"The Word and US" Update 17.1.2026
A personal view, David Jebb
My aim is to research how God has communicated, and what differentiates the Bible. I have looked at religious history in chronological order. Please email any insights which you feel may help future updates to david@jebb.ie
Many Christians believe the Bible is reliable evidence of communications from God. I believe that the Bible is a library about the "Word of God "supernaturally edited for us!
Bible comes from a Greek word "Biblos" which means books.The original documents in the Bible are centuries old, yet as I read, I find my heart is drawn to God. Please test if what I share resonates! "The Word and US."
God is not restricted to communicating through the Bible. The Bible states that nature "declares God" (Psalm19:1,2) and that if everything was written down about Jesus (Jewish name Yeshua) that all the books in the world could not contain the information! (John21:25)
History; Hindu
Hinduism; believed to have been practised initially in the Indus Valley Civilization from 3300BC predates Abraham an important Bible character 2000 to 1500 BC but possibly in the same era as Adam and the garden of Eden 20 generations before Abraham. Hindus believe the Hindu Scriptures ("Shruti texts") are Divine revelations, unchanging truths of the universe and ultimate reality. The texts tell of three primary deities, Vishnu (preserver maintaining balance and order in the universe) Brahma (Creator) and Shiva (destroyer) We learn there are physical manifestations "Avatars" of Vishnu; Matsya(fish) Kuma(tortoise) Varaha (boar) Narasimha(half man half lion) Vamana (dwarf) Parashurama(warrior) Rama(prince)Krishna(divine prince)Buddha (enlightened one) Kalki (future Avatar) Rama and Krishna are known for their love and compassion towards us. "Kalki" (the great Avatar) will bring the current age of darkness and ignorance "Kali Yuga" to an end by destroying evil and bringing an era of truth and righteousness. He will then return to his divine abode. The texts tell of "Isha" (the Jesus of the bible) introducing himself as the son of God born of a virgin when meeting a King called "Shalivahana." The Hindu scripture tell of "Matsya" Avatar (a fish incarnation of Vishnu) who warns "Manu" (Noah Bible Genesis:6,7 -10 generations before Abraham) to build an Ark gathering animals and seeds. A flood destroys the world, and when the flood subsides Manu and his family restart civilization.
In the Hindu religion the symbolism of the ark is "Matsya" guiding Manu's boat to safety. According to Peter (Bible) below, Jesus becomes both our ark and our bad karma.
Krishna shows his love and compassion to guide how we can break free of "the cycle" by our good karma, Peter below speaks of immersion into the one death of Jesus and one new eternal life because our conscience before God is cleared breaking any idea of a cycle of karma and rebirth.
In the Bible(1Peter 3:18-21 Because Messiah also suffered for sins once, the righteous (good karma)for the unrighteous (bad karma) that he might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit, in whom he also went and preached to the spirits in prison, who before were disobedient when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ship was being built. In it, few that is eight souls, were saved through water. This is a symbol of immersion, which now saves you- not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God- through the resurrection of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
History; Zoroastrian
The prophet "Zoroaster" (Zarathustra)around 1500-1000BC practised the Zoroastrian religion in Iran teaching there is only one God, emphasising good thoughts words and deeds. Hear no evil see no evil think no evil. Dualistic universe (good v evil). The Zoroastrian belief teaches religious tolerance. Tradition states that "the wise men" who visited the baby Jesus were of the Zoroastrian religion responding to Avesta and Pahlavi scripture such as;
Yasna 30:9 ,11And when the retribution shall come upon them, O Mazda (supreme God and creator)then shall thy good Dominion be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit, O Wise One together with the Final Word which shall be revealed to the righteous and the consummation, the Saoshyant's, the saviours, shall arise, and they shall make the world perfect and the dead shall be resurrected. And then shall all men be righteous, and the whole world shall be one in unity
Yasht 13.142 The Saoshyant, (future messianic figure in Zoroastrian teaching) the victorious, shall arise from the lake kasaoya, a man of the seed of Zarathushtra, (Zoroastrian prophet) with a victorious destiny, with a victorious name, with a victorious wisdom, the most powerful, the most victorious, the most glorious, the most praiseworthy, the most victorious the most wise
History; Timeline/Jew/Christian
The oldest documents in the Bible are known as the Tanakh The writers of the Tanakh (Bible) were from various locations throughout Asia and Europe, they were Jews writing in different centuries, up to 600 years before Jesus.
What is the meaning of Jew? To be a Jew means being part of a covenant community "called by God"- descendants of Abraham. Christians have renamed the Tanakh as the Old Testament because it is written in the context of various Covenants /promises God made with the people making up the community called to follow God before Jesus was born as a baby to the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem.
The world changed when the Jew called "Jesus" introduced the New Covenant. The New Covenant impacts all of us because it redefined a worldwide community to whom God has made promises in Jesus. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, Christians added further writings explaining the changes Jesus had introduced in the New Covenant. These writings are known as the New Testament. "Testament" is derived as a translation of "Covenant."
At the time Jesus was preaching in Palestine the parchments making up the Tanakh comprised the Torah (Law) Neviim (Prophets) and the Ketuvim (writings). These hand written parchments/scrolls were in ancient Hebrew and Arabic. There was also a Greek translation- "the Septuagant" written around 300BC when "Alexander the Great" (336BC to 323BC) conquered the known world setting up the Greek empire with Greek language. One of the books in the Tanakh Daniel :2 contains prophecies given to king Nebuchadnezzar in a vision of a statue; head of gold -Babylon, chest, and arms of silver- Medo-Persian, (623-562BC) Belly and thighs of bronze Greek and legs of iron, feet of iron and clay -Roman Empire.
The Septuagant translation includes additional writings not in the Tanakh. For example, "Daniel" provides more information in the Septuagant than the Tanakh.
Both the Tanakh and Septuagant provide a "Timeline" recording God's intervention over centuries and include many prophecies foretelling God's plans. Much in the timeline is supported by archaeological research such as www.biblearchaeologyreport.com and historical writings; National captivity in Egypt , Rescue led by Moses 1446BC (Bible the Exodus1-15), capturing land in present day Israel ,civil war and division into two nations Israel and Judah. After the division of Israel and Judah 930BC the northern tribes Israel were conquered and the population absorbed into non-Jewish (Gentile) nations.
The southern tribes Judah were conquered by Assyria. Assyria subsequently merged into Babylon (present day Iran) but unlike the Northern tribes the Southern tribes retained their "JEW" identity despite events like the Holocaust so horrifically documented in various museums today including those located at Auschwitz, Berlin, and Jerusalem
Israel/Palestine so bitterly contested today came into Byzantine control after the Jews were evicted by the Roman emperor Hadrian AD 135, builder of Hadrian's wall between England and Scotland. Jerusalem was renamed Aelia Capitolina, in honour of the family of Hadrian's family "Aelia" and Jupiter "Capitolinus" the chief Roman god. Byzantine control was replaced by Arab Caliphate, followed by the Crusaders, then the Mamluks, after which the Ottoman empire 1517 until British control in 1917. The Balfour Declaration 1917 proposed the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people with equal rights for the existing non-Jewish population. In 1947 the United Nations proposed dividing land between Jewish and Arab states. Since 1948 wars have been fought, many thousands of Palestinians have been displaced whilst Jews throughout the world have been returning and rebuilding Israel as a Jewish State.
Although not bound as one document the scrolls comprising the Tanakh tended to be stored together in places used for public worship, either synagogues or the Jerusalem temple. In 28-30AD Jesus taught that these scrolls which had existed for centuries were about Him;
In the Bible Luke 24:27, "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself"
The Jewish leadership not only rejected Jesus claims to be the son of God spoken of in the historic Tanak documents but incited the Roman army of occupation to carry out a mock trial and execute Jesus by crucifixion.
