the bible's difficult scriptures explained!

8/14/2019 The Bible's Difficult Scriptures EXPLAINED!

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THE BIBLES

DIFFICULTSCRIPTURES

EXPLAINED!

by David C. Pack


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THIS BOOK IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE AND IN THE

PUBLIC INTEREST BY THE RESTORED CHURCH OF GOD.

It is made possible by the voluntary, freely given tithes and offerings of the

members of the Church and others who have elected to support the work of theChurch. Contributions are welcomed and gratefully accepted. Those who wish

to voluntarily aid and support this WORKOF GOD around the world are gladly

welcomed as co-workers in this major effort to preach the gospel to all nations.

Copyright 2008 The Restored Church of God

All Rights Reserved.Printed in the United States of America

Many study the Biblebut stumble overdifficult verses, leaving them confused and

without proper understanding. They are

then led to accept twisted, distorted and

outright false explanations of what should

be Gods PLAIN MEANING from Scripture.But this need not beyou can understand

Gods Word!

Here are the Bibles difficult scriptures

explained!


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11FOREWORD

How this book came to exist involves some interesting history,inspiring to me, and worth hearing before studying its con-tents.

Also included is an extensive Introduction that follows explain-

ing how to study the Bible, and exactly what Bible study iswhatone is actuallydoing when he opens and reads the Word of God. This

special Introduction must be carefully read in its entirety, even stud-

ied, before continuing so that the reader is prepared for and can re-

ally benefit from the scriptural explanations that follow.

In late 1977, after I had been in Christs ministry for some years,

my father asked if I would write an explanation of all the Bibles dif-

ficult scriptures for him. Of course, this was a daunting task, and I

realized that he had no idea what he was asking. Recognizing that it

would take a staggering number of hours to complete the task prop-erly, I put it off for awhile. But he persisted, and I finally decided to

take on the task. The original project was completed just in time to

present him as a Fathers Day gift in 1978. I did not even have enough

time to proofread it once before giving it to him, so it was very raw

and sometimes unclear or even technically incorrect. They were cer-

tainly incomplete. (I still have the original typed pages, containing

137 scriptural explanations.)

My father died in the faith in 1995and I inherited his extra-wide-margin Bible. I sat down to page through it and found that he

Foreword


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15INTRODUCTION

Modern Christendom misunderstands, twists, perverts and ig-nores the many plain truths of the Bible. Over the centuries, ithas counterfeited every one of its true doctrines and replaced it with

a cheap substitute. This has been possible because certain less easy

to understand passages of Scripture can be easily misrepresentedmade to say something that they do not. It is these verses that invari-

ably become the vehicle through which a false doctrine can be intro-

ducedwith almost no one able to recognize that it all may have

begun with a single wrong scriptural premise.

Unaware of the most important rule of Bible study, most stu-

dents of Scripture do not build their doctrinal understanding by be-

ginning with the clearest verses on any subject. Rather, they enter

Gods Word with preconceived ideas and go in search of passages

that appearto support what they have assumedit teaches. This makesthem candidates for confusion and deception.

The apostle Peter stated that the apostle Paul [wrote]some

things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and un-

stable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own de-

struction (II Pet. 3:15-16). Understanding how most people think,

and completely unaware of any of the rules of Bible study, some

teachers and scholars can then much more easily take advantage of

the way certain parts of Gods Word have been written. This appliesto many other areas of Scripture beyond what Paul wrote.

Introduction


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168 THE BIBLES DIFFICULT SCRIPTURES EXPLAINED!

65:17-25). All these people will be judged from Gods wordthe

books of verse 12.

The third resurrection (vs. 14 and 15) is when all that pertains to

hell (gehenna) and death (the entire idea and reality of physical

death) are both destroyed in the lake of fire. This last fulfillmentthe

third resurrectionoccurs at the very end of Gods Plan, the time


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afterHe will have given every person who has ever lived a full op-portunity to qualify to enter His kingdom. This is the time when the

wicked shall be resurrected to see all that they have rejected before

they are turned into the ashes under thefeet of the righteous

(Mal. 4:1-3).

Suggested reading:

The Truth About Hell

Does the Bible Teach Predestination?

Revelation Explained at Last!

