- Preface
-
-
-
-
-
- Chapter 6—My First Vision
- Chapter 7—A Vision of the New Earth
-
-
- Chapter 10—The Sabbath of the Lord
-
- Chapter 12—The Heavenly Sanctuary
- Chapter 13—Gods's Love for His People
- Chapter 14—The Sealing
- Chapter 15—The Trial of Our Faith
- Chapter 16—To the Little Flock
- Chapter 17—Shaking of the Powers of Heaven
- Chapter 18—Preparation for the End
-
-
- Chapter 21—Prayer and Faith
-
-
-
-
- Chapter 26—The Two Ways
- Chapter 27—The Two Crowns
- Chapter 28—Modern Spiritualism
- Chapter 29—Snares of Satan
- Chapter 30—The Shaking
- Chapter 31—Traveling the Narrow Way
- Chapter 32—Preparing for the Judgment
-
- Chapter 34—God's Love for the Church
- Chapter 35—Missionary Work
- Chapter 36—Broader Plans
- Chapter 37—Extension of the Work In Foreign Fields
- Chapter 38—Circulating the Printed Page
-
-
-
Disappearance During the Great Apostasy
The scriptures foretell a great apostasy, which even in the days of the apostles had begun to manifest itself among certain false brethren in the church, and which finally was to develop into a “falling away,” and the revelation of “that man of sin, ... the son of perdition,” of whom Paul wrote to the Thessalonians. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7.CET 241.1
In fulfillment of these predictions, it is a matter of historical record that following the death of the last of the apostles of Jesus, some members of the Christian church began to depart from the simplicity of the truth as taught by Christ; and gradually these church members were led to unite with the world in heathen practices.CET 241.2
As the years passed by, and the church increased in numbers and in popularity, there were many who became less and still less strict in their obedience to Bible teaching, until finally, in the fifth and sixth centuries after Christ, the greater number of those who claimed to be Christians were in reality not living in harmony with the teachings of Christ. For many centuries thereafter an apostate form of Christianity held sway. The truth was suppressed and lost sight of, and ignorance prevailed.CET 241.3
These centuries of apostasy are correctly designated in history the “Dark Ages.” During this time attempts were made to alter or to set aside many of the fundamental teachings of the Bible. Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that, in such a time, as likewise in the centuries immediately preceding the first advent of Christ, the manifestation of the gift of prophecy almost wholly disappeared.CET 242.1