Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

Good Morning, Everyone! :hibye: And, still, the new arrivals keep on a-comin'! :D How wonderful that is to witness. :clap: I even see my dear old friend "Wasblind"!!! :thumbsup: Hi, Dana! Tell Ruby I said "Hi," too, would you? :) And, a hearty "Welcome" to all. :welcome:

Daily Scriptural Text for Wednesday, January 31, 2007:

15 Yes, down to this [very] day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their minds and hearts.--2 Corinthians 3:15, The Amplified Bible.

Complementary Scriptures:

7 And the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and [besides] a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom is obtained eternal salvation in the kingdom of God].--Acts 6:7, ibid.
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39 "You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me!"--John 5:39, ibid.
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My comment: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures says, ... "a veil lies upon their hearts." Most English translations read similarly. One exception is the Contemporary English Version, which reads, ... "they have their minds covered over." Personally, I find it satisfying the way that The Amplified Bible pays tribute to the inseparability of the workings of the mind and the heart. Where one goes, the other is sure to follow.

So, what was the "veil" to which the apostle Paul referred? In short, it was their own smug "religiosity." It was the fact that they were sure that they had the "right" way, and needed nothing else. It was their own false, vain, religious pride. That "veil" made them (or, allowed them) to feel superior to their fellow man; and that was a feeling with which it was not easy for them to part. Paul further emphasized this point, as he continued the conversation, in chapter four of 2 Corinthians.

3 But even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God), it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing and obscured [only] to those who are spiritually dying and veiled [only] to those who are lost.

4 For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.--2 Corinthians 4:3, 4, ibid.

Now, ... what about those whom Paul described as, ... "perishing," ... "spiritually dying," ... "lost," ... in verse three? Would that mean that, -- for them, -- it's time to, ... "Turn out the lights. The party's over?" :shocked: :shocked: Well, I think not. In fact we don't have to conjecture about the matter, at all. Look again, please, at Acts 6:7, quoted above. Those "priests," -- who were now embracing faith in Jesus Christ, -- were the very same ones who had shown that they were under the thickest veil imaginable, only weeks prior, when they had clamored for the death of Jesus, and had incited the crowds into a mob frenzy, so as to leave the reluctant Roman authorities little choice but to carry out their dastardly wishes. Now, only weeks later, for them the "veil" was lifted. Even if some go through their entire life in this system of things without having that "veil" lifted, in their personal case, that will still be accomplished for them in the coming Millennium of Jesus Christ! :yahoo:

As detective "Columbo" :detective: (in the television series) was fond of saying: "Oh. Just one more thing." :D

What do you think of John 5:39, quoted above? Doesn't it sound as if Jesus was telling those first-century Jews that the Holy Scriptures were actually a means to an end? And, further, that he, -- Jesus, -- was that very "end," to which the Scriptures point and lead? :clap: So, the conclusion I draw from that is this:

If we have come to "know" Jesus Christ (and his Father), then we are already "home"! :friends:

What are your thoughts about any of this? :thinking: :read: :coffeeread:

Have A Wonderful Wednesday, Everybody! :giverose:
Once We "Lose The Veil," ... Jesus IS The Answer! :thumbsup:

Much LOVE to ALL! :love: isomam