A Sword or a Glade?
(part 2)
by Dennis Schelles
In part one we learned how God has preserved his word down thru the centuries. We learned how the true text, from the times of the disciples, where brought to us at a great expense. From the Waldensies, to John Wycliffe, to William Tyndale, to Thomas Crammer. These men plus thousands of others gave their lives so you and I can have a copy of Gods word in our possession. Then it was by Gods guidance and the working of the Holy Spirit, that at last, the product of King James Version came to be. It has been undisputedly the best version from the early years of the 16th century up until the last 40 years or so. We know sateen learned way back in the garden of Eden, how by just adding or twisting Gods word, he could deceived and cause Gods creation to stumble and become trapped in sin. Considering this, are we not surprised to learn sateen is still doing this today? How? Someone may ask. And the answer is:
Today’s modern versions of the Holy Bible!
Have you read in Mark 7: 18-19 in the NIV bible, it says God made all meats clean to eat? What about in Isa 66:17, the same version it says:
Isa. 66:17 " NIV
Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following the one in the midst of those who eat the flesh of pigs and rats and other abominable things--they will meet their end together," declares the Lord.
Now, unless you believe what’s written in the old testament no longer has any application to you today, only what’s written in the new testament applies to you today, you have a problem. Cause to me, this sounds like a contradiction between two verses. One saying it’s ok to eat anything created by God, the other condemning me if I do.
I want to study some of the problems that one faces using the NIV bible. Aside from the trivial meat issue, Oh, did I say trivial? Does it matter to God what you eat? Is partaking of pig flesh salvational or destructional?
Isa 66:17 KJV
They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
But over and over I hear, “Oh, the differences from my bible and the King James are trivial. It doesn’t matter what bible I read or study from as long as I have one and am reading it. I can understand these more modern versions so much better.”
What you do not realize that by saying this to me, what I am hearing is, “I do not have time to study for myself and find all the answers, my modern version makes things so clear and helps me understand.” And wow, here lies the problem. The perverted NIV and its sister versions are not from the camp of God! Yes, you heard me right. Do I need to say that again? The perverted NIV and its sister versions are not from the camp of God.
God say’s in Isa 8:20 KJV
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
We can apply this text to more then just people, right? When reading written word are not the words "speaking" to us? So we can also apply this text to written word. What about this text?
Re 2:9 KJV
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Am I stretching things by applying this verse to our study? Doesn’t the NIV claim to be a bible? It says right on the cover, “Holy Bible.” I am going to be so bold as to say, it is not what it says it is! Some of you hearing me say that may be now upset with me, but please, hear me out. Let me explain some reasons why I say that.
I will start with Luke 4:4 KJV
(Here Jesus is talking to the devil after not eating for forty days and forty nights.)
Luke 4:4 KJV
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
The NIV says:
Luke 4:4 NIV
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone. End quote
It leaves out “but by every word of God.” This omission in Luke 4:4 makes this statement of Jesus of little sense. 'Man does not live on bread alone. But when you have the complete statement that Jesus made,
That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Now we have it. The scriptures are to say, the word of God is to feed us. We are to live by the scriptures. The word of God is the source of eternal life. Here Jesus is in conflict with the devil and in this statement our Lord is revealing the efficient weapon against sin and sateen. Remember this text?
Eph 6:17 KJV
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Let’s read Luke 4:4 again, in the NIV
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.
Is it not significant that this very mutilated version of scripture cuts out the very passage that condemns it! Think about it, this omitted passage condemns itself!
Luke 4:4 KJV
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Considering that our maker is showing that man is to live by “every word of God” then you must believe that “every word” is vital and we need “every word”. The NIV omits scores of passages and omits whole verses! Take a look at Mathew 18:11.
Mathew 18:11 KJV
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
I like that verse, don’t you? I find a lot of hope and comfort in that verse. It also strengthens my belief in the cross. Let’s look up that text in the NIV, NLV, or the NEV and see what they say. In these versions, this verse is gone, not there, wiped out, deleted! Why? Is this verse not important?
What about Rev. 22:19?KJV
Rev. 22:19?KJV
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Isn’t God condemning those who remove words in Gods received text, our sword, to eternal death here in Rev. 22:19? Also, if the writer is condemned for emitting, then would not also the product of his work, his erroneous writings be condemned? If the NIV is a bible of God and for God, why would the context of itself be doing the very thing God warned about?
Ellen White says in Desire of Ages pg.390 “The whole bible is a manifestation of Christ… The word must be their (your) source of power.
How can you follow Gods whole word if hundreds of words including verses’ are missing?
So far the only modern translation I have been basically picking on has been the NIV. And I am not going to change that. But I do want to say this, The New International Version, the English Version, the New Revised Slandered version, the New American Slandered version, the Jerusalem Bible, the Living bible, the Readers Digest Condensed Version, the Phillips Version, AND, even the New King James Version, just to name a few and there are hundreds of versions out there, most all are based on the corrupted line of manuscripts from which the vaticanus and the sinaitucus came.
