'Da VINCI CODE'
Uncovering the
LIES & DECEPTIONS
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.   

UNCOVERING THE LIES & DECEPTIONS OF THE 'DA VINCI CODE' & 'JESUS PAPERS'

"Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:13); "Preach the Word ..... For the time shall come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:2-4)

There are those who say that the  'Day of Revivals' is over, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has lost its power.  And that the Bible has become an obsolete book, because of the horrific attacks against its veracity and evil and wicked forces!

They intimate that the influence of the Church is passé and the Gospel Ministry of saving souls, healing the sick and restoring lives, marriages and homes, belonged to a different time.  They also say we are now living in the Post-Christian era.

Without doubt, the attacks by diabolical "enemies of the cross" will harm the cause of Christ.  The rebellious and gullible will believe their lies and be attracted to their hateful propaganda much like those drawn toward the occult, New Age Movement, perverted sex, drugs, alcohol and pornography.

People who are disgruntled by organized religion - especially the Roman Catholic Church - are prime targets for the biased, distorted views and down right lies that ooze out of the 'Jesus Papers" and "The Da Vinci Code."

SURVEYS SHOW THAT 60% OF BRITISH PEOPLE WHO READ the "DA VINCI CODE" BELIEVE JESUS HAD CHILDREN WITH MARY MAGDALENE

The Norwegian Lutheran Newspaper 'Dagen' (May 28, 2006) reported that according to a recent survey, 60 percent of British people who read the book 'The Da Vinci Code' believed that Jesus had children with Mary Magdalene and 30 percent of those who had not read the book also believed that pernicious, blasphemous lie.  That is deplorable!

That normal people with a functioning brain, could become so deluded by these fabrications in the book and movie, the 'The Da Vinci Code' is very alarming.  These fabrications and distortions deliberately reconstruct the historical records regarding the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth.

I guess it does make sense, when you realize that those same people flock to theatres to view flicks produced by 'freaks' like Michael Moore, and 'weird conspiracy advocates' who reject the holocaust, blame the Jews and CIA for the 9/11 attacks on America and declare that astronauts did not walk on the moon and that the U.S. Government is hiding aliens in Roswell.

WHY DO PEOPLE BELIEVE THE FALSE DISTORTIONS OF THE 'DA VINCI CODE' AND 'JESUS PAPERS'

The Bible gives the REAL REASON people accept and believe false doctrines and reject the Gospel instead of embracing it:  "And this is the condemnation, that men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (John 3:19)

It is sad that millions of people are so warped intellectually, that they would so easily believe such nonsense as is shown in the 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'the Jesus Papers.'   This book and movie is a total fabrications and rejection of the detailed historical evidence validated by the Jewish Sanhedrin, the noted Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate and the Centurion who crucified Jesus of Nazareth.  Also the Roman historians and the eye witness accounts of more than 500 people who saw Him after His crucifixion and resurrection.

HOLLYWOOD MAKES THE MONEY FROM THE 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'the JESUS PAPERS'  BUT THEY WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY SOULS LOST 

Brown and Baigent will make hundreds of millions of dollars for the promotion of their blaspemous work.  We know these people have an agenda.  They blatantly promote goddess worship, hate the gospel of Jesus Christ, disdain the Roman Catholic Church and will do anything for money.

The Holy Record states: "And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, THEY GAVE LARGE MONEY unto the soldiers, saying: Say ye, His disciples came by night an stole Him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you."

"SO THEY TOOK THE MONEY", and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. (Matthew 28:12-15)  Some people will do anything to get their name in the paper, their faces on television and a multi-million dollar bank account.  Judas, however, sold Jesus for only 30 pieces of silver.

Pea brains like the deceptive, money grabbing publicity hounds  like Michael Baigent and Dan Brown have nevertheless pulled off a diabolical coup, with a less than brilliant press corps eating up their blasphemous lies as if it were the truth.

The EVIL CONSPIRATORS behind the poisonous attacks on our Lord Jesus Christ took into consideration the millions of Muslims who would gloat at the depiction of Jesus as having escaped crucifixion, seeing an opportunity to promote their false, blasphemous, twisted teaching.

Hollywood knew they had a ready audience among Jews who continue to reject Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah, although their meticulous historical records prove His crucifixion.

EMINENT HISTORIAN SPEAKS

Here is an excerpt from 'The Early Jewish & Gentile Writings' by the eminent theologian and historian F.F. Bruce:

"As the Mishnah is a law code, and the Talmuds commentaries on this code, there is little occasion in these writings for references to Christianity, and what references there are, are hostile in nature.  Such as they are, these references do show there was not the slightest doubt of the historical character of Jesus.

According to the earlier Rabbis who opinions are recorded in these writings, Jesus of Nazareth was a transgressor in Israel, who practiced magic, scorned the words of the wise, led people astray, and said he had not come to destroy the law but to add to it.  He was hanged on Passover Eve for heresy and misleading the people. His disciples, of whom five are named, healed the sick in his name.

"It is clear that this is just such a portrayal of our Lord we might expect those elements in the 'Pharisaic Party' which were opposed to him.  Some of the names by which he is called bear witness directly or indirectly to the Gospel record.  The appellation Ha-Taluy - 'The hanged One' - obviously refers to the manner of His death."

"But we have earlier and more important Jewish literature or our purpose than anything found in the Talmuds. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus who was born of a priestly family in AD 37 writes about Jesus.  In the 'Antiquities' (xx.9.1), Josephus describes the high handed acts of the high priest Ananus after the death of the procurator Festus (AD 61) in these words:

'....As therefore Annus was of such a disposition, he though he had now a good opportunity, as Festus was no dead, and Albinos was still on the road; so he assembled a council of judges, and brought before it the brother of Jesus the so-called Christ, whose name was James, together with some others, and having accused them as law-breakers, he delivered them over to be stoned.'

"The story of the death of  'James the Just' (as the Lord's brother was called) is told in greater detail by Hegesippus, a Jewish Christian writer of c.AD 170.  The account in Josephus is chiefly important because he calls James 'the brother Jesus the so-called Christ',. in such a way as to suggest that he has already made some reference to Jesus.  We do find reference to him in all extant (existing) copies of Josephus, the so called Testimonium Flavianum in Antiquities xviii.3.3.

"There Josephus narrates some of the troubles which marked the procuratorship of pilate, and continues:

'And there arose about this time Jesus, a wise man, if indeed we should call him a man; for he was a doer of marvelous deeds, a teacher of men who receive the truth with pleasure.  He led away many Jews, and also many of the Greeks.  This man was the Christ.  And when Pilate had condemned him to the cross on his impeachment by the chief men among us, those who had loved him at first did not cease; for he appeared to them on the third day alive again, the divine prophets having spoken these and thousands of other wonderful things about him: and even now the tribe of Christians, so named after him, has not yet died out.'o-called'

"This is a translation of the text of this passage as it has come down to us, and we know that it was the same at the time of Eusebius (275-339 A.D.), who quotes it twice: 'Some acute critics have found no difficulty in accepting the Testimonium Flavianum as it stands'."

The passage certainly contains several characteristic features of the dictation of Josephus, as has been pointed out by the late Dr. H. St. John/Thackeray (the leading British authority on Josephus in recent years) and others.

THACKERAY: LEADING BRITISH AUTHORITY ON JOSEPHUS

"It has also been pointed out that or omission of words, short phrases is characteristic of the textual tradition the Antiquities, which makes it easier to accept a suggestion that the word 'so-called' has ddropped out before 'Christ', and some such phrase as 'as they said' or possibly 'as they say' after 'for he appeared to them'. Both these suggested emendations are attractive, the former especially so, because the very phrase 'the so-called Christ' occurs in the passage where Josephus related the death of James.

"Two other emendations have much to commend them.  One is a suggestions of Thackeray, that instead of 'the truth' (Greek aethe) we  should read 'strange things' Greek aethe).  The other is a suggestion of r. Robert Eisle, that some words have fallen out at the beginning.  If the passage, which originally commenced: "And there arose about this time a source of new troubles, one Jesus.'  If then, we adopt these emendations of the test, this is what we get as a result:

'And there arose about this time a source of new troubles, one Jesus, a wise man.  He was a doer of marvelous deeds, a teacher of men who receive strange things with pleasure.  He led away many Jews, and also many of the Greeks.  This man was the so-called Christ. And when Pilate had condemned him to the cross on his impeachment by the chief men among us, those who had loved him at first did not cease; for he appeared to them, as they said, on the third day alive again, the divine prophets have spoken these and thousands of other wonderful things about him: and even now the tribe of Christians, so named after him, has not yet died out.'

