The Bible is the most popular book in the world and the top bestseller of all time. In the last 200 years, well over 3.5 billion copies have been sold. The whole Bible has been translated into over 500 languages and parts of it have been translated into more than 3,000 languages. It is the most-printed, most-purchased and most freely distributed book in the world! Yet the Bible, for most people, is shrouded in mystery. What a paradox!
This book of books unveils the secrets of human life—how we got here, why we were born and where we are headed. It reveals and describes some of the details of creation, the Creator’s purpose for man and His master plan for accomplishing that purpose! What lies ahead for mankind? Will we be decimated in the current free-fall toward oblivion, or will there be a brighter tomorrow? The Bible answers plainly, but for doubters the good news is no more reliable than the happy ending of a fairy tale. (Matthew 24:21-22; Isaiah 11:6-9)
This greatest of all books is full of revealed knowledge that man cannot come to know using his five senses. It’s the Maker’s “instruction manual” because it provides instructions on how the human creation is to operate. It teaches man how to live to achieve real peace, true happiness and lasting success! Yet for the most part, that instruction is foolishly disregarded or spurned by many. This holy book exposes the cause of this world’s evils—it lays bare the raw corruption of the human heart (Jeremiah 17:9) and reveals who corrupts it! (Ephesians 2:2; Revelation 12:9) It shines a bright light on the significance of man’s bloody history. Why does evil exist? What is sin? What is righteous and good? The answers are profound, yet simple. (1 John 3:4; Psalms 119:172)
We must recognize that the “Holy Bible” is radically different from all other so-called sacred literature. It asserts that it is the divinely inspired writings of a supreme Deity. No other sacred literature makes such a claim as this: “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” (Isaiah 46:9-10). Can we really know whether Almighty God, Himself, delivered this book to man?
The Bible is an astonishing book. Over 40 different writers from many different walks of life—some were kings, shepherds, military leaders, philosophers, farmers and fishermen—over a period of 1,600 years, were used to pen its contents! Yet the Bible stands alone in its harmony and agreement. There are no contradictions in the original text, in spite of what ignorant critics might counter. (John 10:35)
The “Holy Bible” is a truly remarkable and extraordinary book! “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) The word inspiration in the Greek means God-breathed. In other words, God personally coordinated the Bible’s development and directly inspired its writing. The Bible is the authoritative Word of God in print. It is a supernatural feat, and worthy of careful study!
According to the Bible, authority ought to be submitted to and respected. This is a hard teaching for many, as the Bible would seem to indemnify those who rule or preside over others in a cruel and unjust manner. Perhaps the most widely-quoted and well-known verse regarding this matter comes from Romans 13. God advises us to submit to “governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established” (Romans 13:1). We are further advised in the Bible that rebelling against authority is rebelling against God. (Romans 13:2)
Many would argue that such passages deal only with benevolent rulers because the Scripture continues to say that these rulers “hold no terror for those who do right” and that they are “God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer”. This is why “it is necessary to submit” and “why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.” (Romans 13:3-6)
What does God say about reacting to unjust rulers? In another well-known and challenging passage, the Bible says: “Slaves, submit yourselves to your master with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.” He explains further: “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men” and “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, and if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:15, 17-21)
These are very difficult messages and may incline some to feel God has a sadistic streak. This would be a misreading of the Bible. God’s call always to show love, honor, and respect to others represents how He envisions His Kingdom on earth. He wishes us to live life to the fullest (John 10:10) and promises us a glorious and eternal life. (John 3:16; 14:2-3, 23)
Ephesians 6:6-9 exhorts us to obey not merely to win favor just when people’s eyes are on us, but to act as “slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart,” serving wholeheartedly as if serving the Lord and knowing that He will reward us for whatever good we do. His message is consistent for slave masters, enjoining them to “treat your slaves in the same way” because He is master of both them, and their slaves.
Despite instances of poor or tyrannical government, of which many examples are provided in the books of Judges, 1 Kings, and 2 Kings (as well as in today’s world), God assures us that respect, kindness, and submission are part of His plan (1 Thessalonians 5:12-18) and failure to follow this prescription results in our devolving into depravity and anarchy because of self-centeredness. (2 Timothy 3:1-9)
In short, God assures believers that temporary troubles never should trump the exhilarating ecstasy that awaits us with Him.
China - in His image 