Authors Note: It is hoped that the reader will want to examine in

more depth the subjects raised throughout the book. This is done by

studying the literature offered. Then recognize that we have much

more material available than what has been referenced here. All of

this may lead you to the greatest decision you have faced in yourlife.

EPILOGUE

171SECTION I

SECTION I


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How can the Bible be the worlds all-time best seller, yet remain themost misunderstood book ever? The answer: because people re-fuse to believe that it means what it says, it is twisted, misrepresented

and maligned. Recalling the introduction, if your mind has been opened

to the truth, apply these simple rules to understand Gods Word!

Most who study the Bible benefit littleor not at all. Often, they

become confused, discouraged and give up, saying, I just cant un-derstand what it is talking about.

If this is you, it need not continue.

Did you know there are fundamentalbasicrules that govern

proper Bible study? There are! And most ignore, misunderstand or

know nothing of them. Yet, when properly applied, these rules unlock

the treasures of doctrine, instruction, knowledge, prophecy, correc-

tion and hard-to-be-understood passages contained in Gods Word.

Many Are Ignorant

Thirty years ago, a newspaper reporter exposed Christians ignorance

of the Bible. Since then, such ignorance has greatly worsened.

The account begins, Some months ago, a Protestant pastor ad-

ministered a Bible quiz to the members of his congregation. The

questions were very simple. Anyone with a general knowledge of the

Bible should have been able to answer all of them easily.

The Twelve Rules of

Effective Bible Study

SECTIONI


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186 THE BIBLES DIFFICULT SCRIPTURES EXPLAINED! 187SECTION II

Marking the Bible helps us internalize the precious truth that so

many have taken for granted.

It may also be helpful to set aside special Bible studies to review

your personal margin notes. You may find that many notes were in-

complete and that others need expanding. Besides providing an ex-

cellent review, this exercise should help you make more effective

margin notes in the future. SECTION II


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Bible Study Is Rewarding

By diligently applying these most fundamental rules, you will find

that personal Bible study is far more interesting and challenging.

When you find it more difficult to break off rather than to get started,

you can safely say that your Bible study has become exciting and

rewardingas God would have it!

But the question of the authority of the Bible, meaning identify-

ing proof that it is Gods divinely inspired Instruction Book, re-

mains The Bible is the most popular book ever written. But is it meresuperstitionthe uninspired work of men? Or is it simply He-brew and Greek literatureperhaps only useful as a history book?

This book of three-quarters of a million words purports to be the

Word of God. Must its authenticity be accepted on faith? Can its

divine authority be demonstrated? Here isproofof the Bible!

The Bible has been called the Book of books and we saw haslong held the title of worlds best seller. Most people have oneand

the family Bible is a cherished possession in many households.

The family Bible on my mothers side dates to the mid-to-late 1700s,

but, sadly, those who used it, at least in recent generations, primarily

did so for the purpose of recording weddings, births, deaths and fam-

ily genealogy.

Why does this book remain an almost complete mystery to so

manyagain, with few evenprofessing to understand it? And why is

it that most Bibles are used as a showpiece, lying unopened, gather-

ing dust? Many actively try to discredit the Bible, while others treat

it with passive indifference. Still others hold it in awebelieving

on faith that it is divinely inspired. They seem to require no proof

of this, yet lack the necessary conviction to truly believe and practice

its words in times of great stress and personal trial.

But can one actuallyprove the Bible? This is a huge question!

Just as most never seek to prove the existence of God, most never

Bible Authority

Can It Be Proven?


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212 THE BIBLES DIFFICULT SCRIPTURES EXPLAINED! 213SECTION III

Summation

You have seen many different proofs of the Bible. This section has

conclusively established its divine authority, and this just primarily

from prophecies that have been fulfilled exactly as foretold. Indi-

vidually and collectively, they represent the greatest single proof

actually, many separate proofs within the one overall enormous proof

of prophecythat the One who purports to have inspired the BibleSECTION III


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actually did so.

But then there is the question of howthrough whomGod re-

corded, compiled and preserved His Word

Is the Bible complete without the Apocrypha or other obscure writ-ings? Is there sufficient evidence to prove whether these docu-ments belong in Gods Word? Many facts about the assembly and

preservation of the Bible show Gods guiding hand in the entire pro-

cess. Section III explains the amazing story of how God preserved

His Word!