"...This version of the Testimonium has got rid, by one or two very simple devices, of the difficulties of the traditional while it preserves (or even enhances) the worth of passage as a historical document.  The flavour of contempt is a little more marked as a result of the addition; and the closing reference to 'the tribe of Christians' is not inconsonant with a hope that though have not yet died out, they soon may.'

HISTORIAN JOSEPHUS VERIFIES CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST

"We have therefore very good reason for believing that JOSEPHUS did make reference to Jesus, bearing witness to (a) His date, (b) His reputation as a wonderworker, (c) His being the brother of James, (d) His crucifixion under Pilate at the information of the Jewish rulers, (*e) His messianic claim, (f) His being the founder of  'the tribe of Christians', and probably (g) the belief in His rising from the dead."

"The first Gentile writer who concerns us seems to be one called Thallus, who about AD 52, wrote a work tracing the history of Greece and its relations with Asia from the Trojan War to his own day.  He has been identified with a Samaritan of that name, who is mentioned by Josephus (Ant.xviii.6.4.) as being a freed man of the Emperor Tiberius.

"Now Julius Africanus, a Christian writer on chronology about AD 221, who knew the writing of Thallus, says when discussing the darkness which fell upon the land during the crucifixion of Christ: 'Thallus, in the third book of his histories, explains away this darkness as an eclipse of the sun - unreasonably - as it seems to me' (unreasonably, of course, because a solar eclipse could not take place at the time of the full moon, and it was at the season of the paschal full moon that Christ died).'"

"From this reference in Julius Africanus it has been inferred (a) that the gospel tradition, or at least the traditional story of the passion, was known in Rome in non-Christian circles towards the middle of the first century; and (b) that the enemies of Christianity tried to refute this Christian tradition by giving a naturalistic interpretation to the facts which it reported."

"But the writings of Thallus have disappeared; we know that only in fragments cited by later writers.  Apart from him, no certain reference is made to Christianity in any extent (existing) non-Christian Gentile writing of the first century."

"There is, indeed, in the British Museum an interesting manuscript preservging the tet of a letter written some time later than AD 73, but how much later we cannot be sure.  This letter was sent by a Syrian named Mara Bar-Serapion to his son Serapion.  Mara Bar-Serapion  was in prison at the time, but he wrote to encourage his son in the pursuit of wisdom, and pointed out that those who persecuted wise men were overtaken by misfortune.  He instances the death of Socrates, Pythagoras and Christ:

'What advantage did the Anthenian, gain from putting Socrates to death?  Famine and plague came upon them as a judgment for their crime.  What advantage did the men of Samos, gain from burning Pythagoras?  In a moment their land was covered with sand.  What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise King?  It was just after that that their kingdom was abolished.'

'God justly avenged these three wise men:  the Athenians died of hunger; the Samians were overwhelmed by the sea; the Jews, ruined and driven from their land, live in complete dispersion.  But Socrates did not die for good; he lived on in the teaching of Plato.  Phythagoras did not die for good; he lived on in the statue of Hera.  Nor did the wise King die for good; He lived on in the teaching which He had given.'

"This writer can scarcely have been a Christian, or he would have said that Christ lived on by being raised from the dead.  He was more probably a Gentile philosopher, who led the way in what later became a commonplace, the placing of Christ on a comparable footing with the great sages of antiquity.

ROMAN HISTORIAN RECORDS PILATE'S ROLE IN JESUS DEATH

"...Certainly some ancient writers believed that Pilate did send in such a report, but there is no evidence that any of them had any real knowledge of it.  About AD 150, Justin Martyr, addressing his 'Defense of Christianity' to the Emperor Antoninius Pius, referred him to Pilate's report, which Justin supposed must be preserved in the imperial archives."

"But the words, 'They pierced my hands and my feet;, he says, 'are a description of the nails that were fixed in His hands and His feet on the cross; and after He was crucified, those who crucified Him cast lots for His garments, and divided them among themselves; and that these things were so that you may learn from the "Acts" which were recorded under Pontius Pilate.'  Later he says: 'That He performed these miracles you may easily be satisfied from the "Acts" of Pontius Pilate.'

"The greatest Roman historian in the days of the Empire was Cornelius Tacitus who was born between AD 52 and AD 54, and wrote the history of Tome under the emperors.  About the age of 60, when writing the story of the reign of Nero (AD 56-68), he described the great fire which ravaged Rome in AD 64 and told how it was widely rumored that Nero had instigated the fire, in order to gain greater glory for himself by rebuilding the city."

"He goes on: 'Therefore, to scotch the rumour, Nero substituted as culprits, and punished with the utmost refinement of cruelty, a class of men, loathed for their vice, whom the crowd styled Christians.

'Christus, from whom they got their name, had been executed by sentence of the procurator Pontius Pilate when Tiberius was emperor, and the pernicious superstition was checked for a short time, only to break out afresh, not only in Judaea, the home of the plague, but in Rome itself, where all he horrible and shameful things in the world collect and find a home.'

"Tacitus was in a position to have access to such official information as was available; he was the son-in-law of Julius Agricola, who was governor of Britian in AD 80 to AD 84.  If Pilate did send a report to Rome, Tacitus was more likely to know of it than most writers, his language is too summary to make any such inference certain."

"One point in worth noting however, apart from Jewish and Christian writers, Tacitus is the one and only ancient author to mention Pilate.  It may surely be accounted one of the ironies of history that the only mention Pilate receives from a Roman historian is in connection with the part he played in the execution of Jesus."

"The Great Fire of Rome is also mentioned by Toning, who about AD 120 wrote the lives of the first twelve Caesars, from Julius Caesar onwards.  In his 'Life of Nero' (xvi.2) he says:

'Punishment was inflicted on the Christians, a class of men addicted to a novel and mischievous superstition.'  Another possible reference to Christianity occurs in 'Life of Claudius' (xxv.4), of whom he says: 'As the Jews were making constant disturbance at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome.'

PLINIUS ASKS HOW TO DEAL WITH WORSHIPPERS OF JESUS

"In AD 112, C. Plinius. Secundus (Pliny the Younger), governor of Bithyia in Asia minor, wrote a letter to the Emperor Trajan, asking his advice on how to deal with the troublesome sect of Christians, who were embarrassingly numerous in his province."

"According to evidence he had secured by examining some of them under torture, 'they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang an anthem to Christ as God, and bound themselves by a solemn oath (sacramentum) not to commit any wicked deed, but to abstain from all fraud, theft and adultery, never to break their word, or deny a trust when called upon to honour it; after which it was their custom to separate, and then meet again to partake of food of an ordinary and innocent kind."

"Whatever else may be thought of the evidence from early Jewish and Gentile writers, as summarized in this chapter and the preceding one, it does at least establish for those who refuse the witness of Christian writings, the historical character of Jesus Himsef.

"Some writers may toy with the fancy of a 'Christ-myth', but they do not do so on the ground of historical evidence.  The historicity of Christ is an axiomatic for an unbiased historian as the historicity of Julius Caesar.  It is not historians who propagate the 'Christ-myth' theories.'

"The earliest propagators of Christianity welcomed the fullest examination of the credentials of their message.  The events which they proclaimed were, as Paul said to king Agrippa, "not done in a corner", and were well able to bear all the light that could be thrown on them."

"The spirit of these early Christians ought to animate their modern descendants.  For by an acquaintance with the relevant evidence that will not only be able to give to everyone who asks them a reason for the hope that is in them, but they themselves, like Theophilus, will thus know more accurately how secure is the basis of the faith which they have been taught."

It is EVIDENT from the above historical facts that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified on Calvary's cross by the Romans at the behest and prodding of the Jewish Sanhedrin, as the New Testament proclaims.

