How To Study The Bible and Why. Learning How To Avoid Deception

Added To and Edited 18 Dec 2010 and 18 Jan 2011

After you read this please read the following article (which will re-enforce why we should read the Bible) by clicking on this shortcut link: How The Bible Was Put Together and Proving Why It IS The Inspired Inerrant Word Of God  

The first reason we should read the Bible is because it is our spiritual food. Jesus said "no one lives by bread (physical food) alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. God, the prophets, Jesus and the Apostles all declared that the scriptures were the WORD OF GOD. They are our spiritual food. In Hebrews it states that "the Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing between soul and spirit". The Word is powerful and transforms us. It also protects us from false teachers or false prophets because we should compare what they say with what the Bible ACTUALLY says.

When I mention the Bible, of course I mean Bibles which are translated directly from the original manuscripts of the Bible. I do not mean "false" bibles which are NOT direct translations from the original manuscripts, such as paraphrases. 

These original manuscripts were recognised by all (as explained within that shortcut link above) as the inspirational writings (canon) of truth (note: the canon does not include the apocrypha). So, the "false" bibles (like the paraphrases) are simply the author's personal and biassed interpretation which cannot be considered as inspirational or THE BIBLE as they are not direct translations from the Holy Spirit inspired Manuscripts, but have been contaminated by human (not divine) interpretations.

Therefore, please do not consider "The Message", "Living Bible" "New Living Translation" or any other paraphrase or interpretations of the Bible (which were not from the original manuscripts) as your BIBLE because they actually distort the true message. Note: many use these paraphrases to support their ungodly agendas. For example "the Message" has been written by an author who is seeking to bring the occultic New Age, teaching into the Bible. Please check out my article about "the message" within this shortcut link

Showing Why The Bible Version "The Message" Is Blasphemous  

So what versions can we trust?

Those versions which can be used (reliably) as accurate translations of the WORD OF GOD are as follows: KJV,   NIV 1984 version only,  NKJV, NASB. I like to use these in combination to compare with each other so as to arrive at the correct meaning on the difficult passages.  There is actually virtually no difference (in meaning) in the translations of these apart from slightly different words being used to describe the same thing. By comparing the different versions it helps us to understand the true meaning better.  By the way, the NIV is very easy to read, so we really do not need paraphrases anyway! Please note that the NIV versions 2005 and 2010 have been changed to be more politically correct but no longer as trustworthy. 

We should all study the Bible (eg, NASB,  NIV 1984 version only,  KJV, NKJV) direct and do not use paraphrases or versions not directly translated from the original manuscripts. I also advise that these 4 versions be compared and read together to ensure you arrive at the correct meaning of the text. It is first vital to get to know the whole Bible first: verse by verse, passage by passage, chapter by chapter, book by book.

You cannot properly  study the Bible (comparing scripture with scripture) until you have read it through first.
Therefore, I will now pass on some tips which have served many thousands of biblical Christians well (over the last century) on how to read and then study your Bible.

How To Study The Bible

Significance Of The Scapegoat On Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Revised

Please note (for the reasons given below) I have had to revise the article
The Significance Of The Scapegoat On Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
I have now transfered it here (as a new article) and deleted the original article.

The whole section following the heading "An Explanation Before I Continue" is where you will find the difference compared to the original article. Everything (before that section) is exactly as it appeared beforehand. Anyway, this is the revised article.

This  Revised Article
I was asked to explain the significance of the scapegoat and to explain it in a way that youngsters would understand.   In the process of putting my answer together I came across some amazing historical information.

I will first show the answer I gave, then (at the bottom) give you all this amazing historical information from the Jewish Talmud which re-emphasises that Jesus IS the Messiah and completely satisfies God's requirements for our salvation. This was my answer:

Significance Of The Scapegoat On Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

The full contents of this article and its comments have now been transferred to

Significance Of The Scapegoat On Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Revised  

found on

http://watchmanforjesus.blogspot.com/2010/12/significance-of-scapegoat-on-yom-kippur.html

Reply To A Rabbi. Why There Can Be No Forgiveness Without Blood Sacrifice

I read an article which was written on a Rabbis website. This article was attempting to prove that Jewish people have never believed that blood ALONE was necessary for God to forgive. He gave examples from the Bible showing that God many times forgave without the sacrifice of animals. His comments were related to Leviticus chapter 17.  (Incidentally, please click on this shortcut link   Why God Required Animal Blood Sacrifice, In The Bible?  which is a full answer to why God DID ALWAYS require blood for forgiveness). I decided to write to the rabbi refuting his arguments.


