Part XI. Life Only in Christ

Part XI. Life Only in Christ[pg 498]Illustration.The Open Grave At Hanover, Germany. "This grave, purchased for eternity, must never be opened."—German Princess. See page 515.[pg 499]Origin, History, And Destiny Of SatanIllustration.The Temptation. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" Isa. 14:12.1. Have any others than the human family sinned?“God spared notthe angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”2 Peter 2:4.2. What is the name of the one who led the angels to sin?“Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared forthe deviland his angels.”Matt. 25:41.3. By what other names is he known?“And the greatdragonwas cast out, that oldserpent, called the Devil, andSatan, which deceiveth the whole world.”Rev. 12:9. See also Isa. 14:12, where he is called“Lucifer.”4. What was Satan's condition when created?“Thou wast perfectin thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”Eze. 28:15.5. What description is given of him by the prophet Ezekiel?“Thus saith the Lord God;Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, ... the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.”Verses 12-14.[pg 500]Note.—From this it is evident that Satan was a high and exalted angel before he fell, a masterpiece of wisdom and beauty. From the reference to his“tabrets”and“pipes”it seems probable that he was chorister of heaven, and led the angelic host in song. In the earthly sanctuary the cherubim overshadowed the mercy-seat. Ex. 25:16-22; Heb. 9:3-5; Ps. 99:1.6. What unholy, ambitious spirit took possession of Satan, and led to his fall?“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.”Isa. 14:13, 14.7. Did pride also contribute to his fall?“Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thybrightness.”Eze. 28:17.8. What does Solomon say precedes destruction and a fall?“Pridegoeth before destruction, andan haughty spiritbefore a fall.”Prov. 16:18.9. How does the prophet Isaiah describe Satan's fall?“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”Isa. 14:12.10. Why was Satan cast from his high position?“By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence,and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.”Eze. 28:16.11. When cast out of the mountain of God, to what place were Satan and his angels banished, to be kept till the judgment?“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, butcast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”2 Peter 2:4.Note.—This, we understand, is the darkness surrounding this world, and is symbolic of the darkness of utter hopelessness and despair in rebellion and sin. When Satan led man to sin, darkness was brought upon this world. But God did not leave man to hopelessness. In His mercy and great love He caused“the light of the glorious gospel of Christ”to shine, to call men“out of darkness into His marvelous light.”That Satan and the angels who fell with him had a period of probation and opportunity to repent, there can be no doubt. Their fate is the result of stubborn rebellion and persistence in sin in spite of the overtures of mercy and the[pg 501]offers of pardon. For this they were cast out of heaven. The wicked angels are kept in everlasting chains of darkness.12. How is the conflict which took place in heaven between Christ and Satan described by the revelator?“And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon 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 cast out with him.”Rev. 12:7-9.13. In what terms did Christ refer to Satan's fall?“And He said unto them,I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”Luke 10:18.14. Has Satan ever appeared before God since his fall?“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord,and Satan came also among them.”Job 1:6. See also chapter 2:1.15. When asked whence he came, what was Satan's reply?“Then Satan answered the Lord, and said,From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”Job 1:7. See Job 2:2.Note.—By tempting man to sin, Satan usurped man's dominion over the earth. Rom. 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19. This he now claims as his kingdom (Luke 4:6); hence the temptation in offering the kingdoms of this world to Christ. As the“god”and ruler of this world, Satan, for four thousand years before the crucifixion of Christ, appeared before God among the representatives of other worlds, as the representative of this world. After accomplishing the death of Christ, the Son of God, the sinless One, Satan was cast out of this council, or assembly, and has not been permitted to enter it since. This was his second fall, and the one, doubtless, to which Christ, just before His crucifixion, alluded when he said,“Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world becast out.”John 12:31. His final fall and destruction are still future.16. What has been the character of Satan since his fall?“He that committeth sin is of the devil; forthe devil sinneth from the beginning.”1 John 3:8.17. Was he ever in the truth?“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, andabode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.”John 8:44.Note.—The expression“abodenot in the truth”implies that Satan was onceinthe truth, but that he did notremainthere.[pg 502]18. What is the only“beginning”of which we have record?