NO.60 THE BEST WAY TO READ THE BIBLE

TEXT: 1 JOHN 2: 18- 20 18 Little children, it is the last time: as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 The went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. (KJV)

Today I am going to give a message entitled “THE BEST WAY TO READ THE BIBLE.”

Let’s see the text. John mentions that antichrists have gone out and there are now many. He also says that it is the last time. So we understand that the last time has begun in his time and antichrists have been there already.

Well, how are these antichrists doing now? There are two possibilities. One is that they have totally disappeared from churches due to the hard works of the Church. Another is that they have spread into the churches like the leaven.

And, Jesus says in the parable of the Church, “The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole is leavened.” If this parable is true, the leaven, that is, the teaching of antichrists may have spread into the Church.

John says his time is already the end time. He should have not said that it is the end time if the Church has had prevented them. But he actually says that it is the end time. So, we understand that the teaching of antichrists might have already entered the Church in his time.

If they come, what will happen to us? Other passages say that antichrists will come out to deceive many, which suggest that many deceptions have begun in John’s time.

We should read what God has told us as He entrusts with the word of the end time. Why does John say that it is the end time nineteen hundred years ago from now? Actually, we have not seen His second coming for these nineteen hundred years. Has he done a rash thing or said a mistaken one? No, every word of the Bible is of some meaning. If the Bible says that John’s time is the end time, it is so. He says it is the end time with the references of antichrists and people who speak the erred teachings. So, the teachings of antichrists might have entered the Church since his time. I think “last time” is used in order to suggest that.

We take the kingdom of Israel for the example. The kingdom reaches the golden age in the time of David and Solomon. But it is divided into two in the time of Rehoboam, Solomon’s son and Jeroboham, and the idol worships enter them. We understand that the works for the destruction of God’s people have begun so early in the kingdom of Israel.

Therefore we have to examine closely all the teachings including the traditional ones. Well, there are many people who are deceived by the teaching of antichrists at this present time. They may be clever. But then, what do we have to do in order not to be deceived by it? For even wise men could be deceived.

Then, John says concerning this, “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”

We see the words. The unction means the Holy Spirit. He says we are all right as we have the knowledge from the Holy Spirit.

He does not say all right of any man, right teachers, or theologies and doctrines. Instead he says because of the Holy Spirit. He does not say such for mere consolation or for he has nothing else to write. I understand that he wants to expose lies of antichrists and thinks that only the Holy Spirit gives the right knowledge. For he say the words of the same meaning again as below.

1 JOHN 2: 26, 27 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (KJV)

“them that seduce you” is written. How de we counter against lies of these people? Do we have to prepare the right books of theology or employ excellent people from seminaries? John again says here, “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you.” The Holy Spirit is the true Guide and the Teacher. He emphasizes that. And, as to receiving teaching from men, he says, “and ye need not that any man teach you.”

He does not recommend that we should receive teachings from men. Why? Isn’t it useful to go to the seminaries or follow good teachers? It may be so. But we should know that there is deception in men’s teachings. Those who are “them that seduce you” deceive us with men’s teachings. So he writes, “and ye need not that any man teach you.”

He does not say this only about the heresy but also probably about the traditional teachings.

“ and ye need not that any man teach you” of John is becoming more important. For now is the time when we cannot be pastors or teachers if we do not receive teachings from men. And these teachings will spread into the Church through ones who receive them.

I believe that this passage describes the best way to study the Bible. And what John says all the time is that we receive teachings from the Holy Spirit. Conversely, he says that men’s teachings may deceive us. Then, what does Jesus say about that? We see His words below.

JOHN 16: 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (KJV)

Jesus also says that the Holy Spirit but not men will guide us into all truth. It is the Holy Spirit who opens the Bible and guides into the truth. Not any reference book. When we believe in this word and seek the Holy Spirit, we enter the truth.

It is written concerning Jesus Himself as below.

JOHN 7: 15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? (KJV)

And also written concerning Peter and John.

THE ACTS 4: 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. (KJV)

These descriptions are of some meanings. So we should know there is some thing in them. What God says of not receiving teachings from men speaks of some importance.

What does Paul say about it?

GALATIANS 1: 11, 12 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (KJV)

He writes that the Gospel he preaches is by the revelation of Jesus Christ and is not from man.

