GOD'S HIDING PLACE

When the LORD's disciples asked HIM why HE taught in parables "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore, speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear." (Mat 13:11-16)

It is very obvious that it is impossible for any man to hear, see, or understand (i.e.; know) the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven unless GOD in HIS sovereign mercy should grant them the ability to do so. The scripture says that man, in his natural state, is "dead in trespasses and sins." and apart from being given spiritual life he shall perish in his ignorance. This has been true from the earliest days of men and is demonstrated in Adam's disobedience in the midst of a veritable paradise in which he was placed.

Not only is man in total spiritual darkness but he loves to have it that way. (see John 3:19) It is not that he does not like religion or even that he doesn't maintain some belief in a higher power, but as Paul says, "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" (Rom 1:21-22)

The sad fact is that the greatest malady that has come upon men is not that they do not know of GOD at all, but that they love their own way more and delight in their own philosophies and theories. All men, without exception, are born into this state and will continue on in it unless the privilege of hearing and seeing their folly and HIS utter glory and dominion "is given unto them". The LORD hardens the hearts of men in their darkness and HE hides the truth and glory of HIS SON's absolute reign from all but that remnant which HE has chosen and who are the recipients of HIS mercy and grace.

The LORD JESUS rejoiced in this truth when HE said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." (Mat 11:25-27)

It is sheer folly for men to think that they can somehow establish some form of righteousness that will make them acceptable in the sight of GOD or that they should by searching and practicing their own religious ways ever discover HIM. As long as they think that they have the ability to know HIM or come to HIM in their own power or by an act of their free will they demonstrate that they are yet in darkness and cannot see the glory which is hid in JESUS CHRIST even though they may mouth HIS name or say unto HIM, LORD, LORD.

It has pleased the LORD to "hide" HIS glory in the person of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Though HE openly walked among men, taught true doctrine, performed many miracles, went about doing good, and healed the lame and blind, yet no man could know HIM except that HE opened their eyes to behold HIS true identity. Therefore, HE said to Peter, (after Peter's confession of HIS LORDSHIP), "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Mat 16:17)

We live in one of the most religious societies on earth, much like the Jews in the day when CHRIST walked upon the earth. There are multitudes of so called "Christians" today just as there were multitudes of Jews in Israel then. The leaders of this sect and that are convinced that they have the "truth" because they can trace their lineage and doctrine back far enough that they are comfortable relying on it. Most claim to believe the Bible. Yet just as CHRIST said to the Pharisees, "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39) So we believe that HE would say the same thing to the established religions of our day.

All of the treasures of GOD are hidden in CHRIST. The woman at the well thought the religion of her father's fathers was sufficient but CHRIST said, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." (John 4:23) The dogmas and practices of men are but dung compared to the revelation of the person of JESUS CHRIST as the TRUE GOD and glorious REDEEMER of sinners.

All of the treasures of wisdom and knowlege are hidden in CHRIST. CHRIST is indeed the "treasure" of HIS people. "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:"(1Pet 2:7) HIS name is that "ointment poured forth" (S.of Sol.1:3) yea even that sweet balm of Gilead that soothes the hurt of that sin sick soul who has fled to HIM for refuge. HE is that "crown of glory, and-- diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people," (Isa 28:5) HE is more precious than the "gold of Ophir" and HIS price is above rubies. There is no end to HIS perfections. "My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem." (S.of Sol 5:10-16)

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in HIM. We have no desire to minimize the importance of sound doctrine and the necessity of contending for it against the gainsayers. Yet we are aware of another error found among the religious wherein they take great delight in the level of knowledge which they suppose that they have. They are generally content to define those who are the followers of CHRIST by how closely aligned they are with their own doctrinal statements. Yet the LORD said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35) Well did Joseph Hart say:

If any man would behold the treasures of wisdom and knowledge which GOD has hidden, he must be given eyes to see the utter GLORY and DOMINION of CHRIST for HE is the fullness of the GODHEAD bodily and the repository of all WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE.