While I was rereading the "Sermon on the Mount" paper I began to have it underlined in my mind how incredibly true it is that we see nothing spiritually until He grants us "eyes to see."
We know the Priests, Pharisees and scribes were extremely well schooled in the prophecies regarding the Messiah but totally got it wrong when the Messiah presented Himself to them, it was clearly displayed by those in the "establishment" of the Temple system that they were antagonistic toward the Words of Christ, sound familiar?
I was watching a documentary on Revelation the other day and I was amazed at how totally clueless the Ph.D's of Theology were, they had 3 or 4 commenting, giving their own interpretations in their solemn and scholarly way and it was pure Babel speak (confusion). One even went so far to say that John was under the influence of mind altering drugs or sensory deprivation due to his exile. He went on to say that since the Bible is so clear and literal, even though some of the history is suspect (his words) that the Book of Revelation is the result of John being in an altered state of consciousness. He was! He was in the Spirit!
Would many that presently lead or even follow the teachings in the denominations understand any of the following? JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES ON THE MOUNT
The following verses taken from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount make it abundantly clear that Jesus was not addressing the Pharisees, or Saducees, or the Priests, or Scribes, or even the multitudes which did not follow Jesus up the mountain, but waited for His return. Rather, Jesus addressed His Own disciples (of whom there were initially, many) who followed Him up the mountain. These only He instructed regarding a much higher standard of conduct and judgment:
"...and when He was set, His DISCIPLES came unto Him" (Matt. 5:1)
"And He opened His mouth, and taught THEM [His disciples]" (Ver. 2).
"Blessed are YE [all you disciples]..." (Ver. 11).
"...for great is YOUR [disciples'] reward..." (Ver. 12).
"YE [disciples] are the salt of the earth..." (Ver. 13).
"YE [disciples] are the light of the world..." (Ver. 14).
"Let YOUR [disciples'] light so shine..." (Ver. 16).
"For verily I say unto YOU [disciples]..." (Ver. 18).
"For I say unto YOU [disciples]..." (Ver. 20).
"YE [disciples] have heard that it was said..." (Ver. 21).
"But I say unto YOU [disciples]... whosoever is angry..." (Ver. 22).
"But I say unto YOU [disciples]... shall say to his brother, Raca..." (Ver. 22).
"But I say unto YOU [disciples]... whosoever shall say , 'You fool' shall be in danger of hell [Gehenna] fire" (Ver. 22).
"Therefore if YOU [disciples] bring your gift..." (Ver. 23).
"Agree with YOUR [disciples] adversary quickly..." (Ver. 25).
"Veryily I say unto YOU [disciples], YOU [disciples] shall by no means come out thence, till YOU [disciples] have paid the uttermost farthing" (Ver. 26).
"But I say unto YOU [disciples], that whosoever looks on a woman to lust..." (Ver. 28).
"And if YOUR right eye offend YOU [disciples], pluck it out, and cast it from YOU: for it is profitable for YOU [disciples] that one of YOUR members should perish, and not that YOUR whole body [the bodies of Christ's disciples, not the wicked unbelievers in the day of Judgment] should be cast into hell [Gehenna fire]" (Ver. 29).
"And if YOUR right hand offend YOU, cut it off, and cast it from YOU: for it is profitable for YOU [disciples of Mine] that one of YOUR members should perish, and not that YOUR whole body should be cast into hell [Gehenna fire]" (Verse 30).
Any question as to whom Jesus addressed His "Sermon on the Mount?" Is this "Gehenna fire" for the world of unbelieving sinners, or for His Own Disciples?
Read the rest here; http://bible-truths.com/lake16-D3His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe