Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 141

28. What will influence the nations to gather for the great battle of Armageddon?

"They are _the spirits of devils_, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, _to gather them to the battle of that great day of G.o.d Almighty_." Rev. 16:14.

29. Why will men be allowed thus to fall under the delusion of Satan?

"_Because they received not the love of the truth_, that they might be saved. _And for this cause G.o.d shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie_: that they all might be d.a.m.ned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess. 2:10-12. See 1 Kings 22:20-23.

30. For how long is Satan to be bound at the second advent?

"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and _bound him a thousand years_." Rev. 20:1, 2.

31. What is to take place at the close of the thousand years?

"And when the thousand years are expired, _Satan shall be loosed out of his prison_, and shall _go out to deceive the nations_ which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, _to gather them together to battle_: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea." Verses 7, 8.

NOTE.-Satan's evil career began in rebellion against G.o.d in heaven, and ends in rebellion against Him on earth.

32. As Satan and his host compa.s.s the camp of the saints, what will take place?

"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compa.s.sed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and _fire came down from G.o.d out of heaven, and devoured them_." Verse 9.

33. What is to be Satan's final doom?

"_I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth_ in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and _never shalt thou be any more_." Eze.

28:18, 19.

NOTE.-A gladsome thought! Satan, sin, and sinners are finally to come to an end, and be no more. Then G.o.d will have a clean universe.

34. Why did Christ partake of our nature?

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; _that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil_." Heb. 2:14.

35. What exhortations are given to Christians in view of Satan's hatred against G.o.d and all that is good?

"_Be sober, be vigilant_; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom _resist steadfast in the faith_." 1 Peter 5:8, 9. "_Resist the devil_, and he will flee from you." James 4:7.

36. With what weapon did Christ successfully meet Satan's temptations?

The Word of G.o.d. "_It is written, ... It is written, ... It is written._"

Matt. 4:4-10.

NOTE.-The Word of G.o.d is the "sword of the Spirit." Eph. 6:17. If Christ met and vanquished the enemy with this, so also may we. But no one can use it who is unfamiliar with it. How important, then, that we search, study, and know it! See first readings in this book, and reading on "Importance of Sound Doctrine," page 127.

Gracious Father, guard Thy children From the foe's destructive power; Save, O save them, Lord, from falling In this dark and trying hour!

Thou wilt surely prove Thy people, All our graces must be tried; But Thy Word illumes our pathway, And in G.o.d we still confide.

What Is Man?

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Sea Of Galilee. "And the Lord ... breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Gen. 2:7.

1. In what condition was man created?

"Thou madest him _a little lower than the angels_." Ps. 8:5.

2. What will be the final condition of the righteous?

"_Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels_; and are the children of G.o.d, being the children of the resurrection." Luke 20:35, 36.

3. What are angels called?

"And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels _spirits_, and His ministers a flame of fire." Heb. 1:7.

4. What is the difference between the two Adams?

"The first man Adam was made _a living soul_; the last Adam was made _a quickening spirit_." 1 Cor. 15:45.

5. Are our present bodies natural or spiritual?

"Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual." Verse 46.

6. When will the righteous have spiritual bodies?

"It is sown a natural body; _it is raised a spiritual body_. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." Verse 44.

7. To what does the sowing here spoken of refer?

"That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it _die_." Verse 36.

NOTE.-Man does not now possess the undying, spiritual nature of the angels, except as he holds it by faith in Christ; nor will he until the resurrection. Then, if righteous, he will be made immortal, and he cannot die any more (Luke 20:36), because he will be "_equal unto the angels_."