If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Welcome to this last section! Let’s pray:

Our Father, The hours we have invested in the study of Your prophetic Word have brought us great blessings, and we will never be able to thank You enough for the valuable light Your Spirit has granted us. May these closing lessons convince us still more, if possible, of the real urgency of warning the people around us, before the return of Your Son Jesus Christ. In His precious name we pray. Amen.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Revelation 14:1,5	Comments
And I looked, and, see, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him a hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads. (...) And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.	During our lessons, we have seen that, at the end of time, God will give rise to a group of faithful believers, to preach a final warning message to the whole world. Revelation chapter 14 presents these faithful believers, and then goes on with the proclamation of their message...

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Revelation 14:6	Comments
And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven.	The proclamation of this message is represented by an angel appearing in heaven. Just as the woman appearing in heaven symbolizes the pure Church, the angel appearing in heaven symbolizes the group of faithful believers who will announce God’s final message to the whole world.
Revelation 12:1
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Hebrews 1:13,14	Comments
But to which of the angels said [God] at any time, «Sit on My right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool»? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?	The word «angel» comes from the Greek word «aggelos», which means «messenger». The Word of God describes the angels as living beings entrusted with the mission of announcing the message of salvation to mankind. The angels are thus the perfect symbol to represent the faithful believers who will proclaim God’s final message to the whole world.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Revelation 14:6	Comments
And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth.	The basis of the three angels’ message is the gospel, a word coming from the Greek word «euaggelion», which means «good news». This good news is God’s offer of salvation in Jesus Christ, given to every human being here on earth.
Galatians 2:2,16
And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach. (...) A man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Each one of us is called to take part in the proclamation of the gospel...

«For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid on me; yes, woe is to me, if I preach not the gospel!» (1 Corinthians 9:16) «I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”» (Romans 1:16,17) «Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?» (Romans 10:13-15)

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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... even if this holy mission is sometimes very difficult to carry out:

«For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables. But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry.» (2 Timothy 4:3-5) «Take to you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand, (...) your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.» (Ephesians 6:13,15) «But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts.» (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Revelation 14:6	Comments
And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth.	The gospel, leading to eternal life, is «everlasting». But there’s more...
1 Peter 1:24,25
All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: but the word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached to you.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Acts 15:10,11	Comments
Now therefore why tempt you God, to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.	The «everlasting» gospel shows that the way to salvation has never changed. Under the Old Covenant, people had to have faith in Him who would come: Jesus Christ. Under the New Covenant, we must have faith in Him who has come: Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Isaiah 45:17	Comments
But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: you shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.	God offers His salvation, through His Son, to all men, whether they were born before or after the coming of Jesus Christ here on earth. All those who seize this offer, through faith in Jesus, will inherit eternal life.
Isaiah 51:6,8
My salvation shall be for ever, and My righteousness shall not be abolished. (...) My righteousness shall be for ever, and My salvation from generation to generation.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Revelation 14:6	Comments
And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.	The proclamation of God’s last message will be a worldwide work. All the inhabitants of the earth will hear it, «and then shall the end come.»
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations. And then shall the end come.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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The proclamation of the gospel must be carried out in the whole world:

«And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All power is given to Me in heaven and in earth. Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and, see, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”» (Matthew 28:18-20) «Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.» (Mark 16:15,16) «You shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.» (Acts 1:8)

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Revelation 14:6	Comments
And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.	The parallel between these passages shows that God’s last message will aim at denouncing the apostasy which will soon strike the whole world.
Revelation 13:7,8
And power was given [the beast] over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Revelation 14:6-9	Comments
And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice (...). And there followed another angel, saying (...). And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice (...).	God’s final message to the whole world is made up of three parts. Each part of the three angels’ message will be the subject of one of our next three lessons. Let’s take a moment now to look at a summary of these messages.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Revelation 13:2

Comments

And the beast which I saw was like to a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion.

When will the proclamation of the three angels’ message begin and end? To answer this question, we must compare Daniel chapter 7 with Revelation chapters 13 and 14. Revelation 13 first presents the beast rising from the sea, a beast whose body is made up of the same beasts as those described in Daniel 7: a lion, a bear, and a leopard. Let’s make a short summary of what we have studied in our lesson «The Beast Rising From the Sea».

