Unified from Beginning to End. The Overall Harmony of The Bible.
Imagine a library of 66 books written by about 40 different people over a period of 1,600 years. Three languages were used by writers who lived in a number of lands. All the writers had different personalities, abilites, and backgrounds. But when the books they wrote were eventually gathered together, it turned out that, really, they made up just one great book following one basic theme from beginning to end. That is hard to imagine, is it not?
No honest student can fail to be impressed by the fact that the Bible, although a collection of different books,is one unified production. It is unified in that, from beginning to end, it promotes worship of just one God whoses characteristics never change, and all it's books develop one overriding theme.
This overall harmony is a powerfull evidence that the Bible is, indeed, the Word of God.
For earth's inhabitants to know what teachings are true and pleasing to God, he must reveal his thoughts to humans. He must also make that revelation available to all. How else could mankind know what God approves of in the way of doctrine, worship, and conduct? Has God supplied such information? If so, in what form?
Can any human with a life span of a few decades personally reach all mankind and serve as a channel of communication from God?
No. But a permanent written record can. Therefore, would it not be appropriate that the revelation from God be made available in the form of a book? One of the ancient books claiming inspiration by God is the Bible. " All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness," states one of it's writers. {2 Timothy 3:16}
Let us take a closer look at the Bible and see if it is the source of true teachings.
Among the major books of religion, the Bible is one of the very oldest. It's first parts where written some 3,500 years ago. This book was completed in 98 C.E. *
C.E denotes " Common Era," often called A.D for Anno Domini, meaning " in the year of the Lord." B.C.E means " Before the Common Era."
Though some 40 men were it's writers over a period of 1,600 years, the Bible is a harmonious body of writings. That is so because it's real Author is God.
The Bible is the most widely circulated and translated book in all history. Each year, some 60 million copies of the entire Bible or portions of it are distributed. The complete Bible or parts of it have been translated into more than 2,300 languages and dialects. Over 90 percent of the human family have access to the Bible, or at least part of it, in their native language. This book has transcended national boundaries, racial divisions, and ethnic barriers.
If you have a Bible, why not open it and see how it is organized?" First turn to the table of contents. Most Bibles have one at the beginning, listing the name of each book and the page number where it could be found. You will note that the Bible is actually a large collection of individual books, each haveing a unique name. The very first book is Genesis, and the last is Revelation, or Apocalypse. The books are grouped into two sections. The first 39 books are called the Hebrew Scriptures, since they were written mostly in the Hebrew Language. The last 27 books were written in the Greek language and make up the Greek Scriptures. Some refer to theses two sections as the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The books of the Bible have chapters and verses for easy reference. When scriptures are cited in this magazine, after the name of the Bible book, the first number indicates the chapter of that book and the next denotes the verse. For example, the citation " 2 Timothy 3:16 " means the book of Second Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16. See if you can find that verse in the Bible.
Would you not agree that the best way to become familiar with the Bible is to read it regularly?
Some have found it helpfull to read the Greek scriptures first, starting with the book of Matthew. By reading from three to five chapters a day, you can read the entire Bible in a year. But how can you be sure that what you read in the Bible is actually inspired by God?
Should not a divinely inspired book for all people contain timeless advice for the liveing?
The Bible reflects an understanding of human nature that applies to every generation of mankind, and it's principles are just as practical today as they were when first stated. This can easily be seen in a famous discourse given by Jesus Christ, the Founder of Christianity. It is recorded in Matthew chapters 5 to 7.
This address, known as the Sermon on the Mount, shows us not only how to find true happiness but also how to settle disputes, how to pray, how to view material needs, and much more. In this discourse, and throughout the rest of it's pages, the Bible clearly tells us what to do and what to avoid in order to please God and improve our lot in life.
Another reason why you can put your trust in the Bible is that when it comes to scientific matters, what this ancient book states is accurate. For example, at a time when most people believed that the earth was flat, the Bible spoke of " the circle [or sphere] of the earth."" *
The original-language word translated "circle" at Isaiah 40:22 may also be rendered "sphere". Certain Bible translations read, " the globe of the earth" (Douay Version) and " the round earth" -- Moffat
And over 3,000 years before the famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton explained that the planets are held in empty space by gravity, the Bible poetically stated that " the earth is hanging upon nothing." {Job 26:7}
Consider also the poetic description of the earth's water cycle, recorded some 3,000 years ago: " All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again." {Ecclesiastes 1:7} New International Version)
Yes, the Creator of the universe is also the Author of the Bible.
