The Roadmap to Rome - Part 2

Go Back to Part One and the Introduction:

There are many beautiful pictures and types within the word of God. One of the tremendous pictures found in the last two chapters of Acts reveals a great illustration of the two lines of Greek texts. The true text has come from Antioch, and the false texts have originated in Alexandria, Egypt. Like many other places within the word of God, a clear spiritual application exists in Acts chapters 27 and 28.

Background:

Crete is a part of Greece (likened to the Greek manuscripts).

Alexandria, Egypt – the origin of the corrupt Sinaiticus and Vaticanus

Overview: 

Paul had warned, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete (Acts 27:21) heading toward Rome (Acts 28:14). The final destination of the modern versions is Rome (Acts 28:16). The ships bringing the modern version users to Rome are easily identifiable. Two out of the three ships were ship(s) of Alexandria (Acts 27:6, 28:11). This “mother church” is clearly described and pointed out as the Roman Catholic Church of Rome, Italy.

Revelation chapter 17 gives a clear depiction of the identity of this world church. The great whore…arrayed in purple and scarlet…full of names of blashphemy…having a golden cup in her hand…known as MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (Revelation 17:1-5). She is a great city (Revelation 17:18) which is known as the city of seven hills. Rome is located on seven mountains (Revelation 17:9). She is drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus (Revelation 17:6). 

When infidels convinced the so-called scholars to leave the Textus Receptus and allowed the Alexandrians to infiltrate our schools and pulpits, the journey to Rome began. For the Protestants it was a journey back. For the Baptists foolish enough to fall for her deceptive lies, the trip has been and will be disastrous. Each is fooled by the soft south wind, when God is blowing a tempestuous wind against them.

Here are the forty steps to apostasy as found in Acts chapter 27 and 28.

I.  The true direction of the modern versions is deceptively disguised. Our story begins by mentioning Italy, but not Rome.

Acts 27:1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

II. The Romans had to change ships twice to get Paul to Rome. (Adramyttium Acts 27:2, a ship of Alexandria 27:6,  28:11).

First ship: Acts 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

Second ship: Acts 27:6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

Third ship: Acts 28:11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

Take note that two of these ships are referred to as ships of Alexandria. The Vaticanus and Sinaiticus are both Alexandrian manuscripts. These manuscripts disagree with each other in thousands of places, so the translators must continue “switching ships.”

III. There is still some liberty though heading toward Rome.

Acts 27:3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

Usually this perceived liberty is short-lived and temporary. The satanic goal is total bondage under the Roman Catholic system.  

IV. The winds were contrary is a picture of the Holy Spirit desiring to influence the outcome away from these Alexandrian bibles.

Acts 27:4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

Again, the wind not suffering us pictures the Holy Spirit trying to steer away from these Alexandrian bibles. It caused them to sail slowly – i.e. the changes had to occur gradually over time rather than wholesale change immediately.

Acts 27:7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;

The Bible pictures the whole history of bible version corruption and the Holy Spirit’s intervention. The conclusions are quite simple: if these newly discovered and corrupt Alexandrian manuscripts are in fact the word of God then all of the great revivals, the Protestant Reformation, and the churches have followed the wrong text.  

V. The goal of those in England who authorized the production of the English Revised Version of 1881 was to make only minimal changes to the Authorized Version. However, the outcome was far more drastic than the Convocation of Cantebury authorized or desired. Quickly, they left the fair havens.

Acts 27:8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

VI. Once they have left the fair havens, they spend much time making the changes.  

Acts 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

They are changing the truth of God into a lie (Romans 1:25). God warns us of the danger. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:” (Revelation 22:18). 

VII. The end of verse 9 says that “Paul admonished them.” The scriptural admonitions from the Apostle Paul are clear. Twice in the book of Second Corinthians Paul warns us concerning those that tread upon the holiness of scripture. “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God…(2Corinthians 2:17). “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully…(2Corinthians 4:2).

