“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope” (Rom 15:4).
Hope from the Bible makes all the difference.
Some philosophers compare the journey of life to climbing a mountain. Religions generally start with mankind at the bottom of the mountain and a map for getting to the top of the mountain. By this thinking, all religions have the same united goal to get to the top of the mountain to receive the same blissful reward. Each religion sees the mountain from a different point of view and has a unique path to the top. One religion climbs a rocky path that requires a difficult hike and careful planning. Another climbs the mountain up a gradual grassy side with a relatively easy walk. A third religion climbs an icy path with a slippery slope and concern for falling down. A final religion climbs the hardest route to the top of the mountain, straight up the face and needing much training and special equipment. This philosophy answers the challenging question why each religion is different and why each one claims to be correct. From what each one can see, their point of view is clearly correct and others seem incorrect. That’s because, as people, we can only see one side of the mountain and lack the ability to see all sides of the mountain, or story. By this reasoning, all religions are correct and all lead to the same blissful reward.
Unfortunately, this concept is not true. At least that’s what the Bible says. The serpent in Genesis first invented this lie when it told Eve, “You surely shall not die.” Jesus affirmed the same when he called the serpent “a liar, and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Today, many modern humanistic and spiritual ideas continue the age-old fable that we shall not die. It’s politically correct, non-judgmental and more popular to think that everyone, everywhere, from all time, will end up at the top of the mountain. Unfortunately, universal salvation is illogical and biblical. The Bible teaches that salvation is exclusive to few people, not many: “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt 22:14). The Bible also gives many details about how there is only one exclusive path to the top of the mountain. No other route will work. There is only one possible path that leads to the ultimate reward and this teaching excludes all other paths. The Bible declares itself to be the only true hope, so why should anyone believe it?
Is the Bible inspired by God?
While the Bible declares itself to be true, it is external, historical and archaeological evidence that makes the case rock-solid. Below are just a few of the many significant reasons for believing that the Bible is uniquely and divinely inspired with God’s true hope for mankind.
The Jewish history and Israel. The Bible and the Jewish people are forever intertwined. Since Abraham became the father of the Jews (Rom 9:7; Heb 11:9), the Bible records Jewish history and prophesy culminating today with the nation of modern Israel. Since the early 20th century, Bible students have witnessed the unprecedented re-gathering of Jews to the land of Israel (ancient Canaan or Palestine). When the UN General Assembly voted to approve the Jewish homeland on November 29, 1947, the Bible came alive as 2,500 year old prophesies proved to be true. In the book of Ezekiel is one of many specific places that say this: “When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered….then they shall settle on their own soil that I gave to my servant Jacob” (Ezek 28:25). Isaiah had preceded this with another incredible prophesy: “Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be delivered in one moment? Yet as soon as Zion was in labor she delivered her children” (Isa 66:8). This passage was literally fulfilled on May 14, 1948 when the Jewish leaders declared the revival of modern Israel. There are many, many other prophecies that predict the suffering, scattering and eventual re-gathering again of the Jewish people to the land of. This example is totally unique among nations in the world and clearly predicted over 2,500 years earlier. No other people can claim such history and living proof of prophecies, which acts as proof that the Bible is true and divinely inspired.
In June 1967, Israel won what became known as the Six Day war, winning control of the ancient city Jerusalem. To Jews and Bible students, this miracle fulfilled some amazing ancient prophecies about the eternal Jewish capital. “For God will save Zion (Jerusalem) and rebuild the cities of Judah; and his servants shall live there and possess it” (Psa 69:35). “The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel” (Psa 147:2). The city of Jerusalem is mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible and is noted as chosen by God above all the earth “For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it” (Psa 132:13-14).
