Secret!

SECRET!

"Then he said to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, 'O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the (secret) wrath to come?'"-Lk 3:7

Who was he talking to? Jews! Multitudes of them coming to be baptized by him for remission of their sins! WELL! That's not a very nice way to greet them! Very inhospitable, if you ask me! - [& nobody did!]

A note about the vipers of Palestine: they lay in wait for their prey (silently, without "warning"), half-hidden and partially covered with sand. Then they strike out suddenly and attack!

So the allusion of John to the people as "vipers" had a local significance we "moderns" might overlook today. One only had to casually stroll by a sneaky viper to be ambushed without warning! And, remember, there is never a defence against ambush! [except ABIDING-IN Jesus Christ!]

But John indicates his now-revealed ministry was to be kept a secret from the "masses". Curiouser & curiouser!

Jesus refers to the "Father Who is in secret, and sees in secret"-Mt 6:4; and we learn that "the secret things belong to God"-Dt 29:29; and God's very Name is secret-Jug 13:18; and, it is written, "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant"-Ps 25:14; and there are "secret sins" (Ps 90:8);

We were made in secret (Ps 139:15); there are secrets of the heart (Ps 44:21); and all secrets (good or evil) will be judged by God (Ecc 12:14, Ro 2:16); but that God did not speak in secret (Is 45:19, Is 48:16); but He reveals secrets (Dn 2:28, Mk 4:22, Mt 13:35, Am 3:7, Lk 8:17); and the "mystery-of-Grace" (Paul's Gospel) that was "kept secret" (by God!)-Ro 16:25.

So we can see there are many "secret" things in scriptures. But why would God keep His promised salvation a secret from the Jews?

For the same reason Jesus spoke to "them" in parables! They had chosen their own way, their own leaders, their own destiny! Finally, God said "Amen" to their choices, hardened their hearts, blinded their eyes and closed their ears to His Word! [I believe God is Doing this again TODAY to those who only talk Christ's Talk!]

When His Word came "veiled" in the flesh, they "knew not the things that would make for Peace", as Jesus said ("the time of their visitation"-Lk 19:44). [Notice Christ did NOT attempt to "Heal" or "Cure" what "ailed" the fig tree, but simply CURSED it!]

John was righteously angry with the multitude who now would pretend to flee the "wrath to come" just as they also pretended to "tithe" even the smallest condiment while robbing God of the common Justice He expected from each of them as concerned hospitality toward strangers, being a "Light unto the Gentiles", etc.!

God is not mocked (deceived); and neither, apparently, was His "greatest" prophet! [Tho He Says the "least of" us is greater!]

God has reserved His "secrets" for His Children. And you can always tell His children (by the Family resemblance!) - by their Love for, and acknowledgment of Him!

God fully intends to reveal all His "secrets" to ALL (not as though He's been "in-hiding" all along!). But for some it will simply be TOO LATE! [1Cor 1:30 ==> Heb 12:15-17]

All is now revealed in Jesus Christ. But only those with "eyes & ears" can see & hear! God forgive our unbelief!