Our Lord’s Great Prophecy…

Our Lord’s Great Prophecy

Christ Foretelling The Destruction Of Jerusalem. "When shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Matt. 24:3.

1. How did Christ feel concerning Jerusalem, as He was about to make His final visit to the city before His crucifixion?

“And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:41, 42.

2. In what words did He foretell its destruction?

“For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Verses 43, 44.

3. What pitiful appeal did He make to the impenitent city?

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matt. 23:37.

4. As He was about to leave the temple, what did He say?

“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Verse 38.

NOTE.—That which was to fill up their cup of iniquity was their final rejection and crucifixion of Christ, and their condemnation and persecution of His apostles and people after His resurrection. See Matt. 23:29-35; John 19:15; Acts 4-8.

5. Hearing these words, what questions did the disciples ask?

“Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matt. 24:3.

NOTE.—Christ’s answers to these questions are worthy of the most careful study. The destruction of Jerusalem and the overthrow of the Jewish nation attending it are a type of the final destruction of all the cities of the world, and the overthrow of all nations. To some extent, therefore, the descriptions of the two great events seem to be blended. When Christ referred to the destruction of Jerusalem, His prophetic words reached beyond that event to the final conflagration when the Lord shall rise out of His place “to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity,” and when the earth “shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” Isa. 26:21. Thus the entire discourse was given not for the early disciples only, but for those who were to live during the closing scenes of the world’s history. During the discourse Christ did, however, give definite signs, both of the destruction of Jerusalem and of His second coming.

6. In His reply, how did Christ indicate that neither the end of the world nor of the Jewish nation was immediately at hand?

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Verses 4-6.

7. What did He say of the wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes which were to precede these events?

“All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Verse 8.

NOTE.—These were to precede and culminate in the great calamity and overthrow, first, of Jerusalem, and finally of the whole world; for, as already noted, the prophecy has a double application, first, to Jerusalem and the Jewish nation, and secondly, to the whole world; the destruction of Jerusalem for its rejection of Christ at His first advent being a type of the destruction of the world at the end for its rejection of Christ in refusing to heed the closing warning message sent by God to prepare the world for Christ’s second advent.

8. In what language did Christ briefly describe the experiences of His people previous to these calamities?

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Verses 9-12.

9. Who did He say would be saved?

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Verse 13.

10. When did Christ say the end would come?

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Verse 14.

NOTES.—In 60 A.D. Paul carried the gospel to Rome, which was then the capital of the world. In A.D. 64 he wrote of the saints of “Cæsar’s household” (Phil. 4:22); and the same year he says that the gospel had been “preached to every creature which is under heaven.” Col. 1:23. Very soon after this (October, 66 A.D.) the Romans began their attacks against Jerusalem; and three and one-half years later the overthrow of the city and of the Jewish nation followed in the notable five months’ siege under Titus, in the spring and summer of 70 A.D.

Thus it was respecting the end of the Jewish nation; and thus it will be in the end of the world as a whole. When the gospel, or good news, of Christ’s coming kingdom has been preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, the end of the world—of all nations—will come. As the end of the Jewish nation came with overwhelming destruction, so will come the end of the world. Armageddon, the battle of the nations, will be fought, and the world will be swept with the besom of destruction under the seven last plagues. See readings on pages 296, 301.

11. What sign did Christ mention by which His disciples might know when the destruction of Jerusalem was near?

“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.” Luke 21:20.

12. When this sign appeared, what were the disciples to do?

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains.” Matt. 24:15, 16.

NOTE.—In October, 66 A.D., when Cestius came against the city, but for some unaccountable reason suddenly withdrew his army from it, the Christians discerned in this the sign foretold by Christ, and fled. After the departure of Cestius, Josephus, in his “Wars of the Jews,” chapter 20, says that “many of the most eminent of the Jews swam away from the city, as from a ship when it is going to sink.” It is a remarkable fact that in the terrible siege which occurred under Titus three and one-half years later, not a single Christian is known to have lost his life, while 1,100,000 Jews are said to have perished in it. Here is a most striking lesson on the value and importance of studying and believing the prophecies, and giving heed to the signs of the times. Those who believed what Christ had said, and watched for the sign which He had foretold, were saved, while the unbelieving perished. So it will be in the end of the world. The watchful and believing will be delivered, while the careless and unbelieving will be snared and taken. See Matt. 24:36-44; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.

13. When the sign appeared, how suddenly were they to flee?

“Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.” Verses 17, 18.

14. Besides telling His disciples when to flee, how did Christ further show His solicitude and tender care for them?

“But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.” Verse 20.

NOTES.—The winter would be an unfavorable time in which to flee, entailing discomfort and hardship; and an attempt to flee on the Sabbath day would doubtless have been met with difficulty, so false and pharisaical were the notions of the Jews respecting the true character and object of the Sabbath. See Matt. 12:1-14; Luke 13:14-17; Mark 1:32; 2:23-28; John 5:10-18.

The prayers of Christ’s followers were heard. Events were so over-*ruled that neither Jews nor Romans hindered the flight of the Christians. Upon the retreat of Cestius, the Jews pursued after his army, and the Christians thus had an opportunity to leave the city. The country also had been cleared of enemies who might have endeavored to intercept them. At the time of this siege, the Jews were assembled at Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, and thus the Christians of Judea were able to escape unmolested, and in the autumn, a most favorable time for flight.

15. What trying experience did Christ then foretell?

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Verse 21.

NOTES.—In paragraph 4 of his preface to his “Wars of the Jews,” Josephus, referring to the destruction of Jerusalem, says: “The misfortunes of all men, from the beginning of the world, if they be compared to these of the Jews, are not so considerable.” In this terrible calamity, the prophecy of Moses recorded in Deut. 28:47-53, was literally fulfilled. He said, “Thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, ... in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee.” For an account of the fulfilment of this, see Josephus’s “Wars of the Jews,” book 6, chap. 3, par. 4.

Following the destruction of Jerusalem came the persecution of the early Christians under the pagan emperors during the first three centuries of the Christian era, that begun under Diocletian in 303 A.D., and continuing for ten years (Rev. 2:10), being the most bitter and extensive persecution of God’s people the world had yet witnessed. Following this came the still greater and more terrible persecution of the saints during the long centuries of papal supremacy, foretold in Dan. 7:25 and Rev. 12:6. All these tribulations occurred under either pagan or papal Rome.

16. For whose sake did Christ say the period of papal persecution would be shortened?

“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Verse 22.

NOTE.—Through the influence of the Reformation of the sixteenth century, and the movements which grew out of it, the power of the Papacy to enforce its decrees against those it pronounced heretics was gradually lessened, until persecution ceased almost wholly about the middle of the eighteenth century—the beginning of an epoch of freedom.

17. Against what deceptions did Christ then warn us?

“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Verses 23, 24.

18. Answering the question as to what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the world, what did Christ say?

“There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” Luke 21:25, 26.

19. When were the first of these signs to appear, and what were they to be?

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven.” Matt. 24:29.

20. How is this expressed by Mark?

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.” Mark 13:24, 25.

NOTE.—As already noted, papal persecution almost wholly ceased about the middle of the eighteenth century. Then, true to Christ’s words, the signs of His coming at once began to appear.

21. When was there a wonderful darkening of the sun?

On May 19, 1780.

NOTE.—May 19, 1780, is known in history as “the dark day.” On this day over a large portion of the New World, upon which at this time the eyes of all the world were centered, there occurred, at midday, a remarkable darkness. “Candles were lighted in many houses. The birds were silent, and disappeared. The fowls retired to roost.” In harmony with the impression God evidently designed should be made by the sign, many thought the day of judgment was at hand. See next reading.

22. When did the moon refuse to give her light?

The night following the darkening of the sun, May 19, 1780.

NOTE.—Although the moon had fulled only the night before, the darkness of this night was so intense that for a time no luminous body whatever appeared in the heavens, and a sheet of white paper could not be seen when held within a few inches of the eyes. See next reading.

23. What sign was to follow the darkening of the sun and the moon?

The Dark Day Of May 19, 1780. "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened." Matt. 24:29.

“And the stars shall fall from heaven.” Matt. 24:29.

24. When did the stars fall, as here predicted?

Nov. 13, 1833.

NOTE.—On the morning of Nov. 13, 1833, there occurred the most wonderful exhibition of shooting stars the world has ever seen. Those who witnessed it, says Professor Olmsted, the celebrated astronomer of Yale College, “probably saw the greatest display of celestial fireworks that has ever been since the creation of the world, or at least within the annals covered by the pages of history.” The extent of this shower, he says, “was such as to cover no inconsiderable part of the earth’s surface.” And, like the darkening of the sun and moon, it was considered by many who saw it as “the harbinger of the coming of the Son of man.”

25. What were to be the signs on earth of Christ’s coming?

“And upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” Luke 21:25, 26.

NOTE.—This is an exact picture of the condition of things in the world today. Through greed of gain, lawlessness, licentiousness, increasing violence, trouble between capital and labor, international complications, and preparations for war, the nations are perplexed, and men’s hearts tremble with fear as they look into the future. The elements are also disturbed, as seen in great earthquakes and storms on land and sea.

26. What did Christ say was to be the next great event following these signs?

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Verse 27. See Matt. 24:30.

27. When these things should begin to come to pass, what did Christ tell His people to do?

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28.

28. When the trees put forth their leaves, what do we know?

“Now learn a parable of the fig-tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.” Matt. 24:32.

29. What may be known with equal certainty when these signs have been seen?

“So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Verse 33. “So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Luke 21:31.

30. What did Christ say of the certainty of this prophecy?

“Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My word shall not pass away.” Matt. 24:34, 35.

NOTE.—Every one at all acquainted with history knows that what Christ foretold concerning the destruction of Jerusalem came true to the very letter. So likewise may we be assured that what He has said concerning the end of the world will as certainly and as literally be fulfilled.

31. Who alone knows the exact day of Christ’s coming?

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Verse 36.

32. What did Christ say would be the moral condition of the world just preceding His advent?

“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Verses 37-39.

33. In view of the fact that we do not know the exact time of Christ’s coming, what important admonition has He given us?

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Verse 44.

34. What will be the experience of those who say in their hearts that the Lord is not soon coming?

“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder [cut him off, margin], and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Verses 48-51.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

In the sun, and moon, and stars, Signs and wonders have appeared; Earth has groaned with bloody wars, And the hearts of men have feared.

But, though from His awful face Heaven shall fade and earth shall fly, Fear not ye, His chosen race, Your redemption draweth nigh.

REGINALD HEBER.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Signs Of The Times

Falling Stars At Niagara. "And the stars shall fall from heaven." Matt. 24:29.

1. For what did Christ reprove the Pharisees and Sadducees?

“O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” Matt. 16:3.

2. What sign had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah by which Christ, at His first advent, might be known as the Messiah?

“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isa. 7:14. For fulfilment, see Matt. 1:22, 23.

3. Where had the prophet said Christ should be born?

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel.” Micah 5:2. For fulfilment, see Matt. 2:1.

4. What prophet had foretold Christ’s ride into Jerusalem?

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” Zech. 9:9. For fulfilment, see Matt. 21:4, 5.

5. What question did the disciples ask Christ concerning His second coming?

“And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matt. 24:3.

6. How, according to Luke, did Christ answer this question?

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” Luke 21:25, 26.

7. What, according to Matthew’s account, did Christ say were to be the signs in the sun, moon, and stars?

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven.” Matt. 24:29.

8. In what language had some of the Old Testament prophets already foretold these signs?

“And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.” Joel 2:30, 31. “The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.” Joel 3:15. “For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.” Isa. 13:10. “I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in a clear day.” Amos 8:9.

9. When were the sun and moon darkened?

May 19, 1780.

NOTES.—“The nineteenth of May, 1780, was a remarkably dark day. Candles were lighted in many houses. The birds were silent, and disappeared. The fowls retired to roost. It was the general opinion that the day of judgment was at hand. The legislature of Connecticut was in session at Hartford, but being unable to transact business, adjourned.”—_President Dwight, in __“__Historical Collections.__”_

“In some places persons could not see to read common print in the open air for several hours together. Birds sang their evening song, disappeared, and became silent; fowls went to roost; cattle sought the barn-yard; and candles were lighted in the houses. The obscuration began about ten o’clock in the morning, and continued until the middle of the next night, but with differences of degree and duration in different places.... The true causes of this remarkable phenomenon are not known.”—_Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, edition 1883, page 1604, in article __“__The Dark Day.__”_

Herschel, the great astronomer, says: “The dark day in Northern America was one of those wonderful phenomena of nature which will always be read with interest, but which philosophy is at a loss to explain.” The darkness was not caused by any eclipse of the sun by the moon, for the moon had fulled only the night before, and consequently was on the opposite side of the earth from the sun.

“The darkness of the following evening was probably as deep and dense as ever had been observed since the Almighty first gave birth to light; it wanted only palpability to render it as extraordinary as that which overspread the land of Egypt in the days of Moses. If every luminous body in the universe had been shrouded in impenetrable shades, or struck out of existence, it was thought the darkness could not have been more complete. A sheet of white paper, held within a few inches of the eyes, was equally invisible with the blackest velvet.”—_“__Our First Century,__”__ by R. M. Devins, page 94._

The darkness of the night was as supernatural as that of the previous day, from the fact, as stated by Dr. Adams, that “the moon had fulled the day before.”

