Deeper Insights

 

Deeper Insights

 

When reading and contemplating scripture you will find that some teachings contain deeper insights than others. Though all are important, some touch on fundamental subject matter, issues that are more simple to conceive and understand. However, sometimes you will come across scriptures that do compel one into deeper contemplations. These require more attention and consideration in order to grasp the full meaning and see the totality of instruction associated with them and the diversified and far-reaching implications of the revelations they promote. Some ideas conveyed are simple and straight forward. They are less expressive and easier to understand. While others are more profound, thought provoking and contain deeper insights.

In the epistles of Paul, particularly in 1 Corinthians 3 and Hebrews 5, you will find how Paul makes reference to fundamental teachings and concepts as well as advanced teachings and concepts as milk and meat, respectively. We see this in the following.

 1 Corinthians 3: 1-4

1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

 And in,

Hebrews 5: 4-14

4  And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

5  So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

6  As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

10  Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

11  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 

14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 Sometimes the disparity between simple concepts and more advanced teachings can lead unlearned people to fall into believing theologies that are simply not in keeping with the holy scriptures as a whole. This provides grounds for those who prefer to create truths of their own, to twist the gospel of God to suit themselves. This too Paul touches on when he discusses end times preferences for multitudes to hear unsound teachings and have their ears tickled.

 1Timothy 4: 1-2

1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron

2Timothy 4: 1-4

1  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

We see also in scripture where many who were supposed to be advanced in their understandings could not grasp the deeper meanings of what Jesus was conveying. Because of this, their simple mindedness seamed to cause them confusion and, in their confusion coupled with arrogancy and pride, they found grounds to rebel against the Christ and bring into question the validity of His teachings. We can also find that because of some of His teachings and requirements many of His disciples that were to follow Him in depth and truth decided not to. They decided that to follow Jesus would just be too difficult a feat for them. We see evidence of these things in the following.

John 6: 51-66

51  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

52  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

53  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

56  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

57  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

58  This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

59  These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

60  Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

61  When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 

62  What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

64  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

65  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

66  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.

 Many do not want to follow the word of God in its fullness. There are many sent to lead people away from the fundamental word of God as well as the deeper contemplations. Above we see Jesus offering up His flesh as meat to be eaten. The message he is conveying here requires a more profound commitment to not only wanting to know the deeper meanings but to want to abide in the instructions they pertain to.

Some just do not want to abide in God, and, they do not want others to, so they preach to collect friends and associates to join them and comfort them in the spiritually decrepit condition of the world. His true disciples preach to instruct others in purity and obedience to make friends of God and join them in the heavenlies, in spirit and in truth. This despite the condition, standards and requirements of the world.

In His teachings, Jesus makes it clear that the only path to the Father is through Him. To walk in Him, through Him, one must consume Him and be nourished by Him. You have heard, “you are what you eat.” One will become what they consume. To become like him, one of the many brethren of which, He is the first born, is the condition all followers should strive for. It is written, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

The Apostle John teaches us that Jesus is the word from the beginning. He is the light and the word that became flesh. Jesus tells us that even before Abraham was, He was. He is “I am”. It is written, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”

Yeshua Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” To find the way to the Father through the Son one must come to know Him. To find the Father through the Son means to eat Him. To eat means to receive and consume Him, the word from the beginning.  From Genisis through Revelation, you will find Him. This is Him, this is the word, the full gospel of God. One must receive, consume and abide in, in obedience to God. Through the word is our path to God. The Son is the word that brings life.

We began this discussion speaking about scriptures that contain revelations needing deeper contemplation than others because they touch on diversified and far-reaching issues. To me, one such teaching can be found in the following.

2^nd Peter 3:

This is particularly because Peter points out very important information about how the scriptures are twisted by unlearned and unstable minds. This is in order to lead others astray from fundamental teachings of the full gospel of God. In this Peter compels us to be steadfast in what we already know. What we know should come from a well-seasoned understanding of scripture, “all scripture.” The more we study all scripture, the easier it becomes to spot teachings not in line with them. This enables us to toss out bad food and maintain a diet of Yeshua Jesus, the Christ child of Nazareth. We have gone over the following scripture many times but it bears repeating until fully understood and the revelations contained therein enlighten and expand your understandings.

