Why the Bible?

Why should you bother to read a book that’s thousands of years old when bookstores, magazine racks, and the Internet are overflowing with the latest reading material on every topic imaginable? The reasons for reading the Bible are almost endless, but here’s a suggested Top Ten:

1. It’s the all-time international bestseller. No other book has been read by more people, sold more copies, or been translated into more languages. The Bible still sells around 50 million copies every year-more than any other book in the world.

2. It’s the real thing. There is more manuscript evidence to authenticate the Bible than there is for any ten other pieces of ancient classical literature combined.

3. It is unique in its continuity. The 66 books of the Bible were written over a span of 1,500 years by more than 40 authors from every walk of life, including kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, shepherds, soldiers, poets, statesmen, and scholars, and they cover a wide array of subjects. Nevertheless, from beginning to end, these authors spoke with harmony and continuity, outlining one unfolding story: God’s love for man.

4. Science supports its record of history. Noted archaeologist Dr. Nelson Glueck states: “The Bible’s incredibly correct historical memory has been validated many times by archaeological discoveries. No discovery has ever controverted a Bible reference.”

5. It has survived. The Bible has withstood attacks by its enemies as no other book has. From the Roman persecutions to the present, every attempt to obliterate the Bible and outlaw the practice of its teachings has only hastened its spread. The entire Bible is now available in 366 languages, and portions of it are available in 1,846 others.

6. There’s something for everyone. The Bible is the most fascinating book in the world, in which you can find drama, romance, poetry, prophecy, history, mystery, intrigue, ethics, wisdom-almost anything! If you love beautiful poetry, read the Book of Psalms. If you like fiery oratory, read the Prophets. If you like philosophical arguments, you ought to enjoy the Book of Job. The Song of Solomon is passionate and romantic. Science fiction?-The best of it pales in comparison to God’s own description of the future as foretold by the Lord in the Book of Revelation. If you want to read about miraculous happenings, read the Kings. Businessmen and administrators can benefit from the Book of Proverbs. If you want tips on people handling and a moral compass for life, study the Gospels. The Bible is even more thrilling and more wonderful than any literary concoction of man because it’s true!

7. It reveals the future. The Bible is not just a history book, it’s a news book. It not only tells you about yesterday, it tells you about today and tomorrow. It contains hundreds of fulfilled prophecies that accurately predicted the future of nations, peoples, cities, and the coming of the Messiah-as well as many others that are yet to come to pass that reveal what God has in store for you, from now to eternity.

8. It has the answers to life’s biggest questions. In its pages you will find answers to where you came from, why you’re here, how to love, how to be happy, how to live forever, and much more!

9. It’s alive! Although it was written thousands of years ago, the Bible has the unique ability to speak straight to your heart, day by day, problem by problem, year after year.

10. Through its words you can get to know its Author. Best of all, the Bible will bring you into an exciting, loving, personal relationship with its Author-the God of love, the Creator of the universe. “No one has seen God at any time,” but we can know Him through His Words.

Fulfilled Bible prophecy proves that the Bible is the inspired Word of God!
Jesus said, “I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.”
“Search from the book of the Lord, and read: not one of these shall fail; not one shall lack her mate. For My mouth has commanded it.”
The mate of every prophecy is its fulfillment. Hundreds of prophecies given in the Bible-sometimes hundreds and even thousands of years in advance-have been fulfilled down to the most intricate detail, and the ones that are yet to come will be fulfilled just as surely. What God has determined and prophesied, He’s going to do. The Lord will make sure that every single prophecy is fulfilled!
God wants us to know what’s going to happen because He loves us, His children, and He doesn’t want us to be fearful or frightened by the events to come. He wants us to be prepared for them, to be calm and full of faith, and to be reassured by His Word. We are not to be in ignorance or grope in darkness, but rather we are the children of light and these things will not come upon us as a thief in the night, unexpected or by surprise.4 We will have prepared our hearts and minds, and will recognize these events as they occur and know what to expect, and we’ll be prepared accordingly, as best we can. Knowing Jesus and His Word will carry us through!
It’s also thrilling to study fulfilled prophecies because it encourages your faith to know that other prophecies regarding the future will also be fulfilled just as accurately and just as surely.
-David Brandt Berg (D.B.B., 1919­-1994)