The historical accuracy of the Bible agrees with the fact that it is inspired of God. Events covered in the Bible are not mere myths. They are related to specific dates , people, and places. For example, Luke 3:1 factually refers to " the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was district ruler of Galilee."
Although ancient historians almost always reported only the successes and virtues of rulers, the Bible writers were honest, openly admitting even their own mistakes. For instance, King David of Israel confessed: " I have sinned very much in what I have done. I have acted foolishly." The statement is candidly documented in the Bible. {2 Samuel 24:10}
And the Bible writer Moses himself recorded the incident in which he did not demonstrate reliance on the true God. {Numbers 20:12}
The Bible has yet another mark of divine inspiration. That mark is its fulfilled prophecies- history written in advance. Some of theses are prophecies concerning Jesus Christ. For example, over 700 years before Jesus' birth, the Hebrew Scriptures accurately foretold that this Promised One would be born" in Bethlehem of Judea." {Matthew 2:1-6; Micah 5:2}
Consider another example. At 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the Bible states: " In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankfull, disloyal, haveing no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self control, fierce , without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather then lovers of God, haveing a form of godly devotation but proveing false to it's power."
" does this not describe the attitude of people in general today? Theses words were penned in the year 65 C.E., over 1,900 years ago!
As it's message unfolds before your eyes, you will be able to see that the Bible is a source of higher wisdom. It provides satisfying answers to such questions as theses: Who is God? Is the Devil real? Who is Jesus Christ? Why does suffering exist? What happens to us when we die? The answers you may hear from others are as diverse as the beliefs and customs of the people giveing them. But the Bible reveals the truth about theses and many other subjects. Furthermore, in the matter of conduct and attitude toward other humans and higher authorities, the Bible's guidance cannot be surpassed."
What does the Bible reveal about God's purpose for the earth and mankind? It promises: Just alittle while longer , and the wicked one will be no more... But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." {Psalm 37:10,11}
"God himself will be with [mankind], And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry, nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." {Revelation 21:3,4}
"The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it." {Psalm 37:29}
The Bible is a marvelous gift from the Creator. How should you respond to this book? A man of Hindu background believed that for a revelation from God to be of benefit to all mankind, it has to date back to the dawn of civilization. Upon realizing that parts of the Bible are older than the most ancient Hindu writtings, the Vedas, he decided to read the Bible and examine it's contents.*
* The earliest hymns of the Vedas are believed to have been composed nearly 3,000 years ago and transmitted orally. " It was only in the fourteenth century A.D., that the Veda was written down," says P.K. Saratkumar in his book A History of India.
A university professor in the United States also came to see the need to read this most circulated book in the world, before forming an opinion about it.
Reading the Bible and applying what it teaches will bring you rich blessings. The Bible states: Happy is the man.. [whose] delight is in the law of Jehovah*, and in his law he reads in an undertone day and night. And he will certainly become like a tree planted by streams of water, that gives it's own fruit in it's season and the foliage of which does not wither, and everything he does will succeed." {Psalm 1:1-3}
* Jehovah is the name of the God of the Bible. In many Bible translations, it can be found at Psalm 83:18.
Studying the Bible and reflecting upon what it says will bring you happiness because your spiritual need will thus be satisfied. {Matthew 5:3}
The Bible will show you how to live a fruitful life and how to cope with problems successfully. Yes, " in the keeping of [God's laws set out in the Bible] there is a large reward." {Psalm 19:11}
Moreover, putting confidence in God's promises will bring you blessings now and will give you a bright hope for the future. The Bible urges us: " As newborn infants, form a longing for the unadulterated milk belonging to the word." {1 Peter 2:2}
An infant depends on nourishment and insists on haveing that need met. Likewise, we really are dependent on knowledge from God. So "form a longing ," or a strong desire, for his Word. The Bible is a book of true teachings from God. Make it a goal to study it regularly.
Libraries have been termed " one of the pillars of civilzation. " The world book of Encycopedia says that they are among the most important contributers to human culture and technology.
The German poet Goeth called them the memory of mankind. Which libraries have been the most important " pillars of civilization. " ? Which book has had the greatest influence both on libraries and on the spread of literacy ?
And how many books do the largest of modern libraries hold ? To answer the first question , let us step back in time and visit one of mankinds earliest libraries.
King Ashurbanipal of Assyria , whose library held cuneiform clay tablets, 650 B.C.E.
