BIBLE DESK

HOW TO STUDY YOUR BIBLE

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(Subjects in this Section)

1-GOD WANTS YOU TO STUDY THE BIBLE
2-MANY CHURCHES
3-THE HOLY GHOST, HE SHALL TEACH YOU
4-THE BIBLE TELLS US TO HEAR THE WORD
5-THE WORD IS ABLE TO BUILD YOU UP
6-NEWBORN BABES DESIRE THE WORD
7-IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD
8-MAN SHALL LIVE BY GOD’S WORD (ALSO STUDY)
9-TIPS ON STUDYING THE BIBLE: HOW TO BEGIN
10-READING YOUR BIBLE AFTER THE  PREVIOUS PROGRAM HAS BEEN COMPLETED
11-VARIOUS TYPES OF BIBLE SUBJECTS: A STUDY OF ALL SUBJECTS
12-BIBLE CONCORDANCE STUDY
13-LABELING GROUPS OF SUBJECTS IN YOUR BIBLE
14-HOW TO WRITE IN YOUR BIBLE
15-CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE STUDY
16-FAST AND SLOW READING
17-“PHRASE” OR “GROUP OF WORDS” BIBLE STUDY
18-SEEK GOD AS TO WHAT AND HOW HE WOULD HAVE YOU STUDY THE BIBLE
19-LISTENING TO AUDIO CASSETTES
20-MEMORIZING
21-LOTS OF BIBLE STUDY HELPS: OTHER BOOKS AND COMMENTARY BIBLES ARE NOT
      RECOMMENDED
22-DIFFERENT TRANSLATIONS
23-BE WARNED: NOT ALL TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE ARE TRANSLATIONS
24-BEWARE OF THOSE THAT SAY IT DOESN'T MEAN WHAT IT SAYS
25-REGARDING PEOPLE THAT CANNOT READ AND WRITE
26-CONCLUSION

1-GOD WANTS YOU TO STUDY THE BIBLE

God wants you to study the Bible.  The Bible is God’s Word.  Without the Word of God, you cannot be saved.  We are SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH-ref Eph 2:8.  God’s Word also tells us, FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD-Ro 10:17.  It is by hearing God’s Word that faith comes.  Our faith must be centered on Jesus Christ.  We must have faith that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God; that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is come in the flesh; and that He died on the cross for our sins.  It is only through Jesus that we can gain entrance to heaven.  Satan will do everything possible to keep a person from their Bible; for through the Word of God comes faith that enables us to stand against Satan.

2-MANY CHURCHES

Many churches do not preach much of God’s Word.
   Many churches today do not encourage their members to bring their Bibles to church.  Some actually discourage people from bringing their Bibles and even from reading them.  These are false churches.  Their leaders are the blind leading the blind.  It is recommended that you run from such a church.  As it is written, COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE-Rev 18:4.  These blind leaders of the blind do not understand they are doing wrong.  They are fully convinced they are doing God’s will, even though their actions contradict the Bible.

3-THE HOLY GHOST, HE SHALL TEACH YOU

Many people have a difficult time understanding the Bible, so they shy away from reading it.  This may be, because they do not have God’s Spirit inside them, (they are not converted; they are not born-again).  How do we receive the Holy Spirit?  We are to believe and have faith in Jesus Christ.  Then we are told in Acts 2:38-REPENT (that is, forsake all your sins), AND BE BAPTIZED (by full immersion) EVERY ONE OF YOU…AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.  Gal 3:27-FOR AS MANY OF YOU AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE PUT ON CHRIST.  Baptism for babies and baptism by sprinkling are Satan's counterfeits.  Before being baptized by immersion, you must believe on the name of Jesus and be willing to forsake all sin (REPENT).  When you have difficulty understanding the Bible, ask God to help you and give you understanding.  As we read, Jn 16:13-THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH…WILL GUIDE YOU.  Jn 14:26-THE HOLY GHOST…HE SHALL TEACH YOU.  Lk 24:45-THEN OPENED HE THEIR UNDERSTANDING, THAT THEY MIGHT UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES.  Never approach the Scriptures with a “know-it-all” attitude.  Approach God with a humble attitude.  Become as a little child before God.  God hates pride.  It is an abomination to Him.  How can God reveal things to people who are wise in their own eyes?  It is written, Mt 11:25-THOU HAST HID THESE THINGS FROM THE WISE AND PRUDENT, AND HAST REVEALED THEM UNTO BABES.  Job 17:4-THOU HAST HID THEIR HEART FROM UNDERSTANDING.

4-THE BIBLE TELLS US TO HEAR THE WORD

The Bible tells us we are to hear and study the Word of God.  It is written: 

The Scriptures were written by about 39 authors, dating from about 1900 B.C. to about 90 A.D., yet they harmonize perfectly.  There is not one contradiction or mistake.  There are about 10,385 prophecies, and every single one has come true up to this time without one exception.  It is written:
   2 Pe 1:20,21-KNOWING THIS FIRST, THAT NO PROPHECY OF THE SCRIPTURE IS OF ANY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION.  FOR THE PROPHECY CAME NOT IN OLD TIME BY THE WILL OF MAN: BUT HOLY MEN OF GOD SPAKE AS THEY WERE MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST.
   2 Tim 3:16-ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
   Heb 4:12-THE WORD OF GOD IS QUICK, AND POWERFUL, AND SHARPER THAN ANY TWOEDGED SWORD, PIERCING EVEN TO THE DIVIDING ASUNDER OF SOUL AND SPIRIT (it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit), AND OF THE JOINTS AND MARROW, AND IS A DISCERNER OF (it judges) THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART.
   Ro 15:4-FOR WHATSOEVER THINGS WERE WRITTEN AFORETIME WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING.
   We are to receive God’s Word in meekness with a humble spirit.
   As Ja 1:21 exhorts us, RECEIVE WITH MEEKNESS THE ENGRAFTED WORD, WHICH IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOULS.
   Satan will try to keep you from the Word by using things like cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, pleasures of this world, lusts of other things, persecutions, and temptations.  Turn off the music.  Put down the newspaper.  Read your Bible.  Forget the party, the date, the movie, or visiting with relatives.  Put God’s Word first in your life.

As Col 3:16 says-LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM.

Do you study for school?  Do you study for college?  Do you study for your job?  Can these save your soul?  When do you study God’s Word?  If you think these things are more important than God’s Word, then you are deceived.  Anything that comes before God’s Word is an idol

God tells us in Jos 1:8-THIS BOOK OF THE LAW SHALL NOT DEPART OUT OF THY MOUTH; BUT THOU SHALT MEDITATE THEREIN DAY AND NIGHT.
   Do you meditate in God’s Word day and night?  Are you obeying God’s Word?
   We are to Pv 4:4,5-LET THINE HEART RETAIN MY WORDS: KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, AND LIVE.  GET WISDOM, GET UNDERSTANDING: FORGET IT NOT; NEITHER DECLINE (or swerve) FROM THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH.
  Get into the Bible.  Get understanding, and do not shrink back from God’s Word.
   As Pv 4:20-22 says, MY SON, ATTEND TO MY WORDS; INCLINE THINE EAR UNTO MY SAYINGS.    LET THEM NOT DEPART FROM THINE EYES; KEEP THEM IN THE MIDST OF THINE HEART.  FOR THEY ARE LIFE.

5-THE WORD IS ABLE TO BUILD YOU UP

In Acts 20:32 we read, BRETHREN, I COMMEND YOU TO GOD, AND TO THE WORD OF HIS GRACE, WHICH IS ABLE TO BUILD YOU UP.  If you are born-again, you should have a thirst for God’s Word.  If that thirst is not there, perhaps you should examine yourself to see why.

