It seems like we live in a wikiworld. Everything is defined by popular opinion these days. Historical statues are being torn down. Historical documents are being burned and shredded. News is being censored. Social media posts are being hidden. Celebrities are being canceled. Dictionaries are being rewritten. So, why isn’t there a wikibible?
Jehoikam’s ancient wikibible
King Jehoikam’s used his penknife as an ancient wikibible to change the word of God. It didn’t end well for him or the people of Israel.
- Jeremiah writes the word of the Lord (Jeremiah 36:1-19)
- King Jehoiakim (son of Josiah) cuts out the parts he doesn’t like and burns the scroll (Jeremiah 36:20-26)
- Jeremiah rewrites the scroll — and there were added besides unto them many like words (Jeremiah 36:27-32)
Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon. (2 Chronicles 36:6-7)
Early church’s early wikibible
People in the early church used an early wikibible to wrestle the scriptures into what they wanted to hear. It didn’t end well for them.
Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without blemish and blameless in his sight. Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you; as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:14-18 WEB)
Future church’s wikibible
The future church may use a real wikibible to continue the false doctrine of Balaam. It won’t end well for them.
“To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: “He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things: “I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise. Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it. (Revelation 2:12-17 WEB)
Do you see a pattern?
It’s not a good idea to mess with the Bible. In the last paragraph of the Bible, in the last letter written by the beloved Apostle John, he warned about treating the Bible as a wikibible.
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book. If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I come quickly.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen. (Revelation 22:18-21 WEB)
Real, true, Christians let the Bible change them instead of changing the Bible.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NLT)
Interesting content! “Real, true, Christians let the Bible change them instead of changing the Bible.” Beautiful! Amen