A Demonic, Psychedelic Sorcery

The Book of Revelation speaks of sorcerers and sorceries. It’s something that was going to be a part of The Last Days. And, the core of that word, ‘sorcery’, in the original Greek is ‘pharma’. Drugs.

We don’t normally think of sorcery as something drug-related, but the Bible says differently. And, there is something growing in the US that is directly tied to this meaning of that word.

It’s all about psychedelic drugs, and it’s about to go mainstream. They are utterly demonic, and you should stay as far away from them as you possibly can.

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Satanic Sculpture Installed at the Illinois Statehouse

A sculpture submitted by the Satanic Temple is on display at the Illinois Statehouse alongside a Christmas tree and a Nativity scene.

The Illinois Statehouse installed several holiday decorations this year: A Nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus, a Christmas tree, a Menorah and … a Satanic sculpture.

Entitled “Snaketivity”, the display depicts a snake wrapped around a woman’s hand as she holds an apple. On the side of the sculpture is the logo of the Satanic Temple – the head of Baphomet inside an inverted pentagram – and the words “Knowledge is the Greatest Gift”.

The satanic display at the Illinois Statehouse rotunda.

The symbolism of this sculpture refers to the book of Genesis and goes to the very core of Luciferian philosophy. It represents Eve grabbing the “forbidden fruit” of knowledge that was given to her by Lucifer who took the form of a serpent. Lucifer told Eve that biting the fruit would allow Adam and herself to become “like gods, knowing good and evil”. This is known as the “original sin” which God to expel Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.

To Luciferians, the serpent is not a deceiver but a “savior” who allowed humanity to access the knowledge required to achieve divinity through its own means. The marking under the sculpture saying “Knowledge is the Greatest Gift” refers to the “gift” given from Lucifer to man in the form of divine knowledge. This interpretation of the book of Genesis has been, for centuries, a core difference between theistic religions and occult schools.

Despite the very biblical meaning of its display, the Satanic Temple insists that its goal is not about proselytizing for its own religion. Next to the sculpture, the Satanic Temple also installed an also inscription saying: “Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds”.

In a Gofundme campaign to raise money for the sculpture, the Satanic Temple wrote:

“The Satanic Temple—Chicago will no longer allow one religious perspective to dominate the discourse in the Illinois State Capitol rotunda during the holiday season. … Please consider what you may do to help us bring Satan to Springfield!”

Another sign near the sculpture contains a disclaimer from the state:

“The State of Illinois is required by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution to allow temporary, public displays in the state capitol so long as these displays are not paid for by taxpayer dollars. Because the first floor of the Capitol Rotunda is a public place, state officials cannot legally censor the content of speech or displays. The United States Supreme Court has held that public officials may legally impose reasonable time, place and manner restrictions regarding displays and speeches, but no regulation can be based on the content of the speech.”

Dave Druker, the spokesman for the secretary of state, confirmed that the Chicago-based Satanic Temple had the right to place its sculpture on display inside the statehouse.

“Under the Constitution, the First Amendment, people have a right to express their feelings, their thoughts. This recognizes that.”

Satanic PR

This is not the first PR stunt conducted by the Satanic Temple. And, every time the Temple does something, media sources make sure to emphasize that the Satanic Temple is “not a group of devil worshipers, but liberal political activists who oppose the increasing influence of the religious right in American politics”.

However, despite its venerable speeches about its “principles” and “separating church and state”, all it actually accomplishes is having Satanic stuff put on display in public spaces. Here are some examples of its stunts.

In 2014, the Satanic Temple installed a “holiday” display in front of the Michigan Capitol. The snake and the cross form the symbol of the Satanic Cross, which is based on the alchemical symbol of sulfur. Why sulfur? Because the Bible says that Hell smells of sulfur. (Revelation 20:10)

Next to the display was a warning to potential vandals.

In 2015, the Satanic Temple unveiled a massive statue of Baphomet in Detroit in what was dubbed “the largest satanic event in history”.

Two children looking up to Baphomet.

The unveiling took place in an industrial building near Detroit River after attempts to have the Baphomet sculpture installed at the Oklahoma State Capitol failed. Entry to the venue required guests to sign a contract “selling their souls to the devil”. The proceeds from the event went to support abortion rights – one of the Temple’s favorite causes.

In 2016, the Satanic Temple created an after-school program called After School Satan. The program is up-and-running in several cities across the United States, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Pensacola, Washington, D.C., Tucson, Springfield, MO, Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR.

