The blessed book which we call “The Bible”, was penned on various types of material (probably a form of papyrus) over a period of about 1700 years, by a multitude of men who were given the exact text that they were to write. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2Pet 1:20-21) It is generally accepted that Moses was the penman who recorded the events from the creation until the natural nation of Israel was brought into the promised land. Joshua and others recorded those things which define the history of that nation from that time. Who those men were is of little consequence since the TRUTH which is found upon the pages of “The Bible” is not the product of men in any way. The LORD merely used them as conduits through whom HE would unveil and codify such things as HE saw fit to leave on record. Thus, we believe that these scriptures are the WORD of GOD in written form.
It is humanly impossible to convince men of the veracity of this Bible even as it is humanly impossible to convince those who are caused to believe it, that it is unreliable or some natural document concocted by human imagination. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” (Heb 11:1-3) The power of GOD alone can cause a man to receive those things written in its pages as the absolute TRUTH of GOD.
There are many scholars who dissect its pages, study its words, and develop this or that theory as to the meaning of what is written there. Some have even published their own “versions” of the Bible which include their “notes” and “explanations” in the attempt to enable men to discern its truth or gain some human understanding of it from their perspective. We are not fans of such attempts, yet at the same time we are not against anyone seeking a fuller understanding of those glorious truths found in its pages. We are, however, convinced that apart from the teaching of its readers by the HOLY GHOST, that the carnal attempts of men to gain or impart knowledge of it by their own efforts, is akin to trying to come back from somewhere that a person has never been.
We do encourage all men to read its pages and would exhort those who have an ear to hear to listen to what the LORD would teach them, otherwise such reading will ultimately be of little lasting value. “Knowledge (i.e.; gained by carnal understanding) puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” (1Cor 8:1) The scriptures are extremely useful in the SPIRITUAL education of the children of GOD. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Tim 3:16-17) “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Rom 15:4)
John was given a “Revelation of JESUS CHRIST” which forms the last book of the Bible. There cannot be another, and all who claim to have received other “books” or “revelations” are imposters and enemies of the TRUTH of GOD. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Rev 22:18-19)
This book, which was given to John to record, is the summation of all that JESUS CHRIST has performed in the Earth. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” (Heb 1:1-2) There is no other TRUTH which is to be revealed. “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12)
John tells of a “book” which he saw and ONE who held that “book”. “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.” (Rev 5:1) This “book” that he saw was complete, there was no room left inside or even upon the back. This “book” was held in the HAND of HIM who wrote it and sealed it. HE is also the only ONE who could rightly open it and “loose the seals thereof.” As the AUTHOR and FINISHER of that “book”, HE alone is worthy to reveal its contents. Now this “book” of which we speak is not “the Bible”, per se, (although HE is the AUTHOR of it) but rather of the entire purpose of GOD of which “the Bible” is but a textbook written for the benefit of HIS children.
The creation which HE has formed according to that purpose, declares HIS glory, (which transcends even the opposers of HIS WAY,) and is brought in submission to HIM who ruleth over all. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Php 2:9-11) Thus John saw this glorious sight, “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” (Rev 5:11-14)
That “glory” which ever surrounds HIM is centered in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS which is seen by Ezekiel in his vision of that ONE “clothed in linen”. HE is seen by John astride that white horse, “And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” (Rev 6:2) “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” (Rev 19:11) Not only did HE see HIM clothed in HIS own RIGHTEOUSNESS, but he saw that HIS army which followed HIM was clothed by HIM in the same. “And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.” (Rev 19:14) “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (Rev 19:7-8)
What glory does surround HIM who is the WRITER with the inkhorn by HIS side! And how glorious is the fact that HE who has determined the end from the beginning has betrothed to HIMSELF a bride of HIS own choosing. HE has created a world to display the glory of HIS grace in redeeming her from the sin, shame, and ruin which she had so gladly embraced. Has there ever been a love like this? Has there ever been seen such a faithful and true REDEEMER? “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.” (Rom 8:31-33) “This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.” (Psa 118:23)
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