Chapter 59.
Satan's Warfare
Against the Church
1. UNDER what figure was the Christian church represented to the apostle John?
"And there appeared a great wonder [margin, sign] in heaven; _____________ clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars." Rev. 12:1.
NOTES.- Frequently in the Scriptures a woman is used to represent the church. See Jer. 6:2; 2 Cor. 11:2. The sun represents the light of the gospel with which the church was clothed at the first advent (I John 2:8); the moon under her feet, the waning light of the former dispensation; and the twelve stars, the twelve apostles.
"Woman in her innocence was attacked by 'that old serpent, called , the Devil, and Satan.'. . . At the end of that first crafty assault and speedy victory the dragon met with his rebuff, in words like these: 'The seed of the woman shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.'. . . In the Revelation the scene is changed from Eden to the heavens, and before you stand again the woman and the serpent, in the same position of antagonism as before, the serpent still the assailant, only this time more openly so. . . . The woman is no longer a simple, childlike personage, but a wonder; she walks not among the trees and flowers, but amid the orbs of heaven. She is clothed with the sun, the moon is under her feet, and upon her head is a coronet of twelve stars. In her you see the great cause of truth and righteousness embodied - she is, in fact, the church of God in all ages, the woman whose Seed blesses all the nations of the earth." - C. H. Spurgeon, in The Tabernacle Pulpit, March 15, 1886.
2. How is the church at the first advent described?
"And ______________________ cried, ________________, and ____________." Verse 2.
NOTE.-The church is in labor and pain while she brings forth Christ and her children, in the midst of afflictions and persecutions. See Rom. 8:19,22; 1 John 3:1,2; 2 Tim. 3:12.
3. How are the birth, work, and ascension of Christ briefly described?
"And she brought forth ______________, who was to ______________________ _______________: and _______________, and to ________________." Verse 5.
NOTE.-Specifically this must refer to Christ (see Ps. 2:7-9) ; but through Him is also prefigured the experience of the people of God, who finally in the judgment are to share with Christ in ruling the nations with a rod of iron (Rev. 2:26,27), and, like Him, when their work on earth is accomplished be "caught up," at His appearing, to God and to His throne. 1 Thess. 4:15-17.
4. What other sign, or wonder, appeared in heaven?
"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold ___________________, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born." Verses 3,4.
5. Who is this dragon said to be?
"And the great dragon was cast out, ____________________, called the __________, and ___________, which deceiveth the whole world." Verse 9.
NOTE.-Primarily the dragon represents Satan, the great enemy and persecutor of the church in all ages. But Satan works through principalities and powers in his efforts to destroy the people of God. It was through a Roman king, King Herod, that he sought to destroy Christ as soon as He was born. Matt. 2:16. Rome must therefore be symbolized by the dragon. The seven heads of the dragon are interpreted by some to refer to the "seven hills" upon which the city of Rome is built; by others, to the seven forms of government through which Rome passed; and by still others, and more broadly, to the seven great monarchies which have oppressed the people of God; namely, Egypt, Assyria, Chaldea, Persia, Greece, pagan Rome, and papal Rome, in either of which Rome is represented and included. See Chapter 60. The ten horns, as in the fourth beast of Daniel 7, evidently refer to the ten kingdoms into which Rome was finally divided, and thus again identify the dragon with the Roman power.
6. How is the conflict between Christ and Satan described?
"And there was __________________; Michael and His angels _________________ _____________________________________, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the ______________________, that old serpent, ________________________, which deceiveth the whole world: ________________ ____________________________________________." Verses 7-9.
NOTE.-This conflict, begun in heaven, continues on earth. Near the close of Christ's ministry, He said, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." Luke 10:18. "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." John 12:31. From the councils of the representatives of the various worlds to which Satan, as the prince of this world, was formerly admitted (Job 1:6,7; 2:1,2), he was cast out when he crucified Christ, the Son of God.
7. What shout of triumph was heard in heaven following the victory gained by Christ?
"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, _________________________________, ____________________________: for the accuser of our brethren is ____________, which accused them before our God day and night. . . . Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them." Verses 10-12.
8. Why was woe at this same time proclaimed to the world?
"Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! __________________________." Verse 12, last part.
NOTE.-This not only shows that, since the crucifixion of Christ, Satan knows that his doom is sealed, and that he has but a limited time in which to work, but that his efforts are largely if not wholly now confined to this world, and concentrated upon its inhabitants. Better than many professed Christians, Satan knows that time is short.
9. What did the dragon do when cast to the earth?
"And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, ___________________ which brought forth the man child." Verse 13.
NOTE.-The persecution of Christians began under pagan Rome, but was carried on far more extensively under papal Rome. Matt. 24:21,22.
10. What definite period of time was allotted to this great persecution of God's people under papal Rome?
"And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, unto her place, where she is nourished for _________________________, from the face of the serpent." Verse 14.
NOTE.-This is the same period as that mentioned in Dan. 7:25 and, like the ten horns, identifies the dragon with the fourth beast of Daniel 7, and its later work with the work of the little horn of that same beast. In Rev. 13:5 this period is referred to as "forty-two months," and in Rev. 12:6 as 1260 days, each representing 1260 literal years, the period allotted to the supremacy of papal Rome. Beginning in 538 A.D., it ended in 1798, when the Pope was taken prisoner by the French. The woman fleeing into the wilderness fittingly describes the condition of the church during those times of bitter persecution.
11. What was Satan's design in thus persecuting the church?
"And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, __________ __________________________________." Verse 15.
12. How was the flood stayed, and Satan's design defeated?
"_____________________________, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth." Verse 16.
NOTE.-The mountain fastnesses quiet retreats, and secluded valleys of southwestern Europe for centuries shielded many who refused allegiance to the Papacy. Here, too, may be seen the results of the work of the Reformation of the sixteenth century, when many of the governments of Europe came to the help of the cause of reform by staying the hand of persecution and protecting the lives of those who dared to take their stand for the right. The discovery of America, and the opening up of this country as an asylum for the oppressed of Europe at this time, may also be included in the "help" here referred to.
13. What did Christ say would be the result if the days of persecution were not shortened?
"Except those days should be shortened, _____________________________: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." Matt. 24:22.
14. Still bent on persecution, how does Satan manifest his enmity against the remnant church?
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and ____________________________, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. 12:17.
NOTE.-To the very end, Satan will persecute and seek to destroy the people of God. Against the remnant, or last portion of the church, he is especially to make war. Their obedience to God's commandments, and their possession of the testimony of Jesus, or spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10), are especially offensive to him, and excite his intense ire.
________________________________________
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.
CHARLES WESLEY.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.58 -- THE CLOSING GOSPEL MESSAGE
Chapter 58.
The Closing Gospel Message
1. WHAT indicates that the messages of the judgment-hour and the fall of Babylon are two parts of a threefold message?
"And _______________________________, saying with a loud voice." Rev. 14:9, first clause.
2. What apostasy from the worship of God is named in this message?
"If any man ______________________________ in his forehead, or in his hand." Same verse, last part.
3. What is to be the fate of those who, instead of worshiping God, engage in this false worship?
"________________________________________________________________; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." Verses 10,11. See Isa. 33:13-17; 34:1-10; 1 Cor. 3:13; Heb. 12:29.
4. How are those described who heed this warning?
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that _________________________." Verse 12.
5. What description is given of the beast against whose worship this closing warning message is given?
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having ______________________________, and upon his __________________, and upon his ___________________________. And the beast which I saw was _____________ _____________________________, and his ________________________: and the _____________________________________________________." Rev. 13:1,2.
NOTE.-In this composite beast from the sea are combined the symbols of the seventh chapter of Daniel, representing Greece, Medo-Persia, and Babylon. The blasphemous words spoken by it, its persecution of the saints, and the time allotted to it (verses 5-7) show that this beast, under one of its seven-headed manifestations, is identical with the little horn of the vision of the seventh chapter of Daniel, modern Babylon, the Papacy. See reading on "The Kingdom and Work of Antichrist," page 218. The false worship here mentioned, the worship of the beast, is the rendering of that homage to the Papacy which is due to God alone. The system of religion enforced by the Papacy is the paganism of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, indicated by the composite character of the beast (verse 2), disguised under the forms and names of Christianity. The Pontifex Maximus of the ancient pagan religions was continued in the Pope, who is the head of the Roman priesthood, and who, in the exercise of his priestly functions, took away the mediation of Christ, and substituted a system of human mediation in its place, thus fulfilling the prophecy recorded in the eighth chapter of Daniel. See reading on "The Vicar of Christ," Chapter 52 of this book.
