What Doth The Lord Require?

He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8

 

The most important thing to be gained from the Bible is our eternal salvation. That is the whole purpose of God for us on this sin polluted world. The Bible was written for us that we might know what God’s will is for us. Ellen White wrote this:

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, was ever prophesying the coming of the Lord. This great event had been revealed to him in vision. Abel, though dead, is ever speaking of the blood of Christ which alone can make our offerings and gifts perfect. The Bible has accumulated and bound up together its treasures for this last generation. All the great events and solemn transactions of Old Testament history have been, and are, repeating themselves in the church in these last days. There is Moses still speaking, teaching self-renunciation by wishing himself blotted from the Book of Life for his fellow men, that they might be saved. David is leading the intercession of the church for the salvation of souls to the ends of the earth. The prophets are still testifying of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. There the whole accumulated truths are presented in force to us that we may profit by their teachings. We are under the influence of the whole. What manner of persons ought we to be to whom all this rich light of inheritance has been given. Concentrating all the influence of the past with new and increased light of the present, accrued power is given to all who will follow the light. Their faith will increase, and be brought into exercise at the present time, awakening an energy and an intensely increased earnestness, and through dependence upon God for His power to replenish the world and send the light of the Sun of Righteousness to the ends of the earth.

3 Selected Messages p. 339

Satan, our enemy, would like nothing better than for us to be lost. That is his goal and he is more active now than at any other time for he knows he has a short time. He would love to have the whole world, even the very elect, caught in his web of destruction. He does not want us to overcome sin. He wants us unprepared for the judgment. He uses different deceptions for different minds. For one it might be to convince them God’s standards are not as high as they thought. For another it might be to convince them God won’t kill them, or they are saved no matter what they do. For another it might be God’s requirements are no longer binding. For another it might be to excuse their sin and keep them in sin. He has many ways of accomplishing his goal, and he has had 6,000 years of practice at his deceptions. If he were to imitate Gods written word with a counterfeit we might expect to see some of these deceptions incorporated into his counterfeit. So what do we find in the modern translations in regard to our salvation and our Christian duty? Let’s compare a few texts and see.

Is prostitution or homosexuality in any form permitted by God? The KJV in Deuteronomy 23:17 & 18 says:

There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 23:17 & 18 KJV

But the NIV, CEV, RSV, NASB, NEB and NAB all make allowance for prostitution and sodomy. Just as long as it isn’t a ‘cult’, ‘temple’ or ‘shrine’ prostitute. They claim that there were people that were part of the pagan religions of that time that were, as part of the religion, prostitutes and that this is what God objected to. Throughout these versions of the bible this change is done. How many sodomites and prostitutes will read those bibles and see that they need to repent and change their lives? Won’t they look at it and say, ‘Well, my ‘job’ or my ‘sexual preference’ is not related to any pagan religion, so I’m okay.’ Will they be found weighed in the balances and found wanting? The Bible says:

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 1 Corinthians 6:9 KJV

If God required us to be perfect what would Satan want? Wouldn’t he want us to be less than perfect? Yes. I have seen many mature people in nursing homes. They are very mature but they are not perfect. Mature people can be very hateful and full of sin. So when God say, ‘But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.’ (James 1:4) is it really fair to replace perfect with mature? No! But that is what the NIV, CEV & NAB change the word perfect to in this text. What does it mean to be perfect? Christ says, ‘The disciple is not above his master: but everyone that is perfect shall be as his master.’ But rather than this text giving us a definition of a perfect person the RSV says, ‘every one when he is fully taught...’. When reading this version how will one know how to be perfect or that it is even asked for by God? Many versions will replace the word perfect for ‘blameless’. But is that the same? One can have secret sins that only they and God know. While having those sins they can be in good standing with other people. But as long as those sins remain in their life they are not perfect by God’s standards. To me it seems to soften what is asked by God.

Is ours a prosperity gospel? Does God promise earthly riches? No, it is the heavenly things that He promises. Well, that is if you believe the KJV. But if you rely on the NEB, RSV and NIV people are promised their fortunes restored in the following texts. The KJV reads:

That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. Deuteronomy 30:3 KJV

Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. Psalms 126:4 KJV

And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.

Zephaniah 2:7 KJV

At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD. Zephaniah 3:20 KJV

In Proverbs 8:18 and 21:21 the word righteousness is changed to prosperity in the NIV & RSV, why? Does God want righteous people or rich people.

