Bible 101.5
All Revealed
(All Scripture Refences are KJV)
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Readers often ask why the Bible appears obscure or baffling. God chose this approach for several reasons.
The Bible is an amazing book. For one person to understand it all would be asking a bit much, but I suppose that one must allow for that possibility. It seems cryptic or written in a less than clear presentation; there are several reasons that it should be, and I think you will agree with this in the end.
One reason is the sheer amount of material. The amount of material if spelled out plainly would fill a hundred sets of encyclopedic volumes or more.
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
God will do nothing without revealing it through the prophets. Everything the Lord has, is, and will, do between Genesis 1:1 and Revelation 22:21 is in the Bible necessarily coded within historical accounts, parables, similes, metaphor, allegories, etc.; these are collectively call similitudes.
Hosea 12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
Obviously not every detail is spelled out for all his doings, but enough is given to accurately prophesize the event.
Second, much of the Old Testament is cryptic because it was meant to be understood only after the prophesied events, such as Christ’s atonement, had taken place.
1 Corinthians 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Some things could be fully understood only after other events had occurred or new knowledge had been revealed.
Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
It was always wondered how such a restriction could be placed on the world that no one would be able to buy or sell without the permission of those in control. Modern technology and digital money supply the answer.
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We are also told that the Bible is a closed book to the unbelieving. Things are encrypted to determine the condition and application of the heart.
God has determined that divine things should enter through the heart into the mind, and not through the mind into the heart. In divine things, therefore, it is necessary to love them in order to know them. — Blaise Pascal 1623–1662; Christian, French Mathematician, Physicist
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. 14And 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: 15For 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.
God is not refusing to save those who’s hearts are waxed gross but refusing to allow them to believe in mind before in heart. Much of the Bible is written to specifically have those whose hearts are not right with God come up with false interpretations and heresies.
1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
By reading and studying the Bible, you can distinguish those who speak the truth from those who do not. This assessment of the heart is used to judge and destroy the enemies of truth.
2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
The Bible is not an open book to unbelievers.
Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
It has always been about whether one believes God or not.
Numbers 14:11 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?
Then there is the test of one’s desire and resolve.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
It is the diligent study of God’s word that is rewarded with understanding.
I hope this gives you some understanding of why the Bible is written the way it is.
