The concept of predestination

[Behold]

Romans 8:29-30 tells us, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son,

Your verse says that God KNEW who would be predestined to be conformed...

Your verse does not teach that God predestined anyone to be born again, as lying hyper calvinist's teach.

See, the predestining, is the conforming, and you have to become a Christian first.....before you can be conformed into....


Calvin, took this verse, about a Christian being conformed....and rewrote it as.."God choose you to be born again".

So, that is Hyper-Calvinist's core lie, along with "The Cross is only for the Elect".

 

[Ritajanice]

Excellent commentary.

The act of God’s choosing (v. 4) is now expanded and emphasized in these verses. God’s choice of his people is related to their being predestined (or “foreordained” or “predetermined”) to be a part of his family and thus receive all the accompanying benefits. But predestination is not an end in itself. Rather, God’s divine purpose of predestination is that those chosen are adopted into his family through the finished work of Christ. In the OT, the nation of Israel was given this special privilege (Ex. 4:22; Hos. 11:1; Rom. 9:4). Adoption was quite common in Greco-Roman culture. Adoptees were given the full status of the family and became heirs of the family’s estate. Paul now applies this concept to believers (cf. Rom. 9:26; 2 Cor. 6:18). The term “adoption” is used only five times in the NT, and only by Paul (cf. Rom. 8:15, 23; 9:4; Gal. 4:5). Those who were once “sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2) and “children of wrath” (2:3) are now able to call God their Father. The realization of this intimate relationship is possible only “through Jesus Christ” (1:5); he alone provides access to the Father, because of his finished work on the cross.

 

[Behold]

The act of God’s choosing

is this....

"Jesus came into the world to SAVE Sinners".

Is it only the ELECT who are "sinners"?

Liars = who teach Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism, say "YES"., "as that is what we were taught by liars to teach"..

Calvin and "hyper calvinists" deny that Jesus came to save sinners....... by teaching that He came to save only the Elect.

So, that is CROSS DENYING Heresy, that is "OF the DEVIL"... Hebrews 13:9

Only the Devil would want us to believe that The Cross is "only for some"...

 

[Ritajanice]

Romans 9

King James Version

​

9 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans 8&version=KJV

 

[Behold]

Romans 9​

​

11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

"calleth"

A.) Jesus said...."If I be lifted up, (on the Cross) I will DRAW (calleth) all people to me"'.

"All" people., not just the "elect", as lying doctrines of devil's teach their deceived to believe.

 

[Ritajanice]

​

◄ 1 Corinthians 2:13 ►

​

Audio Crossref Comment Greek Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. New Living Translation When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. English Standard Version And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. Berean Standard Bible And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

◄ 1 Corinthians 2:14 ►

Audio Crossref Comment Greek Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. New Living Translation But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. English Standard Version The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. Berean Standard Bible The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. Berean Literal Bible But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand them, because spiritually they are discerned.

 

[Randy Kluth]

But not all ask do they. The reason they do not ask or seek God is they are not born again, not spiritually minded.
You get that mind from God, it is not of yourself. So ultimately God's decision to whom He reveals Himself.

I'm jumping in here late, but wish to comment at this point. I believe that God reveals truth to all men, and not just to those He wants to save. The basis for judgment is that God, by His word, reveals His truth to *all men.* Otherwise, they would not be judged.

Do people have to be saved before they can be saved? Of course not! And so, God reaches all people with His word who are actually unworthy of that word, so that they may become worthy of it. Those who reject that word prove themselves to be unworthy of it.

You can't even come to Christ unless God grants that to you.

The point is that God grants the *opportunity* of Salvation to *all men." The availability of God's word is there for *every man.*

But I would agree that it is God who enables us to turn from our sins. It's just that the same opportunity is given to all men. Only those who consent to it by converting to Christ's nature, will benefit from its offer of Eternal Life, though.

I think that anybody, even apart from conversion, can still benefit from God's word, because it is given to all men. God, by virtue of having created all men in His image, provided for all men, including Cain, the ability to choose for the right.

Even if men are unsaved they can still do right by the same word from God that could save them for eternity. At least they can do right even if they remain unsaved!

 

[Ritajanice]

After God made you born again, then you believed in Christ and are that new creation in Christ.
Being born again is like as the wind of God blowing on a person according to His will for them.
It simply just happens, not by your will or desire. So it is with all who are born of God's Spirit.
Only then have you become a member of His family.

Exactly, how on earth could I believe in the cross or even understand it....without being Born Of The Living Spirit....that is Gods Living witness to His written word.

I think it was mind blowing how God brought me to initially believe in Jesus, then gave me the Faith Of The Spirit to believe, which means being Born Of The Spirit.

