HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT!

KINGDOM BUILDERS

“BUILDING THE KINGDOM THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD”

PIERCING THE VEIL

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

I looked on top of my bedside table, on my bureau, next to my computer, in the console of my truck, and any and every other place I could think of that I might of left them or used them. All to no avail. Finally, I exclaimed, “Where are my glasses,” I asked? My daughter seeing my quandary, and knowing I could not read my paper or write my post on my computer started to look with me. As I turned to thank her for helping me, she pointed to the top of my head. “There they are,” she said. I felt on top of my head, and sure enough, there they were in plain sight. Well, it was plain to every one but me that is. They could see them, but I could not. I did not even feel them even though it was customary for me to shove my glasses to the top of my head when not in use so I could easily get them when needed. But, this time, I had forgotten where I last put them.

We may have all done something like that in times past and may still lose something that is in plain sight. But, for some reason, we can’t see them. We may even retrace out steps, going back to different rooms in our home where we were last. We may even call the last restaurant we went to looking for that needle in a haystack hoping that someone else had picked them up or turned them in, or maybe they were where we last sat. Then we go back to the place we put on an overshirt, and lo and behold, there they are, in plain sight right on the dresser where we took them off to put on that overshirt. It’s not just glasses we lose, it is our billfold, our keys, our credit cards, and a host of other things. We make our minds up to put every thing in its place so we don’t lose them, but some unforeseen event happens, and a regular pattern changes and we leave a common item in an uncommon place. It’s lost, we think. Maybe, someone took it. Perhaps the maid put it in a drawer. But, when it comes down to it, we are the culprit who hid our glasses in plain sight.

Of course, we are not limited to our little possessions that seem to be lost. It is possible to lose a whole body or person. Take for example the disciples. After the crucifixion of Jesus, his body appeared to be lost to them all. Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them went to Jesus’ sepulchre only to find he was not there. Angels told them that he had risen just as he had said. Being elated about this good news, they rushed off to tell the apostles. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. (John 20:11-16). Mary actually sat and talked with Jesus thinking that he was a gardener. He was hidden in plain sight. When folks are in their grief, the carnal mind cannot see the spiritual, nor can the spiritual be understood. It was only when Jesus addressed Mary by saying her name that quickened her to the very core of her heart that her eyes of understanding were opened. And, there he was, right in front of her all the time.

Peter, needing to see for himself quickly returned to the grave only to find it empty himself. Later, two of the disciples began to travel to Emmaus. As they began to talk of the events that had transpired the last few days, someone joined them in their travels. It was Jesus himself who drew near to them and joined in the conversation, but because there eyes were holden (restrained from seeing into the spirit), they did not recognize him. Jesus asked them why they were so sad. One of the disciples, Cleopas, said to him that he must be a stranger in these parts to not know that the man whom was to be the savior of Israel was crucified and buried, and later to have made known to Mary and others that he had risen, but he was no where to be found. Jesus was walking and talking with them all the time, yet he was hidden from plain sight. How can something like that be? In this case, the scriptures give us the answer. They reasoned amongst themselves. Even church folk and believers who begin to reason the things of God remain blinded to the truth. They could not see into the spirit realm because their carnal and natural man restrains them. The natural man knoweth not the things of the kingdom for they are spiritually discerned. Wise old Solomon said, Lean not unto thine own understanding. Can you not see that your mind and your own eyes can deceive you?

Have you ever watched a magician? With the greatest sleight of hand and distraction, he can make the eye of the observer see what he wants it to or not see it. He can make things disappear or reappear. Your eyes will deceive you, and your mind will play tricks on you. The unobservant do not realize that he has been set up. If one only understood the mind of the magician, he would not easily be fooled, but because he doesn’t have his mind, he can’t see the obvious.

Eye has not seen, nor has the ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him. But, God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the sprit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-11). It is very clear from this scripture that the natural man made after the order of Adam cannot understand the things of God. He can understand the things of another man, much like a psychiatrist, because he studies men and their thought patterns. But, they cannot understand the things of God unless they are born of the spirit and have the spirit of God within them. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:13-14).

Maybe you remember like me, that before I got born again, I tried to read the Bible. I could not understand it. The best I got out of it was a bunch of genealogies that meant nothing to me. There were stories in the New Testament about this man Jesus, but he seemed to be some kind of prophet whatever that was. And, then there were all those admonitions and rules and judgment on the world. I really did not want to hear all that. The worst part was, I really didn’t understand the language of the spirit. Why? Because of my unregenerate Adamic man. If one really wants to know the things of the spirit, he must be born again. And, if he really wants to get further enlightenment, he should be baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Then, we could go on deeper to know the Lord.

