The Holy Bible- The foundation of knowledge is the most published and read, yet least understood book in the world. Yet the Bible is the most up-to-date book you can read. The Bible is simply God’s divine revelation of basic needed knowledge which man is not capable of finding out for himself by any other means. God equipped man with the powers and abilities to discover and use the laws of science. But absolutely no tools or instruments of science can ever tell you if there is life after death, the purpose of your being alive, where you are going, or the way to a happy, abundant and peaceful life here and now. Our scientists, our world leaders and our statesmen have failed utterly to tell us these answers, or to lead us into the universally desired peace with happiness and abundant living. The Bible reveals all this-and more. But before we can comprehend the words that are written on its pages, we must first understand why the Bible is the most misunderstood book in history and the most twisted, distorted, misrepresented, maligned and lied about book on the face of the earth?
Why Such Confusion?
Why do we find such confusion-such disagreement as to what the Bible says? Why don’t the hundreds of different church denominations and sects agree on what their acknowledged textbook says? Why do so many individuals, capable of understanding almost any other book, say: “I just can’t understand the Bible”? Why is the Bible the most misunderstood book in history? The answer is found in II Timothy 3:16-17. The Apostle Paul was inspired by God to write: “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.” So the scriptures are profitable for the purpose of reproving and correcting us! But how many people do you know who are even willing to be corrected when they are in error-to be reproved for the wrong things they do? People simply do not like to be reproved and corrected. They love praise-they like flattery-but reproof and correction they utterly hate. The Bible is God’s great spiritual mirror. It shows up every flaw in our thinking, reveals every spot on our character. It pictures us as we really are-as God sees us, not as like we think we are, or as we like to have other people look upon us. “For the word of God,” we read in Hebrews 4:12, “is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword”-it cuts deep, and it cuts both ways-“and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Yes, it opens up and exposes our innermost thoughts.
The Apostle Paul was inspired to write in II Timothy 4:1-4 that the time would come when men would not endure sound doctrine. People have turned away their ears from the truth, and have turned to fables palmed off as the truth of God’s word. Isaiah prophesied that in these latter days men would demand: “Prophesy [preach] not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:8-10).
We can clearly see why people do not understand the Bible. They are not yielded to the Eternal’s will-they are filled with fear of men instead of God. They tremble at the thought of what people say, instead of what the Word of the living God has to say!
We read in Psalm 111:7-8, 10: “All His commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness….The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments…”
David had understanding. And David said, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105). Today’s generation is like that of Jesus’ day, of which He said, This is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Yes, the Bible is light-a lamp unto out feet- a light unto our path. But the world is surely in gross darkness.
Meaning Locked Up until Now
Bruce Barton, a well-know author of his day, wrote a book about the Bible entitled The Book Nobody Knows. This title certainly has been true-until recently!
After revealing many prophesies to the prophet Daniel, God told him to “Seal the book, even to the time of the end: [when] many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4). In the time of the “end” all knowledge, as well as knowledge of the Scriptures, was to be 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 great crisis and is now rapidly approaching a condition of total chaos- we are now in the crisis period at the close of this age! God said that at this time “none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand” (Dan. 12:10)
Through printed copies of God’s word and a general knowledge of the Scriptures are wide spread today, the world as a whole still does not understand the Bible. It is in utter confusion religiously, academically, politically and militarily. The world does not really know where it is headed, nor does it comprehend the lessons of the past. Never has mankind needed understanding of the knowledge of God more.
We Can Begin to Understand
How, then, can we begin to really understand the Bible? Here is how you may begin this exciting adventure. 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.
When the Apostle Paul and our brother Silas came to Berea, the people found he was preaching something utterly different than that which they had been taught and had believed. They did not know whether Paul was a false prophet, or a man sent from God. Notice what they did: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind [that is, without prejudice], and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).
As a case-in-point to see how well the Bible itself can be used to discover “Truth” and eliminate error and confusion that is often circulated by men who teach their own ideas (or false ideas that have been previously taught to them) let us do a short study on what is called the “End of the World”. This study will not only help us to see how relevant the Bible truly is in the present age in which we are living, but will also help us to see why this world is in its present condition, and to know, where, yes where, this world (along with its soon to be 7 billion inhabitants), is headed. Let’s take a look at what the Word of God says about what is just ahead for planet earth and all of its inhabitants.
What is the “End of the World?”
Some preach that the earth itself will soon be destroyed. Let us see exactly what the Bible itself [The Word of God] has to say about this subject. This would be a good time for you to look in your Bible for the verses relating to this short study. Therefore, you should turn to every scripture reference given in answer to the questions asked, and carefully read these passages. This way you will prove the truth for yourself from your own Bible.
Was Jesus ever questioned about the “end of the world” and the signs that would point to His return? Matthew 24:1-3. 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 physical planet on which we live. And so the Revised Standard Version translates the King James expression “end of the world” as “the close of the age.”
Jesus, then, was questioned about the end of an “age” in man’s history, rather than the total destruction of the terrestrial globe we call earth. How long does the Bible tell us the earth will continue to exist? Ecclesiastes 1:4.
A Time of Great Trouble
Jesus proceeded to answer the second part of the disciples’ question by giving them an outline of events that take place prior to His return to earth. We pick up the account in Matthew 24:21. Did Jesus prophesy that a time of great trouble would occur on the earth just before His return? Matt.24:21.
What did Jesus declare would happen if these days of tribulation were allowed to continue? Matt. 24:22. 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 from being saved from physical destruction – from premature death!
