SPECIAL ISSUE: Bible Versions: Does it Really Matter Which? ON THE LINE

DARE TO STAND FALL 2009 | VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 3 FA TH Our aim is to urge men and women to stand for truth and resist error. We pray that in EDITOR’S CORNER times of serious compromise our ministry will equip you with solid information on In July 2009, Pastor David Allen current end-time issues and distributed a public statement of rebuttal to trends, and encourage you to Walter Veith’s two DVDs on the subject of live a life apart from worldly influences. new Bible versions. In his statement, Allen offered those interested a 41-page document

outlining all the arguments against Dr. Veith’s Volume 14 | Issue 3 presentations. Neither the short statement nor Faith on the Line is published the full document were ever sent to Walter Veith quarterly by Amazing Discoveries or Amazing Discoveries for comment. Managing Editor Wendy Goubej Unfortunately, this debate over the new Design & Layout Bible versions is not new. We have received Jerick Arceo Copy Editor much opposition on this subject. New Bible Cailey Bennett version advocates feel that the discussion Contributing Writers of the authenticity of the NIV is an attack on Rudy Davis, Victor Gill, something very personal—their understanding Jean Handwerk, Keith King, of and relationship with God. Brian Neumann, Walter Veith New version advocates believe that in those Contact PO Box 189 verses where something is missing, the 7101C - 120th St information can be found elsewhere. Also, Delta BC V4E 2A9 Canada many contend that the changes found in the PO Box 4480 new versions are insignificant, fix an error, or Blaine WA are meant to make the meaning clearer. 98231- 4480 USA

However, in the article that follows, which Tel 604-572-9457 also stands as Walter Veith’s reply to David Toll Free: 1-866-572-9457 Allen’s rebuttal, we see that the argument is Web not about removing redundancy or clearing up www.amazingdiscoveries.org the meaning. Rather, this is a discussion about Email the history of the Bible, the authenticity of the [email protected]

source text, and the intentions, beliefs, and Subscription practices of not only the translators, but also the $20/yr for US and Canada Roman system and its Counter Reformation. $30/yr for International Throughout the history of the Church and the Bible, an unmistakable battle has been raging Copyright 2009 Amazing Discoveries. around the Word of God. Many voices are rising Articles reflect the opinion of their authors. Permission to quote excerpts is granted to drown out the truth of the Bible’s clear and where credit is given. pointed warnings.

Who will we listen to? ON THE LINE

FADARE TO THSTAND

2 ON THE LINE SPECIAL ISSUE FALL2009

FADARE TO THSTAND

#213B - Battle of the Bibles

Our battle is not against flesh and blood. Spiritual forces want to rob us of the only source of inspiration outlining the road to salvation: God’s Word. Battle of the Bibles will show you how the Enemy is preparing for the final attack on the Word of God itself. This DVD exposes those who have reshaped God’s Word to suit their occult philosophy, and includes an examination of Bible versions and their sources. The battle of the Bibles is more than a version issue. It is a manuscript issue. This DVD discusses the reliability of the ancient manuscripts that shaped the Bible versions we see today. Time: 91 min DVD $14.00

#214B - Changing the Word Parts 1-3

This DVD, a near exhaustive comparison of modern Bible versions with the King James Version, shows how blatant changes in modern translations are meant to hide the truth about Christ’s deity. Time: 134 min DVD

$14.00

3 Editor’s Note: This letter is in response to a critique by Elder David W. Allen of Walter Veith’s DVD #213 Battle of the Bibles and #214 Changing the Word. A sample of the critique was distributed publicly by Elder Allen at the BC Camp- meeting in 2009. Elder Allen invites anyone interested in examining his full 41-page critique to obtain a copy through the following avenues: Email: [email protected] Tel: 360-574-4919 Those interested in comparing his document with the information in this magazine are invited to obtain a copy from him directly.

August 1, 2009

My dear brother Allen,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and may God help us to be united in the Spirit of love and truth through His Word. I have become aware of the document you sent out regarding my Bible lectures, and I feel that this needs a response. A personal communication from you would have been appreciated, but since this issue is now in the public domain we will have to deal with it as such. After reading your evaluation of my DVD lectures on the The Battle of the Bibles, I realize that we are approaching the transmission of Bible manuscripts and texts from two entirely different paradigms.

This situation reminds me of my former experience as an evolutionist. I was fully convinced that Darwinian evolution was true, because science had, or so I thought, proved it so. All the evidence was used to uphold and prove that we have evolved over millions of years. How could all the thousands of scientists and trained professionals possibly be wrong? But then I was confronted with the Biblical account of Creation and the fact that none of the scientists had been around at the time of the Big Bang. All their “proof” was based on interpretive assumptions which they use to uphold their theory. When I began to consider the possibility that God had created all things as the Bible says, and when I began to see that all the assumed evidence for the modern theory of evolution actually proved the Biblical Creation account, an entirely new paradigm opened to me.

Elder Allen I have related this experience to you, because I believe that the same kind of interpretive assumptions are being used unintentionally, by Bible MSS textual critics today who are influenced by inherited methods and principles in our ecumenical climate. The interpretation of history is very subjective. Historical evidence has often been used to prove two opposite positions from the same evidence.

Protestants today have not only swallowed the Catholic Counter-Reformation teachings on prophecy hook, line, and sinker, but they are using the very manuscripts from Rome that the Protestant reformers and God’s people through the long Dark Ages of apostasy rejected. One little mentioned advantage of the KJV is that it was translated at a time when God’s people had just come out of those Dark Ages and knew the difference between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Today this is not the case, as modern ecumenical evangelical Protestants return to Rome.

Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not a ”King James Version only” advocate, but I am a Byzantine (Received Text) only supporter. The KJV has many areas that can be improved upon such as the archaic language and pertinent mistranslations of particular terms, but these factors concern semantics rather than doctrinal issues. The same, of course, applies to the old Luther Bible and any old translation in any other language. The question we have to ask ourselves is whether we are dealing with a direct translation that gives as accurate a rendition of the original words as possible, or are we dealing with a dynamic equivalent translation that places the original words in a new setting that often reflects the paradigms of the translators? In the latter case the translation may turn out to be dynamic, but often anything but equivalent.

In my study of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, I have found that the inspired account of the history of God’s people and His written Word, as found in the great controversy theme between Christ and Satan opens to view the bigger picture of not only Christ’s great battle with Satan, but also the great battle of God’s people to preserve the written Word and the true doctrines therein.

Elder Allen, I believe that you have been following the current popular scholarly

4 approach to textual criticism in the same way as I followed the popular scientific teachings of modern evolution. The conclusions that one is inclined to reach depend on one’s basic assumptions dictated by one’s paradigm. After all, modern biblical criticism is a post-reformation phenomenon and the question of who the harborers of God’s true Word are is thus vital to the outcome. Today, the modern translations are based largely on the witness of the Vaticanus and Sianiticus texts (which come out of the Vatican stable) and a handful of uncials in juxtaposition to the cloud of manuscripts testifying to the opposite. The Vaticanus manuscript was the prime witness to counter the Reformation Bible and the Sinaiticus adds its voice to form the bulwark of the modern translations.

Brother Allen, your long list of my amazingly absurd untrue outrageous statements are not so absurd if you are willing to consider that there might just be an amazing deception that Rome’s Counter-Reformation has introduced into the Protestant world through the schools and universities since the Reformation. You also feel that, because I am “obsessed with berating Westcott and Hort,” I believe every one else has had the same “evil intent” to “deliberately distort God’s Word.” This is not true! Westcott and Hort condemn themselves as recorded in their own writings and I merely quoted what they said. Having said this, I do want to thank you for taking the time to correct any wrong statements I have made, as it is not my intent to mislead or deceive anyone, but quite the contrary. In fact, it is because I believe that God has inspired and preserved His Holy Word through His Church in the Wilderness and not through the corrupt manuscripts and false doctrines from Rome that I am warning God’s people of Satan’s subtle deceptions, which are intended to deceive the very elect.

Never did I create, or wish to create, the impression that the Bible was not trustworthy. After all, how could I possibly believe in the inspiration of the Bible without faith in the preservation of the Bible? Inspiration without preservation is useless. That is why I believe that the same Word that sustained the early Church and fuelled the Reformation is the everlasting Word of God. It is still available today, intact with all the verses and therefore I would not deprive anyone of the Bible or faith in the Bible. Moreover, this is not some new doctrine that I have thought up in order to confront the Church. These issues have been in the public domain since their inception and Adventist leaders and scholars have often been on the forefront of this debate.

You say, “best Greek,” means from the manuscripts deemed to be the most reliable,... closest to the original text. But how do we determine what is closest to the original text, when we don’t have the originals? How do you determine which manuscripts are most reliable? There are at least 50 old known apocryphal New Testament books that prove that just because a manuscript is old, it is not necessarily the most reliable. The history of the Old Testament Apocrypha and why it was included in the Septuagint Greek Alexandrian version and the early KJV is an interesting story. The Hebrew Scriptures did not include it in their canon and that is why the early Protestant Bible societies after 1800 excluded it from the Bibles they printed. Since then, Catholics have been trying to have them reintroduced into the modern translations but informed Christians have never accepted it as part of the inspired writings of the Bible.

Enclosed is a document expanding on the issues under discussion.

May our great God of peace be with you as we hasten together the great day of His coming.

Your brother in Christ Walter J. Veith

5 OUR AUTHORIZED BIBLE VINDICATED BENJAMIN G. WILKINSON, Ph. D TThe all-time bestseller. The most translated book. The most controversial title. The Bible.

Throughout the ages this precious book has been both persecuted and preserved. Today, many question the inspiration of the Bible as the Biblical fundamentals our society depends on crumble.

Our Authorized Bible Vindicated was written to restore faith in the true, infallible word of God. With the lines blurring between true and false, there is a desperate need for us to return to the authentic roots of our spiritual foundations. Satan is working overtime so that, if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. Faulty Bible translations draw minds away from the truth.

Our Authorized Bible Vindicated explores the history of the Bible throughout the centuries and how it has been preserved in its entirety untainted. The reader will be led on a journey back to a solid belief in the true word of God and how to discern it from the false.

Benjamin G. Wilkinson, PhD, worked as the Dean of Theology at Washington Missionary College (now known as Columbia Union College). During his years of service to the cause he loved, he also dedicated his life to ministry and intensive study. Our Authorized Bible Vindicated is the culmination of this study.

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6 Bible Versions:Does it matter which Bible we use? Walter J. Veith

