There is only one Bible: one message the words of which are inspired by God. It was mostly written on scrolls, but very few of us can read ancient Hebrew or Greek, so we have versions in English. (The quotations below are from the English Standard version.) Nowadays there are many such translations; some more accurate than others. Obviously, it is better to have an accurate translation. Even so, English Bibles vary in their appearance. Some have extra information added by the translators, e.g. margins, cross-references, translation notes or a concordance. Some have maps and pictures; some have commentaries and these may, or may not, be accurate. And Bibles vary in appearance. There are a variety of covers, different paper quality, font and page layout. But what does your Bible look like?

Well, what does your favourite armchair look like? It is unlikely to be in the same pristine condition as when it was new. Although you have looked after it, it possibly looks a bit worn and even maybe in need of some repair or attention. While well-loved, it is probably obvious that it has been much used and appreciated.

So, what does your Bible look like?

The Bible makes awesome claims. Time and time again a message or warning starts with words like, “Thus says the LORD.”

And its authority and power are second to none:

“…knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”.

2 Peter 1:20-21

^“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whomyou learned itand how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work”.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart”.

Hebrews 4:12

2 Timothy 3:14-17

A Bible is precious so it should be cherished, but used. As someone once said, “A Bible that is falling apart is owned by people who are not.”

 What is YOUR Bible like?

All being well, Charles III will be crowned as king on 6^th May 2023, having acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022. The last coronation in the UK was that of his mother, 70 years ago, when Charles was a little boy. Born as an heir to the throne he has waited many years for this occasion, and at the age of 74 he will be the oldest person ever to assume the British throne.

This is not, however, a world record. For example, King Abdullah was over 80 when he ascended the throne of Saudi Arabia, and Emir Nawaf ascended the throne of Kuwait at the age of 83.

Many years ago, someone else was born to be a king, and knew it from an early age.

“And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end”.

Luke 1:32

The angel Gabriel said these words to Mary, the mother of Jesus, before he was conceived.

It was confirmed by Jesus himself, at the trial which led to his crucifixion:

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.

John 18:37

And, although Jesus was never crowned, the inscription on his cross declared him to be ‘King of the Jews’.

The Bible is full of references to the kingdom of God on earth with Jesus as king. Jesus is waiting in heaven for the time determined by God, and then he will come back to earth and rule.

There will be much pomp and ceremony when Charles III is crowned. Although some people are not in favour of such pageantry, or even of the monarchy itself, few people will be unaware of the event.

 But how many people are aware that a greater king is coming? And how many will be pleased to see Jesus as God’s king over the whole earth?

Are we ready for that event which will be even more splendid and glorious than 6^th May? Indeed, it will be awesome and earth-shattering in its impact.  For Jesus is the future king of the world and he will come again to rule for ever.

This is the time of year for quizzes. Questions about the Bible are less common than they used to be, and people seem to struggle with the answers.

See how you can do with this quiz for the end of 2022 and the start of 2023.

FIRST and LAST

1. What is the FIRST book in the New Testament of the Bible?
   
   
2. What is the LAST book in the Old Testament of the English (not Hebrew) Bible?
   
   
3. Who said that the FIRST would be LAST and the LAST would be FIRST?
    (Mark 10:31)
   
   
4. Adam was the FIRST man. Who was the LAST Adam?  (1 Corinthians 15:45)
   
   
5. What did Jesus say is the FIRST and most important commandment? (Mark 12:28-30)
   
   
6. What are the LAST words of Jesus in the Bible? (Revelation 22:20)
   
   
7. What did the Jewish prophets say would be built in the LAST days?
   (Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1)

Image by Shahid Abdullah from Pixabay