WHO WROTE THE BIBLE?
We are left in no doubt about the authorship of the world’s most important book and furthermore we are told exactly what its purpose is.
“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” (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
Elsewhere the apostles of New Testament times were keen to remind the believers in their day 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 Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20,21)
The message then is clear - every word of the original manuscripts were written under divine guidance. The great Creator of heaven and earth, described in the Bible as, “The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity” (Isaiah 57:15) is the divine author of this wonderful book!
WHY IS DIVINE AUTHORSHIP OF THE BIBLE IMPORTANT?
The opening words of the Bible pronounce a momentous fact - “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” These words declare so much! As God is the Creator and sustainer of all things, including mankind, he is in total control of world events. Furthermore, he has revealed in the Bible his plan for the earth and man upon it.
What a wonderful thing it is that the Almighty Creator has communicated with us and revealed his mind and purpose. We need not live our lives in ignorant speculation or wondering what our existence is all about - God, the indisputable voice of authority, has revealed exactly what the purpose of life is; why we live and die; what future world events will be and how we are able to live for ever! These are the momentous Truths of scripture and all of them can be easily understood by simply reading God’s word for ourselves!
CONSIDER THIS: We need not resign ourselves to oblivion in death - but by helping ourselves we can partake of immortal life and the blessings of the future world order that God will shortly establish on the earth.
HOW CAN WE HELP OURSELVES?
The answer to this question is a simple one - read the Bible for yourself. The apostles were in no doubt that a study of the scriptures and a holding fast to the things they taught, especially about Jesus, would provide salvation.
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14,15)
Being “made wise unto salvation” involves, as the apostle clearly states, “faith” or “belief in his word”. We are not asked to have “blind faith” or believe in things that cannot be proved! God has invited us to study his word and provides firm and unassailable grounds for our faith in it. Some of the infallible proofs of the Bible’s divine authorship, penned many centuries ago, include:-
- Many clear prophecies about famous men, kingdoms, nations and empires which have been meticulously fulfilled centuries after they were written.
- Prophecies of nations like Russia, Israel, Egypt, Iran and the events in the Middle East which are being outworked in our own day!
- Overwhelming support for ancient scriptural references from archaeology, the Dead Sea scrolls and other historic writings of the day.
- The desperate political, religious and social trends of our times were foretold long ago by God when revealing to His faithful servants what he would bring to pass in the “last days of the Gentiles.”
- The Jews, both nationally and individually, are a permanent witness to the existence of God and the truth of the Bible.
“Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am He: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.” (Isaiah 43:10)
God has declared, 4000 years ago to the fathers of Israel, that his purpose with the earth and mankind would be centred around this peculiar people of Israel, and their inheritance of the promised land was specified to the father of the race - Abraham. This pre-ordained divine will has steadfastly been taking its appointed course over the centuries and will shortly come to a climax when JESUS - the king of the Jews - will return to the earth and re-stablish the ancient kingdom of Israel in the promised land. Jesus, the well-beloved son of God, will restore the throne of David in Jerusalem and rule over a conquered earth in an age of peace.
WHAT IS OUR PART IN GOD’S PLAN?
If we avail ourselves of the opportunity to read our Bibles and “learn of him”, we will soon realise that we can share the same hope of the apostles and the faithful of old. That our belief in the fulfilment of God’s promises are not “cunningly devised fables”, but is “the sure word of truth.”
In so doing, we can express our faith in God by obeying his commandments and doing his will so that when Jesus returns to the earth we can live and reign with him as immortal rulers in the millennial age to come.
THESE MATTERS ARE OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO US ALL! LET US AT LEAST SPARE THE TIME TO CONSIDER WHETHER THE THINGS STATED ABOVE ARE CORRECT OR NOT. YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF !!