Was the bible written for you?

Over the centuries the bible has become a public document, but it was originally intended for the private use of God's chosen people. The prophets wrote exclusively for the nation of Israel, providing instruction to the nation on how to live in harmony with one another, how to worship God and how to discern between Good and evil. Similarly, the gospels and the epistles of the New Testament were private documents to the members of the church.

However, over time, hirelings and heretics left the church taking copies of the bible with them. Many of them, like the leaders of UCG, RCG, LCG, PCG, COG/Hulme and others, proceeded to set up their own church organisations, with the expressed intention of making merchandise of gullible people. Of course, to God's faithful people, this behaviour is not surprising, for Paul was inspired to warn Timothy and other genuine ministers Thus: (Acts 20:28-30).

In addition, so-called scholars came along and reinterpreted the bible. So today, we have thousands of nonsensical books purporting to offer authentic explanations of what the bible has to say. Of course, the authors are completely ignorant of the divine revelation, and devoid of the spirit of God, without which, no one is able to understand the bible. For Paul was also inspired to write thus: (1 Cor.2:12). And in contrast, he added, "But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned"(1 Cor.2:14).

So genuine Christians should not be dismayed or surprised at the widespread biblical ignorance that is often displayed on the various blogs and web sites in cyberspace, for it was not given to hirelings, heretics or scoffers to understand the mysteries of the kingdom heaven! Hence Jesus' emphatic statement: (Matt. 13:11).

The Mystery Remains.

The mystery remains! To what mystery am I referring, you may ask? Well, it is the mystery that haunts the minds of those former members of The Worldwide Church of God, who can't explain why they became members of the church! But are now convinced that they were duped into believing doctrines that are not true, robbed of tithes and offerings and denied many of joys of life, by being taught not to celebrate birthdays, Easter, Christmas, Halloween and many other pagan festivals.

But why and how did these people come to be members of the church? They were not stopped in the street by fanatical zealots distributing leaflets, warning them that if they didn't join the church they would burn in hell fire. I am aware that some members and attendees came to the church because of their parents, but the vast majority of those who are now disillusioned, came by other means, for which they take no responsibility!

They are now talking as though they were kidnapped by hooligans employed by Mr Armstrong, to go out and hunt for mindless vagrants, who were sleeping in the highways and hedges of the world. And although I hesitate to say that these people were of sound minds, they were not so mentally ill to be allowed a valid plea of insanity. So please stop whinging about being duped, and admit that you came to the church of your own volition, but failed live up the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!

As in the days of Noah

Jesus described the perilous times in which we live as similar to the days of Noah thus (Matt.24:37-38). Noah, of course, was warned by God of an impending flood, that would destroy the wicked from off the earth. Because Noah found favour with God, he was instructed to build an ark for the saving of his family, which he proceeded to do. The Scriptures indicate that Noah was around 500 years old when he was warned by God of the impending flood, which came in the 600 year of Noah's life.

Peter also states that Noah was "a preacher of righteousness" (2 Pet. 2:5); and while building the Ark, he was also warning the world of the coming flood. Of course, Noah's warnings were ignored, just as Herbert Armstrong's preaching was ignored by the vast majority of people who heard him, including most of the ministers and laity of The Worldwide Church of God.

However, this time the world will not be destroyed by a flood, but by fire. Note what Peter was also inspired to write thus: (2 Pet. 3:10). And as in the days of Noah, the people of the world turned a deaf ear to the warnings of God, today, the world is behaving exactly in the same manner, including the devious charlatans operating the various splinter groups in cog-land.

So the question is this: how many people will be saved when Jesus returns? If the parallel conditions are the same, why will more than 8 people be saved?