Lesson 1 Sep 30 - Oct 6

First Things First

Memory Text: (Prov 9:10 KJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Sabbath Afternoon

Education, p. 13

Chap. 1 - Source and Aim of True Education Our ideas of education take too narrow and too low a range. There is need of a broader scope, a higher aim. True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come. {Ed 13.1}

The source of such an education is brought to view in these words of Holy Writ, pointing to the Infinite One: In Him "are hid all the treasures of wisdom." Colossians 2:3. "He hath counsel and understanding." Job 12:13. {Ed 13.2}

The world has had its great teachers, men of giant intellect and extensive research, men whose utterances have stimulated thought and opened to view vast fields of knowledge; and these men have been honored as guides and benefactors of their race; but there is One who stands higher than they. We can trace the line of the world's teachers as far back as human records extend; but the (p. 14) Light was before them. As the moon and the stars of our solar system shine by the reflected light of the sun, so, as far as their teaching is true, do the world's great thinkers reflect the rays of the Sun of Righteousness. Every gleam of thought, every flash of the intellect, is from the Light of the world. {Ed 13.3}

(Prov 1:1-7 NKJV) The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: {2} To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, {3} To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; {4} To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion; {5} A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, {6} To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. {7} The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

(Prov 2:10-11 NKJV) When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, {11} Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you,

(Prov 4:5-7 NKJV) Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. {6} Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. {7} Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

(Prov 2:1-6 NKJV) My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, {2} So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; {3} Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, {4} If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; {5} Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. {6} For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

(James 1:5 NKJV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

(Prov 2:7-10 NKJV) He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; {8} He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. {9} Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. {10} When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,

(Prov 21:3 NKJV) To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

(Prov 2:9 NKJV) Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.

Sunday

What Is Wisdom

(Prov 1:1-6 NKJV) The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: {2} To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, {3} To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; {4} To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion; {5} A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, {6} To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.

(Prov 10:20 NKJV) The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little.

(Prov 1:7 NKJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

(Prov 2:9-10 NKJV) Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. {10} When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,

(Prov 1:20-23 NKJV) Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. {21} She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: {22} "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. {23} Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

(Prov 8:1-5 NKJV) Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? {2} She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet.

{Prov 8:3-5} She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors: {4} "To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. {5} O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

(Prov 1:7 NKJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

(Prov 9:10 NKJV) "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

(Exo 20:20 NKJV) And Moses said to the people, "Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin."

(Isa 30:21 NKJV) Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

Monday

The Value Of Wisdom

(Gal 5:17-26 NKJV) For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. {18} But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. {19} Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, {20} idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, {21} envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. {22} But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. {24} And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. {25} If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. {26} Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

(Col 3:3 NKJV) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

(Col 3:5-10 NKJV) Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. {6} Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, {7} in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. {8} But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. {9} Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, {10} and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

(Gal 5:19-21 NKJV) Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, {20} idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, {21} envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Temperance, p. 201

I thought Brother A shook his head, saying it was not necessary for him to attach his name to the paper. He understood his duty and should advocate the cause of temperance all the same, but felt not called upon to bind himself, for there were exceptions in all these things. {Te 201.1}

He handed the same paper to Brother B, who took the paper, looked it over carefully and said, "I am of the same mind of Brother A. Sometimes I feel the need of something to stimulate me when I am weak and nervous, and I don't want to pledge myself that under no circumstances will I use wine or liquors." {Te 201.2}

There was a sad, grieved look expressed in the countenance. He passed on to others. There were about twenty or thirty who followed the example of Brethren A and B. He then returned to the first two and handed them the paper and said in a firm, decided manner, yet a low tone, "You, both of you, are in the greatest danger of being overcome upon the point of appetite. The work of reformation must commence at your tables and then be carried out conscientiously in every place under all and every circumstance. Your eternal destiny depends upon the decision you now make. You both have strong points of character and are weak in some directions. See what your influence has done." I saw the names of all who had refused to sign written upon the back of the pledge. . . . {Te 201.3}

Again he presented the paper and in an authoritative manner said, "Sign this paper or resign your positions. Not only sign, but upon your honor carry out your decisions. Be true to your principles. As God's messenger I come to you and demand your names. Neither of you have seen the necessity of health reform, but when the plagues of God shall be all around you, you will then see the principles of health reform and strict temperance in all things,--that temperance alone is the foundation of all the graces that come from God, the foundation of all victories to be gained. Refuse to sign this (p. 202) and you will never have another solicitation. You both need your spirits humbled, softened, and let mercy, tender compassion, and dutiful tenderness take the place of coarseness, harshness, set and determined will to carry out your ideas at any cost". . . . {Te 201.4}

(Prov 2:10-22 NKJV) When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, {11} Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, {12} To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, {13} From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; {14} Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked; {15} Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths; {16} To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words, {17} Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God. {18} For her house leads down to death, And her paths to the dead; {19} None who go to her return, Nor do they regain the paths of life; {20} So you may walk in the way of goodness, And keep to the paths of righteousness. {21} For the upright will dwell in the land, And the blameless will remain in it; {22} But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, And the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.