10. When was there a remarkable display of falling stars?

Nov. 13, 1833.

NOTES.—The celebrated astronomer and meteorologist, Professor Olmsted, of Yale College, says: “Those who were so fortunate as to witness the exhibition of shooting stars on the morning of Nov. 13, 1833, probably saw the greatest display of celestial fireworks that has ever been since the creation of the world, or at least within the annals covered by the pages of history.... The extent of the shower of 1833 was such as to cover no inconsiderable part of the earth’s surface, from the middle of the Atlantic on the east to the Pacific on the west; and from the northern coast of South America to undefined regions among the British possessions on the north the exhibition was visible, and everywhere presented nearly the same appearance.”

“At Niagara the exhibition was especially brilliant, and probably no spectacle so terribly grand and sublime was ever before beheld by man as that of the firmament descending in fiery torrents over the dark and roaring cataract.”—_The American Encyclopedia, edition 1881, article __“__Meteor.__”_

Upon reading a statement that modern fireworks excel this greatest exhibition of shooting stars, Mr. Clarkson, father of the former editors of the paper from which the following quotation is made, and himself agricultural editor of it, said: “The writer of that sentence did not witness the glorious meteoric shower of November, 1833, when the display was so much superior to any artistic display of fireworks that neither language nor any element in nature can furnish comparisons. The comparison of the sheet-iron thunder of the theaters to the electric display of Providence when the heavens are all on fire, and the earth trembles, would be tolerable. But the awful grandeur of the display on the night of the thirteenth of November, 1833, which made the stoutest heart stand in awe, and the most defiant infidel quake with fear, is never to be compared with the most brilliant fireworks. Those who witnessed the meteoric shower named saw the greatest display that man ever will see until the day that Peter speaks of when the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. The agricultural editor of the Register was out alone with a team and load of lumber all night on that never-to-be-forgotten night. And he cannot now consent to hear of human fireworks being superior to that most grand and sublime spectacle ever before or since beheld by man. Patent fireworks are no nearer this wonderful phenomenon than a lightning-bug is equal to the sun.”—Iowa State Register, July 12, 1889.

Frederick A. Douglas, in his book “My Bondage and My Freedom,” page 186, says: “I witnessed this gorgeous spectacle, and was struck with awe. The air seemed filled with bright descending messengers from the sky. It was about daybreak when I saw this sublime scene. It was not without the suggestion at that moment that it might be the harbinger of the coming of the Son of man; and in my state of mind I was prepared to hail Him as my friend and deliverer. I had read that the stars shall fall from heaven, and they were now falling.”

A single star appeared to the wise men, and directed them to the Saviour, at His first advent. Myriads of stars have announced the nearness of His second advent.

It will be seen that these signs produced the very impression that God evidently intended that they should,—that the day of judgment, Christ’s coming, and the end of the world are near at hand.

11. Have we reached the time when there is “distress of nations, with perplexity”?

Every intelligent person knows that the world is in a state of unrest at the present time, and that men are troubled and perplexed at the outlook of present conditions throughout the civilized world.

NOTES.—“Those who study the map of Europe at the present moment, and the condition of things in Europe, must feel that there is hanging over us a war-cloud greater than any that has hung over Europe before. It means when it bursts, and burst it will as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow, ... a war of extinction, of devastation, between great nations whose populations are armed and trained to fight.”—Lord Wolseley.

“It is impossible for any one to contemplate the present naval and military arrangements without the gravest forebodings.... In fact, we never now have any real peace; we live practically in a state of war.”—Sir John Lubbock.

“The danger, if the Ottoman Empire fall, would not merely be the danger that would threaten the territories of which that empire consists; it would be the danger that the fire there lit should spread to the other nations, and should involve all that is most powerful and civilized in Europe in a dangerous and calamitous contest.”—Lord Salisbury, in Mansion House Speech, London, Nov. 9, 1895.

“There can be no division of either of those countries [Turkey or Persia] without setting all the nations of Europe at the throats of each other.”—Washington Post, April 24, 1909.

“This is the most unsettled condition of the world since the crucifixion of Christ. The stability of government is no longer a fact. Change is in the atmosphere.... Statesmen are at their wits’ end. Philosophers speculate in vain.”—The Late Bishop Newman.

12. Are men’s hearts now “failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth”?

Every one familiar with present-day conditions knows that this is the case.

NOTES.—“We are marching toward the unknown. Who knows what tomorrow has in store for us?”—Signor Crispi, ex-Prime Minister of Italy.

The Falling Stars, Nov. 13, 1833. "Ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" Matt. 16:3.

“In regard to the future I am filled with disquietude when I think how easy it is to fan these international jealousies, and how difficult it seems to allay them.”—Lord Balfour, of England.

“In this world of ours we seem to be borne down by commercial and spiritual controversy.... We grope in the daytime with fear and trembling for the future. Poor, distracted man is tossed over the night to a more distraught tomorrow.”—John Wanamaker, ex-Postmaster-General of the United States.

“The bonds of society are relaxed; traditional principles are losing their sacredness, and perils hitherto unknown are menacing the life of the social organism.”—Archbishop Ireland.

These, with forebodings of coming droughts, famines, fires, storms, earthquakes, tidal waves, and pestilences, are filling men’s hearts with fear.

13. What may be said of “the sea and the waves roaring”?

Great tidal waves and storms at sea, with cyclones and tornadoes on land, have become fearfully frequent of late years, making men apprehensive of still greater calamities to come.

14. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to characterize the time of the end?

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Dan. 12:4.

NOTES.—The time of the end began in 1798. See Dan. 7:25; 11:35; 12:4, 9, and the reading “The Kingdom and Work of Antichrist,” page 218, under questions 5-8. Since 1798 there has been a most wonderful increase of all kinds of knowledge, both scientific and religious. Men have been “running to and fro” through both the world and the Word of God. The prophecies of Daniel are now themselves understood. Since 1798 five great Bible and tract societies have been organized; namely, the London Religious Tract Society, the British and Foreign Bible Society, the American Bible Society, the American Tract Society, and the International Tract Society, besides many smaller societies of the same kind. From these have gone forth to the world hundreds of millions of copies of the Bible, and countless pages of tracts and pamphlets, disseminating knowledge upon the truths of salvation. Besides these, millions of copies of religious papers are being circulated annually in the various countries of the world. Missions have been established in all parts of the world. All this has been accomplished since 1798.

Concerning the increase of knowledge in the material, scientific, and intellectual worlds, see the next reading.

15. What is predicted of the moral condition of the world in the last days?

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, ... lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

16. How did the apostle Peter say the message of the Lord’s coming would be treated by some?

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” 2 Peter 3:3, 4.

17. What will God’s faithful servants be doing at this time?

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?” Matt. 24:45.

NOTE.—The “meat in due season” here spoken of evidently refers to the proclamation of the message based upon the signs which indicate the near approach of the Lord. The preaching of this message is what causes scoffers mockingly to ask, “Where is the promise of His coming?”

18. What are all admonished to do when these signs have appeared?

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Verse 44.

19. How will Christ’s coming overtake those evil servants who say in their hearts, “My Lord delayeth His coming”?

“The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Verses 50, 51.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

We know not the hour of the Master’s appearing, Yet signs all foretell that the moment is nearing When He shall return,—’tis a promise most cheering,— But we know not the hour.

There’s light for the wise who are seeking salvation, There’s truth in the Book of the Lord’s revelation, Each prophecy points to the great consummation,— But we know not the hour.

We’ll watch and we’ll pray, with our lamps trimmed and burning, We’ll work and we’ll wait till the Master’s returning, We’ll sing and rejoice, every omen discerning,— But we know not the hour.

F. E. BELDEN.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Increase Of Knowledge

Modern Inventions. "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Dan. 12:4.

1. According to the words of the angel to Daniel, when might the world look for an increase of knowledge?

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Dan. 12:4.

NOTE.—The prophecies of Daniel were not to be shut up till the end, for then there would be no time either to develop knowledge or to use the knowledge thus acquired, but until “the time of the end,” which refers to a short period just preceding the end. During this time there was to be a wonderful increase of knowledge. Especially were the prophecies of the book of Daniel to be unsealed, studied, and understood at this time.

2. Until what time were the saints to be persecuted under the Roman power?

“And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Dan. 11:35.

NOTE.—The time of the end, as shown by this text, was even then, in the days of Daniel, an appointed time, in the mind of God. This is not strange, when we learn that in the Scriptures both the judgment and the end itself are said to be appointed times. Acts 17:31; Dan. 8:19. The close of the period allotted for this persecution (1798) was to mark the beginning of “the time of the end.” See page 223.

3. According to the prophecy, how long was the power represented by the little horn, or papal Rome, to persecute the saints?

“And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, ... and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” Dan. 7:25.

NOTES.—As shown in the reading on “The Kingdom and Work of Antichrist,” page 218, this expression, “a time and times and the dividing of time,” represents 1260 years, which extend from the period 533-538 A.D., the time of the decree of Emperor Justinian recognizing the Pope as head of all the churches and the successful campaign against Arianism, to the period 1793-98, when, as a result of the French Revolution, the papal power received its deadly wound and the Pope was carried into captivity. This, then, locates the beginning of “the time of the end” in 1798. Up to that point the book of Daniel, as a whole, was to be closed up; in other words, not understood by the people. But when the power that had placed this embargo on the Word of God, and had tried to shut it away from the people, was broken, then light of all kinds, Biblical, scientific, inventive, and industrial, began to shine and penetrate in every direction.

It is a singular and striking fact that immediately following the overthrow of the papal power in 1798, Bible societies, tract societies, and Sunday-schools sprang up in large numbers. The London Religious Tract Society was organized in 1799, the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804, the American Bible Society in 1816, and the American Tract Society in 1825. The Bible has now been translated into about four hundred and fifty languages and dialects, and sent to every part of the globe. Before that time access to the Bible was confined to comparatively few. Now the humblest person may possess it, and is as free to read and study it as is the most exalted in the land. A little more than one hundred years ago there was not a Sunday-school in the world, the first one being organized by Robert Raikes, at Gloucester, England, in 1784. Now there are more than 285,000 such schools, with over 28,000,000 officers, teachers, and pupils.

4. What may be said of the developments in the line of scientific inventions since 1798?

These have been remarkable, phenomenal, and without parallel in the history of the world. The people of a century and a quarter ago knew nothing of steamships, steam and electric railways, telegraphs, telephones, photographs, phonographs, sewing-machines, anesthetics, submarine cables, linotypes, monotypes, motion pictures, X-rays, aeroplanes, or wireless telegraphy. Were they to be raised from the dead, they would be as much astonished at all these things as would the people of four thousand years ago.

NOTES.—“Of a verity, this is the age of invention.”—Scientific American.

“The great facts of the nineteenth century stand out so conspicuously above the achievements of any preceding century that it would be affectation of humility not to recognize and speak of them.”—Union Hand-*book, 1870.

“The most striking characteristic of our times is the rapid strides which the world is making in science, general intelligence, and inventions.”—Chicago Republican, March 14, 1872.

“Never was there such activity of invention within the history of mankind as at the present day.”—Phrenological Journal, April, 1871.

“More has been done, richer and more prolific discoveries have been made, grander achievements have been realized, in the course of the fifty years of our lifetime than in all the previous lifetime of the race.”—London Spectator.

Some of the principal inventions and discoveries of modern times are the following:—

The balloon in 1798. Gas for lighting purposes in 1798. Cast-iron plow in 1800. Steel pen in 1803. Steamboat in 1807. Steam printing-press in 1811. Revolver in 1818. Railroad-cars in 1825. Lucifer-match in 1829. Reaper and mower in 1833. Electric telegraph in 1837. Electrotyping in 1837. Photography in 1839. Sewing-machine in 1846. Anesthesia by ether in 1846. Anesthesia by chloroform in 1847. Submarine cable in 1851. Gatling gun in 1861. Monitor war-ship in 1862. Typewriter in 1868. Automatic air-brake in 1872. Telephone in 1876. Phonograph in 1877. Electric railway in 1879. Modern seismograph in 1880. Linotype in 1885. Steam-turbine in 1888. Roentgen or X-ray in 1895. Wireless telegraphy in 1895. Motion pictures in 1895. Monotype in 1896. Radium in 1902. Aeroplane, first successful flying, Dec. 17, 1903.

It will be noticed that none of these inventions antedate 1798. Go back a little over a century and we find the world about where it was in the days of the patriarchs. For thousands of years there seemed to be scarcely any advancement or improvement in knowledge. But suddenly with the opening of the nineteenth century, the world awoke from its long sleep, and a new era dawned,—the time of the end, when knowledge was to be increased.

5. What did the Saviour say should precede the end?

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14.

NOTE.—Luther, the Wesleys, and others could not, in their day, proclaim the Lord’s coming to be at hand, as the signs heralding this event had not taken place. But now, the sun and moon have been darkened, and the stars have fallen, as predicted by the Saviour knowledge has most wonderfully increased, as stated by the angel to Daniel; and the gospel has gone to nearly every kindred, tribe, and people in the world. Therefore we may know that the end is near.

6. When we see all these things, what are we to know?

“When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Verse 33.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Lift up the trumpet, and loud let it ring; Jesus is coming again! Cheer up, ye pilgrims, be joyful and sing; Jesus is coming again!

