Why Study the Bible in Cyberspace?

What is The Foundation of Knowledge?

Would God, having intelligence to think out, plan, design, and bring about this earth, and all life upon it leave us un-informed of our purpose for being here and the laws that would bring us peace, happiness, and everything good?

God did not hide this all-important truth, He made it accessible. He committed His basic knowledge to writing in His instruction book for us. The Bible contains basic needed knowledge, which we are not capable of finding out for ourselves by any other means. No tools of science can explain the purpose of being alive, where we are going or the way to a happy life. Scientists and world leaders have failed to give us these answers. The Bible gives us all this and more.

Where to Begin?  Where would you Begin?

One place to begin would be at the very beginning, the first chapter of Genesis and compare the Bible account of creation with the theory of evolution; and continue on through the Old Testament.

Another natural starting point is the beginning of the New Testament. While the very first words of the entire Bible are “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) The actual time sequence before Genesis 1:1 is recorded in John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word." In Verse 2," The same was in the beginning with God…"In Verse 14, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…the only Son of the Father…"

And there is another starting point. That is to begin with this present age in which we live, this time of upset world conditions, when science and technology have produced the destructive forces that threaten the extinction of all life on this planet- just before Jesus Christ’s return to establish World Government! We will understand the Bible better, and find it more interesting, if we view it all from life here and now. The Bible will become clearer if we can see how world events have led up to the conditions in which we live, and what the future has in store.

Why is there Such Confusion?

Take a recognized textbook on biology. Show this book to ten different biology professors from ten different colleges and universities. Ask them what it says. They’ll all give you basically the same answer. People seldom disagree as to what recognized textbooks say, except when it comes to the one book -the Bible.

But take the Bible to ten different professors of theology, or ministers of religion, and you’ll probably receive ten different answers to just about any question you might ask about it.

The most important and the least understood book of all is the world’s best seller. The book owned by more people than any other. It is the one book that has lived in spite of every effort to stamp it out down through the ages, the book that almost nobody understands.

Why is the Bible Misunderstood?

The Bible is the most misunderstood book in history. The most misrepresented. Why? It opens up and exposes our innermost thought’s Hebrews 4:12, When little children do things that are wrong—do they usually admit it freely? Or do they usually deny it as long as possible, then try to cover it up or place the blame on somebody else? We are all only little children grown up. When God speaks to us through His written word, and corrects us, we usually do not like to admit our faults, our wrong ways.

And so men began, centuries ago, to interpret the Bible. As a result it has become twisted, with almost every false and counterfeit meaning being read into it. Instead of teaching the plain, simple, intended meaning, we have hundreds of human interpretations. Isaiah prophesied that in these days men would demand: “Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:8-10).In Psalm 111: 10: "a good understanding have they that do his commandments….

Meaning was Locked Up Until Now

After revealing prophecies to Daniel, God told him to, "seal the book even to the time of the end…(of man’s rule) knowledge shall be increased…” (Daniel 12:4). At this time, all knowledge, as well as knowledge of the Scriptures, has been increased! The Moffatt translation of the Bible renders “the time of the end” as “the crisis at the end.” The whole world is now in a time of crisis and is rapidly approaching a condition of total chaos-we are now in the crisis period at the close of this age of man’s rule, just before God establishes his World Government on earth.

Though general knowledge of the Scriptures is widespread today, the world as a whole still does not understand the Bible. It is in confusion religiously, politically and militarily. The world does not really know where it is headed and does not comprehend the lessons of the past.

Spiritual Understanding Never More Needed

Experts tell us that scientific and technical knowledge has doubled in a decade—but so have world troubles! Obviously material knowledge, scientific and technological know-how have not brought us the answer to world problems, and has led mankind to the brink of nuclear annihilation!

At the close of World War II, just following the surrender of the Japanese, General Douglas Mac Arthur put his finger on the only possible solution. "The problem basically is theological and involves ‘a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of human character’… , "It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh." (Reminiscences, p. 459). He saw the only solution to this world’s ills-dealing with man’s spirit-an improvement in human character!

