WHAT are we? Were we put on earth for a purpose?  If so, what do you think is that purpose is?

Why are so many lives empty, discontented, unhappy?  How may life become happy, abundant, successful, prosperous and filled with interest?

What is the real cause of wars, and the way to world peace? What lies beyond death—is there really a way to eternal life?

This is an age-old question.  Stop and think! Would a Creator, having supreme intelligence, wisdom and love to think out, to plan, design, and bring about all creation—this earth, and all life and life-functions upon it—have left His created beings in ignorance of His purpose—the purpose of their being here—and the laws that would bring them the peace, happiness, joy and everything good that men have been striving to attain since the beginning?

God Almighty did not hide these all-important truths from human minds. He made them accessible to mankind. He committed His treasure-house of basic knowledge to writing. He revealed that knowledge in the Holy Bible— the very FOUNDATION of knowledge—His instruction book for mankind. Yet almost no one has ever found the answers so plainly written there!

The Bible is simply God’s divine revelation of BASIC NEEDED KNOWLEDGE which man is not capable of finding out for himself by any other means.

God equipped man with the powers and abilities to discover and use the laws of science. But absolutely no tools or instruments of science can ever tell you if there is life after death, the purpose of your being alive, where you are going, or the way to a happy, abundant life and to universal peace here and now. Our scientists, our world leaders and our statesmen have failed utterly to tell us these answers, or to lead us into the universally desired peace with happiness and abundant living.

But why do most people think the study of the Bible would be a dull, uninteresting, irksome task—to be done, if at all, only as a duty out of fear of a harsh God?

Simply because people have not known God, or what He is like—and because they have never really begun to understand the Bible!

One natural and proper starting place to begin our study of the Bible would be at the very beginning—with God as Creator—at the very first chapter of Genesis and compare the Bible account of creation with the modern theory of evolution; to study the creation of man, the origin of Satan, the first sin, and to continue on from there through the Old Testament.

Another natural starting point is with the beginning of the New Testament. While the very first words of the entire Bible are "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1), yet the real beginning of the New Testament, in actual time sequence of events, is John 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word." So the account of the pre-existence, the birth, and work of Jesus Christ—who is called "the Word" or Spokesman of God—also begins with the words, "In the beginning."

And there is still another natural starting point—the one we have adopted.

That is to begin with this very present age in which we live—this time of upset world conditions—this time when science and technology have produced the destructive forces that threaten the extinction of all life on this planet—this "time of the end" just before the end of this age and the second coming of Jesus Christ!  We live in a time when knowledge is being increased at an exponential rate.  The Internet makes it easy.

We feel the Bible will mean more to you if you fully understand its vital relation to your life today, and its direct connection with current world events.

If you were to try to understand a map of the world, it would not mean much to you unless and until you could first put your finger on the precise spot on the map where you were at the moment. Only then could you clearly see and comprehend the rest of the world in relation to your own location on the map.

We feel you will understand the Bible better, and find it more interesting, if you view it all—its history and prophecy, its teachings and divine revelations—from the vantage point of your life here and now. The Bible will become clearer if you see how world events have led up to the very time and conditions in which you live, and what the future has in store for you and all mankind.

Why do we find such confusion—such disagreement as to what the Bible says? Why don’t the hundreds of differing church denominations and sects agree on what their acknowledged textbook says?

Why do so many individuals, capable of understanding almost any other book, say: "I just can’t understand the Bible"?

Take a recognized textbook on biology. Show this book to ten different biology professors from ten different colleges and universities. Ask them what it says. They’ll all give you basically the same answer. People seldom disagree as to what recognized textbooks say—except when it comes to the one book of all books—the Holy Bible!

But take the Bible to ten different professors of theology, or ministers of religion, and you’ll probably receive ten different answers to just about any question you might ask about it.

Do you know WHY?

Here certainly is the enigma of the ages. The most important, yet the least understood book of all books is the world’s BEST SELLER—the book owned by more people than any other. It is the one book that has lived in spite of every effort to stamp it out down through the ages.

The Bible is the only book which has foretold, centuries in advance, the chaotic conditions of our world—the only book that explains the meaning of confused world conditions—that opens before us to understand in advance the wonderful, peaceful, happy world tomorrow. It is the one book that predicted, in advance, the rise and fall of specific nations and governments—that reveals the DESTINY of the world. No mere humanly inspired book could have revealed these amazing events. Such prophecies must have been divinely inspired.