He surprisingly replied to my email with further comments and questions (not specifically answered within the article I quoted above). I then sent another email replying to his questions. I would like to show the contents of the questions and answers because it illustrates the truth proving how the Jewish people (like all people) can find  eternal forgiveness of sins in no other sacrifice than the one done by Jesus (Yeshua).
This was my email: 

Quick Notification

I have spent most of the last week making many changes throughout my blog. One of the reasons was because I noticed that links were pointed to the home page instead of to the specific articles. I have gone through every article ensuring that the shortcut links were redirecting correctly and adding many more new shortcut links to improve your enjoyment of this blog and help you surf it far better. Please let me know if you spot anything I missed or any other problem you experience. I am here to assist.

While I was going through the articles I realised that a lot of them required editing. So I have made many changes including adding additional information.

Is God Demonstrating His Love For Israel By Judging Nations Who Oppose Them? See this Video

Originally Posted 2nd Aug 2010 but updated 20 Sep 2010

Bob Mitchell of Shofar Ministries http://bob-mitchell.blogspot.com/ has put an excellent and  fascinating video together. This video seems to ask the question "is God judging those who oppose Israel?". He has compiled together 10 events which do seem conclusive that God is showing the Nations that they mess with the apple of His eye (Israel) at their cost. This is the link which takes you direct to that video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvU_QGwis5E&feature=player_embedded

I would also add comments to Bob's video that God is loving, patient,forgiving and merciful and does not want any to perish, but that He is also a HOLY, just and righteous God who MUST act when His people are being threatened.

Note, it is Islamic Nations who oppose the Jews and specifically seek the demise of Israel, the most vehemently. It is these Nations who have been at the brunt of the most terrible natural disasters,  for a number of years, now. For example,

Christian Protestant Denominations In 2010. Are They Now All Apostate? (Of Course Not). This Blog's Statement

I need to clarify the stance taken on this blog, regarding its views on todays Protestant Denominations. This is being done because the blog was questioned over its view of current denominations and believers.


It was claimed that the blog appeared to be dismissive of the millions of  born-again, evangelical, or bible-believing  christians who are members of denominational churches. They asked if I was suggesting that these were not "true" Christians and whether we were more "biblical" than them?

This (I know) is a sensitive issue and needs to be addressed,  in case many get unnecessarily discouraged in their faith, hurt or angry because of misunderstanding. I certainly do not want to give the wrong impression and encourage you to participate in this blog.

I will start this article by stating very emphatically that I am NOT saying that all denominational protestant churches (or all those believers within them) are not true Christians!  Note: Here is a more recent article (written 20 Feb 2013) regarding this subject:
http://watchmanforjesus.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/in-these-days-of-apostasy-and-false.html

Actually it is not the building or the denomination which makes it Christian but the people inside it. A denomination  and individuals show that they are a true church or believer if

Why God Required Animal Blood Sacrifice, In The Bible?

I was asked the following questions:

Why did God forbid the eating of animals, with the blood in them? What does "the life of an animal is in the blood" mean and why did God require animal blood sacrifice?

In researching the answer to these questions, I noticed them being asked many times. I thought you may find it useful to know the answers, so I write this article with the answers. I will also include within the answer the whole implication of animal blood sacrifice and why it was necessary.

God makes it clear throughout Scriptures that it is only by the shedding of blood that sins can be forgiven. So the primary purpose of blood sacrifice is to cover, cleanse and deliver us from sin. This article will now tackle why God holds such importance in the blood, but will first tackle the first question. The title of this article and the above question are BOTH relevant.

To make sense of why blood could not be eaten and why "the life is in the blood" let us firstly read Leviticus 17:10-14:

" 'Any Israelite or any alien living among them who eats any blood—I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from his people.  For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. Therefore I say to the Israelites, "None of you may eat blood, nor may an alien living among you eat blood."   " 'Any Israelite or any alien living among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth, because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, "You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off."

First of all, these verses are saying that neither the Israelites nor those who lived with them could eat the blood of animals. It is not saying they could not  eat the flesh of animals, because they were permitted to eat animals, but not the blood. So why could they not eat the blood? They could not eat the blood  because

Rick Warren Blinded By Toxic Poison

This is a news item recently released during the last 2 weeks.


