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The Nature of Our Enemy |
Christianity is a way of life, Acts 16:17, 18:25–26, 24:14, Hebrews 12:13. And the life to which the Christian is called is a life of warfare:
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.– I Timothy 6:12
Contemporary Christians often speak of personal and collective struggles in the spiritual realm with the Devil and with demonic forces. But for the most part, such struggles are entirely the product of the imagination. The Christian indeed is opposed by a desperate foe, but the foe does not have a red epidermis, horns, hooves, and forked tail, nor does he carry a trident. While spiritual in nature, the foe of the Christian is flesh and blood in composition; this is an enigma which few seem unable to unravel, though, once seen, it is not difficult to understand. Not surprisingly, this adversary is none other than the age-old foe of the righteous—the foe which persecuted the patriarches, our Lord Jesus, the apostles, and the early Church.
The apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesians, delineates those with whom we struggle and enumerates our weapons and defenses, Ephesians 6:10–20. Incorrect interpretation of this passage has led many to embrace a number of false notions regarding both the adversary of the Christian and the manner in which the adversary is to be resisted. Understanding neither the identity nor the nature of his opponent, the typical Christian is unable to offer effective resistance, with the result that the Christian comes out the vanquished, rather than the victor. In many cases, the false notions lead the Christian into a realm of fantasy, in which frame of mind he poses no threat to the real antagonist.
In Ephesians 6:12, Paul identifies the foes against whom we struggle and shows us their true nature; but he does so in figurative language. Indeed, the entire passage is written in figurative language, for Paul uses elements of the armour of the Roman soldier to portray truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God.
Perversely, the contemporary Christian pulpit recognizes the figurative nature of the passage with respect to the weaponry and defenses of the Christian, but blindly insists upon a literal interpretation with respect to the opponent. The resulting interpretation is in conflict with numerous passages of Scripture, and obscures the identity of the adversary. While the apostle is describing physical confrontations between the Christian and earthly rulers, the contemporary Christian has been indoctrinated with the belief that encounters with the adversary are limited to the realm of the unseen, and that his principal antagonist is a spiritual being—supposedly a fallen angel—known as the Devil.
The Christian so indoctrinated may easily imagine himself engaging daily with demonic foes in a `spiritual' conflict—a conflict which, in actuality, does not exist. Meanwhile, he is daily being attacked and ravaged and plundered by the real, physical enemy. Though he may be aware that he is under attack, and though he may look in the eye the agents which are assailing him, he fails to understand that he has received from God both the means and the responsibility to do battle with the physical adversaries who come against him in the physical realm.
Consider the passage as it stands in the King James version:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
– Ephesians 6:10–20
The sentence in which we particularly are interested is: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” In order to arrive at the proper interpretation, one must determine the entities to which the following words and phrases apply: devil, flesh and blood, principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places.
The English word devil is essentially a transliteration of the Greek word diabolos, meaning accuser or slanderer. It is the cognate of the verb diaballo, meaning to accuse or malign. The fact that the word diabolos is typically transliterated rather than translated is a source of widespread confusion: few understand that the word is a generic title or description, rather than a specific title or proper name. In Scripture, the word is applied to a variety of entities, including at least one human, namely, Judas Iscariot.
The term flesh and blood is an obvious reference to physical, human entities. It appears in Matthew 16:17, I Corinthians 15:50, Galatians 1:16, Ephesians 6:12, and Hebrews 2:14.
The term principalities is the Greek word arche, meaning beginning, government, or rule. It is used in the sense of government or rule in I Corinthians 15:24, Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 3:10, Colossians 1:16, 2:10, Colossians 2:15, Titus 3:1. In Titus 3:1, the word obviously applies to earthly authority.
The term powers is the Greek word exousia, which denotes freedom of choice, right to act or decide; ability, capability, or might; authority, absolute power, warrant; ruling power, the domain in which power is exercised; authorities, officials, government.
The term rulers is the Greek word kosmokrator, meaning a ruler of this world, specifically, a world-ruler, in the sense of one who wields control over a vast region.
The term darkness is the Greek word skotos, a neuter noun meaning physical darkness; secrecy; spiritual or moral darkness. According to lexicographer Vine, skotos is “emblematic of sin as a condition of moral or spiritual depravity”. He notes also, “With the exception of the significance of secrecy, darkness is always used in a bad sense.”
