Fathoming The Depths of Holy Scripture

CHAPTER ONE

‘WHY WE NEED TO ‘FATHOM’

SCRIPTURE and THE BIBLE’

Today, while the world at large embraces contemporary attitudes and ideas such as ‘wokeness’ and ‘global governance,’

a substantial segment of the population still look to the Bible for guidance on everyday livening. In most cases they have come to ignore those places where inconsistency or unfathomable statements occur, for it has been said the Bible contains mysteries or secrets which no one is able to fully comprehend. This may be true in some sense, but it is mostly an exaggerated claim made by those who possess little or no true Bible understanding.

People have also claimed the Bible is some secret type of book and its contents bear hidden coded information which is not meant to be understood by the average person. This may also be right to a certain extent, but it does not account for the fact that inspired scripture, according to its own claim is supposed to enlighten readers and not mystify or confuse them.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17. All Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness (in holy living), in conformity with God's will in thought, purpose, and action, 17 so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work

Nonetheless, despite this core claim found within its own pages, it would be reasonable to say the Bible does have a mystifying or somewhat confusing side to it which some readers may regard as a light or slight inconvenience, while others see it as heavy or an intense enigma.

Concerning the mysteriousness found in scripture, the word mystery is found as Strong's #3466 in the combined Strong's Concordance and Vine's Expository Dictionary.

There, mystery is defined as that which denotes, not the mysterious (as with the English word), but that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by divine revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by GOD, and then, to those only who are illuminated by His Spirit."

In essence, a mystery—in the biblical sense, in its Greek meaning, is something that is unattainable by common human research but is revealed by GOD so that his own children, his own people, can understand it.

It would be inaccurate to declare the Bible in its entirety as predominantly mysterious for just the opposite is true of the majority of it. Inspired scripture is revelatory in an extraordinary sense.

Most of the mystery or secrecy about the Bible is either self-generated by readers or imposed by others who would for a variety of their own reasons want us to be mystified by scripture. Yet, ‘mystified’ is but one word expressing what their objectives are. Confused may be a better term for what they, for a variety of covert reasons, want Bible readers to be.

The Reality Behind Scriptural Mystery

Scripture was ‘divinely’ inspired and written in such a way that the least experienced reader, even in a casual reading would derive value and benefit by it. Those further inclined and desirous of greater insight into GOD’s word would be rewarded for their effort with deeper understanding. And those who achieved GOD’s special favor as saints would be granted still deeper understanding. Thus, what would appear mysterious to one person would become enlightening to another.

The Godly Side of Bible Mystery

Holy Scripture cannot be compared with any other writing devised by a human being, for it alone possesses a divinely enigmatic quality about it, not achievable by mere mortals.

Scripture is uniquely designed to reveal deeper understanding and ever-increasing insight depending on the readers attitude and their developing relationship with GOD.

Keys to Deeper Understanding

Keys to deeper understanding would lie within scripture itself. For this, one must penetrate a form of coded language which obscures meaning for those who are not intended to fully understand its revelationary nature.

Scripture candidly reveals that not everyone was intended to fathom its secret side. While basics would be clear and obvious to any reader, other things would not. A certain amount of this peculiarity was intentionally injected by YHWH, God himself, as its originating author.

Still other things, while written earlier, were not meant to be understood till much later in time and after many years had passed from times in which when they were written.

Additionally, some other things were deliberately obscured by opposing forces, not wanting GOD’s light to shine on the world of mankind.

Thus, we have several reasons why a certain level of mystery or confusion exists when it comes to fully understanding the message Holy inspired Scripture is meant to deliver to people.

The Mystification of God’s Word

A form of Controlled Mysteriousness

Candid Bible readers will be quick to admit that the Bible they have read contains more than a few mysterious passages which they are unable to comprehend. They are not delusional in this observation.

Inspired scripture employed a variety of devices designed to obscure meanings and confuse those not intended to penetrate its subtleties. Among these devices we find allegory, signs and symbols, figures of speech, parables, types, anti-types, shadows and foreshadows, along with words having multiple meanings.

Additionally, we find instances where meanings have been deliberately twisted by inserting words with entirely different meanings from what the original writers intended.