Picture yourself in the Middle Eastern country known today as Iraq. The year is 650 B.C.E. You are within the towering walls of the city of Niveveh. ( near modern- day Mosul)
Looming before you is the imperial palace of King Ashurbanipal-- ruler of Assyria , Egypt and Babylonia. *
* Ashurbanipal thought to be the Asenappar mentioned in the Bible at Ezra 4:10, was a contemporary of Judean King Manasseh... *
Theses men have just returned from the extremites of the Assyrian Kingdom and are attempting to gather every known work about the social, cultural, and religious traditions of the people liveing in Ashurbanipal's realm.
Opening one of the jars, you notice that they are full of pillow-shape clay tablets about three inches wide by four inches long. You follow one of the men inside the palace, where you see scribes with bone styli makeing wedge- shaped impressions on small tablets of moist clay.
They are transalating foreign- language documents into Assyrian. Later the tablets will be baked in an oven, makeing the records almost indestructable. The records are stored in rooms filled with shelves that are stacked with hundreds of jars. On the doorposts of the rooms , plaques state the subject of the records held in each location.
The more then 20,000 clay tablets in this library contain information about business transactions , religious customs , law, history, medicine , and a human and animal physiology, forming what a later scholar described as... " an encyclopedia of human knowledge.. "
Other great libraries existed before Ashurbanipal's library at Nineveh. King Hammurabi built a library in the Babylonian city of Borsippa a thousand years before Ashurbanipal.
Rameses II founded a famous library in the Egypitian city of Thebes more than 700 years before Ashurbanipal. But the diversity of information and the sheer number of records earn Ashurbanipal's library the reputation of being "the greatest of the ancient world."
It was 350 years before another library surpassed it. The great library was built by Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexanders the Great's generals, about the year 300 B.C.E..
It was constructed in the Egyptian seaport city of Alexandria, and it's librarians endeavored to collect copies of most of the writings in the inhabited world. According to tradition, it was at Alexandria that about 70 scholars started translating the Hebrew portion of the Scriptures into Greek. This translation came to be called the Greek Septuagint and was used extensively by early Christians.
At the time that Ashurbanipal was improveing his library, the Chou dynasty was ruling China. During the reign of this dynasty, from 1122 B.C.E to 256 B.C.E, a group of books were produced that came to be known as the Five Classics.
They included a handbook for interpreting the future, a collection of speeches of early rulers, poetry, instruction for religious ceremonies and rituals, and a history of the state of Lu from about 722 B.C.E to 481 B.C.E. the last book being ascribed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius. The Five Classics and the numerous commentaries about them influenced Chineses thinking and formed the basis of both imperial and private libraries for more then two millenniums.
In Japan , Hojo Sanetoki, a member of a ruling samurai family, founded a library in 1275 at his family home in Kanazawa. ( now part of Yokohama )
He attempted to collect evey existing book in Chinese and Japanese. Although diminished in content, this collection of books still exists today.
The Bible, Monastery Libraries, and Western Culture
" The power of the printed word, and the value of the Library," says the book A History Of Libraries in the Western World,' " is nowhere better illustrated then in the rise, spread and durability of the Christian religion. " What is the relationship between the development of libraries and the spread of Christianity ?
After the Roman Empire disintergrated and the contents of it's grand libraries were destroyed or dispersed, Christendom's monasteries emerged throughout Europe and gathered remnants of theses ancient libraries.
One key activity of many of these monasteries was the copying of Bible manuscripts as well as others by hand. The Benedictine monasteries, for example , lived by the" Rule of St Benedictine , " which commanded the reading and copying of books.
Libraries in Constantinople stored and produced copies of ancient manuscripts that eventually reemerged in Italy.
It is believed that these manuscripts played an important role in triggering the Renaissance.
Historian Elmer D. Johnson says. " The role of the monastery library in the preservation of Western culture cannot be denied. For more or less a thousand years, it was the intellectual heart of Europe, and without it western civilization would have been a far different world."
The work of copying the Bible helped to keep.. " the intellectual heart of Europe " beating during this period. And as the Reformation swept through Europe, the desire to read the Bible motivated ordinary men to cast off the shackels of illiteracy.
The book the story of Libraries says : " We find in the Protestant Reformation the beginnings of the idea that every member of society must have at least enough education to read the Bible.
As theological controversy increased, the abillty to read a broader range of religious writings became important. This required not ony the knowledge of how to read , but physical access to the books as well."
The Bible thus played a key role in the spread both of libraries and of literacy throughout the Western world. Then with the invention of the printing press, huge private and national libraries containing books on a vast array of subjects emerged throught Europe and, eventually , the rest of the world.
The British Library in London holds the second-largest number of books, more then 18 million of them.
The Russian State Library in Moscow holds 17 millions books. and has a collection of some 632,000 annual sets of newspapers.
