Lesson 3, Earth's Final Generation?

1. What is more important for us to discern than the weather?

Matthew 16: 2,3 _____________________________________

2. When asked for signs of the end, what was Jesus' first response?

Matthew 24:3,4 ______________________________________

3. As He began His forecast for the church, after mentioning a few early signs, Jesus

prophesied the destruction of what city?

Luke 21:20 _________________________________________

In less than forty years from the giving of that warning, Jerusalem fell to the
armies of Rome. And just as He had predicted, not one stone of the magnificent temple
was left upon another that was not thrown down.

4. What sign would let Christ's followers know that the desolation of the city was near?

Luke 21:20 __________________________________________


In October A.D. 66, Cestius besieged Jerusalem. The Christians in the city recognized

this as the sign given by Christ. When the Romans suddenly withdrew, the Christians

fled,not one losing his life. Soon Roman armies led by Titus returned, and in A.D. 70, the

city was destroyed. More than a million Jews perished.


5. What terrible experience would follow that event?

Matthew 24: 21 _______________________________________


For the next nearly 250 years the church suffered intense persecution from the

Roman government. Christians were given to wild beast, or smeared with pitch and

lashed to poles to serve as torches for the arena. Three million were martyred for their

faith in Christ.


Then Constantine, realizing that Christianity could not be stamped out, staged a political conversion, and proclaimed Christianity (well mingled with paganism) to be the
official religion of the empire. But the long centuries of enforced religion that followed
produced even more severe religious intolerance which took the lives of more than 50 million people. Not until the opening up of the American continent were Christians finally permitted full liberty of conscience without threat of persecution.

6. What specific signs did Jesus say would be given immediately after the tribulation of those days?

Matthew 24:29

The sun would_________________________________
The moon would________________________________
The stars would________________________________

With the establishment of the United States of America, the center of religious
persecution came to an end. The Declaration of Independence, perhaps the most
famous freedom document of all time, was signed in 1776, stating that "all men
are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." America
opened her doors to all who sought religious freedom, guaranteeing the right of all
to worship according to their own conscience.

Jesus said, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened..."The United States had barely been born when on May 19, 1780 it witnessed what has been remembered in history as the great Dark Day. According to the Boston Gazette, "there was the appearance of midnight at noonday."

The darkness began around 10 a.m. Candles were lighted; animals thought it was night. Connecticut Historical Collections describes the tension in the state legislature where. "a very general opinion prevailed, that the day of judgment was at hand." The post John Greenleaf Whittier called it " a horror of great darkness."

Jesus when on to say,"... And the moon shall not give her light." The Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, referring to the Dark Day, contains this record: "The darkness of the following evening was probably as gross as ever has been observed... If every

luminous body in the universe had been shrouded in impenetrable shades, or struck out of existence, the darkness could not have been more complete. A sheet of white paper held

within a few inches of the eyes was equally invisible with the blankest velvet... This gross darkness held 'til about one o'clock, although the moon had fulled but the day before.

The third sign Jesus mentioned was"... The stars fell from heaven." On November 13, 1833, from 2 a.m. until daylight, the sky all over North America was aflame with meteors. One observer remarked, "It seemed as if the whole starry heavens had congregated at one point

near the zenith, and were simultaneously shooting forth, with the velocity of lightening, to every part of the horizon, and yet they were not exhausted." Astronomer W.J. Fisher, in The Telescope, called it "the most magnificent meteor shower on record."

7. According to Revelation, what natural disaster would occur just before the signs in the sun, moon, and stars?

Revelation 6:12, 13 ________________________________________

One of the most extensively felt earthquakes ever recorded occurred November 1, 1755. Extending over an area of at least four million square miles, it covered the greater part of Europe, Africa, and America. Seventy thousand people were killed. In Lisbon, Portugal
violent shaking lasted for at least six minutes, destroying most of the city. The sea rose

above its ordinary level. Encyclopedia Britannica called it "the most famous of all earthquakes." G.A.Eiby, in About Earthquakes, referred to it as "the greatest earthquake on record."

For more information and documentation on each of the events discussed above, click

Information Booklet "A" entitled, Opening Revelation's Seven Seals.

