Multiple Bible Versions And The Gospel Of Christ

 Over the years of discussing the Bible version issue with various people, some of what we discuss are discrepancies in the modern versions, confusion caused by multiple versions, and major doctrines attacked.

After discussing these subjects, I’ve come to several conclusions about individuals who still don’t view modern versions and multiple versions as extremely problematic​:

1. Prior to our conversation, they were never aware of an issue with modern versions.

2. They are dishonest and remain unchanged despite the indisputable evidence presented.

3. They are apathetic concerning the subject.

If you don’t believe there’s a huge problem with a version that removes the blood of Jesus Christ, removes the deity of Jesus Christ, attacks the virgin birth, and makes Jesus a liar, then you’re dishonest and ​are intent to remain willfully ignorant.

1 Corinthians 14:38 KJV
But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

When you think of someone who would correct the ​King James Version Bible and cast doubt on the words of God, you might envision a seminary professor, a Hebrew or Greek scholar, or even a pastor.

However, these Bible correctors aren’t confined to the classroom or the pulpit. The​re are keyboard theologians ​who have emerge​d online behind a spiritual smokescreen, declaring “the mistakes” in the ​KJV text and offering a “better wording​".

One major problem with this approach is that the standard for truth shifts from the scriptures to a private interpretation. The individual who corrects the scriptures has effectively set himself up as the final authority, implying that God made a mistake in the preservation process. If the words and wording of scripture is fluid, they no longer remain an objective standard of truth.

Job 12:2 KJV
No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.

Romans 3:4 KJV
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Recently someone commented, “multiple faithful translations can help clarify meaning rather than confusion.”

Faithful translations? By this they meant accurate scholarly translations by evangelical Christians, who affirm the inspiration and inerrancy of scripture. Examples. ESV , NASB , CSB, NIV .

Now​, I will provide just a few examples to prove his statement is ABSOLUTELY False, and prove by just comparing 2 versions- the KJV and another version- that multiple versions cause confusion and not clarity.

The words in BOLD PRINT will prove differences that are contrary and cause confusion.

Psalm 10:5 KJV
His ways are always GRIEVOUS ; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

Psalm 10:5 NIV - His ways PROSPER at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them.

Ephesians 5:9 KJV
(For the fruit of the SPIRIT is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Ephesians 5:9 - NASB - For the fruit of the LIGHT​ consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

Jeremiah 10:5 KJV
They are upright as the PALM TREE but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

Jeremiah 10:5 - NIV Their idols are like SCARECROWS in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good."

1 Timothy 3:16 KJV
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1 Timothy 3:16 NIV - Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: HE was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

This verse should be highly considered before making arbitrary claims without providing evidence.

Proverbs 25:8 KJV
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

How many times have you heard someone say, ​"I don’t argue about the Bible , I just preach the gospel. Arguing with someone is a waste of time and no one is going to get saved because of an argument, God just wants us to preach the gospel.​"

What they may not realize is that they are actually arguing while they claim arguments are a waste of time. This is a self refuting statement.

While we are commanded to preach the gospel,​ that doesn’t relieve us from the responsibility of having intellectual conversations and arguments for the faith.

Paul’s pattern was not only proclamation, but also persuasion.​ Biblical Christianity isn’t merely about blind faith​; Believers should be able to set forth good evidence for why we believe what we believe​.

When Paul proclaimed the resurrection of Christ in 1 Corinthians 15, he didn’t say believe that Christ died and was buried and rose again just because the scriptures prove it.

He gives good reasons to believe the resurrection, he names specific eyewitness​es, he mentions over 500 people at once saw the risen Christ​. He says most of them are still alive​ at the time of his writing so they can be questioned if ​one would like, and he mentions his testimony that he is a changed man by God’s grace​. His final point was if Christ didn’t rise from the dead Christianity crumbles.

Christians don't just preach the gospel as a shield from intellectual discourse.​ 

​Philippians 1:10 KJV

​That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

​Paul took time to tell people not only what they should believe, but why they should believe it! And we are to follow his example.

Acts 26:25-28 KJV
But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

-Brant Zeller

What Do You Do When God Re-Writes Your Expected Story (video sermon)

 

Depression Era Chocolate Cake recipe

 Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 8 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups water

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350*.

1. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in an 9x13-inch ungreased pan. Make 3 depressions in flour mixture; pour oil into one, vinegar into second, and vanilla into third. Pour water over all, then whisk until well blended and resembling cake batter.
   Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 to 40 minutes.
   You can top the cake with powdered sugar, whipped cream, or your favorite chocolate frosting.

Ode To The iPhone (poem)

 Oh iPhone, my iPhone! I love thee to date,
We’ve spent so much time together of late.
You’ve opened my eyes to the ways of the world,
To manifold things, that never grow old!
When I awake you’re the first thing I see,
As you’re always there, right next to me.

Whenever I want, I can tap into you’re power,
At any time of the day, or hour.
You’re ready always to make sure that I see,
The many temptations waiting for me.
Daily you grant me to indulge in the lust,
Of the lascivious things you place in my trust;
And the covetous spirit, that excites within,
Takes hold on my mind as I fall into sin.

Oh iPhone, my iPhone!
You’re as wondrous as can be!
You’ve carried my heart to the depths of depravity.
Depravity I say….but it’s not a sin;
For the Prince of the Air, has comforted me within,
To ensure that my flesh is at ease in this state;
With it’s natural inclines, who can debate?

Each day as my flesh grows stronger with you,
I have no need of the Spirit life I once knew.
That Spirit life which fades day by day,
And sometimes I wonder if I’ve lost my way.
But there you are, to distract my mind,
Lest I should fall back into faithful inclines.
Those old ways, I’ve lost patience for,
And communing with family has become such a bore.

A Snap or a Reel, a Tok or a Gram,
All that you show me, is everything I am!
The walls of my room have enclosed this domain,
As my parents sit back and scorn with disdain.
But they don’t understand how my needs have changed,
As they ponder the cause and seek whom to blame.
It’s just a new world, with new ways you see,
And I think there’s a scripture that calls it, “Laodicia-e…?”

We had a good time, when I was a child,
But now I just wish they’d let me sit idle;
That I may enjoy my communing with thee,
Oh iPhone, my iPhone, it’s you I seek to please!
I dedicate my time and devotion to you,
As you’re always there to tell me what’s true.
Truth as far as the world is concerned;
But that’s what I long for, that’s what I yearn.

There once was a truth, that I used to adore,
But that has also become such a bore;
And I have no desire to seek it anymore.
Oh iPhone, my iPhone! I’m so glad that we met!
Before you came along, I used to regret,
The things in my life that weren’t quite right;
But now I indulge, with my conscience aright,
And I feel no need to put up a fight!

Of this I can attest is absolute bliss!
(What was that….did I just hear a hiss?)
Oh, never mind, as it matters not,
It’s time to indulge in the things that are not;
And get to myself yet another blot.

Oh iPhone, my iPhone!
I have no greater need,
Than to pay full attention, to the things that you heed.
I’ll do what you say, and say what you do,
I’m always ready and willing to make my defense of you;
To prove to those people who don’t understand,
How great you can be, while their lives are so bland!

Oh iPhone, my iPhone! I bid you goodnight,
My parents are waiting and growing uptight.
They want me to come and kiss them goodnight;
But what I really want, is to hold you tight,
And to embrace your wonders, all through the night.
And when the day breaks, in the early Dawn,
When I awake with a dramatic yawn;
Again will I gaze into your blackish screen,
With a slumbering grip, I’ll press all your keys,
And will delight to start my day with thee!

-Dina Keough

I've Found A Faithful Friend (song)

 

Extraterrestrial Aliens

There is something that the world seems to be gearing up to accept- aliens from another planet. This sentiment has been on the fringe of our society for a while, but now it seems to be getting mainstream attention.

As a Christian, I view everything through the lens of Scripture. But, are aliens in the Bible? And are Christians warned against them?

First, let's look at what most people believe aliens are.

The majority of people would refer to these beings as extra terrestrial entities, meaning they are from a planet other than our own. They are sometimes referred to as "little green men" or "greys" and they are small with large heads and big black eyes. They fly around in flying saucers, also called UFO's or UAP's, and they have advanced technological capabilities.

There are a few other factions that believe there are a few different species of aliens- the main ones being Blondes (tall blonde human like creatures), Greys (the aliens described above), and Reptilians (very tall amphibian type creatures that walk around on two legs like humans).

