[Note to the Student.—These lessons are not designed to be exhaustive, but suggestive. In references to the “Desire of Ages,” in the lessons, the subscription edition is referred to. Those who have only the trade edition will find the matter in chapters 1, 4, 11, 27, 71, 77, 78; also read “Patriarchs and Prophets,” chapters 5 and 30. “Christ Our Advocate,” Bible Students’ Library No. 20 (price, 10 cents), and “Looking unto Jesus” (price, $1.00) will be found a great help. The Signs of the Times will have an article on the subject of each lesson this quarter by J. O. Corliss. Read these articles in connection with the study of the lesson. We have not space to print all the scriptures. Let the student study them carefully from the Bible. Those printed are from the Revised Version.]
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
1. To what does Christ liken the kingdom of heaven at a certain time?
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.” Matt. 25:1.
2. At what time does He say this applies? Same verse. See also Ch. 24:32–34. Note 1.
3. At this marriage, who is the bride?
“And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb. And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.” Rev. 21:9, 10.
“And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” Verse 2.
4. What is the marriage ceremony?
“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven One like unto a son of man, and He came even to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Dan. 7:13, 14. Note 2.
5. In connection with what event does this marriage take place? See Dan. 7:13, 14 above, and also Rev. 11:15, 19.
6. For what purpose did Christ go away?
“He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.” Luke 19:12.
7. Is His purpose fulfilled before He returns?
“And it came to pass, when he was come back again, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants, unto whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading.” Verse 15.
8. From what does he return?
“And be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.” Luke 12:36.
9. Then what two things must be identical?
10. What two classes went out to meet the bridegroom on the way to the wedding?
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.” Matt. 25:1, 2.
11. What shows that the bridegroom was expected at a set time?
“Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.” Verse 5. Note 3.
12. What was the first set time when the “virgins” expected Him? Ans.—“Miller and his associates at first believed that the 2300 days would terminate in the spring of 1844, whereas the prophecy points to the autumn of that year.”—Great Controversy, page 328.
13. What did they all do while the bridegroom tarried? See verse 5 above. Note 4.
14. When and how were the sleeping virgins awakened?
“But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.” Verse 6. Note 5.
15. What took place while the foolish virgins went to buy oil? Who went in to the marriage?
“And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. . . . And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.” Verses 8, 10.
16. How is it determined who are ready?
“But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment; and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.” Matt. 22:11, 12. Note 6.
NOTES.
Read “Great Controversy,” chapter 21.
1. The last of the three signs in the sun, moon, and stars, took place in 1833. The Saviour says that when we have seen all these things, we may know that He is near; so when the church know that He is near, they go out to meet Him. Having carried the minds of His disciples down to that time, He says, “Then shall the kingdom,” etc. It was at this very time that William Miller and others began to preach the second coming of Christ as near at hand, and in 1844 they went out to meet the Bridegroom.
2. In ancient times the capital city represented the whole kingdom. When a new king took possession of it, and was crowned, wedding festivities were celebrated. Thus when the New Jerusalem is prepared as a bride, Christ’s work as a high priest being finished, the marriage ceremony takes place. The bride, the capital city of the new earth, which stands for all the kingdoms of the world, is given to Christ, the Bridegroom.
3. It could not be said that the Bridegroom “tarried” unless He was expected at a certain time, no more than we could say a train tarries unless there is a specified time for arrival; but when this time passes, and no train appears, we say, “The train tarries.”
4. “They all slumbered and slept”—one class in unconcern and abandonment of their faith, the other class patiently waiting till clearer light should be given.
5. “In the summer of 1844, midway between the time when it had been first thought that the 2300 days would end, and the autumn of the same year, to which it was afterward found that they extended, the message was proclaimed in the very words of the Scripture, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh.’”—Great Controversy, page 398. See also “Early Writings” (“Spiritual Gifts”), pp. 102, 103. “The cause of this sudden arousing was the discovery that the great prophetic period of 2300 days (years) of Dan. 8:14 did not end in the spring of 1844, but would extend to the autumn of that year. At the same time the relation between the type and the antitype relating to the cleansing of the sanctuary was partially seen. And as in the type the sanctuary was cleansed on the tenth day of the seventh month of the Jewish year, that point in the autumn of 1844 was accordingly fixed upon.”—Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation, on Rev. 14:6–12. As the Jewish year began with the first new moon after the vernal equinox, the seventh month began October 12, and the tenth day of that month fell on October 22.