he issue of Bible translations the new versions, however, base their also come to realize that the issue of is an issue of hot debate with argument entirely on the “most ancient Bible manuscript translation can be advocates on both sides of the manuscripts” which largely support the approached from two entirely different T divide, pouring out publication modern translations. Some of these perspectives, and these perspectives upon publication to defend their manuscripts were only discovered will determine one’s paradigm. I am particular viewpoint.Thousands of recently, and are said to throw a whole reminded of my former experience as pages of evidence are brought to the new light on the subject. an evolutionist. I was fully convinced subject that seems to achieve nothing that Darwinian evolution was true, other than greater polarization. Once When I became a Christian, I came because science had, or so I thought, drawn into this debate, we end up in to know and understand the beautiful proved it so. All the evidence a vortex threatening to engulf us and message of salvation in Christ through presented to us in my university career it is tempting to throw up our hands the NIV. Does it therefore matter which conclusively upheld the evolutionary in despair and ask: “Does it really version I use? Martin Luther found paradigm and was presented with matter?” Extreme views are of course Christ in the Latin Vulgate and it led such conviction that there was no prevalent in all such debates, and so him to accept salvation in Christ. Does room for doubt. The earth and the life we have our “King James Version only” it therefore matter what version he it supported had evolved over millions advocates as apposed to our “NIV used? Wycliffe, the morning star of the of years and every scientific discipline only” advocates, both claiming that Reformation, translated the Vulgate was in harmony with this belief. After their version most accurately renders into English—it was never printed and all, how could all the thousands of the original intent of God’s Word. I am copies were few. Was God with him in scientists and trained professional men reminded of one dear brother in my this venture? Did it matter what version in the world possibly be wrong? own country who stuck to his old high he used? Tyndale and Martin Luther Dutch translation of the Bible, saying, later translated the Bible from Erasmus’ When I was convicted of the veracity “If high Dutch was good enough for Greek text and gave the Word of God of the Bible, however, all this changed. Paul, then it is good enough for me.” to their respective countrymen in their It was not a sudden change, because own mother tongue. Does it matter it required a huge paradigm shift in The King James Version (KJV) advocate what version they used? Was God order to even entertain the possibility will point to the many verses missing with them when they undertook this that my evolutionary mindset was in and the numerous alterations and monumental task? Does it matter? need of revision. It required nothing partial omissions in the new versions. less than total detachment from my The advocates for the modern versions Did God make a mistake in first convictions to even admit that all will point to other passages of Scripture presenting the early reformers with that the so-called proof for evolution was where the intent of the missing verses is to which they were accustomed, or based on interpretive assumptions. still present and proclaim that needless did he permit it until they were ready to The same data could, however, also repetition has simply been removed. receive new light? “But the path of the be interpreted from a totally different However, all these repetitions are just is as the shining light, that shineth perspective and the conclusions then probably based on scribal errors, as more and more unto the perfect day” reached could be in total harmony with some of the more ancient manuscripts Proverbs 4:18. the Bible. The data had not changed, seem to verify. The modern versions fall but the mindset had changed. easier on the ear and all this fuss about I believe that it does matter, but I all these minor details merely detracts also understand that no amount of I have also come to realize that from the overall beauty of God’s argument will convince either side. arguments from the facts alone will Word. Biblical scholars who defend It will require a paradigm shift. I have seldom convince the other side of this 7 paradigm divide, because spiritual Today this is not the case, as modern Him, felt themselves drawn to things are spiritually discerned. Does ecumenical evangelical Protestants Him by an irresistible power. it matter how I view the data? Does it return to Rome. The conviction pressed upon matter whether I interpret it in the light them that He was the Son of of God’s Word or naturalistically? Of To look at the arguments from a “KJV God. But Satan was ready to course it matters! I long for my atheist only” perspective or “my favourite suggest doubt; and for this the friends to see things as I see them now, modern day version only” perspective way was prepared by their to get to know the Creator of all things, is, in my view, far too narrow a view to own erroneous ideas of the and the beauty of His character, and take. Translations are based on ancient Messiah and His coming.... for them to have the same hope that manuscripts, and the question should I have now in place of the void that rather be—which ancient manuscripts The very words of prophecy led to nothing. Will they listen to the are the representation of God’s were so perverted as to facts? No! Something else needs to Word? Is it the Western, Alexandrian, sanction error.... happen; they need to be touched or Byzantine manuscript that most by the Spirit of God before they will accurately portrays what God really Many are deceived today listen and understand. Salvation is thus did say? In my study of the Bible and in the same way as were the always the work of God and neither the Spirit of Prophecy, I have found that Jews. Religious teachers read our knowledge nor articulate skills the inspired account of the history of the Bible in the light of their own can change the heart, lest we should God’s people and His written Word, as understanding and traditions; boast. found in the great controversy theme and the people do not search between Christ and Satan, opens to the Scriptures for themselves, I believe that the same kind of view the bigger picture of not only and judge for themselves as to interpretive assumptions are being Christ’s great battle with Satan, but what is truth; but they yield up used by Bible manuscript (MSS) also the great battle of God’s people their judgment, and commit textual critics and scholars today to preserve the written Word and the their souls to their leaders. The unintentionally as they are influenced true doctrines therein. preaching and teaching of His by the inherited methods, assumptions word is one of the means that and principles of their discipline. A The 12th chapter of Revelation opens to God has ordained for diffusing discipline that is shaped and moulded us a panoramic view of the entire history light; but we must bring every by the ecumenical climate we live of the great controversy between man's teaching to the test of in. The interpretation of history is very Christ and Satan from its beginning in Scripture. DA115, 457, 458, 459 subjective and the same evidence has heaven to its end on earth. The Word often been used to prove two exact of God is central in this battle between Darkening the understanding of what opposite positions. Time is a great good and evil and it is just as vital now God really did say is one strategy that equalizer, and age-old differences as it was in the Garden of Eden to know yielded fruits of disobedience and and animosities are easily forgotten by what God really did say. The enemy ignorance in the past, as it is doing even subsequent generations. History books today is that same wily foe who twisted to this day. Modern society chooses can be rewritten and that which was the Word of God then to say what God to ignore or twist even the plainest worth dying for in one generation can absolutely did not say and who also statements of Scripture regarding the be considered ludicrous or irresponsible twisted the messianic prophesies at the questions of origins or the many social by subsequent generations. The same time of the first Advent to strip them of issues ranging from pro-choice lobbies applies to the Bible. It is not only the all their authority and power regarding to gay rights which are so central to veracity of the Bible which is at stake, this life saving subject. In that timeless modern society. The debates cut across or even its plainest teachings, but the classic on the life of Christ The Desire of political and ecclesiastical divides with authenticity of the very manuscripts Ages, Ellen White sums up this strategy as many opinions as there are groups from which it was derived are subject to of Satan as follows: to defend them. It does not seem to this debate. Protestants today have not matter what God really did say, it only only swallowed the Catholic Counter When God’s written word matters what we think He meant when Reformation teachings on prophecy, was given, Satan studied the He said it. A somewhat more slippery hook, line, and sinker, but they are prophecies of the Saviour’s road is when we come to the point of also using the very manuscripts from advent. From generation to denying that God said it at all or saying Rome that the Protestant reformers generation, he worked to that perhaps it was a scribal error or and God’s people through the long blind the people to these even a deliberate insertion. After all, Dark Ages of apostasy rejected. One prophecies, that they might if one would wish to pervert Scripture, seldom mentioned advantage of the reject Christ at His Coming.... then deliberate changes to the Word Reformation Bibles is that they were of God would seem an obvious way to translated at a time when God’s people Many among Christ's hearers go. Where, however, does this leave had just come out of the Dark Ages who were dwellers at Jerusalem, the believer who wishes to place his and knew the difference between and who were not ignorant of trust in the Word of God? Faith in the Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. the plots of the rulers against Word of God necessarily also implies 8 faith in the preservation of the Word, of Christ, the guardian of the the Bible; yet when copies of it because one without the other is a treasures of truth which God has were few, learned men had in foundation built on sand. committed to His people to be some instances changed the given to the world GC 64, 69. words, thinking that they were God cannot expect obedience to His making it more plain, when in Word if that Word is not available to us. The Waldenses were among the reality they were mystifying that It is therefore essential that Scripture first of the peoples of Europe to which was plain, by causing must have been preserved by Him in obtain a translation of the Holy it to lean to their established an uncorrupted form in order for us to Scriptures. Hundreds of years views, which were governed comply with its demands. Moreover, before the Reformation they by tradition EW220. should deliberate changes have been possessed the Bible in manuscript introduced into certain manuscripts, in their native tongue. They This changing of the Word was then a distinct line of demarcation had the truth unadulterated, undertaken by the likes of Origen, must exist between corrupt and pure and this rendered them the Eusebius, and Jerome in the fourth lines of manuscript lineages. During special objects of hatred and century, and today learned scholars the “falling away” period following the persecution. They declared are again changing the words of the time of the apostles and the 1260 years the Church of Rome to be Bible, thinking that they are making it of papal supremacy, every phase of the apostate Babylon of the more plain. In reality, they are mystifying heresy had been introduced into the Apocalypse, and at the peril that which was plain by causing it to Church. Ellen White describes how God of their lives they stood up to lean to their established views. Ellen preserved His Word during this period resist her corruptions. While, White writes this: of apostasy and who the guardians of under the pressure of long- that Word were: continued persecution, some While Luther was opening a compromised their faith, little closed Bible to the people Satan had urged on the papal by little yielding its distinctive of Germany, Tyndale was priests and prelates to bury principles, others held fast impelled by the Spirit of God the Word of truth beneath the truth. Through ages of to do the same for England. the rubbish of error, heresy, darkness and apostasy there Wycliffe's Bible had been and superstition, but in a most were Waldenses who denied translated from the Latin text, wonderful manner it was the supremacy of Rome, who which contained many errors. preserved uncorrupted through rejected image worship as It had never been printed, all the ages of darkness. The faith idolatry, and who kept the true and the cost of manuscript which for centuries was held Sabbath. Under the fiercest copies was so great that and taught by the Waldensian tempests of opposition they few but wealthy men or Christians was in marked maintained their faith. Though nobles could procure it, and, contrast to the false doctrines gashed by the Savoyard spear, furthermore, being strictly put forth from Rome. Their and scorched by the Romish proscribed by the church, it religious belief was founded fagot, they stood unflinchingly had had a comparatively upon the written word of God, for God's word and His honor narrow circulation. In 1516, a the true system of Christianity. GC 65.2. year before the appearance But those humble peasants, of Luther's theses, Erasmus had in their obscure retreats, shut By the Spirit of Prophecy Ellen published his Greek and Latin away from the world, and White further says, “I saw that version of the New Testament. bound to daily toil among their God had especially guarded Now for the first time the Word of flocks and their vineyards, had God was printed in the original not by themselves arrived at tongue. In this work many the truth in opposition to the errors of former versions were dogmas and heresies of the corrected, and the sense was apostate church. Theirs was more clearly rendered. It led not a faith newly received. many among the educated Their religious belief was their classes to a better knowledge inheritance from their fathers. of the truth, and gave a new They contended for the faith impetus to the work of reform. of the apostolic church, ...”the But the common people were faith which was once delivered still, to a great extent, debarred unto the saints.” (Jude 3) from God's Word. Tyndale The church in the wilderness, was to complete the work of and not the proud hierarchy Wycliffe in giving the Bible to enthroned in the world's great his countrymen GC88 245.1. capital, was the true church 9 Wycliffe did not have the Greek the early Church and the events of the the church, who, inspired by manuscripts from which to translate fourth century in particular, Ellen White ambition and thirst for power, his Bible, so he used the Latin Vulgate writes this: perceived that if the same as his source which “contained many day was observed by both errors.” Did God make a mistake when Little by little, at first in stealth Christians and the heathen, it He inspired Wycliffe to translate the and silence, and then more would promote the nominal Bible from a flawed text? I believe not. openly as it increased in acceptance of Christianity by The time had come to instill a hunger strength and gained control of pagans, and thus advance the for the Word of God in the minds of the minds of men, the mystery power and glory of the church. the people. The art of printing had not of iniquity carried forward its But while many God-fearing been invented in the time of Wycliffe, deceptive and blasphemous Christians were gradually led to and so copies had to be prepared work. Almost imperceptibly the regard Sunday as possessing a by painstaking copying the original customs of heathenism found degree of sacredness, they still translated work. Thus only a very limited their way into the Christian held the true Sabbath as the distribution could be achieved, but this church. The spirit of compromise holy of the Lord, and observed very condition created the hunger and and conformity was restrained it in obedience to the fourth prepared the way for that which was to for a time by the fierce commandment GC88 53.1. follow. Which Word did Tyndale give to persecutions which the church his countrymen to complete the work endured under paganism. But The royal mandate not that Wycliffe began? Was it not the as persecution ceased, and proving a sufficient substitute Received Text, as the Greek translation Christianity entered the courts for divine authority, Eusebius, of Erasmus came to be known, which and palaces of kings, she laid a bishop who sought the favor he used as the basis for his translation? aside the humble simplicity of princes, and who was the The art of printing had only just been of Christ and His apostles special friend and flatterer invented and the printing presses were for the pomp and pride of of Constantine, advanced churning out the writings of Luther and pagan priests and rulers; and the claim that Christ had the other Reformers to light a fire that in place of the requirements transferred the Sabbath to consumed the dross of superstition of God, she substituted Sunday. Not a single testimony and darkness which permeated the human theories and traditions. of the Scriptures was produced Dark Ages. Was this not the work that The nominal conversion of in proof of the new doctrine. aroused the ire of Rome? Did this not Constantine, in the early part Eusebius himself unwittingly lead to war and bloodshed even to the of the fourth century, caused acknowledges its falsity, and point of sending the Spanish Armada great rejoicing; and the points to the real authors of to halt the work? world, cloaked with a form the change. All things, he of righteousness, walked into says, whatsoever that it was The doctrines of Rome could not the church. Now the work of duty to do on the Sabbath, stand the scrutiny of the Word of corruption rapidly progressed. these we have transferred to God, and when it was available in the Paganism, while appearing to the Lord's day...But the Sunday native tongue of the people, even a be vanquished, became the argument, groundless as it ploughman could know more of the conqueror. Her spirit controlled was, served to embolden men Word of God than prelates and Popes the church. Her doctrines, in trampling upon the Sabbath who were concerned more with love ceremonies, and superstitions of the Lord. All who desired for power than the power of love. War were incorporated into the to be honored by the world and bloodshed could not prevail, and it faith and worship of the accepted the popular festival. was obvious to all that Rome was at war professed followers of Christ GC88 574.2. with the Word of God itself. To escape GC 49.2. this stigma, Rome proclaimed that it These people mentioned here are was not the Word they were warring In the early part of the the same people who ordered the against, but the “faulty Protestant fourth century, the emperor compilations of the versions containing version” of that Word that they were Constantine issued a decree the corruptions of Origen of which the opposed to. The Jesuits were assigned making Sunday a public Vaticanus and the Sinaiticus are the to write the Roman counter Bible which festival throughout the Roman surviving “most ancient, most reliable” became known as the Douay Version. Empire. The day of the sun manuscripts. The Douay was based on Jerome’s was reverenced by his pagan Vulgate and the Vaticanus manuscript, subjects, and was honored by We do not have to dwell on the which both find their origin in the 4th Christians; it was the emperor's numerous errors in the Vulgate, but century, the century of apostasy policy to unite the conflicting this version, together with Vaticanus when every wind of doctrine was interests of heathenism and B, forms the basis of Roman Catholic brought into the Church. Regarding Christianity. He was urged versions. The Westcott and Hort text is the stealthful progress of apostasy in to do this by the bishops of based largely on the Vaticanus, which 10 was written in the infamous fourth so-called “pure” manuscript apparently reformation phenomenon, and the century. Dr. Ruckman writes, “The “preserved on an ocean of purity” is question of who the harborers of Westcott and Hort text is substantially thus filled with outrageous nonsense, as God’s true Word are, is vital. Today, the Roman Catholic Vaticanus (B). the following quotes from the Epistle of the modern translations are based No Bible student has ever handled it, Barnabas show: largely on the witness of the Vaticanus except Catholic scribes.” i. George and Sinaiticus texts (which come out Burnside notes that Westcott and Hort “Moreover, ‘Thou shall not,’ he says, of the Vatican stable) and a handful called the Vaticanus a “neutral text” ‘eat the hare.’ Wherefore? ‘Thou of uncials in juxtaposition to the preserved on an “ocean of purity”ii. shall not be a corrupter of boys, nor cloud of manuscripts testifying to the (can we call the Vatican an ocean of like unto such.’ Because the hare opposite. The Vaticanus manuscript purity?). This manuscript omits Genesis multiplies, year by year, the places of was the prime witness to counter the 1: to Genesis 46:28, Psalms 106–138, its conception; for as many years as it Reformation Bible and the Sinaiticus Matthew16:2,3; Romans16:24; Most lives so many it has. Moreover, ‘Thou adds its voice to form the bulwark of the of Paul’s epistles, all of Hebrews after shall not eat the hyena.’ He means, modern translations. Isn’t it fascinating Hebrews 9:14 and all of Revelation. The ‘Thou shall not be an adulterer, nor that the foreword of the New World beginning, the end, and some parts in a corrupter, nor be like to them that Translation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses the middle are cut out of the Bible. To are such.’ Wherefore? Because that states so clearly what its source of make up for the lack, the Apocrypha animal annually changes its sex, and inspiration was? Also remember the and the Epistle of Barnabus, which are is at one time male, and at another furor this translation created when it also in the other flagship the Sinaiticus female. Moreover, he has rightly first appeared because of its numerous (in fact, according to the Catholic detested the weasel. For he means, alterations, deletions, and perversions. Encyclopaedia, the Codex Sinaiticus ‘Thou shalt not be like to those whom The foreword of the Kingdom Interlinear serves as the authority for that text), we hear of as committing wickedness Translation of the Greek Scriptures are added.iii. The Vaticanus leaves out with the mouth, on account of their states this on page 9: at least 1491 whole clauses. It bears uncleanness; nor shall thou be joined evidence of a very careless copyist on to those impure women who commit “The Greek text that we have used as every page, it drops 2877 words from iniquity with the mouth. For this animal the basis of our New World Translation the Received Text, adds 536 words, conceives by the mouth.’ (Epistle of is the widely accepted Westcott substitutes 935 words, and changes Barnabas Chapter 10) and Hort text (1881), by reason of its 2098 words, making 7578 differences in admitted excellence. But we have all. The Sinaiticus is even worse. iv. This This must rank as the poorest biological also taken into consideration other is interesting in the light of the Biblical exposé ever written. Moreover texts, including that prepared by D. injunction given in Deuteronomy: the corruption of the Sabbath, as Eberhard Nestle and that compiled by enforced by Constantine, is also neatly the Spanish Jesuit scholar Jose Maria “Ye shall not add unto the word which I interpolated in that document. Bover and that by the other Jesuit command you, neither shall ye diminish scholar A. Merk. Where we have varied ought from it, that ye may keep the “Further, He says to them, ‘Your new from the reading of the Westcott and commandments of the LORD your God moons and your Sabbath I cannot Hort text, our footnotes show the basis which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2 endure.’ Ye perceive how He speaks: for our preferred reading. We give Your present Sabbaths are not some definiteness to the background The irony is that these two “most acceptable to Me, but that is which for the renderings of our text by showing reliable,” “most ancient” texts (A and I have made, [namely this,] when, in our footnotes the most ancient B) contradict each other 3036 times in giving rest to all things, I shall make a manuscripts and versions on which we the Gospels alone, according to the beginning of the eighth day, that is, a call for support.”vii. textual researcher Herman Hoskier.v. beginning of another world. Wherefore, also, we keep the eighth day with The basis for modern Bible translations Rome has declared the Apocrypha joyfulness, the day also on which is the Nestle-Aland text, which is based canonical and would obviously embrace Jesus rose again from the dead. And on the same handful of manuscripts the statements regarding the transfer of when He had manifested Himself, He described above. In fact, Nestle makes the Sabbath to Sunday, found in the ascended into the heavens.” (Epistle it clear in stating explicitly that “the Epistle of Barnabas, so as to substantiate of Barnabas Chapter 15) Vatican manuscript is to be preferred their claims. Even Erasmus entirely above every other manuscript”viii. rejected the Vaticanus as unreliablevi. This Modern Biblical criticism is a post- Furthermore, their text, by their own i Peter Ruckman, The Christian Handbook of Manuscript Evidence (Bible Baptist Bookstore, 1997): 24. ii George Burnside, The New International Version or the King James Version (Leaves of Autumn). iii Catholic Encyclopedia http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04085a.htm iv George Burnside, The New International Version or the King James Version (Leaves of Autumn): 163. v Rudolf Ebertshäuser, Der überlieferte Text des Neuen Testaments und die heutigen Bibelübersetzungen (2003): 14. vi Frederic Kenyon, Our Bible and the Ancient Manuscripts (Greyden Press, 1895): 202-203. vii As quoted in George Burnside, The New International Version or the King James Version (Leaves of Autumn). viii Peter Ruckman, The Christian Handbook of Manuscript Evidence (Bible Baptist Bookstore, 1997): 25. 11 admission, is based on ecumenical not agree with them are pronounced It is unthinkable that God would have considerations and is a dynamic (ever heretics. But the word of God is not led the Reformation to unearth truth changing) text as the ecumenical thus to be interpreted. It is to stand on by supplying them with the very worst climate dictates. In 1968 the United its own eternal merits, to be read as manuscripts (as modern critics view Bible Societies (UBS) and the Vatican the word of God, to be obeyed as the the Received Text). It is unthinkable reached an agreement that only voice of God, which declares His will to that He should leave His people this text may be used as a basis for the people. The will and voice of finite groping in darkness for close to 2000 the new translations, in churches man are not to be interpreted as the years before providing the manuscripts and Bible studies. ix. With such an voice of God” FE 308.1. that would prove that Rome was right agreement it is obvious that this text all along and make her the harborer is the preferred Roman Catholic text Now began the Romish persecutions; of truth. The Spirit of Prophecy states and as such signals their victory over but in the midst of fagots and torture emphatically that the Church in the the Reformation and its Bible. the believers continued to multiply, Wilderness, and not Rome, had God’s steadfastly declaring that the Bible is truth unadulterated, and that their Kurt and Barbara Aland state the the only infallible authority in religion, precious manuscripts were the basis ecumenical basis for their text very and that ‘no man should be coerced of the Reformation Bible. The text that clearly: “It does not concern a to believe, but should be won by the reformers used is the text that particular text, but forms the basis preaching’” GC88 238.1. God led them to. Rome opposed this for the interpretation of the New Bible and persecuted those who held Testament by all theologians of all “We all need a guide through the to its precepts. For many years Rome confessions and denominations in the many strait places in life as much as banned and burned Protestant Bibles whole world”.x. the sailor needs a pilot over the sandy and those who owned or promoted bar or up the rocky river, and where is them. Finally, however, the papal They freely admit that the text is this guide to be found? We point you Church discovered that her opposition subject to change at any time. This ...to the Bible. Inspired of God, written to the Bible only portrayed the sad seems similar to what happened to by holy men, it points out with great fact that, instead of being the divinely their Alexandrian preferred texts, clearness and precision the duties of instituted Church of the Bible, she and which were subject to alteration by both old and young. It elevates the the Scriptures were deadly enemies. successive scribes until they were fit mind, softens the heart, and imparts A new approach was needed to halt for only the waste paper basket where gladness and holy joy to the spirit. The Protestantism, but she must make it some of them were found. Kurt and Bible presents a perfect standard of appear that she was not opposed Barbara Aland admit that faith in verbal character; it is an infallible guide under to the Scriptures, as such, but only inspiration and infallibility would favour all circumstances, even to the end of opposed to the erroneous Protestant the Textus Receptus (TR). xi. However, the journey of life. Take it as the man of Bible. the pen of inspiration states clearly your counsel, the rule of your daily life” that the Bible is our infallible guide. Mar 44.2. To turn the Protestants away from their Also, we are not to let the fathers or Bible, Catholic authorities advanced any theologian determine for us what At the funeral service of Ellen G. White the claim that Jerome’s Latin Vulgate God is saying in His Word. We do not this was said: Bible was more correct than any copy need a unitary text that satisfies them of the original Hebrew and Greek texts. all just as little as we need a New Age "No Christian teacher in this generation, At the Council of Trent (1545-1563) messiah that satisfies them all (as no religious reformer in any preceding Catholics decided that the Latin suggested by the Jesuit Teihard de age, has placed a higher value Vulgate should be the standard Bible Chardin). In this regard, the following upon the Bible. In all her writings it is for the Roman church. Jesuits reverted quotes from the Spirit of Prophecy are represented as the book of all books, to the Vaticanus manuscript and the enlightening: the supreme and all-sufficient guide for Vulgate as the basis for their Douay the whole human family. Not a trace translation. Since 1844, a number “The great error of the Romish of 'higher criticism,' 'new thought,' nor of ancient manuscripts (including Church is found in the fact that the sceptical, destructive philosophy can Sinaiticus) from the Alexandrian family Bible is interpreted in the light of the be found in any of her writings. Those that harmonise with the Vatican opinions of the fathers. Their opinions who still believe that the Bible is the documents have been discovered. are regarded as infallible, and the inspired, infallible word of the living Since then the new translations have dignitaries of the church assume that God will value most highly the positive, appeared on the scene of history and it is their prerogative to make others uncompromising support given this view the same battle that raged in the 16th believe as they do, and to use force to in the writings of Mrs. White” LS 471.3. century seems set to rage again. compel the conscience. Those who do

