Sunday
October 14
1. ENOCH
a. How does Inspiration describe the experience of Enoch? Genesis 5:18-24; Hebrews 11:5. Through the relationship thus attained by effective worship, what was Enoch shown before his translation to heaven? Jude 14.
“Enoch faithfully rehearsed to the people all that God had revealed to him by the spirit of prophecy. Some believed his words and turned from their wickedness to fear and worship God. Such often sought Enoch in his places of retirement, and he instructed them and prayed for them that God would give them a knowledge of His will. At length he chose certain periods for retirement and would not suffer the people to find him, for they interrupted his holy meditation and communion with God. He did not exclude himself at all times from the society of those who loved him and listened to his words of wisdom; neither did he separate himself wholly from the corrupt. He met with the good and bad at stated times, and labored to turn the ungodly from their evil course, and instruct them in the knowledge and fear of God. He taught those who had the knowledge of God to serve him more perfectly. He would remain with them as long as he could benefit them by his godly conversation and holy example, and then would withdraw himself from all society—from the just, the scoffing and idolatrous, to remain in solitude, hungering and thirsting for communion with God, and that divine knowledge which He alone could give him.”—The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, pp. 62, 63.
Monday
October 15
2. IN THE DAYS OF NOAH
a. Describe the world wherein Noah was born. Genesis 6:1, 2, 5, 6, 11, 12.
b. How does Jesus compare Noah’s days to our days—and what are we to understand by this? Luke 17:26, 27; Matthew 24:37–39.
“God did not condemn the antediluvians for eating and drinking; He had given them the fruits of the earth in great abundance to supply their physical wants. Their sin consisted in taking these gifts without gratitude to the Giver, and debasing themselves by indulging appetite without restraint. It was lawful for them to marry. Marriage was in God’s order; it was one of the first institutions which He established. He gave special directions concerning this ordinance, clothing it with sanctity and beauty; but these directions were forgotten, and marriage was perverted and made to minister to passion.
“A similar condition of things exists now. That which is lawful in itself is carried to excess. Appetite is indulged without restraint. Professed followers of Christ are today eating and drinking with the drunken, while their names stand in honored church records. Intemperance benumbs the moral and spiritual powers and prepares the way for indulgence of the lower passions. Multitudes feel under no moral obligation to curb their sensual desires, and they become the slaves of lust. Men are living for the pleasures of sense; for this world and this life alone. Extravagance pervades all circles of society. Integrity is sacrificed for luxury and display. They that make haste to be rich pervert justice and oppress the poor, and ‘slaves and souls of men’ are still bought and sold. Fraud and bribery and theft stalk unrebuked in high places and in low. The issues of the press teem with records of murder—crimes so cold-blooded and causeless that it seems as though every instinct of humanity were blotted out. And these atrocities have become of so common occurrence that they hardly elicit a comment or awaken surprise.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 101, 102.
“What of the marriage relation today? Is it not perverted and defiled, made even as it was in Noah’s day? Divorce after divorce is recorded in the daily papers. This is the marriage of which Christ speaks when He says that before the flood they were ‘marrying and giving in marriage’ (Matthew 24:38).”—Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, p. 56.
Tuesday
October 16
3. THE FAITH OF NOAH
a. What did make Noah a distinct man during the times in which he lived? Genesis 6:8, 9, 14.
b. As Noah worshipped God, what can we discern about the patriarch’s relationship with his Maker? Genesis 6:17–22; 7:1, 5, 23; 8:15–20.
c. Describe the great controversy between Christ and Satan as seen in the life of Noah and those who heard him. Hebrews 11:6, 7.
“While Noah was giving his warning message to the world, his works testified of his sincerity. It was thus that his faith was perfected and made evident. He gave the world an example of believing just what God says. All that he possessed, he invested in the ark. As he began to construct that immense boat on dry ground, multitudes came from every direction to see the strange sight and to hear the earnest, fervent words of the singular preacher. Every blow struck upon the ark was a witness to the people.
