The Milk of the Word or the Meat?

Hebrews

5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Daniel

12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

In the first Scripture, God is describing a people who 'ought to be teachers', but were lacking in the basic principles of Christianity. Who are these 'teachers'? Well, we would expect by virtue of the fact that they 'ought to be teachers', they must be those who have some form of knowledge that God entrusted to them to pass on, correct?

The second Scripture adds some more light to who this group of people are, who posess such wealth of knowledge. The word 'wise', actually means 'teachers'; and yes, the 'wise' in this verse also are distinguished by their knowledge. Please bear in mind that in Daniel 12, these people are the genuine, converted teachers. They are the wise virgins, who have an intellectual and spiritual settling into the Truth. What I am referring to are those who have a profession of being the wise, in this verse.

Now let's refine our search, so to speak. The context of Daniel 12, is the prophecies in the book of Daniel. Bringing it home, there are many of us (me included) who have an understanding of the 'strong meat' of the Word; we 'ought to be teachers', sharing with others the final warning message for this hour, but yet 'ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.'

Please don't misunderstand me, I wholeheartedly believe that the revival and reformation of God's Church will come from the understanding and application of the lessons gleaned from the books of Daniel and the Revelation (see The Faith I Live By, p.345). What I am saying is that the meat of God's Word serves to revive, awaken, bringing us to a realisation and an urgency of the times we are in, and most importantly it is the revelation of Jesus Christ. BUT....BUT if we are studying and teaching the meat of the Word, and we are STILL ALLOWING THE CARNAL MAN TO REIGN OVER US DAY IN AND DAY OUT; if WE POSESS NOT THE PRINCIPLES OF THE LOVE OF GOD (1 COR 13), BUT IN OUR HOMES WE ARE LOSING OUR TEMPER WITH OUR CHILDREN; WE ARE BUSY GIVING BIBLE STUDIES OUT THERE BUT WE ARE FAILING TO BE THE PRIEST OF OUR HOME; WE ARE RISING UP AGAINST THE GODLY AUTHORITY OF OUR HUSBANDS; WE ARE BACKBITING AND HAVING VARIANCE AMONG US AS BRETHREN; if these things are present in our lives, the message is simple:

'ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.'

The story of Nicodemus brings out this truth even more:

'"Rabbi," he said, "we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him." By speaking of Christ's rare gifts as a teacher, and also of His wonderful power to perform miracles, he hoped to pave the way for his interview. His words were designed to express and to invite confidence; but they really expressed unbelief. He did not acknowledge Jesus to be the Messiah, but only a teacher sent from God. {DA 168.3}

Instead of recognizing this salutation, Jesus bent His eyes upon the speaker, as if reading his very soul. In His infinite wisdom He saw before Him a seeker after truth. He knew the object of this visit, and with a desire to deepen the conviction already resting upon His listener's mind, He came directly to the point, saying solemnly, yet kindly, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3, margin. {DA 168.4}

Nicodemus had come to the Lord thinking to enter into a discussion with Him, but Jesus laid bare the FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH. He said to Nicodemus, It is not theoretical knowledge you need so much as spiritual regeneration. You need not to have your curiosity satisfied, but to have a new heart. You must receive a new life from above before you can appreciate heavenly things. Until this change takes place, making all things new, it will result in no saving good for you to discuss with Me My authority or My mission.' {DA 171.1}

[Note: JESUS BY-PASSED HIS INTELLECTUAL DISCUSSION, AND DEALT WITH HIS NEED: THE 'FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH; or as Hebrews states: 'FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD.']

'Nicodemus had heard the preaching of John the Baptist concerning repentance and baptism, and pointing the people to One who should baptize with the Holy Spirit. He himself had felt that there was a lack of spirituality among the Jews, that, to a great degree, they were controlled by bigotry and worldly ambition. He had hoped for a better state of things at the Messiah's coming. Yet the heart-searching message of the Baptist had failed to work in him conviction of sin. {DA 171.2}

There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. {DA 172.1}

"Art thou a MASTER OF ISRAEL, and knowest not these things?" Jesus asked. Surely one entrusted with the RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION of the people should not be ignorant of truths so important. {DA 173.4}

Not through controversy and discussion is the soul enlightened. We must look and live. Nicodemus received the lesson, and carried it with him. He searched the Scriptures in a new way, not for the discussion of a theory, but in order to receive life for the soul. He began to see the kingdom of heaven as he submitted himself to the leading of the Holy Spirit.' {DA 175.2}