For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19)

The Holy Word Of God

The Bible is the divine word of God revealed to the world to understand the will of God. In the beginning of time, God spoke directly with men. After the nation of Israel was established, the Lord gave His people a written law. After Jesus came and established His church, God gave man the written testimony of His will. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the canon of divine will was created in what men call the Bible. The sixty-six books of the Bible are the completed, perfected word of God for all ages to all men.

One of the greatest tools to spread the word of God was invented in Germany, around 1440, when Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable-type printing press. The Bible was the first book printed and was called the Gutenberg Bible (1455). Since that time, millions of copies of the Bible have been printed in every language on the planet, making it the most published book in the history of the world. The Bible has no rivals. There is no other book that has stood the test of time like the Bible. Throughout history, the Bible has retained its pure message. There are tens of thousands of early documents of the New Testament proving its authenticity.

The printing press changed the world, but it could also change the words at times through mistakes made by printers. In one 1631 printing of the King James Bible, the printer accidentally left out the word “not” in the commandment against adultery, so that it read: “Thou shalt commit adultery.” The printer was fined and the Bibles recalled. In a 1612 printing of the King James Bible, Psalm 119:161 says, “Printers have persecuted me without a cause.” “Printers” is supposed to be “Princes.” In a 1653 printing of the King James Bible, 1 Corinthians 6:9 reads: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall inherit the kingdom of God?” There is supposed to be a “not” before “inherit.” In a 1763 printing, Psalm 14:1 says: “The fool hath said in his heart there is a God,” when there should be a “no” where the “a” is.

The mistakes of printers are unintentional, but when men change the words to teach another doctrine, that is denying God. Thomas Jefferson intentionally removed miracles and the resurrection of Jesus from the Bible to create his own version of scripture. Many religious groups teach doctrines that are not found in the Bible. It is imperative that a publisher certify the printing is perfectly in line with the word of God, and readers of the text have no less responsibility to hold accountable those who teach the word to teach what is written. Challenge those who teach to demonstrate their commitment to the Bible. Eternal life is contained in the words of the Bible. Truth comes from the Bible, not men. As Ronald Reagan said, “Trust, but verify.”