The word of God is not a secret code that needs unlocked.

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,472
13,785
113
Jesus came to live in our hearts in order to reveal Himself to us and keep Himself hidden from the world (John 14).
Um... what?

I don't see anything in John 14 suggesting that Jesus wanted to keep Himself hidden from the world. He did say that the world would not see Him, but He was clearly talking about His impending physical death (and ascension).

Perhaps you could unpack what you mean.
 

SaysWhat

Active member
Jan 17, 2024
268
50
28
Um... what?

I don't see anything in John 14 suggesting that Jesus wanted to keep Himself hidden from the world.
Me neither, if that was the case, didn't turn out to well.
 

GWH

Groovy
Oct 19, 2024
1,023
286
83
I do not belive the word of God is a secret code that has to be figured out, unlocked or decoded.
God is not a god of mystery, he is not a god of confusion.
He does not hide from us, but shows himself openly. He is like the morning star.
He's word is ment to be easy to understand.

I know Jesus talked in parables to people, but Jesus said this was done to fullfill prophecy.

I do not beleive you have to attend a University to learn the meaning behind God's word. I believe you just have to reach out and take the KJV, and read it.
Amen, although almost any reputable translation is adequate, including the Good News, New International, New American, etc. Jesus' prayer in MT 11:25 and his statement in MT 18:3 indicate that God's requirement for salvation is simple enough for a child to understand.
 

Bible_Highlighter

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2023
2,070
335
83
Not everybody is stupid.....

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.
Proverbs 12:1​


There is nothing to imagine when it's obvious to those who do think clearly.

There is a grab for power over others with the KJV Only crowd. It's gaslighting.

Yet, the KJV has some good qualities when knowledge of God's Word is understood.
Most believers on this topic have either not done their homework, or have chosen to ignore the truth when it is presented to them. In reality, Proponents of the Modern Bible Movement are the ones who have employed many deceptions (i.e. , They are gaslighting).

  1. They say THE Hebrew and THE Greek as if there is only one. This is a deception. There are multiple Hebrew and Greek manuscripts that differ from one another.
  2. They say we have more manuscript discoveries than ever before, which are better. This is a lie. The King James Bible still has the most manuscript witnesses, with it being 5,800 manuscripts, and it is doctrinally superior.
  3. They say all Bibles say the same thing. This is a lie. They do not all say the same thing.
  4. They say all Bibles teach the same doctrine. This is a lie. Not all Bibles teach the same doctrines.
  5. NKJV deception (See this video here by Theo Hikmat).
  6. Westcott and Hort were afraid to reveal their work too soon otherwise they would have been branded with suspicion. This is a deception. On 1861 Apr. 12th – Hort to Westcott: “Also – but this may be cowardice – I have a sort of craving that our text should be cast upon the world before we deal with matters likely to brand us with suspicion. I mean, a text, issued by men already known for what will undoubtedly be treated as dangerous heresy, will have great difficulties in finding its way to regions which it might otherwise hope to reach, and whence it would not be easily banished by subsequent alarms.” (Life, Vol.I, p.445).
  7. Westcott and Hort came up with the Lucian Recension Theory in that the KJB or TR conflated the text by adding things to it. There is zero evidence for this.
  8. Pastors or spiritual leaders will sometimes lift up the Bible and say of their Modern Translation that it is the Word of God (When they really do not believe that).
  9. They redefine the original doctrines of inerrancy, etcetera.
  10. They say the word of God is inspired as if to suggest there is such a thing in existence today.
  11. They act like they know Hebrew and Greek by pointing to a Modern Scholarly dictionary.
  12. Some say the Westcott and Hort text is completely different than the Nestle and Aland.
  13. Some Originals Onlyists will say that KJB believers worship the Bible, which is a false accusation and is a lie.
  14. The cover of their Modern Bible that says, Holy Bible is a deception and or lie. They don’t believe it is really holy but a holey Bible, a book full of errors and not divine.
  15. They say that the Modern Bibles are superior because of their readability compared to the KJB’s 1600’s English. But what some of them will fail to say later is that many times they prefer to look to the Original languages like Hebrew and Greek as a necessity to truly understand God’s Word. Hebrew and Greek is far more difficult than 1600’s English.
  16. Correctors of the KJB act like they know more than the 47 translators of the King James Bible.

…..
 
Apr 7, 2024
99
43
18
65
Um... what?

I don't see anything in John 14 suggesting that Jesus wanted to keep Himself hidden from the world. He did say that the world would not see Him, but He was clearly talking about His impending physical death (and ascension).

