300, 301.
14. What does the historian say of this legislation?
"In this way the church received help from the state for the furtherance of her ends. . . . But had it not been for that confusion of spiritual and secular interests, had it not been for the vast number of mere outward conversions thus brought about, she would have needed no such help."- Id., page 301.
15. What did Charlemagne's Sunday law of 800 require?
"We decree. . . that servile works should not be done on the Lord's day, . . . that is, that neither should men do field work, either in cultivating the vineyards or by plowing in the fields, by cutting or drying hay, or by placing a fence, or by making clearings in the woods or felling trees or working on stones or constructing houses or working in the garden; neither should they come together to decide public matters nor be engaged in the hunt. . . . Women may not do any textile work nor cut out clothes nor sew nor make garments. . . . But let them come together from all sides to church to the solemnities of the mass, and let them praise God for all things which he does for us on that day."- "Historical Chronicles of Germany," Sec. 2, Vol. I, 22 General admonition, 789,
M. Martio 23, page 61, par. 81.
16. How does the Sunday law of Charles II, of 1676, read?
"For the better observation and keeping holy the Lord's day, commonly called Sunday: be it enacted. . . that all the laws enacted and in force concerning the observation of the day, and repairing to the church thereon, be carefully put in execution; and that all and every person and persons whatsoever shall on every Lord's day apply themselves to the observation of the same, by exercising themselves thereon in the duties of piety and true religion, publicly and privately."- "Revised Statutes of England From 1235-1685 A.D." (London, 1870), pages 779,780; cited in "A Critical History of Sunday Legislation," by A. H. Lewis, D. D., pages 108, 109.
17. What did the first Sunday law enacted in America, that of Virginia, in 1610, require?
"Every man and woman shall repair in the morning to the divine service and sermons preached upon the Sabbath day, and in the afternoon to divine service, and catechizing, upon pain for the first fault to lose their provision and the allowance for the whole week following; for the second, to lose the said allowance and also be whipped; and for the third to suffer death."- Articles, Laws, and Orders, Divine, Politique, and Martial, for the Colony in Virginia: first established by Sir Thomas Gates, Knight, Lieutenant-General, the 24th of May, 1610.
NOTES.-These are the original Sunday laws, after which all the Sunday laws of Europe and America have been modeled. Church attendance is not generally required by the Sunday laws of the present day, nor was it required, in terms, by the earliest Sunday laws; but that is and ever has, been the chief object of all Sunday legislation from Constantine's time on, and it is as much out of place today as it ever was.
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