LAKE FOREST – Pastor Rick Warren on Thursday asked Twitter followers to pray for him after being temporarily blinded by the sap of a firestick plant. "My eyes were severely burned by a toxic poison. Hospitalized Mon. Excruciating pain.

Yes, we need to pray for Rick   BIG TIME!

Although we (as Christians) need always be compassionate, showing mercy and grace and love, I cannot but feel that this article is rather ironic and parabolic.

It reminds me of some visions or pictures that OT prophets had to illustrate an important issue.

As discerning believers we know that Rick is BLINDED to Truth and he teaches all sorts of  POISONous ecumenical, Babylonic stuff. Maybe God is speaking???  There are many articles on this blog which give proof and evidence of Rick's involvement in the apostate. To see all these articles collected together in one place (ie, each article following after each other, in date order) please see my label for RICK WARREN or click  http://watchmanforjesus.blogspot.com/search/label/RICK%20WARREN) 

What The Olive Tree of Romans11 Represents and How it Speaks of God's Plan For Israel and the Church

One of my hobbies is growing things in the garden. Although I am not an expert on grafting I happen to know that you can graft in a broken branch, shoot or twig from the same tree or bush. So what Paul wrote in Romans chapter 11 makes perfect sense! The scriptures do not teach nonsense unless it is an allegory like "beast with 7 heads" in that case an explanation to the meaning will be given. I believe that unless an explanation is given (eg the parables of Jesus) it is to be taken literally, but with some God given sanctified common sense.

For example,  Romans 11 verse 17 would not make sense to interpret the verse to say that a whole wild olive tree is grafted into the cultivated olive tree, because two trees have separate roots as separate entities (especially when we consider verse 24). Can you take the roots of two trees and make them become one tree?   Romans 11  describes and discusses two separate trees: a cultivated olive tree and a wild olive tree. It clearly states that the natural "branches" (not root or whole tree) were cut off to make way for wild (gentile) branches.

In Romans 11  verse 17 (KJV) it states "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree". Some suggest because it mentions "tree" here and not "branch" that it is the whole olive tree.

Just because KJV and verse 17 states "tree" (incidentally verse 24 infers branch) it does not mean that the whole tree is grafted in.  The whole wild tree is made up of all gentiles. The believing gentiles make up the part of the tree that gets grafted into the cultivated tree. Verse 24 is the key (quoted shortly). So it must be referring to  