The resurrection of Jesus launched a movement which became known as the "Ecclesia" from a Greek word assembly of those called, -today translated as "Church"- Assembly of those Called to follow God.
Compare with the meaning of Church "Assembly of those Called to follow God."
with the meaning of Jew "Community Called to follow God"
The following events happened around AD 50 regarding a Jewish teacher called Saul;
Acts15:1-6 Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, (Saul had been involved in the stoning to death of an early follower of Jesus called Stephen.) went to the high priest and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, (following Jesus) whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he travelled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He said who are you, LORD?" The Lord said "I am Yeshua, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, then you will be told what you must do"
A man called Hananiah is instructed to meet Saul who had been blinded by his experience but was given a vision that Hananiah would "lay hands" on Saul whose sight would be restored. Acts 15:17 Laying his hands on him, he said Brother Saul, the Lord who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit
After his encounter with Jesus Sauls name was changed to Paul. Paul very successfully promoted the cause of Jesus writing a substantial part of the New Testament, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Phillipians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, and Romans.
Other New Testament writings are accredited to disciples of Jesus called Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, James, Jude, and Peter.
An early church leader called Marcion proposed and introduced the idea of "The Cannon of scripture". Cannon is derived from a word meaning a rule of measurement ie whatever is in the Cannon can be trusted as "Authorative."
In my opinion creating a "Cannon" gives power to whoever constructs the "Cannon" because by stating what is included in the Cannon as a bible empowers the church leaders to interpret the meaning and to justify any rules the church leaders may wish to impose, for example supressing women, justifying apartheid/abusive slavery by incorrectly applying scripture. The idea of a Cannon is supposedly to establish that the Bible is the authority, but in my opinion authority rests with those who decide what books are in the Cannon and assume authority to explain what they say it means. Marcion ignored quotes by Paul such as; Romans 14:24,25
"Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the proclaiming of Jesus the Messiah, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages, but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the Nations."
and Romans 15:4
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope
Ignoring the references to
"Mystery which has been kept secret through long ages,"
"The scriptures of the prophets"
"Whatever things were written before"
Marcion proposed a bible ignoring the Tanak/Septuagant, including only Lukes's gospel after redacting all references to the genealogy of the mother of Jesus and including Paul's writings -although perhaps Marcion had not read Romans 14 or 15? See above.
Around 300AD Latin was the language of the Roman Empire but Greek remained widely used in the Eastern Mediterranean; Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. A Roman Christian theologian called Jerome translated into Latin the writings by Paul, disciples Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, James, and Jude along with the Tanakh. All these books were bound into one "library" which was known as the "Vulgate." "Vulgate" means "language of the people." There were other writings which were not included.
History: Muslim
Islam was founded by the Prophet Muhammad 570 to 632AD. Prior to his encounter with the angel Gabriel Muhammad followed the Hanii religion which holds that Abraham was a Hanii prophet. Those who practice Islam are called Muslims. Like Christians Muslims believe there is only one God but Muslims do not believe Jesus was a manifestation of God as a man. Muslims do not believe the following Bible references;
In the Bible Philippians 2: 5-8 Have this in your mind, which was also in Messiah Yeshua, who existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross
In the Bible Colossians 1: 15-20 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things are held together. He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him, and through him to reconcile all things to himself by him, whether things on the earth or things in the heavens having made peace through the blood of his cross
Muslims do not accept the above scriptures and believe Jesus was only a prophet. Muslims state the Quran is the ultimate final Canonical scripture, the literal Word of God, the final message from God superseding all previous scriptures.
History: Christian division
Prior to the Latin Vulgate the denominations which today are known as "Orthodox" and "Roman Catholic" both used the Septuagant. In what is known as "the "Great Schism" 1054 AD the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches split into two separately governed institutions. The Roman Catholic church taught that The Vulgate was the Cannon, the only version of the Bible authorised for use in the Roman empire.
