The Bible is not a “book with seven seals” – Simple Gospel

Deutsch

As thick as the Bible is, the principle of the gospel is as simple. The plan of salvation provided by God long before the creation of this world is eternal, unchanging, and would actually be easy to understand if it weren’t for these countless complications. The “recipe”: Look to Jesus Christ and imitate him.

No “book with seven seals”

The gospel is anything but a “book with seven seals.” Indeed, not even the “book with seven seals” actually described in Scripture, which is described in Revelation chapters 5 and 6, and also the first two verses of chapter 8, is truly a “great mystery.” For this seven-sealed book neither reveals any secrets nor explains any previously hidden paths to one’s salvation. In fact, this book, which is inscribed inside and out (Revelation 5:1), is proof.

(In German, “book with seven seals” is a phrase for literature that is difficult to understand.)

The “secret” behind this book

In fact, the gospel, the “great plan of God” for the salvation of fallen humanity, was already established long before this world and its humankind were created. Until the first fall into sin through Adam and Eve, it remained the “mystery of God” (Revelation 10:7). With the fall of humanity, the gospel was, so to speak, activated. This message of salvation is unchanging (the eternal gospel, Revelation 14:6). This means that the plan of salvation today also corresponds to the plan it was when it was written down, unchanged.

To counter accusatory statements that God has continually adapted the gospel over the millennia, there is a second version, faithful to the letter and character. This method was also used in ancient times and is still common today when it comes to serious legal transactions. Two contracting parties each have an identical original contract. A third original document is added, but this is handed over to a trusted (official) person.

This third document was usually sealed. If, even decades later, a dispute arose between the two contracting parties, e.g., over property matters, and one contracting party cheated by making changes to the contract, it would be one person’s word against another’s. Thus, the sealed third copy is added. This is opened and compared with the contracts of both parties. This would immediately end any dispute.

The “Book with Seven Seals” is such a copy of the original. Only the Lamb (Jesus Christ) is worthy to open this book, and all witnesses are granted insight and thus proof that the gospel was established from the beginning and not a single stroke of the plan of salvation was changed or adapted to the course of events.

Gospel in principle simple

So many different doctrines and religions swirl around in this world, even completely different versions of the (supposed) gospel. Even though there is only one gospel (Galatians 1:6-7). However diverse the “messages of salvation” may be, they all have one thing in common: their structure, their “procedure,” is far more complicated than the one true gospel. Not to mention the explanation of the origin, why the world is the way it is, how it will all end, and how one can emerge from it safe and sound.

The adversary’s “great feat,” after the gospel was first withdrawn from the common people in the age following Jesus Christ as a man with the help of the Roman Church, was to completely confuse the Word of God. The methods include false teachings, false interpretations of prophecy, sowing doubt, elevating human reason above God’s Word, and even actually falsifying the Word of God through corrupted Bible versions. (Info).

Alternative gospels in circulation

Even the former Protestant churches are heavily involved in the falsification of the message of salvation by simply redefining sin and declaring baptism alone to be the “all-round cure” for handing out the ticket to heaven. (Info). However, they are content with a dangerous simplification of the gospel, which almost promises salvation if one only murmurs the word “Jesus” from time to time in one’s unchanged “dissolute life.”

Other churches, on the other hand, simply declare God’s laws (the Ten Commandments) to be abolished and irrelevant. “We now live only by grace,” is the motto repeated daily within their own self-righteous belief. What a mistake! (Info).

There were plenty of false teachers even before Christ’s first coming. The books of the great prophets provide ample accounts of this. Jesus Christ also targeted the Pharisees, who, after Christ’s release from Babylonian exile, long before Christ’s birth, assumed spiritual leadership and imposed their own devised laws and traditions on the people. At the same time, they denied the gospel (Old Testament) that already existed at that time and kept these truths under wraps. As they existed then, so they exist today.

Jesus Christ – The Ultimate Example

Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate (John 1:1-4; 14), not only walked in this world for three and a half years to heal, die, rise again, and return to the Father in heaven, but also to set the perfect example of the goals that true believers should strive for. Or, more accurately, how a true believer can be recognized (by their fruits you shall know them!)

Baptism once, raising one’s hands to heaven, and then continuing on as one has done in one’s life so far is not and cannot be the right path. The actions of Jesus Christ reveal important cornerstones that a true believer doesn’t simply “have to” do, but rather WILL do of their own accord and will, thanks to the power of God through the Holy Spirit.

This is what Jesus Christ did

• He was baptized and also received baptism with the Holy Spirit in water.
  Matthew 3:16-17

• He lived a life of constant prayer.
  Matthew 4:2; John 17

• He had the gospel in his heart.
  Matthew 4:4

• He not only knew the written Word but also lived it.
  Matthew 4:4

• He served and worshiped God alone (no idols).
  Matthew 4:10

• He did not participate in Satan’s schemes and stayed away from them.
  Matthew 4:11-12

• He preached the gospel.
  Matthew 4:17; Luke 4:14-15

At this point I mention Matthew 4:4 separately, because this verse is one of the statements that are falsified or abridged in modern Bibles.
“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.“

Matthew 4:17 further clarifies that preaching the gospel is not simply “reading stories,” but rather very concrete instructions and guidance. This includes changing one’s lifestyle.
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
“Repentance” is not simply a declaration of “I’m sorry,” but rather a turning away from a sinful life and toward a God-pleasing life. This, of course, includes keeping the commandments, for John 14:15:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.“

Away with sinfulness

Sin must be overcome. But this cannot be achieved by man alone; rather, God does it in His power. Man “only” has to want this and ask for it in prayer. (Info). This is said in all sincerity, because the hypocrisy that is found everywhere today was already known to the Apostle Paul, 2 Timothy 3:5:
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.“

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)