The Bible is the most powerful book of all time. It is God’s own Word, brings life and shows the way to salvation. But sadly, people all over the world are doubting the Bible because of science and biblical criticism. Here in Israel archaeologists have unearthed layers of dirt hoping to find its secrets. For twenty years I studied the Bible rationally through theology and archaeology and even became the Area supervisor of the Megiddo Excavations (Armageddon). I was in the center of Biblical discussions and many people came to us with questions. As an archaeologist I want to encourage you today and give you 5 reasons why I believe the Bible is the literal Word of God.
The first reason is that there have been many discoveries in the Middle East which confirm the Bible. I will only name a few. The Dead Sea Scrolls have shown that the text of the Bible has been carefully preserved for thousands of years and it’s amazing how little has changed! Archaeologists have also found many Biblical cities with palaces, houses and gates from ancient Israel and Judah, such as Megiddo, Lachish, Shiloh, Hazor, and the City of David in Jerusalem. Major discoveries include the Tel Dan stele with King David’s name on it, Joshua’s altar, and even the signet rings of the prophet Isaiah and King Hezekiah. Recently the name of King Hezekiah was uncovered on a monumental inscription in the City of David in Jerusalem. Last month a publication came out in Israel showing that geomagnetic research supports the truth of the Bible and the entire geography and history of the Middle East supports the Biblical landscape (See link). There are many more amazing discoveries! But they alone did not help me get closer to God. The truth is the Bible did not come to life for me until the Holy Spirit revealed it.
Secondly, I believe that the Bible is the Word of God because it is alive and active in the present. God speaks through these words to educate, to warn, to save and to lead us out of the darkness. The Bible says:
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
This is exactly what I experienced when I got saved. In 2012 I became involved with new age and kabbala and was confronted with the spirit realm. For three months I was attacked by demons and didn’t know what to do. Then I called out to Jesus and started reading my old Bible. The words supernaturally lit up and jumped off the page, and said: “Follow me”. Through the words I recognized Jesus and He led me out of the darkness into the light. Jesus is the Word come to life (John 1) and He speaks through the Bible. His words are alive and they penetrate our soul. As is written in Hebrews
“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...” (Hebrews 4:12)
At that moment the Holy Spirit took the very words that were the answer to my need, and put His life into them and God spoke and when I heard His words, faith started growing in me.
When I came to know Jesus and understood the spirit realm, I finally understood how the Bible was written. The Holy Spirit had literally entered the writers of the Bible. They were His divine words. God’s Spirit wrote those words to reach every generation and tell them the story of redemption. I realized that it was not about the who, the when and the how, but about reading the Bible filled with the Spirit of God so that He can speak to us and have a relationship with us. Yes, I still had many questions, but I learned to trust the Lord, knowing that His Word is the truth and He will reveal all things in His time.
The third reason I believe the Bible is the Word of God is that it literally has power. The Bible is not just a history book, but also a spiritual book about the invisible and visible realms. I learned that when we speak His Word out Loud it is a sword through the dimensions, a bridge between two worlds, which can be used to cast out demons, or proclaimed as God’s promises to his children.
When demons attacked me, I started praying the Bible OUT LOUD and the demons fled. I specifically prayed Psalm 91 and the words of Jesus. Demons hated those words and as I read them out loud, the atmosphere literally changed and Gods light came in. As an archaeologist, I was shocked that the very book I had researched for so many years, was so powerful! I learned that when the Bible is spoken out loud it cuts through the spirit world and darkness flees (Ephesians 6:17)
Instead of questioning the Bible, I started declaring its truth and using it to cast out demons.
I also discovered that those same words could be used to pronounce the promises of God. Instead of criticizing the Bible, I started praying the words of the Bible and decreeing His Word over my life. This meant I was agreeing with Gods will and praying it was very powerful. In John 15 Jesus says:
“If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you will and it will be yours” (John 15:7).
Abiding means to dwell in us, and meditating on it day and night; knowing it so well that our subconscious mind can recite it in our sleep. When His Word dwelled in my heart, it became alive and then faith started growing.
Fourthly, I believe the Bible is the Word of God because it creates faith. The Bible says:
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
When we hear Gods Word, seeds are planted in our heart and faith starts to grow. Jesus points to this in the parable of the sower. Now the parable is this:
“the seed is the Word of God”( Luke 8:11).
When faith starts to grow it brings us closer to God.
“For everyone who comes to God must believe that He exists.” (Hebrews 11:16).
That is why it is so important to bring Gods Word to unbelievers or to people who are struggling with their faith.
The fifth reason is that the Bible’s promises and prophecies for the future are also true. All around us we are watching Biblical prophecy come true before our eyes. The return of the Jewish people to Israel and the existence of the State of Israel is a prophetic fulfillment of more than 67 scriptures (for example Ezekiel 36:24, Jeremiah 16:15). The return to Zion is therefore strong evidence that the Bible is true and being fulfilled right now. In addition many prophecies from Ezekiel, Zachariah, and especially the book of Revelation are happening in our world, which shows the Bible is true.
The Bible transcends time and is for all generations. It is about the past, the present and the future. It is a living book that has lasted already more than 3000 years and even though scientists, scholars and archaeologists have tried to pull it apart they have not been able to stop God’s word from spreading all over the world… just as Jesus predicted. I am honored that the Lord showed me this secret.
History passes away but God’s word truly endures forever (1 Peter 1:24, 25, Matthew 24:35, Isaiah 40:8).
If you know someone who is having a hard time believing the Bible, please send them this article and a Bible. Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal to them the power of God’s Word and that it will be planted in their hearts and give them faith. If you are having any kind of spiritual problem or attack, start praying Gods Word out loud and the demons will flee, and God’s glory will come in.
For more information about how the Bible came to life for me read my book Awestruck by Glory, or listen to my podcast: Awestruck Secrets of the Supernatural on Spotify, ITunes, Amazon Music, or Google, for the extended version of this message.
