BEYOND THE WRITTEN, ABOVE THE LEARNED
"Now all the king's wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation." - Dan 5:8
The opening text is about the writing on the wall that king Belshazzar saw while he was having a feast, he trembled at such occurrence and was so worried because he didn't understand the writing, it became worse when all his advisers and magicians couldn't read what was written. All their degree, their experience and vast exposure counted for nothing at that point. This writing was beyond the educated, the hand was only revealed, maybe if the hand had a face, they could have traced the person's origin to learn their letters. The king was at a loss.
It is normal that whatever that is written should be read, except if it is a child who doesn't know anything. But this writing on the wall that looked very deliberate did not have a reader. We are in an era where theological knowledge is fast increasing and many are boasting, thinking because they have a grasp of Greek or Hebrew, that they have become masters of the written and unwritten word of the scriptures.
In between the very welcoming increase of knowledge in theology and scholars; is a big gap of the experience of the power behind what is written. In fact, I have come to notice that many are even getting more confused based on the knowledge they seek, they have grown weary and their fellowship is watered down by mere knowledge. It will all come to nothing if all the knowledge cannot be demonstrated in reality, it will all be futility if all the explanation cannot bring men to their knees and cause them to weep between the altar and the pouch. It is for nothing if knowledge cannot interpret the end-time and cause men to seek God.
Today, I am not trying to make a case for the illiterates, as that is not the best, even Daniel said he understood by books...but I am stating here that until men can interpret the writing on the wall, and cause a demonstration of power - all your theology will not help you. There is definitely a place for theology as it helps us to grow, but if it doesn't help the teacher or if it raises more argument than edification; what are we going to say is the use of such knowledge?
We need to move beyond the dependency of the written and seek inspiration of the Spirit, in order to move into the realm of mysteries that are hidden. The Lord desires to have stewards of mysteries, but many are lookers and searchers...who continue to get confounded.
AUTHORITY BEYOND CREDENTIALS
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realised that they had been with Jesus." - Acts 4:13
This is the clear scenario; these men were uneducated and local guys, yet they spoke about the supernatural with such boldness that even the scholars wondered, it would have been easier to just take them lightly but they couldn't ignore their words because, they had proofs. They spoke about Jesus, they spoke in the power of the Holy Ghost, people were cut to heart, men were getting healed - no one should ignore such a thing.
It will be necessary at this time to restate and remind us that, the kingdom of God is not in word but in power (1Cor 4:20), knowledge can aid power but power is not word at all - if you have all the knowledge without proofs, you are powerless. The disciples didn't even have an esteem problem, they were very sure of the new order they brought forth, not that it was new in that sense - but they were bold to damn the critics and they spoke with such authority based on the power of God that was at work in them.
You know how to read all the concordance and in fact you have a degree in theology yet you don't know how to fast, you pray five minutes prayer and you can't even evangelise - then you are quick to criticise the miracles of Jesus - you must be joking and in fact, you are a babe in this regard, your credentials notwithstanding.
"And the Jews marveled, saying, 'How does this Man know letters, having never studied?'" - John 7:15
The world is too critical as regards a person's authority before they want to believe, they want to access the kind of person they will sit down and listen to, to see if they would gain wisdom or not. Sometimes, the pastor may not be making sense, but just for the fact that some people know he has a PhD, they don't mind sitting down with the chaff, this may be just foolishness of the educated.
But the man who has an anointing from God must not be intimidated by the scholars who are around, the man who is an illiterate but with power should try and learn letters, but should never limit himself because of the letters, mysteries can be unfounded beyond the greatest books ever written, you have a mandate and an anointing to accompany it - go ahead with boldness to deliver what God has committed to you.
If the power is evident, the letters will be irrelevant in most cases, the people must know that knowledge has its limit and cannot be a criteria for the demonstration of power. While a man should strive for learning and excellence, such a person should not be dependent on them or substitute it for the power of God - that is an anomaly.
BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN
"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen." - John 21:25
So if everything was not written, why then do we then assume some things will not be from Him. It was never written that Jesus' shadow healed anyone - but Peter's shadow did. This is not to say that we should add anything to the scriptures, in fact, anyone who does that, is at a risk, but there are signs that are just the acts of God and men should consider it so.
Overtime it has become clear that the world has not been able to unearth the total mysteries that are even written in this scriptures as we continue to encounter different levels of truth by the day - and if this is the case, it therefore means we can depend on the Holy Spirit for inspiration in the word and the things that are implied.
It may appear as an insult to say some people do not know the scriptures totally, but that is just the truth. Though we must be bold in the unfolded mysteries already known, yet we must strive and long to know more that has not been revealed - because there is more to know beyond what is already known. We must look to the Holy Spirit to give us an illumination from the word.
"And the king said to them, 'I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.'" - Daniel 2:3
How can this king dream and forget, and yet he expects that someone else would help him remember an unrecorded dream, much less interpret it - that was a very unusual request, but he is the king, he couldn't be ignored, a solution has to be found and quickly for that matter.
