Our cover is a composite of the cover pictures of your last four lessons. Each Correspondence Course test is designed to TEACH, as well as help you evaluate your progress. You will enjoy this convenient means of putting to PRACTICAL USE the knowledge you have learned.

an open letter from THE STAFF ...

HAVE YOU ever heard of a church called, "THE DEVIL'S CONGREGATION"? Have you ever seen a sign labeling a building, "SATAN'S SYNAGOGUE"? Have you ever heard a radio program called, "THE DEVIL'S ENDEAVOR"?

OF COURSE NOT!

The god of this present evil world who holds sway over deceived mankind is not so ignorant as to label his churches with their true names!

But does the Devil have a religion? Does he have churches? And if he does not call them by his name, how can you tell where they are? What would the doctrines of these churches be -- what does the Devil believe -- or at least what does he try to palm off on others for them to believe?

Does the Bible have anything to say about the Devil's religion?

The only, real source of truth to which we can go to find the answers to these questions is God's own Word (John 17:17). Many people today consider the concept of a Devil as ignorant and mythological. They consider Satan to be a mere CONCEPT held by primitive people to explain away the presence of evil in the world.

But then THESE SAME PEOPLE also believe God is a mere concept -- a myth to explain away the presence of creation and good!

Surprisingly enough there is a great deal of information concerning Satan the Devil, his religion, his way of thinking, his way of doing -- and also the sure prophecy of God of what will become of his efforts. And there is more information concerning this very real Devil in the last book of the Bible than there is in the first.

Just before Jesus Christ was crucified, referring to Satan the Devil, He said, "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the PRINCE OF THIS WORLD cometh, and hath nothing in me" (John 14:30). Jesus went on to explain to His disciples that if the world persecuted Him (which it certainly had), it would persecute them also (John 15:19-21). He explained to His disciples that they and all those after them would be REJECTED BY the churches of this world: "yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service" (John 16:2).

Jesus explained to His followers that they would be a LITTLE flock, disparaged and despised by the majority of the peoples of the world, downtrodden and persecuted right up until the time of HIS RETURN as KING of kings and Lord of lords. BUT HE also ENCOURAGED THEM by letting THEM know that they were not to FEAR this persecution because it was God's will to GIVE these persecuted few HIS Kingdom. "Fear not, LITTLE FLOCK; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

When His disciples asked Him concerning future events and what would happen between their time and the coming of the end of the world, Jesus' first and continued warning was about individuals who would come claiming to be His representatives, using His NAME, but deceiving the world because they were actually the servants of Satan the Devil! "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU. For MANY SHALL COME IN MY NAME (using the name of Christ, calling themselves Christian), SAYING I am Christ; and SHALL DECEIVE MANY" (Matt. 24:4-5). He repeated His warning concerning false prophets saying, "And MANY false prophets shall rise, and shall DECEIVE MANY" (Matt. 24:11).

Jesus Christ continued HIS warning. HE showed that BECAUSE OF THIS DECEPTION the whole world would be thrown into such chaotic confusion and war that "except those days should be shortened, there should NO FLESH BE SAVED" (Matt. 24:22). Jesus Christ predicted what all of us in today's world fear -- the threat of COSMOCIDE, THE SUICIDE OF THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE!

Yes, Jesus Christ's warning to HIS disciples of ALL TIMES was that HIS Church -- the Church of God -- would always be a little flock, a despised congregation -- a persecuted church -- not the generally accepted organizations of the masses which merely appropriated His name, CALLING themselves "Christian."

Satan the Devil, originally called Lucifer, was given charge of this earth along with a number of other angels (Jude 6). But he was not satisfied with the earth as his domain. He rebelled against God's way of doing things and tried to take over the throne of God in Heaven by violence -- but did not succeed! "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! For thou hast said in shine heart, I will ascend into heaven (notice that it is SATAN'S IDEA to get to heaven), I will exalt my throne above the stars of God ... I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High" (Isa. 14:12-14).

This great being, who had been given charge by God to take care of the earth, SINNED against his Creator. "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou west created, TILL INIQUITY WAS FOUND IN THEE" (Ezek. 28:15). By his action of rebellion against the Kingdom of God, Satan the Devil became the "FATHER" of all those who are guilty of sin -- HE was the ORIGINAL sinner! (John 8:44.) Jesus Christ gives a personal eyewitness account of this particular time of Satan's rebellion when He tells us, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven" (Luke 10:18). You will notice that by Biblical definition it was Satan who "fell."

Despite the fact that Satan had rebelled against God's Kingdom, HIS government and authority, God allowed him to hold the office of rulership over this earth originally given to him. In the temptation on the mount Jesus Christ qualified to take over this rule from Satan the Devil. By His victory over death He is able to take over the rulership of this world at any time. But there is a PLAN being worked out here below, and as yet the God of heaven HAS NOT INTERVENED to strip Satan's authority from him. Notice that SATAN IS STILL THE RULING "GOD" OF THIS WORLD: "In whom the GOD OF THIS WORLD hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (II Cor. 4:4).

Satan does not appear to this world in the clothing that he has deceived this world into thinking the Devil would appear in. He does not appear with a pitchfork and horns and an evil look on his face.

Just as Jesus Christ prophesied in Matthew 24, Satan claims his converts are spiritual Jews -- Christians. But Christ, in a series of personal letters to His Church in all of its eras, warns about these congregations -- "and I know the blasphemy of them which SAY they are Jews (claim to be spiritual Jews, or Christians), AND ARE NOT, but are the SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN" (Rev. 2:9). And again "... the SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN, which SAY they are Jews, and are not, but DO LIE!" (Rev. 3:9.)