Perhaps you could unpack what you mean.
Jesus said this to His disciples:

A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. (Jn 14:19)​

Judas (not Iscariot) noticed what He said but did not understand how He would accomplish it. So he asked:

Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world? (Jn 14:22)​

And Jesus answered this way:

If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him... the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (Jn 14:23–26)​

The world does not see Jesus, but we do. We see Him in our hearts. And we must know that we see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as One when we look in there and observe Him. And Him being there is the reason we know Him.

And it is quite obvious that seeing things with our eyes, hearing things with our ears, and feeling things with our hearts is not the way to know the things of God because they are revealed to us by His Spirit...

9 But as it is written:​
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,​
Nor have entered into the heart of man​
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”​
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1 Co 2:9–12)​
 
Apr 7, 2024
99
43
18
65
I agree with your first part, although not sure about not a "comfortable place to live."
Seems to me some people are just fine with strange beliefs like limited atonement, wrong ideas about election and predestination etc.,

I think if we do as scripture tells us to check we are in the faith and seek truth in all things God does use that sincere seeking, however, many Christians are very self assured in what can be a very false doctrine and I think sometimes God leaves them there, in this day and age correction is nearly impossible.
If the Spirit of God lives in them, then He will correct them (Hebrews 12). His correction is not pleasant. That's why I say they can't be comfortable if that is where they are living. I believe that Hebrews 12:7-8 makes it clear that He does not leave His children alone when they go astray, but it is not my role to judge whether or not any particular person is experiencing His correction.
The first Christians were learning the faith, they had different baggage, we however are indoctrinated from the get go by whatever denomination or school of thought we take on, not yet having the knowledge and discernment to know truth from falsehood and usually it is too late after people are indoctrinated because they have a specific skewed lens through which they read scripture.

it is a bit of mystery really.
I see in the book of Galatians that James and Peter were influenced by Judaisers and that the Galatian Christians were led astray by the same legalism. Our struggle today isn't that different.
I do agree for myself with what you state, having left the wrong doctrine of dispensationalism behind along with lordship salvation and some other Calvinistic leanings.
It can be difficult because changing cource sometimes challenges our core beliefs, but listening to, trusting, and walking in the light the Holy Spirit provides is the only way to live a successful Christian life.
 

Bible_Highlighter

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2023
2,070
335
83
The numerics say nothing at all about the validity of the KJV, because only in the original languages can they be considered truly meaningful. As it is, they are just noise and clatter.
Revelation 13:18, as stated in the KJV, speaks to those who already possess wisdom, implying they should have the knowledge and experience necessary to calculate a particular number—666—attached with its specific meaning. Many, perhaps including yourself, may not have delved into the study of Biblical Numerics or fully grasp how statistical probabilities work. I encourage you to explore Brandon Peterson’s recent micro-pattern series on YouTube. The patterns he reveals are far too complex to dismiss as mere coincidence. To deny the significance behind them without proper understanding is a missed opportunity for deeper insight.

Figures like Mark Ward and Jonathan Burris have tried to challenge Peterson’s findings. In a conversation I had with Burris, when I used the Bible to explain the reasoning behind Peterson’s patterns, he had no response and failed to acknowledge that my points were rooted in Scripture. As for Ward, his attempt to refute Biblical Numerics lacked depth and fell short in comparison to Peterson’s work. It seems Ward's hope is that people will trust his argument without prayerfully watching the video and genuinely seeking the truth.

Bible Highlighter said:
Unlike you, I actually have many evidences and logical reasons to back up my position.
You said:
Wrong. I have plenty of evidence and logical reasons for rejecting the KJV as "the perfect, preserved word of God in English".
Some critics of the KJV argue against its status as the perfect Word of God by pointing to the KJV preface and citing printing errors found in earlier editions. This is truly sad and shows lack of careful thought on this subject.



Would these also be your arguments against the KJV?

You said:
I do believe that the word of God is perfect and also that God has preserved His word. You and I disagree on the methods He has used.
So you believe that that all reputable Modern Bibles are all word perfect and have no errors?

Bible Highlighter said:
Seems like you just do not want to believe these particular promises in the Bible.
You said:
I just don't accept your narrow, cultic explanation of them.
Why shouldn't we simply trust the Bible when it plainly states that God's words are perfect and will be preserved for all generations? How is it 'cultic' to believe the Bible exactly as it’s written? There’s no clear scriptural evidence that these promises refer only to doctrines or general truths. In fact, claiming they do would be a far more cultic view, since that idea isn’t found anywhere in the Bible.

Bible Highlighter said:
If that was the only evidence, then we wouldn't even be talking right now. There are many other bread crumb clues and evidences that back up the KJV being more than just a regular book. It is the Word of God.
You said:
As is the NIV, the NASB, and dozens of other translations.
Unless you believe that the NIV and NASB are completely error-free and word-perfect, they cannot be considered the authentic or true Word of God. The genuine Word of God would be holy and divine, not 'holey'—a book riddled with holes and errors.