The Bible is the most misunderstood book in history. The most twisted, distorted, misrepresented, maligned and lied about.

Why?

The answer is found in II Timothy 3:16-17. The Apostle Paul was inspired by God to write: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

So the Scriptures are profitable for the purpose of reproving and correcting us!

But how many people do you know who are even willing to be corrected when they are in error—to be REPROVED for the wrong things they do? People simply do not like to be reproved and corrected. They love praise—they like flattery—but reproof and correction they surely hate!

Now do you see why it is so difficult for people to understand the Bible, and to agree on just what it says? The Bible is God’s great spiritual mirror. It shows up every flaw in our thinking, reveals every spot on our characters. It pictures us as we really are—as God sees us, not as we like to think we are, or as we like to have other people look upon us.

"For the word of God," we read in Hebrews 4:12, "is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"—it cuts deep, and it cuts both ways—"and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Yes, it opens up and exposes our innermost thoughts.

When little children do things that are wrong—that have been forbidden—do they usually admit it freely and frankly? Or do they usually deny it as long as possible, then try to cover it up, excuse it, justify it, or place the blame on somebody else?

We are all only little children grown up. When our heavenly Father speaks to us, through His Holy Scriptures, and reproves, rebukes, or corrects us, we usually do not like to admit our errors, our faults, our wrong ways.

And so men began, centuries ago, to interpret the Bible. As a result, the Word of God has become twisted, wrested, perverted, with almost every false and counterfeit meaning imaginable being read into it. Instead of teaching and expounding the plain, simple, intended meaning, we now have hundreds of HUMAN INTERPRETATIONS of the Bible!

Instead of acknowledging the truth, men seek to justify their own ways by PERVERTING the sacred and holy Word of God!

The Apostle Paul was inspired to write in II Timothy 4:1-4 that the time would come when men would not endure sound doctrine. People have turned away their ears from the truth and have turned to FABLES palmed off as the truth of God’s Word. Isaiah prophesied that in these latter days men would demand: "Prophesy [preach] not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits" (Isaiah 30:8-10).

We can clearly see why people do not understand the Bible. They are not yielded to the Eternal’s will—they are filled with the fear of men instead of God. They tremble at the thought of what people say, instead of what the Word of the LIVING GOD has to say!

We read in Psalm 111:7-8, 10: "All his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness....The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have they all that do his commandments...."

David had understanding. And David said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Ps. 119:105).

Today’s generation is like that of Jesus’ day, of which He said, "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).

Yes, the Bible is light—a lamp unto our feet—a light unto our path.

Bruce Barton wrote a book about the Bible entitled The Book Nobody Knows. This title certainly has been true—until recently!

After revealing many prophecies to the prophet Daniel, God told him to "Seal the book, even to the time of the end: [when] many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" (Daniel 12:4). In the time of the "end" all knowledge, as well as knowledge of the Scriptures, was to be increased!

The Moffatt translation of the Bible renders "the time of the end" as "the crisis at the end." The whole world is now in a time of grave crisis and is rapidly approaching a condition of total chaos—we are now in the crisis period at the close of this age! God said that at this time "None of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand" (Dan. 12:10, emphasis ours throughout lesson).

Experts tell us that scientific and technical knowledge has doubled in the past decade—but so have world troubles! Obviously material knowledge and scientific and technological know-how have not brought man the ANSWERS to world problems. This knowledge has only led to the proliferation of problems, and has led mankind to the brink of nuclear annihilation!

Former President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower had a glimpse of the future. He said in his inaugural address: "In the swift rush of great events, we find ourselves groping to know the full sense and meaning of the times in which we live..... How far have we come in man’s long pilgrimage from darkness toward light? Are we nearing the light—a day of freedom and peace for all mankind? Or are the shadows of another night closing in upon us? ... Science seems ready to confer upon us, as its final gift, the power to erase human life from this planet."

Mr. Eisenhower recognized the fact that man may soon destroy himself. President John F. Kennedy saw the same reality. President Johnson also came face to face with this awesome threat. Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Regan, Bush & Clinton had to grapple with the same specter. And now, the current President  faces the same dilemma.

But how may world disaster be averted? What is the solution to the arms race—to a nuclear "Armageddon"?

