24,000 original manuscripts and changes in some newer translations

If you have not read Stories Versus Truth, you may want to read that before reading this. And don't forget where you are going. You get past the questions/attacks so you can proclaim the Gospel. It is the proclamation of the Gospel, not argumentation, that transforms minds. See Give Them the Gospel.

Newer Translations of the Bible

Question:

Answer:

To begin with, this question points out the reason that the New Testament has a firm emphasis on the authority of revelation as God gives it to the apostles. Look here to see this.

You are right in looking into this. Every translation has mistakes, some worse than others. I believe that God is in control and is revealing His word in His time. God is unfolding revelation continuously. At the same time, Satan is trying to confuse every issue with a variety of lies. Who will you listen to?

We have 5,309 known Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. We have 10,000 Latin Vulgates. We have 9,300 other early versions. In other words, we currently have more than 24,000 manuscript copies of portions of the New Testament. Two-hundred-and-thirty of these pre-date 600 AD. There are translations into other languages dating back to within 100 years of the original apostles. That is staggering when compared to the number of original documents remaining of other ancient texts: Aristotle, 5; Caesar, 10; Tacitus, 20; Pliny, 7. The more witnesses that agree, the more sure the word.

The Textus Receptus has no major variance between it and more than 95% of the manuscripts that exist, hence the name, "Majority Text." It is also known as the Traditional Text, Eastern Text, Received Text, Majority Text, Byzantine Text, or Syrian Text. There is strong evidence that Textus Receptus is the text that was used by the First Century Church. It was all but lost to the Roman Church during the dark ages but preserved by the Greek Church. Early church fathers quoted Scripture in their writings over 86,000 times, and those writings quote from the Majority Text rather than the Minority Text.

Minority texts are also known as Alexandrian texts. The Alexandrian texts appear to have been rejected by the early Christian Church. Alexandrian texts do have major variations between each text and every other text. Alexandrian texts tend to have many alterations in them. Alexandrian texts tend to downgrade the power and authority of Jesus Christ and of God. In some recently published Bibles, references to Alexandrian texts are written as, "ancient mss," "most ancient authorities," "best manuscripts," etc.

The King James translation used a manuscript known as the textus receptus as its source. Most modern scholars prefer two other manuscripts because they are older, the Vaticanus and the Sinaiticus. Also, the more modern translations tend to be translated by liberal scholars. For this reason, most of the more modern versions use the Vaticanus and Sinaiticus as their source.

The are two other texts, the Vaticanus manuscript and the Sinaiticus manuscript. Genesis 1:1-46, 28, Psalm 106-138, Matthew 16:2-3, Mark 16:9-20, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and everything after Hebrews 9:14 are all missing from Vaticanus and appear to have been left out on purpose since the manuscript was found in very good condition with no indication that anything is missing from the document as it was originally created. The Vaticanus also leave our 237 words, 452 clauses, and 748 sentences with room left on the pages to write these in. The omissions appear to be intentional, and this may have been the result of earlier texts that were created by heretics such as the Arien, Origen. The Sinaiticus manuscript was found in a garbage can in St. Catherines's Monastary in 1844. While the Vaticanus is written on very expensive vellum and carefully crafted, the Sinaiticus is a mess with obvious mistakes, erasures, sentences written over other sentences, and many words omitted. It does contain two apocryphal books. The corrections show signs that at least 10 different people have changed the text over hundreds of years and as late as the Seventh Century AD. "On many occasions 10, 20, 30, 40 words are dropped through very carelessness. Letters and words, even whole sentences, are frequently written twice over, or begun and immediately cancelled; while that gross blunder, whereby a clause is omitted because it happens to end in the same words as the clause preceding, occurs no less than 115 times in the New Testament." --- Dean Burgon

The Vaticanus and Sinaiticus manuscripts do not agree with the textus receptus, nor do they agree with each other. I believe that you meant to ask, Why do some of the newer translations use original texts that are not part of the textus receptus? Why do they use the Latin Vulgate and the Alexandrian text? If that is what you are asking, then this is a difficult question to answer. It would seem to make sense for the translators to throw out the Alexandrian text and the Latin Vulgate, but many of the modern translators give these two texts tremendous weight. It is difficult to understand why they would do that. The Vaticanus manuscript existed at the time of the reformers in the 15th, 16th, and 17th Centuries, yet the reformers all selected the Textus Receptus for their translations.

