Welcome to Online Bible
Boot Camp 2015!
It is only
proper that The Word (The Bible) should be the subject of the 1st week of
#OnlineBibleBootCamp. In our search for the origins of the Word (The Bible), my
promise to you, is that instead of preaching my thoughts, I will allow the
Bible (The Word) to speak for itself!
The Word (The
Bible), is pretty controversial, in this weeks lesson we want to explore the
following topic that stem from some popular questions:
Where
does the Word (the Bible) come from?
Why is
reading/studying the Bible so importnat?
(Since I only
recommend KJV) Where was King James and
what role does he play when the Word (The Bible) was originally published?
How much
of the Bible was altered by man?
The Bible is
Soo amazing that it does Not need an interpreter. God's words are so powerful
that they can 'speak' for themselves. All we need do
is listen. Therefore let us begin with allowing the Bible to tell us where the
Word (The Bible) comes from.
Psalms
119:89
"For
ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."
We see right from the beginning that if we simply read, the Bible (The Word) will interpret itself. The next time someone asks you where did this "Word," come from, you can bare witness that David wrote that the Word (the Bible) was settled in HEAVEN.
Okay, now that we have that straight, Can the the Bible (The Word) be changed ?
"I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him."
Ecclesiastes 3:14
Even with all of the different Bible versions in circulations and 10,000 denominations in the United States alone, rest assured that if they change too many verses in too many places Everyone will know its been changed. Changing a verse here or there cannot prohibit the Gospel. God had 1 message written too many times, in too many places, too many ways, by too many different people.
Even with all of the different Bible versions in circulations and 10,000 denominations in the United States alone, rest assured that if they change too many verses in too many places Everyone will know its been changed. Changing a verse here or there cannot prohibit the Gospel. God had 1 message written too many times, in too many places, too many ways, by too many different people.
This is very plain and simple reading so far. 'Whatsoever,' God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it!
On your own go and read how Paul instructed us to believe facts at the mouth of two or more witnesses in 2 Corinthians 13:1...
Therefore, let us turn to another prophet for confirmation. "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8
The Apostle Peter must have studied the prophet Isaiah during his 'BibleBootCamp' (laugh out loud) because he quoted in his 1st epistle, "But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1Peter 1:25
"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon." Revelation 5:1-4
So now John see's a vision of the Father on His throne with a sealed book. [This same book which was settled in heaven], it is now time for someone to"Read," the book!
Notice how no one was worthy to look upon the book, let alone open it. When it says , "no one," what about King James? What about Shakesspeare? If you read history you will find that in ancient times people knew that they did not fully understand everything written. Mainly because the Bible says that some things won't be revealed until the end times. So their most important function was an accurate translation!
When John realized that No one (not even King James I of England and William Shakespeare) could not even look upon the book he began to weep. And as he wept:
"And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;"
Revelation 5:1-11
So, Jesus Christ (the Lamb) is worthy to look on the book and read it. (this is probably why Jesus is called, "The Word of God," in the 19th chapter of Revelation.
The reason that the book cannot be looked upon, is not because everyone's eyes stopped working, no one is worthy to read the book Not because the earth is illiterate. If i can recollect correctly, I was taught in the C.M.E. church that only the book of Revelation was sealed.. The prophet Isaiah also knew that the Entire book was sealed to some people.
Notice again who it was that closed the eyes of the people so that no man could read the book. Then
notice why He did it...
The Lord sealed the book so that No One could read or even look on the book because of one simple fact: DISOBEDIENCE!
With the lips the majority of the Earth will call on the name of the Lord, Jesus but refuse to do 95% of what He commands!
*For an example of a precept of men that many of us have been taught (and the truth behind it) click here.
Therefore the majority of the world holds this book (The Bible) but the understanding thereof is sealed to them. Again, why because of DISOBEDIENCE!
So, only Jesus Christ, worthy to loose the seals of the book and read it. What did Jesus do with the book after He recieved it at the Fathere's hand?
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.
Revelation 1:1
So basically the Bible (The Word) has taught us that the Word was settled in heaven, the Father gave it to Jesus, who sent it to man (John in this particular case) by way of an angel.
Alright fine, so the Word (The Bible) is important, but why is it soooo important?? Let us allow Jesus (The Word) to piece together what we have been reading in one cohesive succint statement:
"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he
that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." (or: the book will not be sealed to you if you believe)
"And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world,
but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what Ishould speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."
John 12:44-50
Now that we "know," (because we have read) where the Word (The Bible) comes from, how it got to man And that it 'cannot' be changed, let us see what we are supposed to do with this book or this Word (Bible).
We witness here an example of the "angel," giving the Book to John. Now understanding this fact, (having your eyes open) as you read your Bible, you will begin to notice that just about every time somebody receives the word from heaven it is from an angel. Jesus Christ IS the Word, so, except for when He was here, His Word is always entrusted to the hands of angels. (Luke 1:5-22, 26-33, Daniel 9:20-23/10:1-21, Acts 7:53/ 27:21-25, Judges 2:1-5)
"When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;...
What do you suppose the king should do with his copy of the book?
Read of course!
Jesus has an example for us: "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day and, stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias.
