SPECIAL BIBLE SUBJECT HELPS A Guide to Bible Truth and Exposition of Bible Prophecy “THY WORD IS TRUTH” John 17:17 ONE HUNDRED NINE DIVISIONS OVER FOUR HUNDRED BIBLE SUBJECT OUTLINES ‘THOUSANDS OF SCRIPTURE REFERENCES. H. M. 8. RICHARDS RADIO EVANGELIST LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA AuthorSPECIAL INDEX FOR THE ORDERLY STUDY OF THE WORD OF GODCONTENTS ‘Tae Bine Intenestixe Braue Srories Brate Facrs or Spsciat Ivrenesr ‘Tae Ten Commanoaenrs Twenry-raieo Psat, ‘Tae Lono’s Paaven ‘Tae Bearrrupes How to Srupy the Bete ‘Twe Pas-existexce oF Jesus Cunist Tak Ontos oF Evit ‘Tue Pan oF Repemetion Binur Proruzey Some Grear Paornectes oF Dawiet ‘Tas Gaear Proreric [nace Four Gasar Beasts ‘Tix Secon Comune or Cuist Stoxs oF re Times ‘Tur Seven Seats ‘Tue Seven Caurcnes ‘Tue Seven Taumpera ‘Tae Seven Last Pracves ‘Two Wirnesses oF Revetation 11 Tue Miucenxrow ‘Tae Ear Mane New, PARADise Restore ‘Tue Taner Heavens ‘Tar Tave Isaase oF Goo Trax Prorsctes Coxcernixe Canisr and His Work ‘Tae CuRansine or THE SANCTUARY ‘Tne Taner-rors Messace or Revetation 14 ‘Tur Law oF Gop ‘Tuk Saseate oF THE LorD Aut rae Frest Dav Texte nc rue Bute Has tHe Recoap ov Tue Beex Lost? ‘Tar Cunistran Saasari. ‘Tae Arrewrrep CHANGE OF THE SABBATIL ‘Tus Law of Goo ‘Tuz Beast Syumot of Revetarion 13, ‘Tue Sear or Gon Laws Grven ny Goo, ConraasteD ‘Tae Two Covenants Saven ay Grace. ‘Tue Nature oF Max ‘Taz Srave oF raz DapCONTENTS . Pace ‘Tne Basra Rexewen 64, 65 Dirricucr Scarerunat. Passaces ConsipeneD 65-67 Saraw ano Hig Paturn Axouts 67-69 Tue Houy Anceis of Goo 9,70 How ro Brcous « Cunistian, 70, 71 Farne nD Barrisit 73 ‘Tue Support or THe Gosret Ministry 15,76 (Cunist in ALL THE BIBLE (76-78, Braue TRACHING ON HEALTH 78,79 Tenpeeance PrinctPLes 79, 80 PRAYER 80-92 ‘Tne Seour 82 ‘Tae Sout 82, 83 Four Wonos Transtarap “Haut! 1x Tu Biate 83, 84THE BIBLE God is the real Author of the Bible: 2,Tim. 3:16, 17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly | furnished unto all good worles."' God spoke through man: 2 Pet. 1:20, 21, “Knowing this first, | that no prophecy’ of the scripture ie of | any private interpretation: For the prophecy came not in old time by the ‘will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” In Luke 24:27, 44, 45, we find the gntize Old Testament spoken of as “seriptures.” Jesus is talking: “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, hhe expounded unto them in. all the scriptures the things concerning: himself. +". And he said unto them, These are ‘the words which I spake unto you, while Twas yet with you, that all things must be fulfiled,, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and New Testament. ‘The psalmist says of the Scriptures, “Thy word is true from the beginning.” (Ps. 119:160.) Jesus said His own words would not pass away: Luke 21:33, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” (Matt, 24:35.) Jesus commanded those who heard Him to search the Scriptures: John 5:39, “Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they. which testify of me. The Apostle Paul belicved the Scrip- tures Rom. 15:4, “For whatsoever things ‘were written aforctime were written for our-learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (See also John 17:17; Heb. 4:12; Jer. 23:29.) THE REASON FOR. THE SCRIPTURES, - John 20:30, 31, “And many other signs truly did. Jesus ‘in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book::but these are written, that ye in the psalms, concerning me. ‘Then opened he their understanding, that they might-understand the seriptures.”” | might believe that Jesus is the Christ, | the Son of God; and that believing ye | might have life through his name.”” The “scriptures” (the 39 books of the Old. Testament)-are divided into three divisions: first, the law of Moses; second, the prophets; third, the. poctical books | and the Psalms. ‘The 27 books'of the New. Testament | sntain the four Gospels, recording the | life and teachings of Christ; the Acts of the Apostles, the founding of the Chris- tian Church, the work of its first leaders’ carsying the message to the world; the Epistles; and the Book of Revelation, The Old “Testament containg many prophecies of Christ, or the. Messiah. ‘The New Testament gives the record of the fulfillment of these prophecies. There are 400 years of silence between the last book of the Old Testament and the first book of the New, so there could be no collusion between the prophets 6f the Old Testament and the apostles of the 7 What is God’s word.to us on the path of life? = Ps, 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my:path."” ‘What does the Word of God do in our hearts? Ps, 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (See also John 5:39; 8:31, 32; L Pets 1:22.25; 9:15; “Tea, 8:20; Acts 20:32.) ‘Man is not to add to the Holy Scrip- tures or to take away from them. This is stated near the first of the Bible, near the middle of the Bible, and near the end of the Bible: Deut. 4:2, "Ye shall hot add unto the word “which I command. you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it; that ye may. keep the commandments: of the Lord your God which I command you.”6, “Every word of God is Shield unto them that put him. ‘Add thou not unto he-eprove thee, and'thou Rev. 22:18:19, “For I testify unto Svery man that heareth the words of the Brophecy’of this book If any man cing Sad unto these things, God shall nay jito him the plagues that are aries ar hts bookand if any-man shall tee Sway from the words of the bool of eke t Read also John 10:35; Isa. 40:8; 55; Ty Jers 23:08," INTERESTING BIBLE STORIES 1! CHeation ‘of ‘the World —cGenesie and Eve and the Serpent— Generis 3. * 3. Cain ana Abel—Gentsis 4. 4. Noah’s Ark and: the Flood—Gene- toy? vein 68, 1¢: Beginning of Nations—Gene- 10 sige 6, me Tower: ‘of Babel—Genesis Tae 7/AbYaham Almost Loses ‘Sarah— |- nesis 12) 8! Abrihiam Saves! Lot! From the Enemy, Army—Genesis 14 9% God Promises Abraham Son— 1, Genesis 15, 10.’ Hagar Runs Away Into the Desert (Genesis 16:6-13. WU Angels Visit Abraham Genesis 18; f i 12 God Destroys Sodom and Gomor- tah With Fire From Heaven Genesis 19:24.29, 18: Abraham Denies That Sarah ts Hig »(Wiife and “Again Almost Loses Her-~Genesis 20, 14. Hagar and Ishmael in the Desert —_ vo Genesis 21:1-21. 1S-rAbraham Offers Up Iseac~-Genesis $a? BQO! 1.5 '16."Abrahani "Buys. a Cave to Bury Sarah—Genesis 23, 8 17, Abraham’s Servant Seeks a Wife for Isaac—Genesis 24, 18. Bsau Sells His Birthright—Genesig 25:29.34. 19. Tsaae Cleans Out the Wells the Philistines Had Filled With Barth —Genesis 26:13.33, 70. Jacob and Esau—Genesis 27, 21. The Dream of Jacob's Laddér- Genesis 28:10-i5. 74. Jacob Wrestles With an, Angei— Genesis 32, 28. The Meeting of Jacob and Bsa ness 33, 27, Jacob Buries the Ldols—Cenesis'35, 37. Joseph Sold by “His Brother’: 28. Joseph Cast Into Prison’Genesis 39, 29. The Dreains of the Butler and the B ienesis 40, 90. The Strange Dream of Phatach—_ esis 41. 3t- Joseph Meets Fis Brsthers Gee: sis 42-45, 32. Pharaoh Orders’ the’ Boy. Babies Killed Exodus 1 loses nan Ark of ‘Bilrushes— Exodus'2:1-10, ” 35; Moses at’ the!*Buching Bagh! Exodus 3) $6:' Moses! Rod Turis Into a Serpent Exodus 4: 32. Bricks of Straw_“Bodus §, 38. TPhe Ten Plagues of Eeypt—Exp. dus 7-12, 99; The Blood on the Door Exodus 12, 40. ‘The Israelites Cross the Red Sea— Exodus 14, ‘41. The Bitter. Waters’ Sweetened — Exodus 15:23-27, 42, Qualls and ‘Manna: Sent—Exedus 6. te, Water From the Rock—Exodus 17; ‘4. Ten Commandments Given ie lus 20, 45.! They Make the Golden Calf—Rig- dus 32, 46. Nadab and Abihu Offer Stange Fire—Leviticus 10:1-11 47. Miriam Becomes ia. Leper—Num: bers 12, “48. The Twelve Spies Search thee Prom. ‘sed Land—Numbers 13, 14 49. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Swal lowed Up by the Earth—Num. | bers 16, 50. Aaron’s Rod Blooms—Numbers 17 31. Moses Smites the Rock—Numbers 20:1-13, 52. Fiery Serpents—Numbers*21:4.9, $3-Balaam and the Donkey That Talked—Numbers 29-24, S4: The Cities of Refuge—Deuteron- omy 19, 55: God: Buries Moses—Deuteronomy 3 4 $6. Rehab Hides the Spies—Joshua 2. 57. The Israelites Cross the Jordan, Joshua 3:7-17; 4. of Jericho Fall Down— Joshua 6. 59. Achan Steals a Wedge of Gold— Joshua 7. 60. Ambush and Capture of Ai Joshua 8:1-29, 61, The Old Sacks and the Old Bread— Joshua 9, : 2, The Sun and: Moon Stand Still Joshua 10:1-27. 63. Ehud’s Dagger—Judges 3:12.30, 64. The Hammer and the Nail—Judges 4, 65,.Gideon and His Army—Judges 6, 1. 6, The Parable of ‘Talking ‘Trees Judges 9;7-15, OF. Jephthah’s Vow—Judges 1) 68. The Man Who Mispronounced the Word ‘‘Shibboleth"—Judges 12. 69. Stories About Samson—Judges 13. 16, 10. The Story of Ruth—Book of Ruth, 71, Samuel Hears a Voice in the Night 1 Samuel 3, 72. Bad News Kills a Priest—1 Samuel 4. 73: When the Philist 1 Samuel 5, 6. 24. Israel Asks for a King—1 Samuel 8, 175: A Boy Hunts for Donkeys—1 Sam, uel 9, 's Had the Ark 9 76. Jonathan and His Armor-Bearer— 1 Samuel 14:1.23, r 77. Saul Disobeys God—1 Samuel 15 78. David Is Anointed by, Samuel 1 Samuel 16, 5 19. David. Fights Goliath—1 Samuel 17, 80. David and Jonathan 1 Samuel 18:14 81. Saul Tries to Kill David—1 Samuel 19, 82, David. Finds. Saul in ‘a. Cave LSamuel.24.— 83. David in Saul’s Camp—i, Samuel 26. °B4 Saul and the Witch of Endor— 1 Samuel 28, 83. David Defeats the Bandits—1 Sam. uel 30, 86. Uzzah-Drops Dead When He Touches. the Ark—2. Samuel 1-7, 87, David's Great. Sin—2 Samuel 11, 12, 88. Stories About Absalom—2 Samuel 15-18, 89. The Four Giants Killed—2 Samuel 2115-22. $0. Solomon’s Dream—1 Kings.9:5-15, 91. The Judgment of Solomon With the Sword—1 Kings 3:16.78 92. The Queen of Sheba Comes With @ Caravan—I Kings 10, $3. Solomon's Wives—1 Kings 11:1-13 94. The Prophet and the Lion—1 Kings 1B. } Elijah and the Ravens 1 Kings i 96, Elijah and the Prophet of Baal— 1 Kings 18:1-29, 97, Elijah Brings ‘Down “Fire From Heaven 1 Kings 18:30-38, 98. Elijah in the Cave—1 Kings 19:1: 14, 99. Queen Jezebel sind Naboth’s! Vine. yard—1 Kings 21 100. Ahab Dies—1 Kings 22:1.40, 101. Elijah Translated—2 Kings 2:1-18, 2:23.25, : 103. ‘The “Widow's. ‘Oil Multiplied=2 ings 41-7. 104: The Shunarnmite's Son—2. Kings 416-37,ment, 2,728,100;in the New.Testament, | all thy work: bit the seventh day is the £838,380; total, 3,566,480. ‘Middle chapter and the shortest, Ps: 17y middle verse, Ps.1188. sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidseryant, nor thy cattle, nor The ‘word, “Jehovah” oecirs "6,855 / th ‘stranger that is within thy’ gates: times. Of the Old Testament, Proverbs is the middle book; Job 29 is the middle chap- ter; 2 Chron. 