Using e-Sword confirms the mighty I AM

When I was in Bible college, I went with a small group of students to a Jehovah's Witness convention that was being held in Coconut Grove.  We endured the boring meeting and then we all fanned out through the crowd to pass out gospel tracts and engage in conversations with dedicated JW's.  Later, when it was time to go, I looked over to a small huddle and saw Kay, a frail slender student, surrounded by 4 large older guys who were obviously leaders.  She was holding up her Bible and pointing to John 8:24 and telling them over and over that they were going to died in their sins because they did not believe that Jesus was God in the flesh, the mighty I AM of the old testament.  They were getting pretty mad at her and I thought they might do here some harm.  So a buddy and I went over, took her by the arm and said, "Kay, it is time to go."  

In John 8:24 and again in John 8:58 Jesus claimed to be the I AM.  These are the same words that God used to describe Himself in the Old Testament (Ex. 3:14).  Christians are quick to point out that the word "he" is in italics and not in the original.  The Jews got mad because they thought Jesus was claiming deity, and He was.  That is what we were taught in Bible school and that is what "Greek scholars" such at A. T. Roberson say.  If you tell that to a JW, they will just come up with their own competing scholar and chose to believe him.  So now what do you do?  Dig out your copy of eSword or some other Bible software and research it yourself. (For this article I will use the iPad and the KJV).

Turn to John 8:24.  Lets start by running a search for "I am he."  Highlight the word and then click on search.  eSword will run a "Phrase" search and you will find that this phrase occurs only 18 times in the KJV.  Read each verse and you will find that in 12 out of the 18, the phrase refers to the almighty God Jehovah. It would reasonably follow that when Jesus used the phrase, he was claiming deity.  Those references are: Isa 41:4, Isa 43:10, Isa 43:13, Isa 46:4, Isa 48:12, Isa 52:6, Joh 8:24, Joh 8:28, Joh 13:19, Joh 18:5, Joh 18:8, Rev 1:18, Rev 2:23

But wait, there is a problem.  Remember that the word "he" is in italics and not in the original.  So, a determined person could still wiggle out of this argument.  So, lets do a search for "I am" and see if we do any better.  Follow the same procedure, highlight and search.  Oh my!  We find 737 matches in 693 verses and the phrase is used in lots of ways.  This is no help at all.  In fact you might think, "Gee, I AM is used so many times, why is John 8:24 such a big deal?"

Click to enlarge

Lets dig a little deeper and lets use the Greek text.  In e-Sword, install the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint).  This is a Greek translation of the Hebrew text and it was familiar to the Jews during the time of Christ.  It was written about the 3rd century BC.  If you have not done so already, you will also need to install the Greek New Testament and the KJV+ (with Strong's numbers). In "Lexicons" you need to install "Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries"  All of these things can be found if you click on "Resources" at the lower right corner of the screen.

Install extra stuff

Go back to the Bible view, go to John 8:24 and select the KJV+ Bible to view the verse with Strong's numbers.  It looks like this:

KJV+ with Strong's Numbers

Click on G1473, the number for "I", and then on G1510 for "AM".  Take careful note what the Greek words look like. (You do not really have to know Greek to do this and this is not meant to be a scholarly study.)  The words are ἐγώ εἰμι, (ego eimi).  While you are still on John 8:24, switch to the Greek NT, highlight the words "ἐγώ εἰμι" in the Greek text and run a search.  You will find 42 matches...but since you can't read Greek, this isn't much help.  You can TAG the verses and then read them in KJV.  Here is how.

a.  Copy ἐγώ εἰμι in the Greek Bible John 8:24

b.  Click the 3 lines in the upper left corner

c.  Select "Custom Categories" and add a new category called ἐγώ εἰμι

d.  Run the search again and then click on "Tag All".  Select ἐγώ εἰμι as the Category.  (It helps to turn the standard categories off.)

e.  Now switch your Bible back to KJV so you can read in English.

f.  Click the 3 lines again and select "Tagged Verses".  Then select ἐγώ εἰμι.

g.  You can now read all 42 verses in English

 

As you scroll through, you will find that most of the uses of ἐγώ εἰμι in the NT refers to Jesus or God.  This form is emphatic.  Normally in Greek you do not have to use the pronoun "I" because it is sort of included in the verb.  For example, "luo" means "I loose".  The word "I" (ἐγώ ) is often used to add emphasis.  (You may notice that John 8:58 is not included in the 42 hits.  That is because ἐγώ εἰμι in John 8:58 adds an accent mark to the end causing the search to fail.  So actually there are 43 verses, not 42.  Accent marks were not used in the original Greek.

Now lets check on the Old Testament.  Still on John 8:24, copy ἐγώ εἰμι from the Greek text.  Switch to KJV and go to any verse in the Old Testament.  Now, while in the OT, switch to the Septuagint Bible.  Click on the hour glass to run a search and paste in ἐγώ εἰμι and see what you get.  You should find only 30 occurrences in 28 verses.  Tag them using the same ἐγώ εἰμι tag.  You can now switch back to the KJV version and look at all the tagged verses.  When you examine the 28 verses, you will find that in most of them, ἐγώ εἰμι, refers to the Almighty God, Jehovah.

ἐγώ εἰμι (ego eimi) is used 43 times in the NT and 30 times OT for total of 73 times.
It is used as a clear reference to GOD in 47 of these verses, 36 of them in the NT.  Significantly it is used in Ex. 3:14, and in Isa. 45:18

In conclusion, it is pretty obvious that when Jesus referred to himself as "I AM" in John 8:24, 58, He was making no bones about the fact that He was God in the flesh.  Full Deity clothed in humanity.  The 2nd person of the Trinity.

I know all this key clicking is kind of tedious but my point in this study is two fold.  I want you to see that you can state with confidence that Jesus claimed to be God.  I also want you to improve your skills at using e-Sword, no matter what version you are using.

e-Sword - An Awesome Bible Library

Have you ever gone into a pastor's study and been impressed with his large library of impressive books?  The same would apply to lawyers, or doctors, or educators. After you get over the 1st impression, you then begin to think..."I wonder if he has read all those books?"  Probably NOT.  When I look at my own life and ministry, I am guilty of the same thing.  I have lots of impressive books that I have never read.  Of course, some books are only purchased for reference, meaning, you only use them to "look up something".  You don't read them, you read IN them.  Nevertheless, the saying is true, "It is not how many books you own, it is how many books you have read."

I said all as a warning.  When you download and install e-Sword or any other Bible research program, it is very easy to quickly accumulate a large library of impressive stuff.  Accumulating stuff, can quickly take the place of USING the stuff.  With e-Sword, it is easy to download 20 or more versions of the Bible.... but the important thing is "do you read the Bible"?  Do you study the Bible?  e-Sword is meant to be a "tool" not an "ornament".  Buying a whole bunch of impressive automotive tools does not make you a mechanic.  Taking the tools that you have and getting greasy does.

Having said all that, I want to show you how to add stuff to your installation of e-Sword.  I will be using the iPad version as an example but the same applies to all 4 version with minor differences.

On your iPad, startup the e-Sword app.  In the lower right hand corner click on resources.

The resource screen  will appear showing all of the Bibles, and other material that is already installed.  If you click the "i" that is to the right of any resource, a popup box with give you info about that item.  If you click the "?" at the top left, a help screen will appear.  In this lesson, I will deal only with installing Bible versions.  Click on the word "Bibles" in the menu.

