Is the Bible Out of Date?

From: Echoes of Grace: 1981

• 2 min. read • grade level: 7

A great many people seem to think that the Bible is a book that has become out of date; that it is of no use to us now because circumstances have changed since the days when it was written; that we do not need to pay any attention to its warnings because they are old-fashioned.

People say, "How can such an old book have any application to our modem difficulties and needs?" Read the following, and see for yourself how really up to date the Bible is. Consider whether any man-made book could have predicted with so much accuracy, all these things.

"Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars." Matt. 24:6⁶And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (Matthew 24:6). This needs no comment.

"Great earthquakes... and famines, and pestilences." Luke 21:11¹¹And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11). The great prevalence of these in recent years is certainly very significant.

"In the last days perilous times shall come." 2 Tim. 3:1-13¹This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. ²For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, ⁴Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; ⁵Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. ⁶For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ⁷Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁸Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. ⁹But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. ¹⁰But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, ¹¹Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹²Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. ¹³But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:1‑13). This gives a perfect picture of today. Read it for yourself.

"No hire for man..." Zech. 8:10¹⁰For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbor. (Zechariah 8:10). Is the employment situation getting better?

"Upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity." Luke 21:25²⁵And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25). Big nations and little ones in commotion—all in "distress, with perplexity."

"Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." Luke 21:26²⁶Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21:26).

"False prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." Matt. 24:11¹¹And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:11). New cults arise daily.

Spiritism and demon worship: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." 1 Tim. 4:1¹Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1). The growth of this dangerous cult has been unprecedented.

All true—all up to date—all NOW. But just as true—just as up to date—is "NOW" is the day of salvation." God's message to us has not changed: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9⁹That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9).

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