Most of the many Bibles in the world never leave the bookshelf or are banished to the bottom of a cupboard. This is sad because Jesus said the Good News it contains is “like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” As soon as he recognised the value of it he wanted it at all costs.
The Bible is a treasure that men have died to save from it’s enemies. William Tyndale (see left) was burnt at the stake for translating the Latin Bible into English so the common man could read it; when he cried, “Lord open the king of England’s eyes.” (From an Elizabethan edition of Foxe’s Martyrs.)
What can the Bible reveal to the reader that is so valuable? Jesus likens it’s message to a farmer who unexpectedly finds treasure in the field he rents that is so valuable he totally changes his life to claim it? And Jesus adds power to that with another short parable.
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13
This time a merchant searching for a pearl more valuable than those he had, to someone who was looking for the true way to future life and when he found the gospel Jesus taught, he gave up all other ideas or future life that he had heard, like the Law of Moses, because he could see Jesus was offering “The Truth”.
14 … Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1
Jesus brought the true hope of it eternal life to his people, Israel, so let us follow the gospel of the kingdom of God Jesus taught. When Jesus’ disciple Thomas could not understand how to follow him, …
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14
If you don’t know much about the great treasures to be discovered in the Bible that can thrill and amaze the reader we hope that by introducing you to it you will want to dig further to learn more about it for yourself. We can tell you it is essential to read Jesus’ own words for yourself, as many who claim they can tell you what he says get it wrong. That is why there are so many different churches and chapels today
“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
DON’T RELY ON ANYONE ELSE
Writers of commentaries or paraphrase versions of the Bible tend to impose their own views upon the Bible. Using such sources alone is very unlikely to accurately reflect the contents of the Bible.
We use the Bible throughout all our articles to show you the Gospel message.
Today there are many versions of the Bible. The serious Bible student must use a translation that remains faithful to the original language. We are using the well-established King James Version of the Bible. When using any additional material apply the test that the Bible itself advises …
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20
START WITH AN OPEN MIND
The key to this article is those words of Jesus we quoted above, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”John 14:6 Let’s think about those three matters.
First, “The way” to what? Jesus said in that same quotation from John 14. “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” God told Moses what His purpose was,
21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Numbers 14
Just think of that! a world without wickedness, or evil, or ugliness.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. Psalm 37
And how does Jesus offer, “The Truth”?
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. John 12
And always remember God does not, and cannot lie.
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23
And finally, how is Jesus “The Life”?
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3
Make no mistake – the value of his offer is vast and we can only give you a brief look into its wonder in this article.
OUR PERSON
Resurrection
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5
A new body
21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3 NKJV
A new life without suffering, distress or death
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21
THE WORLD TO COME
Unspoilt beauty of the countryside and the characters of the population
14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2
Animal Kingdom at peace
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. Isaiah 11
Contrast that with the world today – war, earthquake and terrorism,
to the world when Jesus returns and rules the world from Jerusalem.
Peace and harmony for all
4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2
The true worship of God will be desired by the survivors.
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2
The situation in the world that will bring Jesus back.
You may be wondering how such huge changes can be brought about in our world today. Especially as the conditions in the world are going to get worse before they get better!
This is predicted by a number of prophets like Joel, Zechariah, Isaiah, Daniel and others, including Ezekiel where God speaks to Gog, which leads a band or alliance, of nations in the Middle East to attack Israel – whose people, only in the middle of the last century, returned to their land to escape the murderous intent of Hitler.
God’s message continues.
5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: 6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. 7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. 8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Ezekiel 38
This chapter is well worth a read, with a good atlas at your side, to see what nation is the leader of the many peoples described in this prophecy (vs 6-8).
And this is only one of the prophets that between them give a detailed description of a large fighting force who will attack God’s people of Israel. See these verses from Zechariah 14.
2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captFivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Clearly, Israel will be in great trouble, and something must be done to save God’s people from destruction. Zechariah immediately tells us God will act urgently as He has in the past.
3 Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. Zechariah
The new life that we have been showing you is a huge change from the war that the prophets predict. Obviously, someone with great power will be needed to save Israel from destruction and bring about the marvellous changes in the Earth we have begun to outline. Especially as many powerful nations will resist giving up their soverFeignty at all cost. A good example of such a leader is Vladimir Putin the present President of Russia.
Maybe you have worked out who will save Israel’s saviour.
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24
The return of Jesus to the earth and all that he must do is a large, detailed subject and beyond the scope of this article. It is also a very interesting subject since those to whom Jesus gives eternal life are vitally involved. But, if there is enough interest we will undertake that task, God willing, very soon. Do let us know if you have any comments about this article or future articles using our comments box at the top right of this page.
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WHAT NEXT?
Time is precious – we need to use it well. Check our Article Index for other articles on many subjects relevant to our day and age.
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You can then keep the link on your phone, or one of our mini booklets in your pocket to occupy those spare waiting moments, in a queue, over a coffee, after a meal, or on a journey.
ALSO AVAILABLE
A Bible Reading Plan and Guide consisting of fourteen booklets each containing guidance notes for four weeks of the twelve-month plan.
God offers men and women a part in His marvellous purpose with the earth that He reveals in His word, the Bible. Since benefiting from the great blessings God offers is dependent upon fulfilling certain conditions He lays down, it is essential that all who would have a part in His glorious purpose read and
Understand the Bible for themselves. This plan is therefore designed to introduce the reader directly to God’s message and the accompanying guidance notes highlight the straightforward teaching of the Bible, deal with difficulties which people have expressed in the past and draw attention to many examples of divine authorship which reinforce the absolute assurance that this is the Word of the Living God.
A copy of the first issue, together with a bookmark of the year’s reading plan. Questions about what you read in the Bible can be asked in the “Contact Us” box on this website, by phone or by post.