Christ and Satan in Contrast
How does our Lord Jesus Christ look to many people? Perhaps, if He is to be described, many will say, "Jesus is amiable and looks very merciful and kind. He is so attractive that we cannot help but to admire and praise Him. Hence, we always want to talk about, and desire to follow, Him." Who would not say such thing about our Creator and Savior?
In contrast, if people are made to describe Satan, perhaps many will say, "Satan is an ugly, repulsive, and a frightening monster." A noted novelist pictured him as a scheming unsightly being with two short horns, a tail, dark skin, long and ugly ears, red and piercing eyes, with a fork in his hands ready to destroy. Probably many people will say, "only the wicked will ever be attracted to Satan. We will not, even in a split second, want to have a glimpse of him."
That is the human perception of our Lord and His archenemy. Who would refute the fact! This will reveal that truth is very far from human perception. What is written, as truth about Jesus Christ, is exactly the opposite of what people perceive Him to be. Here is His "physical" appearance:
Revelation 5:6 " And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes…"
Revelation 1:13 "And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man… 14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 …and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength."
Using the intellect and the senses, is Jesus Christ truly attractive? Does the description of man jibe with what is written about Him? And, does His amiability and attraction match the following?
Isaiah 53:1 "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him , there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him ; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
On the other hand, does man's perception of Satan in line with what is written about his description?
2 Corinthians 11:14 " And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness…."
Comparing the power, here is what is written of the two.
For Jesus Christ,
John 5:19 " … Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself…"
John 14:28 " …If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."
For Satan,
Revelation 13:13 "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do…"
PROVING THE TRUTH DURING THE TIME OF CHRIST
Are those things written about Jesus Christ and Satan proven by what is written in the Holy Bible? During the time of our Lord, the Jews to whom the words of God are entrusted proved the truth about Christ and Satan. Spiritually, there are only two sides: Christ and Satan, light and darkness, truth and falsehood.
Unbelievable but true, the very people who tried to follow the word of God were on the wrong side. The Teachers of the law who were perceived to be of God led them. Jesus Christ was relegated to the opposite side. Here is what is written:
1. Did the people honor Jesus Christ?
Luke 16:14 " And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him."
2. Did the people see Jesus as coming from God?
John 10:20 " And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?"
3. Did the people want to listen to Jesus Christ?
Luke 4:28 "And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong."
4. Did the people want fellowship with Jesus Christ?
Matthew 8:34 " And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts."
5. Did the people love Jesus Christ?
John 10:31" Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?"
6. Did the people want to keep Jesus?
Luke 23:20 " Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. 21But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him."
Our Lord simply told the religious leaders:
Luke 16:15 "And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God."
Jesus called the religious leaders "blind guides" because they did "not see" or recognize Him. The Scribes did "not see" the Truth.
John 14:6 " Jesus saith…I am the truth…"
This is the truth. The people and the Scribes did not recognize God whom they worship:
John 8:54-55 " Jesus answered… it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him…"
For not having recognized Jesus, they did not recognize God; and because of this, they hated the Truth.
John 8:19 " …Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also."
The prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah 53:1-3 was fulfilled during His time. That is how people today see the prophecy being fulfilled. Unknown to them is what our Lord said.
Matthew 5:18 " For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
Mark 13:31 " Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."
That was what happened to the people, who had been entrusted with the word of God, under the leadership of the Teachers of Law. Today, everyone believing in the Holy Bible is entrusted with the word of God. Today, do we expect to see the same thing that happened during the time of Christ? What is written is truth and should not pass away!
PROVING THE TRUTH TODAY
If the religious people, who saw and heard Jesus Christ speak, did not recognize Him, do people today who have access to the Holy Bible clearly recognize Him? Perhaps, today no one would accept that they do not recognize Jesus. If so, clear identity and recognition of the Father (God) should have followed. Yet we hear people say, "The infinite God is a mystery incapable of clear recognition with our finite mind." Today, do people want to hear this?
John 8:19 " …Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also."
John 8:54 " … it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him…"
But to His disciples, our Lord said:
John 14:7 " If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."
(For details on the identity of Jesus and the God in the Holy Bible, by divine revelation, read the articles:
JESUS OF THE ORIGINAL APOSTLES - http://www. purechrist i anit y.org/jesusof.htm
THE GOD OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT - http: //www.pur echristianity.org/godofthe.htm)
Jesus is the Word (John 1:14, Revelation 19:13). Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). If Jesus was seen in person at that time; today, Jesus is "seen" as the Word in the Holy Bible. People of different languages and dialects can read the Holy Bible in their respective lingo. This is the equivalent of people then meeting our Lord.
Hebrew 10:7 " Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,)…"
Did the people at that time have the same perception of our Lord? Do people today have the same perception of the Word? This thing is written and it has to be true.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."
Perhaps, related to what has been discussed is how God speaks.
Ezekiel 20:49 " Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables ?
Jesus spoke "in spirit", or His words are "spiritual".
John 6:63 "… the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit …"
The parables or "spirit in the words" are the equivalent of the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ which the people in His time "did not see".
Just as Peter did not recognize the "divine nature" of our Lord but by the revelation of the Father (Matthew 16:16 -17); so also the "spirit in the words" or parables have to be explained by our Lord Himself:
Mark 4:34 " But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
Jesus Christ is the Word; so the "spirit in the words" have be explained by the words. Simply stated, let the Bible explain itself. Since everything written will come to pass, not necessarily literally-physically but spiritually, they are therefore like prophecies waiting to be fulfilled. This truth is revealed to Peter when he wrote:
2 Peter 1:20 "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
Our Lord expressed the "immutability" of the words, or the fulfillment of the "prophecies," when He said:
Matthew 5:18 " For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
The truth in the things written therefore should be seen all the time, not necessarily literally-physically, but spiritually. The immutable God (Malachi 3:6), and "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever" correspond to the "immutability" or the ever-present message of the words. Today, let us see whether we will see the same thing that happened to our Lord during His time. Jesus Christ is the TRUTH (John 14:6). Satan/Devil/Beast/Dragon/Old Serpent represents FALSEHOOD
Revelation 12:9 " And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
The following is a partial list of truths representing JESUS CHRIST. See whether people today love or hate the TRUTH:
- In His physical absence, JESUS appointed Paul an apostle for He alone is the authority. Do people today love this TRUTH, when the religious leaders today take this function? Is this appealing or repulsive to the people?
Ephesians 4:11 " And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers."
Romans 1:1 " Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God."
2. In His physical absence, JESUS taught Paul. Do people today love this TRUTH, when the religious leaders take this function of teaching so-called apostles? Do they believe that JESUS is still capable of teaching His chosen servants in our time as He did to Paul? Is this appealing or repulsive to the people?
Galatians 1:11 " But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
3. As it happened to Paul, when a chosen servant of God has the anointing of the Holy Spirit, there is no need for any man to teach him. Do religious leaders accept this TRUTH? Is this appealing or repulsive to the people?
1 John 2:27 "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie…"
4. It is written that God's chosen when they lack knowledge, they should ask Him in faith. Do people, especially the religious leaders, accept this TRUTH? Is this appealing or repulsive to the people?
James 1:5 " If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord."
5. This TRUTH of depending on our Lord for wisdom was seen in the apostles when Jesus explained everything to them. Do people today love this TRUTH? They will say, "This is no longer possible for Christ is already invisible." Unknown to many people, Jesus Christ is the Word and is found in the Holy Bible (Hebrew 10:7). Therefore, let the Bible explain itself.
Mark 4:34 "But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
6. Paul, the chosen apostle of Christ, never appropriated the title "Father" for it was revealed that only God deserves that title in spiritual matters. Do people today love this TRUTH? Is this appealing or repulsive to the people?
Matthew 23:9 " And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."
7. Paul, the chosen apostle of Christ, never appropriated the title "Rabbi" that means teacher or leader, for only Christ deserves that title in spiritual matters. Do people today love this TRUTH? Is this appealing or repulsive to the people?
Matthew 23:8 " 8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren."
8. The disciples, apostles, evangelists, prophets, pastors, teachers, therefore when they talked to the people, acted only as the "speaker system"; while our Lord was the one "speaking over the microphone." Do people today love this TRUTH? Is this appealing or repulsive to the people?