The logo alone should be a red flag to parents. A devil-horned, one-eyed creep offering candy to children while doing Baphomet sign “As above, so below”. The spiral in one of the eyes is similar to the symbol used to identify “child lovers”.

The Satanic Temple is also working on other projects. The West Michigan Friends of The Satanic Temple are currently raising money on a GoFundMe page to bring their own “Satanic holiday monument” to the Michigan state Capitol.

“The concept is a clean, bold shape of the Baphomet head as a star with solar LED lights shining up from the base for striking shadow and light, a flickering light emanating from the flame of universal balance will make the lines between them dance. A nearly complete halo will connect the horns and ears but stop at the bottom to represent the inherent imperfection of the material form but also allowing the mouth of Baphomet to interact with the base to indicate the sharing of worldly knowledge.”

Although media love to say that the satanic Temple is about “science” and “rationality”, the fact remains that it did not advance any of these causes throughout the years. The only thing the satanic Temple actually managed to accomplish is on par with the elite’s agenda described on this site: To normalize satanism and its symbolism in the public space while making it appealing to the masses.

Source:

The Vigilant Citizen

Babel: More Historical Confirmation of the Bible

 

The Bible possesses the attributes of divine inspiration with sufficient internal evidence to establish its divine origin. Hence, when it relates a historical incident that occurred thousands of years ago, one would naturally expect that such an incident might well be noted in other historical accounts from antiquity. Of course, one would not expect all, or even many, of the details to match exactly for at least two reasons: (1) the oral transmission of history is inevitably subject to human frailty, including both accuracy of memory and temptation to embellish, and (2) false religion has the tendency to distort and recast history in order to suit its own purposes and achieve its own agenda. An excellent example of these tendencies is seen in the multiplicity of, and variety in, the multitude of accounts of the great Flood of Noah’s day.¹ Though they differ widely from culture to culture, country to country, and century to century, nevertheless, they share substantial agreement in too many significant features not to have arisen from the same historically factual event.

Consider another great event whose historicity is set forth in Scripture as factual:

 

“And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. ² And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. ³ And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. ⁴ And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. ⁵ And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. ⁶ And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. ⁷ Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. ⁸ So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. ⁹ Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.”(Genesis 11:1-9)

The great Joseon (Chosun) nation was a Korean dynastic kingdom that flourished for five centuries (1392-1897).² During the 17^th century, Korea was largely closed to the West and somewhat of a mystery to Europeans. But for a group of wayfaring Dutchmen on a journey to Japan, that all changed in 1653 when their ship “De Sperwer” (The Sparrowhawk) was shipwrecked on Jeju (formerly Cheju-do) Island off the coast of South Korea. The 36 survivors were taken into custody by the local prefect and, within a year, transferred from the island to the capitol of Seoul on the mainland where they spent the next 12 years. At the end of 13 years, in September 1666, eight survivors managed to escape to Japan. One of those survivors, Hendrick Hamel, spent the ensuing year in Nagasaki writing an account of his observations and experiences in Korea, which was published in 1668 under the title Journal van de Ongeluckige Voyage van ‘t Jacht de Sperwer. In what was essentially the first Western account, Hamel provided the world with a firsthand description of Korean society and culture. Only recently was his account translated accurately by a Dutchman based on the original manuscript.³

Apart from his fascinating assessment of Korean life in the 17^th century, Hamel provides a portrait of religious life, including the customs and practices of Confucianism. At one point in his narrative, he makes a passing remark concerning the beliefs held by the Confucian monks: “Many monks believe that long ago all people spoke the same language, but when people built a tower in order to climb into heaven the whole world changed.”⁴ Keep in mind that Hamel encountered the monks’ belief circa 1660. No one knows for how long this belief was part of the religious traditions of Korea. Hamel claims that “many” of the monks believed the matter, and that the event occurred “long ago.”

Observe that the belief of the non-Christian monks regarding the Tower of Babel contained four salient points that explicitly and directly connect with the biblical account:

1. The entire world’s population spoke a single language;
2. The people constructed a tower;
3. Their stated goal was to climb into heaven;
4. Their efforts affected the entire world.

All four of these features are included in the biblical record found in Genesis 11:

 

• “the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.” (vs. 1).
• “Go to, let us build us a city and a tower,” (vs. 4).
• “a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven;” (vs. 4, AKJV).
• “So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.” (vs. 8).