Let’s be honest. There is a cause for every effect! Because man has chosen to go his own way and has rejected God’s laws, mankind is reaping the consequences! Man’s own ways are the CAUSE of the misery and trouble filling the world today! Independent from God, man’s misguided scientific and technological genius has led us to the brink of self-annihilation! God plainly says : “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

People tend to delude themselves into thinking there is no special danger right now that the world has always been as chaotic as it is today. Of course, human nature has remained basically unchanged. The ways of carnal-minded men have always resulted in death and destruction (Prov. 14:12).

Jesus Christ, the greatest newscaster who ever lived, knew the ultimate result of the terrible state of affairs men would bring on themselves in this end time. He predicted: “Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved, but for the elects sake those days shall be shortened." (Matt. 24:22). Yet, the Bible shows there is hope for us! God has promised to intervene in world affairs. He will not allow the scientific genius of man to destroy all life on this planet. He has promised to save us from ourselves and bring us World Peace at last!

You Can Begin to Understand

Study the Bible to find TRUTH. Be careful to “prove all things” (I Thess. 5:21). Then believe God, believe His Word as you would accept any other book in which you had confidence. And above all, do not try to interpret the Bible. Remember that the Bible basically interprets itself.

When Paul came to Berea, the people found he was preaching something different than they had been taught and had believed. They did not know whether Paul was a false prophet, or a man sent by God. Notice what they did: “They searched the scriptures daily, whether these things be so. “(Acts 17:11).

So study the Bible without prejudice, but be careful, prove all things as the Bereans did, search the Scriptures whether those things are so! Check up for yourself and see what it really does teach. Don’t just assume that what you have always heard and believed is the truth.

What Is the End of the Age?

1. Was Jesus ever questioned about the “end of the world or the end of that -AGE” and the signs that would point to His return? Matthew 24:3 Notice what Christ’s disciples were really talking about.

COMMENT: The New Testament, as originally inspired by God, was written in the Greek language. The Greek word translated “world” here in Matthew 24:3 is aion, meaning AGE, not the end of the physical planet on which we live.

Jesus Christ, was questioned about the end of an “age” and about his scheduled return, rather than the destruction of the globe we call earth. The end of man’s present society would mean the end of an age, but the earth itself and human life would continue to exist!

A Time of Great Trouble

1. Did He prophesy that a time of great trouble would occur on the earth just before His return? Matt. 24:21.

2. What did He declare would happen if these days of tribulation were allowed to continue? Matt. 24:22.

COMMENT: The Moffatt translation renders this verse clearer as “not a soul would be saved alive.” This verse, then, is not referring to spiritual salvation at all, but to being saved from physical destruction, from premature death!

3. Did He prophesy that only the inhabitants of Jerusalem would be threatened by total destruction? Or did He plainly say that no one would be safe? Same verse.

4. Who will intervene in world affairs to cut short this time of trouble, and prevent the annihilation of all humanity? Mark 13:20.

COMMENT: These verses do not mean that God will alter the time of Christ’s scheduled return, but just as planned originally, He will intervene at the very moment humanity would otherwise destroy itself. He will CUT SHORT the days of man’s rule, which would otherwise lead to the destruction of all human life.

No Other Time Like It!

1. Has there ever been a time of trouble such as will occur just before His return? Matt. 24:21; Mark 13:19.

2. Were any Old Testament prophets inspired to foresee this same time of worldwide peril? Jeremiah 30:7;Daniel 12:1.

COMMENT: Since each of the preceding prophecies reveal the future period of crisis will have no equal, they can only be referring to one period of worldwide trouble!

3. How did the prophet Joel symbolically describe the events to take place at the close of this age? Joel 2:1-3.

COMMENT: Joel’s inspired prophecy pictures the very same time of trouble prophesied by Christ, Jeremiah, and Daniel. This prophecy refers to events soon to occur at the close of this age, only in this age of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons has such widespread destruction of human life been possible!

