HERBERT W.

ARMSTRONG COLLEGE

BIBLE
CORRESPONDENCE COURSE

lesson 1
The Information Age—
What Does It Mean?
 message from herbert w. armstrong college

the editor bible

correspondence course

G
reetings and welcome to our growing
family of Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible lesson 1
Correspondence Course students!
This is a totally new and different kind of Bible study An international course of biblical understanding published
by the Philadelphia Church of God in cooperation with
course. It will thrill, excite and challenge you—lead Herbert W. Armstrong College, Edmond, Oklahoma.
you to understand the meaning of world events and the
© 1977, 1983, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2019 Philadelphia
purpose being worked out here below. Church of God for the entire contents of this publication.
Have you ever wondered what present world condi- All rights reserved.
tions really mean? Where is the proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction leading? What will be the outcome Editor in Chief: Gerald Flurry
Senior Editors: Brian Davis, Stephen Flurry, Joel Hilliker
of the crisis in the Middle East? Will the war on terror Managing Editor: Fred Dattolo
stop terrorism? How will global economic instability Layout: Aubrey Mercado
and mounting religious tensions affect mankind? Why Proofreader: Donna Fraser
so much chaos and confusion in the world today? Circulation Manager: Deepika Azariah
What does the future hold? Are there solutions to
Worldwide Contact Information
these seemingly insoluble problems? E-mail: cc@hwacollege.org
What is the way to world peace—the way to freedom Phone, U.S. and Canada: 1-800-423-8194
from fear and worry, poverty, sickness and unhappiness? Phone, International: 405-285-1060
Letters:
And why was man put here in the first place? Were United States: P.O. Box 3330, Edmond, OK 73083
you, as an individual, put here for a purpose? If so, what Canada: P.O. Box 400, Campbellville Ontario L0P 1B0
is that purpose? Why were you born? Caribbean: P.O. Box 2237, Chaguanas, Trinidad, W.I.
Britain, Europe, Middle East: P.O. Box 16945,
What is man—why is man? Henley-in-Arden, B95 8BH, United Kingdom
Does modern religion have the answers? Africa: Postnet Box 219, Private bag X10010,
What is the truth about such “traditional” doctri- Edenvale, 1610, South Africa
Australia, the Pacific Isles, India and Sri Lanka:
nal questions as heaven, hell, salvation, law and grace, P. O. Box 293, Archerfield, QLD 4108, Australia
the Great Tribulation, the rapture, the virgin birth, the New Zealand: P.O. Box 6088, Glenview, Hamilton 3246
resurrection, the Second Coming, the Millennium? Philippines: P.O. Box 52143, Angeles City Post Office,
2009 Pampanga
Where are the dead—and are they now conscious? Latin America: Attn: Spanish Department,
You need, more than anything in your life, to un- P.O. Box 3700, Edmond, OK 73083, U.S.
derstand the answers to all these questions!
In college classrooms, textbooks, and magazines how your enrollment has been paid
on current affairs, you find alarming world problems Your enrollment is provided free of charge by the Philadelphia
Church of God. It is made possible by the voluntary, freely
hashed and rehashed—but no workable, viable solu- given tithes and offerings of the membership of the Church
tions given. And in most religious publications, you and others who have elected to support the work of the Church.
Those who wish to voluntarily aid and support this worldwide
find much emotion and sentimentality—but very little Work of God are gladly welcomed as co-workers in this major
understanding. effort to preach and publish the gospel to all nations.
This course of Bible study is entirely different—it is
unique!
These informative, eye-opening lessons make plain
the real meaning behind today’s world news. They re- about our cover Mankind is hurtling
veal the answers to the “unanswerable” social, family through the Information Age and beyond
at a blinding pace. However, it lacks the
and personal problems facing billions today. They ex- most fundamental knowledge of all!
plain the very purpose of human life. photo illustration: iStock.com/nadla
Continued on page 15 ››
LESSON 1 herbert w. armstrong college bible correspondence Course 3

why study the bible

in the information age?
Why should we want to study the Bible? Is the Bible up-to-date in the
Information Age? Exactly what is the Bible, and how should we study it to really
understand it? This lesson gives you the answers from your Bible!

