The Bible withstands the test of time

There is absolutely no book like the Bible. This book is God's "Owner's Manual" for every model of human being. This book will instruct us how we can function at peak performance and live forever with God.It is the only book that was written by more than 40 authors coming from many different backgrounds through 1,400 years. This great and one-of-a-kind book has 66 books. It was inspired by God and written by men. These men lived as peasants, poets, political leaders, fishermen, shepherds, rabbi, a physician and kings.It was written in different places. We see John, in exile on the isle of Patmos. Paul, in prison, his physician, Luke, while traveling. Think of Jeremiah in a dungeon. The writing was done at different times and conditions, in time of war, peace and prosperity. The writers wrote in different moods, too. Some felt great doubt and confusion, others had certainty, still others felt joyful, and some wrote in despair and sorrow.Did you know that this incomparable book was written in Europe, Africa and Asia as well as in three different languages? Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, though some of the New Testament is written in Hebrew also. Aramaic was used, a common language of the Near East until the time of Alexander the Great, which would be the 6th century B.C. moving through the 4th century B.C. Greek was used for almost all of the New Testament. Greek was the predominant language at the time of Christ.This unique book was also written in a wide variety of literary styles. They are prophecy, autobiography and biography, memoirs and satire, poetry, songs, personal correspondence, romance, parable and allegory.The Bible does not hide from difficult subjects and it has a wonderful harmony with a clear thread that runs through every page. The Bible deals with about every known subject in life such as marriage, divorce and remarriage, homosexuality, adultery, obedience, authority, telling the truth and lying, character, parenting, roles, the natural world of His creation, and most wonderful, the revelation of God himself. This thread that runs through the Bible is the main character, the living God made known through Jesus Christ.Where is this seen? The Old Testament, in the Law, which is the first five books of the Bible, shows us the foundation for Christ. These historical books present the preparation for the coming of Christ. The poetic books aspire to Christ. In the prophecies we see the expectation of Christ. The Gospels give us historical manifestation of Christ. In the book of Acts we have the propagation of Christ. The Epistles give the interpretation of Christ and in the final book of the Bible, Revelation, we have the summation of all things in Christ. With all these books and authors that read like one book with various voices, the continuity is possible because God is the true author inspiring men.In contrast, the Great Books of the Western World have selections from more that 450 works and about 100 authors spanning a period of about 25 centuries. They have a great diversity of view and at least as many subjects, but no continuity.As for the popularity and longevity of the Bible, there are more copies of the Bible sold than any other book, and for that matter, in more translations. The Bible should be available to almost all language groups between 2007 and 2022. No other book in the world has had this kind of translation activity. In terms of survival and comparing the Bible with other ancient writings, the Bible has more manuscripts to support it than any other ten pieces of classical literature. The New Testament has the most number of ancient manuscripts than any literature.Enemies of the Bible have tried to destroy it through the years and the Bible remains. Jesus said, "heaven and earth will pass away, but My word will by no means pass away" (Mark 13:21). People are always trying to refute the Bible. Every time this happens it is proven that the Bible is true. It is the only book with a 100 percent accurate prophecy rate. No prophecy has ever gone unfilled. Those remaining will be fulfilled.The book is reliable and true. Lives are changed by reading the Bible and hearing God's Word. There is no fantasy in its pages. The Bible speaks of the pain and joy of life. The reason it has the pain and joy's of life is that God does not hide the truth and He can see everything and no one can hide from his sight. "All things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." (Heb. 4:13).This article is written so that you will look at the Bible afresh and see that it is different and worth investigating. It is best to read it one book at a time. I recommend starting in the New Testament, reading it through, and then the Old Testament. You can also start with a couple of chapters in Genesis and one chapter in Matthew and progressing by this combination of two and one chapter each day you read through the Bible in about a year.God bless you in the grand adventure.