Remember, it was a little over a hundred years after Jesus rose in the clouds to prepare heaven for us and us for heaven, that the “received text” was finished and the last writer had laid his pen down. It was about then the completed received text began its journey thru time. Sateen took note, and what does sateen do quite often when God does something? Sateen copies God. So around 200 AD Origen in Alexandria Egypt translated Gods true word into six corrupt languages. Why? He did it not so the people would have the bible to read in their own tinge, but to make money. In order for the people to want to buy his translations, he changed how the true word read into what the people would accept and want. He endeavored to appeal to the masses. This is where I believe sateen’s versions began to take hold. So we have basically two types of bibles now moving thru time. Gods received text, and sateen’s revised versions.
Let’s compare some texts.
Isaiah 14:12 NIV
How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
In reading this text, two entwined questions comes to mind, Who is the “morning star? Who has been cast from heaven? Sticking with the NIV I find the Morning Star mentioned again in Rev 22:16
Rev 22:16 NIV
"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
Rev. 22:16 KJV
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Ok, great, now we know who the Morning Star is; it’s a title given to Jesus, so let’s read this verse again and insert Jesus as the Morning Star.
Isaiah 14:12 NIV
How you have fallen from heaven, Jesus, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations
Now can you not agree that on my left the sword is telling us Jesus has fallen from Heaven? Is that right? Lets see what the sword on my right says, same verse.
Isaiah 14:12 KJV
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
All of us here knows this verse to be correct. But what about others that might be studying maybe for the first time? What conclusion would they get if they were reading from the sword on the left?
Prov. 8 :12KJV
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
This is a doctrinal statement that Jesus was with God the Father from the very beginning, before the work of creation began. The NIV puts it this way,
Prov. 8:22 NIV
He Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;
There is a problem with that statement don’t you think? This is saying Jesus was created and then the universe was created! Jesus was NEVER created!
Eph 3:9KJV
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Who created all things? Jesus Christ.
Eph 3:9 NIV
and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
Here it doesn’t mention Jesus Christ as being involved at all. In fact it implies God the Father did the creating and Jesus Christ is left out entirely. Why would these new translations do that?
Well, when studying these new versions it does not take long to notice there is a underlying attack on Jesus. Instead of uplifting Jesus, our savior, He (Jesus) is being played down.
Mat. 6:13 KJV
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Remember the last line of the Lords prayer
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. That’s Mat. 6:13
The NIV does not like “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” It reads;
Mat. 6:13 NIV
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Deliver us from the evil one? No Amen? What’s wrong with “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”? Why does the sword on the left leave all that out? Let’s look at Luke 4:8 in the sword on the right.
Luke 4:8 KJV
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
In the left sword it reads:
Luke 4:8 NIV
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'
Satan hates to be called “satan” he omits it everywhere he can. He also does not want to be the one in the “back!”
Acts 17:22 KJV
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
The word superstitious here means “unreasonable belief in magic or chance” this meaning follows the context of the text. The NIV reads,
Acts 17:22 NIV
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
How ridiculous is that translation? Is this verse just a miss translation? Or could it be insinuating magic, spiritualism, numerology and the such is a religion?
Are you getting the picture?
Mat. 27:35 KJV
and they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
The writer here wants to make sure that you as a reader understands the manner in which Jesus was crucified, and was predicted by the prophets. Thus, Jesus fulfilled the prophesies of the Messiah, making Jesus the true Messiah.
What does the NIV say?
Mat. 27:35 NIV
When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
No mention of Jesus fulfilling prophecy. Is this belittling Jesus? Well, where is Jesus in this NIV verse?
1 Tim. 3:16 NIV
Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
Here the reader can only assume who “He” is. In this day and age a lot of false prophets might make claim to this verse, also, this verse slams the deity of Jesus! How? There is no way of knowing unless you know how it should read! Here is the verse from the right.
1 Tim. 3:16 KJV
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
There is only one God that was manifested in the flesh, None other then Christ Jesus. Here there is no question who this verse is talking about because it indirectly names him.
Now so far we have looked at comparisons on Jesus, his deity and what he has done for us. Let’s look at some directional texts. How do we survive here in the battleground of good and evil? Here is a better question, How do we fight with God against evil, while at the same time making sure we do not perish with eternal death? Let’s turn to the swords for direction.
2 Tim. 2:15KJV
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
What is this text telling us? Is it telling us to study the word of God so that we will know it, so that the Lord can approve of our witnessing, and so that we not be ashamed or accused as people who do not know the truth? The text is not complicated. Let’s look in the sword on the left.
2 Tim. 2:15NIV
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Does the sword on the left in this text support Roman Catholic teachings that one can earn his way to heaven by doing good works, or doing penance’s and ect? Is it not saying that all you have to do is do your best and then present yourself before God. Humm, that sounds easy. What’s my best? What’s your best? Is your best better then mine? One could say,” Ya, I know, I should not have done that, but I did my best, besides, I read in James 5:16
James 5:16 NIV
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
All I got to do if doing my best fails, is go to the priest and confess my sins and he will pray for me and I’ll be alright.”
Would this be right? After all, one would be doing what the sword on the left says.
James 5:16 KJV
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
The sword on the right is saying to confess your faults, your weaknesses, to each other and pray about them together. It also tells us how to pray and gives us a promise. What it does not do is hint in anyway of forgiveness of sins, which what you would expect if you were to confess sins.
