Chapter 6. 20
Secret Gospel
Was
Jesus a Gnostic esoteric revealer for only the fortunate few?
They may indeed see, but not perceive and may indeed hear,
but not understand lest they should turn and be forgiven
The purpose of parables was to provide instruction
to those chosen without
revealing the items of the instructions to those
who were on the outside.
Was
Jesus a Gnostic esoteric revealer for only the fortunate few?
First Word
This
Secret of the Kingdom of God was previously unknown. Jesus would speak secrets that have been hidden since
the creation of the world. It was not a mystery in
the classic sense, but was of things that were incomprehensible to understand
in their own nature. He was teaching that the Kingdom of God was at
hand, “spiritually”,
present; drawing near.
Parables or
Riddles have a dual purpose: one is to reveal and the other is to conceal.[1]
To those who were sensitive;
acknowledged that the light was given to them; (they had light and sight.) Parables use the visible world to illustrate
the spiritual realm. They were able to
see the Devine revelation that instructed them;[2]
while others saw the parable as a story, an amusing tale of temporary interest
and entertainment.
Teachings or Amusement; is your
pastor teaching you or amusing you from the pulpit. (Just a thought)
I practice Fence
Post Theology; if a fence post in scripture is out of line with the rest of the
Bible, either the scripture is wrong or I understood it wrong. Did Jesus use parables to keep this message a
Secret
from everyone except the Twelve Disciples?
The
Controversy
The Twelve Disciples, when they were alone with Jesus, asked
Him why He was teaching them in parables.
In the Gospel of Mark; it sounds
like Jesus said that he did not want the others on the outside to perceive and
understand His teachings lest they should repent and be forgiven of their sins.[3] WHAT?
The fence post of this scripture does not
line up with all the other fence posts concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and the Kingdom of God; what’s going on here?
The
Apostle Paul further states almost the same thing, but adds that the Gospel
message is revealed only through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and that the natural man is incapable of
understanding it.[4]
NOTE: In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus was quoting the prophet Isaiah
prophesizing to a people whose hearts were calloused hard, their ears were
dull, and their eyes were closed.[5]
“They may indeed see but not perceive,
and may indeed
hear but not understand,
lest they
should turn and be forgiven”.
Prophecy
Did you see it; Jesus was not rejecting the outsiders,
He was quoting prophecy from Isaiah, that if the outsiders could only perceive,
they too would be saved. The prophecy of the “outsiders” was taking place right before
their eyes.[6]
Jesus not only knew what would occur with the people; He used it in His plan. Had their hearts actually been open, they
would have repented and their sins forgiven.
The Insiders
The Semitics; the Arabs, Syrians, Babylonians and
especially the Hebrews all showed a particular liking for the imagination and
logic thought to be hidden in parables and riddles. The Hebrews delighted in
searching the Torah
seeking hidden secrets and enlightenment.
The
Parables were for all who would seek to penetrate below the surface, the real
meaning of His teachings. The Disciples
had responded to Jesus by Faith; they acknowledged the “distinguishing favor” that had been given to them to
understand “for the most part” the Secrets of the
Kingdom. [7]
The
Outsiders
Persistent Unbelievers were those on the outside; those who
witnessed the miracles, heard His teachings and still did not receive or
understand the spiritual aspect; in their hearts the teachings remained unused;
it was of NO VALUE. They were persistent
unbelievers with no intention of repentance and being forgiven; therefore they
were responsible for their own unbelief.
The
Enemies of Jesus were also a part of the outsiders, and because of the
parables, they were unable to comprehend the full significance of His words and
thus could not find ways to bring false accusations and charges against Him.
Although
MOST
outsiders rejected Christ; not all that heard and followed Christ were the
enemy; on the contrary, along with the inner circle of Disciples, there were
many others who sought the light; who would dig deeper. They would be the REMNANT stump of Holy seed which will spring forth with
new believers.[8]
It’s in the Book
This
is about timing; the gift of discernment comes progressively. Jesus was carrying out His sovereign purpose
and plan to give everyone time and opportunity to really understand by Faith
about the Kingdom of God.
The
Take Away
There is a Great Ethical Principal of immense importance. To those who have spiritual insight and retain
it; more will be given.[9]
To those who DO NOT USE the knowledge; even that which they have
will be taken away from them. What the Make-Believers THINK they have, will be taken away.[10]
Principals become stronger with exercise and become
weaker through disuse. To voluntary
refuse to do what God commands will finally render you morally incapable of
doing it.
This
is significant; a time is coming, when God, in His plan and purpose will harden the hearts,
dim the eyes and dull the ears, so those who have not believed; CANNOT believe.[11] They will have rejected God’s Word in Christ;
it will be too late.[12]
After Noah’s family entered the Ark, God left the door open for another week; THEN HE CLOSED IT. Choose while the door is open.
No
Man ever spoke the way this man does.[13]
IT’S IN THE BOOK
[1] Psalm 78:1-2 – Prophecy - I will open my mouth in parables
[2] Matthew 13:34-35 – Parables with Words hidden
since the foundation of the world
[3] Mark 4:10-12 – Parables so they will hear, but not understand
[4] 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 – The Gospel is revealed only through the Spirit
[5] 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 – The Natural person is not able to understand
[6] Isaiah 6:9-10 – Isaiah’s PROPHECY;
they would see and not perceive, Hear not understand -- Matthew 13:14-15 - The prophecy of Isaiah was being fulfilled in their
very presence
[7] Matthew 13:16-17 – Disciples had the Faith to
perceive
[8] Isaiah 6:13 – There will be a remnant that will believe
[9] Matthew 13:12 - He who has and retains shall be given more
[10] Luke 8:18 – What the Make-Believers THINK they
have, will be taken away
[11] 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 - God will send those who did not believe
the truth a strong delusion
[12] 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 – They are perishing because they refused
the Truth
[13] John 7:46 – No man ever spoke the way this man does
No comments:
Post a Comment