The Perfection Of Forgiveness

The Perfection Of Forgiveness

Sections In This Study:

Part One - Forgiven Seventy Times Seven

Part Two - The Name Of Jesus

Part Three - Sevenfold Covenants And The New Covenant

Part Four - The Spotless Lamb Of God

Part Five - We Are Spotless In The Eyes Of God

Part Six - Sevenfold Forgiveness

Part Seven - Some "Perfect" Word Studies

Introduction

One thing that I have been amazed at lately is what I am going to call “the perfection of forgiveness.” There are so many verses and words used to describe the forgiveness we have in the Lord Jesus Christ, from various perspectives. As you study these out, you may come to find that these terms and passages are often connected in the Bible with the number seven itself. The significance of the number seven is that it indicates perfection or completion all throughout the Word of God, so when a seven or a multiple of seven* is used in reference to forgiveness, God is indicating the perfection and fulness of His complete forgiveness towards His children, towards those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

*Multiples of a number have the same basic meaning as that number itself, though sometimes it intensifies the meaning thereof.

When God does something seven times, states something seven times, gives a list of seven people or things (such as 14 names given in each section of Matthew’s genealogy, 14 Judges), the complete range of something is indicated, often showing something brought to completion or wrapped up. Think of the seven days of creation week, the seven dispensations of man’s history, the seven parables of Matthew 13 (showing the complete downward progression of professing Christendom), the seven churches of Revelation 2-3 (showing the complete church ages). The same thing can be seen in a word or phrase being used seven times in the Bible, a person being mentioned seven times (or seven people being mentioned in a certain context - such as the book of Genesis being primarily about seven specific patriarchs in the line of Christ - the same first seven men mentioned in Hebrews 11, the Hall of Faith chapter), a sevenfold promise or covenant, etc. So many illustrations, but I am sure you can see what I am getting at.

1. Forgiven Seventy Times Seven

Forgiveness is also associated many times in the Bible with sevens. Think of the following statement made by Jesus after Peter asked him a very important question:

Matthew 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Seventy times seven. Not just seven times seven, but seventy times seven. Complete and utter forgiveness. If we are counting out each time someone does us us wrong and then comes back to us to make it right, adding them all up till we get to the 490th time, we are not really forgiving one another, and instead we are holding onto those faults and perhaps letting them cause us to be bitter towards those brethren.

If a person who has sinned against us truly repents, we are to forgive them completely, and let the sin go. Contrary to the modern mindset, when God says He does not remember (or forgets) our sins, it does not mean they never come back to His mind - it means He does not hold them against us, He does not act on that knowledge. God still has knowledge about our sins; otherwise, how could He justly correct us if we choose to walk in them again. BUT He does not condemn us for them, He does not accuse us of them judicially, like a judge in a court of law. They are forgiven, wiped out, taken away forever from His sight.

This is beyond the scope of this study, but look at how the word remember is used throughout the Bible. When God remembers someone (like Israel under oppression in Egypt) or something (like a covenant He made with someone), He acts on that knowledge and does something about that situation. For more on the use of this word, see the following study that looks at this theme: Genesis: God Remembered.

The opposite is also true.

Jeremiah 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. 

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Hebrews 10:16-17 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Here God is saying if our sins are forgiven, He will no longer hold them against us. Likewise, we are to treat our repentant brethren the same way. Even if these same sins come back to our mind, we must choose not to act on that knowledge or hold those faults against those we have forgiven.

One theme I love in the Scriptures is that God deals with us on a day to day basis. We are to seek Him each day for our daily bread (both physical and spiritual - see Matthew 4:4; 6:11), our daily needs (Matthew 6:31-34), and even for a new beginning each and every day (see Lamentations 3:21-23).

Consider the following verse from two perspectives: us towards others, and then the Lord towards us.

Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Why does the Lord emphasize forgiving our brethren daily? Because He forgives us daily! If we are being honest and examining ourselves in the light of God's Word, we will have to admit that we falter daily, we sin daily - sometimes on a seemingly small scale (to ourselves), and other times we walk right into sin, allowing sin to influence our hearts and lives.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 

Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

According to these verses, even a righteous (ie. just) person, a believer who has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation, is still a complete failure in the eyes of the Lord (NOTE: this is not our identity in Him, but a statement of our proneness to wander day by day - more on how God sees us later in this study). We still have a sinful nature, we still think wrong thoughts, we still compromise and allow sin to come into our lives) - BUT if we have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work upon the cross of Calvary, the blood of Jesus Christ has completely washed our sins away - past, present, and future. When God the Father looks at us in Christ, He does not see the Law we have broken, but He sees us through the blood of Christ, through the perfect, sinless blood of the perfect, spotless Lamb of God which taketh away (not just “took away”, past tense, but “taketh away” - ongoing present tense - continually) our sins.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Every single day, we are to offer true forgiveness to the brethren who have done us wrong and who have since repented of that wrongdoing toward us. Complete forgiveness - just like the Lord Jesus Christ offers to us.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

We are to strive against sin, but when we do falter and allow sin into our lives, we are to go to our Advocate, and seek His forgiveness to restore our fellowship with God the Father and with our brethren.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Consider the following passage about the purpose for Daniel's 70th Week, as found in Daniel 9:24-27.

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

The seven purposes of Daniel’s 70 weeks:

1. To finish the transgression,
2. And to make an end of sins,
3. And to make reconciliation for iniquity,
4. And to bring in everlasting righteousness,
5. And to seal up the vision
6. And (to seal up) prophecy,
7. And to anoint the most Holy.

In various passages, a prophetic week indicates seven years, a day for a year. (See Numbers 14:33-34 and Ezekiel 4:4-6.) These 490 prophetic years (seventy times seven weeks) regarding the nation of Israel are to deal with their sin completely - to finish transgressions, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity - multiple words used to describe the sinfulness of Israel (and of all mankind!) All 490 years are set aside to deal with their sins (and ours). After 483 years, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and died upon the cross to pay for the sins of the world literally four days later.

Daniel 9:25-26 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

The first seven weeks were to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple (49 years to do so, counting from 445 BC, from the decree found in Nehemiah), and the next sixty two weeks (434 years) were to be counted from that time until the coming of the Messiah to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

“It was Nisan 10 (April 6), A.D. 32, the very day the prophets had declared that this amazing event would occur — 483 years to the day (69 weeks of years as Daniel 9:25 foretold it) after Nehemiah, in the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus (465-425 B.C.) had received (on Nisan 1, 445 B.C.) authority to rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:1)!” - Taken from A Woman Rides The Beast by Dave Hunt.

There is still one final week left - seven years of Daniel's prophecy remaining - to deal with Israel's sins as a nation.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

This final seven years is what Jeremiah refers to as the time of Jacob's trouble (see Jeremiah 30:7) - the final seven years of this 490 years is the tribulation period, in which the nation of Israel will finally be saved.

Romans 11:25-27 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

This mystery is completed in the book of Revelation, at the exact end of the seven years in which the Antichrist rules the whole world (but still thirty days before Armageddon - see Daniel 12:11).

Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

By the time the Lord Jesus Christ comes back and sets His feet on the Mount of Olives, this prophecy will be completely fulfilled for the Jewish nation - though it comes at such a great cost. Two thirds of the nation will die during those seven years (see Zechariah 13:8-9), but the rest (ie. the remnant) will get saved when they see Jesus Christ face to face in the wilderness and realize that He is the Messiah, yea that Saviour, that they have so long rejected.

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Ezekiel 20:35-38 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Zechariah 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

The ever-flowing fountain of Jesus' blood, long since applied to all true believers since the time of Christ, will now be applied to the remnant of the nation of Israel. Daniel's 70 weeks will be completely fulfilled - seventy times seven years - and then they will be completely forgiven because then that remnant will finally know the Saviour, will finally receive the Lord Jesus Christ, will finally bow to Him in their lives.

