In Defense of the Authorized Version.
(by Sandy Hooper)
| SURRENDER MY WEAPON? In Defense of the Authorized Version. (by Sandy Hooper) | |
|
A FALLING AWAY. In the Bible the end time is characterized by a falling away. It is commonly called, apostasy. In every dispensation in the Bible, and this includes the Millennial Reign of Christ, ends in apostasy. Throughout the Bible we see apostasy has taken place and will continue to take place. If you read through the Bible you will find it. There's the apostasy in Genesis, chapters 1-3, Genesis, chapters 4-7, Genesis 8-11, Genesis 12-50, Exodus 20 through Judges, chapters 1-2. The Church, as well, is not exempt from apostasy, for it will come close to ending that way before Jesus Christ returns, (1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:1-8, Heb. 10:25; 2 Thess. 2:3). However, praise God there are still the faithful few who have not abandoned God or His Book.
Words spoken 2,000 years ago are ringing true to our day in the Church as it draws to an end. Second Timothy 4:3 states:
"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." A majority of the Body of Christ have fallen away from the truth in these end times. They no longer stress sound doctrine. Why? Because some of them don't realize the word of God is continually under attack which is causing confusion in the Body of Christ, and some who simply refuse to stress sound doctrine because of their itching ears.
There's one archenemy of God and man and he is called Satan. As time goes on we discover how hard at work he is to try and get rid of God's words, thus get rid of that book. Since Satan knows he can't dispose the pure inerrant words of God (Ps. 12:6,7 KJV), he will do all he can to try to supplant it, or to corrupt it in the minds and hearts of God's people. However, we should be careful, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: ....." (2 Cor. 2:11).
We are warned so many times in the New Testament about false prophets, false teachers, false doctrines, about those who are wolves who come in looking like sheep. I believe we are near the end of the dispensation of the church age. We have past the time of the Philadelphia church (Rev. 3:8) where the members of this church keeps the word of God. It was this church that published the 1611 Authorized Version, otherwise known today as the King James Version.
"I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." This is said of no other church in the Bible. Yes, it was the church that kept the word of God. The Philadelphia church was the period of the open door. This is a time when masses of people were saved when the gospel went world-wide. The 1611 Bible, the Authorized Version, bore much fruit. That Bible swept the nations and many sinners were converted to Jesus Christ by the use of that Book which is God's infallible, inerrant word.
However, the last church on the list before the Rapture is the period of the Laodicean church. This church is lukewarm. It is neither hot or cold. It is a church that rejects the word of God, and has shut its door. In fact, it is at this church where Jesus has to "...stand at the door and knock." This church claims they don't have the scriptures, they just have a mere translation subject to copyist errors. This church doesn't dare say the Bible we have in our language is the Holy Scripture. They take what is Holy and produce a counterfeit Bible. Their bibles are luke warm. A counterfeit bible will produce Christians who won't have a love for the truth. These Christians don't mind when their counterfeit bible attacks the Deity of Christ; they don't mind when it attacks the Atonement; they don't mind when it attacks the Virgin Birth; and they don't mind when it attacks Salvation.
We are in need of a revival, but we shall see none as long as these counterfeit bibles are in the hands of people who are not informed about what has happened with our scriptures. Jesus is standing at the door and knocking. He wants you and I to be like the church who kept His words and has not denied His name.
In these counterfeit bibles, you will discover how they deny His name and titles of His name at least 136 times, if not more, in just ONE version alone, the NIV (Never Improved Version).
We are no longer encouraged to believe and take the Bible as final authority in all matters of faith and practice. We have come to the point where higher education has given us the privilege to do whatever we deem necessary with the scriptures. This means taking out verses, phrases, books, etc., we think should not be there. We don't have to worry about sound doctrine, because there are so many bibles that conflict with each other, thus, nobody has the truth anyway.
We are encouraged to seek man's wisdom, seek the scholars, the educational system for our answers rather than the word of God itself. The Laodicean church does not believe the Holy Bible, in our language, is the Scripture at all, even though they PROFESS TO HAVE THE SCRIPTURES!
Let me give you an example. I have been conversing with other Christians via the internet. One of those Christians happened to be a fellow who graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary who said he believed in the infallible, inerrant word of God. So I asked him, "Do you believe you have the infallible, inerrant Scriptures in your hands that you can read today, in your own English language? His answer?
"It is just this kind of question that establishes your total lack of education in this subject. Now, please, do the Lord, yourself, and others a big favor and read the works I recommend above. At least that way you have a chance of engaging in meaningful discussion regarding the original manuscripts, copies, and translations." (Emphasis in bold type mine.)
Did you notice something? He did not answer my question! These types of people never do. They tell you what the profess to believe, but don't really believe what they profess. Instead, we must consider my lack of education. I'm suppose to do the Lord, myself, and others a big favor and go to MEN who will do their best to convince me I don't have the Scriptures! The works of men he recommended was James White, "The King James Only Controversy" and F. F. Bruce, "The New Testament Documents: Are they reliable?" Now I know about James White for I have conversed with him a number of times via internet.. And as far as I'm concerned, I would rather change poopy diapers all day long than waste my time reading his messages trying to get me to abandon God's Book.
Let me tell you how I was awakened to the issue concerning what was happening to our Bible. My husband had a visit from an old friend whom he hadn't seen in years, along with his wife. At the time of their visit they were both in a drug treatment program to kick the habit. During the course of the evening I began to witness to the couple. During this time I had pulled out at least 6 to 8 different versions of the Bible. The husband stopped me in the middle of a conversation and asked me, "Which Bible is the true Bible?" His questioned stumped me. The question made such an impact on me that I began to wonder myself! From then on that question stayed with me.
This incident took place in the early part of November of 1995. It was several weeks before this time I had decided to leave the Catholic church. I had been a Christian for 20 years and had remained in the Catholic Church all that time. Something was missing in my life and I couldn't pin-point the problem other than that I missed Christian fellowship. I missed the fellowship like I had when I lived in Florida. Down there I was very involved in the Charismatic movement (Don't worry, the Bible straightened me out on the tongues business).
It was near the end of summer of 1995 when I started attending a Baptist Church, and it was the end of November I decided to join. New members were required to take membership classes which took place in the Pastor's office each Sunday. About the third Sunday of my visit I noticed a book on his desk. I asked him if I could borrow the book. The book was titled, "New Age Bible Versions," by Dr. G.A. Riplinger. That night I started to read her book and was brought to tears just after reading the first two chapters as I saw what was happening with God's words. About a week or two before I borrowed that book, I had purchased for the first time in my life a King James Bible, therefore, I was able to compare the versions as I read her book.
It was through reading this book I decided the King James Bible was the true word of God, and had shared this with another Christian brother. I was ridiculed by him. He said I acted like a Mormon because I depended upon my feelings for what was true, all because I shared with him how I had shed tears to see God's word corrupted. I told him it wasn't feelings that made me accept the King James Bible as the word of God, but the EVIDENCE, presented in her book and checking it out for myself. The same Holy Spirit who wrote that Bible is the same Holy Spirit who resides in me, and so it is also by the convincing power of the Holy Spirit that I know the Authorized Version to be the true word of God. Come to find out, that Christian also believed in the inerrant, infallible word of God, but it was nothing he could hold or read today in his own language, English.
It is November of 1996 now, so I have had that Book for 12 months and will never let it go. I will never trade it in for a counterfeit bible! It has been my weapon for those who knock at my door. It has been my weapon to answer my own brothers and sisters in Christ who criticize that very Book, and me, for believing it to be the Scriptures in my very own language, English. I have gained more faith in God by reading that Book. The doctrines are getting less confusing as I read that Book. I enjoy reading that Book. Those words in that book convict me of my own sins. And by those words I know I am forgiven and eternally secure. By reading and believing the words in that Book I am bolder in my walk with Jesus Christ. Because of the words in that Book I am built up and strengthened. When things or people get me down, I go to that BOOK!
I believe what happened to me was by no accident. There was a question, and God answered it without wasting any time! So what I have learned, I want to share with you. You could be like me who was not informed. You may not realize what is happening to God's words. If you are interested, just keep reading. For those of you who think it just might make you angry, then maybe you had better ask yourself, "Why?" So let us begin.
Did you know that when a person is born again, he is born again not by corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever? (1 Peter 1:23). Something is happening to the word of God, and we need to wake up. Second Thessalonians 2:3 states,
"Let no man deceive you by any means:" Let me tell you what happens in only two short steps, which Dr. Gail Riplinger has aptly pointed out, and can be traced right back to the Garden of Eden, which has continued up to our day.
I'm sure most of us have heard the following: Logic would dictate that two opposite statements cannot both be true.
This same logic can be said of the Holy Bible. Thus, two contradicting "Bibles" cannot both be the perfect word of God. If one is true, then the other has to be false.
You will notice that when I talk about God's word, you see I do not capitalize the "w." I do not use the capital W, because I am not talking about the Incarnate Christ. The issue I am about to inform you concerns God's words. God had plenty to say about His words in His Book, the Scriptures, or as we mostly commonly call it, the Holy Bible. Let's take a look and see a tiny example of what the Bible says about God's words.
"...thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." (Ps. 138:2) We are told that God's truth is His word, and is so stated in John 17:17: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." "He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God" (Jn. 3:34). Jesus says, If a man love me he will keep my words" (John 14:23). (Now there is something to identify a Christian's love for Jesus!) "I have given to them the words which thou gavest me" (John 17:8). If ye abide in me and my words abide in you" (John 15:7). "He that heareth God's words, ye therefore hear them not because ye are not of God" (John 8:47). "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Look at Hebrews 4:12-13. Here we have reference to the authority of the written words of God; a reference to words which God spoke. It also calls to our attention of the written word as a sword. (See. Ps. 149:6 and Ephesians 6:17 for its mate). There are Christian Universities today who are teaching that no one is able to have these words. What is taught these days is that the only Scriptures without error are contained only in the originals of those writings. In other words, when you read 1 Timothy 3:16, we are to believe it only refers to the "original autographs," and not something we have available today. Though no one on God's green earth have the original manuscripts, there is a lot of emphasis placed on them which is against Biblical practice. Prove it? Turn to Jeremiah 36:21. What happened to the first original? Look at verse 23, King Jehoiakim cut it up with a penknife and cast it into the fire on the hearth until it was destroyed. Oops! Well, so much for the originals! What God did was have Jeremiah rewrite what He had said, but this time Jeremiah had to add some words (Jeremiah 36:32) Do you know what happened to that one? Jeremiah instructed Seraiah, after reading it, to bind a stone to it and cast it into the Euphrates river (Jeremiah 51:63)! Did God panic because the first scroll was destroyed? No. Did God panic when the second one was thrown in the Euphrates river? No. Why? Because God is able to preserve His words. Nobody has been able to destroy His words though there is much fighting to do so through these new versions. If we really place emphasis on the originals as being the only perfect word of God," then Jeremiah's first wouldn't do any us any good, besides the fact that we would miss the words Jeremiah had to rewrite in the second scroll by God's command after the first was destroyed. And though the second scroll was thrown into the Euphrates River, we need not be discouraged. Why? Because God left a copy of that text in Jeremiah 45-51. God left a complete copy of what was in the first, and what was added into the second scroll, and it did not suffer from Scribal error (Psalm 12:6,7).