Echo it, hilltops, proclaim it, ye plains; Jesus is coming again! Coming in glory, the Lamb that was slain; Jesus is coming again! JESSIE E. STROUT.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Conflict Between Capital And Labor

Race For Supremacy. "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee." Luke 12:20.

1. What is one reason why the last days were to be perilous?

“Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous.” 2 Tim. 3:2.

2. When, according to prophecy, were men to amass great wealth?

“Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” James 5:1-3.

NOTE.—We have reached the age of vast accumulations of wealth, when there seems to be a mad rush for making money quickly, and the millionaire and the multimillionaire are much in evidence. Speaking on this subject, Rev. H. W. Bowman, in his work “War Between Capital and Labor,” says: “Such colossal fortunes, such hoarding of treasures, such combinations of wealth, with such rapid increase in poverty, were never witnessed before. Our age alone fits the prophetic mold.”

3. Why did Christ, in the parable, reprove the man who hid his talent?

“Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.” Matt. 25:26, 27.

NOTE.—“Servility to wealth,” says J. S. Mill, “is a social curse.” Vespasian spoke truly when he said, “Riches are well, if gotten well and well spent;” and Peter Cooper likewise uttered a great truth when he said, “A man of wealth is but a steward for the good of mankind.” James A. Patten, the retired Chicago millionaire wheat broker, announcing his intention to give away his fortune to charity, said: “I believe a man should give away a good share of his wealth while he is living. He can’t take a dollar out of the world with him, although I know some men who seem to believe they can. Personally, I mean to get rid of the most of my fortune. I hope to help many charitable institutions before I die. I doubt the advisability of leaving any great sum of money to one’s children. Many lives have been ruined by large bequests. The offspring of a rich man are better off if they are required to hustle for themselves.”—Washington Times, Nov. 5, 1910.

4. What did Christ tell the rich young man to do?

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.” Matt. 19:21.

5. What, in the parable, did God say to the rich man who thought to build larger barns in which to store his goods?

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” Luke 12:20.

6. How does James say the rich have lived?

“Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.” James 5:5.

NOTE.—This indicates that they have lived in luxury and for pleasure, quite heedless of the needs of the poor and of the great world about them. They have lived simply to have a good time themselves, with no thought of their responsibility to God or to their fellow men.

7. Who gives men the power to get wealth?

“But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth.” Deut. 8:18.

8. How does James say the rich have treated the just?

“Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.” James 5:6.

NOTE.—There is nothing more rapacious and heartless than greed, or covetousness. To obtain its ends, it disregards the rights, the welfare, and even the lives of those affected by its merciless schemes and intrigues. The righteous, or just, however, do not make forcible resistance to this unjust treatment.

9. How have the rich defrauded the laborers?

“Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.” Verse 4.

10. Seeking a fair remuneration, what do many laborers do?

Form labor-unions, engage in strikes, boycotts, etc.

NOTE.—While these means may hold matters in check for a time, and afford temporary relief, they cannot eradicate the evil, and bring about a final solution. The evil is deep-seated; it lies in the heart; and nothing but conversion—a change of the heart and of the affections—can eradicate it. It is the sin of selfishness, or covetousness,—a failure to love one’s neighbor as oneself. The conflict between capital and labor is an inevitable and an irrepressible conflict as long as sin and selfishness are in the world. And near the end it becomes the most acute and intense, because then sin comes to the full.

11. Do the Scriptures indicate that there will be violence manifested in this conflict?

“Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?” Hab. 2:6, 7.

12. Would God have His people unite in these combinations?

“Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” Isa. 8:12.

13. Whom should we fear and dread?

“Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” Verse 13.

14. What are God’s people told to do at this time?

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:7, 8.

15. What commands obeyed would bring about a peaceful solution to this wide-spread and growing conflict?

“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matt. 22:39. “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil. 2:4. “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” Matt. 7:12.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Christ’s Second Coming

Christ Answering His Disciples’ Questions. "When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." Matt. 24:33.

1. What promise did Christ make concerning His coming?

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: 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, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3.

2. Following the signs of His coming, what did Christ say would take place?

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:27.

3. Will the world be prepared to meet Him?

“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matt. 24:30. “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.” Rev. 1:7.

4. Why will many not be prepared for this event?

“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 24:48-51.

5. What will the world be doing when Christ comes?

“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not till the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Verses 37-39. “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:28-30.

NOTE.—The idea is, not that it is wrong in itself to eat, drink, marry, buy, sell, plant, or build, but that men’s minds will be so taken up with these things that they will give little or no thought to the future life, and make no plans or preparation to meet Jesus when He comes.

6. Who is it that blinds men to the gospel of Christ?

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, which is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Cor. 4:4.

NOTES.—“To my mind this precious doctrine—for such I must call it—of the return of the Lord to this earth is taught in the New Testament as clearly as any other doctrine in it; yet I was in the church fifteen or sixteen years before I ever heard a sermon on it. There is hardly any church that does not make a great deal of baptism; but in all of Paul’s epistles I believe baptism is spoken of only thirteen times, while it speaks about the return of our Lord fifty times; and yet the church has had very little to say about it. Now I can see a reason for this. The devil does not want us to see this truth; for nothing would wake up the church so much. The moment a man takes hold of the truth that Jesus Christ is coming back again to receive His followers to Himself, this world loses its hold on him. Gas stocks, and water stocks, and stocks in banks and railroads are of very much less consequence to him then. His heart is free, and he looks for the blessed appearing of his Lord, who, at His coming, will take him into His blessed kingdom.”—_“__The Second Coming of Christ,__”__ by D. L. Moody, pages 6, 7._

“ ‘This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven,’ is the parting promise of Jesus to His disciples, communicated through the two men in white apparel, as a cloud received Hun out of their sight. When after more than fifty years in glory He breaks the silence and speaks once more in the Revelation which He gave to His servant John, the post-ascension gospel which He sends opens with, ‘Behold, He cometh with clouds,’ and closes with, ‘Surely I come quickly.’ Considering the solemn emphasis thus laid upon this doctrine, and considering the great prominence given to it throughout the teaching of our Lord and of His apostles, how was it that for the first five years of my pastoral life it had absolutely no place in my preaching? Undoubtedly, the reason lay in the lack of early instruction. Of all the sermons heard from childhood on, I do not remember listening to a single one upon this subject.”—_“__How Christ Came to Church,__”__ by A. J. Gordon, D. D., pages 44, 45._

7. At His ascension, what assurance was given of Christ’s return?

“And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10, 11.

8. How ancient is this doctrine of Christ’s coming?

“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all.” Jude 14, 15.

NOTE.—Seeking to cast reflection upon modern believers in the advent doctrine, a man in Hungary not long ago remarked to a colporteur of this faith that he had heard that the first Adventist preacher is still living. “Yes,” replied the colporteur, “the first Adventist preacher is still living, yet the Adventist faith is thousands of years old. The Bible says that Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, preached the coming of Christ in glory and power, and Enoch is still living. He was translated to heaven without seeing death, and will never die.”

9. What was Job’s confidence concerning Christ’s coming?

“For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: ... whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” Job 19:25-27.

10. How does David speak of Christ’s coming?

“Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him.” Ps. 50:3. “For He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth.” Ps. 96:13.

11. How does Paul give expression to this hope?

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Phil. 3:20. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13.

12. What is Peter’s testimony regarding it?

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of His majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16.

13. When are the saints to be like Jesus?

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.

14. What scriptures show that Christ’s coming will be a time of reward?

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.” Matt. 16:27. “And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev. 22:12.

15. To whom is salvation promised at Christ’s appearing?

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Heb. 9:28.

16. What influence has this hope upon the life?

“We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2, 3.

17. To whom does Paul say a crown of righteousness is promised?

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:6-8.

18. What will the waiting ones say when Jesus comes?

“And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isa. 25:9.

19. Has the exact time of Christ’s coming been revealed?

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matt. 24:36.

20. In view of this fact, what does Christ tell us to do?

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Verse 42.

NOTE.—“In the Scriptures, the constant note, the continually recurring exhortation, is to be prepared for the Lord’s coming.”—Dean Alford. “The proper attitude of a Christian is to be always looking for his Lord’s return.”—D. L. Moody. See “How Christ Came to Church,” by A. J. Gordon, pages 49, 50.

21. What warning has Christ given that we might not be taken by surprise by this great event?

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36.

22. What Christian grace are we exhorted to exercise in our expectant longing for this event?

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:7, 8.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

I am waiting for the coming Of earth’s long-expected Lord; For the signs are now fulfilling That He gave us in His Word. I am watching, I am waiting, For that promised happy day; Yet I do not cease my working; I must work as well as pray. W. S. CRUZAN.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Manner Of Christ’s Coming

Coming In Glory. "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him." Rev. 1:7.

1. Is Christ coming again?

“I will come again.” John 14:3.

2. How does Paul speak of this coming?

“Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Heb. 9:28.

3. Did the early disciples think that death would be the second coming of Christ?

“Peter seeing him [John] saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou Me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” John 21:21-23.

NOTES.—From this it is evident that the early disciples regarded death and the coming of Christ as two separate events.

“ ‘Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.’ Some people say that means death; but the Word of God does not say it means death. Death is our enemy, but our Lord hath the keys of death; He has conquered death, hell, and the grave.... Christ is the Prince of Life; there is no death where He is; death flees at His coming; dead bodies sprang to life when He touched them or spoke to them. His coming is not death. He is the resurrection and the life. When He sets up His kingdom, there is to be no death, but life forevermore.”—_“__The Second Coming of Christ,__”__ by D. L. Moody, pages 10, 11._

4. At His ascension, how did the angels say Christ would come again?

The Ascension. "This same Jesus ... shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." Acts 1:11.

“And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11.

5. How did Christ Himself say He would come?

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels.” Matt. 16:27. “Then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matt. 24: 30. “For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26.

6. How many will see Him when He comes?

“Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him.” Rev. 1:7.

NOTE.—Christ’s second coming will be as real as was His first, and as visible as His ascension, and far more glorious. To spiritualize our Lord’s return is to pervert the obvious meaning of His promise, “I will come again,” and nullify the whole plan of redemption; for the reward of the faithful of all ages is to be given at this most glorious of all events.

7. What wonderful demonstration will accompany the Lord’s coming?

“The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” 1 Thess. 4:16.

8. What warning has Christ given concerning false views of the manner of His coming?

“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not.” Matt. 24:23-26.

9. How visible is His coming to be?

“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Verse 27.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Object Of Christ’s Coming

The Transfiguration. "Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me." Rev. 22:12.

1. For what purpose did Christ say He would come again?

“I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2, 3.

2. What part will the angels have in this event?

“And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matt. 24:31.

3. What takes place at the sounding of the trumpet?

“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” 1 Thess. 4:16.

4. What will be done with the righteous living?

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Verse 17.

5. What change will then take place in both the living and the sleeping saints?

“We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Cor. 15:51-53.

6. When are the saints to be like Jesus?

“But we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.

7. How many will receive a reward when Christ comes?

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.” Matt. 16:27.

8. What does He say He will bring with Him when He comes?

“Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his works shall be.” Rev. 22:12.

9. What promise is made to those who look for Him?

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Heb. 9:28.

10. When did Christ say the good would be recompensed?

“For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:14.

11. Have the worthies of old gone to their reward?

“And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Heb. 11:39, 40.

12. When did Paul expect to receive his crown?

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:8.

13. Will this be a time of judgment?

“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all.” Jude 14, 15.

14. How did David express himself on this point?

“For He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth.” Ps. 96:13.

15. When did Paul say Christ would judge the living and the dead?

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.” 2 Tim. 4:1.

16. What great separation will then take place?

“When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.” Matt. 25:31, 32.

17. What will He say to those on His right hand?

“Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Verse 34.

18. What will He say to those on the left?

“Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Verse 41.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

At the sounding of the trumpet, when the saints are gathered home, We shall greet each other by the crystal sea; When the Lord Himself from heaven to His glory bids them come, What a gathering of the faithful that will be!

When the angel of the Lord proclaims that time shall be no more, We shall gather, and the saved and ransomed see; Then to meet again together, on the bright, celestial shore, What a gathering of the faithful that will be!

At the great and final judgment, when the hidden comes to light, When the Lord in all His glory we shall see; At the bidding of our Saviour, “Come, ye blessed, to My right,” What a gathering of the faithful that will be!

When the golden harps are sounding, and the angel bands proclaim In triumphant strains the glorious jubilee; Then to meet and join to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, What a gathering of the faithful that will be!

J. H. KURZENKNABE.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

The Resurrection Of The Just

The Resurrection Of Christ. "I am He that liveth, and was dead; ... and have the keys of hell and of death." Rev. 1:18.

1. Concerning what should we not be ignorant?

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” 1 Thess. 4:13.

2. What is set forth as the basis for hope and comfort?

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.” Verse 14.

3. When will this resurrection of the saints take place?

“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” Verses 15, 16.

4. What will then take place?

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Verse 17.

5. With what are we to comfort one another?

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” Verse 18.

NOTE.—The hope of a resurrection from the dead to a life immortal is the great hope set forth in the gospel.

6. Concerning what did Christ tell us not to marvel?

“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28, 29.

7. What is said of those embraced in the first resurrection?

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” Rev. 20:6.

8. Upon what one fact does Paul base the Christian hope?

“Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 1 Cor. 15:12-19.

9. What positive declaration does the apostle then make?

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Verses 20-22.