“In the beginning Godcreated the heaven and the earth.”Gen. 1:1.19. What besides amurdererdid Christ say Satan is?“When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: forhe is a liar, and the father of it.”John 8:44.20. What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if they transgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit?“Thou shaltsurely die.”Gen. 2:17.21. What did Satan say to Eve concerning this?“And the serpent said unto the woman,Ye shallnotsurely die.”Gen. 3:4.Note.—This, as far as the record shows, wasthe first lie,—a direct denial of the word of God. By persuading Eve to accept and believe it, Satan led our first parents tocommit sin; and, as“the wages of sin isdeath,”by it, also, he caused theirdeath, and so became, in reality,the first murderer. A lie, therefore, is a twin brother to murder, and one of the most hateful things to God, the“God oftruth.”See Prov. 6:16-19.“The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”Prov. 12:19.“All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.”Rev. 21:8. See also Rev. 21:27; 22:15.22. What has been the result of sin's entrance into the world?“By one man sin entered into the world, anddeath by sin.”Rom. 5:12.“By one man's disobediencemany were made sinners.”Verse 19.“The whole world lieth in wickedness.”1 John 5:19.“In Adamall die.”1 Cor. 15:22.23. When Christ came to redeem man, what did Satan do?“And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days,tempted of Satan.”Mark 1:12, 13. See also Matt. 4:1-11.24. How severely was Christ tempted of Satan?“For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but wasin all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”Heb. 4:15.25. What has the church suffered since the days of Christ?“And when the dragon [Satan] saw that he was cast unto the earth,he persecuted the woman[the church].”Rev. 12:13.Note.—Many millions of the people of God have been put to death since the beginning of the Christian era, under pagan and papal persecutions, all of which have been instigated by Satan. See Buck's Theological Dictionary, any commentary or church history on the subject of persecution, and the readings on pages218,264,268,491.[pg 503]26. Is the remnant church to feel his wrath, and why?“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”Verse 17.27. How will Satan deceive men in the last days?“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earthby the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast.”Rev. 13:14.Note.—This, we understand, refers to Spiritualistic manifestations and miracles to be wrought to fasten men in error and deception. See readings on pages530,533.28. What will influence the nations to gather for the great battle of Armageddon?“They arethe spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world,to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”Rev. 16:14.29. 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 God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned 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, andbound 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 shallgo out to deceive the nationswhich 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 God in heaven, and ends in rebellion against Him on earth.32. As Satan and his host compass the camp of the saints, what will take place?[pg 504]“And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: andfire came down from God 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 earthin 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, andnever 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 God 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 God 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: whomresist 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 God.“It is written, ... It is written, ... It is written.”Matt. 4:4-10.Note.—The Word of God 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,”page127.Gracious Father, guard Thy childrenFrom the foe's destructive power;Save, O save them, Lord, from fallingIn 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 God we still confide.[pg 505]What Is Man?Illustration.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 hima 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 God, being the children of the resurrection.”Luke 20:35, 36.3. What are angels called?“And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angelsspirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.”Heb. 1:7.4. What is the difference between the two Adams?“The first man Adam was madea living soul; the last Adam was madea 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?[pg 506]“That which thou sowest is not quickened, except itdie.”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.”8. How is man's nature defined?“Shallmortal manbe more just than God?”Job 4:17.Mortal:“Subject to death.”—Webster.9. What is God's nature?“Now unto the Kingeternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”1 Tim. 1:17.Immortal:“Exempt from liability to die.”—Webster.10. Of what was man formed in the beginning?“And the Lord God formed manof the dust of the ground.”Gen. 2:7, first part.11. What act made him a living soul?“And [God]breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”Same verse, last part.Notes.