Dear Friend,
I started studying the Kingdom a few months ago, and I've been on an enlightening journey ever since. What started me on this journey was frustration coupled with the fact that I didn't feel as if I was living an abundant life as promised in John 10:10.
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. (AMP)
While I set out with a specific goal, I've learned many things about God, His word, and even gaps in my knowledge. To say that I didn't know a lot is an understatement, and I realize just how misled I've been, especially by culture.
"Ignorance is bliss" Thomas Gray, 1768
The greatest lie ever told was by Thomas Gray, who coined the idiom, "Ignorance is bliss." According to Webster, the phrase means "a person who does not know about a problem does not worry about it." While this might seem novel, what happens when the information you didn't know could have saved you from decades of trouble, stress, and pain?
Have you ever said, "If I knew then what I know now?" If so, then you know that ignorance is not bliss.
Let's unpack the idiom further:
Ignorance=lack of knowledge, education, or awareness
Bliss=complete happiness
In what world has the lack of knowledge, education, or awareness helped anyone remain in a state of complete happiness? It just doesn't work that way.
I have one more example for you.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge [of My law, where I reveal My will]. Because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being My priest.Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. (Hosea 4:6 AMP)
My people:
nation, compatriots (fellow citizen or national of a country), troops or attendants
Destroyed:
Lack:
Knowledge:
Rejected:
Since you have forgotten:
The law:
Of your God:
Will forget:
Revelation (A Rough Sketch)
My nation, compatriots (or fellow citizens) are dumb, brought to silence, and perish (die) because of their failure to perceive, discern, use wisdom, and skill in accordance to my law where I reveal my will. Because you have despised, refused, and cast off these things, I (God) will also despise, refuse you as my priest. Since you have ignored and ceased to care about the direction, instruction, and customs of your ruler, I will also ignore and cease to care about your children.
Now do you see why ignorance isn't bliss and could be detrimental? God wants you enlightened and informed, while hell wants to keep you ignorant to guarantee your defeat. With which camp are you partnering?
Short on time? Check out the teaching clip here.
Have more time? Check out the complete video here.
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