John 7:18 "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory…"
9. It is for this reason that only God's name is HOLY and REVEREND. God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14). Today, do religious leaders love this TRUTH of no man deserving the titles "Reverend" and "Holy"? Is this appealing or repulsive to the people?
Psalms 111:9 " … he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name."
10. The pretenders, speaking on their own, are exposed by the use of philosophy and human wisdom injected in the words of God. Will religious leaders love this TRUTH? Is this appealing or repulsive to the people?
Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
Isaiah 8:20 "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
11. The pretenders make people believe that they are the authority of the word, with their degrees and diplomas, when they themselves have many questions remaining unanswered. Do religious leaders love this TRUTH? Is this appealing or repulsive to the people?
2 Timothy 3:7 "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
12. The pretenders, for lack of divine revelation, try to expound on the word of God through concocted stories and make-believe tales. Do people love this TRUTH? Is this appealing or repulsive to the people?
2 Timothy 4:4 "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
13. The pretenders, for lack of spiritual wisdom to arouse the interest of the people on the word of God, resort to JESTING which is a sin condemned in spiritual matters. Do people love this TRUTH? Is this appealing or repulsive to the people?
Ephesians 5:3 "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4. "Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, norjesting…"
(For details on the truth about the Pastoral System, read the articles:
THE SHEPHERD - http://www.purechristianity.org/onlygod.htm,
ORIGIN OF THE PASTORAL SYSTEM - http://www.purechristi anity.org/ pastoral.htm, and
THE APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION DOCRINE - http://www.purechristianity.org/apostoli.htm)
14. The Truth is God's chosen people in the Old Testament recognized Him. Christ's disciples likewise recognized the God that they were worshipping. Otherwise, our Lord would not have rebuked the religious leaders for not recognizing God:
John 8:54 "Jesus answered… it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him…"
The Truth is God is recognized by divine revelation. This was demonstrated in Peter when he recognized Jesus "not with flesh and blood but by the revelation of the Father" (Matthew 16:16 -17). And, Jesus told His disciples:
John 14:7 " If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."
The pretenders make people believe that they also KNOW God whom they are worshipping. This is made possible by their claim to have known Jesus Christ also. But, is it by divine revelation? Could they answer the following questions about God?
- If they truly believe in ONE GOD, Who is the "One Lord and one God" of Noah, Abraham, Moses and the Old Testament saints, and what is His name
- Who is the "One Lord and one God" of Paul, Peter, John and the disciples, and what is His name?
- Who is the "One Lord and one God" of the real Christians today, and what is His name?
- Who is the "One Lord and one God" that they will be meeting up in heaven, and what is His name
How many people love this Truth? Many, or only a few? Are there many people "chosen?"
For answers to the questions, read the articles: JESUS OF THE ORIGINAL APOSTLES ( ) and THE GOD OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTATMENT ( http://www.purechristianity.org/godofthe.htm )
15. The truth is Paul, the apostle appointed by Christ in His physical absence, did not collect money from the people for he worked with his hands to earn his living. Do religious leaders and many people love to hear this TRUTH?
Acts 20:33"I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me."
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread."
16. Paul enjoined the believers to follow this example. Do religious leaders love to hear this TRUTH?
1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
Paul therefore must have seen this example in our Lord Who preached only on Saturdays for the Jews followed the literal Sabbath:
Mark 1:21 "And they went into Capernaum ; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught." (Plus many more verses)
Paul likewise must have seen the example of our Lord earning His living as a carpenter during weekdays. Paul preached the word on Saturdays (many verses in Acts). Do many people, especially the religious leaders, love to hear the TRUTH that Jesus did not follow the Law on Tithes literally- physically?
Mark 6:3 "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us?"
Jesus said, " Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil (Matthew 5:17 )." Jesus preached and followed the Law on Tithes SPIRITUALLY for it cannot be followed LITERALLY . Do many people, especially the religious leaders, love to hear this Truth?
Deuteronomy 14:22-23 "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. 23And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God… the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
According to the Law on Tithes, how could the persons offering Tithes "eat" the things they offer literally? What would be left to the beneficiaries? Thus, our Lord followed the truth on the application of the Laws. It is spiritual and not literal-physical.
Romans 7:14 "For we know that the law is spiritual..."
