For this first post, I would like to encourage my readers - the Word of God is very clear and reasonable and very simple when it is taken chapter by chapter and verse by verse, with understanding.
BUT, there are so many attempts by Satan and his armies to confuse Bible readers, especially in these times, that we have to be careful who we are listening to. There is nobody on earth you should trust, not even me, but you should check out everything any person says about God's Word for yourself. Pastors and preachers are spewing forth nonsense from many pulpits in the Christian world - but you can find out the truth for yourself in the true Word of God.
Have you read it? If not, don't trust what you hear or what others tell you. It's your responsibility to know what God's letter to you says.
I will start with this - Bible versions DO matter, very much. As far as Bibles written in English, it is my opinion that the only one you should trust is the King James Version (KJV). This Bible has the fewest mistranslations of any that are available, it is the closest to the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. There are a few errors, and when I know of them I will definitely point them out to you and tell you what I know about the original manuscripts and the problems in translation from there to the KJV. Other Bible translations are sorely misleading many of God's people down the wrong path.
The KJV was translated from the original manuscripts over a period of years by 52 scholars of the word of God at the beginning of the 17th century, and they did a very good job overall. It was first published in 1611. Other Bible translations since then, unfortunately, have been messed with and are misleading in many important places, even the NKJV.
A good Strong's Concordance is a must for any serious Bible student. Dr. James Strong lived from 1822-1894 and he cataloged every word in the Bible for us, and linked it back to the definitions for the original words in Hebrew and Greek. It's an amazing help for any student intent on learning and understanding God's Word.
I have recently learned, however, that some current publications of the Strong's Concordance have been amended to make certain words "fit" better with our present society, so I will tell you that I feel confident in the publications of the Strong's Concordance from Thomas Nelson Publishers that were copyrighted in 2010 or prior ONLY. I seriously warn you away from concordances published later than that.
Satan is very much at work causing deception in the world, and in these times the deceptions are increasing day by day. I pray that this blog will lead you to the true Word of God with understanding, and give you peace and comfort in these difficult times of the world.
God bless you!