The National Library of France, one of the oldest surviving national libraries in Europe, has 13 million books.
In addition, the book Library World Records states: " The French national library was the first library to provide full-text access to a great deal of it's collection via the Internet. " For anyone with an access to a computer, the Internet has provided unprecedented ease of access to mankinds storehouse of knowledge.
As never before, the quality of information available to the public is exploding. It is extimated that the total stock of human knowledge is doubling every four and a half years. In the United States alone, over 150,000 new book titles are published every year. Especially relevant today, then, is the observation of the ancient scholar , writer and King -- Solomon.. He wrote: " To the makeing of many books there is no end, and much devotion to them is wearsome to the flesh." { Ecclesiastes 12:12 }
When used discerningly, though, libraries continue to be what the United Nations Educational, Scientific , and cultural Organization calls a.. " local gateway to knowledge. "
Poets and songwriters have long extrolled the moon as an object of beauty. For example , a divinely inspired song speaks of a women who is " beautifull like the full moon." a faithfull witness in the skies." { Psalm 89:37} What is the significance of this expression regarding the moon? The moon unfailingly completes it's orbit around the earth every 27.3 days. Hence, the moon's faithfulness can refer to it's reliability. However, the psalmist may have had a much deeper meaning in mind. He called the moon " a faithfull witness " in prophetic song about the Kingdom for which Jesus taught his followers to pray. { Matthew 6:9,10 }
Over 3,000 years ago, Jehovah God entered into the Kingdom covenant with King David of ancient Israel. { 2 Samuel 7:12-16 }
The purpose of that covenant was to provide a legal basis for Jesus Christ , as David's heir , to possess the throne forever. { Isaiah 9:7- Luke 1:32,33 }
Referring to the throne of David's " seed"," the psalmist sang: " As the moon it will be firmly established for time indefinite, and as a faithfull witness in the skies." { Psalm 89:36,37} The ' luminary that dominates the night'-- the moon-- is a fitting reminder of the permanance of Christ's rule. { Genesis 1:16 }
Concerning his Kingdom, Daniel 7:14 states: " His rulership is an indefinitely lasting rulership that will not pass away,and his kingdom one that will not be brought to ruin." The moon is a witness that reminds us of the Kingdom and the blessings it will bestow on mankind.
Neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.. " The former things have passed away." { Revelations 21:1-4 }
In Bible times , an oxgoad -- a long rod, usually tipped with a sharp metal spike -- was used for driveing and guiding draft animals. If the animal stubbornly resisted the prickings of the goad by pushing against it, what was the result ? Rather then gaining relief, it only inflicted pain on itself.
The resurrected Jesus Christ spoke of goads when he appeared to a man named Saul, who was on his way to arrest some of Jesus' disciples. Out of the mist of the blinding light, Saul heard Jesus say: Saul , Saul, why are you persecuting me ? To keep kicking against the goads makes it hard for you." By maltreating Christians, Saul was actually fighting against God, pursuing a course that could only harm himself. { Acts 26:14 }
Could we also unintentionally be " kicking against the goads " ? The Bible likens " the words of the wise ones " to oxgoads that prod us to move foreward in the right direction. { Ecclesisates 12:11 } The inspired counsel in God's Word can motivate and guide use correctly-if we let it. { 2 Timothy 3:16 } Resisting it's proddings can only harm us. Saul took Jesus' words to heart, changed his course , and came to be the beloved Christian apostle Paul. Our heeding divine counsel will likewise bring us eternal blessings. { Proverbs 3:1-6}
" Happy Are Thoses Conscious Of Their Spiritual Need "
How can one find inner peace and a purpose in life ?
" Even when a person has an abundance ," Jesus said, " his life does not result from the things he possess " { Luke 12:15 }
For the love of money is a root of all sorts and injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have stabbed themselves all over with many pains. " { 1 Timothy 6:9, 10 }
Where does one find meaning and purpose in life ? For David.. as he said in Psalm 119:105..
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.. 106: I have sworn and I rise to it, to keep Your righteous judgements. 107: I am afflicted very much, O Jehovah, give me life by Your word.. 108 : Please, O Jehovah , accept the free offering of my mouth and teach me Your judgements.. 109: My life is in my hand continually yet I do not forget your law. 110: The wicked have laid a snare for me; yet I do not wander from Your precepts. 111: I have inherited Your testimonies forever; for they are the rejoicing of my heart allways to do Your statues to the end.
For David.. The love of God.. Brought much joy.. To him..
