Q & A's
Answer to
Question 1
(Continued)
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Question 1 (Continued) |
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Question 1 (Continued) |
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The following is a condensed
version of Appendix C. To download a full version of Appendix C in Acrobat(R) PDF* format, click here. |
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Jesus was not speaking archaic Aramaic to Mary and Joseph yet, "they understood not the saying which he spake unto them." Obsolete words were not the obstacle when he asked Peter, "Are ye also yet without understanding? God tells us man's inability to understand the bible has a number of causes, none of which is a limitation in his vocabulary. The bible is not difficult to understand — it is impossible — unless God's criteria are met. The verses and checklists to follow should help the reader look within his heart for the start of the knot, and then look up to God for the unraveling. |
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The bible is a sealed book. | |
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Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot;
for it is sealed. Isaiah 29:10, 11 |
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Man's sin casts a shadow which darkens his understanding of each verse. | |
| [N]one of the wicked shall understand. Daniel 12:10 | ||
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Even man's mind cannot penetrate the deep, dark shadow which blackens 'the book'. | |
| But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. I Corinthians 2:14 | ||
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There is 'a way' of understanding the bible and that way is Jesus Christ. | |
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Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding. I Chronicles 22:12 |
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THE SEVEN SEALS |
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A NEW HEART | |
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When we receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour, he gives us a new heart where the Spirit of God can dwell. Have you received him? | |
| Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God...Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:3, 5 | ||
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PRAY | |
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Do you pray before you study the bible? | |
| If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God. James 1:5 | ||
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READ and HEAR | |
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Are your senses (seeing and hearing) saturated with the bible, or are they filled with other things such as television, videos, radio, books, newspapers, magazines, or gossip? | |
| Wisdom [the bible] is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. [TV, magazines, catalogues, etc.] Proverbs 17:24 | ||
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Do you attend church regularly to hear those whom God has given the ministry of teaching? | |
| And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15 | ||
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Do the teachers you hear (church, media, books) gain their understanding of the scriptures from following God's criteria or man's (degrees, commentaries, consensus)? | |
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[H]e that followeth vain persons is void of
understanding? Proverbs 12:11 |
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SEEK | |
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Do you pursue an understanding of the bible daily? | |
| I am understanding...those that seek me early shall find me...Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates. Proverbs 8:14, 17, 34 | ||
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DELIGHT | |
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How do you delight yourself? Are your 'delights' related to the flesh or the spirit? Self or God? | |
| [H]is delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:2 | ||
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MEMORIZE AND MEDITATE | |
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Do you think about scripture verses you have memorized or do you think about other things? | |
| I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. Psalm 119:99 | ||
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OBEY | |
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Do you obey the light God has already given you? Do you think he will give you more understanding if you do not follow that which he has already shown you? | |
| I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. Psalm 119:100 | ||
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Have you allowed sin to creep into your life? | |
| [Y]et made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. Daniel 9:13 | ||
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| *Please Note: PDF files require Adobe(R) Acrobat Reader. Adobe(R) Acrobat Reader software may be downloaded without charge, however, in no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by A.V. Publications, Corp. |
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P.O. Box 280, Ararat, Virginia 24053 USA Phone: (800) 435-4535 (CC Orders Only) All other orders: (540) 251-1734 Fax: (540) 251-1734  Prov. 30:5 |