Museum Of The Bible

This beautiful edifice is a little over two years old, and located on the mall in Washington D.C.  The building was originally a refrigerated warehouse, built in 1923.  Yes, the Lord works in strange ways.  We went there on 12/30/19, and to say we were blessed would be an understatement.  There are six stories to this building.  We arrived at lunch time, so we went to the sixth floor where the cafeteria was.  Cuisine from around the world was available at reasonable prices.  Immediately after lunch, we saw the most beautiful double rainbow we have ever laid an eye on, with one end of it landing on the Capitol Building.  Would it not be wonderful if this was a sign from the Lord, and that He was not yet through with our country?  Since we started on the top floor, we toured the museum in descending order.  The fifth floor featured a theater, and realms of information on Israel, ancient empires, archaeology, and antiquities.  Many items, maps and pictures were on display.  The fourth floor excelled on the history of the Bible, featuring more than 600 artifacts, 50 media programs, and handwritten scrolls.  The Bibles’ impact on the world and upon America are prominent themes in these exhibits.

“…no book in the world deserves to be so unceasingly studied, and so profoundly meditated upon as the Bible.”  John Quincy Adams

George Whitefield’s open air preaching was noted as a major contribution to the First Great Awakening in the 1740’s.  He carried a portable pulpit and was blessed with a voice that could reach multiple thousands!  He preached boldly on the need to become “born again.”

The Bible was considered with its’ current impact.  Martin Luther King and Billy Graham were highlighted as strong proponents of the Biblical message in the 20th century.

The third floor was replete with the stories of the Hebrew Bible.  The world of Jesus of Nazareth was replicated through homes, wells and vineyards on display, with further information in the New Testament Theater.

The second floor examined the impact of the Bible on cultures throughout the globe, including music, fashion, government, and its significant influence on America.

The first floor excels with the Children’s experience and an exhibition from the Vatican Museums and Vatican Library.

Especially noteworthy from my experience, was a replica of the Gutenberg Printing Press that produced the first printed Bible, and a plethora of Biblical translations, including but not limited to the King James Version, the Geneva Bible, the Bishop Bible, the Wycliffe Bible, the Vulgate, the Septuagint, the Textus Receptus translation, and countless others.  The incredible progression of the Bible throughout the world was given and displayed in great detail.  That was what I took home with me.  One could spend several days at this heavenly site, and still not take it all in!  Enjoy the further information given below.

Because Of Him, Pastor Steve  <><

 

Pray For Revival In America!

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Visiting the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC

This state-of-the-art museum in the nation’s capital focuses on the history, narrative and impact of the Bible.

What and where is the Museum of the Bible?

As soon as you enter the Museum of the Bible through its 40-foot bronze doors, its majesty is undeniable. The grand lobby is long and awe-inspiring, with a digital display on the ceiling that rotates through colorful designs throughout the day. Upon your opening stroll, you will immediately be aware that you have entered a museum like no other in the nation’s capital.

The Museum of the Bible’s goal is to educate the public on the history of the Bible, its many narrative forms and its impact on societies around the world. The 430,000-square-foot museum is a wonder of design and architecture, the combined work of seven design firms. The building is located at 400 4th Street SW, a short walk from the Federal Center SW Metro station on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines.
The museum’s hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, with 9 a.m. early entry for museum members and groups every day except Sunday. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Admission to the Museum of the Bible is $24.99 for adults, $14.99 for kids and free for children six-years old and under. Discounts are also offered for online purchases, senior citizens and groups. You can purchase timed entry tickets and make group reservations on the museum’s website.

What’s inside the Museum of the Bible?

After you journey through the visual sensation that is the museum’s lobby, you can walk up marble stairs or take an elevator to any of the exhibit floors. We recommend starting at the History of the Bible galleries, which begin on the fourth floor. Elevator riders are in for a treat: inside, a video screen rotates its images as you ride up, with music playing to set the mood for your exploration.

The History of the Bible includes more than 600 artifacts inside its 11 galleries. Numerous media programs let you dig even deeper, including films and interactive touch tables. Discover the development of the Bible, from its use among small groups of people to its translation into hundreds of languages around the world. Find out how the text has been translated and shared, its influence on the Renaissance, the rise of the King James version and more. The space also features a 75-seat theater, where you can watch TV personality Dave Stotts go on a history-seeking adventure.
Head down one floor and you will find the Stories of the Bible section, which is divided into three areas: The Hebrew Bible, The New Testament and The World of Jesus of Nazareth. The first of the three is a 14,000-square-foot deep dive into the narrative of the Hebrew Bible, featuring settings inspired by art using high-tech visuals. Guests will be immersed in the stories of Biblical figures like Noah, Abraham and David.
The New Testament features interactive posters of key characters that reveal their stories, as well as a theater experience in a 124-seat venue. Inside, a 210-degree panoramic screen plays a 12-minute video featuring tales told by figures that interacted with Jesus in the New Testament. The World of Jesus of Nazareth is just that: a recreation of Jesus’ time, from the religious controversy that pre-dated him to Roman Rule to a courtyard, complete with a live, costumed docent and recreations of numerous aspects of a Nazarene village, including a synagogue.