6. What challenge is made by those who worship the beast?
"And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, ___________________________________________?" Verse 4.
7. Whose sovereignty is thus challenged?
"Forasmuch as ______________________________; Thou art great, and Thy name is great in might." Jer. 10:6. See also Ps. 71:19; 86:8; 89:6,8.
8. What specifications of "the man of sin" are thus fully met?
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; ___________________________________________________________________." 2 Thess. 2:3,4. See Chapter 51 of this book.
9. What did Babylon give to the nations to drink?
"She made all nations drink of _________________________________________." Rev. 14:8, last part, See Chapter 57 of this book.
10. What are those to drink who accept the teachings of Babylon, and thus render homage to the beast?
"The same shall drink of ________________________________, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation." Verse 10, first part.
NOTE.-The cup of the Lord, which contains the new covenant in the blood of Christ, and the cup of the wine of the wrath of Babylon are both offered to the world. To drink of the former, that is, to accept the teaching of the true gospel, is to receive everlasting life; but to drink of the wine of Babylon, that is, to accept the false gospel taught by the Papacy, will result in drinking of the wine of the wrath of God from the cup of His indignation. The true gospel means everlasting life; the false gospel means everlasting death.
11. Under what threatened penalty is the worship of the image of the beast enforced?
"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and __________ [decree] ______________________________." Rev. 13:15.
NOTE.-For an explanation of the image of the beast, see reading on "Making an Image to the Beast," Chapter 61 of this book.
12. What universal boycott is to be employed, in an attempt to compel all to receive the mark of the beast?
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and ___________________________." Verses 16,17.
NOTE.-Regarding the mark of the beast, see reading on "The Seal of God and the Mark of Apostasy," Chapter 98 of this book.
13. Who is the real power operating through the beast and his image, and demanding worship?
"The ___________ gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." Verse 2, last part.
14. Who is this dragon?
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the _________________, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Rev. 12:9.
15. How did the devil seek to induce Jesus to worship him?
"And the devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, showed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, __________________________________________, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. ________________________." Luke 4:5-7.
16. How did Jesus show His loyalty to God?
"And Jesus answered and said unto him, ________________________________." Verse 8.
NOTE.-The threefold message of Rev. 14:6-12 is proclaimed in connection with the closing scenes of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Lucifer has sought to put himself in the place of God (Isa. 14:12-14), and to secure to himself the worship which is due God alone. The final test comes over the commandments of God. Those who acknowledge the supremacy of the beast by yielding obedience to the law of God as changed and enforced by the Papacy, when the real issue has been clearly defined, will, in so doing, worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark. Such will take the side of Satan in his rebellion against the authority of God.
17. How many will yield to the demand to worship the beast?
"And _____________________________________________________________of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev. 13:8.
18. In the judgment-hour message, whom are all called upon to fear, glorify, and worship?
"Saying with a loud voice, ________________________________________; for the hour of His judgment is come: and _____________________________________." Rev. 14:7.
19. Who will sing the song of Moses and the Lamb on the sea of glass?
"And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and __________________ _________________________________________________________, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest." Rev. 15:2-4.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
The Closing Gospel Message
1. WHAT indicates that the messages of the judgment-hour and the fall of Babylon are two parts of a threefold message?
"And _______________________________, saying with a loud voice." Rev. 14:9, first clause.
2. What apostasy from the worship of God is named in this message?
"If any man ______________________________ in his forehead, or in his hand." Same verse, last part.
3. What is to be the fate of those who, instead of worshiping God, engage in this false worship?
"________________________________________________________________; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." Verses 10,11. See Isa. 33:13-17; 34:1-10; 1 Cor. 3:13; Heb. 12:29.
4. How are those described who heed this warning?
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that _________________________." Verse 12.
5. What description is given of the beast against whose worship this closing warning message is given?
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having ______________________________, and upon his __________________, and upon his ___________________________. And the beast which I saw was _____________ _____________________________, and his ________________________: and the _____________________________________________________." Rev. 13:1,2.
NOTE.-In this composite beast from the sea are combined the symbols of the seventh chapter of Daniel, representing Greece, Medo-Persia, and Babylon. The blasphemous words spoken by it, its persecution of the saints, and the time allotted to it (verses 5-7) show that this beast, under one of its seven-headed manifestations, is identical with the little horn of the vision of the seventh chapter of Daniel, modern Babylon, the Papacy. See reading on "The Kingdom and Work of Antichrist," page 218. The false worship here mentioned, the worship of the beast, is the rendering of that homage to the Papacy which is due to God alone. The system of religion enforced by the Papacy is the paganism of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, indicated by the composite character of the beast (verse 2), disguised under the forms and names of Christianity. The Pontifex Maximus of the ancient pagan religions was continued in the Pope, who is the head of the Roman priesthood, and who, in the exercise of his priestly functions, took away the mediation of Christ, and substituted a system of human mediation in its place, thus fulfilling the prophecy recorded in the eighth chapter of Daniel. See reading on "The Vicar of Christ," Chapter 52 of this book.
6. What challenge is made by those who worship the beast?
"And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, ___________________________________________?" Verse 4.
7. Whose sovereignty is thus challenged?
"Forasmuch as ______________________________; Thou art great, and Thy name is great in might." Jer. 10:6. See also Ps. 71:19; 86:8; 89:6,8.
8. What specifications of "the man of sin" are thus fully met?
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; ___________________________________________________________________." 2 Thess. 2:3,4. See Chapter 51 of this book.
9. What did Babylon give to the nations to drink?
"She made all nations drink of _________________________________________." Rev. 14:8, last part, See Chapter 57 of this book.
10. What are those to drink who accept the teachings of Babylon, and thus render homage to the beast?
"The same shall drink of ________________________________, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation." Verse 10, first part.
NOTE.-The cup of the Lord, which contains the new covenant in the blood of Christ, and the cup of the wine of the wrath of Babylon are both offered to the world. To drink of the former, that is, to accept the teaching of the true gospel, is to receive everlasting life; but to drink of the wine of Babylon, that is, to accept the false gospel taught by the Papacy, will result in drinking of the wine of the wrath of God from the cup of His indignation. The true gospel means everlasting life; the false gospel means everlasting death.
11. Under what threatened penalty is the worship of the image of the beast enforced?
"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and __________ [decree] ______________________________." Rev. 13:15.
NOTE.-For an explanation of the image of the beast, see reading on "Making an Image to the Beast," Chapter 61 of this book.
12. What universal boycott is to be employed, in an attempt to compel all to receive the mark of the beast?
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and ___________________________." Verses 16,17.
NOTE.-Regarding the mark of the beast, see reading on "The Seal of God and the Mark of Apostasy," Chapter 98 of this book.
13. Who is the real power operating through the beast and his image, and demanding worship?
"The ___________ gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." Verse 2, last part.
14. Who is this dragon?
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the _________________, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Rev. 12:9.
15. How did the devil seek to induce Jesus to worship him?
"And the devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, showed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, __________________________________________, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. ________________________." Luke 4:5-7.
16. How did Jesus show His loyalty to God?
"And Jesus answered and said unto him, ________________________________." Verse 8.
NOTE.-The threefold message of Rev. 14:6-12 is proclaimed in connection with the closing scenes of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Lucifer has sought to put himself in the place of God (Isa. 14:12-14), and to secure to himself the worship which is due God alone. The final test comes over the commandments of God. Those who acknowledge the supremacy of the beast by yielding obedience to the law of God as changed and enforced by the Papacy, when the real issue has been clearly defined, will, in so doing, worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark. Such will take the side of Satan in his rebellion against the authority of God.
17. How many will yield to the demand to worship the beast?
"And _____________________________________________________________of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev. 13:8.
18. In the judgment-hour message, whom are all called upon to fear, glorify, and worship?
"Saying with a loud voice, ________________________________________; for the hour of His judgment is come: and _____________________________________." Rev. 14:7.
19. Who will sing the song of Moses and the Lamb on the sea of glass?
"And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and __________________ _________________________________________________________, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest." Rev. 15:2-4.
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www.preparingforeternity.com
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BIBLE STUDY: CHAP. 57 -- THE FALL OF MODERN BABYLON
Chapter 57.
The Fall of Modern Babylon
1. WHAT announcement immediately follows the judgment-hour message of Rev. 14:6,7?
"And there followed another angel, saying, _________________________, that great city." Rev. 14:8, first part.