A new screen will appear showing all of the Bibles that are available to install.  Most of them are free.  Some must be purchased due to copyright considerations.  We will deal only with the free ones here.  Any Bible in the list that has a check mark next to it is already installed.  Any one that has an icon of a pad lock next to it must be purchased.  Highlight the Bible version that you wish to install and then click on the "download" button in the top menu.  Wait for it to download.  It should then appear in your list of available Bibles.  If you wish to DELETE (uninstall) a Bible, go back to the "Installed" screen, highlight the Bible that you wish to remove and click on DELETE in the upper right corner.

In addition to Bible versions, you can also install Commentaries, Dictionaries, Lexicons, References, and Devotional works.  Follow the same procedure using the top menu.

Remember, take it easy.  It is not how much your have, but how much you use that is important.

 

Greek word study using e-Sword

You can use the power of e-Sword to do some light weight Greek research.  For example, lets look at John 1:1.  Here it is in the KJV

 (Joh 1:1)  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

When the Jehovah's Witnesses come to your door they may show you that there is NO definite article in front of the second word GOD so it should be translated "and the word was A god".  They may even show you their own Greek interlinear "translation".  Based on this they conclude that Jesus was A God but not the Almighty God, Jehovah.  They also concluded that the doctrine of the "trinity" is false.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. (New World Translation)

So, later, you take a look, and sure enough there is no article.  They seem to be right at first glance.  Using e-Sword, you can look up the verse along with the Strong's Numbers.  It looks like this.

When you click on G2316 you find out that the Greek word for God is θεός (theos).  So far this doesn't help much.

Now you can install a Greek NT into e-Sword and you can research a little further.  You might think, "I don't know Greek".  That's OK.  Its time you learned a little.  Click on Download (Resources on the iPad version), then on Bibles.  Scroll down and install the Greek New Testament. Find John 1:1 and then switch to Greek NT.  The verse looks like this.

Joh 1:1  ᾿Εν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος, καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ Θεὸς ἦν ὁ Λόγος. 

You have τὸν Θεόν (the God, translated GOD) καὶ (this is the word for AND) then you have Θεὸς.  Notice that there is nothing between AND and GOD...their is no definite article.  You might think, "My goodness, they are right.  It could be translated a God"

BUT WAIT...... using your Greek NT, highlight καὶ Θεὸς and run a phrase search.  You will find only two matches.  Here is what I found.

Joh_1:1  ᾿Εν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος, καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ Θεὸς ἦν ὁ Λόγος. 

 

2Co_1:3  Εὐλογητὸς ὁ Θεὸς καὶ πατὴρ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ πατὴρ τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν καὶ Θεὸς πάσης παρακλήσεως,

Now, go to the internet and look up 2Cor 1:3 in the New World Translation (NWT) and see how they translated καὶ Θεὸς.  Here it is.

3  Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, (NWT)

Notice:  Not only did they not put an "A" in front of Θεὸς  (God) but they added the word THE.  In other words, in John 1:1 they translated καὶ Θεὸς "A GOD" but in 2Cor 1:3 they translated it "THE GOD".  Interesting. Which is it?

You can push this a little further using e-Sword.  Highlight the word Θεὸς and run a search.  You will find 246 matches.  Now do the same with the phrase ὁ Θεὸς and you will find 206 matches.  Subtract the two and you will find 40 possible occurrences of the word Θεὸς without the article.  If you manually scroll through the 40, you will eliminate some of them because the "ho" is in a different position.  This will leave you with 17 occurrences of Theos without the definite article.  You can use the internet to look up all 17 of these references in the NWT.  You will find that they put the article "A" in front of the word GOD only twice.  In all the other references, they translate Theos as "the God" or "God."  Here are a the references.

Mat 22:32, Luk 20:38, Jon 1:1, Joh 8:54 Acts 15:8, Rom 8:33, 1Cor 8:4, 1Cor 8:6, 2Cor 1:3, 2Cor 5:19, Gal 2:6, Gal 6:7, Eph 4:6, 1Thes 2:5, 1Tim 3:16, Heb 11:16, and Rev 21:7

In conclusion, it is easy to see that the JW's fabricated their view of John 1:1 in order to support their false doctrine.  The fact is, when the word Theos occurs in a text without the definite article it is for the purpose of emphasis.  Emphatically speaking, Jesus is God.  He was there in the beginning with God.

(Note:  This is not meant to be a scholarly study of John 1:1 or Greek usage.  It is a just handy way to use e_Sword to do a little basic research.  The Greek word "ὁ" is not pronounced "o", it is pronounced "ho" because it has a rough breathing mark.  If translated, it is most often translated "the".

 

The power of e-Sword partial search

One of the reasons people can't find things in any computer search function is that they type too much information into the search slot.  Sometimes, less is better than more.  Here is an example.

Lets say you want to find every occurrence of the word "believe" in the Bible but you also want to find other forms of the word believe.  You want to find "believes", "believed", "believing", etc.  All of them.  You can do this easily using the basic search functions of e-Sword.  Of course you could do several searches using each word and then note the results.  But that would be tedious and what if you forgot one form of the word?  In this case, less is more.  Here is how to do it using the iPad version of e-Sword.

Click the hour glass

In the upper left corner click on the magnifying glass.  This is your search function.

This will bring up your search dialog.  Now type a partial word into the search slot.  In this example, type "believ".

Make sure the you flip the "Partial" switch.  Here is what it should look like.

Flip the Partial Match switch

When you have all of your options correct in your search box, go ahead and run the search.

Here is the result that I found using ESV.  I have scrolled down to a point in the results that shows at least three forms of the word believe.  

In this example you can see "believe", "believes", and "believed".  Different forms of the word.

This kind of search can be very handy in your studies. It would take you hours to do it manually using an old fashioned concordance. 

(To enlarge the picture, click on it.)

Valentine quilt for my honey

This week I worked on this little "throw" type quilt for my honey.  It has a valentine theme and measures about 50x32.

Rough Layout using 8" Blocks

All stitched together

Finished product

I ironed the hearts on using a light fuser then stitched around them using a applique stitch.  For border, I used 4" strips cut from an old sheet folded in half to two inches and then sewn on using the standard binding method.  We have and old double recliner.  The purpose for this quilt is to drape over the back of the recline for a decoration.

 

Sumps pumps. The Good and the Bad

 We get a lot of water under our house and for the last 40 years we have pumped it out almost daily using a sump pump.  Since sumps pumps seem to only last 1 to 5 years we have gone through a lot of them.  Of the last three that I used, one lasted 2 years, one lasted 3 months, and one lasted 3 years.  All of them failed having the same problem even though they were different brands.

When you look at ads for sump pumps, they often brag about having an "engineered thermoplastic bottom".  THIS is the problem.  It is not a plus.  The problem is that they don't engineer enough screws to hold the plastic bottom in place.  It doesn't take long for the plastic plate to warp a tiny bit between two screws and then the water shoots out the side instead of going out the discharge pipe.  

The other day I had to replace the pump again and this time I paid a little extra and bought one that has a cast iron bottom with no "engineered thermoplastic" plate on it.  We will see how long it lasts.  It is made by Warn.  Their chart claims that this pump with a guarantee of 3 years should last 6.  We'll see.