—The living soul was not putintothe man; but the breath oflifewhich was put into man, madehim—the man, made of the earth—alivingsoul, or creature.The original for“living soul”in this text isnephesh chaiyah. On the use of this expression in Gen. 1:24, translated“living creature,”Dr. Adam Clarke says:“A general term to express all creatures endued with animal life, in any of its infinitely varied gradations, from the half-reasoning elephant down to the stupid potto, or lower still, to the polyp, which seems equally to share the vegetable and animal life.”12. Are other creatures besides man called“living souls”?“And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: andevery living soul died in the sea.”Rev. 16:3. See also Gen. 1:30, margin.13. Do others besides man have the“breath of life”?“And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both offowl, and ofcattle, and ofbeast, and ofevery creeping thingthat creepeth upon the earth, and every man:all in whose nostrils was the breath of life.”Gen. 7:21, 22.14. Is their breath the same as man's?“As the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea,they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.”Eccl. 3:19.[pg 507]Note.—That is, here men, as well as beasts, die. This present life, with them, as with the rest of the animal creation, is dependent upon their breath. When this is gone, they, the same as beasts, die. In this respect they have no preeminence over beasts. But men have a future unending life held out before them, and may, if they will, die in hope of eternal life, which is a very great preeminence over the rest of the animal creation.15. What does Job call that which God breathed into man's nostrils?“All the while my breath is in me, andthe spirit of God is in my nostrils.”Job 27:3.16. When man gives up this spirit, what becomes of it?“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: andthe spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”Eccl. 12:7.Note.—That is, the spirit of life by which man lives, and which is only lent him of God, at death goes back to the great Author of life. Having come from Him, it belongs to God, and man can have it eternally only as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ. Rom. 6:23. When the spirit goes back to God, the dust, from which man was made a“living soul”in the beginning, goes backas it was, to the earth, and the individual no longer exists as a living, conscious, thinking being, except as he exists in the mind, plan, and purpose of God through Christ and the resurrection. In this sense“all live unto Him”(Luke 20:38), for all are to be raised from the dead. See John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; Rom. 4:17.17. Who only have hold of the life eternal?“He that hath the Son hath life; andhe that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”1 John 5:12.Note.—The veriest sinner has this temporal life; but when he yields up this life, he has no prospect nor promise of the life eternal. That can be received only through Christ.18. Why was Adam driven from the garden of Eden and excluded from the tree of life?“And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, andlive forever.”Gen. 3:22.19. What was done to keep man away from the tree of life?“So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”Verse 24.20. How are all men in the natural state regarded?“We all ... were by naturethe children of wrath, even as others.”Eph. 2:3.21. If the wrath of Godabideson a person, of what does it deprive him?[pg 508]“He that believeth not the Sonshall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”John 3:36.22. Through whom is the sinner saved from wrath?“Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wraththrough Him.”Rom. 5:9.23. With whom is the Christian's future life hid?“For ye are dead [to sin], and your life ishid with Christ in God.”Col. 3:3.24. When will this life be bestowed upon the believer?“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.”Verse 4.Note.—The wordimmortaloccurs but once in the English Bible (1 Tim. 1:17), and is there applied to God.25. Who only possesses inherent immortality?“Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;who only hath immortality.”1 Tim. 6:15, 16.Note.—God is the only Being who possesses original life or immortality in Himself. All others must receive it from God. See John 5:26; 6:27; 10:10, 27, 28; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:11.26. Through whom has immortality been brought to light?“But is now made manifest by the appearing ofour Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”2 Tim. 1:10.27. To whom is eternal life promised?“To them who by patient continuance in well-doingseek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.”Rom. 2:7.Note.—One does not need to seek for a thing which he already possesses. The fact that we are to seek for immortality is proof in itself that we do not now possess it.28. When will the faithful be changed to immortality?“Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, butwe shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”1 Cor. 15:51, 52.29. What is then to be swallowed up?“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,Death is swallowed up in victory.”Verse 54. See verse 57.[pg 509]