ix Rudolf Ebertshäuser, Der überlieferte Text des Neuen Testaments und die heutigen Bibelübersetzungen (2003): 19. x Kurt Aland and Barbara Aland, The Text of the New Testament (Eerdman’s, 1987). xi Ibid. 12 Westcott and Hort were the two to textual criticism made popular by transmission of the text. Therefore the “Protestant” scholars that were Westcott and Hort, are the methods choice between variants ultimately entrusted with the work of producing a that textual critics have used for depends upon guesswork.” xiii. Both Greek New Testament text that would the last 100 years and are still using Elliott and Colwell recognise this. be used to create a new translation of to determine the “best Greek.” The the Bible to replace the KJV, which was preface to the NIV states, “The Greek Pickering’s book was recommended considered archaic. The KJV has many text used in the work of translation was reading by the Ministry Magazine of July areas that can be improved upon, an eclectic one.” 1978, and according to D.A. Carson such as the archaic language and is: “The most formidable defence of pertinent mistranslations of particular Eugene A. Nida, a language expert the priority of the Byzantine text yet terms, but these factors concern of the UBS, is the one who developed published in our day”. Anyone who semantics rather than doctrinal issues. the so-called “dynamic equivalent” studies this book with an unprejudiced The same, of course, applies to the method of translation so prevalent in mind must come to the conclusion old Luther Bible and any translation in modern translations. The Bible must that “editing of an eclectic text rests any other language. The purpose of be translated in “culturally relevant” upon conjectures.”xiv. and also that the new translation was not originally terms, and “current mindsets” must eclecticism grew out of the Westcott to totally revise the KJV or any other determine the translational objectives. and Hort theory of textual criticism. xv. version, but to bring the language in This, of course, opens a whole new line with modern usage and to correct can of worms by creating space According to K.W. Clark, “The two most any mistranslations that were prevalent for popular humanism, feminism (as popular manual editions of the Greek because of the misunderstanding found particularly in the TNIV), and all text today, Nestle-Aland and U.B.S., of certain Greek terms at the time of the other “isms” in vogue. The Nida really vary little from the Westcott and the Reformation. It was also not the method places humans in the center Hort text,” because, “All are founded intention to change what was a direct of this debate, and not God as Author on the same Egyptian recension and translation of the Greek into a dynamic of the inspired Word: the Word must generally reflect the same assumptions equivalent translation that would be brought down to our level rather of transmission.” Therefore, “the predigest for the reader what they than us being brought up to the level Westcott-Hort text has become our think God was saying. The question we of the Word. A direct translation, they Textus Receptus”xvi. have to ask ourselves when reading conclude, is no longer understandable modern translations is, are we dealing to modern readers (this is academic “The agreement between our modern with a direct translation that gives as arrogance of the highest order). editions...is due to the simple fact that accurate a rendition of the original Therefore, the translator is the key to their editors follow one narrow section words as possible, or are we dealing this dilemma and it is the translator of the evidence, namely the non with a dynamic equivalent translation who determines what God really said. Western old uncials.” xvii. which places the original words in a We can understand why Rome loves new setting, reflecting the paradigms this method, because after all she is “The grouping of MSS led to the of the translators? In the latter case, the the infallible interpreter of God’s Word. separation of the relatively few early translation may turn out to be dynamic If she can make one believe that God MSS from the mass of later ones and but anything but equivalent. said it in the first place, all the better the process reached...its classical for her. statement in the work of Westcott and While all the manuscripts found since Hort (1881-1882).” Hort resolved the the KJV was printed have increased Eclecticism is the other method whereby question of the original text, not on the our knowledge about language, the Biblical witnesses can be reduced basis of the history of the text, but on the background, and culture, the basic to only those which serve their purpose. terms of inner quality of the texts, and approach, methods, and principles Eldon Jay Epp states, “The ‘eclectic’ on the grounds of largely subjective of textural criticism that determine method is in fact the twentieth century judgments of that quality.” xviii. the text have not changed. The new method of NT textual criticism.“xii. Wilbur information has simply been used to N. Pickering says, “An eclecticism Colwell observed that, “Hort organized uphold the basic premises. It is well based solely on internal considerations his entire argument to depose the known that the principles of intrinsic is unacceptable for several reasons... Textus Receptus.”xix and transcriptional probability, and It ignores the over 5000 Greek MSS the eclectic genealogical approach now extant,...It has no history of the Pickering added, “It appears that Hort xii Eldon Epp and Gordon Fee, Studies in the Theory and Method of New Testament Textual Criticism (Eerdman’s, 1993): 98. xiii Wilbur Pickering, The identity of the New Testament text (Nashville/New York: Nelson, 1977). xiv Ernest C. Colwell, “Scribal Habits in Early Papyri: A Study in the Corruption of the Text,” The Bible in Modern Scholarship (1965): 372. xv Wilbur Pickering, The identity of the New Testament text (Nashville/New York: Nelson, 1977): 26. xvi K. W. Clark, The gentle bias and other essays (Brill, 1980): 159-160. xvii G. Zuntz, “The Byzantine Text in New Testament Criticism,” Journal of Theological Studies (1942). xviii Eldon Epp and Gordon Fee, Studies in the Theory and Method of New Testament Textual Criticism (Eerdman’s, 1993): 87. xix Ernest C. Colwell, “Hort Redivivus,” (Brill): 158. 13 did not arrive at his theory through Thus the work of the Reformers has unprejudiced intercourse with the been undermined and the erroneous facts. Rather, he deliberately set manuscripts from Rome have become out to construct a theory that would the Textus Receptus of our day. vindicate his preconceived animosity for the Received Text…He felt that the Much more evidence could be genealogical method enabled him to brought forth to show conclusively that reduce the mass of manuscript testimony the principles of textual criticism that to four voices—‘Neutral, ‘Alexandrian,’ Westcott and Hort developed underlie ‘Western,’ and ‘Syrian.’”xx all modern versions of the Bible. That is not to say that all the thousands of What a clever ruse—to dump the people who have poured over the thousands of witnesses under one manuscript evidence of the New heading and then to pretend that the Testament since Westcott and Hort others outnumber them three to one. have had the same evil intent to Westcott’s and Hort’s hatred for the distort God’s Word, but the textual Received Text is well documented and evidence is conclusive that they have their Roman Catholic sentiments are been influenced by their methods to reflected in their own writings. This has produce a similar Greek text! Today the prompted many scholars, including Nestle-Aland text forms the basis of the Dean Burgon, Charles Spurgeon, and new translations and this is a consensus even modern authors such as Rudolf text that suits the international Ebertshäuser and Adventist writers religious climate of the day. The New up dramatically their ecumenical such as George Burnside to suspect International Version (NIV—the most movement and recognize the unity of them of being closet Jesuits. Admitted popular version of the day—is not their objectives in the diversity of their in their own writings, Westcott and Hort called by this name for nothing; it is the cults. Religions must actively cooperate dabbled with occultism, Darwinism, version which is to satisfy the needs of to bring to unprecedented heights a secret societies, Mariology, and were the international religious communities. better understanding of the mysteries of totally opposed to the New Testament Ecumenism, after all, means “the whole life and of our place in the universe. ‘My and Reformation theology on the inhabited world” and that includes religion, right or wrong,’ and ‘My nation, atonement. They hated the Textus all the religious systems of the world. right or wrong’ must be abandoned Receptus, calling it “villanous” and This definition comes from the World forever in the planetary age.”xxiii. “vile,” and yet it is they that were Council of Churches’ own profile: entrusted with this great work of This statement of necessity negates creating a modern Greek text of the “The word ‘ecumenical’ is derived from Jesus as the only means of salvation, Bible. In a letter written by Hort to John the Greek term oikoumene, which may as confirmed by Professor Chung Hyun Ellerton in1851 Hort writes this: be translated as ‘the whole inhabited Kyung, professor of theology and world’. It is in seeing this world as God's spokesperson for the World Council of "I had no idea till the last few weeks of that we see ourselves as one. It is in Churches. Dr. Kyung declared that to the importance of texts, having read seeing all the world's people as made witness about Jesus Christ to another so little Greek Testament, and dragged in God's image that we are called to person is in reality ‘an act of violence.’ on with the villainous Textus Receptus. protect the welfare of every one.”xxii. When reminded that Jesus said in John Think of that vile Textus Receptus 14:6 that He is the only way, Kyung said leaning entirely on late MSS.; it is a The word “catholic” means “universal”. Jesus ‘was mistaken.’”xxiv. blessing there are such early ones". xxi. In order for religious peace to be brought Abundant evidence from top textual about, all religions must be considered Before looking at some of the pertinent scholars reveals that the eclectic, equal, and for that to happen Jesus and subtle changes found in modern genealogical method of textual Christ must be downgraded to the Bible translations, it would be useful to criticism was deliberately developed level of all the other prophets or note the influence of occult views on by Westcott and Hort to introduce the religious founders. Robert Muller (former the mindsets of those involved in these Alexandrian uncials of the Vaticanus, Undersecretary General of the United practices and on the interpretation Sinaiticus, and Alexandrinus so as to Nations) says this: of Scripture by those who would neutralise the witness of the majority wish to harmonize occultism and the text of New Testament manuscripts. “The world’s major religions must speed Bible. This is not intended to be an