Nowhere in the Scriptures is there panic on God's part when it came to the destruction of the original manuscripts. I believe Psa. 12:6,7. God did not say it is the ink on the paper that is alive, but His words (John 6:63)! God is able to preserve His words, contrary to anyone's opinion!
What about God's word in our own language. Is it actually possible to have the words of God in our own language? Well, let's take another look since the Bible should be the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. See Acts 2? The multitude was confounded because they heard those men from Galilee speak in their own language (Acts 2:1-6). There are at least thirteen languages spoken there. Do you know what the men at Bob Jones University say about Christians who claim they have a copy of the Scriptures in their own English language? They condemn them as heretics (See their official statement given at the World Congress of Fundamentalism in 1988)! Imagine! You and I are condemned as heretics by this body of educated men if we believe we have a copy of the Scriptures in our own language! Imagine! If God could have His word communicated to those people in Acts, who spoke many languages, why not us? (Acts 2:6; 2 Samuel 23:2).
Are we led to believe that God cannot communicate to us in our own language? Is the God who created ALL things so incompetent that we cannot have His words in words we can understand? Are we left in limbo as to what God's truth is because some men believe God suffers from a language barrier? God forbid! Let the men of "high degree" (Psa. 62:9) drown in their own education, and I'll cling to 2 Samuel 23:2
Okay, let's go on. The Scriptures are very clear on how one is saved:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9). The Scripture also tells us how one gets that faith:
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17) "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23). Did you read that? The "incorruptible seed, by the word of God." What does James say?
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). We need to hear those words. The scriptures will lead a person to salvation (James 1:21). Why? For they testify of the Life giver Who gives life to them (see John 5:39).
"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 3:15). "So are you going to say a person who doesn't have the right Bible, he cannot get saved?" No. Even in the most corrupt versions, the simple Gospel message is still in there somewhere. But once he is saved, he needs milk! If he doesn't get the milk, he's not going to "grow". For that matter, many people have been saved by reading a commentary, but a commentary is not the living words of God. Once we are saved, we need God's words to grow properly (1 Peter 2:2). As someone has aptly said, "When it comes to these new versions on the market, we will certainly never be a threat to the devil by GROWING."
Also, did you know when you become a born again believer, you are also considered a soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3)? However, what is your weapon? Our only defensive weapon is the "sword of the Spirit which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17). And do you know how effective the sword of the Spirit is, which is the word of God? Do you know what it can do? Now turn again to Hebrews 4:12-13. It states,
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." The Scriptures just told me the word of God is a discerner. In order to be a "discerner," one must be alive. Also look at verse 13, "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in HIS sight." Now read that carefully and ask yourself, "Whose sight?" Did you notice the Scriptures are spoken of as a "person"? "HIS SIGHT..." One cannot deny that the antecedent is the word of God. It says, HIS sight. Now don't scoot me off to the commentaries because I don't care what the commentaries say. The commentaries are not the "inspired words of God". As Samuel Gipp says, "God gave us the perfect Book in order to eliminate the middle man."
Furthermore, if Hebrews 4:12-13 gives anyone a problem, they should turn to Romans 9:17 where Paul says that the SCRIPTURE raised Pharaoh up. Paul didn't say God, he said Scripture. And if that's not enough, look at what else Paul says. He says in Galatians 3:8 that the Scriptures have the human capability of foreseeing an event before it takes place. Now all this is enough to upset some scholars that they can't even give an intelligent commentary, or no commentary at all; it falls so short of "Bibliolarty!"
Now, we are told we are in battle. That we should be told to put on the whole armour of God must be for some purpose.
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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" (Eph. 6:11-12). Since every word of God (Luke 4:4) is important, what do you think comes next? We need to grow properly ( as mentioned above). A Baptist preacher by the name of Peter S. Ruckman shows us what is needed in order for a Christian to grow properly, and it can only be found in God's word.
Now there's a well-balanced diet for anyone. But did you know there is someone who doesn't want you to have it? He's called Satan! He doesn't like the words of God and never did, even way back there at the Garden of Eden "Yeah, hath God said?" (Gen. 3:1).
So, besides Satan being interested in the eternity of your soul (which he cannot get once you are saved), what would be his other interest? TO CORRUPT THE WORD OF GOD. He will do his best to put what looks "real" in your hands, but is in fact, corrupt. His last resort is to get you to put your weapon down. As Burgon wrote, "Vanquished by THE WORD INCARNATE, Satan next directed his subtle malice against THE WORD WRITTEN."
Satan has managed to give you a counterfeit bible if you don't have a King James Bible resting in your hands. Where it concerns God's words, Satan has achieved to cause doubt and confusion in the Body of Christ, as well with those who are not saved. He accomplished this by changing the Scriptures; by omitting words, verses, and even paragraphs in God's Holy Book. This is exactly what Satan has accomplished, and as greedy as he is, I'm sure he's not finished.
Some of you think you have the real Scriptures, but you don't. What you may have is Scripture that has been corrupted. Does this mean you are an awful person? No. It simply means you may have not been informed. This information is directed to your attention so you WILL be informed, and then make a decision for yourself after sampling just some of the evidence that is about to be presented before you.
God says in His word, "Where the word of a king is, there is power..." (Ecc. 8:4). We have a Book that was authorized to be translated under the ruler of a King whose name happened to be James. In fact, the name "James" is an English word for "Jacob" whom God names "Israel," because he had power with God and with men (see Gen. 32:28). This Book authorized under King James has prevailed, showing other translations to be fruitless and trash. Now, what does the Bible say about those who rule? It says: "Fear God, Honour the king" (1 Peter 2:17). Many may not know, but Nero was in power and a murderer when Peter said that. The King James translators were obeying God because the powers that be are ordained of God.
The translators of the 1611 Bible translated the King James Bible from the Textus Receptus. As one uninformed lady asked, "What does Texas have to do with this?" So in case you don't know, the Textus Receptus are the majority of Greek manuscripts which agree with each other and were widely accepted by Bible-believing Christians all through the centuries. The 1611 King James Bible was translated from these manuscripts. However, there are also corrupt manuscripts out there. They are known at the Alexandrian manuscripts, and the Vaticanus and Siniaticus (Roman Catholic) manuscripts are part of this group. I have learned that many times these manuscripts do not even agree with each other. The Vaticanus and Siniaticus disagree with each other over 3,000 times! These manuscripts are said to be dated earlier than the Textus Receptus, and therefore, since they are older, they are more reliable.
Now mind you I'm just an average housewife; I don't speak Greek or Hebrew; and have never seen an actual manuscript, but I really must ask a question. "If something disagrees with itself in over 3,000 places, how reliable can that be???" This "Older manuscript" business is being accepted by the Body of Christ without questioning it. Here is an excerpt from a letter from my former Sunday Bible school instructor:
"While I certainly cannot defend all modern translations as accurate (they aren't) be aware that the translation of the KJV follows the Textus Receptus tradition while most modern translations follow the Nestle Greek textual tradition. The Nestle includes roughly 2500 manuscripts (and portions) many of which predate those used for the translation of the KJV. In other words, many of the now discovered documents are closer to the originals than those used for the KJV and are thus less vulnerable to copying errors. Quite simply, they are more accurate."
First of all look at what he said, "In other words, many of the now discovered documents are closer to the originals than those used for the KJV and are thus less vulnerable to copying errors. Quite simply, they are more accurate." Observe that the person assumed something without giving me any proof. I did ask for it, but this Christian brother got angry with me.
Furthermore, how can he know what is "more accurate" to the "Originals" when no one has SEEN OR READ THE ORIGINALS, including himself? Also, notice how he slipped in "copying errors." Is God vulnerable to copyist errors? He doesn't have the ability, as Almighty God, to preserve His perfect word forever? Doesn't this make God a liar considering what it says in Psalm 12:6,7? However, if this gentleman had done a little reading, he would have read the latest research concerning the papyri (now seen in Nestle's Greek N.T. 26.ed) proving the KJV text is the correct and the NASB and NIV to be grossly out-of-date. Anybody can read this documented evidence in Dr. Gail Riplinger's latest book titled, "New Age Bible Versions"
When Jesus went into the synagogue to read the book of Isaiah, He didn't make a request for the "original manuscripts," nor did He ask for anything that might be close to the original, nor request the New Revised Version of it. I thank God when Jesus read and talked about the Scriptures, that's exactly what He did! (Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:24; Luke 4:21, 24:45-46, etc.). He didn't complain of any mistakes in the copies of Scriptures He was reading and preaching from. He didn't say such things as, "This might be true, but we can't be certain because we don't have the original manuscripts; This sounds close to the originals; The scholars tell us that; This word has been mistranslated because of; A better rendition would be; The copyist made a mistake here; A better word would be; Another copyist error, it should be....etc. etc. etc." I thank God Jesus did not talk like our modern day preachers!!!
This former Bible instructor talked about the Nestle which includes roughly 2500 manuscripts. However, he didn't give me any detail concerning those manuscripts! He says the now discovered documents..." Well, where were they discovered? He didn't say. I will tell you.
The facts cannot be contested in that the Siniaticus is a manuscript which was found in 1844 in a TRASH PILE in St. Catherine's Monastery near Mt. Sinai, by a man named Mr. Tischendorf. And a man by the name of John Burgon spent many years examining every available manuscript of the New Testament, and had proven the Siniaticus to be corrupt. It is said that on just about every page of the manuscript are corrections and revisions done by at least 10 different people!
The fact is, the Vaticanus and Sinaticus are Roman Catholic manuscripts. The Vaticanus (found in a Vatican Library in 1481 A.D.) was written on fine vellum (tanned animal skins) and is said to have been in excellent condition. Just because something is older does not mean it's the best. What they call the "best" is what was found in a DUMPSTER at St. Catharine's (Siniaticus) and another discovered in the VATICAN (Vaticanus) LIBRARY! Something not used would maintain an excellent condition, wouldn't you say?