4. Could the symbols in Revelation 9:2-10, 16-19 indicate the torment resulting from the use of modern weaponry?

COMMENT: John described what he saw; It was a mysterious, frightening spectacle. The creatures he saw were obviously symbolic of weapons God knew man would be capable of inventing.

5.Consider a time, over 4300 years ago, when God intervened in human affairs to postpone what we see threatening the world today. What did human beings decide to do? Gen. 11:4. Was this for the purpose of keeping themselves united? Same verse. What did God do to frustrate their plans? Verses 5, 7-9. Why? Verse 6.

COMMENT: Verse 6 clearly indicates that God confused the language in order to restrain the misguided inventive genius of man! When human beings come to freely speak one another’s languages, and share scientific and technological knowledge as they are doing today, virtually anything man’s mind can conceive would be possible for him to achieve his exploration of planets and the invention of weapons capable of destroying all life.

By confusing the language and scattering the people God prevented man from accomplishing long ago what he has done today. It was not God’s plan to allow man to advance that far that soon! Can you see that we are living in the time Jesus Christ spoke of in Matthew 24? the time when men would have at their disposal the power to erase all life from this earth!

The Causes of War

God promises He will intervene in world affairs to prevent the annihilation of humanity, and bring us world peace. And in order to ensure continued peace, He will also prevent future wars by changing that which causes war.

1. Does the Bible clearly show that war is a result of acting according to the lusts for power within man? James 4:1-2.

COMMENT: Unrestrained human nature, with its pride, vanity, jealousy, lust and greed is plainly the CAUSE of war!

2. Does knowledge tend to increase pride? I Corinthians 8:1. Since we live in an age of scientific knowledge which makes it possible for a few men to possess tremendous power cause them to become better or worse? IITim 3:1-4, 13.

3. What is the end result of decisions and actions that seem right to great leaders and people in general? Proverbs 14:12

4. What deceives man into believing that actions which end in death will bring peace? Jer. 17:9. (Remember that in Scripture the heart is often spoken of as the center or seat of human thoughts and emotions.) Then can rulers be deceived by their own power into believing that their evil deeds are right and good for the world? Same verse.

COMMENT: The governments of this world promise peace. But men have only brought us more wars and have now led humanity to the brink of annihilation!

5. Do rulers even know the way to peace? Romans 3:17. What did Isaiah write concerning man’s real understanding of the way of peace? Isaiah 59:8.

6. What will happen to human plans for “peace”? Isa. 33:7-8. When ambassadors of peace weep bitterly when the land is laid waste, will God then intervene? Verse 10.

COMMENT: Can any human government permanently stop war? Obviously not. The answer becomes clear: Only God can permanently stop all war, because only God has the power to change human nature!

World Government to Bring Peace

1. Does God intervene in world affairs without first revealing it to His servants? Amos 3:7.

2. Thousands of years ago, did, Isaiah, foresee a time when God would establish His Government here on earth? Isa. 2:1-3. Is it to be a literal world-ruling government? Dan. 2:44; Psalm 67:4.

3. Will there be warfare then as there is now among nations? Isa. 2:4. Will people be taught the way to peace and productivity? Same verse.

COMMENT: The One who created man is coming to establish the Government of God on earth, and to teach us the way to peace.

4. Did Micah also foretell the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth?  Micah 4:1-4.

COMMENT: A world-ruling government is coming that will solve all global problems fairly for all peoples.

5. Notice who Isaiah prophesied would rule over the earth. Isa. 11:1-4.

COMMENT: The prophecy in Isaiah 11 predicted, centuries in advance, Jesus Christ would one day rule the earth!

6. Before He was born, His mother, was told that His destiny was to take over an actual throne and rule on this earth? Luke 1:32-33.

7. Did Daniel foresee the time when we will be given rulership over the earth with Christ? Dan. 7:18, 21-22, 27.

What Is the True “Good News”?