xx Wilbur Pickering, The identity of the New Testament text (Nashville/New York: Nelson, 1977). xxi A. F. Hort, Life and Letters of Fenton John Anthony Hort (London: Macmillan, 1896): 211. xxii http://maic.jmu.edu/Journal/4.3/Profiles/WCC/wcc.htm xxiii Robert Muller, New Genesis: Shaping a Global Spirituality (New York: Image Books, 1984): 183. xxiv Ralph Colas, “The Apostates Boldly Declare Their Heresies,” The Review (2001): 2.

14 secret Club, which has now [ca. and reveal His wisdom and His glory 1896] become famous for the number before them, they would shrink into of distinguished men who have nothingness and exclaim as did Isaiah, belonged to it. In his time the Club was "I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in a manner reinvigorated, and he was in the midst of people of unclean lips" mainly responsible for the wording of (Isaiah 6:5) 1SM 18.1 the oath which binds the members to a conspiracy of silence.” xxvi. She also believed that God’s Word was infallible: There is no doubt that the Greek text of Westcott and Hort differs from “When God's Word is studied, the Received Text, but differences comprehended, and obeyed, a bright need not necessarily be dramatic in light will be reflected to the world; new order to alter the meaning of a text truths, received and acted upon, will or provide an avenue for alternative bind us in strong bonds to Jesus. The interpretations. Hort himself admits this Bible, and the Bible alone, is to be in a letter written on July 7, 1870: our creed, the sole bond of union; all who bow to this Holy Word will be in "It is quite impossible to judge the value harmony. Our own views and ideas of what appear to be trifling alterations must not control our efforts. Man is merely by reading them one after fallible, but God's Word is infallible. another. Taken together, they have Instead of wrangling with one another, exhaustive account of these paradigm often important bearings which few let men exalt the Lord. Let us meet all amalgamations so important to would think of at first...The difference opposition as did our Master, saying, "It New Age thinking and ecumenism between a picture say of Raffaelle is written." Let us lift up the banner on today, but I believe a few pertinent and a feeble copy of it is made up of a which is inscribed, The Bible our rule of observations are warranted. number of trivial differences...We have faith and discipline.”-- The Review and successfully resisted being warned off Herald, Dec. 15, 1885 (1SM 416.2). Westcott and Hort were both involved dangerous ground, where the needs in occultism and were also members of of revision required that it should not be Contrary to this direct approach to secret societies as the following quotes shirked...It is, one can hardly doubt, the Bible understanding, the esoteric substantiate: beginning of a new period in Church world believes in esoteric and exoteric history. So far the angry objectors have interpretation of Scripture, the esoteric "Among my father's diversions at reason for their astonishment." xxvii. meaning being hidden and only Cambridge was the foundation of a understood by the initiates, whereas 'Ghost Society,' the forerunner of the Even more important is the way in the exoteric, or direct interpretation, Psychical Society [meaning the S.P.R.] which the occult world interprets these is for the general consumption of for the investigation of the supernatural. subtle changes. Helena Blavatsky, a the unenlightened populace. To Lightfoot, Westcott and Hort were contemporary of Ellen White, is highly theosophists, Lucifer is the God of light among the members. He was then, as esteemed in esoteric circles and her whereas the God of the Bible is at best always, more interested in psychical writings are to theosophists what the a tribal deity and is associated with phenomena than he cared to admit." writings of Ellen White are to Adventists. evil. Moreover, of the two main streams "Lightfoot and Westcott both became Ellen White interpreted Scripture just as of Bible manuscripts, the esoteric world bishops, and Hort Professor of Divinity. it stands: favours the Alexandrian stream as the The S.P.R. has hardly lived up to the subtle differences in the text serve standard of ecclesiastical eminence “Brethren, cling to your Bible, as it reads, to open the door for the eclectic set by the parent society." [parenthesis and stop your criticisms in regard to its methodologies and also minimise the in original]" xxv. validity, and obey the Word, and not exclusivity of Christ as the only means one of you will be lost. The ingenuity of of salvation. In the collective writings of “Yet he found time to attend the men has been exercised for ages to H. P. Blavatsky we read the following meetings of various societies, and in measure the Word of God by their finite enlightening interview with regards June joined the mysterious company minds and limited comprehension. to the meaning and goals of the of the 'Apostles.' He remained always If the Lord, the Author of the living theosophical society: a grateful and loyal member of the oracles, would throw back the curtain xxv William Salter, The Society for Psychical Research: An Outline of its History (London: Society for Psychical Research, 1948): 5-6. xxvi A. F. Hort, Life and Letters of Fenton John Anthony Hort (London: Macmillan, 1896): 170-171. xxvii A. F. Hort, Life and Letters of Fenton John Anthony Hort (London: Macmillan, 1896): 138-139.

