This lesson explores the concepts of the “sealed word” and “opened word” in Scripture. The sealed word refers to prophecies and parables whose full meaning was intentionally concealed by God until the appointed time of their fulfillment. The opened word is when those previously sealed prophecies become clear as the foretold events come to pass.

The main story used to illustrate this is the Ethiopian eunuch who could not understand the Isaiah passage until Philip explained it to him, showing how God’s word can be “sealed” or unclear until properly explained.

God intentionally seals or encodes his plans and prophecies in parables to protect their meaning until the right time. The sealed word itself is not inherently bad, but adding human interpretations to what is sealed leads to misunderstanding.

Prophecies are “opened” or made understandable when they are fulfilled, often unexpectedly before people’s eyes. There are multiple “end times” eras in Scripture where sealed words from previous ages become opened to understanding.

We are now living in such an era where previously sealed portions of Scripture are being opened to fuller understanding. The lesson emphasizes having a humble, discerning attitude to receive this opening revelation from God’s Spirit, rather than relying on human assumptions about the sealed word.

 

Study Guide SCJ Bible Study

Sealed vs. Opened Word

As we enter the new year, there will likely be many triumphs as well as challenges ahead. Let’s prepare ourselves for both, and strengthen our faith during this time. In 2024,

let’s set a goal to deepen our connection with God’s word, making it our closest companion. When we keep scripture at the forefront of our hearts and minds, it becomes a source of power, helping us persevere and draw nearer to God in new, transformational ways. My hope is that each one of us can form a life-giving bond with the word this year.

What does it mean for the word to be sealed? And what does it mean for the word to be opened?

Let me tell you, this lesson serves as an important foundation. As we begin exploring the parables this week, grasping these concepts is critical.

If something is unclear initially, keep in mind that foundations take time.

Consider a construction site: there may appear to be nothing aside from a hole in the ground where the building will eventually stand. They spend months and months building the most important part of the building, which is the foundation, which you don’t see. And then all of a sudden a building appears out of nowhere. And that is because the foundation has been built.

This lesson establishes the basis for what is to come, much like the foundation of a building.

Even if the full picture is not yet visible, the concepts presented here will facilitate greater understanding moving forward. Let’s ensure we understand them fully. If any piece seems confusing, it may simply indicate more time is required to construct the mental scaffolding that will support future learning. Going forward, we will build upon this foundation incrementally.

Main Reference

So, today we’re going to take away three things from this lesson. We’re going to see this through the lens of a very special individual in the Bible who asks a pretty amazing question.

1. The Ethiopian Eunuch

Many remarkable things are happening here, so let’s analyze this passage step by step. We’re delving into the story of the Ethiopian eunuch.

First, let’s identify who this individual is. In verse 26, the narrative begins with Philip, but it’s important to note that this is not Philip the Apostle, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. This is Philip the Evangelist, who was chosen as one of the seven deacons in Acts chapter 6. Philip, while journeying on the road, is prompted by the Spirit to approach a chariot. Verse 27 introduces us to an Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official responsible for managing the treasury of Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians. Let’s consider this for a moment.

This individual oversees a nation’s finances. What does this suggest about him? It implies he is respected, intelligent, and deemed trustworthy. Moreover, he is diligent. Why? Because at the beginning of our tale, he is not in Ethiopia; he is in Jerusalem. The distance between Jerusalem and Ethiopia is roughly 1,600 miles—a considerable journey that would take about a month on foot. Travelling by chariot, though faster, would still require weeks. Therefore, this man is not only intelligent and trustworthy but also diligent and committed to his faith. We should aspire to be like the Ethiopian eunuch’s dedication to travelling such a distance to worship God.

Moving on to verse 28, as he returns home, he sits in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah. In verse 29, the Spirit instructs Philip to approach this chariot. Philip does so and hears the man reading from Isaiah. He inquires if the man understands what he reads.

Consider this situation: you’re in your car or on a chariot, taking a break and reading a book when suddenly a stranger approaches and inquires if you understand your reading material. Your first reaction might be to dismiss them or even drive away—especially if they look like they’ve been travelling through the desert for a while and are probably not smelling too fresh.

However, did the Ethiopian eunuch dismiss Philip? No. Instead, he responds in verse 31, “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” He then invites Philip into the chariot with him.