In 1534 the Church in England ceased to recognise the authority of the Pope and submitted to the leadership of Henry VIII. (However, see above quote from Colossians concerning Jesus "He is the head of the body, the assembly") The Bibles used in the Church of England were "The great Bible," in English, based on Tyndale's translation and in Latin the Vulgate. A "prayerbook" was introduced in 1549 which extensively quotes from the Bible but also includes statements of belief such as the "Nicene creed" and prayer templates written by Thomas Cranmer and other Bishops. Cranmer was executed by Queen Mary 1556 for treason and heresy.
"The great Bible" was updated to the "Bishops Bible" in 1568 (in English) and further updated to the "King James Bible" 1604 -1611 (also in English) and distributed throughout the British Empire
As an Irishman I am particularly interested that in 1662 after the Church of Ireland became independent of the Church of England the Church of Ireland revised and continued to use a prayer book comparable to that used by the Church of England with the latest revision having taken place in 2004. I think the leaders in the Church of Ireland have provided good management of the two separate jurisdictions in Ireland because in Northern Ireland the prayerbook guides us to pray for the king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland whilst the prayer book used in the Republic of Ireland guides us to pray for the Irish President. There is no contradiction both are following Pauls teaching 1Timothy 2:2 I exhort therefore, first, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence
History; Mormons
In 1830 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formed by Joseph Smith in New York. Also known as the Mormons they continued using the King James version of the Bible, the book of Mormon, (narrative of ancient American civilization including the Nephites Lamanites and Jaredites) the Doctrine and Covenants (teaching on church governance, sacraments, family structure, plan of salvation, -Jesus Christs atonement can enable a man or woman to return to live with God (Celestial kingdom) but personal choices matter and some may be assigned to lesser kingdoms Choices relate to specific ordinances and covenants like temple marriage and priesthood authority ) and the "Pearl of great price." (built on Matthew 13:45-46, it includes the book of Moses, Joseph Smith portions of Matthew, excerpts from Joseph Smiths history, 13 Articles of faith)
History; Jehovah's Witnesses
In the 1870s Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society formed by Charles Taze Russell was renamed Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931 and use a translation of the Bible called the "New World translation" The name "Jehovah" is used to emphasise Gods personal covenantal relationship with humanity. In keeping with their belief that Jesus is not God the New World Translation states John1:1 the Word was a god rather than the Word was God, which is what other translations state. The New World Translation also changes references to the Trinity 1John 5:7 For there are three who testify Jehovah's Witnesses teach the spirit is not a person but Gods energy as an impersonal force. Revelation 19:11-13 in the "New World" translation omits reference to "the name that no one knows but he himself," omits "the robe dipped in blood" and omits "his name is the Word of God"
History; Alternative evidence source discovered after formation of Bible
There are some who allege the Old Testament is fraudulent, and prophecies were inserted after the events predicted. For example, the above prophecy predicting future historic empires in Daniel is so accurate!
There was a remarkable 1946 discovery known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Thousands of scrolls were discovered in caves in the Qumran desert. This evidence source predates and so validates scrolls that had been used in the millions of "King James" and other Bible translations already in circulation in numerous languages at the time of the Dead Sea discovery, which in themselves already had two sources the Hebrew Tanakh and the Greek Septuagant.
The Timeline and Signs.
An example of a sign was that Sarah could and would give birth to Isaac even though Sarah and Abraham had passed normal child bearing age (Genesis 17:17 21:1-7) The supernatural birth was a real-life sign pointing to a future date when the Virgin Mary would give birth to Jesus
A further sign was given (Genesis :22) pointing to a future date when Jesus would die for the sins of the world. Having been told by God that Abraham's "seed" (Jesus) would be a blessing to all the world Abraham was asked to offer Isaac as a human sacrifice. Abraham was required to make a long journey (3days travel) to Mount Moriah to perform the sacrifice – incredibly this is the region where Jesus was to be crucified many generations later!
