The Bible is the announcement
of the word of God

Scriptures of the Bible are born from the influence of God.  The message of the Bible is condensed in this:

God announces Himself to mankind.  He has prepared salvation for sinners through Jesus Christ. Through His word, God teaches basic values of life, according to which it is good to live.  God announces coming events by way of His word.  God announces in His word the way to the source of eternal life.

Central to the Bible is the Description of Jesus Christ

The Bible describes the phases of the nation of Israel and the life wandering of individual persons and their relationship to God.  The Bible also includes the feelings and thoughts of people, including their pleasures, griefs, failures, successful choices, and so on.  However, in all these different dimensions we can see God and His will.  The Bible announces the Word of God to mankind, because the Bible is His word.  The centre point of all in the Bible is God and salvation, which He has prepared. This salvation is in Jesus Christ.  

The Bible

In the original language of Hebrew, the Bible has no vowels, because it was written only with consonants, since Jews were able to read and to pronounce the Scriptures of the Bible just as they are pronounced.  Jewish scribes, during 400 B.C., added vowels to the Old Testament.  However, the message of the Bible was not changed, but vowels eased the reading of the Old Testament for those whose mother language was not Hebrew.  Also in today’s Israel, many printed texts appear without vowels because Jews can read a text in their mother language without vowels.  The Old Testament has been written in Hebrew and a few verses are also in the Aramaic language, which was the common language during the time of Jesus Christ.  The original language of the New Testament is Greek, which is a very wise decision on God’s part because Greek was the common language of the world at the time when the gospel was first preached.  In this way, the gospel spread quickly around the world. Since none of the original Hebrew or Aramaic text has been found, we have to stay in the Greek language as the original text of the NT. But if sometime in the future we might find Hebrew or Aramaic texts of the NT, which are proved to be original texts, but until this happens, we must stay in the language of Greek as the original language of the NT.

Translation of the Bible

Translation of the Bible is not a problem, because all texts can always be translated into some other language.  Most translations of the Bible are extremely accurate.  The message of the word of God is intended to be preached to the whole world. That's why it is translated extremely accurately into every language.  But there exist also so called liberal translations, which are not as accurate in many places.

 A translation of the Bible is not a replacement for the original text, because a copy is always a copy.  But the translation doesn’t prevent the Bible from being the word of God.  For example, translations of the old King James Bible and James (Jay) P. Green’s literal translation are really close translations to the original text.

Liberal translations have been translated according to the principle of dynamic equivalence, which means that the word in the original language has not been translated literally. Instead, the liberal translation attempts to convey the thoughts of the Biblical writers and is in many places the interpretation of translators.  In this way, liberal translations earn the title of “liberal translation”. It is absolutely clear that this kind of translating destroys much of the content of the original text of the Bible.  

By faith we will understand the Bible

The message of the Bible is so deep, that no one can ever understand the whole meaning of it.  

 Now faith is the substantiation of things having been hoped, the evidence of things not having been seen.  For by this the elders obtained witness. By faith we understand the ages to have been framed by the word of God, so that the things seen should not come into being out of things that appear.

Hebr 11:1-3  

From this Biblical verse comes the understanding that God’s acts and words can’t be understood other than by faith.

 And as they were telling these things, Jesus Himself stood in their midst, and said to them, Peace to you!  But being terrified and filled with fear, they thought they saw a spirit.  And He said to them, Why are you troubled? And why do reasonings come up in your hearts.  See My hands and My feet, that I am He? Feel Me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see Me having.  And saying this, He showed them His hands and feet. But yet they not believing from the joy, and marveling, He said to them, Have you any food here? And they handed a broiled part of a fish to Him, and from a honeycomb.  And taking these before them, He ate.  And He said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you yet being with you, that must be fulfilled all the things having been written in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, and the Psalms, concerning Me.  Then He opened up their mind to understand the Scriptures,  and said to them, So it is written, and so the Christ must suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.  And repentance and remission of sins must be preached on His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  And you are witnesses of these things. Luke 24: 36-48

 After His death, Jesus appeared to His disciples and opened their understanding to comprehend the Scriptures.  Think about this!  The disciples wandered three years with Jesus Christ and during this time they saw many miracles, which Jesus Christ performed.  However, these miracles couldn't help them to understand the word of God and its prophetical message.  Jesus Christ opened their understanding to comprehend the Biblical Scriptures

 When a man admits his sinfulness before God, then God will regenerate him from above, whereby the man receives the Holy Spirit.  By the Holy Spirit God opens His word to the man, to those who believe in Him.   Understanding of the Bible is dependant upon faith and not on the intelligence of a man.  Through his own understanding, a man can only partially understand the word of God. This amount is not enough to save us.  The word of God, the Holy Spirit and prayer are necessary for an understanding that leads to salvation.  Otherwise the word of God remains one book among other books.