8. How did Jesus describe the anxiety and trouble that would exist on the earth after these signs?

Luke 21:25 ____________________________________________

9. What effect would the dreadful outlook have upon the people?

Luke 21:25 ____________________________________________

10. According to prophecy, what reason would scoffers give for denying that the end would be
soon?

2 Peter 3:3,4 _____________________________________________

11. In the end-time economic collapse, what will happen to money that has been saved up?

James 5:1-3 ______________________________________________

"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. " 1 Peter 4:7

12. When will this sudden destruction hit?

1 Thessalonians 5:3 _______________________________________

13. List some of the signs of moral deterioration that were predicted to occur in the last days.

2 Timothy 3:2,_____________________________________________

14. What would people love more than God?

2 Timothy 3:4 _______________________________________________

15. What signs would be seen in the church?

2 Timothy 3:5 _______________________________________________

16. To what time are the last days compared?

Luke 17:26 __________________________________________________

17. What was it like in the days of Noah?

Genesis 6:5 ___________________________________________________

18. What about mobility and the extent of knowledge in the last days?

Daniel 12:4 __________________________________________________

19. What did Jesus say we would know when we saw these signs?

Luke 21:31 ___________________________________________________

20. When we see these signs, how near is the kingdom?

Luke 21:32 ___________________________________________________

"Lift up your hands; for your redemption draweth nigh."

21. What would make us unprepared for the end?'

Luke 21:34 ____________________________________________

22. To be prepared, what must we do?

Luke 21:36 ______________________________________________

In the Light of God's Word...

• I understand that we are living in the final days of earth's history.
• I desire to prepare my life for the events just ahead.

Next Lesson: How Will the World End?

Storing the Mind With Truth

That which I see not teach thou me : if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. Job 34:32

Take your Bible and present yourself before your heavenly Father, saying, Enlighten me; teach me what is truth." The Lord will regard your prayer, and the Holy Spirit will impress the truth upon your soul.

In searching the Scriptures for yourself, you will become established in the faith. It is of the greatest importance that you continually search the Scriptures, storing the mind with the Word of God, for you may be separated from the companionship of Christians, and placed where you will not have the privilege of meeting with the children of God.

You need the treasures of God's Word hidden in your heart, that when opposition comes upon you, you may bring everything to the Scriptures.

Lesson 2, Will There Soon Be One World Government?

There Soon Be One World Government? - Lesson 2

1. Why does God tell us His plans in advance?
John 14:29______________________________________________

2. Who is one prophet Jesus said we ought to understand?
Mark 13:14______________________________________________

Read Daniel 2:1-30. Than find answers to these questions.

3. Why was King Nebuchadnezzar troubled?
Daniel 2:3_______________________________________________

4. What did he ask the wise men to show him?
Daniel 2:6_______________________________________________

5. Who had given him this dream?
Daniel 2:28______________________________________________

6. What was the dream to reveal?
Daniel 2:29______________________________________________

Read verses 31 - 35. Than find answers to these questions.

7. What did Nebuchadnezzar see in this dream?
Daniel 2:31______________________________________________

8. Of what was the image made?
Daniel 2:32

His head:_______________________________________________
His breast and arms:_______________________________________
His belly and thighs:_______________________________________

Daniel 2:33
His legs:________________________________________________
His feet:________________________________________________

9. What did Daniel tell the king the image's head represented?
Daniel 2:36______________________________________________

10. What nation did Nebuchadnezzar represent?
Daniel 1:1_______________________________________________

11. According to the interpretation, what would arise after Nebuchadnezzar's golden kingdom?
Daniel 2:29______________________________________________

12. When Babylon did fall, what two nations, symbolized by the image's silver breast and arms shared world rulership?
Daniel 5:28______________________________________________

13. By what animal is Medo-Persia symbolized in Chapter 8?
Daniel 8:3,4, 20___________________________________________

14. What animal smote the ram?
Daniel 8:5-7______________________________________________

15. What nation does this goat represent which would conquer Medo-Persia?
Daniel 8:21_______________________________________________

16. Like the others,how extensively would this third kingdom rule?
Daniel 2:39_______________________________________________

17. When the first king of Greece fell, the kingdom would be divided into how many parts?
Daniel 8:8, 21, 22 ___________________________________________

The great horn between the goat's eyes represented Alexander the Great, who died at
a young age without arranging for a successor to rule the conquered kingdom. True to
prophecy, the territory was divided into four smaller kingdoms, and remained divided
until superseded by the next world empire.