NOTE.—The resurrection of Christ is in many respects the most significant fact in history. It is the great and impregnable foundation and hope of the Christian church. Every fundamental truth of Christianity is involved in the resurrection of Christ. If this could be overthrown, every essential doctrine of Christianity would be invalidated. The resurrection of Christ is the pledge of our resurrection and future life.

10. What does Christ proclaim Himself to be?

“I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.” John 11:25, 26. “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Rev. 1:18.

NOTE.—Christ changed death into a sleep. Absolute death knows no waking; but through Christ all who have fallen under the power of death will be raised, some to a life unending, some to everlasting death.

11. What question does Job ask and answer?

“If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer Thee: Thou wilt have a desire to the work of Thine hands.” Job 14:14, 15.

12. Why did Job wish that his words were written in a book, graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever?

“For I know that My Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Job 19:25, 26.

13. How does Paul say the saints will be raised?

“Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible.” 1 Cor. 15:51, 52.

14. What great change will then take place in their bodies?

“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.” Verses 42-44.

15. What saying will then be brought to pass?

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Verse 55.

16. When did David say he would be satisfied?

“As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” Ps. 17:15.

17. What comforting promise has God made concerning the sleeping saints?

“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction.” Hosea 13:14.

18. What else has He promised to do?

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:4. See pages 759-785.

The Deluge. "And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away." Matt. 24:39.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

The World’s Conversion

After The Flood. "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Tim. 3:13.

1. What did Christ say would be the condition of the world at His second coming?

“As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” Luke 17:26. See also verses 27-30.

2. How was it in the days of Noah?

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.... And the earth was filled with violence.” Gen. 6:5-11.

NOTE.—In a sermon delivered at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 2 1912, Bishop A. W. Wilson (Methodist) said: “Old Rome in her worst days never harbored such conditions of vice as are prevalent in our highest social circles. Never at any period of the world’s history has the moral stratum been so thin or so low.”

3. How did Paul characterize the last days?

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Tim. 3:1.

4. What did he say would make those times perilous?

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” Verses 2-5.

5. Are things to grow better or worse before the Lord comes?

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” Verse 13.

NOTE.—“Even to the end of time there will still be occasion for the same complaint; the world will grow no better, no, not when it is drawing toward its period. Bad it is, and bad it will be, and worst of all just before Christ’s coming.”—Matthew Henry, on Luke 18:8.

6. According to the parable of the wheat and the tares, how long are the good and bad to remain together?

“The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil.” “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them.” Matt. 13:38, 39, 30.

7. When does the harvest come?

“The harvest is the end of the world.” Verse 39.

NOTES.—Thus it is plain that the wicked (the tares) live with the righteous (the wheat) till the end of the world. There is, then, no time before Christ’s coming for a sinless state, in which all men will be converted and turn to God.

Harper’s “Book of Facts,” edition 1906, article “Religion,” classifies the population of the globe religiously as follows:—

Non-Christian Christian Buddhists 400,000,000 Roman 175,000,000 Catholics Brahmans 250,000,000 Protestants 110,000,000 Mohammedans 180,000,000 Greek Church 90,000,000 Fetish-worshipers 150,000,000 Various 25,000,000 Jews 8,000,000 Various 62,000,000 1,050,000,000 400,000,000

From this it will be seen that only about one fourth of the world’s population are even nominal Christians.

8. For what purpose did Christ say the gospel was to be preached in all the world?

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14.

NOTES.—He did not say that all would receive the gospel, but that the gospel was to be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and that then the end would come.

Commenting on Rev. 20:2, Dr. Adam Clarke says: “Probably no such time shall ever appear, in which evil shall be wholly banished from the earth, till after the day of judgment, when, the earth having been burned up, a new heaven and a new earth shall be produced out of the ruins of the old, by the mighty power of God; righteousness alone shall dwell in them.”—Clarke’s Commentary, edition 1860.

9. When is the “man of sin,” or “mystery of iniquity,” called also “that Wicked,” to come to an end?

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.” 2 Thess. 2:8.

10. How long was the little horn of Dan. 7:25 to make war with the saints?

“I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” Dan. 7:21, 22.

11. How will the day of the Lord come upon the world?

“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, ... and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thess. 5:2-4.

NOTE.—There will be but two classes in the world then: those in darkness, who are looking for a time of peace and safety, and those not in darkness, who are looking for the day of the Lord,—a day of waste and destruction,—the coming of Christ and the end of the world. See Jer. 7:1-19; Dan. 12:1; Joel 2:1-11; Zephaniah 1.

12. What will some who are in darkness say when they hear about the Lord’s coming?

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” 2 Peter 3:3, 4.

13. What will be popularly taught in the last days?

“But in the last days ... many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; ... and He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Micah 4:1-3. See also Isa. 2:2-5.

NOTE.—Notice, this is not what the Lord says, but what the Lord says many nations shall say in the last days. And this is the very message now heard in every land,—a great world’s peace movement; a call for all nations to disarm, to go to war no more, and to profess religion.

14. What message indicates the true condition of things?

“Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” Joel 3:9, 10.

NOTE.—On this question of preparing for war, note the following:—

Armies of the World

Regular National Army Standing Army Including (1909) Reserves Austria-Hungary 409,000 5,840,000 Belgium 45,000 125,000 British Empire 250,000 1,050,000 China 60,000 1,000,000 Denmark 14,000 68,000 France 630,000 4,350,000 Germany 617,000 3,000,000 Greece 28,000 178,000 Italy 264,000 3,200,000 Japan 225,000 600,000 Netherlands 40,000 500,000 Norway 30,000 95,000 Persia 24,500 105,000 Portugal 30,000 175,000 Russia 1,100,000 5,200,000 Servia 35,000 353,000 Spain 100,000 1,000,000 Sweden 62,000 500,000 Switzerland 140,000 275,000 Turkey 350,000 1,500,000 United States 89,128 208,054 Total 4,542,628 29,322,054

Naval Expenditures of the Great Powers for Ten Years—1902-11.

Expenditure New Construction Great Britain $1,761,500,000 $589,875,000 Germany 737,695,000 351,010,000 France 660,695,000 236,430,000 Russia 556,730,000 164,280,000 Italy 301,145,000 82,750,000 Austria 154,070,000 74,165,000 United States 1,150,680,000 367,050,000 Japan 288,505,000 76,155,000 Total $5,611,320,000 $1,941,715,000

Thus in only ten years these eight great powers spent over seven and one-half billion dollars on their navies.

“The immense armies maintained by European countries have come to be a terrific drain upon their respective nations.”—_Nelson’s Encyclopedia, article __“__Army.__”_

15. While making these war preparations, what are men saying?

“They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” Jer. 6:14.

NOTE.—Every one conversant with existing conditions in the world today knows this is true. While the message of peace is being proclaimed, the nations are arming as never before; wars are in progress almost continually; international complications are constantly arising; and a world war is feared as imminent, and constantly looming in sight. The world today is a vast armed camp.

16. But does not the Bible say that the heathen are to be given to the Lord for an inheritance?

“Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession.” Ps. 2:8.

17. What will the Lord do with them?

“Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Verse 9. “And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” Rev. 19:15.

NOTE.—How suddenly surprised those who have been preaching peace and safety will be when the end comes is indicated in the text already quoted: “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.” 1 Thess. 5:2, 3. All heedless of the signs of the times, and indifferent to the future, the world will come up to the day of the Lord unprepared. As a thief in the night, coming with stealthy, muffled tread, this day will take all unawares who are not looking, watching, and waiting for their Lord’s return. Instead of looking for the world’s conversion, we should be looking for Christ’s coming.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

The coming King is at the door, Who once the cross for sinners bore, But now the righteous ones alone He comes to gather home.

The signs that show His coming near Are fast fulfilling year by year, And soon we’ll hail the glorious dawn Of heaven’s eternal morn.

Look not on earth for strife to cease, Look not below for joy and peace, Until the Saviour comes again To banish death and sin.

Then in the glorious earth made new We’ll dwell the countless ages through; This mortal shall immortal be, And time, eternity.

F. E. BELDEN.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

The Gathering Of Israel

Wailing Place Of The Jews. "The Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people." Isa. 11:11.

1. Because of disobedience, what experience came to Israel?

“I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.” Jer. 34:17. See Jer. 25:8-11.

2. What prophecy spoke of their return from captivity?

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.... And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Jer. 29:11-14. See also Jer. 23:3.

NOTE.—The first dispersion of the Jews occurred B.C. 606-588, under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. In B.C. 457, under Artaxerxes, the Persian king, large numbers of Jews returned to Palestine, their home land.

3. How had Moses spoken of another and greater dispersion?

“The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, ... and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, ... and the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other.” Deut. 28:49-64.

NOTE.—This calamity and dispersion occurred in 70 A.D., under Titus, the Roman general. Says the Popular and Critical Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. II, article “Jerusalem,” page 932: “Jerusalem seems to have been raised to this greatness as if to enhance the misery of its overthrow. So soon as the Jews had set the seal to their formal rejection of Christ, by putting Him to death, and invoking the responsibility of His blood upon the heads of themselves and of their children (Matt. 27:25), the city’s doom went forth. Titus, a young, brave, and competent Roman general, with an army of sixty thousand trained, victorious warriors, appeared before the city in April, 70 A.D., and the most disastrous siege of all history began.” See pages 313, 314.

4. Under what striking symbol was all this foretold?

“Thus saith the Lord, Go and get a potter’s earthen bottle, and ... break the bottle ... and ... say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter’s vessel, that cannot be made whole again.” Jer. 19:1-11.

NOTE.—“No city on the globe has suffered more from war and sieges than Jerusalem.... Storming legions, battering-rams, and catapults have razed it again and again. And yet, the general outline of the city has always been preserved. Zion and Mt. Moriah remain in full view from Olivet, and there, on those hills, stretching away toward the west, city after city has come and gone in the passing ages.”—_Popular and Critical Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. II, article __“__Jerusalem__”__ pages 928, 929._

5. How long was Jerusalem to be trodden down of the Gentiles?

“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Luke 21:24.

NOTE.—Jerusalem stands for the people, the truth, and the true worship of God. It is first mentioned in the Bible as Salem (Gen. 14:18); is spoken of figuratively as a mother bringing forth the children of God (Gal. 4:26, 27); and is a type of the holy city, New Jerusalem, which is to be the metropolis of the new earth. In Rev. 11:2 it is used as a type of God’s people during the long period of 1260 years of papal persecution, who are there referred to as “the holy city,” which the Gentiles “tread underfoot forty and two months.”

6. What will terminate the “times” allotted to the Gentiles?

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14.

7. Why was the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles?

“Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name.” Acts 15:14.

8. What false idea of this gathering were some to hold?

“And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Micah 4:2.

9. For what will the heathen be assembled in Palestine?

“Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat.... Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision [margin, concision, or threshing; i.e., war]: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:12-14.

10. Under whose influence are the nations to be assembled?

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Rev. 16:13, 14.

NOTE.—Infatuated by the doctrine of the world’s conversion and a temporal millennium of peace, prosperity, and good will among men, the deluded nations will aim to make Jerusalem the center of a glorious kingdom, at which place they will doubtless expect Christ will come and take up His reign as their king. This was the favorite idea of the crusaders in the dark ages. But the crusaders were mistaken in their conception, and sorely disappointed. So also will the modern crusaders be mistaken and disappointed; for one object of Christ’s second coming will be to “smite the nations” and to destroy these armies assembled. Rev. 19:15.

11. Unto whom are God’s people to be gathered?

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.” Gen. 49:10.

12. How did Christ speak of the gathering of the Gentiles?

“Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” John 10:16.

13. What great gathering yet awaits God’s people?

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people.... And He shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Isa. 11:11, 12. “And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matt. 24:31.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

The Millennium

The Binding Of Satan. "And he laid hold on ... Satan, and bound him a thousand years." Rev. 20:2.

1. What text definitely brings the millennium to view?

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: ... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Rev. 20:4.

2. Whom does Paul say the saints are to judge?

“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?... Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” 1 Cor. 6:1-3.

NOTE.—From these scriptures it is plain that the saints of all ages are to be engaged with Christ in a work of “judgment” during the millennium, or one thousand years.

3. What prophecy had Paul upon which to base his statement?

“I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High.” Dan. 7:21, 22.

The Millennium.

The millennium is the closing period of God’s great week of time—a great sabbath of rest to the earth and to the people of God.

It follows the close of the gospel age, and precedes the setting up of the everlasting kingdom of God on earth.

It comprehends what in the Scriptures is frequently spoken of as “the day of the Lord.”

It is bounded at each end by a resurrection.

Its beginning is marked by the pouring out of the seven last plagues, the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the righteous dead, the binding of Satan, and the translation of the saints to heaven; and its close, by the descent of the New Jerusalem, with Christ and the saints, from heaven, the resurrection of the wicked dead, the loosing of Satan, and the final destruction of the wicked.

During the one thousand years the earth lies desolate; Satan and his angels are confined here; and the saints, with Christ, sit in judgment on the wicked, preparatory to their final punishment.

The wicked dead are then raised; Satan is loosed for a little season, and he and the host of the wicked encompass the camp of the saints and the holy city, when fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them. The earth is cleansed by the same fire that destroys the wicked, and, renewed, becomes the eternal abode of the saints.

The millennium is one of “the ages to come.” Its close will mark the beginning of the new earth state.

4. How many resurrections are there to be?

“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28, 29.

