The Blood Covered Bible

Wednesday, December 31, 1969

In the 16th century, William Tyndale asked the Bishop of London for permission to translate the Bible into English. He was refused. He fled to Germany, and in 1525, he published two editions of the New Testament. Church authorities burned the books publicly. They caught him, brought him to England, judged him guilty, and burned him as a heretic at the stake. As he died his last words were, "Lord open the eyes of the king of England." It was a prophetic prayer, because later on, King James would be responsible for the King James Bible. The Bible comes to you through the blood of those who gave their lives for it. It's inspired such passion, such zeal, and sacrifice, because of what a treasure it is. If they realized that, to the point of giving up their lives, shouldn't you treasure it the same way? Therefore, don't go a day without reading it, receiving from it, treasuring it, rejoicing in it, and living it. Pick up your Bible today, and really partake of its treasures. God's treasures are waiting for you, and for them, men gave up their own lives.

From Message #871 - Manna