At the close of World War II, just following the surrender of the Japanese on board the battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay, General Douglas MacArthur put his finger on the only possible solution. He said these fateful words: "Men since the beginning of time have sought peace. Various methods through the ages have been attempted to devise an international process to prevent or settle disputes between nations.... Military alliances, balances of power, leagues of nations, all in turn failed, leaving the only path to be by way of the crucible of war. The utter destructiveness of war now blots out this alternative. We have had our last chance. If we will not devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at the door. The problem basically is theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of human character that will synchronize with our almost matchless advances in science, art, literature, and all material and cultural developments of the past 2,000 years. It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh" (Reminiscences, p. 459).

Notice these remarkable words carefully. Although he was one of the greatest and most successful generals of modern times, MacArthur believed that our world has had its last chance to wage a major war and to end it short of the annihilation of mankind!

But he also saw the only solution to this world’s ills to be a renewing of man’s spirit—an improvement in human character!

Let’s be honest. Let’s face the facts. There is a cause for every effect! Because man has chosen to go his own way and has rejected God’s revealed knowledge, mankind is reaping the consequences! Man’s own ways are the CAUSE of the misery, wretchedness, and trouble filling the world today! Cut loose from God and the understanding of His Word, man’s misguided scientific and technological genius has led him to the brink of self-annihilation!

People tend to delude themselves into thinking there is no special danger right now—that the world has always been as chaotic as it is today.

Of course, human nature has remained basically unchanged. The ways of carnal-minded men have always resulted in death and destruction (Prov. 14:12).

But, in prophesying of our day, the Apostle Paul said, "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse" (II Timothy 3:13). This, coupled with the stark reality that never until now has human annihilation been possible, ought to WAKE US UP!

Jesus Christ, the greatest newscaster who ever lived, knew the ultimate result of the terrible state of affairs men would bring on themselves in this end time. He predicted: "Except those days should be shortened, there should NO FLESH BE SAVED [ALIVE—Moffatt]" (Matt. 24:22).

How, then, can you begin to really understand the Bible? Here is how you may begin this exciting adventure.

Study the Bible to find TRUTH. Be careful to "prove all things" (I Thess. 5:21). Then believe God—believe His Word as you would accept any other book in which you had confidence.

And above all—do not try to interpret the Bible by trying to read your own meaning into it. Remember that the Bible basically interprets itself.

When the Apostle Paul came to Berea, the people found he was preaching something utterly different than that which they had been taught and had believed. They did not know whether Paul was a false prophet, or a man sent from God. Notice what they did: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind [that is, without prejudice], and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11).

Many of our students have found it helpful to copy the answers and keep them in a notebook with their lessons. Copying all the Bible verses takes a little more time, but it is very helpful in remembering what you have learned, and in reviewing your lessons at any time.  If you have a computer bible and can look up the scriptures on the computer and insert what it says in this document, and re-read it, you will learn much.   These documents can be copied and pasted into your word processor and/or bible programs.

We found it useful to open two windows on the internet brouser.  One window with this course on it and another window with the above link to the internet bible source.

If you would rather not follow this method of study, you still should turn to, and actually READ the scripture references given in answer to the questions. This way you will prove the truth for yourself right in your own Bible, and fully comprehend the subject under study.

Many of our students also set aside a certain time every day for their study period but here again, the exact time of day and length of time you spend in study will have to be dictated by your own circumstances, and/or personal preference. If the letters we continually receive from our students are any indication, we think you’ll find it difficult to pull yourself away from studying, once you really get into it!

One final word about tests. You will notice a quiz at the end of the lesson. It is a general review of the material you will cover in this lesson—an educational way to help you remember the important facts you will have learned, and to check your own progress. Each lesson will contain a similar quiz. Once you’re through taking the test, you simply check your answers with the correct answers on the last page, and then rate yourself. It’s that easy!

LESSON 1

God promises He will intervene in world affairs to prevent the annihilation of humanity, and to bring us world peace. And in order to ensure continued peace, He will also prevent future wars by changing that which causes war. Let’s understand.

1. Does the Bible clearly show that war is a result of acting according to the inordinate lusts within man? James 4:1-2.

COMMENT: Unrestrained human nature, with its pride, vanity, jealousy, lust and greed is plainly the CAUSE of war!