It is also EVIDENT that the 'pin-heads' who wrote the Jesus' Papers and the Da Vinci Code have not studied history and are among 'the most ignorant of peoples", or are the "most cunning liars" and deceptive "distorters of history" on the planet today.

The devil's crowd has tried unsuccessfully to derail the 'Gospel Train" for 2000 years.  Its just not going to work!  We are aware of Satan's 'same-old, same-old' tired, worthless, worn out tricks!

Dr. Bart D. Ehrman, Department Chair of Religious Studies at University of NC, Chapel Hill states, "Not a single one of our ancient sources indicates that Jesus was married, let alone married to Mary Magdalene."

TWO SOURCES OF SUPERNATURAL WISDOM

There are only two sources of supernatural wisdom - God and Satan.  Therefore, we need a divinely formulated rule book as a guide or measuring stick.  The Bible is that rule-book.

Jesus Christ endorsed the Holy Scriptures.  He even said, "For verily I say unto you, Til heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle (iota) shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (Matthew 5:18' 24; 35)

Multitudes are looking for a reliable voice of authority.  They know they cannot trust treaties between world leaders or statements made by philosophers, modernistic theologians and scientists.

The Bible, God's Word, is the only real authority we have!  Proven trustworthy throughout the centuries, the holy Bible sheds light on human nature, world problems and human sufferings.  Beyond that, it clearly reveals the way to God!

WHO WROTE THE BIBLE?  

Where did it originate and why is it so important?  Biblical scholar Dr. Moshe Katz, and computer expert Dr. Menachen Wiener of 'The Technician' - Israel's Institute of Technology - have concluded that God is its author!

Their conclusion is based on the notion that significant words are concealed in the Hebrew text of the first five books of the Bible, spelled by letter, separated at fixed intervals; a system alluded to in Rabbinical literature used much later.

Dr. Katz said the researchers' evidence contradicts the belief that the Pentateuch is a collection of documents written and edited by different persons at different times.

The patterns of letters repeated throughout all the text dismiss this theory, because the statistical probabilities of the pattern are information appearing at set intervals.  By chance, it is extremely low - sometimes one to three million!

Katz pointed to the repetition of the Hebrew word "Torah" (law), which appears in the book of Genesis repeatedly ever fifty characters, and the word "Elohim" (God), which appears in the same book, then skipping 26 letters.  The numbers 50 and 26 have great significance in Jewish tradition.

The burial site of Adam and Eve is never mentioned in the text in the Bible, but by the letter skipping method the names, "Adam and Eve" appear in the the where the burial place of Abraham and Sarah, the patriarch's tomb, is described.

THE BIBLE IS NOT WRITTEN BY HUMAN HAND

Another extra ordinary aspect to emerge from the research is the prophetic nature of many words revealed in the text, which gives ammunition to Dr. Katz conviction that the Old Testament was not written by a human hand.

In the book of Esther, which is read during the Jewish holiday of Purim, the story of Haman's treachery and execution was graphically told.  Haman's 10 sons were hanged and their names are listed in the same book.  After the hangings, Queen Esther, was asked by the king what more could be done for her and her people, the Jews.  Her reply was that she want "Haman's 10 sons hanged upon the gallows."

This puzzled scholars for centuries, since they had already been hanged.  A major hint explaining this mystery, said Katz, is the appearance of 3 letters.   These 3 letters are "tas, shin and savin" in the list of Haman's 10 hanged sons (written smaller than the other letters).   "TAS, SHIN, ZAYIN" spell out the number in the Jewish calendar for the year 1946 on the Gregorian calendar.

On October 16, 1946, explained Dr. Katz, 10 Nazis were hanged following their conviction and sentencing at the Nuremberg Trials. (11 had been convicted by Herman Goering committed suicide, by poisoning an hour before the execution).  Julius Steicher, one of the 10 hanged, seconds before the noose tightened cried out, "Purim Fest, 1946"!

"Additionally", said Katz, "In 1946 according to the Jewish calendar, October 16th fell exactly on the annual Jewish holiday, "Hoshna Raba", which is considered the last 'day of judgment' in a chain of high holidays, including Hoshana, Raba and Yom Kippur, a period of judgment."

"Such a phenomenon cannot be explained rationally", commented computer expert, Dr. Weiner.  "So we need a non-rational.  And ours is that the Bible was written by God, through the hands of Moses."

In his book, 'Rapture before the Russian Invasion of Israel', Dr. Emil Gavberluk, M.A., Ph.D, Ed.D., writes: "How do we know what happened to the universe?  The only book in the world that can give us that information is called The Bible.  It is a book that cannot be destroyed in spite of nations and individuals who have tried to destroy it down through 3000 years of its existence.

"No other book has this track record.  It is important because it is the only book that God speaks through with authority, wisdom and power.  it is the only book that changes men's lives.  It is the only book that gives us hope for a glorious future.

THE HOLY BIBLE - IS SEALED WITH A COMPLEX CODE

"It is sealed mathematically with a code that has just recently been discovered as the subliminal language of science.  Ivan Panin a professor at Harvard spent some 50 years working 15 hours a day decoding it.  The Israelis have just rediscovered it.  Rabbi David Ordman who directed a 5 year study with 20 rabbinical scholars at the Hebrew University revealed this in prestigious London Sunday Mail (1988).

"They stated: 'The codes are so complex that it took thousands of computer hours to unmask them, and it would have required an ultra-modern hi-tech computer to devise them and hide them in the tet - an obvious impossibility 2,400 years ago.  The Torah, therefore, could only have been written by someone given explicit divine direction on how it was to be done', Rabbi Ordman stressed.

"He suggested that the texts were encoded as a sign to future generations that the Torah is much more than a history of the roots of the ancient Jewish people, but instead a time capsule awaiting a generation with the advanced technology to decode its contents.  Scholars, he said, have long noticed that the number 7 has a mystical significance."

"For example, all the key names in Genesis such as God, Adam and Noah are always mention seven times!  Other examples of this:  Starting with the first letter T in Genesis, and counting ever 49th letter (7 times 7), the word Torah is spelled out.  In Exodus, if you start with the first Y, then add every 7th letter, the Hebrew name of God, Yehovah is spelled out."

"Using these and other examples of the number 7's key importance, Rabbi Ordman and his colleagues programmed all 125,000 words in the Torah and combed through billions of combinations, a job that would have taken humans hundreds of years to complete without computers."

"To their amazement they found that the Bible contains numerous messages hidden in number codes, the significance of which they have yet to understand.  He went on to say that the statistical odds against The Bible being written humanly are impossible."

JESUS SIGNATURED ALSO IN NEW TESTAMENT

Dr. Emil Gaverluk states that the Greek alphabet is also adaptable to mathematics, and this shows that the 2 Testaments are really one revelation from God.  He writes: "In the Greek the number for Jesus is 888.  The same number reveals Him in the Old Testament."

"The first 2 Hebrew words of Deuteronomy and the last 2 Hebrew words of the same book add up to: 'These be the words - all Israel.'  The first 2 add up to 297 and the last 2 add up to 591.  Each letter having the equivalent number, as does the Greek.  The sum total is 888."

"The Gospel of John opens with this test, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the life of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness was overpowered."

Dr. Gaverluk writes: "Jesus is signatured in the Old Testament: Malachi 3:6, "I am" is 63; "Jehovah" is 770; and "Not" is 31; all adding up to 888.  Another: Genesis 13:1, "Almighty God" is 345; and Exodus 3:14 "I am that I am" adds up to 543.  The total signature for Jesus again in 888."

"Special thanks to Albert Nobell for digging these out.  He has more including the prime numbers 37 and 73 in "And the Numbers Cam' along with 'Gematria and a Priori Data' published by Micro-Text, 3221 S. Colfax, Min. Mn.  The number 3 stands for trinity and the number 7 stands for perfection."

CAN THE BIBLE BE TRUSTED?

The Bible can certainly be trusted.  The Bible is the living Word of God.  Over the centuries, a number of very sincere doubters have set out to prove the Bible to be incorrect.

One of these was Sir William Ramsay, who determined to use historical events - especially the 'Book of Acts' to disprove the validity of the Sacred Writings.  His strategy was to travel to every place and do all the things - recorded by Dr. Luke, which St. Paul and his party experienced.