2. What reason is assigned for the fall of Babylon?
"Because __________________________________________." Same verse, last part.
3. How was the overthrow of ancient Babylon foretold?
"And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be ____________________________________." Isa. 13:19.
4. What call was made to come out of Babylon?
"________________________________________________________; for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance; He will render unto her a recompense." Jer. 51:6.
5. What did ancient Babylon do to all the nations?
"Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, that _____________________: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad." Verse 7.
6. What was the effect of this apostasy?
"Babylon is ____________________________: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed." Verse 8.
7. Just before the fall of Babylon, what did her king do?
"Belshazzar the king ____________________ to a thousand of his lords, and ______ _______________ before the thousand." Dan. 5:1.
8. By what command did the king repudiate the religion taught in Babylon by Daniel and others who feared God?
"Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to ______________________ ________________which his father Nebuchadnezzar had __________________ which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, _______________________." Verse 2.
9. What marked the climax of Babylon's apostasy?
"Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, _______________." Verse 3.
10. While drinking the wine, what gods did they honor?
"They drank wine, and _____________________________________________." Verse 4.
11. What immediately followed this complete apostasy?
"In that night was _______________________________________. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old." Verses 30,31.
NOTE.-The gospel of the kingdom was preached in Babylon (see reading on "The Gospel of the Kingdom," chapter 49), and Nebuchadnezzar was brought to acknowledge and to worship the true God. But after the death of Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon relapsed into idolatry again, and this apostasy was rendered hopeless when Belshazzar used the sacred vessels from the house of God, dedicated to the worship of God, in which to drink the wine of Babylon while worship was offered to the false gods. Then came the handwriting on the wall, and the fall of ancient Babylon.
12. In the visions of John, what interpretation is given to the woman who sat upon many waters?
"And the woman which thou sawest _______________________, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." Rev. 17:18.
NOTE.-The great city which reigned over the kings of the earth in John's time was Rome, and that city has given its name to the church which is represented by the woman, the Church of Rome, or the Papacy.
13. In this same prophecy, how is the Church of Rome, the Papacy, designated as the antitype of ancient Babylon?
"And upon her forehead was a name written, ________________________________, __________________________________________________." Verse 5.
14. What specific statement emphasizes this identification?
"With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been _____________________________________." Verse 2. See verse 4.
NOTES.-The Church of Rome is called Babylon, and its religion is a revival of the religion of ancient Babylon. She claims a priesthood with exceptional powers and privileges, just as did ancient Babylon. Through the dogma of the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary, she denies that God in Christ dwelt in the same flesh as fallen man has, just as ancient Babylon did. See Dan. 2:11. She claims universal spiritual jurisdiction and demands submission under pains and penalties, just as ancient Babylon did. See Daniel 3. She repudiates the fundamental gospel truth of justification by faith, and boasts of works, just as ancient Babylon did. See Dan. 4:30. A careful comparison of the ritual of ancient and modern Babylon shows that the latter is copied from the former; and it is easy to trace the connection historically through the paganism of political Rome.
On the overthrow of Babylon by the Persians who nourished a traditional hatred for its idolatry, the Chaldean priesthood fled to Pergamos, in Asia Minor, and made it the headquarters of their religion. . . . The last pontiff king of Pergamos was Attalus III, who at his death bequeathed his dominions and authority to the Roman people, 133 B.C., and from that time the two lines of Pontifex Maximus were merged in the Roman one.-"The False Christ," J. Garnier, London, George Allen, 1900, Vol. II pages 94, 95. Thus did the religion of ancient Babylon become the religion of modern Babylon.
15. What did Jesus say of the sacramental wine?
"This cup is the __________________________." Luke 22:20, R.V.
16. What is the essential teaching of the new covenant?
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; ______________________________: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people." Heb. 8:10.
17. When Christ thus ministers the law in the heart, what does it become?
"For ___________________________________ hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:2-4.
18. In what other statement is this same truth expressed?
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, _____________________________." John 6:63.
19. What kind of teaching have men substituted for the words which are spirit and life?
"Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, __________________________________ ____________. . . . And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own ______________." Mark 7:7-9.
NOTES.-There are two cups, the cup of the Lord and the cup of Babylon. The Wine in the Lord's cup represents the living truth, ''as the truth is in Jesus;" the wine in the cup of Babylon represents her false doctrines, her substitution of human tradition for the living word and law of God, and the illicit connection which she has made between the church and the secular power, depending upon political power to enforce her teachings, rather than upon the power of God. By this very thing, while maintaining a form of godliness, she denies the power thereof. 2 Tim. 3:1-5.
The following quotation states the position of that church in regard to tradition: "Though these two divine streams [the Bible and tradition] are in themselves, on account of their divine origin, of equal sacredness, and are both full of revealed truths, still, of the two, tradition is to us more clear and safe."-"Catholic Belief," Rev. Joseph Faa Di Bruno, D. D. (Roman Catholic), page 45.
The substitution of the law of the church for the law of God, in fulfilment of the prophecy in Dan. 7:25, testifies to the complete subordination of the Word of God to the authority of the church. The world-wide teaching of these doctrines in place of the pure gospel has led the world astray, and has made all the nations drink of the wine of her fornication. The Reformation of the sixteenth century was an effort to return to the pure truths of God's Word. In this the Reformers denied the supremacy of tradition over the Bible.
20. What relation does the Church of Rome sustain to other apostate churches?
"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, __________________________________________________________." Rev. 17:5.
NOTES.-In the creed of Pope Pius IV, an authoritative statement of Roman Catholic belief, is found this statement: "I acknowledge the Holy Catholic Apostolic Church for the mother and mistress of all churches."-Article 10. When the professed Protestant churches repudiate the fundamental principle of Protestantism by setting aside the authority of God's Word, and accepting tradition and human speculation in its place, they adopt the fundamental principle of modern Babylon, and may be regarded as the daughters of Babylon. Their fall is then included in the fall of Babylon, and calls for a proclamation of the fall of modern Babylon.
Many representatives of modern Protestantism have, in one way or another, rejected many fundamental doctrines of the Bible, such as,-
The fall of man.
The Bible doctrine of sin.
The infallibility of the Scriptures.
The sufficiency of the Scriptures as a rule of faith and practise.
The Deity of Christ, and His consequent headship over the church.
The miraculous conception and the virgin birth of our Lord.
The resurrection of Christ from the grave.
The vicarious, expiatory, and propitiatory atonement of Christ.
Salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Regeneration by the power of the Holy Ghost.
The efficacy of the all-prevailing name of Christ in prayer.
The ministration and guardianship of holy angels.
Miracles as the direct manifestation and interposition of God's power.
Although many leaders of modem Protestantism known as higher critics have not formally adopted the creed of the Church of Rome, and have not become an organic part of that body, yet they belong to the same class in rejecting the authority of God's Word, and accepting in its place the product of their own reasonings. There is just as much apostasy in the one case as in the other, and both must therefore be included in Babylon, and both will go down in the fall of Babylon. The warning message applies with equal force to both classes.
21. To what extent is the apostasy, or fall, of modern Babylon, the mother, and of her daughters, to be carried?
"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and ______________________ __________________________________________. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." Rev. 18:1-3.
NOTE.-In its largest sense, Babylon includes all false religions- all apostasy. The gospel message announcing her final overthrow should be a cause of rejoicing to every lover of truth and righteousness.
22. What final call to come out of Babylon is to go forth?
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, ____________________________ _______________________________________. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Verses 4,5.
23. How complete is to be the fall of modern Babylon?
"And a ________________________________________, saying, ______________ _________________________________--. . . . And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." Verses 21-24.
24. What song of triumph follows the overthrow of Babylon?
"________________________________________________." Rev. 19:6,7.
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The Fall of Modern Babylon
1. WHAT announcement immediately follows the judgment-hour message of Rev. 14:6,7?
"And there followed another angel, saying, _________________________, that great city." Rev. 14:8, first part.
2. What reason is assigned for the fall of Babylon?
"Because __________________________________________." Same verse, last part.
3. How was the overthrow of ancient Babylon foretold?
"And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be ____________________________________." Isa. 13:19.
4. What call was made to come out of Babylon?
"________________________________________________________; for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance; He will render unto her a recompense." Jer. 51:6.
5. What did ancient Babylon do to all the nations?
"Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, that _____________________: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad." Verse 7.