That being said, there are times when looking at all the translations is helpful. You can see how many Biblical scholars have interpreted a certain word. At the same time, it is good to remember that some of the translations were done using original texts that are questionable.

You can download online Bible. It is free. It has a version that has the ability to insert the Strong's numbers. If you double-click any Strong's number, the Strong's reference to the original word will pop up. Keep in mind that the Strong's definition of the original word is not the final word. Some of these definitions are debatable, but you can also search on the Strong's number and every verse that uses that Greek, Hebrew, or Chaldee word will come up. By context, you can tell a lot.

Beyond problems with all the translations, here are some other ways that Satan keeps you from understanding the Bible:

Two thousand years ago, there were those who were adding to the Bible or deleting parts of the Bible, and they had the original in their own language--no need to translate. Every day, you can hear or read extra-biblical doctrines about the end times, water baptism, tongues, salvation, being born again, spiritual gifts, communion, miracles for today, prosperity, pastors, elders, deacons, apostles or many other subjects. Most of the false doctrines on these subjects use texts that have good translations from the textus receptus. You should always check Scripture references, whether from a preacher, on a video, or in a book. Check to make sure the Scripture was quoted correctly. Make sure that the writer or speaker is not adding to Scripture. Here is a severe problem: if you have always heard a certain doctrine, and you have always heard a certain Scripture verse quoted to "prove" that doctrine when the verse does not really prove the doctrine, then you are in the same experience that 2 Corinthians 3 speaks about. When you hear the Bible verse, you don't really hear it as it is. You hear the false interpretation of the Bible verse. Does this explain why you sometimes wonder how another person can think the way that they do? Perhaps one of you is stuck, or maybe both of you are stuck. You need the Holy Spirit to pull away the veil.

You need to made sure that any preacher, video, or book is not taking from the Bible. How often we have heard something like, "Oh, that was only for the apostolic age." Whole sections of Scripture can be wiped away with this simple phrase. The order of the Church in Scripture can be demolished and replaced with the money-making, power-grabbing, ego-massaging systems that we see all around us. The miraculous power of God has been replaced by personal power of individuals. We see abominations declared to be good and we see that those who plainly declare what the Bible says about sin are labeled as evil persons for teaching the Bible as it is written. We see that the account of creation is ignored. All of this stems from failure to listen to the voice of God.

We also see people misquoting the Bible. We often hear something like this: "Ephesians 4, and verses 11 and 12 say, And he gave pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, so we need to support our pastors and our teachers in our churches..." The trouble is that Ephesians 4:11& 12 actually reads this way: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" and to understand it, you actually have to read through at least verse 16. This is very important because of Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; and Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Only Christ can do any edifying. In understanding Ephesians 4:12-16, you must go back to the main verb, edoken, in verse 11. Christ gave the gifts. He gave the office of apostle. He gave the four ministries. Those gifts are not the persons but the Christ in those persons, as another passage says, "Christ in us, the hope of glory." The text cannot be read any other way than to understand that these gifts are performing all of this work as the gifts proceed from Christ. Grace means, literally, free gift. This is grace, and we know from Scripture that it is grace that does any work that is done. In fact, God could give no greater gift, so He gave us of Himself. He chooses to do it through apostles, ones sent. He chooses to not use those who send themselves or who are sent by men. It is plain from the Greek that it is not gifted people who do any of this work, but rather the Gift Himself does the work through the members. This is true whether it is the apostle who is totally equipping and completing the member or the member who is now also moving in the power and authority of the same gift. When any member comes into submission to the apostle, that person carries the same anointing and authority of the apostle just as long and to the extent that they are in submission. They are not submitting to a man but to Christ Himself. If you can discern the Body of Christ, you will see this. If you see this, flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but your Father in Heaven has revealed it.

