Does the Bible contain a secret code that people need to unlock? Some people think so, and they are determined to discover supposed hidden messages that foretell the future.
But world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham would beg to differ. He wrote on his website that people's speculations about hidden codes are not true, and people should not put any faith in them, no matter how convincing they may seem.
A friend of Graham who is a computer expert even said he could manufacture a "secret message" from any piece of literature if only he tried hard enough and had a powerful enough computer. But Graham did not think so, because God's holy book contains no message waiting to be unlocked.
Graham said when the Old Testament prophets delivered God's message, the listeners understood it even if they didn't always obey it.
"When Jesus preached to the thousands who thronged to hear Him, He spoke in words they could easily understand. When Paul and the other apostles wrote letters to the first Christians, they made their message as clear as possible. God told the prophet Habakkuk to 'write down the revelation and make it plain' (Habakkuk 2:2)," he said.
The real question, according to Graham, is whether or not God's message has penetrated people's hearts and minds. "Or is the Bible a closed book to you?" he asked. "Don't be misled, but read God's Word with an open heart and mind. When you do, you'll discover not only that God exists, but that He loves you and sent His Son into the world to forgive you and make you part of His family forever."
Graham added that the Bible's message is clear. What the Bible hopes to deliver is a message of hope and new life through Jesus Christ. He urged readers not to be deceived by those who wish to add false meaning to His message.