The story is quite shocking and another real-life sign that sin is as repulsive to God as human sacrifice, sin must die. However, God is loving so would provide Jesus as "the lamb" to die for our sin. The sign was (i) to test Abraham's obedience of faith and (ii) pointing to a future date when God would require Jesus to demonstrate his obedience of faith in God.
In the scripture quoted below please note; "your only son"- even though Abraham had another son Ishmael (Isaac's older brother) a normal birth to Abraham and Hagar.
The significance is that the prophecy was pointing forward to when God would have only one "begotten son" (John :3), born through a virgin's womb. The words used evidence inspiration by God. These prophetic words point to the future event of the crucifixion of Jesus who was born of the virgin Mary as indicated in the sign of Isaac's supernatural birth.
He said, "Now take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love and go into the land of Moriah, offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of
Abraham obeys to the point of binding Isaac on the altar and at the point where Abraham has taken his knife to kill his son;
Bible Genesis 22:11 The Lords angel called to him out of the sky, and said, Abraham, Abraham! He said "Here I am" he said don't lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now, I know you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me
Note at the start of Genesis 22:1 it is God the father who speaks to Abraham but in verse 11 it is "The Lords angel" I believe the title "Lords angel" speaks of Jesus
Bible Genesis 22:13 Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him for a burnt offering instead of His son Abraham called the name of that place "THE LORD WILL PROVIDE" – a sign pointing to Jesus many generations later Evidence supporting that this is a sign;
Bible Hebrews 11:17-19
By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son, to whom it was said, your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac, concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead
Bible John 8:56 Jesus speaking
"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad"
In the Bible James writes about Abraham and faith in James 2:19-26
You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe – and shudder. But do you want to know vain man, that faith apart from works is dead. Wasn't Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected. So, the scripture was fulfilled which says Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness (James is quoting Romans4:3) and he was called the friend of God. You see then that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. In the same way wasn't Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way. For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead
Abraham's son Isaac provides Abraham with two grandsons called Esau and Jacob After wrestling with God (Genesis32:24-36) Jacob's name was changed to "Israel" which means "one who contends with God" This drama of wrestling with God is foretelling when Jesus would wrestle with God in a garden called Gethsemane before being crucified
Israel has a son called Joseph who is sold into slavery to the then superpower Egypt by his brothers. Miraculously Joseph becomes the most powerful person in the country next to the Pharoh. Joseph is given the opportunity to show grace and forgiveness to his family and resettle them as freemen in Egypt a sign pointing to how God can bless us.
In a few generations the people of Israel are forced into slave labour and genocide of their sons when born. When Moses is born, he is rescued from being killed by being hidden in an ARK- similar idea to Noah's Ark a sign of how Jesus can be our ark
God uses Moses to rescue the entire nation after providing physical signs which speak of future judgements also spoken of in Revelation, note climate issues today. Moses leads "Israel" in a 40 years desert experience which climaxes s follows;
Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel. You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my Treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites
So, Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words of the Lord had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, "We will do everything the Lord has said" Exodus 19:3-8
"Everything the Lord has said we will do" Exodus 24:3
The 10 commandments given to Moses are a sign that we cannot keep the promises we intend to keep
(i)God requires sacrifices for Sin – "For the wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23
(ii)To obey 10 commandments given to Moses (Bible Exodus 20)
You shall have no other gods before me
You shall not make for yourself an idol in any form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
You shall not murder
You shall not commit adultery
You shall not steal
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour
You shall not covet your neighbour's house. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.
In addition to the commandments there was also a requirement to make an Altar. Whilst no offerings were to be made to the gods offerings to God were mandatory alongside obedience.