20:18 is the middle verse; and 1 Chron, 1:1, the shortest yerse. Of| the New, Testament,.2. Thess..is the middle book; between Rom. 13 and 14, ‘the middle ;chapter; Acts 17:17, , the middle versejand Jolin 11:35, the shortest verse, both in, the New Testament and the whole Bible. All the letters in the alphabet except “Pare ip. Ezra 7:21. “Two chapters nearly alike are 2 Kings 19 and Isa, 37 ‘Neither the word ‘God’ nor “Lord” occurs in Esther. “The word “and” occurs 46,219 times and the word '‘reverend” but once (Ps. '9), and that sapplies to God. The longest word is in Isa. 8:1 HE; TEN| COMMANDMENTS I ‘Thou shalt Have no other gods before me ‘ eo. OL ‘Thou shialt not’ make unto thee any graven image,” oF any' likeness of any thing 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 Ithe 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 shiewing mercy unto thousands of them that love mé, and keep my commandments 11 “Tho shalt ‘not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will fot’ Kold’-him guiltless that teketh’‘his name in'vain. > a Ive for in six days the Lord made heaven aid 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 Honour 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, vit ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery, vuL ‘Thou shalt not steal. x ‘Thou shalt not" bear false-witness against thy neighbour. xo ‘Thou shalt not covet ‘thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet*thy neigh- bott's wife, nor his'manservant; nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his'ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. Exodus 203-17: PSALM 23 ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shallinot want. > He maketh me to lie.down-in green pastures: he Jeadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he Jeadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake, ‘Yea, though I walle through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ‘Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of. mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 1 Surely goodness and mercy. shall fol low me all the days of my life: and I will ‘Remember thé sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do dwell in the-house of the Lord for ever, a 105. Naaman’s Leprosy—2 Kings 5. 106. The Flosting Ax Head—2 Kings LT! 107. The Great Famine in Samaria— 2 Kings 7. 108. ‘The Beal Worshipers Slain — Kings 10:18-28, 409. ‘The Seven-year-old King—2 Kings 10. An’ “Angel Destroys an Army 2 Kings 19 U1. Hezekiah's Life Lengthened Fif- teen Years—2 Kings 201-11 112 Good’ Qusen Bxthet™=Book of Ee 113. The Virtuous Woman—Proverts 31:10-20. 114. The Glorious New Earth—Isaiah 35; 6517.25; 66:22, 25 LS. The History of Satan—Issiah 14:6- 20; Reekiel 26:11-19; Revelation ina 6.- Jerer in the Deep Dungeon— Jeremiah 38:1-13. 117. Daniel Refuses the King's Meat— Daniel 1 118; The Dream of the Greet Image— 119, the Hebrew Chi cbrew Children in the Fie Furnace—Daniel 3. Pay 10, Nebuchadneazar Bats Grass — Daniel #, 1. Betshazzar's Feast—Daniel 5, 122,. Daniel in the Lions’ Den—Daniel 6. 123.’ Jonah’ and the’ Whale—Book of ‘Jonah, 124, Jebus Bora in Bethlehem of Jude —Matthew 2. en Judea 125, Jesus and the Doctors of the Law— Tulke 239-52, 126, John Baptizes Jesis—Matinew 3. 227, TheTenptatienotesus—Matthen 128. Jesus Stils the Storm—Ma an Stor ‘Matthew 129, Jesus Raises a Little Gir to Life— Matthew 9:18.26. fe ite ‘ 130. John the Baptist Is Beheaded— may Matthew 14:1-12, ded Jesus Feeds Five Thousand Pe —Matthew 14:13-21, wba 132. Jesus: Welks on’ the Water—Mat- | 133. The ‘Transfiguration—Matthew | IA. 1H. The “Ten Virgins—=Matthew 25; 135, The Prodigal Son—Luke 15:11-32. 136, ‘The Resurrection of Lazarus— a eee the Last Supper and Betrayal of ‘Jesus—Matthew 26, 138. Christ’s Death and Resurrection— Matthew 27, 28, 139. Christ's “Ascension to Heaven— “Acts 1:1-12, 140. Ananias and Sepphira Fall Dead— Acts 5. 141. The Stoning of Stephen—Acts 6: ap, pbs, T5460. . Preaching in a (Chariot—Acts: 8: 26-40. aes 143. Saul Converted on the Highway— Acts 9:1-30, eer 144. Peter Delivered From Prison by an ‘Angel—Acts 12. 145. Paul Stoned Almost to’ Death— Acts 14:8.20, 146, Peul and Silas in Prison—Acts 16:16-40, 147. The Boy Who Fell Out of the Win- dow—Acts 20:1-12. 148. A Great Storm at Sea—Acts 27. 149. The’ New Jerusalem—Revelation BIBLE FACTS.OF SPECIAL INTEREST ‘The Bible was the first bool printe (about A.D. 1450). ‘The King “james ce Authorized Version of the Bible was first, printed in A.D. 1611 and is the greatest monument of classical English inthe ‘world, Books in the Old Testament, 39; j the New Testament, 27; total, 66. Chap. ters in the Old Testament, $29: in the New Testament, 260; total 1,189, ‘The verses, words, and letters in the Old and New’Testamients are as follows @ slight variation occurring in different versions or translations: Verses in the Old Testainent, 25,214; in the New Testament, 7,959; total 31173, Words in the Old’ Testament 592,493;in the New Testament, 181,253; thew 14:25.33, total, 773,746. Letters in the Old Testa. 10‘As you go on to other chapters, refer back to the first chapter from time to time and you will see more light in it Sometimes the hardest chapter brings the greatest blessing later on. ‘There are 1,189 chapters in the Old and New Testaments, enough for devo- tional reading for over three years, if you take one chapter a day. One well-known Bible student suggested ten questions to be asked on each chapte: (3) What is the principal subject of the chapter? (Q2) What is the leading lesson? (3) What is the best verse? (@) Who are the principal persons? (5) What does the chapter teach con- cerning Christ? (©) Is there in this chapter an ex. ample for me to follow? (2) Is therein this chapter an error for me to avoid? (® Is there in this chapter any duty for me to perform? “come.” Take the titles of Christ, such as “Word,” “Bread,” “Light,” “Vine,” "Deor,” 'Sun," "Saviour," Life,” “Lord.” “Lamb.” 7. We may study Biblical biographies. It is estimated that there are at least 2,930 different men and women linked with the Bible. Take the life of one person and study him from the cradle to the grave. There are 30 persons in the Old Testament, by the name of Zech- ariah, 1 characters in the Old Testa- ment by the name of Jonathan, The New ‘Testament has eight characters by the name of Judas, seven women by the name of Mary, five different men called James. These are different samples: of people in whom’ we may become inter- ested. We may be happily amazed to find interest in studying anonymous char- acters in the Bible—servants of the | Bible, great Jeaders in the Bible, friends of Jesus, those souls whom Jesus touched. 8, We may study the prayers of the (9) Is there in this chapter any | Bible, It has been estimated that there promise for me to claim? are approximately 83 prayers in the Old (10) Is there in this chapter any | Testament and 49 prayers in the New prayer for me to echo? Testament, When: we study them, we 3. We may study the Bible by para-| might ask who is praying, a child of graphs. God or not; the cireurnstances which led 4. We may study the Bible by sub-| to the prayer; physical aspects of pray- jects, taking the prayers of the, Bible, parables of the Bible, miracles of the Bible, conversations of Christ from vari- ‘ous paragraphs, etc. 5. We may study the Bible by verses, noticing the special words in each verse. ing; the one to whom prayer is offered; the one who offers it; the subject of the prayer; ete. 9. Another most interesting study is finding Christ .in all the Scriptures. ‘Reading | Pet. 1:7-11, we see that Christ For instance, Rom. 8:28, “‘And we know | is the subject of all the Bible. He was ‘that all things work together for good | revealed in the prophecies of the: Old to them that love God, to them who are | Testament as well as in His own teach- the called’ according to his purpose.” Here are four verbs—"know,” “work,” “love,” and “are.” Notice the thoughts that are revealed, by these four verbs. 6. We may study the words in the | ets expounded concerning Hi Bible. There are said to be 8,674 differ- ‘ent Hebrew words in the Old Testament, | ing in the Gospels and that of the apos- tles in the Epistles and the Book of Revelation. Jesus declared that the Scriptures from Moses and all the proph- - (Luke 24:27.) -All the Scriptures testify of the Lord “Jesus Christ. (John 5:39.) ‘The 5,624 different Greck words in the New | study of the life, character, and work of ‘Testament, and about 6,000 different English words in the entire Bible. Take such a word as “believe.” Take your concordance and trace, it through the Bible and you will, find details for many Bible study sessions, Take the word | Christ is the supreme study of ‘the Scriptures. 10. We may study the prophecies of the Scriptures and their fulfllments; the doctrines of the Scriptures, such :as creation; character of God and His Son, 13 ‘THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father which’ art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy in earth, as it is in heaven, Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we for- give our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the Kingdom, end the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen be done ‘Matthew 6:9:13, ‘THE BEATITUDES And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaves Blessed are they that mour shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you, for for they ‘Matthew $:1-12. HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE First, get a good Bible, possibly with ‘a concordance. Read the Bible straight through from beginning to end.-Read it as an interesting letter from a dear friend.’ Do not just jump. around here and there, but lay claim to all of its contents. There is a purpose running through the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation which ties the 65 books to- gether. Do not read too fast or too much ata time; read with one object in view— to know the Word and obey the truth revealed by your sight. Dwight L. Moody used to say, "Learn to feed your- self.” So many people wish to receive all their ‘truth from some,’ ecclesiastical spoon. What do the Scriptures say about those who study the Bible? Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in’ Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Tt is good for children to begin to enjoy the Bible: 2 Tim. 3:15, “And that from a child thou’ hast known. the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ. Jesus.” How much of the Bible is important? 2 Tim. 3:16, 17, “All scripture is tiven by inspiration of God, and is Profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous- ness: that ‘the man of God may be per- fect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Note that it brings great bless- ings to memorize many of these impor tant Scriptural texts. ‘There are various ways to enjoy the study of the Word of God: 1, We may study a book at a time. Take for example the Book of Matthew. Find the main outlines of the book by reading it through several times. Sit down sometime and read the whole boole through at one sitting; get the general outline and purpose. 2, We may study the Bible by chap- ters. Most chapters are about. long enough for a morning or evening period of devotion. Do not be frightened if a chapter has long words or lists. of .an- cestors. Never leave a chapter until you have read all of it carefully. You usually find some great truth in every chapter. 