Bible Highlighter said:
Again, you are looking to tear down all reasons or evidence for the Word of God. You also have your bias and preference and it does not align with what the Bible says about itself on such mattters.
You said:
I grow tired of your ridiculous and baseless insults.
They are not baseless. You don’t believe the KJV is the perfect and inerrant Word of God. You have a bias or preference for Modern Scholarship and Modern Bibles.

Bible Highlighter said:
Modern Bibles lead to confusion and doubt. Many have lost their faith when they learned of the false Science of Modern Textual Criticism.
You said:
Your accusation is false. I know of entire cults that use the KJV. Of course, you'll sidestep that reality. Someone who loses their faith when they learn a few things didn't have sound faith in the first place.
Not at all. Bart Ehrman and Rick Beckman are two individuals who have apostatized from the faith directly as a result of their involvement in Textual Criticism. This would not have happened if they simply trusted in the promises of God by faith.

Bible Highlighter said:
I am not saying you are Woke. I am saying the tactic is of those in the Woke agenda or the Leftist Media. Instead of dealing with the facts and researching things fairly, you create your own narrative you prefer to see.
You said:
I do deal with facts... the relevant facts. I suggest you keep your slanderous implications to yourself.
When you overlook the context of Daniel 3:28, you're not fully engaging with the facts that need correction. I've been corrected by other believers on forums like this before. It’s rare, but it has happened—especially when someone points out a verse that helps me correct my understanding of another piece of Scripture. This is not to boast, but to merely encourage you to do the same.

Bible Highlighter said:
I don't believe you researched this topic fairly or without any bias.
You said:
Same to you.
Given our previous discussion, do you think that by not considering Daniel 3:28 as part of the context, you might be approaching this topic with a certain bias, potentially interpreting details that aren’t actually there?

Bible Highlighter said:
Would you really believe in a Bible that is word perfect if that was the truth? How is it logical to believe in a Bible Movement that has shape-shifter Bibles or no settled text? How can the Bible be trustworthy if that is the case?
You said:
"Shape-shifter Bibles"? Now you're just being ridiculous.
This demonstrates a misunderstanding of the topic. For instance, earlier editions of the NIV describe Jesus healing a leper with compassion (Mark 1:41). However, the latest edition of the NIV now depicts Jesus healing the leper with indignation. In the context, no clear reason is given for His anger, which contradicts Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:22, where He warns that being angry without cause puts one in danger of judgment.

Bible Highlighter said:
My post was about the Bible. The fact that you would put a sleeping emoji shows you do not take this subject seriously or with the care that it deserves..
You said:
Your comment tells me you would rather invent negative beliefs about others than deal honestly and respectfully with the reasonable challenges they bring forth.
Imagine trying to use the sleep emoji to get a job interview—it probably wouldn’t go over well. Likewise, using it while attempting to impress a woman would likely make her lose interest quickly. Now think about how God feels when you show disinterest (like using a sleep emoji) during a Bible discussion. I’m not saying this to wound you, but to encourage you to grow and be better. To inspire you to be the Christian hero God calls you to be.


 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,472
13,785
113
Jesus said this to His disciples:

A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. (Jn 14:19)​

Judas (not Iscariot) noticed what He said but did not understand how He would accomplish it. So he asked:

Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world? (Jn 14:22)​

And Jesus answered this way:

If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him... the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (Jn 14:23–26)​

The world does not see Jesus, but we do. We see Him in our hearts. And we must know that we see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as One when we look in there and observe Him. And Him being there is the reason we know Him.

And it is quite obvious that seeing things with our eyes, hearing things with our ears, and feeling things with our hearts is not the way to know the things of God because they are revealed to us by His Spirit...

9 But as it is written:​
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,​
Nor have entered into the heart of man​
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”​
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1 Co 2:9–12)​
None of that supports your claim that Jesus wanted to be hidden.
 

Bible_Highlighter

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2023
2,070
335
83
Do you realize that you don't appear to be "actually listening" either?
Please bring up any point you think I am ignoring, and I will be happy to discuss it. So far you have not really resolved Daniel 3:28.

Bible Highlighter said:
Denying reality is never a good thing.
You said:
So don't do it. ;)
This reminds me of the immature statements in grade school.
We are Christians. We can do better than this.


....
 

Bible_Highlighter

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2023
2,070
335
83
I never said I haven't done research. In fact, had you read my answer more slowly, you would have found that my answer is biblically based. No revival in history began with a particular Bible translation. Each began as the Spirit began to move upon people. We don't need an outpouring of Bible translations. We could use an outpouring of the Spirit.
Research and learning are not one-time efforts but continuous processes. It's important to approach each topic with an open mind and a commitment to discovering the truth. Over time, perspectives can evolve as new information comes to light. This ongoing pursuit of knowledge ensures that we’re not confined to outdated or biased understanding, but rather we are always seeking deeper insight and accuracy in what we know.