There were clarifications on the commandments and the introduction of community festivals (Bible Exodus 21to 23)
As he was instructed early the following morning Moses built an altar, setting up one pillar for each for the twelve tribes, (of Israel) and offered burnt offerings and fellowship/peace offerings two types of sacrifice. Burnt offerings were completely consumed by fire to atone for sin. Fellowship/peace offerings expressed gratitude, peace, or fellowship with God. Only part of the animal was burnt on the altar, while the rest was eaten by the worshiper and their family or friends. This offering celebrated Gods presence and blessing in their lives using half the blood to sprinkle on the altar and half to place in bowls to enable blood to be sprinkled over the worshippers.
Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said. (Bible Exodus 24:4)
After having had the importance of obedience carefully explained the people responded;
"Then he took the book of the covenant and read it to the people They responded We will do everything the Lord has said, we will obey" Exodus 24:7 (Note three times they promised to obey)
Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said "This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words" (Bible Exodus 24:8)
Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu went up and saw the God of Israel Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God and they ate and (Bible: Exodus 24.9-12)
Even after having such a close experience with God as to see Him the ongoing presence of God still required more than good intentions to be obedient. Gods ongoing presence was and is contingent on ongoing obedience. At the first sign of wickedness/disobedience God withdrew his presence.
The problem of evil in the world today and not seeing Gods intervention to stop evil is bluntly summarised in Deuteronomy 30 :17-18
"But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed."
The stories of Israel after Deuteronomy recorded for example in the Bible books Samuel, Kings demonstrate how ignoring the warnings of Deuteronomy 30 led to national disaster. Intentions to serve God fail for lack of power to obey.
More signs are promised;
Bible Micah 5:1,2 The prophet Micah pinpointed the birth of Jesus to Bethlehem, and provides a prophecy about His mock trial.
They will strike the judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah (means fruitful place) being small amongst the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out of me who is to be ruler of Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times
Bible Isaiah 7:14
Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel
Isaiah wrote the above nearly 600 years before Jesus was born. He was warning about injustice in his culture and is inspired to write that a future sign of Emmanuel (God with us) would be a virgin birth. Isaiah also wrote;
Isaiah 10:17 The light of Israel will be for a fire, and His Holy One for a flame and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Note the 53:5 scripture is written in the past tense although it was scribed centuries beforethe crucifixion event. The scriptures below are also written centuries before Jesus hands and feet were pierced on a cross, and the Roman soldiers gambled for the Cloak Jesus had been wearing!
Bible Psalm 22:16, they have pierced my hands and my feet
Bible Psalm 22:18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing
Bible Zechariah 12:10 They will look on me, the one they have pierced
The timeline tells us the definition of Jew is widened. Sons and daughters of Ishmael are not disadvantaged. Gentiles are not disadvantaged. In the widened definition the sign of physical circumcision is changed to "circumcision of the heart." God supernaturally cuts the heart's desire from serving of self to seeking after God
Bible Hosea 2:23 Romans 9:25
Hosea is an incredible story of a prophet (Hosea) being asked to marry a prostitute who is unfaithful a sign of how the people called by God are unfaithful. Gods love is for both Jew and Gentile
"… and I will tell those who were not my people You are my people; and they will say, You are My God
Paul explains this, Bible. Romans 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel that are of Israel. Neither, because they are Abraham's offspring, are they all children. But your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac. That is it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise
Bible Jeremiah 33:7 "I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel and will build them as at the first."
