Facing False Views - Why the Bible Must Be Taken Literally

“Facing False Views: Why the Bible Must Be Taken Literally”

Short Video Script (4–7 Minutes)

Welcome to Part 5 of our “Facing False Views” series.

We’ve talked about the Preterist, Historicist, Spiritualist, and the danger of MSUing — “making stuff up.”

Today we’re talking about the foundation of it all — why the Bible must be taken literally.

This isn’t just a theological preference. It’s the only way to read God’s Word faithfully.

John 17:17 — “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”

God didn’t say His Word contains truth. He said it is truth.

Truth is not subjective. Truth is meant to be understood plainly unless the context itself indicates a metaphor.

When Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” He didn’t mean it symbolically. He meant it literally.

If we don’t take Scripture at its word, we strip it of authority.

Jesus and the Apostles Took Scripture Literally]

Jesus constantly affirmed the Old Testament as literal history:

He confirmed Adam and Eve as real people (Matthew 19:4–6).

He spoke of Noah’s flood as a real, historical event (Matthew 24:37–39).

He referenced Jonah in the belly of the fish as an actual moment in time (Matthew 12:40).

If Jesus — the Word made flesh (John 1:14) — took Scripture literally, so should we.

Literal Interpretation Guards Against False Doctrine]

When we start spiritualizing everything, truth becomes subjective.

That’s how false teaching creeps in.

2 Peter 1:20 — “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.”

God meant what He said. He said what He meant.

Literal interpretation keeps us anchored to God’s truth instead of human imagination.

Prophecy Was Literally Fulfilled Before

Why should we expect anything different in the future?

Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 → Matthew 2:1)

Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12 → Matthew 26:15)

Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16 → John 20:25)

Buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9 → Matthew 27:57–60)

Every one of those prophecies was fulfilled exactly as written.

If God was literal then, He will be literal now.

Literal Interpretation Honors God’s Integrity

Numbers 23:19 — “God is not a man, that He should lie.”

Malachi 3:6 — “For I am the LORD, I change not.”

If God’s promises are just symbolic, how can we trust His promise of salvation, heaven, or resurrection?

A literal Bible means a faithful God.

The same God who literally judged the world by flood and literally delivered Israel from Egypt will literally fulfill every prophetic word He has spoken.

We live in a time where many want to make the Bible say what they want it to say.

But truth is not flexible.

God’s Word doesn’t need to be reimagined — it needs to be believed.

If we don’t take the Bible literally, we make ourselves the authority instead of God.

Stand on His Word. Believe what is written. And live in the power of His promises.

Prayer:

John 17:17 NKJV

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

2 Peter 1:20 NKJV

knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,

Numbers 23:19 NKJV

“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Malachi 3:6 NKJV

“For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

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New Message: “Facing False Views — Why the Bible Must Be Taken Literally”

God’s Word isn’t symbolic poetry. It’s truth.

Jesus took Scripture literally — so should we.

Past prophecies were fulfilled word-for-word. So will future ones.

John 17:17 — “Your word is truth.”

2 Peter 1:20 — “No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.”

Numbers 23:19 — “God is not a man, that He should lie.”

The Bible says what it means — and means what it says.

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#BibleProphecy, #LiteralBible, #FacingFalseViews, #ZeltmanMinistries, #JesusIsComing, #EndTimes, #Revelation, #WordOfGod, #FaithfulGod, #BibleTruth, #CharismaticChristian,

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Facing False Views — Why the Bible Must Be Taken Literally

This is Part 5 of our series on Facing False Views.

More than any specific theological debate, this is the core issue:

Will we take God’s Word literally, or reinterpret it to suit ourselves?

1. God’s Word is Truth.

John 17:17 declares, “Your word is truth.” Truth must be taken in its plain sense, not allegorized away.

2. Jesus and the Apostles Took Scripture Literally.

Adam and Eve, Noah, Jonah — Jesus affirmed them as real historical figures. If He took the Word literally, we must do the same.

3. Literal Interpretation Guards Against False Doctrine.

Spiritualizing the Bible turns truth into opinion. But 2 Peter 1:20 tells us prophecy isn’t up for private interpretation.

4. Prophecies Have Always Been Fulfilled Literally.

Every prophecy about Jesus’ first coming was fulfilled word-for-word. There’s no reason to expect His second coming will be any different.

5. Literal Interpretation Honors God’s Integrity.

Numbers 23:19 — “God is not a man, that He should lie.”

Malachi 3:6 — “For I am the LORD, I change not.”

A literal Bible means a faithful God.

We can trust His promises — because He means exactly what He says.

Declaration

I believe God’s Word is truth. I will not distort it with symbolism or opinion. What God said, He meant. What He promised, He will fulfill. I will stand on the literal Word of God.”

Prayer

Father, Thank You for the gift of Your unchanging Word. Forgive me for the times I’ve doubted or tried to make Your Word fit my opinions. Today, I choose to believe Your Word as it is written. Anchor me in Your truth and protect me from deception. Let my faith be rooted in Your promises, not human interpretation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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