5. What class only have part in the first resurrection?

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power.” Rev. 20:6.

6. What will Christ do with the saints when He comes?

“I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3.

NOTE.—In other words, Christ will take them to heaven, there to live and reign with Him during the one thousand years.

7. Where did John, in vision, see the saints?

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” Rev. 7:9.

NOTE.—This scripture shows plainly that the righteous are all taken to heaven immediately after the first resurrection. This accords with the words of Christ in John 14:1-3, where He says, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Peter desired to accompany Christ to those mansions; but Jesus answered, “Thou canst not follow Me now; but thou shall follow Me afterwards.” John 13:36. This makes it clear that when Christ returns to earth to receive His people, He takes them to the Father’s house in heaven.

8. What becomes of the living wicked when Christ comes?

“As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; ... the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:26-30.

9. What does the apostle Paul say concerning this?

“When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, ... and they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:3.

NOTE.—When Christ comes, the righteous will be delivered and taken to heaven, and all the living wicked will be suddenly destroyed, as they were at the time of the flood. For further proof see 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 6:14-17; 19:11-21; Jer. 25:30-33. There will be no general resurrection of the wicked until the end of the one thousand years. This will leave the earth desolate and without human inhabitant during this period.

10. What description does the prophet Jeremiah give of the earth during this time?

“I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by His fierce anger.” Jer. 4:23-26.

NOTE.—At the coming of Christ the earth is reduced to a chaotic state—to a mass of ruins. The heavens depart as a scroll when it is rolled together; mountains are moved out of their places; and the earth is left a dark, dreary, desolate waste. See Isa. 24:1-3; Rev. 6:14-17.

11. How does Isaiah speak of the wicked at this time?

“It shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in prison, and after many days shall they be visited.” Isa. 24:21, 22.

12. How long is Satan to be imprisoned on this earth?

“I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled.” Rev. 20:1-3.

NOTE.—The word rendered “bottomless pit” in this text is abusos, the Greek term employed by the Septuagint in Gen. 1:2, as the equivalent of the Hebrew word rendered “deep” in our English versions. A more literal translation would be “abyss.” It is a term applied to the earth in its desolate, waste, chaotic, dark, uninhabited condition. In this condition it will remain during the one thousand years. It will be the dreary prison-house of Satan during this period. Here, in the midst of the moldering bones of wicked dead, slain at Christ’s second coming, the broken-down cities, and the wreck and ruin of all the pomp and power of this world, Satan will have opportunity to reflect upon the results of his rebellion against God. But the prophecy of Isaiah says, “After many days shall they be visited.”

13. The righteous dead are raised at Christ’s second coming. When will the rest of the dead, the wicked, be raised?

“The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” Verse 5.

NOTES.—From this we see that the beginning and the close of the millennium, or one thousand years, are marked by the two resurrections. The word millennium is from two Latin words, mille, meaning a thousand, and annus, year—a thousand years. It covers the time during which Satan is to be bound and wicked men and angels are to be judged. This period is bounded by distinct events. Its beginning is marked by the close of probation, the pouring out of the seven last plagues, the second coming of Christ, and the resurrection of the righteous dead. It closes with the resurrection of the wicked, and their final destruction in the lake of fire. See diagram on page 356.

14. What change is made in Satan’s condition at the close of the one thousand years?

“After that he must be loosed a little season.” Verse 3.

NOTE.—At the close of the one thousand years, Christ, accompanied by the saints, comes to the earth again, to execute judgment upon the wicked, and to prepare the earth, by a re-creation, for the eternal abode of the righteous. At this time, in answer to the summons of Christ, the wicked dead of all ages awake to life. This is the second resurrection, the resurrection unto damnation. The wicked come forth with the same rebellious spirit which possessed them in this life. Then Satan is loosed from his long period of captivity and inactivity.

15. As soon as the wicked are raised, what does Satan at once proceed to do?

“When the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.” Verses 7, 8.

16. Against whom do the wicked go to make war, and what is the outcome?

“They went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city; and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” Verse 9.

NOTES.—This is the last act in the great controversy between Christ and Satan. The whole human race meet here for the first and last time. The eternal separation of the righteous from the wicked here takes place. At this time the judgment of God is executed upon the wicked in the lake of fire. This is the second death. This ends the great rebellion against God and His government. Now is heard the voice of God as He sits upon His throne, speaking to the saints, and saying, “Behold, I make all things new;” and out of the burning ruins of the old earth there springs forth before the admiring gaze of the millions of the redeemed, “a new heaven and a new earth,” in which they shall find an everlasting inheritance and dwelling-place.

The millennium is a great sabbath of rest, both for the earth and for God’s people. For six thousand years the earth and its inhabitants have been groaning under the curse of sin. The millennium, the seventh thousand, will be a sabbath of rest and release; for, says the prophet concerning the land, “as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath.” 2 Chron. 36:21. “There remaineth therefore a rest [margin, keeping of a sabbath] to the people of God.” Heb. 4:9. This precedes the new earth state.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Length Of The Day Of The Lord

The Last Great Earthquake. "For the great day of His wrath is come." Rev. 6:17.

1. What is the character of the “day of the Lord”?

“The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress.” Zeph. 1:14, 15.

2. Under which of the seven seals does this day begin?

“And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake, ... for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Rev. 6:12-17.

3. What signs were to appear under this seal?

“The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” Verses 12, 13.

NOTE.—For dates and fulfilment of these signs, see readings on pages 311, 319. The Lisbon earthquake of 1755 (page 286) should not be confounded with that to take place under the seventh plague. Rev. 16:18.

4. Under which seal will the Lord come?

“And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” Rev. 8:1.

NOTE.—This silence in heaven is the result of Christ and the angels leaving heaven to come to this earth. See page 288.

5. With what is the day of wrath to open?

“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” Rev. 15:1.

NOTE.—These plagues immediately precede Christ’s coming. See Rev. 16:12-15, and reading on page 301.

6. What great event will take place at Christ’s coming?

“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven: ... and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” 1 Thess. 4:16.

7. How long after this will the wicked dead be raised?

“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” Rev. 20:5.

8. As they gather around the holy city, what will take place?

“And fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” Verse 9.

9. What is this destruction called?

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8.

10. Unto what are the present heavens and earth reserved?

“But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:7.

NOTE.—When the fire from heaven destroys the wicked, the earth itself will also be burned and purified.

11. Does the day of the Lord include this burning day?

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” Verse 10.

NOTE.—The day of the Lord, therefore, begins with the seven last plagues and the coming of Christ, and continues for one thousand years, or till the wicked are destroyed, and the earth is renewed and given to the saints.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Elijah The Prophet

Mt. Carmel. "How long halt ye between two opinions?" 1 Kings 18:21.

1. What promise, through the prophet Malachi, does the Lord make concerning Elijah?

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Mal. 4:5.

2. What will this prophet do when he comes?

“And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Verse 6.

3. Whom did Christ indicate as fulfilling this prophecy?

“And His disciples asked Him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist.” Matt. 17:10-13.

4. When John the Baptist was asked if he were Elijah, what did he say?

“And he said, I am not.” John 1:21.

5. Who did he say he was?

“He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.” Verse 23.

Translation Of Elijah. "Behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, ... and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." 2 Kings 2:11.

6. In what sense does the angel Gabriel explain John the Baptist to be the Elijah of Mal. 4:5?

“Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before Him [Christ] in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:16, 17.

NOTE.—John went forth “in the spirit and power of Elias,” and, in preparing a people for Christ’s first advent, did a work similar to that done by Elijah the prophet in Israel centuries before. See 1 Kings 17 and 18. In this sense, and in this sense only, he was the Elijah of Mal. 4:5.

7. Near the close of the three and one-half years’ drought in Israel, brought about as a judgment through the intercessions of Elijah (James 5:17) in consequence of Israel’s apostasy, what accusation did King Ahab bring against Elijah?

“And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” 1 Kings 18:17.

8. What answer did Elijah make?

“And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.” Verse 18.

NOTE.—Israel had departed from God, forsaken His commandments, and gone off into idolatry. Jezebel, Ahab’s wicked and idolatrous wife, had “cut off the prophets of the Lord” (verse 4), was supporting hundreds of the prophets of Baal, and was seeking Elijah to slay him. Elijah called for a famine on the land, and said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” 1 Kings 17:1. Elijah’s message was a call to repentance and obedience to God’s commandments.

9. What plain proposition did he submit to all Israel?

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21.

NOTE.—The result of the test by fire which followed on Mt. Carmel, can be read in the remainder of this wonderful chapter. There was a great turning to God, the people saying, “The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God.” Verse 39.

10. What was the burden of the message of John the Baptist?

“Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” Matt. 3:2, 8.

11. What was the result of this message?

“Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” Verses 5, 6.

NOTE.—There was a genuine work of repentance and reform. John was not satisfied with a mere profession of religion. He told the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his baptism, to “bring forth fruits” answerable to an “amendment of life.” He wished to see religion in the life, the heart, the home. Thus he prepared a people for Christ’s first advent.

12. But when, according to the prophecy, was Elijah to be sent?

“Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Mal. 4:5.

13. How is this great and dreadful day described in this same prophecy?

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” Verse 1.

NOTE.—This day is yet future. It cannot be, therefore, that the work done by John the Baptist at Christ’s first advent is all that was contemplated in the prophecy concerning the sending of Elijah the prophet. It must be that there is to be another and greater fulfilment of it, to precede Christ’s second advent, and to prepare, or “make ready,” a people for that great event.

14. What is the burden of the threefold message of Rev. 14:6-10?

“Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.... Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.... If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation.” Rev. 14:6-10.

NOTE.—Like the messages of Elijah and John, this is a call to repentance and reform,—a call to forsake false, idolatrous worship, and to turn to God, and worship Him, and Him alone. The first part of this threefold message points out the true God, the Creator, in language very similar to that found in the fourth, or Sabbath, commandment. This is the message now due the world, and that is now being proclaimed to the world. See readings on pages 251-263. Those who are proclaiming these messages constitute the Elijah for this time, as John and his colaborers did at the time of Christ’s first advent.

15. How are the people described who are developed by the threefold message here referred to?

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Verse 12.

NOTE.—These will be the ones who will be ready to meet Jesus when He comes. They have heeded the Elijah-call to repentance and reform. They have become concerned, not only for their own individual salvation, but for the salvation of their friends and relatives. By this message the hearts of the fathers are turned to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Each becomes burdened for the conversion and salvation of the other. There can be little religion in the heart of one who cares not for the eternal interests of his loved ones. When this message has done its work, God will smite the earth with a curse; the seven last plagues will fall, and usher in the great day of the Lord described in the preceding reading.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Light is beaming, day is coming! Let us sound aloud the cry; We behold the day-star rising Pure and bright in yonder sky! Saints, be joyful; Your redemption draweth nigh.

We have found the chart and compass, And are sure the land is near; Onward, onward, we are hasting. Soon the haven will appear; Let your voices Sound aloud your holy cheer.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

VIII. THE LAW OF GOD

The Law of God

I

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

II

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

III

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

IV

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

V

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

VI

Thou shalt not kill.

VII

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

VIII

Thou shalt not steal.

IX

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

X

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

The Law Of God

Mt. Sinai. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps. 19:7.

1. When God brought His people out of Egypt, how did He republish His law?

“And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.” Deut. 4:12, 13. See also Neh. 9:13, 14.

2. Where are the ten commandments recorded?

In Ex. 20:2-17.

3. How comprehensive are these commandments?

“Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl. 12:13.

4. What inspired tribute is paid to the law of God?

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Ps. 19:7, 8.

5. What blessing does the psalmist say attends the keeping of God’s commandments?

“Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Verse 11.

6. What did Christ state as a condition of entering into life?

“If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt. 19:17.

7. Can man of himself, unaided by Christ, keep the law?

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5. See also Rom. 7:14-19.

8. What provision has been made so that we may keep God’s law?

“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. 8:3, 4.

9. What is the nature of God’s law?

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” Rom. 7:14.

NOTE.—In His comments on the sixth and seventh commandments, recorded in Matt. 5:21-28, Christ demonstrated the spiritual nature of the law, showing that it relates not merely to outward actions, but that it reaches to the thoughts and intents of the heart. See also Heb. 4:12. The tenth commandment forbids lust, or all unlawful desire. Rom. 7:7. Obedience to this law, therefore, requires not merely an outward compliance, but genuine heart service. This can be rendered only by a regenerated soul.

10. How is the law further described?

“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Verse 12.

11. What is revealed in God’s law?.

“And knowest His [God’s] will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law.” Rom. 2:18.

12. When Christ came to this earth, what was His attitude toward God’s will, or law?

“Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Ps. 40:7, 8. See Heb. 10:5, 7.

13. Who did He say would enter the kingdom of heaven?

“Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 7:21.

14. What did He say of those who should break one of God’s commandments, or should teach men to do so?

“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:19, first part.

15. Who did He say would be called great in the kingdom?

“But whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom.” Same verse, last part.

16. How did Christ estimate the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees?

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Verse 20.

17. For what did Christ reprove the Pharisees?

“But He answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” Matt. 15:3.

18. How had they done this?

“For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother.... But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, ... and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” Verses 4-6.

19. In consequence of this, what value did Christ place upon their worship?

“But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Verse 9.

20. What is sin declared to be?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4.

21. By what is the knowledge of sin?

“For by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20. See Rom. 7:7.