Water Under the House	Engineered Plastic Bottom
New Warn Pump	Cast Iron Bottom

Foreknowledge, Predestination, and Election

 by Dr. Mark G. Cambron

There are so many theories today concerning foreknowledge, predestination and election, until the mind of the normal and average Christian is so mixed up that he doesn't know what to believe.  If we do not get these three doctrines straight, our whole Christian life will be warped, and soul winning will become a lost grace. Let us turn first to the foreknowledge of God.

I. THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)

Foreknowledge means to have knowledge of things to be. Foreknowledge is an attribute of God, while Predestination and Election are acts of God. Only God knows the future. He wouldn't be God if He didn't, but the fact that He knows who is going to be saved, and who isn't going to be saved, does NOT determine who is going to be saved and who is going to be lost. Someone may ask, "If God does know who is and who isn't going to be saved, how then, can the sinner get out of it?"

Foreknowledge, in Scripture, never determines what is to be-- foreknowledge is only the knowledge of things to be beforehand. It is the same with our scientists, they can tell when there is to be an eclipse of the sun or of the moon: on a certain day at a certain hour, minute and second; but the scientists do not bring about the eclipse. God has foreknowledge, and by this foreknowledge knows the future, but that is where it ends.

Of course God knows everything! He knows the very number of the hairs of our heads. He knows the number of stars and calleth them by name. God knows everything, including the future. And, not only that, but God knows what would have happened if things had happened that didn't happen. He knows the results of all possibilities. The same is illustrated when David inquired of the Lord concerning his enemy. If he should go to one place, would the enemy be there? God said they would. So David went in another direction. Foreknowledge simply means to possess knowledge of things to be.

II THE PREDESTINATION OF GOD

Here is where many saints falter in their witnessing. They read something or other in the Word about predestination and then they reason that God predestinates some people to be saved, and thus predestinates some people to be lost. This is not the case. To begin with, predestination is never for the lost man; but rather, predestination is for the saved men. We have only to read our Bibles, and read the context where it is speaking of predestination, to clearly understand that Salvation is, indeed, a personal matter based upon the "whosoever wills."

As stated before, Predestination is for the saved man. God knows who is going to be saved, and thus He has predestined certain blessings for those who are going to get saved by faith. In other words, God draws a circle, figuratively speaking, and says that whosoever believes in the Lord Jesus Christ will get in the circle.  So the believer, upon his faith in Jesus Christ, steps into the circle. Then God says, figuratively speaking, "Whosoever is in that circle by faith, I have predestinated that they shall receive these blessings," and here they are:

A. "TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON."

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son" (Rom. 8:29a).

This one of the blessings of God has predestinated for the believer--that the believer is going to be fashioned, made, transformed, transfigured into the likeness of the image of Jesus Christ. The things you might be suffering at this moment are happening to you (Rom. 8:28) to make you more like Jesus. And at the rapture, whether we be dead or alive at His coming, we are all going to be changed and be wholly like unto Christ.

B. "UNTO THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN BY JESUS CHRIST."

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," (Eph.1:5).

Again we want to state that predestination is the predetermined blessings for the saved man and has nothing to do with salvation. Now, in the above text, we are told that the Christian is predestined unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ. It doesn't say that the sinner was predestined to become a child of God; no, but rather the saint has been predestined unto the adoption of children.

To get a better idea of this great truth, it is well to explain the meaning of adoption. In America and England, when we adopt a child, we go by legal means and take a child of another family and get into court to make it our own. But no so with the Jewish family, nor with the ancient Roman and Greek family. These adopted their own children. Adoption simply means "to declare as a son," or "son placed." The fourth chapter of Galatians clearly defines the meaning of adoption. It is the time appointed by the father when his boy ceases to be considered a child and becomes a son. According to even present day Jewish custom it is called BAR MITZVAH-- declared to be a Son of the Law, Son of Blessing. The boy becomes of age after his thirteenth birthday, on the day selected by the father. So it is with us: we are children of God, but we are waiting our BAR MITZVAH, our adoption, the time when our Heavenly Father will declare us of age and place us as Sons before the whole universe: "even we ourselves groan within ourselves, WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION, TO WIT, THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODY." (Rom. 8:23). This is one blessing that God has predestinated for the saved man, for all who are trusting the Lord Jesus Christ--that we all shall be declared to be of age and as His SONS-- at the resurrection!

C. "PREDESTINATED ACCORDING TO THE PURPOSE OF HIM."

Here is the third blessing for the child of God-- "being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." (Eph. 1:11,12).

You will notice that it is not salvation the Holy Spirit is speaking about, but that which is for those who are saved.

So many fail to read the 12th verse; herein is what God has predestinated -- that we should be to the praise of His glory;Nowhere do we find predestination for, or not for, salvation.

III. ELECTION

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:" (Eph. 1:4)

The New Testament words "chosen, choose, and election" are the same. The Old Testament word is simply "chosen." From the above Scripture many have felt that God chooses some to be saved and some to be lost. Again I want to point out that predestination and election (choosing) have nothing to do with the lost, but are for the saved.

From the following Scriptures we learn what the choosing, or election, of God is about:

"For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." (Rom. 9:9-13).

At once we point out that election, or choosing, has to do with service; THE ELDER SHALL SERVE THE YOUNGER. It does not say, "The younger shall be saved, and the elder shall be lost." No, but simply, "the elder shall SERVE the younger." Thus choosing, or election, has to do with service." "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated" wasn't said of these two men before they were born, but hundreds of years after they died. God hated the descendants of Esau because of their unbelief, and loved the descendants of Jacob because of their faith.

In the 15th chapter of John's Gospel, the Lord Jesus said that He had chosen (elected) them disciples. For salvation? No, for service. Even Judas was chosen! For damnation? No, but like Pharaoh, who was a fit vessel unto wrath - after being given many chances to believe, refused, and thus was used for God's purpose.

The prophet Isaiah says that Israel is God's chosen people (Isaiah 41:8). Does this mean that all Jews are saved? No. It simply means that God has chosen Israel for a service. And we know what that service was: to give us the word of God and to give us the Lord Jesus Christ!

The same prophet, Isaiah, says that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Chosen Servant of God (Isaiah 42:1). Does that mean that God chose the Lord Jesus to be saved? Of course not! For He is the SAVIOR! But God did choose His Son for a service -- and that service was to be the Lamb of God who would die for the sins of the world. And He was the obedient Servant, being obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross!

Now back to the original text, as found in Ephesians 1:4. What has God elected or chosen us for? Not salvation; "but He has chosen us even before the foundation of the world" (He knew that we would believe on His Son) for service -- "that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Thus, we conclude that God does not predestinate or elect men to be saved or lost, but that salvation is on the basis of "WHOSOEVER WILL!"

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Rev. 22:17).

 

Don't tamper with the gospel...

Author unknown...

In the final book of the Bible, in the final chapter, in the final verses, we have the final words of Jesus Christ. These words are an invitation to every member of the human race to receive His forgiveness and the gift of eternal life. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17)." Here eternal life is offered free to whosoever will. According to Romans 6:23, salvation is the "gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord." "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16)." God's love for mankind, and the importance of the gospel message, are emphasized by the warning God gives in Revelation 22:18,19.

God says, "hands off" the gospel message. It is not to be tampered with. "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 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 (Revelation 22:18, 19)."

