[ScubieNuc]

But there has never been a time where God kept himself hidden from mankind.

Like P-Marlowe said, I never said that all of mankind or even all of the Jewish nation was decieved. If I wasn't clear I appologize.

My point was a counter-point to someone who said God wouldn't leave his message in the hands of people who would decieve. That is obviously false, because there have been people in the Priesthood throughout the Old Testament and New, who decieved others as to what God's message was. This doesn't mean that all Priests or Pharisees were decievers. Here are some examples of the good and the bad of the Pharisees....

Matt 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 16:11,12 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake [it] not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Then understood they how that he bade [them] not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Sincerely

[Invincibly Ignorant]

I don't find New Testament writings to be inspired at all so hence verses bashing Pharisees really doesn't thrill me all that much.