W
hat are we? Were we put on and bring about all creation—this Earth, and all life
Earth for a purpose? If so, what is upon it—have left human beings in ignorance of His
that purpose? purpose—the purpose of their being here—and the
Why are so many lives empty, laws that would bring them the peace, happiness, joy
discontented, unhappy? How and everything good that men have been striving to
may life become happy, abundant, successful, prosper- attain since the beginning?
ous and filled with interest? God Almighty made His all-important truth ac-
What is the real cause of wars and the way to world cessible to mankind. He committed His treasure-
peace? What lies beyond death—is there really a way house of basic knowledge to writing. He revealed that
to eternal life? knowledge in the Holy Bible—the very foundation
Are these questions important? One might ask, of knowledge—His instruction book for mankind. Yet
could anything else be more important? If you wanted almost no one has ever found the answers that are so
to know the answers to these basic questions of life, plainly written there!
where would you go? The Bible is simply God’s divine revelation of basic
necessary knowledge that man is incapable of find-
the foundation of knowledge ing out for himself by any other means.
Stop and think! Would a Creator, having supreme in- God equipped human beings with the powers and
telligence, wisdom and love to think out, plan, design abilities to discover and use the laws of science. But

AC B C
C

the bible is the most up-to-date book you can read! It records tomorrow’s news—today!
4 herbert w. armstrong college bible correspondence course LESSON 1

absolutely no tools or instruments of science can ever time when science and technology have produced the
tell you if there is life after death, the purpose of your weapons that threaten the extinction of all life on this
being alive, where you are going, or the way to a happy, planet—this “time of the end” just before the end of
abundant and peaceful life here and now. Our scien- this age and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ!
tists, our world leaders and our statesmen have failed We feel the Bible will mean more to you if you fully
utterly to tell us these answers, or to lead us into the understand its vital relation to your life today and its
universally desired peace with happiness and abundant direct connection with current world events.
living. If you were to try to understand a map of the world,
The Bible reveals all this—and more. This course it would not mean much to you unless and until you
shows you where to find that revealed knowledge in could first put your finger on the precise spot on the
the foundation of knowledge! map where you were at the moment. Only then could
you clearly see and comprehend the rest of the world in
a living book! relation to your own location on the map.
But why do most people think the study of the Bible We feel you will understand the Bible better, and
would be a dull, uninteresting, irksome task—to be find it more interesting, if you view it all—its history
done, if at all, only as a duty out of fear of a harsh God? and prophecy, its teachings and divine revelations—
Simply because people have not known God, or from the vantage point of your life here and now. The
what He is like—and because they have never really Bible will become clearer if you see how world events
begun to understand the Bible! have led up to the very time and conditions in which
In this study we shall come to really see that God you live, and what the future has in store for you and
is love (1 John 4:8, 16), not a harsh, stern God; that all mankind.
God wants every one of us to be happy and to enjoy But before we begin this fascinating study, we need
an interesting life to the very full—every second of it! to know why so few really understand the Bible—and
And once we begin to understand the Bible, we shall how you can understand it.
come to find it the most fascinating, the most interest-
ing, as well as the most profitable and enjoyable study why such confusion?
of our lives. Why do we find such confusion—such disagreement
as to what the Bible says? Why don’t the hundreds of
where to begin? differing church denominations and sects agree on
One natural and proper starting place to begin our what their acknowledged textbook says?
study of the Bible would be at the very beginning— Why do so many individuals, capable of under-
with God as Creator—at the very first chapter of Gen- standing almost any other book, say, “I just can’t un-
esis—and compare the Bible account of creation with derstand the Bible”?
the modern theory of evolution: to study the creation Take a recognized textbook on biology. Show this
of man, the origin of Satan, the first sin, and then to book to 10 different biology professors from 10 dif-
continue on from there through the Old Testament. ferent colleges and universities. Ask them what it says.
Another natural starting point is the beginning of They’ll all give you basically the same answer. People
the New Testament. While the very first words of the seldom disagree as to what recognized textbooks say—
entire Bible are “In the beginning God created the except when it comes to the one book of all books, the
heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), the real begin- Holy Bible!
ning of the New Testament, in actual time sequence Take the Bible to 10 different professors of theology,
of events, is John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word or ministers of religion, and you’ll probably receive 10
….” So the account of the preexistence, the birth and different answers to just about any question you might
work of Jesus Christ—who is called “the Word” or ask about it.
Spokesman of God—also begins with the words “In Do you know why?
the beginning.” Here, certainly, is the enigma of the ages. The most
And there is still another natural starting point— important, yet the least understood, book of all books
the one we have adopted. is the world’s bestseller—the book owned by more
That is to begin with this very present age in which people than any other. It is the one book that has lived
we live—this time of upset world conditions—this down through the ages in spite of every effort to stamp
 LESSON 1 herbert w. armstrong college bible correspondence Course 5

