The New King James Version (NKJV): Another counterfeit and bogus bible
Hello everyone,
I hope everyone had a wonderful time bringing in the New Year. And I hope that your goals and dreams are starting to manifest and come to fruition as you continually seek after and pursue the LORD.
I want to share with you all an update on some disturbing findings on the New King James Version which I have found. Belive it or not, the New King James Version (NKJV) is not an updated version or revision of the King James Version (KJV). In fact, the New King James Version (NKJV) may just be the most deceptive bible version that's out there in that it will have some readings that will agree with the King James Bible and it will also have some readings which agree with the modern versions. In other words, the NKJV blends Textus Receptus readings with Alexandrian type readings as well as Nestle's readings. Below are some examples to prove what I am saying is true:
2 Corinthians 2:17
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. ( King James Bible)
For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. (New King James Version)
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God. (New International Version)
For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. (English Standard Version)
You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ's authority, knowing that God is watching us. (New Living Translation)
In 2 Corinthians 2:17, Paul was obviously talking about those who were changing and perverting the meaning of the word of God. Hence, they were corrupting the word of God even in Pauls' days. Now, to peddle the word of God means to sell it for profit. Do you see the difference? And in many modern versions, you'll find that they change this verse from read reading "corrupt" as found in the King James Bible to "peddle." As I just showed you above by those few examples. And Ironically, that's what these new versions do, they not only corrupt the word of God but they peddle the word of God as well. Here is another verse that is changed in the modern translations.
Titus 3:10
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject ; (King James Bible)
Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, (New King James Version)
Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. (New International Version)
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, (English Standard Version)
If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. (New Living Translation)
The King James Bible tells us to reject an heretick, not a divisive person. You see folks, truth divides. Jesus was divisive. Here is some Scripture to prove that Jesus was a divisive man:
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd DIVIDETH his sheep from the goats: - Matthew 25:31-32
Suppose ye that I (Jesus) am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: - Luke 12:51
So there was a DIVISION among the people because of him (Jesus). - John 7:43
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a DIVISION among them. - John 9:16
There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. - John 10:19
And of course John 10:19 is referring to the sayings of Jesus.
Will Kinney wrote an article on this one issue alone and he makes a good point and I quote him saying: "Jesus was and continues to be a divisive man, but He was not a heretic. The King James Bible tells us to avoid heretics."
Indeed, Jesus our Lord was divisive. So, if we simply follow the logic of many of these modern versions like the NKJV, ESV, and NIV which tell us to avoid and have nothing to do with someone who is divisive, that would include Jesus! Are you starting to see the problem here with these new versions?
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from all appearance of evil. (KJV)
Abstain from every form of evil. (NKJV)
Avoid every kind of evil. (NIV)
Abstain from every form of evil. (ESV)
Stay away from every kind of evil. (NLT)
God's standards are always the highest. The Holy Bible commands us to abstain from even the very appearance of evil and not just the form of it. Again, are we to stay away from every kind and every form of evil, well of course. But we are commanded to go even above that and to abstain from the very appearance of evil.
Here is a real eye opener:
Isaiah 14:12
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (KJV)
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! (NKJV)
How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! (NIV)
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! (ESV)
"How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. (NLT)
Now, while the NKJV has it right in this passage, yet they put in a footnote that says: Isaiah 14:12 Literally Day Star. But I must ask, who is the Day Star? The term Day Star is a term metaphorically speaking about Christ our Lord, the Bright and Morning Star. That's right Jesus declares that He is the Bright and Morning Star. Here is some Scripture to show you that Day Star does refer to Jesus Christ metaphorically:
2 Peter 1:19
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: (KJV)
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; (NKJV)
We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (NIV)
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, (ESV)
Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. (NLT)
Again, we can see from the examples given above that Day Star is metaphorically referring to Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now back to Isaiah 14:12, which one is the correct reading? Is it Lucifer or Morning Star? Well again, who is the morning star?
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. - Revelation 22:16.
Hence, we see from Rev. 22:16 that Jesus Christ is the bright and morning star. So, according to the NIV and ESV, Jesus was the one who fell from Heaven and not Lucifer. Do you see the satanic conspiracy and agenda to dethrone Jesus of His deity here? These new versions attempt to make Lucifer equal with Jesus by giving him a deity title that belongs to Jesus only. If that doesn't shock you folks, I don't know what will. This alone should be enough proof to show you that these modern versions are Satanic counterfeits. They are basically anti Christ bibles.
And so the King James Bible rendering of "Lucifer" in Isaiah 14:12 is the correct one. It is this passage of Scripture which gives us a detailed account of how Lucifer fell and became Satan, the Devil.