15 “THEOSOPHY AND THE aim of the Founders of the “...Tell us, when shall these things be? THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY THE Eclectic Theosophical School and what shall be the sign of thy MEANING OF THE NAME was one of the three objects presence, and of the consummation of its modern successor, the of the age?”* asked the Disciples of ENQUIRER: Theosophy and its Theosophical Society, namely, the MASTER, on the Mount of Olives. doctrines are often referred to to reconcile all religions, sects The reply given by the “Man of Sorrow,” as a new-fangled religion. Is it and nations under a common the Chrêstos, on his trial, but also on his a religion? system of ethics, based on way to triumph, as Christos, or Christ,† eternal verities. is prophetic, and very suggestive. It is THEOSOPHIST: It is not. a warning indeed. The answer must be Theosophy is Divine Knowledge ENQUIRER: What have you quoted in full. Jesus...said unto them: or Science. to show that this is not an impossible dream; and that all Take heed that no man lead you astray. ENQUIRER: What is the real the world's religions are based For many shall come in my name, saying, I meaning of the term? on the one and the same am the Christ; and shall lead many astray. truth? And ye shall hear of wars...but the end is THEOSOPHIST: "Divine Wisdom," not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, (Theosophia) or Wisdom of THEOSOPHIST:Their comparative and kingdom against kingdom; and there the gods, as (theogonia), study and analysis. The "Wisdom- shall be famines and earthquakes in divers genealogy of the gods. The religion" was one in antiquity; places. But all these things are the beginning word theos means a god and the sameness of primitive of travail...And many false prophets shall in Greek, one of the divine religious philosophy is proven arise, and shall lead many astray...then beings, certainly not "God" in to us by the identical doctrines shall the end come...when therefore ye see the sense attached in our day taught to the Initiates during the the abomination of desolation which was to the term. Therefore, it is not MYSTERIES, an institution once spoken through Daniel ...Then if any man "Wisdom of God," as translated universally diffused. "All the old shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or by some, but Divine Wisdom worships indicate the existence there; believe him not...If therefore they such as that possessed by of a single Theosophy anterior shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the the gods. The term is many to them. The key that is to open wilderness, go not forth: Behold, he is in the thousand years old. one must open all; otherwise it inner chambers; believe them not. For as the cannot be the right key." xxviii. lightning cometh forth from the east, and ENQUIRER: What is the origin of is seen even unto the west: so shall be the the name? To “reconcile all religions, sects and presence of the Son of man, etc., etc.”xxix. nations under a common system of THEOSOPHIST: It comes to ethics, based on eternal verities” will The footnotes to this portion of Scripture us from the Alexandrian of necessity require a downgrading are enlightening. Blavatsky here quoted philosophers, called lovers of the exclusivity of Christ as well as a the revised rendering of the verses after of truth, Philaletheians, from deliteralizing of the Word of God. the 1881 revision of the King James phil "loving," and aletheia Version. The footnotes say this: "truth." The name Theosophy The clash between the Adventist dates from the third century worldview and that of the theosophical “*St. Matthew, xxiv, 3, et seq. The of our era, and began with world is obvious, and the two are mutually sentences italicised are those which Ammonius Saccas and his exclusive. The Adventists are to take the stand corrected in the New Testament disciples1, who started the Word as it stands and the theosophists after the recent revision in 1881 of the Eclectic Theosophical system. are to interpret it esoterically. Let us look version of 1611; which version is full at one of the key doctrines of Adventism, of errors, voluntary and involuntary. ENQUIRER: What was the the Second Coming of Christ, and see The word “presence,” for “coming,” object of this system? how the Westcott and Hort Greek text and “the consummation of the age,” THEOSOPHIST: First of all to favoured the esoteric interpretation. now standing for “the end of the inculcate certain great moral Writing on the subject of the esoteric world,” have altered, of late, the truths upon its disciples, and character of the Gospels, Blavatsky whole meaning, even for the most all those who were "lovers of explains the esoteric interpretation of sincere Christians, if we exempt the the truth." Hence the motto verses in the Gospel of Matthew relating Adventists.” adopted by the Theosophical to the Second Coming of Christ, and Society: "There is no religion makes some interesting comments “†He who will not ponder over and higher than truth." 2 The chief about Adventists: master the great difference between

xxviii Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The key to theosophy (The Theosophical publishing company, 1889). xxix Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The esoteric character of the gospels (Kessinger Publishing, 2005). 16 the meaning of the two Greek words— go on saying that ‘the coming of (the is [referring to Jesus Christ] the blessed PD0FJ`l and PD4FJ`l must remain blind carnalised) Christ’ is near at hand, and and only Potentate, the King of kings, for ever to the true esoteric meaning of prepare themselves for ‘the end of and Lord of lords” KJV the Gospels; that is to say, to the living the world.’ Theosophists—at any rate, Spirit entombed in the sterile dead- some of them—who understand the “To keep this command without spot letter of the texts, the very Dead Sea hidden meaning of the universally- or blame until the appearing of our fruit of lip-Christianity.” expected Avatars, Messiahs, Sosioshes Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring and Christs—know that it is no ‘end about in his own time—God [not Why would the Adventist be exempt in of the world,’ but ‘the consummation necessarily Jesus Christ], the blessed this regard? Is it because of their literal of the age,’ i.e., the close of a cycle, and only Ruler, the King of kings and interpretation of the text or is it that the which is now fast approaching.” xxx. Lord of lords” NIV King James rendering is in line with the Adventist view? Or perhaps both? Subtle changes in wording can thus In their context, it is possible that these mean little to the uninformed, but can verses can refer to the Father, but the Blavatsky continues to explain why the have major philosophical implications title King of kings uniquely belongs to changes in the rendering of the text that profoundly affect doctrine. A Christ in the New Testament, and so it is are so important: comparison of some of the more rendered in the KJV. However, the NIV significant differences between old adds the word “God” twice in verse15 “Two things become evident to all in and modern Bible translations and their although it does not appear in the the above passages, now that their respective manuscript sources can original so that Jesus is deprived of His false rendering is corrected in the thus take on a totally new meaning. place and title in these verses. revision text: (a) ‘the coming of Christ,’ means the presence of CHRISTOS in 1 John 3:13 NA deletes, “who is in a regenerated world, and not at all Modern versions undoubtedly alter the heaven,” which is found in the great the actual coming in body of ‘Christ’ Biblical witness about Jesus Christ and majority of manuscripts. Their witnesses Jesus; (b) this Christ is to be sought downplay His deity and supremacy. are P66, P75, Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, and neither in the wilderness nor ‘in the It is also noteworthy to study the role eight further manuscripts. inner chambers,’ nor in the sanctuary of the Nestle-Aland (NA) text in this of any temple or church built by man; regard. It is not the intention of this John 1:18 for Christ—the true esoteric SAVIOUR— document to list all the hundreds of No man hath seen God at any time; is no man, but the DIVINE PRINCIPLE omissions and alterations found in the only begotten Son (Gr. Monogenės in every human being. He who strives modern versions based on NA, but a huios), which is in the bosom of the to resurrect the Spirit crucifed in him few pertinent ones are worthy of note Father, he hath declared him. KJV by his own terrestrial passions, and and are here adapted largely from buried deep in the ‘sepulchre’ of his Rudolf Ebertshäuser’s document, Der NA drops the article for the begotten sinful flesh; he who has the strength to Überlieferte Text des Neuen Testaments Son and changes the rest to begotten roll back the stone of matter from the und die heutigen Bibelübersetzungen. God (Gr. Monogenės theos), making door of his own inner sanctuary, he has nonsense of the entire verse. The NIV the risen Christ in him. The ‘Son of Man’ a) The Equality of the Son with the thus translates this verse as: “No one is no child of the bond-woman—flesh, Father: has ever seen God, but God the One but verily of the free-woman—Spirit, and Only, who is at the Father’s side, the child of man’s own deeds, and the 1 Timothy 3:16 NA renders “God was has made him known.” This is based on fruit of his own spiritual labour. manifest in the flesh” as “He was P66, Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, two further manifest in the flesh.” manuscripts, and Origen. It can by “On the other hand, at no time since traced to early Gnostic attempts to the Christian era, have the precursor This rendition is based on five majuscules create a discrepancy between the signs described in Matthew applied so (among which Sinaiticus) and a few Logos of John 1:1 and the Son. graphically and forcibly to any epoch minuscules thus, excluding the great as they do to our own times. When has cloud of witnesses to the contrary. This In Matthew 1:18 Gnostic writers have nation arisen against nation more than opens the way for Jesus to be just a changed just one letter in the Greek to at this time? When have ‘famines’— created being as gnosis would have it. make Christ a created being, whose another name for destitute pauperism, The NIV here follows the lead of the NA: origin started at his birth. This perversion and the famished multitudes of is found only in P1, Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, the proletariat—been more cruel, 1Timothy 6:14,15 six majuscules, and a few minuscules. earthquakes more frequent, or “That thou keep this commandment Almost all of the modern translations covered such an area simultaneously, without spot, unrebukable, until the don’t dare to include this perversion as for the last few years? Millenarians appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: but follow the Textus Receptus rather and Adventists of robust faith, may Which in his times he shall shew, who than their preferred “most ancient xxx Ibid. 17 manuscripts.” The Jesuit inspired Douay, words, the Alpha and the Omega Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, two majuscules of course, shows no such sensibilities. and is one of the strong arguments for and seven minuscules. The NIV follows the deity of Christ in the Bible. NA robs these manuscripts and also uses the Matthew 1:18 Jesus of this position of equality with the direct speech. “Now the birth of Jesus Christ (Gr. Father and shifts it to the Father only by Gennesis) was on this wise: When as his creating the impression that it is the “Therefore I tell you that no one who mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, Father who is speaking. Following the is speaking by the Spirit of God says, before they came together, she was NA, the NIV renders Revelation 1:8, “‘I ‘Jesus be cursed,’ and no one can found with child of the Holy Ghost.” KJV am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:3 NIV “Now the generation of Christ (Gr. Genesis) and who is to come, the Almighty.’” was in this wise. When as his mother Mary b) The Witness that Jesus Came in the was espoused to Joseph, before they John 7:8 Flesh. came together, she was found with child, “Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up of the Holy Ghost.” (Douay) yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet Gnosticism denies that Jesus came full come.” KJV in the flesh in that it denies that God Mark 1:1 “The beginning of the gospel became fully human by incarnating of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” KJV NA replaces the “not yet” with “Not as the Son of Man. Roman Catholicism going” making Jesus either a liar or does not deny that Jesus came to the NA questions the authenticity of the robbing Him of His foreknowledge. earth in human form, but they deny “Son of God” based on the Sinaiticus The Douay and the ASV follow the NA that He came in the flesh, the same and one further majuscule. In NA 25 rendition of the verse. flesh that we as humans have. Through they actually leave the words out. NA the doctrine of the Immaculate also leaves out Acts 8:37, which also 1 Corinthians 12:3 Conception, which makes Mary sinless, testifies that Jesus is THE “Son of God.” “Wherefore I give you to understand, Jesus receives His human form in a that no man speaking by the Spirit of totally different way to other human John 6:69 “And we believe and are God calleth Jesus accursed: and that beings. They don’t deny His humanity; sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, they deny Him the same human form the living God.” KJV. but by the Holy Ghost.” KJV that is common to all humanity. This keeps Jesus aloof from humankind and The NIV renders this text: “We believe Here the Alexandrian scribes introduces the need for intermediaries and know that you are the Holy One smuggled a diabolical perversion into such as saints and priests to minister on of God.” This suits Gnostic and Arian the rendition of the text. In almost all His behalf. He was not altogether such sentiments but is based on just seven manuscripts the verse is rendered in as we are, nor can He meet us where manuscripts among which are P75, indirect speech, but the Alexandrian we are, having been tempted in all Sinaiticus, Vaticanus and D as opposed manuscripts have it in direct speech, things such as we are. The new versions to the thousands of witnesses to the thus forcing the reader inadvertently to once again reflect Roman Catholic Textus Receptus version. curse the Lord when reading the text sentiments, with the Sinaiticus and out loud. Direct speech is used in the Vaticanus manuscripts once again It is interesting that NA changes “Son of acting as crown witnesses: God” in John 9:35 to “Son of Man” and that P75, Sinaiticus, and one majuscule 1 Timothy 3:16 leave out verse 38 which reads, “ And he “And without controversy great is the said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped mystery of godliness: God was manifest him.” Most modern versions include the in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen text, but a number of them leave out or of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, modify the portion on worshiping Jesus believed on in the world, received up Christ. In Luke 24:25, NA 25 left out “and into glory.” KJV they worshiped Him” on the basis of one manuscript (Codex D). “Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a Revelation 1:8 body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning seen by angels, was preached among and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, the nations, was believed on in the and which was, and which is to come, world, was taken up in glory.” NIV the Almighty.” KJV The NIV rendition of “He appeared The setting of this verse together with in a body” leaves plenty of room for verse 11 testify that this is the Revelation Gnostic Roman Catholic sentiments. of Jesus Christ, the one speaking the In 1 John 4: 3 and Acts 2:30, the NIV 18 also leaves out the term “in the flesh,” for the sins of the people.” TNIV “I can do everything through him who again following the NA text. gives me strength.” NIV Both the NIV and the TNIV make Christ Act 2:30 a created being and subordinate to Here NA leaves out Christ and sets the “Therefore being a prophet, and God. The TNIV adds gender neutrality tone for most modern translations on the knowing that God had sworn with an and humanism by having Christ made basis of the witnesses Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, a created being like His brothers and and the Gnostic Clemens. Clemens, according to the flesh, he would raise sisters. Note the progression; the same bishop of Alexandria, is listed in the up Christ to sit on his throne.” KJV committee that created the NIV now Masonic handbook Morals and Dogma, introduces feminism and humanism to as a Gnostic together with Tertullian, “But he was a prophet and knew that meet the “progress of society”. Eusebius, and Origen. Moreover, these God had promised him on oath that he men were members of the enlightened would place one of his descendants 1 Corinthians 15:47 esoteric society and held to the doctrine on his throne.” NIV “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the of the innate deity of humankind and second man is the Lord from heaven.” KJV the pantheistic view of God being an This pitiful change is based on the essence or force pervading the entire witness of Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, and 4 “The first man was of the dust of the earth, universe, and not a separate entity as further manuscripts. the second man from heaven.” NIV Moses depicted Him. xxxi