Illustration.The Open Grave At Hanover, Germany. "This grave, purchased for eternity, must never be opened."—German Princess. See page 515.

The Open Grave At Hanover, Germany. "This grave, purchased for eternity, must never be opened."—German Princess. See page 515.

Origin, History, And Destiny Of SatanIllustration.The Temptation. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" Isa. 14:12.1. Have any others than the human family sinned?“God spared notthe angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”2 Peter 2:4.2. What is the name of the one who led the angels to sin?“Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared forthe deviland his angels.”Matt. 25:41.3. By what other names is he known?“And the greatdragonwas cast out, that oldserpent, called the Devil, andSatan, which deceiveth the whole world.”Rev. 12:9. See also Isa. 14:12, where he is called“Lucifer.”4. What was Satan's condition when created?“Thou wast perfectin thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”Eze. 28:15.5. What description is given of him by the prophet Ezekiel?“Thus saith the Lord God;Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, ... the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.”Verses 12-14.[pg 500]Note.—From this it is evident that Satan was a high and exalted angel before he fell, a masterpiece of wisdom and beauty. From the reference to his“tabrets”and“pipes”it seems probable that he was chorister of heaven, and led the angelic host in song. In the earthly sanctuary the cherubim overshadowed the mercy-seat. Ex. 25:16-22; Heb. 9:3-5; Ps. 99:1.6. What unholy, ambitious spirit took possession of Satan, and led to his fall?“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.”Isa. 14:13, 14.7. Did pride also contribute to his fall?“Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thybrightness.”Eze. 28:17.8. What does Solomon say precedes destruction and a fall?“Pridegoeth before destruction, andan haughty spiritbefore a fall.”Prov. 16:18.9. How does the prophet Isaiah describe Satan's fall?“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”Isa. 14:12.10. Why was Satan cast from his high position?“By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence,and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.”Eze. 28:16.11. When cast out of the mountain of God, to what place were Satan and his angels banished, to be kept till the judgment?“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, butcast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”2 Peter 2:4.Note.—This, we understand, is the darkness surrounding this world, and is symbolic of the darkness of utter hopelessness and despair in rebellion and sin. When Satan led man to sin, darkness was brought upon this world. But God did not leave man to hopelessness. In His mercy and great love He caused“the light of the glorious gospel of Christ”to shine, to call men“out of darkness into His marvelous light.”That Satan and the angels who fell with him had a period of probation and opportunity to repent, there can be no doubt. Their fate is the result of stubborn rebellion and persistence in sin in spite of the overtures of mercy and the[pg 501]offers of pardon. For this they were cast out of heaven. The wicked angels are kept in everlasting chains of darkness.12. How is the conflict which took place in heaven between Christ and Satan described by the revelator?“And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon 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 cast out with him.”Rev. 12:7-9.13. In what terms did Christ refer to Satan's fall?“And He said unto them,I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”Luke 10:18.14. Has Satan ever appeared before God since his fall?“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord,and Satan came also among them.”Job 1:6. See also chapter 2:1.15. When asked whence he came, what was Satan's reply?“Then Satan answered the Lord, and said,From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”Job 1:7. See Job 2:2.Note.—By tempting man to sin, Satan usurped man's dominion over the earth. Rom. 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19. This he now claims as his kingdom (Luke 4:6); hence the temptation in offering the kingdoms of this world to Christ. As the“god”and ruler of this world, Satan, for four thousand years before the crucifixion of Christ, appeared before God among the representatives of other worlds, as the representative of this world. After accomplishing the death of Christ, the Son of God, the sinless One, Satan was cast out of this council, or assembly, and has not been permitted to enter it since. This was his second fall, and the one, doubtless, to which Christ, just before His crucifixion, alluded when he said,“Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world becast out.”John 12:31. His final fall and destruction are still future.16. What has been the character of Satan since his fall?“He that committeth sin is of the devil; forthe devil sinneth from the beginning.”1 John 3:8.17. Was he ever in the truth?“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, andabode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.”John 8:44.Note.—The expression“abodenot in the truth”implies that Satan was onceinthe truth, but that he did notremainthere.[pg 502]18. What is the only“beginning”of which we have record?“In the beginning Godcreated the heaven and the earth.”Gen. 1:1.19. What besides amurdererdid Christ say Satan is?“When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: forhe is a liar, and the father of it.”John 8:44.20. What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if they transgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit?“Thou shaltsurely die.”Gen. 2:17.21. What did Satan say to Eve concerning this?“And the serpent said unto the woman,Ye shallnotsurely die.”Gen. 3:4.Note.—This, as far as the record shows, wasthe first lie,—a direct denial of the word of God. By persuading Eve to accept and believe it, Satan led our first parents tocommit sin; and, as“the wages of sin isdeath,”by it, also, he caused theirdeath, and so became, in reality,the first murderer. A lie, therefore, is a twin brother to murder, and one of the most hateful things to God, the“God oftruth.”See Prov. 6:16-19.“The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”Prov. 12:19.“All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.”Rev. 21:8. See also Rev. 21:27; 22:15.22. What has been the result of sin's entrance into the world?“By one man sin entered into the world, anddeath by sin.”Rom. 5:12.“By one man's disobediencemany were made sinners.”Verse 19.“The whole world lieth in wickedness.”1 John 5:19.“In Adamall die.”1 Cor. 15:22.23. When Christ came to redeem man, what did Satan do?“And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days,tempted of Satan.”Mark 1:12, 13. See also Matt. 4:1-11.24. How severely was Christ tempted of Satan?“For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but wasin all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”Heb. 4:15.25. What has the church suffered since the days of Christ?“And when the dragon [Satan] saw that he was cast unto the earth,he persecuted the woman[the church].”Rev. 12:13.Note.—Many millions of the people of God have been put to death since the beginning of the Christian era, under pagan and papal persecutions, all of which have been instigated by Satan. See Buck's Theological Dictionary, any commentary or church history on the subject of persecution, and the readings on pages218,264,268,491.[pg 503]26. Is the remnant church to feel his wrath, and why?“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”Verse 17.27. How will Satan deceive men in the last days?“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earthby the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast.”Rev. 13:14.Note.—This, we understand, refers to Spiritualistic manifestations and miracles to be wrought to fasten men in error and deception. See readings on pages530,533.28. What will influence the nations to gather for the great battle of Armageddon?“They arethe spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world,to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”Rev. 16:14.29. 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 God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned 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, andbound 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 shallgo out to deceive the nationswhich 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 God in heaven, and ends in rebellion against Him on earth.32. As Satan and his host compass the camp of the saints, what will take place?[pg 504]“And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: andfire came down from God 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 earthin 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, andnever 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 God 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 God 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: whomresist 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 God.“It is written, ... It is written, ... It is written.”Matt. 4:4-10.Note.—The Word of God 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,”page127.Gracious Father, guard Thy childrenFrom the foe's destructive power;Save, O save them, Lord, from fallingIn 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 God we still confide.

