The Skeptics Annotated Bible

by Wells, Steve

  8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

  (21.8) “The fearful, and unbelieving … and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” All liars, as well as those who are fearful or unbelieving, will be cast into “the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.”

  86 Is it wrong to lie?

  9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

  10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

  11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

  12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

  13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

  14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

  15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

  16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

  (21.16) “The city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.” Heaven is a cube, twelve thousand furlongs (2400 km) on a side.

  17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

  18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

  19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

  20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

  21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

  22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

  23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

  24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

  25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

  26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

  27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

  (21.27) “There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that … maketh a lie.”

  86 Is it wrong to lie?

  REVELATION 22

  22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

  2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

  (22.2) “The tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

  3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

  4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

  (22:4) “His name shall be in their foreheads.”

  5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

  6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

  (22.6) “Things which must shortly be done”

  7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

  (22.7) “Behold, I come quickly.”

  8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

  9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

  10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

  (22.10) “The time is at hand.”

  11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

  (22.11a) “He which is filthy, let him be filthy still.”

  (22.11b) “He that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”

  35 Has there ever been a righteous person?

  113 Is only God holy?

  12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

  (22.12) “Behold, I come quickly”

  13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

  (22.13) “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”

  349 Is Jesus God?

  14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

  (22.14) “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life.”

  304 Is salvation by faith alone?

  15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

  (22.15) “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” “Dogs [homosexuals?], sorcerers, whoremongers, idolaters” and along with anyone who ever told a lie will not enter the heavenly city.

  16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

  (22.16a) “I am the root and the offspring of David.”

  329 Was Joseph the father of Jesus?

  (22.16b) “I am .. the bright and morning star.” This verse refers to Jesus as the “bright and morning star”, as is Lucifer in Isaiah 14.12. So is Jesus Lucifer?

  17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

  18 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:

  19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in th
is book.

  (22.18-19) “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life.”

  20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

  (22.20) “Surely, I come quickly.”

  21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

  Contradictions

  The two creations

  First creation account. Gen 1.1-2.3

  Humans were created after the other animals. 1.25-27

  The first man and woman were created simultaneously. 1.27

  Second creation account. Gen 2.4-25

  Humans were created before the other animals. 2.18-19

  The man was created first, then the animals, then the woman from the man’s rib. 2.18-22

  Who created heaven and earth?

  God alone. Gen 1.1, Is 44.24

  God and Jesus. Jn 1.6-10, 1 Cor 8.6

  Were plants created before or after humans?

  Before. Gen 1.11

  After. Gen 2.5

  Does the Bible condemn astrology?

  Yes. Lev 19.26, Dt 18.10-12, Is 47.13-14, Jer 10.2, Zeph 1.5

  No. Gen 1.14, Jg 5.20, Mt 2.1-2, Lk 21.25

  When were the stars made?

  On the fourth day of creation after the earth was made. Gen 1.16

  Before the earth was made. Job 38.7

  From what were the animals created?

  From the water. Gen 1.20

  From the ground. Gen 1.24, 2.19

  From what were the fowls created?

  From the waters. Gen 1.20

  From the ground. Gen 2.19

  Were humans created before or after the other animals?

  Before the other animals. Gen 2.7, 19

  After the other animals. Gen 1.25-27

  How many gods are there?

  There is only one god. Dt 4.35, 39, 6.4, 32.39; 1 Kg.18.39; Is 43.10, 44.6, 8, 45.5-6, 21, 46.9; Jn 17.3; 1 Cor 8.6

  There are several gods. Gen 1.26, 3.22, 11.7; Ex 12.12, 15.11, 18.11, 20.3, 5, 22.20, 28, 23.13, 24, 32, 34.13; Num 33.4; Dt 3.24, 5.7, 6.14-15, 10.17, 28.14; Jos 24.2, 14; Jg 11.24; 1 Sam 6.5, 28.13; 1 Chr 16.25; Ps 82.1, 6, 86.8, 96.4, 97.7, 135.5, 136.2; Jer 1.16, 10.11, 25.6, 6.25; Zeph 2.11; Jn 10.33-34; 1 Jn 5.7

  When was Eve created?

