In this article we hope to conclude our discussion of the individual books of the Bible.

THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES: The author does not entitle himself an apostle, but a servant (a slave) of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle James could not have been the author, as he was beheaded in the year 44, but it is James, the brother of the Lord Jesus. During the life of Christ he was not a follower of Him, but the Lord had inclined his heart, possibly at the time of His death on the cross. The Lord Jesus appeared unto him soon afterwards (see 1 Corinthians 15:7) and then he must have been converted, because, after His resurrection, the Lord Jesus appeared only to His people. Thereafter he was well-known in the Christian church of Jerusalem. In his epistle James empha­sizes the necessity that our faith must be visible in our works.

THE TWO EPISTLES OF PETER: The first epistle was written in Babylon, probably in the year 64, when heavy persecutions of the Christians had begun.

Peter encourages and comforts them in their struggles for the name of Christ. He points out that everything which happens to them, the Lord had previously experienced.

The second epistle was written a year later from Rome. Peter expected to die very soon, and he exhorts to a godly life and warns of the coming of false teachers and mockers. The first epistle was more to strengthen in the battle against those without, the second more against the enemies from within.

THE THREE EPISTLES OF JOHN: Some call the first epistle a sermon about Christianity. John noticed that some of the Christians followed Gnosticism, which teaches that matter is evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis. Among them faith weakened, the love waxed cold and the world became the most important thing. John arouses them to return to God's institutions.

The second epistle was written to a woman, whose children John had met, and this was the reason for writing her. At the same time he encourages her to walk in love, he warns against Gnosticism, and he praises the service of God.

The third epistle is addressed to Gaius, a well-known member of the church. John was glad to have heard about his faithfulness. He warns against Diotrephes and recommends Demetrius.

THE EPISTLE OF JUDE: Jude was probably the leader in Jerusalem after the death of his brother James. In his epistle he warned against the false doctrines that had been brought into their midst. He described the character of the seducers and God's judgment over them, warning the Christians not to listen to them and exhorting them to fight the good fight of faith.

THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN: This epistle was written by the apostle John, who was on the isle of Patmos for the Name of the Lord. He was discouraged because the enemy was trying to destroy the church and he was in exile on this island and not at all useful. But the Lord appeared unto him and promised to take care of the church, saying, I am Alpha and Omega. In a prophetical prospect the Lord revealed to him the future of the church and also the end of the world. There is much that can be written about this book; even about the numbers mentioned in this book many different explanations have been given. It is not our intention to say much of this now. However, we must remember that the numbers in Revelation have a symbolical meaning; they must not be taken literally.

Another problem is that many take this book as the history of the church, with a series of events mentioned in the order they will take place. In this way they arrive at a period of time at the end of the world of one thousand years of peace, or, as it is called, the millenium. This is a misinterpretation. The history or experience of the church is here explained in several different ways and viewpoints. Then what about the millenium? That began after Ascension Day. The Lord did not promise the church a thousand years, but eternal joy in heaven.

And so we have given a short review of the Bible books and the circumstances under which they were written, their authors, and the purpose why they were written. I have said before that is is such a great blessing that we may have the Word of God, ­but, boys and girls, never forget that this is not enough. If it is not applied to our hearts, it will not profit us at all, but testify against us!

Of this the Lord Jesus has also spoken in the parable of the sower. The seed fell in four different places. Did you ever ask yourselves where that seed of the Word has fallen to the present time in your life? Must it be said that the fowls of the air have always devoured it? That you went to church, but that is all? That there was no real hunger for that Word? That it was more a burden to you than a blessing? That before you went to church, you were already filled with other things, so that you did not hear much or anything at all of the sermon which was preached or read? To live under the Word is a great responsibility, especially when we remain indifferent under it.

There are not only those who are indifferent, but also people who are easily moved. The Lord portrayed this by the seed which fell upon a rock. That seed grew very fast, but had no depth of earth and withered away when the ground became too dry. This points to those who are moved by the Word – there comes a change in their life – but no renewal, which is so necessary. Impressions of the Word are a blessing, but temporal faith generally does not last long, and when persecutions come, they return to their former life.

There are also church-goers, who are really impressed by the Word, but when the Sunday is past, they are full of worldly things again. Their families, their studies, and their businesses fill their whole mind. There is an impression of what is necessary to know in order to live and die happily, but the world overcomes time and again. We cannot serve God and the mammon. Young people, may we take it to heart and ask the Lord to keep us so that we don't set our hearts upon the temporal things.

God's children are really blessed. The seed of the Word falls in a well-prepared earth. Our hearts must be prepared because, since we left the Lord, they became as a rock, a desert, where nothing can grow. The Lord brings that Word into our hearts and makes it fruitful. Those are incorporated into the covenant of grace in regeneration. What the Lord requires, He also gives to His people, namely, faith. The Lord remains faithful to them, and they may ask all that they need for time and eternity. I hope that many of the readers may become partakers of these benefits which are promised in the Covenant of Grace, to the glory of His Name but also to the salvation of our souls.