The Bible
Please also see: ‘Prophecy.’ ‘Bible. Old & New Testaments = Covenants.’
Seek the Truth with all your heart.
The Bible is the most precious and valuable book in the world. It is not just ‘The Good Book’, it is ‘THE BOOK’ containing GOD’s WORD of instruction to the world. It answers all the questions of: ‘Who am I?’ ‘What is it all about?’ ‘Where did I come from?’ ‘Why am I here?’ ‘Where am I going?’ ‘What are my options?’
The many different versions of The Bible are all expressing the same meanings in different arrangements of words.
The Bible is different from any other book you will ever read. The more often you read the scriptures, even weeks, months, or years between, you will discover new layers and facets of meaning, even within individual verses that you have read many times before.
The Bible is by far the most popular book in the world; its sales exceed those of any other book.
Christianity should be based only, in all respects, on the Bible = Sola scriptura = scripture alone.
Martin Luther’s magnificent research in the form of 95 theses which, in October 1517, he nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany, showing the correct application of what the Bible taught; has, 500 years later in the year of 2017, been discounted and rejected by the main churches as no longer applicable. This is sheer apostasy, insult, and ignorance.
The Bible begins with a picture of perfection, and ends with a picture of perfection.
GOD spoke every aspect of creation into being - existence. ‘GOD’s WORD becomes -----.’ Only GOD can create matter out of energy.
The Bible says that GOD created, and it does not need to say more than this, it only needs to say that ‘GOD’s WORD became what HE willed it to be and to do, and HE can apply HIS Will by thought and word.
Sin will keep you from your Bible - your Bible will keep you from sin. Reading the Bible is infinitely better than watching television. Please never say that you don’t have time in the morning or that you are too tired at night. No excuse is justification.
The reason the world wallows in religious darkness is that GOD blocked human beings’ access to the tree of life thousands of years ago. In each generation since then, GOD has seen many, although representing only a relatively small percentage of humanity, come out of the darkness.
Humanity in general does not have access to GOD because we have mostly followed Adam and Eve’s example of rejecting GOD; and turn to embrace the GOD-less theory of evolution or the lawless repetition of false religions, so are therefore not able to grasp the mysteries of GOD.
The Bible can be proven: Scientifically, Historically, Archaeologically, Mathematically, & Prophetically.
Many inveterate researchers have found absolute and positive proof of the existence of the Supreme Creator GOD, also of the absolute authority of The Holy Bible as the Word of GOD, HIS authority behind it, and the revealed message and plan for mankind.
The Bible does not need interpretation because it interprets itself.
Jesus was in fact the WORD; He was the Creator, and The WORD became flesh and dwelt among us, which, of course, refers to Jesus being born into this world through a chosen woman, so that He was a genuine member of humanity. He was sent by GOD, His Father, representing GOD Himself, as GOD.
GOD blesses us through His WORD.
The Bible has been found to be true even when it is read backwards. It contains codes that just stagger the human mind.
You can read the Bible many times, and each time get many added and expanded dimensions of the meanings of verses you have read many times. You will see things which you just did not see previously. This is because it is all GOD breathed with different layers and levels.
Thirty percent of the Bible consists of prophecies which total approximately eighteen hundred. Every single one which has been fulfilled so far, has been fulfilled with perfect accuracy in every detail, and the rest of the prophecies are still in the future and have yet to be fulfilled, so we can expect them to also be fulfilled with one hundred percent accuracy.
The Old Testament consists of events and examples of things that were to come during Jesus’ existence on earth, so it was pointing forward to the New Testament.
The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed, and in fact fulfilled through Jesus; except for a few things which Jesus told us would not be fulfilled until after His next return to resurrect all who are in relationship with Him.
Mathematically: It can be shown that there is a hidden mathematical thread all through the Bible’s scriptures that binds them intrinsically to all of creation.
There is a pattern of 7 in many aspects of Creation and nature: there are 7 colours in the rainbow.