18. What then came forth?
Daniel 8:9_________________________________________________

19. What kind of king represented by this little horn?
Daniel 8:23________________________________________________
After Greece, the fourth nation to rule the world was the Roman empire.

20. The ram was 'great' (v.4), the goat was 'very great' (v.8). How did the little horn compare with them?
Daniel 8:9_________________________________________________

21. From its point of origin, what directions did this kingdom spread?
Daniel 8:9_________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Rome, coming from the west, gained control of Egypt, Syria, and Palestine.

22. According to Nebuchadnezzar's dream, this fourth kingdom would be as strong as what metal?
Daniel 2:40________________________________________________

23. What would then happen to this kingdom?
Daniel 2:41________________________________________________
The Roman Empire, the last to rule the world, was absorbed by Germanic tribes
which divided up the territory and eventually became the modern nations of
Europe.

24. How does the prophecy describe the attemps of later kings to unite themselves?
Daniel 2:42, 43_____________________________________________

25. What prohetic statement has prevented modern kigns from uniting under one
world government?
Daniel 2:43________________________________________________
Time and again since the fall of Rome men have attempted to unite the world under
a single government. But the word of God has declared that it cannot be done,
and according to that degree all attempts have failed.

26. When will God set up His eternal kingdom?
Daniel 2:44_______________________________________________

27. What will God's kingdom do to the kingdoms of men?
Daniel 2:44________________________________________________

28. What represented God's kingdom in Nebuchadnezzar's dream?
Daniel 2:45________________________________________________

29. What did Daniel say about the certainty of the dream and its interpretation?
Daniel 2:45____________________________________________

"The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is God of gods,

The Imagery of Daniel 2

Head of Gold..............................Babylon (605-539 BC)
Breast & Arms of Silver ............Medo-Persia (539-311 BC)
Belly & Thighs of Brass.............Greece (311-168 BC)
Legs of Iron................................Rome (168 BC - AD 476)
Feet of Iron & Clay....................Modern Nations (Since AD 476)
Stone..........................................Kingdom of God

Chapter 8

Ram............................................Medo Persia
Goat............................................Greece
Four Horns.................................Greek Divisions
Little Horn.................................Rome

and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets." Daniel 2:47

In light of God's Word...

I understand that in Bible God has accurately fortold world events long before
they are to happen.

I desire to understand the prophecies God has given for our time.


Next Lesson: Could We Be Earth's Final Generation?

Light or Shadow?

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil: that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If there were no light, there would be no shade. But while the shade comes by the sun, it is not created by it. It is some obstruction that causes the shadow. So darkness emanates not from God, but is the result of an intruding object between the soul and God... Disregard of the light that God has given brings the sure result.

It creates a shadow, a darkness that is more dark because of the light which has been sent... If a man withdraws himself from light and evidence, and yields to Satan's seducing arts, he himself draws the curtain of unbelief about him, so that light cannot be distinguished from darkness.

More light and evidence would only be misunderstood by him. The greater the evidence, the greater will be the indifference. This will lead the deceived soul to call darkness light and truth error. OHC,EGW

Lesson 1, How Can We Know the Future

Feel free to copy the lessons and do at your leisure.

This is the first lesson of a thirty-two lesson course on vital issues of concern today.

Featuring the major end-time prophecies and other great Bible themes, each lesson points to Scripture passages which answer today's most important questions.

To begin, you'll need a King James Version Bible which is the textbook for the course. Each lesson contains questions and Bible references. Carefully read each question. Find the text in your Bible, and look for the answer. It might be the entire verse, but usually the question is well answered in a single phrase. Copy the necessary portion of the verse, on the line provided. The line is enclosed in quotation marks to indicate that you are quoting Scripture.

If you have a hard time finding the answer, first check to make sure you have the right verse. Then read the question again. If the verse still does not make sense, copy it anyway and go on to the next question. As you continue, the verses that follow should help to clarify it. When you are finished, it is always good to read through the lesson again to get the whole line connected thought.