Satan looks like a lightbringer to the deceived eyes of a deceived world. His ministers look like and sound like what deceived people think the ministers of Christ should look and sound like -- that's the very meaning of THE WORD DECEPTION! "For such are FALSE apostles, DECEITFUL workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if HIS MINISTERS (Satan the Devil does have ministers) also be transformed (apparently changed from what they really are) as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works (even though these ministers preach that there are no works, they are going to be judged by the Creator according to their evil works)" (II Cor. 11:13-15).

Notice how well Satan has done his job: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, WHICH DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD!" (Rev. 12:9.) This great deceiver has sent out his messengers with soft and oily words to soothe this world's inhabitants into thinking that they can do as they wish and still escape God's punishment for sin -- death. Jesus Christ warned about this when He said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat ... Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are RAVENING WOLVES" (Matt 7:13-15).

In order to deceive the WHOLE WORLD, Satan has used every means available to him. There are many areas on this earth where deceived and ignorant human beings OPENLY WORSHIP THE DEVIL: Other hundreds of millions ignorantly worship pieces of rock and wood -- big-bellied Buddhas in the Oriental East and dead men's bones in deepest Africa.

Other individuals who are perhaps a LITTLE more educated, Satan has deceived by millions, leading them to believe that there is no God at all and that one of his own (Satan's) political systems -- Communism -- is the answer to mankind's problems. Satan can easily keep these great numbers of people in subjection because of long-standing ignorance, and the fact that Jesus Christ and His Gospel have never been preached to them. Christ's NAME has not even so much as been mentioned to many millions of this world's inhabitants!

But in the areas of the world where the name of Christ has been mentioned, where the Bible is circulated, and where from time to time people even READ that Bible, Satan is very hard pressed and has to be very subtle and clever in using THE NAME OF Christ -- even to use the Bible in order to DECEIVE people!

Since Satan feels that HE has been unjustly judged by God, he wants the people of this world to feel that they are unjustly judged by God also. So he has his ministers tell them that they do not need to obey God -- that the "harsh cruel God of the Old Testament" has now been superseded by the new, loving and kind God of the New Testament. Yet God's Word says, "They (Satan's ministers) PROMISE THEM (their converts) FREEDOM, but they themselves are SLAVES OF CORRUPTION; for whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved" (II Peter 2:19. RSV). Satan deceives people into thinking that they can continue to do as they please and get away with it.

Did you know the Devil believes in God? "Thou believes" that there is one God; thou doest well: THE DEVILS ALSO BELIEVE, AND TREMBLE" (James 2:19). Isn't that amazing? The Devil himself is not even as deceived as some of those whom he has blinded into thinking that there is no God!

We can plainly see from this scripture that believing in God is not enough. SATAN HIMSELF BELIEVES IN GOD. Using the name of Christ is not enough either, because Jesus Christ Himself prophesied that many would USE His name, but that they would be false prophet -- servants of the Devil!

The Devil has many doctrines (I Tim. 4:1-4), but his CHIEF DOCTRINE IS that of REBELLION -- DISOBEDIENCE TO THE LAWS OF GOD -- because he IS A REBEL! His is a system of confusion. He has caused this so-called Christian world to be so CONFUSED that there are over 400 different interpretations of what Christianity is supposed to be. Obviously all cannot be GOD'S Christianity.

It may come as a surprise to you that Satan the Devil is not opposed to quoting Scripture. He even had the gall to quote Scripture to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Author of Scripture. "Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: FOR IT IS WRITTEN He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone" (Matt. 4:5-6; Luke 4:9-11).

Satan is EAGER TO quote Scripture -- but TWISTS and TURNS it in order to apply it in the way. Let's notice the first example in the Bible of how Satan twists the Word of God, showing how Satan's ministers ALSO TWIST THE SCRIPTURES TODAY.

"Now the SERPENT was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman (Eve), Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Gen. 3:1.) Notice how he begins by asking a CLEVER and SUBTLE question, stressing the NEGATIVE side, trying to put God in a BAD LIGHT.

"And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, GOD HATH SAID (this is GOD'S Word quoted from Genesis 2:17), Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, LEST YE DIE" (Gen 3:2-3.). Eve knew God had very plainly said that if she ate of the fruit of this tree she would die -- a very simple statement that God makes all the way through His Bible, explaining that if a man commits sin, DEATH IS the automatic penalty (Rom. 6:23). When God SAYS death, He MEANS D-E-A-T-H, NOT ETERNAL LIFE in hellfire!

"And the SERPENT said unto the woman, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE." (Gen 3.4.)

In effect Satan was saying: "I know that God SAID 'thou shalt surely die' -- but He didn't really MEAN that you would die. What God meant when He said 'thou SHALT surely die' was 'thou shalt NOT surely die."'

To this day Satan's ministers preach this same doctrine of error.

The only way that Satan is able to deceive people is to make them believe that God does NOT mean what He says. He offers to mankind what the carnal mind WANTS instead of what God knows is best for man. Then in order to give it a "Godly" and "Christian" flavor he quotes a few scriptures OUT OF CONTEXT, explaining that God doesn't mean what He says after all.

The pitiful thing about it is that mankind has GULLIBLY SWALLOWED the doctrines of Satan the Devil. Since creation, mankind has been hoodwinked into believing the Devil, despite the fact that he says EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE of what God says! When God first told man "THOU SHALT SURELY DIE!" (Gen. 2:17), Satan said, "YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE!" (Gen. 3:4.)

WHICH DO YOU CHOOSE TO BELIEVE?

The Devil has counterfeited much of God's Truth in order to deceive mankind into thinking HIS way is God's way. Satan has appropriated the TITLES of the servants of God and called his chief leader an apostle, when actually God labels this individual as a FALSE apostle and prophet. And Satan has used, and WILL again use, MIRACLES TO DECEIVE THE PEOPLE!

