2 Corinthians 3:13-18 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: (14) But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. (15) But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. (16) Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. (17) Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (18) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation 2Corinthians 3:13-18 13. not as Moses did, who used to wear a veil over his face, to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was passing away. 14. Besides, their minds were made dull; for to this day that same veil remains unlifted, whenever they read the Old Covenant; because it is only through union with Christ that it is removed. 15. Indeed, to this very day, whenever Moses is read, a veil hangs over their hearts, 16. but whenever anybody turns to the Lord, the veil is removed, 17. Now the Lord means the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18. And all of us, with faces uncovered, because we continue to reflect like mirrors the splendor of the Lord, are being transformed into likeness to Him, from one degree of splendor to another, since it comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. What would your life be like if you had a veil over your head and couldn’t see? Now translate that into the spiritual realm and that sums up mankind and how they blindly have been staggering through life unable to see or access the kingdom of God because of sin. Now think how glorious it is to have that veil removed, and now be able to see into a totally new realm, one of unending joy and peace, a truth that sets one free and allows them to walk the path of life. 2 Corinthians 3:14 [But their minds were blinded] By resting in the letter, shutting their eyes against the light that was granted to them, they contracted a hardness or stupidity of heart. And the veil that was on the face of Moses, which prevented the glory of his face from shining out, may be considered as emblematical of the veil of darkness and ignorance that is on their hearts, and which hinders the glory of the Gospel from shining in. [In the reading of the Old Testament] Here is an evident allusion to the conduct of the Jews in their synagogues: when they read the law they cover their whole head with a veil, which they term the Taliyt, veil, to cover; and this voluntary usage of theirs, the apostle tells us, is an emblem of the darkness of their hearts while they are employed even in sacred duties. [Which veil is done away in Christ.] It is only by acknowledging Christ that the darkness is removed, and the end and spiritual meaning of the law discerned. (from Adam Clarke Commentary) Now keep in mind that the veil that is being explained and used as an example is actually spiritual, one that covers the heart. So not only does it blind the heart, but it doesn’t allow for light to shine into it either, thus the term darkness is used throughout the Bible. So how does one go about removing this veil so that they can see things that have been hidden? 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (KJV) Have you ever heard the term ‘pulling the wool over their eyes’? That’s exactly what the enemy has done to mankind since the beginning, getting them to believe in a lie. In fact God describes His realm as a mystery, something that has been hid but now revealed to those that come to a working knowledge of Christ. Be aware, that even though you may have come to the Lord and have tasted the things of God, the enemy will do all he can to talk you back into the realm of darkness so that you will be blinded again. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (KJV) It took a spiritual being to remove a spiritual veil; God, so loving the world that He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to pay the price and remove this covering from the heart, and allow this light to shine into it. Have you ever tried reading in the dark? Well that is basically what mankind is doing until they allow this light to shine within and enlighten them to the things of the Spirit. Matthew 13:11-12 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (12) For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. (KJV) You know, the more you allow this light to shine in the easier it is to see, especially when it comes to the knowing the mystery of the kingdom of God. A spiritual mystery requires a spiritual enlightenment if one is going to come to an understanding of it. So the more you come to know the Father through His Son Jesus Christ the clearer the meaning of the gospel becomes. Matthew 13:13-15 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. (14) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: (15) For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (KJV) When reading the gospels and hearing the accounts of those that were blind and then healed, stop and think of the joy and excitement it must have been for that person. Now you are in the same place spiritually; the eyes of your understanding have been enlightened to the truth; that veil that has been keeping you blind and ignorant to the truth is now removed and you are set free to walk in a new light. Now it is imperative to walk in the light and not allow the blindness to set in again. Luke 24:44-47 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (45) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, (46) And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: (47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (KJV) It was a risen Christ that opened their understanding; and it is only Christ that can bring this enlightenment into your life as well. To those that don’t know Christ and the power of His name, they are still walking in darkness and blinded by a spiritual veil that covers the heart and keeps His light from shining in. John 12:44-46 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. (45) And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. (46) I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. (KJV) The things of God are hid in Christ, and only the light and an understanding of His glorious gospel, the spiritual meaning of the scriptures, will enlighten you and give you an understanding of the mystery of the gospel. Christ is that spiritual being shining a spiritual light into the heart. Will you allow Him to remove the veil and walk in the light? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWe are stewards of the mystery of Christ. Ambassadors on His behalf to share the conditions of peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Archives
December 2024
Categories
All
|