1. Who controls the course of human events?

Daniel 2:20, 21 __________________________________

"The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomesoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." Daniel 4:17

A nineteenth century writer once described God's sovereignty in these words:

"Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine survey, and from His great and calm eternity He orders that which His providence sees best."

And God has not kept His plans secret.

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Amos 3:7

2. How long ago did God reveal or declare His plans?

Isiah 46:10 ______________________________________

3. Where did the holy prophets of God in ancient times get their information?

2 Peter 1:21 ____________________________________

The Bible may be received "not as the word of men, but as it is the truth, the word of God." 1 Thessalonians 2:13

4. What guarantee did the Psalmist give that the ancient words of God would still be trustworthy in the last days?

Psalm 12:6,7 ___________________________________

_____________________________________________

The apostle Peter expressed his confidence in the ancient prophecies and also their importance for us today.

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that yet take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19

The Bereans certainly took heed to the sure word of prophecy.

"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. " Acts 17:11

5. By what should we live our lives?

Matthew 4:4__________________________________________

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. " 2 Timothy 2:15

6. Is it safe for us to interpret the prophecies of the Bible?

2 Peter 1:20 ____________________________________

_____________________________________________
"Do not interpretations belong to God?" Genesis 40:8. Everyone interprets the Bible differently. That's why it is not safe to rely on any one's interpretation, not even your own. Do not interpret the Bible, let the Bible interpret itself. When you read something in the Bible that you do not understand, instead of trusting your own ideas, look for other Bible verses that will explain the meaning of the more difficult passage.

The Bible itself tells us how it is to be studied. "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, and there a little. Isiah 28:10. Thus "comparing spiritual things with spiritual," Scripture with Scripture, we allow the Bible to explain itself. 1 Corinthians 2:13

We may be tempted to think that we have a natural ability to understand God's word, but we do not.

"The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them." 1 Corinthians 2:14

7. Sometimes God hides things from the so-called wise, and reveals them unto whom?

Matthew 11:25 _________________________________

8.Whom do we need to teach us?

John 14:26 ____________________________________
Whenever we study the Bible we should always pray that the Holy Spirit will direct our thoughts and help us to understand His word.

9. Is it always safe to follow what seems right to us?

Proverbs 14:12 __________________________________

10. How are the last days described?

2 timothy 3:1 ____________________________________

11. Evil men and seducers will abound, doing what?

2 Timothy 3:13 ___________________________________

12. False prophets shall arise and show what?

Matthew 24:24 __________________________________

13. Their miracles are calculated to deceive whom?

Matthew 24:24 __________________________________

14. To prevent deception, what are we to do with all our ideas?

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ______________________________

15. According to what word are we to test all things?

Isaiah 8:20 ______________________________________

16. Whose writings much we believe in order to accept the words of Jesus?

John 5:46, 47 ____________________________________

"If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Luke 16:31

The apostles regarded the Old Testament as "the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith with is in Christ Jesus. " 2 Timothy 3:15

"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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16,17.

17. What is destroying people today?

Hosea 4:6 ______________________________________

18. What is God's word to us?

Psalm 119:105 ___________________________________

19. What is our duty regarding the light God gives?

John 12:35 ______________________________________

20. What must we do to know if a doctrine is of God?

John 7:27 ________________________________________

"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will shew them his covenant." Psalm 25:14

21. What does God want to show us?

Jeremiah 33:3 ___________________________________

"Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:3-5

In the Light of God's Word...

__ I understand that the entire Bible is the word of God, wholly reliable, and the test of all things.

__I desire to diligently study the word of God and allow it to direct every aspect of my life.

Next Lesson: Will There Soon Be One World Government?

The Bible Without a Rival

The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Psalm 12:6

The Bible is second to no other book; it is without a rival. A knowledge and acceptance of its teachings will impart vigor and health of mind. A comprehension of its teachings requires the student to grasp the knowledge of God's infinite will.

The Word of God teaches men and women how to become the sons and daughters of God. No other book, no other study, can equal this: the principles it instills, like the power and nature of its Author, are omnipotent.

It is capable of imparting the highest education to which the mortal mind can attain.