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

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Truly, Jesus is the name above all names, above every name!

Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2. The Name Of Jesus - Used 980 Times (70 times 7 times - 490 - times 2)

There are seven people in the Bible that the Lord God named before they were born. One of which is Jesus Christ. The name Jesus is the same as the Old Testament name, Joshua, and means, "The LORD Is Salvation." Jesus came to be the Saviour of mankind, and He died for the sin of all mankind. Many will not receive the Saviour or the Gospel of salvation that tells of His finished work of redemption and His death, burial and resurrection. But those that do receive this Good News, this Gospel of salvation and the Saviour it tells about, become the children of God - they become the people of God (see John 1:12-13).

I love the word Saviour as it is spelled in the King James Bible - seven letters, perfection.

The first part below came from several of Brandon Peterson’s videos and articles, though this is my summary of what he was saying. (Check out his Truth Is Christ and KJVCode websites and his Truth Is Christ Youtube channel for some truly amazing number patterns that are found in the King James Bible. I am referring specifically to these two videos: Jesus 70×7 in Odd & Even Books (980x Total), and Sin + Forgiven 70×7 in the Bible)

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Brandon points out Jesus' only stated numerical calculation during His public ministry was this passage in Matthew:

Matthew 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Jesus says we are to forgive our brother seventy times seven times. That equation adds up to 490 times. Let me say that again, the pattern for forgiveness is seventy times seven - 490 times.

Now here is the amazing part: The name Jesus (which He was given in reference to the fact that He is THE Saviour who came to save) is used in the King James Bible 980 times. That is seventy times seven times two (ie. 490 x 2). Remember a multiple of a number gives the same meaning and symbolism of the number itself. Forgiveness in Jesus is more than enough. Seventy times seven - complete and utter forgiveness twice told. (There are 983 times the name Jesus is used altogether in the Bible. If we exclude the three references to the name Jesus that are not referring to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, but to other saved individuals - two are in reference to Joshua in Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8, and one is in reference to another believer named Jesus called Justus in Colossians 4:11 - then we find that there are exactly 980 times that the name of Jesus is used in reference to Jesus Christ, 980 times the name of the Saviour is stated.)

The name Jesus - The LORD is Salvation - used 980 times (70 x 7 x2). More than enough grace and forgiveness to completely forgive His people - to save them to the uttermost!

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Another interesting calculation Brandon points out is the number of times sin AND forgiven show up in the Bible. (You can use The King James Pure Bible Search to verify all the counts he mentions on his sites. With this program, you can actually search for several words at once and it will give you the total of them.) The words sin AND forgiven occur a total of 490 times in the whole Bible when added together. (Notice, this is the word sin, singular, not sins, plural.) You can't deny the pattern and how the forgiveness of sins is associated with the number 490.

The amazing aspect of God's forgiveness is how it totally counteracts the sin of man. Jesus paid the complete penalty for our sin upon the cross, and when we trust in Him for salvation, His blood covers us, washes and cleanses us, blots out our sins forever. Consider the following phrase from the book of Romans:

Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Man sins, man has missed the mark of God's will for his life, but God made a way for man to be redeemed, reconciled, forgiven. Man has fallen short of the glory of God - but God provided a plan to save man - if they will but trust Him. Man fails - but God never fails. He is always faithful; He always keeps His Word, His promises, His covenants. BUT God!

Part Three - Sevenfold Covenants And The New Covenant

One thing I noticed this past year while going through the book of Genesis with my online Bible study group is that many of the covenants God made with man are sevenfold - meaning there are seven parts to each one of them.

Also, unlike God’s promises - which contain our parts and His parts (ie. if we fulfill our part of the promise, the Lord will fulfill His part) - God’s covenants only depend upon God Himself.

The Hebrew word for covenant is Strong’s #h1285. “ḇerîyṯ; from 1262 (in the sense of cutting (like 1254)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh).”

Compare these two covenants - Abraham making a covenant with Abimelech, and Abram (Abraham) making a covenant with God.

In Genesis 21, we see Abraham making a covenant with Abimelech.

Genesis 21:22-24 And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned. And Abraham said, I will swear.

The Hebrew word for swear or to make an oath means “to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times).”

Genesis 21:31 Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.

Beersheba means “Well of the Oath.” This oath involved both making a covenant with each other. They would have both walked through the animal sacrifices together, pronouncing a curse on either party if one or both parties forfeited or broke the covenant.

But now consider the following passage where God makes a covenant with Abram:

Genesis 15:7-12, 17 And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him… And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

Genesis 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

God made a covenant with Abram (later changed to Abraham). As stated before, usually Biblical covenants involve the cutting up of animals (ie. sacrificing them), and both parties walking between the pieces. The significance of this means they are swearing to each other that if either side forfeited their part of the covenant that the same thing that happened to the animal sacrifices would also happen to the party that broke the covenant.

God put Abram to sleep, then took on the form of a burning lamp and went through the pieces of the sacrifices by Himself, indicating the covenant depended only upon Himself - not on both Abram and God together, but only upon God.

The Bible also states that God swears by Himself, vows to Himself alone because there is no one greater. God sevens Himself!

Seven passages where God swears by Himself:

A. Hebrews 6:13-20 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

B. Genesis 22:16-18 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

C. Exodus 32:13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

D. Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

E. Jeremiah 22:5 But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

F. Jeremiah 49:13 For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.

G. Amos 6:8 The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.

The following is a list of seven sevenfold covenants made by the Lord God with various men He has chosen or with mankind:

A. Covenant with Abraham - Genesis 12:2-3

1) And I will make of thee a great nation, 
2) and I will bless thee, 
3) and make thy name great; 
4) and thou shalt be a blessing: 
5) And I will bless them that bless thee, 
6) and curse him that curseth thee: 
7) and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

B. Covenant with Jacob - Genesis 28:13-15

And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: 
1) the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 
2) And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: 
3) and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 
4) And, behold, I am with thee, 
5) and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, 
6) and will bring thee again into this land; 
7) for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

C. Covenant with Israel - Exodus 6:6-8

Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and 
1) I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, 
2) and I will rid you out of their bondage, 
3) and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: 
4) And I will take you to me for a people, 
5) and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 
6) And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; 
7) and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.

D. Covenant with Israel regarding the possession of the Promised Land - Joshua 21:43-45

1) And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; 
2) and they possessed it, 
3) and dwelt therein. 
4) And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: 
5) and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; 
6) the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. 
7) There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

E. Covenant with David - 1 Chronicles 17:12-14

1) He shall build me an house, 
2) and I will stablish his throne for ever.
3) I will be his father, 
4) and he shall be my son: 
5) and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: 
6) But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: 
7) and his throne shall be established for evermore.

F. The New Covenant - Jeremiah 31:33-34

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD,
1) I will put my law in their inward parts,
2) and write it in their hearts;
3) and will be their God,
4) and they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD:
5) for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD:
6) for I will forgive their iniquity,
7) and I will remember their sin no more.

G. Covenant regarding the Messiah’s birth - Luke 1:31-33

And, behold, 
1) thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, 
2) and shalt call his name JESUS. 
3) He shall be great, 
4) and shall be called the Son of the Highest: 
5) and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 
6) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; 
7) and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Notice, not a single one of these covenants depend upon man. Yes, God chose Mary as a willing vessel to bear Jesus in her womb - but it was the Holy Ghost Himself who would cause her to conceive without having relations with any man (see Luke 1:35).

To sum up, the Lord God made these seven sevenfold covenants with man, sevened Himself and swore by Himself to keep them - put the responsibility solely upon Himself  - upon penalty of death.

And man continually broke God's covenants, over and over again.