2From'where ‘did Jesus’ say He came? ‘John 8:42, -"\Jesus said unto them, If; God were your Father, ye would tove | me: for I proceeded forth end came from | God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” John 17:5, “And now, -O. Father, | glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before / the world was.” ‘Note: The beginning of the Son of God was not at His birth in Bethlehem, for we read.inithe prophecy of Micah 5:2, "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thow be little among the thousands .of Judah, yet out of thee shall he: come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been | from of old, from everlasting.” CHRIST WAS WITH GOD IN CREATION s Who was with God in the beginning? John 1:1-3, “Inthe beginning was the | Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him and without him vas not ‘any thing made that was made.” John 1:14, “And the Word was made ficsh, and dwelt among, us, (and, we eheld his glory, the glory as of the only egotien of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Note: The “only begotten of the | Father” is Jesus. John 3:16, “God so loved the world, that hé gave his only ‘begotten ’Son, that wliosoever believeth the Son], Thy throne, O God, is for ever and-ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy. kingdom, Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in ® the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands." ‘When we look up at the shining stars, we may remember that Jesus was the active agent in theic creation. We also read in another place that all. things were created by Him: Col, 1:14-17, “In whom-we have re- Gemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by’ him were all. things created, that arc in heayen, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dorainions, or princi polities, or powers:all things were created | Sy him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” ‘Were all things created perfect in the eginning? A Gen. Lil, 27, 31, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” | "So Ged created man in his own image, | in the image of God created he. him; male and female created he them." “And God saw every thing that he had-made, and, behold, it was very. good. And the Evening and the morning were the sixth | day.” (Read also Eccl. 7:29; Gen. 2: 8-155 Isa, 45:18.) in him should not petishi, but Have ever- lasting life.” ‘Was Jesus the active ageit with the ae Father in creation? How did sin originate? ‘Heb, 1:1, 2, “God, who'at sundry | 1 John 3:8, “He that: committeth sin times ahd in divers manners spake in | is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from time pest unto the fathers by the proph- | the beginning, For this purpose the Son ets; hath in these last days spoken unto | of God was: manifested, that he might Shy his Sn, who pe Rah appointed | destroy the works ofthe devi” (Read i of all thitigs, by whom also'he made | Eze. 28:12~ Be worlds Gir sorptues aay that the dev ‘What do we read inthe Book of | was once in the-truth: Hebrews about the creative work of the| John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the Son of God? | devil, and the lusts of your-father ye will ‘Heb. 1:8-10, “But unto the Son he! do. He was a murderer from the ‘begin- seith [that is;'God.the Father saith to | ning, and abode not in the truth; because 15 ‘THE ORIGIN OF EVIL the Lord Jesus Christ; the Holy Spirit; the inspiration’ of the Scriptures; the plan of salvation; redemption; the aton- | ing sacrifice of Christ upon ‘the cross; | the ‘Saviour's second coming; the Sab- bath; baptism; hell and heaven; how to be saved. These and many other impor- tant doctrines “are subjects for study. ‘There are many other ways of studying the Seriptures and reading the Word of God—by “verses, ‘by books, by -para- graphs, by Testaments, and the entire | volume from beginning'to end. How does God desire us to study His Word? 2 Tim, 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto,,God,,a: workman that needeth not tobe. ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Note: Jesus-gave us ani example of dividing the Scripture. by subjects. He toole.the subject: of His. first advent through the wholé Old Testament: (Luke 24:27, 32, 44.) When Jesus preached the sermon at Nazareth, where He had been brought up, He read'an Old Testament Prophecy (Isa. 61) and applied it to Hini- self and His work. (Luke 4:16-20.) Can the unconverted and unspiritual fally understand the Word of God? 1 Cor. 2:13, 14, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;’ comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness uunto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Note: Such people “‘wsest” the'Bibfe out of its true meaning. (See 2 Pet. 3:15, 16,) To,encourage men, in Bible study, read Matt. 11:25. Is prayer. needed int Bible study? God gave Daniel wisdom and under- standing in the study of the prophecies of the Bible when he prayed. (Dan. 9:3, 22.) Read Ps. 119:99, 100; Prov. 2:3-5. Are:we to receive the’ Bible as the when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” Jesus said (John 10:27), “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.!” (Read also John’s: Ps, 119:105,) ‘What does Jesus say God's Word is? ,"Sanctify them through y word is truth.” ‘By. what are we to be born again? 1 Pet, 1:22, 23, “Seeing ye have:puri- fied your souls in obeying ‘the: truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with al pure heart fervently: being born ‘again, not. of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and-abideth for Will the Word of God endure when ‘other things pass away? 1 Pet. 1:24, 25, “For all flesh is as grass, ad all'the glory ‘of man as the flower of grass, The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached: unto you.” (Read also Job 22:21, 22; 1 Tim, 4:16.) It is proper to read texts on, the same subject in various places in the Word of God: Isa, 28:10, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon Tine, line upon line} here a little, and ‘there.a little.” (Read also verse. 13.) THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF JESUS CHRIST Did Jesus Christ claim pre-existence? ‘John °8:58, ‘Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, E-say unto you, Before Abraham was, T am.” Note: Here He uses the nanie of Deity, “1 Am.” Gee Ex. 3:14.) He said He was voice’ of God to us personally? 1 Thess. 2:13,° “For this cause also | before Abraham. Abraham lived many ceituries “before Jesus” was ‘born in thank we God without ceasing, because, | Bethlehem. 4thirst! cme; And whosoever will, Jet | him take the water of life freely.” Does God really love us sinners? Rom. 5:8, 9, “But God commendeth his love toward “us, in’ that, while we were yet sinners.” Christ died for us. ‘Mich more then, Beirig now justified by his blood, we shall’be saved from wrath. throigh kim." “Read the ‘entire: 53rd chapter of Isaiah, It is a prophecy of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, bearing dur sind on Calvary’s cross. ‘Does God's plat of redemption in- ude the restoration of man's home, the earth, to its original condition? Micah 4:8, “And thou, O tower of the flock, the stfong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it-come, even the firstidominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” Note::In Gen:"1:26:28 we read that God gave dominion ‘over: the earth and all things in it, to the man Hie.created. Dominion. will, be restored through Christ. “ ‘Where will the righteous, as well es the wicked, be recompensed? ov. (11331, “Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.” What:did Jesus.say about the meek? Matt. 5:5; “Blessed are the meek: for they’ shall inherit the earth.” ‘Note: Read: the beautiful: deseription of the newiearth when it is restored and ‘eleansed fromall sin in Isa. 35, especially. ‘verses'5 and. 6; also.Tsa. 45:18, land the last two chapters of the Boole of Revela- ton. nos a ‘How will the. evil ofi this’ world be cleansed away?) ict) ws 2 Pet 3:10, “sBut the day ofithe Lord. will’éome ai'a'thief iri the night inthe Which the heavens shall pass away with ‘a great’ noise)’ and: the: elements ‘shall melt with ferventsheat; the earth ‘also and the works that are therein shall be burned up”, “Alter the earth if'cleantéd by fire, for what do-we look? sf =a!) 2 Pet. 3:13, ‘Nevertheless we, accord- ing to his-promise, look for neW heavens righteousness.”” (Readvalso Rev: 24 Isa. 65:17-25,) HOW. ARE WE. PERSONALLY TO FIND SALVATION? 1) Acts 16:31), “Believeson the Lord Jesiis Christ, and thou shalt be saved." "Note: The apostle did not say “feel saved” but “be saved.” “We are to be saved from the condemnation of sin, and the wages of sin is death: Isit possible for us to try real hard and. obey all God's commandments and still | be lost?: Rom. 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified.” ‘Note: ‘‘Justified” means to be-made just or righteous before God. ‘Teiwe ‘cannot ‘be ‘saved: by our ‘own works in‘obedience to God's Taw int our ‘own strength, is there.any hope for us? ‘Rom78:3, “For what the law could:not do,in that it was weak through the flesh, Ged sending his own Son in'the likeness of sinful flesh; and for‘sin,:condemned sin inthe flesh 2 Tt is written in Rom, 1:17 thatthe just shall Hive by faith; The righteous, in order to be righteous, must have faith to live before God and ‘not be spiritually dead. In whom is out faith for salvation to be centered? ‘Acts 16:31-5The apostle, told. the jailer to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are:to trust, Jesus @3:our Saviour because He, took our placnand died. for us on:the cross. He:died. for our sins according to:the Scriptures,.(I' Cor. 153.) He took ourplace before -the broken law, for sin is the transgression of the law. (1 John 3:4.) Therefore, God gives us salvation as a free gift and we are atcounted righteous before ‘Him, When we believe on Jestis as our Saviour, as having taken our place, God says that we may have His righteousness put to our account. Our sins’ are charged tovJesus. 3 ‘How did Abraham find righteousness, way back thousands of years ago? Rom. 4:3; ‘Abraham believed:'God, and it was counted unto him for right- and. a:new! earth, wherein’ dwelleth eousness.” e ay there is ‘no truth in him. When speaketh a lie he speaketh of Megs for he is a liar, and the father of it." ‘What ‘happened to Satan, formerly the perfect angel Lucifer in heaven? Revii12:9, “And the great deagon was cast-out, that old serpent, called. the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the | earth, and his angels were éast out with | his skin, or the te i . leopaéd his spots? then may yealso do good, that are at ‘may ye also do good, that are accustomed Where only is our salvation f ur salvation found? Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, where, by we must be saved.’” b Note: In verse 10 we'read ‘that the Bin! head se sade eet gut wath (eee is here speaking of Jestis Christ, eagaaaey ought sin and death into this world by deception? st" inte this Gen. 31-6 "Now the serpent vas | more subtil than any beast of the field | which the Lord Godt had made, Ana's said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said; Ye shallinot eat of every tree of the | tarien? And the woman said oney h | serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the-frut of e tree'which is in the midst of the arden, God hath said, Ye shall not ene Of it, neither shail ye'toueh it, lst ce | dic. “And the: serpent said. unto. the | woman, Ye shall not surely die: for Ged doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then'your eyes shall be opened, and ye jour. ‘As men were condemned were condemned to dea because of sin, what did God do? “* ae ue “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only besotee Son, that whosoever belleveth ik hee ‘ould not perish, but have everlasting Why do we call Jesus the Saviour? ‘Matt. 1:21, “And she shall bring forth @ son, and thou shalt call. hi i, and thou is name JESUS: for he shal save his people from Note: The word “Jesus” means “Say. That iv His name Why did Jesus say He ‘came to’ this world? Luke 19:10, “For the Séii of ian is shall be as gods, kno come to seek fe knowing good and evil seek and to save’ that whicl And when the woman sew that the tree [Rae fi was good for food, and that ie lessant to\the eyes, and a tree to be | desired to make one wise, she took of the | DUt to destroy Satan, S| into the world: fruit thereof, and did eat, and unto her husband with hry ana he eat.” (See also Gen. 3:7-24,): oe Note: Through” disobedience, Adam Note: This inicludes all that were lost, Jesus came not only to save the lost who brought sin Heb. 2:14, 15, ““Forasmuch theil’as the N88 ateren are partake ia nee aha he alo himott likewise took ae oes and Eve forfeited life. Sin brought forth |S4mei that through death’ he might death, for the wages of sin is death, | destroy him that (Rom. 6:23.) had the power of | death, that.is, the devil; and deliver Upon how many people in:this- wold | them who thiough fear of death were ea has death’ passed? Rom. 312, “Wherefore, as by-one man | | their lifetime subject to bondage.” sondage. Dots God desire the death of man- sin entered into the world, and death by | kind? sin; and so death passed upon’ all men, | Rom. 8:2: THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION Can man save himself by: his. own | 13:23, “Can the Ethiopian change 16 in Eze, 18:32, "For. Lhave no for that ‘all have sinned.” (Read. also | the death of thee Pet ike 3 1 Cor. 15:295 1 John 3:5-8) | Lord, God: wl | and live ye." Who is free to answer.God’s. ae ree to answer. God’ loving Rev. 2 | bride: say, Come. | beareth say, Come.’ And let him that is him: that dieth, saith the ‘herefore turn yourselves, : “And the Spirit and the ‘And let him thatour learning, that we through patience and comfort of the, scriptures might hhave hope.” 5 "To whom..has God revealed His secret? «i ‘Amos 3:7, “Surely, the Lord God will do nothing, but heirevealeth his secret unto his servants.the prophets.” How did: prophecy. come in,the old time? 2 Pet, 1:21, “For.the prophecy came not in old time by; the will of man: but holy men of God spake as. they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” ‘Note: God does not reveal all of His plans, but what He does, ceveal is for us: Deut. 29:29, “The secret things belong lunto the Lord our God? but those things which are revealed belong unto us.” Our salvation is the object of prophecy. (See 1 Pet: 1:9-11,) ; Did Jesus recogniée: Daniel as. a Srophet? ‘Matt. 24:15;"!When ye therefore shall ste the kbomination of desélation, spoken of by’ Daniel the: prophet, stand-in’the holy place, (whoso readeth, Jet “him understang)."” Note! The'last book in the Bible, the Book of Revelation, is also a book of prophecy,'It is called’the Revelation of Jesus Christ! (Rev. F S) In. prophecy, God reveals history: be- | fore it occurs: Ysa, 46:9, 10, “Remember the former ‘things of old: for 1 am, God,:and. there is none-else;,1 am God, and there is none like me, declaring the, end, from the beginning, and from, ancient times the things that aze not yet done, saying, My counsel. shall stand, and Iwill do all'my pleasure.”” Isa, 42:8, “Behold, the former things arejeome to pass, and new things do T declare: before they. spring forth I tell ‘you of them.” God, challenges unbelief, We can pror use, too, historically, fuliled prophecy, Isa. $1.22, 23, ‘Let them bring them forth, and, shew us what. shall happen: Jet them shew the,former.things,. what they he, that we may consider them, and know the latter end.of them; or declare tus things for to come, Shew the things | that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or dovevii, that we may. be dismayed, and behold it:together.”” Christ Himself was a prophet: John 13:19, ""Now.1 tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye. may” believe. that I am he.” See Luke “Examples of Bible prophecies of cities and nations and peoples’ which “have been definitely fulfilled: 1, The prophécy that the city. of Babylon, one of the mightiest cities of antiquity, was finally to be destroyed and -be absolutely desolate. There are only ruins and desolation there’ today. Isa, 13:19-22, “And Babylon,’ the glory of kingdoms, the’ beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. Te shall never be inhabited, neither shall it-be dwelt in feom generation to generé= tion: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall tie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, ahd satyrs shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in: their pleasant palaces! and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be proloriged.”” See Jer. 51:24-26. 2, The prophecy that Adsytia ‘would cease to be a nation and would be de- stroyed, and Nineveh, its capital, would bea desolation, like a wilderness Zeph. 2:13, “And he will stretch out hhis,hand against the nor’ Aséyriaj and vill male Ni tion, and dry lilke a wilderness.” 3..The maritime city of Tyre, with ships traversing the whole ka\gwn world, 1yas to be destroyed, become like the top ofa rock. This was fulilled, Eze, 26:3-5,/"Therefore,thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O ‘Tyrus, and will cause many, nations to come up against thee, asthe sea causeth | his waves to.come, up. And they shall | destroy the walls of Tyrus, and breale 19 Note: When we. too believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, His righteousness is accounted to us, The Apostle Paul declares that “by the righteousness of one [that is, Jesus] the free gift came upon all men writo justifi- cation of life.” (Rom. 5:18.) This. ‘free gift” is “the gift of grace; which is by one man, Jesus Christ.” (Verse 15.) This is something we as sinners surely do not deserve. It is unmerited love and grace of God. Therefore, the apostle declared, “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8.) ‘Whom ‘did Jesus ‘say. is not’ con: demned? John 3:18, ‘He that believeth on him {that is, on Jesus) is not condemned: but he that» believeth not is “condemned because he hath not believed in. the name of the only begotten Son of:God.” ‘Note: This believing means. faith in Jesus as our crucified Redeemer: Do we Rot read in, John 3:14, 15, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever: believeth, in him should not perish, but have eternal life”? ‘When we’ believe on the Saviour ds our Redeemer, accept His offered salva- tion, what does God do for us? Ps. 51:10, “Create in me clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit within me.” God re-creates us spiritually and it is called a new birth. Jesus said (John 3:5), | "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit [from above, as the margin putsit}, he cannot enter into the king- dom of God." 2. Another step is, repentance: Luke 13:3, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” What did Jesus say should be preached throughout the world? Luke 24:47, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” What is one of the evidences of true repentance? ‘Acts 26:20, “But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” ‘Note: When one has truly repented, it will be evident in his life; it will change his life. Where he was.dishonest, he will bbe honest; where he was impure, he will be pure. He will do his best with the in- dwelling power of Christ and the blessing of God to make everything right that has been wrong in his life before. He will repay what he has stolen, confess his sing and not try to hide them or con- tinue to live in them, 3. The third step is the:profession of Christ as our Saviour, not only by word of mouth but bya true Christian life: Luke 12:8, “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.” 4. The next step is Baptism: Mark 16:16, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he. that believeth not shall be damned.” |, What did the Apostle Peter say'about | baptism in his great pentecostal seriion? |, Acts: 2:38, “Then ‘Peter ‘said unto them, Repent, and be baptized: every one of youin the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift‘of the Holy Ghost.” Note: We are saved from the condem- nation of sin by faith in Christ as our Saviour, We receive justification by the grace of God: Then we are to begin to grow in grace through obedience to God’s Word, the indwelling and power of the Holy Spirit, and the study of the word of God through meditation and prayer. Growth in grace. is called, sanctification and continues as long as life lasts, At the second coming. of out Saviour, glorifica- tion comes in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump. (L Cor, 15:51-57.) BIBLE PROPHECY ellis challenge has God given xine elie? Rom. 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for 18it Vandals, Alemanni, and Saxons, These kingdoms:are represented today in the nations of Europe: Lombards, , Italy; Franks, France; Anglo-Saxons, England; Alemanni, Germany; Visigoths, Spain; ete, 5. The universal kingdon of the God of heaven! : Dan. 2:94, “Aid in the days of these kings shall'the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the ‘kingdom shall not. be left to other people; but it'shall break in pieces and'consume all'these kingdoms, and it ‘shall stand for ever.” _ Note: This is représented by the stone cut out ‘without hands which'smites the statue upon his feet. In other words, it Ihappens in the last days, the days when the great nations of modern Europe are still in existence. Tremendous events will také place and usher in the universal Kingdom of Christ's glory. In the Bible, Christ is represented by a stone: & Acts.4:10,-11, "Be it known unto you all, and ‘to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whorn ye. crucified, whom, God. raised from the dead, even by him doth this man, stand here before you whole; This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.” , L Pet. 2:68, “Wherefore also it is contained inthe scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief comer stone, elect, pre- cious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded:; Unto: you. therefore which believe he is. precious: but: unto them which be disobedient, the. stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made, the headof the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being, disobedient: whereunto also they ‘were appointed.” 