6-NEWBORN BABES DESIRE THE WORD

As 1 Pe 2:2 tells us, AS NEWBORN BABES (a newly born-again person, a newly converted person), DESIRE THE SINCERE MILK OF THE WORD, THAT YE MAY GROW THEREBY.
   Verse 3-IF SO BE YE HAVE TASTED THAT THE LORD IS GRACIOUS.
   If you have truly been born-again, you do desire God’s Word.  If you have tasted (if you have the Holy Spirit) you will desire to read the Bible, for you can only grow through God’s Word.  If that desire is lacking, you need to examine yourself in light of God’s Word to find out why.  If God is not the most important thing in your life, then you need to examine yourself to see if you are really in the faith.

7-IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD

We read further in Jn 8:31-THEN SAID JESUS TO THOSE JEWS WHICH BELIEVED ON HIM (Note: Jesus is talking to true Christians), IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED.
   Every true Christian is a disciple (disciple means pupil).  If you are not a pupil of Jesus, you are not born-again.  You are not saved.
   Jesus says here, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, then you are My sheep, My pupils, My brethren, My disciples.
   His Word continues, verse 32-AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.
   If you have not continued in God’s Word, then how can you stand on God’s Word to say you are saved?  If you do not desire the sincere milk of the Word, how can you say you are born-again?  Let God be true and every man a liar-ref Ro 3:4.  
   This is further substantiated in Jn 12:48-HE THAT REJECTETH ME, AND RECEIVETH NOT MY WORDS (note what it says), HE THAT…RECEIVETH NOT MY WORDS, HATH ONE THAT JUDGETH HIM: THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN, THE SAME SHALL JUDGE HIM IN THE LAST DAY.  If you reject God’s Word (the Bible), you are rejecting Jesus.  You are not saved.

8-MAN SHALL LIVE BY GOD’S WORD
(ALSO STUDY)

Jesus said in Mt 4:4-MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD (or food) ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.  Are you?  You say, “Am I what?”  Are you living by the Word of God, by the Bible? 
   God’s Word says Lk 6:46-AND WHY CALL YE ME, LORD, LORD, AND DO NOT THE THINGS WHICH I SAY?  You are to live by the Word of God.  How can you live by the Word of God when you don't study it? 
   As 2 Tim 2:15 tells us, STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.  God is talking directly to you—STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED.  Friend, are you in obedience to God’s Word?  As it is written, Eph 5:17-BE YE NOT UNWISE, BUT UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS.  Isn’t it time you put God first?
   In Deut 6:5 we read-THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THINE HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIGHT.
   Verse 6-AND THESE WORDS, WHICH I COMMAND THEE THIS DAY, SHALL BE IN THINE HEART.  God is commanding you this day to love Him and study His Word, to meditate therein day and night.
   Please heed God’s Word in Heb 5:9-HE (Jesus) BECAME THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION UNTO ALL THEM THAT OBEY HIM.
   Also in Ps 119:11,42,47,48,105,114,133,147-THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MINE HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE.  (Can you say that?) 
   FOR I TRUST IN THY WORD. 
   I WILL DELIGHT MYSELF IN THY COMMANDMENTS, WHICH I HAVE LOVED.
   I WILL MEDITATE IN THY STATUTES.
   THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET, AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH.
   I HOPE IN THY WORD.
   ORDER MY STEPS IN THY WORD: AND LET NOT ANY INIQUITY HAVE DOMINION OVER ME.
   I HOPED IN THY WORD.
   Are Jeremiah’s words referring to you, in chapter 8:5,6,9?—WHY THEN IS THIS PEOPLE OF JERUSALEM SLIDDEN BACK BY A PERPETUAL BACKSLIDING?  THEY HOLD FAST DECEIT, THEY REFUSE TO RETURN.  NO MAN REPENTED HIM OF HIS WICKEDNESS, SAYING, WHAT HAVE I DONE?  THEY HAVE REJECTED THE WORD OF THE LORD.
   Verse 20-THE HARVEST IS PAST, THE SUMMER IS ENDED, AND WE ARE NOT SAVED.  It is time to receive God’s Word and to study your Bible.