There have been 7 days in a week since creation. Many people say that the calendar was changed, eg. from Gregorian to Julian; but none of these changes altered the pattern of 7 days per week, that still continued regardless of the date. The French tried to change the week to 8 days, but it did not work.
There are numeric phrases in multiple layers in the working of scripture that locks it into being the truth. There is a massive amount of detail and confirmation about ‘Bible numerics’ which only GOD could have inspired the writers to write in such a way that the mathematical - numerical pattern was woven through it.
Scientifically - The foundation of creation and design of nature cannot be refuted by scientific theory. True science never disproves the Bible, but is increasingly confirming it.
Archaeological evidence.
Much archaeological evidence has proved Biblical details and events to be so, including discoveries of objects, buildings, and places thought not to ever have existed, which confirmed Biblical events without question. New archaeology discoveries which confirm Biblical history are being revealed continuously; which are dissolving long standing doubts and academic criticism.
The following site about the discoveries of Ron Wyatt includes impressive and very interesting information, including the ashen remains of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah which GOD destroyed by raining down brimstone (burning sulphur) which would have asphyxiated the people within a few seconds and completely destroyed the cities at an extremely high temperature.
Copy and paste into Google: Magnificent summary of discoveries in Israel.
http://www.arkdiscovery.com/sodom & gomorrah.htm
Historically – The Bible is accurate in its record of the history of cities, places and genealogies etc. There are over nineteen thousand manuscripts in different languages which confirm with 99.9% accuracy that the Bible is correct and consistent.
Prophetically – The Bible is the only book in the world that foretells events and situations with amazing accuracy.
351 prophecies were fulfilled in Christ’s birth and life alone.
Have faith in the Bible:
People who look to the scriptures to find discrepancies do not have spiritual insight. With distorted vision they will see many causes for doubt and unbelief in writings that are really plain and simple; containing observations that record the same scene from different angles. The Bible explains itself across the scriptures.
To those who receive GOD’s Word with reverence, and seek to learn HIS will, so that they may live it out in obedience - for them everything is changed. They are filled with awe and wonder as they contemplate the purity and excellence of the Truths explained.
The Bible contains everything that is needed for saving our soul, and at the same time strengthening and disciplining our mind. The Bible, especially if used in schools, could be more effective than any other book for teaching wise guidance in life, while helping one’s soul to progressively negotiate the pathway to heaven. The Bible gives the true seeker advanced mental and spiritual stimulation, while the reader’s faculties are enriched by the contemplation of divine matters; even more so than they would ever have expected.
The main purpose of the Bible is to change peoples’ lives.
Luke 24:44 Jesus said “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Revelation 19:10b ‘The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’
Hebrews4:12-13 ‘For the Word of GOD is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.’
2 Peter 1:19-21 ‘And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy or Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of GOD spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.’
The Bible is compatible with science:
In February 1947 a Bedouin shepherd found a cave containing over 900 ancient manuscripts - The Dead Sea Scrolls found in the Qumran Caves near the Dead Sea include nearly every book of the Old Testament and date back 2300 years to before the time of Christ. They confirm the accuracy and history of the Bible.
We also have very strong scientific evidence in the heavens.
Job 38:1-31 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: ... “Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades? Can you loose the cords of Orion?”
The idea that science and the Bible are incompatible is common these days, both in secular academia and public schools.
Many scientists and teachers incorrectly believe that science disproves religion, especially Judaism and Christianity.
The Bareket Observatory in Israel developed the Israeli Internet Telescope, which gives teachers and students control of the telescope from their school or home.
Despite all the assertions that science is at odds with the Bible, the Bible is in fact packed with good science. Some of it is probably ahead of our current understanding, and some of it we are only beginning to understand.
One example of science in the Bible is in the field of astronomy.
Job 38 Job was a righteous man who Satan stripped of his wealth, health, children and servants. Job is finally given his desired audience with GOD, and wants an explanation for the reasons for his loss and suffering, and why GOD allowed it to happen.