 

Christianity and the Bible have nothing to fear from the unbelief, skepticism, and hostility of infidelity. The more information surfaces from history and nature, the more the Bible is confirmed in its uncanny accuracy and supernatural endowment.⁵

Endnotes

¹  See Kyle Butt and Harrison Chastain (2015), “Noah’s Flood and The Epic of Gilgamesh,” Apologetics Press, http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=5194&topic=100; Eric Lyons and Kyle Butt (2003), “Legends of the Flood,” Apologetics Press, http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=64.

²  The following historical details are gleaned from Gari Ledyard (1971), The Dutch Come to Korea (Seoul, Korea: Royal Asiatic Society); Keith Pratt and Richard Rutt (2013), Korea: A Historical and Cultural Dictionary (London: Routledge).

³  Hendrik Hamel (1668), Hamel’s Journal: And, A Description of the Kingdom of Korea, 1653-1666, trans. Jean-Paul Buys (Seoul, Korea: Royal Asiatic Society, Korea Branch, 1994 edition).

⁴  Ibid., p. 61.

⁵  My thanks to Shane Fisher, missionary to Korea, for calling my attention to this  fascinating incident.

 

 

Hebrews 11:11

Hebrews 11:11 – All Messed Up in the NIVs

There is no Greek text anywhere that allows the NIV bible to render the text of Hebrews 11:11 the way they have it.

King James Bible – Hebrews 11:11 “Through faith also SARA HERSELF received strength to conceive seed, AND WAS DELIVERED OF A CHILD when SHE was past age, because SHE judged him faithful who had promised.”

The NIV editions of 1973, 1978 and 1984 editions say: “By faith ABRAHAM, even though HE WAS PAST AGE – AND SARAH HERSELF WAS BARREN – was enabled to BECOME A FATHER because HE considered him faithful who had made the promise.”

In the NIV 1973, 1978 and 1984 editions the subject is Abraham and not Sarah and it is Abraham who became a father, rather than Sarah who conceives seed, bears a child and believes God. By the way, there is not a known Greek manuscript on this earth that even has the words “Abraham” nor “become a father” in this verse at all!

NASB “By faith even SARAH herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.”

ESV – “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.”

Dan Wallace and company’s goofy NET version reads differently than them all, not following any particular Greek text (Not the UBS, Nestle-Aland, Majority nor the Textus Receptus) and says:

“By faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and HE was too old, HE received the ability to procreate, because HE regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy.”

So the NET version introduces Abraham three times in the verse, when all the others refer to Sarah who was too old and Sarah who received strength and Sarah who believed God – NOT Abraham.

NKJV 1982 – “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, AND SHE BORE A CHILD when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”

In the KJB, NKJV, RV, ASV, RSV, ESV, NASB, Message, Darby, Youngs, NEB, Berkeley, ISV, Common English bible, Complete Jewish Bible and just about every Bible version out there in any language it is always Sarah who receives strength to conceive seed and Sarah who was past age and it is Sarah who believes God.

Something is surely amiss here in the NIV, and this obvious blunder was not just an oversight or printing error. The NIVs continued with the same made up reading through three different editions – 1973, 1978 and 1984.

In addition to this, the KJB and NKJV textually have a phrase – “AND WAS DELIVERED OF A CHILD” – which is not found in the RSV, NASB, ESV. The Greek word translated as “was delivered of a child” is found in the Majority of all remaining Greek texts and in Sinaiticus correction and D correction, but is omitted in many modern versions that are based on the ever changing UBS texts.

“AND WAS DELIVERED OF A CHILD”

The phrase IS found in Tyndale 1525 – “and was delivered of a chyld”, Coverdale 1535, The Great Bible 1540, Matthew’s Bible 1549, the Bishops’ Bible 1568, the Geneva Bible 1587- “and was deliuered of a childe when she was past age”, The Beza N.T. 1599, Mace N.T. 1729, Thomson Translation 1808, Webster’s 1833, The Revised N.T. 1862,The Revised English Bible 1877, The Clarke N.T. 1913, The Moffat Translation 1913, The NKJV 1982, The Word of Yah Bible 1993, the KJV 21st Century 1994, The Third Millennium Bible 1998, The Koster Scriptures 1998, God’s First Truth 1999, The Last Days N.T. 1999, Green’s literal 2000, World English Bible 2000, The Tomson N.T. 2002, Complete Apostles’ Bible 2003, The Mebust Bible 2007, The Jubilee Bible 2010, The Hebrew Transliteration Scripture 2010, Bond Slave Version 2012, The Modern English Version 2014 and the Modern Literal New Testament 2014.