9-TIPS ON STUDYING THE BIBLE:  HOW TO BEGIN

Here are some tips on reading your Bible.  Begin reading the Gospel of John.  Read it through completely, three times.  Never read less than five chapters per day.  More would be preferable.
   Next go to the book of Matthew at the beginning of the New Testament.  Begin reading from there, all the way through to the end of the New Testament, including the Revelation.  Read the New Testament through completely, three times.
   Once you have read the New Testament through three times, then go to the beginning of the Bible and read the entire Bible through completely, from Genesis 1:1 to the end of the Revelation.  Remember, read at least five chapters or more per day, which will be at least thirty-five chapters per week.  More than this is better.
   It is extremely important for a Christian to have a good overall understanding of the Bible.  Many people wrongly study the Bible, a little here and a little there.  As a result, they never really have a clear, overall view of the entire Bible.  They lack a good, biblical understanding of God, of God’s judgments, and of how Satan deceives.  This gives a place for the devil to deceive them.  It is highly recommended that a person read the entire Bible through at least once every year.

   If the previous program is followed, these are the results at the rate of five chapters per day:

The Gospel of John read 3 times =   1.8 weeks
The New Testament read 3 times = 22.3 weeks
The entire Bible read 1 time = 34    weeks

Thus, in just 58 weeks a person will have read the Gospel of John a total of 7 times, the New Testament a total of 4 times, and the entire Bible 1 time.

10-READING YOUR BIBLE  AFTER THE PREVIOUS PROGRAM HAS BEEN COMPLETED

From this point on, a person should continue to read through the entire Bible at least once a year.  Reading 5 or more chapters per day is essential for the born-again Christian that wants to follow Jesus (the Word of God).
   Other types of specialized reading and study are definitely not recommended until the previous program is accomplished.  

11-VARIOUS TYPES OF BIBLE STUDIES: A STUDY OF ALL SUBJECTS

Studies such as these are not recommended until after the beginning program of reading John, the New Testament, and the entire Bible has been accomplished. 
   The Bible can be broken down into subjects.  Key subjects that should be considered, include doctrines as outlined in Hebrews 6:1,2, such as: believing on Jesus, faith toward God, grace, repentance from dead works, baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgments.  Other more specific topics may include: sin, pride, humility, childlikeness, the tongue, witnessing verses, forsaking everything, serving God, fasting, fruits, a born-again attitude, fear, how Satan deceives, denying self, making excuses, idols, the Trinity, being content, doubt, prayer, warnings to take heed and beware, how to fight the good fight of faith, marriage, what God expects of a husband or wife, the role of women in the church, elders, and many others. 
   The Bible can perhaps be broken down into well over 600 subjects.  One might begin this type of Bible study by making a list of all the subjects they want to include.  List one subject for each sheet of paper.  Put the papers in alphabetical order.
   Then begin reading the New Testament.  As you come to a verse that deals with that subject, write it out on the paper that has that subject listed.  Three by five inch index cards are especially useful.  Write just one verse on each card.  These can be made into a card file.  It may take some years to break down the entire Bible into subjects this way, but the result can be very rewarding.

12-BIBLE CONCORDANCE STUDY

If you have a Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, choose a particular word.  Then turn to it in the concordance and find all the Bible verses listed under that word.  Write them down on paper or index cards as described in the previous heading A Study of All Subjects. 
   The best way to study a certain topic in the Bible is to consider every verse in the entire Bible dealing with that topic.  For example, if you want to study “water baptism,” research every verse on it in the Bible.  This should hopefully give you a fuller and more accurate understanding.