6. What was the effect of this apostasy?
"Babylon is ____________________________: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed." Verse 8.
7. Just before the fall of Babylon, what did her king do?
"Belshazzar the king ____________________ to a thousand of his lords, and ______ _______________ before the thousand." Dan. 5:1.
8. By what command did the king repudiate the religion taught in Babylon by Daniel and others who feared God?
"Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to ______________________ ________________which his father Nebuchadnezzar had __________________ which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, _______________________." Verse 2.
9. What marked the climax of Babylon's apostasy?
"Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, _______________." Verse 3.
10. While drinking the wine, what gods did they honor?
"They drank wine, and _____________________________________________." Verse 4.
11. What immediately followed this complete apostasy?
"In that night was _______________________________________. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old." Verses 30,31.
NOTE.-The gospel of the kingdom was preached in Babylon (see reading on "The Gospel of the Kingdom," chapter 49), and Nebuchadnezzar was brought to acknowledge and to worship the true God. But after the death of Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon relapsed into idolatry again, and this apostasy was rendered hopeless when Belshazzar used the sacred vessels from the house of God, dedicated to the worship of God, in which to drink the wine of Babylon while worship was offered to the false gods. Then came the handwriting on the wall, and the fall of ancient Babylon.
12. In the visions of John, what interpretation is given to the woman who sat upon many waters?
"And the woman which thou sawest _______________________, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." Rev. 17:18.
NOTE.-The great city which reigned over the kings of the earth in John's time was Rome, and that city has given its name to the church which is represented by the woman, the Church of Rome, or the Papacy.
13. In this same prophecy, how is the Church of Rome, the Papacy, designated as the antitype of ancient Babylon?
"And upon her forehead was a name written, ________________________________, __________________________________________________." Verse 5.
14. What specific statement emphasizes this identification?
"With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been _____________________________________." Verse 2. See verse 4.
NOTES.-The Church of Rome is called Babylon, and its religion is a revival of the religion of ancient Babylon. She claims a priesthood with exceptional powers and privileges, just as did ancient Babylon. Through the dogma of the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary, she denies that God in Christ dwelt in the same flesh as fallen man has, just as ancient Babylon did. See Dan. 2:11. She claims universal spiritual jurisdiction and demands submission under pains and penalties, just as ancient Babylon did. See Daniel 3. She repudiates the fundamental gospel truth of justification by faith, and boasts of works, just as ancient Babylon did. See Dan. 4:30. A careful comparison of the ritual of ancient and modern Babylon shows that the latter is copied from the former; and it is easy to trace the connection historically through the paganism of political Rome.
On the overthrow of Babylon by the Persians who nourished a traditional hatred for its idolatry, the Chaldean priesthood fled to Pergamos, in Asia Minor, and made it the headquarters of their religion. . . . The last pontiff king of Pergamos was Attalus III, who at his death bequeathed his dominions and authority to the Roman people, 133 B.C., and from that time the two lines of Pontifex Maximus were merged in the Roman one.-"The False Christ," J. Garnier, London, George Allen, 1900, Vol. II pages 94, 95. Thus did the religion of ancient Babylon become the religion of modern Babylon.
15. What did Jesus say of the sacramental wine?
"This cup is the __________________________." Luke 22:20, R.V.
16. What is the essential teaching of the new covenant?
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; ______________________________: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people." Heb. 8:10.
17. When Christ thus ministers the law in the heart, what does it become?
"For ___________________________________ hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:2-4.
18. In what other statement is this same truth expressed?
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, _____________________________." John 6:63.
19. What kind of teaching have men substituted for the words which are spirit and life?
"Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, __________________________________ ____________. . . . And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own ______________." Mark 7:7-9.
NOTES.-There are two cups, the cup of the Lord and the cup of Babylon. The Wine in the Lord's cup represents the living truth, ''as the truth is in Jesus;" the wine in the cup of Babylon represents her false doctrines, her substitution of human tradition for the living word and law of God, and the illicit connection which she has made between the church and the secular power, depending upon political power to enforce her teachings, rather than upon the power of God. By this very thing, while maintaining a form of godliness, she denies the power thereof. 2 Tim. 3:1-5.
The following quotation states the position of that church in regard to tradition: "Though these two divine streams [the Bible and tradition] are in themselves, on account of their divine origin, of equal sacredness, and are both full of revealed truths, still, of the two, tradition is to us more clear and safe."-"Catholic Belief," Rev. Joseph Faa Di Bruno, D. D. (Roman Catholic), page 45.
The substitution of the law of the church for the law of God, in fulfilment of the prophecy in Dan. 7:25, testifies to the complete subordination of the Word of God to the authority of the church. The world-wide teaching of these doctrines in place of the pure gospel has led the world astray, and has made all the nations drink of the wine of her fornication. The Reformation of the sixteenth century was an effort to return to the pure truths of God's Word. In this the Reformers denied the supremacy of tradition over the Bible.
20. What relation does the Church of Rome sustain to other apostate churches?
"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, __________________________________________________________." Rev. 17:5.
NOTES.-In the creed of Pope Pius IV, an authoritative statement of Roman Catholic belief, is found this statement: "I acknowledge the Holy Catholic Apostolic Church for the mother and mistress of all churches."-Article 10. When the professed Protestant churches repudiate the fundamental principle of Protestantism by setting aside the authority of God's Word, and accepting tradition and human speculation in its place, they adopt the fundamental principle of modern Babylon, and may be regarded as the daughters of Babylon. Their fall is then included in the fall of Babylon, and calls for a proclamation of the fall of modern Babylon.
Many representatives of modern Protestantism have, in one way or another, rejected many fundamental doctrines of the Bible, such as,-
The fall of man.
The Bible doctrine of sin.
The infallibility of the Scriptures.
The sufficiency of the Scriptures as a rule of faith and practise.
The Deity of Christ, and His consequent headship over the church.
The miraculous conception and the virgin birth of our Lord.
The resurrection of Christ from the grave.
The vicarious, expiatory, and propitiatory atonement of Christ.
Salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Regeneration by the power of the Holy Ghost.
The efficacy of the all-prevailing name of Christ in prayer.
The ministration and guardianship of holy angels.
Miracles as the direct manifestation and interposition of God's power.
Although many leaders of modem Protestantism known as higher critics have not formally adopted the creed of the Church of Rome, and have not become an organic part of that body, yet they belong to the same class in rejecting the authority of God's Word, and accepting in its place the product of their own reasonings. There is just as much apostasy in the one case as in the other, and both must therefore be included in Babylon, and both will go down in the fall of Babylon. The warning message applies with equal force to both classes.
21. To what extent is the apostasy, or fall, of modern Babylon, the mother, and of her daughters, to be carried?
"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and ______________________ __________________________________________. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." Rev. 18:1-3.
NOTE.-In its largest sense, Babylon includes all false religions- all apostasy. The gospel message announcing her final overthrow should be a cause of rejoicing to every lover of truth and righteousness.
22. What final call to come out of Babylon is to go forth?
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, ____________________________ _______________________________________. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Verses 4,5.
23. How complete is to be the fall of modern Babylon?
"And a ________________________________________, saying, ______________ _________________________________--. . . . And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." Verses 21-24.
24. What song of triumph follows the overthrow of Babylon?
"________________________________________________." Rev. 19:6,7.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.56 -- THE JUDGMENT--HOUR MESSAGE
Chapter 56.
The Judgment-Hour Message
1. WHAT prophetic view of the judgment was given Daniel?
"I beheld till the _______________________ [placed], and the Ancient of days did sit: . . . thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ______________________ stood before Him: ___________________________________________." Dan. 7:9,10.
2. What assurance has God given of the judgment?
"Because ______________________________________________ in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, ____________________________________." Acts 17:31.
3. What message announces the judgment-hour come?
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for ______________________________________________: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Rev. 14:6,7.
4. In view of the judgment-hour, what is proclaimed anew?
"________________________________." Verse 6, first part.
5. How extensively is this message to be proclaimed?
"To ______________________________________--." Verse 6, last part.
6. What is the whole world called upon to do?
"_____________________________________." Verse 7.
7. What special reason is given for this?
"For ________________________________." Same verse.
8. Whom are all called upon to worship?
"____________________________________." Same verse.