Since Jesus Christ performed miracles, and since He prophesied that certain signs (miracles) would follow His believers (Mark 16:15-18), Satan the Devil has also COUNTERFEITED MIRACLES! This need be no surprise to the true Christian because Jesus Christ forewarned that this would happen! He said: "For there shall arise FALSE Christs, and FALSE prophets, and shall SHEW GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matt. 24:24). The only ones who will not be deceived by the great miracles that Satan the Devil will perform through his false prophet will be those whom God is calling out of this world NOW -- the "very elect"!

The Apostle Paul warns us about the individual whom Satan is going to use in this end time to deceive the world. He warns: "Even him, whose coming is after the WORKINGS OF SATAN with ALL POWER AND SIGNS and LYING WONDERS, and with ALL DECEIVABLENESS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS in them that perish (are perishing -- correct Greek rendering)" (II Thes. 2:9-10).

Satan knows that he now has just a short time before being deposed by Christ (Rev. 12:12). Therefore he is hard at work laying the groundwork for the greatest deceptions and miracles that mankind has ever seen in order to deceive the whole world! Let's read II Thes. 2:9-10 again in the Moffatt Translation: "... One whose arrival is due to Satan's activity, with the full power, the miracles and portents of falsehood, and with the full deceitfulness of evil for those who are doomed to perish, since they refuse to love the truth that would save them."

Such outstanding REAL miracles will be performed through Satan's agents that the whole world will reel and gasp in open-mouthed wonder. These miracles would cause ANYONE to believe (except the very elect, Matt. 24:24).

The term "lying wonder" does not refer to the fact that the wonder itself is a lie. The miracle is REAL ENOUGH, but the miracle CAUSES THOSE WHO SEE IT TO BELIEVE A LIE -- that is, the miracle causes them to believe that the agent Satan the Devil uses is the agent of God!

Almighty God specifically warns us about one particularly OUTSTANDING MIRACLE that Satan's great false prophet will perform. "And he doeth GREAT WONDERS, SO that he MAKETH FIRE COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN on the earth in the sight of men, and DECEIVETH them that dwell on the earth BY THE MEANS of those miracles" (Rev. 13:13-14). This is THE FALSE PROPHET -- the final leader of Satan's religious movement who will even defy the Living Christ at His return. All of this will occur in YOUR VERY LIFETIME!

But how are YOU going to KNOW what is counterfeit and what is the Truth?

Will you be DECEIVED? We just read THAT ALL THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH are going to be DECEIVED by these miracles.

Or will you REMEMBER what you have learned in the Correspondence Course, and the articles that you have read in THE PLAIN TRUTH, warning you of these very things to come?

Jesus Christ not only prophesied through John in the book of Revelation that this will come to pass in your lifetime, but He also left a record of just such a thing having happened in the past.

In the first chapter of Job, we find Satan talking to God. God brought up the subject of Job. He asked Satan if he didn't think that Job was quite a righteous man, and Satan answered God by saying that he was not righteous for nothing, that God has blessed him with everything. So God ALLOWED Satan to take everything away from Job. Now let's notice exactly what happened.

As Satan began to destroy all of the things that Job possessed, he allowed one servant to escape from each devastation that he wrought. That servant would come and report to Job the horrible things that had happened.

Now when one of these servants saw a great BALL OF FIRE COMING DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN and consuming the sheep, he AUTOMATICALLY ASSUMED that only God could cause such a great miracle and so his report to Job was, "The FIRE OF GOD is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee" (Job 1:16).

Satan is the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2). He is still in the office of control over this world and its affairs insofar as God allows him to exercise that control. You will remember when Moses was calling the children of Israel out of Egypt under the direct supervision of God that the Egyptian sorcerers, the servants of the Devil of that day were able TO PERFORM GREAT MIRACLES by the power that Satan gave them.

MIRACLES ALONE ARE NOT A PROOF OF THE PRESENCE AND AUTHORITY OF GOD!

Deuteronomy 13 explains this very plainly to any who would question this: "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder (prophesies something to come to pass, or performs some great miracle,) and the sign or the wonder COME TO PASS, whereof he quake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; THOU SHALT NOT HEARKEN UNTO THE WORDS OF THAT PROPHET, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your SOUL. YE SHALL WALK AFTER THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND FEAR HIM, AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, AND OBEY HIS VOICE, AND YE SHALL SERVE HIM, AND CLEAVE UNTO HIM" (Deut. 13:1-4). Isaiah backs this up by saying, "TO THE LAW AND TO THE TESTIMONY: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is NO LIGHT IN THEM" (Isa. 8:20).

God warns all through His Bible from Genesis to Revelation that there have been, that there are and that there are going to be, lying, false, miracle-performing prophets deceiving mankind. But God gives us the KEY by which we can recognize the true servants of God!

"Beloved, BELIEVE NOT every spirit, but TRY THE SPIRITS whether they are of God: because MANY false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). God's plain warning to you is not to be gullible. Don't ASSUME somebody is right because he has a pious face -- because he has a soft and smooth voice, or because he dresses differently from you!

Don't assume somebody is God's messenger even if he brings fire down from heaven! Don't assume somebody is God's messenger -- and Satan the Devil's tool -- because he says, "The Bible says."

Satan the Devil and all his henchmen have been quoting the Bible since time immemorial. They are still quoting it out of context and adding on Satan's favorite expression that God does not really mean what He says -- and then adding THEIR OWN interpretation, THEIR OWN TRADITION, the commandments of men that have been inspired by Satan.