The Bible was born from the influence of the Spirit of  God

knowing this first, that every prophecy of Scripture did not come into being of its own interpretation; for prophecy was not at any time borne by the will of man, but having been borne along by the Holy Spirit, holy men of God spoke.

2 Peter 1:20,21

I will add to this a few examples, which indicate clearly to us that the Bible has born from the influence of the Spirit of God.  

Dividing of the continent

And two sons were born to Eber; the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.

1 Moos 10:25

The Bible speaks about the great flood, which covered and drowned the whole earth.  After this flood, the earth was divided into many parts from which different continents originated.  Today's science is of the strong opinion that originally the globe was only one large continent.  Continental plates have moved and consequently, our current continents came into existence.  

 The book of Genesis was written thousands of years ago. Where could one of the writers of the Bible have known that the earth was divided?   The Spirit of God has been leading this verse to be placed in the Bible.

 If you look at a map of the planet and start to combine the different continents, you will notice that they combine together surprisingly well.   Scientists have proven with their own measurements, that continental plates belong perfectly together and in the beginning composed one continent.  But for some reason continental plates have started to move away and have divided.  

The Bible tells us, that the nation of Israel is in the pole of the earth, Eze 36:12.  When the continental plates are adjusted to their original position, we can see one continent whose centre point is the country of Israel.  How did the prophet Ezekiel know this?  The Spirit of God also guided this information into the Bible.  

Form of the earth is round

Have you not known? Have you not heard? Was it not told to you from the beginning? Did you not discern from the foundations of the earth?  He who sits on the circle of the earth, even its dwellers are like grasshoppers; He who stretches the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in;

Isa 40: 21-22  

The prophet Isaiah speaks by the inspired Spirit of God that God sits above the earth, which has the shape of a circle.  In the 22^nd verse, the word for circle in the Hebrew language is Chug - in other words, God sits above the circular earth.     The prophet Isaiah knew that the earth is circular in form and he lived about 700 B.C., almost 2700 years ago.

The Flood

The Bible tells us also that in the beginning, the age of the people was very high.  Man could live over 900 years.  This is often difficult to believe, but because the Bible is the word of God and true, then this longevity of people can't be nonsense.

 Today, more and more scientists are suspicious of the theory of evolution and the ice age theory.  Some scientists believe, that in the early years of mankind, a very large, worldwide devastation has had to take place.  Fossils have been found from which have been found the remains of destroyed animals and remains of species of animals (for instance dinosaurs and mammoths).  Fossils of such animals have been found in areas in which they wouldn’t live normally.  This would prove that in the beginning only one large continent existed.  Large lizard animals have become extinct, and many species are extinct.  Fossils prove this.  Also remains of animals have been found on the highest mountains. These all prove that a great flood has covered the earth and animals had climbed to the highest places to search for rescue, but the water covered the whole earth.  From the highest mountain have also been found fish fossils, which is evidence on behalf of the flood.  Fish don't live naturally on the mountains.

 In Antarctica and Greenland, fruit and palm trees have been found. This all proves that in the beginning there was only one large continent.  In Alaska, the fossils of lions, antelopes, camels, and horses have been found. 

 All these discoveries have been found in a frozen state.  Many think that this advocates for an ice age theory and not for the flood.

 Now we are also starting to understand that in the beginning, the globe was covered with water canopy.  This water cloak prevented harmful space radiation from affecting the earth.  Our globe was like a greenhouse, in which was a global tropical.  The advantage of this water canopy was to increase human longevity by preventing harmful cosmic radiation from reaching the surface of the planet. It’s because of the cosmic radiation that astronauts wear space suits. Harmful space radiation is calculated to reach down to 14 metres (45 feet) under the water’s surface.  The long- aged tortoise lives deep in the sea and some even live up to a few hundreds years of age.  Comparable species on the earth don't live as long, but perhaps at the most up to 40 years of age.  This water canopy really enabled people to live for over 900 years.  The Bible also teaches that God decreased the age of man just before the flood.

The Bible teaches that because of the wickedness of people, God opened the windows of heaven and water from the sky fell for forty days.  The water canopy, which protected the earth, now rained down and caused a large catastrophe in which almost all of mankind and animals drowned.  When the water canopy, which had surrounded the earth, plunged down, it achieved so large a pressure, that it froze the North Pole and the South Pole.  As a consequence of the flood, the continental plates moved and formed many smaller continents.  Because of this freezing of the poles, evidence has been left which shows that the earth had been one large tropical continent before the flood.  

Many ancient cultures confirm, that the flood has taken place

When we speak about the biblical flood, we don't have to only look for information given by nature, but also traditional knowledge of nations proves that the flood has taken place.  These stories have been found from all over the world. Many details from these stories have changed, however common elements exist, for example, that water is mentioned as the originator of the devastation.  Many of these stories also mention falling into sin and the mixture of languages in Babel (Babylonia), which also the Bible speaks of. 

