Now We Know Him No Longer In The Flesh
Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value]. [No] even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now [we have such knowledge of Him that] we know Him no longer [in terms of the flesh]. (2 Cor 5:16 AMPC)
Wouldn't it be great to have lived in the days of Jesus. To actually hear the Living Word of God speak the words of The Father. The disciples (at least 11 of them) had a great privilege. They ate and walked and lived with Jesus for at least a full year. They knew what He looked like, sounded like, and even smelled like. They knew Jesus according to the flesh.
God needed witnesses who were eyewitnesses to the resurrection and who touched the post-resurrection body of Jesus.
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. (Rom 3)
Paul says that there was a certain advantage to being a Jew. Mainly, that they were recipients of the Law that kept the promises of God alive for 1,500 years. They were the nation that the King was born into. Their prophets brought forth the Word of God and many prophecies for the future.
But I would like to suggest that there was even a greater advantage for the Gentiles who were not affected by the Law of Moses. There was no transition period for them as there was for the Jews of the first century. They had nothing to unlearn. They did not have the barrier of the signs and shadows that pointed to the Reality, which is Christ. The Gentiles can come out of darkness and step into the light of the Gospel without 1,500 years of ritual and symbolism to disregard.
Grandpa drives a blue pickup. As his grandson awaits his arrival, hundreds of cars drive past his house. An orange convertible? No. A silver sedan? No. A black SUV? No. Here comes a blue pickup. Yes! This is the one!
Wouldn't
it be shameful if the grandson runs out front door, embraces the blue
pickup and ignores his Grandpa?
Worse yet if he kisses Grandpa and returns to hugging the blue pickup that finally has arrived in his driveway. No one would do that, would they? Unthinkable. Actually, this is increasing in our day.
Leaving the Reality, Christ, to worship the shadow.
Could some form of Torah-ism be the Last Days' Great Deception? It is so persuasive. It seems to be able to enamour even the most devout Christian. Few things are able to sway the most serious Christians today like returning to the Law. It was understandable in the first century. This was a transition time from the law of Moses for the Jews to the Gospel of Jesus Christ for all people. But in 2026? For Gentiles that were not raised under the Law, which has not been available to anyone for almost 2,000 years? Unthinkable.
Everyone thinks, "I can't be deceived. I'm too solid in the Word". The nature of deception is that the person who is deceived cannot know it.
Could this be the Last Days' Great Deception that Jesus warned about? One that is aimed at the Christian, not the unsaved. That would catch everyone off guard.
June 10, 2026