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THE BIBLES
DIFFICULTSCRIPTURES
EXPLAINED!
by David C. Pack
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THIS BOOK IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE AND IN THE
PUBLIC INTEREST BY THE RESTORED CHURCH OF GOD.
It is made possible by the voluntary, freely given tithes and offerings of the
members of the Church and others who have elected to support the work of theChurch. Contributions are welcomed and gratefully accepted. Those who wish
to voluntarily aid and support this WORKOF GOD around the world are gladly
welcomed as co-workers in this major effort to preach the gospel to all nations.
Copyright 2008, 2011 The Restored Church of God
All Rights Reserved.Printed in the United States of America
Many study the Biblebut stumble overdifficult verses, leaving them confused and
without proper understanding. They are
then led to accept twisted, distorted and
outright false explanations of what should
be Gods PLAIN MEANING from Scripture.But this need not beyou can understand
Gods Word!
Here are the Bibles difficult scriptures
explained!
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11FOREWORD
How this book came to exist involves some interesting history,inspiring to me, and worth hearing before studying its con-tents.
Also included is an extensive Introduction that follows explain-
ing how to study the Bible, and exactly what Bible study iswhatone is actuallydoing when he opens and reads the Word of God. This
special Introduction must be carefully read in its entirety, even stud-
ied, before continuing so that the reader is prepared for and can re-
ally benefit from the scriptural explanations that follow.
In late 1977, after I had been in Christs ministry for some years,
my father asked if I would write an explanation of all the Bibles dif-
ficult scriptures for him. Of course, this was a daunting task, and I
realized that he had no idea what he was asking. Recognizing that it
would take a staggering number of hours to complete the task prop-erly, I put it off for awhile. But he persisted, and I finally decided to
take on the task. The original project was completed just in time to
present him as a Fathers Day gift in 1978. I did not even have enough
time to proofread it once before giving it to him, so it was very raw
and sometimes unclear or even technically incorrect. They were cer-
tainly incomplete. (I still have the original typed pages, containing
137 scriptural explanations.)
My father died in the faith in 1995and I inherited his extra-wide-margin Bible. I sat down to page through it and found that he
Foreword
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15INTRODUCTION
Modern Christendom misunderstands, twists, perverts and ig-nores the many plain truths of the Bible. Over the centuries, ithas counterfeited every one of its true doctrines and replaced it with
a cheap substitute. This has been possible because certain less easy
to understand passages of Scripture can be easily misrepresentedmade to say something that they do not. It is these verses that invari-
ably become the vehicle through which a false doctrine can be intro-
ducedwith almost no one able to recognize that it all may have
begun with a single wrong scriptural premise.
Unaware of the most important rule of Bible study, most stu-
dents of Scripture do not build their doctrinal understanding by be-
ginning with the clearest verses on any subject. Rather, they enter
Gods Word with preconceived ideas and go in search of passages
that appearto support what they have assumedit teaches. This makesthem candidates for confusion and deception.
The apostle Peter stated that the apostle Paul [wrote]some
things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and un-
stable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own de-
struction (II Pet. 3:15-16). Understanding how most people think,
and completely unaware of any of the rules of Bible study, some
teachers and scholars can then much more easily take advantage of
the way certain parts of Gods Word have been written. This appliesto many other areas of Scripture beyond what Paul wrote.
Introduction
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166 THE BIBLES DIFFICULT SCRIPTURES EXPLAINED!
every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast
into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
What are the events described here? What is their timeframe and
who do they involve?
Verse 13 refers somewhat to the second resurrection, but primar-
ily the third resurrection, with the second to occur at the end of the
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1,000-year reign of Christ and the saints on earth, when all mankindsince Adam will be resurrected to physical life for 100 years (Isa.
65:17-25). All these people will be judged from Gods wordthe
books of verse 12.
The third resurrection (vs. 14 and 15) is when all that pertains to
hell (gehenna) and death (the entire idea and reality of physical
death) are both destroyed in the lake of fire. This last fulfillment
the third resurrectionoccurs at the very end of Gods Plan, the time
afterHe will have given every person who has ever lived a full op-
portunity to qualify to enter His kingdom. This is the time when the
wicked shall be resurrected to see all that they have rejected before
they are turned into the ashes under thefeet of the righteous
(Mal. 4:1-3).