And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." Luke 4:14-21
Therefore, let us turn to another prophet for confirmation. "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8
The Apostle Peter must have studied the prophet Isaiah during his 'BibleBootCamp' (laugh out loud) because he quoted in his 1st epistle, "But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1Peter 1:25
Less than 10 minutes we have learned that the Word (The Bible) was agreed upon in heaven, it will last forever, and it CANNOT be changed by man!
Since the Word (The Bible) was 'settled,' in heaven and we know that King James has NEVER been to heaven (St. John 3:13), therefore the question has to be asked, how did this Word (Bible) get to man on the earth?
"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon." Revelation 5:1-4
So now John see's a vision of the Father on His throne with a sealed book. [This same book which was settled in heaven], it is now time for someone to"Read," the book!
Notice how no one was worthy to look upon the book, let alone open it. When it says , "no one," what about King James? What about Shakesspeare? If you read history you will find that in ancient times people knew that they did not fully understand everything written. Mainly because the Bible says that some things won't be revealed until the end times. So their most important function was an accurate translation!
When John realized that No one (not even King James I of England and William Shakespeare) could not even look upon the book he began to weep. And as he wept:
"And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;"
Revelation 5:1-11
So, Jesus Christ (the Lamb) is worthy to look on the book and read it. (this is probably why Jesus is called, "The Word of God," in the 19th chapter of Revelation.
The reason that the book cannot be looked upon, is not because everyone's eyes stopped working, no one is worthy to read the book Not because the earth is illiterate. If i can recollect correctly, I was taught in the C.M.E. church that only the book of Revelation was sealed.. The prophet Isaiah also knew that the Entire book was sealed to some people.
"Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their
prudent men shall be hid. Isaiah 29:9-14
Notice again who it was that closed the eyes of the people so that no man could read the book. Then
notice why He did it...
The Lord sealed the book so that No One could read or even look on the book because of one simple fact: DISOBEDIENCE!
With the lips the majority of the Earth will call on the name of the Lord, Jesus but refuse to do 95% of what He commands!
*For an example of a precept of men that many of us have been taught (and the truth behind it) click here.
Therefore the majority of the world holds this book (The Bible) but the understanding thereof is sealed to them. Again, why because of DISOBEDIENCE!
So, only Jesus Christ, worthy to loose the seals of the book and read it. What did Jesus do with the book after He recieved it at the Fathere's hand?
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.
Revelation 1:1
So basically the Bible (The Word) has taught us that the Word was settled in heaven, the Father gave it to Jesus, who sent it to man (John in this particular case) by way of an angel.
Alright fine, so the Word (The Bible) is important, but why is it soooo important?? Let us allow Jesus (The Word) to piece together what we have been reading in one cohesive succint statement:
"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he
that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." (or: the book will not be sealed to you if you believe)
"And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world,
but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what Ishould speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."
John 12:44-50
The Bible (The Word) reinforces itself. Jesus got the Word from the Father, therefore everything that He spoke were not His own words but The Father's Word. Why? Because just like in the world you are FIRST judged good or bad, right or wrong, a shame or a delight based on the word of your father.
Whether or not you have been obedient to our Father's words is what will determine if you get eternal rewards, or eternal punishments.
Now that we "know," (because we have read) where the Word (The Bible) comes from, how it got to man And that it 'cannot' be changed, let us see what we are supposed to do with this book or this Word (Bible).
Revelation 10: "And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not...
And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." Revelation 10:1-4, 8-11
We witness here an example of the "angel," giving the Book to John. Now understanding this fact, (having your eyes open) as you read your Bible, you will begin to notice that just about every time somebody receives the word from heaven it is from an angel. Jesus Christ IS the Word, so, except for when He was here, His Word is always entrusted to the hands of angels. (Luke 1:5-22, 26-33, Daniel 9:20-23/10:1-21, Acts 7:53/ 27:21-25, Judges 2:1-5)
Notice also what he did with the book, "ate it up!" As humans, we 'eat,' or consume books and words with our eyes. This is our example, this is why #onlinebiblebootcamp is important, because we should all be eating or ' consuming' the Word (The Bible).
Why?
For the same reason as John, so that you also can bear witness to the "truth!"
Now remember by the mouth of 2 or more witnesses is a fact established, so let's look at another example.
"And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them...
And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe." Ezekiel 2:3-5, 7-10
Here God has commanded Ezekiel to speak to Israel, warning him that they won't listen. When he received the scroll (The Word), what did he do?
"Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.
Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears. And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear." Ezekiel 3:1-4, 10-11
So Ezekiel got the Word, consumed it and then he was able to go and preach the Gospel.
ENOUGH METAPHORS WE NEED PLAIN SPEECH!
Even the King should have a copy of the Book (The Word). 
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:" Deuteronomy 17:14, 18
Read of course!
Jesus has an example for us: "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day and, stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias.
Jesus could have quoted this scripture from the book of Isaiah, but He is giving us a message and showing us an example… We should read! In church, when preaching the Gospel We should be reading!
"Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them." Isaiah 34:16
Go find you a book (Bible) and read it daily!
Why is this necessary? Because we must study in order to 'prove' God's will, and that you know it.
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
And
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 3:16
And After you have studied, Paul wrote to Timothy to:
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." 2 Timothy 4:2-5
And finally: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16
May the Lord add a blessing to the reading of His Word...
Grace and Peace in the name of Jesus... The God of Israel
Knowledge is The Key - Locksmif
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