Illustration.The Temptation. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" Isa. 14:12.

The Temptation. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" Isa. 14:12.

1. Have any others than the human family sinned?

“God spared notthe angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”2 Peter 2:4.

2. What is the name of the one who led the angels to sin?

“Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared forthe deviland his angels.”Matt. 25:41.

3. By what other names is he known?

“And the greatdragonwas cast out, that oldserpent, called the Devil, andSatan, which deceiveth the whole world.”Rev. 12:9. See also Isa. 14:12, where he is called“Lucifer.”

4. What was Satan's condition when created?

“Thou wast perfectin thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”Eze. 28:15.

5. What description is given of him by the prophet Ezekiel?

“Thus saith the Lord God;Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, ... the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.”Verses 12-14.

Note.—From this it is evident that Satan was a high and exalted angel before he fell, a masterpiece of wisdom and beauty. From the reference to his“tabrets”and“pipes”it seems probable that he was chorister of heaven, and led the angelic host in song. In the earthly sanctuary the cherubim overshadowed the mercy-seat. Ex. 25:16-22; Heb. 9:3-5; Ps. 99:1.

6. What unholy, ambitious spirit took possession of Satan, and led to his fall?

“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.”Isa. 14:13, 14.

7. Did pride also contribute to his fall?

“Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thybrightness.”Eze. 28:17.

8. What does Solomon say precedes destruction and a fall?

“Pridegoeth before destruction, andan haughty spiritbefore a fall.”Prov. 16:18.

9. How does the prophet Isaiah describe Satan's fall?

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”Isa. 14:12.

10. Why was Satan cast from his high position?

“By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence,and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.”Eze. 28:16.

11. When cast out of the mountain of God, to what place were Satan and his angels banished, to be kept till the judgment?

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, butcast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”2 Peter 2:4.

Note.—This, we understand, is the darkness surrounding this world, and is symbolic of the darkness of utter hopelessness and despair in rebellion and sin. When Satan led man to sin, darkness was brought upon this world. But God did not leave man to hopelessness. In His mercy and great love He caused“the light of the glorious gospel of Christ”to shine, to call men“out of darkness into His marvelous light.”That Satan and the angels who fell with him had a period of probation and opportunity to repent, there can be no doubt. Their fate is the result of stubborn rebellion and persistence in sin in spite of the overtures of mercy and the[pg 501]offers of pardon. For this they were cast out of heaven. The wicked angels are kept in everlasting chains of darkness.

12. How is the conflict which took place in heaven between Christ and Satan described by the revelator?

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon 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 cast out with him.”Rev. 12:7-9.

13. In what terms did Christ refer to Satan's fall?

“And He said unto them,I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”Luke 10:18.

14. Has Satan ever appeared before God since his fall?

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord,and Satan came also among them.”Job 1:6. See also chapter 2:1.

15. When asked whence he came, what was Satan's reply?

“Then Satan answered the Lord, and said,From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”Job 1:7. See Job 2:2.

Note.—By tempting man to sin, Satan usurped man's dominion over the earth. Rom. 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19. This he now claims as his kingdom (Luke 4:6); hence the temptation in offering the kingdoms of this world to Christ. As the“god”and ruler of this world, Satan, for four thousand years before the crucifixion of Christ, appeared before God among the representatives of other worlds, as the representative of this world. After accomplishing the death of Christ, the Son of God, the sinless One, Satan was cast out of this council, or assembly, and has not been permitted to enter it since. This was his second fall, and the one, doubtless, to which Christ, just before His crucifixion, alluded when he said,“Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world becast out.”John 12:31. His final fall and destruction are still future.