  At the same time as Adam. Gen 1.27

  After Adam and the animals were created. Gen 2.20-22

  Is childbearing sinful?

  Yes. Lev 12.6

  No. Gen 1.28, 1 Tim 2.15

  May Adam eat from any tree?

  Yes. Gen 1.29

  No. Gen 2.17

  What kind of animals may we eat?

  We should not eat animals. Gen 1.29, Pr 23.20, Is 7.15, Dan 1.8, Rom 14.21

  Only certain kinds of animals may be eaten. Dt 14.7, Lev 11.2

  We may eat any kind of animal. Gen 9.3; Mk 7.18; Lk 10.7; Acts 10.9-17; Rom 14.2, 14; 1 Cor 10.25; 1 Tim 4.1-3

  What was Sodom’s sin?

  Seeking sex with angels, fornication, and going after “strange flesh.” Gen 19.4-5, Jude 7-8

  Pride, wealth, laziness, and ignoring the needs of the poor. Ezek 16.49

  Adultery, lies, and general immorality. Jer 23.14

  Is marriage a good thing?

  Yes. Gen 2.18; Pr 18.22; Ec 9.9; Mt 19.5, 10; 1 Tim 4.1-3; Tit 1.6; Heb 13.4

  No. 1 Cor 7.1-2, 7-9, 27

  Is polygamy OK?

  Yes. Gen 4.19, 16.2, 25.6, 26.34, 28.9, 31.17, 32.22; Ex 21.10; Dt 21.15; Jg 8.30; 1 Sam 1.2, 12; 2 Sam 2.2, 5.13, 12.7-8; 1 Kg 11.1; 1 Chr 4.5, 14.3; 2 Chr 11.21, 13.21, 24.3; Mt 25.1-13; 1 Tim 3.2; Tit 1.6

  No. Gen 2.24, Dt 17.17, Mt 19.5, Mk 10.6, 1 Cor 7.1-2, Eph 5.33

  Does God have a body?

  Yes Gen 3.8; Ex 33.11, 33.20-23, Dt 23.13-14; Ezek 1.27, 8.2; Hab 3.3-5

  No. Lk 24.39, Jn 4.24

  Does God know everything?

  Yes. Job 42.2; Ps 44.21, 139.2; Pr 15.3; Jer 16.17, 23.24; Acts 1.24; 1 Jn 3.20

  No. Gen 3.8, 4.14, 11.5, 18.9, 17, 20-21, 22.12, 32.27; Num 22.9; Dt. 8.2, 13.3, 32.31; 2 Chr 32.31; Job 1.7, 2.2; Hos 8.4; Jon 1.3

  Is everyone descended from Adam and Eve?

  Yes.Gen 3.20

  No. Heb 7.3

  Does God desire animal sacrifices?

  Yes. Gen 4.4, 8.21, 15.8-9; Ex 20.24, 29.11-37; Lev 1.5, 4.20, 26, 31, 35, 5.10, 16, 18, 10.15, 17.11, 23.12-20; Num 18.17-19; Dt 12.27

  No. Ps 40.6, 50.13, 51.16; Is 1.11, 66.3; Jer 6.20; Hos 6.6; Mic 6.6-7; Mt 9.13, 12.7; Heb 10.4-11

  Does God respect anyone?

  Yes. Gen 4.4, Ex 2.25, Lev 26.9, 2 Kg 13.23, Ps 138.6

  No. Dt 10.17, 2 Chr 19.7, Hos 6.6, Acts 10.34, Rom 2.11, Gal 2.6, Eph 6.9, Col 3.25, 1 Pet 1.17

  What became of Cain?