"Hereby KNOW ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth NOT that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is NOT OF GOD"! (I John 4:2-3.) This is the ONE doctrine that Satan WILL NOT PROCLAIM!

This is the one doctrine that Satan the Devil will NOT ALLOW ANY OF HIS MINISTERS TO PREACH! This is the ONE doctrine that THE WORLD TOMORROW program, THE PLAIN TRUTH magazine and this Correspondence Course DOGMATICALLY AND ABSOLUTELY PREACH!

THIS IS THE DOCTRINE: that Jesus Christ -- the SAME yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8) -- lived a perfect life of obedience IN THE FLESH, proving it can be done and setting us an example that we should strive to do likewise (I John 2:6) by the power of the Holy, Spirit of God which we can receive IN OUR FLESHLY MINDS. In reality it is Jesus Christ Himself, through His Spirit, living in the COLLECTIVE Body of Christ -- the Church of God! (Gal. 2:20.) Jesus Christ, living in those who are TRUE Christians, will live exactly as He lived when He was in the flesh 1900 years ago -- keeping the SAME LAWS, observing the SAME DAYS, living the SAME LIFE apart from the world around Him. THIS DOCTRINE is denied by those false prophets -- the instruments of Satan the Devil -- those who belong to the Devil's religion!

Don't just read this open letter and forget about it. Apply and obey the injunction that Jesus Christ gives to you through His servant John to "try the spirits" (I John 4:1). FIND OUT, CHECK UP.

Do as the Bereans did in Paul's day when he was explaining to them the truths of the Gospel of God (Acts 17:11). Receive this understanding with all readiness of mind, but CHECK EVERY LAST SCRIPTURE and find out if it's according to God's Word -- and do the same thing with any OTHER religious instruction you receive.

If you have been deceived, don't continue to be deceived. Those who continue to de deceived and remain deceived until the return of Jesus Christ are going to suffer the plagues He pours out on the servants of Satan -- both religious and political!

YOU KNOW that this confused world standing on the brink of nuclear cosmocide cannot be God's world. It is a world turned over to Satan the Devil. But Almighty God is RETURNING SOON to restore order, to set up HIS KINGDOM, to bring PEACE and happiness and safety and TRUTH to this poor Satan-deceived world!

Elijah, the servant of God, faced a similar situation in the world of his day. "And Elijah came unto all the people and said, How LONG HALT YE BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS? IF THE LORD BE GOD, FOLLOW HIM: BUT IF BAAL, THEN FOLLOW HIM. And the people answered him not a word" (I Kings 18:21).

What is YOUR ANSWER TODAY?

TEST NUMBER TEN

THIS examination is given to help you better UNDERSTAND your Bible and evaluate your progress. It is a SIMPLE TEST covering your studies in the last four lessons. It's a quick review to help you remember and put to PRACTICAL USE the vital knowledge you have learned.

Notice that FOUR CHOICES are given under each question. ONLY ONE IS the CORRECT answer. The other three are WRONG. (Generally speaking, the INCORRECT answers are FALSE ideas which are taught and believed about the subject.)

SELECT THE ONE RIGHT ANSWER FROM THESE FOUR CHOICES. Then CIRCLE the letter of the answer you believe to be correct. The correct answer to the first question is already circled for you as an example.

The questions are divided into four parts -- each part corresponding to one of your last four lessons. Answer as many questions as you can without referring to the lessons. Take sufficient time to understand each question. If you find any difficult questions, do be sure to REFER TO THE LESSONS.

Once you have finished going over the questions and are satisfied with your answers, check your circled selections with the correct answers listed at the bottom of page 16. Then count the number of questions you missed and find your grade in the grading section located on the same page. That's all there is to it. There's NOTHING to send back to us.

Lesson 37
AT-ONE-MENT WITH GOD

1. Is there a battle for men's lives between Christ and Satan?
A. No, but there is a "Great Controversy."
B. Yes, and Satan is winning.
C. No! Christ is not fighting Satan.
D. No, the battle is over and Christ was defeated.

2. Satan is
A. stronger than Jesus Christ.
B. doomed, and will be imprisoned at Christ's return.
C. not the ruler of this present evil world.
D. already in chains, having been deposed by Jesus Christ.

3. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. Satan has had a major part in causing worldwide misery.
B. The Devil has invisibly swayed the nations.
C. Satan the Devil has possessed many mighty world leaders.
D. No responsibility for the plight of this world can be attributed to the Devil.

4. God's last four annual Holy Days show
A. no relationship to occurrences in the near future
B. God's plan for saving the rest of the world.
C. God's plan of salvation will be complete when Christ returns.
D. that during the Millennium, Satan and his demons will be ruling this earth.

5. The reason you should NOW be preparing to rule is that
A. the born-again saints will rule in heaven.
B. Christ will rule the earth all by Himself.
C. Satan will rule the earth for 1000 years.
D. spirit-born Sons of God will help rule the earth with Jesus Christ.

6. The purpose of fasting is
A. to humble yourself and draw closer to God.
B. simply to deny yourself food and water for 24 hours.
C. to bend Almighty God to your will.
D. to increase your physical strength.

7. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE? The Bible speaks of
A. "the world that then was" which perished in the Flood.
B. "this present evil world."
C. "the world to come."
D. "the world of Satan's desolation" during the Millennium.

8. How will Satan be dealt with when Christ returns?
A. Satan will be deposed and restrained -- "bound" in the "bottomless pit."
B. Satan will be destroyed.
C. Satan will be chained to a bleak and desolate earth for 1000 years.
D. Satan will be condemned to wander over his domain -- the earth -- pondering his crimes.

9. After Satan is deposed,
A. God will reveal His Laws to all mankind.
B. Christ will take the saints to their reward in heaven.
C. man will fast and mourn for the end of the world.
D. all mankind will immediately turn and submit to Jesus Christ.