Isaiah 24:5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

Then to save us, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself bore the penalty of Israel’s (and man’s) repeated breaking of His covenants, by bearing the penalty of those broken covenants Himself. Jesus became a Man so He could die for man’s sins - He was sacrificed on the cross for us to reconcile us to God the Father!

Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

What love the Saviour showed to us on the old rugged cross!

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Part Four - The Spotless Lamb Of God

Everlasting implies something has always existed and will always exist - from eternity past to eternity future. The word everlasting is associated in various places with the covenants God made with man, including the Gospel of salvation. We can see this from the beginning of the Word of God to the end. From the first covenant made with man after the flood to the last one emphasized in the book of Revelation - from Genesis 9:16 to Revelation 14:6. Though this is not a complete list, consider the following references to everlasting:

Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

Isaiah 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (With the Gospel of John being the one main Gospel so many Christians print and distribute to present the Lord Jesus Christ to the lost in the communities they are trying to reach, it is no wonder the phrase "everlasting life" is used seven times in it: John 3:16, 36; 4:14; 5:24; 6:27, 40, 47.)

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 14:6-7 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

The everlasting God loved us with an everlasting love and promises everlasting life (everlasting because we share in the life and love of God, which existed from all eternity) to all those who will believe in the everlasting Gospel, to all who will trust the Saviour (the Lord Jesus Christ) alone for salvation. This can also be seen in the Bible’s references to the foundation of the world.

Seven things are stated to have happened from or before the foundation of the world:

From the foundation of the world:

A. Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Though this prophecy is specifically applied to those who become believers during the tribulation period, all who have believed in Jesus Christ for salvation throughout history will be resurrected and have a part in His Millennial kingdom. This kingdom has been prepared from the foundation of the world.

B. Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

God’s work of creation and the physical rest found in Him (ie. the sabbath and what it pictures in Christ) have been finished since the foundation of the world - though our spiritual rest (the work of redemption) was finished upon the cross of Calvary.

C. Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Before Adam and Eve ever fell into sin, the Godhead (ie. the Trinity) planned man’s salvation. Before there was ever any sin, there was a Saviour chosen, and the plan of salvation (the everlasting Gospel) was set in motion. Jesus was the Lamb of God - the chosen sacrifice - slain from the foundation of the world. This redemption was planned and nothing could prevent it from happening in due time. In the eyes of God, the plan of salvation was as good as done, though Jesus Christ dying upon the cross for the sins of the world was still yet many years off. Mankind had to wait for seventy seven generations (see Luke 3:23-38) before the Messiah finally came in the fulness of time.

D. Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

God knows the end from the beginning. In His perfect foreknowledge He knows all who will ever receive the Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation found in Him. If you are saved, your name was written down when the Lord God was creating this world. If you have chosen to trust in Jesus Christ by grace through faith, you were not a surprise to God - your salvation was planned, just like the Gospel was planned from the foundation of the world.

Before the foundation of the world:

E. John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

The Father loved the Son before the foundation of the world - from all eternity - and Jesus wants all true believers to know and understand that everlasting love. See John 17:26.

F. Ephesians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

No, this is not Calvinism - but the Bible teaches that all those whom God foreknew would trust in Jesus Christ have been placed in Christ, accepted in the Beloved. He did not indiscriminately choose people to go to Heaven or Hell apart from any response on their part, BUT He has chosen that all who will receive Christ will be made like Christ (conformed to His image, holy and without blame before Him), will be given eternal life in Him, will have a future inheritance laid up for them in Heaven. Read the first three chapters of Ephesians and notice how many times believers are stated to be in Christ Jesus, in Him, in the Beloved.

1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

G. 1 Peter 1:18-20 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

This is similar to the earlier passage we read about Jesus being the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Here the Bible also states that God planned from before the foundation of the world that Jesus would be the perfect, spotless Lamb that would shed His precious blood for our sins. Precious indicates something is very valuable because it is rare. (The word precious is used seven times in the books of 1 and 2 Peter: 1 Peter 1:7, 19; 2:4, 6, 7; 2 Peter 1:1, 4.)

Ever since mankind’s sin in the Garden of Eden, the Lord has promised and prophesied of the coming Substitute, who would be God’s Lamb - in fact, who would be God Himself. God didn’t plan that man would be a savior or be able to save themselves, but that God Himself would be that Saviour, the Redeemer, the Lamb of God.

Genesis 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Notice the progression in the following passage about the Passover Lamb:

Exodus 12:3-7 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

Notice, the Israelites were to choose a young male lamb (in the prime of its life) that they would bring into their house for four days, to examine it, to make sure it was perfect. The lamb was to be without blemish or spot. By keeping the lamb in their own homes, they would then become endeared to it and it would become their lamb.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to present Himself publicly to the nation of Israel. The whole nation examined Him for the next four days. This included the multitude, the Herodians, and the religious crowd - consisting of the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes and lawyers - and then Pilate and Herod themselves. Their conclusion was that there was no sin or fault in Jesus, despite the false accusations against Him. It is interesting to note that the religious leaders sought to find fault with Jesus during much of His public ministry, and this only increased during those final days. (See Matthew 12:10; Mark 3:2; and Luke 11:54.)

During Jesus' trials and on the cross, there are seven people who declared Jesus was innocent (ie. not a criminal) - notice, even Pilate himself stated this fact seven times:

1. Pilate - Matthew 27:24; Luke 23:4, 14, 22; John 18:38; 19:4, 6
2. Judas - Matthew 27:4
3. Pilate’s wife - Matthew 27:19
4. The Centurion - Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47
5. Those with the Centurion- Matthew 27:54
6. Herod - Luke 23:15
7. The penitent thief - Luke 23:41

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, God manifest in the flesh, fulfilled the Law perfectly. He had no sin nature inherited from Adam because of the virgin birth. He had never committed any sin - in thought, word, or deed. There was no fault found in Him whatsoever by any man that has ever lived. Many can bring accusations, but if there is nothing to back it up, it is a false claim, much like the false accusations brought against Jesus during His public trials by the religious crowd.

Matthew 26:59-60 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none.

Oliver B. Greene points out that the Jews brought seven accusations against the Lord Jesus Christ:

1) They accused Him of threatening to destroy their temple - Matthew 26:60-61.

2) They accused Him of being a malefactor - John 18:29-30.

3) They said He perverted the nation - Luke 23:2.

4) They said He opposed paying tribute to Caesar - Luke 23:2.

5) They accused Him of stirring up the people (against Rome) - Luke 23:5.

6) They accused Him of making Himself king - Luke 23:2.

7) They said He made Himself the Son of God - John 19:6-7.

Christ’s attitude towards sin during His earthly life:

1) His character - “In him is no sin” (1 John 3:5)

2) His conduct - “who did no sin” (1 Peter 2:22)

3) His cognizance - “who knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The Devil, the religious crowd, even the political rulers of His day could find NO FAULT in the Lord Jesus Christ AT ALL. See also John 8:46; 14:30. Only the blood of a sinless Substitute could ever pay the redemption price needed to appease the wrath of a holy and just God. Jesus was that pure, spotless Lamb of God who shed His sinless blood upon the cross for us.

Psalms 49:6-8 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

For an interesting and indepth look at the blood of Christ and how essential it is to our salvation, please read the section on The Blood Of Jesus Christ found in Revelation 1:5 of my upcoming Commentary on Revelation. (A work in progress.)

Seven times in Hebrews 9-10, it states that Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins is once for all, one sacrifice forever:

A. Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

B. Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

C. Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

D. Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

E. Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

F. Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

G. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

So often in the Word of God, when we see a list of sevenfold things - especially in regards to the Lord Jesus Christ - the seventh mention is many times the capstone, the greatest of all the things mentioned. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Perfect, complete salvation; perfect, complete forgiveness - because Jesus Christ is our perfect, sinless Passover Lamb!

