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Thursday, May 22,
2008
Unveiling
the Truth
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?
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