By David Ettinger
Translating God’s Word
COVID-19 has strangled the economy, lifestyles, businesses, social lives, and church attendance, but it has not touched the Bible. According to the Christian Post, “Despite challenges presented by the pandemic, Wycliffe Associates saw the completion of more Bible translations in 2020 than in any other single year.”[1]
If this doesn’t elicit a “Praise God,” I don’t know what does.
Wycliffe Bible Translators has been translating Bibles into the world’s numerous and diverse languages since 1942. The ministry completed New Testament translations in 141 languages in 2020, and has added another 8 for the Old Testament.
The reason for the surge has been the improvement in online technology. According to Tim Neu, interim president and CEO of Wycliffe Associates, “COVID lockdowns kept Bible translators at home, but our online Bible translation system enabled many to continue their work together.”[2]
And the beat goes on. Wycliffe is currently working on 773 Bible translations, and has received requests from 273 language groups wanting Bibles.[3] The current output continues the breathtaking trail Wycliffe has been blazing. In the past 17 years, Wycliffe – thanks to improving technology – has increased Bible translations from 7.5 per year to 29.4, a fourfold expansion.[4]
Can’t Be Stopped
And all this as Western nations have been declaring war on the Bible and Christians. And all this as third-world and Communist-led nations have been doing their best to destroy Bibles, churches, Christian resources, and decimate their Christian populations. And all of this while COVID has closed churches and diminished Christian fellowship by keeping people locked in their homes.
The message is clear: God cannot be stopped. The Bible cannot be stopped. The Church cannot be stopped. Try as the world may to annihilate Christians, destroy churches, and eradicate the Bible, it will never succeed. As Jesus said, “the gates of Hades will not overcome” the Church (Matthew 16:18).
Instead, at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to Earth at the end of the age, the godlessness of this world will be judged and ended, and a new era of peace and goodness will rise.
In the meantime, the Bible marches on, changing lives from the inside out, and bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the deepest corners of our lost and dying world. May God’s work continue to thrive in these dark and ruthless days!
[1] https://www.christianpost.com/news/despite-covid-wycliffe-sees-record-number-of-bible-translations.html
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
Blue Collar Theologian
February 5, 2021
This is truly a reason to praise God! Thanks for sharing this!
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dettinger47
February 5, 2021
Thank you, Mandy.
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Tom
February 5, 2021
Great news, David! Thanks and God bless Wycliffe and the translators in their efforts.
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dettinger47
February 5, 2021
Amen to that, Tom!
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Crissy
February 5, 2021
Hallelujah!
Thank you for sharing.
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dettinger47
February 5, 2021
Thank you, Crissy.
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Bruce Cooper
February 5, 2021
Grateful for the encouraging news David, I’ll take it! Blessings!
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dettinger47
February 5, 2021
I’ll take it too! Much thanks, Bruce.
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ladysheepdog
February 5, 2021
Adding my Praise and Thank You Jesus!! Truly amazing!!
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dettinger47
February 5, 2021
Amazing indeed. Praise God!
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Zama-Zoe Grace
February 6, 2021
Amen, thank you for the encouragement. Nothing can stop the power of the word of God. Many blessings to you.
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dettinger47
February 6, 2021
So true, Zama-Zoe, nothing can stop the power of the word of God. Well said!
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Lisa Blair
February 6, 2021
Reblogged this on Daily Inspiration – Lisa's Thoughts and commented:
God’s work cannot be thwarted or destroyed. He is sovereign. Guest Post.
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God Still Speaks
February 6, 2021
And it will get read even more in 2021! Reverse psychology. If the government threatens to take our Bibles away, more folks will want to know what so special in them, and find the Truth for themselves! So if Bible sales were up 44% in 2020, no telling how many more in 2021!
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dettinger47
February 7, 2021
Great point! Whenever there are efforts to restrict the Church or the Bible, faith in Christ increases.
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God Still Speaks
February 7, 2021
Amen!
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dawnfanshawe
February 10, 2021
Praise God for those soldiers of the Word. May we not neglect or take for granted the treasure we have and commit it to memory where possible.
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dettinger47
February 10, 2021
Amen. Well said, Dawn.
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