Let's continue on to the next example.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (KJV)
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (NKJV)
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (NIV)
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (ESV)
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. (NLT)
Notice how the word "preaching" is taken out of the modern versions. Satan hates preaching because it is the method which God chose to save people with. Also, notice how most of the modern versions make salvation a process. It is no longer those who are saved, but rather those who are being saved. So, according to the new versions like the New King James Version, salvation does not take place in an instantaneous moment of time, but rather it happens over a process and duration of time. The modern versions line up with Roman Catholic doctrine and teaching. The Catholics believe salvation is a process, and that you have to earn your salvation by performing the sacraments. Hence, you have salvation by works. But wait, it gets worse. What is it that is considered foolish to the lost world? Is it the preaching or the message? Well, let's look at Scripture:
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. - 1 Corinthians 1:21 (King James Bible)
Now, let's look at how the modern versions pervert this passage of Scripture:
1 Corinthians 1:21
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (NKJV)
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. (NIV)
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. (ESV)
Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. (NLT)
Most of these modern versions claim that it is the message which is considered foolish rather than the preaching. What blasphemy! They are all wrong and in serious error. The real true Bible declares it is the method (preaching) that is considered foolish, but it is never the message (Death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; Blood Atonement; Salvation by Grace through Faith alone). Again, there is nothing foolish about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. On the Day of Judgment, boy I wouldn't want to be one of the translators of these new versions. They are going to answer big time.
Let's look at Romans 1:25
Romans 1:25
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (KJV)
who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (NKJV)
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. (NIV)
because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. (ESV)
They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. (NLT)
What's interesting to note here is that most modern versions say they exchanged the truth of God for a lie. But that is not what Holy Scripture says. The Bible says they changed the truth of God into a lie. In other words, they changed God's word. They altered it. And that's exactly what the new versions do, they change the truth of God into a lie.
You see folks, the New King James Version is more subtle than the NIV, ESV, NLT, and many of the other modern versions. Therefore it is more dangerous. The NKJV has many footnotes in its text which cast doubt on the word of God and causes many Christians to question the word of God and its authenticity. And just remember that it was Satan who first casted doubt on God's word. It was the devil that asked Eve: "Yea, hath God said?..." And hence, the fall of mankind soon followed.
Luke 11:2-4
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (KJV)
The words which are underlined and highlighted in blue are the ones which are taken out of the NIV, NASB, NRSV, NLT, and ESV. Hence, in these new versions, the Lord's prayer is subtly transformed into the devil's prayer.
1 John 5:7
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (KJV)
For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. (NKJV)
For there are three that testify: (NIV)
For there are three that testify: (ESV)
So we have these three witnesses-- (NLT)
1 John 5:7 is another vital Bible verse which most modern translations will omit, and it's a shame they do this because this verse in the Bible is one of the clearest verses in regard to the Holy Trinity. This same verse is found in 9 out of 16 of Robert Stephen's ancient copies and this verse is also quoted and cited by many of the early church fathers such as Fulgentius (6th Century), Jerome ( 4th Century), Athanasius (year 350 AD), and Cyprian (year 250 AD). So the translators of these modern versions have no reason to omit this vital verse as it is authentic Scripture.
1 John 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay downour lives for the brethren. (KJV)
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (NKJV)
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. (NIV)
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (ESV)
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. (NLT)
It was God who laid down His life for us. This verse in the Bible is a proof text for the deity of Jesus Christ. Well it is in the King James Bible. The same cannot be said about the modern versions, since they remove the word "God" from this verse.
1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (KJV)
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory. (NKJV)
Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. (NIV)
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (ESV)
Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. (NLT)
Again, the NKJV has it right in the text, yet they put in a footnote the following: 1 Timothy 3:16 NU-Text reads Who. Which casts doubt in the Christians' mind as to whether the reading is genuine or not. But as you can see, the word "God" is also taken out of this verse in the modern versions. Therefore, it would be hard to prove to a Muslim or Jehovah Witness that Jesus is God in these new versions.
Daniel 3:25
He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. (KJV)
“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." (NKJV)
He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." (NIV)
He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” (ESV)
"Look!" Nebuchadnezzar shouted. "I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!" (NLT)
Not surprisingly, the NIV, and ESV all change reading of "the Son of God" to "a son of the gods." NLT changes it to "looks like a god!" and while the NKJV reading matches that of the KJB, it has a footnote at the bottom of its page which reads: Daniel 3:25 Or a son of the gods.
Continued in Part 2 of this series