10. Why do God's people keep the Day of Atonement?
A. To MOURN the coming end of this world.
B. To picture by fasting the horrible conditions the world will experience after Christ's return.
C. To observe a kind of Jewish "lent."
D. To be reminded of the events pictured by this day.

11. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. The tabernacle which ancient Israel built was a TYPE of God's heavenly tabernacle.
B. In ancient Israel, the High Priest could enter any part of the tabernacle at any time.
C. The MERCY SEAT was a type of God's throne.
D. The Holy of Holies was a type of God's throne room.

12. The "Azazel" goat
A. represented Jesus Christ.
B. represented true Christians.
C. represented Satan the Devil.
D. has no meaning for us today.

13. Who did the High Priest represent on the Day of Atonement?
A. Satan.
B. Jesus Christ.
C. The Apostle Paul who spoke of the "works of the law."
D. God's congregation.

14. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. The incense of the tabernacle is symbolic of the prayers of God's people.
B. The High Priest wore special garments to symbolize the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
C. The ritualistic blood pictured the future bloody sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
D. The cloud of incense actually screened the High Priest from the glory of God.

15. Why was the Azazel goat removed from ancient Israel on the Day of Atonement?
A. To show that Christ was to be cut off from among His people.
B. To show Satan must be removed from mankind.
C. To show Christ was removed to heaven.
D. To show that Satan will be allowed to roam a desolate earth during the Millennium.

16. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE? The Day of Atonement foretells
A. the at-one-ment of God and man.
B. the deposing of Satan.
C. the restitution of God's absolute government on earth.
D. the promised cleansing of God's heavenly sanctuary by Christ our High Priest.

17. Why is the Day of Atonement called AT-ONE-MENT?
A. Because it pictures man becoming AT ONE with God.
B. Because Satan will become at one with God.
C. Because man will remain "at odds" with God.
D. No such meaning as "at one" should be applied to the word "atone."

18. The Day of Atonement
A. was faithfully kept by God's early New Testament Church.
B. was not kept by the Apostle Paul.
C. is to be observed only by orthodox Jews today.
D. was not referred to by Luke when he wrote the history of Paul's life in the book of Acts.

19. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE? Fasting on the Day of Atonement
A. helps one to realize he is only flesh with no reason to become arrogant in God's sight.
B. shows one's sincere desire to have all sin removed from this earth.
C. shows in type that all mankind needs to draw close to God and become AT ONE with Him through the atoning sacrifice of Christ.
D. shows God that you are already humble, totally repentant and sinless by nature.

Lesson 38
THE WORLD TOMORROW

20. For nearly 6000 years
A. God has desperately been trying to save the whole world.
B. Satan has been battling with God for the rulership of this world.
C. Christ has failed to wrest this world's millions from Satan's grasp.
D. God has allowed Satan and his demons to rule this world.

21. At the end of 6000 years
A. Satan will be forcibly removed from his position of world rulership.
B. Jesus Christ will rescue the faithful and take them to heaven.
C. Christians who qualify will NOT be given authority over this earth.
D. God will not set up His peaceful government on this earth.

22. God's early New Testament Church taught
A. the meaning of the Millenium far and wide.
B. man's destiny was hidden -- a "mystery."
C. God's Plan for this world was complete when the Church was established.
D. nothing regarding the final 1000 years of God's Master Plan.

23. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE? The Roman Church
A. originally understood and acknowledged Biblical references to the future Millennium of peace and prosperity on this earth.
B. later rejected what little truth of God's Kingdom it had.
C. today claims that the Bible doesn't mention Christ's 1000-year rule on earth.
D. Teaches what the Bible plainly states about the Millennium.

24. Is today the ONLY "day" of salvation?
A. The Bible teaches that it is.
B. No, but today is "a" day of salvation for those who have been called by God to be His "firstfruits."
C. God shows it is for those who attend the churches of this world.
D. Most churches of this world don't teach that it is.

25. God's government
A. is democratic.
B. is rule FROM THE TOP -- God the Father, through Jesus Christ -- DOWN to individuals.
C. will be subject to overthrow by discontented subjects.
D. will not be administered by resurrected saints such as Abraham, David and the Apostle Paul.

26. When will "all Israel" be saved?
A. After Christ's second coming.
B. Before the coming of Christ.
C. Israel has already had its chance for salvation.
D. Scripture makes no clear statement on this subject.

27. Which ONE of these four statements is NOT a Bible requirement concerning God's Feast of Ingathering?
A. It is a commanded assembly.
B. It is to be held at specific, God-ordained locations.
C. It is to be observed FOREVER by God's people.
D. It is a time of sorrow, of afflicting the soul with fasting.

28. Why did God choose the harvest cycle in Palestine as a pattern for His Holy Days?
A. It aptly pictures God's spiritual harvest of human beings.
B. He wanted to get people together at the most convenient times of the year.
C. He chose times when little work needs to be done.
D. He wanted to impress on man the need to work on His Holy Days.

29. How many High Sabbaths occur during the Feast of Tabernacles?
A. One.
B. Two.
C. Seven.
D. None.

30. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. Israel broke God's seventh-day Sabbath.
B. Israel refused to keep God's annual Sabbaths.
C. Israel rebelled against worshiping God in the way He prescribed, therefore the entire nation went into captivity.
D. Israel continually kept God's Holy Days.

31. Christ set an example for us by
A. offering animal sacrifices.
B. keeping the Feast of Tabernacles.
C. condemning the Feast of Tabernacles as "Jewish."
D. forgetting the Feast of Tabernacles.