Furthermore, what was found in excellent condition omits Genesis 1:1-Gen. 46:28, Psalms 106-138, Matt. 16:2-3, the Pauline Pastoral Epistles, Hebrews 9:14-13:25, and all of Revelation (is that closer to the originals?).
Isn't it rather odd of the Roman Catholic church to omit Paul's Pastoral Epistles in the manuscripts? After all look at it. I was brought up Roman Catholic and was in the Convent studying to be a nun. In the Roman Catholic church marriage is forbidden of priests and nuns. Catholics were to abstain from meat on Fridays, etc., etc. etc. Is this not giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of the devil? Now my Bible says,
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of the devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with Thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." That is in the Pastoral Epistle in 1 Tim. 4:1-3!
And what about Hebrews which deals with the blood and forgiveness of sins, and the Book of Revelation which deals with the Harlot???? She is described as MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (Revelation 17:5)."
Mystery is at the very heart of Roman Catholicism. Every sacrament manifests the mysterious power which we are to believe. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Doubleday, 1995), p. 303, para, 1075, explains the liturgy ".....aims to initiate souls into the mystery of Christ (It is mystagogy.')." All of the Church's liturgy is "mystery."
During the Dark Ages (now disguised as the "Middle Ages"), Rome burned Bibles believers. Revelation 19:2 says God will avenge "the blood of his servants AT HER HAND." From what I understand, the Pope put the Textus Receptus on the Index of Forbidden Books. I don't have to wonder why. He hates everything it has to say about his system, his mysterious "mother church," which he rules from his "throne," and where he has taken the title of God Himself, Holy Father! (John 17:11)
Whatever the case may be, it is for certain the Protestants have joined Rome, use her corrupt manuscripts, and then without any shame, produce what they call a "Bible." These bibles send a confusing message concerning the harlot. Why? Could it be that the Harlot doesn't want to get caught red-handed (Rev. 19:2)? Of course she doesn't. Note in the NIV you will find they omitted "at her hand." They also omitted "city" from Rev. 14:8 so we won't get any fancy ideas it is a city. Rome is trying to hide, but it won't last for long.
Rome is putting on the pressure and it's working. Do you remember the book, "Kingdom of the Cults?" Back in the 70's the Roman Catholic church was listed as one of them. Will you find it in there now? No! Is someone already buckling under pressure?
If you want the correct exegesis of Revelation 17:9-10, check the KJV. The KJV says, "The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth." Notice how the sentence ends with a period. Now look at the next sentence. "And there are seven kings." It is plain to see that verse nine and ten are about different things. However, the Roman Version says, "The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits and they are seven kings." We are given a false understanding there should be a connection between the hills and the kings so we won't notice that the seven hills are the city of Rome!
If you wish more information on this topic of the manuscripts, look for "Which Bible?" by David Otis Fuller, "God Wrote Only One Bible," by Jasper James Ray, "True or False?," by David Otis Fuller, "Satan's Masterpiece-The New ASV." by Peter S. Ruckman, "The King James Version Defended," by Edward F. Hills, "Christian Handbook of Manuscript Evidence," by Peter S. Ruckman, "Counterfeit or Genuine?," by David Otis Fuller, and other works by Edward Miller, Dean Burgon, Scrivener, and Herman Hoskier.
I wrote a letter to Moody Bible Institute asking them about the KJV and Dr. Logson who had publicly renounced his attachment with the New American Standard Version. I received a letter from the office which stated in part:
"Many of us who grew up with the King James Version still prefer the version and value it." [What they didn't tell me was if they believe it.] "God did not inspire one specific translation like the King James Version, but rather inspired the original writings of the apostles." [No scripture given!] "Based on my study of this matter, I believe that the NASV and the NIV, in particular, are reputable versions based on historically credible manuscripts."
1) "God did not inspire one specific translation like the King James Version, but rather inspired the original writings of the apostles." What did I tell you? In other words, if you don't have the originals, you don't have the scriptures!
2) "Based on my study of this matter, I believe that the NASV and the NIV, in particular, are reputable versions based on historically credible manuscripts."
Of course when one investigates what they mean by "historically credible manuscripts," one discovers they are really speaking about the Alexandrian manuscripts which include the Siniaticus and Vaticanus. Remember the LIBRARY and the DUMPSTER?
At another University (Bob Jones University), we will be told "A translation can't be inspired." Do you know all one has to do is read the New Testament and he will find numerous quotations from the Old Testament? All one has to do is read Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, James, for example. At times these men had to translate from the Hebrew to the Greek. When Matthew quoted Isaiah (which is in Hebrew), "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmauel" (Matt. 1:22-23), he was TRANSLATING! A translation can't be inspired? If these University fellows are to be taken seriously, then that means we can't even count on the New Testament in Greek, because it's a translation of Old Testament Hebrew.
"So are you saying the King James translators were inspired?" Let me ask you, "Did they claim to be?" I never heard or read that any of them claimed inspiration, but for that matter, neither did Matthew, Luke, Mark, John, Peter, etc.!
Dr. Frank Logsdon (1907-1987) was a popular Bible conference speaker. In 1942-1950, he pastored Central Baptist Church in London, Ontario. In the 50's Dr. Logsdon was invited by Franklin Dewey Lockman to prepare a feasibility study which led to the production of the New American Standard Version. Dr. Logsdon helped interview some of the translators who served as translators for this version. He also wrote the Foreword which appears in the NASV. However, Dr. Logsdon found out the truth about the manuscripts. He went publicly to renounce his attachment to the NASV. Here is a letter Dr. Logsdon wrote renouncing his attachment to the NASV as quoted in Dr. G. A. Riplinger's book, "New Age Bible Versions."
I must under God renounce every attachment to the New American Standard Version. I'm afraid I'm in trouble with the Lord. We laid the groundwork; I wrote the format; I helped interview some of the translators; I sat with the translator; I wrote the preface. I'm in trouble; I can't refute these arguments; its wrong, terribly wrong; its frighteningly wrong; and what am I going to do about it. "When questions began to reach me at first I was quite offended. I used to laugh with others. However, in attempting to answer, I began to sense that something was not right about the New American Standard Version. I can no longer ignore these criticisms I am hearing and I can't refute them. The deletions are absolutely frightening...there are so many... Are we so naive that we do not suspect Satanic deception in all of this? "Upon investigation, I wrote my very dear friend, Mr. Lockman, explaining that I was forced to renounce all attachment to the NASV. The product is grievous to my heart and helps to complicate matters in these already troublous times. I don't want anything to do with it. "The finest leaders that we have today haven't gone into it [the new version's use of a corrupted Greek text], just as I hadn't gone into it...that's how easily one can be deceived. I'm going to talk to him [Dr. George Sweeting, president of moody Bible Institute] about these things. "You can say the Authorized Version is absolutely correct. How correct? 100% correct! I believe the Spirit of God led the translators of the Authorized Version. If you must stand against everyone else, stand...." Dr. Frank Logsdon
It was Westcott and Hort (late 1800's) who smuggled these manuscripts in when trying to rid the word of God, the Authorized Version. And it was Westcott and Hort who practically controlled the committee of the Revised Version. They relied on corrupt manuscripts which gave birth to all the new versions we have on the market today. If you want to find out how corrupt these men were in their beliefs , just get the booklet, "Heresies of Westcott & Hort" by Rev. D.A. Waite, Th.D., Ph.D. (The Bible for Today, 900 Park Avenue, Collingswood, New Jersey 08108).
Once you read the Booklet, along with "New Age Bible Versions" (by G.A. Riplinger), you will understand why the new versions agree with the Roman Catholic bibles.
However, many Bible-believing Christians were not fooled by the Revised Version as it came out to the public in the latter part of the 1800' s, based on those corrupt manuscripts. Here is an excerpt from George Sales Bishop in a discourse preached June 7, 1885, soon after the Revised Version of the Bible first appeared:
"Because I am a minister of Christ, just as responsible to God as any man or minister on earth; because my business is to preach and to defend the Book, I cannot and will not keep silence. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?'
"A sword in the hands of a child is mightier than a straw in the hands of a giant, and no amount of earnestness can be condemned when pleading, on straight lines, the cause of God. I quote Dr. Thornwell, To imploy soft words and honeyed phrases in discussing questions of everlasting importance; to deal with errors that strike at the foundations of all human hope as if they were harmless and venial mistakes; to bless where God disapproves, and to make apologies where He calls us to stand up like men and assert, though it may be the aptest method of securing popular applause in a sophistical age, is cruelty to man and treachery to Heaven. Those who on such subjects attach more importance to the rules of courtesy than they do to the measures of truth do not defend the citadel, but betray it into the hands of its enemies. Love for Christ, and for the souls for whom He died, will be the exact measure of our zeal in exposing the dangers by which men's souls are ensnared.'" (As quoted in "Which Bible" by David Otis Fuller. DD, p.107)
There are more who speak up against those who would wish to destroy our Bible:
"Now let us divide off . Let those people who do not believe the Bible and who are critical of this and that part of it go clear over to the other side. Let them stand behind the devil's guns. Give us the out-and-out opposition of Infidelity rather than the work of these hybrid theologians; these Mongrel Ecclesiastics, these half evoluted people who believe the Bible and so not believe it. "I take up the King James Translation. I consider it to be a perfect Bible." (DeWitt Talmadge, Sermons, Vol. 4, p. 187 and Vol. 18, p. 225, 1880)
Another:
"To alter the Authorized Version would unsettle the minds of thousands as to which was the word of God. There would be two Bibles spread throughout the land and what confusion this would create in almost every place. If the new translation were once to begin, where would it end? The Socinians would strike God' out of 1 Timothy 3:16 and strike out 1 John 5:7-8 as an interpolation.
"The AV, we believe is the grand bulwark of Protestantism, the safeguard of the gospel and the treasure of the church and we should be traitors in every sense of the word if we consented for it to be rifled by the sacrilegious hands of ...co-enemies of God and godliness." (Philpot, 1857, The Gospel Standard).
When I started comparing the versions, a thought came to my mind. "Isn't it rather odd that all these other translations would disagree with One Book?" Wouldn't you say that was rather strange?
Okay, let's start at the beginning, shall we? And I mean the very beginning.