It cannot be said, however, that the "literal" is entirely disregarded. Looking at "Christ as the cornerstone and the prophets and apostles as foundation," their application of the laws will guide us today.
(For details on how our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles followed the Law on Tithes spiritually, read the article TITHES & OFFERING AND THE TEMPLE MERCHANTS - http://www.purechristianity.org/tithes.htm)
17. The Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious sects during the time of Christ, did not recognize Him by divine revelation; thus, they also did not recognize God. For not recognizing God, they did not understand the words of God. Our Lord called them "blind guides leading the blind." They hated Jesus Christ Who is the Truth. They succeeded in crucifying Him on the cross, thinking that they had killed the "Truth." Many people followed them and this made them think that their religious movement flourished and was pleasing to God.
If Christ that represents the truth was never attractive to the people, the truth was, they were attracted to His archenemy that represents falsehood. Thus, what is written is fulfilled:
2 Corinthians 11:14 " And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness…"
No question that "his ministers" were the Teachers of the Law who were perceived to be righteous and preached righteousness to the people. Otherwise, our Lord would not have called and rebuked them:
Matthew 23: 1 "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat…
4 … 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,
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.
13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves...
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"
18. Jesus Christ followed the Law on Tithes spiritually . He built spiritual "temples" for residence of God. These were His disciples. The apostles followed the Way of our Lord of "building spiritual temples". These were the people whom they shared the truth with and accepted it:
1 Corinthians 3:16 " Know ye not that ye are the temple of God , and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."
Acts 7:47 " But Solomon built him an house. 48Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?"
Today, "apostles of Christ" build physical temples in the form of churches and cathedrals made possible by a systematic human organization. These beautiful edifices are built by applying the law on Tithes literally -physically. Christ and His apostles earned their living, while modern apostles are supported by the people. If people were made to choose, which would they prefer? The way shown by our Lord and the apostles (Ephesians 2:20 ), or the way of the modern apostles? (For details on THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE OF GOD, read: http://www.purechristianity.org/chapels.htm)
19. When our Lord opened the eyes of the blind man in John 9, he saw our Lord and recognized Him. He therefore praised and worshiped Him (John 9:38 )! The Scribes and Pharisees, who saw our Lord, for they were not physically blind, did not recognize Him. Our Lord therefore told them:
John 9:39-41 "And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."
GOD SPEAKING IN PARABLES
Christ is speaking in parables (Mark 4:34 ). Which truly benefited from this miracle of "opening the eyes of the blind," the body or the soul of the man? The truth is, "the flesh profiteth nothing from the words of our Lord for they are spirit."
John 6:63 " It is the spirit that quickeneth ; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
Who would love this TRUTH when many people are after physical miracles for the benefit of the body? No wonder, because the words of God are expressed in parable, Christ is pictured as a frightening "monster":
Revelation 5:6 " And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes…"
Revelation 1:13 "And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man… 14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 …and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength."
As it is written, people love FALSEHOOD because Satan is pictured as an "angel of light together with his ministers who are transformed as ministers of righteousness":
2 Corinthians 11:14 " And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness…"
All these things are written in the Holy Bible and they are truth that must be seen in our time. How many preachers today recognize JESUS CHRIST by divine revelation as to also clearly and truly recognize God? We hear many of them say, "The infinite God is a mystery incapable of clear recognition with the finite mind of man." No wonder many questions about God and His words remain unanswered, which was not seen in His chosen people:
Colossians 1:26 " Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:"
Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
"Revealed things" are those that are written in the sacred Scriptures. "Secret things" are those remaining unwritten. Example:
Revelation 10:4 " And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not."
People are made to believe that even those things written in the Holy Bible remain concealed, when the truth is the written words take the role of our Lord explaining His very words. Is not God the Word? (John 1:1)
Mark 4:34 " But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Jesus Christ is the Truth. Do we see many peoples today love the TRUTH, or only the doctrines of their respective denominations? Who are the "ministers of righteousness" in our time that people follow believing that their teachings or doctrines supported by verses is already the truth. The TRUTH should not find contradiction to what is written! Jesus Christ is the Truth. Christ will never contradict Himself for He is the perfect God.
Isaiah 48:16 " Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I…"
Colossians 1:26 "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints."
END
Footnotes...
Matthew 16:13-17 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."