Drawing from that which is revealed by John in chapter 1 and verse 18 and 9-13 and 2Cor. 3:1-6, 7-11 and 12-18 of the last post that dealt with the veil of confusion and blindness of the woman of Revelation 17 and her wickedness. Now for the rest of 2Corinthians 3 picking it up at verse 12 and then chapter 4 verses 3- 4 and 5-7 in the KJV and then the Mirror.
The KJV: 2Corinthians 3:12-18 "Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: and not as Moses, who put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished (G2673, katargeō, abolish, destroyed): For their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail not taken away in the reading of the old testament; Which vail is done away in Christ. For even to this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (G1657, eleutheria, freedom ). For 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."
Now 2Corinthians 4:3-4 (KJV) "For if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world has 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 in them."
Now the Mirror: If our message seems vague to anyone, it is not because we are withholding something from certain people! It is just because some are so stubborn in their efforts to uphold an outdated system that they don't see it! They are all equally found in Christ but they prefer to remain lost in the cul-de-sac language of the OT law! The survival and self-improvement programs of the 1 religious systems of this world veil the minds of the unbelievers: Exploiting their ignorance about their true origin and their redeemed innocence. The veil of unbelief obstructs a person's view and keeps them from seeing what the light of the Gospel so clearly reveals: the 2 glory of GOD is the image and likeness of our Maker redeemed in human form; This is what the Gospel of Christ is all about. ( The god of (Revelation 17) of this [1, G165] aion, age, refers to the religious systems and governing structures of this world. The unbelief that neutralizes Israel in her wilderness life is the lie that they believe about themselves; "We are grasshoppers, and the 'enemy' is a giant beyond any proportion!" [Num. 13:33, Josh 2:11, Heb. 4:6] "They failed to possess the promise due them to unbelief." The blueprint (2, G1391) doxa, glory of GOD, is what Adam lost on behalf of humanity's portion.) [see Eph. 4:18]
Now for the second portion of in the KJV, 2Corinthians 4:5-7: "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the LORD; And ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
For we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of GOD, and not of us."
Now for the Mirror: Even though we recommend ourselves with great confidence, it is not with arrogance; We do not preach ourselves! We preach (proclaim) Christ Jesus the LORD; We are addicted to the Gospel; Employed by Jesus for your benefit. The light source is found in the same GOD Who said, 'Light, be!' (Gen. 1:3) And light shone out of darkness! They lit the lamp in our understanding so that we may clearly recognize the features of Their likeness in the face of Jesus Christ reflected within us. (The same GOD [Elohiym] Who bade light shine out of darkness has kindled a light in our hearts, whose shinning is to make known Their Glory as They revealed it in the features of Jesus Christ.)
Now, in the glow of this glorious light and with unveiled faces we discover this treasure where it was hidden all along, in these frail skin - suits made of 1 clay. We did not invent ourselves; We are GOD'S idea to begin with and the dynamic of Their doing and amazing engineering! (The word translated earthen vessels or clay jar is the word [1, G3749] ostrakinos from ostrakon, "oyster"! It is a great visual picture of how we carry a very valuable pearl within us. The cosmetic value of the clay pot can never compete with the treasure it holds. There is so much more to us than what meets the eye! "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in an agricultural field, which a man found and covered up; Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys the entire field." [Mat. 13:44] In order to redeem our minds from the lies that we believed about us, GOD invested all that They had in the redeeming of our original value! (see 1Peter 1:18-19) They rescued the life of our design. Our inner life hosts this treasure. Jesus said in John 17:37, 38, 'If you believe that I am what the Scriptures are all about, you will know that you are what I am all about and rivers of living waters will gush out of your innermost being!')
From here on I shall be in Revelation 17 for we have all with unveiled eyes now heard the Truth of the Gospel.
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