  He became a fugitive and a vagabond. Gen 4.12

  He settled down, married, had a son, and built a city. Gen 4.16-17

  Does God approve of capital punishment?

  Yes. Gen 9.6; Ex 21.15-17, 22.18-20, 31.14-15, 35.2; Lev 20.9-16, 27, 21.9, 24.11-23; Num 35.30; Dt 22.13-21, 23-24

  No. Gen 4.15; Jn 8.7

  Must everyone die?

  Yes. Rom 5.12, Heb 7.3, 9.27

  No. Gen 5.24; Jn 8.51, 11.26; Heb 11.5

  Did Enoch die?

  Yes. Heb 11.13

  No. Gen 5.24, Heb 11.5

  Has anyone ever ascended into heaven?

  Yes. Gen 5.24, 2 Kg 2.11, Heb 11.5

  No. Jn 3.13

  Was Enoch the sixth or the seventh from Adam?

  Sixth. Gen 5.24, 1 Chr 1.1-3, Lk 3.37-38

  Seventh. Jude 14-15

  How many sons does God have?

  God has one son (Jesus). Jn 3.16, 1 Jn 4.9

  Adam was also God’s son. Lk 3.38

  Some of God’s sons had sex with women creating giants. Gen 6.4

  Satan and his companions were sons of God. Job 1.6, 2.1

  God’s sons were present when the universe was created. Job 38.7

  Christians are God’s sons. Jn 1.12

  Do angels have sex?

  Yes. Gen 6.4; Jude 6

  No. Mk 12.18-25

  How long is the human lifespan?

  70 years. Ps 90.10

  120 years. Gen 6.3

  Did everyone (except for Noah and his family) die in the flood?

  Yes. Gen 7.21

  No. Gen 6.4, Num 13.33

  Does God repent?

  Yes. Gen 6.6; Ex 32.14; Dt 32.36; 1 Sam 15.11, 35, 24.16; 2 Sam 24.16; 1 Chr 21.15; Is 38.1-5; Jer 15.6, 18.8-10, 26.3, 13, 19, 42.10; Amos 7.3; Jon 3.10

  No. Num 23.19; 1 Sam 15.29; Ezek 24.14; Mal 3.6; Jas 1.17

  Has there ever been a just person?

  Yes. Gen 6.9; Ps 37.12; Pr 3.33, 4.18, 9.9, 10.6-7, 20, 11.9, 12.13, 21, 17.15, 26, 20.7, 21.15, 24.16, 29.10, 27; Ec 7.15, 20, 8.14; Is 26.7; Lam 4.13; Ezek 18.5-6, 9; Hos 14.9; Amos 5.12; Hab 2.4; Mt 1.19, 5.45, 13.49-50; Mk 6.20; Lk 1.17, 2.25-26, 14.14, 15.7, 23.50; Acts 10.22, 24.15; Rom 1.17; Gal 3.11; Tit 1.7-8; Heb 10.38, 12.23; Jas 5.6; 2 Pet 2.7-8

  No. Ec 7.20

  How many of each clean animal did Noah take into the ark?

  Two. Gen 6.19, 7.8-9, 15

  Seven. Gen 7.2

  Has there ever been a righteous person?

  Yes. Gen 7.1; 2 Sam 22.21, 25; Job 2.3; Ps 1.5-6, 37.25; Pr 2.7, 20, 3.32, 10.3, 11, 16, 21, 24, 28, 30, 32, 11.8, 10, 21, 23, 28, 31, 12.3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 26, 13.5, 9, 21, 25, 14.9, 32, 15.6, 19, 28, 29, 18.5, 10, 21.12, 18, 26, 23.24, 24.15, 25.26, 28.10, 12, 28, 29.2, 6, 7, 16; Ec 9.1-3; Is 3.10, 5.23, 57.1; Ezek 14.14, 20, 23.45, 33.12; Hab 1.4; Mal 3.18; Mt 5.20, 10.41, 13.17, 23.35, 25.37, 46; Lk 1.5-6; Heb 11.4; Jas 5.16; 2 Pet 2.5, 7-8, Rev 22.11

  No. Job 15.14; Is 41.26, 64.6; Rom 3.10

  When did Noah enter the ark?

