Lesson 3

July 21, 1888.

THE TIME OF THE MESSAGE—Continued.

  1. WHAT warning does God give against the worship of the beast and his image? Rev. 14: 9-11.
  2. This text says, “The third angel followed them;” followed whom? Verses 6, 8.
  3. The sixth verse says, “I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven;” to what does this seem to direct us? Ans. — To another one that had been seen somewhere.
  4. Where is the record of John’s seeing another angel flying thus ? Rev. 8:13.
  5. What is the burden of this angel’s cry?
  6. How many woes?
  7. By reason of what?
  8. Then with what are these three woes connected?
  9. To what does the fifth trumpet — the first woe — refer? Ans. — To the rise and spread of Mohammedanism. “With surprising unanimity, commentators have agreed in regard to this as referring to the empire of the Saracens, or to the rise and progress of the religion and the empire of Mohammed.” — Albert Barnes.
  10. What did the prophet say should be commanded them? Rev. 9:4.
  11. What was commanded them? Gibbon 51:10. See note.
  12. For what specific length of time were they to torment men? Verses 5, 10.
  13. When did this period begin ? Ans. — It was on the twenty-seventh day of July, in the year twelve hundred and ninety-nine of the Christian Era, that Othman first invaded the territory of Nicomedia.-Gibbon, chap. 64, par. 13.
  14. Then at what time did the first woe end? Ans. — July 27, 1449.
  15. What followed ? Rev. 9:13.
  16. How long was the sixth trumpet — the second woe — to continue? Verse 15.
  17. Literally what length of time is this? Ans. — 391 years and 15 days.
  18. When did it end? Ans. — August 11, 1840.
  19. What historical event marks the ending of this time at that date? Ans. — On that day the four great powers, of Europe, — England, Austria, Prussia, and Russia, — assumed control of all the foreign affairs of the Government of Turkey, and have held it ever since. See “Thoughts on the Revelation,” 9:18, 19.

NOTE.

QUESTION 11. — “Remember that you are always in the presence of God; on the verge of death, in the assurance of judgment, and the hope of Paradise. Avoid injustice and oppression; consult with your brethren, and study to preserve the love and confidence of your troops. When you fight the battles of the Lord, acquit yourselves like men, without turning your backs; but let not your victory be stained with the blood of women or children. Destroy no palm trees, nor burn any fields of corn. Cut down no fruit trees, nor do any mischief to cattle, only such as you kill to eat. When you make any covenant or article, stand to it, and be as good as your word. As you go on, you will find some religious persons who live retired in monasteries, and propose to themselves to serve God that way; let them alone, and neither kill them nor destroy their monasteries. And you will find another sort of people that belong to the synagogue of Satan, who have shaven crowns; be sure you cleave their skulls, and give them no quarter till they either turn Mahometans or pay tribute.”

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