2^nd Peter 3: 1-17

1  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2  That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

5  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

6  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Now, as an example of what it is I am attempting to convey is this, here. In Luke 17 

Luke 17: 33- 35

33  Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

34  I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

35  Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

 Many unstable and dirty minds teach that the men sleeping in the same bed and women grinding together is an indication of Jesus sanctioning same sex relations because at least one of them are taken up to heaven. You who are stable in mind and learned know that that is an example of wresting or twisting the scripture to tickle ears. Grinding biblically meant either being a slave or indentured servant to another or in this case, as it is today, grinding grain. Grinding grain is predominantly woman’s work. It is a function they engage in even today, socially. The implication is that even socially together one is a follower and one is not. One will be accepted into heaven and the other not. Commonly, in many societies, men share beds. This has nothing to do with sexual preference but rather social economics. Shamefully, the carnal minded multitudes of today are easily convinced to believe that Jesus promotes what God hates or that Jesus calls good what God calls an abomination, not fully aware of the fact that the two are one. They are not aware of the fact that the word of God that calls same sex intimacy and abomination is Jesus. They will not be divided; they cannot be divided. That house is unbreakably united for a house divided can not stand and their house is eternal.

Another example.

Colossians 2:16

16  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

17  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Many teach that this is Paul releasing believers from having to eat clean, drink clean and   keep the feasts and sabbath days. Do you really believe that God gave Paul the authority to set aside His statutes and ordinances to appease those who do not want to follow them? He warns that this is a shadow of things to come but also reminds us that the body is of Christ.

The truth is this is actually Paul teaching the emerging church in Colossae that as they convert or become proselytes from paganism to following the gospel of peace, Yeshua Jesus, they should not let others around them condemn them for keeping the commandments of God. This as they pertain to keeping the sabbaths, this is weekly as well as those high sabbaths associated with His appointed feasts. Also, not to allow themselves to be condemned for eating clean. The scriptures instruct followers of God on how to eat clean. The scriptures instruct the followers of God to remember the sabbath days and to keep them holy. There are many more sabbath days than the seventh day that occurs weekly. How can you know these things without knowing the scriptures? How can one follow the commandments of God without knowing what they are? We come to know Him and how to follow Him through the word of God. Yeshua, Jesus is that word and He has been since the beginning.

In Matthew 23 verses 1-12 we find the following.

1     1  Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

2       2  Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:

3  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

 4   For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

5      But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, {phylacteries: pieces of parchment containing sentences of the law}

 6    And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

7     And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

 8    But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

 9   And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

 10   Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

 11   But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

 12   And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

In this, Jesus is instructing his followers to observe and do as they are instructed by the scribes and Pharisees but only as their instructions pertain to those of Moses’, not the instructions that are made up by the scribes and pharisees themselves.

In John 5: 46-47 we find Jesus telling the Pharisees this.

46  For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

47  But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

The first words recorded in the holy scriptures bore witness to the existence of Yeshua, Jesus from the beginning.

Moses was not the author of the book of Genisis or the other books of the Torah; he was the scribe who took the dictation and transcribed it into letter form. Likewise, the other prophets and apostles were not the authors of the instructions they convey.

Throughout time the ultra-religious either deny the instructions written in the Old Testament scriptures or refuse to believe in the revelations of Yeshua Jesus. Even today many from other religions and Jews in modern day Jewry refuse to recognize the eternal and divine nature of Yeshua Jesus. They do so when even the demons truthfully declare him to be the holy one, the Son of the living God. The devils know and they tremble.

You can’t claim to accept and stand fervently upon the written word of God yet at the same time reject the author. You can’t claim to follow instruction while refusing to hear the instructor.

In the book of Nehemiah, we are taught that the Israelites suffered because they had not read or been made aware of the writings and instructions of Moses for around nine hundred years. They suffered because they did not have the teachings contained within the word of God. They suffered with out having the guidance of Jesus, Yeshua, the Christ child of Nazareth, the word from the beginning. 

Study to shew thyself approved. Don’t be taken in by strange fire/ errant theology.  Stay steadfast, you knew before, you know better!

 

Be blessed