(Prov 4:6-13 NKJV) Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. {7} Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. {8} Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. {9} She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you." {10} Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. {11} I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. {12} When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. {13} Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.

(Prov 8:14-16 NKJV) Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. {15} By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. {16} By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth.

(Prov 8:18 NKJV) Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness.

(Prov 9:10-11 NKJV) "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. {11} For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

(Dan 1:8 NKJV) But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

(Dan 1:8 NIV) But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

Tuesday

How Do We Get Wisdom

(Jer 29:13 NKJV) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

(James 1:5 NKJV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

(Mat 13:34 NKJV) All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,

(1 Ki 4:30 NKJV) Thus Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.

(James 3:17 NKJV) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

(James 3:17 NIV) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Wednesday

What Is Righteousness

(Prov 29:6-7 NKJV) By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices. {7} The righteous considers the cause of the poor, But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.

(Prov 11:30 NKJV) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

(Prov 12:3 NKJV) A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.

(Rom 8:9-10 NKJV) But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. {10} And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

(Rom 10:6-10 NKJV) But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down from above) {7} or, " 'Who will descend into the abyss?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). {8} But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): {9} that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Steps to Christ, p. 63

So we have nothing in ourselves of which to boast. We have no ground for self-exaltation. Our only ground of hope is in the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and in that wrought by His Spirit working in and through us. {SC 63.1}

When we speak of faith, there is a distinction that should be borne in mind. There is a kind of belief that is wholly distinct from faith. The existence and power of God, the truth of His word, are facts that even Satan and his hosts cannot at heart deny. The Bible says that "the devils also believe, and tremble;" but this is not faith. James 2:19. Where there is not only a belief in God's word, but a submission of the will to Him; where the heart is yielded to Him, the affections fixed upon Him, there is faith--faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Through this faith the heart is renewed in the image of God. And the heart that in its unrenewed state is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, now delights in its holy precepts, exclaiming with the psalmist, "O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Psalm 119:97. And the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us, "who (p. 64)

walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1. {SC 63.2}

(Prov 21:3 NKJV) To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

(Isa 1:10-18 NKJV) Hear the word of the LORD, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah: {11} "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" Says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. {12} "When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? {13} Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies; I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. {14} Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. {15} When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. {16} "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, {17} Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. {18} "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

(Amos 5:21-24 NKJV) "I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies. {22} Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. {23} Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. {24} But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream.

(Rom 8:6 NKJV) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

(Heb 10:7 NKJV) Then I said, 'Behold, I have come; In the volume of the book it is written of Me; To do Your will, O God.'"

(Psa 40:8 NKJV) I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart."

(Ezek 36:26 NKJV) "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

(Heb 8:10 NKJV) "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Thursday

Righteousness

(Prov 2:9 NKJV) Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.

(Prov 23:23-24 NKJV) Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. {24} The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.

(Exo 7:11 NKJV) But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

(Isa 47:9-10 NKJV) But these two things shall come to you In a moment, in one day: The loss of children, and widowhood. They shall come upon you in their fullness Because of the multitude of your sorceries, For the great abundance of your enchantments. {10} "For you have trusted in your wickedness; You have said, 'No one sees me'; Your wisdom and your knowledge have warped you; And you have said in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one else besides me.'

(Exo 36:8 NKJV) Then all the gifted artisans among them who worked on the tabernacle made ten curtains woven of fine linen, and of blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim they made them.

(2 Chr 2:12 NKJV) Hiram also said: Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, for He has given King David a wise son, endowed with prudence and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal house for himself!

(2 Sam 14:2 NKJV) And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman, and said to her, "Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel; do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has been mourning a long time for the dead.

(Prov 6:6 NKJV) Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,

(Prov 14:24 NKJV) The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly.

(1 Ki 4:29 NKJV) And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.

(Prov 3:1 NKJV) My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;

(Prov 8:33 NKJV) Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it.

(1 Cor 1:30 NKJV) But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption;

(Prov 2:8 NIV) for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

(Prov 2:8 NKJV) He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.

