How about “New and Improved,” or “Don’t be left behind in this ever-changing society!” These are just a couple of modern-day advertising ploys to get people hooked into buying or investing in something, only to find out later it really wasn’t the truth. Even in some so-called modern religions today, the Word of the Lord is being tweaked to “tickle itching ears,” as Paul gave in 2 Timothy 4:3. (ESV – all emphasis is mine.)
Isaiah 40:8 states, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.” Then Psalm 119:89-90: “Forever, Oh Lord, Your Word is firmly fixed in the Heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations.” Numbers 23:19: “God is not man that He should lie, or a son of man that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not fulfill it?”
There are some people that are influenced by this world, and they try to say the Word of the Lord is tainted because it was written by humans.
In 1 Peter 1:20:21, we’re told, “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
Paul states in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
There are numerous interpretations of the Holy Word of our Heavenly Father. For anyone to believe the King James Version is the oldest translation, it actually was originally published in 1611. The up-to-date version published in 1769 added more modern punctuations and word spelling that made it easier to understand. It should be noted this did not change the content. (source Wikipedia)
Original biblical texts were written in Hebrew, Aramaic (Old Testament), and Koine Greek (New Testament). Before the original KJV Bible, there was Tyndale (1525-1530), Wycliffe (1350s), Bishop’s Bible (1568), and the Geneva Bible (1560) to name a few.
Today, it’s said the New American Standard Bible (NASB) is known as the closest to being most literal along with the English Standard Version (ESV). Their value is that they’re written in easier to understand language, and more likely to be read.
Our Heavenly Father always has been in existence, and always will exist. Psalm 102:25-27: “Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but You will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but You are the same, and your years have no end.”
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, also has always existed and always will. Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
The Holy Spirit is part of the Holy Trinity, and again has always been there, and always will be. John 14:16-17: “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth Whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him, nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you, and will be in you.”
Taking a look at the world today, and seeing all the newscasts, we’re witnessing increasing evil issues that are taking place just as the Bible said they would. In Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, our Savior gave signs of what would be taking place near the end of this age. In Luke 21:28, He summed up by stating, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
It would be safe to say the beginning is here right now. The next major event most likely will be the Rapture where all true believers will be taken up to meet our Savior in the air, and be kept from the wrath to come. This event will take place faster than anyone could call asking Jesus to forgive them and to ask Him to be their Savior.
The best answer for this is to be prepared in advance. Then, if the call comes even today or tomorrow or whenever, we will be ready. It is absolutely the most important decision anyone will ever make. We don’t know the exact day or hour this will take place, but the Bible says it will happen, and God doesn’t go back on His Word.
Admit you’re a sinner as we all are. Ask Jesus to forgive you and accept you as a part of His precious flock. Your eternal address will change from the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15) to eternity with Jesus in Heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10).
The Father will force no one to accept His Son, but will honor all who do. He knows we will still slip and sin as long as we’re in these human bodies, but He has promised forgiveness for all who ask. (1 John 1:8-10)
Hope to see you at Home when the call comes!