6. In ancient times the master of ceremonies provided each guest with a wedding garment, and a little time was given to array himself. The Lord gives each of us the robe of Christ’s righteousness, and a little time in which to clothe ourselves. Then the master of ceremonies came in to see if each was properly arrayed before going in to the wedding. The Lord, since 1844, has been examining the guests, and when the case of every one has been decided, then those who are found ready will go in to the marriage; the door will be shut; the foolish virgins will knock in vain, because the Lord does not know them. Let us now become acquainted with God.
Lesson 6.—August 11.—God’s Promise to Abraham.
NOTE.—Before entering upon the study of this lesson, the student should read carefully chapter 14:1 to 15:4. As the last lesson comprised chapter 13, the introduction of the present one is abrupt and in a measure incomprehensible without a knowledge of the intervening scripture, which gives an account of Abraham’s great victory over the five kings. After this victory, the vision was given him which includes this lesson.
Golden Text.—“I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Gen. 15:1.
5 “And He brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to tell them: 6 and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness. And 7 He said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur 8 of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, O Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? 9 And He said unto him, Take Me an heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. And he took him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each half 11 over against the other; but the birds divided he not. And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove 12 them away. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon 13 him. And He said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge; and 15 afterward shall they come out with great substance. But thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in 16 a good old age. And in the fourth generation they shall come hither again; for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full. 17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that 18 passed between these pieces. In that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”
Suggestive Questions.
(1) What promise is here repeated to Abraham? Verse 5. Note 1. (2) How did Abraham receive this promise? How was his faith rewarded? Verse 6. Note 2. (3) What further assurance did the Lord give him? Verse 7. (4) What then did Abraham ask of the Lord? Verse 8. Note 3. (5) What did the Lord tell him to do? Verse 9. (6) When he had procured these sacrificial creatures, what did he do with them? Verses 10, 11. (7) What occurred as the sun was going down? Verse 12. (8) What did the Lord say should befall the seed of Abraham? Verse 13. Note 4. (9) What would follow this affliction? Verse 14. (10) What was told Abraham concerning his death? Verse 15. Note 5. (11) What was the cause of delay in occupying the land? Verse 16. (12) What token indicated that this covenant with Abraham, was confirmed on the Lord’s part? Verse 17. (13) What covenant was now made in regard to land? Verse 18. Note 6.
Notes.
1. The reminders of the promise are very striking and such as would be continually before Abraham. In Ch. 13:16 his seed is likened to “the dust of the ‘earth’” for number, and in Ch. 22:17 it is to be “as ‘the sand which is upon the seashore.’” So that, night or day, wherever Abraham might be, there were all around him the symbols of the promise of a multitudinous offspring.
2. Abraham believed at a time when all human reason and human understanding would fail to grasp the situation. Yet that which God counted to him for righteousness, is too often counted as fanaticism by those who claim to be more enlightened. But “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”
3. Abraham’s asking for a sign was not skepticism. God has challenged His servants to prove Him, and has not shunned to give them extraordinary signs to support the weakness of the flesh; as, for instance, Moses (Exodus 4), Gideon (Judges 6:11-24), Elijah (1 Kings 19), and John the Baptist (Luke 7:19-23).
4. Four Hundred Years.—From the time of the mocking of Isaac by the son of the bondwoman, to the deliverance from Egypt. Compare Gen. 21:9-12; Gal. 4:27, 30. The 430 years of Gal. 3:17 and Ex. 12:40 date from Abraham’s call to Canaan and the promise connected therewith, B.C. 1921 to 1491. Gen. 12:1-5. According to the Samaritan and the Alexandrian Septuagint, Ex. 12:40 should read: “Now the sojourning of the children of Israel and of their fathers, which they sojourned in the land of Canaan and in the land of Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.”
5. “Go to Thy Fathers.”—This refers to the death of Abraham, and is a strong remonstrance against the doctrine that the dead are in any state of consciousness. Abraham’s fathers were idolaters, and could not be in heaven, where some suppose Abraham to be; nor could righteous Abraham be in the reputed torment of the wicked, or even in the Roman purgatory. He could go to his fathers “in peace” only in the sense that he was dead and buried just as they were. And there, like Job, he awaits his change. See Job 14:13-15; 17:11-16; 19:23-27.
6. This part of the promises to Abraham was fulfilled in Solomon’s time. See 2 Chron. 9:26, with margin; Neh. 9:7, 8.
LOS ANGELES CAMP-MEETING.
By Clarence Santee
The camp-meeting for southern California will be held in Los Angeles, at Twenty-second and Vermont Streets. The time will be Aug. 8-18. There will be excursion rates over the Santa Fe railroad lines the ninth and tenth of the month, and this will make it possible for those who live at a distance to get very low rates to the camp-meeting. Those coming with the excursion rates can return at any time in thirty days after purchasing the ticket.
The Southern California Conference will be organized at this time, and many questions of importance will come before the meeting. We shall look for a general attendance from every church and company in the southern part of the State. Mrs. E. G. White expects to attend this meeting, and other laborers will be present to assist besides the home laborers.
All who get the excursion rates will come to Los Angeles Friday, Aug. 9. Those who do not get the rates ought to come Thursday, the 8th, and in this way be in time for the first meeting.
CLARENCE SANTEE.
SCHOLARSHIP OFFER.
THE undersigned make an excellent scholarship offer. Almost any energetic young man or woman can obtain a scholarship. Write at once. Correspondence with former college and academy students is desired. GOOD HEALTH PUBLISHING CO., Dept. Z., Battle Creek, Mich.
Living by Faith
“Living by Faith.” (Spanish.) A translation of Bible Students’ Library No. 75; 16 pp.; price, 2 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.
The Overland Limited
When you go East, take
The Overland Limited
Via UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
Less Than Three Days to Chicago
Four Days to New York
Leaves Oakland Daily at 10:36 A. M.
“The Fast Mail”
Three and One-half Days to Chicago
Both Pullman and Tourist Sleepers through to Denver, Kansas City, Omaha and Chicago Daily without Change. Leaves Oakland at 6:44 P. M.
EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
PERSONALLY-CONDUCTED TOURIST EXCURSIONS TO THE EAST EVERY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENINGS
Steamship Tickets to and from all points in Europe by all trans-Atlantic steamship lines
H. V. BLASDEL, Passenger Agent
1160 Broadway, Oakland, Cal.
SAMPLE FREE
Every Woman Wanted to Try
ROSZEL LAUNDRY TABLETS
Guaranteed to wash clothes clean without rubbing and without injury to the finest fabrics or colors. Strictly free from acids of any kind, therefore is not injurious to the skin. Saves time, money, and labor, saves your hands, saves your clothes, as clothes are worn out more on the washboard than by wearing. Try it and you will always use it. Sample sent free on receipt of 2-cent stamp to pay postage. Good agents wanted everywhere. Address
ALFRED MALLETT, 710 E. 171 St., N. Y. City
Heralds of His Coming
Is the end near? May we know the time? are important questions deserving of the most serious consideration. These, together with many others bearing on Christ’s second advent, are fully answered in this tract.
A. G. L. No. 51 :: 15¢ each :: 98¢ per hundred
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
11 W. Twentieth St., New York 18 W. Fifth St., Kansas City, Mo.
Genuine Elgin or Waltham
By Editor
GENTLEMAN'S WATCH
Solid silver case ★ Solid nickel works
Patent hair spring and balance. Fifteen jewels. Open face or hunting case, nicely engraved. Stem winding. Stem setting. Neat, handsome, and serviceable. A good timekeeper. FULLY GUARANTEED to be in PERFECT ORDER.
GIVEN FREE for 15 new subscriptions to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES at $1.50 each
LADY'S WATCH
of either of the same makes
Description exactly the same as above, except they have seven jewels and are even more handsome. Same guarantee.
GIVEN FREE for only 10 new subscriptions at $1.50
The Elgin and Waltham are too well known to need any recommendation. In the above offer, the publishers sincerely believe, is a rare chance to obtain good watches. We have examined them personally, and can recommend them as being first-class.
SEND FOR CANVASSING OUTFIT
Address,Signs of the Times,Oakland, California
Farmers’ Names Wanted
Farmers’ Names Wanted: Send us the names and post-office addresses of Eleven Farmers who have land to clear or who have use for a Stump Puller, and we will mail Free to your address a copy of our Stories of the Great Northwest, now going to press. Write plainly, and address the W. Smith Grubber Co., La Crosse, Wis.
