Chapter 7—Our Only Safeguard
God points His followers to the Bible as their safeguard against the deceptive power of evil spirits. Satan uses every possible way to prevent people from gaining a knowledge of the Bible. At every revival of God’s work, his activity becomes more intense. We will soon see a final struggle against Christ and His followers begin. The counterfeit will resemble the true so closely that it will be impossible to tell the difference between them except by the Scriptures.
GrH_a 31.1
Those who try to obey all of God’s commandments will be opposed and mocked. To endure the trial, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His Word. They can honor Him only as they correctly understand His character, government, and goals, and act in harmony with them. Only those who have fortified their minds with the truths of the Bible will stand firmly through the last great struggle.
GrH_a 31.2
Before His crucifixion the Savior explained to His disciples that He was going to be killed and would rise again. Angels were there to impress His words on their minds and hearts. But they forgot the very words they needed to remember. When the trouble came, the death of Jesus destroyed their hopes as completely as if He had not warned them before. Similarly, the prophecies open the future before us as clearly as Christ opened it to the disciples. But most people have no more understanding of these important truths than if God had never revealed them.
GrH_a 31.3
When God sends warnings, He requires every sound-minded person to obey the message. The fearful judgments against worshiping the beast and his image (Revelation 14:9-11) should lead everyone to learn what the mark of the beast is and how to avoid receiving it. But the great majority of people do not want Bible truth, because it goes against the desires of the sinful heart. Satan supplies them with the deceptions they love.
GrH_a 31.4
But God will have a people who hold the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions of educated men, the conclusions of science, the decisions of church councils, the voice of the majority—not one nor all of these should we take as evidence for or against any doctrine. We should demand a plain “Thus says the Lord.” Satan leads the people to look to pastors, to professors of theology, as their guides instead of searching the Scriptures for themselves. By controlling these leaders, he can influence most people.
GrH_a 31.5
When Christ came, the common people heard Him gladly. But the chief priests and the nation’s leaders wrapped themselves in prejudice, rejecting the evidence that He was the Messiah. “How is it,” the people asked, “that our rulers and enlightened scribes do not believe on Jesus?” Teachers like this led the Jewish nation to reject their Redeemer.
GrH_a 31.6
12280
GrH_a
The Great Hope (Adapted)
[{"para_id":"12280.2","title":"The Great Hope (Adapted)","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0000_eng_f_a_note_for_you_12280_2.mp3#duration=139&size=1266975"},{"para_id":"12280.20","title":"Chapter 1\u2014Why Is There Suffering?","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0001_eng_f_chapter_1_why_is_there_suffering_12280_20.mp3#duration=263&size=2008337"},{"para_id":"12280.29","title":"Discontent Among the Angels","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0002_eng_f_discontent_among_the_angels_12280_29.mp3#duration=157&size=1373259"},{"para_id":"12280.34","title":"Disaffection Ripens Into Active Revolt","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0003_eng_f_disaffection_ripens_into_active_revolt_12280_34.mp3#duration=210&size=1692363"},{"para_id":"12280.44","title":"Banished From Heaven","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0004_eng_f_banished_from_heaven_12280_44.mp3#duration=179&size=1502044"},{"para_id":"12280.52","title":"An Argument in Our Behalf","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0005_eng_f_an_argument_in_our_behalf_12280_52.mp3#duration=99&size=1024210"},{"para_id":"12280.58","title":"Chapter 2\u2014Hope for Triumph Over Evil","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0006_eng_f_chapter_2_hope_for_triumph_over_evil_12280_58.mp3#duration=52&size=741852"},{"para_id":"12280.61","title":"Grace from Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0007_eng_f_grace_from_christ_12280_61.mp3#duration=123&size=1170748"},{"para_id":"12280.66","title":"An Alert