The preacher spoke the truth when he said, "of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh" (Eccl. 12:12). From the beginning of the written word millions of books have been penned. From time to time a book comes along that receives such wide acceptance that it becomes the definitive work in a given field or subject. Other books are opposed and rejected by many for various reasons. Yet, of all the books ever written, none has had so many enemies as the Bible. Many dynamic, learned and influential men have openly declared that they would destroy this Book of books. Diocletian, Roman Emperor 284 305 A.D., burned Bibles and erected a monument stating: "Extinct is the name of Christian." The Roman Empire lays in ruins, yet Christianity continues today. Thomas Paine (1737-1809 A.D.) made the statement, "Five years from now there will not be a Bible in America." Yet the Bible remains at the top of the best seller list. Voltaire (1694-1778 A.D.), a French skeptic, said, "Within 100 years the Bible will be a forgotten book." Voltaire's own writing sits forgotten on the shelf and the Bible continues to grow in popularity. The Bible remains the most read, the most translated and most influential book ever written.

    Surely, those who wage open warfare against the Word will soon be exposed. Truly, "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God." (Psa. 14:1). However, there are many who are enemies of the Word who are not so obvious. Jesus likened them to ravening wolves in sheep's clothing (Matt. 7:15). These enemies are the most dangerous kind. They will profess to be followers of God and believers in Christ. Having gained the trust of the unwary, they will be able to beguile many who will be blinded to their cunning, treacherous attacks aimed at the authory of God's Word. Their attack will never be open and direct! It will come with subtlety and deceit, even as was used by their father Satan in the Garden of Eden (John 8:44). It is by such underhanded and cunning means that Satan beguiles the hearts of the simple, and weakens the faith of all! We Must  be set for the defense of the Gospel (Phil. 1:17).

    Those who promise continuous revelation downgrade that which God has revealed in His Word, and minimize its completeness. Such are the enemy of the Bible. We are told that the Scriptures thoroughly furnish us unto all good works and contain all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3). Anyone relying on conferences, synods or councils to update and modernize God's Word arrays himself against the Bible's completeness and authority and thus becomes its enemy. The priest who advises men that they must have his interpretation to understand the revealed Will of God, demeans the Scriptures and becomes an enemy of the Bible. Jesus stated, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (Jn. 8:32). He didn't say, "Ye shall know someone's interpretation of the truth." The Bereans were considered noble because they searched the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). The preacher who persuades men to seek salvation on any other terms than those set forth in the Gospel belittles the Word, and is an enemy of the Bible! The modernist, attacks the Holy Writ by trying to rationalize away the plain record of signs, wonders and miracles recorded within Its pages. The man who professes to believe, and does not live it, is also condemned!

    Man has made progress by making improvement in industry, transportation, communication, etc. But man cannot improve on God's perfect, inspired will. We must never seek to add to, detract from or substitute anything in God's Word. Paul sternly warns, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8). Man will never prosper by trying to change God's Word. I can't think of a more fitting verse with which to close this article than Acts 20:32, "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."