PHOTOSPIN
So the Scriptures are profitable for the purpose of
reproving and correcting us!
But how many people do you know who are will-
ing to be corrected when they are in error—to be re-
proved for the wrong things they do? People simply
do not like to be reproved and corrected. They love
praise—they like flattery—but reproof and correction
they surely hate!
Now do you see why it is so difficult for people to
understand the Bible and to agree on just what it says?
The Bible is God’s great spiritual mirror. It shows every
flaw in our thinking, reveals every spot on our charac-
ters. It pictures us as we really are—as God sees us, not
as we like to think we are or as we like to have other
people look upon us.
“For the word of God,” we read in Hebrews 4:12, “is
quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword”—it cuts deep, and it cuts both ways—“and is
the holy bible The foundation of knowledge is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
the most published and read, yet least understood book Yes, it opens up and exposes our innermost thoughts.
in the world. When little children do things that are wrong—
that have been forbidden—do they usually admit it
it out. freely and frankly? Or do they usually deny it as long
The Bible is the only book which has foretold, as possible, then try to cover it up, excuse it, justify it,
centuries in advance, the chaotic conditions of our or place the blame on somebody else?
world—the only book that explains the meaning of We are all only little children grown up. When our
confused world conditions—that opens before us to heavenly Father speaks to us, through His Holy Scrip-
understand in advance the wonderful, peaceful, happy tures, and reproves, rebukes or corrects us, we usually
World Tomorrow. It is the one book that predicted, in do not like to admit our errors, our faults, our wrong
advance, the rise and fall of specific nations and gov- ways.
ernments—that reveals the destiny of the world. No And so men began, centuries ago, to interpret the
mere humanly inspired book could have revealed these Bible. As a result, the Word of God has become twist-
amazing events. Such prophecies must have been di- ed, wrested and perverted, with almost every false and
vinely inspired. counterfeit meaning imaginable being read into it.
Here is the book that, in spite of human misunder- Instead of teaching and expounding the plain, simple,
standing, has changed more lives than all other books intended meaning, we now have hundreds of human
combined. And yet—it is the book that almost no- interpretations of the Bible!
body knows! Instead of acknowledging the truth, men seek to
justify their own ways by perverting the sacred and
why misunderstood holy Word of God!
The Bible is the most misunderstood book in history. The Apostle Paul was inspired to write in 2 Timo-
The most twisted, distorted, misrepresented, maligned thy 4:1-4 that the time would come when men would
and lied about. not endure sound doctrine. People have turned away
Why? their ears from the truth and have turned to fables
The answer is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The palmed off as the truth of God’s Word. Isaiah proph-
Apostle Paul was inspired by God to write: “All scrip- esied that in these latter days men would demand,
ture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable “Prophesy [preach] not unto us right things, speak unto
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:8-10).
in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, We can clearly see why people do not understand
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” the Bible. They have not yielded to the Eternal’s will;
6 herbert w. armstrong college bible correspondence course LESSON 1

