If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
The above is 2 Corinthians 4:3 & 4, which, by our studies, we understand the meanings of the similitudes therein used. By them, we see the meanings hidden below the surface of the waters, in the deep darkened as it describes. We know from the chapter before, it is turning to the LORD that removes this veil of confusion: by His Spirit preaching the full message of Christ (God in the preacher, and then in the receiver – face to face, glory to glory), turning us away from those who are the cause and keepers of the darkness.
Friends, without Holy Spirit guided studies: the LORD manifesting His presence in the preacher, it is impossible to enter the kingdom of God. The others, those blinded by the false Christs of this age, who claim the Holy Spirit is in them, but by their words and works prove He isn’t. Those following them may develop zeal, but lacking the knowledge of God, and as He is teaching and correcting their errors, they, rather than repent and follow Him, go about trying to prove they are right.
The acts of these rebels themselves, prove the necessity to be fully taught before the kingdom can be entered, and shows why their elementary education doesn’t happen therein. First, in their ignorance they would distract from and oppose God’s teaching, there as they do here, some proving themselves un-correctable (atopos), which things must happen before not after entering. (Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.15 For without are dogs [those who can’t shut the mouths], and sorcerers [those who use their word to manipulate and control other people], and whoremongers [those who make people their merchandise], and murderers [of humans, born and unborn], and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie [psuedos].)
Matthew 25
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was hungry, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in [this is not talking about opening borders or gates to invaders – rather these verses speak of giving what is needed for life – every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, teaching so they will be in Christ, and He in them, and all these things will be added – Deuteronomy 8:1 – 5]:
36 Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, LORD, when saw we you hungry, and fed you? or thirsty, and gave you drink?
38 When saw we you a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and clothed you?
39 Or when saw we you sick, or in prison, and came unto you?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Truly I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels [his messengers]:
42 For I was hungry, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, LORD, when saw we you hungry or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto you?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Truly I say unto you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Matthew 7
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him [see 2 Chronicles 1:11 below]?
12 Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13 Enter you in at the strait gate [narrowed by obstacles that must be navigated to enter – the ideas of the gods of this world]: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction [when all are let in there is destruction of the city or nation], and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles [and bring them into their houses]?
17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit [as we see on our southern border – and so it is at God’s kingdom gates].
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree [the mighty men of this age, and the ideas they espouse] that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.
21 Not every one that says unto me, LORD, LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you [proved by their not knowing Him and building their own kingdoms, not hearing His voice and not doing the will of the Father who sent me]: depart from me, you that work iniquity [work opposite God’s will].
24 Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
2 Chronicles 1
7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give you.
8 And Solomon said unto God, You have shewed great mercy unto David my father, and have made me to reign in his stead.
9 Now, O LORD God, let your promise unto David my father be established: for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this your people, that is so great?
11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of your enemies, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king:
12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the like.
13 Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.
The word in the title translated “lost” is the Greek word apollumi (appearing to describe being away from the shining), said to mean to fully destroy. These are those Paul describes in 2 Thessalonians 2:10 as “perishing,” because they and those leading them: the gods of this world who have blinded their minds, “receive not the love of the truth (aletheia).”
2 Thessalonians 2
6 And now you know what withholds [katecho – holds down God’s truth and keeps His people from rising to meet Him] that he [these men who hold the truth in their unrighteousness] might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity does already work [and has now had its full work and caused the sleep {darkness, death, drunken minds} of God’s people]: only he who now lets [katecho – holds down in ignorance] will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked [those vilifying this work and word of the Holy Spirit] be revealed, whom the LORD shall consume with the spirit of his mouth [this word of God], and shall destroy with the brightness [the light of His understanding] of his coming [and enlightening us]:
9 Even [enlightening us of – by truth freeing us from] him, whose coming is after the working of Satan [opposing and resisting God] with all power and signs and lying [pseudos] wonders [where we were held],
10 And with all deceivableness [apate – delusion – wrong path, which leads to destruction] of unrighteousness in them that perish [apollumi – the lost they have blinded]; because they received not the love of the truth [aletheia – the love that removes ignorance], that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion [energeia – the working of Satan in verse 9 above], that they should believe [put their faith in] a lie [pseudos – what holds them in darkness]:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not [don’t put their faith in] the truth [aletheia – what removes ignorance and darkness], but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the LORD, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification [separation from the men and their ideas – into purity] of the Spirit and belief of the truth [aletheia, which has freed you from their hold]:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel [euaggelion – the full message of Christ in us], to the obtaining [peripoisis – seeming literally referring to becoming the horse the LORD rides] of the glory [presence and power] of our LORD Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our LORD Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.