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Daniel 7:20	Comments
That horn (...) had eyes, and a mouth that spoke very great things.	Afterward, the books of Daniel and Revelation both go on with the description of an arrogant power, speaking «great things» and «blasphemies».
Revelation 13:5
And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Daniel 7:25 [NKJV]	Comments
Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.	As we have already seen, this power, symbolized by the little horn in Daniel chapter 7, and by the beast rising from the sea in Revelation chapter 13, is the Papacy of the Middle Ages. This power reigned for 1260 years: 3½ times = 3½ x 360 days = 1260 days; and 42 months = 42 x 30 days = 1260 days; that is, from A.D. 538 to 1798.
Revelation 13:5
And power was given to him to continue forty and two months.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Daniel 7:26,27	Comments
They shall take away [the little horn’s] dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.	The two prophecies both have a happy ending. Daniel chapter 7 indeed announces the fall of the little horn, and then proclaims the institution of God’s eternal kingdom...

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Revelation 14:14	Comments
And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and on the cloud One sat like to the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.	... and Revelation chapter 14 confirms this happy ending, by announcing the return of Jesus Christ, as we have seen in our lesson «The Harvest». However, between the appearance of the apostate power (symbolized by the little horn and the beast rising from the sea) and the return of Jesus, the books of Daniel and Revelation describe an important event...

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Daniel 7:25-27	Comments
[The saints] shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High.	Between the 1260-year reign of the Papacy, which ended in 1798, and the institution of God’s kingdom at the return of Jesus, the book of Daniel indeed announces a specific event: «The judgment shall sit.»

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Daniel 7:9-11

Comments

I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit. (...) The judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke.

This judgment, described in greater detail in Daniel chapter 7, really takes place before Jesus’ return. In fact, while the judgment is being performed, the little horn is still committing its misdeeds on earth. As we have seen in earlier lessons, this is the first stage of the judgment, which, since 1844, has been separating the truly converted believers from the false ones, before Jesus’ return.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
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Revelation 14:6,7	Comments
And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, «Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.»	Likewise, between the 1260-year reign of the Papacy, which ended in 1798, and the return of Jesus, the book of Revelation presents a solemn call to the whole world, «The hour of His judgment is come.» The book of Revelation thus confirms the vision of Daniel announcing a period of judgment before Jesus’ return.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
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Revelation 14:6,7

Comments

And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, (...) saying with a loud voice, «Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.»

This announcement of the coming of God’s judgment, which is the first part of the three angels’ message and the subject of our next lesson, indicates that God’s first warning has been given to the whole world since 1844, that is, since «the hour of His judgment is come». So the three angels’ message is specifically directed at those who live in the time of the end, and will be proclaimed until the return of Jesus Christ.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Revelation 14:6	Comments
And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.	Besides, the beginning of the three angels’ message refers to Revelation chapter 10 and the understanding of the book of Daniel, an event that has been dated to 1844 in our lesson «The Little Open Book».
Revelation 10:10,11
As soon as I had eaten [the little book], my belly was bitter. And [the Angel] said to me, «You must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.»

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Amos 3:7

Comments

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

So, since 1844, the judgment has been going on in the heavenly sanctuary, with the case of each believer being reviewed, in order to determine whether the conversion of each believer is true and sincere, or whether his name must be blotted out from the Book of Life. God wants us to know that the moment is solemn, because the hour of His judgment has come, and this is why He gives us a final call: the three angels’ message.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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2 Peter 3:9	Comments
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.	With the three angels’ message, God warns us against Satan’s traps in the last days, because if these traps deceive us, we will lose eternal life.
1 Timothy 2:3,4
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
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1 Peter 1:3-5	Comments
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.	We really do live in the last days. Let’s give heed to the three angels’ message, so that we may all receive God’s incorruptible inheritance.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
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Revelation 14:6,7	Comments
And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice...	Our next three lessons will help us understand the content of the three angels’ message. Then, it will be for us to put into practice the things which are written in these messages, and, just as God asks us, share them without delay with the people around us.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 98
	Introduction to the Three Angels’ Message
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Let’s thank God:

Lord, We know that the return of Your Son is really imminent, and that we must seriously prepare ourselves for it. To assist us in this important preparation, You gave us a final warning, especially designed for the last days: the three angels’ message. Please help us to properly understand this message and its impact for each one of us, so that we may avoid the traps Satan is preparing for us, and inherit eternal life when Jesus returns. In His precious name we pray. Amen.

 The test of Lesson 98 is waiting for you!