NOTE.-There is only one gospel (Rom. 1:16,17. Gal. 1:8), first announced in Eden (Gen. 3:15), preached to Abraham (Gal. 3:8) and to the children of Israel (Heb. 4:1,2), and proclaimed anew in every generation. In Its development, the gospel meets the needs of every crisis in the world's history. John the Baptist in his preaching announced the kingdom of heaven at hand (Matt. 3:1,2), and prepared the way for the first advent. John 1:22,23. Christ Himself in His preaching of the gospel announced the fulfillment of a definite-time prophecy (the sixty-nine weeks, or 483 years, of Dan. 9:25), and called the people to repentance, in view of the coming of the predicted Messiah. Mark 1:14,15. So when the time of the judgment comes, and Christ's second advent is near, a world-wide announcement of these events is to be made in the preaching of the everlasting gospel adapted to meet the need of the hour.
9. What prophetic period extends to the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary, or the investigative judgment?
"And he said unto me, ____________________________; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Dan. 8:14.
10. When did this long period expire?
In A. D. 1844. See reading in chapter 53.
NOTE.-Our Lord based His preaching of the gospel upon the fulfillment of the first part of the 2300 days, or years (Mark 1:14,15), a prophecy which determined the time of the first advent. The whole period extends to the time of the judgment, just preceding the second advent, and at its expiration a special gospel message is sent to all the world proclaiming the judgment-hour at hand, and calling upon all to worship the Creator. The facts of history answer to this interpretation of the prophecy: for at this very time (1844) just such a message was being proclaimed in various parts of the world. This was the beginning of the great second advent message which is now being proclaimed throughout the world.
11. How is the true God distinguished from all false gods?
"Thus shall ye say unto them, _________________________________________, even they shall perish from the earth. . . . _________________________________ _______________________________________________________." Jer. 10:11,12.
12. For what reason is worship justly due to God?
"For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. . . . ________________ _________________________________________. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord ______________________." Ps. 95:3-6.
13. Why do the inhabitants of heaven worship God?
"The four and twenty elders fall down before Him, saying, Thou art worthy; O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: __________________________________, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." Rev. 4:10,11.
14. What memorial did God establish of His creative power?
"Remember _________________________, to keep it holy. ____________________ _______________________________________, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Ex. 20:8-11.
15. What place has the Sabbath in the work of salvation?
"Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be _________________ between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that ________________ them." Eze. 20:12.
16. How many are concerned in the judgment?
"For we must __________ appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, __________________________________." 2 Cor. 5:10.
17. What will be the standard in the judgment?
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said) Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged ________________________." James 2:10-12.
18. In view of the judgment, what exhortation is given?
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: _________________________ _______________: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:13,14.
NOTE.-A comparison of Rev. 14:7 with Eccl. 12:13,14, suggests that the way to give glory to God is to keep His commandments. and that in giving the judgment-hour message, the duty of keeping the commandments would be emphasized. This is plainly shown in the description given of the people who are gathered out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people as the result of the preaching of this message, in connection with the other messages which immediately follow and accompany it. Of this people it is said, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
The Judgment-Hour Message
1. WHAT prophetic view of the judgment was given Daniel?
"I beheld till the _______________________ [placed], and the Ancient of days did sit: . . . thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ______________________ stood before Him: ___________________________________________." Dan. 7:9,10.
2. What assurance has God given of the judgment?
"Because ______________________________________________ in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, ____________________________________." Acts 17:31.
3. What message announces the judgment-hour come?
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for ______________________________________________: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Rev. 14:6,7.
4. In view of the judgment-hour, what is proclaimed anew?
"________________________________." Verse 6, first part.
5. How extensively is this message to be proclaimed?
"To ______________________________________--." Verse 6, last part.
6. What is the whole world called upon to do?
"_____________________________________." Verse 7.
7. What special reason is given for this?
"For ________________________________." Same verse.
8. Whom are all called upon to worship?
"____________________________________." Same verse.
NOTE.-There is only one gospel (Rom. 1:16,17. Gal. 1:8), first announced in Eden (Gen. 3:15), preached to Abraham (Gal. 3:8) and to the children of Israel (Heb. 4:1,2), and proclaimed anew in every generation. In Its development, the gospel meets the needs of every crisis in the world's history. John the Baptist in his preaching announced the kingdom of heaven at hand (Matt. 3:1,2), and prepared the way for the first advent. John 1:22,23. Christ Himself in His preaching of the gospel announced the fulfillment of a definite-time prophecy (the sixty-nine weeks, or 483 years, of Dan. 9:25), and called the people to repentance, in view of the coming of the predicted Messiah. Mark 1:14,15. So when the time of the judgment comes, and Christ's second advent is near, a world-wide announcement of these events is to be made in the preaching of the everlasting gospel adapted to meet the need of the hour.
9. What prophetic period extends to the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary, or the investigative judgment?
"And he said unto me, ____________________________; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Dan. 8:14.
10. When did this long period expire?
In A. D. 1844. See reading in chapter 53.
NOTE.-Our Lord based His preaching of the gospel upon the fulfillment of the first part of the 2300 days, or years (Mark 1:14,15), a prophecy which determined the time of the first advent. The whole period extends to the time of the judgment, just preceding the second advent, and at its expiration a special gospel message is sent to all the world proclaiming the judgment-hour at hand, and calling upon all to worship the Creator. The facts of history answer to this interpretation of the prophecy: for at this very time (1844) just such a message was being proclaimed in various parts of the world. This was the beginning of the great second advent message which is now being proclaimed throughout the world.
11. How is the true God distinguished from all false gods?
"Thus shall ye say unto them, _________________________________________, even they shall perish from the earth. . . . _________________________________ _______________________________________________________." Jer. 10:11,12.
12. For what reason is worship justly due to God?
"For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. . . . ________________ _________________________________________. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord ______________________." Ps. 95:3-6.
13. Why do the inhabitants of heaven worship God?
"The four and twenty elders fall down before Him, saying, Thou art worthy; O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: __________________________________, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." Rev. 4:10,11.
14. What memorial did God establish of His creative power?
"Remember _________________________, to keep it holy. ____________________ _______________________________________, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Ex. 20:8-11.
15. What place has the Sabbath in the work of salvation?
"Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be _________________ between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that ________________ them." Eze. 20:12.
16. How many are concerned in the judgment?
"For we must __________ appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, __________________________________." 2 Cor. 5:10.
17. What will be the standard in the judgment?
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said) Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged ________________________." James 2:10-12.
18. In view of the judgment, what exhortation is given?
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: _________________________ _______________: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:13,14.
NOTE.-A comparison of Rev. 14:7 with Eccl. 12:13,14, suggests that the way to give glory to God is to keep His commandments. and that in giving the judgment-hour message, the duty of keeping the commandments would be emphasized. This is plainly shown in the description given of the people who are gathered out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people as the result of the preaching of this message, in connection with the other messages which immediately follow and accompany it. Of this people it is said, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.55 -- THE JUDGMENT
Chapter 55.
The Judgment
1. WHAT assurance have we that there will be a judgment?
"God. . . hath appointed a day, in the __________________." Acts 17:30,31.
2. Was the judgment still future in Paul's day?
"As he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and ________________, Felix trembled." Acts 24:25.
3. How many must meet the test of the judgment?
"I said in mine heart, God shall judge ___________________________." Eccl. 3:17. "______________________________________; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor. 5:10.
4. What reason did Solomon give for urging all to fear God and keep His commandments?
"____________________________________, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:14.
5. What view of the judgment scene was given Daniel?
"I beheld _________________________ [placed, R.V.], and the Ancient of days did sit, whose _______________, and the hair of His head ________________: His _________________________, and His wheels as burning fire. A _______________ and came forth from before Him: _______________________, and ____________ ________________ stood before Him: the ______________________, and ________ _______________." Dan. 7:9,10.
6. Out of what will all be judged?
"And _________________________: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and ___________________________________, according to their works." Rev. 20:12.
7. For whom has a book of remembrance been written?
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him _______________ ____________________________________________." Mal. 3:16. See Rev. 20:12.
8. Who opens the judgment and presides over it?
"I beheld till the thrones were cast down [placed], and _____________________." Dan. 7:9.
9. Who minister to God, and assist in the judgment?
"__________________________ [of ____________] ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him." Verse 10. See Rev. 5:11.
10. Who is brought before the Father at this time?
"I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, __________________ came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him." Dan. 7:13.
11. What does Christ as the advocate of His people confess before the Father and His angels?
"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. See Matt. 10:32,33; Mark 8:38.