Using similar modes of transportation and reconstructing the great Apostle's missionary journeys, he discovered Luke's accounts so accurate and convincing that he received Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour.

At the conclusion of his study, Sir William Ramsay concluded: "Luke is an historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trust worthy; he is possessed of the true historical sense, he fixed his mind on the idea and plan that rules in the evolution of history, and proportions the scale of his treatment to the importance of each incident... In short, this author should be placed along with the greatest of historians."

The historical accuracy of the Bible overwhelmed Sir William Ramsay! Another 'notable' to be converted to Christ by the outcome of his own research is mathematician, Dr. Ivan Panin.  Immigrating to the USA more than a hundred years ago from his native Russia , the famous atheist was challenged by friends to prove the Bible erroneous, using mathematics.

The results of Dr. Panin's scientific research convinced him that the Bible is indeed a 'mathematical marvel'.

He discovered a miraculous numeric pattern and consistency, which ran like a thread throughout the entire Bible - Old and New Testaments!  Using the same scientific approach to Greek classics, the Apochrapha and books of literature, Dr. Panin found no such divine design.Falling upon his face he cried out for mercy and received Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour!  And he devoted the rest of his life speaking publicly at universities across the USA , proving that the Bible is inerrant, infallible and divine.

WHAT ABOUT THE ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS?

C.H. Irwin stated: “Mighty empires have arisen, flourished and fallen, but God’s Word endures. And in times of scepticism and unbelief, buried records have been brought to light, and forgotten nations, whose very existence was questioned, have been rediscovered. Science, anthropology, philology, and archaeology have all thrown light upon the historic truth of the Scriptures."

In his powerful book, ‘The Story of the Bible’, Sir Fredric Kenyon, the Director and Chief Librarian of the British museum wrote, (1937):

“For all the work of classical antiquity we have to depend upon manuscripts written long after their original composition. The author who is in best case in this respect is Virgil; yet the earliest manuscript of Virgil that we now possess was written some 350 years after his death. For all other classical writers, the interval between the date of the author and the earliest extant manuscript of his works is much greater. For Livy it is about 500 years, for Horace 900, for most of Plato 1,300, for Europides 1,600.

“On the other hand the great vellum uncials of the New Testament were written perhaps some 250 years after the date when the gospels were actually composed, while we now have papyrus manuscripts which reduce the interval by a hundred years. And while the manuscripts of any classical author amount at most to a few score, and in some cases only to a few units, the manuscripts of the Bible are reckoned by thousands."

The following quotes are from the British and Foreign Bible Society’s book, ‘The Master Light’:  “Not one of the manuscripts already mentioned goes back to an earlier date than the fourth century, and it almost came to be assumed that no manuscript of a prior time would ever be unearthed.

“This assumption, however, was falsified by the discovery near the site of the ancient city of Aphroditopolis in Egypt of a group of papyri, afterwards known as the ‘ Chester Beatty Papyri’ (so named after Mr. Chester A. Beatty, who purchased most of them). Some of these go back to the third century, and one even to the second century – this oldest manuscript giving us Numbers and Deuteronomy. There are two manuscripts of Genesis, a fragmentary copy of Isaiah, a leaf of Jeremiah, a manuscript of Ezekiel, Daniel and Esther, a leaf or two of Ecclesiasticus."

“In all, therefore, it will be seen that in these three papyrus manuscripts we have all the books of the New Testament, with the exception of the Pastoral and Catholic (general) Epistles, represented more or less in copies which can be confidently assigned to the third century. A large part of the gap between the original writers and the earliest manuscripts which we possessed of them has thus been filled: and who knows what the future may bring?"

THE OLDEST BIBLE LEAF

“The question: Who knows what the future may bring? is already being answered! The oldest manuscript of the Chester Beatty papyri was the Numbers and Deuteronomy of the second century A.D., but a further discovery was made a year or so ago (1935-1936) – a fragment of Deuteronomy from the Septuagint belonging to the second century B.C.  The story of this precious leaf can only be hinted at.

“In 1917, Dr. Rendel Harris purchased for the John Rylands Library, Manchester, a bundle of papyri, and among them two pieces of ‘cartonnage’, as it is called – the papyrus used for wrapping up mummies. When the various fragments had been disentangled there were found to be portions of a roll of the book of Deuteronomy – small parts of chapters 23 to 26, and a verse or two of chapter 28”.

“Professor Deissmann sums it up this way: “The chief value of the new discovery lies in the fact that the certainty of the handing on through millenniums of the text of the Holy Scripture – which hostile critics have often ventured to dispute – has been established with convincing force in one example."

“The earliest translations were in Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Latin, Gothic and Slavic, and scholars have devoted much to these versions in order to determine what Greek manuscripts were used, and, that questioned settled, what can be gleaned concerning the text of the manuscripts.

Dr. Caspar Rene Gregory, in ‘Canon and text of the New Testament, p. 306 stated: “The value of the translations attaches especially at first to the localizing of texts or of readings, or we may say to the perceiving of the extent to which readings were spread abroad. For it is clear that a reading, whensoever it may come, if it be in the Syrian language, must have been in Syria; if it be in the Coptic translation, must have been in Egypt. Furthermore, in so far as we may succeed in dating a translation approximately, its text offers us a clue to the age of a given form or given readings.”

In ‘The Story of The Bible’ (p.144), Sir Fredric Kenyon summed it all up as follows: “It is reassuring at the end that the general result of all these discoveries and all this study is to strengthen the proof of the authenticity of the Scriptures, and our conviction that we have in our hands, in substantial integrity, the veritable Word of God."

POWERFUL NEW EVIDENCE DISCOVERED

The London Times printed an article by Matthew D’Ancona (Dec. 24, 1994), who wrote of the astonishing discovery made by Dr. Carsten Thiede on three fragments known as the Magdalen Papyrus:

“The casual observer would not look twice. Yet these ancient scraps of papyrus, which have been locked away in an Oxford College library for most of the century… may transform our present understanding of Christianity and the Gospels.

“Dr. Thiede was taken aback by what he found…the strong possibility that the Gospel according to St. Matthew is not the second century version of an oral tradition, but an eye witness account. The New Testament, in other words, may have been written and read by men who walked with Jesus in Galilee .

“Since the Magdalen fragment was dated four decades ago, important research has been carried out which enabled Dr. Thiede to estimate far more accurately the years in which the papyrus was likely to have been written. His conclusions were bold.

“In the course of four trips to Oxford, it became clear to him that the papyrus was written in a distinctive script common in the first century B.C., but petering out by the middle of the first century A.D.  The hand, he gradually realized, was a hundred years older than was previously thought. He will not deny the extraordinary implication of his analysis.

“IF THE NEW DATING IS CORRECT, the Magdalen papyrus would turn out to be the not only the oldest known fragment of Matthew, but the oldest of all listed New Testament manuscripts."

And don’t forget that when the ‘Dead Sea Scrolls’ were found in some caves in I948, the Book of the Isaiah was perfectly intact. Even though the scrolls had been hidden away for more than 2,000 years, the Book of Isaiah is exactly the same as contained in the Holy Bible we have today.

THE BIBLE STILL WORLD'S BEST SELLER

t is small wonder then that the Holy Bible is still the world's ‘best seller’!  The American Bible Society reported in 1982, that the Bible had been translated into 1739 languages and dialects, which are spoken by 97 per cent of the world's population.

According to the General Secretary of the Associated Bible Societies, Fergus MacDonald, more than 40 million Bibles and New Testaments were distributed world-wide in 1998, in more than 200 nations and through more than 130 Bible Societies! The total of Bibles sold were 20,751,515, which is an increase of more than one-half million over the year before, and a gain of more than one million New Testaments, totalling 20,116,627 copies.

MacDonald stated: “We have good reason to praise God for the increase we see, but we have a long way to go, before we can say that we have accommodated the growing hunger after God’s Word.

What does the Bible say about this? "Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." (Ps. 19:2-4)

And what of the loud noises made by some 'Johnny-Come-Lately', like the humanistic philosophers and supposed theologians who call themselves, 'The Jesus Seminar'? As well as opportunistic ‘play actors’ like Baigent, Brown, Howard and Hanks?  I would say, “Much like the proverbial story of the dogs that run after the caravan – The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.”