Friday

(1 Cor 1:25-30 NKJV) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. {26} For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. {27} But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; {28} and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, {29} that no flesh should glory in His presence. {30} But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption;

(1 Cor 2:6-16 NKJV) However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. {7} But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, {8} which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. {9} But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." {10} But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. {11} For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. {12} Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. {13} These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. {14} But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

{1 Cor 2:15-16} But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. {16} For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

(1 Cor 3:19 NKJV) For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness";

Education, pp. 13 - 19 (not included with lesson help)

The Ministry of Healing, p. 409

Chap. 35 - A True Knowledge of God Like our Saviour, we are in this world to do service for God. We are here to become like God in character, and by a life of service to reveal Him to the world. In order to be co-workers with God, in order to become like Him and to reveal His character, we must know Him aright. We must know Him as He reveals Himself. {MH 409.1}

A knowledge of God is the foundation of all true education and of all true service. It is the only real safeguard against temptation. It is this alone that can make us like God in character. {MH 409.2}

This is the knowledge needed by all who are working for the uplifting of their fellow men. Transformation of character, purity of life, efficiency in service, adherence to correct principles, all depend upon a right knowledge of God. This knowledge is the essential preparation both for this life and for the life to come. {MH 409.3}

"The knowledge of the Holy is understanding." Proverbs 9:10. {MH 409.4}

Through a knowledge of Him are given unto us "all things that pertain unto life and godliness." 2 Peter 1:3.

(p. 410) {MH 409.5}

Fundamental of Christian Education, pp. 85 - 86

In the word of God we find subject for the deepest thought; its truths arouse to the loftiest aspiration. Here we hold communion with patriarchs and prophets, and listen to the voice of the Eternal as He speaks with men. Here we behold what the angels contemplate with wonder,--the Son of God, as He humbled Himself to become our substitute and surety, to cope single-handed with the powers of darkness, and to gain the victory in our behalf. {FE 85.1}

Our youth have the precious Bible; and if all their plans and purposes are tested by the Holy Scriptures, they will be led into safe paths. Here we may learn what God expects of the beings formed in His image. Here we may learn how to improve the present life, and how to secure the future life. No other book can satisfy the questionings of the mind, and the cravings of the heart. By giving heed to the teachings of God's word, men may rise from the lowest depths of ignorance and degradation to become sons of God, associates of sinless angels. {FE 85.2}

The more the mind dwells upon these themes, the more it will be seen that the same principles run through natural and spiritual things. There is harmony between nature and Christianity; for both have the same Author. The book of nature and the book of revelation indicate the working of the same divine mind. There are lessons to be learned in nature; and there are lessons, deep, earnest, and all-important lessons, to be learned from the book of God. {FE 85.3}

Young friends, the fear of the Lord lies at the very foundation of all progress; it is the beginning of wisdom. Your Heavenly Father has claims upon you; for without solicitation or merit on your part He gives you the bounties of His providence; and more than this, He has given you all heaven in one gift, that of His beloved Son. In return for this infinite gift, He claims of you willing obedience. As you are bought (p. 86) with a price, even the precious blood of the Son of God, He requires that you make a right use of the privileges you enjoy. Your intellectual and moral faculties are God's gifts, talents intrusted to you for wise improvement, and you are not at liberty to let them lie dormant for want of proper cultivation, or be crippled and dwarfed by inaction. It is for you to determine whether or not the weighty responsibilities that rest upon you shall be faithfully met,

Fundamental of Christian Education, pp. 85 - 86 (continued)

whether or not your efforts shall be well directed and your best. {FE 85.4}

We are living in the perils of the last days. All heaven is interested in the characters you are forming. Every provision has been made for you, that you should be a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Man is not left alone to conquer the powers of evil by his own feeble efforts. Help is at hand, and will be given every soul who really desires it. Angels of God, that ascend and descend the ladder that Jacob saw in vision, will help every soul who will to climb even to the highest heaven. They are guarding the people of God, and watching how every step is taken. Those who climb the shining way will be rewarded; they will enter into the joy of their Lord. {FE 86.1}

Importance of Education With Daniel, the fear of the Lord was the beginning of wisdom. He was placed in a position where temptation was strong. In king's courts, dissipation was on every side; selfish indulgence, gratification of appetite, intemperance and gluttony, were the order of each day. Daniel could join in the debilitating, corrupting practices of the courtiers, or he could resist the influence that tended downward. He chose the latter course. He purposed in his heart that he would not be corrupted by the sinful indulgences with which he was brought in contact, let the consequences be what they might. He would not even defile himself with the king's meat, or with the wine that he drank. The Lord was pleased with the (p. 87) course that Daniel pursued. He was greatly beloved and honored of heaven; and to him the God of wisdom gave skill in the learning of the Chaldeans, and understanding in all visions and dreams. {FE 86.2}

(Rev 12 NKJV) Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. {2} Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. {3} And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. {4} His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. {5} She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. {6} Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. {7} And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, {8} but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. {9} So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. {10} Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. {11} "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. {12} "Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time." {13} Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. {14} But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. {15} So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. {16} But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. {17} And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

(Rev 21:9 NKJV) Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."