With regard to post 22 and the subsequent:
Kabbalism has become a subject of new age mysticism. The actual, ancient Jewish Kabbalah is quite something else. It literally means a tradition of knowledge passed down verbally over the millennia since Adam.
But here’s the rub, the actual Jewish Kabbalah is shrouded in secrecy because the power is much too great for mere mortals. We could wreck havoc – and that is not a metaphor.
Personally, I don’t seek to know the when or where or how God’s plan will be consummated. The “signs of the times” are enough for me. That His will is done is the important part – and it is also assured, so I’m a “happy camper”.
EXTREMELY WELL SAID, imho.
I greatly agree. THX.
Knowledge in and of itself tends to become an idol. We begin to delude ourselves that our 'knowledge above average, above that of the masses' . . . will protect us; give us status; be our savior.
True, the people perish for lack of knowledge. But THAT is knowledge OF HIM and of
It's NOT concerned with knowledge ABOUT HIM as a distant object.
Satan's garden seduction was that God-forbidden-knowledge would FREE us when he knew it would ENSLAVE us. It is still the same today in too many ways.
When our knowledge about THINGS--even about God's plans--exceeds our KNOWLEDGE OF AND APPLICATION OF HOW TO BE INTIMATE !!!!WITH!!!! GOD, then we end up enslaved instead of freed. And part of that enslavement is virtually always some level of delusion.
Some of the delusion takes the form that IF/WHEN we know enough KNOWLEDGE, we can PROTECT OURSELVES. God alone is to be our high tower, our defense, our refuge.
Some of the delusion becomes that we ARE BETTER than the ignorant, less washed, 'less religious,' 'less spiritual,' less diligent, less educated, less intellectual, . . . . And, that BECAUSE we have, by our inate brilliance and hard brain work--EARNED this lofty station in life and the cosmos, God will protect us more because we deserve it. Pride goes before a fall. And from such an ignorant height, the fall can be great indeed.
Some of the delusion becomes that our knowledge has EARNED us a station in the cosmos amongst the closest to God--virtually a jr God. And therefore, God will protect us above average.
Not only so, we can pronounce edicts and vain pronouncements upon our lessers and upon the cosmos and God will have to effect and confirm them because we have earned such a lofty jr godship. Satan's garden--'you'll become like God, knowledge-wise' has struck again. And yet again, we are set-up for a thunderous fall.
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GOD DOES eagerly invite us into and graciously grant us uncommon knowledge about HIM--particularly about intimacy with Him--TO THOSE WHO SEEK HIM FIRST.
He even grants some of those of broken and contrite heart particularly diligent about intimacy WITH HIM, uncommon knowledge about the cosmos and for some even about others their ministry laden lives cross paths with. But the priorities have to be in God's order. And, if they are not there and maintained there, then there is trouble.
Ecclesiastes is still right about knowledge in and of itself.
However, the Apostle Paul instructed all the individual members of the corporate Body of Christ to seek to prophecy. At least, if gifted with tongues, to seek to be able to interpret. There is Biblical, Spirit-led merit in walking routinely in an uncommon level of God's knowledge--IF AND WHEN one's priority of INTIMACY WITH GOD FIRST, is in order. God LOVED to share things with HIS FRIEND Abraham that He shared with few to no others. But God is NOT AT ALL interested in us putting knowledge before HIM--even knowledge about Him.
And, in context, he could not have been speaking merely of forth-telling when he was talking about prophecying. The emphasis would have been pointless. Paul was anything but pointless. -----------------------------
PING NOTE: Those after logos are part of my DREAMS, VISIONS AND END TIMES PING LIST. If you want on or off that ping list, please let me know. The rest of you were personal, one time pings to this post because I thought you might be interested.
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TO Alamo-Girl about the Kabalah:
EXTREMELY WELL SAID, imho.
I greatly agree. THX.