VIII. The voyage has caused much hurt and damage to property and people alike. We read what Paul admonished them.

Acts 27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

The modern versions have corrupted the very foundation of Christianity. Lives have been destroyed due to the lack of conviction that comes from these modern bibles.

IX. The people believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than the preacher.

Acts 27:11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

These men choose to ignore the one that wrote more books of the Bible than any other man. Most people will believe the M.A.’s (educated) people over those that are simply Holy Spirit led. Alexandrian bibles are owned (copyrighted) by someone, whereas, the KJB is not financially copyrightable. These owners are in the business of making money, not spreading the truth. For instance, consider the owner of the NIV copyright, Rupert Murdock.  

In 1988, Harper & Row purchased Zondervan which prints many of the modern versions of the bible. Rupert Murdock gained the printing rights to the NIV when he became the owner of Harper Collins (previously Harper & Row).

Murdock’s other holdings include Fox T.V., 20th Century Fox, T. V. Guide, and Bart Simpson. A Chicago Tribune writer recently called Rupert Murdock “The Prince of Darkness.” Murdock (through The News Corporation) publishes the British newspaper, the Sun, notorious for its nude pin-ups. Nobody owns the King James Bible.

X. Once they spend much time making the changes to the Bible, the fair havens are not going to be very commodious for the Bible critic. He forces himself to move even further away from the truth.

Acts 27:12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

The majority of people has never been on the side of truth and right, and it never will be (Matthew 7:13). The more part will always desire the supposed “easier reading” bibles. 

XI. The Alexandrian bibles stay close by the real Bible in many ways (they sailed close by Crete). To be acceptable, a counterfeit bible must still look very much like the genuine article. Even when verses are omitted, the modern versions retain the numbering system of the King James Bible. Therefore, about 93% of the corrupt text follows the true text of the Greek (Crete).

Acts 27:13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

God’s direction is north . . . they followed the south wind. (Psalm 75:6) For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. ⁷ But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

The south wind blew softly much like these effeminate “preachers” with their hair perms that fail to have any meat or substance to their message. They want only preaching (usually teaching) that never has a raised voice, but is monotone and soft. They disdain any preacher that might be led of God to raise his voice in an excited state while preaching.

Some of those that sit on these Bible revision committees have motives that seem right. When they misjudge the winds (Satan versus the Holy Spirit), supposing that they have obtained their purpose, they move away from the will of God.

XII. These bibles heading toward Rome must overcome the tempestuous wind (the Holy Spirit). 

Acts 27:14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

XIII. The new bible projects take on a life of their own (we let her drive).

Acts 27:15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

Many of the men involved in the modern versions have had good intentions and the right motives. However, as the project progressed, the liberals and profit-motivated individuals took control.

XIV. The original intent to simply update the language becomes much more extensive (we had much work to come by the boat).

Acts 27:16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

The expressed desire of those that authorized the 1881 revision was to update a few “archaic” words and correct some “errors.” It was not to be a new revision. No matter the original intent, the floodgates were opened. 

XV. In an attempt to aid these Alexandrian bibles, they used helps whether it be producing a study bible, commentary, or lexicon.

Acts 27:17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

They were driven by a force that they could not control. Satan is the driving force behind these modern versions. They were concerned about the sinking sand – quicksands.

XVI. Some misinterpret the will of God. Because they were exceedingly tossed with a tempest they try to correct their error by making the ship lighter. They continue to delete more and more scriptures as time goes on. 

Acts 27:18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

To get to Rome, they cast out parts of the ship including the tackling. Not surprising, the modern versions omit many verses and thousands of words. For instance, the NIV omits 64,000 words found in the KJB. 

XVII. The storm that they brought upon themselves, left them with no sun of righteousness for many days. The Alexandrian bibles omit the Son of God many times, so that new version readers don’t see him for many days.

Acts 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

The book of Malachi refers to the Sun of righteousness (or the Son of God). Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

The verse says that because of the darkness and the tempest, “all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.” Chapter four of One Book Rightly Divided reveals how the Alexandrian bibles omit and change the salvation verses, many times taking away the hope of salvation in many verses.