The book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ reveals Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind. We read in Revelation 1:5, "...Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." Every member of the human race has sinned (Romans 3:23) and needs to be washed from his sins in the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus loved us and willingly went to the cross of Calvary and shed his blood that he might wash us from our sins.

To add to or subtract from this message is, in effect, to cancel the message. We are told in I Corinthians 1:17, "...to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." We can be preaching a message that has no saving power if we tamper with the gospel message. Remember Romans 1:16 says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." We make the message which is the power of God unto salvation of no effect according to I Corinthians 1:17 by tampering with it.

Salvation is by grace and not by works. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8,9)." The word religion comes from two latin words "re" and "ligio." "Re" means to "go back," and "ligio" means "to bind." "Religion" then means, "to bind back." Religions cannot save. Religions are man's efforts to bind himself back to God. They are Satan-inspired. God says of all the religions of the world. "Behold ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you (Isaiah 41:24)." Therefore, religions will take you to hell.

The plan of salvation is not a religion. True Christianity is not a religion. The "Christian counterfeit" is a religion based on man's efforts to bind himself back to God. The "Christian religion" is false and to be rejected. Satan is clever and gives to man "a heavenly way to go to hell." Any religion you might choose is an abomination (Isaiah 41:24) and will take you to hell. No religion can save! Only Jesus Christ can save! (See Acts 4:12; John 14:6.)

Jesus said, "…I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me (John 14:6)." Look at Proverbs 30:4-6. "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?" Here is a wonderful reference to the Son of God in the Old Testament. What is God's name? It is Jehovah! What is his Son's name? It is Jehovah-Yasha! The Greek form of Jehovah-Yasha is Jesus. Jesus, therefore, means Jehovah-salvation. Jesus is Jehovah who brings salvation.

Notice Proverbs 30:5, "Every word of God is pure: He (Jesus) is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him." This is the same as the New Testament. "... Believe (trust) on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved (Act 16:31)."

Notice the warning in Proverbs 30:6. "Add thou not unto His words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." Again God gives a warning against tampering with the gospel message. He says, "Add thou not unto His words." And in the context it is talking about salvation!

For example, if a man says, "You are saved by faith in Jesus and by living the Christian life," God will say to him, "You are a liar, I never said that." God will say, "...he (Jesus Christ) is a shield (Savior) to them that put their trust in him (Proverbs 30:5)." If a man says, "You are saved by faith in Jesus Christ plus water baptism and church membership," then God will say to that man at the judgment, "You are a liar I never said that." As the man is cast into hell, God will say, "...he (Jesus Christ) is a shield (Savior) unto them that put their trust in Him (Proverbs 30:5)." And again, God will say, "...believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved...(Acts 16:31)."

God says to the man who changes His message, "You will not be saved!" God warns that all the plagues of the book of Revelation will come upon the person who adds to or subtracts from the message of "...whosoever will, let him take that water of life freely (Revelation 22:17)."

Yet, millions who claim that they are "Christians" have fallen for the Christian counterfeit of salvation. They have lowered Jesus from the position of Savior to simply being a part of the salvation process. This is heresy (Romans 11:6)!

What can wash away my sins? Nothing! Nothing! Nothing, but the blood of Jesus. Christ Jesus, the one who died on Calvary's cross, was buried, and rose again the third day. He alone is the Savior.

Don't tamper with the Word of God. Simply believe God. Take Him at His Word. Trust Jesus as your Savior and you will be saved!

Strong's Concordance Bible Search

 I remember the good old days very well.  By that I mean the days before 1990 when Bible Software was not readily available and the little that did exist was not all that great.  Now we have a plethora of Bible software apps at our fingertips and some of the best programs are free or very low cost.  I have tried many but I am going to be commenting on e-Sword because it works so well on many operating systems.  (platforms)

When I was in Bible college and for years after, if I wanted to research a Bible verse, Strong's Concordance was an important tool.  Only problem was, it was BIG.  You just didn't carry it around in your pocket or brief case.  Using it was a bit tedious too because the print was pretty small.  You could easily spend hours looking up Greek and Hebrew words and researching their meaning, and uses.

All that is over now thanks to e-Sword and other Bible research programs and apps.  Here are a few very simple things you can do and you can do them very quickly.  This is by no means an exhaustive explanation.  Just the tip of the iceberg.  

Lets take a verse, Colossians 1:16 - (I don't even have to type it out.  Just cut and paste.)

(Col 1:16)  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (KJV)

Here it is in NASB - it is easy to compare them.

(Col 1:16)  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

If I want to see the Greek words using Strong's I can simply click on KJV+ or NASB+ and magically, the Strong's number appears with the text.  Here is an image of KJV+

Now the fun begins.  All I have to do is point to one of those Strong's numbers and the Greek word from Strong's pops up in a little window.

This is what the pop up window looks like.  Personally, I don't like pop up windows and prefer to have that feature turned off.  

If you double click on a Strong's number, then the word appears in the Dictionary window of the program.  (see below)

More options are available when you use the Dictionary window.  (see below)  Other resources are shown at the top of the window.  You can click on any one that has a (i) icon and see more information.

One more thing about Strong's as it is used in e-Sword and most other Bible apps.  You can do an actual search using the Strong's numbers and find verses that you may have missed by searching for the English word.

To do this, type or cut and paste the Strong's number into the Search box and then run the search.  Every occurrence of that Strong's number will be found.  This works using the iPad or any other platform.  If you have a computer version of e-Sword, even more search options available.

101 Scientific Facts in the Bible

Psalm 19:1-3 - "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard." 

Jeremiah 10:12 - "He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, and has stretched out the heavens at His discretion."

Romans 1:20 - For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." 

Science means knowledge, and true science always agrees with the observable evidence. Scientific research continues to unfold the wonders and mysteries of our universe. Interestingly, there is one book that has anticipated many of these scientific facts. That book is the Bible. 

This booklet presents 101 scientific facts found in the Scriptures. Many of these facts were penned centuries before they were discovered. Scientific foreknowledge found only in the Bible offers one more piece to the collective proof that the Bible is truly the inspired Word of the Creator. How does this affect you? The last several pages provide the answer - you need to read them carefully. 

