Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 4:
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, 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 even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
What is your primary focus of spiritual study? Paul was speaking to the church at Corinth when he was given the above Words by THE SPIRIT to them. We are to focus on Christ Jesus the Lord in order to receive the fullness of light for He is the One Who perfected the covenant with Our Heavenly Father. He is the One who is the perfect example of how we are to walk. His Words must be preeminent in our life in order for us to come into full maturity as Sons and Daughters. Is there a better example in Scripture?
Paul was an expert in the Old Covenant yet he readily admitted the focus must be on Christ Jesus, not the 613 commandments and statutes. He received the revelation of Agape Love and zealously pursued the walk associated with this revelation. He understood difference in walking in the darkness versus the light and how men have handled The Word with craftiness and deceit.
Paul had experienced the blindness that exists in man when the walk is without the Light of The Gospel. If the source of the light is The Gospel, why do men place their focus elsewhere? The light of the knowledge of the glory of FATHER is in the face of Jesus Christ for He is The Word made flesh.
The glory on the face of Moses was temporary so why should we focus on him? Don’t get me wrong, The Law was given out of Love but It did not fulfill or complete our relationship with FATHER. Only Jesus could perfect our relationship. The ego looks for ways to digress into studies away from the focus of Agape Love perfected by Christ. I believe this to be the Pentecostal mindset for there is still a sifting that needs to take place and the ego is well aware that if this sifting is pursued, it will end the ego’s influence on the person.
Many will not pursue this final sifting and join Our Lord Jesus Christ in the final battle to bring The Kingdom to earth. Jesus is the Alpha and HE and the Sons and Daughters are the Omega. The Beloved Disciple wrote in chapter 6 of The Revelation of Jesus Christ:
2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
The bow is the Covenant and Jesus has one crown for He is the Alpha or the beginning of the New Covenant. But in chapter 19:
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Immediately after the marriage to His Bride, He is no longer singularly conquering for now He has His armies (the Bride) with Him. They are the Omega company: aka The Bride, aka The Sons and Daughters.
The crown for a King or Queen represents power, legitimacy, immortality, righteousness, victory, triumph, resurrection, honor and glory of life after death. Those who make up the Bride, have laid their crowns before Our Lord Jesus Christ and He possesses those crowns as He leads His armies into battle as shown in verse 12.
As we become fully mature in Christ and complete the siftings into the fullness of purity clothed in fine linen WHITE and CLEAN, we will mount up in power and authority with our KING and LORD to conquer the land. As for me, I am embracing this final sifting and fully expect to be counted among those who “ride” into battle with The Word.