There is little in this life that we are truly able to count on. Money will never be sufficient as a fix all. Education is important but the wisdom of the Lord is of far, far, greater importance. The reason why wisdom of the Lord is better than anything else is because the Lord is over all things, right down to the thoughts of any one discerning individual, wherever they may be.
We are able to see this in action through the Old Testament prophecies concerning our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Each and every prophecy came true, exactly as was told through Scripture! With this wisdom imparted to you and me, we can then KNOW beyond a shadow of doubt that the prophecies of the future are exactly true as well.
2 Timothy 3.1-7: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Did you catch the areas that are emboldened? If not, back up and reread the Scripture above. “Ever learning,” Yes…education is important, but education is often flawed by the “thoughts” of the professors, they are human as well. As such these professors, love nothing more than to add what they “feel” is important as compared to what is truly important (especially when it comes to Scripture). The Bible is most emphatic concerning what is written and the usage of words count as well. For example, think in terms of the exact translation of a Hebrew word, through Latin and then to English.
Man is the failure each and every time, thus “Never able to come to the knowledge of truth” stands out like a sore thumb. It is in this arena, that the majority become confused as to what the Bible is saying. Bible study then takes on an entirely different attitude, sort of like the term, “Bed and Breakfast…or…”Bed or Breakfast” but I believe you are able to discern the difference. Suffice it to say, Bible study is important for the follower of Christ, because the endeavor is to look more closely at original word definition through translation to English.
One can easily see the magnitude of Bible Study with reference to translation where Sheol is defined for us, found in Ecclesiastes chapter 9.
“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.… Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave [Sheol], whither thou goest.” (Smyma.org.. “Death and the Grave”)
There is a difference in translation between “Sheol ” and then that of “Gehanna.” I am sure you are able to discern the difference. “Sheol” in the Old Testament means “Hell” and “Gehanna” in that time period meant “the grave.” The point is this: Bible study is that time when these word usages are defined to a greater extent, thus better understanding of God’s Word.
There is one word that has never changed one iota in its usage: “SIN.” Then we see the answer to SIN as one statement of the greatest importance to Man, the blood of Jesus Christ covers all SIN. When we look at this in its proper context, we then see the simplicity. There will always be SIN in all of mankind, but ONLY the blood of Jesus Christ from the cross at Calvary can cover that SIN. It is important then to note, that both your sin and mine is covered by the blood of Jesus Christ…or it is NOT! That my friends, is the point of salvation!
Again this is the entire reason for my focus on SIN, as compared to other things. The Rapture and the Tribulation are extremely important to know and have a better understanding of, YET…salvation through Jesus Christ…is the entire reason for who will go in the Rapture and who will be left behind for the Tribulation!
If we go back about sixty years ago we see the relevance of the Rapture and Tribulation are of a slight importance. Where as today, we are in the midst of the “End of Days” just before the advent of the Rapture and the beginning of the Tribulation. Our personal perspectives are very different than sixty years ago by virtue of the current events of today.
I am always excited by the events of today’s eschatology. Yet in my view, salvation of any and every individual is of far greater importance. I believe that salvation is to be the center most point according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. HIS sacrificial death on the cross is that which defines the eternal destiny of each person. The day of the Lord’s return in the Rapture, is the “fulcrum point” of these last days and the people that have lived on this planet since Adam and Eve.
It must be clearly understood that SIN is the ONE THING that stands between being with our Lord and Savior in heaven, and being with Satan and his ilk in hell. That ONE THING, that ONE DECISION…must be met by each and every person that has ever lived up and until their death or the Rapture. I believe salvation is the exact point of the Bible, Gods Holy Word to you and me. Having said that, it is most important to have the “wisdom and discernment” of the Lord as we read the Bible.
Have you ever noticed how many have read the Bible, maybe not all the way through and that many have turned around and stated that the Bible is full of discrepancies? There is a lack of wisdom and discernment! One must go to the Lord in prayer and ask for this wisdom, there must be a desire for understanding of Gods Word…FIRST! In other words, there is a process and procedure in obtaining wisdom of the Lord! As I have stated before, The Word of God…is for the believer! Then the believer takes his or her knowledge of God’s Word…to the lost. This is then a righteous and just endeavor by the believer, before the eyes of the Lord God Almighty, who is a righteous and just God!
Please don’t send me your thoughts that some other area of the Bible is more important than another. The point of the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to reach the lost…through the guidance of the believer as led by the Holy Spirit.