As the disciples traveled with Jesus, he expounded the word of God to them more clearly. They constrained him to come in and eat with them. It was here that their eyes were opened. Jesus had told some of the Jews to eat of his flesh and drink of his blood. It offended many of them including his disciples, and they left following him. However, he was speaking a spiritual language not a carnal one. Certainly, he was not talking about eating his real flesh like a cannibal or drinking his real blood like a Dracula. Nevertheless, many of the carnal disciples left off from following him because they could only see the natural. Of course, it disgusted them. They got the wrong message. Then Jesus came to the disciples, and said, will you leave also. It was then that Simon Peter got a revelation. He said, Lord, where would we go. Only you have the words of eternal life. It is the spirit that quickened. The flesh profits nothing. The words that Jesus speaks are spirit and life.

And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? Here, the disciples went in to sup with him. It was at this time that dining with them, he fed them the word of God. It was a quickening word. It was an anointed word. It becomes apparent that fellowshipping with Jesus and feeding on his flesh which is the word of God, one will get divine revelation. Their hearts began to burn within them as he revealed hidden secrets of the spirit realm. Christ is totally hidden from the carnal and natural man. They can look him directly in the face and not know who he is. His visage is not one to be desired. In other words, he looks no different from any other man. In fact, he looks normal. It is quite likely that should Christ enter some churches, he would never be recognized, though the saints sing about him and preach about him. Why? Because, he is hidden in plain sight.

A man I had won to the Lord was the same man I used to live the hard life with. He got trapped in the drug culture and became somewhat of a hippie. However, he got filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to serve the Lord. He wanted all the word he could get, so I invited him to the church I was attending. He would come in early to services to pray and get a front row seat. Upon seeing him on the front row, I would make my way up to him, and sit with him. I found it to be unusual that at least 3 rows were vacant behind him. No one but me would speak to him or welcome him to the services. Maybe it was the leather satchel with a shoulder strap he carried his bible in, maybe it was his long hair to his waist, maybe it was the bandana around his forehead, or the unshaven face he had. But, no one could deny he loved God. He sang to the top of his voice, he prayed fervently, he wept at the mention of the name Jesus, and he knelt in holy reverence. But, I was his only friend. After coming a month and a half to every service, he announced to me that this service was to be his last. I asked him why. He said not a single person had made an effort to welcome him and extend the right hand of fellowship or try to be friends with him. He also said, you are the only one who loves me the way I am. And I did love him dearly in the Lord. He was a great friend years ago and he was a great friend now. He said he would not be coming back. I said, then neither will I. Quizzically, he glanced back at me and wanted to know why I was leaving. I said if they can’t receive you, a child of God and my friend, then I can no longer extend my hand of fellowship to them, for they do not know who you are. He was a child of God hidden in plain sight, but his visage was not one to be desired much like the word said about Jesus.

Jesus always seemed to be speaking of natural things that didn’t make sense to the disciples. He used parables of earthly things to speak of the heavenly. It was puzzling to the disciples because he wouldn’t speak directly to them and explain himself. It was at one of these times the disciples asked him, “Lord, why do you speak to us in parables?” To which he replied, “It is given to you to understand, but to them without, they cannot understand.” The Bible is written in such a way that those who are not spiritual cannot delve into the deep things of God. Jesus asked the disciples who men thought he was. They said men thought he was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or some other prophet. He then asked them who they thought he was. Simon Peter popped up and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus then said to him, “Blessed are you Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father which in heaven. The word without the spirit is a dead letter. One can’t see God or know who he is unless the spirit quickens him. Obviously, the spirit had quickened Peter so that he might get understanding, and see the Christ for who he was.

One of the disciples named Thomas, also known as doubting Thomas was with the other disciples discussing the death of Jesus. He said, I will not believe unless I can see the print of the nails in his hands, and thrust my hand into his side. Suddenly, Jesus appeared. Though the scriptures do not say so, it was apparent that Thomas did not know him immediately. Jesus told him to reach with his finger into the nail prints of his hands, and thrust his hand into his side. Thomas obviously got the revelation. He said, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus had been hidden in plain sight. He then told Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” If you think it would make it easier to believe if you actually saw Christ, you are wrong. We can only come to him by faith, believing that God IS though we can’t see him.

Job, a man whom God said was perfect in all his ways, began to go through many afflictions. He lost his children, his live stock, his home, his servants, and finally, he lost his health. He began to banter with God. His judgmental friends condemned him not really knowing God themselves. There was no doubt that Job was a righteous man. And, obviously he was exceedingly brilliant. Why, who in this world could carry on a conversation with God and hold his own. Little did he know that God had condescended to speak with him in his language for a little season, but as the argument grew heated, God began to really test Job. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth, and set boundaries for the seas? Job could not answer the simplest of questions. Finally, after much dialogue with the Lord, Job answers. “I know that you can do every thing. And that no thought can be withheld from you. Who is he that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that I understood not, things too wonderful for me which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak; I will demand thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.” (Job 42:1-5). Job said he had heard of God by the hearing of the ear. What he meant was, my carnal man knows of you. Now, my eye sees you. His spiritual understanding was finally come to the full. He could see God not with his natural eyes, but with his spiritual eyes. He finally understood God. Even though Job had purported to know God all those years, it was not until God had fully revealed himself that Job finally sees him.

