Randy Blair Comments
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I Have Part IV
Regarding the word seen in John 1:8; 5:37 and 6:46.
The Greek word used is horao strongs g3708 has been translated in other scriptures as see Matt 8:4, knowing Matt 9:4, perceive Matt 13:14, heed Matt 16:15 and understand Mark 4:13. So perhaps seen may not have been the best translation in light of other scriptures which show that people have seen God. Again I ask who says visions don’t count?
John 14:7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
John 14:9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Thank you for your answer but I'm not sure you really answered my question, How do we explain the numerous examples of people seeing God.
I Have Part III
Key #6 Let the Bible Interpret Itself
“If something seems confusing or even contradictory, let clear biblical passages shed light on those you find difficult to understand. Scriptures do not contradict each another; they complement each other. Also, to properly understand a verse in the Bible, don’t force your personal point of view into it. Instead use the context and other relevant scriptures to find the correct meaning (2 Peter 1:20; John 10:35; John 17:17; Isaiah 28:9-10).”
Are we forcing our own personal point of view when we site four scriptures and ignore the other relevant scriptures on the subject? I ask again, where in the Bible does it say visions don’t count? Are we giving our own private interpretation of scripture?
How to Read, Study and Understand the Bible
https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/how-to-read-study-and-understand-the-bible
“Also be sure to avoid the classic mistake many people make. Don’t start out with preconceived doctrinal ideas and try to find verses that appear to provide support and justification for those beliefs. Read the Bible with an open mind and see for yourself what it says. Have the attitude of Jesus Christ who said..."
I Have Part II
Key #2 Keep an Open Mind
“Be willing to admit when you are wrong and change, even if it means letting go of a long-held belief or tradition. If you can successfully apply this one principle, you will be far ahead in the search for spiritual truth (Acts 17:11; Isaiah 8:20).”
Are we keeping an open mind if we refuse to consider that our understanding of these four scriptures may not have the meaning that we are forcing upon them? Are we holding on to tradition and ignoring the Word of God?
Key #4 Accept the Inspiration of all the Bible
“The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God. When studying, keep in mind that He inspired the words you are reading; God is directly speaking to you through them (2 Peter 1:21; Philippians 2:5; John 6:63).”
Are we rejecting the inspired Word of God when we make up our own rules of Biblical interpretation such as “visions don’t count as seeing God”?
I Have Part I
I have thought it through and I would like to know where in the Bible does it say visions of God do not count as seeing God? The descriptions in the scriptures describe God very clearly and they also show very clearly that Christ is also present making it clear that God the Father has been seen by people.
I would point your attention to the following Beyond Today articles.
Keys to Understanding the Bible
https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/how-to-understand-the-bible/keys-to-understanding-the-bible
Key #8 Read the whole Bible
“Go through the Bible from cover to cover. By reading every section of the Bible, you give yourself a broad familiarity and perspective that will help you shed preconceived ideas about doctrinal subjects. Our Bible Reading Program provides a convenient schedule for accomplishing this and other goals.”
How can we hang our whole understanding of seeing God on just four scriptures while we ignore many more that clearly describe God as having been seen by multiple people? Are we holding on to a preconceived doctrine that may be incorrect?
Part II
How then do we explain the numerous biblical examples of people seeing GOD?
Daniel 7:13-14
“I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
Ezek 1:26-28
And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.
Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.
Part III
How then do we explain the numerous examples of people seeing God?
Revelation 4 & 5
Rev 4:2
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Rev 5:1-6
And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” ... And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain...Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
Part I
How then do we explain the numerous biblical example of people seeing GOD?
Acts 7:54-55
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Dan 7:9
“I watched till thrones were put in place,
And the Ancient of Days was seated;
His garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
Its wheels a burning fire;
A fiery stream issued
And came forth from before Him.
A thousand thousands ministered to Him;
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
The court was seated,
And the books were opened.
Regarding the following quote from the article, "Still, there are those who argue that Jesus being the Son of God means, by the technical distinction in wording, that He is not God.", who is teaching that Jesus is not God?Are you referring to someone inside of UCG or outside of UCG? Is there an article I can read or a recorded sermon I can listen to where this is being taught? Is your source first hand information or is it something that you've heard others report?
Who was behind the veil in the Holy of Holies?Who did the priests offer sacrices to? The Father or The Word? Who did the sacrifices represent?