The Bible…
… is a unique book. For example: “The Bible is the best-selling book of the year, every year” (The New Yorker magazine). Altogether more than five billion Bibles have been printed (in whole o go to sleep and r in part). And the Bible was translated into more than 2500 languages (in whole or in part). But is the Bible really is the word of God? How can we know? And what do we find in the Bible?
What do we find in the Bible?
In the Bible we find 66 books. The Bible is written mainly in Hebrew. The first books of the Bible is also called “Old Testament”. This Bible books are written in Hebrew. Accordingly the first books of the Bible are called “Hebrew Scriptures”. Jehovah God (Jehovah is God’s name in the Bible) used approximately 40 writers to write the Bible.
The Bible was written from 1513 BCE to about 98 CE. Over a span of some 1600 years. Many of the Bible writers lived centuries apart. Occupations varied (kings, shepherds, fisherman and one physician). But the whole Bible has one central theme: the fulfillment of God’s purpose through God’s government and the vindication of God’s right to rule mankind. That theme of the Bible starts in the first Bible book Genesis. Is expanded in the following books of the Bible and is coming to a climax in the last Bible book Revelation. Harmony in the Bible was clearly unintentional. Yet all the Bible writers agreed on even minor details. This is One reason, why we can see the Bible as trustworthy.
The Hebrew Scriptures consists of 39 books. And the Christian Greek Scriptures consists of 27 books.
Hebrew Scriptures, “Old Testament”
The first 5 Bible books are also called “Pentateuch”.
The first 5 books of the Bible are also called Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. This first 5 books of the Bible show us something, which we never would know by ourselves. The creation of the earth and humankind. And we find the history of the founding of the ancient nation of Israel. After this the Bible contains 12 historical books. The first 3 are Joshua, Judges, Ruth. This 3 Bible books are about the Israel’s entry into the promised land and events thereafter. After this we find the books 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles. Here you can read the history of the nation of Israel till the destruction of ancient Jerusalem.
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther show us the history of the Jews after they returned from the exile in Babylon.
The next 5 books are poetic books. With the collection of songs and wise sayings: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.
After this we find 17 books in the Bible. This 17 books are prophetic books. They contain Prophecies or predictions concerning God’s people. This prophetic Bible books are called:
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
The Christian Greek Scriptures, “NEW TESTAMENT”
The Christian Greek Scriptures begin with the Bible books Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. This four Bible books are also called the four Gospels. This Bible books contain the history of Jesus Christ during his time on earth. Jesus life and ministry. After this comes the Bible book Acts of Apostles. It contains the history of the start of the Christian congregation. And missionary activity from the first Christians. After the Acts of Apostles the Christian Greek Scriptures contain 21 books or letters.
Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians our letters to various Christian congregations.
1 and 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon our letters to individual Christians.
Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John and Jude are general letters to Christians. The last book of the Bible is the Bible book of Revelation. Revelation is a series of prophetic visions. Which was given to the apostle John.
Witnesses of Jehovah preach the messages of the Bible like the 1st century Christians
Jehovah‘s Witnesses preach the message of the Bible. A very beautiful message. To glorify Jehovah God and to make known his name. And to obey Jesus Christ (see in the Bible Matthew 28:19, 20). Jehovah’s Witnesses feel that Bible teachings are lifesaving. That is why Jehovah’s Witnesses, like the first century Christians, continue “without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus” (The Bible, Acts 5:41, 42). But why do Jehovah’s Witnesses trust the Bible?
The Bible: why can we trust the Bible? Proof that the Bible is God’s word
The Bible is God’s word for humankind
In the Bible we can read: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness” (The Bible, 2. Timothy 3:16 New World Translation).
(Exodus 24:4) So Moses wrote down all the words of Jehovah. Then he got up early in the morning and built at the foot of the mountain an altar and 12 pillars corresponding to the 12 tribes of Israel.
(Daniel 7:1) In the first year of King Bel·shazʹzar of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream; he recorded a complete account of the matters.
(1 Thessalonians 2:13) Indeed, that is why we also thank God unceasingly, because when you received God’s word, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God, which is also at work in you believers.
(2 Peter 1:21) For Bible Prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were moved by holy spirit.
Trust the Bible because of fulfilled Bible Prophecy
One reason why we can trust the Bible, is, that the Bible is full of Bible Prophecy or predictions. And every Bible prophecy was always right. Prophecies in the Bible have been fulfilled down to the smallest detail. Prophecies in the Bible are often specific and usually involve matters of great importance. Prophecies in the Bible may predict the opposite of what the people might have been expecting.
And in the Bible we can find also Bible Prophecy which is fulfilled in front of our eyes. For example Prophecies about war. Also prophecies about Russia we can find in the Bible. Which is mainly a prophecy about the so-called King of the North. The identity of the King of the North in the Bible book of Daniel has changed in time. But today this prophecy applies to Russia and its allies.
And prophecies in the Bible show us also what will happen in the near future. In the Bible we can find very beautiful Bible prophecies about the future of humankind.
You can read fulfilled Bible prophecy also on the website from Jehovah’s Witnesses, JW.org.
Bible Prophecy, which is fulfilled today in front of our eyes
(Matthew 24:7, 8) “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. 8 All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress.
(Matthew 24:11, 12) Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; 12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold.
(Mark 13:7) Moreover, when you hear of wars and reports of wars, do not be alarmed; these things must take place, but the end is not yet.