16. What has been the character of Satan since his fall?

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; forthe devil sinneth from the beginning.”1 John 3:8.

17. Was he ever in the truth?

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, andabode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.”John 8:44.

Note.—The expression“abodenot in the truth”implies that Satan was onceinthe truth, but that he did notremainthere.

18. What is the only“beginning”of which we have record?

“In the beginning Godcreated the heaven and the earth.”Gen. 1:1.

19. What besides amurdererdid Christ say Satan is?

“When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: forhe is a liar, and the father of it.”John 8:44.

20. What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if they transgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit?

“Thou shaltsurely die.”Gen. 2:17.

21. What did Satan say to Eve concerning this?

“And the serpent said unto the woman,Ye shallnotsurely die.”Gen. 3:4.

Note.—This, as far as the record shows, wasthe first lie,—a direct denial of the word of God. By persuading Eve to accept and believe it, Satan led our first parents tocommit sin; and, as“the wages of sin isdeath,”by it, also, he caused theirdeath, and so became, in reality,the first murderer. A lie, therefore, is a twin brother to murder, and one of the most hateful things to God, the“God oftruth.”See Prov. 6:16-19.“The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”Prov. 12:19.“All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.”Rev. 21:8. See also Rev. 21:27; 22:15.

22. What has been the result of sin's entrance into the world?

“By one man sin entered into the world, anddeath by sin.”Rom. 5:12.“By one man's disobediencemany were made sinners.”Verse 19.“The whole world lieth in wickedness.”1 John 5:19.“In Adamall die.”1 Cor. 15:22.

23. When Christ came to redeem man, what did Satan do?

“And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days,tempted of Satan.”Mark 1:12, 13. See also Matt. 4:1-11.

24. How severely was Christ tempted of Satan?

“For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but wasin all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”Heb. 4:15.

25. What has the church suffered since the days of Christ?

“And when the dragon [Satan] saw that he was cast unto the earth,he persecuted the woman[the church].”Rev. 12:13.

Note.—Many millions of the people of God have been put to death since the beginning of the Christian era, under pagan and papal persecutions, all of which have been instigated by Satan. See Buck's Theological Dictionary, any commentary or church history on the subject of persecution, and the readings on pages218,264,268,491.

26. Is the remnant church to feel his wrath, and why?

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”Verse 17.

27. How will Satan deceive men in the last days?

“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earthby the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast.”Rev. 13:14.

Note.—This, we understand, refers to Spiritualistic manifestations and miracles to be wrought to fasten men in error and deception. See readings on pages530,533.

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

“They arethe spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world,to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”Rev. 16:14.

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 God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned 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, andbound 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 shallgo out to deceive the nationswhich 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 God in heaven, and ends in rebellion against Him on earth.

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

“And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: andfire came down from God 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 earthin 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, andnever 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 God 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 God 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: whomresist 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 God.“It is written, ... It is written, ... It is written.”Matt. 4:4-10.

Note.—The Word of God 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,”page127.

Gracious Father, guard Thy childrenFrom the foe's destructive power;Save, O save them, Lord, from fallingIn 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 God we still confide.

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 God we still confide.