This shows that not only is the eunuch intelligent, trustworthy, and dedicated, but he is also humble. His humility allows him to understand scriptures that were previously unclear to him—passages that had been beyond his grasp. A scripture that had been sealed to him.

Now, as we continue, the story takes an even more exciting turn.

What was the eunuch reading?

He was reading the Book of Isaiah, which contains prophecies. However, he did not understand what the prophecy meant.

That is why he asked, “How can I understand this unless someone explains it to me?” He began reading the passage in Isaiah 53:7-8 but still did not grasp the meaning. 

So why couldn’t he comprehend it? The true meaning was concealed to him. The passage was sealed.

If he had not been humble and dismissed Philip, would he have ever understood it? No, it would have remained mysterious to him forever. Thankfully, he was humble.

This word was initially obscured. How then can we grasp the sealed word so that we may receive the revelation? Because this word was illuminated for him in verses 34-35.

The eunuch asked Philip “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about – himself or someone else?” One of the best questions posed in the Bible. We will examine verse 34 in more detail in a later lesson. Philip then started with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

What did Philip do for the eunuch? He opened the scriptures to him. Now, as the Ethiopian reads Isaiah, he realizes “Oh, this is about Jesus – I understand!” The word opened up to him just like that. Oh, I see! That key act of explanation is so vital.

So let’s consider why the word is sealed initially. Because God does nothing by accident, right?

2. Meaning: Word Sealed?

What does it mean for the word to be sealed?

In the Book of Isaiah, written 700 years before Jesus was born, there is a prophecy about two groups of people. The first group are like seers – they are literate and can read. However, the words and vision of this prophecy are closed or sealed to them; they are unable to understand it. The second group is illiterate – they cannot read at all. The illiterate depend on the literate to read to them, but in this case, neither group can properly understand the prophecy because it is sealed even to the literate.

So what is this sealed prophecy about and who is it for? Let’s try to gain a deeper understanding. To summarize, Isaiah says this whole vision is like words sealed in a scroll. The literate can read the words but cannot grasp the meaning – it is nonsensical to them because it is sealed. God does this to conceal the secret behind His divine plan and what He intends to do.

He often speaks in mysteries through prophecies, visions and dreams. The contents are sealed until the right time when He chooses to reveal the truths.

Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” This passage means that God’s actions are never done without first telling his plan to his prophets. Let’s think about why God does things this way.

Under normal circumstances, can we see God with our naked eyes? No, we cannot. Can we hear his voice? Many people claim to be able to hear God’s voice, but some cannot. I was one of those afraid that God never spoke to me because I never audibly heard his voice.

However, I learned that God speaks to us in many ways, which we’ll discuss more. Since God is invisible to our naked eyes, how does He reveal to us that He is living and active?

This is the point: God shows He is real by speaking something in advance, then fulfilling that promise years later, beyond any one person’s lifespan. This means no person could make up such a long-term prediction and fulfillment on their own.

When people realize God has fulfilled a promise from long ago, they are amazed and give glory to the living God. Through prophesying and fulfilling prophecies over long periods of time, we can deeply understand that God is real and active in the world.

Someone who claims God does not exist does not properly understand Scripture. If they understood, they would see the overwhelming evidence that God must exist based on prophecies coming true. This pattern is too amazing for any one human to orchestrate alone.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:21 that we must know God’s will in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Understanding God’s plans as revealed in Scripture is critical for our salvation.

Jesus said “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” This verse reminds us of Isaiah 29:13, where God says “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

Their worship of God is just rules taught by men – it is lip service. What God truly desires is their hearts, but their hearts are far from Him.  

Jesus is making a similar statement – that merely calling him “Lord” is not enough. Those who do not truly have God’s will in their hearts cannot enter heaven; one must know and do God’s will to enter the kingdom. 

This is why Jesus preached repentance in light of the coming of the kingdom – he brought new teachings so people could understand what God was doing in their time, just as God is doing in our time today.

What does it mean for something to be “sealed”? We discussed at the start that God is at war, has been at war since Adam’s fall, and even before, but from our perspective that war has been playing out for six thousand years.

And like a military general, must keep his battle plans encoded so they remain protected until the right time. This explains God’s method of conveying his plans in metaphorical language that must be decoded. But the essence is that merely mouthing the words and titles of faith without having a heart transformed to follow God’s will is not enough for salvation.