1 «Eph. 2:20, “And are built'upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ “himself being the ‘chief ser stone. represented by Christ Himself and is really the kingdom of the stone which will ill the whole earth, Was’ Christ’s kingdom of glory still futureat His first advent? ‘Matt, 2531, “When the Son. of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy j angels with him, thea shall he sit upon the throne of his glory." Note: “Throne” suggests a king: and kingdom. When He’ was, here, Jesus pointed forward to the time which was still future when the Son'of man would sit upon the throne. In other words, to come at His kingdom, See also 2 Tim, 4:1, "charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shali judge the quick and the:dead at his appearing and his kingdom.’ ‘Notice this universal kingdom of God is founded “in the days of these kings” (or kingdoms), which arose on the ruins of the Roman Empire. It certainly. will be soon, These kingdoms were not yet in existence at the first advent of Christ, ‘therefore this predicted kingdom of God isa kingdom of glory to be set up at the second coming of Christ. What did Jesus teach His followers to pray? - : ‘Matt. 6:10, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” ‘When will this happen? Rey. 11:15, ‘And the seventh’ angel sounded; and’there were great voices in heaven, ‘saying, ‘The Kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” FOUR GREAT BEASTS To understand this prophecy it is necessary to read the entire 7th: chapter of Daniel. Note: The vision of Dan. 2'was given toa heathen king who would naturally show interest in an image, but in this vision of Dan. 17, which came not to Nebuchadnezzar but to Daniel himself, who Wasa true servant of God, the symbolic beasts represent the worldly Kingdoms and more nearly portray the “ote: The theme here is that Christ is nature of earthly powers. 2 What are the main symbols, used in | the vision? mar 1, Beasts. These beasts represent king- doms or powers: . ‘Dan. 7:17, ‘These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.” : Note: Here ‘kings’ stands for king- doms: Dan, 7:23, “Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom | , upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole ‘earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.” 2, Waters. Waters represent peoples, multitudes, nations, or tongues Rev. 17:15, “The waters which thou sawest . .. afe peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” Isa. 8:1, “Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks.” _ 3. Winds. Winds represent strife, war, commotion, trouble among the nation ‘Jer. 25:31-33, “A noise shall. come even to, the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy withthe nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the'Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil: shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth, And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the eart they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung lupon the ground.” (See also Jer. 49:36, at) : 4, Horns, Horns represent kings or powers: Dan, 7:24, “And the ten horns out of thid kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after thera; land he shall be diverse from the first, ‘and he shall subdue three kings.” Notice.that in symbolic prophecy: the beasts, waters, winds,. and. horns are LOOK FOR THE WAY-MARKS "Look for the way-merks as you journey Look for the: way-marks, passing one by one; Dowa thro’ the’ ages, past the king doms four, Where are ‘we: standing? Look the way-marks oer. “First, the Babylonian kingdom ruled the world, ‘Then Medo-Persia’s banners were un- furled; And after Greece held universal sway Rome seized the scepter,— ‘Where are we today? “Down in the feet of iron and of clay, ‘Weak and divided, soon to pass away; What will the next great,, glorious drama be? Christ and His coming, and eternity. “Look for the way-marks,, the great prophetic way-marks,, , Down thro’ the ages, past the king- doms four, ‘ Look for, the way-marks, the grea ‘prophetic way-macks; ‘The journey’s almost o'er.” —F. E, Belden, THE FOUR GREAT KINGDOMS ‘The four, great earthly kingdoms of this prophecy in Dan, 7,are the same as ‘the four great earthly, kingdoms of the prophecies of the great image of the 2nd chapter of Daniel. 1. -Babylon,, the lion with. eagle's swings (603 to'S39 B.C.): “ Dan. 7:4, “The first was like a lion, and.had:eagle’s wings: I beheld till the ‘wings thereof were plucked,.and it was lifted up from the earth, and. made stand upon the feet as a'man, and a man's heart was given to it." Note: Babylon at first was lion-like. Jt was a mighty military power under Nebuchadnezzar. The, wings evidently Sepresonted his speed in his conquests. But this all changed, Luxury and wealth did their work, Other changes followed. He was, more effeminate and pleasure simply symbols. The symbols arc ex plained in the Scripture itself. 2 Joving; the lion-like character was gone. In the days of Belshazzar, the kingdom 3fell'a Victim to tHe Medes and Persians. © 24: Medo-Persia, the bear (539 to 331 BC): ‘Dan,.7:5, “‘And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs jn the mouth of it between the teeth of, its and they. said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.” i. Notes, In. conquering. its way to. su- premacy, Medo-Persia overthrew three great, nations, Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt, well represented here. by. the three ribs in the mouth of this devouring creature. The kingdom of the Medes and Persians was a dual kingdom, some- thing like Austria-Hungary in later times. 43, Grecia, the leopard with four wings G31 to 108 B.C): “After this'T beheld, anid lo another, le a leopard, which hed upon ‘the back of it four wings of a fo beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.” ‘Wings no doubt show the tremendous speed of conquest of Alexander the Great. In a few short years:he conquered the ancient world—Asia Minor, right across from India. He finally'died in! Babylon in-a drunken debauch at the age of 32. No heir-was. able to hold the throne. His four leading generals, represented ‘by the fouir heads of the leopatti, divided the’ empire ‘between them. Castander had Macedenia and Greece in the west; Lysiniichus ‘had‘Thrave, parts of Asia ‘on the Hellespont, and the Bosphorus in the ‘north;'’ Ptolemy’ received’ "Egypt, Lydia, Arabia, Palestitie, anid the’ sout crm portion of the empire; Seleucus had Syria and all the’ rest of Alexander's dominion in the east. This'division took place, in 308 B.C. * 4."Rome, the unnamed beast’ (168 . to A.D: 476): i Dani: 7:7, “After ‘this'T? saw in’ the night vision4, and behold’a-fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceed ingly} and it had great iron teeth: it Hevoured “end brake in’ pieces, and stamped the residue’ with the fect fit and it was diverse from all'the beasts ‘hat were before it; and it had ten he Wes BA ‘The ten kingdoms which arose‘on’the ruins of Rome are noted by the ten horns, (Dan. 7:24,) (See the vision of the great image.) TEN HORNS AND THE LITTLE HORN Dan. 7:8, “considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three ‘of the'first horns phicked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.” Verses 20-22, "And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, afd before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, fand a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than | his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn { made war with the saints, and prevailed | against them; until the Ancient of days came, tnd judgment: was-given ‘tthe Saints of the most High; and the time | came that the saints possessed the king- dom.” ‘Note: After the break-up of ‘the | western -Empire’of Rome; papal Rome Suceeeded ‘pagan Rome as the center of Wvilization and political power. Tt rose among the ten divisions of Rome and overthreiv three of these kingdorris which were followers ofthe’ Arian form’ of Christianity. and Spposed the: spiritual supremacy of the ‘Papacy. These: three kingdoms" among* the ten were the Heruli; brought down in 493, the Vandals in $34, and the Ostrogoths in $38 FOUR MARKS OF IDENTIFICATION Dan. 7:24.26, “And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and'he shall be diverse from the first, and’he shall subdue three kings.’And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think tov change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his 24 dominion, to consume and'to destroy it | unto the end 1, “He shall speak great words.” Note the title “Father is sometimes em-| ployed:in a spiritual sense. This is held | by many to be contrary to Scripture: ‘Matt. 23:9, “And call no’ man your | father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” ! ‘This and other titles have been pro-, tested, such as,-“For thou art the Shep- herd, thow art’ the ‘physician, thou art | the director, thou-art the husbandman, ! finally thou art.another God on earth.”* —From oration of Christopher Marcellus in fourth session of Fifth Lateran Coun- cil, Labbe & Cossart’s History of the Councils: published in 1672, Vol. XIV, col. 109, | ‘As to how we. should speak, read: 1 ‘Thess. 2:4, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” 2, He ‘shall wear out the saints of the most High.!” For many years there was | religious oppression, for union of church and state brought much suffering and | persecution for religious principles. Ac- cording to-Llorente, formerly. Secretary | of the Inquisition, 31,912 were burned | to death in. Spain. See The History of the Inquisition in Spain, p. 206. “The church has persecuted. Only a tyro.in church history will deny that. ‘One hundred and fifty years after Con- | stantine the Donatists were’ persecuted, and sometimes put to death. . . . Prot-| estants were persecuted in France and Spain with: the full approval of the church authorities. We have. always defended the persecution of the Hugue- nots;and the Spanish Inquisition. Where- ‘ever sand whenever : there is. honest Catholicity, there willbe a clear dis- tinction drawn between truth and error, and Catholicity and all: forms of error. ‘When she thinks it-good to use physical force, she: will use it.”—The Western Watchman (Roman Catholic), St Louis, Dec. 24. 1908. 