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Will We Know Our Loved Ones In Heaven?

Will We Know Our Loved Ones In Heaven?

Yes, I do believe we will recognize our loved ones for the following Biblical reasons:

1. The Bible says that those we win to the Lord will be our crowns of rejoicing in Heaven – in other words we will be rejoicing in eternity spent together.

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy.

2 Corinthians 1:14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

2. King David said one day he would go to Heaven see his son that had died – that certainly indicates he would know him. This thought of being reunited is what removed David’s grief.

2 Samuel 12:22-23 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

3. On the mount of transfiguration, Moses and Elijah showed up to speak with Jesus and the three disciples recognized them. There is nothing in the passage to indicate that Jesus had to point out who these two were to the disciples.

Matthew 17:3-4 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

4. In Hebrews 11, it talks about the OT saints who conquered through faith, and said God was waiting until they were united with us before He fulfilled all the promises.

Hebrews 11:39-40 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

5. Also, think of Abraham and Lazarus – Lazarus knew who Abraham was, though Abraham had died about 2000 years before.

Luke 16:22-23 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

6. The promise of the Rapture is specifically designed to comfort believers over their departed loved ones – because they will be reunited again one day.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

7. While I do not believe the context of the following verse is referring to Heaven (but to the complete canon of Scriptures – when that which is perfect is come), I do believe we can make an application regarding it:

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Right now, as a believer, I can know the Lord “face to face” spiritually as I read His Word and see Him revealed therein, see His Word opened up to my eyes and see all the types and Old Testament prophecies explained, see how they all point to the Saviour – and then one day, when Jesus returns, I will see Him face to face physically. Until that day keep looking up!

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

1 Peter 1:6-8 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Now we see Him not – though one day we will be face to face with Jesus – when we shall be caught up together with all our saved loved ones and meet the Lord in the air! And so shall we ever be with the Lord!

I hope this devotional was a blessing to you – as it was to me as I meditated on these various passages.

September 27th, 2005
Jerry Bouey

I Will Trust In Thee

I Will Trust In Thee

The Blessings Of Assurance

Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

I have to admit: out of all the books of the Bible, the books of Isaiah and Psalms are the ones I personally keep coming back to over and over, the ones I get the most blessings from. (You will probably notice many references to these two books in my devotionals and studies.) I am continually intrigued by the multitude of references to safety, trust, refuge, sanctuary, rock, shelter, fortress, among many others. This life is not easy, especially for the child of God. As Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 15:19, If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Why did he say that? Because there are many trials that the Christian goes through, that the lost do not experience chastisement, pruning, refining, being made more like the Lord Jesus Christ. In light of eternity and the glory that awaits us, all these trials pale in comparison, but that doesn't diminish the trials, it just makes them more bearable. This world is not Heaven, nor is it intended to be. As a friend of mine stated in one of her beautiful poems, we're Not Home Yet!

Because this life at times seems so tough, we continually need to run to the Lord for sanctuary, for a refuge in the storms of life. I have dealt before with who our Refuge is - Jesus Christ, and the importance of finding our refuge in Him. This study will deal with the blessings of assurance, the benefits of trusting in the Lord through our trials, and through our day to day interaction with this lost world.

Psalm 35:3 Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. While the context of this Psalm of David deals with physical salvation (deliverance) from enemies, I believe we could pray for the Lord to give us assurance of our spiritual salvation. Lord, for everyone who will be reading this study who has placed personal faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin, I pray that You would strengthen their faith and say unto their souls that You are their salvation. Teach us, Heavenly Father, what it means to trust in You.

The central verse of the King James Bible is Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is interesting to note that the theme of this verse is also the grand theme of the whole Bible. Truly, it is better to place our confidence, our trust, in the Lord - both for salvation from sin, and confidence in our daily spiritual walk - than to trust in anything else. All else will fail us in time, whether it be the philosophies of man, the strength of our armies, the "righteousnesses" of our own "good works" (see Isaiah 64:6), or whatever other broken reeds we may be relying on. The only sure thing in this life (and in eternity) is the Lord Jesus Christ, and He never changes! (See Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8) We can believe that He will fulfill all His promises, including the promise of the victorious, abundant life, if we will abide in Him.

If you have never trusted in the Lord for salvation, I encourage you to do so. Jesus has paid the price for all our sins by shedding His blood on Calvary. He died, was buried in a rich man's tomb, and arose three days later to prove that His sacrifice was well-pleasing to God. You don't need to work your way to Heaven (in fact, you will never be able to!) - you just need to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, acknowledging and turning from your sins, and trusting in His righteousness to save you. Believe that He can and will save you, and trust Him to do so. From that moment on, you will become a new creature, all things will be made new in your life, and Heaven will be your eternal home. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. The word for quietness used here means "to repose." Repose, according to Webster's 1828 Dictionary means "to lay at rest; rest of mind, tranquility, freedom from uneasiness." The outlook of those trusting in the Lord should be peace, quietness, assurance, tranquility. I believe that those who truly rely on the Lord will demonstrate a calm demeanor while their focus remains steadfast on Him. Isaiah 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. I pray that we would return to Him for our rest, and that our confidence in Him would not waver.

In Isaiah 32:17 (quoted above), the word for assurance is Strong's #983, which means "a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust)." This assurance can be seen in the following verses:

Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

Proverbs 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Proverbs 3:23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

Proverbs 10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

Psalm 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee. The word for trust in this verse is Strong's #982, which means "to hasten (run with haste) for refuge; figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure." The following verses all contain this same Hebrew word. For the sake of convenience, I have underlined and bolded the word or phrase that this word is translated into in our King James Bible. There are many other verses that could be covered in this study, but I have chosen mainly to focus on this Hebrew word (in verses dealing with our trust in the Lord), and the blessings that come with this unwavering confidence in Jesus Christ.

2 Kings 18:5 He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. I pray that all those who read this study will grow in their faith, like King Hezekiah did, and that the Lord will be able to say that our faith and trust in Him exceeded that of those around us.

Spiritual Blessings

Psalm 84:12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Abounding Mercy

Psalm 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

Psalm 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

Freedom From Debilitating Fear

Psalm 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Psalm 56:4 In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Psalm 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Those who put their trust in Christ will find they have the boldness and confidence they need in their service to Him.

Deliverance From Enemies And Troubles

1 Chronicles 5:20 And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and He was intreated of them; because they put their trust in Him.

Psalm 22:4-5 Our fathers trusted in Thee: they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them. They cried unto Thee, and were delivered: they trusted in Thee, and were not confounded.

Jeremiah 39:18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in Me, saith the LORD.

Refuge In The Storms Of Life

Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Selah means "pause, meditation." The Lord is telling us to meditate on these truths. We should let this promise sink deep into our hearts, and trust the Lord to fulfill His Word to be our refuge.

Psalm 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.

Isaiah 50:10 Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

Daily Guidance And Provision

Psalm 37:3, 5 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

His Peace, His Presence, And His Prevention From Falling

Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Psalm 9:10 And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.

Psalm 26:1 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.

Rejoicing Hearts And A Song In Our Mouths

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.

Psalm 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.

Psalm 40:3 And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.

There are three places in the New Testament where the phrase full assurance is mentioned:

Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

Hebrews 10:22-25 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

This last phrase is the one I want to emphasize in this study - the full assurance of faith. This is spoken in the context of approaching the throne of grace in prayer, and comes just before the great Faith chapter. Paul says here that He is faithful that promised. If we truly believe that the Lord is faithful to keep all His promises and to answer His children's prayers according to His perfect will, our lives will be transformed. We see in Hebrews chapter eleven how the Lord mightily used those who had a confident, unwavering faith in Him. Think what an impact this type of faith can have in your life!