What is mercy? My Webster’s dictionary has ‘Forbearance from inflicting harm; disposition to exercise compassion; pity; forgiveness; the power to be merciful; a merciful act, as of God; compassionate treatment.’. If I were to show someone mercy it would mean that I would be kind to them. An example of the word used in the Bible would be this one:

With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright. 2 Samuel 22:26 KJV

Mercy is not the same as faith. Someone can have faith in something and not be a merciful person. But the NIV changes this text and replaces the word ‘merciful’ with the word ‘faithful’. Why? This same text is repeated in Psalms 18:25, and in both places they make this change. I would not want to lose a text that spoke of God’s mercy. We need His mercy. The RSV and NEB change it to ‘loyal’. A bank robber can be loyal to a fellow bank robber but he is not merciful.

Christ said:

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:44 KJV

But when the other versions were written someone decided that He didn’t really say that. When they copied this verse they wrote it as, ‘...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’ So what happened to ‘bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you...them which despitefully use you’? If that really didn’t belong God didn’t mention it to Ellen White. She used it in about 20 places. Here is one:

"Love your enemies," He bade them; "bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven;" "for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." "He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." Matthew 5:44, 45; Luke 6: 35, 36. 8 Testimonies p. 286

Satan would like us to manifest an unkind spirit. He delights to see professed Christians being anything but Christlike. Wouldn’t it please him for us to miss this important lesson? He would like for us to have a spirit of unforgiveness too. Did you know that this text is missing from many Bibles?:

But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:26

If this verse didn’t belong why does the numbering of the verses skip number 26 in the other bibles? The numbering in them reads, 24, 25, 27. It is that way with most of the other verses that are missing. Why?

Repentance is an important aspect of the Christian life. The Bible says:

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:7 KJV

If repentance brings joy to heaven it is bound to upset Satan. Matthew 9:13 and Mark 2:17 quote this of Jesus:

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 9:13 KJV

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Mark 2:17 KJV

Why though are the words, ‘to repentance’ removed from the NASB, NIV, RSV, CEV, NAB and NEB? The NAB says that He didn’t come to call ‘self righteous but sinners’. Does that mean that the self righteous are not sinners? These people He was talking to were sinners. They were also self righteous. He was calling them to repentance. Without the words, ‘to repentance’ what was He calling them to? To join His club of unrepentant sinners?

What does the Bible say about the love of money?

Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. Proverbs 11:4 KJV

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:24 KJV

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! Mark 10:24 KJV

Why is, ‘for them that trust in riches’ removed from Mark 10:24 in the NASB, CEV, RSV, NEB, NAB & NIV? Christ is telling us how to enter heaven. Isn’t that important? Trusting in riches instead of God is where so many of us fail.

How are we sanctified? The Bible records Christ saying this:

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. John 17:19 KJV

Is being ‘sanctified through the truth’ the same as being ‘truly sanctified’? I don’t think so. The first one tells how to be sanctified, the other one just makes a statement about the genuineness of the sanctification. The first one is from the KJV, the second one is how the NIV renders the text.

To follow Jesus we must do something. Christ says:

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Mark 10:21 KJV

What does it mean to take up our cross? It means giving up those things that stand between us and serving God. It means taking a life of humility as Christ did.

It is the will of God that each professing Christian shall perfect a character after the divine similitude. By studying the character of Christ revealed in the Bible, by practicing His virtues, the believer will be changed into the same likeness of goodness and mercy. Christ's work of self-denial and sacrifice brought into the daily life will develop the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. There are many who wish to evade the cross-bearing part, but the Lord speaks to all when He says, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matt. 16:24). Lift Him Up p. 171

But the above text, Mark 10:21 in the NIV, NEB, NASB, CEV, RSV & NAB has, ‘take up the cross’ missing. Do you think that pleases those mentioned in the quote above that wish to evade the cross-bearing part? But unless we take up that cross we will not experience that Christ- likeness we must have to be in heaven. I am aware that this cross bearing is mentioned in several places but I can’t help but wonder how long before it will be removed from them when future translations are made. What would we have then?