Dear minister, we would have to move beyond the realm of what is written to what is revealed. There was no evidence really against Ananias and Saphira but because it was revealed by the Holy Spirit, they were caught in the act. The scripture is the bedrock of all revelation and demonstration of power, and everything done must have its root therein; but the believer must long to walk in the realm of the things revealed.
Some people will see what you see, some even have known it before you knew it; but that which is revealed is secret or hidden, and when it is revealed, men will tremble at the power of God. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter (Prov 25:2)
I UNDERSTAND MORE THAN TEACHERS
"Jesus answered and said to them, 'You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.'" - Matt 22:29
The matter that was brought before Jesus was a mischievous one, they wanted to test the wisdom of Jesus, they wanted to know if He had understanding of the Word, and God be praised, they were astonished to His teaching. We who claim to be teachers must give answers that will silence the arguments of men, we must allow God give us a depth so as to clear the doubts of those who seek sincere knowledge of the Word.
There are many things assumed in the scriptures in our generation, so many times people quote the scriptures out of context only to suit their desires - but, we must know that the scripture is living and its wisdom is above every argument that we have. If we choose to assume rather than seek depth, we will be greatly mistaken like the Sadducees.
The Lord said that to us, it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom (Matt 13:11), Paul also said in 1Cor 4:1, that we should be considered as stewards of the mysteries. This places a responsibility to us this day, to pursue after mysteries instead of engaging in unnecessary arguments that would lead no one anywhere.
"I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts." - Psalm 119:99-100
No one just grows in the revelation of the Word just by accident, the person who desires to unfold mysteries must give himself to studying and meditation, the steward must show himself faithful, the one who needs understanding must love knowledge... Most mysteries will not just be handed down to the lazy.
Let it also be stated that, even though you will understand more than all your teachers, you still have to remain teachable even under those same teachers. You still need to be at the feet of Jesus even if the teacher doesn't seem to inspire depth as you would have loved it. In fact, everyone should have a teacher. Even if it appears that Jesus was well informed at the age of twelve, the scripture tells us that, He was both listening and asking questions.
It is true that understanding may not be as a result of volumes of books consumed but, it is not without a study life. It should also be noted that you can't go ahead preaching what others have unfolded all the time, not that it is wrong in itself, but you too have such powers to unfold mysteries. Start doing what is necessary, start looking for a secret place to ponder on what you have read, engage in conscious meditation of the word - and see the Lord show you more than your teachers.
CONCLUSION:
Knowledge is nothing without power, it doesn't always have to be written if there is revelation - and you can be a steward of the mysteries.
God bless you and I love you.
Akinsuroju Femi
© The Fundamentals
The opening text is about the writing on the wall that king Belshazzar saw while he was having a feast, he trembled at such occurrence and was so worried because he didn't understand the writing, it became worse when all his advisers and magicians couldn't read what was written. All their degree, their experience and vast exposure counted for nothing at that point. This writing was beyond the educated, the hand was only revealed, maybe if the hand had a face, they could have traced the person's origin to learn their letters. The king was at a loss.
It is normal that whatever that is written should be read, except if it is a child who doesn't know anything. But this writing on the wall that looked very deliberate did not have a reader. We are in an era where theological knowledge is fast increasing and many are boasting, thinking because they have a grasp of Greek or Hebrew, that they have become masters of the written and unwritten word of the scriptures.
In between the very welcoming increase of knowledge in theology and scholars; is a big gap of the experience of the power behind what is written. In fact, I have come to notice that many are even getting more confused based on the knowledge they seek, they have grown weary and their fellowship is watered down by mere knowledge. It will all come to nothing if all the knowledge cannot be demonstrated in reality, it will all be futility if all the explanation cannot bring men to their knees and cause them to weep between the altar and the pouch. It is for nothing if knowledge cannot interpret the end-time and cause men to seek God.
Today, I am not trying to make a case for the illiterates, as that is not the best, even Daniel said he understood by books...but I am stating here that until men can interpret the writing on the wall, and cause a demonstration of power - all your theology will not help you. There is definitely a place for theology as it helps us to grow, but if it doesn't help the teacher or if it raises more argument than edification; what are we going to say is the use of such knowledge?
We need to move beyond the dependency of the written and seek inspiration of the Spirit, in order to move into the realm of mysteries that are hidden. The Lord desires to have stewards of mysteries, but many are lookers and searchers...who continue to get confounded.
AUTHORITY BEYOND CREDENTIALS
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realised that they had been with Jesus." - Acts 4:13
This is the clear scenario; these men were uneducated and local guys, yet they spoke about the supernatural with such boldness that even the scholars wondered, it would have been easier to just take them lightly but they couldn't ignore their words because, they had proofs. They spoke about Jesus, they spoke in the power of the Holy Ghost, people were cut to heart, men were getting healed - no one should ignore such a thing.
It will be necessary at this time to restate and remind us that, the kingdom of God is not in word but in power (1Cor 4:20), knowledge can aid power but power is not word at all - if you have all the knowledge without proofs, you are powerless. The disciples didn't even have an esteem problem, they were very sure of the new order they brought forth, not that it was new in that sense - but they were bold to damn the critics and they spoke with such authority based on the power of God that was at work in them.