In the Garden of Eden God commands Adam: "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen. 2:16-17). God has given clear instructions. So what happens? Satan comes to Garden Street and tempts Eve. Now, how does Satan tempt anyone for that matter, let alone Eve? Think about it. If you are truly born again, you know Satan operates in a way in that he starts "casting doubt on God's word." Satan's words were, "Yea, hath God said?" DOUBT! And the old fool hasn't ceased casting doubt on God's word. He still does it today. Prove it? Sure. Just take a look at the footnotes in any of your new bibles, and you will read on just about every page:
All this is casting doubt. I wonder how many new born babes in Christ pick up a bible and read all that stuff. How can they believe what is TRUE when there is so much DOUBT planted in with the Scriptures? All those notes certainly confused me. Then that led me to rely on Scholars and their commentaries, and then I had scholars and commentaries who disagreed with each another! What is a person to do?! What we have is a cast of doubt on just about every page of the New Testament! With all this doubt, the babes in Christ are probably thinking, "What DID God say? Are we left with the opinions of man? We most certainly are. We simple folks are just not educated enough to know all about this manuscripts business. It appears MAN has become our final authority in all matters of faith and practice rather than the Bible. Who are we going to trust? The whim of mere men, or the HOLY BIBLE?
Do you know that in front of the New American Standard Version it says, "Brackets in the text are around words probably not in the original writings." "Probably not?" How do they know for sure? For that matter, why don't they define "original writings? Are they working with manuscript evidence which should be right there before them, or are they working with some lost originals which they never saw a day in their life? For that matter, would they even know they had an original if one should pop up from somewhere? Shall we go back to Jeremiah and start searching in a pile of ashes or the Euphrates River? Happy hunting for the originals! Let's go back to a Scripture I already quoted,
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Satan is destroying the faith of many by casting doubt and causing confusion in the Body of Christ. But my Bible tells me,
"....God is not the author of confusion." (1 Cor. 14:33) And if one wants to talk about confusion, the last I heard, one goes to a Bible study to study the Bible and learn more about what God has to say. I attended a Bible study and do you want to know what I heard in the course of one month? "My Bible says God,' how come that one says, gods.'" In another class it's, "I have four different versions and this one says this, and this over here says that." Another time it is, "This one is wearing an earring on the right ear,' but in this Bible it says the left ear.'" Then the Pastor, during a sermon, says, "this verse, without a cause' is not in some manuscripts," when just a few weeks earlier he held up his King James Bible and warned us not to believe anybody who would tell us that Book is not true!!! Hello????
"For God is not the author of confusion" (1 Cor. 14:33). Does this mean all these people are bad people? No. Again, some are just not informed. I stand just as guilty until the truth about the Scriptures was directed to my attention. 1 Corinthians 1:10 states,
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." How can we speak the same thing or have the same judgement when our own bibles don't speak the same thing?
Do you know what I do to Jehovah Witnesses who show up at my door? I take out my King James Bible and the first thing I say is, "Look, I have my Bible. In 1 Cor. 1:10, it says that we should all speak the same thing. So begin." Then they tell me about John 1:1, "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was a god." "Wait, wait, wait," I say. "That is not what my Bible says." Then they get over there in Colossians about "created all other things." "No, no, no! My Bible says He created ALL things." When talking about the Deity, I turn them over to 1 John 5:7,8. Do you know what happens by this time? They get this severe illness called, Greekitis. Did you ever see that type of illness? All of a sudden they want to speak in a different "tongue".
Now I'm not going to just pick on the N.W.T.. How about the NIV, NASB, etc.?
My brother in Christ comes to me and reads Mark 9:42, "who believes." "Wait a minute," I say. "Brother Mike! Little ones who believe what? My Bible says, "little ones that believe in me."
John 6:47, "he who believes has everlasting life." "Wait a minute, Mike. BELIEVES WHO? My Bible says, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. Why are there words missing from your Bible?"
He's not giving up though. He reads Acts 22:16, "calling on His name." "There are many names, whose name? Mohammed? Confucius? My Bible says, calling on the name of the Lord.'"
Romans 1:16, 1 Cor. 9:18, "gospel." "Oh come on! Whose gospel?! My Bible says, the gospel of Christ.'"
Brother Mike continues. John 9:35, "Do you believe on the son of Man?" "This is too much," I say. "My Bible says, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?'"
I continue, "Hey, by the way brother Mike, I'm looking here in your Bible and it doesn't have, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him.' How come your Bible doesn't have that? Oh, oh, something's wrong over here brother Mike. Look here. Why, you are missing some more verses! You don't have, And Philip said if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' Somebody's been messin' with your bible, brother Mike, or someone has been messin' with mine. You and I are not speaking the same thing (1 Cor. 1:10)."
Now, I'm going to show you how these other bibles do not speak the same thing and how it attacks the Deity of Jesus Christ, Salvation by faith, the Atonement (blood), and the Virgin Birth of Christ, etc.. Look at those four I have mentioned, Deity, Salvation, Atonement, Virgin Birth. Shouldn't that tell us something????? Now who would be interested in these matters? Who would abhor the Deity, Virgin Birth, Atonement, and Salvation?
Let's start with the Deity of Christ. Pick up your King James Bible and the counterfeits, NIV, NAS, RSV, etc., and let's compare.
1 Tim. 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." Now read that carefully. The Scripture clearly teaches us that Jesus is God! Note: "God" was manifest in the flesh." Look at the NAS which states in the same passage,
"And by common confession great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Beheld by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory."
Did you see the changes? The NAS changes the passage to say "HE who was revealed in the flesh..."
Did it ever occur to anyone that everyone is born in the flesh? The NIV says "He appeared in a body." Did you appear in a body when you were born? Look at these other bibles:
Satan, dangling his puppet string, has managed to get man to change God to He, and therefore what we end up with is that the Scripture no longer states the Biblical truth that JESUS IS GOD!
It was who? It was GOD who was manifest in the flesh.
Now for a look into the LIVING BIBLE (is it?) in 1 Tim. 3:16,
"It is quite true that the way to live a godly life is not an easy matter. But the answer lies in Christ, who came to earth as a man, was proved spotless and pure in his Spirit, was served by angels, was preached among the nations, was accepted by men everywhere and was received up again to his glory in heaven."
Do you know this is a lie?
The Scriptures state "preached unto the Gentiles," not among the nations. What about "was accepted by men everywhere?" That's not true at all. Jesus was not "accepted by men everywhere." Anyone with a little knowledge of Scripture knows this fact. Isaiah 53:3 tells us,
"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Furthermore, it leaves out Jesus is God and omits "seen by angels," and adds "in heaven" and "again".
Let's go to Acts 20:28, in the KJV,
"Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Now look in the Revised Standard Version,
"Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son."
Now I don't know about you, but what I read in the King James is that God purchased the church with His own blood. Whose blood? GOD'S BLOOD! What is the conclusion? CHRIST IS GOD!
Somebody is out to make the Deity of Christ weak. The slithering serpent hasn't ceased.
Romans 14:10b in the KJV,
"For we shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ....So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." We shall stand before what, and give an account to whom? We shall stand before the judgement seat of Christ, and we will give an account to "God." Christ---God. See it? CHRIST IS GOD!
However, the NAS does not state this fact. It simply states,
"For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God...So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Where did Christ go??? The NIV also omits the name of Christ! These bibles lack the confirmation that CHRIST IS GOD.
Let's go on to something else. Does Jesus, as God, have a beginning? Do you know the Jehovah Witnesses believe Jesus Christ was a "created being?" I have had conversations with Jehovah Witnesses, and when I was using these other versions, I had a very difficult time proving Jesus Christ is God. NOW I KNOW WHY! They are quite pleased when you don't have the true word of God in your hand!
In Micah 5:2 in the KJV it states,
"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Look at the RVS, NIV, etc., it states,
"But you, O Bethlehem, Ephratah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days."
Does Christ really have an "origin?" Was Christ from "ancient days" instead of "from everlasting?" Jesus Christ had no beginning for He is the Member of the Trinity. He is ETERNAL, he is "from everlasting."
However, blasphemy occurs in these other bibles where they give Jesus Christ a beginning.
These new bibles make Christ have a beginning! Ps. 90:2 says, "even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God" (KJV). Jesus Christ has NO origin (depending upon what "Bible" you believe. 1 Cor. 1:10?).
Let's look and see what the KJV says in Hebrews 2:11,
"For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call then brethren." Now look again at the RV for "origin." It states there in Hebrews 2:11,
"For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren."
The Scriptures don't tell me Christ had an origin, and to say Christ had the same origin as man, is saying that Christ is a created being! This doctrine is what the Bible calls FALSE DOCTRINE. Jesus Christ has a very hard time in the matter of His DEITY and His EXISTENCE in these new perverted versions. Let's look at the Old Testament for example: In Daniel 3:25 (KJV), we read:
"He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." Note: "...like the Son of God."
This passage shows Christ existed long before He was born in Bethlehem. However, the new versions pervert it with pagan foolishness:
Now we will be told, "No important doctrines are affected by these new versions." That's a lie! Do you want to know what they "really" mean? They will tell you it's no big deal if a couple of verses are removed, because the Bible doctrine will still be somewhere else in the Bible. In other words, if we have about nine verses showing the virgin birth of Jesus Christ and three of those verses were removed, there are still six verses remaining to prove the doctrine. However, that's not the point. It is simply a destruction of God's word a little at a time until it ceases to be. If you removed your first name, would your name still be the same?
What we are getting is a piece-by-piece destruction of God's word. As one has aptly said, "If you find $10.00 in the SEWER, that does not entitle you to call the sewer a BANK."
Okay, what about worship? Jesus said concerning worship:
"Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Matthew 4:10 KJV). Did you ever find Jesus complaining when He was worshiped? Jesus accepted worship, and by accepting worship, He is admitting He is God or otherwise He would have let them know exactly what He told the devil in Matt. 4:10. However, these "new bibles" seem to have a problem with Jesus being worshiped.
"Matt. 20:20 (KJV),
"Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him." The NAS,
"Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down, and making a request of Him."
Matt. 9:18 (KJV),
"While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live." NAS,
"While he was saying these things to them, behold, there came a synagogue official, and bowed down before him saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live."
Luke 24:52 (KJV),
"And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy." NAS,
"And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy." (worship omitted).
A person can bow before a King and Queen, but to do so is to show respect, not worship. Remember what Jesus said to the devil in Matt. 4:10? Does somebody not want us to get any ideas that JESUS IS GOD?!
You also might find it interesting to look in your NASB which you will discover it omits or brackets almost every mention of the ascension, bodily resurrection, and appearance of Jesus Christ after His death. Isn't that rather "odd?"
In the KJV it states in Luke 24:51-52,
"He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him." However, watch how God's "words" suddenly disappear in the NASB, for it omits the very significant part. Instead it says,
"He parted from them."
Now you see it, now you don't. They omit "he was carried up into heaven," and "they worshipped him."
All Of This Is Denying The Deity Of The Lord Jesus Christ! Isn't that rather, "odd?"
