Gold is found in the depths of darkness; in hidden places, it is brought up to light. In deep depths does the treasure lie; when one finds it, he buries it again. Gems found in the midst of rocks; one that sparkles when the light hits it; the rocks do not sparkle and are all alike. A star in the night sky, who will bring it down? Pearls inside the mouth of a clam, hidden from the eyes of man. All these things are spoken allegorically.
Crack a parable,
Excavate a dark saying,
Dig up a mystery,
Find the gem which sparkles in the light.
Put your light in dark places,
With your eye, light up the depths,
And bring heaven down.
In this dark world — yes, it is dark even though it is illuminated by the light of the sun for 12 hours a day — yes, it is dark. In this world, it is dark because there is no knowledge of the truth, and our minds are darkened. We have no light. Our minds are darkened by the ignorance within us. Who knows the Truth? If we seen it go by, we would say, “What was that?” Yet we all do know it, deep down in the depths of our soul, yet no-one perceives it — for even there it is dark! Many have proclaimed it, bringing it to the light, but no-one acknowledges it. Yes, the whole world does not acknowledge it, because we are dimmed by darkness, because the sayings have not illuminated us. We think we already know, yet we know nothing. We’ve heard it before and we say, “I have known it already,” yet we have not understood it, so the light has not entered us, otherwise we would have joy in the eternal riches which are freely given us.
The ignorant say, “There are thousands of translations of the Text, and the divisions over them. The denominations? Are there not thousands of sects of Christianity? And they all believe different things! Oh, and all the atrocities done in the name of God: beheadings, murder, and wars. Is religion such a good thing? Oh, and observe the Christians themselves! They are heady, high-minded, snobby, and act better than me. And if I were to become a Christian, I would be like them! Why would I become a Christian! Oh, how many churches on the street corners and how famous is religion. But wouldn’t truth be hidden? Wouldn’t it dwell in the depths of darkness like a gem or a jewel? And if they have it? Yet they’re not zealous for it!” All these things the ignorant say, they are wise in their own eyes.
Many speak this way against Christianity; for religion to them is what they see, rather than what they don’t see. Is gold of Ophir in plain sight for all to find? Does a gem come from a stalk of wheat? Or do pearls grow on trees? Rather, these are hidden, in the depths of the earth, and require searching after. There is a strong concentration of rock amidst gold, there is a dense darkness amidst truth. Does one get to the water of a coconut from the outer layer? Does someone search for what’s not there? Do we find jewels on the ground? Do we stumble over them as we do a rock? Are not pearls hidden in a clam? Yet no-one knows where to find wisdom; they think it is within them, but it is far from them.
These things which are observed “by the wise” surrounding Christianity are stumbling blocks to them; but to find the gem, one must observe, not physically, but spiritually. For what is observed is darkness, but what is apprehended is light. What we see is a dark passing shadow, but what we don’t see is light, the substance. The physical is earthly, but the spiritual is heavenly. And what we observe are the rocks of human kind, and are, as rocks from the earth, prevalent amidst the children of men; these things are pride, divisions, factions, envy, murder, strife, laziness, love of self, apathy. And rightfully so, these are stumbling blocks to men; and these saturate the truth, as a layer of rock around a gem. For they are seen, but the gem is unseen.
But where then is the gem? Where is humility, unity, love, peace, empathy, and self-abasement? Would not these be considered as jewels in the midst of us? But just as “rocks” are from the earth, the opposite must come from heaven; for they resemble the stars in the midst of heaven. And these virtues are greater than gold, for they persist after death; for gold may corrode, but the Truth remains forever. But whether above or below, “Who will descend into the deep,” or “who will ascend into heaven”? But rather it is Christ Jesus who descended to earth, and further still, to Hades; He it is who ascended from the dead, and higher yet still, to heaven, seated at the right hand of God. And yet you say, “I have known it already.” Have you understood it already? For we all have knowledge of it, but have we understood it to search it out?
I know He is,
I know He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him,
Therefore I seek Him,
I do not expect to find nothing,
But through understanding,
Expecting to find Him who I search for.
For He has promised, “Seek and you will find, Knock and it will be opened, Give and you will receive.”
I wrote expressly about the “rocks” in the world which are on the ground for stumbling; but if you can’t get past the earthly rocks, how will you succeed past the spiritual Rock? For Christ is "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE.” (1 Peter 2:8) But, “HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (Romans 9:33) For the way of the earth, to find earthly treasure, is to dig by toil and sweat; but the way of heaven, to find heavenly treasure, is the way of faith, which is no work at all. For just as earth is opposite of heaven, so work is contrary to faith; and the ways of the Lord are not our ways; as it is written, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
So therefore, pursue Christ, not through works, but through faith — searching and seeking the living God. Although you are not able to physical see Him, you will see Him when you search for Him with all your heart. For it is not through observing the things of the world that you come to Him; but through observing Him through faith, the written Word of God. For the things which are seen are not from faith, for they are opposites to faith; and they lead you not to Christ, but away from Him; for this reason we walk by faith, not by sight. By sight, no man can see Him, lest they see Him and die; but through faith those who see Him will live.