MORE SCIENTIFIC THAN SCIENCE

Dr. T.A. Pierson says, “There is a danger in pressing the words in the Bible into a positive announcement of scientific fact, so marvelous are some of these correspondencies.  But it is certainly a curious fact that Solomon should use language entirely consistent with discoveries as EVAPORATION and STORM CURRENTS (1:6, 7). Some have boldly said that Redfield’s theory of storms is here explicitly stated.  Without taking such ground, we ask, who taught Solomon to use terms that readily accommodate facts that the MOVEMENT OF THE WINDS which seem to be so lawless and uncertain, ARE RULED BY LAWS AS POSITIVE AS THOSE WHICH RULE THE GROWTH OF THE PLANT: and that by EVAPORATION, the waters that fall on the earth are continually rising again, so that the sea never overflows.

“Ecclesiastes 12:6 is A POETIC DESCRIPTION OF DEATH.  How the ‘SILVER CORD’ describes the spinal marrow, the ‘GOLDEN BOWL’ the basin which holds the brain, the ‘PITCHER’ the lungs, and the ‘WHEEL’ the heart.  Without claiming that Solomon was inspired to foretell the CIRCULATION OF THE BLOOD, 26 centuries before Harvey announced it, is it not remarkable that the language he uses exactly suits the facts - A WHEEL PUMPING UP THROUGH ONE PIPE TO DISCHARGE THROUGH ANOTHER.”

Note:    A portion of this article (pages 8 - 16) is taken from a column I wrote for the Edmonton Sun and other magazines in 1986 called, ‘The Bible: Proof of Supernatural Origin’.  m.s.

C.S. LEWIS’ FAMOUS STATEMENT

A number of years ago, US President Ronald Reagan quoted C.S. Lewis – the renowned Oxford professor – about Jesus Christ, when he made his profession of faith. Here is the famous quote in full:

“I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing about Him: “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the things that Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with a man who says he is a poached egg – or else He would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse…But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about Him being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

After his close encounter with death at the hands of a deranged assassin, President Ronald Reagan was asked by his pastor, “Were you ready to die?” He answered, “No, I have much more to do!” The pastor continued, “No, I meant, were you ready to meet God?” President Reagan answered, “Yes.” The pastor questioned, “Why?” With a knowing smile, President Reagan replied, “I have a Saviour!"

My dear friend, reading these lines: My question to you is, “Do you have a Saviour?” When the Philippian Jailor asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved”, they answered: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house.” (Acts 16: 31 )

IT’S NOT GOING TO WORK

The Jewish Sanhedrin tried ‘early-on’ to stamp out the followers of Jesus, but they couldn’t do it. Five thousand were converted when a crippled beggar was healed. The High Priest and Jewish leaders got extremely nervous when these great things happened in the name of Jesus, Whom they had crucified.

Commenting on the miracle, Peter declared: “And His name (Jesus Christ) through faith in His name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given Him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3: 16 )

As word of the ‘AWAKENING’ spread through the city of Jerusalem , the disciples were brought before the High Priest and his associates for questioning: “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” (Acts 4: 7)

PETER answered: “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole.

“This is the STONE which was set at naught by you builders, which is become the HEAD OF THE CORNER. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

DISCIPLES' BOLDNESS SHOOK THE JEWISH LEADERS

They conferred among themselves, saying: “What shall we do with these men? For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all in Jerusalem ; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straightly threaten them that they speak henceforth to no man in THIS NAME.

“And they called them, and commanded them not (never) to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4: 16-18)

Peter and John were no pussy cats! They were tough fishermen who had been with Jesus, and they had witnessed first-hand the awesome power connected with His name. He had instructed them – before His crucifixion - to pray to the Father in His name. (John 16: 26)

After observing the great power wielded by the name of Jesus, do you think they would listen to a group of stodgy old religious men who had no contact with God? A thousand times, “NO!” They answered: “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4: 19 , 20)

After Peter and John were threatened, they went back to their own company of believers and reported what the chief priests and elders had said. When the believers heard the report, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord:

“Lord Thou art God, which has made heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word,

“By stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4: 24 , 30, 31)

Vicious attacks on Jesus Christ and the Bible have happened many times before, and the Church has survived and grown as a result. Christianity hasn’t gone into extinction and today the Bible is still the world’s best selling book.

APOSTATES RATCHET UP ATTACKS ON JESUS CHRIST

The December 1936 issue of ‘The Witness’ carried an article on the Virgin Birth of the Saviour by T. Ernest Wilson. He wrote, “Many years ago Dr. Dale of Birmingham made the statement: “The storms of criticism now are bursting about the venerable head of Moses, but Moses is not the objective; the time will soon come when the tempest will break about the One Holy Head."

Wilson continued: "And that time has come; apostate Christendom takes every opportunity of attacking the Person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ."

What Wilson was referring to was the wicked onslaught by the so called higher critics who were erroneously charging that Moses did not write the Pentateuch (first 5 books of the Bible).  Of course, they have since been conclusively proven wrong.  But the devil never gives up, so he grooms more lapdogs to attack the Bible.

Now he's going after the Head of the Church, the Chief Cornerstone Himself, Jesus Christ the Messiah.  How does he do it?  The same way he deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden, through deception, lies and planting doubts about the veracity of God's Word.

He planted doubt in Eve's mind: "Hast God said...? Ye shall not surely die...You can become like God yourself.  God wants to keep you ignorant.." (Genesis 3:1-5)  That LYING DEVIL even had the audacity to tempt our Lord Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God, Who had come down from heaven to redeem us from our sins and Satan's shackles.

He said: "If Thou be the Son of God..." (Matthew 4:1-10)  That lying trickster KNEW that Jesus was the Son of God.  He knew why Jesus had come down to this planet.  He knew what Jesus was about to do to his kingdom.

A study of history chronicles the struggle of Satan and his evil forces against the Church of the Living God during the last 2000 years.  Repeatedly, we see the ebb and flow and against all odds, the constant and steady growth of the Church.

Here is an excerpt from 'The Wonder of the Book' by Professor Dyson Hague, M.A.: "Another wonderful thing about the Bible is that it has stood ages of ferocious and incessant persecution.  Century after century men have tried to burn it and bury it.  Crusade after crusade has been organized to extirpate it.  Kings of the earth set themselvs, the rulers of the church took counsel together, to destroy it from the face of the earth."

"DIOCLETIAN, the Roman Emperor, in 303 inaugurated the most terrible onslaught that the world has known against a book.  Every Bible almost was destroyed; myriads of Christians perished; and a column of triumph was erected over an exterminated Bible with the inscription: "Extincto nomine Christianorum." (Extinct is the name of Christians.)"

"And yet, not many years after, the Bible came forth as Noah from the ark to re-people the earth, and in the year 325 Constantine enthroned the Bible as the Infallible Judge of Truth in the First General Council."

"Then followed the prolonged mediaeval persecutions.  You all know how the Church of Rome denied the Bible to the people. The Church of Rome never trusted the people with the Bible.  For ages it was a practically unknown book.  Martin Luther was a grown up man when he said that he had never seen a Bible in his life.  No jailor ever kept a prisoner closer than the Church of Rome has kept the Bible from the people."

HIGHER CRITICS HAVE THEIR OWN AGENDA

"Yet perhaps the worst opposition to the Bible has been during the last 150 years.  Its bitterest foes, curiously enough, were men who claimed liberty of thought, and Bolingbroke and Hume and Voltaire seemed so confident of the extermination of the Bible, that the Frenchmen declared that a hundred years after his day not a Bible would be found save as an antiquarian curiosity."

"Then came the German rationalistic host, with the fiercest and deadliest of all the attacks.  Yet here the Bible is today, stronger than ever.  It stands, and will stands.  The adversaries have done their worst.  They have charged their heaviest charge.  They have fired their deadliest volley.  Whatever unexpected adversaries appear in the future, no more destructive trios than Julian and Celsus and Porphyry, than Voltaire and Strauss and Renan, than Eichorn and Wellhausen and Kuenen, will probably ever be confederate against it."