By the way, don't look for "Holy" men in the Bible. The word "Holy" is becoming one of those "archaic" words! Shame!
What about salvation? We shall go to the issue of salvation in these other false bibles which agree with the Roman Catholic theology (and their bible). Thanks to Dr. G. A. Riplinger, let's demonstrate to you how they present salvation as a process which requires good works. As you read the following, note carefully the unnatural straining of the tenses.
In Luke 13:23 (new versions), "Are there few who are being saved?" KJV, "...be saved."
1 Cor. 2:15 (new versions), "are being saved." KJV, are saved."
2 Cor. 1:18 (new versions), "those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved" KJV, ...are saved."
Acts 15:19 (new versions) "are turning to God." KJV, "turned."
Luke 15:32 (new versions), "your brother was dead and has begun to live." KJV, "is alive."
Col. 3:10 (new versions), "are perishing." KJV, "are lost."
Acts 2:47 (new versions), "were being saved." KJV, "should be saved."
2 Cor. 4:3 (new versions), "are perishing." KJV, "are lost."
With all those unnatural straining of the tenses, no wonder I didn't know if I were truly saved.
Eph. 2:8.9 says (KJV),
"For by grace ye are saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." We are either saved or we are not. Some bibles omit Rom. 11:6,
"But if it be of works then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." Here are other attacks on salvation. John 6:47 says,
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." (KJV) Now the NIV and NAS, etc.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life." (NAS)
Remember my brother Mike? The NIV has done the same thing. He who believes What? Buddah? Mohammed? When one takes out Jesus saying on me, it leaves the verse open to fill in any deity one so desires.
John 3:36 (KJV),
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Now what I get out of this verse is that by believing on the Son, one has everlasting life. The scripture talks about believing.
Now the NAS,
"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who DOES NOT OBEY the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Did you see the change? Now the declaration is SALVATION BY OBEDIENCE rather than by BELIEVING!
Salvation is a FREE GIFT and is not an earned reward. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:23 KJV) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8,9 KJV) When the jailors asked what must they do to be saved, Paul didn't say, "Well, if you do not obey you shall not see life." He answered,
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." (Acts 16:31 KJV)
When it comes to salvation by works, these new versions match the Jehovah's Witnesses bible also. The Jehovah Witnesses bible substitutes the word "disobedience" for "unbelief" and "obey" for "believe." Watch what its counterfeit sisters (NIV, NASB, etc.) do. Just compare the following:
If salvation is obtained by obeying, then salvation is by works and not faith. Romans 4:5 tells me Belief is the opposite of works. Is it any wonder why some have doubt about their salvation? Satan has managed to cast doubt!
Zech. 9:9 (KJV),
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Revised Standard,
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass."
OMITS "and having salvation."
The fact is, no one can earn his salvation, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5). That salvation came with a price, it was God's own blood!
By the way, would you tell your children how hard it is to enter into the kingdom of God? Don't let them get their hands on the NIV, etc., for it states,
"how hard it is to enter into the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:24).
That's NOT what Jesus said. He said:
"Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God." The NIV omitted "that trust in riches."
Also, just because a road is narrow, does that make it difficult? The NKJV changes the KJV from "narrow is the way," to "difficult is the way." Jesus said there was nothing difficult about salvation. He said in Matthew 11:30 (KJV),
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." The exact opposite. God does not contradict Himself!
Now, do you grow up in respect to salvation, or do you have salvation? Didn't the Scriptures tell us salvation is a free gift, and that it cannot be earned (Eph. 2:8,9)? The KJV also states,
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." (Acts 16:31). Let's see how we grow, not to salvation, but just grow in the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:2 (KJV), "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." Revised Standard:
"Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation."
Did you see it? They added "up to salvation"! We don't grow up to salvation. Furthermore, the words "of the word" have been omitted. Do you know what the "milk" actually is?
As put by one preacher. It is a Biblical fact that we:
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). Once we are saved, we grow in the Lord Jesus by using the word of God. Once you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, you have Salvation. Growing in respect TO Salvation is a lie from the pit of hell. There is another gospel preached, and it's not the right one! DOCTRINE IS ATTACKED.
Dr. Peter S. Ruckman made an interesting comment. Read carefully and ask yourself if he could be accurate. He states concerning why there is no revival:
"The trouble that has overtaken our country is simple, at least in regards to new converts and obeying the Bible. We have thousands getting saved. If you totaled the professions of faith in Billy Graham's crusades, plus the professions recorded on Sunday morning in 500 independent Baptist Churches, they would run over 5,000 a week. But there is still no real revival. Furthermore, there will be no revival until the THIRD part of the work is obeyed. As long as "teaching the converts" consists of dumping 35 versions in their hands, plying them with prizes to get them to come back to church, disciplining them to worship an Educational Institution, getting them to join in fellowships that avoid "sound doctrine," or causing them to trust the scholarship of some egotistical flapjack who thinks that Greek and Hebrew knowledge equipped him to spit on the Bible, there will be no real revival.' Don't look for one; it isn't coming."
Are you hungry?
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst" (John 6:35KJV). NAS, Jesus said to them,
"I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
I just ate breakfast, but it doesn't mean I won't be hungry later. It would be very interesting to find out why they changed the word "never" in one place and not the other. Jesus said, "...he that cometh to me shall NEVER hunger and NEVER thirst."
What about the attack on the Virgin Birth?
Isaiah 7:14 (KJV),
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Want to hear what the GOOD NEWS(?) has to say?
"Well, then, the Lord himself will give you a sign: a young woman who is pregnant will have a son and will name him 'Immanuel'" (Isa. 7:14).
Well, I was pregnant with two sons!! Didn't these educated Scholars, while sipping their cup of hot coffee, know that it is actually quite possible for a young woman who is pregnant to have a son? Is that suppose to be a SIGN????
Did they get a brain freeze when it came to the word virgin as mentioned in Isaiah 14:7? The fuss is that we are to believe the word really means a "young woman". (Maybe Matthew had a problem when it came to "translating".) However, if this is a sign that a "young woman who is pregnant will have a son," then this sorry sign is happening every minute of the day all over the world!!! No! We are told in Isaiah that the miracle is a VIRGIN WOULD CONCEIVE. Now that's a sign!!!
Listen, that Jesus would have come from an earthly, human father, would mean He was like you and me. It would mean He was a man born in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1) because his "origin" would have been from man. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12).
But you say, "Yeah, but even the King James, in Luke 2, shows Joseph and Mary are called Jesus' parents, and Mary refers to Joseph as Jesus' father.
Yes, we are given an account of what MARY SAID by the Holy Spirit who wrote the Scriptures. But for that matter, if I were in Mary's shoes, I would have done the same thing. I would have protected my sweet precious child in the audience of those doctors. I would not have given those doctors the chance to accuse my son of being a product of an illegitimate birth (though that's what they were doing under their breath until it finally came out. John 8:41) Could YOU imagine telling those guys that Joseph was not the real father of Jesus, because your son was the product of conceiving without having sexual intercourse with a man! Could you imagine the hysterical spasms that would take place?
If anybody ought to know about how Jesus came into this world, it would be Mary. She knows Joseph is not the biological father, as well as Joseph. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit says Jesus was about His "Father's business." Joseph nor Mary understood what He meant (Luke 2:50). You see, the Holy Spirit didn't say Jesus was about "Joseph's business." Joseph did not dwell in the Temple. Mary called Joseph Jesus' father. HOWEVER, notice closely where the Holy Spirit is careful not to mention Joseph as Jesus' father:
"And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him" (Luke 2:33 KJV). Of course Joseph can be considered a parent, but we know he is not the biological father.
However, the NAS, NIV, etc. ignored that fact. It says,
"And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him."
By the way, how about your children using dirty slang? Just hand them the Living Bible or Good News for Modern Man. John 9:34 in the King James states,
"They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out." The Living Bible:
"You illegitimate bastard, you!" They shouted. "Are you trying to teach us?" And they threw him out."
Try 1 Samuel 20:30.The King James states,
"Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman..." Now the Living Bible:
"Saul boiled with rage, you son of a bitch!'"
What about the common usage of telling someone to go to hell? Where did that come from? The King James Bible? No. But you will find it in Good News for Modern Man, for it states in Acts 8:20,
"May you and your money go to hell"
The King James says no such thing. It states, "Thy money perish with thee." Okay, back to the Virgin birth. Luke 1:34 (KJV) states,
"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Revised Standard,
"And Mary said to the angel, 'How shall this be, since I have no husband?"
My, this is like going over the logic of the young pregnant woman. We all know it's possible to have children without legally having a husband! The Scriptures declare Mary was a virgin before the birth of Jesus, but somebody is trying to cover up this fact.
I would like to quote another excerpt from a letter I received from my former Sunday School teacher. I was concerned and I brought these matters to his attention pertaining to the differences between these bibles and the King James Version, and how it attacks these doctrines. He stated:
"Neither the King James Version or the NIV (I have no first hand knowledge of other translations) present a problem for me. They both contain 100% solid doctrine with no discrepancies in either translation, a perfect recounting of all of God's miracles that He wants to reveal in scripture and so on and so on."
I don't know why he doesn't see the difference. When there are two opposite statements, both cannot be true. One has to be false and the other true. Maybe I haven't been educated enough to change the truth of God into a lie (Rom. 1:25). Paul says if a man wants to be ignorant, let him be ignorant (1 Cor. 14:38). In Koine English the word for ignorant would be "stupid".
Let's examine the area concerning the "words of God". I have quoted to you one of the very verses that promises the preservation of God's words (Ps. 12:6,7, KJV),
"The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." Here we have God's promises of preserving the same words He inspired. However, the NIV says,
"And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever."
Note the word "us" has been inserted which takes away the meaning from God's words. We are led to believe that verse 7 is talking about preserving the Jews, not the Scriptures themselves. Notice how these other bibles destroy this promise by making us think it has to do with human beings rather than God's word.
God promised to preserve His words, and is a direct reference to those words as described in Psalm 12:6.
Psalm 138:2 (KJV)
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." Why?
"Thy word is truth" (note John 17:17). "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." "He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God" (Jn. 3:34). "He whom God hath sent speaketh the words God" (Jn. 3:34). "The words that I speak unto you, they are...life" (Jn. 6:63). "I have given to them the words which thou gavest me" (Jn. 17:8) "If you abide in me and my words abide in you" (Jn. 15:7). "If a man love me, he will keep my words" (Jn. 15:23) Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc.
However, who is the "god of this world," and who would have a problem with the words of God?????
