The Message Part E

EA. On the other hand, the Lord from heaven or Christ in His heavenly image is the perfect to come, the one denoted as a man, and the one who knows all things [1 John 3:20 - For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things]. 

EB. We already know that the scripture testifies of Christ [John 5:39]. Based on this, I can share this knowledge: the parable about the man who was born blind for the works of God to be manifested in him [John 9:1-3] is related to this discussion. 

EC. His blindness from birth is a parable that shows that he did not remember his previous identity and the knowledge associated with this identity from birth. 

ED. However, at the point in time referenced in 1 Cor 13:9, this same man is portrayed by the man whose sight was partially restored [Mark 8:23-24]. One of the things that his partial sight means is that he understands or knows in part [1 Cor 13:9]. 

EE. We can establish a relationship between this partial restoration of sight and understanding by reviewing Eph 1:18 [The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling…]. 

EF. Mark 8:25 reveals that this man eventually saw every man clearly - its interpretation can be deduced from this verse: 

EG. Heb 4:13 - Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 

EH. As I said earlier, the scripture has a lot of parables that testify of Christ. Parables are mysteries to be revealed [Luke 8:10 - And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables…]. 

EI. Perhaps, you may be curious to understand how a blind man can manifest God’s work. Phil 2:13 says, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure”. We also know that all things work together for good [Rom 8:28] - His will is good and perfect. 

EJ. Perhaps, you may also be curious to understand why, we, a plural subject pronoun, was used in scripture verses such as 1 Cor 13:9 [For we know in part, and we prophesy in part], Heb 6:19 [Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul...], among others. 

EK. For example, in Heb 6:19, a singular subject pronoun may look ideal because Christ is the only anchor of the soul [1 Pet 2:25]. However, we, a plural subject pronoun, was used because it accommodates numerous biblical figures representing Christ in that scriptural context. 

EL. Still referencing 1 Cor 13:11: Christ’s identity name as a child is referenced in other scripture verses such as Isa 11:6 [...and a little child shall lead them], Matt 18:5 [And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me], Gal 4:1, among others. 

EM. His name, Child, is a parable that describes His teachable and submissive nature [Matt 18:3 - ...except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven…]. 

EN. We can deduce from Matt 18:3 that we have to change our minds [Rom 12:2, Mark 1:15] in order to be healed - this is the meaning of repentance which was derived from the Greek word μετάνοια - meaning, a change of mind powerful enough to changes one's way of life. Through this act, we’ll be His sons or angels in the kingdom of heaven: 

EO. Acts 28:24-27 - And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not…for the heart of this people is waxed gross…lest they should see with their eyes…and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them; 

EP. John 15:3 - Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you; Mal 4:1-2 - For, behold, the day cometh… but unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 

EQ. Based on this, we can understand that receiving Him as suggested in Matt 18:5 [EL] means receiving His words especially if we consider the fact that His manner of revelation will be to all things at once [Matt 24:27, Rev 1:7]: 

ER. John 12:48 - He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken…; John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. 

ES. Referencing John 1:12: it is important to note that the word, even, is sometimes used to reexpress a phrase in the new testament: John 15:26 [But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth...]; Matt 23:8; 1 Cor 2:7. 

ET. It is also true that we’re in His sight when we see or hear His words [John 6:63 - ...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life]. Based on this, we can discuss the relationship between Num 21:6-9 and Heb 12:2: 

EU. Num 21:6-9 - ...and the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live...; Heb 12:2 - Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith… 

EV. According to Num 21:6-9, the people of Israel were bitten by fiery serpents - we will learn more about the fiery serpents later in this message. When those bitten looked upon the brass serpent Moses made, they lived. The brass serpent represents Christ on the cross. 

EW. This knowledge is implicitly presented in John 3:14 [And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up]. The interpretation of the prophecy in Num 21:6-9 is that hearing/seeing and believing His words is a pathway to eternal life: 

EX. John 5:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 

EY. The power of believing in Him also lies in the fact that you can only call on Him if you believe in Him [Acts 2:21 - Rom 10:14]. Christ came full of grace [John 1:16-17]. He’ll bestow His grace to those who believe in Him [Eph 2:8 - Ps 138:2b]. 

EZ. It is also important to note that looking unto Jesus does not entail looking upon or worshiping the image of a corruptible man [Rom 1:23-25 - …who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator...].

NEXT: The Message Part F