It is also the reading found in Lamsa’s translation of the Syriac Peshitta – “AND WAD DELIVERED OF A CHILD when she was past age”.

Foreign Language Bibles

Also including the phrase “and was delivered of a child” are the French Martin 1744 and the French Ostervald 1996 – “Par la foi aussi Sara reçut la vertu de concevoir un enfant, et elle enfanta hors d’âge”, Martin Luther’s German Bible 1545 and the German Schlachter of 2000 – “Durch den Glauben empfing auch Sara Kraft, daß sie schwanger ward, und gebar über die Zeit ihres Alters”, the Italian Diodati 1649 and New Diodati 1991 – “e partorì fuor d’età”, the Spanish Sagradas Escrituras 1569 and Spanish Reina Valera 1602, 1858, 1909, 1960, 1995 -“Por la fe también la misma Sara, siendo estéril recibió fuerza para concebir generación; y dio a luz aun fuera del tiempo de la edad, porque creyó ser fiel el que lo había prometido.”, the Russian Victor Zhuromsky, the Chinese Union Traditional Bible, the Portuguese A Biblia Sagrada em Portugués, and the Almeida Corrigida E Fiel – “e deu à luz já fora da idade”

and the Modern Greek N.T. – “Δια πιστεως και αυτη η Σαρρα ελαβε δυναμιν εις το να συλλαβη σπερμα και παρα καιρον ηλικιας εγεννησεν”

Well, guess what! Now the new New International Version of 2011 has come out and it goes back to the correct reading saying: “And by faith even SARAH, WHO WAS PAST CHILDBEARING AGE, WAS ENABLED TO BEAR CHILDREN BECAUSE SHE considered him faithful who had made the promise.”

Let’s contrast the two very different readings found in the various NIVs so you can see the differences.

NIV 1973, 1978 and 1984 editions – “By faith ABRAHAM, even though HE WAS PAST AGE – AND SARAH HERSELF WAS BARREN – was enabled to BECOME A FATHER because HE considered him faithful who had made the promise.”

NIV 2011 edition – “And by faith even SARAH, WHO WAS PAST CHILDBEARING AGE, WAS ENABLED TO BEAR CHILDREN BECAUSE SHE considered him faithful who had made the promise.”

The NIV Spanish edition (La Nueva Versión Internacional) of 1999 and the 2000 Portuguese NIV (Nova Versão Internacional) both STILL read like the NIV 1984 English edition with – “Por la fe Abraham, a pesar de su avanzada edad y de que Sara misma era estéril, recibió fuerza para tener hijos”, Portuguese NIV – “Pela fé Abraão — e também a própria Sara, apesar de estéril e avançada em idade — recebeu poder para gerar um filho”.

If you want to learn a lot more about the ever changing NIVs see – What About the “New” NIV of 2011?

http://brandplucked.webs.com/whatabouttheniv2011.htm

If you read English and want The Bible with ALL the God inspired words in it and with the correct meaning every time, then get yourself the Bible God has used more than any other – the King James Holy Bible. It is always right!

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock”

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock”

Is this a passage that proves “free will” for the unconverted?

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Those who believe in “free will” theology will often bring up this verse in an attempt to promote the idea that “I chose of my own free will to open the door of my heart and accept Jesus as my Saviour.”

Does this verse actually teach these things?

“Free will” theology always ends up pitting one verse of Scripture against other verses of Scripture, as though the Bible were full of contradictions or “tensions” that cannot be resolved or understood.

They always end up making Jesus Christ out to be both a liar and a colossal failure.

See Who is Lying? Jesus Christ or the “Free Willers”?

http://brandplucked.webs.com/somebodyislying.htm

The Free Will explanation of Revelation 3:20 is that Revelation 3:14-22, where the church of the Laodiceans is addressed, speaks to the Unconverted sinner who needs to “open his heart and accept Jesus” as his Saviour, and this is how he becomes redeemed and forgiven.

However their explanation conflicts with and contradicts, not only the immediate context, but many other Bible verses as well.