22. How many of the commandments is it necessary to break in order to become a transgressor of the law?

“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, and yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” James 2:10, 11.

NOTE.—This shows that the ten commandments are a complete whole, and together constitute but one law. Like a chain of ten links, all are inseparably connected together. If one link is broken, the chain is broken.

23. How may we be freed from the guilt of our sins, or our transgressions of God’s law?

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

24. Why are we admonished to fear God and keep His commandments?

“Fear God, and keep His commandments: 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.

25. What will be the standard in the judgment?

“So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” James 2:12.

26. What is said of those who love God’s law?

“Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Ps. 119:165.

27. What would obedience to God’s commandments have insured to ancient Israel?

“O that thou hadst harkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” Isa. 48:18.

28. What is another blessing attending the keeping of God’s commandments?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments.” Ps. 111:10.

29. In what does the man delight whom the psalmist describes as blessed?

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” Ps. 1:1, 2. See Rom. 7:22.

30. Why is the carnal mind enmity against God?

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7.

31. How do those with renewed hearts and minds regard the commandments of God?

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3.

32. What is the essential principle of the law of God?

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Rom. 13:10.

33. In what two great commandments is the law of God briefly summarized?

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matt. 22:37-40.

NOTE.—“Does any man say to me, ‘You see, then, instead of the ten commandments, we have received the two commandments, and these are much easier’? I answer that this reading of the law is not in the least easier. Such a remark implies a want of thought and experience. Those two precepts comprehend the ten at their fullest extent, and cannot be regarded as the erasure of a jot or tittle of them. Whatever difficulties surround the commands are equally found in the two, which are their sum and substance. If you love God with all your heart, you must keep the first table; and if you love your neighbor as yourself, you must keep the second table.”—_“__The Perpetuity of the Law of God,__”__ by C. H. Spurgeon, page 6._

34. What is said of one who professes to know the Lord, but does not keep His commandments?

“He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4.

35. What promise is made to the willing and obedient?

“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Isa. 1:19.

36. How does God regard those who walk in His law?

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.” Ps. 119:1.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Perpetuity Of The Law

Christ Expounding The Law. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets." Matt. 5:17.

1. How many lawgivers are there?

“There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.” James 4:12.

2. What is said of the stability of God’s character?

“For I am the Lord, I change not.” Mal. 3:6.

3. How enduring are His commandments?

“The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.” Ps. 111:7, 8.

4. Did Christ come to abolish or to destroy the law?

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matt. 5:17.

NOTES.—The law; broadly, the writings of Moses; specifically, the ten commandments, or moral law, from which the writings of Moses primarily derived their name. The prophets; that is, the writings of the prophets. Neither of these Christ came to destroy, but rather to fulfil, or meet their design.

“The laws of the Jews are commonly divided into moral, ceremonial, and judicial. The moral laws are such as grow out of the nature of things, which cannot, therefore, be changed,—such as the duty of loving God and His creatures. These cannot be abolished, as it can never be made right to hate God, or to hate our fellow men. Of this kind are the ten commandments; and these our Saviour neither abolished nor superseded. The ceremonial laws are such as are appointed to meet certain states of society, or to regulate the religious rites and ceremonies of a people. These can be changed when circumstances are changed, and yet the moral law be untouched.”—Dr. Albert Barnes, on Matt. 5:18.

“Jesus did not come to change the law, but He came to explain it, and that very fact shows that it remains; for there is no need to explain that which is abrogated.... By thus explaining the law He confirmed it; He could not have meant to abolish it, or He would not have needed to expound it.... That the Master did not come to alter the law is clear, because after having embodied it in His life, He willingly gave Himself up to bear its penalty, though He had never broken it, bearing the penalty for us, even as it is written, ‘Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.’ ... If the law had demanded more of us than it ought to have done, would the Lord Jesus have rendered to it the penalty which resulted from its too severe demands? I am sure He would not. But because the law asked only what it ought to ask, namely, perfect obedience, and exacted of the transgressor only what it ought to exact, namely, death as the penalty for sin,—death under divine wrath,—therefore the Saviour went to the tree, and there bore our sins, and purged them once for all.”—_“__The Perpetuity of the Law of God,__”__ by C. H. Spurgeon, pages 4-7._

“The moral law contained in the ten commandments, and enforced by the prophets, He did not take away. It was not the design of His coming to revoke any part of this.... Every part of this law must remain in force upon all mankind and in all ages, as not depending either on time or place, or any other circumstance liable to change, but on the nature of God, and the nature of man, and their unchangeable relation to each other.”—_John Wesley, in his __“__Sermons,__”__ Vol. I, No. 25, pages 221, 222._

5. When used with reference to prophecy, what does the word fulfil mean?

To fill up; to accomplish; to bring to pass; as, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet.” Matt. 4:14.

6. What does it mean when used with reference to law?

To perform, to keep, or to act in accordance with; as, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Gal. 6:2. See also Matt. 3:15; James 2:8, 9.

7. How did Christ treat His Father’s commandments?

“I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” John 15:10.

8. If one professes to abide in Christ, how ought he to walk?

“He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:6.

9. What is sin?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4.

NOTE.—This text does not say that sin was the transgression of the law, but that it is this, thus demonstrating that the law is still in force in the gospel dispensation. “Whosoever” likewise shows the universality of its binding claims. Whoever of any nation, race, or people commits sin, transgresses the law.

The Great Sacrifice. "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Rom. 3:31.

10. In what condition are all men?

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23.

11. How many are included in the “all” who have sinned?

“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.” Verse 9.

12. By what are all men proved guilty?

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Verse 19.

NOTE.—It is what the law says, and not what one may interpret it to mean, that proves the sinner guilty. Moreover, God is no respecter of persons, but treats Jew and Gentile alike. Measured by the law, all the world are guilty before God.

13. Does faith in God make void the law?

“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Verse 31.

14. What, more than all else, proves the perpetuity and immutability of the law of God?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. “Christ died for our sins.” 1 Cor. 15:3.

NOTE.—Could the law have been abolished, and sin been disposed of in this way, Christ need not have come and died for our sins. The gift of Christ, therefore, more than all else, proves the immutability of the law of God. Christ must come and die, and satisfy the claims of the law, or the world must perish. The law could not give way. Says Spurgeon in his sermon on “The Perpetuity of the Law of God,” “Our Lord Jesus Christ gave a greater vindication of the law by dying because it had been broken than all the lost can ever give by their miseries.” The fact that the law is to be the standard in the judgment is another proof of its enduring nature. See Eccl. 12:13, 14; James 2:8-12.

15. What relation does a justified person sustain to the law?

“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Rom. 2:13.

16. Who has the promise of being blessed in his doing?

“But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth, but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.” James 1:25, R. V.

17. By what may we know that we have passed from death unto life?

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” 1 John 3:14.

18. And how may we know that we love the brethren?

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.” 1 John 5:2.

19. What is the love of God?

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” Verse 3.

20. How are those described who will be prepared for the coming of Christ?

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

O that the Lord would guide my ways To keep His statutes still! O that my God would grant me grace To know and do His will!

O send Thy Spirit down to write Thy law upon my heart, Nor let my tongue indulge deceit, Nor act the liar’s part.

From vanity turn off my eyes, Let no corrupt design Nor covetous desire arise Within this soul of mine.

Order my footsteps by Thy word, And make my heart sincere; Let sin have no dominion, Lord, But keep my conscience clear.

Make me to walk in Thy commands, ’Tis a delightful road; Nor let my head, nor heart, nor hands Offend against my God. ISAAC WATTS.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Why The Law Was Given At Sinai

Moses With The Tables Of The Law. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20.

1. How does Nehemiah describe the giving of the law at Sinai?

“Thou earnest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: and madest known unto them Thy holy Sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses Thy servant.” Neh. 9:13, 14.

2. What is declared to be the chief advantage possessed by the Jews?

“What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” Rom. 3:1, 2.

NOTE.—The law was not spoken at this time exclusively for the benefit of the Hebrews. God honored them by making them the guardians and keepers of His law, but He intended that it should be held by them as a sacred trust for the whole world. The precepts of the decalogue are adapted to all mankind, and they were given for the instruction and government of all. “Ten precepts, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, cover the duty of man to God and to his fellow men;” and all are based upon the great fundamental principle of love. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” Luke 10:27. In the ten commandments these principles are carried out in detail, and are made applicable to the condition and circumstances of man.

3. Before the giving of the law at Sinai, what did Moses say when Jethro asked him concerning his judging the people?

“When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws.” Ex. 18:16.

4. What explanation did Moses give the rulers of Israel concerning the withholding of the manna on the seventh day in the wilderness of Sin, before they reached Sinai?

“And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord.... Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none.” Ex. 16:23-26.

5. When some went out to gather manna on the seventh day, what did the Lord say to Moses?

“And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws?” Verse 28.

NOTE.—It is evident therefore that the Sabbath and the law of God existed before the law was given at Sinai.

6. What question does Paul ask concerning the law?

“Wherefore then serveth the law?” Gal. 3:19.

NOTE.—That is, of what use or service was the law announced at Sinai? What special purpose had God in view in giving it then?

7. What answer is given to this question?

“It was added, because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.” Same verse.

NOTES.—The Greek word here translated “added” is the same one that is translated “spoken” in Heb. 12:19.

“The meaning is that the law was given to show the true nature of transgressions, or to show what sin is. It was not to reveal a way of justification, but it was to disclose the true nature of sin; to deter men from committing it; to declare its penalty; to convince men of it, and thus to be ancillary to, and preparatory to, the work of redemption through the Redeemer. This is the true account of the law of God as given to apostate man, and this use of the law still exists.”—Dr. Albert Barnes, on Gal. 3:19.

8. How is this same truth again expressed?

“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.” Rom. 7:12, 13.

9. For what purpose did the law enter?

“Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound.” Rom. 5:20.

NOTE.—By the giving of the law at Sinai, then, God designed, not to increase or multiply sin, but that men might, through a new revelation of Him and of His character and will, as expressed in a plainly spoken and plainly written law, the better see the awful sinfulness of sin, and thus their utter helplessness and undone condition. While in Egypt, surrounded as they were with idolatry and sin, and as the result of their long bondage and hard servitude, Israel even, the special people of God, had largely forgotten God and lost sight of His requirements. Until one realizes that he is a sinner, he cannot see his need of a Saviour from sin. Hence the entering, or republication, of the law to the world through Israel at Sinai.

10. By what is the knowledge of sin?

“By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20. See also Rom. 7:7.

11. Under what condition is the written law good?

“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.” 1 Tim. 1:8.

12. And what is indicated as the lawful use of the law?

“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.” Verses 9, 10.

NOTE.—In other words, the lawful use of the written law is to show what sin is, and to convince sinners that they are sinners, and that they need a Saviour. God’s design, then, in giving the law at Sinai was to shut men up under sin, and thus lead them to Christ.

13. Who does Christ say need a physician?

“They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” Matt. 9:12.

NOTE.—Speaking of how to deal with those “who are not stricken of their sins,” and “have no deep conviction of guilt,” D. L. Moody, in his “Sermons, Addresses, and Prayers,” says: “Just bring the law of God to bear on these, and show them themselves in their true light.... Don’t try to heal the wound before the hurt is felt. Don’t attempt to give the consolation of the gospel until your converts see that they have sinned—see it and feel it.”

14. Whom does Christ say He came to call to repentance?

“For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Verse 13.

15. What is the strength of sin?

“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” 1 Cor. 15:56.

16. What are the wages of sin?

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.

17. Could a law which condemns men give them life?

“Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” Gal. 3:21.

18. What, therefore, was the purpose, or special design, of the giving of the law at Sinai?

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Verse 24.

NOTES.—“What is the law of God for? for us to keep in order to be saved by it?—Not at all. It is sent in order to show us that we cannot be saved by works, and to shut us up to be saved by grace. But if you make out that the law is altered so that a man can keep it, you have left him his old legal hope, and he is sure to cling to it. You need a perfect law that shuts man right up to hopelessness apart from Jesus, puts him into an iron cage, and locks him up, and offers him no escape but by faith in Jesus; then he begins to cry, ‘Lord, save me by grace, for I perceive that I cannot be saved by my own works.’ This is how Paul describes it to the Galatians: ‘The Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.’ I say you have deprived the gospel of its ablest auxiliary when you set aside the law. You have taken away from it the schoolmaster that is to bring men to Christ. They will never accept grace till they tremble before a just and holy law. Therefore the law serves a most necessary and blessed purpose, and it must not be removed from its place.”—_“__The Perpetuity of the Law of God,__”__ by C. H. Spurgeon, pages 10, 11._

“And let it be observed that the law did not answer this end merely among the Jews, in the days of the apostles: it is just as necessary to the Gentiles, to the present hour. Nor do we find that true repentance takes place where the moral law is not preached and enforced. Those who preach only the gospel to sinners, at best only heal the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly.”—Dr. Adam Clarke, on Rom. 7:13 (edition 1860).

Commenting on Gal. 3:23, Mr. Spurgeon, in his “Sermon Notes,” CCXII, says: “Here we have a condensed history of the world before the gospel was fully revealed by the coming of our Lord Jesus.... The history of each saved soul is a miniature likeness of the story of the ages.” That is, in his experience, each individual that is saved is first in darkness; he then comes to Sinai and learns that he is a sinner; this leads him to Calvary for the pardon of his sins, and so to full and final salvation.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Penalty For Transgression

Destruction Of Korah, Dathan, And Abiram. "The wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23.