What Is Man?Illustration.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 hima 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 God, being the children of the resurrection.”Luke 20:35, 36.3. What are angels called?“And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angelsspirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.”Heb. 1:7.4. What is the difference between the two Adams?“The first man Adam was madea living soul; the last Adam was madea 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?[pg 506]“That which thou sowest is not quickened, except itdie.”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.”8. How is man's nature defined?“Shallmortal manbe more just than God?”Job 4:17.Mortal:“Subject to death.”—Webster.9. What is God's nature?“Now unto the Kingeternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”1 Tim. 1:17.Immortal:“Exempt from liability to die.”—Webster.10. Of what was man formed in the beginning?“And the Lord God formed manof the dust of the ground.”Gen. 2:7, first part.11. What act made him a living soul?“And [God]breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”Same verse, last part.Notes.—The living soul was not putintothe man; but the breath oflifewhich was put into man, madehim—the man, made of the earth—alivingsoul, or creature.The original for“living soul”in this text isnephesh chaiyah. On the use of this expression in Gen. 1:24, translated“living creature,”Dr. Adam Clarke says:“A general term to express all creatures endued with animal life, in any of its infinitely varied gradations, from the half-reasoning elephant down to the stupid potto, or lower still, to the polyp, which seems equally to share the vegetable and animal life.”12. Are other creatures besides man called“living souls”?“And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: andevery living soul died in the sea.”Rev. 16:3. See also Gen. 1:30, margin.13. Do others besides man have the“breath of life”?“And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both offowl, and ofcattle, and ofbeast, and ofevery creeping thingthat creepeth upon the earth, and every man:all in whose nostrils was the breath of life.”Gen. 7:21, 22.14. Is their breath the same as man's?“As the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea,they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.”Eccl. 3:19.[pg 507]Note.—That is, here men, as well as beasts, die. This present life, with them, as with the rest of the animal creation, is dependent upon their breath. When this is gone, they, the same as beasts, die. In this respect they have no preeminence over beasts. But men have a future unending life held out before them, and may, if they will, die in hope of eternal life, which is a very great preeminence over the rest of the animal creation.15. What does Job call that which God breathed into man's nostrils?“All the while my breath is in me, andthe spirit of God is in my nostrils.”Job 27:3.16. When man gives up this spirit, what becomes of it?“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: andthe spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”Eccl. 12:7.Note.—That is, the spirit of life by which man lives, and which is only lent him of God, at death goes back to the great Author of life. Having come from Him, it belongs to God, and man can have it eternally only as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ. Rom. 6:23. When the spirit goes back to God, the dust, from which man was made a“living soul”in the beginning, goes backas it was, to the earth, and the individual no longer exists as a living, conscious, thinking being, except as he exists in the mind, plan, and purpose of God through Christ and the resurrection. In this sense“all live unto Him”(Luke 20:38), for all are to be raised from the dead. See John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; Rom. 4:17.17. Who only have hold of the life eternal?“He that hath the Son hath life; andhe that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”1 John 5:12.Note.—The veriest sinner has this temporal life; but when he yields up this life, he has no prospect nor promise of the life eternal. That can be received only through Christ.18. Why was Adam driven from the garden of Eden and excluded from the tree of life?“And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, andlive forever.”Gen. 3:22.19. What was done to keep man away from the tree of life?“So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”Verse 24.20. How are all men in the natural state regarded?“We all ... were by naturethe children of wrath, even as others.”Eph. 2:3.21. If the wrath of Godabideson a person, of what does it deprive him?[pg 508]“He that believeth not the Sonshall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”John 3:36.22. Through whom is the sinner saved from wrath?“Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wraththrough Him.”Rom. 5:9.23. With whom is the Christian's future life hid?“For ye are dead [to sin], and your life ishid with Christ in God.”Col. 3:3.24. When will this life be bestowed upon the believer?“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.”Verse 4.Note.—The wordimmortaloccurs but once in the English Bible (1 Tim. 1:17), and is there applied to God.25. Who only possesses inherent immortality?“Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;who only hath immortality.”1 Tim. 6:15, 16.Note.—God is the only Being who possesses original life or immortality in Himself. All others must receive it from God. See John 5:26; 6:27; 10:10, 27, 28; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:11.26. Through whom has immortality been brought to light?“But is now made manifest by the appearing ofour Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”2 Tim. 1:10.27. To whom is eternal life promised?“To them who by patient continuance in well-doingseek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.”Rom. 2:7.Note.—One does not need to seek for a thing which he already possesses. The fact that we are to seek for immortality is proof in itself that we do not now possess it.28. When will the faithful be changed to immortality?“Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, butwe shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”1 Cor. 15:51, 52.29. What is then to be swallowed up?“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,Death is swallowed up in victory.”Verse 54. See verse 57.

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

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 hima 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 God, being the children of the resurrection.”Luke 20:35, 36.

3. What are angels called?

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

4. What is the difference between the two Adams?

“The first man Adam was madea living soul; the last Adam was madea 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 itdie.”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.”

8. How is man's nature defined?

“Shallmortal manbe more just than God?”Job 4:17.

Mortal:“Subject to death.”—Webster.

9. What is God's nature?

“Now unto the Kingeternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”1 Tim. 1:17.

Immortal:“Exempt from liability to die.”—Webster.

10. Of what was man formed in the beginning?

“And the Lord God formed manof the dust of the ground.”Gen. 2:7, first part.

11. What act made him a living soul?

“And [God]breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”Same verse, last part.