Holy Scripture; Not for Everyone

Inspired scripture itself reveals that it was not meant for everyone, even for some among GOD’s own people to fully understand. Only those people of GOD with sincere hearts and disposed toward his guidance, would be able to comprehend the deeper meanings. (Col 1:26, Luke 8:10 Matthew 13:11, Acts 28:26 Isa 6:9, Ezekiel 12:2,)

Colossians 1: 26 For ages andages this message was kept secret from everyone, but now it has been revealed to the saints.

Luke 8:10 So he answered, in it I have explained secrets about God's kingdom to you, but for others, they only hear a story. These people look, but they don't see, and they hear, but they don't understand.

Matthew 13: 11, 12 In answering, he said to them; because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them. 12 For whoever has (spiritual knowledge), he will be given more, and he will be furnished richly so that he will have abundance; but from him who is low on spiritual knowledge, even what he has will be taken away.

Acts 28:26, 27 'Go to these people and tell them: You will listen and listen, but never understand. You will look and look, but never see. 27 "All of you have stubborn hearts. Your ears are stopped up, and your eyes are covered. You cannot see or hear or understand. If you could, you would turn to me, and I would heal you.'

Isaiah 6:9, 10 And he said, "Yes, go. But tell my people this: 'You will hear my words, but you will not understand. You will see what I do, but you will not perceive its meaning.'10 For the heart of this people has become hardened, and their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

Ezekiel 12:2 2 Son of man, you live in the middle of a house filled with insurgents. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.

Then there were things which the original writers did not understand themselves, even while being inspired to write them down. Scripture shows some of those things would not be understood till much later, during a time GOD’s people would recognize as the ‘time of the end.’

Daniel 12:4 4 But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush about, here and there, and discernment will increase."

Daniel 12:8, 9 I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So, I asked, How will all this finally end, my lord? 9 But he said, "Go your way now, Daniel, for what I have said is for the time of the end.

We are provided with revealing scriptural clues explaining why most people, even many among GOD’s own people would fail to discern the truths in GOD’s word while others would gain enlightenment, so that they in turn might become illuminators in their own right.

1 Corinthians 4: 4 -7 The god who rules this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They cannot see the light, which is the good news about our glorious Christ, who shows us what YHWH God is like. 5 Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as our Lord and Master. We serve you for his sake. 6 For it was Elohim Who said, Let light shine out of darkness. He has illuminated our hearts so as to beam forth Light for the knowledge of the majesty and glory of GOD as it is manifest in the person of, and revealed by Jesus Christ, the Messiah. 7 But this precious treasure, this light and power that now shines within us, is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies.So, everyone can see that our glorious power is from GOD and is not due to ourselves.

In some instances, our own imperfect human nature becomes a deterrent to deeper understanding. In other instances, GODs will preclude us from deeper understanding due to some personal emotional deficiency we may be dealing with

John 6:44 No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me makes them want to come. (Jesus Christ)

Matthew 13: 13-15 I use parables (stories) when I speak to them because when they look, they cannot see, and when they listen, they cannot hear or understand. 14 So it is that GOD's promise comes true. Just as the prophet had said, These people will listen and listen, but never understand. They will look and look, but never see. 15 All of them have stubborn minds! Their ears are stopped up, and their eyes are covered. They cannot see or hear or understand. If they could, they would turn to me, and I would heal them. (by Jesus Christ)

John 5:44 How is it possible for you to believe, when you are content to seek and receive praise, honor, and glory from one another, and yet do not seek the praise, honor and glory which comes from the true God alone? (by Jesus Christ)

Scripture also discloses the means by which GOD’s secrets would be revealed to those he sees worthy of understanding his mysterious side:

Eph 3:5, 5 In past times human beings were not told this secret, but GOD has revealed it now by his Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets.  

Amos 3:7, 7 But, surely the Lord YHWH will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets.

Luke 12:2 But there is nothing which has been completely concealed which will not be uncovered, nor which is secret which will not be known

Matthew 11:2727 "All things have been entrusted and delivered to Me by My Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Son except the Father, and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son deliberately wills to make Him known (by Jesus Christ)

John 14:26 But, when I’m gone, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in my name to represent me and act on my behalf, will teach you all things. And that spirit will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.  (by Christ)

Luke 8:10 So he answered, In it I have explained secrets about God's kingdom to you, but for others, they only hear