1. The earth free-floats in space (Job 26:7), affected only by gravity. While other sources declared the earth sat on the back of an elephant or turtle, or was held up by Atlas, the Bible alone states what we now know to be true - "He hangs the earth on nothing."
2. Creation is made of particles, indiscernible to our eyes (Hebrews 11:3). Not until the 19th century was it discovered that all visible matter consists of invisible elements.
3. The Bible specifies the perfect dimensions for a stable water vessel (Genesis 6:15). Ship builders today are well aware that the ideal dimension for ship stability is a length six times that of the width. Keep in mind, God told Noah the ideal dimensions for the ark 4,500 years ago.
4. When dealing with disease, clothes and body should be washed under running water (Leviticus 15:13). For centuries people naively washed in standing water. Today we recognize the need to wash away germs with fresh water.
5. Sanitation industry birthed (Deuteronomy 23:12-13). Some 3,500 years ago God commanded His people to have a place outside the camp where they could relieve themselves. They were to each carry a shovel so that they could dig a hole (latrine) and cover their waste. Up until World War I, more soldiers died from disease than war because they did not isolate human waste.
6. Oceans contain springs (Job 38:16). The ocean is very deep. Almost all the ocean floor is in total darkness and the pressure there is enormous. It would have been impossible for Job to have explored the "springs of the sea." Until recently, it was thought that oceans were fed only by rivers and rain. Yet in the 1970s, with the help of deep diving research submarines that were constructed to withstand 6,000 pounds-per-square-inch pressure, oceanographers discovered springs on the ocean floors! 
7. There are mountains on the bottom of the ocean floor (Jonah 2:5-6). Only in the last century have we discovered that there are towering mountains and deep trenches in the depths of the sea.
8. Joy and gladness understood (Acts 14:17). Evolution cannot explain emotions. Matter and energy do not feel. Scripture explains that God places gladness in our hearts (Psalm 4:7), and ultimate joy is found only in our Creator's presence - "in Your presence is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11). 
9. Blood is the source of life and health (Leviticus 17:11; 14). Up until 120 years ago, sick people were "bled" and many died as a result (e.g. George Washington). Today we know that healthy blood is necessary to bring life-giving nutrients to every cell in the body. God declared that "the life of the flesh is in the blood" long before science understood its function. 
10. The Bible states that God created life according to kinds (Genesis 1:24). The fact that God distinguishes kinds, agrees with what scientists observe - namely that there are horizontal genetic boundaries beyond which life cannot vary. Life produces after its own kind. Dogs produce dogs, cats produce cats, roses produce roses. Never have we witnessed one kind changing into another kind as evolution supposes. There are truly natural limits to biological change. 
11. Noble behavior understood (John 15:13; Romans 5:7-8). The Bible and history reveal that countless people have endangered or even sacrificed their lives for another. This reality is completely at odds with Darwin's theory of the survival of the fittest. 
12. Chicken or egg dilemma solved (Genesis 1:20-22). Which came first, the chicken or the egg? This question has plagued philosophers for centuries. The Bible states that God created birds with the ability to reproduce after their kind. Therefore the chicken was created first with the ability to make eggs! Yet, evolution has no solution for this dilemma. 
13. Which came first, proteins or DNA (Revelation 4:11)? For evolutionists, the chicken or egg dilemma goes even deeper. Chickens consist of proteins. The code for each protein is contained in the DNA/RNA system. However, proteins are required in order to manufacture DNA. So which came first: proteins or DNA? The ONLY explanation is that they were created together. 
14. Our bodies are made from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7; 3:19). Scientists have discovered that the human body is comprised of some 28 base and trace elements - all of which are found in the earth. 
15. The First Law of Thermodynamics established (Genesis 2:1-2). The First Law states that the total quantity of energy and matter in the universe is a constant. One form of energy or matter may be converted into another, but the total quantity always remains the same. Therefore the creation is finished, exactly as God said way back in Genesis. 
16. The first three verses of Genesis accurately express all known aspects of the creation (Genesis 1:1-3). Science expresses the universe in terms of: time, space, matter, and energy. In Genesis chapter one we read: "In the beginning (time) God created the heavens (space) and the earth (matter)...Then God said, "Let there be light (energy)." No other creation account agrees with the observable evidence.
17. The universe had a beginning (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 1:10-12). Starting with the studies of Albert Einstein in the early 1900s and continuing today, science has confirmed the biblical view that the universe had a beginning. When the Bible was written most people believed the universe was eternal. Science has proven them wrong, but the Bible correct. 
18. The earth is a sphere (Isaiah 40:22). At a time when many thought the earth was flat, the Bible told us that the earth is spherical. 
19. Scripture assumes a revolving (spherical) earth (Luke 17:34-36). Jesus said that at His return some would be asleep at night while others would be working at day time activities in the field. This is a clear indication of a revolving earth, with day and night occurring simultaneously. 
20. Origin of the rainbow explained (Genesis 9:13-16). Prior to the Flood there was a different environment on the earth (Genesis 2:5-6). After the Flood, God set His rainbow "in the cloud" as a sign that He would never again judge the earth by water. Meteorologists now understand that a rainbow is formed when the sun shines through water droplets - which act as a prism - separating white light into its color spectrum. 
21. Light can be divided (Job 38:24). Sir Isaac Newton studied light and discovered that white light is made of seven colors, which can be "parted" and then recombined. Science confirmed this four centuries ago - God declared this four millennia ago! 
22. Ocean currents anticipated (Psalm 8:8). Three thousand years ago the Bible described the "paths of the seas." In the 19th century Matthew Maury - the father of oceanography - after reading Psalm 8, researched and discovered ocean currents that follow specific paths through the seas! Utilizing Maury's data, marine navigators have since reduced by many days the time required to traverse the seas. 
23. Sexual promiscuity is dangerous to your health (1 Corinthians 6:18; Romans 1:27). The Bible warns that "he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body," and that those who commit homosexual sin would "receive in themselves" the penalty of their error. Much data now confirms that any sexual relationship outside of holy matrimony is unsafe. 
24. Reproduction explained (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:24; Mark 10:6-8). While evolution has no mechanism to explain how male and female reproductive organs evolved at the same time, the Bible says that from the beginning God made them male and female in order to propagate the human race and animal kinds. 
25. Incalculable number of stars (Jeremiah 33:22). At a time when less than 5,000 stars were visible to the human eye, God stated that the stars of heaven were innumerable. Not until the 17th century did Galileo glimpse the immensity of our universe with his new telescope. Today, astronomers estimate that there are ten thousand billion trillion stars - that's a 1 followed by 25 zeros! Yet, as the Bible states, scientists admit this number may be woefully inadequate.
26. The number of stars, though vast, are finite (Isaiah 40:26). Although man is unable to calculate the exact number of stars, we now know their number is finite. Of course God knew this all along - "He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name" (Psalm 147:4). What an awesome God! 
27. The Bible compares the number of stars with the number of grains of sand on the seashore (Genesis 22:17; Hebrews 11:12). Amazingly, gross estimates of the number of sand grains are comparable to the estimated number of stars in the universe. 
28. Rejecting the Creator results in moral depravity (Romans 1:20-32). The Bible warns that when mankind rejects the overwhelming evidence for a Creator, lawlessness will result. Since the theory of evolution has swept the globe, abortion, pornography, genocide, etc., have all risen sharply. 
29. The fact that God once flooded the earth (the Noahic Flood) would be denied (2 Peter 3:5-6). There is a mass of fossil evidence to prove this fact, yet it is flatly ignored by most of the scientific world because it was God's judgment on man's wickedness. 