1. What is the wages of sin?

“For the wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6:23.

2. What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if they transgressed, and partook of the forbidden fruit?

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen. 2:17.

3. Who does God say shall die?

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Eze. 18:4.

4. How did death enter the world?

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Rom. 5:12.

5. Why did God destroy the antediluvian world?

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth.... And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.” Gen. 6:5-7.

6. While God is merciful, does this clear the guilty?

“The Lord is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty.” Num. 14:18. See also Ex. 34:5-7.

The Tower Of Babel. "The Lord did there confound the language of all the earth." Gen. 11:9.

7. What is the result of wilful sin?

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Heb. 10:26, 27.

8. Under the theocracy, how were the rebellious or wilful transgressors treated?

“He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses.” Verse 28.

9. What awaits those who despise the means of grace?

“Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Verse 29.

10. Is it the duty of gospel ministers to execute vengeance?

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us.” 2 Cor. 5:20. See 2 Tim. 2:24-26.

11. To whom does vengeance belong?

“Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Rom. 12:19.

12. To whom has execution of judgment been committed?

“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. See Jude 14, 15.

13. Because evil is not punished immediately, what presumptuous course do many pursue?

“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Eccl. 8:11.

14. What message has God commissioned His ministers to bear to men?

“Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat of the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Isa. 3:10, 11.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

The Law Of God In The Patriarchal Age

Obedience Of Abraham. "Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept ... My commandments." Gen. 26:5.

1. Can there be sin where there is no law?

“Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.” “Sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Rom. 4:15; 5:13.

2. Through what is the knowledge of sin obtained?

“For by the law is the knowledge of sin.” “I had not known sin, but by the law.” Rom. 3:20; 7:7.

3. What statement shows that sin was in the world before the law was given on Mt. Sinai?

“For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Rom. 5:13.

NOTE.—The fact that sin was imputed before the law was given at Sinai is conclusive proof that the law existed before that event.

4. When did sin and death enter the world?

“Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Verse 12.

5. With what words did God admonish Cain?

“If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” Gen. 4:7.

6. What shows that God imputed sin to Cain?

“And He said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto Me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand.” Verses 10, 11.

7. What was the difference between Cain’s and Abel’s characters?

“Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” 1 John 3:12.

NOTE.—There must, therefore, have been a standard at that time by which the characters of men were weighed. That standard must have defined the difference between right and wrong, and pointed out man’s duty. But this is the province of the law of God. Hence the law of God must have existed at that time.

8. In what condition was the world before the flood?

“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Gen. 6:11.

9. What did God purpose to do with the people of that day?

“And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Verse 13.

10. What is Noah called?

“And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness.” 2 Peter 2:5.

NOTE.—Noah must have warned the antediluvians against sin, and preached repentance and that obedience of faith which brings the life into harmony with the law of God.

11. Why did the Lord destroy Sodom?

“The men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.” Gen. 13:13.

12. What was the character of their deeds?

“And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds).” 2 Peter 2:7, 8.

NOTE.—Their deeds would not have been unlawful had there been no law then in existence. Unlawful means “contrary to law.”

13. What did Joseph, in Egypt, say when tempted to sin?

“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Gen. 39:9.

14. What did God say to Abraham concerning the Amorites?

“In the fourth generation they [Israel] shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” Gen. 15:16.

15. Of what sin were the Amorites specially guilty?

“And he [Ahab] did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.” 1 Kings 21:26.

16. Why did the Lord abhor the Canaanites?

“Ye shall therefore keep all My statutes, and all My judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spew you not out. And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.” Lev. 20:22, 23.

NOTE.—The statement that “they committed all these things” refers to what had been previously forbidden to the Israelites. Among these things was idolatrous worship (Lev. 20:1-5), showing that the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, were amenable to the law of God, and were abhorred of God for violating it.

17. Why did God make His promise to the seed of Abraham?

“Because Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” Gen. 26:5.

NOTE.—Then God’s commandments and laws existed in the time of Abraham.

18. Before giving the law at Sinai, what did God say because some of the people went out to gather manna on the seventh day?

“And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws?” Ex. 16:28.

19. Had the Lord spoken regarding the Sabbath previous to this time?

“This is that which the Lord hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath.” Verse 23.

20. Before coming to Sinai, what had Moses taught Israel?

“When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws.” Ex. 18:16.

NOTE.—All this shows that the law of God existed from the beginning, and was known and taught in the world before it was proclaimed at Sinai.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

The Law Of God In The New Testament

Paul Preaching To The Thessalonians. "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." 1 John 5:3.

1. By what means did the Jews know God’s will?

“Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest His will, ... being instructed out of the law.” Rom. 2:17, 18.

2. What did they have in the law?

“Which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.” Verse 20.

NOTE.—The written law presents the form of knowledge and of the truth. Grace and truth, or grace and the reality or realization of that which the written law demands, came by Jesus Christ. He was the law in life and action.

3. What did Jesus say of His attitude toward the law?

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matt. 5:17.

NOTE.—By the expression “the law” here is meant the five books of Moses; and by “the prophets,” the writings of the prophets. Christ did not come to set aside or to destroy either of these, but to fulfil both. The ceremonialism of types and shadows contained in the books written by Moses He fulfilled by meeting them as their great Antitype. The moral law, the great basic fabric underlying all of Moses’ writings, Christ fulfilled by a life of perfect obedience to all its requirements. The prophets He fulfilled in His advent as the Messiah, Prophet, Teacher, and Saviour foretold by them.

4. What did He teach concerning the stability of the law?

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Verse 18.

5. In what instruction did He emphasize the importance of keeping the law?

“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Verse 19.

6. What did Christ tell the rich young man to do in order to enter into life?

“If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt. 19:17.

7. When asked which commandments, what did Jesus say?

“Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Verses 18, 19.

NOTE.—While not quoting all of the ten commandments, Jesus quoted sufficient of them to show that He referred to the moral law. In quoting the second great commandment He called attention to the great principle underlying the second table of the law,—love to one’s neighbor,—which the rich young man, in his covetousness, was not keeping.

8. Does faith render the law void?

“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Rom. 3:31.

9. How is the law fulfilled?

“Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment [touching our duty to our fellow men], it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Rom. 13:8-10.

10. What is of more importance than any outward ceremony?

“Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.” 1 Cor. 7:19.

11. What kind of mind is not subject to the law of God?

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7.

12. What proves that the law is an undivided whole?

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said [margin, that law which 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 by the law of liberty.” James 2:10-12.

13. How is sin defined?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4.

14. How may we know that we love the children of God?

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.” 1 John 5:2.

15. What is the love of God declared to be?

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.” Verse 3.

16. How is the church of the last days described?

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 12:17; 14:12.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

How blest the children of the Lord, Who, walking in His sight, Make all the precepts of His Word Their study and delight!

What precious wealth shall be their dower, Which cannot know decay; Which moth and rust shall ne’er devour, Or spoiler take away.

HARRIET AUBER.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Love the Fulfilling of the Law

“If the love of God is shed abroad in your heart,” says Mr. Moody, “you will be able to fulfil the law.” Paul reduces the commandments to one: “Thou shalt love,” and says that “love is the fulfilling of the law.” This truth may be demonstrated thus:—

1. Love to God will admit no other god. 2. Love will not debase the object it adores. 3. Love to God will never dishonor His name. 4. Love to God will reverence His day. 5. Love to parents will honor them. 6. Hate, not love, is a murderer. 7. Lust, not love, commits adultery. 8. Love will give, but never steal. 9. Love will not slander nor lie. 10. Love’s eye is not covetous.

Principles Underlying the Ten Commandments

1. Faith and loyalty. Heb. 11:6; Matt. 4:8-10.

2. Worship. Jer. 10:10-12; Ps. 115:3-8; Rev. 14:6, 7.

3. Reverence. Ps. 111:9; 89:7; Heb. 12:28; 2 Tim. 2:19.

4. Holiness, or sanctification, and consecration. 1 Peter 1:15, 16; Heb. 12:14; Ex. 31:13; Eze. 20:12; 1 Cor. 1:30; Prov. 3:6.

5. Obedience, or respect for authority. Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20; 2 Kings 2:23, 24.

6. Love. Lev. 19:17; 1 John 3:15; Matt. 5:21-26, 43-48.

7. Purity. Matt. 5:8; Eph. 5:3, 4; Col. 3:5, 6; 1 Tim. 5:22; 1 Peter 2:11.

8. Honesty. Rom. 12:17; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10-12.

9. Truthfulness. Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Prov. 6:16-19; 12:19; Rev. 21:27; 22:15.

10. Contentment and unselfishness. Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5; 1 Tim. 6:6-11; Heb. 13:5.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

The Moral And Ceremonial Laws

The Law Written And Engraven In Stones. The Law Of Commandments Contained In Ordinances.

1. What title of distinction is given the law of God?

“If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” James 2:8, 9.

2. By what law is the knowledge of sin?

“I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” Rom. 7:7.

NOTE.—The law which says, “Thou shalt not covet,” is the ten commandments.

3. By what are all men to be finally judged?

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: 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. “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” James 2:12.

NOTE.—The law which is here called “the law of liberty,” is the law which says, “Do not commit adultery” and “Do not kill,” for these commandments had just been quoted in the verse immediately preceding. In verse 8, this same law is styled “the royal law;” that is, the kingly law. This is the law by which men are to be judged.

4. What system was established on account of man’s transgression of the law of God?

The sacrificial system, with its rites and ceremonies pointing to Christ.

5. Why did the patriarch Job offer burnt offerings?

“And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.” Job 1:4, 5.

6. How early was this sacrificial system known?

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts.” Heb. 11:4. See Gen. 4:3-5; 8:20.

7. By whom was the ten commandment law proclaimed?

“And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.” Deut. 4:12, 13.

8. How was the ceremonial law made known to Israel?

“And the Lord called unto Moses, ... saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering,” etc. Lev. 1:1, 2. “This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat-offering, and of the sin-offering, and of the trespass-offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace-offering; which the Lord commanded Moses in mount Sinai, in the day that He commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations unto the Lord, in the wilderness of Sinai.” Lev. 7:37, 38.

9. Were the ten commandments a distinct and complete law by themselves?

“These words the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and He added no more. And He wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.” Deut. 5:22. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to Me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written.” Ex. 24:12.

10. Was the ceremonial law a complete law in itself?

“The law of commandments contained in ordinances.” Eph. 2:15.

11. On what did God write the ten commandments?

“And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.” Deut. 4:13.

12. In what were the laws or commandments respecting sacrifices and burnt offerings written?

“And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the Lord, as it is written in the book of Moses.” 2 Chron. 35:12.

13. Where were the ten commandments placed?

“And he took and put the testimony into the ark, ... and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark.” Ex. 40:20.

14. Where did Moses command the Levites to put the book of the law which he had written?

“Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God.” Deut. 31:25, 26.

15. What is the nature of the moral law?

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” Ps. 19:7. “For we know that the law is spiritual.” Rom. 7:14.

16. Could the offerings commanded by the ceremonial law satisfy or make perfect the conscience of the believer?

“Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience.” Heb. 9:9.

17. Until what time did the ceremonial law impose the service performed in the worldly sanctuary?

“Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” Verse 10.

18. When was this time of reformation?

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Verses 11, 12.

19. How did Christ’s death affect the ceremonial law?

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.” Col. 2:14. “Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances.” Eph. 2:15.

20. Why was the ceremonial law taken away?

“For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God.” Heb. 7:18, 19, R. V.

21. What miraculous event occurred at the death of Christ, signifying that the sacrificial system was forever at an end?

“Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” Matt. 27:50, 51.

22. In what words had the prophet Daniel foretold this?

“And He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.” Dan. 9:27.

23. How enduring is the moral law?

“Concerning Thy testimonies, I have known of old that Thou hast founded them forever.” Ps. 119:152.

The Two Laws Contrasted

The Moral Law The Ceremonial Law Is called the “royal law.” James Is called “the law ... contained 2:8. in ordinances.” Eph. 2:15. Was spoken by God. Deut. 4:12, 13. Was spoken by Moses. Lev. 1:1-3. Was written by God on tables of Was “the handwriting of stone. Ex. 24:12. ordinances.” Col. 2:14. Was written “with the finger of Was written by Moses in a book. 2 God.” Ex. 31:18. Chron. 35:12. Was placed in the ark. Ex. 40:20; Was placed in the side of the ark. 1 Kings 8:9; Heb. 9:4. Deut. 31:24-26. Is “perfect.” Ps. 19:7. “Made nothing perfect.” Heb. 7:19. Is to “stand fast forever and Was nailed to the cross. Col. ever.” Ps. 111:7, 8. 2:14. Was not destroyed by Christ. Matt. Was abolished by Christ. Eph. 5:17. 2:15. Was to be magnified by Christ. Was taken out of the way by Isa. 42:21. Christ. Col. 2:14. Gives knowledge of sin. Rom. 3:20; Was instituted in consequence of 7:7. sin. Leviticus 3-7.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

The Two Covenants

Abraham Sending Away Hagar. "Cast out the bondwoman and her son." Gal. 4:30.

1. What two covenants are contrasted in the Bible?

“In that He saith, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” Heb. 8:13.

2. By what other terms are these covenants designated?

“For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.” Verse 7.

3. In connection with what historical event was the old covenant made?

“Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in My covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.” Verse 9. See Ex. 19:3-8.