"Yet in spite of all these age-long persecutions and assaults, the Word of the Lord is having free course, and is being glorified.  The Bible is being circulated at about 12,000,000 copies a year, in about 500 languages."

"Let us remember here that the adversary has cunningly changed his tactics.  Under Christian garb, by professedly Christian men, under the high sounding term of "higher criticism" the Bible is assailed in its very foundation as God's Word, God's revelation to man.  It is no less Satan's work, and more to be feared than the violent opposition of former days."

There have been terrible times of persecution against God's people.  Dr. David Barrett, a statistician who has tracked this world wide phenomenon for the past 30 years, reports that an average of about 150,000 people have given their lives for Christ annually, and that millions are presently persecuted in one way or another for the name of Jesus.

Jesus said, "Thy kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and violent taketh it by force." (Matthew 11:12)  The literal translation states, "Thu kingdom of God is advancing powerfully and men of faith take hold of His promises and carry it forward with an ardour that resembles violence."

God is still showing His awesome power in Communist China and other totalarian countries, including Muslim dominated nations.  Here is a recent awesome testimony of the power of Jesus Christ.

AMAZING NEWS FROM EGYPT - GIRLS FOUND ALIVE AFTER 15 DAYS

A Muslim man in Egypt killed his wife and then buried her with their infant baby and 8 year old daughter.  The girls were buried alive.  He then reported to the police that an uncle killed the children.  15 days later, another family member died.  When they went to bury him, they found the 2 little girls under the sand - ALIVE.

The country is outraged over this incident, and the man will be executed.  The older girl was asked how she had survived.  "A man wearing shiny white clothes, with bleeding wounds in his hands, came every day to feed us. He woke up my mom so she could nurse my sister," she said.

She was interview on Egyptian National T.V. by a veiled Muslim woman anchor.  She said on public T.V.  "This was none other than Jesus, because nobody else does things like this."

Muslims believe Jesus would do this, but the wounds mean He really was crucified, and its clear also that He is alive.  But, it is also clear that the child could not make up a story like this, and there is no way these children could have survived without a true miracle.

Muslim leaders are going to have a hard time to figure out what to do with this, and the popularity of the 'Passion of the Christ' movie doesn't help.  With Egypt at the center of the media and education in the Middle East, you can be sure this story will spread.  Christ is still turning the world upside down.! (news report)

Recently, I spoke with a young Muslim man from Tanzania whose forbears were from India.  He stated that he could believe that Jesus was born of a virgin and therefore was very special, but he could not believe in the Trinity.

I replied that if he could understand God I wouldn't believe in Him for then He would be as weak as I am and couldn't help me, or I would be as great as God is and I wouldn't need Him.  No my friend, it is impossible for us to understand the One who has created us in His own image.

JOHN WESLEY asked, "How can a worn understand a man?"  It is impossible for a finite being to understand the invisible, immortal, infinite God.  It is almost insane to believe that created human beings could understand - with our limited intellectual capacity - the One who made us and knows our DNA and our human genome and is the giver and sustainer of physical and eternal life.

ALBERT EINSTEIN stated: "The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is incomprehensible."

THOMAS CARLYLE - Scottish essayist, historian and philosopher - declared: "I do not believe in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance - I don't pretend to understand the universe - it's a great deal bigger than I am."

If we are unable to understand the universe, how could we possibly understand God?  The real danger presenting itself to the human race is the totally unrealistic notion that we can thing of Almighty God  in human terms.  Thinking of God as though He were a human being, instead of the Immortal.  God is  Eternal, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent and Transcendent Lord God of all flesh.  He is the creator, Saviour, sustainer, healer, deliverer and Judge.

How can a sin laden, disease bearing, guilt ridden mortal hope to under the pure, righteous, holy and immortal Lord God of all flesh?  How can an ignorant, unknowing creature such as man, think we should be able to understand the omniscient (all wise, all knowing) God?

It is irrational to think that we could understand our Maker.  We are unable to even understand ourselves.  Millions of people go to counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists or pastors for help in understanding themselves.  If you can't understand yourself, stop trying to analyze the One who made you.

When people who are unbelievers of God and intellectuals that don't have God in their lives,  try to understand God, they are thinking of God in human terms.  Man will never understand God by rationalizing or thinking of God in human terms.

God is transcendent and so far above us that we could never understand Him.  This is why God sent His Son Jesus.  Jesus was wrapped in human flesh, to show  us what He is like.  Our Lord visited this planet to redeem us and deliver us from the powers of darkness that are seeking to destroy us.

Jesus Christ said: "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also.... Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip?  He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, show us the Father?"  (John 14:7,9)

ANDREW MURRAY, Dutch Reformed theologian, declared: "Everything is of the Father, everything is in the Son, everything is through the Spirit.  The entire carrying out of the counsel of God is through the Holy Spirit, and the sanctification and the impartation of divine holiness which He works."

HOW SHOULD WE REACT TO THESE BLASPHEMOUS ACTS?

What should we do in light of these outrageous blasphemous attacks on the divinity of Jesus Christ?  How should Christians conduct themselves when facing such lies, blasphemy and injustice?  What is the Scriptural route to take?

Should we organize demonstrations, and take to the streets starting riots across the world?  How about burning movie studios in Hollywood and theatres showing the movie or bookstores selling the blasphemous books?  Should we threaten those involved with the JESUS PAPERS & DA VINCI CODE, like Muslims would have done if such attacks were leveled against Muhammed?

The answer is a resounding, "NO".  We live by a different code of ethics employing sanity, holiness and tolerance.  We have not filled the world with the glorious Gospel of Christ by using the sword. 

We do not gain converts to Christ through intimidation, kidnappings or forced starvation like the Muslims are doing in Sudan and else where in the world.

Christian martyrs have died by the millions during the last 1000 years, while trying to win souls for Christ and helping the poor of the world.  Our martyrs dies to save someone, instead of trying to see how many they could kill in a suicide attack.  Christians are opposed to Satan's work.

Christians are used to being discriminated against.  Christians are used to being persecuted and killed as martyrs while seeking to save lost souls, feed the hungry and heal the sick.

Unlike Islamic suicide bombers who die as martyrs trying to kill as many people as possible, millions of Christian martyrs over the last 2000 years have gladly given their lives while sharing Christ's love.

Trying to defend Jesus from the Temple Guard who were led to the Garden of Gethsemane by Judas Iscariot, Peter used his sword to cut off the ear of Malchus. Malchus was the servant of the high priest.

Jesus said to Peter, "Put up thy sword into its sheath: the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:10)  Then Jesus healed the man's ear.

Our job is to stay focused on the Word of God.  We must keep our eyes on Jesus.  We must stay focused on the Holy Spirit and keep on preaching the Gospel of Christ.  We must continue by praying for the sick and casting out devils.  We have a job to do and a world of sinners to win to Christ.  We need to bring healing to the hurting people of our generation.

When the Samaritans refused to give Jesus and His disciples lodging, James and John asked, " ... Lord wilt Thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?  But He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what spirit ye are of.  For the Son of Man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (Luke 9:52-56)

We do know that after King Herod had  killed 'James the Just' - the younger brother of Jesus - he was judged by the Lord: "And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in Royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration to them.  And the people gave a shout, saying, it is the voice of a god, and not of a man.  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gae not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost." (Acts 12:21-23)

God's Word states: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: For it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, sayeth the Lord." (Romans 12:19)

It appears that HOLLYWOOD is already cursed by its own imbecilic, pornographic and perverted actions.  Look at the broken homes, scarred children, alcoholism, drug addition, suicides, sexual perversion, depression and mental illness.  What a sorry mess Hollywood is.

Hollywood needs to be pitied rather than emulated.  Hollywood needs to be prayed for rather than envied.  Hollywood must be challenged and rebuked when they pervert society with their filthy immoral movies.

We must pray for the salvation of those in Hollywood; the actors, writers, directors and owners of these Hollywood moves need prayer and salvation.  We need to pray that Baigent, Brown, Tom Hanks and Ron Howard are convicted because of their sins and that they are saved, born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.