30. Vast fossil deposits anticipated (Genesis 7). When plants and animals die they decompose rapidly. Yet billions of life forms around the globe have been preserved as fossils. Geologists now know that fossils only form if there is rapid deposition of life buried away from scavengers and bacteria. This agrees exactly with what the Bible says occurred during the global Flood. 
31. The continents were created as one large land mass (Genesis 1:9-10). Many geologists agree there is strong evidence that the earth was originally one super continent - just as the Bible said way back in Genesis. 
32. Continental drift inferred (Genesis 7:11). Today the study of the ocean floor indicates that the landmasses have been ripped apart. Scripture states that during the global Flood the "fountains of the great deep were broken up." This cataclysmic event apparently resulted in the continental plates breaking and shifting. 
33. Ice Age inferred (Job 38:29-30). Prior to the global Flood the earth was apparently subtropical. However shortly after the Flood, the Bible mentions ice often - "By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen" (Job 37:10). Evidently the Ice Age occurred in the centuries following the Flood. 
34. Life begins at fertilization (Jeremiah 1:5). God declares that He knew us before we were born. The biblical penalty for murdering an unborn child was death (Exodus 21:22-23). Today, it is an irrefutable biological fact that the fertilized egg is truly an entire human being. Nothing will be added to the first cell except nutrition and oxygen. 
35. God fashions and knits us together in the womb (Job 10:8-12; 31:15). Science was ignorant concerning embryonic development until recently. Yet many centuries ago, the Bible accurately described God making us an "intricate unity" in the womb.
36. DNA anticipated (Psalm 139:13-16). During the 1950s, Watson and Crick discovered the genetic blueprint for life. Three thousand years ago the Bible seems to reference this written digital code in Psalm 139 - "Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect [unformed]; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." 
37. God has created all mankind from one blood (Acts 17:26; Genesis 5). Today researchers have discovered that we have all descended from one gene pool. For example, a 1995 study of a section of Y chromosomes from 38 men from different ethnic groups around the world was consistent with the biblical teaching that we all come from one man (Adam) 
38. Origin of the major language groups explained (Genesis 11:1-9). After the rebellion at Babel, God scattered the people by confounding the one language into many languages. Evolution teaches that we all evolved from a common ancestor, yet offers no mechanism to explain the origin of the thousands of diverse languages in existence today. 
39. Origin of the different "races" explained (Genesis 11:1-9). As Noah's descendants migrated around the world after Babel, each language group developed distinct features based on environment and genetic variation. Those with a genetic makeup suitable to their new environment survived to reproduce. Over time, certain traits (such as dark skin color for those closer to the equator) dominated. Genesis alone offers a reasonable answer to the origin of the races and languages. 
40. God has given us the leaves of the trees as medicine (Ezekiel 47:12; Revelation 22:2). Ancient cultures utilized many herbal remedies. Today, modern medicine has rediscovered what the Bible has said all along - there are healing compounds found in plants. 
41. Healthy dietary laws (Leviticus 11:9-12). Scripture states that we should avoid those sea creatures which do not have fins or scales. We now know that bottom-feeders (those with no scales or fins) tend to consume waste and are likely to carry disease. 
42. The Bible warns against eating birds of prey (Leviticus 11:13-19). Scientists now recognize that those birds which eat carrion (putrefying flesh), often spread disease. 
43. Avoid swine (Deuteronomy 14:8). Not so long ago, science learned that eating undercooked pork causes an infection of parasites called trichinosis. Now consider this: the Bible forbid the eating of swine more than 3,000 years before we learned how to cook pork safely. 
44. Radical environmentalism foreseen (Romans 1:25). Two thousand years ago, God's Word stated that many would worship and serve creation rather than the Creator. Today, nature is revered as "Mother" and naturalism is enshrined.
45. Black holes and dark matter anticipated (Matthew 25:30; Jude 1:13; Isaiah 50:3). Cosmologists now speculate that over 98% of the known universe is comprised of dark matter, with dark energy and black holes. A black hole's gravitational field is so strong that nothing, not even light, escapes. Beyond the expanding universe there is no measured radiation and therefore only outer darkness exists. These theories paint a seemingly accurate description of what the Bible calls "outer darkness" or "the blackness of darkness forever." 
46. The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy) explained (Psalm 102:25-26). This law states that everything in the universe is running down, deteriorating, constantly becoming less and less orderly. Entropy (disorder) entered when mankind rebelled against God - resulting in the curse (Genesis 3:17; Romans 8:20-22). Historically most people believed the universe was unchangeable. Yet modern science verifies that the universe is "grow(ing) old like a garment" (Hebrews 1:11). Evolution directly contradicts this law. 
47. Cain's wife discovered (Genesis 5:4). Skeptics point out that Cain had no one to marry - therefore the Bible must be false. However, the Bible states plainly that Adam and Eve had other sons and daughters. Cain married his sister. 
48. Incest laws established (Leviticus 18:6). To marry near of kin in the ancient world was common. Yet, beginning about 1500 B.C., God forbid this practice. The reason is simple - the genetic mutations (resulting from the curse) had a cumulative effect. Though Cain could safely marry his sister because the genetic pool was still relatively pure at that time, by Moses' day the genetic errors had swelled. Today, geneticists confirm that the risk of passing on a genetic abnormality to your child is much greater if you marry a close relative because relatives are more likely to carry the same defective gene. If they procreate, their offspring are more apt to have this defect expressed. 
49. Genetic mixing of different seeds forbidden (Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:9). The Bible warns against mixing seeds - as this will result in an inferior or dangerous crop. There is now growing evidence that unnatural, genetically engineered crops may be harmful. 
50. Hydrological cycle described (Ecclesiastes 1:7; Jeremiah 10:13; Amos 9:6). Four thousand years ago the Bible declared that God "draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist, which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man" (Job 36:27-28). The ancients observed mighty rivers flowing into the ocean, but they could not conceive why the sea level never rose. Though they observed rainfall, they had only quaint theories as to its origin. Meteorologists now understand that the hydrological cycle consists of evaporation, atmospheric transportation, distillation, and precipitation. 
51. The sun goes in a circuit (Psalm 19:6). Some scientists scoffed at this verse thinking that it taught geocentricity - the theory that the sun revolves around the earth. They insisted the sun was stationary. However, we now know that the sun is traveling through space at approximately 600,000 miles per hour. It is literally moving through space in a huge circuit - just as the Bible stated 3,000 years ago! 
52. Circumcision on the eighth day is ideal (Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3; Luke 1:59). Medical science has discovered that the blood clotting chemical prothrombin peaks in a newborn on the eighth day. This is therefore the safest day to circumcise a baby. How did Moses know?!
53. God has given us just the right amount of water to sustain life (Isaiah 40:12). We now recognize that if there was significantly more or less water, the earth would not support life as we know it. 
54. The earth was designed for biological life (Isaiah 45:18). Scientists have discovered that the most fundamental characteristics of our earth and cosmos are so finely tuned that if just one of them were even slightly different, life as we know it couldn't exist. This is called the Anthropic Principle and it agrees with the Bible which states that God formed the earth to be inhabited. 
55. The universe is expanding (Job 9:8; Isaiah 42:5; Jeremiah 51:15; Zechariah 12:1). Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. During the early 20th century, most scientists (including Einstein) believed the universe was static. Others believed it should have collapsed due to gravity. Then in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that distant galaxies were receding from the earth, and the further away they were, the faster they were moving. This discovery revolutionized the field of astronomy. Eisntein admitted his mistake, and today most astronomers agree with what the Creator told us millennia ago - the universe is expanding! 