The term world is the Greek noun aion, meaning an age or era as a period of indefinite duration, with emphasis upon the corresponding spiritual or moral characteristics rather than upon the duration.
The phrase spiritual wickedness is the combination of pneumatikos, which connotes invisibility and power (cp. John 3:8), and poneros, which denotes evil which causes labour, pain, or sorrow. In this context, the phrase should be translated, “the invisible powers of evil”.
The phrase in high places is the Greek word epouranious, meaning heavenly, or what pertains to or is in heaven. Both the Greek word and the corresponding English phrase are used figuratively as well as literally; in figurative usage, they denote simply a sphere of activity or existence above or in contrast to the mundane sphere of life of the ordinary individual. As an illustration of the figurative usage, consider the contemporary legal terms `higher court' and `lower court'.
To begin with, it is absolutely essential to understand that heaven is the reserve of the Almighty, and that in the realm of heaven there is no conflict—spiritual or otherwise. Contrary to the teaching which streams weekly from supposedly-Christian pulpits across the land, the God of Israel is not engaged in a battle with angelic creatures, nor is he under attack by an opposing god of Evil. There is but one true God; his sanctuary is heaven; in the sanctuary of God the will of God is done, and in that place there has never been, nor shall ever be, rebellion.
15 Blessed are ye of the Lord, who made the heaven and the earth. 16 The heaven of heavens belongs to the Lord: but he has given the earth to the sons of men.– Psalm 115:15–16 (LXX)1
19 For he has looked out from the height of his sanctuary; the Lord looked upon the earth from heaven; 20 to hear the groaning of the fettered ones, to loosen the sons of the slain; 21 to proclaim the name of the Lord in Sion, and his praise in Jerusalem; 22 when the people are gathered together, and the kings, to serve the Lord.– Psalm 102:19–22 (LXX)
5 For I am the Lord God, and there is no other God beside me; I strengthened thee, and thou hast not known me. 6 That they that come from the east and they that come from the west may know that there is no God but me. I am the Lord God, and there is none beside. 7 I am he that prepared light, and formed darkness; who make peace, and create evil; I am the Lord God, that does all these things.– Isaiah 45:5–7 (LXX)
I have made the earth, and man upon it: I with my hand have established the heaven; I have given commandment to all the stars.– Isaiah 45:12 (LXX)
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.– Luke 11:2
13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?– Hebrews 1:13–14
A fact many fail to appreciate is that the primary and immediate source of the oppression, adversity, and opposition encountered by the righteous is and has always been human government. Consider a passage from the epistle to the Hebrews:
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
– Hebrews 11:23–38
What entity enslaved the descendants of Jacob? What entity ordered the murder of male Israelite babies? What entity pursued the Israelites as they departed from Egypt? What entity threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace? What entity cast Daniel into the den of lions? What entity ordered the massacre of Israelite infants two years and younger in the environs of Bethlehem? What entity murdered John the baptist? What entity conspired to murder Christ Jesus? What entity dutifully executed the sentence of crucifixion? What entity persecuted the early Church? What entity forbade Peter and John to speak and teach in the name of Jesus? What entity murdered Stephen? What entity imprisoned the apostle Paul?
The Scripture declares, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun,” Ecclesiastes 1:9 (LXX). How, then, does the Christian of this day suppose his struggle is with supposed angelic entities—the Devil and demons and the `legions of Hell'—rather than with human agents of human government?
It was Roman catholic priests and soldiers, following the directive of the Roman catholic pope, cardinals, and bishops—not the Devil and his demons—who in Europe prior to the colonization of America dispossessed, maimed, tortured, and burned at the stake upward of fifty million Christians.
In our own day, it is government which oppresses us through taxation and plunders us through confiscation. It is government which, time and time again in our own land, violently assaults the righteous in order to seize goods, dwellings, and land, imprisoning or murdering those who dare resist.
In his book, In the Beginning (The Story of the International Trade Cartel), historian Richard Kelly Hoskins states that, historically, human government and organized religion have prostituted themselves, becoming hired agents of the great trade cartels. According to Hoskins, the cartels consist of ancient dynasties of enormous wealth—dynasties which transcend national borders, for every human government has its price. In their pursuit of wealth, the cartels continually search for new markets. They are dependent upon religion—specifically, upon religion which preaches dharma, the `gospel of tolerance'—to open regions to trade. They are dependent also upon kings, for the protection of trade routes and distribution facilities. Kings and religious leaders who refuse to become agents of the cartels soon find themselves deposed.