NOTE.-During this judgment scene, both the righteous and the wicked dead are still in their graves. The record of each one's life, however, is in the books of heaven, and by that record their characters and deeds are well known. Christ is there to appear in behalf of those who have chosen Him as their advocate. 1 John 2:1. He presents His blood, as He appeals for their sins to be blotted from the books of record. As the place of judgment is in heaven, where God's throne is, and as Christ is present in person, it follows that the work of judgment is also in heaven. All are judged by the record of their lives, and thus answer for the deeds done in the body. This work will not only decide forever the cases of the dead, but will also close the probation of all who are living, after which Christ will come to take to Himself those who have been found loyal to Him.
12. After the subjects of the kingdom have been determined by the investigative judgment, what is given to Christ?
"And there was given Him ___________, and _____________, and ___________, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him." Dan. 7:14.
13. When He comes the second time, what title will He bear?
"And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, ________________, and ______________." Rev. 19:16.
14. What will He then do for each one?
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then ___________________________." Matt. 16:27. See also Rev. 22:12.
15. Where will Christ then take His people?
"__________________________--: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, ________________, __________________________________________." John 14:2,3.
16. How many of the dead will be raised?
"For the hour is coming, in the which _____________________ shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5:28,29. See also Acts 24:15.
17. What time intervenes between the two resurrections?
"And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. ______________________________________ _____________________________." Rev. 20:4,5.
18. What work did Daniel see finally assigned to the saints?
"I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and ____________________________________; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." Dan. 7:21,22.
19. How long will the saints engage in this work of judgment?
"I And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and __________________________: . . . ____________________________." Rev. 20:4.
20. Who will thus be judged by the saints?
"Do ye not know that _______________________? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that _________ _________________? how much more things that pertain to this life?" 1 Cor. 6:2,3.
21. How will the decisions of the judgment be executed?
"And out of His [Christ's] mouth __________________-, that with it He should _____ ______________: and He shall _______________________: and ______________ _____________________________ of Almighty God." Rev. 19:15.
22. Why is the execution of the judgment given to Christ?
"For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, ______________ __________________." John 5:26,27.
23. How was the opening of the judgment to be made known to the world?
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, ____________________________." Rev. 14:6,7.
NOTE.-There are three phases of the judgment mentioned in the Scriptures,-the investigative judgment, preceding the second advent; the judgment of the lost world and wicked angels by Christ and the saints during the one thousand years following the second advent; and the executive judgment, or punishment of the wicked at the close of this period. The investigative judgment takes place in heaven before Christ comes, in order to ascertain who are worthy to be raised in the first resurrection, at His coming, and who among the living are to be changed in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trump. It is necessary for this to take place before the second advent, as there will be no time for such a work between the coming of Christ and the raising of the righteous dead. The executive Judgment on the wicked occurs after their cases have been examined by the saints during the thousand years. Rev. 20:4,5; 1 Cor. 6:1-3. The investigative judgment is that which is announced to the world by the angel's message of Rev. 14:6,7.
________________________________________
Thou Judge of quick and dead,
Before whose bar severe,
With holy joy or guilty dread,
We all shall soon appear,-
Our cautioned souls prepare
For that tremendous day,
And fill us now with watchful care,
And stir us up to pray.
CHARLES WESLEY.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
The Judgment
1. WHAT assurance have we that there will be a judgment?
"God. . . hath appointed a day, in the __________________." Acts 17:30,31.
2. Was the judgment still future in Paul's day?
"As he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and ________________, Felix trembled." Acts 24:25.
3. How many must meet the test of the judgment?
"I said in mine heart, God shall judge ___________________________." Eccl. 3:17. "______________________________________; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor. 5:10.
4. What reason did Solomon give for urging all to fear God and keep His commandments?
"____________________________________, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:14.
5. What view of the judgment scene was given Daniel?
"I beheld _________________________ [placed, R.V.], and the Ancient of days did sit, whose _______________, and the hair of His head ________________: His _________________________, and His wheels as burning fire. A _______________ and came forth from before Him: _______________________, and ____________ ________________ stood before Him: the ______________________, and ________ _______________." Dan. 7:9,10.
6. Out of what will all be judged?
"And _________________________: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and ___________________________________, according to their works." Rev. 20:12.
7. For whom has a book of remembrance been written?
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him _______________ ____________________________________________." Mal. 3:16. See Rev. 20:12.
8. Who opens the judgment and presides over it?
"I beheld till the thrones were cast down [placed], and _____________________." Dan. 7:9.
9. Who minister to God, and assist in the judgment?
"__________________________ [of ____________] ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him." Verse 10. See Rev. 5:11.
10. Who is brought before the Father at this time?
"I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, __________________ came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him." Dan. 7:13.
11. What does Christ as the advocate of His people confess before the Father and His angels?
"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. See Matt. 10:32,33; Mark 8:38.
NOTE.-During this judgment scene, both the righteous and the wicked dead are still in their graves. The record of each one's life, however, is in the books of heaven, and by that record their characters and deeds are well known. Christ is there to appear in behalf of those who have chosen Him as their advocate. 1 John 2:1. He presents His blood, as He appeals for their sins to be blotted from the books of record. As the place of judgment is in heaven, where God's throne is, and as Christ is present in person, it follows that the work of judgment is also in heaven. All are judged by the record of their lives, and thus answer for the deeds done in the body. This work will not only decide forever the cases of the dead, but will also close the probation of all who are living, after which Christ will come to take to Himself those who have been found loyal to Him.
12. After the subjects of the kingdom have been determined by the investigative judgment, what is given to Christ?
"And there was given Him ___________, and _____________, and ___________, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him." Dan. 7:14.
13. When He comes the second time, what title will He bear?
"And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, ________________, and ______________." Rev. 19:16.
14. What will He then do for each one?
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then ___________________________." Matt. 16:27. See also Rev. 22:12.
15. Where will Christ then take His people?
"__________________________--: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, ________________, __________________________________________." John 14:2,3.
16. How many of the dead will be raised?
"For the hour is coming, in the which _____________________ shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5:28,29. See also Acts 24:15.
17. What time intervenes between the two resurrections?
"And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. ______________________________________ _____________________________." Rev. 20:4,5.
18. What work did Daniel see finally assigned to the saints?
"I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and ____________________________________; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." Dan. 7:21,22.
19. How long will the saints engage in this work of judgment?
"I And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and __________________________: . . . ____________________________." Rev. 20:4.
20. Who will thus be judged by the saints?
"Do ye not know that _______________________? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that _________ _________________? how much more things that pertain to this life?" 1 Cor. 6:2,3.
21. How will the decisions of the judgment be executed?
"And out of His [Christ's] mouth __________________-, that with it He should _____ ______________: and He shall _______________________: and ______________ _____________________________ of Almighty God." Rev. 19:15.
22. Why is the execution of the judgment given to Christ?
"For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, ______________ __________________." John 5:26,27.
23. How was the opening of the judgment to be made known to the world?
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, ____________________________." Rev. 14:6,7.
NOTE.-There are three phases of the judgment mentioned in the Scriptures,-the investigative judgment, preceding the second advent; the judgment of the lost world and wicked angels by Christ and the saints during the one thousand years following the second advent; and the executive judgment, or punishment of the wicked at the close of this period. The investigative judgment takes place in heaven before Christ comes, in order to ascertain who are worthy to be raised in the first resurrection, at His coming, and who among the living are to be changed in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trump. It is necessary for this to take place before the second advent, as there will be no time for such a work between the coming of Christ and the raising of the righteous dead. The executive Judgment on the wicked occurs after their cases have been examined by the saints during the thousand years. Rev. 20:4,5; 1 Cor. 6:1-3. The investigative judgment is that which is announced to the world by the angel's message of Rev. 14:6,7.
________________________________________
Thou Judge of quick and dead,
Before whose bar severe,
With holy joy or guilty dread,
We all shall soon appear,-
Our cautioned souls prepare
For that tremendous day,
And fill us now with watchful care,
And stir us up to pray.
CHARLES WESLEY.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.
BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.54 -- THE ATONEMENT IN TYPE AND ANTITYPE
Chapter 54.
The Atonement in Type
and Antitype
1. WHAT did God, through Moses, command Israel to make?
"And let them make Me _____________________; that I may dwell among them." Ex. 25:8.
2. What was offered in this sanctuary?
"In which were offered __________________________." Heb. 9:9.
3. Besides the court, how many parts had this sanctuary?
"And the veil shall divide unto you between the _____________________ and the __________________." Ex. 26:33.