The Dead Sea Scrolls. The very same year that Israel was approved to be reborn as a nation, a local Bedouin found the first ancient scrolls in the Qumran region of Israel, on the northwest side of the Dead Sea. The story of this discovery is even more fascinating considering it happened in the middle of Israel’s initial war in 1947. These precious scrolls were written over 2,000 years earlier and contained fragments of every book of the Hebrew Bible except the book of Esther. It also contained a relatively intact, complete copy of the book of Isaiah, which was more than 1,000 years older than the previous known copy. This amazing archaeological discovery has added strong evidence to both believers and non-believers that the Bible is truly the inspired word of God. No longer could any reasonable person disbelieve the historical evidence of the Bible. The unique characteristics of the Bible — such as many authors writing a book over a 2,000-year period — add to the overwhelming proof that only an unreasonable skeptic might deny. Truly we live in an age when “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Dan 12:4). The modern age helps faith-building discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls spread good news of God’s plan for mankind.
Resurrection of Jesus Christ. To Christians, there is no more meaningful event than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The entire weight of the Christian faith rests or falls depending on whether Jesus was truly resurrected three days after his crucifixion. The apostle Paul said this himself when he wrote “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and…if for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1Cor 15:17-19). Two critical facts give credibility to this important belief. First, the historical fact is that the body of Jesus was never found. If his disciples somehow broke through the Roman guard, carried away Jesus’ body and hid it, they would have accomplished a bigger miracle than Jesus rising from the dead! Roman guards who let prisoners go free would suffer execution and were known for their extreme professionalism. Many other details regarding the physical resurrection of Jesus (found in the four gospel records) add to the absolute credibility and accuracy of the text. Second, it is historically known that the closest followers of Jesus, known as apostles or disciples, suffered personal martyrdom. Some, such as the apostle James, were executed for their faith (Acts 12:2) shortly after Jesus ascension into heaven. The issue in question is if Jesus’ followers did remove his body and hide it in order to build a new church, does it make sense for them to suffer death in order to maintain a deception (Acts 7:54 60; Acts 9:17-23)? Logic says that people would tell the truth and not die if they knew their cause was a lie, and that telling the truth would avoid a terrible death. The fact that Christianity grew because of persecution only adds to the belief that Jesus was indeed resurrected from the dead and his words are true.
The Bible Hope is believable
Hope is mentioned in the Bible over 130 times. “Eternal life”, “everlasting life” and mentions of immortality abound as our great hope in the Bible. It’s why Gilbert Beeken once wrote: “Other men see only a hopeless end. The Christian rejoices in an endless hope.” There have been many famous people who believed the Bible to be the Word of God, but probably none more intelligent than Sir Isaac Newton. Arguably the greatest scientist who ever lived, Newton was born in 1642, the same year that Galileo died. Newton discovered the three laws of motion, calculus, the law of gravitation and the composite nature of light — all before the age of 30.
The foundations of modern astronomy and physics are still largely based on theories Newton first presented more than 300 years ago. A humble and reclusive figure, Isaac Newton was a Christian who studied the Bible daily and believed that God created everything, including the Bible. He believed that the Bible was true in every respect. Throughout his life he continually tested Biblical truth against the physical truths of science and never observed a contradiction, according to his many biographers. Newton’s writings reflected his belief that his scientific work was a method by which to reinforce belief in the authority of the Bible. After he completed his greatest scientific works, he began to devote more and more of his time to researching the Bible, eventually writing a book he believed unlocked the prophecies contained in Daniel and Revelation. The great bulk of his Bible writing went unpublished, as many of Newton’s Bible convictions were unpopular in his day because they paralleled those of the early Christian church. Newton is a striking scientific example of one great mind who saw the divine and perfect order found in the Bible.
The Bible, indeed, is The map book that leads to life. It is our Creator’s only divinely inspired book that has been proven reliable and true. Scripture emphasizes that our Heavenly Father has a plan and a purpose for every person and every nation. He is in charge. He did not create our world to be left to chance. He cares for you and gave you hope. “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (Jer 29:11).
The Bible says:
- The Bible is the only source for eternal life: Heb 4:12; Heb 6:17-19; Is 46:9-10; Deut 18:20-22.
- The Bible has great evidence for its claims: Rom 8:22-25.
- Any eternal hope outside the Bible is not dependable: Eph 2:11-12; Rev 22:18-19. Chicago, Ill Ecclesia
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One