In answer, GOD asks him a series of questions that challenge Job’s limited knowledge of the mechanisms of the universe.
Job 38:31-33 “Can you bind the chains of the leiades?
Can you loosen (moshekah) Orion’s belt?
Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs? Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up GOD’s dominion over the Earth?”
The latest scientific approaches and analysis of data reveals astonishing dimensions, distances, formations, and colours in never ending space.
Amazingly, among the 1,500 plus open clusters, which modern science identifies as gravitationally connected stars, are the clusters Pleiades (Seven Sisters) and Orion.
Significantly, Pleiades and Orion are on a short list of open clusters that are visible to the unaided eye: Alpha Persei, Beehive Coathanger, Coma Berenices, Double Cluster, Hyades, Messier 6, Messier 7, Messier 35, Pleiades, Ursa Major, and 15 Fainter Clusters Orion is among the 15 Fainter Clusters. (Ref. University of Illinois.)
When we examine the Hebrew in this verse in Job that refers to these open clusters of stars, it seems to refer to the force of gravity.
The Hebrew word for bind is kashar, which means to tie or join physically together.
Although ma’adannah is translated ‘beautiful’ in the NIV, it also can mean bonds, fetters or influence.
The Hebrew word for cords is moshekah, which comes from moshak meaning to draw or drag.
Without the help of modern science, the Book of Job correctly identifies two open clusters of stars as being chained or tied together.
Until recently, we couldn’t have understood the significance of these words.
Today, we know about “open clusters” because of astronomical spectroscopy, a technique that began with Isaac Newton’s observations of the Sun’s light and has advanced to the study of the frequencies of emitted and absorbed energy, including visible light.
Since Job is one of the oldest books of the Bible, how could the writer have known about the gravitational forces among clusters of stars?
How could he specify that these two groups of stars are physically connected?
Such sound science is confirmation of the inspiration of the GOD-breathed Hebrew Bible.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 ‘All Scripture is GOD-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of GOD may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.’
GOD created everything, so it should not come as a surprise that the inspired word of GOD has something to say about the inner workings of the universe.
Amos 5:8 “HE who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns blackness into the dawn and darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the face of the land—the LORD is HIS Name.”
Psalm 119:89 ‘YOUR Word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.’
Psalm 147:4-5 “HE determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our LORD and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”
Science is increasingly acknowledging and confirming the Bible.
Gravitational forces operating in the star clusters of Pleiades and Orion is just one of many examples of sound science in the Bible.
While the Bible does make use of metaphorical language in relationship to nature, science is never at odds with the Bible.
The Bible reveals scientific accuracy.
The Bible says that the Earth is suspended in space. Once again, the Book of Job gives us this now incontrovertible lesson in astronomy.
Job 26:7 “HE spreads out the northern [skies] over empty space; HE suspends the earth over nothing.”
The Bible also contains many statements about the vast number of stars in space.
Jeremiah 33:22 “I will make the descendants of David MY servant and the Levites who minister before ME as countless as the stars of the sky and as measureless as the sand on the seashore.”
(The number of stars used to describe population numbers: Genesis 15:5. Genesis 22:17. Genesis 26:4. Exodus 32:13.)
Scientists have no idea how many stars are in space, although some try to make estimates. Quantifying contents in endless space is impossible.
In the Milky Way alone, there are an estimated one hundred thousand million stars; and millions upon millions of other galaxies.
Job also provides a remarkable lesson in hydrology, describing how water first becomes vapour before it comes down as rain:
Job 36:27-28 “HE draws up the drops of water, which distil as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind. Who can understand how HE spreads out the clouds, how HE thunders from his pavilion?”
Additional Bible descriptions of the Earth’s hydrologic water cycle in: Psalm 135:6-7. Jeremiah 10:12-13. Isaiah 55:9-11. Ecclesiastes 1:4-7.