Suggested reading:
The Truth About Hell
Does the Bible Teach Predestination?
Revelation Explained at Last!
Authors Note: It is hoped that the reader will want to examine in
more depth the subjects raised throughout the book. This is done by
studying the literature offered. Then recognize that we have much
more material available than what has been referenced here. All of
this may lead you to the greatest decision you have faced in your
life.
EPILOGUE
169SECTION I
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How can the Bible be the worlds all-time best seller, yet remain themost misunderstood book ever? The answer: because people re-fuse to believe that it means what it says, it is twisted, misrepresented
and maligned. Recalling the introduction, if your mind has been opened
to the truth, apply these simple rules to understand Gods Word!
Most who study the Bible benefit littleor not at all. Often, they
become confused, discouraged and give up, saying, I just cant un-derstand what it is talking about.
If this is you, it need not continue.
Did you know there are fundamentalbasicrules that govern
proper Bible study? There are! And most ignore, misunderstand or
know nothing of them. Yet, when properly applied, these rules unlock
the treasures of doctrine, instruction, knowledge, prophecy, correc-
tion and hard-to-be-understood passages contained in Gods Word.
Many Are Ignorant
Thirty years ago, a newspaper reporter exposed Christians ignorance
of the Bible. Since then, such ignorance has greatly worsened.
The account begins, Some months ago, a Protestant pastor ad-
ministered a Bible quiz to the members of his congregation. The
questions were very simple. Anyone with a general knowledge of the
Bible should have been able to answer all of them easily.
The Twelve Rules of
Effective Bible Study
SECTIONI
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184 THE BIBLES DIFFICULT SCRIPTURES EXPLAINED! 185SECTION II
Marking the Bible helps us internalize the precious truth that so
many have taken for granted.
It may also be helpful to set aside special Bible studies to review
your personal margin notes. You may find that many notes were in-
complete and that others need expanding. Besides providing an ex-
cellent review, this exercise should help you make more effective
margin notes in the future. SECTION II
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g
Bible Study Is Rewarding
By diligently applying these most fundamental rules, you will find
that personal Bible study is far more interesting and challenging.
When you find it more difficult to break off rather than to get started,
you can safely say that your Bible study has become exciting and
rewardingas God would have it!
But the question of the authority of the Bible, meaning identify-
ing proof that it is Gods divinely inspired Instruction Book, re-
mains The Bible is the most popular book ever written. But is it meresuperstitionthe uninspired work of men? Or is it simply He-brew and Greek literatureperhaps only useful as a history book?
This book of three-quarters of a million words purports to be the
Word of God. Must its authenticity be accepted on faith? Can its
divine authority be demonstrated? Here isproofof the Bible!
The Bible has been called the Book of books and we saw haslong held the title of worlds best seller. Most people have oneand
the family Bible is a cherished possession in many households.
The family Bible on my mothers side dates to the mid-to-late 1700s,
but, sadly, those who used it, at least in recent generations, primarily
did so for the purpose of recording weddings, births, deaths and fam-
ily genealogy.
Why does this book remain an almost complete mystery to so
manyagain, with few evenprofessing to understand it? And why is
it that most Bibles are used as a showpiece, lying unopened, gather-
ing dust? Many actively try to discredit the Bible, while others treat
it with passive indifference. Still others hold it in awebelieving
on faith that it is divinely inspired. They seem to require no proof
of this, yet lack the necessary conviction to truly believe and practice
its words in times of great stress and personal trial.
But can one actuallyprove the Bible? This is a huge question!
Just as most never seek to prove the existence of God, most never
Bible Authority
Can It Be Proven?
SECTIONII
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210 THE BIBLES DIFFICULT SCRIPTURES EXPLAINED! 211SECTION III
Summation
You have seen many different proofs of the Bible. This section has
conclusively established its divine authority, and this just primarily
from prophecies that have been fulfilled exactly as foretold. Indi-
vidually and collectively, they represent the greatest single proofactually, many separate proofs within the one overall enormous proof
of prophecythat the One who purports to have inspired the BibleSECTION III
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actually did so.
But then there is the question of howthrough whomGod re-
corded, compiled and preserved His Word
Is the Bible complete without the Apocrypha or other obscure writ-ings? Is there sufficient evidence to prove whether these docu-ments belong in Gods Word? Many facts about the assembly and
preservation of the Bible show Gods guiding hand in the entire pro-
cess. Section III explains the amazing story of how God preserved
His Word!