I hope that these verses and promises have made you realize the importance of trusting in the Lord every moment of every day. There are so many blessings to keeping our focus on Jesus Christ, especially the benefit of the victorious Christian life. It is not a myth or an unreachable goal, but it is one that involves a steadfast heart that chooses to focus on the Lord no matter what. A heart that looks to Him in the good times, and still keeps looking to Him when the storm clouds break overhead. Keep looking unto Jesus - You will be blessed in your walk with Him if you do.

Psalm 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

"Do not, dear reader, look so much upon painful circumstances and difficult situations as unpleasant trials of faith which have to be endured, but rather thankfully regard them as golden occasions for you to prove afresh the sufficiency of Him who never fails those who fully trust Him." - Arthur Pink.

Full Assurance
(To the tune of So Little Time)

Full assurance - we pray - of understanding
Is yours in Christ - you are complete in Him.
Riches above, are stored in Heaven waiting.
Rejoice, my friend, you're a child of the King.

Chorus:
Today we serve, with fullness of understanding,
Assurance of hope, through eyes of faith;
So let us love our dear Lord supremely.
Let us be faithful, as we run this race.

Full assurance, stand fast in this your hope now.
Be diligent, be faithful to the end.
A crown of life, rewards for those who serve Christ -
Jesus remembers all that's done for Him.

Full assurance - steadfast is the eye of faith.
Approach God's throne, with boldness, plead for souls.
Let us draw near, give all our cares to Jesus;
Behold the prize - press on towards the goal.

2nd Chorus:
Today we serve, with fullness of understanding,
Assurance of hope, through eyes of faith;
So let us love our Saviour supremely.
Brethren, be faithful, as you run this race.

Poem written January 22nd, 2004
Study written August 30th, 2002
By Jerry Bouey

Bible Versions - Does It Matter?

Bible Versions - Does It Matter?

[Jerry's Note: I wrote this article sometime in 1998, I believe, after literally hundreds and hundreds of hours of research on all aspects of the Bible version issue that I could find online in 1997-1998. Since then, I have literally put thousands upon thousands of hours into this same type of research, bought various books on the issue, found out which sources and resources were sound and which ones were emotional or just plain tainted. Even though today I might emphasize different things when dealing with this issue than I did basically 25 years ago (editing this in 2023), I have no desire to rewrite this article, as there are so many better resources out there now, many available for free online. In fact, one of the best sources online - and the one that helped me the most throughout the years is David Cloud and his Way of Life Literature website. (Even if you disagree with the personality of this Bible student and preacher, consider the facts that he presents and see how they line up with the Bible AND the Bible versions history he presents.) I will add a few Jerry's Notes in my reposting of this article in 2023 to clarify several things that I have learned since writing this initial introduction to this issue. If you have any questions or want help finding more solid info on this issue or various aspects of it, please don't hesitate to contact me here or on Facebook Messenger - please state upfront why you are contacting me, as I would not want to miss out helping someone who is sincere and wants to dig further into this issue. If you just want to argue or debate, there are many other places online you can do so.]

I have been comparing Bible versions and it is amazing how much deception is out there. I can see where the United Church Moderator gets his beliefs from - straight out of the NIV (New International Version) without even twisting the text. The NASV (New American Standard Version) and NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) are just as corrupt. I believed that the NASV was the most accurate version (based on the testimony of some of my church friends), but the Lord opened my eyes in 1997. Some friends challenged me to compare these modern versions verse by verse (and word by word) with the King James Bible. So I did and I was shocked at all the changes and omissions (there are over 64,000 words less in the NIV - that is over 8% less!) [Jerry's Note: One thing I did not know or fully understand for a few years after this point was that ALL the modern versions are based upon some edition of the Critical Text - rather than the preserved Greek Textus Receptus and Hebrew Masoretic Text that underlies the King James Bible and all sound Bible translations into other languages - and that is why they ALL have the same basic doctrinal and content changes (like word and phrase and even whole verse omissions), though the publishers and translators also needed to change 10 percent or more of the basic wording of their Bible version as well by law to be able to copyright it.] 

You may think that I am unjust to use that old "error-ridden" translation as my standard, but I will tell you something: I have never found an error in it yet! [Jerry's Note: Even after studying this Bible for 26 years, diligently searching out each so-called "Bible difficulty" I have ever come across, I have vindicated the King James Bible every time - either by reconciling the passages to see there was no actual error when the King James Bible wording is taken literally OR seeing that these errors are in the modern versions (and their underlying texts) alone.] Everyone says it is untrustworthy so therefore we should use these newer versions. Almost every single translation that has come out in the last 120 years has used the Westcott and Hort Greek text (commonly known as the NU Text - the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament and the United Bible Societies Greek text.) (Even the New King James Version does not solely use the traditional texts - see next paragraph - and contains many NU readings in the margins, if not in the main text.) Both Westcott and Hort were heretics who denied many fundamentals of Scripture (and especially about Jesus Christ), they were pro-Catholics (Westcott even renamed his wife Mary in honor of this false church), they were also both involved in the occult, satanic worship, and even believed in contacting the dead - in fact they started several clubs to do this very thing - The Hermes Club and The Ghostly Guild respectively. These two have also chosen several Unitarians for the committee of the English Revised Version of 1881. Westcott believed in Communism, and Hort believed in evolution. They were both friends of Charles Darwin, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Helena Blavatsky, the mother of the modern New Age/Satanic movement! (Her doctrines have influenced them in some of their major departures and changes from the Traditional Texts.) If an unsaved man cannot understand the things of God (1 Corinthians 2:14), why do the majority of modern scholars somehow assume that the work of these apostate, unbelieving heretics would be superior to the Authorized King James Bible?

All forty-seven translators of the King James Bible (KJB) were godly, committed Christians, who were Protestants and believed in the inerrancy of Scripture and that God would preserve His Word according to Psalm 12:6-7. The King James Old Testament was based on the Hebrew Masoretic text, which history proves as thoroughly reliable and unchanged because the scribes, who believed they were handling the very words of God and took seriously the warnings not to add to or subtract from Scripture, preserved the words exactly as they were written originally. (The Masoretic and priestly scribes also destroyed the worn out copies as they made newer word for word {and jot and tittle} perfect copies. See Matthew 5:18. A jot is the smallest letter and a tittle is the smallest stroke or mark of a letter - like the dot over an "i".) The King James New Testament comes from the Greek Textus Receptus (Received Text). Both of these became the common accepted Bible texts (the traditional texts) for the Old and New Testaments. The King James Bible was based on these, and it thus became known as the Authorized Version (AV) because all of the known world at that time, excepting the Roman Catholic church, accepted it as the Word of God. (Note: the King James Bible was built upon the sevenfold foundation of the Wycliffe, Tyndale, Coverdale, Matthews, Great, Geneva, and Bishops' Bibles.) King James authorized this translation for public and private use, to replace the various English translations that were currently being used so as to remove confusion and have one universal standard for his realm. Authorize means "To give authority, credit or reputation to" and "To justify; to support as right." According to these definitions, we can see that the common people authorized it as well. It was written at the height of the English language. [Note: While King James authorized a translation for his realm, he was not personally involved in the translation of it in any way, and the final product stands without any interference from him.] The Philadelphian missionary age (and Great Awakening) from 1750-1900 approximately - see Revelation 3:7-13 - solely used the King James Bible.