they are filled with the fear of men rather than of God. nuclear annihilation! The late former president of the
They tremble at the thought of what people say instead United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, recognized the
of what the Word of the living God says! fact that man now has the ability to destroy himself.
We read in Psalm 111:7-8, 10: “[A]ll his command- In his 1953 inaugural address he said: “In the swift
ments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and rush of great events, we find ourselves groping to know
are done in truth and uprightness. … The fear of the the full sense and meaning of these times in which we
Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understand- live. … How far have we come in man’s long pilgrim-
ing have all they that do his commandments ….” age from darkness toward light? Are we nearing the
The psalmist said, “Thy word is a lamp unto my light—a day of freedom and peace for all mankind? Or
feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). are the shadows of another night closing in upon us?
Today’s generation is like that of Jesus’s day, of … Science seems ready to confer upon us, as its final
which He said, “[T]his is the condemnation, that light gift, the power to erase human life from this planet.”
is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather How can world disaster be averted? What is the
than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). solution to the seemingly inevitable nuclear, chemical
Yes, the Bible is light—a lamp unto our feet—a and biological “Armageddon”?
light unto our path. But the world is surely in gross At the close of World War ii, just following the
darkness. surrender of the Japanese on board the battleship
U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay, the late Gen. Douglas
meaning locked up until now MacArthur put his finger on the only possible solution.
Bruce Barton wrote a book about the Bible titled He said these fateful words: “Men since the beginning
The Book Nobody Knows. This title certainly has been of time have sought peace. Various methods through
true—until recently! the ages have been attempted to devise an interna-
After revealing many prophecies to the Prophet tional process to prevent or settle disputes between na-
Daniel, God told him to “keep the book shut as a se- tions. … Military alliances, balances of power, leagues
cret, till the crisis at the end [when] trouble shall of nations, all in turn failed, leaving the only path to
be multiplied on earth” (Daniel 12:4; Moffatt transla- be by way of the crucible of war. The utter destruc-
tion). The whole world is now in a time of grave crisis tiveness of war now blots out this alternative. We have
and is rapidly approaching a condition of total cha- had our last chance. If we will not devise some greater
os—we are now in the crisis period at the close of this and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our
age! With weapons of mass destruction, man now has door. The problem basically is theological and involves
the means to wipe out the entire human race! God said a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of hu-
that at this time “none of the wicked shall understand; man character that will synchronize with our almost
but the wise shall understand” (verse 10). matchless advances in science, art, literature, and all
Though printed copies of God’s Word and a general material and cultural developments of the past 2,000
knowledge of the Scriptures are widespread today, the years. It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh.”
world as a whole still does not understand the Bible. Notice these remarkable words carefully.
It is in utter confusion religiously, academically, politi- Although he was one of the greatest and most suc-
cally and militarily. The world does not really know cessful generals of modern times, MacArthur believed
where it is headed, nor does it comprehend the lessons that our world had had its last chance to wage a major
of the past. Never has mankind needed understanding war and to end it short of the annihilation of mankind!
of the knowledge of God more! But he also saw the only solution to this world’s ills
to be a renewing of man’s spirit—an improvement in
spiritual understanding human character!
never more needed Let’s be honest. Let’s face the facts. There is a cause
Scientific and technical knowledge continues to mul- for every effect! Because man has chosen to go his own
tiply—but so do world troubles! Obviously, material way and has rejected God’s revealed knowledge, man-
knowledge and scientific and technological know-how kind is reaping the consequences! Man’s own ways are
have not brought man the answers to world prob- the cause of the misery, wretchedness and trouble fill-
lems. This knowledge has only led to the prolifera- ing the world today! Cut loose from God and the un-
tion of problems, and has led mankind to the brink of derstanding of His Word, man’s misguided scientific
LESSON 1 herbert w. armstrong college bible correspondence Course 7

WHITE HOUSE; U.S. ARMY

visionaries Above, former U.S.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower realized
that humanity has the ability to destroy itself.
Right, Gen. Douglas MacArthur recognized
the solution to man’s problems of survival.

and technological genius has led him to the brink of Yet your Bible shows there is hope for mankind!
self-annihilation! God Almighty has promised to intervene in world af-
The problem, therefore, basically is theological, as fairs. He will not allow the scientific genius of man
God plainly says in His Word: “My people are destroyed to destroy all life on this planet. He has promised to
for lack of [true, spiritual] knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). send Jesus Christ again—this time to save us from
ourselves and bring us peace at last!
only one hope
People tend to delude themselves into thinking there you can begin to understand
is no special danger right now—that the world has al- How, then, can you begin to really understand the
ways been as chaotic as it is today. Bible? Here is how you may begin this exciting adven-
Of course, human nature has remained basically un- ture.
changed. The ways of carnal-minded men have always Study the Bible to find truth. Be careful to prove
ended in destruction and death (Proverbs 14:12). all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Then believe God—
But in prophesying of our day, the Apostle Paul believe His Word as you would accept any other book
said, “[E]vil men and seducers shall wax worse and in which you had confidence.
worse” (2 Timothy 3:13). This, coupled with the stark When the Apostle Paul came to Berea, the people
reality that never until now has human annihilation found he was preaching something utterly different
been possible, ought to wake us up! from that which they had been taught and had be-
Jesus Christ, the greatest newscaster who ever lived, lieved. They did not know whether Paul was a false
knew the ultimate result of the terrible state of affairs prophet or a man sent from God. Notice what they did:
men would bring on themselves in this end time. He “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in
predicted: “And except those days should be shortened, that they received the word with all readiness of mind
there should no flesh be saved [alive—Moffatt]” [that is, without prejudice], and searched the scriptures
(Matthew 24:22). daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).
 what is the meaning of
the information age?
BILL SHROUT/EPA