1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." The RSV, NIV (Revised Senile Version, and Never Improved Version) has "spiritual milk." Someone on the internet quoted that verse and I asked him, "What is "spiritual milk?" He couldn't give me an answer. My Bible tells me the "word of God" is the milk that will help us grow. That's the milk, the word of God!
Luke 4:4 (KJV), "And Jesus answered him saying, It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." The NAS, NIV etc. omit "but by every word of God!
Okay, what about the blood atonement? Do you know we have redemption through His blood? The false bibles are suffering from a lack of blood. The Scriptures state in Col. 1:14 (KJV),
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." NIV, NAS, etc., "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (also see any Roman Catholic Bible.)
Omitted through his blood! Horror! Satan certainly doesn't like that one! It's demonic tampering when one plays with the BLOOD. There is absolutely no redemption any other way than through the Blood of Christ! Even in the Old Testament we do not find any of those folks were ever redeemed by the forgiveness of sins (Ex. 34:7). So don't let those counterfeit bibles lead you to believe that redemption is synonymous with forgiveness of sins. It IS NOT......maybe for Roman Catholicism, but not according to scriptures. If your bible suffers from anemia, put it down and get the one that doesn't.
In Galatians 5:12 (KJV) it states: I would they were even cut off which trouble you. In the context, there were some who were trying to entangle the Galatian believers into the yoke of bondage. The Galatian believers were being troubled by false apostles. The message is clear; Paul simply wishes that these people would have NO FELLOWSHIP with the true believers. In the New Testament (2 John) we are not to associate with heretics. However, in these new versions we are led to believe Paul is encouraging bodily mutilation rather than disfellowship. Look at how this is done: "I wish they would go the whole way and emasulate themselves." (NIV) "I would like to see the knife slip." (JB) "Would that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves." (NASB) Do you see now how a little change in words can make a big difference? Well, you have just seen only a tiny example of what has happened to our Scriptures. What is the verdict? Galatians 5:9 states (KJV),
"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." When will it stop? It won't. A sample of what has been shown to you so far is not only an out-right attack against Salvation, the Deity, the Virgin Birth and the Atonement, but also the essentials doctrines of the Christian faith.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2 Tim. 3:16 KJV) Notice what is first on the list after we read about Scripture given by inspiration of God. The first concerns DOCTRINE. Watch out for churches who do not stress doctrine. In the Bible we are told to "heed it" (1 Tim. 4:16), and we are told to "give attendance" to it (1 Tim. 4:13).
Believe it or not, learning sound doctrine is not impossible. If you believe your Bible, you will know this is true (2 Tim. 3:16). Second Timothy 2:15 tells us we are to be in the business of "righly dividing the word of truth." For when a person studies his Bible (2 Tim. 2:15), he will not be not ashamed. We cannot separate doctrine and Scripture (1 Tim. 5:17, 2 Tim. 3:16). Read 1 Tim. 4:2 for the result.
How do we give attendance to doctrine when scores of verses are omitted or stuck in the foot notes questioning its authenticity? If a person says Satan is not interested in doctrine, then I believe that person is ignorant and doesn't know his enemy. Consider the following:
"It is better to be divided by the truth than to be united in error. It is better to speak the truth that hurts and then heals, than falsehood that comforts and then kills. Let me tell you something, friend, it is not love and it is not friendship if we fail to declare the whole counsel of God. It is better to be hated for telling the truth, than to be loved for telling a lie. It is impossible to find anyone in the Bible who was a power for God who did not have enemies and was not hated. It's better to stand alone with the truth, than to be wrong with the multitude. It is better to ultimately succeed with the truth than to temporarily succeed with a lie. There is only one Gospel and Paul said, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Pastor Adrian Rodgers, excerpts from talk, National Religious Broadcasters Convention, 1996.)
Satan has been successful at disarming the Christian from his sword and the Christian doesn't even discern what has happened to it! For that matter, there are some who never had it to begin with! The Bible says to be careful,
"Be sober, be viglant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (2 Peter 5:8 KJV).
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of" (2 Peter 2:1-2 KJV).
"And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth now" ( 2 Peter 2:1-3 KJV). Is there something wrong with making money? Of course not, but what is the "motive" when it comes to the "Bible"? For that matter, does the Bible really need to be rewritten? No. It just needs to be reread! Did you know the King James Bible does not have a copyright? Do you know why? Because one cannot copyright God's word! The Scriptures says, "...but the word of God is not bound" (2 Tim. 2:9 KJV) As long as these bibles have a copyright, IT IS NOT OF GOD. Read carefully the first page of these new bibles. For instance, the NIV states: "The NIV text may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio), up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, providing the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses quoted account for 25 percent or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted."
Do you know what that actually says? Let's hear what it would sound like if this were coming from the mouth of Jesus when talking with His disciples:
"The scriptures may be quoted in any form, up to and inclusive of five hundred verses without the express written permission of the author, providing the scripture verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the scriptures nor do the scripture verses quoted account for 25 percent or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted. Now go and preach the gospel."
When Jesus said to go and preach the gospel, He did not say we were limited as to how many Scripture verses we could quote, copy, etc.
Now if you have the Scriptures, the King James Bible, with nobody's notes in them, what do you see concerning copyright or permission about printing? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! You can copy the whole book to your heart's content, pass it on to other sinners anywhere in the world, and you won't have to pay one red cent, or worry about breaking copyright laws to do so....THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND! (2 Tim:2:9)
When anyone takes a copyright on what is called the "Bible," then the copyright owners readily admits that what is between the covers are "their own words," not God's. Just look up the New Standard Encyclopedia vol, 3, p. 565 and read how it defines "copyright". It states:
"The legal protection given to authors and artist to prevent reproduction of their work without their consent. The owner of a copyright has the exclusive right to print, reprint, publish, copy and SELL the material covered by the copyright."
Very interesting. Isn't God the "author" of His Book, THE HOLY BIBLE? With these "new bibles" God is no longer the "author."
Now, let me give you an example of something. We know the NASB and the NIV are both copywritten. Since both are copywritten, they cannot legally use the same words. Look what happens. Go to 2 Cor. 1:12 and 1:14, and you will find the NIV uses the term "boast." Now go in the NAS and you will find it uses the term "proud." These are the two words which promote the ungodly self-esteem in many churches today. Boasting and proud is a far cry from "rejoicing," as stated in the King James Bible.
Also, don't fall for the devil's, "It's all a matter of semantics," trick. We wouldn't even have to discuss semantics if our Bibles spoke the same thing!
"And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make MERCHANDISE of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth now" (2 Peter 2:1-3 KJV). Folks, Satan is in the business of making bible$ (make MERCHANDISE of you).
"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life..." (Rev. 22:19 KJV ). God's Book has 3,546,489 letters, 810,697 words, 31,175 verses and 1,189 chapters. All those words must be important! The NIV omits at least 64,000 words.
The fact again is that every "bible" on the market today disagrees with ONE BOOK, and that is the Authorized Version.
If you own an NIV, the following may be of some interest to you. Again, thanks to Mrs. Gail Riplinger, look up the following verses and notice how the Names and the Titles of Jesus are omitted in the NIV. The verses in the asterisk (*) will show you how the NIV substituted the title with an inferior one. So let's see how this counterfeit denies His name (Rev. 3:8)
Matt. 8:29......................................Jesus
Matt. 9:28......................................Jesus
Matt. 13:36.....................................Jesus
Matt. 13:51......................................Lord
Matt. 15:30....................................Jesus'
Matt. 16:20.....................................Jesus
Matt. 17:20.....................................Jesus
Matt. 17:22.....................................Jesus
Matt. 18:2......................................Jesus
Matt. 18:11................................Son of man
Matt. 19:16..............................*Good Master
Matt. 23:8.....................................Christ
Matt. 23:10...................................*Master
Matt. 24:2......................................Jesus
Matt. 25:13................................Son of man
Matt. 27:24...............................just person
Matt. 28:6.......................................Lord
Mark 2:19..................................bridegroom
Mark 5:13.......................................Jesus
Mark 7:27.......................................Jesus
Mark 9:24........................................Lord
Mark 11:10.......................................Lord
Mark 11:14......................................Jesus
Mark 14:18......................................Jesus
Mark 14:45..........................master (or Rabbi)
Luke 4:41......................................Christ
Luke 7:22.......................................Jesus
Luke 7:31........................................Lord
Luke 9:35................................*beloved Son
Luke 9:56..................................Son of man
Luke 9:57........................................Lord
Luke 13:25.......................................Lord
Luke 17:6........................................Lord
Luke 22:31.......................................Lord
Luke 23:42.......................................Lord
John 4:16.......................................Jesus
John 4:42......................................Christ
John 4:46.......................................Jesus
John 6:69......................................Christ
John 6:69......................*Son of the Living God
John 8:20.......................................Jesus
John 8:35.....................................the Son
John 9:35.................................*Son of God
John 11:14......................................Jesus
John 11:39......................................Jesus
John 13:23......................................Jesus
John 19:38......................................Jesus
John 20:15......................................Jesus
John 21:5.......................................Jesus
John 21:21......................................Jesus
Acts 2:30......................................Christ
Acts 3:13....................................*his Son
Acts 3:23.....................................prophet
Acts 3:26....................................*his Son
Acts 3:26.......................................Jesus
Acts 4:27.................................*holy child
Acts 4:30.................................*holy child
Acts 7:30........................................Lord
Acts 8:37................................Jesus Christ
Acts 8:37..................................Son of God
Acts 9:5.........................................Lord
Acts 9:6.................................Lord (twice)
Acts 9:29.......................................Jesus
Acts 15:11.....................................Christ
Acts 15:18........................................God
Acts 16:31.....................................Christ
Acts 19:4......................................Christ
Acts 19:10......................................Jesus
Acts 20:21.....................................Christ
Acts 22:16.......................................Lord
Rom. 1:16......................................Christ
Rom. 6:11........................................Lord
Rom. 14:6........................................Lord
Rom. 15:8.......................................Jesus
Rom. 16:18......................................Jesus
Rom. 16:20.....................................Christ
Rom. 16:24..........................Lord Jesus Christ
I Cor. 5:4.............................Christ (twice)
I Cor. 5:5......................................Jesus
I Cor. 9:1.....................................Christ
I Cor. 9:18....................................Christ
I Cor. 10:28...................................Lord's
I Cor. 15:23.................................Christ's
I Cor. 15:47.....................................Lord
I Cor. 16:22.............................Jesus Christ
I Cor. 16:23...................................Christ
2 Cor. 4:6......................................Jesus
2 Cor. 4:10......................................Lord
2 Cor. 4:11.....................................Jesus
2 Cor. 5:18.....................................Jesus
2 Cor. 10:7..................................Christ's
2 Cor. 11:31...................................Christ
Gal. 3:17......................................Christ
Gal. 4:7.......................................Christ
Gal. 6:15................................Christ Jesus
Gal. 6:17........................................Lord
Eph. 3:9.................................Jesus Christ
Eph. 3:14...........................Lord Jesus Christ
Phil. 4:13.....................................Christ
Col. 1:2............................Lord Jesus Christ
Col. 1:28.......................................Jesus
I Thess. 1:1........................Lord Jesus Christ
I Thess. 2:19..................................Christ
I Thess. 3:11..................................Christ
I Thess. 3:13..................................Christ
2 Thess. 1:8...................................Christ
2 Thess. 1:12..................................Christ
I Tim. 1:1.......................................Lord
I Tim. 2:7.....................................Christ
I Tim. 3:16.......................................God
I Tim. 5:21......................................Lord
2 Tim. 4:1.......................................Lord
2 Tim. 4:22..............................Jesus Christ
Titus 1:4........................................Lord
Philem. 6.......................................Jesus
Heb. 3:1.......................................Christ
Heb. 10:30.......................................Lord
I Pet. 3:15......................................*God
I Pet. 5:10.....................................Jesus
I Pet. 5:14.....................................Jesus
I John 1:7.....................................Christ
I John 4:3.....................................Christ
I John 5:7...................................the Word
I John 5:13................................Son of God
2 John 3.........................................Lord
2 John 9.......................................Christ
Rev. 1:8.................the beginning and the ending
Rev. 1:9...............................Christ (twice)
Rev. 1:11.............................Alpha and Omega
Rev. 1:11......................the first and the last
Rev. 1:13.................................*Son of man
Rev. 12:17.....................................Christ
Rev. 14:14................................*Son of man
Rev. 20:12........................................God
Rev. 22:21.....................................Christ
That was not even the beginning!