You can go many places on the internet, on Christian radio, or in the religious world where you will find people twisting this Scripture. They will twist "apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" into "teacher/pastors", or "pastor/teacher", or "evangelists, pastors, teachers", or some other misquote. It is evil to twist the traveling elders and deacons, the apostles, into locally abiding pastors. Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about locally abiding pastors. There are locally abiding elders who pastor (care for the church as a shepherd does sheep) the members, and those men receive no money for what they do. They receive a double measure of honor. The Bible says what it says. The Scripture cannot be broken. Satan hates the Bible and he hates God's church and the orders of God's church. If you see someone doing this, run, do not walk, away.

It is difficult to realize the full extent of the depravity of the human mind. Our old Adamic nature lies to us and we don't even realize that the lies are being told. Total Quality Management uses the word paradigm. A paradigm is an image of the world (fake reality) and is the fake world with which we interact rather than the real world. Communication theory speaks of filters. When we hear anything, we filter it by our presuppositions. Neurolinguistics uses the word, presuppositions. Another way to put this is that we each have a worldview. Presuppositions are ideas that we don't even think about but that reside in our minds. They make it impossible for us to see reality. Others speak of confirmation bias, which is the same thing. When we see things that are in conflict with our paradigms/presuppositions/worldview/confirmation bias/filters, we cannot receive it. We switch it around to fit whatever is already in our mind, and it actually confirms rather than conflicts. Too many conflicts can make us physically sick. We have various ways of protecting ourselves from the truth. In short, we all contend with God. Every time that God finally gets through to us, it is a revelation. We are just amazed. Yet, God reveals line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. Notice the quote in the following paragraph.

"What you see is not what is out there in the world: not exactly, at least. Scientists have shown that your brain is tweaking the light coming in from your eyes and making predictions about what you expect to see.... The way PhysOrg put it, "What our eyes can't see, the brain fills in." And it fills it in from prior experience: "The results show that our brains do not rely solely on what is shown to the eyes in order to 'see'. Instead the brain constructs a complex prediction" of what it expects to see." creationsafaris.com

The real question is, "Who do you trust--Do you trust your own understanding or do you trust God?" Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed [literally, Transfigured] by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Notice that it does not say to be transformed by the removal of your mind. ... but how does the renewal of your mind work? First, you will notice the "the renewal of your mind" is in the passive voice. That means that someone else, God, is doing it. You cannot renew your mind. You only have the capacity to deceive yourself. Through self-effort, you have the capacity for hypocrisy only. God is the renewer of the mind. You need the Holy Spirit for this work. Don't be deceived. Don't let anyone else deceive you. Turn to God.

The human mind was never created to function without the anointing of the Holy Ghost. The human spirit was never meant to be separated from the Holy Ghost. The human mind was created to be in submission to the human spirit, which was created to be in submission to the Holy Ghost.

Heed The Warning Of Scripture Regarding Putting Your pseudo-Faith In The Human Mind. ... and that ye seek not after your own mind and your own ability to observe, with which you used to commit fornication: Numbers 15:39 The real question is, "Who do you trust--Do you trust your own understanding or do you trust God?" The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it to them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Romans 1:19 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. Matthew 15:19

Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it to them. 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: You see? You know because God has showed it to you and to all of us.

But the latest translations of the bible: Holman CSB, NIV is turning weird, and I'm sure there are others, but those are the most widely available "Bible Versions" to the public where I live, but I am hearing that a lot of words that are important in the meaning of the Word are missing, including important, even imperative words that are readable such as Hell, which is by no means something that should be taken out, because they don't hamper readability, and are actually necessary for readability.

Extra-biblical doctrines on hell abound. Problems arise whenever anyone goes beyond Scripture. That is, when anyone adds to Scripture or takes from Scripture. A theology has been developed that goes beyond the Bible on the one hand by saying such things as "there is no hell," "there is a hell, but hell is not all that bad," "God would never correct anyone through punishment," or "all ways lead to God." I'm sure that there are other examples of this extreme view. On the other hand, a robust theology has developed beyond the Bible that makes the Scripture conflict with itself. This is a problem if we are to believe the entire Bible. This extreme dogma causes some theologians to find extra-biblical reasons to rationalize away the Scriptures that plainly say such things as, "As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive." Some people do not, as a result, believe in the restitution of all things, which is also a plain teaching of Scripture just as Hell is a plain teaching of Scripture. Sometimes, the best answer is, "We believe it all, but God has not yet told us how He is going to do this."