One of the myths the New King James Version's publisher and owner (Thomas Nelson) is striving to promote is that they are continuing in the tradition of the King James Bible, and are in fact the fifth major revision of it, implying that our present-day King James Bible has gone through four "revisions." This is a blatant lie that careful research will bear out. The first two "revisions" (actually editions) were done in 1629 and 1638, within twenty-seven years of the original printings, and were in fact mere corrections of printing press errors. These omissions and errors were also corrected by two of the original translators, by the way. The last two "revisions" were performed in 1762 and 1769, and were merely standardizing of the spelling. When the King James Bible was translated, it was at the height of the English language, though many words and names were spelled several different ways. (How many different ways have you seen William Tyndale or Wycliffe spelled?) The majority of the word changes were along the lines of changing sonne to son, borne to borne, blinde to blind, sinne to sin, etc. As you can see, these types of changes don't warrant the term "revision." According to D.A. Waite, there are only 421 changes, between the 1611 and the 1769 editions, that can be heard by the ear. These would include changing burnt to burned, towards to toward, amongst to among, lift to lifted, you to ye, etc. (He listened to the 1769 King James being read while he compared it visually with a 1611 edition.) "There were only 136 substantial changes that were different words. The others were 285 minor changes of form only... Now you're talking about only 136 real changes out of 791,328 words." That certainly doesn't sound like thousands of changes at all. Puts their claims in a little different perspective, doesn't it?

Now in an apostate generation we are supposed to believe that we have accurate, more reliable manuscripts; that our newer "Bibles" are easier to understand (for who, the unbeliever?). What about the Holy Spirit helping us to understand? What about God's promise found in Proverbs 8:8-9, All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. What about studying "to shew [present] thyself approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of Truth?" (2 Timothy 2:15) What about continuing in the Word of God and being a disciple? Jesus promises if we do that, we would know the truth. (John 8:31-32) If we have better, easier to read Bibles (like the NIV), how come North America is walking away from God at a rapid pace? How come so many "Christians" with these "perfected Bibles" are just going through the motions? I thought God's Word was "quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart"! (See Hebrews 4:12-13) Instead of a sharp, twoedged sword, most of modern Christendom prefers a dull, gilt-edged butterknife!!

This is Laodicea; this is the age when we have a form of godliness, but deny its power. According to Matthew 22:29, the Scriptures are the power of God! (See also 1 Corinthians 1:18 and Romans 1:16) What about all those who "will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"? (See 2 Timothy 3:12) Who in North America is being persecuted? (Except for the lone Christian or church that goes against the flow.)

And if the NASV (or the NIV, the NRSV, or the others) is the "right" translation, how come they keep coming out with more? Like the Message, God's Word, The King and The Beast, The New International Reader's Version, etc. Whether you agree or disagree with using the King James Bible as a standard, I challenge you to check out the differences. Whether you believe that the King James Bible is accurate or not, look at what they are deleting and changing, and tell me honestly that you can't see Satan in the works. I think that you will find that the differences between the King James Bible and all the others is Catholic doctrine or New Age teachings. The King James Bible is what many of the Reformers stood on - now we've got everyone rushing back to Rome! What changed? Our Bibles?! When you've got the whole "Christian" world at any given time running after something, you've got to take a step back and carefully examine what they're caught up in, like these new Bibles, especially the NIV. (See Matthew 7:13-14 and 24:28) And when you've got the majority of this same lukewarm bunch knocking a Bible that has been the standard for almost 400 years, you've also got to take a look at that as well.

There are many liberals and compromising "Christians" translating these newer versions. In the preface to the New Revised Standard Version, it says that the translating committee was comprised of liberals, evangelicals, Catholics and Jewish scholars, and that they worked together to make a translation that they all could agree with. Okay, so who compromised? Catholics and Protestants have disagreed strongly over the Gospel for 500 years. (Do the words "Protestant Reformation" ring a bell?) Jews do not believe in Jesus as the Messiah (unless they are Messianic Jews); maybe this is why many of the Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament pointing clearly to Jesus, are quite vague (if not altogether gone) in the NRSV.

The editor of the NIV, R. Laird Harris, does not believe in Hell, which is probably why this version doesn't have too much to say about it. Virginia Mollenkott, the assistant editor, is an avowed lesbian who believes that God is female, that there is scientific evidence that Jesus also was female, and that God is the One (which is a pagan name for a false god. She also believes that homosexuality is not wrong, and that the main sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was not homosexuality but lack of compassion on their neighbours - that where they did wrong was in wanting to rape the men (angels) that came to take out Lot from that wicked city. She is also a member of a church that has 500 homosexual couples. The chairman of the NIV's Old Testament translation committee, Dr. Marten H. Woudstra, was a homosexual. Maybe their stance in this area is the reason for the NIV's complete removal of the words "homosexual" and "sodomites", except for 1 Corinthians 6:9 that uses the vague term "homosexual offenders." According to this verse in the NIV, those who "offend" homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God. The NIV chief editor, Edwin Palmer, believes that God's sovereignty so overwhelms our humanity that we are not responsible for our own sin; in his own words he stated, "All things are foreordained by God; the moving of a finger... the opening of a window... the mistake of a pianist while playing - even sin... The Bible describes man as passive in the whole matter." (Note: I later found out that this statement was a result of his Calvinistic beliefs; something is wrong with a school of thought, if it can lead someone to a conclusion like this!) This is similar to theological liberals stating that they believe that homosexuality is in the genes. In other words, it's not our fault; God made us that way!

What about Kenneth Taylor, who lost his voice in the middle of translating the Living Bible. His psychiatrist suggested that the voice failure was Taylor's psychological self-punishment for tampering with what he believed to be the Word of God. Philip Schaff, who was on the Greek committee and director of the American Standard Version and who openly admitted to holding beliefs that were considered heretical, had lost his ability to speak entirely. Westcott, who (along with Hort) wrote the Greek text on which all modern versions are based, also lost the ability to speak audibly. John (J.B.) Phillips, who wrote the New Testament in Modern English, aside from losing his voice, also had periodic bouts of insanity. Phillips also believed he had ESP and found comfort in Psychiatry during his bouts, comfort he believes Christianity does not offer. Robert Bratcher, the chief translator of the Good News Bible, denied that Jesus Christ was God.

At least Frank Logsdon, the man who was involved in the NASV committee and wrote the preface for it, totally renounced all his involvement with that translation before he died. He was shocked and ashamed of all the changes and deletions that the committee made. I'm glad he repented of his work on the NASV. He also became convinced that the King James Bible was inerrant and chose to promote that translation. I believe that he was saved and that we will see him in Heaven. Unfortunately, the havoc that the NASV has wreaked cannot be undone.

Are these people reliable, godly, committed Christians; people that God would use to preserve His holy inerrant Word? Many of the people on these translating committees don't even believe that we can have an inerrant Bible today. What good is their statement that "we believe that the originals were inerrant" when we no longer have any originals? But God promises that His Word will never pass away and will be preserved forever. (See Psalm 12:6-7 in the KJB, and Matthew 24:35) Where is this infallible, inerrant, preserved Word if we don't have the originals? What about the King James Bible? I can prove over and over again that there are corruptions and contradictions in all these newer versions, can you prove that there are "errors" in the King James?

Many people complain about the "thee's and thou's", but a little education will clear this up: in the King James Bible, the words thee, thy, thou, thyself, and thine, always refer to one person, and the words ye, your, yours, and yourself, always refer to more than one person. (By the way, these pronouns accurately reflect the pronouns in the underlying Greek and Hebrew texts. Sometimes the Biblical writer will switch between the singular and plural pronouns in the same passage or verse, and this emphasis is lost in modern versions. Consider two passages that clearly illustrate this point: Luke 22:31-32 and John 3:7) The only other real drawback with the King James Bible are the old words, but I have a list of several hundred archaic words in the NIV, NKJV, NASB, and NRSV, and in most cases the KJB reading of these same passages is much easier to understand - a quick glance in a Strong's Concordance or a good dictionary such as (Webster's 1828 Dictionary) will dispel any confusion. How many times have you come across hard to understand (multi-syllable) words in the NASB? The KJB uses mostly one or two syllable words, and it has been proven to have a lower reading level than most modern versions despite claims to the contrary. The history of the KJB, plus its simplicity over all, prove that it is the version honoured by God. (Most scholars will readily admit that God wrote His word in the common language of the people.) Only now there is so much confusion and slander regarding the King James Bible that most people won't even try to read it.