Special Revelation: We believe the Bible to be the only inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God. (Luke 24:44-49, II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:20-21)
Yet a time is comeing and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ---John 4:23
Unified from Beginning to End. The Overall Harmony of The Bible.
From the Hebrew Scriptures the Jewish Feasts reveals God's plan to meet with His people Israel and those who have been grafted in through faith in Israels Messiah.
Moses heard the voice of Jehovah say.... Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. ----Leviticus 23:2
A holy gathering that prophetically pointed to the redemptive work of Yeshua our Messiah! The Hebrew name of our Messiah means Salvation! He's mighty to save!
We Pray for the Salvation of the Jewish people according to Zechariah 12:10 and Matthew 23:39. I believe we are living in the time of Elul and God is calling us to repentance.
Through His Holy Feasts. Leviticus 23:2 Speak to the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them, The appointed seasons of Jehovah which you shall proclaim, holy gatherings shall be these.These are my appointed seasons. The Interlinear Bible
Appointed Seasons The Holy Feasts: The Blood of the Lamb/The Body of the Lamb They are pointing to events to come.
Passover was the Messiahs death Unleaven Bread: Buried In The Tomb Firstfruits: Raised Froim The Dead
Pentecost Acts 2:1-4
3 feasts The Suffering Messiah The Lamb Slain Pentecost The Church Age Spreading The Gospel Next is the Trumps
3 Feast/ Lamb Last Three Feasts/ Lion King
Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD. The Jewish people observed these Feasts, but few recognized the Messiah when He came. But Yeshua is calling you back your Savior and King.
The Seven Feasts of Israel HaMoyadim (ha mow ya dimm), the appointed times.
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Matthew 23:39
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. Psalm 118:26
Israel will cry out in those days for their Savior and King.
Revive all Israel, Adonai, and turn their hearts toward you. May they look upon him whom they have pierced, Yeshua the Messiah, and say, "Baruch haba b'shem Adonai(Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord)."
God's word of promise is certain: "Until heaven and earth pass away, not one yod or title will pass from the Torah until all is fulfilled" ----Matthew 5:18
"Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose."
Unfortunately, churches all around the world experience brokenness. Christians are divided over things as petty as whether the service should be contemporary or traditional. Paul points out that unity is crucial to achieving our purpose. So how is that possible when a disagreement arises?
It all depends on what the difference of opinion is about. The fundamental beliefs of the faith (i.e., Jesus is the sinless Son of God, who died for our sins and rose again) are not negotiable. But if the dispute has to do with a nonessential issue—even certain interpretations of doctrine, (i.e., free will versus predestination)—some prayerful discussion in love is acceptable, but believers should not let it cause division. In such cases, a consensus is likely to leave some people disappointed with the results. Yet both sides should be willing to accept differences without strife.
Years ago, I went to a rural Southern church, whose congregation was divided into obvious clans. In essence these were like totally separate churches. Instead of addressing lots of fringe issues, I simply began to preach the Word. Over time, people who hadn't talked to one another in years began to unite. Why? The church is the body of Jesus Christ (Col. 1:24), so He is the only One who can bring us together.
There is nothing we can do in human strength to mend our differences. We selfishly believe our preferences are better than others' opinions. But in sacrificing our desires for the greater good of a unified church, we please God. And obedience gives greater joy than getting our way.
--In Touch
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
Yes, We Have Our Yeshua! United in spirit, intent on one purpose." United in Love! Yeshua/Jesus IS the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:16.
What is the scientific truth! The truth is that there are more early manuscripts that support the New Testament than any other piece of ancient literature and this evidence absolutely proves that the New Testament is reliable. Plus there is more proof that the earlier manuscripts of the Hebrew Scriptures are reliable too as in when they found the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Messiah of Israel Lives!
Unified from Beginning to End.! Where can you find truth! You can find truth here as we use the Bible as the only source of authority, with actual historical facts. Did they find the Ten Commandments from 1200 BC broken but intact? Yes they did and they keep digging it up. Unified from Beginning to End.!
Where Would Jesus Go To Church? Study Study Study Search.... It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter Proverbs 25:2
God's Views Genesis To Revelation this is what Jesus thinks.
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Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away<Matthew 24:35
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Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.<Hebrews 13:8
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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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works<2 Timothy 3:16-17
One Unified Production! The Unity Of A Church Rests On It's Founder Jesus Christ! The Twelve Apostles nothing to gain everything to lose these people where radically changed at the risk of their own lives! Many people in this world may not like religion but they like/respect Jesus but which Jesus do they like? Interesting....
Nabeel Qureshi: Jesus of Islam vs Jesus of Christianity - Apologetics
