by Peter Mostert

The Bible, which speaks of good news, is a collection of books or writings that were written over a period of 1,500 years. Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible (starting with Genesis), and John wrote the last (Revelation) in AD 96.

Throughout the Bible a unique thread of hope is interwoven — Jesus was the promised hope of the Old Testament, He came to earth and died for all, and is coming again on the last day to retrieve the faithful, as recorded in the New Testament.

The Bible is important to us as our source of hope — Jesus will be returning for "me" and "my" loved ones. The hope that we have in Christ as our Savior, however, is not wishful thinking, nor an unrealistic expectation, a "pie in the sky" as some may say. Our hope is an anchor of the soul, secure and steadfast (Hebrews 6:19-20).

Our hope is a feeling of confident expectation that will be realized when Jesus returns. It is an intangible that many people cannot understand; but for those who have hope, it is the major source of comfort, and those who hope place their trust in God.

There are two major reasons for having such a hope:

The first is in Jesus. He is our hope — He defeated Satan and death by His resurrection from the dead and is now preparing a place for us in heaven. He is also our advocate, able to overcome any charge set before us by Satan, the accuser.

The second is the Bible. The Bible, God's Word or Divine Communication, is the story of man's fall from grace in the Garden of Eden, and his redemption through Jesus. The Bible is not just a book, to be compared to Shakespeare, Homer, Plato, or others. There is no other book like it in continuity, circulation, translation, survival, teaching, or influence. It is the only book that is truly a universal manual for all people everywhere, any time, and in any culture.

The Bible can be believed today — not in part, but the whole. From Genesis to Malachi, Matthew to Revelation, God's Word is inspired — not someone's clever imagination or interpretation!

Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol 35, p. 29.