Enemy","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0008_eng_f_an_alert_enemy_12280_66.mp3#duration=160&size=1393042"},{"para_id":"12280.73","title":"Angels Help","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0009_eng_f_angels_help_12280_73.mp3#duration=133&size=1230773"},{"para_id":"12280.80","title":"Guardian Angels","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0010_eng_f_guardian_angels_12280_80.mp3#duration=38&size=659498"},{"para_id":"12280.82","title":"Evil Angels Oppose God\u2019s Plans","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0011_eng_f_evil_angels_oppose_god_s_plans_12280_82.mp3#duration=248&size=1916811"},{"para_id":"12280.91","title":"Danger","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0012_eng_f_danger_12280_91.mp3#duration=66&size=825518"},{"para_id":"12280.94","title":"Safety With Jesus","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0013_eng_f_safety_with_jesus_12280_94.mp3#duration=43&size=687399"},{"para_id":"12280.97","title":"Chapter 3\u2014Dangerous Seductions","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0014_eng_f_chapter_3_dangerous_seductions_12280_97.mp3#duration=141&size=1275311"},{"para_id":"12280.102","title":"The Truth Sanctifies","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0015_eng_f_the_truth_sanctifies_12280_102.mp3#duration=114&size=1116175"},{"para_id":"12280.108","title":"The Whole Bible a Guide","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0016_eng_f_the_whole_bible_a_guide_12280_108.mp3#duration=133&size=1229644"},{"para_id":"12280.115","title":"Truth Rejected Because It Involves a Cross","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0017_eng_f_truth_rejected_because_it_involves_a_cross_12280_115.mp3#duration=43&size=689153"},{"para_id":"12280.119","title":"Dangerous Errors","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0018_eng_f_dangerous_errors_12280_119.mp3#duration=134&size=1235905"},{"para_id":"12280.126","title":"The Landmarks of the Word","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0019_eng_f_the_landmarks_of_the_word_12280_126.mp3#duration=95&size=998052"},{"para_id":"12280.133","title":"Enough Evidence","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0020_eng_f_enough_evidence_12280_133.mp3#duration=228&size=1799621"},{"para_id":"12280.145","title":"Chapter 4\u2014Everlasting Life","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0021_eng_f_chapter_4_everlasting_life_12280_145.mp3#duration=173&size=1467680"},{"para_id":"12280.151","title":"The Great Lie","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0022_eng_f_the_great_lie_12280_151.mp3#duration=163&size=1406646"},{"para_id":"12280.158","title":"The Heresy of Eternal Torment","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0023_eng_f_the_heresy_of_eternal_torment_12280_158.mp3#duration=96&size=1005842"},{"para_id":"12280.162","title":"Universal Salvation Is Not Biblical","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0024_eng_f_universal_salvation_is_not_biblical_12280_162.mp3#duration=96&size=1008357"},{"para_id":"12280.168","title":"Conditions Are Specified","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0025_eng_f_conditions_are_specified_12280_168.mp3#duration=149&size=1327291"},{"para_id":"12280.177","title":"Not Prepared to Enter Heaven","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0026_eng_f_not_prepared_to_enter_heaven_12280_177.mp3#duration=108&size=1075745"},{"para_id":"12280.181","title":"Two Destinies","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0027_eng_f_two_destinies_12280_181.mp3#duration=57&size=769254"},{"para_id":"12280.184","title":"The End of Suffering","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0028_eng_f_the_end_of_suffering_12280_184.mp3#duration=174&size=1474262"},{"para_id":"12280.194","title":"Resurrection to Eternal Life","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0029_eng_f_resurrection_to_eternal_life_12280_194.mp3#duration=124&size=1176418"},{"para_id":"12280.201","title":"Immortality When Jesus Returns","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0030_eng_f_immortality_when_jesus_returns_12280_201.mp3#duration=57&size=770222"},{"para_id":"12280.205","title":"Chapter 5\u2014False Hope","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0031_eng_f_chapter_5_false_hope_12280_205.mp3#duration=187&size=1552046"},{"para_id":"12280.212","title":"Satan\u2019s Appeal to