Source of the Pictures of this Lesson

Screen 1: In: «Photo Gallery 25,000» by Media Graphics International, CD #1, FRICE042.JPG. Screen 2: «The Sealing of the Elect» from «Trinity Apocalypse» (c.1255-60), Trinity College Library, Cambridge, England. In: «Revelations - Art of the Apocalypse» (GRUBB, Nancy), Abeville Press Publishers, 1997, p.21. Screen 3: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «Images from the Bible and Sacred History CD», Chosen Works, MLI Software, JM233.BMP. Screen 4: Advertisement for «Amazing Facts - Millenium of Prophecy». In: «Adventist Review» (October 1999), p.23. Screen 5: ANDERSON, Harry. In: «La Sentinelle» magazine (September 1980), p.11. Used by permission. Copyright ©1962, 1990 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Screen 6: Advertisement for the church program «Health, Healing, Hope». Screen 7: In: «La Révélation - le grand dénouement est proche», New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1988, p.160. Picture edited by Cyberspace Ministry. Screen 8: In: «Votre Bible et Vous» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), front cover. Used by permission. Copyright ©1959, 1987 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Screen 9: First picture: unknown source. Second picture: STEEL, John. In: «La Sentinelle» (May 1993), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.9. Composite picture by Cyberspace Ministry. Screen 10: In: «Prophecy Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1989, Daniel lesson #30 («Sharing Daniel’s Message with the World»), p.5. Screen 11: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (February 1, 1998), New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.18. Screen 12: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (January 1, 1990), New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.1. Screen 13: In: «La Révélation - le grand dénouement est proche», New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1988, p.195. Screen 14: COLLINS, Fred. In: «The Bible Story, volume 10» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.195. Used by permission. Copyright ©1957, 1985 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Screen 15: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «Images from the Bible and Sacred History CD», Chosen Works, MLI Software, JM234.BMP. Table of Screen 15: In: «Prophecy Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1989, Daniel lesson #15 («Daniel’s prediction of the Judgment»), p.5. Screen 16: BLANEY, William A. «7 Headed Lion-Beast with Ten Horns Coming Ashore» (1960), Phyllis Kind Gallery, New York. In: «Revelations - Art of the Apocalypse» (GRUBB, Nancy), Abeville Press Publishers, 1997, p.59. Screen 17: In: «La Révélation - le grand dénouement est proche», New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1988, p.189. Table of Screen 17: BISHOP, Tom. «Beasts of Revelation 13». In: «New Pictoral Aid For Bible Study» (BREADEN, Frank), Australian Division of Seventh-Day Adventists, 1970, chart #41. Screen 18: BISHOP, Tom. «Identification of the little horn». In: «New Pictoral Aid For Bible Study» (BREADEN, Frank), Australian Division of Seventh-Day Adventists, 1970, chart #22. Screen 19: In: «The (New, Illustrated) Great Controversy» (WHITE, Ellen G.), Laymen for Religious Liberty Inc., 1990, p.432-75. Screen 20: In: «Revelation Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1986, lesson #6 («Le Glorieux Enlèvement Selon l’Apocalypse»), p.1. Screen 21: MOLAN, Chris. In: «Forever Stories, volume 5» (BYERS, Carolyn), pp.42,43. Used by permission. Copyright ©1990 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Screen 22: Unknown source. Screen 23: ANDERSON, Harry. In: «The Triumph of God’s Love, volume 2» (WHITE, Ellen G.), Pacific Press Publishing Association and Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1950, p.416. Screen 24: PADGETT, Jim. In: «God Cares, volume 2» (MAXWELL, C. Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1985, p.350. Screen 25: In: «Revelation Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1986, lesson #14 («Dieu a Fixé une Date pour le Jugement»), p.4. Screen 26: In: «Revelation Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1986, lesson #12 («Deux Mouvements Mondiaux Dévoilés»), p.4. Table of Screen 26: In: «La Sentinelle» magazine (February 1992), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.10. Screen 27: COLLINS, Fred. In: «The Bible Story, volume 6» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.72. Used by permission. Copyright ©1955, 1983 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Screen 28: FRA ANGELICO. «The Last Judgment» (c. 1450), Museo di San Marco, Florence. In: «Revelations - Art of the Apocalypse» (GRUBB, Nancy), Abeville Press Publishers, 1997, p.86. Screen 29: ZINGARO, Charles. In: «The Bible Story, volume 10» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.153. Used by permission. Copyright ©1957, 1985 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Screen 30: RUDEEN, Herbert. In: «The Bible Story, volume 7» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.26. Used by permission. Copyright ©1956, 1984 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Screen 31: Advertisement for «American Cassette Ministries». Screen 32: In: «Photo Gallery 25,000» by Media Graphics International, CD #1, CLOUD021.JPG.

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 The test of Lesson 98 is waiting for you!