PAGE II: DID GOD WRITE IT? The greatest mystery of the bible is whether or not God actually wrote it. The bible itself tells us He did. Consider these two bible verses:

1. II Tim. 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"

The word "inspiration" can literally mean "God breathed". It is derived from the Greek word "theopneutos". "Theo" means "God" and "pneutos" means "breathed". The Old Testament is written in Hebrew and the only word for "God breathed" in the Old Testament is "nehemiah" which is found in Job 32:8.

So what does this mean? Simply that God breathed on the writers of the bible and told them what to write. If you don't think God wrote the bible, consider this:

Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the bible and Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the bible. What chapter is in the center of the bible? Psalm 118. So right in between the longest chapter and the shortest chapter is Psalm 118. There are exactly 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after 118.

Add 594 + 594 and you get 1188 or Psalms 118:8. What does this verse say? It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. That is the central message of the entire bible. Trust God and He will lift you up. Need more proof that God is the author of the bible? This will help to clarify the mystery of the bible.

2. II Peter 1:21 "For prophecy came not in old times by the will of man; but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

The Holy Spirit is part of the triune Godhead. God the father, God the son, & God the spirit. This verse is saying that God told men what to write concerning future events. This is "prophecy". What is "prophecy"? It is the future written in advance. Many of the bible prophecies have already been fulfilled. Many more are yet to be fulfilled. One day they all will come to pass. Bible prophecy validates the word of God which is further proof that God is the author of the bible.

Here is another verse Heb. 1:1, "God, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spoke in time past unto our fathers." Before the bible was completed, God spoke to men in different ways and told them what to write. He appeared to Moses as a burning bush. He appeared as a blinding light to Paul on the road to Damascus. Daniel saw visions. Jeremiah didn't want to prophesy, but "God's word" burned inside of him. He had to prophesy. God used angels to speak to Abraham in Genesis 18 & 19 and to Daniel in Chapter 10:10. He even used the casting of lots to speak to men. See Jonah 1:7 and Proverbs 16:33

3. David said, "The spirit of the Lord spake by me and his word was in my tongue" II Sam. 23:2. The answer to one mystery of the bible is that it was the inspiration of God through men that wrote the bible. God has always used men to do His work. That is still true today.

When you read the prophets, they are always saying "Thus saith the Lord". This clarifies that it is not their words but God's word.

Mystery Of The Bible - Page One