The problem is not so much that people can't understand the Bible (don't forget the Holy Spirit - 1 John 2:20, 27), it's that people don't want to obey what they already understand. God promises to give us greater understanding if we obey Him; if we don't apply what He has already revealed to us, then He will take away what little we have. (Matthew 13:11-12; Mark 4:24-25; Luke 8:18) Maybe this is the reason that so many "Christians" are running after every new "Bible"; maybe these newer translations by lukewarm (dare I say, apostate) Laodicean scholars can help compromising Christendom understand what God's Spirit hasn't (or won't) reveal to them. Reminds me of a King named Saul, whom the Lord wouldn't guide because of all his rebellion and sin. (See 1 Samuel 14:37; 28:6, 15)

Read the footnotes in your Bible and see what they are explaining away. (See the NKJV - it's famous for these types of footnotes!) Look in a Strong's Concordance for the names "Jesus", "Lord", or "Christ", and see how many times they are removed from the NIV, NASV, NRSV, etc. See how many times they delete the references to Jesus being Lord, or God, or Christ. To a New Ager, "the Christ" is someone who has reached godhood or has a divine spirit living within him. Notice how many times these newer versions say "the Christ" instead of "Christ"; and see how many times when it mentions Jesus Christ in the KJ that either "Christ" is removed, or "Jesus" is removed in these modern versions so we don't confuse Him with "the Christ." Also "the One" is the chief Babylonian god, not our God. The only time the KJB uses a title that is even remotely similar is when it says "Holy One (of Israel)", "Just One", "Mighty One (of Israel, of Jacob)", and "High and Lofty One." These are descriptions that tell us something about the character of God. God (the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and my God as well) is never called "the One" in the KJB, but some of these newer versions use "the One" everywhere (like the NASV, NKJV, NIrV, and NLT - New Living Translation, supposedly a more literal translation of The Living Version, TLV.) The One is not Jehovah God!! Any historian commenting on the religion of old Babylon, like Alexander Hislop in his book "The Two Babylons," can tell you that. So can any New Ager, or witch, or satanist! New Agers refer to Lucifer as "The One" and use the terms "Living One," "Coming One," and "Mighty One" (without the clarification "of Israel," or "of Jacob") to reflect religious philosophies that are worlds apart from Biblical Christianity.

Open your eyes if you are serious about serving God; this is an issue that you can't just overlook. There is so much deception out there; if the elect don't open their eyes they will be deceived, like Jesus said. But if we are following Him closely and bringing everything in our lives under the subjection of the Word of God, we won't be deceived. I don't think just being a Christian excludes you from deception; check how many times it says in the New Testament, "be not deceived." And also check how many false cults are in the world, all claiming to teach true Christianity. These cults have thousands upon thousands of followers, some who truly believe they are Christians.

Look at the following changes about Jesus' deity and eternality:

Matthew 1:16 in the NIV adds an extra comma to imply that Joseph is Jesus' father. Luke 2:33 in most modern versions change the word Joseph to "his father." (See also Luke 2:43)

Isaiah 7:14 in the NRSV has "young woman" and not "virgin." (See She Was A Virgin) Luke 1:34 in some versions have Mary saying "How can this be seeing I am not married." Last I checked (and according to John 4), being unmarried doesn't necessarily imply virginity, especially in North American culture today!

In Galatians 4:4, most modern versions completely remove the miracle of the virgin birth by changing the words from "made of a woman, made under the law" to "born of a woman..." Funny thing is: I was born of a woman, how about you? Where's the miracle there? If God wasn't Jesus' Father (as declared in numerous passages), and if Mary wasn't a virgin, then Jesus wasn't God!

In fact many newer versions declare in 1 Timothy 3:16 that "He was manifest in the flesh." They just don't say that "God was manifest in the flesh!" If Jesus had a human father that would also mean that He inherited Adam's sinful nature that is passed down through his descendants, according to Romans 5:12, 19.

John 1:18 in these same versions state that Jesus was "the only begotten God," not "the only begotten Son of God." When was Jesus' Godhood begotten? The NIV calls Jesus "God the One and Only."

Look at Micah 5:2 in the NIV, "whose origins are from old, from ancient times." KJB says "whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

Look at Philippians 2:6 in the NIV, NASV. They both imply that Jesus was not equal with God.

The NASV's rendering of Psalm 8:5 as "Thou hast made him a little lower than God," does the same thing in a round about way when you consider that this passage was specifically applied to Jesus in Hebrews 2:7. (Funny thing - the NASV translates the phrase as "lower than the angels" in Hebrews, but not in Psalm 8. Why this inconsistency?) (Also, a little apostate side note according to Eugene Peterson's The Message: in this same verse he says that "we've so narrowly missed being gods." Listening to the Serpent again there, eh Eugene? See Genesis 3:5)

Romans 14:10 says "God" instead of "Christ."

For an interesting glimpse of translator's apostasy, look in Jude 25 (NIV, NASV), "to the only God our Savior...through Jesus Christ our Lord." Uh, excuse me, last I checked "the only God our Saviour" IS "Jesus Christ our Lord!"

What about Jesus' physical resurrection and ascension to Heaven:

Mark 16:9-20 are put in brackets and explained away in the NIV and the NASV. They are also explained away in the NKJV footnotes.

Luke 24:51 in the NASV removes "and was carried up into heaven."

Romans 14:9 in the NIV, NASV, NRSV - removes "and arose."

Some ways these new versions pave the way for Catholic doctrine are:

Hebrews 1:3 removes the words "by Himself." Allows room for Mary as co-redeemer.

Matthew 1:25 removes the word "firstborn," thereby removing the implication that she had other children. Though personally, I can't understand how some people can believe that the four other sons and at least two daughters mentioned in Matthew 13:55-56 could possibly be Jesus' cousins (and not his actual siblings as those verses plainly state.)

Mark 1:5 in the NIV implies that the people were confessing their sins to John in order to be forgiven. If you don't think that is implied here, I dare you to read James 5:16 in either the NIV or the NASV. It says "confess your sins to each other." The KJB reads "Confess your faults..."

1 Corinthians 9:27 says "I beat (buffet) my body and make it my slave," instead of "I keep under my body and bring it into subjection." (See also Colossians 2:23) There's a major difference between controlling your body and abusing it, like the doctrine of penance.

Revelation 14:8 removes the word "city." Babylon is not here identified as a city. Wouldn't want Catholics to get the idea that God's wrath is upon their beloved Vatican City (Rome), which has been known as the City on Seven Hills for 2500 years or so. (See Revelation 17:9, 18) In the NASV, Revelation 17:5 says "a mystery, Babylon The Great..." Wouldn't want Christians to do research on the Mystery religions, especially associated with Babylon; they might discover that many (if not all) of the Catholic doctrines (and a few Protestant practices) come straight out of Mystery Babylon. If you don't want to believe this, I highly don't recommend "The Two Babylons" by Alexander Hislop, because he does a great job of documenting this very fact.

There are so many changes and contradictions in these newer versions that it's hard to mention which ones to get your attention.

Here are some contradictions:

Several places in the Old Testament, like Deuteronomy 32:17; Leviticus 17:7; and 1 Corinthians 10:20, make it pretty clear that we are not to seek to contact the dead (and in fact we can't) and when we think we are speaking with the dead, we are actually in contact with fallen angels (devils). 1 Samuel 28:14 in these newer versions say that "Saul knew that it was Samuel." KJ says that "Saul perceived..." In other words, he thought he was communicating with Samuel. Quite a difference, I'd say.