Isaiah and Paul and Luke all write, For God has given them a spirit of slumber with eyes to see but they can‘t see, ears to hear but they can‘t hear, and a heart to understand, but they can’t understand lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. You see, it is not the many, the proud, the noble, the rich, the wise, or the great that God reveals himself to. Why, he is hidden to them in plain sight. They can purport to know God by all they learning from all the higher institutions of the world, they can attain to great wealth and prominence among men exclaim their righteousness because of their money, they can be mighty in battle and win many victories claiming the battle was the Lord‘s, but these are not the ones that God reveals himself to though he be with them at all times. He reveals himself to the humble, the broken, the poor in spirit, and the little man. No one has seen God at any time, but he has shown himself to us by his spirit.

The Jews, and the Pharisees and Saducees could not understand how Peter and John could do the miracles they did since they were not men of letters. It was not until it was finally understood that these “ignorant and unlearned men” had been with Jesus that a little light began to enter. Even though Jesus walked the streets of Jerusalem, did exploits and miracles, cast out devils and healed the sick, he was not recognized to be the son of God though the religious folk themselves said, no man can do these miracles except God be with him. They knew, but did not believe. He had come unto his own, but his own received him not. There was God manifest in the flesh as the son of God walking, talking, doing miracles amongst the people, but they did not know him. He was HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.

If you think that was unsual, try to explain the deep things of God to a carnal Christian. Try to explain the book of Revelation to someone who has studied all the end time prophecies, and the carnal explanations of all the events taking place in that magnificent book. The book is written in a mystical, spiritual, and secret code. Only the discerning can understand it. The natural man, the carnal Christian, and the end time prophet will explain in great depths about an antiChrist, Armageddeon, the war to end all wars, the end of the world, 666, the many plagues, trumpet blasts, woes that are to beset the world, beasts in heaven around the throne, a false prophet, blood up to the horses bridles, the falling of the great city of Babylon though it no longer exists, the death of many of the world’s population, the burning of the sinner in the Lake of Fire, the City of God also known as the New Jerusalem and how it comes down from heaven, how big it is, what it is constructed of, and about a king sitting on the throne in Jerusalem himself after he destroys the world with fire. Is that just a few of the eloquent dissertations they run on about? It never ceases to amaze me how they explain how much they know of things that don’t and have never existed, and never will.

In the first place, the Book of Revelation is not about the end times or Armageddeon or the end of the world. Oh, I know there have been multitudes of books written by well known authors, movies made about Christians being snatched out the earth and going to heaven, and the destruction of the world called the Apocalypse. But, none of these stories or movies were written by a single person who had a divine revelation about the book. Actually, the bottom line of their finances went up tremendously if they wrote about the tragedies that were to plague the earth. You know that saying, “Bad news travels like wildfire.” Multitudes have read and seen the movies of the last days. The books fly off the shelves and the movies are sold out. Folks want to know what is going to happen in the LAST DAYS. They see the last days in their future, and more particularly in the near future. But, search as they might, they will never see those days just as 100’s, yes even 1000’s who have taught of the last days for the last 2000 years, for they have already been fulfilled. Uh oh! You weren’t expecting that. Your pastor just told you last Sunday that Armageddeon is near; the last world war to end all world wars is nigh as the middle east, China, and Turkey are surrounding little Israel, and they are going to push them into the sea and destroy every living soul. The antiChrist is believed to be alive and will quickly come on the scene and take over world power. He will cut off everyone’s head who will not take his mark. Jesus is going to come flying out of heaven on his white horse with 1000’s of his saints and make war with the antiChrist and the false prophet. Only a remnant of the world’s population will survive the holocaust. Will you be in the number, particularly the 144,000 chosen ones to survive?