In terms of geology, the Bible clearly describes the Earth as spherical or rounded, and not flat as previously believed in ancient cultures.
Isaiah 40:22 “HE sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. HE stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.”
The Bible reveals something about atmospheric phenomena by describing the circulation of the atmosphere.
Ecclesiastes 1:6 “The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.”
Even though the Bible is entirely consistent with scientific facts, there will always be things in the Bible that we don’t understand; such as events in the Hebrew Scriptures: The donkey speaking to Balaam, the parting of the Red Sea, and people being raised from the dead, which are outside the realm of the natural, and within the realm of the supernatural.
GOD is not limited.
But the fact that there is so much science in the Bible should encourage us that even if we don’t understand some passages as we read them, there is every reason to trust the Bible as being GOD’s inspired Word.
Correct interpretation and application.
We need to be careful not to misinterpret or misapply passages such as GOD’s promises to us. Try to understand the correct context. No scripture stands in isolation, but should be read in conjunction with the context of other scriptures on the same subject.
Philippians 4:12-13 V12 ‘I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.’ V13 ‘I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.’
V13 needs to be understood in the light of V12.
Verse 13 doesn’t mean Christ will give you strength to do anything you want to, but that GOD will enable you to get through anything that you encounter while doing whatever is His will for you to be doing.
Some Bible promises are universal in application = for everyone, and some are personal = intended for particular hearers - readers.
For example, a personal promise is:
Acts 16:31 ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ Does not guarantee your entire family’s salvation, it was a personal promise made to the Philippian jailer, which was fulfilled.
A universal word for everyone is:
2 Peter3:9 ‘The LORD is not slow in keeping HIS promise, as some understand slowness. HE is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’
GOD wants everyone to turn away from sin, and turn to HIM; HE wants your entire family to be saved, and no one to be lost; but it’s up to each person’s individual personal choice and relationship with GOD.
When you read the Bible, try to recognize the prophetic pattern woven right through it. Try to see Jesus in every part: In the Old Testament - Covenant - as types and shadows pointing forward to His fulfilment of them in the New testament - Covenant.
The next step, 2,000 years later, which is now, is for Jesus to return to resurrect and gather GOD’s children, and take us home to heaven for eternal life, which will contain unimaginable privileges, adventure, and beauty.
Notable statements:
Napoleon: “What happiness the Bible procures for those who believe it.”
Daniel Webster: “There is no solid basis for civilization but in the Word of GOD.”
William Lyon Phelps: (Yale University professor) “I believe that knowledge of the Bible without a college (university) course, is more valuable than a college (university) course without knowledge of the Bible.”
Sir William Jones: “The Bible contains more pure sensibility, more exquisite beauty, more pure morality, more important history, and finer strains of poetry and eloquence than can be collected from all other books in whatever age or language they may be written.”
Robert E. Lee: “The Bible is a book, in comparison with which all other books are of minor importance, in all my perplexities and distress, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.”
Sir Isaac Newton: “There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history.”
George MacDonald: “The Bible is to me the most precious thing in the world just because it tells me the story of Jesus.”
George Washington: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without GOD and the Bible.”
Thomas Jefferson: “The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty.”
Horace Greeley: “It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible-reading people.”
Patrick Henry: “The Bible is a book worth more than all other books which were ever printed.”
William McKinley: “The more profoundly we study this wonderful book and the more closely we observe its divine precepts, the better citizens we will become, and the higher will be the destiny of our nation.”
Charles Dickens: “The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world.”
Billy Graham: “The Word of GOD hidden in the heart is a stubborn voice to suppress.”
Samuel Morse: A Bible-believing Christian, who invented the first telegraph, which forever changed the world of communication. “The nearer I approach the end of my pilgrimage, the clearer is the evidence of the divine origin of the Bible.”
Ronald Reagan said about the Bible: “In this Book, is the answer to every problem - we just need to read it and believe it.”