You know how to read all the concordance and in fact you have a degree in theology yet you don't know how to fast, you pray five minutes prayer and you can't even evangelise - then you are quick to criticise the miracles of Jesus - you must be joking and in fact, you are a babe in this regard, your credentials notwithstanding.
"And the Jews marveled, saying, 'How does this Man know letters, having never studied?'" - John 7:15
The world is too critical as regards a person's authority before they want to believe, they want to access the kind of person they will sit down and listen to, to see if they would gain wisdom or not. Sometimes, the pastor may not be making sense, but just for the fact that some people know he has a PhD, they don't mind sitting down with the chaff, this may be just foolishness of the educated.
But the man who has an anointing from God must not be intimidated by the scholars who are around, the man who is an illiterate but with power should try and learn letters, but should never limit himself because of the letters, mysteries can be unfounded beyond the greatest books ever written, you have a mandate and an anointing to accompany it - go ahead with boldness to deliver what God has committed to you.
If the power is evident, the letters will be irrelevant in most cases, the people must know that knowledge has its limit and cannot be a criteria for the demonstration of power. While a man should strive for learning and excellence, such a person should not be dependent on them or substitute it for the power of God - that is an anomaly.
BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN
"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen." - John 21:25
So if everything was not written, why then do we then assume some things will not be from Him. It was never written that Jesus' shadow healed anyone - but Peter's shadow did. This is not to say that we should add anything to the scriptures, in fact, anyone who does that, is at a risk, but there are signs that are just the acts of God and men should consider it so.
Overtime it has become clear that the world has not been able to unearth the total mysteries that are even written in this scriptures as we continue to encounter different levels of truth by the day - and if this is the case, it therefore means we can depend on the Holy Spirit for inspiration in the word and the things that are implied.
It may appear as an insult to say some people do not know the scriptures totally, but that is just the truth. Though we must be bold in the unfolded mysteries already known, yet we must strive and long to know more that has not been revealed - because there is more to know beyond what is already known. We must look to the Holy Spirit to give us an illumination from the word.
"And the king said to them, 'I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.'" - Daniel 2:3
How can this king dream and forget, and yet he expects that someone else would help him remember an unrecorded dream, much less interpret it - that was a very unusual request, but he is the king, he couldn't be ignored, a solution has to be found and quickly for that matter.
Dear minister, we would have to move beyond the realm of what is written to what is revealed. There was no evidence really against Ananias and Saphira but because it was revealed by the Holy Spirit, they were caught in the act. The scripture is the bedrock of all revelation and demonstration of power, and everything done must have its root therein; but the believer must long to walk in the realm of the things revealed.
Some people will see what you see, some even have known it before you knew it; but that which is revealed is secret or hidden, and when it is revealed, men will tremble at the power of God. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter (Prov 25:2)
I UNDERSTAND MORE THAN TEACHERS
"Jesus answered and said to them, 'You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.'" - Matt 22:29
The matter that was brought before Jesus was a mischievous one, they wanted to test the wisdom of Jesus, they wanted to know if He had understanding of the Word, and God be praised, they were astonished to His teaching. We who claim to be teachers must give answers that will silence the arguments of men, we must allow God give us a depth so as to clear the doubts of those who seek sincere knowledge of the Word.
There are many things assumed in the scriptures in our generation, so many times people quote the scriptures out of context only to suit their desires - but, we must know that the scripture is living and its wisdom is above every argument that we have. If we choose to assume rather than seek depth, we will be greatly mistaken like the Sadducees.
The Lord said that to us, it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom (Matt 13:11), Paul also said in 1Cor 4:1, that we should be considered as stewards of the mysteries. This places a responsibility to us this day, to pursue after mysteries instead of engaging in unnecessary arguments that would lead no one anywhere.
"I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts." - Psalm 119:99-100
No one just grows in the revelation of the Word just by accident, the person who desires to unfold mysteries must give himself to studying and meditation, the steward must show himself faithful, the one who needs understanding must love knowledge... Most mysteries will not just be handed down to the lazy.
Let it also be stated that, even though you will understand more than all your teachers, you still have to remain teachable even under those same teachers. You still need to be at the feet of Jesus even if the teacher doesn't seem to inspire depth as you would have loved it. In fact, everyone should have a teacher. Even if it appears that Jesus was well informed at the age of twelve, the scripture tells us that, He was both listening and asking questions.
It is true that understanding may not be as a result of volumes of books consumed but, it is not without a study life. It should also be noted that you can't go ahead preaching what others have unfolded all the time, not that it is wrong in itself, but you too have such powers to unfold mysteries. Start doing what is necessary, start looking for a secret place to ponder on what you have read, engage in conscious meditation of the word - and see the Lord show you more than your teachers.
CONCLUSION:
Knowledge is nothing without power, it doesn't always have to be written if there is revelation - and you can be a steward of the mysteries.
God bless you and I love you.
Akinsuroju Femi
© The Fundamentals
Comments
Post a Comment