First of all, the book of The Revelation is clearly addressed to those who are the servants of God. In Revelation 1:1 we read of those to whom this revelation was given. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew UNTO HIS SERVANTS things which must shortly come to pass”

Secondly, in the letter to the Laodiceans the Lord Jesus is speaking to church members that are not DEAD, nor even cold, but are lukewarm. They have grown colder in their affections for, devotion to and love for the Saviour. They have grown distant and indifferent.

He tells them “As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and CHASTEN: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19

Those Christ loves are his own.

“Jesus…having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” John 13:1

“...Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it.” Ephesians 5:25

“…Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Romans 9:13

“...Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood” Revelation 1:5

And those he “chastens” ARE his sons.

“For whom the Lord LOVETH HE CHASTENETH, and scourgeth EVERY SON whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God DEALETH WITH YOU AS WITH SONS; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Hebrews 12:6-8

For much more on this, Does God Love Everybody?

http://brandplucked.webs.com/godloveseverybody.htm

Thirdly, it is GOD who opens the door for the unconverted, not man.

“And when they were come (Paul and Barnabas), and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that GOD HAD DONE with them, and HOW HE HAD OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH UNTO THE GENTILES.”

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, HE THAT OPENETH, AND NO MAN SHUTTETH; AND SHUTTETH; AND NO MAN OPENETH.” Revelation 3:7

It is GOD who opens the heart and gives the gift of faith, not man.

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” Acts 16:14

Rather than teaching that fallen, dead in sins, rebellious and unregenerate man has some ability in himself to choose of his own free will to decide to open the door of his heart and allow Jesus to come in to him to redeem him, (which would contradict numerous other clear verses about God’s election of grace and predestination) Revelation 3:20 is speaking about a church of believers who have grown lukewarm in their affections toward their Lord and need to welcome him back into lives in a closer and more intimate communion and fellowship.

If they do not repent of their lack of affection for him, then Christ will (not send them to hell or condemn them) but “spue them out of his mouth”. That is, he will reject them as being a strong testimony and witness to his name and cause.

Even IF the verse were talking about the unconverted – which it is not – it STILL would not prove “free will” theology because the Lord Jesus says “If any man HEAR my voice” and “HE THAT HATH AN EAR, let him HEAR what the Spirit saith unto THE CHURCHES (Not – the unconverted or the non-elect)

Why? Simply because once again, it is GOD who gives EARS TO HEAR to some and closes the ears of others. Man does not, and can not do this of himself.

See “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

http://brandplucked.webs.com/faithbyhearingro1017.htm

ALL of grace, believing the Book – the King James Holy Bible, and the God who inspired it.

Will Kinney

Faint Not

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16 KJV

http://bible.com/1/2co.4.16.KJV

If God Doesn’t Need Anything, Then Why Does He Command Us to Serve Him?

God doesn’t need our work.

He doesn’t need our money, either. God can get everything done without a heavenly Kickstarter campaign. He didn’t ask for any help when he created the galaxies. He can get along just fine without our peewee contributions to the universe.

He doesn’t need our worship either. He doesn’t need our praises to bolster his self-esteem.

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

(Acts 17:24‭-‬25 KJV)

God doesn’t need anything. He doesn’t need our worship, our work or our money. So why does God command us to worship, serve, and give our money to him?

First of all, for his glory. Wait a second. If He doesn’t need our work or worship, how does it glorify Him? It certainly doesn’t add anything to His glory. Yet it does display His glory. When we sing His praises together, we display to one another God’s greatness, kindness, and love. When I hear you give thanks to God, I’m reminded afresh of His goodness. You display God’s glory to me. And it builds my faith and helps me love and trust Him more. And when we do works of love, we display the character of Christ God is forming in us.

Another reason God commands us to worship, serve, give and obey is for our joy.

When God tells us to sing and raise our hands to Him, it’s not because He needs our praise to feel good about Himself. It’s for our pleasure in Him. When we express our appreciation of God it enhances our enjoyment of Him. Like when we express appreciation for a great painting, or a great steak. It enhances and completes our enjoyment of it. When God commands us to give, it’s not because He needs the money. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. It’s for our benefit and good. When we give, God pours blessings back on us. When we sow, we reap. All God’s commands are for our benefit and joy. That’s why we should serve Him cheerfully:

Serve the Lord with gladness! (Psalms 100:2)

It doesn’t glorify God to serve Him cheerlessly. It’s not enough to serve the Lord, we must serve Him with gladness. Parents, ever ask your child to do something for you and he responds with as much enthusiasm as if you’d asked him to have a root canal? How does that make you feel? He may do the chore, but if he does it with grumbling or ingratitude, it doesn’t please you. You almost feel like saying ‘don’t bother.’