Bible Jeremiah 33:9 This city (the new church community of Jew and Gentile followers of Jesus ) will be to me for a name of joy, for praise, and for glory, before all the nations of the earth, which will hear all the good that I do to them, and will fear and tremble for all the good that I do to them , and will fear and tremble for all the good and for all the peace that I provide it"
Bible Jeremiah 33:14 "Behold, the days come" says the Lord, "that I will perform that good word* which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and concerning the house of Judah. In those days and at that time, I will cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up to David. He will execute justice and righteousness in the land "
The prophecy I believe speaks of Jesus (the Branch of righteousness) uniting Jew (Judah) and the church (Israel) to provide "Levitical Priests" (Ministers) who live in a future city/church community
Bible Ezekiel (593BC to 571BC) is a prophecy in the timeline, which starts with a glimpse into the spiritual world
Bible Ezekiel 1:4-6 I looked and behold a stormy wind came out of the north: a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of the middle of it as it were glowing metal ,out of middle of the fire. Out of its centre came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: They had the likeness of a man. Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings The creatures described (later called cherubim) are not unlike the creatures modelled to cover the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle built to represent what is in the heavens. (see below)
Bible Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne , as the appearance of a sapphire stone. On the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above. I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain,so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the LORD's glory
Bible Ezekiel 34:25 I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause evil animals to cease out of the land. They will dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. I will make them and the places around my hill a blessing
Bible Ezekiel 36:24 For I will take you from amongst the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you ,and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes. You will keep my ordinances and do them but there was no breath in them.
Bible Ezekiel 37:7-9 So I prophesised as I was commanded. As I prophesised, there was a noise, and behold there was an earthquake. Then the bones came together, bone to its bone. I saw and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them
Bible Ezekiel 37:10 So I prophesised as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, and exceedingly great army
Bible Ezekiel 37:16,17 You, son of man, take one stick and write on it "For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions Then take another stick and write on it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions. Then join them for yourself to one another into one stick that they may become one in your hand
Bible Galatians 3:26,27,28 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise
Jesus explained how the 10 commandments apply in his kingdom in what is called the Beatitudes
Bible Matthew 5 :3-16 (also Luke 6:20-26)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of God
Blessed are those who mourn For they will be comforted
Blessed are the meek For they will inherit the earth
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst For righteousness For they will be filled
Blessed are the merciful For they will be shown mercy
Blessed are the pure in heart For they will see God
Blessed are the peacemakers For they will be called sons of God
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness For theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a light and put it under a bowl Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven
Conclusions
It would seem reasonable that all religions and therefore all religious writings call us to do good and indeed that being good is a prerequisite to pleasing God. Today there are many religious groups but because each group claims their scripture is the "canon" (see above) the result is confusion. The saying "the devil is in the detail" comes to mind.
For years my mind was very muddled by my confusing a Bible with its subject "the Word of God." It came to me that we would not call a chemistry book chemistry a physics book physics or a geography book geography. Commonsense tells us a chemistry book is about chemistry a physic book about physics a geography book teaches geography. The Bible is not the word of God the Bible is about the word of God. We do not stop believing in chemistry or physics because our schoolboy physics book must be updated to reflect our current understanding of the atom. The Bible as first assembled by Jerome (see above) has errors due to translation/changes in the meaning of word but it is vital to understand the subject - "the Word of God"
The expression "Word of God" or "Word of the Lord" was widely used by a variety of writers in different centuries and diverse locations and now included in a Bible. The consistent use of the expression "Word came to" is evidence that what we are reading the writers believed was GOD inspired. We need to pay attention.
The meaning of "Word "changes in the Bible. Initially "Word" means the message the writer received from God but later "Word" is defined by John
Bible: John1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God
Bible 1John1 That which was from the beginning which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked at and our hands have touched- this we proclaim concerning the Word of life
Revelation 19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw- that is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ Revelation1:1-2
Revelation 19:11-13 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that nobody knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean
Example John1:1 "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and was God
Paul's analysis;
According to Paul in Romans 1:18 when society is not living in obedience;
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against the godlessness and wickedness of men
How Gods wrath is revealed Romans 1:24, 29 Therefore God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. What Paul haswritten almost 2000 years ago totally applies to what I see in the world today.
