Why did the Lord God Give
to Mankind
The Holy Bible?
                                                                                             By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                             June 6, 2018
     "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me.  
      Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,"  Isaiah 46:9-10.
Introduction
     Have our readers ever pondered this question; why did the Lord God give to mankind His Holy Word?  This is a thought provoking question, that deserves an answer from every true believer, and also from every Christ rejecting critic of the Bible.......
The Origin and Purpose of the Bible
     The Holy Bible is not a collection of Jewish myths, as some so-called "intellectuals" today claim.  It is glaringly obvious that most of these "intellectuals" have never even read the Bible, so they really don't know what it says, or what they are talking about.   Yet they don't hesitate to criticize the Bible, and those who do read and study it.    
     But what does the Bible itself say about it's origin and purpose?  Let's see.......
     "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
     That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works," 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  
     Notice that the origin of the Bible is set forth in these Scriptures  as being inspired of God; that is, that it  comes forth from God.
     Then the purpose of the Bible is that Bible believers might be equipped with everything needed, in order to live a good life, and  have the right kind of relationship with the Lord and others.     
     "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts;
     Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.
     For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost [Spirit]," 2 Peter 1:19-20.  
      Here we are told again, that the origin of the Scriptures came from God, who  moved upon men of God by His Holy Spirit. The Holy Bible did not originate with Moses, or Solomon, or Matthew, or John, or any of the other men whose names are associated with the books of the Bible.  These men were merely men whom God used to write down His Word, which He supernaturally and verbally impressed upon their hearts and minds, and perhaps even guided their hands as they wrote.   
      Then the stated purpose for this Word, is that mankind might have light to see in the dark times of life.  Read Psalm 119:105.  And there will be "dark times."  They come into every person's life at one time or another.  When these "dark times" come, as they often do today, one can either seek relief from the Lord, or as many are doing today, commit suicide and go straight to Hell.  
      It is true that mankind fell from the original state in which God created Adam, and therefore every living person presently has a fallen "sin nature."  The only way to control this "sin nature" is to give one's self back to God, by placing one's faith in Christ, receiving Him by as our own personal Savior, John 1:12.  
Speaking of Prophecy
       This passage in 2 Peter 1:19-21 also tells us that the prophecies of God's Word are absolutely certain; infallible; they have, do, and will, come to pass exactly as stated in the Word.  And this fact sets forth why God gave us the Holy Bible.  
     Since God knew "the end from the beginning," then He obviously did not need to write the Bible to remind Himself of what He had already planned for His creation.  God already knew what mankind would do, before He even created man.  Still, God proceeded to create mankind, for He has a grand plan for mankind's future, as set forth in the prophecies of His Holy Word.  Even before the creation, God knew exactly where, and when, and how, He would need to intervene to keep mankind from destroying themselves.  And from time to time, God has intervened in human history, and will yet again in the future.  How do I know this?  The "more sure Word of prophecy" tells me so.  
     In essence, God already had a plan before He even began creating.   God does not have the limitations that men have and experience.  God did not  have to write down His plans in the Bible in order to remember them, and keep track of what He was doing, or supposed to do.  God did not  have to go back to the Bible, to refresh His memory.  God did not need the Holy Bible for Himself.  Yet He inspired it to be written.  Why?  
The Basic Purpose For the Bible
     Fallen mankind does not and can not  know the future.  The Lord Jesus Christ Himself said, "Ye know not what a day shall bring forth."  But God, who alone knows the future, and knew it from the beginning,   knew that with the passing of time, fallen wicked men [and women]  would come to even doubt His existence and reality, Psalm 14:1; 53:1; 2 Peter 3:3-7. Therefore God inspired the writing of His Word, and gave it to mankind.  For what reason?  
     So that man would have visible, living, proof of the reality and existence of Almighty God.  It is a common characteristic of many people to say they do not, and will not, believe in anything that they cannot see, feel, touch, taste, or smell. Well, any of Adam's race can see the Bible, touch and handle the Bible, feel the Bible, even "taste" the sweetness of the Word of God as they study the Bible, Job 12:11; Psalm 34:8; 119:103; 1 Peter 2:2-3, and as one reads the Bible and believes it, they can even "smell" the fragrance of the world to come. Glory to God!   God knew how some people would be, before He even created mankind.  Therefore He gave to man visible proof of His existence and reality, and we who are true believers call this visible proof the Holy Bible.    
     Have our readers ever noticed that the Bible sets forth human history, both for the past, for the present, and for the future?  The Bible sets forth mankind's history written in advance. Human history that is already past, has been confirmed as being Biblically accurate by archaeologists and historians.  We see the present for ourselves, and what is occurring in our world today, is exactly what was prophesied to occur.  
     So if the prophecies of the past were Biblically and accurately fulfilled, and the prophecies of this present time are being fulfilled in exact harmony with what was prophesied, what makes some think that the prophecies of things yet to come will not be Biblically and accurately fulfilled?   Well...??  
The Future is Staring Mankind in the Face.......
     Right now!  At any minute of any day now the Lord will come to resurrect and rapture His people to glory.  His people are those who have heard and believed His Word, placing their faith in Him as their own personal Savior and Lord, Romans 10:17.  All others will be left behind to face the terrible judgments that "the prophetic Word" predicts is coming on lost, unbelieving mankind.  Read Revelation 4 thru 20, and believe what it says.   
     Even as I write events predicted in the Bible for the future, are already beginning to fall into place, and it is obvious that they will come to pass, exactly as was prophesied in the Bible many centuries ago.    
     When we then compare human history in the past, with what was prophesied in the Bible for that certain period of time, the Bible has proven to be 100 percent correct with what was prophesied.  Now how could this be?.....unless, God which the Bible sets forth,  is a real, living, being; the Supreme God, and Creator of the whole universe, and the supernatural author of the Bible?  Praise the Lord!  
Why Would God do This?    
     But why would God do this?   Because He is a loving, merciful, and longsuffering God, and has no desire to see mankind perish and spend eternity in the future "lake of fire," Revelation 20.  Our loving God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11.  God created mankind to live forever, and is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance," 2 Peter 3:9.  
     As visible, tangible, proof of this truth, and His eagerness to display His love and mercy to fallen mankind, He bestowed upon man His written Word; the Holy Bible!  Through paying attention to God's Word in the Bible you hold in your hand, you can be cleansed from your fallen "sin nature," John 15:3.  And you can also receive "eternal life" through studying and believing God's Word, John 1:1-4; 6:63; 3:16-18; 3:36; 5:24; 14:6.   The Bible you hold in your hand is the visible proof of this truth!  Won't every unsaved reader seek the Lord Jesus as their own personal Savior today?  By God's saving grace, I am going to Heaven, and I would sure like to meet YOU there.  
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     Permission is granted to any true believer, or Bible believing Christian ministry to reproduce this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.  
   
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