What about the book of Revelation that is in plain sight that you don’t see? Is it possible that the events I just described are not actual future events awaiting fulfillment of the destruction of sinful man. First let’s make a note. The book of Matthew was written in 50 AD. Luke was written in 60 AD. 1 & 2 Corinthians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and 1 & 2 Peter were written between 50 & 60 AD. It is unconfirmed, but Revelation could have been written between 68 & 70 AD. Even if it could be proved to be written between 80 & 90 AD, it would make no difference. Finally, nearly all New Testament scriptures were written before 70 AD, except 1, 2, & 3 John. I bring this up because the timing is important. Matthew 24 seems to be very important to modern day prophets. They indicated that this speaks of a prophecy yet future. But, is it? After telling about the end of the world, tribulation, wars and rumors of wars, and signs in heaven, Jesus told the disciples when these events would occur. He said in verse 34, “Verily, I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Most scholars will agree a generation is around 40 years. Add that to the time Matthew was written around 50 AD and you get 80 AD. Jesus said these words around 30 AD. But, Jesus said, this generation will not pass until all these things be fulfilled. He did not say it would be 80 AD or 2017 AD. The disciples asked Jesus when would be the end of the world in verse 3. The word world here is AION in the Greek. It means an unbroken age or a period of time. They were not talking about this planet. The period of time or time they were talking about was their Jewish Age. The rest of the world was of no consequence to them. They were just interested in what would happen to them and if they would rule and reign with Christ after the Roman Armies were defeated. Surely Jesus would come in, set up his kingdom, sit on the throne, vanquish his enemies, and allow the disciples to be his right hand men. They dreamed of that day. However, Jesus spoke of the judgment of this world, this Aion, this age. In less than 40 years, a generation, judgement did finally come. In 70 AD, the Roman General Titus rolled into Jerusalem, destroyed Israel, dismantled the Temple stone by stone, and set fire to the city. The great tribulation had occurred just prior to that time. The Jews were horribly persecuted. Signs in heaven were recorded as the moon certainly turned into blood just as Joel had prophesied. The heavens and earth did actually pass away, but Jesus was not talking about the cosmos. He was talking about the Temple, the Priesthood, the Law, and the animal sacrifices. It was common among the Jews to refer to their Temple as the “Heavens and Earth“. It was truly burned with fire. Peter even wrote about it in his 2nd Epistle written around 63 AD. He talked of the heavens and earth that were destroyed by the flood as opposed to the heavens and earth that are now. The heavens and earth of old were never destroyed, just flooded. The Heavens and Earth that are now meaning the Temple was destroyed with fire. Can you see it? Or is it hidden in plain sight?

Seeing Christ or seeing his revelations is easy if your spiritual eyes are open. But, if you look with eyes inherited from Adam, you will miss the obvious of events.

The Book of Revelation is a closed book to many. Some have interpreted it literally, and, of course, lose all perspective. Let me try to help you look through ocular lens of the Holy Ghost. The word Revelation is Apokalupsis in the Greek. Many have used this word in modern times and redefined it to mean apocalypse, the end of the world. However, the original Apokalupsis never had such a meaning. Instead, it means manifestation or uncovering. The title of the book is The Revelation of (by) Saint John the Divine. John starts in verse one stating that this book is The Revelation of Jesus Christ… In other words, it is the uncovering or the manifestation of Jesus Christ. Every word, every sentence, every paragraph, and every chapter is the revealing of the anointed one, Jesus Christ. When one reads the book and peers only into the surface, one wants to interpret everything literally. And, there are multitudes of literal translations. But, as one digs deeper, he can see that things like stars means angels, candlesticks mean churches, the seven horns and seven eyes are the seven spirits of God, the beasts represent the kingly nature, the 24 elders represent the royal priesthood, the four horses of the apocalypse are 4 spirits of God sent into all the earth, the antichrist is a spirit, Babylon is a mystical religion in all the earth, the woman clothed with the sun is the church, the man child is the corporate sons of God, the New Jerusalem is the city of God being made up of the redeemed of the earth and on and on and on. It should not take one long to realize that this book is written for spirituals only. Only they can see what others only think they see. No other book in the Bible was written with such mystical language using metaphors, symbolism, and allegories to describe the unveiling of the Son of God. The book starts out describing the Son of God in all his splendor, then it enlightens us about his church. On it goes to describe the conflict or Armageddon in all men, the battle of the flesh vs. the spirit. The old Adamic nature is ultimately destroyed, the sons of God are manifested to the world, and the final revelation of God’s city is revealed as he is the light in the temple which has no need of the sun. If you can see these things, you are way ahead of the pack who look with carnal eyes for the world to self destruct. God did not create this planet to be destroyed nor his people to be judged and sent to hell. He created this planet to be occupied and his people to be a praise unto him. Blessed is the man who reads this book and its prophecy and understands it. You must know, it is one of the world’s best kept secrets, but the book has been opened for those who see and closed to those who cannot as it is HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.

Kingdom Builders is dedicated to ministering the Word of God freely to anyone upon request. It is my desire to build up the body of Christ to become powerful, functional, mature Sons of God to make a difference in the World and the affairs of men. I am not in the marketing business nor do I have anything to sell. Should you or your friends desire to receive these articles, please write to the address below, send your email address, and they will be freely sent to you. All donations are gratefully appreciated.

Phillip S. Smith III

1705 Arkansas Road

West Monroe, LA 71291