God loves a cheerful giver. Do you think it glorifies God when we grudgingly say ‘Alright, here’s my buck’? He loves a cheerful giver because glad giving displays the value of Christ. That He is more valuable than all our money. It shows we believe he’s generous and good and will bless and provide for us.

God doesn’t need our work or our praises or our money. He gives them to us as gifts to display His glory and enhance our enjoyment of Him. So let’s serve the Lord with gladness today.

Jesus Through the Bible

Christians believe in a Christ-centered Bible. The salvation that was expected in the Old Testament is exhibited in the Gospels and then explained in the rest of the New Testament.

From Genesis we learn that Jesus is the seed of the woman who will crush Satan’s head, and the son of Abraham who will bless all the nations of the earth. From Exodus we learn that Jesus is the Passover Lamb whose blood saves us from the angel of death, and the wilderness tabernacle where God dwells in glory. From Leviticus we learn that He is the atoning sacrifice that takes away our sin. From Numbers we learn that He is the bronze serpent lifted up for everyone who looks to Him in faith. From Deuteronomy we learn that He is the prophet greater than Moses who comes to teach us God’s will.

So much for the Pentateuch.

What do we learn from the historical books?

From Joshua we learn that Jesus is our great captain in the fight. From Judges we learn that He is the king who helps us do what is right in God’s eyes, and not our own. From Ruth we learn that Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer. From 1 and 2 Samuel we learn that He is our anointed king. From 1 and 2 Kings we learn that He is the glory in the temple. From 1 and 2 Chronicles we learn that He is the Son of David — the rightful king of Judah. From Ezra and Nehemiah we learn that He will restore the city of God. From Esther we learn that He will deliver us from all our enemies.

Then we come to the poetic writings. From Job we learn that Jesus is our living redeemer, who will stand on the earth at the last day. From the Psalms we learn that He is the sweet singer of Israel — the Savior forsaken by God and left to die, yet restored by God to rule the nations. From Proverbs we learn that Jesus is our wisdom. From Ecclesiastes we learn that He alone can give us meaning and purpose. From the Song of Solomon we learn that He is the lover of our souls.

This brings us to the prophets, whose special mission it was to prophesy about the coming of Christ. Isaiah tells that He is the child born of the Virgin, the son given to rule, the shoot from the stump of Jesse, and the servant stricken and afflicted, upon whom God has laid all our iniquity. Jeremiah and Lamentations tell us that Jesus is our comforter in sorrow, the mediator of a new covenant who turns our weeping into songs of joy. Ezekiel tells us that the Spirit of Jesus can breathe life into dry bones and make a heart of stone beat again. Daniel tells us that Jesus is the Son of Man coming in clouds of glory to render justice on the earth.

These are the Major Prophets, but the Minor Prophets also bore witness to Jesus Christ. Hosea prophesied that He would be a faithful husband to His wayward people. Joel prophesied that before He came to judge the nations, Jesus would pour out His Spirit on men and women, Jews and Gentiles, young and old. Amos and Obadiah prophesied that He would restore God’s kingdom. Jonah prophesied that for the sake of the nations, He would be raised on the third day. Micah prophesied that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Nahum prophesied that He would judge the world. Habakkuk prophesied that He would justify those who live by faith. Zephaniah prophesied He would rejoice over His people with singing. Haggai prophesied that He would rebuild God’s temple. Zechariah prophesied that He would come in royal gentleness, riding on a donkey, and that when He did, all God’s people would be holy. Malachi prophesied that before He came, a prophet would turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children.

From Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament is all about Jesus. But of course it is in the New Testament that Jesus actually comes to save His people. Whereas the Old Testament gives us His background, the New Testament presents His biography.

The gospels give us the good news of salvation through His crucifixion and resurrection. The Gospel of Matthew is that Jesus is the Messiah God promised to Israel. The Gospel of Mark is that He is the suffering servant. The Gospel of Luke is that He is a Savior for everyone, including the poor and the weak. The Gospel of John is that He is the incarnate Word, the Son of God, the Light of the world, the Bread of life, and the only Way of salvation. But all the gospels end with the same good news: Jesus died on the cross for sinners and was raised again to give eternal life; anyone who believes in Him will be saved.