32. Christ's disciples
A. never kept the Feast of Tabernacles.
B. knew that the Feast of Tabernacles pictured the coming Millennial reign of Christ on earth.
C. didn't teach the early New Testament Church to keep the Feast.
D. taught only Jews to keep the Feast.

33. During the Millennium people will
A. worry about their physical needs.
B. be oppressed by the rulership of Jesus Christ.
C. worry about the ravages of ferocious wild animals.
D. be free of Satan's deceptions and the pressures of today's ungodly society.

34. Life throughout the Millennium will be a life
A. of fear unless you are armed with weapons for protection.
B. full of difficulty because of violent weather conditions.
C. of overcrowding in huge urban areas.
D. that is productive and peaceful.

35. In the Millennium, all nations will
A. experience fear of food shortages -- famine!
B. go their own way unhindered by God's government.
C. live in terror instead of deep respect for God's Laws.
D. send delegates to Jerusalem to learn God's peaceful way of life.

36. With whom will Jesus Christ make His marriage agreement?
A. Christ will marry "spiritual" Israel -- the reborn New Testament Church called out of all nations -- which has "made herself ready."
B. Physical Israel.
C. All nations.
D. He will rule all nations but "marry" no one.

37. Under Jesus Christ, reborn Christians will
A. loaf throughout eternity.
B. worship continually before God's throne, saying "Holy, Holy, Holy."
C. not reign as kings over nations and territories.
D. act as advisors, counselors and priests to help all peoples learn God's ways.

38. Why did God command the Israelites to live in booths during the Feast of Tabernacles?
A. To make life difficult for them for a period of seven days.
B. Certainly not to remind them of their temporary forty-year sojourn in the wilderness.
C. To illustrate that their occupancy of the land of Palestine was a state of permanent rest.
D. To show that the Millennium, which the Feast of Tabernacles represents, is a period in which conditions are still only temporary.

39. When will God's Kingdom cease to increase?
A. During the Millennium.
B. Never.
C. Just after the Millennium.
D. That time is yet to be revealed.

40. Why does God want Christians to keep the Feast of Tabernacles today?
A. To learn more of His ways during seven days of concentrated SPIRITUAL feasting, and to fellowship with other true members of Christ's body.
B. To bring them back into a type of bondage.
C. Certainly not to give them a vacation away from the world and its routines.
D. To act out the kind of frustrated, quarreling, unhappy life the world will experience in the Millennium.

Lesson 39
THE LAST JUDGMENT

41. Is God trying to save everyone today?
A. No, God is working only with those whom He has chosen to call today.
B. Obviously He is.
C. Yes, since this world's ministers say He is.
D. Yes, and all who have ever lived and died have had their opportunity to be saved.

42. Are those who died having never heard the true Gospel lost forever?
A. Yes, for they have NO FUTURE opportunity for salvation.
B. Only those under atheistic Communism are lost.
C. Only babies that die are lost forever.
D. No! God promises to give them a future chance for salvation.

43. The "last judgment" Holy Day
A. pictures how unfair God really is.
B. pictures God's fairness to those who never had a CHANCE for salvation.
C. does not picture the perfection and completion of God's Master Plan.
D. was not commanded to be kept FOREVER.

44. The Last Great Day
A. was never kept by Jesus Christ.
B. does not complete God's annual Holy Day cycle.
C. -- or "eighth day" -- immediately FOLLOWS the Feast of Tabernacles.
D. is the LAST day of the Feast of Tabernacles since it is called the "great day of the feast" in the New Testament.

45. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. There are three annual God-ordained festival seasons.
B. Within the three festival seasons fall all of God's Holy Days.
C. The Last Great Day is the FINAL festival and Holy Day.
D. True Christians TODAY don't have to keep the Last Great Day.

46. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE?
A. The first resurrection occurs AFTER the Millennium.
B. The second resurrection occurs just BEFORE the Millennium.
C. Those who died in ignorance of God's Plan are resurrected at Christ's second coming.
D. Those who died without the knowledge of salvation will rise in the second resurrection -- just AFTER Christ's 1000-year reign on earth.

47. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE?
A. The Last Great Day does not picture the "Great White Throne" judgment period.
B. Jesus never spoke of a time of judgment for those who died without the knowledge of salvation.
C. God will reveal His Plan of salvation to the billions resurrected to MORTAL life in the White Throne Judgment.
D. The billions who died not knowing God's Master Plan are dead forever.

48. Will those in the White Throne Judgment understand the Bible?
A. No, understanding will be CLOSED to them.
B. Yes, God will then give them His Holy Spirit of understanding.
C. They will REMAIN ignorant of God's Word.
D. The Bible is not clear on this point.

49. How will people in the White Throne Judgment be judged?
A. Before "God's great bar of justice."
B. According to the evil deeds of their previous sinful lives.
C. By how well they follow the instructions of the Word of God -- the Bible.
D. Certainly not by HOW they act on the knowledge God will give them.

50. How long will the White Throne Judgment last?
A. The Bible does not say.
B. 1000 years.
C. 1100 years.
D. 100 years.

51. Those who remain stubbornly rebellious during the Great White Throne Judgment will
A. be born into God's Kingdom.
B. PERISH in the Lake of Fire.
C. be given another chance to repent.
D. finally repent at the last moment.

52. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. The THIRD resurrection occurs at the end of the 100-year judgment.
B. The incorrigible dead of all earth's ages will be resurrected to suffer the second death -- eternal death -- in the Lake of Fire.
C. The Lake of Fire will also consume all of man's works, thus purifying the entire surface of the earth.
D. The Lake of Fire is not described in the Bible as a LITERAL all-devouring flame of fire.

53. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE?
A. God takes pleasure in the death of the wicked.
B. Since God is just, those who REFUSE His way to eternal life will be sentenced to pay the penalty of ETERNAL DEATH with their OWN lives.
C. Death in the Lake of Fire is NOT eternal.
D. The Lake of Fire will cleanse the world of all man's defilement long BEFORE God's plan of salvation is completed.

54. What occurs after the earth is thus "baptized" by fire?
A. The Bible does not reveal the answer.
B. God will leave the earth a desolate smoking ruin.
C. God will take the born-again saints to heaven.
D. God will create new heavens and a new earth.

55. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE?
A. The New Jerusalem will descend to earth from heaven to become the capital of the universe.
B. God's spiritual sons will not share in His new creation.
C. God the Father will never dwell on earth.
D. The Last Great Day does NOT picture the restitution of all God's creation.

56. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. Jesus said God's true Work would feed His people spiritually in every age.
B. The knowledge of God's Master Plan is being made available to the world through only ONE source.
C. The "fruits" alone prove that the churches of this world are not faithfully proclaiming the truth about God's plan of salvation.
D. The Worldwide Church of God has neglected God's commission to feed His people spiritual food in due season.

57. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE?
A. God's Master Plan is not illustrated by the agricultural seasons of Palestine.
B. God doesn't command His true ministers to preach His Plan to His Church during these annual seasons.
C. God doesn't pronounce a CURSE on ministers who don't preach His marvelous plan in their seasons.
D. Imbibing of professing "Christianity's" deadly poisonous teachings and REJECTING God's Truth will incur the penalty of DEATH!

58. Why does God command Christians to "act out" -- observe -- His Master Plan annually?
A. Because God knows that review through REPETITION is not the best way to remember His Plan.
B. So they will be REMINDED of God's Plan each year and carry out their individual part in it.
C. For no reason at all.
D. Because acting out God's Plan yearly doesn't help you keep God's goal for you constantly in your mind.

59. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. You shouldn't make a DETERMINED EFFORT to keep God's annual Holy Days.
B. The apostolic Church always gathered at central meeting places to keep God's annual Festivals.
C. True Christians -- spirit-begotten children of God -- will attend God's commanded annual Festivals which picture His Master Plan.
D. If you need more information concerning the keeping of God's annual Holy Days, you should write immediately to Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong and request it. (See inside front cover for the address of our office closest to you. Be sure to mention you have completed lesson 39.)

Lesson 40
THE SURPRISING ORIGIN OF THIS WORLD'S HOLIDAYS!

60. Who ALONE has the authority to set aside certain days for worship -- to make them HOLY?
A. Certainly not the Creator God Almighty.
B. God Almighty, the Creator, who CREATED time and man.
C. Man, who thinks he has the authority.
D. No one at all can make time holy.

61. Is the desire to observe "religious" days a basic manifestation of human nature?
A. No, mankind has never manifested this desire.
B. No, for God did not put this desire in mankind.
C. Yes, that's why every tribe, nation and religion establishes certain times of their OWN for worship.
D. No, but man naturally gravitates to observing God's Holy Days after learning about His Master Plan.

62. Is it possible to actually worship God and venerate Christ's name in VAIN?
A. It is not clearly revealed in Scripture.
B. All the world's churches teach that it is.
C. We can't really know.
D. That's what Christ said in the Bible.

63. Does the world's professing "Christianity" observe days which are commanded in the Bible?
A. Yes, Jesus commanded all their days.
B. The world's holidays are NOWHERE commanded in the Bible.
C. Only their Christmas and Easter are commanded in the Bible.
D. Yes, the apostles commanded their days.

64. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. Satan is not responsible for influencing the institution of this world's pagan holidays.
B. Satan's holidays are COUNTERFEITS of God's Holy Days.
C. The Devil has designed his days to HIDE God's Supreme Master Plan and deceive mankind.
D. This world ASSUMES ITS holidays are "Christian."

65. Does it make any difference which days we observe?
A. Not at all.
B. The Bible is vague on this point.
C. Yes, because it's a matter having to do with our eternal life or death!
D. God says it doesn't make any difference.

66. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE?
A. The Bible doesn't warn us of false ministers in our day.
B. Jesus warns us of false ministers that would deceive the many in our day.
C. The Devil's false ministers have not adopted the name of Christ as a cloak for their false doctrines.
D. Satan's ministers do not appear as the true ministers of Christ.

67. Who was Nimrod?
A. A "mighty hunter" who followed God.
B. A man of God who taught submission to God's Laws.
C. He was only a mythological figure.
D. The post-flood world's first great dictatorial despot who opposed God.

68. What was the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes -- Nimrod's followers?
A. They taught that Nimrod was the FALSE "baal," or "lord."
B. They taught that none should follow Nimrod's teachings.
C. They taught that it was wrong -- cowardice -- to submit to the God who sent the Flood upon the world as a punishment for sin.
D. They taught submission to God and His Laws.

69. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. After the death of Nimrod, his followers continued their rebellion against God in secret.
B. After Nimrod's death, his followers developed an intricate pagan symbolism called the "mysteries."
C. Satan's pagan counterfeit religious system hinges on the careful re-naming of all phases of pagan worship to correspond as closely as possible with that of the true God -- thus confusing and drawing away mankind from the true God.
D. The priests of Nimrod began calling their wicked customs by names which OPENLY honored the devil in order to deceive the people.

70. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE?
A. The worship of Nimrod and Semiramis had become widespread by the time of Moses.
B. Semiramis was not Baal's mother.
C. Semiramis never was called the "Mother of God."
D. Ishtar -- "Easter" -- does not refer to Semiramis.

71. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. Baal-Peor was another name for the false Messiah.
B. The compound name Baal-Peor had no special significance to the Moabites who worshipped Baal as a child.
C. Today the "sacred child" is still worshipped.
D. The mother and child theme of Christmas is a cleverly disguised pagan "mystery" which dates back to Semiramis.

72. Which ONE of these four statements is TRUE?
A. God was not angered at Israel's observance of the religious rites of Baal.
B. God never warned Israel against adopting pagan holidays.
C. God specifically warned Israel against transferring pagan customs to the worship of the true God.
D. Israel never sacrificed children on pagan holidays.

73. What did God do to His people for practicing Baalism?
A. He only warned them against it.
B. Nothing, since God doesn't hate Baalism.
C. He blessed them for it.
D. He punished them severely with captivity.

74. The "queen of heaven"
A. is none other than Ashtaroth, that is, Semiramis.
B. could not be the "Mother of God" worshiped in modern "Christianity."
C. is Christ's own mother who was "assumed" bodily into heaven.
D. is not mentioned in the Bible.

75. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. Modern "Christianity" has adopted Easter worship.
B. Modern "Christianity" bakes cakes for the "queen of heaven" called "hot cross buns."
C. The fertility symbols of this ancient pagan goddess are perpetuated today as Easter eggs "delivered" by rabbits.
D. Modern "Christianity's" Easter customs do not really stem from ancient pagan worship of Semiramis -- Ishtar, or "Easter."

76. Does God condemn Christmas tree "worship" in the Bible?
A. This is one pagan custom God approves.
B. Yes, in Jeremiah 10.
C. The Bible is not specific on this point.
D. God is not interested in whom or what man worships.

77. Why must the modern descendants of ancient Israel soon suffer captivity?
A. Because they disobey God, observing pagan customs on pagan holidays.
B. Because they have neglected Easter sunrise services.
C. Because Christmas has become commercialized.
D. The Bible does NOT foretell captivity for the modern descendants of the tribes of Israel.

78. What do this world's ministers preach today?
A. The unadulterated truth of God's Word.
B. God says they proclaim LIES in His name!
C. They preach obedience to all of God's Laws.
D. They especially preach the necessity of keeping God's Holy Days.

79. Which great church originally COMPROMISED with the paganism of the ancient world and adopted it as "Christian"?
A. The Church of God which Christ established.
B. A few Protestant churches.
C. No great church ever compromised with paganism.
D. The Roman Church.

80. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. Many of modern "Christianity's" major holidays were NOT borrowed from the festivals of ancient paganism!
B. This world's holidays -- including SUNDAY OBSERVANCE -- are inseparably linked to the worship of Nimrod. All have been inspired by Satan the Devil!
C. The pagan doctrines of the ancient world are today promulgated by the Roman Church and her "Protestant" daughter churches.
D. God commands us TO FORSAKE this world's satanically inspired pagan ways.

81. Which ONE of these four statements is FALSE?
A. There is no conclusive proof that the pagan rites practiced by this world are the very same ones which have been perpetuated since the time of Nimrod.
B. The churches of this world shamelessly ADMIT they have adopted pagan days.
C. God's command is to "come out" of this world's satanically inspired babylon of paganism in order to ESCAPE His wrath!
D. If the Lord God Almighty be God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him (I Kings 18:21). IT'S UP TO YOU!

Now That You've Finished...

You are now ready to correct your own test. All you need to do is compare YOUR ANSWERS with the correct answers listed at the bottom of page 16. After you have done this, simply count the number of questions you missed. Your grade will be next to that number in one of the columns of the grading section located on the same page.

REMEMBER! You are to grade YOURSELF. There is absolutely NOTHING TO SEND BACK TO US.

Be sure to KEEP this test and REVIEW the questions occasionally. Why? Because reviewing will impress the true answers more firmly upon your mind. And reviewing the false answers will help you realize more clearly some of the FALSE ideas which you may have taken for granted. You will thereby grasp and retain the TRUTH more readily as it is revealed to you in the Bible through future lessons.

RELATED STUDY HELPS

Be sure to request your copy of the free booklets and reprinted articles listed below, if you do not already have them. They will help you further understand the subjects covered in Lessons 37, 38, 39 and 40.

LESSON 37:
Satan's Fate
When Was Christ Born?
Spiritism -- Truth or Fraud?

LESSON 38:
The Wonderful World Tomorrow -- What It Will Be Like

LESSON 39:
Predestination -- Does the Bible Teach it?

LESSON 40:
The PLAIN TRUTH About CHRISTMAS!
When Was Christ Born?
EASTER Is PAGAN!
Where Did God Command You to Observe Lent?
Halloween -- Where Did It Come From?
The Truth About New Year's
Valentine's Day -- Christian Custom -- Or Pagan Holiday?
Who Were the Nicolaitanes?

IMPORTANT!

When you have finished taking the test, compare your answers with the correct answers below. Then grade yourself.

CORRECT ANSWERS FOR TEST TEN

1-C    10-D    19-D    28-A    37-D    46-D    55-A    64-A    73-D   
2-B    11-B    20-D    29-A    38-D    47-C    56-D    65-C    74-A   
3-D    12-C    21-A    30-D    39-B    48-B    57-D    66-B    75-D   
4-B    13-B    22-A    31-B    40-A    49-C    58-B    67-D    76-B   
5-D    14-D    23-D    32-B    41-A    50-D    59 A 68-C    77-A   
6-A    15-B    24-B    33-D    42-D    51-B    60-B    69-D    78-B   
7-D    16-D    25-B    34-D    43-B    52-D    61-C    70-A    79-D   
8-A    17-A    26-A    35-D    44-C    53-B    62-D    71-B    80-A   
9-A    18-A    27-D    36-A    45-D    54-D    63-B    72-C    81-A   

YOUR GRADE