God's remedy
In Romans 1:5 Paul introduces obedience that comes from faith. "Circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit not by the written code" God has intervened to provide a righteousness that is not dependant on our strict adherence to the letter of the law but our faith
Bible Romans 3:21 "righteousness apart from the law"
How do we meet the requirements of the 10 commandments Exodus 21-23 and sacrifice for sin
Bible. Romans 3:25 Paul explains that the requirement of an altar has been met in Yeshua Paul explains that God has offered Christ Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement.
Bible Romans 3:26 Paul infers even God has faith in the blood of Jesus such that justice was not compromised when the sins of people under the Old Covenant were not punished. The men like Abraham believed GOD without knowing the detail of how GOD was going to offer a sacrifice of atonement. "To demonstrate his justice at the present time to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus
Bible Romans5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, we shall be saved from Gods wrath through him"
Bible Romans 5:11 "Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation
Bible Romans 6:10-18
"The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives he lives to God In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer your selves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master because you are not under law but under grace.
What then shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey – whether you are slaves to sin which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted You have been set free from sin and have become slaves of righteousness
Bible Romans 7 :13 But in order that sin might be recognised as sin, it produced death in me
Society does not recognise that people are sinful. Society says look at the good that is in you/me. Yes, we are made in the image of God but we die, that is why we our bodies become weaker in our seventies, as our bodies begin to wind down for the great transition.
Bible Romans 8:4 And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit
Bible Romans 8:9 You, however, are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you and if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ but if Christ is in you your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness
Bible Romans 8:14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God
Bible Romans 8:19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed for the creation was subjected to frustration, not of its own choice but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God
Bible Romans 9:17 "For the scripture says to Pharaoh, I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth"
Bible Romans 10 Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 30:10 which says
If you obey the Lord your God and keep His commands and decrees that are written in the book of the law and turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you must ask, who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so that we may obey it. No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so that you may obey it. See I set before you today life and prosperity death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them , I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. This day I call *heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings, and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice and hold fast to Him.
(*the spiritual world also as referenced in Ezekiel above)
Bible Romans 10 :6 The righteousness that is by faith says "Do not say in your heart Who will ascend to heaven?(that is to bring Christ down)or who will descend into the deep (that is to bring Christ up from the dead)But what does it say The word is near you ; it is in your mouth and in your heart , that is the word of faith we are proclaiming : That if you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved
How are we to understand this teaching?
Bible Romans 6:17 Paul writes "you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching"
Bible Galatians 1:15,16 Paul writes When God, who set me apart from birth and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult anyone , nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him 15 days.
Bible Galatians 2:1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be the leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain
It took Paul over 17 years to work out what he believed! After 50 plus years I am still working it out! In the above Romans 10 quote Paul tells us the requirements first set out in Deuteronomy 30 are met by believing and confessing. The word is near, ie God is close.
I believe many people worry whether they have enough belief. Romans 6:25 precedes the Romans 10 quote "who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification" My understanding therefore is that if Jesus had not been raised from the dead I would not be justified. My confession is that I believe Jesus died for my trespasses, and Jesus was raised because I was justified! Therefore, it is not about my extent of belief, it is about God being satisfied that my trespasses are paid for and raising Jesus from death.
What do we do now?
Bible Ephesians: 3:8,9 the purpose of the church, (the "called" of God)
"To preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in GOD, who created all things. His intent was that now through the church, the manifold wisdom of GOD should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in CHRIST JESUS our LORD. In HIM and through HIM we may approach GOD with freedom and confidence.
Paul further explains Romans16:25,26,27 "the proclamation of JESUS CHRIST, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal GOD, so that all nations might believe and obey HIM- to the only wise GOD be glory for ever through JESUS CHRIST AMEN"
We have prayed Bible Matthew 6:10 "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven "
Jesus perfectly obeyed the law, made a sacrifice of atonement for Jew and Gentile and offers US His righteousness so that without compromising God's Holiness wherever there is discord God can intervene with US! We ask the Holy Spirit to continually empower us to respond to the call of obedience of faith in Jesus
The Word and Us.