China Attempts the Rewrite the Bible?

In a world increasingly shaped by turmoil and transformation, events occurring around us often carry deeper significance. It is crucial for us to recognize the signs of the times and consider how they might correspond with biblical prophecies as followers of Christ. The recent revelation that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rewrote portions of the Bible to assert control over religious beliefs and practices is one such development that demands our attention. This worrying event, which was reported on July 21, 2023, reveals a startling parallel with end-of-the-world prophecies that calls for our reflection and prayer.

The Quest for Control:

U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI) asserted during a meeting of the House Select Committee on the CCP that Chairman Xi Jinping is on a “quest to make the faithful serve the party rather than God.” Chairman Xi stated at the 19th Party Congress in 2017 that he intended to pursue “the Sinicization of Chinese religions and provide active guidance for religion and socialism to coexist.” Rep. Gallagher claims that the CCP also targets other Buddhist and Muslim ethnic minorities in addition to attempting to regulate Christian doctrine and practice.

Disturbing Rewrites:

Rep. Gallagher cited two instances of the CCP changing biblical passages. The first is from the account in the Gospel of John where Jesus tells the adulterous woman to “go, and from now on sin no more,” after telling the scribes and Pharisees, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her (John 8:3–11, ESV).” In 2020, a textbook from a Chinese university was published with the account from the Gospel of John changed to conclude with “Jesus himself stoning the adulterous woman to death,” according to Rep. Gallagher.
The second is a claim that CCP officials in Henan province “forced Protestant churches to replace the Ten Commandments with Xi Jinping quotes,” replacing the first commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,” (Exodus 20:3, KJV), with “Resolutely guard against the infiltration of Western ideology.”

Persecution Amidst Prophecy:

As the leaders of the world’s largest Christian congregation, the Vatican might be expected to respond with anger and defiance. However, in a backroom deal struck in 2018, the Vatican agreed to let the CCP appoint Catholic bishops in China in exchange for undefined promises of “safety” for some Catholic congregations. These promises were promptly rescinded.

Endurance Through Adversity:

The stories of unwavering Chinese pastors and Christians stand as a beacon of hope in the midst of these unsettling developments. The perseverance and fortitude that Christ’s followers are commanded to display in the end times are reflected in their resolve to stand firm in the face of persecution. Tertullian’s adage that “We multiply when you reap us. The blood of Christians is seed” comes to mind as we observe the expansion of the underground church in Iran. Their unwavering dedication exemplifies the spirit of the early believers.

Our Faith is Unwavering

We are reminded of the importance of discernment in our spiritual journey by the revelation of the CCP’s manipulation of religious texts and the subsequent persecution of believers. Let’s keep our hearts alert and our prayers sincere as we watch the unfolding of events that correspond to biblical prophecies. The struggles that Christians encounter all over the world serve as a poignant reminder of the ultimate victory that our Lord Jesus Christ promised us. Despite the uncertainties that may be present in these times, our faith is unwavering because it is based on the eternal truths of God’s Word.

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