4. When God was about to proclaim His law to Israel, of what did He tell Moses to remind them?

“Tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto Myself.” Ex. 19:3, 4.

5. What proposition did He submit to them?

“Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: and ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” Verses 5, 6.

6. What response did the people make to this proposition?

“And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.” Verse 8.

7. In this covenant with Israel, what obligation was imposed upon the people?

“Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant.” Verse 5, first part.

8. What was the Lord’s covenant which they were to keep as their part of this covenant?

“And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.” Deut. 4:13.

NOTE.—The ten commandments were the “covenant” to which the Lord referred, when, in proposing to make a covenant with Israel, He said, “If ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant,” etc. Ex. 19:5. The ten commandments were termed God’s covenant before the covenant was made with Israel: hence they cannot be the old covenant itself. They were not an agreement made, but something which God commanded them to perform, and promised blessings upon condition they were kept. Thus the ten commandments—God’s covenant—became the basis of the covenant here made with Israel. The old covenant was made concerning the ten commandments; or, as stated in Ex. 24:8, “concerning all these words.” A covenant means a solemn pledge or promise based on conditions.

9. After the law had been proclaimed from Sinai, what did the people again say?

“And all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do.” Ex. 24:3.

10. That there might be no misunderstanding, what did Moses do?

“And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, ... and he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people.” Verses 4-7.

11. What did the people once again promise to do?

“And they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient.” Verse 7.

12. How was this covenant then confirmed and dedicated?

“And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen unto the Lord. And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.” Verses 5-8.

13. How does Paul describe this dedication of the covenant?

“For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.” Heb. 9:19, 20.

NOTE.—We here have the complete account of the making of the first or old covenant. God promised to make them His peculiar people on condition that they would keep His commandments. Three times they promised to obey. The agreement was then ratified, or sealed, with blood.

14. Within less than forty days after the making of this covenant, while Moses tarried in the mount, what did the people say to Aaron?

“Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.” Ex. 32:1.

15. When Moses came down from Sinai, what did he see?

“And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.” Verse 19.

NOTE.—The great object and secret of the old covenant is revealed here. The people did not realize the weakness and sinfulness of their own hearts, or their need of divine grace and help to keep the law; and so, in their ignorance, they readily pledged obedience to it. But almost immediately they began to commit idolatry, and thus to break the law of God, or the very conditions laid down as their part of the covenant. In themselves the conditions were good; but in their own strength the people were unable to fulfil them. The great object of the old covenant therefore was to teach the people their weakness, and their inability to keep the law without the help of God. Like the law itself, over which the old covenant was made, this covenant was designed to shut them up to the provisions of the new or everlasting covenant, and lead them to Christ. Gal. 3:23, 24. And the lesson which Israel as a nation had to learn in this, each individual now must learn before he can be saved. There is no salvation for any one while trusting in self. Unaided, no one can keep the law. Only in Christ is there either remission of sins or power to keep from sinning. The breaking of the tables of the law signified that the terms of the covenant had been broken; the renewing of the tables (Ex. 34:1, 28), God’s patience and long-suffering with His people.

16. Wherein does the new covenant differ from and excel the old?

“But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” Heb. 8:6.

17. What are the “better promises” upon which the new covenant was established?

“This shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; ... I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jer. 31:33, 34. See Heb. 8:8-12.

NOTE.—These are simply the blessings of the gospel through Christ. They are promised upon condition of repentance, confession, faith, and acceptance of Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant, which means salvation and obedience. In the old covenant there was no provision for pardon and power to obey. It is true there was pardon during the time of the old covenant, but not by virtue of it. Pardon then, as now, was through the provisions of the new covenant, the terms of which are older than the old covenant.

18. In what statement was Christ promised as a Saviour and Deliverer of the race as soon as sin entered?

“And the Lord God said unto the serpent, ... I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” Gen. 3:14, 15.

NOTE.—The covenant of grace, with its provisions of pardon and peace, dates from the foundation of the world.

19. To whom was this covenant-promise later renewed?

“And God said unto Abraham, ... Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” “I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, ... and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” Gen. 17:15-19; 26:4.

20. Who was the seed here referred to?

“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Gal. 3:16.

Moses Breaking The Tables Of The Law. "Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin." Ex. 32:30.

21. What shows that the new or second covenant and the Abrahamic covenant are virtually the same?

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Verse 29.

NOTE.—No one should allow himself to be confused by the terms first covenant and second covenant. While the covenant made at Sinai is called the first covenant, it is by no means the first covenant that God ever made with man. Long before this He made a covenant with Abraham; He also made a covenant with Noah, and with Adam. Neither must it be supposed that the first or old covenant existed for a time as the only covenant with mankind, and that this must serve its purpose and pass away before any one could share in the promised blessings of the second or new covenant. Had this been the case, then during that time there would have been no pardon for any one. What is called the new or second covenant virtually existed before the covenant made at Sinai; for the covenant with Abraham was confirmed in Christ (Gal. 3:17), and it is only through Christ that there is any value to the new or second covenant. There is no blessing that can be gained by virtue of the new covenant that was not promised to Abraham. And we, with whom the new covenant is made, can share the inheritance which it promises only by being children of Abraham, and sharing in his blessing. Gal. 3:7, 9. And since no one can have anything except as a child of Abraham, it follows that there is nothing in what is called the new or second covenant that was not in the covenant made with Abraham. The second covenant existed in every essential feature, except its ratification, long before the first, even from the days of Adam. It is called second because its ratification occurred after the covenant made and ratified at Sinai.

22. What is necessary where there is a covenant?

“For where a covenant is, there must also of necessity be the death of that which establishes it. For a covenant is made firm over the dead victims; whereas it is of no force while that which establisheth it liveth.” Heb. 9:16, 17, Boothroyd’s translation.

23. With whose blood was the new covenant dedicated?

“And [He took] the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood, even that which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:20, R. V.

24. What power is there in the blood of this covenant?

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will.” Heb. 13:20, 21.

25. Through which covenant only is there remission of sins?

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause He is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” Heb. 9:14, 15, R. V.

NOTE.—The fact that Christ, as mediator of the second covenant, died for the remission of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, shows that there was no forgiveness by virtue of the first covenant.

26. Under the old covenant, what did the people promise?

To keep the law of God in their own strength.

NOTE.—Under this covenant the people promised to keep all the commandments of God in order to be His peculiar people, and this without help from any one. This was virtually a promise to make themselves righteous. But Christ says, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5. And the prophet Isaiah says, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isa. 64:6. The only perfect righteousness is God’s righteousness, and this can be obtained only through faith in Christ. Rom. 3:20-26. The only righteousness that will insure an entrance into the kingdom of God is “the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Phil. 3:9. Of those who inherit the kingdom of God, the Lord says, “Their righteousness is of Me” (Isa. 54:17); and the prophet Jeremiah says of Christ, “This is His name whereby He shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness.” Jer. 23:6.

27. Under the new covenant, what does God promise to do?

“I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.” Jer. 31:33.

NOTE.—The new covenant is an arrangement for bringing man again into harmony with the divine will, and placing him where he can keep God’s law. Its “better promises” bring forgiveness of sins, grace to renew the heart, and power to obey the law of God. The dissolution of the old covenant and the making of the new in no wise abrogated the law of God.

28. Where was the law of God written under the old covenant?

“And I made an ark of shittim-wood, and hewed two tables of stone.... And He wrote on the tables ... the ten commandments, which the Lord spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the Lord gave them unto me.” Deut. 10:3, 4.

29. Where is the law of God written under the new covenant?

“But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.” Jer. 31:33.

30. What reason is given for making the new covenant?

“For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant.” Heb. 8:7, 8.

NOTE.—The chief fault in connection with the old covenant lay with the people. They were not able, in themselves, to fulfil their part of it, and it provided them no help for so doing. There was no Christ in it. It was of works and not of grace. It was valuable only as a means of impressing upon them their sinfulness and their need of divine aid.

31. What unites all believers under the new covenant?

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Eph. 2:11-13.

Similarities Between The Two Covenants

1. Both are called covenants. 2. Both were ratified with blood. 3. Both were made concerning the law of God. 4. Both were made with the people of God. 5. Both were established upon promises.

Dissimilarities Between The Two Covenants

Old Covenant New Covenant Called the old covenant. Called the new covenant. Called the first covenant. Called the second covenant. A temporary compact. An everlasting covenant. Dedicated with the blood of Ratified with the blood of animals. Christ. Was faulty. Is a better covenant. Was established upon the Is established upon the promises of the people. promises of God. Had no mediator. Has a mediator. Had no provision for the Provides for the forgiveness forgiveness of sins. of sins. Under this, the law was Under this, the law is written written on tables of stone. in the heart. Was of works. Is of grace. Conditions: Obey and live; Conditions: Repent and be disobey and die. forgiven; believe and be saved. If. If ye. If ye will. I. I will. I will do. If ye will do. If ye will do all. I will do all. If ye will do all, then—ye I will do all, and—will be shall be My people, and I your God, and ye shall be My will be your God. people.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

What Was Abolished By Christ

The Veil Rent In Twain. "Having abolished in His flesh ... the law ... contained in ordinances." Eph. 2:15.

1. How did Christ’s death on the cross affect the whole sacrificial system?

“After threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off.... And He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.” Dan. 9:26, 27.

2. What did Christ nail to His cross?

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.” Col. 2:14.

3. What did He thus abolish?

“Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” Eph. 2:15, 16.

4. To what did the ordinances pertain that were thus abolished?

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” Col. 2:16, 17.

5. From what statement do we learn that these ordinances related to the sacrificial system?

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” Heb. 10:1.

6. What occurred at the time of the crucifixion which indicated that the typical system had been taken away by Christ?

“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.” Matt. 27:51.

7. In what language is this clearly stated?

“Then said He, Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second.” Heb. 10:9.

8. What is the first which He took away?

“Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law.” Verse 8.

NOTES.—“He taketh away the first.” The connection plainly indicates that what Christ took away was ceremonialism as expressed in the typical service of sacrifices and offerings, and that what He established, by giving Himself to do the will of God, was the experience of doing the will of God on the part of the believer. Thus He made possible the answer to the petition which He taught His disciples, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Instead of abolishing the moral law, Christ made such provision that every believer in Him may become a doer of that law.

“The word first here refers to sacrifices and offerings. He takes them away; that is, He shows that they are of no value in removing sin. He states their inefficacy, and declares His purpose to abolish them. ‘That He may establish the second’—to wit, the doing of the will of God.... If they had been efficacious, there would have been no need of His coming to make an atonement.”—Dr. Albert Barnes, on Heb. 10:9.

9. In what statement to the woman at Jacob’s well did Jesus intimate that the ceremonial system of worship would be abolished?

“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.” John 4:21.

NOTE.—The worship of the Jews centered in the typical system, or ritual service, of the temple, “at Jerusalem,” while the Samaritans had instituted a rival service “in this mountain,” Mt. Gerizim. In His statement to the woman of Samaria, Jesus therefore indicated that the time was at hand when the whole typical system would be done away.

10. What test case arose in the time of the apostles over this question?

“And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” Acts 15:1.

11. What requirement was made by these teachers from Judea concerning the ceremonial law?

“Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment.” Verse 24.

12. After conferring over this matter, what decision was reached by the apostles?

“For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” Verses 28, 29.

13. What charge was made against Stephen concerning his attitude toward the ceremonial law?

“And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.” Acts 6:13, 14.

14. What similar charge was brought against the apostle Paul?

“This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.” Acts 18:13.

15. What statement did Paul make concerning his faith and manner of worship?

“But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.” Acts 24:14.

NOTE.—The charge against Stephen and Paul was not based upon any violation of the moral law, but upon their teaching concerning the ceremonial law; and Paul’s admission that he was guilty of what they called heresy meant simply that he differed from them as to the obligation to observe any longer the precepts of the law which was imposed upon them “until the time of reformation.” The simple fact that such charges were preferred against these able exponents and teachers of the gospel shows that in their view the ceremonial law had been abolished by the death of Christ, and that, like the giving of the moral law at Sinai it was designed to lead men to Christ.

16. What is one of the offices of the moral law?

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Gal. 3:24.

17. How is this same teaching expressed in another place?

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Rom. 10:4.

NOTE.—Murdock’s translation of the Syriac New Testament renders this passage: “For Messiah is the aim of the law, for righteousness, unto every one that believeth in Him.”

18. In what statement is there a similar use of the word end?

“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:9. See also 1 Tim. 1:5; James 5:11.

NOTE.—In the ceremonial law there was “a shadow of good things to come,” a type of the mediatorial work of Christ, our great High Priest. The moral law makes known sin, places the sinner under condemnation, and forces him to Christ for pardon and cleansing. The ceremonial law was abolished by the work of Christ, but the moral law was established by both His life and death.

19. What testimony did Christ bear concerning His relation to the law and the prophets?

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matt. 5:17.

NOTE.—“Christ kept the law. If He had ever broken it, He would have had to die for Himself; but because He was a Lamb without spot or blemish, His atoning death is efficacious for you and me. He had no sin of His own to atone for, and so God accepted His sacrifice. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. We are righteous in God’s sight because the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ is unto all and upon all them that believe.”—_“__Weighed and Wanting,__”__ by D. L. Moody, pages 123, 124._ See also notes on pages 374, 375, 382, and 389.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us