Hebrews 2:16 The omission of “the Lord” is once again This same occult view is also the “For verily he took not on him the nature in line with Gnostic thinking, as it was Jesuit view, as expounded by the of angels; but he took on him the seed unthinkable to them that God would Jesuit Teilhard de Chardin: “Teilhard of Abraham.” KJV condescend to become one of us. That dreamed of humanity merging into Jesus should suffer and die for us in His ‘God’ and each realizing his own “For surely it is not angels he helps, but humanity, with the same basic needs godhood at the Omega point. This Abraham’s descendants.” NIV as we have, would therefore also be belief has inspired many of today’s denied by Gnosticism. That is probably New Age leaders. xxxii.Teilhard wrote, “It The NIV makes no sense whatsoever why the verses describing the human is a law of the universe that in all things and is not even Biblical. Heb. 2:16 deals weakness of Jesus, and the need for there is prior existence. Before every with the nature of Christ’s humanity, He special attention by angels in His hour form there is a prior, but lesser evolved was from the seed of Abraham, fully of need, were also removed by these form. Each one of us is evolving human and the verse confirms what Gnostic scribes. The NA thus lists Luke towards the godhead... What I am the apostle John said. Does God not 22:43-44 as “later additions,” using as proposing to do is to narrow that gap help angels? Did Michael not come to witnesses P75, Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, five between pantheism and Christianity the aid of Gabriel when the prince of majuscules and two minuscules and by bringing out what one might call the kingdom of Persia withstood him? D as opposed to the overwhelming the Christian soul of Pantheism or the witnesses (including five minuscules) to pantheist aspect of Christianity… I can Hebrews 2:17 the Textus Receptus version. be saved only by becoming one with “Wherefore in all things it behoved him the universe.” xxxiii. to be made like unto his brethren, that c) The Witness Regarding the Power he might be a merciful and faithful and Glory of Christ. In the following verses in Galatians, high priest in things pertaining to God, the NA has ripped the heart out of to make reconciliation for the sins of Ephesians 3:9 the covenant relationship we have the people.” KJV “And to make all men see what is the with God through Jesus Christ. It is fellowship of the mystery, which from unbelievable that a document can “For this reason he had to be made the beginning of the world hath been systematically destroy its main Hero like his brothers in every way, in order hid in God, who created all things by and strip Him of His power, and this by that he might become a merciful and Jesus Christ.” KJV the testimony of Sinaiticus, Vaticanus faithful high priest in service to God, and two majuscules. The NIV clearly and that he might make atonement The last part of this verse is omitted shows this horrendous travesty of justice for the sins of the people.” NIV by NA and most modern translations by leaving Christ out of the equation. including the NIV. “For this reason he had to be made like Galatians 3:17 his brothers and sisters in every way, in Philippians 4:13 “And this I say, that the covenant, that order that he might become a merciful “I can do all things through Christ which was confirmed before of God in Christ, and faithful high priest in service to God, strengtheneth me.” KJV the law, which was four hundred and and that he might make atonement thirty years after, cannot disannul, that xxxi Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma (Cornerstone Book Publishers, 2004): 544, 667. xxxii D. Hunt and T. A. McMahon, The Seduction of Christianity: Spiritual Discernment in the Last Days (Eugene: Harvest House, 1985): 80. xxxiii Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Christianity and Evolution (Mariner Books, 2002) 19 it should make the promise of none linen clothes laid by themselves, and New Testament books which prove effect.” KJV departed, wondering in himself at that that just because a manuscript is old, it which was come to pass.” It is true is not necessarily the most reliable. The “What I mean is this: The law, introduced that NA 26 brought these verses in Luke history of the Old Testament apocryphal 430 years later, does not set aside 24 back, but the fact that they were writings and why they were included the covenant previously established willing to ignore all the other witnesses in the Septuagint Greek Alexandrian by God and thus do away with the in order to question their authenticity version and the early KJV is an promise.” NIV tells us that we have something to be interesting story. The Hebrew Scriptures concerned about. did not include them in their canon and Galatians 4:7 that is why the early Protestant Bible “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, The notion that no doctrine is lost in the Societies after 1800 excluded them but a son; and if a son, then an heir of New Versions is thus not true, as many from the Bibles they printed. Since then, God through Christ.” KJV of the missing and changed passages Catholics have been trying to have do deal with important Bible doctrines. them reintroduced into the modern “So you are no longer a slave, but a The fact that they may be found in other translations but informed Christians son; and since you are a son, God has places in the Bible is not in question. The have never accepted them as part of made you also an heir.” NIV danger is that they open the door to the inspired writings of the Bible. erroneous teachings. Moreover, the Bible Galatians 6:15 is the Word of a Covenant God, and a The history of the text and of God’s “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision covenant is a legal document. All legal Church in the Wilderness is vital to availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, documents must be authenticated by determine which is closest to the but a new creature.” KJV at least two witnesses or the document original, which manuscripts God’s is not legal. Every land transaction must people considered most reliable. “Neither circumcision nor be signed by two witnesses before it “The church in the wilderness, and uncircumcision means anything; what can be considered legal and the Bible not the proud hierarchy enthroned counts is a new creation.” NIV uses the same principle: “But if he will in the world’s great capital, was the not hear thee, then take with thee true church of Christ, the guardian of d) The Witness Regarding the Bodily one or two more, that in the mouth the treasures of truth which God has Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. of two or three witnesses every word committed to His people to be given to may be established.” Matthew 18:16 the world” GC 64. The questioning of the authenticity “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is of Mark 16:9-20 removes a valuable not true.” (John 5:31) The new versions All Bibles except the Douay, written witness regarding the physical systematically eradicate the 2nd and before the Westcott and Hort text, resurrection of Jesus, the ascension of 3rd witnesses under the pretext that came from the same base as the KJV, Jesus, and His place at the right hand they are scribal repetitions not in the or the Majority Received Text. Many of God, as well as the great Gospel original versions. Important statements textual critics are beginning to admit commission. This bold act is based of Jesus are thus reduced to non-legality that the Majority Byzantine Syrian, is on just three witnesses, as opposed from a covenant perspective. Also, if, in fact nearer to the original than the to 5400 that vouch for its authenticity. like the KJV, the new versions were to old uncials. The Peshito or Syrian Bible The three crown witnesses are again put all inserted words that are not in contains the oldest Christian version the Vaticanus, the Sinaiticus and one the original Greek in italics, then one of the New Testament known to the minuscule. Supporting Church Fathers would realise just how much they have world. The fact that it was probably a are Clemens of Alexandria, Origen, and been changed. The modern dynamic translation of many original manuscripts Eusebius; all of them Gnostics. On the paraphrased methods of translation add gave it an authority almost equal to side of the authenticity of the verses, to the problem of the Bible student, who is the originals themselves. It is very likely we have not only the great majority of now more dependant on the translators’ that parts of it were written in Apostolic manuscripts including five majuscules, interpretation of the original text. times under Apostolic direction.” xxxiv. but the support of the following Church Fathers: Irenaeus (second century) The assumption that the oldest Many more verses could be cited and Tertullian (third century). NA 25 extant manuscripts must be the best here, but I believe the point has been also questioned the authenticity of manuscript, the most reliable, the made and we can move on to a very Luke 24:6 “He is not here, but is risen”. closest to the original text, is nothing pertinent question. Luke 24:12 and 24:40 were placed in more than that; an assumption. But how brackets as a later addition based on do we determine what is closest to the Do the new versions affect Adventist one single manuscript, namely Codex original text, when we don’t have the doctrines and does it matter? D. Luke 24:12 reads:,“Then arose originals? How do we determine which Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; manuscripts are most reliable? There Adventist leaders and scholars have and stooping down, he beheld the are at least 50 old known apocryphal often been on the forefront of this

xxxiv Charles Leach, Our Bible: How We Got It (Moody Press, 1898). 20 debate. In the book Our Authorized preserve all the information of the quarters of Sister White's writings have Bible Vindicated Professor Wilkinson original text.” xxxvii. been produced. Therefore several of writes a fervent defence for the the revised versions were available Received Text in his foreword” After continuing to show how the new during most of Sister White's writing versions, including the New International years.” xxxix. ”With regard to the different versions, Version, a new dynamic translation it is necessary, while confirming the that was touted by its proponents as George Burnside also noted that Ellen glorious inspiration of the Bible, to the most accurate product of Biblical White used the modern versions less and warn the people against Bibles, which scholarship, make our sanctuary less over time. In Testimonies Volume 9, include false books, and, especially at doctrine obsolete by interpolating the which was the last volume she wrote, the present time, against the dangers of Jerusalem restorative theology of the she never quoted from a revised false readings in genuine books. There day and having Christ entering into version once. The same is true for her are versions of the Bible, prepared by the Most Holy rather than the Holy, he book Prophets and Kings. Regarding men of scholarship, with certain books states this regarding the NIV: the many missing verses in the modern and readings we cannot accept. Such versions Burnside notes that: versions may be of use for reference or “But have its advocates tried to use it for comparison. In certain passages, to share the Adventist understanding “We should notice that verses that are they may give a clearer rendering. But of the sanctuary doctrine with omitted by the N.I.V. and other modern it is unthinkable that those who use such others? Those who are on the cutting versions are quoted as the word of versions would be unwilling to have the edge of evangelism know that this God by Sister White. For instance:-Acts public informed of their dangers.”xxxv. translation directly contradicts the 8:37 The N.I.V. omits this passage of New Testament foundations of the Holy Writ, but Sister White quotes it as George Burnside, who was Ministerial sanctuary doctrine.”xxxviii inspired.” xl. Secretary of the Australian Division, writes this: Not only is the sanctuary message This is true for numerous verses where undermined, the doctrines regarding Ellen White consistently quotes only “Any serious fundamental Adventist clean und unclean foods, the physical from the King James Version even who takes the time to investigate the state of a prophet in vision (so important though the other versions were differences between the NIV and King for the manifestations experienced by available to her. For instance, several James Version will be amazed at what Ellen White and other prophets of God), times she quotes Revelation 22:14 “do the translators have done. You cannot the Sabbath issue, and the nature His commandments,” but she never teach Adventist doctrine from this of the Second Coming are highly quotes the erroneous “wash their robes” new version or from most of the other compromised by the new versions. as found in the NIV and other modern modern versions”.xxxvi. versions. Nor would you find her quoting Job 19:26 (ARV) “Then without my flesh This same sentiment is echoed in New Translations Used by Ellen shall I behold God.” Also, in cases where our time by Professor P. Gerhard White there are apparent “minor” differences Damsteegt, Professor of Church History, between versions Ellen White is very SDA Theological Seminary, Andrews It is often claimed by those defending precise in her choice. University. He writes this: the modern dynamic equivalent texts that these versions are freely Ron du Preez writes this: “The early Adventists solved their quoted in the Spirit of Prophecy and perplexity over the interpretation must therefore be considered as “Remember the story of the thief on the of prophecies through the help of acceptable. George Burnside answers cross. Well, according to the Sinaiticus Bible translations that gave a literal some of these objections: and Vaticanus manuscripts (and reading of the Greek New Testament thus all the modern New Testament text. So today Seventh Day Adventists “According to the Index, there are translations based largely on these can still find the best support for their listed 15,117 Scripture references in the manuscripts), the thief did not call understanding of the sanctuary from 25 Volumes that are listed. 95% of these Jesus ‘Lord.’ Vaticanus, and Sinaiticus translations that stay as close as possible references are from the King James record that the thief simply said, ‘Jesus, to the original text. Such translations Version (KJV) and 5% from all the other remember me…’ However, in my follow the principle of “complete versions. The Revised Version came out research I came across this extended equivalence,” which attempts to in 1881. Since 1881 more than three statement in that classic volume on the xxxv Benjamin Wilkinson, Our Authorized Bible Vindicated (TEACH, 2005) xxxvi George Burnside, The New International Version or the King James Version (Leaves of Autumn). xxxvii P. G. Damsteegt, “The Role of Bible Translations,” Adventists Affirm (1992). xxxviii Ibid. xxxix George Burnside, The New International Version or the King James Version (Leaves of Autumn). xl Ibid.