“Many at first appeared to receive the warning; yet they did not turn to God with true repentance. They were unwilling to renounce their sins. During the time that elapsed before the coming of the Flood, their faith was tested, and they failed to endure the trial. Overcome by the prevailing unbelief, they finally joined their former associates in rejecting the solemn message. Some were deeply convicted, and would have heeded the words of warning; but there were so many to jest and ridicule, that they partook of the same spirit, resisted the invitations of mercy, and were soon among the boldest and most defiant scoffers; for none are so reckless and go to such lengths in sin as do those who have once had light, but have resisted the convicting Spirit of God.
“The men of that generation were not all, in the fullest acceptation of the term, idolaters. Many professed to be worshipers of God. They claimed that their idols were representations of the Deity, and that through them the people could obtain a clearer conception of the divine Being. This class were foremost in rejecting the preaching of Noah.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 95, 96.
Wednesday
October 17
4. NOAHS OF TODAY
a. How has Scripture foretold the days in which we are living?
1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1–5.
“Jesus asked the significant question, ‘When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?’ (Luke 18:8). And, as we have seen, He declares that the state of the world will be as in the days of Noah. Paul warns us that we may look for wickedness to increase as the end draws near. . . . The apostle says that ‘in the last days perilous times shall come’ (2 Timothy 3:1). And he gives a startling list of sins that will be found among those who have a form of godliness.
“As the time of their probation was closing, the antediluvians gave themselves up to exciting amusements and festivities. Those who possessed influence and power were bent on keeping the minds of the people engrossed with mirth and pleasure, lest any should be impressed by the last solemn warning. Do we not see the same repeated in our day? While God’s servants are giving the message that the end of all things is at hand, the world is absorbed in amusements and pleasure seeking. There is a constant round of excitement that causes indifference to God and prevents the people from being impressed by the truths which alone can save them from the coming destruction.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 103.
b. What warning should we heed from the time of Noah? 2 Peter 3:3–10.
“In Noah’s day philosophers declared that it was impossible for the world to be destroyed by water; so now there are men of science who endeavor to show that the world cannot be destroyed by fire—that this would be inconsistent with the laws of nature. . . . When great and wise men had proved to their satisfaction that it was impossible for the world to be destroyed by water, when the fears of the people were quieted, when all regarded Noah’s prophecy as a delusion, and looked upon him as a fanatic—then it was that God’s time had come. ‘The fountains of the great deep’ were ‘broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened’ (Genesis 7:11), and the scoffers were overwhelmed in the waters of the Flood. With all their boasted philosophy, men found too late that their wisdom was foolishness, that the Lawgiver is greater than the laws of nature, and that Omnipotence is at no loss for means to accomplish His purposes ”—Ibid., pp. 103, 104.
Thursday
October 18
5. THE REALITY BEFORE US
a. What reality eludes many today? 1 Thessalonians 5:3.
“When the reasoning of philosophy has banished the fear of God’s judgments; when religious teachers are pointing forward to long ages of peace and prosperity, and the world are absorbed in their rounds of business and pleasure, planting and building, feasting and merrymaking, rejecting God’s warnings and mocking His messengers—then it is that sudden destruction cometh upon them, and they shall not escape.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 104.
b. When soul winning seems to be a challenge, what should we ever keep in mind? 1 Peter 3:18–22.
“Wherever you can gain access, hold forth the word of God. Sow beside all waters. You may not at once see the result of your labors, but be not discouraged. Speak the words that Christ gives you. Work in His lines. Go forth everywhere as He did during His ministry on the earth.
“The world’s Redeemer had many hearers, but few followers. Noah preached one hundred and twenty years to the people before the Flood, and yet there were few who appreciated this precious, probationary time. Save Noah and his family, not one was numbered with the believers and entered into the ark. Of all the inhabitants of the earth, only eight souls received the message; but that message condemned the world. The light was given in order that they might believe; their rejection of the light proved their ruin. Our message to the world will be a savor of life unto life to all who accept it, and of condemnation to all who reject it.”—Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 36.
Friday
October 19
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Name one secret to Enoch’s success in soul winning.
2. How are we to understand Christ’s reference to the days of Noah?
3. What timeless principles can be seen in the results of Noah’s preaching?
4. What prevailing attitudes of today have been foretold by the apostles?
5. In view of the shortness of time before us, what is the call of the hour?