3. He shall “think to change times. ‘and laws.” Great liberty has been taleen: in eatechisms and other. publications; for instance, expunging the second com- mandment: and dividing the -tenth in order to make the number ten; also the attempted change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week. QUOTATION! “Question: Have you, any other way of proving that the Church has power to institute festivals of precept? “Answer: Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her; she could not have substituted the obsery- ance of Sunday the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authosity.”"—From A Doctrinal Catechism, by Rev. Stephen Keenan, p. 174. 4, The “time and times ‘and the dividing of time” of the supremacy of the little horn's power. (Dan. 7:25, last clause.) The same period is mentioned asa “time, and times, and half time” in Rev. 12:14; in Rev. 11:2 and 13:5 a8 ‘forty and two months”; and in Rev. 1:6 as “‘a thousand two hundred, and threescore days.” IN SYMBOLIC PROPHECY, A DAY STANDS FOR A YEAR Num. 14:34, “After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye =| bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. Eze. 4:6, ‘And when thou hast ac- complished them, lie again on'thy-right side, and thou shalt bearthe iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: T have appointed thee each day for a yeai Note: A prophetic calendar -year: of 360 days, or twelve:months"of 30 days each, is used» in prophetic chronology. The supremacy of this power then would, last 1,260 days, each day standing for a year, or 1,260 years, from A.D. 538, when’ the last of the’ three opposing “horns” was uprooted, to 1798. In'that year, Berthier, one of Napoleon's.gener- als; at his command, -took the French army to Rome, made the bishop of Rome, Pope Pius VI, prisoner, and carried him to France, where he died. The: civil 28tailed and of the Papacy was cur Biepublic was set up in Rome. oD's IAL VICTORY OF Gi FINAL WI PEOPLE ae ‘hiss the glorious Kingdom of Christ 0 view in Dan. 7:26, the jucgient shall st and they bell away his dominion, to consume anc trey unto the end, And the ng om and doininion, and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole heaven, of the most High, whose Kingdom. is a everlasting kingdom, and all dom: shall serve and obey him. :OND GOMING OF THE SECOURIST ‘Did our Saviour promise to return in? . Seok 14:13, “Let not your heart be eowbed: ve Deter fa house ae mary 2.2 peti were nt s, Twould bave qld your 1 goto prepare apace for you. ‘And iT go and prepare a place for you, Twill come again, and receive you Unt myself; chat where Tam, there ye may * tact. 24:30, “And hen shall appeae ‘gh of the Son of man in heaven: nd then shall the ties of the earth tmourn, and they shall ee the Son of man Coming ia the. clouds of heaven wit Sower'and great glory.” (Read also Luke Hi27-31; Rev. 22:7, 12, 20.) ‘The apostles believed in the return of to this world: Ca Jessie aportie Paul said in. 1 Th ‘hall descend 4216, Forte Lord times ball descend me Ue the archangel, and with, the Weis org God: and the deed in. Christ from heaven with a shout, shall rise first. = seaated that ye.a8 wool.” 2, Bete sid in Ate jerted chat | crisony they shall bees Wo baer Sine eee ‘Jesus Christ, which before was preaches ye therefore ‘your sins may: ‘unto. you; mouth of all his holy prophets sirice the world began.” cee te ee ete ie id ne ag were ar kenga Sat eave thet ear and tet jain, Be ye also patient; establish you fan De pe Mang Pe Ss The holy ‘angels declared that tthe these things, while they beheld, he = taken up; and a cloud received him e of their sight. And while they looke¢ tg oma tee apparel; which a se ze a ict Sen ic, war ez ech We THE SECOND COMING WHAM s CHRIST 18 NOT 1, Teis not conversion. In conversion, the’ sinner comes to Christy but in the fecond advent, Christ comes. for saint. ‘ tc att, 11:28, “Come unto me, all ¥ that labour and are heavy ladon, and T will give you rest.” This is the si RE Tag ome now, and It us reason together, saith the Lord: thou your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as White as snow; though they be red I hese two texts speak of the sinner’s coming t0 Christ; Dut of the sezond advent Jesus says (John 14:2, 3), 1 go to prepare a place for you: And. ind prepare a place for you, Twill come see End.seceive you unto. myself Untill the. times “of restitution of all things, which: God hath spoken. by the .¢ | that where I am, there ye may be also. 26 2) Itis not death. It is just the oppo- site, for it brings the resurrection: 1 Cor. 15:51-54, “Behold, I shew youa mystery; We shall not all Sleep, but we Matt. 24:31, “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall-gather together his elect 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 shell be raised incorruptible, and we shall be.changed. For this cor. ruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible. shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have puton immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”” The first resurrection takes place at the second coming of Christ: 1 Thess. 4:16, 17,.""For the Lord him- self shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in: Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 3. It is not the Day of Pentecost: John: 14:16, 17, “And I will pray the Father, ‘and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with ‘you, and shall be in you.” Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all. Judaea, ‘and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost Part of ‘the earth.” (Also Acts 2:1-6.) Note: Over 50 times. after the Day of | Pentecost," the promise of the. second | coming of Christ is repeated. 4. Tt was not the destruction of Jeru- salem. ‘That was a scattering of the choseni people of God. The second com ing is the gathering of God's people: 2 Thess, 2:1, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by ours gathering together unto him,” Pestuous round about him.”” seventh from Adam, saying, Behold, the from the four winds, from one er heaven to the other." _o Note: Please remember that the Book of Revelation, which contaiee ie Promise to return, was written 20 or 30 years after the destruction of Jerussene 5. It was not the gradual spread Christianity, That has been a prosese he second coming. isa stupenders event: 1 Thess. 4:16, “For the Lord him shall descend from heaven with « sheets With the vaice ofthe archangel, and-wsth, the trump of God: and ‘the dead ss Christ shall rise first” (Read also Rey. 17; 6:14-17.) OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS FORETOLD CHRIST'S SECOND COMING Did the prophets of the Old Testament days foretell events connected with the last days and the coming of Christ? Job 19:25, “For I know that my re: deemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.” Ps. 50:3, “Our God shall come, and shall not Keep silence: a fire shall de ‘your before him, and it shall be very tem: Jude 14, 15,"“And Enoch also, the prophesied of these, Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute Judgment upon all, and to convince all that are. ungodly ‘among them of all their ungodly deeds which. they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which. ungodly, sinners have spoken against him,” Ps. 96:13, “For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the People with his truth,” LITERAL COMING OF CHRIST Will the coming of Christ be literal and visible and everybody know about a7 Acts 1:9-11, “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 stedfastly 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 stianner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Rev. 1:7, “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.” “Note: Some have contended that the Greele word parousia translated ‘com. ng” means secret presence. That this ig not the necessary meaning of the word, the following texts make clear, for the word “coming” or come” in each one comes from parousia’and in no sense refers to a secret coming: 1 Cor. 16:17, “I am glad of the éom- ing of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which wes lacking on your ‘part they ‘have supplied.” These men actually came to Paul. There was no secret, invisible coming seen only by the eye of faith, He also said in 2 Cor. 7:6, “Never: theless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the com: ing of Titus.” Titus ‘actually ‘came. It was not a secret fapture or secret coming. Verse 7, “And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your eainest “desire;' your “mourning, your fervent’tind toward me;’sp that T te Jeiced ‘the more.” (See also other examples: Phil. 1:26; 1 John 2:28) Will the ‘coming of Christ be‘a real coming, an appearing? ' Col. 3:4, "When Christ, who is our life, shall ‘appear, ‘then shall ye also appear with him in, glory,” Note: He will be just as real as the Tedeemed saints will be: 1 Pet. $:4, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST AN ACTIVE PROPHECY OF HIS SECOND COMING Matt. 16:28 to 17:9, “Verily Tsay unto ‘you, There be some standing here, which shall not teste of death, till they see the Soi! of man coming in his kingdom, And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bring! cth them up into an high mountaia apart, andl was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white es the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then anowered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, itis good for us to be here: thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacies: one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: end behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, int whom I ami well pleased; hear ye him: And When the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore’aftaid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they. saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.” What did the Apostle Peter, one of the men who were present, say about this Wonderful manifestation on the moun tain top? 2 Pet. 1:16-18, “For we have not fole lowed cunningly devised fables, when We mace known unto you the power and. coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but Were cyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when. there came auch a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom T art well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.” Note: In the transfiguration, our Saviour appeared as He will when He comes the second time in glory. (Matt, * 28 15:31.) Moses here represented the resur- ' vengeance on them that know not God, rected: saints, as Moses died and was! and that obey not the gospel of our resurrected from the dead. (Jude 9; Rom, 5:14; 1 Thess. 4:13-18,) Elijah represent. éd the translated saints, for Elijah never | ied but was taken to heaven in a chariot | of fire. (2 Kings 2:11; 1 Thess. 4:17) WHY 18 CHRIST COMING THE | SECOND TIME? , 1. He is coming to raise the righteous | dead and translate the living righteous John 5:28, 25, "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 fife; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” ! 1 Cor, 15:22, “For as in Adam ali die, } even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Thess. 