True faith requires embracing and understanding God’s will and purpose for our lives.

Let’s see that in Scripture.

3. God Seals His Word With?

Let’s understand how God seals His word so that we can understand the code that He speaks in intentionally. So, what does God seal His word with?

He does speak prophecy, but His prophecies contain a particular type of language. What is that particular type of language? God seals His word with parables. That is the code that He uses.

So what did God say here? God speaks to the prophets. He gives them many visions and tells parables through them.

When God speaks about the future, he protects that future in parables.

So prophecies and parables are closely related. When you read a prophecy, you should think: what parables are contained here? What secret things can I understand from this parable? So I can grasp what God intends to do. That’s how you can put prophecies in context. God speaks these parables or prophecies using figurative language to serve a purpose – to protect his word.”

The disciples came to Jesus after he had preached to the crowd in parables. Many people could have done the same as the disciples and come to Jesus afterwards and asked him what he meant. Would Jesus have explained it to those who asked him the meaning?

To everyone who asks, Jesus wants all to be saved. But in order for one to receive the understanding, they need to be humble. Asking questions is inherently a humble act.

How can I understand unless someone explains it to me? However, if a person’s heart is insensitive, close-minded or unyielding, they will fail to grasp the message. Sadly, many during Jesus’s time had such resistant hearts.

This is what Jesus explains in Matthew 13:15: “Their hearts have become hardened. So they only got the sealed parables at a surface level and miss out on the deeper truths that the disciples grasped.” Let’s have humble hearts, like the disciples.

So later on, in private, the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, “Jesus, why do you speak to the people in parables?” Then Jesus explained it to them.

What did Jesus say? “The secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given to you, but not to them.”

Who should we be in this case, a “you” or a “them”? Let’s be a “you.” Let’s have those secrets. I don’t want to have parts of God’s words sealed to me. I want to understand like that. So “to you,” the secrets of heaven have been given to you, which means that to the disciples, this word was opened to them, not sealed.

As modern-day followers, we should have humble, seeking hearts like the disciples, humble enough to ask for help when we don’t understand something in God’s word, we should sincerely ask God to open our eyes.

Jesus promises that when we pursue truth with childlike humility, the mysteries of His kingdom will be revealed to us. But to those who casually dismiss or ignore His words, the secrets remain sealed. 

As we open our hearts to Him, the secrets of heaven are available to everyone who genuinely seeks.

4. Meaning: Word Opened?

1. What does it mean for the word to be opened? We can finally understand.

Prophecies (Parables) can be understood, they have been fulfilled!

 

2. Why are we able to understand what had been sealed? What is the prerequisite for understanding? We must be humble. But the explanation can only be given when the word is sealed or the prophecies are sealed until they are revealed. Or we can say, fulfilled. When the prophecy takes place, then it can be understood. 

This is very important.

Let’s look at an example that really emphasizes this point.

The passage in Isaiah 7:14 foretold that a virgin would give birth to a son. However, the meaning of this prophecy was not fully understood for 700 years, until it was fulfilled through the Virgin Mary giving birth to Jesus Christ. At the time Isaiah wrote this, the prophecy was sealed or unclear. Only after the prophesied events occurred with Mary and Jesus could the passage be fully comprehended.

Now when we read Isaiah 7:14, we recognize it as a prophecy about Mary and Jesus that has been fulfilled. The parable of the virgin and son has become clear because the events have happened.

Fulfilled prophecies and parables in the Bible (Word) are ‘opened’ to understanding. Once the foretold events occur, the passages that previously were sealed or ambiguous can be fully understood.

5. When: Word Opened?

When is the word opened? The word is opened at the end times.

Let’s have a deeper understanding of what this means.

 

6. Sealed and Opened Word

 

We discussed the prophet Daniel, whom we’ve previously learned about. Daniel was indeed remarkable. After demonstrating his faithfulness as God’s representative in Babylon, God began to reveal to him many visions of the future.

Despite witnessing these revelations, Daniel found himself perplexed. He sought clarity from God, asking in verse 8, “I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked my Lord, what will the outcome of all of this be?” The response he received from God was not a detailed explanation but rather a directive: “Go on your way.”

