Tag: Book of 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

When God brought Israel out of Egypt, He instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle. It was to be the visible physical presence of God with His people. In the Holy of Holies, was the ark of the covenant. It was to be the throne of God where He would meet with His people. When Israel entered the Promised Land, they would be instructed through Solomon to build the Temple of God. The nation of Israel is God’s chosen people and this nation is to point the nations of the world to the reality of salvation is her Christ. In the fullness of time, the Saviour named Jesus, Who is the Christ entered human history through a virgin birth in the womb of Mary, the humble handmaid of Nazareth. Jesus is the fulfilment of the Tabernacle and the Temple reality of God’s presence. Jesus will be the sacrifice for sins upon the cross so that sinful man may draw nigh to a Thrice Holy God.

2 Corinthians 3:17 17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Cor. 3:17 KJV)

In Romans 8:1-2, the Apostle Paul explained well our text, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:1-2 KJV) The child of God who is led by the Holy Spirit through the meditation of God’s Word is given the wisdom to choose God’s blessed path. Do you pray when you are meditating upon God’s Word to ask for illumination so that you may understand His Word? This is how we can get into the mind of God when we are shown the blessed will of God through His Spirit, we will choose to obey.

2 Corinthians 3:12-16 12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14But 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. 15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. (2 Cor. 3:12-16 KJV)

The Apostle Paul quotes Exodus 34:34 to give the analogy of one who turns the Jesus will find salvation – 34But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. (Exod. 34:34 KJV)

2 Corinthians 3:12-15 12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14But 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. 15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. (2 Cor. 3:12-15 KJV)

There is a gating point of understanding in the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament for the Jews just as the greatest gift of Christmas is the gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. The merry spirit of Christmas seemed to have sorely missed the true meaning of Christmas as men and women took time to exchange gift to show their affection for one another.

2 Corinthians 3:12-14 12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14But 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. (2 Cor. 3:12-14 KJV)

It is sad that there is a blindness to the glory of the truth of salvation in Jesus Christ among the Jews. The Lord brought me to visit a lady of Jewish descent close to 90 years of age. She became a citizen of Singapore recently. She shared with me that she was taught by her parents from young that Jesus is not God. He is a good man but He is not the Son of God. Although this lady married a Christian husband and attended church, she seemed to reject the witness of the New Testament Scripture that Jesus is God.

2 Corinthians 3:8-12 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: (2 Cor. 3:8-12 KJV)

How can the gospel be plainly explained so that men may understand the things pertaining to the kingdom of God? How can the natural man know spiritual things? The Apostle Paul tells us that God has by His wisdom showed us the plain way by which man can find God. It was through the creation of the nation of Israel. It is God’s earthly example given that we may understand spiritual things, the heavenly and eternal realm.

2 Corinthians 3:8-11 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. (2 Cor. 3:8-11 KJV)

What is the benefit of life with God? It is the beginning of true life. For by nature man is spiritually dead, not just weak or sick. He is by nature outside God’s kingdom. Therefore, he is not a partaker of glorious benefits of being citizens of God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and requires one with a spiritual nature to be a part of God’s kingdom. The Bible tells us the words of Jesus in John 3:3 … Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Life in Christ is glorious. All the ceremonial laws that Israel was commanded to keep were done away in Christ. The Tabernacle or Temple sacrifices abrogated because the work of redemption has been completed in Christ. We look forward to the glory to come at the return of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 4:13-18 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thess. 4:13-18 KJV)

2 Corinthians 3:9-10 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. (2 Cor. 3:9-10 KJV)

When God began the nation of Israel, He provided them visual aids to explain His salvation plan through Jesus Christ, the foremost Son of Israel. All the law, setting up of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, pointed to Christ. In Christ, Israel as a nation found her sufficiency. All the sacrifices enacted in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple helps God’s people to see the redeeming work of Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:5-8 5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? (2 Cor. 3:5-8 KJV)

The Apostle Paul alluded to Exodus 34:29-35 in verse 7 when Moses came down from the Mount Sinai a second time with the tablets of the Ten Commandments written by God following Israel’s rebellion in the worship of the golden calf. Moses’ face glow as a result of His communion with God. To the Israelites who despise the worship of God in their waywardness, the law of God was a rebuke to them – ministration of death. It showed them their sin. Yet, there is a right relationship that brings God’s law to the seeking heart.