Subject: Any biblical corrolation Atlantis? |
Bible Note: Hank, I agree with you concerning our Christian duty, and I regret that I failed to make myself clear enough on that score. "When it comes to God's word, I do not like to deal in myth, theory, or speculation -- nothing beyond what the word of God reveals. If we knew in minute detail all the facts of creation, what does it profit us if we don't know what we must do to be saved?" I definitely agree with you on this point in the sense that the only thing that we can speak with authority is that which has already been spoken by God--i.e., in His Word. I do believe, however, that there are things contained in the Scripture that are not plainly revealed--i.e., they are concealed from the casual observer. Obviously, the Plan of Salvation is not in this category, but some things are. Everyone will not necessarily desire or be able to understand all the hidden mysteries of God and His Kingdom, but some will. Here's something to consider: "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing." [Proverbs 25:2 Amplified] This certainly does not give license for idle, mindless speculation. But it is possible that we may better understand and be better prepared for the future if we have a better grasp of the past. "Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away. But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God--[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence]. None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed]. [Isa. 64:4; 65:17.] Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny]. For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man's thoughts except the man's own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God. And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]. But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him]. For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. [Isa. 40:13.]" [1 Corinthians 2:6-16 Amplified] Kind regards, Tim D. Cormier Tennessee Preacher |