A Living witness of Gods truth delivered straight to my heart/ spirit.

What others believe I now believe I respect, but, please don’t come in here( not you) telling me how to believe or how to become Born Again..telling me I believed or became Born Again while still in sin.....as Gods word says the natural man can’t understand spiritual matters for they are spiritually discerned...they must get worn out running around this forum spreading their lies...I pray for them daily.


Being given the gift of Faith, is to GLORIFY THE FATHER, GLORIFY HIM I WILL!!!



1 Corinthians 12

​

King James Version​

​

​

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

 

[Behold]

I'm jumping in here late, but wish to comment at this point. I believe that God reveals truth to all men, and not just to those He wants to save.

Of course He does.

This is why Preachers preach, and teachers teach.
Its why God gave the WORLD a BIBLE.....

Its why there is a CHURCH......that ALL can find.

Its so that ALL can know the Truth, and believe in HIM.

John 14:6

 

[Behold]

Exactly, how on earth could I believe in the cross or even understand it....without being Born Of The Living Spirit....

Simple.

The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to the Unbeliever.

 

[Ritajanice]

We don’t need to go to any church or read a Bible to be Born Of The Spirit.

That is heresy and a lie...we are Born From Above and it’s very much a Living spiritual birth, that only can be done by God, which the Holy Spirit does in us, he carries out the will of the Father.

The Holy Spirit brings our spirit Alive and that is how we come to know Jesus, by being Born Again..Born Again of imperishable seed that happens to be the Living Holy Spirit.

This is how we communicate with God via his Spirit, through our spirit...spiritual children, we understand in the spirit.

 

[Behold]

We don’t need to go to any church or read a Bible to be Born Of The Spirit.

Notice this verse. (posted below).

1.) First comes the Preaching,

2.) then comes the Believing,

3.) then God saves those who heard the Preaching and Believe it.

See How Free Will works?

Its the same every time..., and notice that the verse does not say that God caused them to believe.

Be sure you notice that... Reader.
--
-
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe.
ASV

For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
AMP

For since the world through all its [earthly] wisdom failed to recognize God, God in His wisdom was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached [regarding salvation] to save those who believe [in Christ and welcome Him as Savior].
AMPC

For when the world with all its earthly wisdom failed to perceive and recognize and know God by means of its own philosophy, God in His wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching [salvation, procured by Christ and to be had through Him], to save those who believed (who clung to and trusted in and relied on Him).
BRG

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
CSB

For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached.
CEB
In God’s wisdom, he determined that the world wouldn’t come to know him through its wisdom. Instead, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching.
CJB

For God’s wisdom ordained that the world, using its own wisdom, would not come to know him. Therefore God decided to use the “nonsense” of what we proclaim as his means of saving those who come to trust in it.
CEV
God was wise and decided not to let the people of this world use their wisdom to learn about him. Instead, God chose to save only those who believe the foolish message we preach.
DARBY
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom has not known God, God has been pleased by the foolishness of the preaching to save those that believe.
DLNT
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the proclamation to save the onesbelieving.
DRA
For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe.
ERV
This is what God in his wisdom decided: Since the world did not find him through its own wisdom, he used the message that sounds foolish to save those who believe it.
EASY
God himself is wise. He has decided that people cannot know him just because they are wise in their own way. Instead, God uses the message about Jesus to save people. That message may seem to be silly to some people. But when we tell it to people, God saves them if they believe it.
EHV
Indeed, since the world through its wisdom did not know God, God in his wisdom decided to save those who believe, through the foolishness of the preached message.
ESV
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
ESVUK
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

 

[Ritajanice]

We don’t need to go to any church or read a Bible to be Born Of The Spirit.

That is heresy and a lie...we are Born From Above and it’s very much a Living spiritual birth, that only can be done by God, which the Holy Spirit does in us, he carries out the will of the Father.

The Holy Spirit brings our spirit Alive and that is how we come to know Jesus, by being Born Again..Born Again of imperishable seed that happens to be the Living Holy Spirit.

This is how we communicate with God via his Spirit, through our spirit...spiritual children, we understand in the spirit.

The only name we have to know before we can be Born Of The Spirit is the Name Of Jesus..I knew all about Jesus and was taught about him at school..I could NOT believe in my spirit that Jesus was who he said he was , not until the Holy Spirit made my spirit Born Again, that is the mind blowing spiritual birth, that you will NEVER forget, because we were Born Again of imperishable seed.

We need that Living witness the Holy Spirit to make us Born Again ,without Him doing that imo you can only understand the written word as a natural man..

We must be Born Again of imperishable seed..that is the Living seed the Holy Spirit...who witnesses Gods truth to our spirit, then His Living witness the Holy Spirit backs up Gods written word and brings it to our understanding in the spirit.

