10. How has human life declined since sin entered the world? Genesis 5:5, 8, 11, 14. Compare Genesis 11:10-25.
NOTE: ‘The age before the Flood was not an era of ignorance and barbarism, as has often been supposed. The people possessed great physical and mental strength, and their advantages were unrivaled. Their mental powers developed early, and those who cherished the fear of God continued to increase in knowledge and wisdom throughout their lives. Compared to them, famous scholars of our time would appear greatly inferior in mental and physical strength. As people’s lifespan has decreased and their physical strength has diminished, so their mental capacities have lessened.’ The Beginning of the End, page 31.
11. By the time of Moses, how long was the typical lifespan? Psalm 90:10.
NOTE: ‘How long is the extent of your life? How many of you have any surety of your life? But if you had a life-time before you, if you knew that you should live your three-score years and ten, what is that little span of life? Is it too much for you to give to God? What do you give to Him? What does He require? Does He require you to give anything that is for your interest or happiness to retain? Oh no. What are the claims that God has upon you? It is, my son, or my daughter, give Me thine heart. It is to come out from among the world, and to be separate, “and touch not the unclean, and I will receive you.” Who is the “I?” It is the great “I AM;” He who holds the worlds in His hands; He who gives you life, and gives you health. “And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters.” Oh what relationship is this! How can any feel as though they were making a sacrifice, to be adopted into the family of the King of kings; the Lord who reigns in the heavens; know you not that it is the highest exaltation to become children of God, “sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty?” Signs of the Times, January 31, 1878.