STEPHROG/ FLICKR, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

ARTVILLE

chilling ­Man’s intellectual

and scientific genius has brought
us amazing advancements–
and ghastly ones as well.
Above, a fishery biologist uses a
respirometer.

close to home ­Humans

can send devices miles outside the
Earth’s surface, atmosphere and
beyond, but cannot solve their
problems on the surface.
 BASIL D SOUFI
message for today ­
A fragment of the Dead Sea
Scrolls—recovered in 1947 and
after—shown with one of the
clay containers that protected the
documents for nearly 20 centuries.
Among scrolls were fragments
of Scripture with Hebrew text
virtually identical to copies we
have today. Is this ancient text
actually relevant in our modern
Information Age?

last hope ­The United

DIGITAL STOCK

Nations (above) has been

called the world’s “last hope
for peace.” In spite of many
sincere efforts to bring about
world peace, men continue to
fight and wage war. Only the
Word of God shows how this
world’s ills will soon be solved!

all that glitters ­

Mankind’s physical knowledge
has built breathtaking
temples of consumerism and
commercialism, but has not
solved hunger, poverty, crime
or war.
 10 herbert w. armstrong college bible correspondence course LESSON 1

So study your Bible without prejudice, but be care- your Bible daily—check up for yourself and see what it
ful to prove all things as the Bereans did—search the really does teach. Don’t just assume that what you have
Scriptures whether those things be so! Read and study always heard and believed is the truth of God.

important instructions
This course is not just a study of the lessons we send Many of our students set aside a certain time every
you. The lessons are intended to show you where to day for their study. The exact time of day and length
look in your Bible for the verses relating to the subject of time you spend in study will have to be determined
under study. Therefore, you should turn to every scrip- by your own circumstances and personal preference.
ture reference given in answer to the questions we ask, However, we recommend that you spend at least 30
and carefully read these passages. This way you will minutes a day studying the Bible with this course.
prove the truth for yourself from your own Bible. (This Along with every four lessons, you will be sent a
course is based on the King James Version because, multiple-choice test and test answer sheet to fill out and
overall, it is the most accurate translation into the Eng- return for grading. The tests will bring to mind some of
lish language.) the vital knowledge you will have learned, and will help
Although not required, writing or typing out the you evaluate your progress. When you have completed
Scripture references will help you remember what you the four lessons and have taken the test, you must an-
have learned and make reviewing your lessons easier. If swer the questions and return the test answer sheet
you decide to write out the verses, do not send us your for grading in order to receive the next group of lessons
written answers. We suggest that you keep them in a and test.
binder along with your lessons. Now you’re ready for this eye-opening lesson!
ACBCC

tools for study Be sure to read the above instructions before beginning this study.
LESSON 1 herbert w. armstrong college bible correspondence Course 11