There is no excuse for sin, or for indolence. Jesus has led the way, and he wishes us to follow in his steps. He has suffered, he has sacrificed as none of us can, that he might bring salvation within our reach. We need not be discouraged. Jesus came to our world to bring divine power to man, that through his grace, we might be transformed into his likeness. When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man's best service, and he makes up for the deficiency with his own divine merit. But he will not accept those who claim to have faith in him, and yet are disloyal to his Father's commandment. We hear a great deal about faith, but we need to hear a great deal more about works. Many are deceiving their own souls by living an easy-going, accommodating, crossless religion. But Jesus says, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross , and follow me." Signs of the Times 06-16-90

What is the ‘beauty of holiness’? The term is used four times in the Bible. We have heard the hymn, ‘worship the Lord, in the beauty of holiness’. But how many of us have given any thought to where the phrase comes from and what it means. One example of it is Psalms 29:2 which reads:

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Psalms 29:2 KJV

This outward splendor, pomp, and ceremony, that only mocks the longings of the sin-sick soul, is an evidence of inward corruption. The religion of Christ needs not such attractions to recommend it. In the light shining from the cross, true Christianity appears so pure and lovely that no external decorations can enhance its true worth. It is the beauty of holiness, a meek and quiet spirit, which is of value with God. Great Controversy p. 566

Somehow, for me that does not convey the same idea as ‘holy array’ which is the term used in the RSV and NASB, or the term, ‘holy attire’ found in the NAB. I’m sure that the priests of some churches consider their clothing holy attire or holy array. One of the definitions for array I found in my dictionary is ‘rich or beautiful apparel’. That seems to be just the opposite of the quote above. It is the holiness that is beautiful, not the clothing of our mortal bodies being holy. A Christlike character is what it is. The CEV reads, ‘Worship the Lord, Majestic and holy’. There is no mention here of our need to be holy.

Heavenly Reward and Promises

What has God promised you? A mansion? Or are you getting just a room? Maybe that is a one room apartment? If you choose to believe the NIV, CEV or RSV you will get just a room. If you choose the NEB, NASB or NAB you won’t know for sure what you are getting until you get there because you are promised a ‘dwelling place’. It might be a shack on the edge of town, it might be a grass hut, or maybe it is limbo. If you would rather have a mansion then perhaps the KJV is what you would prefer. When you consider the death of some of the martyrs don’t you think they deserve more than just a room. Christ said,

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:12 KJV

That sounds like more than a room.

If it were just a room God didn’t bother to tell His prophet Ellen White. Repeatedly she refers to the mansions of heaven. Here is just one of the many examples:

The great God, whose glory shines from the heavens, and whose divine hand upholds millions of worlds, is our Father. We have only to love Him, trust in Him, as little children in faith and confidence, and He will accept us as His sons and daughters, and we shall be heirs to all the inexpressible glory of the eternal world. All the meek will He guide in judgment, the meek will He teach His way. If we will walk in obedience to His will, learn cheerfully and diligently the lessons of His providence, by and by He will say: Child, come home to the heavenly mansions I have prepared for you. 4 Testimonies p.653

In Early Writings in her first vision given her she was shown the houses that the righteous would live in when the Holy City would be brought to this earth.

With Jesus at our head we all descended from the city down to this earth, on a great and mighty mountain, which could not bear Jesus up, and it parted asunder, and there was a mighty plain. Then we looked up and saw the great city, with twelve foundations, and twelve gates, three on each side, and an angel at each gate. We all cried out, "The city, the great city, it's coming, it's coming down from God out of heaven," and it came and settled on the place where we stood. Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of the city. There I saw most glorious houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls most glorious to behold. These were to be inhabited by the saints. In each was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here; no, no. A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually shouting and offering praises to God. Early Writings p. 17

That sounds like more than a room to me.

To whom does God wish to give His blessings? All of us or just a few? Everyone, right! Well, maybe not. It depends on which bible you read. The KJV says,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:14

But what if you use the NIV? Then it is restricted to ‘men on whom his favor rests.’ If you use the Living Bible then the peace is for ‘all those pleasing him.’. The RSV & NASB says, ‘men with whom he is pleased.’. The CEV says, ‘everyone who pleases him.’ The Clear Word says, ‘those on earth who receive his son.’

How long will Christ be with you? The KJV says,

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20

Isn’t that a wonderful promise!? This world has not ended so this promise applies to us, right? But if some translators are correct this promise has expired. You see, it only goes to the end of that age not the end of the world. The NIV, RSV, NASB and NKJV say that the promise is only to the ‘end of the age’. That age was before the dark ages so it doesn’t apply. Of course the deciples of these bibles weren’t looking for the end of the world, see Matthew 24:3. In these bibles the deciples are quoted as asking Jesus when would be the end of the age.

Do you like the following words of hope?:

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:11 KJV

Isn’t that a good promise? Wouldn’t we all be lost without Christ? Well, the writers of the RSV, NIV & CEV have removed this text from those bibles. I want all of God’s promises! Don’t you? I wonder how many other promises that God has given us have been changed or diminished?