13-LABELING GROUPS OF SUBJECTS IN YOUR BIBLE

This involves beginning at Mt 1:1 and reading to determine what verses to group together.  For example, Mt 1:1 to 1:17 might be labeled “The Genealogy of Jesus Christ.”  Mt 1:18 to 1:25 might be labeled, “The Birth of Jesus,” and Mt 2:1 to 2:12 might be labeled, “The Wise Men.”  In the Revelation, the following titles might be used, Rev 1:1 and Rev 1:2, “Introduction to the Revelation of Jesus Christ,” verse 3, “Blessed Is He That Hears and Keeps These Things,” and verses 4 to 8, “Grace to the Seven Churches.”
   Once you have done the entire New Testament this way in your Bible, then go on the Old Testament.  As you do such studies, your wisdom and knowledge should continue to grow.  As each group of verses are labeled in your Bible, you may want to separate them with a colored pencil line.

14-HOW TO WRITE IN YOUR BIBLE

Colored pencils usually work very well.  If a regular pencil is used, use a number 2 ½ lead.  This seems to hold up best.  It is better not to use ink, as it can smear.  Over a period of time, it also tends to “bleed through,” spoiling your pages.

15-CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE STUDY

This Bible study involves labeling your Bible and grouping the same verses from the 4 Gospels together in the order they happened.  It even includes dating the verses as to the approximate time the events took place.  This sort of Bible study of the entire New Testament can be extremely rewarding in knowledge.

16-FAST AND SLOW READING

Try to read a book of the Bible through quickly in one sitting.  You might make some notes for yourself of what seems to be the central theme.  The next day read one chapter quickly.  Again, make some notes as to what the central theme of this chapter seems to be.  Now, the same day, read the same chapter again slowly and underline key words in each verse.  Try coloring in key verses.  Consider placing an “X” by the side of special verses.  Put a few key words from that verse in the side margin to help you easily locate it later on.  Post reference verses in the side margin.  Some such verses might be Jn 1:1 and 1:14, which go nicely together; also Jn 3:3, 3:16, and 3:17.  Try to study a minimum of a chapter a day in this fashion.  This includes speed reading it, followed by careful consideration of each word in every verse of that chapter.  Don’t get too carried away in coloring in so many verses that you can’t locate the most important ones.  You might like to keep notes in a loose leaf notebook.  You may consider keeping a note pad and list (by writing them out) of the key verses for witnessing.  Some good examples are: Jn 3:16; Jn 3:36; Acts 2:38; Ro 10:9-13; and 1 Jn 1:9.  Once you have finished reading and studying the book of John, go to the book of Matthew.  Do this Gospel the same way.  As you read it, watch for recurring words.  You might like to underline them.  An example is 1 Jn chapters 3, 4, and the beginning of chapter 5.  Color in the words: YE KNOW or WE KNOW, each time they appear.  Now study what God is trying to tell you.  Go book by book through the entire New Testament.  Do not shy away from the Revelation.  Do this one the same way.  In reading the Old Testament, try to speed read it all, before doing an in-depth study of each book.  These are some tips that may help you.

17-“PHRASE” OR “GROUP OF WORDS” BIBLE STUDY

This type of Bible study involves starting at the beginning of the New Testament or Old Testament.  As you begin to read, put a slash or colored pencil mark after each group of words.  Do the whole verse.  Then study each group of words intensely.  Mt 1:1,2 and 2:1 are marked here as an example.
   In doing this, your study should carefully examine every single part of every single verse.  Your knowledge should grow.  Hallelujah! 

Mt 1:1-2
   1-The book /of the generation of Jesus Christ,/ the son of David,/ the son of Abraham.
   2-Abraham begat Isaac;/ and Isaac begat Jacob;/ and Jacob begat Judas/ and his brethren;

Mt 2:1
   1-Now when Jesus was born/ in Bethlehem/ of Judaea/ in the days of Herod/ the king,/ behold, there came wise men/ from the east/ to
    Jerusalem,/

18-SEEK GOD AS TO WHAT AND HOW  HE WOULD HAVE YOU STUDY THE BIBLE

There are other ways to study also.  It is recommended that you seek God earnestly in prayer, as to what He would have you do regarding studying.
   Nevertheless, we recommend that you continue to read through the entire Bible at least once each year.  In addition to your reading, do various Bible studies as God directs.
   The closer you get to God, the more humble you should be and the more childlike to God’s correction you should become.  Any sort of pride is a good indicator that you are getting further from God, not closer to God.  Consider carefully.