Then the New Testament turns its attention to the church, which is still about Jesus because the church is His body. The book of Acts shows how Jesus is working in the church today, through the gospel, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Then come all the letters that were written to the church — letters that tell about Jesus and how to live for Him. In Romans Jesus is righteousness from God for Jews and Gentiles; in 1 and 2 Corinthians He is the one who unifies the church and gives us spiritual gifts for ministry. In Galatians Jesus liberates us from legalism; in Ephesians He is the head of the church; in Philippians He is the joy of our salvation; in Colossians He is the firstborn over all creation. In 1 and 2 Thessalonians Jesus is coming soon to deliver us from this evil age; in 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus He shepherds His people; and in Philemon He reconciles brothers who are separated by sin. This is the gospel according to Paul.

Hebrews is an easy one: Jesus is the great high priest who died for sin once and for all on the cross and who sympathizes with us in all our weakness. In the epistle of James, Jesus helps us to prove our faith by doing good works. In the epistles of Peter He is our example in suffering. In the letters of John He is the Lord of love. In Jude He is our Master and Teacher. Last, but not least, comes the book of Revelation, in which Jesus Christ is revealed as the Lamb of God slain for sinners, Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the great Judge over all the earth, and the glorious God of heaven.

The Bible says that in Jesus “all things consist” (Colossians 1:17) and this is as true of the Bible as it is of anything else. Jesus holds the whole Bible together. From Genesis to Revelation, the Word of God is all about Jesus, and therefore it has the power to bring salvation through faith in Him. It is by reading the Bible that we come to know Jesus, and it is by coming to know Jesus that we are saved. This is why we are so committed to God’s Word, why it is the foundation for everything we do, both as a church and as individual Christians.

We love the Word because it brings us to Christ.

The Father Testifies of the Son

“Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (John 12:28)

This is the last of three remarkable occasions during the earthly ministry of Christ when God the Father spoke directly from heaven concerning His only begotten Son. The first was at His baptism. “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17; also,Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). This thrice-recorded testimony was given primarily to the forerunner, John the Baptist, who said, “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost” (John 1:33).

The second was to three chosen disciples at the transfiguration. “Behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matthew 17:5). Years later Peter recalled, “This voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount” (2 Peter 1:18).

Finally, the Father spoke the words of the opening text, in direct response to the prayer of His Son at the beginning of the final week before His crucifixion. The message was to His Son but for the people. Jesus said, “This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes” (John 12:30) as He spoke of His imminent death on the cross.

When God spoke from heaven, the message was to assure and encourage His own dear ones: John, the disciples, and Jesus Himself. But it has also become an exhortation to all people for all time. Jesus Christ is God’s Son, and God is glorified in Him. Hear Him!

How is God eternal?

The word “eternal” means without beginning or end. In reference to God, therefore, to be eternal is to exist as the one Being without beginning or end, uncreated and never able to die. As such, He serves as the power behind all created things (Genesis 1:1).

Many passages of Scripture affirm this biblical concept of God as eternal. For example, Psalm 90:2 notes, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Deuteronomy 33:27 refers to the Lord as the “eternal God.” Romans 1:20 speaks of God’s “eternal power.” Ephesians 3:11 speaks of God’s “eternal purpose.” First Timothy 6:16 notes God’s “power everlasting” or rule. Isaiah 9:6 refers to God as an “Everlasting Father.” Isaiah 26:4 calls Him an “everlasting strength“

As part of the Triune God, Jesus Christ is also revealed as eternal in nature. He existed in the beginning with God (John 1:1). Jesus taught that He was the “I AM,” a reference to the Lord in Exodus 3:14 (John 8:58). Colossians 1:16 teaches, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

The Holy Spirit is also noted as eternal in Scripture. God’s Spirit was involved in the creation of the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:3). Hebrews 9:14 refers to the Holy Spirit as God’s “eternal Spirit.”

Scripture also speaks frequently about both eternal life (John 3:16) and eternal destruction (Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9). There is an eternal dwelling for God’s people with the Lord, revealing the Bible’s clear teaching regarding eternity future (Luke 16:9; 2 Corinthians 5:1).

In Genesis 21:33, we are also told that one of God’s names is the Everlasting God: “And Abraham planted a grove in Beer–sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.” Psalm 145:13 affirms that God’s kingdom is likewise everlasting: “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.”

It is clear that the One who created all things existed before all space, time, matter, and energy. Scripture also notes God has everlasting love for His people, has an eternal purpose, and an eternal destination that includes eternity in His presence for those who believe in Him.