Since the advent of the personal computer, which made possible the phenomenon of `desktop publishing', and that of the Internet, which made possible economical, instantaneous worldwide distribution of news and information, such activity is being brought to light and documented. But the activity itself is nothing new:
9 What is that which has been? the very thing which shall be: and what is that which has been done? the very thing which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Who is he that shall speak and say, Behold, this is new? it has already been in the ages that have passed before us. 11 There is no memorial to the first things; neither to the things that have been last shall their memorial be with them that shall at the last time.– Ecclesiastes 1:9–11
So long as men rule over men, there shall be oppression, and robbery, and enslavement, and murder at the hand of Caesar. Such is the price man pays for his rejection of the government of his Creator.
The 6th chapter of Paul's epistle to the Ephesians is not the only passage in which our adversary is identified as the devil, i.e., the slanderer. We find the same term used in Hebrews and in I Peter.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.– Hebrews 2:14–15
In this passage, the word `destroy' found in the King James version is an improper translation. The corresponding Greek word is katargeo, meaning to reduce to inactivity. Comparing Scripture with Scripture, it becomes apparent that, although the adversary still exists, he has no legitimate authority over the Christian. Thus, Peter declared, “We ought obey God rather than men”, Acts 5:29, and Paul and Silas taught “another is king—Jesus”, Acts 17:7. When Christ Jesus ascended to heaven and was seated at the right hand of the Father, all authority in heaven and in earth was given unto him, Matthew 28:18. With the session of Christ Jesus, the kingdom of God was established, and the succession of all-encompassing world empires which began with the Babylonian empire of Nebuchadnezzar was brought to an end, Daniel 2:34–35, 2:44.
The `power of death' in view here is not simply the power to kill, for virtually every man has the ability to kill other men. What is in view is the arbitrary power of life and death which an absolute monarch exercises with impunity over the subjects of his realm—the power known in the English language as `divine right.' The absolute monarch is unrestrained by law and cannot be held accountable for his actions. This is power of the sort God gave to Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 5:18–19. It is this power which enables human government to enslave; it is absolute authority over the individual, including the prerogative of putting to death the individual who refuses to submit to the whims of government, even if the individual has done nothing worthy of death. Through his sacrificial death, Christ Jesus immediately and forevermore abrogated this power.
Consequently, when the writer of Hebrews speaks of “him that had the power of death, that is, the devil”, Hebrews 2:14, there is no need to suppose that God had delegated the power of death to a spiritual being called the Devil who in turn delegated the power to earthly rulers. Instead, we may understand that the writer is speaking of human government which, throughout history, has unjustly condemned to death the righteous.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.– I Peter 5:8–9
To identify the entity which Peter describes as the slanderer, who as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour, we need look no farther than human government, which, through taxation, confiscation, imprisonment, and murder, devours both the substance and the life of the righteous. The 10th Psalm likewise uses the lion to portray the wicked who feed upon the righteous (who, in Scripture, often are referred to with the term `poor'):
1 Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why dost thou overlook us in times of need, in affliction? 2 While the ungodly one acts proudly, the poor is hotly pursued: the wicked are taken in the crafty counsels which they imagine. 3 Because the sinner praises himself for the desires of his heart; and the unjust one blesses himself. 4 The sinner has provoked the Lord: according to the abundance of his pride he will not seek after him: God is not before him. 5 His ways are profane at all times; thy judgments are removed from before him: he will gain the mastery over all his enemies. 6 For he has said in his heart, I shall not be moved, continuing without evil from generation to generation. 7 Whose mouth is full of cursing, and bitterness, and fraud: under his tongue are trouble and pain. 8 He lies in wait with rich men in secret places, in order to slay the innocent: his eyes are set against the poor. 9 He lies in wait in secret as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to ravish the poor, to ravish the poor when he draws him after him: he will bring him down in his snare. 10 He will bow down and fall when he has mastered the poor. 11 For he has said in his heart, God has forgotten: he has turned away his face so as never to look. 12 Arise, O Lord God; let thy hand be lifted up: forget not the poor. 13 Wherefore, has the wicked provoked God? for he has said in his heart, He will not require it. 14 Thou seest it; for thou dost observe trouble and wrath, to deliver them into thy hands: the poor has been left to thee; thou wast a helper to the orphan. 15 Break thou the arm of the sinner and wicked man: his sin shall be sought for, and shall not be found. 16 The Lord shall reign for ever, even for ever and ever: ye Gentiles shall perish out his land. 17 The Lord has heard the desire of the poor: thine ear has inclined to the preparation of their heart; 18 to plead for the orphan and afflicted, that man may no more boast upon the earth.– Psalm 10 (LXX)
History, as well as observation of contemporary events, demonstrates that it is human government—not the Devil—which builds prisons and in them incarcerates, tortures, and murders the righteous.