Intellectuals","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0032_eng_f_satan_s_appeal_to_intellectuals_12280_212.mp3#duration=83&size=930144"},{"para_id":"12280.217","title":"Appeal to the Pleasure-loving","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0033_eng_f_appeal_to_the_pleasure_loving_12280_217.mp3#duration=88&size=957677"},{"para_id":"12280.220","title":"Forbidden Fellowship","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0034_eng_f_forbidden_fellowship_12280_220.mp3#duration=59&size=785415"},{"para_id":"12280.223","title":"Bible Represented as Fiction","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0035_eng_f_bible_represented_as_fiction_12280_223.mp3#duration=194&size=1592694"},{"para_id":"12280.233","title":"Understanding the Scriptures","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0036_eng_f_understanding_the_scriptures_12280_233.mp3#duration=138&size=1260163"},{"para_id":"12280.241","title":"Chapter 6\u2014True Peace","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0037_eng_f_chapter_6_true_peace_12280_241.mp3#duration=167&size=1431986"},{"para_id":"12280.248","title":"True Followers of Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0038_eng_f_true_followers_of_christ_12280_248.mp3#duration=128&size=1196789"},{"para_id":"12280.255","title":"The Law of Liberty","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0039_eng_f_the_law_of_liberty_12280_255.mp3#duration=140&size=1273160"},{"para_id":"12280.262","title":"Conviction of Sin","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0040_eng_f_conviction_of_sin_12280_262.mp3#duration=53&size=746072"},{"para_id":"12280.265","title":"Luther Illustrates Finding Forgiveness and Salvation","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0041_eng_f_luther_illustrates_finding_forgiveness_and_salvation_12280_265.mp3#duration=126&size=1184592"},{"para_id":"12280.270","title":"Does Forgiveness Free Us From Obedience?","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0042_eng_f_does_forgiveness_free_us_from_obedience_12280_270.mp3#duration=85&size=937782"},{"para_id":"12280.275","title":"What Is Sanctification?","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0043_eng_f_what_is_sanctification_12280_275.mp3#duration=81&size=918065"},{"para_id":"12280.279","title":"Only Through Faith","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0044_eng_f_only_through_faith_12280_279.mp3#duration=226&size=1788588"},{"para_id":"12280.290","title":"Biblical Sanctification","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0045_eng_f_biblical_sanctification_12280_290.mp3#duration=177&size=1494367"},{"para_id":"12280.298","title":"Direct Access to God","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0046_eng_f_direct_access_to_god_12280_298.mp3#duration=161&size=1399070"},{"para_id":"12280.307","title":"Chapter 7\u2014Our Only Safeguard","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0047_eng_f_chapter_7_our_only_safeguard_12280_307.mp3#duration=183&size=1525723"},{"para_id":"12280.314","title":"Exalting Human Authority","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0048_eng_f_exalting_human_authority_12280_314.mp3#duration=142&size=1280113"},{"para_id":"12280.323","title":"The First and Highest Duty","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0049_eng_f_the_first_and_highest_duty_12280_323.mp3#duration=88&size=957771"},{"para_id":"12280.328","title":"Results of Neglecting Prayer and Bible Study","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0050_eng_f_results_of_neglecting_prayer_and_bible_study_12280_328.mp3#duration=146&size=1307405"},{"para_id":"12280.338","title":"Chapter 8\u2014In Defense of the Truth","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0051_eng_f_chapter_8_in_defense_of_the_truth_12280_338.mp3#duration=70&size=849372"},{"para_id":"12280.341","title":"Restoration of the Truth","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0052_eng_f_restoration_of_the_truth_12280_341.mp3#duration=266&size=2027670"},{"para_id":"12280.355","title":"True Sabbath Always Kept","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0053_eng_f_true_sabbath_always_kept_12280_355.mp3#duration=157&size=1374203"},{"para_id":"12280.365","title":"Faith and Courage","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0054_eng_f_faith_and_courage_12280_365.mp3#duration=144&size=1296514"},{"para_id":"12280.373","title":"Chapter 