PHOTOSPIN (2)
LESSON 1
what is the ‘end of the world’? to being saved from physical destruction—from prema-
1. Was Jesus ever questioned about the “end of the ture death!
world” and the sign that would point to His return? 3. Did Jesus prophesy that only the inhabitants of
Matthew 24:1-3. Jerusalem would be threatened by total destruction?
comment: The New Testament, as originally in- Or did He plainly say that no one would be safe from
spired by God, was written in the Greek language. The the threat of annihilation? Same verse.
Greek word translated “world” here in verse 3 is aion, comment: The Revised Standard Version says “no
meaning “age”—not the physical planet on which we human being would be saved ….”
live. The Revised Standard Version translates the King 4. Who will intervene in world affairs to cut short
James expression “end of the world” as “the close of this time of trouble and thus prevent the annihilation
the age.” of all humanity? Mark 13:20.
Jesus, then, was questioned about the end of an comment: These verses mean that, just as originally
“age” in man’s history, rather than the total destruc- planned, Jesus Christ will intervene at the very mo-
tion of the terrestrial globe we call Earth. ment humanity would otherwise destroy itself. By His
2. How long does the Bible tell us the Earth will direct intervention, He will cut short the days of
continue to exist? Ecclesiastes 1:4. man’s rule over man, which would otherwise lead to
the destruction of all human life on Earth!
a time of great trouble
Jesus proceeded to answer the disciples’ questions by no time like it!
giving them an outline of events to take place prior to 1. Has there ever been a time of trouble such as
His return to Earth. will occur just before Christ’s return? Matthew 24:21;
1. Did Jesus prophesy that a time of great trou- Mark 13:19.
ble would occur on the Earth just before His return? 2. Were any of the Old Testament prophets in-
Matthew 24:21. spired to foresee this same time of worldwide peril?
2. What did Jesus declare would happen if these Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1.
days of tribulation were allowed to continue? Verse 22. comment: Since each of the preceding three proph-
comment: The Moffatt translation renders this verse ecies reveal that the future period of crisis will have no
clearer as “not a soul would be saved alive.” This verse, equal, they can only be referring to one great climactic
then, is not referring to spiritual salvation at all, but period of worldwide trouble!
 12 herbert w. armstrong college bible correspondence course LESSON 1
PHOTOSPIN (2)

prophetic realities?
Could the strange symbols mentioned in Revelation 9 refer to modern helicopters and tanks?

3. How did the Prophet Joel symbolically describe anything man’s mind can conceive of would be possible
the horrible events to take place at the close of this age? for him to achieve—even exploring outer space and in-
Joel 2:1-5. venting weapons capable of destroying all life.
comment: Joel’s God-inspired prophecy pictures By confusing the language and scattering the peo-
the very same time of trouble prophesied by Christ, ple at Babel, God prevented man from accomplish-
Jeremiah and Daniel. This prophecy refers to events ing long ago what he has done today. It was not within
soon to occur at the close of this age, for only in this God’s plan to allow man to advance that far at that
age of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons has time!
such widespread destruction been possible! Could anything be clearer? Can you see that we are
4. Could the symbols seen by the Prophet John in- living in the time Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24?—the
dicate the use of modern weaponry? Revelation 9:2-10, time when men would have at their disposal the power
16-19. to erase all life from this Earth!
comment: John described what he saw in a vision
of end-time events God had miraculously revealed to the cause of war
him. It was a mysterious, frightening spectacle. The God promises He will intervene in world affairs to
creatures he saw were obviously symbolic of weapons prevent the annihilation of humanity and to bring us
God knew man would be capable of inventing in the world peace. And in order to ensure continued peace,
end time. He will also prevent future wars by changing that which
5. Let us momentarily consider a time, over 4,300 causes war. Let’s understand.
years ago, when God intervened in human affairs to post- 1. Does the Bible clearly show that war is a result of
pone what we see threatening the world today. Did hu- acting according to the inordinate lusts within man?
man beings speak one language? Genesis 11:1. What did James 4:1-2.
they decide to do? Verse 4. Was this for the purpose of comment: Unrestrained human nature—with its
keeping themselves united? Same verse. What did God pride, vanity, jealousy, lust and greed—is plainly the
do to frustrate their plans? Verses 5, 7-9. Why? Verse 6. cause of war!
comment: Verse 6 clearly indicates that God con- 2. Does knowledge tend to increase pride? 1 Cor-
fused the language and scattered the people at Babel inthians 8:1. Since we live in an age of mushrooming
in order to restrain the misguided inventive genius of scientific knowledge which makes it possible for a few
man! When human beings come to freely speak one men to possess tremendous power, will men “in the
another’s languages and share scientific and technologi- last days” become better and better, or worse and worse?
cal knowledge as they are doing today, then virtually 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 13.
LESSON 1 herbert w. armstrong college bible correspondence Course 13