Matthew 5:22 in the KJ says that "whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgement." Newer versions remove "without a cause" (because Origen didn't like it in there), thereby making it a sin to be angry at all. This contradicts Ephesians 4:26, and makes Jesus a sinner according to Mark 3:5 and Matthew 23.

Mark 1:2 in the KJ says "As it is written in the prophets" because Mark quotes from two Old Testament prophets - Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1. These newer versions say "Isaiah the prophet."

Luke 2:22, in the NIV and NASV, says " in the days (time) of their purification." This contradicts Leviticus 12:2-8 which states specifically that it is the woman herself who must be purified after bearing a child. Many feel this is a direct attack on the sinlessness of Jesus Christ, as this particular change leaves the implication that the pure, spotless Son of God also needed purification! The KJB reads "the days of her purification."

The NIV states that Jesus was the "one and only Son of God" in John 1:14,18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9. That contradicts both the Old Testament where God calls the angels "sons of God" (Job 38:7), and the New Testament where Christians are called "sons of God" (John 1:12; Romans 8:14, 19) Adam was called the "son of God" (Luke 3:28) as were those saved in the line of Seth (Genesis 6:4). The KJB calls Jesus "the only begotten Son of God." Jesus was the only person who was ever born physically as the Son of God. Angels and Adam were created individually (were not born), some in the lineage of Seth chose to follow the Lord and be saved (therefore they were called sons of God - see Genesis 4:26, and compare with 6:2-3), and Christians are born spiritually as sons of God.

David killed Goliath with a slingshot and a stone and then cut off his head in 1 Samuel 17:50-51; however, according to the NIV and NASV in 2 Samuel 21:19, it says "Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite." This even contradicts another passage in these versions (1 Chronicles 20:5) which states that "Elhanan... killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite." Will they make up their mind. This is worse than a murder mystery; at least then you know that it was the butler who did it! (And you also know who was killed!)

The NASV in John 7:8 makes Jesus out to be a liar when He says, "I do not go up to this feast" and two verses later He's there! The KJB has the word "yet" in verse 8. He was going, but not at the same time His brothers went.

These apostate translators' adding, subtracting, and twisting of God's Word make it so hard for the serious Bible believer to study and rightly divide the word of truth. They are playing at being God over what should be and shouldn't be in there, and this removes and changes many cross-references, parallels, and word studies. It's almost impossible to determine what God meant by a word or phrase in the NIV when you've got that same word translated fifty different ways. In the King James Bible the translators were consistent. These new translators, by rejecting the authority of God's Word, are doing what is right in their own eyes. When you've got 200 or more different translations of a word or passage, you've got total confusion and chaos. God didn't mean 200 different things when He spoke. He meant His Word to be clear and easily understood. (Of course we still have to study it, but when we seek for the meaning of a passage the Lord will reveal what He wants us to understand at that time, if we intend to obey His will when it is revealed to us. John 7:17 makes this clear. Those who seek - from God and His Word - do find.)

Ephesians 5:30, in newer versions, deletes the words "of his flesh, and of his bones," thereby removing the beautiful type of Christ and His church found in Genesis 3:21-23.

Now either I've thoroughly annoyed you with this letter, or I've made you realize that there are some serious differences between the King James Bible and all these modern, newer, "more accurate" versions. (I decided to mainly use the NIV and the NASV for these comparisons, but grab any other version and check out these same passages.) (Note: the NIV and the NKJV have gone through several revisions, so some of the passages that I've pointed out may be even further changed in the edition that you may have.) Hopefully you will pray about this issue and check out other passages as well. There is so much at stake here; this is a choice between deception or truth, between tradition (and peer pressure) or standing alone on the uncorrupted Word of God. Most people will not acknowledge these differences or say that they do not matter doctrinally (or even personally.) Ha!

Does it matter if Acts 8:37 is completely removed? The verse that clearly states that a person must be mature enough to understand and make a choice to follow and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Does it matter if the words "through his blood" are removed from Colossians 1:14? These are the words that clearly state how this redemption is made possible. Does it matter that 1 John 5:7 is removed? This is one of the clearest references to the Trinity in the whole Bible. Does it matter if your "Bible" states that Jesus was just a created god; or if he was just a man? "He was manifest in the flesh." Well, so was everyone else - we just weren't God (or gods) before! (Never will be either - sorry Benny Hinn, Kenneth Hagin, Copeland, Satan, et. al.)

Does it matter if your "Bible" translates Lucifer as the Morning Star in Isaiah 14:12, thereby equating the person who sought to exalt himself above God and who was subsequently cast out of Heaven with Jesus Christ, the Morning Star? And if that heresy wasn't obvious enough for us, they also added cross-references referring to 2 Peter 1:19 and Revelation 22:16 so we wouldn't miss the point. The Amplified (Satanic) Bible even goes one step further by their note on Isaiah 14:12, where they say:

"'Light-bringer' or 'Shining one' was originally translated Lucifer, but because of the association of that name with Satan it is not now used. Some students feel that the application of the name Lucifer to Satan, in spite of the long and confident teaching to that effect, is erroneous. Lucifer, the light-bringer is the Latin equivalent of the Greek word Phosphoros, which is used as a title of Christ in II Peter 1:19 and corresponds to the name 'bright Morning Star' in Revelation 22:16, which Jesus called Himself."

Does it matter if North American Copyright Laws state that for someone to copyright written material, it must be 10% (or more) different from any other previous published material - yes, even Bibles! A copyright states that the creator of a product has exclusive rights to that product. (So these translators are setting themselves up as the creators of God's Word!) The King James Bible is not copyrighted (not in the same sense we copyright today - it had a Crown Copyright, which protected the text of the Bible and prevented anyone from changing it); however, if you buy a KJB with a concordance, maps, or notes, etc., then these will be copyrighted - not the King James Bible text itself. Every other "new" per-version is copyrighted, including the New King James Version. (There are over 100,000 word changes in this "faithful" translation!) No one can tell me that the difficult words in the King James Bible account for 10% of the text. What are all these other changes? (Why do they change many easy to understand passages if they are trying to be "faithful" to the KJ, and why do many of their changes not only "update" words, but also change the meaning of the passage?)

I don't want to be in any of those translator's shoes. They won't see Heaven unless they repent of their playing around with, deleting, and adding to God's Word:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book; 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, And out of the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book. Revelation 22:18-19

And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15

I will pray that you will check out what is written in this letter and will share this knowledge (if you are convinced) with others. May God bless you as you search the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are so. Please don't reject what I am saying until you have prayed about and checked this issue out for yourself. Don't just take some Bible teacher's or "scholar's" opinion as truth. You are accountable before God to be a Berean, to compare every teaching with the Word of God. (See Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 2:15 and 14:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; and Hebrews 5:14, among others.) If I'm wrong on this issue, you have nothing to lose; but if I'm right, Babylon's got a worse foothold than most Christians realize and the final apostasy is upon us. Wake up, Laodicea, before Jesus spues you out of His mouth forever!

I leave you with one promise and one warning:

But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Isaiah 66:2

You can't tremble at God's Word if you don't believe that the Bible you read is God's infallible, inerrant, inspired, preserved Word. And if you don't let the Spirit of Truth teach you and change you.

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they might all be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, we will accept and believe, and yes, even tremble at His Word. How about you? Don't reject what I've told you, before you've personally checked it out, especially if you are convinced. I believe all the true evidence will lead you straight to the King James Bible in English (and Textus Receptus-based translations in other languages.) Don't reject this information just because it is unpopular with the world and carnal Christians. Receive the King James Bible, "not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh [continually works] also in you that believe." (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

May God guide you and make you strong in Christ - I know you've got some serious choices to make.

Jerry Bouey
Eagle's Wings Ministries