Where did the Bible come from? The previous section made

plain that God authored itbut how did we get it in its present

form? Is it complete? Many sincerely wonder: Do we have the en-

tire Bible? Some feel that no one can know. Is there any way to

prove this?

There are plain answers to these and related questions.

Consider for a moment. Are you able to preserve important fi-

nancial papers that you need to keep? Can families preserve trea-

sured photographs, protected in an album? Are companies able to

preserve records vital to their existence? Can the National Archivesprotect important documents and artifacts from Americas history?

Is theInternetcapable of preserving virtually EVERYTHING?

The answer to all these questions is Of course!

If God can create the universeand all life within itsurely He

can preserve His inspired Word. Yet, most seem to think that God is

less capable of preserving what is vital to Him than are human be-

ings!

How We Got the Bible

SECTIONIII


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239SECTION IV

Which Translations

SECTIONIV


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The Bible as we know it today has been passed down through thecenturies. Referenced only briefly earlier, over the past fewyears, there has come an explosion of different translations and spe-

cialty Bibles. Some of these can be helpful. Others are inaccurate,

and some pitifully so. How can you be sure which one to use? Which

is the most accurate?

God commands His servants to seek you first the kingdom of

God (Matt. 6:33), and to search the Scriptures [the Bible] daily(Acts 17:11). But how can this be done if the Bible has not been

translated into the language of the common people? This section

explains which of the over 70 English translations produced today

you should use.

The introduction of the King James (KJV) orAuthorized Version

(AV) of the Bible states, But how shall men meditate in that which

they cannot understand? How shall they understand that which is

kept closed in an unknown tongue?Translation it is that opens thewindow, to let in the light; that breaks the shell, that we may eat the

kernel.

The word bible conjures up mystery in some peoples minds.

From the Greekbiblos, it simply means a sheet or scroll of writing;

book.

The languages in which the Bible was originally written are pri-

marily Hebrew, for the Old Testament (with a few exceptions in Dan-

Which Translations

Are Best?


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249SECTION V

Study to Show

SECTIONV


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The Word of God is a quick (living, spiritual) Book (Heb. 4:12).But, seeing no purpose, some have no interest in studying itscontents. Do you understand the value of Bible study? How can you

establish a pattern and stick to it? What kind of things should you

study? The books final section will teach you why you should study

the Bible!

We have seen that the Bible is the inspired Word of GodHis

written Instruction Book to mankind. It answers every important ques-tion in life. It explains HOWTOLIVEand reveals the road to salvation.

Then why do so few know HOW to study the Bible?

First, we must ask, why study the Bible? II Timothy 2:15 ad-

monishes, Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman

that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The apostle Paul tells us that proper Bible study leads to ap-

proval from God. The same verse also speaks of other benefits. First,

as workmen, we need not be ashamedif we study Gods Word.Instead, studying becomes fulfilling and satisfying. You have done

what God expects you to doan acceptable type of self-approval.

Rightly dividing the Scripturesknowing the Bible, inside and

outtakes a lifetime. Gods Holy Spirit opens ones mind to this

spiritual understanding (Psa. 119:18; John 16:13). True biblical

knowledge and understanding come from diligent effort and Gods

Spirit working in you.

y

Yourself Approved


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Other Books by David C. Pack The Awesome Potential of Man

Tomorrows Wonderful World An Inside View!

Saturday or Sunday Which Is the Sabbath?

America and Britain in Prophecy

The History of the True Church Where Is It Today?

The Trinity Is God Three-in-one?

Sex Its Unknown Dimension


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The Restored Church of God

090310DS

P.O. Box 4064

St. Catharines, ON L2R 7S3CANADA

P.O. Box 23295

Wadsworth, OH 44282USA

Phone: (330) 334-2266

Fax: (330) 334-6513

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.thercg.org

Sex Its Unknown Dimension

Dating and Courtship Gods Way

Train Your Children Gods Way

Herbert W. Armstrong His Life in Proper Perspective

The Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross orRequired for Salvation?

the bible's difficult scriptures explained!

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