Woe, For Ye Have Taken Away The Key of Knowledge -- Part 1784

Jesus said, "I AM the Light of the world!"

Therefore, the people who formally sat in darkness can now become privy to seeing a great light. The blinders have come off, allowing us to see and understand the heavenly -- the Kingdom of God. Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees that the Kingdom of God has come nigh unto them. The dayspring from on high has visited His people. It is obvious from their repeated responses, that these did not understand what Jesus was saying. Instead, these referred to the earthly, the worldly, having not understood the spiritual.

As believers, most of us can attest to having been in this place, wherein we were void of the knowledge of God. It is only when the Lord reveals Himself to us (in our hearts) that we begin to seek the things of God, desiring His purposes in our heart. It is at this point that we begin to understand who JESUS is, and how on earth He hid His glory from men. Even those who sought to make Jesus King, because He knew the intents of their heart.

There is an interesting scripture in Luke 11:52 -- Jesus is saying to the scribes and Pharisees, and the lawyers who were seeking to catch something out of His mouth so that they might accuse Him, "Woe unto you lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." (Luke 11:52-54)

The key of knowledge being Jesus.

Elaborating further, let's examine the time the Lord ascended into a mountain to pray, accompanied with three of His disciples, namely Peter, James, and John. The three disciples fell into sleep and whilst in sleep, they saw a vision. In the vision, they saw that JESUS' facial appearance change and His raiment become white and glistening.

The two persons speaking with JESUS were Moses and Elias who had appeared out of glory. Here they were conversing with JESUS - and conversing about JESUS' death which would occur at Jerusalem. (Note that Moses was the individual who was appointed of God to introduce the Law (commandments) in the Old Testament and Elias was a representative of the prophets). When the disciples awakened they saw JESUS' glory and the two others standing with JESUS.

What was their response? The disciples said, "Let us build here three tabernacles, one for you JESUS and one for Moses and another for Elijah."

Note that their suggestion was met with an immediate reaction. One might say an unforeseen reaction. A cloud suddenly overshadowed them causing fear to fall upon the disciples. As they entered into the cloud they heard a voice from the midst of the cloud saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear and listen to Him." When the covering cloud diminished, the only one that was left standing was JESUS - the beloved Son. (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28) Only JESUS, who shall save His people from their sins. But I digress.

Further, in Hebrews, we read that Moses was faithful to God during his earthly life. In terms of dispensing the Law to the people, Moses did so as a servant. Indeed, the prophets spoke as the Spirit of God gave them prophetic utterances. Actually, it was the Spirit of the Christ that spoke through them (the Spirit of Christ - the Spirit of God’s humanity being revealed to man). In other words, the pure humanity of God in totality is found revealed in the Christ of God.

In sum then, JESUS is the builder of the house (temple) of God, of which He - God - as a Son is the corner stone. Therefore, this spiritual building that God Himself as a Son is constructing consists not of brick and mortar. In fact, God Himself as a Son is the cornerstone of this temple. Within this temple, there is no animal slaughter and there is no man made priesthood.

For it is God who has sacrificed Himself as a Son. And He did so as the perfect sacrifice once and for all! Therefore, there is no other sacrifice required inasmuch as the blood and body of the holy Spirit of God was the once and for all sacrifice. This means that there is no more offering for any sin from henceforth accepted by the eternal Spirit of our Lord God and Saviour. And it similarly means that there is no further need for priests or mediators. Why is this? Because it was God who as a Son was tempted and tried in all points before being crucified.

God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) He robed Himself so that He could be in the world, the same world that was made by Him, and we knew Him not. "He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

He then - JESUS - is our ONLY bishop and our ONLY High Priest. Our ONLY mediator.

God in Christ being more than capable of succoring us in all trials and temptations. This explains why we now understand that the voice from the cloud said, "This is MY BELOVED SON. Hear and listen to Him." So, if the holy Spirit of God has declared that mankind ought to hear and listen to the Christ who is the Holy Spirit’s Only Begotten and Beloved Son, who is the Word of God Himself, the same God who created all things, then why would any one desire to establish religious institutions or forms of worship in an effort to vainly worship another?

This is a good question! And, as Jesus repeatedly warns, "Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." (Luke 12:1)

The key of knowledge is JESUS! Stand in the offering plate.