"There is enough light for those who desire only to see, and enough darkness for those of a contrary disposition." -Blaise Pascal

The question is, why didn't God reveal His plan for mankind clear as day? The answer is one of practicality. It had to be mysterious so that it would occur without appearing contrived and concocted. If the Jews had prophecies saying clearly that the Messiah would be sacrificed, and then carried them out, what would the world have said? Big deal? So what? But if it happens naturally, it is all the more believable. The prophecies are fulfilled and there is room for faith.

In another rare instance where Jesus points to an Old Testament prophecy concerning Himself we read in Matthew 21:42...

"Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER STONE; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'?"

So it is the Lord's doing, and not man's. This perfectly measured 'corner stone' from which the building is set straight, is rejected. Yet the Lord has exalted Him. The work was given to others and the former builders were scattered within a generation.

Now, in another place Jesus says of Himself, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life." (John 3:14,15)

This is a reference to the time when the people of Israel were healed from deadly snake bites by looking at a bronze serpent that the Lord told Moses to make. This required an act of faith, looking at the serpent. Christ too was lifted up on the cross and God 'made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21).

He took our place out of love, satisfying the judgement of God to bring us peace with the Father.

Good thread. Thankfully there is another believer... to which I can plainly see.

Now that I finally come across someone who knows the bible, tell me what I should do.

I experienced a series of miracles, but I will give you the short version.

The Bible told me the Holy Spirit would come to me. A cloud of condensed smoke came to me, and entered me, and I felt euphoric. Following this, the same segment, with one words switched for the other, it said a helper would come. My religious uncle came. In addition to the perplexity, when I look for smoke, I can see it. Plus, even more perplexing, I saw my self as an old man through the sliding glass door. There were other things, but as I said, I'd give you the short version. Please provide some wise insight as to what all this means, and what I should do. Please take this seriously. I get a humbling feeling just by reading your thread, and could really use the help. If possible, send me a PM.

Oh yeah, I don't know why I'm inspired, but I was rejected by my friends, as they all think I'm crazy.... and that one part made me feel better.

I have often had the very same experiance. A cloud of condensed smoke entered me and I felt euphoric. It always feels like that when you smoke the good shit.

I don't know why, but for the longest time I couldn't get back into this site. Then out of the blue, I was able to. I'm not going to over spiritualize it, but who knows. Probably some kind of glitch.

I think the personal cloud is probably imaginary. I've seen that kind of thing late at night. I think our mind makes it up when we are deprived of seeing in a well lit room.

The same with the old man in the sliding glass door. If you stare at yourself in a mirror, especially in a darkened room you can see your face in a different way. It has to do with crossing your vision, like seeing those "magic eye" computer-made pictures.

I'm not opposed to visions. I've had five, over decades of being a Christian. But they were realistic, and I wasn't asleep, or light deprived... or stoned.

You're not crazy. It's just the way our vision works out.