XVIII. There have always been a few voices proclaiming God’s truth. However, in these last days, more and more men and women after long abstinence are standing up and proclaiming it.

Acts 27:21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

Crete is in Greece. The bible revisers should have hearkened (listened) to the scriptural injunctions against changing the word of God, but they loosed from Crete anyway and sailed with the ships form Alexandria, heading toward Rome.

XVIX. One day, God is going to sink the ship of Alexandria and all of its modern versions. For now, He allows them to sail through the rough seas.

Acts 27:22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

XX. All those that sail with the Bible believer are supernaturally protected no matter the trials and tribulations.

Acts 27:24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

XXI. Those that choose to sail with the Bible believer will end up separated from most others.

Acts 27:26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

XXII. They “were driven up and down” – much like the notes on their pages which frequently bring doubt upon the truth of scripture.

Acts 27:27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

Frequently, these modern versions are footnoted at the bottom of the page with such comments like, the oldest and best manuscripts omit this word, etc. Thus, Satan accomplishes his goal of bringing doubt upon the word.

XXIII. The modern versions teach many unscriptural things. For instance, fasting is removed in many verses from the NIV and completely deleted in the most modern version. Here we have men that wished for the day rather than scripturally praying for it.

Acts 27:29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

XXIV. Paul said that they should not have loosed from Crete. Only by listening to Paul can the child of God be fed with the spiritual meat of the word of God. (1Corinthians 3:2, Hebrews 5:12-14)

Acts 27:34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

Church members attending churches using only the modern versions are malnourished. They are spiritually dying because they do not have the spiritual meat necessary for sustenance.

XXV. Many times after eating a good spiritual meal at a King James Bible believing church, they go back to their work of lightening the ship.

Acts 27:38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

Now they begin to cast out the wheat.

·         The newer revisions are progressively casting out the necessities – important doctrine.

·         Wheat is the main component of bread, which is a picture of the word of God.

·         Wheat versus tares – the new versions cast the saved into the sea. (wheat – Matthew 3:12)

XXVI. When Alexandrian bibles meet the KJB, they run aground.

Acts 27:41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

Satan’s ultimate objective is to get rid of the King James Bible. Once he does this, he can change it at will without being concerned about someone comparing it to the truth. If it were not for the KJB, there would be nothing with which to compare the changes.

Even when Vaticanus and Sinaiticus meet, they no longer read the same. They now disagree with each other over 3,000 times in the gospel books alone.

When two copyrighted bible versions meet, they run the ship aground.

XXVII. As a result, they cast themselves first into the sea. New version users are offered little hope because they do not have the comfort of the scriptures (Romans 15:4). Until they are willing to bail out of these modern versions, there is little hope of their seeing the truth.

Acts 27:43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

They escaped “on broken pieces of the ship.” Some new version users are saved from the KJB bits and pieces remaining in the new bibles. Thank God for the pieces of the truth left in the modern versions. Satan’s ultimate objective is to remove even the broken pieces so that man has nothing left to keep him afloat.

Some escaped from the corrupt bibles by seeing all of the pieces of the KJB which have been omitted from the new versions.

XXVIII. The vipers will always attack those that hold to the Bible believing position. The world will be influenced by their unmerciful attacks upon His word and upon His servants. Their conclusions will be based more on sight than the truth.

Acts 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. ⁴ And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

They will attribute Satan’s attack against those that stand for one authority at the judgment of God (much like Job). They will each agree among themselves (alma maters) that if the messenger has personal problems, he must be wrong and his message cannot be from God. Rather than restoring a brother overtaken in a fault (Galatians 6:1), they become experts at character assassination. The Bible believer needs to make sure he is suffering for doing right and not just reaping what he has sown (1Peter 2:19-20, 3:14, 17).

XXIX. Their bites, laden with all of the venom they can muster, may cause a little discomfort, but there is no lasting harm to the believer that stands for the truth.

Acts 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

XXX. Too many times those that finally come to see the truth through the works of a man, have a tendency to attribute a god-like status to him.