19-LISTENING TO AUDIO CASSETTES

If you have a cassette player, listening to God’s Word on cassette can be very edifying; however, just listening to God’s Word is not a substitute for STUDY.

20-MEMORIZING

Memorizing can be very helpful to a person in witnessing; however, straight reading through the Bible and Bible study should never be forsaken for the sake of memorizing.  Reading through the entire Bible as outlined in the first part of this message is essential.  A person NEEDS a good knowledge of the ENTIRE Bible.
   Thereafter, Bible study should be added to straight reading.  Studying God’s Word is also needful.  Thirdly, if a person has the time, memorizing can be added to straight reading and study; however, straight reading and study should not be given up for the sake of memorizing.
   Some people have a very good ability to memorize.  Others have a more difficult time.  Some can study a verse for a few minutes and memorize it.  Others may have to take several days of going over it and over it in order to memorize it.
   Some teach to memorize single verses.  Some teach to memorize whole chapters or books.  Both approaches can be very helpful.
   Select chapters that contain many verses that are very useful in teaching.
   Some such chapters are: John chapter 3; Romans chapter 6; Matthew chapters 7, 18, 24, 25; Mark chapter 4; Luke chapters 12, 14, and 16; John chapter 15; Romans chapters 8 and 12; Eph 6; 1 Thes 5; 2 Thes 2; all of James; all of 1 John; Rev chapter 3; and others.  Verses relating to a certain topic can also be combined and then memorized.
   A person should write the chapter he is memorizing on a large paper.  Try memorizing one verse a day if it is difficult, or two if it is easy.  Each day thereafter, go over the verses you have memorized, and each day add another verse.  After perhaps two months of going over these verses every day, reciting without looking, it should be well-embedded in your memory.  Thereafter, continue to go over them once every two days, gradually decreasing how often you practice, down to once every two weeks. 
   After a long period of time, you may have memorized many chapters.  It may take a lot of time to quote them.  As you continue, you should find you can quote a chapter very quickly, which is helpful if you have many to cover.  On Monday, you may quote 5 chapters when going over them.  On Tuesday, five others, and so on.  Should you not continue to go over the chapters on a continual basis, you begin to lose them.  It’s not recommended that you begin memorizing on a large scale, until after you have spent a considerable period of time building a solid foundation by reading and meditating upon God’s Word, perhaps two or more years. 
   Remember, when reading, studying, and memorizing God’s Word, Satan can be expected to fight you in many unexpected ways to try to stop you.

21-LOTS OF BIBLE STUDY HELPS:
OTHER BOOKS AND COMMENTARY BIBLES ARE NOT RECOMMENDED

One Bible study aid you might like to acquire is a Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.  That is all.
   Some people like to learn from all kinds of books about the Bible.  They may buy all kinds of study helps.  It seems in this generation, most people are more familiar with other people’s opinions than they are with what the Bible actually says.  It is far better to read your Bible, and let God’s Holy Spirit speak to you.  When a person does not follow this advice, often-times much confusion sets in.  Satan gets a foothold.  Beware.  You cannot say you did not know.
   It is the same with regard to listening to many other preachers.  This is the generation of deception.  You can listen to one preacher on the radio, and he will say that the Rapture comes during the middle of the Tribulation.  Another may say at the end.  Another may say after the Tribulation.  Another may say, there will be no Rapture at all.  God forbid!  People that listen to lots of preaching on the radio or television, may become very confused.  God is not the author of confusion.
   Satan can be expected to move in to try to cause confusion.  Do not give any place to the devil.  Stay in the Bible, and stay away from others that might confuse you with misleading information put forth in their books or broadcasts.  Satan wants to compromise the truth.  He did so with Eve.  If you give Satan the opportunity, you can expect he will also do it to you.
   Commentary Bibles are not recommended.  The reason is there are certain passages in all of them that have been misunderstood.  If you get drawn into deception on a certain verse because of a commentary, it is often very difficult for the Spirit of God to correct you, as you have preconceived thoughts.  Always approach God’s Word with an attitude of, “Lord, I don’t know.  Teach me.”  Remember, studying God’s Word begins on your knees in humbleness.
   If you turn to God for understanding and knowledge, you will come out much further ahead.  Be careful of those that try to tell you certain verses don’t mean what they say, or that only certain parts of the Bible are for today.  Take God’s Word literally.  Consider acquiring a good King James Version (KJV) Bible.  Remember, Ja 1:22-BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES.