56. Law of Biogenesis explained (Genesis 1). Scientists observe that life only comes from existing life. This law has never been violated under observation or experimentation (as evolution imagines). Therefore life, God's life, created all life. 
57. Animal and plant extinction explained (Jeremiah 12:4; Hosea 4:3). According to evolution, occasionally we should witness a new kind springing into existence. Yet, this has never been observed. On the contrary, as Scripture explains, since the curse on all creation, we observe death and extinction (Romans 8:20-22). 
58. Light travels in a path (Job 38:19). Light is said to have a "way" [Hebrew: derek, literally a traveled path or road]. Until the 17th century it was believed that light was transmitted instantaneously. We now know that light is a form of energy that travels at ~186,000 miles per second in a straight line. Indeed, there is a "way" of light. 
59. Air has weight (Job 28:25). It was once thought that air was weightless. Yet 4,000 years ago Job declared that God established "a weight for the wind." In recent years, meteorologists have calculated that the average thunderstorm holds thousands of tons of rain. To carry this load, air must have mass. 
60. Jet stream anticipated (Ecclesiates 1:6). At a time when it was thought that winds blew straight, the Bible declares "The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit." King Solomon wrote this 3,000 years ago. Now consider this: it was not until World War II that airmen discovered the jet stream circuit. 
61. Medical quarantine instituted (Leviticus 13:45-46; Numbers 5:1-4). Long before man understood the principles of quarantine, God commanded the Israelites to isolate those with a contagious disease until cured.
62. Each star is unique (1 Corinthians 15:41). Centuries before the advent of the telescope, the Bible declared what only God and the angels knew - each star varies in size and intensity! 
63. The Bible says that light can be sent, and then manifest itself in speech (Job 38:35). We now know that radio waves and light waves are two forms of the same thing - electromagnetic waves. Therefore, radio waves are a form of light. Today, using radio transmitters, we can send "lightnings" which indeed speak when they arrive. 
64. Laughter promotes physical healing (Proverbs 17:22). Recent studies confirm what King Solomon was inspired to write 3,000 years ago, "A merry heart does good, like medicine." For instance, laughter reduces levels of certain stress hormones. This brings balance to the immune system, which helps your body fight off disease. 
65. Intense sorrow or stress is harmful to your health (Proverbs 18:14; Mark 14:34). Researchers have studied individuals with no prior medical problems who showed symptoms of stress cardiomyopathy including chest pain, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and even heart failure - following a stressful incident. 
66. Microorganisms anticipated (Exodus 22:31). The Bible warns "Whatever dies naturally or is torn by beasts he shall not eat, to defile himself with it: I am the LORD" (Leviticus 22:8). Today we understand that a decaying carcass is full of disease causing germs. 
67. The Bible cautions against consuming fat (Leviticus 7:23). Only in recent decades has the medical community determined that fat clogs arteries and contributes to heart disease. 
68. Do not consume blood (Leviticus 17:12). A common ritual in many religions in the ancient world was to drink blood. However, the Creator repeatedly told His people to abstain from blood (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 3:17; Acts 15:20; 21:25). Of course, modern science reveals that consuming raw blood is dangerous. 
69. The Bible describes dinosaurs (Job 40:15-24). In 1842, Sir Richard Owen coined the word dinosaur, meaning "terrible lizard," after discovering large reptilian-like fossils. However in the Book of Job, written 4,000 years earlier, God describes the behemoth as: the largest of all land creatures, plant eating (herbivore), with great strength in its hips and legs, powerful stomach muscles, a tail like a cedar tree, and bones like bars of iron. This is an accurate description of sauropods - the largest known dinosaur family. 
70. Pleasure explained (Psalm 36:8). Evolution cannot explain pleasure - even the most complex chemicals do not experience bliss. However, the Bible states that God "gives us richly all things to enjoy" (1 Timothy 6:17). Pleasure is a gift from God.
71. Life is more than matter and energy (Genesis 2:7; Job 12:7-10). We know that if a creature is denied air it dies. Even though its body may be perfectly intact, and air and energy are reintroduced to spark life, the body remains dead. Scripture agrees with the observable evidence when it states that only God can give the breath of life. Life cannot be explained by raw materials, time, and chance alone - as evolutionists would lead us to believe. 
72. Origin of music explained (Psalm 40:3). Evolution cannot explain the origin of music. The Bible says that every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). This includes joyful melodies. God has given both man and angels the gift of music-making (Genesis 4:21; Ezekiel 28:13). Singing is intended to express rejoicing in and worship of the Lord (Job 38:7; Psalm 95:1-2). 
73. Our ancestors were not primitive (Genesis 4:20-22; Job 8:8-10; 12:12). Archeologists have discovered that our ancestors mined, had metallurgical factories, created air-conditioned buildings, designed musical instruments, studied the stars, and much more. This evidence directly contradicts the theory of evolution, but agrees completely with God's Word. 
74. Cavemen described in the Bible (Job 30:1-8). Four thousand years ago, Job describes certain "vile men" who were driven from society to forage "among the bushes" for survival and who "live in the clefts of the valleys, (and) in caves of the earth and the rocks." Therefore "cavemen" were simply outcasts and vagabounds - not our primitive ancestors as evolutionists speculate. 
75. Environmental devastation of the planet foreseen (Revelation 11:18). Though evolution imagines that things should be getting better, the Bible foresaw what is really occurring today: pollution, destruction and corrupt dominion. 
76. The seed of a plant contains its life (Genesis 1:11; 29). As stated in the Book of Genesis, we now recognize that inside the humble seed is life itself. Within the seed is a tiny factory of amazing complexity. No scientist can build a synthetic seed and no seed is simple! 
77. A seed must die to produce new life (1 Corinthians 15:36-38). Jesus said, "unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." (John 12:24). In this verse is remarkable confirmation of two of the fundamental concepts in biology: 1) Cells arise only from existing cells. 2) A grain must die to produce more grain. The fallen seed is surrounded by supporting cells from the old body. These supporting cells "give their lives" to provide nourishment to the inner kernel. Once planted, this inner kernel germinates resulting in much grain. 
78. The order of creation agrees with true science (Genesis 1:1-31). Plants require sunlight, water, and minerals in order to survive. In the first chapter of Genesis we read that God created light first (Gen 1:3), then water (Gen 1:6), then soil (Gen 1:9), and then He created plant life (Gen 1:11). 
79. God created "lights" in the heavens "for signs and seasons, and for days and years" (Genesis 1:14-16). We now know that a year is the time required for the earth to travel once around the sun. The seasons are caused by the changing position of the earth in relation to the sun. The moon's phases follow one another in clock-like precision - constituting the lunar calendar Evolution teaches that the cosmos evolved by random chance, yet the Bible agrees with the observable evidence.
80. The Bible speaks of "heaven and the highest heavens" (Deuteronomy 10:14). Long before the Hubble Space Telescope, Scripture spoke of the "heaven of heavens" and the "third heaven" (1 Kings 8:27; 2 Corinthians 12:2). We now know that the heavens consist of our immediate atmosphere and the vast reaches of outer space - as well as God's wonderful abode. 
81. Olive oil and wine useful on wounds (Luke 10:34). Jesus told of a Samaritan man, who when he came upon a wounded traveler, he bandaged him - pouring upon his wounds olive oil and wine. Today we know that wine contains ethyl alcohol and traces of methyl alcohol. Both are good disinfectants. Olive oil is also a good disinfectant, as well as a skin moisturizer, protector, and soothing lotion. This is common knowledge to us today. However, did you know that during the Middle Ages and right up till the early 20th century, millions died because they did not know to treat and protect open wounds? 
82. Man is "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). We are only beginning to probe the complexity of the DNA molecule, the eye, the brain, and all the intricate components of life. No human invention compares to the marvelous wonders of God's creation. 
83. Beauty understood (Genesis 1:31; 2:9; Job 40:10; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Matthew 6:28-30). Beauty surrounds us: radiant sunsets, majestic mountains, brightly colored flowers, glowing gems, soothing foliage, brilliantly adorned birds, etc. Beauty is a mystery to the evolutionist. However, Scripture reveals that God creates beautiful things for our benefit and His glory. 