(Luke 21:11) There will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another food shortages and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and from heaven great signs.
(2 Timothy 3:1-5) But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, 3 having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, 4 betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, 5 having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away.
Jehovah’s Witnesses trust the Bible because of scientific accuracy
In ancient times many mistaken beliefs gained wide acceptance. For example: Views about the earth (for example that the earth was flat). But the Bible is free of unscientific views. Not ones in the more than 1100 chapters of the Bible we can find any unscientific views. And also not one harmful practice. The Bible is noteworthy not only for what it does not say. But also for what the Bible says. In the Bible we can find scientifically sound statements. For example in the eighth century BCE, the Bible book of Isaiah referred to “the circle (or sphere) of the earth”. (Isaiah 40:22) There is One who dwells above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. He is stretching out the heavens like a fine gauze, And he spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
And some 3500 years ago, the Bible made the sound statement: (Job 26:7) He stretches out the northern sky over empty space, Suspending the earth upon nothing;
Also the following Bible verse shows, that the Bible must be the Word of God: “The Bible, Ecclesiastes 1:7: All the streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place from which the streams flow, there they return so as to flow again.”
Because this Bible verse was written not today. But thousands of years ago. How could people at this time know this without God?
Jehovah’s Witnesses trust the Bible: historical soundness
Another reason why Jehovah’s Witnesses trust the Bible, is the historical soundness of the Bible. The Bible refers to real events and real people. Never has anybody successfully challenged the historical accuracy of God’s word, the Bible. The Bible is even accurate in seemingly minor details.
Jehovah’s Witnesses trust the Bible: honesty and candor
Another foundation for trust in the Bible is honesty. The writer of the Bible wrote the Bible books with openness of heart. With candor. With honesty. Weaknesses and own failures Bible writers openly admitted. And also rebellion and repeated crumbling of their own people they laid bare. What some might have looked upon as embarrassing truth, the writers of the Bible did not cover.
What is the message of the Bible?
In the following you can read some Bible Scriptures from the beginning to the end of the Bible. The Bible begins with the 1st book Genesis. And ends with the last book Revelation.
(Genesis 3:15) And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head, and you will strike him in the heel.”
(Genesis 22:18) And by means of your offspring all nations of the earth will obtain a blessing for themselves because you have listened to my voice.’”
(Matthew 6:10) Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth.
(Romans 16:20) For his part, the God who gives peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. May the undeserved kindness of our Lord Jesus be with you.
(1 Corinthians 15:28) But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.
(Galatians 3:16) Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “and to your descendants,” in the sense of many. Rather, it says, “and to your offspring,” in the sense of one, who is Christ.
(Galatians 3:29) Moreover, if you belong to Christ, you are really Abraham’s offspring, heirs with reference to a promise.
(Revelation 11:15) The seventh angel blew his trumpet. And there were loud voices in heaven, saying: “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.”
(Revelation 12:9) So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.
(Revelation 20:2) He seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years.
Bible Prophecy about the future of humankind
(Psalm 37:29) The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.
(Ecclesiastes 1:4) A generation is going, and a generation is coming, But the earth remains forever.
(Isaiah 25:8) He will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces. The reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, For Jehovah himself has spoken it.
(Isaiah 35:5, 6) At that time the eyes of the blind will be opened, And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6 At that time the lame will leap like the deer, And the tongue of the speechless will shout for joy. For waters will burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert plain.
(Revelation 21:4) And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
(Isaiah 65:21, 22) They will build houses and live in them, And they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. 22 They will not build for someone else to inhabit, Nor will they plant for others to eat. For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, And the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full.
Can we benefit from the Bible’s advice about work?
Consider what the Bible has to say about work. And how we can benefit from the advice from the Bible about work:
(Ephesians 4:28) Let the one who steals steal no more; rather, let him do hard work, doing good work with his hands , so that he may have something to share with someone in need.
(Ecclesiastes 3:13) also that everyone should eat and drink and find enjoyment for all his hard work . It is the gift of God.
(Proverbs 22:29) Have you seen a man skillful at his work ? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before common men.
Can the Bible give us good advice to manage our assets?
How can the Bible help us to manage our assets? Read the following Bible Scriptures. And think about this Bible Scriptures, how they can help you to manage your assets:
(Proverbs 21:17) The one who loves having a good time will come to poverty; The one who loves wine and oil will not grow rich.
(Proverbs 22:7) The rich one rules the poor, And the borrower is a slave to the lender.
(Luke 14:28-30) For example, who of you wanting to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, he might lay its foundation but not be able to finish it, and all the onlookers would start to ridicule him, 30 saying: ‘This man started to build but was not able to finish.’
(John 6:12) But when they had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples: “Gather together the fragments left over, so that nothing is wasted.”
Benefit from the reading of the Bible
You can benefit personally, if you read the Bible. Maybe especially, if you read God’s word, the Bible, regularly on a daily basis. And if you take time to think about it.
You can try to answer the following questions, when you read in the Bible.
How can I apply, what I read in the Bible? How can I benefit from it?
And how can I use the Bible Verses to help other people?
And what did I learn about Jehovah God?
Learn more about the Bible
This is only part of the evidence that convinced millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses that the Bible is really trustworthy. Today. Jehovah’s Witnesses see the Bible as a reliable guide to a happy life and to everlasting life. If you learn more about the Bible you can find out, that the Bible is really trustworthy. And the word of the Almighty God Jehovah. For example read more Bible Prophecy.