Understanding the Bible

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,

piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of

the thoughts and intents of the heart. NKJV

A tale of two covenants; One complete story of salvation

Which covenant are you following, the covenant of the flesh or the covenant of the Spirit?

The Scriptures, New and Old Testament, tell a story from two perspectives: the Natural and the Spiritual. On one hand the bible reveals the law of the flesh; the sin nature, temptation, the God of wrath, and fallen man. On the other hand, the same book tells the story of being born of the spirit, about a merciful father and the kingdom of heaven that awaits those who seek him. This was the difference between Jesus and Nicodemus in the discussion of being born again. Nicodemus understood the natural (literal) interpretation of scripture, but the Spiritual interpretation was hidden until the Messiah was revealed on the cross.

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh,

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. NKJV

If you are like many who enjoy finding new connections from the Old Testament Scriptures to the fulfillment in the New Testament gospels, learning new ways to see the scriptures only intensifies the curiosity for the treasure hunters. That is the reason for buying books and researching the internet. Seeking answers to our questions. Iron sharpening iron.

The Bible is an intimidating book for the average reader. Reading it through for the first time will leave the sharpest reader baffled. Throughout the book are supernatural stories, confusing terms and names that cannot be pronounced. The earth being made in six days, man being made from the dust of the ground, woman being made from a rib, a serpent tempting Eve, the parting of the Red Sea, etc. All of it defying the laws of science. There is an explanation.

Then there are concerns about the accuracy of the bible. Could it have lost its credibility over the years? Whether there are other books meant to be in the bible or not, the books in the bible we have on hand today is accurate whether you’re reading it in the literal and Spiritual. 

Ezek 37:16 "As for you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it: 'For Judah and for the children of Israel,

his companions.' Then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house

of Israel, his companions.' 17 Then join them one to another for yourself into one stick, and they will become

one in your hand. NKJV

Understanding the Mystery of the Scriptures is key to unlocking the true message. The Bible is one complete story from Genesis to Revelations. You cannot fully understand the New Testament without understanding the Old Testament. They work together. You must have spiritual ‘eyes to see’ and ‘ears to hear’ beyond the literal to see the spiritual. Any passage that leaves you scratching your head means there is a story behind the story. It’s simply buried treasure waiting to be discovered.

Paul repeatedly refers to the Mystery of Scripture. Not everything you read means what you think. God fully intended to hide the true message in his written word until fulfillment came. The Bible is filled with Parables and Puzzles. The Bible is filled with words meant to ‘conceal’ the true meaning. A voice coming from the ‘cloud’, smoke and mirrors, things hidden later to be revealed. The use of nature and animals to teach about the kingdom.

Words that appear as names in the Scriptures, when translated tell a completely different story. This is where you must use a Hebrew/Greek dictionary and concordance to translate the words in order to see the hidden message. Only then will be able to connect the stories to the New Testament fulfillment.

God planned on his Messiah from the beginning. Read the bible as one complete story from the beginning to the fulfillment. Read it like it’s the first time you opened the book. Leave your past teachings behind. Don’t read the literal story, look for the spiritual context that the New Testament tells us about. Beginning with Genesis, always ask, “What is this pointing to in Gods plan of salvation.” Connect the dots from the shadows in the Torah to the fulfillment in the Covenant of Grace.

Have faith in the word. Scripture validates Scripture. When used correctly the bible has all the answers to your questions. Leave opinions out of the equation. The bible will reveal its mysteries to the person who is willing to dig deep enough to understand it. Happy studying. 

Ezek 37:16 "As for you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it: 'For Judah and for the children of Israel, his companions.' Then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions.' 17 Then join them one to another for yourself into one stick, and they will become one in your hand. NKJV

Matt 5:17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.

I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. NKJV

Rev 2:7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. NKJV

1 Cor 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.  NKJV