We are told,
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God; Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of the anti-christ, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world" (1 John 4:1-3 KJV). In "The New Athenians" by J.H. Son, read his response concerning the verses just quoted:
"In the above verses God has told BELIEVERS in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, to believe not every spirit. Instead, we are to try the spirits whether they are of God. We are told to look for TWO RESPONSES. FIRST, "Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." Such a spirit, when tried, responds on the POSITIVE side of God's method for trying the spirits. The SECOND response we are told to be aware of in trying the spirits is that which is NEGATIVE. "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of anti-christ..." God's word tells BELIEVERS that if a spirit does not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, then that spirit is not of God.
"It is important for believers TO KNOW that the New International Version, New American Standard Bible, the Revised Standard Version, and the New Revised Standard Versions leave out these words, "CHRIST HAS COME IN THE FLESH" from the verse which tries the spirits which are not of God.
"The above modern versions substitute as their negative response: Every spirit that does not acknowledge (or confess) Jesus is not from (of) God.
"Such a spirit, as described in those corrupt versions, is not required to pass the test of confessing Jesus Christ as the Christ Who has come in the flesh since there is no mention in their versions of "Christ has come in the flesh." A spirit tried by THEIR STANDARDS would not, NECESSARILY, have to BELIEVE that God, the Father, BEGAT Jesus, His only BEGOTTEN Son. The Apostle John gives us TWO responses in trying and identifying the spirits; not just ONE." (The New Athenians" by J.H. Son, page 124 and 125)
Okay, now what about the New King James Version? The preface of the New King James reads, "A special feature of the New King James Version is its conformity to the thought flow of the 1611 Bible....the new edition, while much clear are so close to the traditional..."
Thomas Nelson Publishers claims, in the Moody Monthly, June 1982, back cover, "Nothing has been changed except to make the original meaning clearer." It also claims to make the "old" KJV "much clearer" by "updating obsolete words" (NKJV, 1982e. P. 1235) Well? shall we mildly glance at the NKJV to see "whether these things are so?" (Acts 17:11)
One of the obsolete words happens to be HELL. Another? "REPENT"? And another? "DAMNED".
How does omitting the word "hell" at least 22 times make it much clearer? How much clearer is the meaning of hell when it is replaced with the word "hades?" How many people on the street do you hear say, "Oh hades!"
I have the American Heritage Dictionary and it defines Hades as: 1. Greek MYTHOLOGY."
You see, the problem isn't hell anymore, IT'S THE BIBLE BECOMING MYTHOLOGY!
Furthermore, Hades, to some, is not always considered a place of torment . It is also an abode of blessedness with silver skies called "Happy Fields" (Assyrian Hades). Hades is also an intermediate state of purification according to the satanic New Age Movement, just as it is equated with Roman Catholicism's place called "Purgatory" wherein souls must be "purged" of all sins before they can enter heaven; The meaning of "purgatory" flies in the face of Hebrews 1:3,
"...when he [Jesus] had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." The words of Jesus on the cross were, "It is finished." Who is lying? I would rather believe God's word.
I don't know about you, but HELL is much clearer than hades. Let me give you an example of how foolish hades sounds. The KJV states,
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." New King James Version
"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it."
Cute!
Want to SHOUT VICTORY? Thy this one:
"O Hades, where is your victory?" (1 Cor. 15:55).
O hades, where is your victory???? I tell you what, hell may be obsolete in these new bibles, but not in the streets. Furthermore, Hades is not a translation. Hades is simply the Greek word spelled out with English letters. That is what is called transliteration. In other words, they just spelled the word out in English letters instead of Greek letters. When it comes to translating, we find out what the word means.
Did you also know the word "study" has disappeared from 2 Tim. 2:15? Somebody does not want us to STUDY (also see sister bibles). If we don't study, we will not learn to "rightly divide the truth." In these bibles, one does not need to study. Please pick up the Bible that can be studied and actually has the word STUDY (KJV)!
Also notice how "cleverly" Satan has managed to disappear (omitted) in the NKJV (Psalm 109:6). Satan's pen-writers also made sure the others followed suit.... NIV, NASV, RSV, NRSV.
Pick up an NIV or NASB and look up Isaiah 12:14. In the Bible Jesus Christ is described as the "morning star" (2 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 2:28 and 22:16). However, Satan has managed to confuse the reader and leave him questioning as to who is actually referred to in Isa. 14:12. The NASB puts 2 Peter 1:19 as a reference right beside that verse. Jesus Christ is not the diatribe of Isaiah 14:12.
"The Hebrew is 'hele, ben shachar," which is accurately translated, "Lucifer, son of the morning." The NIV and NASB give an English translation as if the Hebrew said, "shachar kokab, ben shachar" or morning star, son of the morning (or dawn). Yet the word for star (kokab) appears nowere in the text. Also 'morning' appears only once, as the KJV shows, not twice as new versions indicate. The word kokab is translated as 'star' dozens of other times by NIV translators; morning or dawn is likewise used hundreds of times. New version editors know boger kokab is 'morning star' since it is used in Job 38:7. If God had intended to communicate 'morning star', he could have repeated it here. The word he chose, helel, appears nowhere else in the Old Testament, just as 'Lucifer; appears nowhere else." (As quoted by Dr. G.A. Riplinger, New Age Bible Versions, p. 42)
The New King James (which is not really "New") also omits "worship". Check Matthew 18:26 and Matthew 20:20. You won't find "worshipped him." This counterfeit bible does the same as its counterfeit sisters (see the NIV, NASV, RSV, NRSV!), it robs Jesus of worship!
How about "God is A Spirit"? That's exactly what the King James Bible says for it distinguishes God from other living spirits. There is the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit; There is the spirit of the devil, the unclean spirit; There is the spirit of man, the human spirit; And there is the spirit of the animal, the spirit of the beast (Ecc. 3:21). The NKJV simply states "God is spirit." Which one? (See sister counterfeits NIV, NASV, NRSV, RSV, etc.)
In the NKJV, the Holy Spirit is no longer a Comforter (Jn. 14:16). The NKJV agrees with the Jehovah Witnesses bible and uses the term, "helper."
Is the NKJV (along with other modern fake bibles) interested in "corrupting" the word of God? Can't make it look like that, so it must be changed from "For we are not many which CORRUPT the word of God" to "For we are not, as so many, PEDDLING the word of God." Where in Scripture is God's word ever peddled? They were busy CORRUPTING, not peddling (Jer. 23:36, 2 Cor. 2:17). If there were any peddling going on, it had to do with peddling the Holy Spirit! (See Acts 8). Watch out for modern false bibles ("make merchandise of you," 2 Peter 2:3) .
Even the NKJV attacks salvation! It states in 1 John 5:13,
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may CONTINUE TO believe in the name of the Son of God."
ADDED "continue to"! This is an attack on eternal security! 2 Tim. 2:13(KJV) states the fact that,
"If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." In the dispensation of the Church Age one may lose their faith, but that does not mean one loses his or her salvation! God will always be faithful even when we are not!
And what about Jesus Christ as God's Son? The Jehovah witnesses believe that Jesus Christ was not God in the flesh and therefore deny His Sonship. The NKJV (as well as the other versions) use the word "servant," rather than Son. Please note the following:
My Bible does not say servant in these verses.. These Bibles match the Jehovah Witnesses bible who deny the Deity of Christ.
When I read the Bible I am reminded of the Devil questioning Jesus. "If thou be the SON of God....." That was the question of the Devil! "If thou be the SON of God." Not "If thou be the SERVANT of God," but "If thou be the SON of God..." The Devil is concerned with the SON OF GOD!
In Acts 3:13, the NKJV (as well as the other modern bibles) have servant, not Son. Well, Moses was a servant. We are considered servants. Mahatma Gandhi has been called a "servant of God". It is very odd that the NKJV takes that same Greek word in John Chapter 4, concerning the nobleman's son, and let's him be son rather than servant. It says "son," because I understand that word can be translated either son or servant depending on the context. Why is it the nobleman's son got to be son, BUT NOT SO WITH JESUS CHRIST? It is obvious these new versions reject the Sonship of Jesus in these passages by calling Him a "Servant" of God. Furthermore, the NIV translators claim that "paida" which is the accusative singular of "pais" should always be translated "servant." Yet what is very odd about this too is that they themselves also followed the King James rendering of "son" in John 4:51, that is, where it WASN'T A QUESTION OF CHRIST'S DEITY!!!! Isn't that rather odd?
