I had a friend who treated the Bible as if it were the ultimate puzzle book filled with anagrams, numerology, mystic secrets and cryptic messages formed from taking letters out of context and forming words in English. I never could get him to understand that his cryptic messages only worked in English and not Hebrew and Greek, the original languages of Scripture. He also maintained the King James Version was the only legitimate version. Again I couldn’t get him to understand that not everyone in the world spoke English. Spanish and French people needed to have and use their translations.
It is true there are some chapters in Daniel and Revelation that seem very mysterious but they are able to be understood in the light of history. They are not to be treated as Sunday Morning New York Times Crossword Puzzles. The intent of God giving us His word is explained to us by Paul. He wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” We wonder what Paul meant by “Scripture.” It would have been the height of arrogance for him to have assumed his letters would be regarded equally with the works of Moses, etc. Today we do regard them to be equal.
The Bible was given to us that we might find salvation. It is there to aid us through the cares of this world into an assured understanding of just how good God is and what He was and is willing to do to make sure we are saved. If you enjoy puzzles, go buy a book of puzzles. If you want to live forever, experience the excitement of a living Jesus in the pages of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 26, 2015
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org