The apostles' doctrine--the church is to abide continually in this doctrine:

Acts 2:42-43 "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles."

To understand the apostles' doctrine, even when the apostles are right there teaching it to us, we need the Holy Spirit of revelation.
- Ephesians 1:17 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:"
Things hidden in ages past are now being revealed to the apostles and prophets:
- Ephesians 3:5 "Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;"
There will always be those who cause divisions. These were people bringing in doctrines that were not the apostles' doctrine. It might be noted that the word, heresy, means "dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims" in the original Greek:
- Romans 16:17 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."
The apostles declare to the churches those things that have been revealed to them:
- 1 John 1:3-5 "That which we have seen and heard declare we to you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we to you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
The apostles are not infallible and that they correct each other. They are in submission to each other and each apostle is under the government of all the other apostles:
- Galatians 2:11-15 "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,"
One of the functions of the apostles is to make it so the believers are not blown around by winds of doctrine. The apostles are united in ministry and in doctrine. None of them teaches a variant doctrine, and they discipline themselves:
- Ephesians 4:14 "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"
The apostles delivered the decrees. They traveled and delivered the revelation and established it in the local churches:
- Acts 16:4-5 "And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily."
The apostles determine doctrine and how they make sure that everyone is teaching the same doctrine once it has been revealed. It also shows that a single apostle ought not consider himself able to establish doctrine on his own. Note how the spiritual gifts in apostles gave the final answer. Then, the doctrine was entrusted to faithful men and carried to the local elders who must be apt to teach-the must be able to cause the people to understand the doctrine. This is the pattern as it stands today:
- Acts 15:1-31 "And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy to all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said to them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did to us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken to me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting to the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation."
The apostles equip the church with revelation of the doctrine and the meaning of the Scripture:
- Ephesians 1:8-9 "Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known to us [the apostles] the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:"
The revelation is given to the apostles by supernatural means, but the local church at Corinth was unable to accept it because of their spiritual immaturity. No one was able to understand these parts of Scripture until they were revealed to the apostles.
- 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:2 "Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal, even as to babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."
Paul speaks of his gospel, and we can be sure from other Scripture that Paul's gospel was the same as the gospel of all the other apostles:
- Romans 2:16 "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my [Paul's] gospel."
- Romans 16:25 "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,"
The revelation of the meaning of Scripture is not given to one person. If it is revelation, it is given to all the apostles. Private interpretation is certainly not God's method by which revelation is given to a local elder or deacon or member of the church. They must have had theologians in that day just like they have them today:
- 1 Peter 1:16-21 "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Mature Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 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."
Revelation is given a little at a time. Many times, God has tried to move through people over the centuries, and they went so and so far, then claimed to have it all. Often, what they had was truth mixed with speculation. By their stubborn attitude, they forced God to find someone else who was not so puffed up in their thinking:

Isaiah 28:9-10 "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:"

The doctrine is not given by man but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Only God can reveal the interpretation of Scripture:
- Galatians 1:11-12 "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Sometimes, the apostles would give advice which was not revelation as in 1 Corinthians 7:6-9, and sometimes, the apostles would teach the revelation:
- 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 "And to the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife."
The book of Revelation is an example of a something that God revealed to the apostle through a vision alone. Note that the revelation was given to an apostle.
Paul had to go and confirm that the revelation he had been given was correct. This is still the pattern today:
- Galatians 1:15-18 "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days."
- Galatians 2:1 "Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also."
Paul assigned Timothy to work in Ephesus to guard against corrupt doctrine:
- 1 Timothy 1:3-4 "As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do."
Paul taught the people to withdraw themselves from anyone who teaches a doctrine other than the apostles' doctrine.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6 "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."

Newer Translations of the Bible

Question:

Answer:

Beyond problems with all the translations, here are some other ways that Satan keeps you from understanding the Bible:

Questions and Answers