22-DIFFERENT TRANSLATIONS

There are many different English translations of the Bible.  Though many of these often provide for easier reading, no translation has been found to be more accurate than the King James Version (KJV).  While the KJV may seem old-fashioned and more difficult at first, after spending time with it, it becomes as familiar and easy to understand as any translation.
   When it comes to ease of reading versus accuracy, the accuracy of the text is far more important.  This is why the KJV Bible is recommended above the others, when studying subjects such as Bible prophecy.
   Other popular translations include the New King James, the New American Standard Bible, the New International Version, and the Complete Jewish Bible.

23-BE WARNED: NOT ALL TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE ARE TRANSLATIONS

Some Bibles are not translations, but interpretations or paraphrased versions of the Bible.  Such Bibles include the Good News for Modern Man and The Living Bible, and others.  These are not recommended at all.

24-BEWARE OF THOSE THAT SAY IT DOESN'T MEAN WHAT IT SAYS

Some that have studied Greek or Hebrew at Bible college may state that certain words in the Bible mean something other than what is written.  Though they may have good intentions, this can sow doubt and confusion in the minds of those listening or reading their materials.  One may say a certain word does not mean what it says in the Greek or Hebrew; two or three others may come along that have also studied Greek and Hebrew, and say that it means something else entirely.  In some cases, such things have overthrown the faith of others.  Beware of any one that continually does this.  Occasionally referring to the Greek or Hebrew may be helpful when offering a simple clarification or perhaps a deeper insight into a verse, but it should not greatly alter the meaning or harmony in which the Scriptures were written.  Remember, the Bible was written so that even a child could understand.

25-REGARDING PEOPLE THAT CANNOT READ AND WRITE

They have a very big disadvantage.  If they want to follow Jesus, they should make every attempt to learn to read.  They have NEED to read the Bible.
   With the exceedingly deceptive preaching that goes on in most churches, it is nearly impossible for such a person to stand firm in the faith in this generation.  Two hundred years ago, the Bible teaching in the good churches had much more Scripture.  Thus, an illiterate person would at least hear lots of God’s pure Word when they attended church.  It is not this way today in this latter day generation.  How can such a one turn to God’s Word and learn what God’s will is for their life or look up verses on how Satan deceives or on other subjects?  How can they study to show themselves approved?
   The Scriptures on cassette tape are a wonderful asset.  A person, whether they read or not, can listen to the pure Word of God day after day.  These are highly recommended.  Alexander Scourby’s are probably the most popular.

26-CONCLUSION

The conclusion of the whole matter is, 2 Tim 2:15-STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.
   1 Tim 5:17-LET THE ELDERS THAT RULE WELL BE COUNTED WORTHY OF DOUBLE HONOUR, ESPECIALLY THEY WHO LABOUR IN THE WORD AND DOCTRINE.

A BAD MISTAKE—PUTTING TEACHING BEFORE LEARNING.

ARE YOU WANTING GOD TO WALK WITH YOU, OR ARE YOU WILLING TO WALK WITH GOD?

DO YOU EXPECT GOD TO FOLLOW YOU, OR ARE YOU WILLING TO FOLLOW GOD?

DO YOU WANT GOD TO DO YOUR WILL, OR ARE YOU WILLING TO DO GOD’S WILL?

WHEN YOU PRAY, DO YOU WANT GOD TO CONFORM TO WHAT YOU WANT, OR ARE YOU WILLING TO CONFORM TO WHAT “HE” WANTS?

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