The Bible – the Most Read Book on Earth Introduction to God’s Plan of Salvation

Among the most widely circulated books on earth, the Bible ranks infirst place by a large margin. From 1960 to 2010 alone, around 3.9 billion copies were sold worldwide. As of January 2015, it had been translated into 563 languages and dialects according to the United Bible Societies (UBS). The Bible is the only book that provides us with information span- ning from the beginning of time up until what will take place at the end. In it, the entire history of mankind was already written down in advance. Even what is currently happening was foretold in the biblical prophecy of the Old and the New Testament.

This exposition is addressed to all people of good will from all nations and languages across the entire globe. Beside the six major religions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, some people broaden the number to twelve world religions. It is entirely un- derstandable that all people claim they are the ones who believe the right thing. Then there are the numerous nature and tribal religions. All of them are convinced that they are on the right path, in the right religion. Can there even be a “right religion” that developed in the course of time and traces back to a mortal human being? Of course, the personal core belief and the dignity of man is inviolable, for every individual has the right to believe what he or she considers to be correct. However, it is also true that every single man-made religion lacks the finality, the real absolute, which is beyond all doubt. The religious movements are temporal and, strictly speaking, only apply to this passing life. Every philosophy and ideology as well as theology has its human limits and ultimately leaves the most crucial questions unanswered.

There are things that are entirely beyond our assessment and yet arefinal in themselves. The fact that man was created in the image of the Creator and was equipped with creative abilities is one such example. Due to unbelief and disobedience, which led to the fall of man in paradise, man- kind was removed from the eternal fellowship with the living God and was surrendered unto death, and nothing in life is as certain as death.

Everything temporal has a beginning and will have an end. Only that which has never started will also never end. The access to eternity was not laid into our cradles. Our birth was our entry into time. As temporal creatures, we do not automatically have eternal life: Only the eternal God can give it to us.

The only book that is rightfully called the Holy Scripture and the Word of God is the Bible. Together we will consult it further on for a number of important issues. Only therein are we told everything from the beginning – from the creation of the heavens and the earth – until the end of time and beyond.

Before we deal with that which goes beyond time, we want to look at the entry of the Eternal One into contemporary history. We first see God in the creation. The majestic creation of the universe is a fact and, hence, contingent upon the existence of a creator – something every logically thinking individual can deduce. The divine order of all creatures in the water, on earth, and in the air; all plants, all trees, sowing and harvest; life itself; the reproduction within the visible creation – all of this remains in place as a living self-testimony of the Creator. What is the evolution theory supposed to achieve in regard to the reality of divine creation, for instance? After all, it is just a desperate attempt to deny the creation and its Creator. It is merely a theory while creation itself is a reality. Proven facts simply speak for themselves. Until this day, everything brings forth after its own kind, just as the Creator established it (Gen 1:12). When man has heard of the omnipotence and omnipresence of God, he can see them with spiritually open eyes in the creation.

Mankind has been accompanied by tragic events in its history from the beginning, events which have shaken the faith of many again and again. The LORD of heaven has not yet commenced His eternal reign. The prince of this world of darkness still reigns, and all of mankind is under his influence. Only through a personal experience of conversion to the Redeemer can the individual withdraw from the influence of the evil one and open himself or herself to the divine influence. In the LORD’S Prayer, we still pray, “Thy kingdom come!” And it shall surely come! The time is at hand. The signs of the time point to it.