3. What is the end result of decisions and actions His prophet Isaiah a time when He would establish
that seem right to great leaders and people in general? His government here on Earth? Isaiah 2:1-3. Is it
Proverbs 14:12. to be a literal world-ruling kingdom? Daniel 2:44;
comment: This principle is so important that God Psalm 67:4.
inspired its repetition in Proverbs 16:25. 3. Will there be warfare then as there is now among
4. What deceives man into believing that actions nations? Isaiah 2:4. Will people be taught the way to
which end in death will bring peace? Jeremiah 17:9. peace and productivity? Same verse.
(Remember that in Scripture the heart is often spoken comment: The very one who created man is com-
of proverbially as the center or seat of human thoughts ing to establish the government of God on Earth and
and emotions.) Then can rulers be deceived by their to teach man the way to peace—to guide his inventive
own lusts into believing that their evil deeds are right genius entirely into peaceful channels.
and good for the world? Same verse. 4. Did Micah also foretell the establishment of
comment: The governments of this world promise God’s Kingdom on Earth? Micah 4:1-4.
peace. But men have only brought us more wars and comment: An all-powerful, world-ruling govern-
have now led humanity to the brink of annihilation! ment is indeed coming that will solve all global prob-
5. Do rulers even know the way to peace? Romans lems fairly and righteously for all peoples—a gov-
3:16-17. What did God inspire Isaiah to write con- ernment ruled not by carnal men but by the living,
cerning man’s real understanding of the way of peace? all-powerful Creator of the universe!
Isaiah 59:8. 5. Notice who Isaiah prophesied would rule over
6. What will happen to human plans for “peace”? the Earth. Isaiah 11:1-4. Is David the “stem,” or son,
Isaiah 33:7-8. When ambassadors of peace weep bit- of Jesse? Acts 13:22. Then is the “rod,” or shoot,
terly—when the land is laid waste—will God then in- plainly Jesus Christ? Verse 23. Is the “branch” grow-
tervene? Verse 10. ing out of Jesse’s roots also referring to Christ? Jer-
comment: Throughout the Bible, war is pictured emiah 23:5-6.
as the result of lust or covetousness. Lust is a basic comment: The prophecy in Isaiah 11 predicted,
characteristic of human nature. But can the heads centuries in advance, that Jesus Christ would one day
of government of this world change human nature? rule the Earth!
Of course not! For about 6,000 years, human his- 6. Before Jesus was born as a human being, did
tory has proved that man, left to himself, is totally an angel tell Mary, His mother, that His destiny was
incapable of effecting this change. Throughout his- to take over an actual throne and rule on this Earth?
tory, negotiations for peace have always been accom- Luke 1:30-33.
panied and supported by the most vigorous prepara- 7. Was Daniel inspired to foresee the time when the
tions for war! saints—spirit-born Christians—will be given rulership
The story is no different today. over the Earth with Christ? Daniel 7:18, 21-22, 27.
Can any human government, therefore, permanent-
ly stop war? Obviously not. When you look at it that what is the true ‘gospel’?
way, the answer becomes clear: Only God can perma- 1. Was Jesus sent to this Earth some 2,000 years
nently stop all war, because only God has the power to ago to proclaim the words of the Father? John 12:49;
change human nature! 14:24. What message was included? Matthew 9:35;
But exactly how will God create and maintain world Mark 1:14. Did Jesus say one must believe that “gos-
peace once Jesus Christ returns? pel”? Verse 15; 16:15-16.
The only real and lasting solution to the problems comment: The word gospel means good news, or
of world peace has already been planned long ago. And glad tidings. Jesus went about preaching the good
the entire plan is revealed in your Bible. news of the coming Kingdom of God! The gospel of Je-
sus Christ is simply the very same gospel He preached.
world government Jesus’s gospel is not primarily a message about Himself
to bring peace personally, or about “receiving Jesus.” It is not primar-
1. Does God intervene in world affairs without first ily a message about the events in His life and of His
revealing it to His prophets? Amos 3:7. becoming the Savior of the world—although it most
2. Thousands of years ago, did God reveal to certainly does include all that.
 14 herbert w. armstrong college bible correspondence course LESSON 1