Where did the Bible come from? The previous section madeplain that God authored itbut how did we get it in its presentform? Is it complete? Many sincerely wonder: Do we have the en-
tire Bible? Some feel that no one can know. Is there any way to
prove this?
There are plain answers to these and related questions.
Consider for a moment. Are you able to preserve important fi-
nancial papers that you need to keep? Can families preserve trea-
sured photographs, protected in an album? Are companies able to
preserve records vital to their existence? Can the National Archivesprotect important documents and artifacts from Americas history?
Is theInternetcapable of preserving virtually EVERYTHING?
The answer to all these questions is Of course!
If God can create the universeand all life within itsurely He
can preserve His inspired Word. Yet, most seem to think that God is
less capable of preserving what is vital to Him than are human be-
ings!
How We Got the Bible
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237SECTION IV
Which Translations
SECTIONIV
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The Bible as we know it today has been passed down through thecenturies. Referenced only briefly earlier, over the past fewyears, there has come an explosion of different translations and spe-
cialty Bibles. Some of these can be helpful. Others are inaccurate,
and some pitifully so. How can you be sure which one to use? Which
is the most accurate?
God commands His servants to seek you first the kingdom of
God (Matt. 6:33), and to search the Scriptures [the Bible] daily
(Acts 17:11). But how can this be done if the Bible has not been
translated into the language of the common people? This section
explains which of the over 70 English translations produced today
you should use.
The introduction of the King James (KJV) orAuthorized Version
(AV) of the Bible states, But how shall men meditate in that which
they cannot understand? How shall they understand that which is
kept closed in an unknown tongue?Translation it is that opens thewindow, to let in the light; that breaks the shell, that we may eat the
kernel.
The word bible conjures up mystery in some peoples minds.
From the Greekbiblos, it simply means a sheet or scroll of writing;
book.
The languages in which the Bible was originally written are pri-
marily Hebrew, for the Old Testament (with a few exceptions in Dan-
Which Translations
Are Best?
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247SECTION V
Study to Show
SECTIONV
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The Word of God is a quick (living, spiritual) Book (Heb. 4:12).But, seeing no purpose, some have no interest in studying itscontents. Do you understand the value of Bible study? How can you
establish a pattern and stick to it? What kind of things should you
study? The books final section will teach you why you should study
the Bible!
We have seen that the Bible is the inspired Word of GodHis
written Instruction Book to mankind. It answers every important ques-tion in life. It explains HOWTOLIVEand reveals the road to salvation.
Then why do so few know HOW to study the Bible?
First, we must ask, why study the Bible? II Timothy 2:15 ad-
monishes, Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman
that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The apostle Paul tells us that proper Bible study leads to ap-
proval from God. The same verse also speaks of other benefits. First,
as workmen, we need not be ashamedif we study Gods Word.Instead, studying becomes fulfilling and satisfying. You have done
what God expects you to doan acceptable type of self-approval.
Rightly dividing the Scripturesknowing the Bible, inside and
outtakes a lifetime. Gods Holy Spirit opens ones mind to this
spiritual understanding (Psa. 119:18; John 16:13). True biblical
knowledge and understanding come from diligent effort and Gods
Spirit working in you.
Study to Show
Yourself Approved
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Other Books by David C. Pack The Awesome Potential of Man
Tomorrows Wonderful World An Inside View!
The Bibles Greatest Prophecies Unlocked! A Voice
Cries Out Saturday or Sunday Which Is the Sabbath?
America and Britain in Prophecy
The True Jesus Christ Unknown to Christianity
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The Restored Church of God
110705DS
P.O. Box 4064
St. Catharines, ON L2R 7S3CANADA
P.O. Box 23295
Wadsworth, OH 44282USA
Phone: (330) 334-2266
Fax: (330) 334-6513
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.thercg.org
The True Jesus Christ Unknown to Christianity
Sex Its Unknown Dimension
Where Is the True Church? and Its Incredible History!
Dating and Courtship Gods WayTrain Your Children Gods Way
The Trinity Is God Three-In-One?
The Ten Commandments Nailed to the CrossorRequired for Salvation?
Herbert W. Armstrong His Life in Proper Perspective