4. What was in the first apartment, or holy place?
"For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the _______________, and the _______________, and the ________________; which is called the sanctuary." Heb. 9:2. "And he put ______________ in the tent of the congregation before the veil." Ex. 40:26. See also Ex. 30:1-6.
5. What was contained in the second apartment?
"And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the holiest of all; which had ____________________________________________ overlaid round about with gold, wherein was . . . ___________________." Heb. 9:3,4. See also Ex. 40:20,21.
6. By what name was the cover of the ark known?
"And thou shalt put ______________________ above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee." Ex. 25:21.
7. Where was God to meet with Israel?
"And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee __________________ ______________________________________." Verse 22.
8. What was in the ark, under the mercy-seat?
"And He wrote on __________________, according to the first writing, ___________ __________________. . . . And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and __________________________ which I had made." Deut. 10:4,5.
9. When did the priest minister in the first apartment of the sanctuary?
"Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in ________________ into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services." Heb. 9:6, R.V.
10. Who alone went into the second apartment, how often, and for what purpose?
"But into the second went ___________________________________________, _____________________________________________." Verse 7..
11. What were sinners desiring pardon instructed to do?
"And if anyone of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the Lord. . . then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned. And ______________________________________________." Lev. 4:27-29.
NOTE.-According to this, if a man sinned in Israel, he violated one of the ten commandments that were in the ark under the mercy-seat. These commandments are the foundation of God's government. To violate them is to commit sin, and so become subject to death. 1 John 3:4; Rom. 6:23. But there was a mercy-seat reared above these holy and just commandments. In the dispensation of His mercy, God grants the sinner the privilege of confessing his sins, and bringing a substitute to meet the demands of the law, and thus of obtaining mercy.
12. What was done with the blood of the offering?
"And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and ___________________________________ ________________________________." Verse 30.
NOTE.-After a person discovered his sin by the law which demanded the death of the transgressor, he first brought his offering, then he confessed his sin while laying his hands on the head of the victim, thus, in figure, transferring his sin to the victim; the victim was next slain in the court, or outer part of the sanctuary, and its blood put on the horns of the altar and poured at the foot of the altar. In this way sins were pardoned, and, in the typical service, transferred to the sanctuary.
13. After the accumulation of the sins of the year in this way, what service took place on the tenth day of the seventh month of each year?
"And this shall be a statute forever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, . . . for __________________________ _________________________________________." Lev. 16:29,30.
14. How was the sanctuary itself to be cleansed, and how were the sins of the people to be finally disposed of?
"And he [the high priest] shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin-offering. . . . And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats, one lot ____________________, and the other lot __________________________." Verses 5-8.
NOTE.-The Hebrew word for scapegoat is Azazel. See margin of verse 8. It is used as a proper name, and according to the opinion of the most ancient Hebrews and Christians, refers to Satan, or the angel who revolted and persisted in rebellion and sin.
15. What was done with the blood of the goat upon which the Lord's lot fell?
"Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, . . . _____________________________, and before the mercy-seat." Verse 15.
16. Why was it necessary to make this atonement?
"And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, ______________________ ______________________________________: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness." Verse 16.
NOTE.-Sins were conveyed into the sanctuary during the year by the blood of the personal sin-offerings offered daily at the door of the tabernacle. Here they remained until the day of atonement, when the high priest went into the most holy place with the blood of the goat on which the Lord's lot fell; and, bearing the accumulated sins of the year in before the mercy-seat, he there, in type, atoned for them, and so cleansed the sanctuary.
17. After having made atonement for the people in the most holy place, what did the high priest next do?
"And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: and Aaron shall ______ _____________________________________________." Verses 20,21.
NOTE.-The offering of the Lord's goat cleansed the sanctuary. By this offering the sins of the people, transferred there during the year, were, in type, atoned for; but they were not by this offering finally disposed of, or destroyed. The scapegoat, symbolizing Satan, the great tempter and originator of sin, was brought to the sanctuary, and upon his head were placed all these sins which Satin had tempted God's people to commit.
18. What final disposition was made of the sins of the people?
"And ______________________________: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness." Verse 22.
19. What was this earthly sanctuary and its round of service?
"Which was _________________ for the time then present." Heb. 9:9.
20. Of what sanctuary, or tabernacle, is Christ the minister?
"A minister of the sanctuary, arid of the true tabernacle, ______________________." Heb. 8:2.
21. Of what was the blood of all the sacrifices of the former dispensation only a type?
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but ____________________ He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Heb. 9:12. See Eph. 5:2.
NOTE.-Through the sacrifices and offerings brought to the altar of the earthly sanctuary, the penitent believer was to lay hold of the merits of Christ, the Saviour to come. In this way, and in this way only, was there any virtue connected with them.
22. At the death of Christ, what miraculous occurrence signified that the priestly work and services of the earthly sanctuary were finished?
"Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, _______________________________________________________." Matt. 27:50,51.
NOTES.-Type had met antitype; the shadow had reached the substance. Christ, the great sacrifice, had been slain, and was about to enter upon His final work as our great high priest in the sanctuary in heaven.
The priestly work in the earthly sanctuary was typical of the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. In the earthly, the atonement was performed on the last day of the ceremonial year. All who did not then have their sins atoned for were "cut off," and the camp was cleansed from sin. The atonement day was virtually a day of judgment for Israel, and the people whose sins had been atoned for were free from sin, and could enter upon the services of the new year clean in the sight of God. This work was kept up year after year. In the heavenly sanctuary, the sacrifice is offered but once; and but one atonement, or cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, can be made, which must take place at the time assigned of God for it. And when the great atonement, or cleansing, of the heavenly sanctuary has been made, God's people will be forever free from sin, and the fate of all will be forever sealed. See Rev. 22:11. This, as in the type will be a day of judgment.
The round of service in the earthly sanctuary was God's service. It had to do with the sins of the people; not that the blood of the sacrifices offered there could in itself take away their sins, for it is expressly said that it could not. Heb. 10:4. It could, however, show their faith in the efficacy of Christ's blood yet to be spilled, and to which the sanctuary work was intended constantly to direct their minds. The work there was a type, or shadow, of Christ's atoning work, and, as such, carries with it a significance that cannot be overestimated. Upon a correct understanding of the type depends a correct understanding of the antitype. The entire sanctuary service was an object-lesson of most important and vital gospel truth,-that of man's salvation and the atonement of sin.
23. What relation does the earthly sanctuary sustain to the heavenly?
"Who serve unto the _____________ and _________________ of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the ________________ showed to thee in the mount." Heb. 8:5.
24. By what comparison is it shown that the heavenly sanctuary will be cleansed?
"It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; ________________________________________________." Heb. 9:23.
25. When Christ has finished His priestly mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary, what decree will go forth?
"_________________________________ still: and he which is ______________still: and ____________________________ still: and he ____________________ still." Rev. 22:11.
26. What event is directly connected with the blotting out of sin and the final refreshing from God's presence?
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; ___________________, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." Acts 3:19-21.
27. According to the view of the judgment presented to Daniel, what is to be given to Christ while still before the Father?
"I saw. . . and, behold, one like the Son of man came . . . to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him _____________, and _________, and a _______________, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him." Dan. 7:13,14.
28. What will occur when the Lord descends from heaven?
"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and _________________________
___________________________: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:16,17.
29. What statement immediately following the announcement mentioned in Rev. 22:11, indicates that a judgment work had been in progress before Christ comes?
"And, behold, I come quickly; and ______________________________________ __________________________________." Rev. 22:12.
NOTE.-The typical sanctuary service is fully met in the work of Christ. As the atonement day of the former dispensation was really a day of judgment, so the atonement work of Christ will include the investigation of the cases of His people prior to His coming the second time to receive them unto Himself.
30. Is there a specified time for the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary?
"And he said unto me, _______________________________________________ ____________________________________." Dan. 8:14.
31. How may one know that this does not refer to the earthly sanctuary?
"He said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for __________________________ ____________________." Verse 17.
NOTE.-The prophetic period of 2300 days (years) extends to 1844 A.D., while the divinely appointed services of the earthly sanctuary ceased at the cross (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 27:50,51), and the sanctuary itself was destroyed in 70 A.D., when Titus captured Jerusalem. For explanation of the period here mentioned, see the preceding reading.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.PreparingForEternity.com
All rights reserved.
The Atonement in Type
and Antitype
1. WHAT did God, through Moses, command Israel to make?
"And let them make Me _____________________; that I may dwell among them." Ex. 25:8.
2. What was offered in this sanctuary?
"In which were offered __________________________." Heb. 9:9.