PROTEST AGAINST THE COMPANIES WHO BLASPHEME JESUS IN BOOKS AND MOVIES SUCH AS THE "DA VINCI CODE' AND THE 'JESUS PAPERS'

Many Christians are sleeping and hiding in complacency.  May God awaken us all.  Protest against the lies, fabrication and diabolical attacks that have been used against our Lord Jesus Christ.  Protest against the companies who blaspheme the name of Jesus and defame His character in books and movies such as the 'Da Vinci Code' and the 'Jesus Papers.'

The vicious attacks in such movies as the "Da Vinci Code' and the 'Jesus Papers' prove the Bible scriptures are true.  The Holy Bible records the amazing prophecy of the aged and righteous Jew, Simeon, who took the baby Jesus in his arms, in the Temple, saying: "Behold this Child is set for the fall and rising again in Israel; and for a SIGN which shall be spoken against." (Luke 2:34)

The directors, producers and companies that produced the movies the "Da Vinci Code' and the 'Jesus Papers' are certainly speaking against Jesus Christ.  They spoke against Jesus in the past just as they are today.  The hate filled mobs cried: "Away with Him.  Crucify Him" even though Pontius Pilate said: "I find no fault in Him." (Luke 23:4, 14)  The Bible says: "But this cometh to pass, that the Word might be fulfilled that is written in their law,  THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE." (John 15:25)

THE DIRECTORS, PRODUCERS, WRITERS  AND MOVIE STUDIOS PRODUCING MOVIES SUCH AS THE 'DA VINCI CODE' AND 'JESUS PAPERS' ARE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS

Now, the 'ENEMIES OF THE CROSS' are at it again, re-writing history and trying to destroy people's faith in the living Saviour Jesus Christ.  They will upset some people, they will turn many people away from the Lord and in the end they fulfill another Scripture from the Bible, where Jesus said:

"I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?  But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straightened till it be accomplished.  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth?  I tell you, Nay, but rather division." (Luke 12:49-51)

Jesus prophesied that divisions would arise because of Him.  This is literally being fulfilled through the lies, hatred and strife generated against Him by the enemies of the cross, as well as the use of these blasphemous books and films such as the 'Da Vinci Code' and 'Jesus Papers.'

The Christian Church is now rising to the challenge and going on the offensive.  Jesus said, "The Gates of Hell (opinions, plans, attack of Satan) will not prevail against the Church." (Matthew 16:18)  Praise the Lord and glory be to the Lamb of God forever.  Amen.

SATAN IS AT WORK,  A.D. April 18, 2006

The Kentucky Board of Education has voted to take the first step in re-defining how America dates time.  The board voted to include a new secular system of dating the calendar, BCE (means Before Common Era) and AD (Anno Domini, Latin for 'in the year of our Lord') method.

The new secular system of time dating will appear in the curriculum and other materials used by Kentucky educators.  This new system is already being included in textbooks across the nation.

The new method will replace the birth of Christ as the dividing point in history.  For example, the new system would change 2006 AD (Anno Domini) to 2006 CE (Common Era).

This also opens the door for the ACLU to find a liberal activist judge who will forcefully remove the use of BC and AD.  The ACLU types will claim that the use of BC and AD are a violation of the First Amendment because it dates history based on the birth of Christ.

I WILL NOT COMPROMISE

I will not be a part of the Antichrist's plan that seeks to eradicate the EVIDENCE OF JESUS CHRIST'S influence in the earth during these past 2000 years.

Some compromising preachers have fallen for the trick of the enemy.  They hope to reach Jewish people by amending their teaching and re-writing history.  Jewish people are not fools.  Jewish people are intelligent people who want to know the truth.

I have hundreds of Jewish friends.  The Jewish people know there are those of us who tell the truth and also stand with them and the nation of Israel against their enemies.

If you try to re-write history in this case, how could they ever trust you if the Muslims, who hate them, gain power in Israel?  Compromisers are not to be trusted.  Lets always tell the truth, even if it is unpopular.

Like Martin Luther stated so many years ago, I declare: "Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise.  God help me.  Amen.  
                                                      -  Max Solbrekken

Dear Christian Friend:  If you find it in your heart to remember this ministry and your humble servant in your prayers on a daily basis, we would be so thankful to you and the Lord.  Thank you and God bless you.  Amen.

- Powerful AUDIO Bible sermons/messages by: Pastor Max Solbrekken
- click on message to listen -

Healing & Miracles	Faith & Hope
The Laws of GOD & Divine Healing	FAITH Cometh by Hearing
Miracles of God & How to Receive a Miracle	What is a Christian?
	Good News for Modern Man
Heaven & Hell
The Place Called Heaven	STUDY of the Book of Ephesians
The Place Called Hell	Wealth, Walk & the Warfare of Christians - Part 1
	Wealth, Walk & the Warfare of Christians - Part 2
The Blood of Jesus Christ	Wealth, Walk & the Warfare of Christians - Part 3
JESUS - The Word was Made Flesh	Wealth, Walk & the Warfare of Christians - Part 4
The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant
The Seven Wounds of Jesus Christ	Power over Satan
Christ's Victory & Satan's Defeat	It is WRITTEN - How to stop the Devil
The Incomparable Name of Jesus Christ	The GOD of Peace is a Man of War
	Revival & Discipleship
Fasting & Prayer	The Sign Posts to Revival
Fasting & Prayer	The Sleeping Church
The Revolutionary Power of Prayer	God uses "Men in the Middle

Why was
 JESUS CHRIST BORN?
Jesus Christ was born to to destroy the works of the devil

Sin, however, was in the world because Satan (the devil).  The devil, who is the father of sin and death, had been cast out of Heaven and is called the 'Prince of the power of the air', as well as the 'god of this world'.  (Ephesians 2:2;  2 Corinthians 4:4)

The devil had caused previous disruption and chaos. (Genesis 1:2;  Ezekiel 28:13-19;  Isaiah 14:12-17).

Because of Satan (the devils) rebellion and hatred for God, he had cunningly planned his strategy by tempting Eve, with the Tree of Life, in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:1-6;  Job 1:8-22;  Job 2:1-8)

GOD CALLED ADAM WHERE ART THOU?

The great transgression had been made by Adam & Eve.  Now, for the moment of truth.  How would Adam & Eve feel?  Would they now be wise as God, as Satan (the devil) had promised them?  Was the rebellion and disobedience towards God worth it?  No - a thousand times NO.

Adam & Eve's eyes were opened.  But, what did they see?  Adam & Eve saw their own vulnerability, stupidity, weaknesses, sin and nakedness.  Fear stalked and filled their souls.  They had never felt fear before sin entered their lives.  They realized they were naked, vulnerable and inadequate.  Now, they realized they must face the music, and meet God alone.

But where was Satan (the devil)?  Where was the evil one who had been their wise tempter such a short time ago?

Of course, the devil was gone, to gloat over his victory.  I'm sure that the devil, the liar and deceiver was not far away, probably hiding behind a tree, excitedly waiting to see the inevitable outcome of their sin.  The inevitable outcome, the separation, dis-fellowshipping of God and His special creation, man.

THE DEVIL REJOICED OVER ADAM & EVE'S FEAR & TERROR

Evil satisfaction filled the devil's heart as he observed Adam & Eve's plight, their complete confusion, perplexity, fear and terror.

Adam & Eve heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.  God said, "Adam, where art thou?  ADAM, WHERE ART THOU?"

As God called Adam that day, He is still calling you and me. "John, where are you?  Mary, where are you?"

Adam answered, "We are hiding, we are naked, we are afraid"!  God questioned, "Who told you that you were naked?  You were clothed with My glory.  Have you eaten of the fruit that I forbad you"?

Adam gave a typical answer from a typical sinner!  Adam said, "The woman you gave me, she gave me of the fruit.  It is Eve's fault, she gave me the forbidden fruit and it's really Your fault, Lord, because You gave me the woman".

EVERYONE LIKES TO PASS THE BLAME TO SOMEONE ELSE

It seems normal for people to justify themselves.  It's much easier to pass the buck, or to blame someone else rather than take the blame, saying, "I made a mistake, I am wrong, please forgive me."