Have any of you seen the symbol on the New King James Version? On a tract called the "NKJV Death Certificate," it states:
"The NKJV logo is the ancient symbol for the pagan trinity, not the Christian Trinity. Use of number symbols (like 666) can be traced back to Pythagoras (582 B.C.), initiate into the Egyptian mysteries. The symbol was popularized again by Satanist Aleister Crowley (circa 1900) for the Royal Arch (Lucifer) of the 3rd Degree of the York Order of Masonry. The symbol's shape is duplicated as three initiates join arms and feet, while repeating the names of ancient pagan trinity. The NKJV's symbol can be seen on satanic rock group albums like Led Zeppelin, as well as on New Age bestsellers like The Aquarian Conspiracy. Remember, Acts 17:29: We ought not to think the Godhead is like (anything)...graven by art....'"
What's so "New" about the New King James Version? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! It's just a reproduction of what is already in the NIV (Never Improved Version), NASV (New Authentic Scrap Version), NRSV (Newly Repeated Stumbling Version), RSV (Recycled Stiff's Version) , and NWT (Nothing Worth Teaching).
Did you hear there is a another new version coming out (it might be out already for all I know)? It's called The Federal Standard Version (Captain Janeway and her crew could really benefit from this one). Matthew 5:14 states,
"You are a nova in a galaxy. A meteor which is flying in the atmosphere cannot hide itself. If a nova explodes, you cannot hide it in a black hole. But it reveals itself in open space because it lights up the cosmos. Then shine for others. May your good deeds be seen and may you give honor to your Father in paradise."
Hello?? Enough said.
1 John 4:1(KJV) says,
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." As we have seen, many of these bibles attacked the words of God and His doctrines. We see how it can lead to confusion. We saw how readings were changed to give a different idea. Jesus said,
"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4 KJV) How can we live by every word when those words are missing?
Take fasting for example. Another weapon we have besides the "sword," is that we can pray and fast. Jesus said,
"This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting" (Matt. 17:21 KJV). However, don't look for fasting in Mark 9:29, Cor. 6:5, 2 Cor. 7:5, 2 Cor. 11:27, Acts 10:30 (in the modern bibles), because neither you or I are to benefit from it. Somebody is interested in disarming the Soldier! Surrender my weapon? No way!! Now, I hear talk these days that the major reason people use other versions is to help them understand the scriptures. If anything, I just proved to you how these new versions are not easier to understand, rather they are much easier to misunderstand doctrinally. John 17:17 says, "...thy word is truth." We have reached the point were a majority of peole who have been Christians for more than 10 years are still confused in doctrine, or just don't care about it. Some are not equipped to handle the truth when confronted with the cults. Their SWORD OF THE SPIRIT IS MISSING! Is it any wonder why so many Christians are confused and give up? I have been a Christian for more than 15 years and practically learned nothing! From the onset I was brought up in Roman Catholicism, and when I did become born again, it was the Catholic Charismatics and the Protestant Charismatics who cradled me. They did not teach me truth. As a new born baby I followed them and looked to them for truth. But not anymore, I go to the Bible.
In these corrupt bibles, I just proved to you how you would have a difficult time proving some doctrines if you did not have the true Bible (KJV).
God is not the author of confusion.
My former Sunday School teacher told me the following:
"The point is not that the KJV is wrong or that the NIV is wrong but that more than one translation plus additional reference works are necessary for proper understanding of scripture."
SCRIPTURE PLEASE!
Does the Bible say that "more than one translation, plus addition reference works are necessary for proper understanding of Scripture?" Of course not. That's MAN'S OPINION!
Where has this man been? Any Born Again Christian should know that the "....natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God..." (1 Cor. 2:14). Do you know what kind of people God is looking for in whom He will reveal knowledge? He is looking for people who tremble at his words Isa. 66:2 states, "to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." God is looking for people who are poor and of a contrite spirit and tremble at His word. Why should God reveal anything to those who think they can blow kisses at His Book before they tear it apart? Is that the kind of "education" God is interested in (Ps. 62:9)? Does it matter if a person has a Ph.D., a Th.D., etc. after his name? If Isa. 66:2 is absent in one's life, no matter what title he has after his name, the result is still the same; the words of knowledge are going to be "hid" from them (Luke 10:21).
We are also told it is necessary to know the Hebrew and Greek in order to have a proper understanding of scriptures.
SCRIPTURES PLEASE!
Tell me, what happens when we get a poor old man or an old lady who don't have many years left to learn Greek or Hebrew? What about people who are very slow in learning? Does this mean they will never have a proper understanding of the Scriptures? What about young children? Do you want to know something? I don't even have that Bible down pat in my own language, and someone has the ordacity to tell me I should learn two more languages in order to have a proper understanding of the Scriptures? Does God command us to learn the Hebrew and Greek in order to have a proper understanding of what He has to say? If we don't understand some particular things in the Bible, then let us PRAY FOR UNDERSTANDING. We might be surprised at what Jesus can do!
"Then opened he their understanding that they might understand the scriptures" (Luke 24:45 KJV).
Another excuse for a new version is because the language is archaic and needs to be updated. Is that so? From what I understand, that Bible has been updated at least one hundred times between 1880 and 1980. How fast do the words in the Bible become archaic? Do they become archaic every year or so?
There is an excellent book out titled, "Archaic Words and the Authorized Version," by Laurance M. Vance. As advertised , "The book provides an explicit and comprehensive examination of every word in the Authorized Version of the Bible that has been deemed archaic, obsolete, antiquated, or otherwise outmoded. The thesis of this seminal work is that the Authorized Version is no more archaic than daily newspapers, current magazines, and modern Bible versions." Anyone can place an order by calling 1 800-659-1478 (Bible Baptist Bookstore, located in Pensacola, Florida. Also ask for their free Catalogue).
I hope what I have given to you so far is enough to make you realize somebody is trying to disarm you and your family.
Let me warn you though, if you decide to stand by the King James Version as the true word of God, you will, without a doubt, come under ridicule. Believe me, I know. You should read all the messages I have received in the past by "Christians." As Gail Riplinger has graciously pointed out:
However, there is one rather temporary advantage in using a "new" bible version: you will not be persecuted. Isaiah 66:5 indicates that those Christians who "tremble at his word" will be"hated" and "cast" out by their "brethren." The advantage is temporary, though, because these "brethren" will be "ashamed" at the coming of the LORD. "Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, "Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed." So if someone takes your head off for standing for the word of God, know that it is merely a foreboding shadow of the coming tribulation when saints will be "beheaded...for the word of God" (Rev. 20:4) and "slain for the word" (Rev. 6:9).
The Bible says,
"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4KJV). It says "every word."
Do you have "every word?"
I believe it is very important that everyone take the time to compare the modern counterfeits with the Authorized Version (KJV), especially Preachers.
There are Preachers who openly admit they don't believe they have the perfect, infallible word of God today. If that is so, what is it they are preaching if they don't believe they are the very words of God? Is God a liar? Did His word fall by the wayside (Isa. 40:8, Ps. 12:6,7)?
I have heard many people say they "prefer" the King James Bible. My former Pastor claimed this. But the real problem is, they don't believe it! They think they can find mistakes in it. Many Christians "claim" they believe in the inerrant word of God, but ask them to hand you a copy and they can't find it!
There is also a rumor going around that Christians who believe they have the infallible, inerrant word of God are "church splitters." As Dr. Samuel Gipp says, "The only church that a believer in the perfect Bible could possible split would have to be one that didn't believe that the Bible is perfect."
The fact is, there is no translation that agrees with the King James Version. Isn't that rather odd? Everything concerning God's words and His doctrines hinges on what He has said or did not say (read all of Jer. 23).
Furthermore, without all His words, we are left without a defensive weapon (Eph. 6:17). Remember, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
I believe we need to have "house cleaning" in many of our churches. In fact, there are some who are doing just that. Jesus said, "If a man love me, he will keep my words." (John 15:23). There are preachers who are dumping the new bibles and stocking their churches with the King James Bible.
I have done my own house cleaning here in my own home. I did not feel one ounce of guilt throwing these counterfeit bibles in the trash. My children have also been taught that the King James Bible is the true word of God. It would be a sin for me to offer them over 30 contradicting "bibles" to study from. I will not please the devil by disarming my children for what they will need for the rest of their life. As long as they are under my roof I will not let them use bibles that bring in damnable heresies; bibles that weaken and attack salvation; bibles that deny His name; Christ's Deity; the Virgin Birth; and the Atonement.
"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. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8-9)
Don't fall away from the truth. Read the material from those who defend the word of God. Without a doubt, the modern translations downgrade or deny the Deity of Christ, the Virgin Birth, the Blood Atonement, the Resurrection and the simplicity of His words.
As I said, there are some churches who have already started house cleaning. They have been informed and have examined the evidence. They are sounding the alarm and warning others. They also publicly declare to use only one book, the King James Bible, and they are not ashamed.
We have a famine taking place today. Not for food, but for God's word.
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:" (Amos 8:11 KJV). People are traveling for miles around to find a church where the perfect word of God is read and preached.
How many Bibles does your church use? One? Two? Four? Sixteen? (1 Cor. 1:10?)
In closing, I would like to share a clip I came across one day. It goes as follows:
"A new minister came to a certain church. He was full of sophisticated knowledge and taught little from the Bible. At the end of two years he was told that one of the leading men of his church was ill. He went to see him. There was no chance of recovery; the man was dying. After a little talk the minister said, Shall I read to you and pray with you?'
"Yes," replied the man, and beckoned to his wife to bring the Bible. A Bible was brought, and the minister opened it and saw a strange sight. Some books were taken out of it, some pages were torn away, some chapters gone, and some verses cut out; it was a shamefully mangled Bible.
"The minister said, Have you got no better Bible than this?'
"The dying man said, When you came to our church I had a whole Bible. But as soon as you told me that one book was fiction I tore it out; and that one chapter was not true, I removed it; and that some verses were unauthentic, I cut them out. And if I had had another year under you, I think I should have had the two covers, and nothing else.'"
1 Corinthians 1:10 (KJV) states,
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." I have heard preachers many times ask the congregation to turn to certain passages in the Bible and to quote them out loud. One day I just decided I would listened, and all I heard was a lot of mumble jumble. There was no distinct sound I could understand. Why? Because we have bibles that do not speak the same thing. There are many verses omitted, and readings changed. But just imagine when all can quote the true preserved word of God (KJV) the next time the preachers makes his request. What unity there shall be in speaking the same thing!
"IF THE FOUNDATIONS BE DESTROYED, WHAT CAN THE RIGHTEOUS DO?" -PSALM 11:3 _____________________________________________________________
This work has no copyright. I thank people like Gail Riplinger, Texe Marrs, Samuel Gipp, Peter Ruckman, and all my brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ who are faithful to God's word (1 Thess. 2:13). So please feel free to copy this material and distribute it to Pastors, family, friends, and people whom you care about.
(Mark 4:19) | ||
 | ||