Acts 28:6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

We don’t need any more gods in Christianity and every “pedestal pusher” better get off and discourage others from placing him upon one. There are usually guilty parties on both sides – the one doing the lifting up and the other who accepts the worship.

XXXI. Only the true word of God has healing properties. You must be willing to come and be healed.

Acts 28:8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. ⁹ So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

Only the power of God can heal your life, your marriage, or your walk with Christ. “And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them” (Luke 5:17). The modern versions do not have the power of the true word of God.

XXXII. The word of God promises that He will provide for all of our necessities. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Acts 28:10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

It is acceptable to honor someone that labors for the Lord. However, the fine line crossed from honoring to worship has destroyed many a servant. “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine” (1Timothy 5:17).

XXXIII. The ships of Alexandria are all headed toward Rome.

Acts 28:14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

XXXIV. Each modern version will push the envelope a little farther. They will go “as far as” they can away from the truth.

Acts 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appiiforum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

The desire to gain new copyrights will cause future modern versions to continually push the envelope further and further away from the truth. But they will only go as far as they have to and as far as they can. Satan knows that there are still enough Christians willing to sacrifice everything in order to sound the warning against these modern versions. He must be subtle. The memorization of the King James Bible is God’s greatest tool against the onslaught of these modern bible perversions. 

XXXVI. Finally, “we came to Rome.” Rome is the ultimate destination of the “church” (Revelation 17:1-2) and the outcome realized by following the modern corrupt bibles.

Acts 28:16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

XXXVII. Though many accusations have been hurled against the King James Bible, no one has ever been able to prove it of fault. The “scholars” have chosen to deliver themselves and the truth into the hands of the Romans.

Acts 28:17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

When examined without bias, one can find no fault in the KJB. However, since the so-called scholars have rejected the truth we must appeal to a higher authority and leave the outcome to Him. All of the books being printed that attack the King James Bible should cause one to look up for help.

XXXVIII. If one listens to the seminaries and bible colleges following the Alexandrian manuscripts and supporting the Alexandrian bibles, you will hear much evil spoken against the one that stands up with a King James Bible and proclaims it to be the word of God. History repeats itself because the same things were said concerning this sect (Christianity), we know that every where it is spoken against.

Acts 28:22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

Too many have forgotten the truth: “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing” (1Peter 3:17).  However, much of the damage to the cause of Bible believers has been brought upon ourselves by lacking wisdom, grace, patience, and humility when presenting the truth to others. New terminology is being created all the time to attack the Bible believer. We do not need to be concerned with what is popular or politically correct. One authority is God’s way.

XXXIX. Be careful that you do not end up like the Jews when presented the truth.

Acts 28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

The Bible says that one of the signs of the last days will be people “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2Timothy 3:7). The majority does not want to hear or see the truth. Bible believers attempting to present the truth to others must keep this in mind. People are tired of hearing this issue, but we must be ever vigilant in our presentation, always keeping in mind that most people have their eyes closed and their ears stopped.

XL. It is not too late, but time is winding down. The Lord will receive you if you come unto him.

Acts 28:30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

The truth is non-negotiable. The Lord will not meet us halfway. It is either His way or our way. His way is right. Our way is wrong.

XLI. Put aside that modern version and get the word of God. No one can forbid you from preaching from it no matter how much Satan hurls at it and the true one called of God.

Acts 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him,

Nobody can stop someone from learning the truth. But if you stop your ears and close your eyes, you will not see or hear anything that might make you spiritually uncomfortable.

CONCLUSION: Paul warned, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete (Acts 27:21) because all hope that we should be saved was then taken away (Acts 27:20) by these modern versions. All of the ship(s) of Alexandria are heading toward Rome (Acts 28:14) and destroying the faith of the believers in their wake. The seminaries never should have left the truth of the Textus Receptus text and allowed the Alexandrians to infiltrate our schools and pulpits.

© 2002 McCowen Mills Publishers        

www.McCowenMills.com

Dr. Douglas D. Stauffer

 

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