1. Was Jesus sent to this earth 2,000 years ago to proclaim the words of God the Father? John 12:49; 14:24. What message was included? Mark 1:14; Matt. 9:35. Must we believe that “good news”? Mark 1:15; 16:15-16.

COMMENT: The word “gospel” means good news. Jesus (meaning Justice) preached the good news of the coming Kingdom of God! His gospel is not primarily a message about Himself, or about “receiving Jesus.” It is not a message about the events in His life and of His becoming the Savior of the world, although it certainly does include all of that. (Christ in Greek means Savior) He is first, to save human life from total annihilation.

Notice the four things necessary to constitute a Kingdom: 1. territory, 2 a king or ruler, 3 subjects or citizens, 4 laws and government. In the coming Kingdom of God, the territory will be this earth; the King will be God-Jesus Christ; the subjects will be this earth’s peoples; and the laws will be God’s Ten Commandments and spiritual principles administered by the government of God.

2. Did Jesus send His apostles and true ministers to preach that same’ good news’ to the world? Luke 9:1-2; Matt. 28:19-20. Was His ‘good news’ of the coming Kingdom of God to be preached in all the world just before His second coming? Matt. 24:14; Mark 13:10.

3. What good news did Philip preach? Acts 8:12. And Paul? Acts 19:8; 14:22.  Did he preach the same good news among the Gentiles at Ephesus? Acts 20:25. What good news did he preach to both Jews and Gentiles at Rome? Acts 28:23, 28-31.

4. Did some false ministers in Paul’s day try to pervert the message of Christ? Galatians 1:6-7 What sentence did he pronounce on any who would try to preach any other message? Verse 8. Was it really a double curse? Verse 9.

COMMENT:The Bible shows there was only one true message sent from God the Father! We hear many “gospels” about Christ today, but how many do you hear preaching the message He preached, the “good news of the coming World Ruling Government of God”?

God’s  Plan

God has set aside a period of 7,000 years to fulfill His plan for mankind. And God’s little-understood plan for man began nearly 6,000 years ago. The pattern for this is given in the first two chapters of Genesis. The ‘Seven Day Week’.

1. Is a thousand years as a “day” to God? II Peter 3:8.

2. In Hebrews 4:4, 11, the seventh day of the week is pictured as a type of the peaceful “rest” on earth which will follow Christ’s return. Is the time of His rule over the earth, which will follow this present age of human misrule and senseless warfare, specifically called a thousand years? Rev. 20:4.

COMMENT: Since the last “day” of God’s plan for mankind is 1,000 years, then it logically follows that the preceding six “days” would amount to 6,000 years, a total of 7,000 years.

3.The disciples asked Jesus if He would restore the Kingdom of God in their day, what was His reply? Acts 1:6-7.

COMMENT: The apostles did not fully understand the plan of God while Christ was with them. They thought the Kingdom of God would be established in their day. But before they died, they understood Christ would return at a much later date. Peter said: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise …but is longsuffering…” (II Peter 3:9). God is patient. He has refrained from intervening in world affairs for nearly 6,000 years.  Why?

Because God has allotted mankind 6,000 years to learn that our ways bring nothing but suffering and death. Many Bibles contain tentative chronological dates showing that human life may have begun on this earth 4,004 B.C. Nearly another 2,000 years have elapsed since Christ, totaling just about 6,000 years of human civilization to date.

How significant that in OUR PRESENT AGE, in the time the world is threatened with the extinction of all life-6,000 years have almost elapsed. How exciting that Christ said when we would see all the events He foretold taking place, He would intervene, this time to rescue humanity from annihilation, to set up His World Ruling Government, and to bring us lasting peace!

You have seen a brief summation of God’s solution to this world’s problems. You will learn more about Jesus Christ’s spectacular intervention in world affairs in the amazing, detailed prophecies of the Bible.

Summary, A.C. Study. Free Library Copy

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Note: You may wish to read these scriptures in the Revised Standard or The King James Bibles- both are easy to read direct translations.

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