Study 7: The Deliverance and Exaltation of the Church

(1) Having found by the light of prophecy our present location in the “Harvest” of the Gospel Age, what are now the principal points of interest to the saints? Page 227, par. 1

(2) At what time did the Lord teach us we should “lift up our heads and rejoice”? Is this rejoicing selfish? Page 227, 2

(3) Why is it manifest that the deliverance of the saints must take place before 1914 D.? With what two thoughts in mind can we approximate the time of deliverance? Page 228, par. 1

(4) What is the significance of our Master’s words, “Watch that ye may be accounted worthy to escape those things that shall come to pass”? In what sense are the saints now escaping the present trouble upon the churches and the world? Nevertheless, what is our present hope and expectation of escaping the severest features of the great trouble? Page 228, 2

(5) Notwithstanding the present evidences of the gathering storm what is the Church’s position, as forcefully described in 46:1-5. Explain in detail. Page 229, par. 1, 2

(6) How are the saints at present realizing God’s promised help in this time of need? Page 229, 3

(7) Although confident that our “change” will not take place until our work is accomplished, in what manner do the Scriptures indicate that the work will be cut short? When our work is done what will be our further part? Page 230, par. 1

(8) How long may the Church expect to “stand” in enforced idleness? What will be the final trial of the Church? What is the difference between the Church’s morning and the Millennial morning? Page 230, par. 2

(9) By the final experiences of which two Prophets is the fate of the true Church illustrated, so far as her human career is concerned? Page 231, par. 1

(10) What argument will probably be used by “Great Babylon” in stopping the spread of Present Truth? What will, therefore, be the experience of the antitypical Elijah? Page 231, par. 2

(11) What is the approximate time when the last members of the Church shall be “changed”? In every trial of faith and patience that awaits us, what thoughts should comfort and uphold us? Page 231, par. 3

(12) What is Paul’s statement regarding the manner of the Church’s “change”? (1 Cor. 15:53, 50, 52) Page 232, par. 1, 2

(13) What is the order in which the members of the Lord’s “Body” will be “changed”? Will the living saints be “changed” before those who have died throughout the Gospel Age? Page 233, par. 1

(14) Is the exact date of the awakening of the sleeping saints directly stated in Scripture? What does St. Paul say regarding those who will be reckoned with first? Page 233, par. 2

(15) Reasoning from the foregoing, what date must next be established? What does the parallelism show with respect to the time when our Lord began to exercise His Kingly authority? Immediately after taking to Himself His great power, what would probably be His first exercise of this power? Page 233, par. 3

(16) Is this conclusion unreasonable because of the fact that we do not see the risen saints? Page 234, par. 1

(17) Upon what foundation does our belief that the Kingdom began to be set up in April 1878 D. rest? Page 235, par. 1

(18) Is it out of harmony with this thought that the majority of the Church are exalted while a few of the last members are yet “alive and remain”? Why does it appear necessary for some of the last members to remain for a time this side the veil? Page 235, par. 2

(19) How are these “feet” members, with their Message, clearly pointed out by the Prophet Isaiah? Page 236, par. 1

(20) Although despised of men, how are the poor, bruised “feet” members regarded by the Lord and their glorified fellow- members beyond the veil? Page 236, par. 2

(21) What thoughts should inspire our hearts and quicken our energies in delivering our popularly hated and generally discredited message? Page 237, par. 1

(22) What is the blessed privilege of all who are truly of the “feet” class, as regards their present work and their mutual joys? Page 237, par. 2

(23) Will the work of the last members cease with their “change”? (Rev. 14:13) Page 237, par. 3

(24) What will it mean to be caught away together “with the Lord in the air”? Who has been the “Prince of the power of the air”? What will be his experience, and who will take away his dominion? Page 238, par. 1

(25) Must all the “feet” members die? Quote Scriptural support for the position taken. Page 238, par. 2

(26) In the text, 82:6, to whom does the term, “princes,” apply? Like which of these two “princes” do the members of Christ’s Body fall? Page 239, par. 1

(27) To whom does the expression, “Ye are gods,” apply? Page 239, par. 2

(28) Is there any difference between dying and sleeping? How long did our Lord Jesus sleep? How long have the Apostles slept? Is there any good reason for their continuing to sleep after the Lord’s second advent has taken place? Is there any necessity for the living members, who now die, to wait in death for a resurrection at some future time? Page 239, par. 3

(29) When did our Lord declare that “all power in heaven and in earth” was given unto Him? When will The Christ be fully empowered for the great work of Restitution? Page 240, par. 1

(30) What is the only instance in Scriptures where death is represented as a blessing? Page 240, par. 2

(31) Who only are “the dead who die”? Page 241, par. 1

(32) What are the present experiences of the saints who die and of those who remain, respectively? Page 241, par. 2, 3

(33) As the time of trouble draws near, should we expect the true Church to decrease or increase in influence and numbers? Page 242