The message Jesus preached is the good news that god’s 7,000-year plan
God will restore peace on Earth by establishing His God has set aside a period of 7,000 years to fulfill His
divine Kingdom over all nations. Christ, through the plan for mankind. And God’s little-understood plan
power of God, will at His Second Coming seize con- for man began about 6,000 years ago. The pattern for
trol of all human governments and rule by God’s law. this plan is given in the first two chapters of Genesis.
Jesus’s gospel also includes how we may receive the gift It is the week of seven days.
of eternal life and become a part of that eternal, ruling Note that the Earth has existed for much longer
Kingdom! than 6,000 years. In Genesis 1, only verse 1 refers to
2. Did Jesus send forth His apostles and true minis- the original creation of the Earth. Then, verse 2 states
ters to preach that same gospel (including all His teach- that the Earth “was without form and void,” but the
ings) to the world? Luke 9:1-2; Matthew 28:19-20. word was should be translated became. How the Earth
3. What gospel did Philip preach? Acts 8:12. And became “without form and void” will be covered in de-
Paul? Acts 19:8; 14:22. Did he preach the same gospel tail in later lessons. For now, it is important to realize
among the Gentiles at Ephesus? Acts 20:17, 25. What that there is a huge time gap between verses 1 and 2.
gospel did he preach to both Jews and Gentiles at Everything beginning with verse 2 is describing the re-
Rome? Acts 28:23, 28-31. creation, or refashioning, of the Earth—including the
4. Did some false ministers in Paul’s day try to per- creation of all life forms—which God accomplished in
vert the gospel of Christ? Galatians 1:6-7. What con- six days. Then He rested on the seventh day.
demnation does he pronounce on any who would try 1. Is a day as a thousand years to God? 2 Peter 3:8.
to preach any other “gospel”? Verse 8. Was it really a 2. What day specifically foreshadows a time period
double curse? Verse 9. of 1,000 years? In Hebrews 4:4, 11, the seventh day of
comment: Your Bible shows there is only one true the week is pictured as a type of the peaceful “rest” on
gospel! We hear many “gospels” about Christ today, Earth which will follow Christ’s return. Is this time
but how many do you hear preaching the “gospel of of Christ’s rule over the Earth, which will follow this
Christ”—the gospel He preached—the “gospel of the present age of human misrule and senseless warfare,
Kingdom of God”? specifically called a thousand years? Revelation 20:4.
PHOTOSPIN

man’s way has brought destruction and death for nearly 6,000 years.
Only God’s coming world government can and will bring lasting peace!
LESSON 1 herbert w. armstrong college bible correspondence Course 15

7,000 years of human history

One day = 1,000 years (2 Peter 3:8)
Creation of man Christ intervenes

The six workdays of the week 7th Day:

1,000 years of
6,000 years allowed for man to go his own way
Christ’s rule
God’s “week” of 7,000 years
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

comment: Since the last “day” of God’s plan is By tracing the genealogies of Adam’s progeny
1,000 years, then it logically follows that the preced- backward from Christ, as recorded in the Bible, we
ing six “days” would amount to 6,000 years—a total know that Adam was created roughly 4,000 years be-
of 7,000 years. fore Christ was born. And a little more than 2,000
3. When the disciples asked Jesus if He would re- years have elapsed since Christ’s birth—totaling about
store the government of God in their day, what was 6,000 years of human civilization to date.
His reply? Acts 1:6-7. How awe-inspiring and significant that in our pres-
comment: The apostles did not fully understand ent age—in the very time that the world is threatened
the general time frame of God’s plan while Christ was with the extinction of all life—6,000 years have al-
yet with them, and for many years thereafter. At first, most elapsed. How exciting that Jesus Himself said that
they thought the rule of God would be established in when we would see all the events He foretold taking
their day. But before they died, they understood Christ place, He would come again—this time to rescue hu-
would return at a much later date. Peter said: “The manity from annihilation, to set up the Kingdom of
Lord is not slack concerning his promise [of coming God, and to bring us lasting peace!
again]; but is longsuffering …” (2 Peter 3:9). God is You have seen in your Bible a brief summation—a
patient. He has refrained from intervening in world “thumbnail sketch”—of God’s solution to this world’s
affairs for 6,000 years. problems. You have begun to understand the urgent
Why? necessity for Christ’s promised return. In Lesson 2, you
Because God has allotted mankind 6,000 years in will learn more about Jesus Christ’s spectacular inter-
which to learn that the ways of man bring nothing but vention in world affairs as revealed in the amazing, de-
suffering and death! tailed prophecies of your Bible.

message from the editor

›› Continued from page 2
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