84. Strong and weak nuclear force explained (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3). Physicists do not understand what binds the atom's nucleus together. Yet, the Bible states that "all things consist" - or are held together by the Creator - Jesus Christ. 
85. Atomic fission anticipated (2 Peter 3:10-12). Scripture states that "the elements will melt with fervent heat" when the earth and the heavens are "dissolved" by fire. Today we understand that if the elements of the atom are loosed, there would be an enormous release of heat and energy (radiation). 
86. The Pleiades and Orion star clusters described (Job 38:31). The Pleiades star cluster is gravitationally bound, while the Orion star cluster is loose and disintegrating because the gravity of the cluster is not enough to bind the group together. 4,000 years ago God asked Job, "Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loose the belt of Orion?" Yet, it is only recently that we realized that the Pleiades is gravitationally bound, but Orion's stars are flying apart. 
87. Safe drinking water (Leviticus 11:33-36). God forbade drinking from vessels or stagnant water that had been contaminated by coming into contact with a dead animal. It is only in the last 100 years that medical science has learned that contaminated water can cause typhoid and cholera. 
88. Pest control (Leviticus 25:1-24). Farmers are plagued today with insects. Yet God gave a sure-fire remedy to control pests centuries ago. Moses commanded Israel to set aside one year in seven when no crops were raised. Insects winter in the stalks of last year's harvest, hatch in the spring, and are perpetuated by laying eggs in the new crop. If the crop is denied one year in seven, the pests have nothing to subsist upon, and are thereby controlled.
89. Soil conservation (Leviticus 23:22). Not only was the land to lay fallow every seventh year, but God also instructed farmers to leave the gleanings when reaping their fields, and not to reap the corners (sides) of their fields. This served several purposes: 1) Vital soil minerals would be maintained. 2) The hedge row would limit wind erosion. 3) The poor could eat the gleanings. Today, approximately four billion metric tons of soil are lost from U.S. crop lands each year. Much of this soil depletion could be avoided if God's commands were followed. 
90. Animal instincts understood (Job 39:1-30; Proverbs 30:24-28; Jeremiah 8:7). A newly hatched spider weaves an intricate web without being taught. A recently emerged butterfly somehow knows to navigate a 2,500-mile migration route without a guide. God explains that He has endowed each creature with specific knowledge. Scripture, not evolution, explains animal instincts. 
91. Animals do not have a conscience (Psalm 32:9). A parrot can be taught to swear and blaspheme, yet never feel conviction. Many animals steal, but they do not experience guilt. If man evolved from animals, where did our conscience come from? The Bible explains that man alone was created as a moral being in God's image. 
92. Pseudo-science anticipated (1 Timothy 6:20). The theory of evolution contradicts the observable evidence. The Bible warned us in advance that there would be those who would profess: "profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge (science)." True science agrees with the Creator's Word. 
93. Science confirms the Bible (Colossians 2:3). These insights place the Bible far above every manmade theory and all other so-called inspired books. In contrast, the Koran states that the sun sets in a muddy pond (Surah 18:86). The Hadith contains many myths. The Book of Mormon declares that Native Americans descended from Jews - which has been disproven by DNA research. The Eastern writings also contradict true science. 
94. Human conscience understood (Romans 2:14-15). The Bible reveals that God has impressed His moral law onto every human heart. Con means with and science means knowledge. We know it is wrong to murder, lie, steal, etc. Only the Bible explains that each human has a God-given knowledge of right and wrong. 
95. Love explained (Matthew 22:37-40; 1 John 4:7-12). Evolution cannot explain love. Yet, God's Word reveals that the very purpose of our existence is to know and love God and our fellow man. God is love, and we were created in His image to reflect His love. 
96. The real you is spirit (Numbers 16:22; Zechariah 12:1). Personality is non-physical. For example, after a heart transplant the recipient does not receive the donor's character. An amputee is not half the person he was before losing his limbs. Our eternal nature is spirit, heart, soul, mind. The Bible tells us that "man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
97. The cause of suffering revealed (Genesis 3; Isaiah 24:5-6). The earth is subject to misery, which appears at odds with our wonderfully designed universe. However, the Bible, not evolution, explains the origin of suffering. When mankind rebelled against God, the curse resulted - introducing affliction, pain and death into the world. 
98. Death explained (Romans 6:23). All eventually die. The Bible alone explains why we die - "The soul who sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20). Sin is transgression of God's Law. To see if you will die, please review God's Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). Have you ever lied? (White lies and fibs count.) Ever stolen? (Cheating on a test or taxes is stealing.) Jesus said that "whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). Have you ever looked with lust? Then you're an adulterer at heart. Have you ever hated someone or called someone a fool? If so, the Bible says you are guilty of murder (Matthew 5:21-22; 1 John 3:15). Have you ever used your Creator's name (Lord, God, Jesus, or Christ) in vain? This is called blasphemy - and God hates it. If you have broken these commandments at any time, then by your own admission, you are a blasphemer, a murderer, an adulterer, a thief, and a liar at heart. And we have only looked at five of the Ten Commandments. This is why we die. 
99. Justice understood (Acts 17:30-31). Our God-given conscience reveals that all sin will be judged. Down deep we know that He who created the eyes sees every secret sin (Romans 2:16). He who formed our mind remembers our past offense as if it just occurred. God has declared that the penalty for sin is death. Physical death comes first, then the second death - which is eternal separation from God in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). God cannot lie. Every sin will be judged. His justice demands it. But God is also rich in mercy to all who call upon His name. He has made a way for justice to be served and mercy to be shown. 
100. Eternal life revealed (John 3:16). Scientists search in vain for the cure for aging and death. Yet, the good news is that God, who is the source of all life, has made a way to freely forgive us so that we may live forever with Him in heaven. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). God desires a loving, eternal relationship with each person - free from sin, fear, and pain. Therefore, He sent His Son to die as our substitute on the cross. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Jesus never sinned, therefore He alone qualified to pay the penalty for our sins on the cross. He died in our place. He then rose from the grave defeating death. All who turn from their sins and trust Him will be saved. To repent and place your trust in Jesus Christ, make Psalm 51 your prayer. Then read your Bible daily, obeying what you read. God will never let you down. 
101. The solution to suffering (Revelation 21). Neither evolution nor religion offers a solution to suffering. But God offers heaven as a gift to all who trust in His Son. In heaven, "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4).  

The Bible is inspired by the Creator. Therefore, it is no surprise that life's ultimate questions are answered within its pages. The Bible reveals the purpose of our existence. Scripture alone explains where our conscience came from. And no other source explains the root cause of death. Seeing that all die, wouldn't it be wise to search for the remedy in the only book that proves it was inspired by God? The Bible offers the only remedy for sin, suffering, and death. God's Word presents the only perfect, sinless Savior - one who died for our sins and rose from the dead. Jesus is the Creator (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16). He said "I and My Father are one" (John 10:30). He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). And He promises His followers: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish" (John 10:28). Your eternal destiny will be determined by your choice. There is only one provision for sin. Jesus died in your place. Only by faith in Christ's finished work will you be saved. This is God's free gift offered to all. Please do not let pride, religion, opinions, or love for sin separate you from God. No sin is worth an eternity in hell. Please heed Jesus' words - "Repent (Change your mind), and believe (Trust) in the gospel" (Mark 1:15). If you do, you will live in heaven with our awesome Creator forever!