The Figurative Blind, Deaf, and Clothes

Introduction

The lesson is about the figurative meanings of being blind, deaf, and clothed, emphasizing the importance of understanding and applying the word of God.
The aim is to ensure that everyone is sealed with this knowledge, reflecting on whether they are spiritually blind or deaf and whether they are wearing the proper spiritual clothes.

Main Reference: Revelation 3:17-18

This passage warns of being wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, urging the purchase of refined gold (true riches), white clothes (righteousness), and salve for the eyes (spiritual discernment).
The key question is whether the people recognized their condition, as recognition should lead to seeking remedies.
The Tabernacle of the Seven Golden Lampstands did not recognize their status, highlighting a lack of spiritual sight.
There is a need to learn from their example by acquiring white clothes and applying eye salve for clear vision.

The Figurative Blind and Deaf

Physical Characteristics

Blindness: Inability to see.
Deafness: Inability to hear.

Figurative Meaning

God calling people blind and deaf is not literal; they are spiritually impaired.
Isaiah 43:8: "Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf."
- People have physical senses but lack spiritual understanding.
Isaiah 42:18-20: "Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see!…"
- This is directed towards God's servants and messengers, those who should be leading others.
- They see things but pay no attention; their ears are open, but they hear nothing.
- If leaders are blind and deaf, they cannot guide the people properly.

Explanation of Spiritual Blindness and Deafness

Analogy: Eyes physically looking at a page but not paying attention, requiring rereading.
Selective hearing: Ears work, but not everything is heard or understood.
Understanding is equated with "I see."
God addresses messengers who are leading his people, calling them blind and deaf, which is perilous.

Isaiah 29:9-13

This explains the status of leaders and people:
- Eyes are sealed.
- Heads are covered, symbolizing blindness.
Prophets and seers cannot see; leaders can read texts but not understand them because it is a sealed scroll.
The inability to understand prophecies about the Messiah and the future is highlighted.
Like the sealed book of Revelation, the vision was sealed, preventing understanding.
Blindness: Seeing the word but not understanding it.
Deafness: Hearing the word but not understanding it.
Instead of acknowledging their blindness/deafness, the people teach their own traditions and interpretations (Rules taught by men).
The Jewish people were unable to recognize Jesus because they were filled with different knowledge and could not accept the truth.

Promise of Restored Sight and Hearing

Blindness and deafness are temporary; there will be a time when people can see and hear.
Isaiah 35:5: "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped."
Psalm 119:130: "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."
Understanding comes when the word is unfolded, bringing light.
At nighttime, there is no light, so we are technically blind but once there is a lamp, we can see a little bit until the sun comes up (full light).
When the sun, or God's word, is shown, recognition and understanding appear.
The time when God comes with the one He sent is when the blind will see and the deaf will hear.

New Testament: Status of Leaders and People

Matthew 15:14: "Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."
- Jesus calls the Pharisees and teachers of the law blind guides.
- Following a blind person leads to a pit (Hell).
Matthew 23: Jesus pronounces woes on the Pharisees and teachers of the law, calling them blind guides because they already learned false lies.
- They block people from entering heaven.
The Promise pastor wants the pastors to "see what you are doing", even today (at the second coming).
John 9:39-41: Jesus heals a blind man, leading to a discussion with Pharisees.
- Jesus came so that the blind will see, and those who see will become blind.
- If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin, but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
- Those who claim they can already see cannot know the fulfillment.
In the time of darkness, it is not a sin to be blind but if you claim you can see then you are lying.
Lie: Leading people to Hell.
Jesus exposed the Pharisees so that they may see the truth.

The Testimony of Prophecy and Fulfillment

In John 1, Jesus is the Word become flesh. Every word of the Old Testament came true and he came according to those words.
In the New Testament, Jesus gave prophecies about the New Testament through the apostle John (Revelation).
- Revelation 3:17-18: Highlights that the people are blind.
In order to get the salve where we can see, we have to go to Shincheonji where the promised pastor is giving it out.
Revelation is sealed, so people are blind and they wept because they realized no one could understand it. Then Jesus takes the scroll.
The seals are all open, so the book is now able to be read, then Jesus gives it to an angel. The angel delivers it to John, and John eats it and puts it in his stomach.
- Sweet, then sour (realizing the world is blind).
During the sealed book time, people continue to make up their own rules.
- Thousands of denominations in Christianity because of this.
Before the prophecy is fulfilled, everyone is blind and deaf.
When the revealed word is testified, those who come out will have their eyes and ears open.
Those who do not come to the light will stand condemned.

Broaden the Perspective

Review timeline visual
(Prophecy Sealed: Blind) -> (Lampstand) -> (Jesus Opens Book: Can See) -> (New Prophecies, sealed for 2000 years: Blind, sin to claim can see) -> (Jesus Returns, New John Opened Book: Everyone who listens can see/hear)

The Figurative Clothes

Meaning

Figurative Clothes - Our Heart, Actions, and Doctrines
Wedding clothes - Righteous Acts

Matthew 22:11-12

Parable of Wedding Banquet. Those who rejected rejected the invitation, so the invitation was extended to everyone off the streets.
Attending the King's wedding implies wearing certain attire. Those who are brought in are asked to put on a special clothes.
Consequence: There is a person without wedding clothes. Person knew what to do, but said nothing because he didn't do it.
If you do not change and wash yourself, you will be thrown out. Given a huge opportunity (Heaven) but requires action (cleaning ourselves and becoming righteous).
Can you enter to holy city New Jerusalem with sin? You can't. Kick out.

Physical Characteristics of Clothes

Covers your body
Dresses you formal; meet before a king
Must be washed

Two Kinds of Clothes

Revelation 19:13: Jesus Dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God
- Jesus is the word of God.
- Jesus Shed His blood
Revelation 17:4: Satan's Clothes - Purple Scarlet with Gold, Precious Stones, and Pearls with an a cup filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulterous
- Satan's Doctrines: Has filthy and abominable things (false doctrinses).

Wedding Clothes

Revelation 19:8: Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
- Given fine linen, bright and clean. So, they are CLEAN.
Revelation 22:1, 14: The angel showed me rivers of the water of life, clear of crystal, flowing from the throne of God
- Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city through the gates.
- River of the water of life - Bible especially the bible studies (wed and sun).
- Can never enter if you don't wear the wedding clothes.

Conclusion

Blind/Deaf - Person who doesn't understand
Clothes - Heart, Action, and Doctrine
Wedding Clothes - Righteous Acts
Let us continue to renew ourselves to be the children of light who possess the open and revealed word.