THE BESTSELLER OF ALL TIME
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT)
Have you ever wondered why the Bible remains the world’s best-selling book of all time?
It is simply because the Bible is nothing short of a wonder!
Its formation, unification, content, age, sale, interest, language and preservation are all wonders.
Though a collection of 66 books written by about 40 different human authors over a period of 1600 years at different places, yet there are no contradictions in the Bible, and it has just only one primary theme, Jesus Christ; for they all wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible amply testifies to its divine source and inspiration.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Peter 1:20-21 – NKJV
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:16 – NKJV
16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
Although the Bible has been the most hated of all books, yet it is the most widely read book by all classes, nations and peoples, and ages of mankind.
Many kings, rulers and governments have sought to burn and abolish it, but the Bible has outlived them all. Why?
Because God’s Word endures forever!
The Scripture clearly states this truth.
Isaiah 40:8 – NKJV
8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.
1 Peter 1:25 – NKJV
25 But the word of the LORD endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
Let us consider some basic truths about this unique book of wonders, the Bible.
First, the Bible is written by the inspiration of God:
The Bible does not only contain the words of God, it also contains the words of men and even the words of Satan; nevertheless, all Scripture is God-breathed, given by divine inspiration and thus infallible or inerrant.
The Bible testifies about itself.
2 Timothy 3:16 – NKJV
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Psalms 19:7-9 – NKJV
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Second, the Bible is a Supernatural and Dynamic Revelation from God:
The Bible is the source book of our knowledge of God. It is the textbook of divine truths. The pages of the Bible are an authoritative revelation of God’s nature, character, will, plans and purposes in written form.
Jesus rebuked the unbelieving Jews, saying, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” (John 5:39 NKJV).
“Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you–Moses, in whom you trust. “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. “But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:45-47 NKJV).
The Bible is God’s revealed thoughts, views or perspectives on every subject, issue or matter. Therefore, the Bible is the standard, index, or plumb line for judging or determining the truth about every subject, issue, or matter in life.
Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17 NKJV).
Isaiah admonishes, “Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.” (Isa. 8:20 NLT).
Third, the Real Author of the Bible is the Holy Spirit:
Though written by 36-40 authors over a period of 1600 years in different parts of the world, the Holy Spirit is the real author of the Bible.
The human authors of the Bible were overshadowed by the Holy Spirit; they wrote at His command. He guarded each thought, each phrase, each word to preserve accuracy (2 Tim. 3:16).
Peter testifies to this truth.
2 Peter 1:20-21 – NKJV
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
The Psalmist also testifies to this truth.
Psalms 68:11 – NKJV
11 The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those who proclaimed it.
Fourth, the Cardinal Theme of the Bible is Jesus Christ:
The Old Testament is the preparation and prophecy about Christ’s coming. The four Gospels are His manifestation to the world. In the Epistles, His Gospel is expounded. In Revelation, the plans and purposes of God in and through Christ are consummated (John 1:1-18, Rev. 1:1-3).
Jesus Christ is the primary key to understanding the Bible. All the Scriptures testify of Jesus, bear witness to Jesus, and point to Jesus.
John 5:39 – NLT
You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!
John 5:46 – NKJV
46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.
Luke 24:25-27 – NKJV
25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
26 “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”
27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
When Philip found Nathanael, he brought him to Jesus, testifying, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote–Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45 NKJV).
Fifth, the Bible is the Supreme Book and Final Authority on all matters:
The Bible excels all other books ever written. It provides divine and right answers to all the questions of life and death. It is the oldest Book; its influence upon nations and men is beyond computation.
The Bible is God’s standard of judgement in the last day!
The Lord Jesus clearly states this truth.
John 12:48 – NKJV
48 “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him–the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
Isaiah also testifies to this truth.
Isaiah 40:8 – NKJV
8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.
Sixth, the Bible is the Third Greatest Gift of God to Mankind:
Next to the gift of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, the Bible is the third God’s greatest gift to mankind (Exo. 24:12, John 20:30-31, Psa. 68:11).
The brilliant German scholar and philosopher Immanuel Kant said, “The existence of the Bible, as a book for the people, is the greatest benefit which the human race has ever experienced. Every attempt to belittle it is a crime against humanity.”
Seventh, the Bible is a Library of 66 books and has Scientific Accuracy:
The Bible is a collection of 66 books, divided into 2 main sections: The Old Testament containing 39 books and the New Testament containing 27 books.
Though written in a non-scientific age and its human writers were not scientists, yet it has scientific accuracy (Job. 26:7).
Long before the earth was discovered or proven to be spherical, the Bible has stated this.
Isaiah 40:21-22 – NKJV
21 Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
Though written largely by uneducated men, yet the Bible is considered a literary masterpiece.
Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. President, said, “Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.”
John Locke, the noted English philosopher, also writes, “The Bible is one of the greatest blessings bestowed by God on the children of men. It has God for its author; salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture for its matter. It is all pure, all sincere; nothing too much; nothing wanting.”
What do you say about the Bible?
Prayer: My Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful gift of the Bible to me. Create in me an insatiable hunger for its truths, teachings and instructions, in Jesus’ name. Amen.