9\u2014Real Hope","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0055_eng_f_chapter_9_real_hope_12280_373.mp3#duration=325&size=2381306"},{"para_id":"12280.388","title":"The Call to Prepare","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0056_eng_f_the_call_to_prepare_12280_388.mp3#duration=108&size=1079125"},{"para_id":"12280.395","title":"Danger of Resisting the Gospel Call","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0057_eng_f_danger_of_resisting_the_gospel_call_12280_395.mp3#duration=146&size=1307192"},{"para_id":"12280.400","title":"Satan Tries to Keep People in his Power","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0058_eng_f_satan_tries_to_keep_people_in_his_power_12280_400.mp3#duration=313&size=2309285"},{"para_id":"12280.415","title":"A Faith That Endures","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0059_eng_f_a_faith_that_endures_12280_415.mp3#duration=65&size=821465"},{"para_id":"12280.418","title":"The Crowning Act","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0060_eng_f_the_crowning_act_12280_418.mp3#duration=74&size=871773"},{"para_id":"12280.421","title":"God\u2019s People Not Misled","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0061_eng_f_god_s_people_not_misled_12280_421.mp3#duration=89&size=965088"},{"para_id":"12280.428","title":"Chapter 10\u2014The Great Rescue","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0062_eng_f_chapter_10_the_great_rescue_12280_428.mp3#duration=119&size=1143191"},{"para_id":"12280.433","title":"Deliverance Comes","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0063_eng_f_deliverance_comes_12280_433.mp3#duration=126&size=1185027"},{"para_id":"12280.440","title":"The Day of the Lord","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0064_eng_f_the_day_of_the_lord_12280_440.mp3#duration=137&size=1251171"},{"para_id":"12280.445","title":"The King of Kings Appears","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0065_eng_f_the_king_of_kings_appears_12280_445.mp3#duration=234&size=1834533"},{"para_id":"12280.454","title":"Resurrection of God\u2019s People","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0066_eng_f_resurrection_of_god_s_people_12280_454.mp3#duration=104&size=1052238"},{"para_id":"12280.460","title":"Into the Holy City","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0067_eng_f_into_the_holy_city_12280_460.mp3#duration=117&size=1130122"},{"para_id":"12280.464","title":"The Two Adams Meet","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0068_eng_f_the_two_adams_meet_12280_464.mp3#duration=190&size=1569549"},{"para_id":"12280.471","title":"The Redeemed in Glory","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0069_eng_f_the_redeemed_in_glory_12280_471.mp3#duration=228&size=1796971"},{"para_id":"12280.479","title":"Chapter 11\u2014Victory of Love","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0070_eng_f_chapter_11_victory_of_love_12280_479.mp3#duration=168&size=1439624"},{"para_id":"12280.485","title":"The Final Assault Against God","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0071_eng_f_the_final_assault_against_god_12280_485.mp3#duration=134&size=1233206"},{"para_id":"12280.493","title":"Sentence Pronounced Against the Rebels","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0072_eng_f_sentence_pronounced_against_the_rebels_12280_493.mp3#duration=277&size=2094667"},{"para_id":"12280.505","title":"Satan Defeated","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0073_eng_f_satan_defeated_12280_505.mp3#duration=204&size=1653965"},{"para_id":"12280.514","title":"Violent End of the Wicked","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0074_eng_f_violent_end_of_the_wicked_12280_514.mp3#duration=102&size=1041779"},{"para_id":"12280.519","title":"Our Final Home","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0075_eng_f_our_final_home_12280_519.mp3#duration=22&size=562015"},{"para_id":"12280.521","title":"Reminder of Sin\u2019s Results","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0076_eng_f_reminder_of_sin_s_results_12280_521.mp3#duration=197&size=1614373"},{"para_id":"12280.532","title":"The Triumph of God\u2019s Love","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0077_eng_f_the_triumph_of_god_s_love_12280_532.mp3#duration=162&size=1402368"},{"para_id":"12280.542","title":"Sources","mp3":"\/mp3\/12280\/0078_eng_f_sources_12280_542.mp3#duration=16&size=524367"}]