That is how we communicate with God our spirit via Gods Living Holy Spirit.

 

[Behold]

We need that Living witness the Holy Spirit to make us Born Again ,without Him doing that imo you can only understand the written word as a natural man..

No one is born again before their sin is forgiven.

As to be born again, God has to join His Spirit to THEIRS......
So, when YOU teach that a person is born again, before they can BELIEVE in Jesus, then you have them UNFORGIVEN... being born again.... to then be ABLE to believe in Jesus.... so that NOW God can forgive their sin.

Your theology, is teaching that Holy God is joining Himself to unforgiven sinners..

That will never happen., as it can't.


You should stop teaching this LIE... asap.

 

[Ritajanice]

We know God in our spirit, that is where His Living Holy Spirit indwells us,He is Gods witness to our spirit, he testifies with our spirit that we are Gods children,..this is how we know him in spirit and truth.

The Bible is the written word, it doesn’t make our spirit Born Again...you need the Living spiritual birth...chosen and predestined to be a child of God, before the foundation of the world...all biblical.

The natural man has no understanding of spiritual matters as they are spiritually discerned...

John 1:13-15​

​

King James Version​

​

​

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

 

[Behold]

The natural man has no understanding of spiritual matters as they are spiritually discerned...

​

The natural man is going to teach that God gives the new Birth to a SINNER, ...., before God forgives their sin.

That is certainly not the "Spirit of God" leading anyone to believe that.... or teach it.

Go here instead.

""" it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe.""""

 

[Scott Downey]

I'm jumping in here late, but wish to comment at this point. I believe that God reveals truth to all men, and not just to those He wants to save. The basis for judgment is that God, by His word, reveals His truth to *all men.* Otherwise, they would not be judged.

Do people have to be saved before they can be saved? Of course not! And so, God reaches all people with His word who are actually unworthy of that word, so that they may become worthy of it. Those who reject that word prove themselves to be unworthy of it.

The point is that God grants the *opportunity* of Salvation to *all men." The availability of God's word is there for *every man.*

But I would agree that it is God who enables us to turn from our sins. It's just that the same opportunity is given to all men. Only those who consent to it by converting to Christ's nature, will benefit from its offer of Eternal Life, though.

I think that anybody, even apart from conversion, can still benefit from God's word, because it is given to all men. God, by virtue of having created all men in His image, provided for all men, including Cain, the ability to choose for the right.

Even if men are unsaved they can still do right by the same word from God that could save them for eternity. At least they can do right even if they remain unsaved!

Well, read what Jesus says about to whom God reveals the truth about both Him and Christ in Luke 10.
We need to fit into our understanding these things of God as they teach us about our own salvation.
God tells people like Cain what will happen to them if they continue in their evil path.
John also tells us Cain was of the evil one, (Satan), while Abel was right with God.

​

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.[b] 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

 

[Scott Downey]

Even so the desire of a man is not enough for God to choose to reveal His truths to a person.
The decision is the Father's and the Son's alone as to who will know themselves, who will know God and be saved.

In this season of time, today, we must know God and Christ and be known by them to be saved.
How many will Jesus tell, I never knew you, depart from ME all your workers of iniquity, at their judgment.

Some of them will claim to have done mighty works in Jesus name and thought themselves right with God and Christ, but they were deceived about their being saved.

 

[Scott Downey]

The only truth God reveals to all mankind is the truth that He created all things as creator God.
By the natural witness of their eyes they can understand that.
But that kind of knowledge does not save anyone.
The condemnation is of their own doing as they refuse to acknowledge God and of course Christ, they do not confess Him before mankind.
It condemns the unbelieving.

Romans 1
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is [e]manifest [f]in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like [h]corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

John writes all his letters to believers, the world is excluded, they are on the outside.
Jesus spoke aloud to all the people in parables, which hides from them the truth.
But privately he explained everything to His people, who are on the inside of the saving
relationship between God and men.

1 John 4:10
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 5:12
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.


1 John 5:13

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.​

2 John 1:9
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

1. 1 John 2:22
   Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.
   
   
2. 1 John 2:23
   Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
   
   
3. 1 John 2:24
   

   ​

   Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
   In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

 

[Scott Downey]

The world, 'Hearing without understanding'

Matthew 13
34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

“I will open My mouth in parables;
I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”

Mark 4
33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.
34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

Matthew 13, The Purpose of Parables

10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”

11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the [a]mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:

‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not perceive;
15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.’

16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

*********************************************
Mark 4
9 And He said [c]to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

The Purpose of Parables​

10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.
11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the [d]mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that

‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.’ ”