“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  2 Peter, 1:20-21 KJV

The prophecies of the scripture are not that of private opinion.  These prophecies are Spirit-filled, infused with the mightiness of God.  The writers were supernaturally influenced by the Holy Spirit to convey His message.  This influence did not exist in nature; it was not physical or material.  It was prompted by God.

I inherited my daddy’s Bible from my mother after she passed away.  It is not as heavy or as large as I remembered it as a child.  Even before I learned to read I would study the pages and wonder at the pencil marks in the margins that Daddy put there.  I was intrigued by some of the art work scattered sparsely throughout.  There were copies of paintings by fifteenth through eighteenth century artists. In the book of Genesis there is a painting of Cain fleeing after murdering his brother Abel.  I searched on line for the artist Pierre Paul Prud’hon, and found the exact same painting titled (in 1808) Justice and Divine Vengeance Pursuing Crime. 

Another painting, especially touching, is one of Mary, the mother of Jesus, greeting her cousin Elizabeth titled Visitation.  It was painted in 1491 by Domenico Ghirlandaio.  Wikipedia describes the painting: “The Visitation episode refers to the meeting between Mary and St. Elizabeth. It was set by Ghirlandaio with a large classical arch in the background featuring a landscape in the center. Elizabeth, wearing a wide yellow vest, is paying homage to Mary and kneeling.  [There are] numerous details, including the refraction effects of the light. Others include: the frieze decorated with pearls and shells (allusions to Mary’s purity), the light veil of the Madonna, the gilt brooch decorated with pearls and a ruby in the center (this [was] a hint to Jesus’ future Passion) which holds her cloak.”

I have no way of knowing the age of Daddy’s Bible however the copyright year is 1924, the year before my parents were married.  I do know from my earliest memory it was always on the small table by Daddy’s chair.  Although I study from various versions of the Bible it is the King James that is so dear to my heart.  This is the only Bible I knew as a child.  I remember vividly Daddy sitting in his chair in the evenings by an oil burning lamp, reading quietly and intently from this Book.   Today, this Bible is in ill repair; not from abuse but from use.  The front cover and several of the first pages have long since been separated from the rest of the Book.  The gilded edges of the pages have faded but the red lettering of Jesus’ words are still just as intense as they were in the days of old.

The King James and newer versions differ somewhat with types such as the New International Version (NIV) omitting some verses.  For example, in Acts chapter eight there is no verse 37 in the NIV; likewise in Romans chapter eleven there is no verse six.  Compare Mark 10:24 of the KJV to the same in the NIV.  “The disciples were amazed at his words.  But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!” (NIV.)  Whereas, in the KJV it is written: “And the disciples were astonished at his word.  But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!”  And yes, Jesus’ words are in red lettering.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 KJV

“For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12 NIV

I am sure Daddy would agree with Martin Luther who said, “Infinite potentates have raged against this book [the Bible], and sought to destroy and uproot it – King Alexander the Great, the princes of Egypt and of Babylon, the monarchs of Persia, of Greece, and of Rome, the emperors Julius and Augustus – but nothing prevailed; they are all gone and vanished, while the book remains.”  Parrish and Andrea, my two children will have to share custody of Daddy’s Bible, I suppose.

LORD, teach me to understand and live by YOUR Word.  For the things I do not understand, teach me to accept.  YOU and only YOU breathed inspiration into the writers of YOUR infinite Word.  Lord I do accept the Bible as the true truth and I am eternally grateful for YOUR direction.  In JESUS name I pray.  Amen.