21 life of Christ, The Desire of Ages, written under inspiration, thus confirming the Again we have a choice to make. under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Received Text. Any other conclusion Either we accept the Spirit of Prophecy as we Adventists believe. Here is what would place the Spirit of Prophecy on as inspired or we don’t. Ellen White says: shaky ground. Ron du Preez summarises the Spirit of “Hope is mingled with anguish in his Ron du Preez uses the further example Prophecy use of versions other than voice as the helpless, dying soul casts of Ellen White’s use of 1 Timothy 3:16: the King James as follows: himself upon a dying Saviour. ‘Lord, remember me,’ he cries, ‘when Thou “Similarly, when we look at Ellen White’s u“Whenever a newer translation said comest into Thy kingdom.’…How use of 1 Timothy 3:16, it is interesting in a clearer manner, what was already grateful then to the Saviour was the that she clearly uses this text, from the in the KJV, then she used that version utterance of faith and love from the King James Version, to prove that Jesus (for example, to avoid archaic terms, dying thief! While the leading Jews is divine – that Jesus was indeed ‘God outdated phrases, etc.) deny Him, and even the disciples “manifested in the flesh.”’ For example, doubt His divinity, the poor thief, upon to demonstrate the divine character of uEven without knowing the original the brink of eternity, calls Jesus Lord. Jesus, Ellen White states: biblical languages, Ellen White, Many were ready to call Him Lord evidently by divine direction, when He wrought miracles, and after ‘The union of the divine with the human selected a translation that actually He had risen from the grave; but none nature is one of the most precious and communicated more correctly what acknowledged Him as He hung dying most mysterious truths of the plan of was stated in the original Hebrew or upon the cross save the penitent thief redemption. It is this of which Paul speaks Greek (i.e., the Greek manuscripts that who was saved at the eleventh hour. when he says: “Without controversy formed the basis of the New Testament The bystanders caught the words as great is the mystery of godliness: God of the KJV) the thief called Jesus Lord.” was manifest in the flesh.”’ uWhenever there were crucial Ron continues: In fact, in 1898, while attending concepts or vital doctrinal issues at the Queensland Camp Meeting in stake, she remained firmly with the KJV. “Ellen White wrote The Desire of Australia, she was given a vision, This we demonstrated above, where Ages, which was published 13 years which called for ministers and workers we showed that Ellen White used the after the publication of the Revised ‘to present truth in its simplicity.’ In KJV to support the divinity of Jesus (in Version (which was based largely Testimonies for the Church, volume 6, Luke and in 1 Timothy); and loyalty to on the manuscripts that had been she informs us that Jesus, the ‘Great the Decalogue (in Revelation 22:14), relatively recently discovered). And Teacher,’ specifically called for skill in etc.”xliii more significantly, Ellen White had that Bible study, for ministers and workers Revised Version available to her at to ‘read and study’ several passages, Let us now take a closer look at some this point in time. How do we know? all relating to the deity of Jesus Christ, of the key doctrines affected by the She actually quoted passages from including 1 Timothy 3:16. new versions: the Revised Version or its marginal readings about two dozen times right Again, the choice is rather stark, The Sanctuary Service there in The Desire of Ages. Yet, even especially when we remember that though she was fully aware of that Ellen White did utilize the available Professor Damsteegt writes regarding Bible translation and quoted from it Revised Version on occasion including the NIV, “In its rendering of the book repeatedly, she never used it when it in that very volume of Testimonies of Hebrews, this translation portrayed came to the passage in Luke 23:42.”xli. for the Church. Either, Ellen White the total scope of Christ’s heavenly was deluded about her vision (since ministry in the framework of the Day The Spirit of Prophecy thus clearly these modern versions, based on of Atonement. Consequently, the quotes the words of Scripture as essentially the mid-nineteenth century translators did not leave readers in any recorded in the Received Text, and discoveries, allege that the “original” doubt that after His ascension Christ the bystanders heard the thief say text of 1 Timothy 3:16 never states that entered the Most Holy Place and “Lord.” This is a significant statement, Jesus is “God”); or the “Great Teacher” began His Day of Atonement ministry. as the reference to Jesus as “Lord” Jesus Christ did indeed instruct Ellen Notice these examples: our hope here is used in affirmation of His deity. White that 1 Timothy 3:16 should be ‘enters the inner sanctuary behind the The fact that the bystanders “caught used to demonstrate His deity (which curtain;’ ‘the way into the Most Holy the words as the thief called Jesus is clearly shown in the basic text of the Place had not yet been disclosed as Lord” is not recorded in the Bible and King James Version here)!”xlii. long as the first tabernacle was still must therefore have been written standing;’ and Christ ‘entered the

xli Ron du Preez, No Fear for the Future. xlii Ibid. xliii Ibid. 22 Most Holy Place once for all by His own believers, secured their pardon and destroy the sanctuary prophecy? Of blood’ (Heb.6:19;9:8,12 NIV) xliv acceptance with the Father, yet their course it matters if our very identity is sins still remained upon the books of linked to it. In the book of Hebrews the Greek for record. As in the typical service there “Most Holy Place” (hag’ia hagion) is was a work of atonement at the close The 70-week Prophecy used only in Hebrews 9:3 and never of the year, so before Christ's work for again thereafter. In all other verses the redemption of men is completed, Daniel 9:25-26 the Greek word (hagion) is used which there is a work of atonement for the “Know therefore and understand, could be translated as “sanctuary” or removal of sin from the sanctuary. This is that from the going forth of the “Holy Place.” This is vital to Adventist the service which began when the 2300 commandment to restore and to build theology because without it the days ended. At that time . . . our High Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince remnant theology is destroyed and Priest entered the most holy, to perform shall be seven weeks, and threescore the Seventh-day Adventist Church the last division of His solemn work--to and two weeks: the street shall be built becomes just one of many proclaiming cleanse the sanctuary” FLB 207.3. again, and the wall, even in troublous the Gospel. times. And after threescore and two If Christ started his ministry in the Most weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but Before discussing the changes made Holy Place after His ascension, then not for himself: and the people of the to Daniel 8:14, let us first see what the when did He start His service in the prince that shall come shall destroy the Spirit of Prophecy makes of this verse. Holy Place? This could then only have city and the sanctuary; and the end taken place before His incarnation. If thereof shall be with a flood, and unto “The scripture which above all others He ministered in the Holy Place before the end of the war desolations are had been both the foundation and His incarnation, then with what blood determined.” KJV central pillar of the Advent faith was did He enter there, because without the declaration, "Unto two thousand blood it was impossible to minister “Know and understand this: From the and three hundred days; then shall the in the sanctuary. The Scriptures are issuing of the decree to restore and sanctuary be cleansed." [Daniel 8:14.] clear; He entered not with the blood rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed These had been familiar words to all of sheep and goats but with His own One, the ruler, comes, there will be believers in the Lord's soon coming. blood. Therefore, the ministry in the seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two’ sevens.’ By the lips of thousands was this Sanctuary could only have begun It will be rebuilt with streets and a prophecy repeated as the watchword after the death of Christ when His own trench, but in times of trouble. After the of their faith. All felt that upon the blood had been shed. He must have sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One events therein foretold depended thus begun His ministry in the Holy Place will be cut off and will have nothing. their brightest expectations and most and not the Most Holy. The people of the ruler who will come cherished hopes. These prophetic will destroy the city and the sanctuary. days had been shown to terminate in When did He then start His ministry in The end will come like a flood: War will the autumn of 1844” GC 409. the Most Holy Place? There is only continue until the end, and desolations one prophecy that depicts the time have been decreed. NIV Daniel 8:14 of the cleansing of the sanctuary (the “And he said unto me, Unto two antitypical Day of Atonement) and When Jesus said the time is fulfilled in thousand and three hundred days; then that is the 2300-day prophecy which Mark 1:15, it was in reference to this shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”KJV ends in 1844. This is the time of the prophecy. “The Anointed One” could investigative judgement, a message be any priest or king, but the Messiah “He said to me, “It will take 2,300 unique to the Seventh-day Adventists. who was cut off but “not for himself” evenings and mornings; then the puts the issue beyond doubt. What sanctuary will be reconsecrated.” NIV Remove this prophecy and the does it mean that the Anointed One will Seventh-day Adventists cease to be have nothing? It means exactly that: The word “cleansed” is changed the remnant entrusted with the final nothing. Jesus gained “everything” to “reconsecrated”. The heavenly message of warning to the world. They and not “nothing” when He was cut sanctuary is consecrated once become just another denomination off for our transgressions. He regained and then cleansed once; it is never heralding the soon coming of Christ. what had been forfeited to Satan and reconsecrated. The entire 2300-day Their unique judgement message calling will rule as King of kings for all eternity. prophecy is destroyed by this rendition. people back to the Commandments The foe was vanquished and the The Spirit of Prophecy clearly states this: of God and the faith of Jesus becomes eternal victory was achieved. obsolete and they might as well join the “For eighteen centuries this work ecumenical movement and worship Rendering the verses as they are in the of ministration continued in the first the Beast and its image. new translations makes it possible to apartment of the sanctuary. The blood wrest any interpretation from them. No of Christ, pleaded in behalf of penitent Does it matter that the new translations wonder dispensationalism can flourish, xliv P. G. Damsteegt, “The Role of Bible Translations,” Adventists Affirm (1992). 23 substituting the Antichrist for Christ in sanctified it: because that in it he had This brings us to Revelation 22:14, a these passages of Scripture. rested from all his work which God key verse in Adventist theology. What created and made.” Genesis 2:1-3 about our obligation to keep the Does it matter whether the Messiah commandments so that we may enter gained everything or nothing? Of course Most modern translations include into the city? it matters. Our salvation depends on it. this same perversion in the Sabbath commandment as recorded in Exodus “Blessed are they that do his The Sabbath and the Law of God and Deuteronomy, which opens the commandments, that they may have door to any Sabbath to be kept as right to the tree of life, and may enter Exodus 20:8 -11 long as there is a Sabbath. Modern in through the gates into the city. KJV “Remember the sabbath day, to keep translations repeat this deception in it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and Colossians 2:16, 17: Rev 22:14 “Blessed are those who wash do all thy work: But the seventh day is their robes, that they may have the the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it “Therefore do not let anyone judge right to the tree of life and may go thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy you by what you eat or drink, or with through the gates into the city.” NIV son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, regard to a religious festival, a New nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. The claim for the NIV is that the rendition thy stranger that is within thy gates: For These are a shadow of the things that “wash their robes” is found in the in six days the LORD made heaven and were to come; the reality, however, is Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, Vulgate and a earth, the sea, and all that in them is, found in Christ. NIV few other Alexandrian manuscripts. and rested the seventh day: wherefore However, the church fathers that quoted the LORD blessed the sabbath day, Here the Sabbath of Exodus 20 is these verses long before they were and hallowed it.” KJV abolished. In order to achieve this, a written in these manuscripts all quoted plural noun (sabbath days) is translated “do his commandments.” These include “Remember the Sabbath day by as a singular noun (a Sabbath day). Tertullian (AD 299), Cyprian (AD 248-258), keeping it holy. 9Six days you shall labor Instead of ceremonial Sabbaths, which and Tertonius (AD 390). The first to quote and do all your work, 10but the seventh were a shadow of things to come “wash their robes” was Athanasius, day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. pointing to Christ, being abolished at Bishop of Alexandria in the fourth century On it you shall not do any work, neither the cross, the Sabbath of the Lord is (AD 326-373). The early writers thus knew you, nor your son or daughter, nor your under attack. There is also an attempt nothing of “wash their robes.” xlv. manservant or maidservant, nor your to unlink the Sabbath from the day kept animals, nor the alien within your gates. by the Jews, thus opening the door for The ancient Syriac also reads “do his 11For in six days the Lord made the interpolating Sunday in the place of the commandments” as also the Coptic heavens and the earth, the sea, and Seventh-day Sabbath. This is seen in the Version. The Spirit of Prophecy quotes this all that is in them, but he rested on the modern version renditions of Acts 13:42: verse many times, and always from the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed KJV. In Early Writings she mentions how the Sabbath day and made it holy.” NIV Acts 13:42 corrupt scribes altered words of Scripture. “And when the Jews were gone out of Note how easily this verse is altered: The seventh day is the Sabbath of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought the Lord thy God; not just a Sabbath. that these words might be preached Hoi poiountes tas entolas autou, (“that Never in Scripture is the seventh-day to them the next sabbath.” KJV keep his commandments”) Sabbath referred to as a Sabbath, so Hoi plunontes tas stolas autōn, (“that the absence of a definite article in the “As Paul and Barnabas were leaving wash their robes.”) Hebrew does not give one the right to the synagogue, the people invited substitute “a” for “the.” The NIV repeats them to speak further about these The following two quotes are extracts this travesty of justice in Deuteronomy things on the next Sabbath.”NIV from Early Writings: 5:14. In Genesis 2:1-3 God emphasises that it is the Sabbath three times and The Scriptures are clear here in the “Jesus threw open the gates of the there is no record of Him having rested KJV that Sabbath is the day on which golden city, and led us in. Here we on any other day: the Jews worshiped. Why do the new were made welcome, for we had kept versions leave this reference to the the ‘commandments of God.’ And “Thus the heavens and the earth were Jews out and hide this simple statement had right to the tree of life.” EW 35 finished, and all the host of them. of fact? Is it because it reflects poorly And on the seventh day God ended on Sunday keeping? The KJV makes “All, all who keep the commandments his work which he had made; and it clear that both Jews and Gentiles of God, will enter in through the gates he rested on the seventh day from received this message on the seventh into the city and have right to the tree all his work which he had made. And day Sabbath. of life” EW 51. God blessed the seventh day, and