2 Thessalonians 3
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the LORD may have free course, and be glorified [seen as the presence of God speaking His word of truth], even as it is with you: [referring to what is written in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth {alethos}, the word of God, which effectually works {energeia – which is the power of God} also in you that believe]
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable [atopos – who refuse to be reasoned with and therefore will not change the positions they hold] and wicked men [who vilify this work of God]: for all men have not faith [in this power of God to change men].
3 But the LORD is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
2 Corinthians 3
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the LORD, the vail shall be taken away.
17 Now the LORD is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face [Christ’s presence revealed in us] beholding as in a glass the glory [the presence] of the LORD, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.
2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost [apollumi – the self-destruction of those who reject the understanding being shined on them]:
4 In whom [the wicked sitting in the judgment seats, in God’s place preaching and teaching what is opposing His work and word] the god of this world [the gods of this age] has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the LORD; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts [our reasoning mind], to give the light of the knowledge of the glory [presence] of God in the face [person] of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure [His presence] in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed [apollumi];
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the LORD Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death works in us, but life in you [His blood/life flowing from us as living waters (His word) into your minds].
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the LORD Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
These living waters flowing are what causes those who followed lies (pseudos – falsehoods, images created by men) to perish, as Peter describes in 2 Peter 3. There he defines these misleaders’ blinded minds as ignorance, and ends saying they are the unlearned who wrestle with this word of God, to their own destruction.
2 Peter 3
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up [diegeiro – fully awaken] your pure [eilikrines – judged by the sun’s rays] minds [dianoia – deep thoughts] by way of remembrance [hupomnesis – the only use outside 2 Peter is in Paul remembering the genuine faith in Timothy]:
2 That you may be mindful of [mnaomai – re-cognize – bring into your minds] the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the LORD and Savior:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished [apollumi – by rejecting this light – understanding]:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish [apollumi], but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night [in the darkness of these men’s minds]; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements [stoicheion – these men’s corrupted ideas that control their thinking, and blinds the minds of those following them] shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day [light] of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements [these men’s ideas and idols] shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrestle, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before [proginosko – were foreordained with this knowledge], beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
The word in verse 18 above, rendered “grow,” is the Greek word auzano, meaning to be enlarged, here it is in grace and knowledge. The word grace is charis, meaning the influence of the Holy Spirit on our reasoning mind, as He imparts the gift of the knowledge of God – which bring (corrects and quickens) us out of darkness into understanding, from sleep to sobriety, from death to life. Without this process of learning what the LORD freely teaches us, and our allowing it to transform our minds, there is a continued wandering in blindness and its darkness.
Peter only used the word auzano one other time, in 1 Peter 2:2 where he describes this same growth, as we put off the old nature, and then as newborn desire the sincere (adolos – unadulterated) milk. We know from 1 Corinthians 3:2 this milk is the foundational (elementary) teaching, which readies us for the meat (the deeper truths).
1 Peter 1
18 Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who truly was foreordained [proginosko, with this knowledge] before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away:
25 But the word of the LORD endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1 Peter 2
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow [auzano] thereby:
3 If so be you have tasted that the LORD is gracious [the source of the milk – the elementary teaching].
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should shew forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Friends, if we are not taught, or we reject the knowledge of God, we are lost (apollumi).
1 Corinthians 2
9 But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.
10 But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who has known the mind of the LORD, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able.
3 For you are yet carnal [as long as you follow men – and don’t understand it is the LORD in them {as Christ} you are following]: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the LORD gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase [auzano].
7 So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase [auzano].
8 Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For we are laborers together with God: you are God’s husbandry, you are God’s building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day [the light of the sun] shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14 If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16 Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
23 And you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
Psalm 129
1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel [all God’s people] now say:
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
4 The LORD is righteous: he has cut asunder the cords of the wicked [by which they bind {join} us to them].
5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion [the LORD ruling over His people].
6 Let them [the wicked] be as the grass upon the housetops, which withers afore it grows up:
7 Wherewith the mower fills not his hand [take those he has cut off]; nor he that binds sheaves his bosom [to himself he joins those he has cut down].
8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD. [They don’t say the words the LORD said would need to be said before we would see Him again – the one entering through the gates of righteousness, where all the righteous will enter, in the name of the LORD.]
Psalms 130
1 Out of the depths have I cried unto you, O LORD.
2 LORD, hear my voice: let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If you, LORD, should mark iniquities, O LORD, who shall stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waits for the LORD more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
7 Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