Notes.—The living soul was not putintothe man; but the breath oflifewhich was put into man, madehim—the man, made of the earth—alivingsoul, or creature.The original for“living soul”in this text isnephesh chaiyah. On the use of this expression in Gen. 1:24, translated“living creature,”Dr. Adam Clarke says:“A general term to express all creatures endued with animal life, in any of its infinitely varied gradations, from the half-reasoning elephant down to the stupid potto, or lower still, to the polyp, which seems equally to share the vegetable and animal life.”

Notes.—The living soul was not putintothe man; but the breath oflifewhich was put into man, madehim—the man, made of the earth—alivingsoul, or creature.

The original for“living soul”in this text isnephesh chaiyah. On the use of this expression in Gen. 1:24, translated“living creature,”Dr. Adam Clarke says:“A general term to express all creatures endued with animal life, in any of its infinitely varied gradations, from the half-reasoning elephant down to the stupid potto, or lower still, to the polyp, which seems equally to share the vegetable and animal life.”

12. Are other creatures besides man called“living souls”?

“And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: andevery living soul died in the sea.”Rev. 16:3. See also Gen. 1:30, margin.

13. Do others besides man have the“breath of life”?

“And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both offowl, and ofcattle, and ofbeast, and ofevery creeping thingthat creepeth upon the earth, and every man:all in whose nostrils was the breath of life.”Gen. 7:21, 22.

14. Is their breath the same as man's?

“As the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea,they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.”Eccl. 3:19.

Note.—That is, here men, as well as beasts, die. This present life, with them, as with the rest of the animal creation, is dependent upon their breath. When this is gone, they, the same as beasts, die. In this respect they have no preeminence over beasts. But men have a future unending life held out before them, and may, if they will, die in hope of eternal life, which is a very great preeminence over the rest of the animal creation.

15. What does Job call that which God breathed into man's nostrils?

“All the while my breath is in me, andthe spirit of God is in my nostrils.”Job 27:3.

16. When man gives up this spirit, what becomes of it?

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: andthe spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”Eccl. 12:7.

Note.—That is, the spirit of life by which man lives, and which is only lent him of God, at death goes back to the great Author of life. Having come from Him, it belongs to God, and man can have it eternally only as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ. Rom. 6:23. When the spirit goes back to God, the dust, from which man was made a“living soul”in the beginning, goes backas it was, to the earth, and the individual no longer exists as a living, conscious, thinking being, except as he exists in the mind, plan, and purpose of God through Christ and the resurrection. In this sense“all live unto Him”(Luke 20:38), for all are to be raised from the dead. See John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; Rom. 4:17.

17. Who only have hold of the life eternal?

“He that hath the Son hath life; andhe that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”1 John 5:12.

Note.—The veriest sinner has this temporal life; but when he yields up this life, he has no prospect nor promise of the life eternal. That can be received only through Christ.

18. Why was Adam driven from the garden of Eden and excluded from the tree of life?

“And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, andlive forever.”Gen. 3:22.

19. What was done to keep man away from the tree of life?

“So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”Verse 24.

20. How are all men in the natural state regarded?

“We all ... were by naturethe children of wrath, even as others.”Eph. 2:3.

21. If the wrath of Godabideson a person, of what does it deprive him?

“He that believeth not the Sonshall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”John 3:36.

22. Through whom is the sinner saved from wrath?

“Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wraththrough Him.”Rom. 5:9.

23. With whom is the Christian's future life hid?

“For ye are dead [to sin], and your life ishid with Christ in God.”Col. 3:3.

24. When will this life be bestowed upon the believer?

“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.”Verse 4.

Note.—The wordimmortaloccurs but once in the English Bible (1 Tim. 1:17), and is there applied to God.

25. Who only possesses inherent immortality?

“Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;who only hath immortality.”1 Tim. 6:15, 16.

Note.—God is the only Being who possesses original life or immortality in Himself. All others must receive it from God. See John 5:26; 6:27; 10:10, 27, 28; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:11.

26. Through whom has immortality been brought to light?

“But is now made manifest by the appearing ofour Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”2 Tim. 1:10.

27. To whom is eternal life promised?

“To them who by patient continuance in well-doingseek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.”Rom. 2:7.

Note.—One does not need to seek for a thing which he already possesses. The fact that we are to seek for immortality is proof in itself that we do not now possess it.

28. When will the faithful be changed to immortality?

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

29. What is then to be swallowed up?

“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,Death is swallowed up in victory.”Verse 54. See verse 57.

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