Imagine Daniel’s frustration at this moment. He must have longed for just a hint of understanding. Yet, God’s instruction was clear: “The meaning is not for you.” Instead, Daniel’s mission was to document his visions. He was instructed to write down what he saw and share it with the people so that when the time came for these prophecies to be fulfilled, those living in that era would comprehend their significance.

Let’s revisit verse 9, where God tells Daniel that the words are “closed up and sealed until the time of the end.” This implies that there is a specific time for understanding certain aspects of the Bible. If you’ve ever struggled to comprehend a passage, it might be because its time has not yet come. It could be that the events haven’t occurred yet, or perhaps the explanation hasn’t reached you—similar to the Ethiopian eunuch’s experience in Acts chapter 8. The eunuch was reading scriptures that had been fulfilled, but he hadn’t received the gospel—the news of their fulfillment—until Philip arrived.

This brings us to an important point: the significance of study. It’s possible that prophecies have been fulfilled without our knowledge simply because the information hasn’t reached us yet. Therefore, we should be diligent in our studies to understand the context and recognize the fulfillment of God’s word in our time. Let’s commit to studying and seeking understanding.

Let’s understand the context here.

Old Testament prophecy was intentionally sealed by God, often using parables, so that the full meaning would not be understood until the prophecy was fulfilled. This protected the integrity of the prophecy until the appointed time. When the prophecies were fulfilled, their meaning became clear. The Word is open.

This is why the disciples were filled with joy when they realized who Jesus was – He embodied the promises they had been waiting for. Jesus was the embodiment of the Word, the Messiah that the Scriptures foretold. An interesting point is that the time of Jesus’ first coming was considered the “end times” in some sense.

Let’s see it in scripture.

The author of Hebrews is making a point about Jesus’ identity and actions. He states that Jesus has now appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin. This indicates that there was a previous age that came to an end when Jesus appeared. Jesus’ appearance marked the beginning of a new age and the end of the old covenant time period. 

In other words, the first covenant era ended and a new covenant was established under Jesus, signaling a new end times era. There have been multiple “end times” eras throughout history, each with their own prophecies and fulfillments.

The end times we are currently living in relate to the new testament prophecies about Jesus’ second coming and the events surrounding his return. These are the end times events that Jesus promised would occur in the future, which we are still waiting to be fulfilled and open. The new testament end times prophecies must still come to pass just as the old testament prophecies did.

Jesus said that a time is coming in the future when he will speak plainly, without using figurative language as he does today. He meant that there will be a time when he will tell us openly about the Father.

As we continue to study, I want us to think about this question: What will happen when the full revelation comes and Jesus’ words are made completely clear and open? We should reflect on how things will be as we move toward the time when understanding opens up to us.

 

7. Distinguish Good from Evil

The importance of being able to distinguish good from evil is a topic worth reviewing, as we had learned about it earlier. As a refresher, to ensure we understand the context:

One thing we must understand about the sealed word – it is not inherently bad. The sealed word is the protected word of God. However, what is problematic is when people add their own thoughts and interpretations to the sealed word, corrupting what they do not fully comprehend.

As Isaiah 29 states, they worship me according to human precepts, for they do not understand the sealed word. And they lack the patience to wait for true understanding. Though I told them to wait, they proceeded to add their own thoughts. Thus, when the words were fulfilled, the people did not understand, for reality contradicted their assumptions. Let us be patient.

As Job 34:3-4 states “For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Let us discern what is good and what is evil.”

Like the Bereans in Acts 17, who heard Paul’s message and then checked the scriptures, we too must confirm what we hear by comparing it to the Word of God. 

This should occur not only in Harvest Class, but every time we hear preaching – don’t just accept it, but test it against scripture. Let us adopt this practice in these times, as discernment is so important.

Why? Because understanding can only come through the revelation of God’s Spirit. The Ethiopian eunuch could have read Isaiah 53 10,000 times, but until it was explained to him who Isaiah was talking about, he would not have been able to conceive it, imagine it, or reason it out. It had to be revealed to him first.

That’s how it always is when it comes to God’s deeper things, like prophecy.

Now, not the whole Bible is like that, right? Some things are pretty straightforward. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” That doesn’t need an explanation. Just do what it says. But there are parts of the Bible that are sealed and need to be opened at a particular time. And being able to distinguish which is which is part of our duty as believers, if we really want to understand the Bible deeply. So let’s do it. Let’s do it together.

Memorization

Let’s Us Discern