It's similar to the preacher who enjoyed portraying woman in a negative way.  One Sunday morning as he was preaching on 'The Fall of Man', he vigorously attacked Eve.  If Eve, the weaker vessel, hadn't fallen, the world wouldn't be in the mess it's now in.  The preacher nailed Jezebel and Delilah.  "Women are the ruination of many good men", he shouted.

At the close of the service, the minister stood at the door shaking hands.  Some complimented him on a wonderful sermon, while others were glad to get out the door.

A tall lady shook his hand and she wasn't smiling.  She squeezed his hand until he said, "Woman, you are hurting me".  She looked him square in the eye and asked, "Pastor, what is the telephone number of the Garden of Eden"?

He answered, "I don't know what you are talking about".  She squeezed his hand again until he said, "Ouch".  She spoke again, "Pastor, do you know the telephone number of the Garden of Eden"?  He answered, "Woman, I do not and by the way you are hurting me."  She said, "Well, I know the telephone number of the Garden of Eden.  It's Adam 8-1-2", and she let go of his hand and left.

Adam ate one too!  Eve wasn't the only one to blame.  Adam also disobeyed God, but really the blame goes into further - straight to the evil one, the devil (Satan).

THE DEVIL IS TO BLAME

God didn't argue with Adam.  He turned to Eve and said, "Woman, what is this that thou hast done?"  Eve made more sense than her husband.  She put the blame where it belong.  "The serpent beguiled me and I did eat."

I agree with Eve.  Satan (the devil) is the culprit.  The devil is to blame for all the sin, fear, heartbreak, divorce, alcoholism, drug addiction and juvenile delinquency.  He is the architect of all that is evil, wicked and destructive.  Riots, anarchy, thievery, murder, sickness, disease and war are the outcroppings and results of his plans, goals, purposes and seduction.

SATAN (the devil) IS TO BLAME.  Shout it loud and clear - the devil is the troublemaker.

JESUS CALLED THE DEVIL A LAIR & MURDERER

Jesus called him a liar, deceiver, murdered and thief. (John 8:44;  John 10:10)  Our Lord said, "The thief cometh not for to steal, kill and destroy.  I am come that they might have life and more abundantly." (John 10:10)

YES - THE DEVIL IS TO BLAME FOR ALL SIN

God said, "THE SEED OF THE WOMAN SHALL BRUISE THE SERPENT'S HEAD."

Almighty God called out "Because thou hast done this, cursed art thou among all the beasts of the field.  Upon thy belly shalt thou go all the days of thy life..." (Genesis 3:14-15)

It is noteworthy that some scientists believe that at one time serpents and snakes walked upright and didn't crawl on their bellies as today.

"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed (the wicked) and her seed (the righteous).  It (Jesus, the seed of the woman) shall bruise thy head..."

JESUS DEFEATED THE DEVIL WITH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS

On Golgotha's Hill, Jesus defeated the devil.  When Jesus paid the supreme sacrifice for the sins of the world, and rose again from the dead.  He had delivered the death blow to Satan.

When Jesus cried, "It is finished", He had defeated Satan (the devil) and since that very hour the blood of Jesus Christ washes away all the sins of the repentant sinner, and His stripes bring healing to the believing, sick person..

The Bible says, "He (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

WHY DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?

The Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)  Hallelujah.

The Bible says: "Neither is there salvation through any other, for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby you may be saved, but by the Name of Jesus"! (Acts 4:12) "There is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)

JESUS CAME THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE

Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)  And St. John stated: "For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil". (1 John 3:8)  The Scripture says, "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick:  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."  (Matthew 8:16-17)

WHAT DID ISAIAH PROPHESY?

Hear it and hear it well: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.  The chastisement of our peace was upon Him (Jesus) and by His stripes we are healed."! (Isaiah 53:5)

The Bible says, "Who His own self (Jesus) bare our sins in His own body on the tree (cross) that we, being dead to sins should live unto righteousness, by Whose stripes ye were (at the cross) healed"! (1 Peter 2:24)  "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY - JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE LIFE

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)  Again our blessed Saviour said,  "I am the door, by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved..." (John 10:9)  Again He said, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE?

The Bible says, "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sins." (Hebrews 9:22)  "It is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul." (Leviticus 17:11)  Again, "The soul that sinneth it shall surely die." (Ezekiel 18:20)

In Old Testament times, an animal - without spot or blemish - would be sacrificed, spilling his blood. (Atonement means "covering")  AS THE LAMB DIED ON THE ALTER IN THE TEMPLE, JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD, DIED ON THE CROSS TO PAY FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD.

The Scripture says, "If we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship one with the other, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (John 1:7)

Jesus is the Lamb of God, Who was slain for our sins!  "One of the elders saith unto me, weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne...stood a lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And He came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.  And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints."

"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;....Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."

"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." (Revelation 5:5-13)

JESUS SPOILED SATAN'S KINGDOM

The Bible says, "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross, and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:12-15) Oh, Praise God.

We serve a risen Saviour,  he's in the world today.  I know that 
He is living,  whatever men may say...
I see His hand of mercy....I hear His voice of cheer....And just 
the time I need Him....He's always near.

He lives....He lives...Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me,  along life's narrow way.

He lives...He lives....Salvation to impart....
You ask me how I know He lives....He lives...within my heart.

What power!  What might!  What strength, and what great ability Jesus has.  St. Paul brings it out so graphically in his epistles.  Drink in these truth and be set free and filled with all knowledge, joy and Holy Ghost power.

"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when he raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.  And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church." (Ephesians 1:18-22)

The Bible says, "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." (Ephesians 3:20)

St. Paul writes, "Who (God) hath delivered us from the power of darkness (Satan) and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son (Jesus Christ) IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, even the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13)

In referring to Jesus, John the Baptist made the startling statement, "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away from the sins of the world." (John 1:29)  To this agree the angel's words to Joseph, "Ye shall call His name Jesus (Salvation) for He shall save (salvage) His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)

THIS DAY IS THE SCRIPTURE FULFILLED

The book of Isaiah is called the "Gospel of the Old Testament".  The 53rd chapter prophecies the death of Messiah Who would bring forgiveness and healing to His people.  Isaiah 7:14 speaks of His virgin birth; Isaiah 9:6 speaks of His Kingship and the fact that He is very God; Isaiah 28:11-12 foretells the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the end-time phenomena of glossalalia, or "speaking with other tongues" as a gift of God to bring stability, rest and peaceful strength to the Church in times of pressure and tension.  Isaiah 61:1-3 prophecies the Gospel Age of His salvation with forgiveness, healing, deliverance and joy!

"And he came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.  And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias.  And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written,

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, the recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."

"And He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister and sat down.  And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him.  And He began to say unto them, This day is the scripture fulfilled in your ears." (Luke 4:16--21)

Jesus entered the synagogue in Nazareth and read from Isaiah the Prophet.  He ended the reading by saying, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears". He declared Himself the Son of God and Jewish Messiah by those words.

The year of Jubilee could not begin until first the Great Day of Atonement had taken place.  He would die on the cross like the lambs died on the alters of Jerusalem because He is the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world." (John 1:29)

He would fulfill the Old Testament 'Great Day of Atonement' when the high priest entered into the Holy of holies with the blood of the sacrificial animal.  Jesus was not only the sacrifice but also the high priest Who carried His own blood into the Holy of holies in Heaven itself. (Hebrews 9:11-14)

The scapegoat (Leviticus 16:7-21) is also a type of Jesus carrying away our sins.  He is our substitute!  Every 50th year Israel celebrated the 'fear of Jubilee' when all the prisoners and slaves were freed and debts were forgiven.  This is a picture of the Gospel Age when everyone is set free by the blood of Christ and His everlasting Gospel!  THEY WERE OFFENDED IN HIM.

My dear friend, Let me admonish you to receive him into your heart and life as your Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, Healer, Baptizer and King.

JESUS CAME TO SEEK & SAVE THE LOST

Jesus said, "I am come to seek and save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10) You are included in that number, for "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23)  You say, 'I cannot live a Christian life in my own strength'!

You are absolutely right.  You can't do it in your own power, but He will change you and give you the power to live for Him.

The Bible say: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:11-12)

Jesus promised, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you...." (Acts 1:8)  Finally Jesus said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5) "...and lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20)