Did Jesus prophesy that only the inhabitants of Jerusalem would be threatened by totals destruction? Or did He plainly say that no one would be safe from the threat of annihilation? Same verse. The Revised Standard Version says “no human being would be saved…” Who will intervene in world affairs to cut short this time of trouble, and thus prevent the annihilation of all humanity? Mark 13:20.
These verses mean that just as originally planned, Jesus Christ will intervene at the very moment humanity would otherwise destroy itself. By His direct intervention, He will cut short the days of man’s rule over man. Which would otherwise lead to the destruction of all human life on earth!
No Time Like It!
Has there ever been a time of trouble such as will occur just before Christ’s return? Matt.24:21; Mark 13:19. Were any of the Old Testament prophets inspired to foresee this same time of worldwide peril? Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1. Since each of the preceding three prophesies reveal that the future period of crisis will have no equal, they can only be referring to one great climatic period of worldwide trouble!
The Cause of War
God promises He will intervene in world affairs to prevent the annihilation of humanity, and to bring us world peace. And in order to ensure continued peace, He will also prevent future wars by changing that which causes war. Let’s understand.
Does the Bible clearly show that war is a result of acting according to the inordinate lusts within man? James 4:1-2.
Unrestrained “human nature”, with its pride, vanity, jealousy, lust and greed is plainly the cause of war!
Does knowledge tend to increase pride? 1 Corinthians 8:1. Since we live in an age of mushrooming scientific knowledge which makes it possible for a few men to possess tremendous power, will the inordinate lusts of men “in the last days” cause them to become better and better, or worse and worse” II Tim 3:1-4, 13.
What is the end result of decisions and actions that seem right to great leaders and people in general? Proverbs 14:12.
This principle is so important, that God inspired its repetition in Proverbs 16:25. 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 proverbially as the center or seat of human thoughts and emotions.) Then can rulers be deceived by their own lusts into believing that their evil deeds are right and good for the world? Same verse.
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! Do rulers even know the way to peace? Romans 3:17. What did God inspire Isaiah to write concerning man’s real understanding of the way of peace? Isaiah 59:8. 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.
Throughout the Bible, war is pictured as the result of lust or covetousness. Lust is a basic characteristic of human nature. But can the heads of Government of this world change human nature? Of course not! Nearly 6,000 years of human history have proved that man, left to himself, is totally incapable of effecting this change. Throughout history, negotiations for peace have always been accompanied and supported by the most vigorous preparations for war! The story is no different today.
Can human government, therefore, permanently stop war? Obviously not. When you look at it that way, the answer becomes clear: Only GOD can permanently stop all war, because only God has the power to change human nature!
But exactly how will God create and maintain world peace once Jesus Christ returns? The only real and lasting solution to the problems of world peace has already been planned long ago. And the entire plan is revealed in your Bible.
World Government To Bring Peace
Does God intervene in world affairs without first revealing it to His prophets? Amos 3:7. Thousands of years ago, did God reveal to His prophet Isaiah a time when He would establish His government here on earth? Isa. 2:1-3. Is it to be a literal world-ruling Kingdom? Dan. 2:44; Psalm 67:4.
Will there be warfare then as there is now among nations? Isa. 2:4. Will people be taught the way of peace and productivity? Same verse. The very one who created man is coming to establish the Government of God on earth, and to teach man the way of peace.
Did Micah also foretell the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth? Micah 4:1-4. An all-powerful, world-ruling government is indeed coming that will solve all global problems fairly and righteously for all people – A government not ruled by carnal men, but by the living, all-powerful Creator of the universe!
Notice who Isaiah prophesied would rule over the earth. Isa. 11:1-4. Is David the “stem,” or son, of Jesse? Acts 13:22. Then is the “rod” or shoot plainly Jesus Christ? Verse 23. Is the “branch” growing out of Jesse’s roots also referring to Christ? Jer. 23:5-6.
The prophesy in Isaiah 11 predicted, centuries in advance, that Jesus Christ would one day rule the earth! Before Jesus was born as a human being, did an angel tell Mary, His mother, that His destiny was to take over an actual throne and rule on this earth? Luke 1:32-33.
Was Daniel inspired to foresee the time when the saints – spirit-born Christians – will be given ruler ship over the earth with Christ? Dan. 7:18, 21-22, 27.
World Not Coming To An End
As we can see from a careful study of the Scriptures, the world is NOT coming to an end, but thank God this AGE of human nature with all its pride, vanity, jealousy, lust and greed is. Soon the Kingdom of God will be established on this earth, and peace and prosperity will flourish for everyone. God has allotted mankind 6,000 years in which to learn that the ways of man brings nothing but suffering and death!
Many Bibles contain tentative chronological dates showing that Adam may have been created in the year 4,004 B.C. And nearly another 2,000 years have elapsed since Christ’s birth – totaling just about 6,000 years of human civilization to date.
How awe-inspiring and significant that in our present age – in the very time that the world is threatened with the extinction of all life – 6,000 years years have almost elapsed. How exciting that Jesus Himself said that when we would see all the events He foretold taking place, He would come again – this time to rescue humanity of annihilation, to set up the Kingdom of God, and to bring us lasting peace!
You have seen in your Bible a brief summation – a “thumbnail sketch” – of how the Bible is God’s solution to this world’s problems. You have begun to understand the urgent necessity for Christ’s promised return. And you have seen how the Bible can be understood, and how it is the most up-to-date book one can read, and quite relevant in the present age in which we are living.