But again, all you have to do is research the internet and see that the KJV played a part in three of the great revivals we had in history. If you believe otherwise, you need to show facts saying otherwise instead of opinion.

As for the Spirit: Anyone can say they are being led by the Spirit. Many today say this and yet they believe and do false things against the Holy Bible. So this is not some kind of standard that we can test and see. We need to go by the written instructions we are given by God to determine the truth. After all, the Scriptures are inspired by God.


....
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,218
6,610
113
62
Research and learning are not one-time efforts but continuous processes. It's important to approach each topic with an open mind and a commitment to discovering the truth. Over time, perspectives can evolve as new information comes to light. This ongoing pursuit of knowledge ensures that we’re not confined to outdated or biased understanding, but rather we are always seeking deeper insight and accuracy in what we know.

But again, all you have to do is research the internet and see that the KJV played a part in three of the great revivals we had in history. If you believe otherwise, you need to show facts saying otherwise instead of opinion.

As for the Spirit: Anyone can say they are being led by the Spirit. Many today say this and yet they believe and do false things against the Holy Bible. So this is not some kind of standard that we can test and see. We need to go by the written instructions we are given by God to determine the truth. After all, the Scriptures are inspired by God.


....
I get it...you have difficulty saying you are wrong.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,159
2,174
113
And to whom hath the arm of the LORD been revealed? The Spirit (of Truth) is that which reveals the Arm of the LORD, but they do not perceive it, then it is not their eyes they are denying but the Truth.

"For they loved praise from men more than praise from God."-John 12:43

Romans 10:16 "But not all of them welcomed the good news..."
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,472
13,785
113
As for the Spirit: Anyone can say they are being led by the Spirit. Many today say this and yet they believe and do false things against the Holy Bible. So this is not some kind of standard that we can test and see. We need to go by the written instructions we are given by God to determine the truth. After all, the Scriptures are inspired by God.
The problem with your argument here is that for you, “the word of God = KJV” exclusively and “Scriptures = KJV” exclusively. Since we do not agree with these propositions, there is no basis for discussing your points.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,175
29,476
113
And to whom hath the arm of the LORD been revealed? The Spirit (of Truth) is that which reveals the Arm of the LORD, but they do not perceive it, then it is not their eyes they are denying but the Truth.

"For they loved praise from men more than praise from God."-John 12:43

Romans 10:16 "But not all of them welcomed the good news..."

John 12:38b-40 “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord
been revealed?” For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,472
13,785
113
Please bring up any point you think I am ignoring, and I will be happy to discuss it. So far you have not really resolved Daniel 3:28.
Since you believe I haven’t resolved it, consider this: after this statement, did Neb act in accordance with his statement? No. He didn’t actually believe it the way you think he meant.

This reminds me of the immature statements in grade school.
We are Christians. We can do better than this.
So you think it is acceptable for you to make insulting remarks and insinuations, but you want to “do better” than what you perceive to be immature comments? Get your priorities in order!
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,887
2,113
113
Bible_Highlighter said:
Job 38:7 tells us that “sons of God” are angels.
No, it does not. It says, "sons of God"; bene Elohim. Those Hebrew words are not the words for 'angels'.
I have to agree with Dino246 on this point.


If you look closely at Job 1:6, it provides strong evidence that the "sons of God" are indeed angels. The verse says:

"Now there was a day when the sons of Godcame to present themselves before the LORD,and Satan came also among them." (Job 1:6).
In this passage, the "sons of God" are clearly in the heavenly realm, appearing before God alongside Satan. This setting, in the presence of God, strongly suggests that these "sons of God" are not human beings but heavenly beings—angels. Humans, after all, don't have direct access to the heavenly courts like this.
I disagree that the Job 1 & 2 setting was "IN HEAVEN".

I've made posts in the past, showing why.

It is an ASSUMPTION (and I believe, an INCORRECT one) that this "setting" was "IN HEAVEN / in the HEAVENLY COURTS".


These same words (the Hebrew words I placed in GREEN text ^ in your quote) are used elsewhere (together), when talking about "humans" on the earth (doing this... SAME [same Hebrew wording]). If there were NO other examples (where THESE specific Hebrew words are used [same way, together], regarding "humans" ON THE EARTH, doing this... then you might have a case. But there IS!)

Bottom line, it is only an ASSUMPTION that this setting is NOT on the earth (thus must be up IN HEAVEN, the assumption goes...)