xlv George Burnside, The New International Version or the King James Version (Leaves of Autumn): 12. 24 George Burnside was also confronted without it we would not know which from without entereth into the man, it with the question as to why the other God we serve. cannot defile him; Because it entereth verses regarding the commandments not into his heart, but into the belly, and were not also changed in Revelation The State of the Dead goeth out into the draught, purging all 12:17 and Revelation 14:12, if this meats?” KJV is some Roman plot to make the Although many verses could be quoted commandments of none effect. His here, we will quote only two that are “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you answer was that in Revelation 22:14 painfully contrary to sound doctrine in see that nothing that enters a man from the issue of commandment keeping the modern versions. the outside can make him ‘unclean’? is an issue of salvation. Only those For it doesn’t go into his heart but into that keep the commandments have 2Peter 2:9 his stomach, and then out of his body.” a right to the Tree of Life (of course “The Lord knoweth how to deliver (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods as a consequence and not a means the godly out of temptations, and “clean.”) NIV of salvation). Regarding the other to reserve the unjust unto the day of verses Burnside writes: “..in meeting judgment to be punished.” KJV opponents they nearly all brushed aside Revelation 12:17 and 14:12 as “if this is so, then the Lord knows how referring to the Jews who have been to rescue godly men from trials and left on earth after the Rapture. They to hold the unrighteous for the day were nearly all futurists. To refute them of judgment, while continuing their is not difficult, but takes time and that punishment. NIV is usually limited in a debate. Futurism as you are well aware, originated in The NIV questions the previous the Vatican and so we are back to the statement by commencing the source of corruption.” xlvi sentence with “if this is so,” and then they confuse “temptations” with Regarding a question on whether “trials.” God promises to “keep us from Revelation 7:14 is also a Catholic temptations” (in the Lord’s prayer), but perversion, he writes, “To me this is assures us that we will have trials, which a striking contrast, Revelation 7:14 proves the NIV rendition erroneous and states that the saints have “washed not even Biblical. Moreover, the verse their robes, and made them white opens the way for erroneous readings in the blood of the lamb.” What a of Scripture including the false doctrine glorious statement of a wondrous of purgatory and everlasting hell, which truth. It reveals the only means of our we also find in the following verses: cleansing. This is a truth that often needs repeating and is seldom heard. Job 26:5 What a full and complete statement. “Dead things are formed from under By way of contrast, note Rev. 22:14 in the waters, and the inhabitants these modern (to me) “perversions.” thereof.” KJV “Wash their robes.” What does it mean? It means nothing! Is it laundry work? “The dead are in deep anguish, those It does not give any idea how the beneath the waters and all that live in washing is to be done. Like too many them. NIV statements in these modern versions they are almost absurd. I can see the Does it matter that the dead are hand of the enemy here. May we ever perpetually punished? As this rendering be able to say with Christ’s servant of misrepresents the character of our old “We are not as many which corrupt gracious Saviour, it certainly does matter. the word of God.” 2 Cor. 2:17.” xlvii. Clean and Unclean Does it matter that the new translations remove the sanctity of the seventh- Mark 7:18, 19 day Sabbath and thus attack the “And he saith unto them, Are ye so very authority of God as King and without understanding also? Do ye Lawmaker? Of course it matters, for not perceive, that whatsoever thing xlvi George Burnside, The New International Version or the King James Version (Leaves of Autumn): 143. xlvii The NIV Study Bible (Zondervan, 1985). 25 That last bit is typical of a dynamic In vision, the prophet first falls down move it. Her eyes are always open, but equivalent translation, whereby the weak, has no strength, and is then she does not wink; her head is raised, interpretive rather than the actual strengthened by God. He has no breath and she is looking upward, not with meaning of the text is rendered. The (even while speaking) while in vision. a vacant stare, but with a pleasant context of this verse does not deal with expression.” 1BIO 122 the issue of unclean foods, but rather with “And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision… the state of the unregenerated heart. there remained no strength in me… A further eyewitness account of June and I retained no strength…when I 12, 1868 vision records: Does it matter that the new translations heard the voice of his words, then I was remove the obligation to observe in a deep sleep on my face…neither She walked back and forth God’s health laws? Of course it matters. is there breath left in me…Then there and talked to us, and as she Without it our health message and the came again and touched me one like walked, she fell right down. Spirit of Prophecy become a byword. the appearance of a man, and he She fell down gently. She strengthened me. ” Daniel 10:7-18 KJV went down as if an angel's Physical State of a Prophet in Vision: hands were under her...Sister All of these phenomena are thus White lay perfectly quiet Numbers 24:4 superhuman and can only be affected and unconscious. Her eyes “He hath said, which heard the words by God. Also, when Samson was given were open, with a pleasant of God, which saw the vision of the strength by God, he was invincible; the expression on her face. Nothing Almighty, falling into a trance, but divine strength given him exceeded unnatural or unusual…Brother having his eyes open.” KJV any human power. White said to these large men, “Take her hands apart. You “The utterance of him who hears the The physical signs in Daniel chapter 10 have two hands to her one. Just words of God, who sees the vision of can thus be summarised as follows: pull her hands apart." So they the Almighty, who falls down, with eyes The prophet: tried. They pulled and pulled wide open.” NKJV 1. Falls down weak till some of us got anxious that 2. Is raised up and strengthened by God they would hurt her. Brother In these two exact equivalent versions 3. Has eyes wide open during vision White said, "Don't be anxious; the prophet’s eyes are open during 4. Does not breathe during vision, but she is safe in God's keeping, vision, but look what happens in the can speak. and you can pull until you are NIV and the Catholic Douay version. perfectly satisfied." They said, Here this truth is spiritualized away: Let us see how Ellen White qualifies as a "We are satisfied now. We don't prophet in exhibiting the same physical need to pull anymore." He said, “The oracle of one who hears the signs described in Daniel 10, and also "Take up one finger at a time." words of God, who sees a vision of how God made sure that these would That was impossible. They the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and be verified and recorded for all. Many could not do so much as move whose eyes are opened.” NIV of her visions took place in the public a finger. It seemed like a block arena so that the circumstances could of granite…Brother White said “The bearer of the words of God hath be witnessed by eyewitnesses. to these men, "Now hold her." I said, he that hath beheld the vision of think they thought they could. the Almighty, he that falleth, and so his “In passing into vision, she gives three They grasped her by the wrists, eyes are opened.” Douay enrapturing shouts of ‘Glory!’ which but they could not retard the echo and re-echo, the second, motion. It looked like any child In some Roman Catholic versions and especially the third, fainter but could hold her, but she went the eyes are even closed, such as more thrilling than the first, the voice on just the same...Now we must the german Good News Bible – resembling that of one quite a distance see if her eyelids will close." ISBN3-438-01553-6) from you, and just going out of hearing. There was a large Rochester For about four or five seconds she [kerosene] lamp close by on What about breathing during seems to drop down like a person in a the stand. He removed the vision? swoon, or one having lost his strength; shade and put this light right in Dan 10:17 she then seems to be instantly filled front of her eyes. We thought “For how can the servant of this my with superhuman strength, sometimes she would move her eyes to lord talk with this my lord? for as for rising at once to her feet and walking protect them. She didn't. She me, straightway there remained no about the room. There are frequent was perfectly unconscious... strength in me, neither is there breath movements of the hands and arms, the eyelids did not close... left in me.” KJV pointing to the right or left as her head "Now," Brother White said, "we turns. All these movements are made must see if there is any breath “How can I, your servant, talk with you, in a most graceful manner. In whatever in her body." There didn't seem my lord? My strength is gone and I can position the hand or arm may be to be any. Everything looked all hardly breathe.” NIV placed, it is impossible for anyone to right, only there was no breath. 26 Daniel 8:8-9 Brother White said, "Now we “Therefore the he goat waxed very toward the Promised Land.” Daniel 8:9 will send out and get a mirror, great: and when he was strong, the Good News Bible and we will test it." So someone great horn was broken; and for it came went to the next door and got up four notable ones toward the four In the NIV explanatory notes we have a mirror, and it was held close winds of heaven. And out of one of the full catastrophe of confusion. The to her face, but no moisture them came forth a little horn, which Antichrist is future and also past. He gathered. So there was no waxed exceeding great, toward is the Beast that arises in the future breathing. 2BIO, 232-234. the south, and toward the east, and (Revelation 13) and he is at the same toward the pleasant land.” KJV time Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Both As an evangelist, I am aware of the futurism and preterism are accounted resistance the outside world and some “The goat became very great, but for in one exegesis, and Rome is left off from within display towards the prophet at the height of his power his large the hook. of the remnant theology. All the more horn was broken off, and in its place important that we have a “Thus saith four prominent horns grew up toward Does it matter whether the Antichrist the Lord” to support the case. It is my the four winds of heaven. Out of one comes out of Greece or is still to come experience that it never pays to hide of them came another horn, which in the future? Does it matter that something under a bushel, if it is from started small but grew in power to the millions of people died because they God then it must be able to stand in south and to the east and toward the believed and taught that the Antichrist the light. Beautiful Land.” NIV came out of the fourth beast and was the papal system? Does it then matter Does it matter that it is no longer The NIV here at least has the translation that the beast of Rev. 13 is the papal possible to apply these verses to Ellen right but look what it does with its system? Does it matter that that Beast G. White according to the new Bible explanation: has a mark which will be enforced on versions? Is it too uncomfortable to “8:8 his large horn was broken off. The all humankind? Does it matter that have a prophet of the remnant? Has death of Alexander the Great at the God has called a remnant “that keep dialectic praxis (conflict of opposites height of his power (323 BC). the commandments of God and hold to bring about synthesis) so blunted 8:9-12 “Another horn” (v9) emerges to the testimony of Jesus” to warn the our identity that we no longer feel not from the ten horns belonging to world against receiving the mark of the comfortable with this exclusivity? I the fourth kingdom (as in 7:8), but beast at the peril of their soul? believe it is vital to our identity and rather from one of the four horns without it we would be without anchor belonging to the third kingdom. The May God help us to realize that it does drifting towards Rome. horn that “started small” is Antiochus matter! IV Epiphanes, who during the last few The Little Horn of Daniel years of his reign (168-164) made a determined effort to destroy the Jewish “I considered the horns, and, behold, faith. He in turn served as a type of the there came up among them another even more ruthless beast of the last little horn, before whom there were days, who is also referred to in 7;8 as a three of the first horns plucked up by “little” horn … “xlviv. the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth Here the NIV violates the grammar of speaking great things.” Daniel 7:8 KJV Daniel 8:8-9 by ignoring the gender of the wind direction and the horns. The The footnote in the NIV Study Bible gender excludes the little horn from identifies this little horn power as the coming out of one of the previous horns Antichrist. This is what they say: “7:8 (making him a Greek king); he comes another horn, a little one. The Antichrist, out of one of the wind directions (to or a world power sharing in the which the “them” must refer in view characteristics of the Antichrist’ mouth of the gender). So they translate it that spoke boastfully. See 11:36; 2 right but explain it wrong. The Good Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:5-6” xlviii. News Bible increases this perversion by getting both the translation and the Now, we would concur with this explanation wrong. exegesis, but what do they do with Daniel 8:8,9 where they deal with this “Out of one of these four horns grew same power? a little horn, whose power extended toward the south and the east and xlviii Ibid. xlviv Ibid. 27 • A gripping account of the teaching of Jesus “The real facts of the Christ and the apostles as those doctrines were history of God’s true preserved through the Dark Ages by Heroes of church from the ap- the Cross. ostolic age to mod- ern times.” • The True church in Ireland, Scotland, and England under the leadership of Patrick, Columba, and “A monumental Aidan. work in support of our faith.” • The valiant struggle of the Waldenses to preserve the Bible and the pure doctrinse of the apostles. “A definite message that establishes con- • March of truth in Syria, India, China, and the fidence in God’s Philippines under the hand of God. leadership.” • This book features the triumph of the truth in the period from 538 to 1798, a chapter of God’s leadings long hidden by intolerance and falsehood.

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