4:16, 17, "For the Lord him- self shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, | gad with the trump of God: and the | dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the | Gloutls, to mest the Lord in the ai: and s0 shall we ever be with the Lord.” 2. Christ is coming to reward His | people and to judge the world: Rey. 22:12, “And,, behold, I. come quickly; and my reward is with me, to! give every man, according as his Work shall be.” 2 Tim. 4:8, “Henceforth there is laid Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be pun ished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (be- cause our testimony among you was believed) in that day."" 2 Thess. 2:7, 8, “For the mystery of iniquity doth aiready work: only he who now Jetteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume. with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the bright ness of his coming,"" ‘Matt, 25:31, “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.” Rey. 11:18, "And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give |reward unto thy servants the prophets and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest. destroy them which destroy the earth.” SIGNS OF THE TIMES Will there be signs of Christ's coming? Luke 21:25-27, “And there shall be signs in the sun, ‘and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress up for me a crown of righteousness, | of nations, with perplexity; the sea and which the Lord, the righteous judge, | the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing shall give me at that day: and not to me | them for fear, and for looking after those only, but unto all them also that love | things which’ are coming on the earth: his appearing.” Heb. 9:28, ‘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 salva- 3. Christ is coming the second time in order to smite the wicked and begin His reign in glory: 2 Thess. 1:7-10, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man, coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” | What did Jesus call these signs? | ave. “16313," "The Phares also with the Sadducees came, and tempting | desired him that he would shew them a | sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, ‘Te will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul Weather today: for the sky is red and 29Jowring. O ye hypotrites, ye'can-discern ‘the face of the sky; but can ye not dis- cern the signs of the times?” ‘Note: These ‘‘signs of the times!” are to indicatethe coming of Christ: and show that it is:imminent 1. What were the signs ‘in the sun, moon, and'stars to be? ‘Matt. 24:29, “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, and: the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” ‘Note: The sun was darkened, followed ty night when the moon appeared as | bblood, on the great Dark Day, May 19, 1780. (See encyclopedias.) The falling of the stars took place Nov. 13, 1833. (Read Rev. 6:13.) 2, What did Jesus say about ware and rumors of wars? Matt. 24:6, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must corre to pass, but the end is not yet.” (Read Joe! 3:9-14; Rey: 11:8.) 4, Ace earthquekes, pestilences, and storms included among the signs? ‘Matt. 24:7, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” Luke 21:11,.‘And great earthquakes shall be in divers, places, and, famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.” (Read also Joel 2:30; Ps. 14838; Ez 38:20:22.) 4, Does the Bible picture moral con- ditions growing better or worse in the very last days? 2 Tim. 3:1-5, “This know also, that in the last-days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, «cavetous,. boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to. pareats, unthenkful,. unholy, without natural aifection; trucebreakers, 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 godl ness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (Read also Matt. 24:12; Luke 17:26-30; Gen. 6:5, 11.) 5. What-is the most wonderful. sign of all-at the end of our age and the com- ing of the Lord? ‘Matt. 24:14, “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.” Note: The Bible is now. printed in whole or in part in over 1,000 languages. The glorious gospel. of Christ -and the setting of His second coming, the judg- ment hour, are now actually. going in six to seven hundred languages to earth’s remotest bounds. (See Rev, 146, 14, 15.) Other important signs for our study: 1, Economic troubles: Jas, 5:1-6; “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 goid and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a-witness agaisst you, and shall'eat your flesh’as it were fire. Ye have’ heaped’ treasure together for the last days. Beliold, the hite of the labourers who have reaped down your fields; which is of you kept back by fraud, erieth: and ‘the cries of ‘them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter, Ye have con demned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you."” ‘Note: Thete coniditions are just before the second coming of Christ, for we read in verses 7, 8, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath Tong 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.” 2. Distress among the nations: Luke; 21:25-28, “And. there shall. be signs in the sun, and in.the moon, and 30 in the stats; and upon tne earth distress | phemers, disobedient to parents, un- of nations, with perplexity; the sea and | thankful, unholy, without natural affec- the waves roaring; men's hearts failing | tion,, trucebreakers, false accusers, in- them for fear, and for looking after those | continent, fierce, despisers of those that things which are coming. on the earth: | are good, traitors, heady, highminded, for the powers of heaven shall be shaken, | lovers of pleasures more than lovers of ‘And then shall they see the Son of man God." (Read also Luke 16:8; Matt. coming in a cloud with power and great | glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth, nigh.” (See also Rev. 11:18.) '3. Spread of the false evolutionary philosophy over the world: | 2 Pet. 3:3-7, “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 begin- ning of the creation, For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 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.” 4. The spread of modern spiritualism , over. the earth: 24:12.) 6. The great modern increase of knowl- edge: () ‘The understanding of the prophecies of. the Bible. (2) General Tnowiedge ond transportation.» © Note the interest snithe study of the prophecies of the Bible regarding the coming of Christ, A mighty resurgence about the beginning of the last century, has grown ever since. Approximately at the same time great modern inventions: began to come, one after another. es pecially those that have to do. with nodern communications and transporta- tion—the railway train, automobile, sieplane, rockets, modern postal system, telegraph and telephone, radio and tele- vision, ete. Dat. 12:4, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shell run to and fro, and: knowledge. shall be in- Greased.” (Read Tea. 60:8; Job 3833.) ‘When people'wiete'to sce these things begin to come to pass, what were they ‘do? F to 1 Tim, 4:1-3, “Now the Spirit speak- |" yujge 21:28, “And when these things eth expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; | having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and com- manding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with ‘thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” Lev. 1931, “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the " hour of Christ's coming? ‘Begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your re: demption deaweth nigh.” ‘When they had seen thet lf come to pass, what were they to know? Verse 31, ''So likewise ye,.when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” ‘Are the people to,)enow the day and Matt, 24:36, “But of that, day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the Lord your God.” (Read Mate, 24:23, 24; | angels of heaven, but»my Father only.” Gal, 5:19-21; Rev. 22:15.) 5» Apostaty in'the church: 2° Tim. 3:1-4, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers.of their ows selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blas- ‘Will anyone be looking for. Christ's coming? “Heb. 9:28, ‘'So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them ‘that ook for him shall he appear. the second time without sin unto salvation.” 31Tea, 25 ‘"And it shall be said in that | as being alive, (Fab, 10; gay; Lo, this is our God; we have waited | Judges ¢: eS em oF him and he wil save us: this is the Eee ae have waited for him, ve will| as the worst cf mens poe we be glad and rejoice in his salvation,” dE There wae new igne eae 15; Rom: 4:17.) These martyrs had been looked upon dawned. There-was new light on their As wellook for the Lord's coming, how | worie and cherastes, White robes. were should we live? Titus given to them (Rev, 19:8), and they Lt Sale, the Brace of God | were to: rest a little loner wy the att bringeth salvation hath appeared | resurrection: (1 Te 4:16-18.) tolull ‘men, teaching us that, denying 6. Sixth Seal. Rev. 6:12-17. (1755 to [Reodliness and worldly lusts, we should | the end) live soberly,’righteously, and godly, in The Great Earthquake.: ‘The great this ‘present world; looking. for: that Lisbon earth: . at | Lisbon. earthquake S'Aioy ie erste hope and the lois searing shook an area er fous nh eight eae es Go andr Svar Js) she at oO sims Christ, THE SEVEN SEALS Read Rev. 5 and 6; also Rev. 8:1. ‘1. First Seal. Rev. 6:1, 2. (From the time of Christ to A.D. 100. The. white horse. White represents Purity. ‘The church’ went. forth with People wer illed, ferse 12—Great ‘Dark Day: May 19, (aR, Moon as, blood: May 19, 1780 (ight following). (See Amos 5:8; Tea, 10; Eze 320 O* Am 8 Verse 13—Stars fell from heaven Nov. 13; 1833. (See Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:25) Verse 14—Heavens roli back as 2 Scroll at the coming of Christ. (See Isat eatusting power. (Read Zech, 4:6: | 344; 2 Pet 3:10.) Col.-1:23,)° fF pateond Seale Rev. 6:3, 4. (AD. {and dor Ren 100 to 323,) ‘The red horse.-Red is the symbol of bloodshed. There:was perseeut We'are now living betweeri verses 13 7. Seventh Seal. Rev, 8: ‘Silence’ in heaven for half an ‘hour. by the) When’ Jesus comes for His people Me Paken world. Ten days.of tribulation— | brings iil the holy angels with Him and 4 symbol of the ten years of per: secution | heaven will be empty? under Pagan emperors (See Acts 2 3581, Whe 0:29; | | Matt. 25:31, “When the Son of man Shall come in his glory, and all the holy Sagrhitd Seal. Rev. 6:5, 6. (A.D, 323 | angers wnat him, then‘ shall he sit’ upon, the ‘throne ‘of his. glory.” (Read Rev, THE SEVEN CHURCHES 2 Thess. ‘to 538.) eae seers to 1517.) ‘The pale horse, Read ‘Rev. °2 and’3. In ‘symbolic iis as the begin. | prophecy in the’ Book ot Revelation Bing of Reformation times, deadly perse. | these cower ches re eS RIAL Sean Of ECA and sae. | Charen Gung severe pee tent She 5. Fifth Seal. Rev, 6. 