2. Does knowledge tend to increase pride? I Corinthians 8:1. Since we live in an age of mushrooming scientific knowledge which makes it possible for a few men to possess tremendous power, will the inordinate lusts of men "in the last days" cause them to become better and better, or worse and worse? II Timothy 3:1-4, 13.

3. What is the end result of decisions and actions that seem right to great leaders and people in general? Proverbs 14:12.

COMMENT: This principle is so important that God inspired its repetition in Proverbs 16:25.

4. What deceives man into believing that actions which end in death will bring peace? Jer. 17:9. (Remember that in Scripture the heart is often spoken of proverbially as the center or seat of human thoughts and emotions.) Then can rulers be deceived by their own lusts into believing that their evil deeds are right and good for the world? Same verse.

COMMENT: The governments of this world promise peace. But men have only brought us more wars and have now led humanity to the brink of annihilation!

5. Do rulers even know the war to peace? Romans 3:17. What did God inspire Isaiah to write concerning man’s real understanding of the way of peace? Isaiah 59:8.

6. What will happen to human plans for "peace"? Isa. 33:7-8. When ambassadors of peace weep bitterly—when the land is laid waste—will God then intervene? Verse 10.

COMMENT: Throughout the Bible, war is pictured as the result of lust or covetousness. Lust is a basic characteristic of human nature. But can the heads of government of this world CHANGE human nature? Of course not! Nearly 6,000 years of human history have proved that man, left to himself, is totally incapable of effecting this change. Throughout history, negotiations for peace have always been accompanied and supported by the most vigorous preparations for war!

The story is no different today.

Can any human government, therefore, permanently stop war? Obviously not. When you look at it that way, the answer becomes clear: Only GOD can permanently stop all war, because only God has the power to CHANGE human nature!

But exactly how will God create and maintain world peace once Jesus Christ returns?

God has set aside a period of 7,000 years to fulfill His plan for mankind. And God’s little-understood plan for man began nearly 6,000 years ago. The pattern for this plan is given in the first two chapters of Genesis. It is the week of seven days.

1. Is a thousand years as a "day" to God, and vice versa? II Peter 3:8.

2. In Hebrews 4:4, 11, the seventh day of the week is pictured as a type of the peaceful "rest" on earth which will follow Christ’s return. Is the time of Christ’s rule over the earth, which will follow this present age of human misrule and senseless warfare, specifically called a thousand years? Rev. 20:4.

COMMENT: Since the last "day" of God’s plan is 1,000 years, then it logically follows that the preceding six "days" would amount to 6,000 years—a total of 7,000 years.

3. When the disciples asked Jesus if He would restore the Kingdom of God in their day, what was His reply? Acts 1:6-7.

COMMENT: The apostles did not fully understand the plan of God while Christ was with them. They thought the Kingdom of God would be established in their day. But before they died, they understood Christ would return at a much later date. Peter said: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise [of coming again] ...but is longsuffering..." (II Peter 3:9). God is patient. He has refrained from intervening in world affairs for nearly 6,000 years.

Why?

Because God has allotted mankind 6,000 years in which to learn that the ways of man bring nothing but SUFFERING and DEATH!

Many Bibles contain tentative chronological dates showing that human life may have begun on this earth 4,004 B.C. (Other evidence it may have been a little earlier.) Nearly another 2,000 years have elapsed since Christ’s birth—totaling just about or over 6,000 years of human civilization to date.

How awe-inspiring and significant that in OUR PRESENT AGE—in the very time that the world is threatened with the extinction of all life--6,000 years have almost elapsed. How exciting that Jesus Himself said that when we would see all the events He foretold taking place, He would come again— this time to rescue humanity from annihilation, to set up the Kingdom of God, and to bring us lasting peace!

You have seen in your Bible a brief summation—a "thumbnail sketch"—of God’s solution to this world’s problems. You have begun to understand the urgent necessity for Christ’s promised return. In Lesson 2, you will learn more about Jesus Christ’s spectacular intervention in world affairs as revealed in the amazing, detailed prophecies of your Bible.

TEST YOUR MEMORY

1. What is the Bible? A. Merely the history of an ancient people’s quest for a concept of God. B. A revelation of basic needed knowledge man is not capable of finding out for himself. C. A treasure house of pious thoughts. D. An incomprehensible mystery.

TRUE OR FALSE