11. What has the Spirit especially warned of in the last days and what is the only safeguard for the church? 2 Timothy 3:1; Ephesians 6:10-13. See how this is part of the warfare of the Evil One. Revelation 12:17.
NOTE: ‘In the Epistle of Paul to Timothy, he foretells what will be manifested in the latter days. And this warning was for the benefit of those who should live when these things should take place. God revealed to His servant the perils of the church in the last days. He writes, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”’ Confrontation, page 92.
12. Why can we have total confidence in the unfolding truths of Scripture? 2 Peter 1:21.
NOTE: ‘The fact that God has revealed His will to men through His Word has not rendered needless the continued presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, the Spirit was promised by our Saviour to open the Word to His servants, to illuminate and apply its teachings. And since it was the Spirit of God that inspired the Bible, it is impossible that the teaching of the Spirit should ever be contrary to that of the Word.’ My Life Today, page 41.
13. What gracious and complete invitation concludes the Word of God to sinners? Revelation 22:17
NOTE: ‘Heavenly angels are still working in co-operation with human agencies. The Holy Spirit is presenting every inducement to constrain you to come. Christ is watching for some sign that will betoken the removing of the bolts and the opening of the door of your heart for His entrance. Angels are waiting to bear the tidings to heaven that another lost sinner has been found. The hosts of heaven are waiting, ready to strike their harps and to sing a song of rejoicing that another soul has accepted the invitation to the gospel feast.’ Christ’s Object Lessons, page 237.
LESSON INSIGHT: God does not show us everything at once, neither our shortcomings, nor the knowledge of the Scriptures. Satan will make his last and final push to overthrow God. Every heresy and every deception will be at its peak, but so also will be the truth of God in the world and so the final conflict is embarked upon. There will be a time before the end of probation, when the Gospel day will have reached its full brightness. Today Heaven is enlightening us step by step, encouraging us to follow on as fast as God reveals truth to us for we have a work to do and we can hasten the coming of the Lord.
WHAT WE KNOW OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The fruit of the Spirit is different from the gifts of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is what shows in our lives when the Holy Spirit has filled our lives. This is what the Bible means when it speaks of being ‘partakers of the divine nature’. 1 Peter 1:4. Each one who is ready to meet Jesus will show each of these fruits, not one will be missing. The gifts of the Spirit, however, are the special endowments which the Holy Spirit decides are needed for the work He allocates to us. These gifts can be different for each one. Some will be given ‘helps’, another ‘pastor’ or ‘teacher’. Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12. Not all the servants have the same work to do for the Master. But the Holy Spirit guides and directs the world-wide work that will finish the Gospel.