On the second floor, you can fully explore the Impact of the Bible. The Bible in the World section uses 23 exhibits to show the undeniable impact that the book has had on cultures and countries all over the world. This includes art, architecture, fashion, family and more. Bible in America showcases a 254-foot long tapestry with striking illustrations that highlight the book’s influence on this country since its beginnings. Bible Now has curving screens and interactive tables, used to let guests share the impact of the Bible on their lives, as well as provide insight to how the Bible influences our world every day. Finally, Washington Revelations uses virtual reality technology to reveal where the Bible can be observed throughout the nation’s capital.
Your Museum of the Bible experience can continue well beyond the exhibits. The fifth floor features a 500-seat performance theater with mapping technology to enhance what is taking place onstage, as well as outstanding acoustics. The sixth floor contains Manna, which offers a menu inspired by Israeli cuisine from chef Todd Gray, co-founder of the acclaimed Equinox Restaurant. Manna is adjoined by a scenic Biblical Garden that can accompany seated and standing parties.
There’s also Milk and Honey Cafe on the first floor, where you can grab a quick bite or a cup of coffee. Lastly, there’s the Courageous Pages area for children, where adults can take a break and kids can play Bible-themed games.

 

Sexual Sin And Hypocrisy In The Church

The theme of sodomy/homosexuality is a hot button topic today, frequently coming up in conversation.  President Obama is doing everything he can, in order to promote the acceptance of this sinful lifestyle throughout our country.  Rainbow colors have been splashed on the White House, as the Supreme Court advocated “gay marriage” through a 5-4 vote.  The Bible is replete with scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments, that label sodomy as not only a sin but an abomination.  All three monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) unequivocally condemn this sin.  The Christian church needs to show love for people engrossed in this lifestyle, but there is a dire need for those who engage in this practice to repent.  There is no free pass – this is not a “special” sin we overlook.  The challenge the church has, in my opinion, is dealing with those who engage in this lifestyle, and erroneously interpret God’s demand for repentance as hatred.  The church needs to be consistent in revealing the sinners’ need for contrition in order to be saved.  Helping people to see their sin is love.  If there is no repentance on the sinners’ part, we continue to show them unconditional love, yet they will not be allowed to join with the body of Christ.

Now here is where it gets dicey.  If we were to converse  in church about the aforementioned paragraph, we would all be on the same page.  But if I am presiding over conversation and I mention the sin of fornication, then things get quiet.  All of the sudden, the aura of self righteous condemnation dissipates.  I observe changes in body language, inflection of tone in speech, and even stone cold silence.  Fornication, of course, is the generic sweeping term that includes any kind of sexual union outside of holy matrimony.  Any relationship outside of marriage is absolutely forbidden.  As the old joke goes:  “Preacher, you have left preaching and gone to meddling.”  No, the message is now focused on your sin or your struggle.  This is the premier sin that I have run into in the church for well over three decades.  Our culture is so base today, that in many a church, fornication flies under the radar.  I have seen many who are living this lifestyle, come to church consistently, and never come under conviction!  The Bible tells us that an unrepentant fornicator will not go to heaven.  We are glad when all people come to church, but the desired effect of anyone’s attendance is for their repentance, without which one cannot be saved!  If blatant sexual sinners are consistently attending church without a change in their hearts, it is evident that the entire counsel of God is not being preached or adhered to.  If they keep living in sin without a change of heart, they become “leaven” in the church, and they convince visitors and enquirers, that this must be all right, because absolutely no one confronts the issue!  This also gives the enemies of God a chance to blaspheme, since they look inside the church and conclude that if their lifestyle is no different from mine, why should I be a part of the church?  Good question.

The church in America will continue to decline dramatically until if/when we once again become the church the way the Lord meant for it to be – described graphically in the book of Acts.

Ephesians 5:3 King James Version (KJV)

³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

King James Version (KJV)

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If you take issue with this article, your problem is not with the blog author.  It is with the Author of the first book run off the Gutenberg printing press – the Bible.  i.e. Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, I Kings 14:24, I Kings 15:12, Judges 19:22-30, Genesis 18:20, Genesis 19:4-14, Genesis 13:13, I Timothy 1:10, I Corinthians 6:9, Romans 1:26-27, Hebrews 12:16, Hebrews 13:4, Jude 6-7, II Corinthians 12:21, Galatians 5:19, Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:5, Revelation 21:8, Luke 13:3, Luke 13:5, Matthew 4:17, etc., etc., etc., etc.

<><   Pastor Steve