These stories appear among different tribes, such as Babylonians, Australian natives, China Miao tribe, African dwarfs of Efe, the Hopi Indians of America and Padago tribe in North America.  The flood story has spread around the world. This is a clear indication that the flood has, after all, taken place.

We all remember the story of Noah and how he went into the ark, and there were with him seven others persons - in other words eight people in the ark. (Gen 7:7, 1 Peter 3:20).

It's very interesting that the number eight and a clear reference to the flood comes into view in Chinese characters.  In Chinese characters, the symbol for ship describes a boat with eight people.  In other words, just the same number as in the ark of Noah! In the same way, the Chinese character for flood is the figure eight!  It can't be a coincidence that the same number eight is connected both to the ship symbol and the flood symbol.  The connection is there because the Chinese have preserved the traditional knowledge of the same global flood as other nations.   This can’t be accident, but confirms that this Chinese tradition is compatible with the testimony of the Bible

Also, there's another peculiarity in Chinese characters - the word righteous.  The character for righteous is composed from two different parts: the upper part means a lamb and lower side is the personal pronoun I.  This is very interesting because man can't by himself become righteous, but when he has faith in the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ), can he become righteous. 

Israel

Therefore, say to the house of Israel, So says the Lord Jehovah: I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but only for My holy name which you profaned among the nations, there where you went. And I will sanctify My great name which was profaned among the nations, which you profaned among them. And the nations shall know that I am Jehovah, declares the Lord Jehovah, when I am sanctified in you in their eyes.  For I will take you from the nations and gather you out of all the lands and bring you into your land. Eze 36 22-24

The Bible writes about the phases of the nation of Israel, in which their relationship to God can be seen.  God's blessing was with the nation of Israel when they functioned in accordance with His will, but when the nation of Israel rejected God's will, they came into great difficulties.  

The prophet Ezekiel, along with many other writers in the Bible, wrote that the nation of Israel would return to its own land, which God has promised to them.  By way of history, the Jews are downtrodden and other nations have tried to eliminate them, the latest attempt coming from Hitler and the Nazis, which we remember from the second world war and from the concentration camps and from the holocaust.  However, in the year 1948, the Jews received part of the land of Israel in the form of independence and so were born the state of Israel. So the word of the Bible came true and today there are about 10,000 messianic Jews in Israel who believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah of Israel and the Messiah of the whole world.

The Bible prophesies that the nation of Israel converts at the end of days to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, just before the second coming of Jesus.  A small group of Jews who believe in the Lord Jesus already exists and this number is growing.  The first part of the prophecy has already come true.  Israel is in its own country and the spiritual awakening of Israel has already started.  Thanks to God for Israel and His promises which the Lord God has given to the nation of Israel.  God bless Israel!!!

Reign of Messiah Jesus

The Bible also prophesies, that in the end time, mankind will form one unit, which has control of the world.  The religions will also form some kind of unity, the key words of which is tolerance and integration of the world.  It will happen just as in the beginning of mankind’s history in Babylon when mankind tried, without God, to build a one-world government and one main religion.  Then mankind built the tower of Babel, whose purpose was to subordinate mankind to the one world government and religion – the worship of the queen of heaven.  It was in Babylon that God confused the languages of the nations and separated them from one another, lest this rebellious plan against God should succeed.

 Today's keyword is the integration of the world.  God is allowing things to go on quite long before He interferes in this game.  Finally, God will break the end-time Tower of Babel and set up His own Kingdom for a thousand years on the earth, which will rule the real Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  And after that God will set up eternity in New Jerusalem, were man can live an everlasting, happy and righteous life with God.

The Bible is still the word of God today It is also the word of God for all generations.  It is always a fresh announcement from the living God, which doesn’t need to be update to current times, because it is Alpha (beginning) and Omega (end).  We can safely believe in the Bible and its message, the brightest message of which is salvation in Jesus Christ. 

Salvation message of the Bible

Each person is short of the glory of God because of sin. In other words, nobody is saved by his own power and not with religious rituals.  Sin brings man’s slavery to life and this brings dependency to the practice of sin.  The Bible teaches that Satan has captured man to follow his will.  The sin is double faced - it brings the flesh of the man into an extremely bad condition.  According to the Bible’s teaching, sin only brings temporary enjoyment.  From there arise the lusts of the flesh, which gnaw at the internal essence of the man.  The consequence to lovers of sin is eternal damnation.  As the Bible says, the wages of the sin is eternal death.

God is Almighty, and He has bound the salvation of man to His word and redemption to Calvary.  Man comes either to hear or to read the word of God, so that he can receive salvation.  The Holy Spirit confirms to the heart of man that the word of God is true, so that a man can repent his sin and receive salvation.

Through the Gospel, God calls people to enter the kingdom of God. Still you have time to repent and receive the free gift of God, who has loved and loves us so much today.

Petri Paavola from Finland