3. Besides the court, how many parts had this sanctuary?
"And the veil shall divide unto you between the _____________________ and the __________________." Ex. 26:33.
4. What was in the first apartment, or holy place?
"For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the _______________, and the _______________, and the ________________; which is called the sanctuary." Heb. 9:2. "And he put ______________ in the tent of the congregation before the veil." Ex. 40:26. See also Ex. 30:1-6.
5. What was contained in the second apartment?
"And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the holiest of all; which had ____________________________________________ overlaid round about with gold, wherein was . . . ___________________." Heb. 9:3,4. See also Ex. 40:20,21.
6. By what name was the cover of the ark known?
"And thou shalt put ______________________ above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee." Ex. 25:21.
7. Where was God to meet with Israel?
"And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee __________________ ______________________________________." Verse 22.
8. What was in the ark, under the mercy-seat?
"And He wrote on __________________, according to the first writing, ___________ __________________. . . . And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and __________________________ which I had made." Deut. 10:4,5.
9. When did the priest minister in the first apartment of the sanctuary?
"Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in ________________ into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services." Heb. 9:6, R.V.
10. Who alone went into the second apartment, how often, and for what purpose?
"But into the second went ___________________________________________, _____________________________________________." Verse 7..
11. What were sinners desiring pardon instructed to do?
"And if anyone of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the Lord. . . then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned. And ______________________________________________." Lev. 4:27-29.
NOTE.-According to this, if a man sinned in Israel, he violated one of the ten commandments that were in the ark under the mercy-seat. These commandments are the foundation of God's government. To violate them is to commit sin, and so become subject to death. 1 John 3:4; Rom. 6:23. But there was a mercy-seat reared above these holy and just commandments. In the dispensation of His mercy, God grants the sinner the privilege of confessing his sins, and bringing a substitute to meet the demands of the law, and thus of obtaining mercy.
12. What was done with the blood of the offering?
"And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and ___________________________________ ________________________________." Verse 30.
NOTE.-After a person discovered his sin by the law which demanded the death of the transgressor, he first brought his offering, then he confessed his sin while laying his hands on the head of the victim, thus, in figure, transferring his sin to the victim; the victim was next slain in the court, or outer part of the sanctuary, and its blood put on the horns of the altar and poured at the foot of the altar. In this way sins were pardoned, and, in the typical service, transferred to the sanctuary.
13. After the accumulation of the sins of the year in this way, what service took place on the tenth day of the seventh month of each year?
"And this shall be a statute forever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, . . . for __________________________ _________________________________________." Lev. 16:29,30.
14. How was the sanctuary itself to be cleansed, and how were the sins of the people to be finally disposed of?
"And he [the high priest] shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin-offering. . . . And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats, one lot ____________________, and the other lot __________________________." Verses 5-8.
NOTE.-The Hebrew word for scapegoat is Azazel. See margin of verse 8. It is used as a proper name, and according to the opinion of the most ancient Hebrews and Christians, refers to Satan, or the angel who revolted and persisted in rebellion and sin.
15. What was done with the blood of the goat upon which the Lord's lot fell?
"Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, . . . _____________________________, and before the mercy-seat." Verse 15.
16. Why was it necessary to make this atonement?
"And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, ______________________ ______________________________________: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness." Verse 16.
NOTE.-Sins were conveyed into the sanctuary during the year by the blood of the personal sin-offerings offered daily at the door of the tabernacle. Here they remained until the day of atonement, when the high priest went into the most holy place with the blood of the goat on which the Lord's lot fell; and, bearing the accumulated sins of the year in before the mercy-seat, he there, in type, atoned for them, and so cleansed the sanctuary.
17. After having made atonement for the people in the most holy place, what did the high priest next do?
"And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: and Aaron shall ______ _____________________________________________." Verses 20,21.
NOTE.-The offering of the Lord's goat cleansed the sanctuary. By this offering the sins of the people, transferred there during the year, were, in type, atoned for; but they were not by this offering finally disposed of, or destroyed. The scapegoat, symbolizing Satan, the great tempter and originator of sin, was brought to the sanctuary, and upon his head were placed all these sins which Satin had tempted God's people to commit.
18. What final disposition was made of the sins of the people?
"And ______________________________: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness." Verse 22.
19. What was this earthly sanctuary and its round of service?
"Which was _________________ for the time then present." Heb. 9:9.
20. Of what sanctuary, or tabernacle, is Christ the minister?
"A minister of the sanctuary, arid of the true tabernacle, ______________________." Heb. 8:2.
21. Of what was the blood of all the sacrifices of the former dispensation only a type?
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but ____________________ He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Heb. 9:12. See Eph. 5:2.
NOTE.-Through the sacrifices and offerings brought to the altar of the earthly sanctuary, the penitent believer was to lay hold of the merits of Christ, the Saviour to come. In this way, and in this way only, was there any virtue connected with them.
22. At the death of Christ, what miraculous occurrence signified that the priestly work and services of the earthly sanctuary were finished?
"Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, _______________________________________________________." Matt. 27:50,51.
NOTES.-Type had met antitype; the shadow had reached the substance. Christ, the great sacrifice, had been slain, and was about to enter upon His final work as our great high priest in the sanctuary in heaven.
The priestly work in the earthly sanctuary was typical of the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. In the earthly, the atonement was performed on the last day of the ceremonial year. All who did not then have their sins atoned for were "cut off," and the camp was cleansed from sin. The atonement day was virtually a day of judgment for Israel, and the people whose sins had been atoned for were free from sin, and could enter upon the services of the new year clean in the sight of God. This work was kept up year after year. In the heavenly sanctuary, the sacrifice is offered but once; and but one atonement, or cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, can be made, which must take place at the time assigned of God for it. And when the great atonement, or cleansing, of the heavenly sanctuary has been made, God's people will be forever free from sin, and the fate of all will be forever sealed. See Rev. 22:11. This, as in the type will be a day of judgment.
The round of service in the earthly sanctuary was God's service. It had to do with the sins of the people; not that the blood of the sacrifices offered there could in itself take away their sins, for it is expressly said that it could not. Heb. 10:4. It could, however, show their faith in the efficacy of Christ's blood yet to be spilled, and to which the sanctuary work was intended constantly to direct their minds. The work there was a type, or shadow, of Christ's atoning work, and, as such, carries with it a significance that cannot be overestimated. Upon a correct understanding of the type depends a correct understanding of the antitype. The entire sanctuary service was an object-lesson of most important and vital gospel truth,-that of man's salvation and the atonement of sin.
23. What relation does the earthly sanctuary sustain to the heavenly?
"Who serve unto the _____________ and _________________ of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the ________________ showed to thee in the mount." Heb. 8:5.
24. By what comparison is it shown that the heavenly sanctuary will be cleansed?
"It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; ________________________________________________." Heb. 9:23.
25. When Christ has finished His priestly mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary, what decree will go forth?
"_________________________________ still: and he which is ______________still: and ____________________________ still: and he ____________________ still." Rev. 22:11.
26. What event is directly connected with the blotting out of sin and the final refreshing from God's presence?
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; ___________________, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." Acts 3:19-21.
27. According to the view of the judgment presented to Daniel, what is to be given to Christ while still before the Father?
"I saw. . . and, behold, one like the Son of man came . . . to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him _____________, and _________, and a _______________, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him." Dan. 7:13,14.
28. What will occur when the Lord descends from heaven?
"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and _________________________
___________________________: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:16,17.
29. What statement immediately following the announcement mentioned in Rev. 22:11, indicates that a judgment work had been in progress before Christ comes?
"And, behold, I come quickly; and ______________________________________ __________________________________." Rev. 22:12.
NOTE.-The typical sanctuary service is fully met in the work of Christ. As the atonement day of the former dispensation was really a day of judgment, so the atonement work of Christ will include the investigation of the cases of His people prior to His coming the second time to receive them unto Himself.
30. Is there a specified time for the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary?
"And he said unto me, _______________________________________________ ____________________________________." Dan. 8:14.
31. How may one know that this does not refer to the earthly sanctuary?
"He said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for __________________________ ____________________." Verse 17.
NOTE.-The prophetic period of 2300 days (years) extends to 1844 A.D., while the divinely appointed services of the earthly sanctuary ceased at the cross (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 27:50,51), and the sanctuary itself was destroyed in 70 A.D., when Titus captured Jerusalem. For explanation of the period here mentioned, see the preceding reading.
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