If the adversary of the Christian is earthly government, and if there are in heaven no sinister spiritual powers of whom earthly rulers and their officers are mere agents, why, then, does Paul say, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”?
What Paul is saying is this: Our adversary consists of many entities—the governments of men—which have set themselves in opposition to Christ Jesus and to those who constitute the body of Christ. However, the officers of government—the officials, the clerks, the magistrates, the marshals, the jailors, etc.—do not constitute the essence of the adversary. They are but flesh and blood, while the adversary itself is of a different nature, existing in a realm which lies above the realm of the physical. The essence of the adversary is a system, a philosophy, a way of thinking, a spirit—a strong, yet unseen, force of evil. Moreover, the adversary is the embodiment of an extensive and powerful conspiracy—an age-old conspiracy, the influence of which extends over the entire world. Those at the heart of this conspiracy come and go; likewise, their agents. Nevertheless, the system itself continues, generation after generation. The principals and their agents—being mere mortals—may be rounded up and put to death, but physical extermination of the conspirators can never eradicate the conspiracy. The only weapon which is effective against the system itself is the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God.
Does this, then, mean that the human agents of the adversary are not to be resisted in the physical realm? Not at all! Christ Jesus not only stripped earthly rulers of the power of death; he also redeemed the Christian from the bondage of the kosmic system, taking him out from under the jurisdiction of earthly rulers and placing him into the kingdom of God, Colossians 1:13. The Christian is instructed to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made him free, Galatians 5:1. Though deprived of the power of death, earthly rulers nevertheless continue their assaults upon the righteous. For this reason, Christ Jesus commanded his followers to arm themselves against physical assailants:
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.– Luke 22:36
This command to arm oneself for the protection of self and loved ones transcends any ordinance to the contrary which a human government may enact. Whenever the demands of God conflict with the demands of human government, the proper course of action is clear:
We ought obey God rather than men.– Acts 5:29
Moreover, in view of the spiritual nature of the adversary, Christ Jesus has provided his followers with armour and offensive weaponry of a spiritual nature, Ephesians 6:10–20.
In addition to the right of self-defense, the Christian has the sacred responsibility of providing for his own:
And if any one for his own—and especially for those of the household—doth not provide, the faith he hath denied, and than an unbeliever he is worse.– I Timothy 5:8
Need it be pointed out that physical protection is included in the concept of provision for one's own?
But in addition to the responsibility to those of his own fleshly household, the Christian has a like responsibility to those of the household of faith—that is, to his fellow-members in the body of Christ.
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.– Romans 12:5
Finally, the Christian has similar responsibility to his neighbour—his countryman. This responsibility arises from the command, to love neighbour as self—a command which appears throughout Scripture, both Old Covenant and New. Cp. Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 5:43, 19:19, 22:39, Mark 12:31–33, Luke 10:27, Romans 13:9–10. This is not a command to be taken lightly; indeed, as the apostle Paul rightly observes, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Thus, the Christian has the responsibility to oppose physically and with violence those who assail him, his family, fellow Christians, and his fellow countrymen; this responsibility exists, whether the assailants be common criminals or criminals operating under the colour of law, as agents of oppressive human government. Consider the following passages:
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.– I Corinthians 16:13
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30 having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.– Philippians 1:28–30
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.– I Peter 5:8–9
Nevertheless, physical resistance is futile if one fails to avail himself of the spiritual armour and weaponry Paul describes in Ephesians 6:10–20. Consequently, the Christian is called upon to do battle both in the physical and the spiritual realms.