Articles Carrying Most Comments as at 30 November 2011

Articles Carrying Most Comments as at 30 November 2011

Articles (click for shortcut to article)	No. of Comments
List Of (Probable) False Christian Leaders, False Christian Teachers and False Prophets (As Indicated By The Ecumenical or Heretical Organisations They Belong To)	94
Bible NIV 2010 Version ALERT	32
Who Runs The World? An Investigation Into The Global Scheme Of Things. Completed Report (Revised)	29
Fix Your Eyes Upon Jesus	29
Connecting True Biblical Christians Together In Fellowship	27
Why Book Of Enoch Is A Fake, Alert	24
Why We Should Reject Rick Warren's Purpose Driven and PEACE Agenda	24
The GIANT Global Conspiracy and the Scheme Of Things, Who Is In Control?	21
Chronological Emergence Of The Apostate Church Over Last 100 Years	20
New Calvinism. Explaining And Exposing This Latest Ecumenical and Apostate Movement Which Is Taking The Church By Storm	20
List and Details On Other False Teachers and Prophets	19
Why The Catholic Church is Not a Christian Denomination	19
Christian Protestant Denominations In 2010. Are They Now All Apostate? (Of Course Not). This Blog's Statement	19
Information On The Seeker-Friendly Movement and Its Links, Why It Arose and How It Has Fallen From Biblical Christianity	19
What Is Repentance?	17
My Rapture and End Times Stance	17
Showing Why The (Experiential) Emerging Church Christianity is Apostate, Pagan, Babylonic and Catholic	16
Explaining The Beast With Seven Heads and Ten Horns and The Woman Riding The Beast	15
Letter From Jacob Prasch Revealing Some Truth About Palestine and Israel and What Is Really Going On	15
Are The Global Leaders Nephilim?	15
Why Word Faith Organisation is a Cult and is Detrimental To Your Faith, Mind And Soul	14
Blog Written From Heart Of Love and Compassion. Tough Love? A Response To Criticisms.	13
How To Handle False Teaching And Strange, Different Teachings	13
Revised: Bible Translation NKJV Debate	13
Comparing How To Be Truly Saved (The Biblical Way) To The Nicky Gumbel (Of Alpha Courses) False Way	12
What True Biblical Fellowship is and Why It is Vital We Live It, In These Last Days	12
Does Bible Teach Us To Love Ourselves?	11
Why You cannot Trust Any Preacher Who Has Ecumenical Connections	10
Do Not Judge, But Watch Out For False Prophets, Matthew 7 Explanation	10
Tony Blair Faith Foundation, Rick Warren PEACE Agenda & One World Political Religious Government	10
Significance Of The Scapegoat On Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Revised	9
Flotilla Illustrates An Actual Global Conspiracy Against God And His Purposes	9
Christians Wake Up. A Rallying Cry	9
How To Be Truly Saved and Be Certain Of Going To Heaven	9
Has God Finished With The Jews And The Nation Of Israel?	8
Why Dominion and Kingdom Now Theology Leads The Church Down The Same Road To Apostasy As Pursued By Rome	8
What The Olive Tree of Romans11 Represents and How it Speaks of God's Plan For Israel and the Church	8
Why I Can No Longer Endorse Any Of Watchman Nee's Books	8
Tony Pearce Urgent Prayer Request	8
Prophetic Ministry In These Last Days. How to Recognise True And False Prophecies	6
Answers In Genesis Cautious Report re Alleged Noah's Ark Finding	6
Ecumenical Christian Organisations and New-Age Christian Organisations To Avoid	6
Qualities Of True Biblical Leadership Compared To the False Teachers	5
Black Parents White Baby. Black/White Twins. Two Stories Which Give Further Evidences Bible Can Be Trusted	5
UFO Sightings, Abductions etc Are They Evidence of Life on Other Planets (Aliens) or The Return Of Nephilim or Some Other Explanation?	5
Tony Blair courts US pastor Rick Warren in bid to unite faiths	5
The truth and Danger About The Word Faith Heresy Movement	5
Word Of Faith Deception. Everything You Need To Know On Video	4
How To Study The Bible and Why. Learning How To Avoid Deception	4
Are We Seeing True Church Revival In These Last Days	4
Why Christians Should Stand Up For Israel	4
An Exhortation To Pastors or "Good Shepherds"	4
Why Most of Our Major Bible Translations Can Be Trusted	4
The Two Babylons. First Was Old Babylon and It's Religion. Then Came a Christianised Babylonic Empire	4
Evidence Of Premier Christian Radio's Ecumenical and Catholic Links. Why They Can Be Dangerous.	4
Babylonic , satanic Roots Of Psychology and Philosophy	4
Video Evidence Showing The Catholic Institution as "Babylon"	4
Is It Sin To Touch The Lord's Anointed? What Does Bible Say?	4
Riots In UK. Why?	3
Reply To A Rabbi. Why There Can Be No Forgiveness Without Blood Sacrifice	3
Answers To Questions On Why Emerging Church Teaching Should Be Rejected	3
We Are No Longer Under Law But Under Grace! What Does That Really Mean?	3
Why True Believers Are Eternally Secure In Their Salvation	3
Showing Why The Bible Version "The Message" Is Blasphemous	3
Difference Between Joy And Happiness	3
Billy Graham's Demise Into Apostasy	3
Present Day Israel Is A Nation Of Miracles, Created By God. The Overwhelming Facts!	2
When Did Jesus Drink The Fourth and Final Passover Cup? The Mystery Truth Revealed	2
What Do You Think About BibleFresh Venture?	2
Would Fundamental Biblical Christians Have Crucified Jesus Too? (Hypothetically Speaking)	2
Peter Was Not The First Pope! Conclusive Historical Evidence Revealed and Matthew 16:18-19 Contextual Evidence	1
How The Bible Was Put Together and Proving Why It IS The Inspired Inerrant Word Of God	1
BBC Hardtalk Video. Strong Creationist Argument Against Evolution By John Mackay	1
The New Apostolic Reformation. Why We Should Be Concerned About It	1
Why God Required Animal Blood Sacrifice, In The Bible?	1
Why Jesus Is The ONLY Way To Heaven and How To Be Saved	1
Clearing The Tables Of The Money Changers	1