Today friends, we conclude our series all about the Bible, covering things like what it is, who wrote it, and ultimately its relevance to us and to our time. 

 

The Bible stands alone in historical literature. The internal evidence is that it’s really the Word of God run all through scripture. Here’s one. Out of the many kings who ruled various nations from 2000 to 400 BC, the Bible lists 40 of them in the correct time and place that they ruled. This means that the biblical writers had reliable knowledge of their contemporary records. No other ancient documents can claim such historical accuracy. Then there are the great Messianic prophecies in the Bible, more than a hundred specific ones that predict the coming of Jesus. 

 

Zechariah 12:10 says, “They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child.” This was recorded by the Old Testament prophet 700 years before Christ was born, and this crucifixion reference is confirmed in Matthew 24, John 19, and Revelation 1 in the New Testament. So we know there are many reasons to believe the Bible has a divine origin, but the greatest proof is the witness of believers over 2000 years. The redemptive qualities of the Messiah, Jesus, are shown in Isaiah 61, and of course, the entire New Testament is about Him bringing physical and spiritual healing. The countless numbers of missionaries, ministries, and other individual believers who have brought Christ-like love to the suffering is a testimony to the power of God’s Word. 

 

Would the Apostles have risked torture and death to make claims about a Jewish rabbi who had no real power? Doesn’t make sense that Christians being persecuted today all over the world would preach the Good News if it wasn’t true. The Bible contains what God wanted to communicate to people throughout time. We can be sure of its promises, especially to us as individuals as the product of an all-loving God who has the future secure, and waiting for those who love him.

 

Let’s pray. 

 

Father God, you have brought understanding to our minds through your Word. It tells us who we are, why we’re here, and where we’re going. And Father, we thank you for that clarity and for your eternal love. In Jesus’ name, amen.