  Seven days before the flood began. Gen 7.7-10

  The day the flood began. Gen 7.13-14

  H
ow long did the flood last?

  40 days. Gen 7.17

  150 days. Gen 7.24, 8.3

  How long was the ark afloat?

  Seven months. Gen 8.4

  More than ten months. Gen 8.5

  When did the earth dry after the flood?

  On the first day of the first month. Gen 8.13

  On the 27th day of the second month. Gen 8.14

  Will God curse the earth?

  Maybe. Mal 4.6

  No. Gen 8.21

  Are we punished for the sins of others?

  Yes. Gen 9.20-21, 20.18; Ex 20.5, 34.7; Num 14.18; Dt 5.9, 23.2, 28.18; 1 Sam 3.13; 2 Sam 12.13, 21.6-9; 1 Kg 2.33, 11.11-12, 21.29; 2 Kg 5.27; Is 14.21; Jer 15.4, 16.10-11, 29.32, 32.18; Zeph 1.8

  No. Dt 24.16, 2 Kg 14.6, Jer 31.29-30, Ezek 18.20

  Does God approve of slavery?

  Yes. Gen 9.24, 14.14, 16.9, 17.12-13, 24.35, 26.12; Ex 12.44, 20.17, 21.2, 16, 32, 22.3; Lev 19.20, 22.11, 25.39, 45-46; Dt 5.21, 15.12, 20.10-11, 14; Jos 9.23; Mt 8.7; Lk 7.2-10, 12.46-47, 17.7-9; 1 Cor 7.21-23; Eph 6.5; Col 3.22, 4.1; 1 Tim 6.1-4; Tit 2.9-10; 1 Pet 2.18

  No. Ex 21.16; Lev 19.13, 18, 33-34, 25.10, 17; Dt 15.9-10, 23.15-16, 24.7, 14; Pr 22.22; Is 58.6; Jer 22.13; Mal 3.5; Mt 23.10; Mk 10.42-43; 1 Cor 7.23; Gal 3.28, Phil 2.3-4; 1 Tim 1.9-10; Philem 10-12; Heb 13.3; Jas 5.4

  How many languages were there before the Tower of Babel was built?

  One. Gen 11.1, 9

  Many. Gen 10.5, 20, 31

  Who was Salah’s father?

  Arphaxad. Gen 10.24, 11.12

  Cainan. Lk 3.35-36

  Is God the author of confusion?

  Yes. Gen 11.7, 1 Cor 1.27

  No. 1 Cor 14.33

  How old was Terah when he died?

  145. Gen 11.26, 12.4

  205. Gen 11.32

  How old was Abraham when he left Haran?

  75. Gen 12.4

  At least 135. Gen 11.26, 32; Acts 7.4

  How old was Abram when Ishmael was born?

  86. Gen 16.16

  At least 135. Gen 11.32; Acts 7.4

  Can God be seen?

  Yes. Gen 12.7, 17.1, 18.1, 26.2, 24, 32.30, 35.9, 48.3; Ex 3.16, 4.5, 6.3, 24.10, 33.11, 20; Num 14.14; Dt 5.4, 34.10; Jg 13.22; 1 Kg 22.19; Job 42.5; Ps 63.2; Is 6.1-7; Ezek 1.27, 8.2, 20.35; Amos 7.7, 9.1; Hab 3.3-5; Mt 18.10, Jn 14.9

  No. Ex 33.20; Jn 1.18; 6.46; Col 1.15; 1 Tim 1.17, 6.16; 1 Jn 4.12

  When was the city of Dan named?

  In the time of Abraham. Gen 14.14