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| 4/12/2011 There is a difference between knowing about someone, and knowing someone in a personal way. This point was illustrated many times by the Messiah in parables. That, in order to know our Father in a personal way, we must be lead by His spirit in study, prayer, and in our daily walk. So that we can hear his voice, and follow his leading. It's not just about "the knowing," it is all about "the relationship." Christianity has become so commercialized today that anyone can buy a book or CD teaching series on just about any topic related to the Bible. But that's not the best way to go about learning, to be spoon fed by man's commentary. In order to have a personal conviction regarding ones faith, one must also have a personal confirmation of the truth. That confirmation can only come through the Holy Spirit. The motivating factor behind many (if not most) of the commercial teaching products being offered is profit - pure and simple. You need only watch the Christian TV stations to see that the asking price for these materials reflect a hefty profit. I know that I can produced a CD, with a full color jacket enclosed in a plastic case for only $1.00 (one dollar) I can ship it anywhere in the lower 48 States for about $1.10. So, when you see these offers on TV for a 3 or 4 disc set in a nice case for $29.00 or $39.00, that price represents a $25-35.00 profit. Christianity is big business, and so is the selling of Yahuah’s word. It certainly is not un-scriptural for believers to
share their thoughts and ideas about Yahuah’s word, especially when
searching out prophecy. However, the scriptures say that our
understanding will come directly from our Father and our Master,
Yahuahshua. By looking to our Father for understanding, we will come to
know Him and His Messiah - intimately, as He fills us with His
spirit. [my comments in brackets] "Then the kingdom of
heaven shall be likened to ten maidens (or unmarried daughters) who took
their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. (The Greek primary particle "gar" which assigns a reason for their action, is present in the manuscript, but not translated in this sentence for some reason. If it were made a part of this sentence, it would read; "Because they were foolish, they took their lamps but no (extra) oil with them.") [In addition, it is interesting to note that the Greek word being used here for "foolish" is number 3474; moros (mo-ros'); probably from the base of NT:3466; means dull or stupid (as if shut up).The base word (#3466) is musterion (moos-tay'-ree-on); from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); and means, a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites) Strong's definition] So then, would it be reasonable to assume that the foolish have been made foolish because of their membership in a religion? We continue..... "but the wise took oil in vessels (a receptacle) (along) with their lamps." [The Greek primary preposition, #3326 meta (met-ah'); is used denoting accompaniment; and meaning "amid." In other words, the lamps filled with oil were accompanied by an additional receptacle that held oil.] But while the bridegroom was
delayed, they all slumbered and slept. "And at midnight a cry was
heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all
those maidens arose and trimmed (raised
the wick of) their lamps.
And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our
lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there
should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell,
and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom
came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the
door was shut. "Afterward
the other maidens came also, saying, 'Master, master, open to us!' But
he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in
which the Son of Man is coming. Matt 25:1-13 |
