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[marrcus]

Hello everyone. I am new. My name is Marrcus. I live in Australia.

I am a 53 year old male, searching for the truth. I have searched all my life, in
Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism. I even tried being an atheist, but
I just cannot bring myself to believe in a no-point purposeless universe created
at random and meaning nothing.

Recently I stumbled across Ray's web site and was stunned by the stuff I read there.
Although I was raised in the Anglican church, I never heard things explained so clearly
as Ray explains them. The Hell doctrine was a great cause of confusion for me, I never
could understand how the idea of eternal horrific torture could be reconciled with the idea
of a loving God, who so loved the world, etc. It just never made sense to me. It made God
seem far worse than all the most evil tyrants who ever walked the Earth. How could that
ever be true?

I am beginning to see how so many Bible translations have been corrupted by the
whims and theologies of their translators. I used to think the NIV was a very
reliable translation. I just accepted that it was a modern translation based on the
best scholarship. Then I read Ray's essay on the Revelation and the lake of fire.
He pointed out how the word "signified" meant the same as the word "symbolized"
in Rev 1:1. He explained how in the very first verse, it was explained that the
Revelation was a vision of signs and symbols.

I check everything I am told, even the things Ray tells me (but I am discovering that
everything I check, turns out to be right!) So I went to some of the various online
Bible sites where you can compare translations, see the Greek, etc. First off, I
could see that the NIV text for Rev 1:1 makes NO MENTION at all of the word
"signified" or "symbolized" --- but it does appear in other Bible translations. So
I looked at the Greek, word by word. And sure enough, there it was, the Greek
word "esēmanen" indicating that this was a vision in the form of signs and symbols!!!

I asked myself: how could the NIV translators simply leave that word out??? By what right
or authority do they do that??? What could be their motive?

So I am starting to learn. And I hope to learn heaps more here on this forum.

[Dave in Tenn]

Nice to meet you, Marrcus.  I hope you'll continue to study and prove what you read.

Another good resource, if you haven't heard of it, is e-sword.  It's an application that allows you to download various translations, dictionaries, concordances, etc. to compare texts.  It comes already with the KJV and Strong's numbers which are a good reference starting-point for the kind of word-studies you've described.  Very easy to figure out and use.

Home page is here:  http://www.e-sword.net

Anyways, welcome aboard.

 

[marrcus]

e-sword? Thanks, I will check it out.

[Gina]

Welcome, Marccus! 

[Mbongiseni]

Marcus

Feel at home youngman! Welcome.
I like the way you look at the truth. We all been struggling along the same route but at least now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

God bless
Mbo

[cherokee]

Hey Marccus,

Welcome to the forum.
Glad to have you here.

Blessings,
Suzie

[Rene]

I check everything I am told, even the things Ray tells me (but I am discovering that
everything I check, turns out to be right!) So I went to some of the various online
Bible sites where you can compare translations, see the Greek, etc. First off, I
could see that the NIV text for Rev 1:1 makes NO MENTION at all of the word
"signified" or "symbolized" --- but it does appear in other Bible translations. So
I looked at the Greek, word by word. And sure enough, there it was, the Greek
word "esēmanen" indicating that this was a vision in the form of signs and symbols!!!

I asked myself: how could the NIV translators simply leave that word out??

Hi Marrcus, and welcome aboard!

One of the most useful tools I have learned since coming to BT is the comparing of various bible translations.  This is something that was totally new to me and I'm learning more and more the value of this exercise.

I, also, have been blown away, at times, by some poor translations of scripture.  However, on the other hand, this realization has taught me the importance of putting forth a little more effort in my bible studying by doing further research.

René

[Ironbutterfly55]

I, along with my wife, Cica, Welcome to the forum, Marrucs!  I hope you find what you're looking for here as well as at Ray's site.  Remember, you're not here by accident.

[marrcus]

Thank you for all the welcomes! And the comments.

I think what most astounded me that the word "esēmanen" could be excluded from some major translations of the Bible is the fact that it is not just any word, with no harm done by leaving it out. It is arguably the key word to understanding what Revelation is about. No doubt these discussions exist in much deeper form on other parts of this forum, as I will discover.

[Kat]

Hi Marcus,

I'm glad you have joined us 
There were so many things I was learning, when I first found Bible Truths that I was glued to the computer for months, I just couldn't get enough. It is so wonderful to have your eyes opened and to be here with others to discuss these truths with is just such a blessing.

Here are links to the different boards that you can look into when you so desire.

Check out the forum rules, it will help you understand how this forum is moderated.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3.0.html
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4558.0.html
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3614.0.html

General discussion board, this is to ask questions and discuss what is presented at the Bible-truths.com site.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,3.0.html

Child board for General discussion board - FAQ
(most frequently asked questions)
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,23.0.html

Forum Indexes & Info.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,14.0.html

Ray's Videos
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,8227.0.html

Ray's Audios 
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2641.0.html

Ray's 2008 Audios
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,8256.0.html

Transcripts of Audios
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,12.0.html

Off Topic board, this is to discuss things that do not directly relate to BT, you will find a good bit of humor here.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,4.0.html

child board on Off Topic board
Inspirationals, Writings, Poems, Etc.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,15.0.html

Testimonies / Prayer Requests / Fellowship board, this is mostly for personal posts.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,5.0.html

Child boards (only available to members) on Testimonies board
Who Am I? (members pics and other stuff)
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,16.0.html

Members Recipes, for sharing recipes and food tips
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,22.0.html

mercy, peace and love
Kat

[cjwood]

... now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

and oh what a bright and revealing Light it is mbo!!   

welcome to the greatest forum on the internet marrcus.  there is no other meeting place that has so, so much to read and study and learn.  and apply to our lives.  the tunnels can be very long, deep, dark, and lonely, but there is a Way out.  praise God!!

claudia