2 Peter 2:8-9 NIV
(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)
(9) if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.
What on earth is this saying? Continuing what punishment? When is this happening? Now, or is it saying later, like maybe punishment forever in hell? I do not have a clue. Maybe we should read this verse from the received sword on the right.
2 Peter 2:8-9 KJV
(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
(9) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Now we are talking sense.
One more swing, I mean text, and I will lay my sword down. This is one of my favorite bible verses. I also expect most of you are very familiar with it if you don’t already know it by heart.
Rev. 22:14 KJV
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Is not that a wonderful text? Is not that a wonderful promise. Is there a catch here in this verse though? Blessed are those that what? “do” his commandments…If there is a group of people “doing” Gods commandments, and they are the ones that will receive the blessing of a life in the eternal city, then we can reason that there is also a group of people that are not doing Gods commandments and will not be blessed with life in the eternal city. Is not that also your conclusion? I wonder if that group of people might not be carrying a sword or can I be so bold to say, carrying the sword on the left?
Rev. 22:14 NIV
"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Here this sword makes no mention of doing Gods commandments. Does washing your robes mean confessing my sins to the priest? Also, it says I am the one who is doing the washing! What is that insinuating?
Yes I know, just by “doing” Gods commandments, will not, and can not save you. It’s not the law itself that will save you, but rather the love of Jesus in the cross. Now, the love of Jesus on the cross is only the “purchase” of our ticket. Everyone must claim their own. By grasping onto the law, this is a decision of your heart that you want Jesus to walk you to eternal life with him. The law becomes love and it is through the love and obedience of the law and the love of the cross that makes it all possible.
So do we not know this verse in the NIV to be a outright lie? What does God say about liars?
Rev. 22:15 KJV
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
We are being told here that in heaven there are no liars, correct?
Luke 4:4 Kjv
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
We read earlier in Luke 4:4 that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. So we can reason this out, God is in heaven, so he cannot lie. We have the word of God in our possession, the Holy Bible. Considering that, there is no way Gods word would lie. Only a counterfeit bible would contain untruth. Thus, there really is only one sword and only one Bible.
Are you understanding why it’s important what sword you carry, read, study, and memorize? More importantly, are you understanding by placing Gods sword in your hand you are also enlisting power without measure? Understanding that will place your head on the bosom of Jesus. Spiritually now, physically later.
Are you beginning to appreciate Gods true unadulterated word? Where would Gods people be today if people like Tyndale, Crammer, Wycliffe, the Waldensees, just to name a few, had not stood their grounds against sateen? What if they had loved their own lives more then the precious word of God?
I was thinking the other day while mowing the lawn. Remember how in the garden of Eden there was a tree of life and also the tree of good and evil. (among others of course). I think we can draw some Godly direction about this subject of bibles from these two trees! In the garden the human pair obtained eternal life by pertaking of the fruit of this tree. This fruit became a part of them. Today we cannot eat from this tree but we have Jesus. He has become the bread (fruit) of our life.
Joh 6:51
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
What can this verse mean when it is saying "if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever?" I do not think we are being told here that if we pertake of communion and eat the bread, we will live forever do you? No! Part of the bread spoken here is the word of God. Check out John 6:35
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
How do we come to Him? In prayer and Study of His word. His word then becomes a part of us and we become like Him which will in the end enable Jesus to give us eternal life.
I have had many tell me, "I like the NIV it is easyier to understand" Or, "the NIV just makes more sence, and besides, it is not all bad, so why discard it just because it has a few errors?" Well, I think it can be compared to the tree of good and evil! Eve and Adam ate of it and it tasted good, but in more ways then just the name, it also was of evil and sateen worked his magic through it. (no, the serpent was only a medium)(see TSofR page 40 parg.1) Also in this same book page 35, parg 2 Ellen White says Eve became a medium of sateen after eating of the forbidden fruit and talking to Adam to convince him to eat also.
The serpent was cursed because it allowed itself to be a medium for sateen. Eve became a medium when presenting the forbidden fruit to Adam by first eating of the forbidden fruit!
So lets think this through. If there is error in a book that calls itself a bible, would or can you not call it "knowledge of good and evil" and by reading it we are partaking of the forbidden fruit! It is forbidden because there is no eternal life in it...it is lying to us! Children of God wake up!
So by chance do you think God would never allow a bible of this nature?
God does not stop sin and will not until the destruction of sateen and his leage. In the GC, I think on page 503, Ellen White tells us "Sateen and his agents seek constantly to dilute and change Gods word." (not verbadim)
So bibles, I mean books, like the NIV should not be a surprise to any of us.
May the Lord lead you to love and follow:
The bible of the early church writers:
The Bible of the Waldenses:
The Bible of Tyndale, Luther, and all of the Reformers:
The Bible of Wesley, Whitefield and Spurgeon:
The Bible of our beloved James and Ellen White and the Adventists of 1844
The Bible of Gods Truth in the 1888 message.
As one of your brothers, this is my prayer in love for you.
The Discoveries of Ron Wyatt