EGGS
EACH VARIETY $1.00 AND $2.00 PER 15
Fancy Black Langshans, White Wyandottes and Barred Plymouth Rocks
Illustrated Price-list and Valuable Information free for stamp
C. H. TYRRELL
SIOUX RAPIDS, IOWA
LESSONS BY MAIL ON MEDICAL ELECTRICITY OR HOW TO USE THE BATTERY
By G. L. Abell
By Prof. G. L. Abell, Member of the Board of Directors of the Electro-Medical Society of San Francisco
Learn how to use the battery and treat yourself. Many diseases are quickly cured by the proper application of electricity. The course embraces the treatment of every organ and part of the body. The lessons are written in plain language and are illustrated. Course, five dollars. Send for circular. Address,
PROF. G. L. ABELL
School of Chemistry and Electro-Therapeutics, 36 Geary St., San Francisco, Cal.
Baby's First Wardrobe
Hygienic Patterns
Complete outfit based on healthful principles, 22 neat patterns with full instructions for making, and an illustrated booklet on baby's care and clothing. All sent in a plain envelope for 50 cents in stamps or silver. If interested in the best books, patterns, materials, garments, and accessories for mothers or children, enclose a stamp or remit for patterns to
Mrs. F. M. Kellogg, 38 Washington Ave., Battle Creek, Mich.
Musical Instruments at a Discount
Brother L. I. Sage, who is in the music business at Ventura, California, has agreed to sell pianos, organs, and small instruments on easy payments at one-third discount to all readers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Direct all correspondence to L. I. Sage, Ventura, California.
Choose Ye This Day
Presents in an impressive manner the fact that it is ours to choose whom we will serve, and represents what will be the result of our choice. A. G. L. No. 14. 50 cents per 100.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
New York City Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo.
Self-Pronouncing New Testament
Vest-Pocket Edition
Bound in French Morocco, flexible covers, round corners, red under gold edges
Large, sharp, clear type
All proper names are diacritically marked, which renders their proper pronunciation very easy
Just what is needed by busy people and travelers who wish to make a daily study of the Scriptures
A Minister’s wife says:—
“I am just delighted with it, and so are my friends who have seen it”
Given for one new yearly subscription to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES at $1.50
DAY OF THE SABBATH
IS IT ANY DAY, OR IS IT A PARTICULAR DAY? AND IF A PARTICULAR DAY, WHAT DAY IS IT?
A. G. L. NO. 50 1¢ EACH 68¢ PER HUNDRED
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
11 W. 20TH ST., NEW YORK 16 W. 5TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO.
The Winning of Margaret
A story, showing in a beautiful way that the second coming of Christ is very near
A. G. L. No. 53 * 1c each * 68c per hundred
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
Oakland, California
11 W. 20th St., N. Y. 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.
Strikes and the Power of Capital
The industrial condition is practically unchanged. The great strike of the steel-workers waits. But little is said on either side. It is the rule to talk confidence to the last. The strikers hope to win till they lose, and so do the companies. Ultimately capital will win, because it can wait, unless revolution sweeps it away. Stocks are going down, and the men who control the money will buy for a song, increasing their wealth by future advance in prices when the storm is over. The great trust has taken no decisive measures at this writing, and President Shaffer of the steel-workers threatens, in connection with President Gompers of the Federated Trades, to paralyze all industries for the principle of unionism, if necessary. Mr. Shaffer, as reported, renounces Republicanism. In New York 50,000 garment-workers are on strike for better pay, shorter hours, and better ventilated rooms. There is no question but that there is cause for grievance. Only the judgment of God will reveal the crimes of the proprietors of sweatshops. In San Francisco there are 1,000 teamsters off, and 800, it is said, will soon follow. The draymen who employ the teamsters have been asking the teamsters to haul goods for houses that are non-union, and the teamsters refuse and are told to quit. Business is seriously affected. These things bode anything but times of prosperity, except to the great corporations and the few who profit through them. Yet men will not see that all these things are inevitable results of the departure from right principles. They will not see that all is set before us in God’s Word, from the beginning to the end. And yet it is.
Good Things in the Signs
The “Signs” is especially full of good things this week. You will need to read it all to find them all.
The Man without the Hoe
In our Home Department we have a poem from a valued friend, entitled, “The Man without the Hoe.” Read it; it is worthy.
Withering Heat in the East
The blighting, withering heat still continues in the East. The SIGNS will have something to say on the subject next week which will be of interest.
Studies in the Prophecies of Daniel
Studies in the Prophecies of Daniel will begin when the series of articles on “Ancient History Which Is Also Modern” has closed. These will be of interest.