1755.) neh Souls under the altar. From the Ref- | A.D, ofmation to the’ great’ Lisbon earth. %, 10, (1517 to | from Christ's frst advent to His eectine 1. Ephesus. (from time of ‘Chris 100 hrist to Ephesus means “desirable.” Tt repre- Bae NOYs 1755, these’ had been | sents the coon, of the Church in the Kalle wader the preceding seal./ Martyrs | Artes, Wete not in heaven but symbolized. as | meer os AEE; Under the'altar, sactificed here on earth, Acts 13:8.) d for their faith. The figure ‘They had di of personification is used, “found ‘them liars.” (See ‘Verse 3: “hast laboured.” Gospel went Set examples | t6 the whole world. (See Col, 1:23; Acts ‘re'inanimate thidgs are represented | 8:4.) 32 Verse 7: “Paradise” is where God's throne is located, or heaven. (See 2 Cor. 122, 4; Rev. 22:1, 2.) 2. Smyrna (from A.D. 100 to 323), ‘The name means “myrrh” or perfume. It describes the Chureh to the conversion of Constantine when the empire became Christian and pagan persecution largely | ceased. Verse 10: “tribulation.ten days.” Ten years of pagan persecution under Dio- tletian, A.D. 303 to 313. 3; Pergamos (A.D. 323 to 538) Pergamos means “height” or “eleva- tion.”” Rev, 2:12-17 portrays the condi tion of the Church from the time of Constaitine to the beginning of the 1260 years of tribulation, Verse 14: “Balaam.” (See Num. 24, 95; 2 Pet. 2:15; Jude 11.) 4. Thyatira (538 to 1798), The.name means ‘‘contrition” or “song.of labor.”’ (Rev. 2:18-29.) It shows the suffering of God's people during the 1260 ‘years of tribulation., (See Matt. 24:21, 22.) 5, Sardis (1798-1833), Sardis:means. “that: which remains.”” (Rev. 3:1-6,). It symbolizes God's, true people-of Reformation times. “6, Philadelphia (1833-1844), Philadelphia means “brotherly love."? (Rey. 3:7:13.) Tt’ represents the Church during the great Advent Movement. Attention is drawn to Christ's work as our High’ Priest in the heavenly sanc- tuary. 7. Laodicea (1844 to the end). Laodicea means '‘judging the people.” (Rev 3:14-22.) Note some of the proph- ecy (Dan, 8:14, the'2300 days) ended in 1844. Verie 18: “buy” (sce “Isa! 55:1); “white raiment” (Isa. 64:6); “eye salve" (Acts 10:38); “Holy Spirit” (1. John 2:20, 27; John 4:26). Note: For a verse-by-veise stiidy of this great prophecy and all the prophecies ‘of both Daniel and Revelation,” see Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith, Pacific Press: Publishing Assn., ‘Mountain View, California. (See. also of Our Fathers by L. E, Froom, same address.) THE SEVEN TRUMPETS Read Rev. 8:2-13; 9:1-21; 10:7; 11:15- 19. In this prophecy a trumpet is a symbol of war and trouble: 1 Cor. 14:8, “For if the trumpet give an uncertain ‘sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (See Jer. 4:19, 20.) The first four trumpets deal with the downfall of the- Roman Empire. that ruled the world at the time of Christ; the fifth and sixth with the downfall of the Eastern division of Rome; and the seventh with the downfall, of all the Kingdoms of this world. 1. First Trumpet: Rey. 8:7, “The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the thirdpart of trees was burt up; and all gree grass was burnt up.” (Alaric with Goths-invaded: the Roman Empire from the north, A.D. 395-410.) 2, Second Trumpet: Rev. 8:8, 9, “And the second ‘angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: | andthe third part of the sea became blood; and the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the thitd part of the ships’ were | destroyed.” (Genseric with Vandals in- vaded African provinces and Italy itself from the sea, A.D. 428-476, destroying the Roman fiect of over 1,000 ships and over 100,000, men. See Gibbon, Decline and Fall of, the Roman Empire, chap. 36.) i 3. Third Trumpet: ‘Rev. 8:10, 11).!'And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from. heaven, burning-as-it were a lamp, end it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; and the name of the star is called Wormwood: cand the:third part of the'waters became Bible Readings, and Prophetic Faith 33 wormwood;-and:many men died.of theratersy because they were fe Western Empire was. invaded by se Hiune under Attila, AD. 451, He alled himself the “Scourge of God.”) 4. Fourth Trumpet: made bitter.””| the Roman Empire was not politically killed but was tormented. 6. Sixth aE : nea ig tte as Ber 82, “And the fourth ‘angel | tanates—Bagdad, Ieonium, ‘Aleppo, and: seer tnd the third part of the sun| Damascus—situated in the, Vale cunded, ane ind’ the third part of the | the Euphrates. (See Rev: 16:12-16)7:1.3) noon, and the third part of the'stars; so Note: The Turks, now the leading e and over= noon, an the St om was darkened, | power, tooke Constantino ve the third Pyhowm not for third part| Came the last remnant of the Roman the night likewise” (Wester power in 1453. The use of gunpowder shed UD, 476 at the hands'of|| in warfare may be depicted in verses he Heerull ordinee of the ZEmperor of | Constantinople. astern Rome ruling’ from Constant nople.) . 5. Fifth Trompet: Rey. 8:13 to 9: In Rev. 16:12-16 this power of the japhrates is again brought to’ view. eaeeyeg.1S, “And the four angels were ‘And I beheld, and | joosed, which were prepared for an hour, ‘ ie yeat, for card an angel flying througti the’midst | 244 2 day, and a month, and a year, nearaven, caving with a load vice) Say the third part of men Woe, woe) woe, to the inhabiters of the ‘An hour (15 days), a day (one year), _ ‘of the other voices of the e yy" Gnd a year (360 CE a a en a | EC eee ane ee daye— trumpet of he dUnehfthangel sounded, | YSU) $0 37 Y49 bring vet AUE- cad 1 sew 8.28 fl om ee rey | 12 2880- In 1449 the Emperor, the earth: eae Se stantinople died, fore his brother, ae No ttomlese pit. And he opened the | St@ntinorie Oy tooke the throne, he bottomless ‘and there arose a smoke ‘asked permission of Amurath, the Turk- out of the pit, as the smoke of a great | 71°C tan. Thus the independence of the in and the air were on Empire | was voluntarily sur- Saray seen f the aoke of the EAS Cathe Tana, Tree, unde SL Oe the emake | TENGE. a at oe ate, pit, And thers earth: and unto them | MineLY One Year One ks, forall was given power, as the scorpions of the | (Tt t3"and purposes, surrendered their earth have power.” independence into. the hands. of the ‘The fifth, sixth, and seventh trumpets | Fe opean powers. Mehemet Ali, Pasha vigroe'! trumpets, referring to der the authority of are called “woe!” trumpets, ref of Egypt, ruler under their devastating character. Mohammed |) 'Ssitan, was about to overthrow the dnd conquests of islam aasinst Beste | Sciean himself whereupon. the, Sultan ome NG med contr a Pr, aot 1299 and, on July 7 of that year, in-| A001, 1840, these powers placed in waded th’ territory of astern Rome. | 10 sndy of Mehemet Ali the ultimatum (Decline and Fall of Rome, chap. 64.) Sich he later, accepted. So was the paris) ts is Ike Rev. 9:10,:"tAnd they: had ‘tails Ti i ons, and there were stings in esr tails: and their power was to hurt ‘their tail sien five months.” ‘Five months, thirty days to a month | voice 150 days or years (Num. 14: 4:6)—from July. 21, 1299, bring us to | should be finished, a jndependence of the Sultan gone and prophecy fultilled. 7. Seventh Trumpet: Rev. 10:7, “But in the days of the ‘Of the seventh angel, when he shall - gin to sound, the mystery of God Eze. | begin, to sou as he hath declared Ty, 1489; ‘The Eastern section of | to his servants the p ot Rey, 11:15-17, “And the seventh | saints? Do ye not know that the saints angel sounded; and there were great | shall judge the world? and if the world ‘voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms | shall be judged by you,-are ye unworthy 6f this world are become the kingdoms | to judge the smallest matters? Know ye ‘of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he | not that we shall judge angels? ‘how shall reign for ever and ever. And the | much mofe things that pertain to’ this fout end t God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give ty elders, which sat before | life?” (Read also Rev. 20:4.) Rev. 11:19, “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was thee ‘thanks, O Lord God Almighty, | seen in-his temple the atk of his testa- which art, and wast, and art to come | ment: and’ there were lightnings, and because thou-hast taken to. thee thy'| voices, and thunderings, and an earth- great power, and hast reigned.” Note: The “mystery of Go gospel: Eph. 3:3-6, “How that by revela- tion he made Known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye réad, ye may under- stand my knowiedge in the mystery of Christ) which in ‘other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealéd unto his holy apostles atid ‘prophets by the Spirit quake, and great hail.” is the | " The seventh trumpet covers the last- | day events to the setting up of the ever- lasting Kingdom: of glory.. (See Rev. 16:17, 18:) THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES Rev. 15:1, “And I saw another sign in AReSHES | heaven, great and marvellous, ‘seven Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of | S*8*ls having the seven last plagues; for the same body,'and partakers of his in them is filled up the wrath of God.” promise in Christ by tke gospel.” (Read | TE beast _wrshippers drink \of the also Gal. 1:11, 12.) THE ANGRY NATIONS Rev. 11:18,'“And the! nations were angry, and thy wrath:is come, ‘nd the time of the desd, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets and to the saints, and'them that fear thy namic, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” ‘Dan. 12:1, “And at that time’ shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of troubie, stich ‘as tiever ‘was since there’ was a nation even to that same time: and at that thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” ‘The, cleansing of the heavenly, sanc- tuary, or the judgment work, began in 1844 and will soon be completed. Christ will then come, (Rey. 22:10-12.) During the thousand years, His People will sit with Him in judgment: 1 Cor. 6:1-3, “Dare any of you, having a'matter against another, go to law be- fore the unjust, and not before the wrath of God’ unmixed. with“mercy. (Rev. 14:9, 10.) (Read all of Rev. 16.) Just before the Flood of Noah, the are was closed by God Himself. Then Probation of that world, before the Flood, ended: Gen, 7:16, “And they that went in; went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in.” ‘This is a type of the events of the Jast. days: Luke 17:26, “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shell it be also in the days of the Son of man.” ‘The door of mercy closes ‘and proba- tion ceases just before Jesus comes back to this work 13, "He that is unjust, Tet him be unjust ‘still: and. he which’ is Athy, let him be filthy’ stil: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still and he that is holy, let him be holy stil. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man | according es his work shall be. 1 am Alpha and Omega, the beginning ’and the end, the first and the last.” 35