The translation was made a century or more prior to the Incarnation, and copies of the Septuagint circulated throughout the ancient world. By the time of the birth of Christ, the Septuagint had become accepted as the authentic and official Canon of Old Covenant scripture. Popular acceptance of the Septuagint was due largely to the fact that the Hebrew language had fallen into disuse; this, in turn, being largely a consequence of the dispersion of Israel by the Assyrian invasion, together with the subsequent seventy years of captivity in Babylon of the remnant which Assyria did not carry away. By the time of the return from Babylon, Greek had become established as the common language of the world, as a result of the conquests of Alexander the Great. Thus, it is the Septuagint, rather than the ancient Hebrew Canon, which was in common use throughout Judea during the era of the Incarnation and the apostolic age, and there is little, if any, evidence that the ancient Hebrew canon was still in use by anyone during this period. Jesus and the apostles quoted from the Septuagint rather from the ancient Hebrew, thus authenticating the Septuagint as the official and authentic canon of Old Covenant scripture. Consequently, it is the Septuagint, rather than the ancient Hebrew text, which the early Church preserved and revered as genuine.
Veneration of the Septuagint—on the part of both the Christian and the Christ-rejecting, unregenerate Jew—persisted for a period of roughly a century after the Resurrection. However, the Jew, having nothing but an adversarial relationship with the Christian, began maintaining his own editions of the Septuagint. Sometime after the final destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the temple in A. D. 70, the Jew attempted to revive the defunct Hebrew language and to re-create the abandoned ancient Hebrew text—a text which, like the ark of the covenant, has disappeared without a trace. It appears that neither a copy nor even so much as a fragment of the ancient Hebrew canon survived to the modern era; at least, Christian scholars know of none to be extant. These efforts of the Jew culminated in creation of the so-called `Masoretic Text', which was not published until the 15th century A. D. It is vital to understand that the Masoretic Text is the product of unregenerate men, working entirely in the Christian era—an era in which no man rightly can claim to possess covenantal relationship with God under the terms of the Old Covenant, for the Old Covenant came to a permanent and irreversible end upon the death of Christ Jesus. Being the creation of unregenerate men, the Masoretic Text by no stretch of the imagination may be considered canonical.
Popular notion perceives the Masoretic Text as simply the ancient Hebrew text to which `vowel points' have been added; but, in actuality, the Masoretic Text is a new Bible, written in a language considerably more complex than the language of the ancient Hebrews. Regrettably, William Tyndale translated his English Bible from the Masoretic Text, rather than from the Septuagint; thus were Christians originally introduced to the Jewish counterfeit of the ancient Hebrew Canon. And despite the fact that, soon after its publication, the Masoretic Text was demonstrated by Christian scholars to be but a counterfeit of the ancient Hebrew Canon and marred by numerous serious flaws, Tyndale's use of the Masoretic Text set a precedent which has been followed by virtually every subsequent translator of the English Bible. Demonstration of the corrupt and spurious nature of the Masoretic Text is not difficult, for New Covenant scripture contains numerous quotations of Old Covenant scripture, and inspection of the quoted passages reveals all manner of corruption, including truncation, augmentation, and selective editing.
Thus, despite its historical role as the basis for English Bible, the Masoretic Text is nothing more than a poorly-crafted modern Jewish counterfeit of the ancient Hebrew Bible which long ago had been abandoned, even by the Jew; as such, the Masoretic Text is unreliable, utterly worthless, and offers nothing whatsoever of value to the Christian. The oldest extant copies of the Septuagint predate the oldest extant copies of the Masoretic Text by more than a thousand years. Moreover, there is no demonstrated continuity between the ancient Hebrew Canon and the Masoretic Text. Without question, the Septuagint is the only reliable link to the ancient Hebrew Canon. Indeed, the Masoretic Text gives the appearance of being a heavily-edited translation of the Septuagint into the Masoretic Hebrew language. But whatever the pedigree of the Masoretic Text, it is the Septuagint alone which is the authentic canon of Old Covenant scripture, simply because it is from the Septuagint alone that Jesus and the apostles cited the Scripture.
For a more comprehensive discussion of this matter, see the journal article, ”Rightful Succession & Imposture: The Case of the Septuagint vs. the Masoretic Text”, Salt & Light, Vol. 2, No. 6.
These, having put the world in commotion, are also here present...and these all do contrary to the decree of Caesar, saying another to be king—Jesus.– Acts 17:6–7
We ought obey God rather than men.– Acts 5:29
This document was translated from LATEX by HEVEA.