Look as hard as you may and you won't find extraterrestrials mentioned as such in the Bible, though many Christians believe they exist. This has some scholars believing that the Bible's silence on these creatures implies their irrelevance to human salvation, rather than their non-existence.

I, however, think the Bible does give us a small insight into these beings.

There is something similar to a UFO in Ezekiel 1.

Ezekiel 1:15-20- Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.

 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

This "wheel within a wheel" sounds an awful lot like a typical flying saucer, and the "rings being full of eyes" kind of sounds like windows or port holes in the machine.

Whatever, exactly, this was that Ezekiel saw, it is most certainly connected with spiritual beings.

Another verse that comes to mind is the one that describes Nephilim.

Genesis 6:1-4- And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

 The Bible mentions giants as a byproduct of the union of fallen angels and humanity. But, what if there were other mutant creations that came from them as well. We know that Scripture doesn't always give us ALL of the details, but it does give us the most important ones- like only naming 3 of Adam and Eve's children.

The creatures that came from the fallen angels are described as being mighty and evil.

One verse that always made me wonder was in Psalm 8 where David is ascribing God as Creator.

Psalm 8:8- The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

What, other than fish, would be passing through the paths of the seas.

Paul and John both kind of give us a little hint that there is something beneath the oceans.

Philippians 2:10-11- That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 5:13- And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Why are they talking about things under the earth? John differentiates between things in the sea and things under the earth.

Paul makes mention that we fight against spiritual beings.

Ephesians 6:12- For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

There is a propensity for Christians to view this verse as if these are non-corporeal spirits, but the Bible doesn't say that. It never tells us that spirits can't have or use a corporeal form!

Zechariah speaks with the Lord regarding a flying roll (UFO?) and some creatures that come from it.

Zechariah 5:1-11- Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth. And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

According to Zechariah's vision, there's a flying object that brings a curse to the earth. Going forth from this object, or with this object, are women with stork wings- sounds an awful lot like the description people believe to be angels- who establish something in the land of Shinar. I'm guessing that would be like a base of operations in modern day Iraq. But, God is very quick to tell Zechariah that this is wickedness!

Paul warns us that there will be a strong delusion from Satan during the Tribulation to get them to believe a lie.

II Thessalonians 2:7-12- For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

When the Antichrist shows up, he comes with 10 mutant kings to rule the earth according to Daniel. It is possible that these are "extraterrestrial" or "interdimensional" aliens. Why do I say this? Because in Revelation there is a big focus on accepting God as the creator.

Revelation 4:16-17- And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

It's possible that these mutant kings come as advanced aliens from another planet that claim to have created our world.This theory originally brought to light by Carl Sagan is already ingraining itself in our media. We already see this theory in many movies that are coming out. Almost like they are trying to plant the thought so that people will readily accept it.

Now, with former intelligence officials and the government coming out with all this "classified information" being made available to the public, it appears that the time for this deception is drawing near.

Paul already warned us that part of a degenerate course is to view the created being as more worthy of worship than the one who created it.

Romans 1:25- Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

My theory is that what we call aliens have been on earth for a very long time, possibly since before the flood. These beings are not "extraterrestrial" as many think but rather "interterrestrial" as in they live under our oceans, and that's why there's reference to things being under the seas in the Bible. They have been slowly showing themselves to mankind so that when they finally show up they will be accepted as benevolent helpers of humanity instead of the wicked deceitful workers of Satan.

Satan told Eve back in the beginning of creation that disobeying God's command would give her knowledge to become like God. I believe he's just repackaging this age old lie into a new, modern one. The "aliens" will bring advancement to our race to help us eliminate disease and aging! A promise to make us more like God who doesn't get sick or die. But, it will come with a painful price!

Revelation 13:16- And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Revelation 16:2- And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

Revelation 14:11- And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

When Paul gave his warning about another gospel, perhaps he was warning against something more than a messed up denomination of Christianity.

Galatians 1:8- But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Maybe he was warning that a fallen angel would bring beings that claimed to come from heaven and they would preach their own message about worshipping a beast and accepting his mark in their body for "salvation".

In a time when many will be "looking to the stars", the wise will be looking to Scripture to avoid deception which will lead to damnation.