The strong point of this passage is that the revelation of Jesus Christ contrasts with the teachings of men. He emphasizes that the Gospel is directly received by the revelation of Jesus Christ and not of men. We must remember the Bible contrasts these two. Paul so much emphasizes, “is not after man. For I neither receive it of man, neither was I taught it.”

Many revelations and teachings are hidden in the Bible even now. But many prophecies for the end time as in the book of Revelation have not yet opened.

Why are they so? For we do not directly seek God for His revelation but we do seek men, receive of men and are taught by men.

How come do we receive revelations of God if we put men’s commentaries on top of the Bible? The word Revelation implies the meaning to reveal something in Greek. It is the book to reveal some. So, it is like a touchstone to test whether or not we read the Bible seeking the revelation of God. The revelation means to unveil and disclose what is hidden. It is God Himself who discloses it. If we ask and seek God for the revelation, the Book will be opened. But if not, how will it be opened? So the Book shows clearly the attitude of the men concerning God’s revelation.

When we rely only on the teachings of men, we cannot deal with the books of Revelation. There are actually many commentators, but they cannot probably deal with Revelation. They do not know this or that about it.

If they do not understand Revelation, they may not even know the points of Gospels and Letters. They must reflect themselves.

I also think that God puts Revelation at last to teach us such a thing.

Where then the revelation comes? It comes from the Holy Spirit as written below.

EPHESIANS 1: 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” (KJV)

Then we understand that we read the Bible by the revelation of God since the time of John, Peter, Paul and Jesus, not by reference books of men.

We now see the wisdom in detail.

1 CORINTHIANS 2: 6- 12 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (KJV)

We see verse by verse.

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among the that are perfect.”

Like the things in Hebrew, the doctrines of forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the dead and laying on of hands are also important, but they are the basics and teachings of milk. We seek the wisdom of God if we stand as the matured Christians.

“yet not the wisdom of this world.”

Many theological books are filled with the wisdom of this world. Yet God says that they will not get the wisdom of God.

“even the hidden wisdom.”

The wisdom is hidden as the Bible says. If it is hidden, we have to search for it otherwise we will not find it. If they say that we must not search for it or other interpretations than the traditional cannot be accepted, they are against the Word.

“Which none of the princes of this world knew.”

The word “this world” can be taken also as this age, that is, Jesus age. The princes mean the religious rulers and leaders. For they have crucified Jesus.

One of the great failures of the religious leaders in Jesus time is that they do not know this wisdom and have crucified Jesus on the cross. We see the difference between those who understand the parables and mysteries and others who don’t in the relation of Jesus with the scribes and Pharisees. They are the majority and of the orthodox but do not have the wisdom of God, or understand the parables and mysteries.

The same is the case even in this present age. What age is it now? It is the age when they do not understand the wisdom of God. There are so many Christians who do not understand the parables and mysteries. So, if some understand them, they will be taken as heretical and be persecuted.

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love God.”

The wisdom and mystery that God has hidden are beyond our expectations and common sense. Jesus who has come as the Son of the carpenter is surely beyond common sense of the religious leaders. Yet some have accepted Jesus rightly.

This principle is the same even in the end time. As it is the wisdom of God, it is no wonder if the same pattern repeats. But many do not believe in this. Though God clearly say, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, things which God hath prepared for them that love God,” that is, of the hidden mysteries beyond our expectations, they do not accept these God’s words. They even put labels of heresy on those who say different things than their traditional account.

“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

Here we find the way to understand the mysteries and parable. It is not by being well knowledgeable about the theological books or commentaries but by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians do not accept it seriously that God says that the Holy Spirit reveals the truth. Many Christians go to overseas seminaries to learn what men teach. But I have never heard of any one who fasts and prays to seek the wisdom of God and His interpretations on the Bible. If they continue to seek wisdom of men, then they will not touch the wisdom of God.

“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”

There can be many kinds of interpretation even on the same words. Even so, so many more are there on the hidden mysteries. How do we come to the true one, then? We have yet one sure way to interpret the Bible rightly and understand mysteries and wisdoms. That is, we ask God. We often find sentences written by men that we do not understand because they are pointless or too unclear. Then, we know the better way, that is, we ask the writer directly. So likewise, it is the best way to ask God directly concerning the mysteries and parables.

“that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

And God says of the best way for the solution. That is, we ask Him. For this, “we have received the spirit which is of God.” As it is written, it is because “w might know.” Therefore, those who believe in this and ask the Holy Spirit will come to the true understanding.

Let’s do the will of God in the end time.

End.