There is only ONE information SOURCE
as to God’s plan and purpose with this earth – THE BIBLE
Outline of the Bible
The word “Bible” means book.
But it is no ordinary book that you take up in your hands when you pick up the Bible. Notice the two words on its spine: “Holy Bible”. The word “holy” means separate so we have a book that is unique from all others. Consider these outstanding credentials:
- Forty independent writers were used in its compilation
- These writers had twenty different occupations
- They lived in ten different countries
- They wrote over a 1,500 year time span
- The book uses three different languages
- It has a cast of 2930 characters in 1,551 places
- It covers a huge number of different subjects
- Its message is expressed in all literary forms (poetry, prose etc)
Apart from this impressive list of attributes, the most incredible thing about the Bible is its claim to be the word of a LIVING GOD! It asserts to be the direct and infallible revelation from God to man concerning his salvation. Five hundred times in the first five books, it prefaces or concludes its declarations with the assertion, “The Lord said,” or “The Lord spake.” Three hundred times again in the following books it does the same. Similar expressions occur no less than twelve hundred times in the prophetical books. The Bible thus claims to be the inspired Word of God:
- 2 Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..
- 2 Peter 1:21 – For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
So the Bible challenges us with its Divine origin. It must be judged upon that claim.
There are several ways of proving the Bible a true, reliable book. Consider its remarkable consistent message spanning over 1500 years by so many individual writers – or the amazing pattern of numerics which defies human authorship, and entrances the student – or the incredible accuracy in detail in its recording of historical events, far better than any human historians have been able to achieve. Archeology confirms the Bible true on every point it has touched. What is remarkable is that the Bible, alone, can prove its own truth! Its prophecies speak for themselves, and testify to the fact that no human author could make such accurate and specific predictions of future events, so let us consider…
Bible Prophecy
Humans cannot predict ahead with any certainty: but God has done so in the Bible, and events have thoroughly proved what He has proclaimed. As predicted, Babylon is still in heaps (Jeremiah 51:37), Nineveh still lies empty, void and waste (Nahum 2:10), Egypt still remains a base nation (Ezekiel 29:15), Tyre has been submerged by the sea and literally remains a place for the spreading of nets (Ezekiel 26:5), Israel has been scattered among the nations (Deuteronomy 28:64), and Jerusalem given over to the Gentiles (Luke 21:24), but today the Jews are returning to their land and restoring the wastes (Jeremiah 30:18-24, Amos 9:14) and Jerusalem is gradually gaining more independence, as foretold.
The evidence of prophecy is an indisputable argument for the Divine inspiration of the Bible, proving that it is more than a mere human document.
But one nation above all others, has been set by God as a witness in the earth: and that is the nation of Israel. God invites all peoples to gather themselves together to consider this witness. He declares:
- Isaiah 43:9-10 – I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.
Now consider some of the facts, and assess for yourself whether that declaration is true. Concerning Israel, God declared:
- Jeremiah 30:11 – For I am with thee saith the Lord, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and not leave thee altogether unpunished.
Where are the mighty empires of the past that scattered Israel? They have gone! Where are Assyria, Babylon, Greece or Rome? They have sunk into oblivion as far as their empires are concerned. But Israel remains: and in recent years has revived as a nation in the earth. God prophesied:
- Jeremiah 31:10-11 – Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
The modern revival of Israel in the earth is in accordance with these prophetical declarations. Even details of prophecy are being fulfilled. Jesus Christ predicted that Jerusalem would be dominated by the enemies of Israel until the latter days (Luke 21:24), and so it has come to pass. In 1967, at the conclusion of the decisive Six Day War, Jerusalem was freed from Arab control, and for the first time in 2000 years, Jews controlled their ancient seat of government. Again prophecy was wonderfully proved true. There are many other such prophecies contained in the Bible most of which have been fulfilled.
There remain very few prophecies to be fulfilled but the ones that do remain, contain outstanding promises which God makes to true followers of Himself and His Son. The Bible presents us with a great hope for the future. It speaks of the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom on earth. Consider some of these exciting prophecies:
- Daniel 2:44 – And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
- 2 Timothy 4:1 – …The Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.
- Revelation 11:15 – The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
- Isaiah 24;23 – the Lord shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
- Luke 1:32-33 – And he (Jesus) shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
This is the real and substantial hope of the Bible, which is repeated within its pages many times over. It promises a world restored to a condition of peace, harmony and beauty, when God’s Name will be honored from one end of the earth to the other. God Himself, declares in Numbers 14:21 “As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.”
With the reliability of the past prophecies which have been fulfilled, we find we can have full confidence in the Bible and become part of those promises for the future.
A regular methodical reading of the Bible will give happiness and satisfaction today and solve the problems of insecurity and fear that so many people face. It will provide contentment now, and a hope of a wonderful immortal existence upon a restored earth to come.
We are able to provide you with a daily Bible reading chart. It will take you through the Old Testament once, and the New Testament twice during the course of a year. It is entirely free. Please click the following link to email your request for a hard copy of the chart.