O Fools and Slow of Heart to Believe All that the Prophets Have Spoken – Part One

By Minister Christopher Robert Holder

Testimony of God Ministries Inc.

November 12, 2024

Opening Prayer

Saints before we continue, let us pray according to the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:17–19:

“Father of Glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for the Spirit of wisdom which
is revelation in the knowledge of who You are. Thank You for continuing to open the eyes of our understanding and being further enlightened, that we may know what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of Your power to us who believe, according to the working of Your mighty power,
which is at work in us, the saints. Amen.”

CONTINUATION

The art of teaching by JESUS in Part One, was clearly demonstrated in Luke 24:25–27 (KJV) 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

At that time, Jesus was not insulting His disciples but describing their slowness of heart in understanding and believing the prophetic Scriptures concerning Him.

A careful study of this passage reveals deeper truth in the Greek word “kai” (and) which may also be translated “or” or “that is.” Thus, the verse may be read as:

“O fools, or slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken”; or
“O fools, that is, slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.”

This shows us that unbelief or slow belief in the Word of God is spiritual foolishness.

What Scriptures provide this art of teaching?

The Specific Teachings of Jesus continue after His resurrection and are seen clearly in:

Luke 24:25–27 (KJV)

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Here, Jesus revealed that:

He would suffer death on the cross.
He would be buried.
He would rise on the third day.
He would ascend into His glory.

This was the Good News (Gospel of Salvation).

Key Point: The Art of Reading

The verb READ is important in correctly dividing the Word of Truth.

Jesus often prefaced His teaching with “Have ye not read?” (Matt. 12:3–5).
Reading must be careful, prayerful, and revelatory—not merely intellectual.

What is meant by “Moses”?

“Moses” refers to the Pentateuch (the first five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).

Moses was a prophet (nabiy), a spokesperson for God (Ex. 4:14–16, Deut. 18:15).
The Hebrew nabiy means one who conveys divine revelation.

Exodus 4:14–17 (KJV)

14 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.

15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

17 And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.

What is meant by “all the Prophets”?

“All the Prophets” refers to every messenger from Abel to Zechariah, as Jesus explained (Matt. 23:34–35).

Matthew 23:34–35 (KJV)

34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of
righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

What is Revelation Knowledge?

Revelation knowledge is the truth about Christ revealed in the Old Testament.

John 5:39–40 (KJV)

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

To understand Christ in the Scriptures, the 39 books of the Old Testament is to gain revelation knowledge. Jesus always used the Old Testament scriptures. The New Testament did not exist at that time.

Example: The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, showing that the OT pointed to Him. Deuteronomy 8:3
(KJV)

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

Matthew 4:7 (KJV)

“It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”

Jesus quoted Deut. 6:16—revealing Himself as “the Lord thy God.” Deuteronomy 6:16 (KJV)

Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.

Is it not that Jesus’ Specific Teachings in the Old Testament concerned Him?

Yes. Jesus confirmed that all prophecy was about Him—both pre-resurrection and post- resurrection.

The Gospel According to John

John begins his Gospel by unveiling what Moses hinted at in Genesis:

John 1:1–4 (KJV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

This is revelation knowledge: Christ as the Word of God, present from the beginning. God’s/Eternity’s Plan, Purpose, and Testimony of the “Fulfilled Promise.”

To Be Continued in Part Two

This teaching will continue in Part Two, exploring the hidden mysteries revealed by Apostle John in relation to Genesis 1:1–3. The meaning of “Heart” and it primary meaning and purpose in understanding the ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD.

Meditate on the Questions and Answers as you REREAD Part One.

Appendix One: Recommended Bible Versions:

For Easy Readability
- New Living Translation (NLT)
- The Message (MSG)
For Study and Accuracy
- English Standard Version (ESV)
- New International Version (NIV)
For Traditional Language
- King James Version (KJV)
For Contextual Understanding
- New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Question 1: What Scriptures provide this art of teaching?

The Specific Teachings of Jesus continue after His resurrection and are seen clearly in:

Luke 24:25–27 (KJV)

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Here, Jesus revealed that:

He would suffer death on the cross.
He would be buried.
He would rise on the third day.
He would ascend into His glory.

This was the Good News (Gospel of Salvation).

Key Point: The Art of Reading

The verb READ is important in correctly dividing the Word of Truth.

Jesus often prefaced His teaching with “Have ye not read?” (Matt. 12:3–5).
Reading must be careful, prayerful, and revelatory—not merely intellectual.

Question 2: What is meant by “Moses”?

“Moses” refers to the Pentateuch (the first five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).

Moses was a prophet (nabiy), a spokesperson for God (Ex. 4:14–16, Deut. 18:15).
The Hebrew nabiy means one who conveys divine revelation.

Exodus 4:14–17 (KJV)

15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

17 And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.

Question 3: What is meant by “all the Prophets”?

“All the Prophets” refers to every messenger from Abel to Zechariah, as Jesus explained (Matt. 23:34–35).

Matthew 23:34–35 (KJV)

35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of
righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

Question 4: What is Revelation Knowledge?

Revelation knowledge is the truth about Christ revealed in the Old Testament.

John 5:39–40 (KJV)

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

To understand Christ in the Scriptures, the 39 books of the Old Testament is to gain
revelation knowledge. Jesus always used the Old Testament scriptures. The New Testament did
not exist at that time.

Example: The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, showing that the OT pointed to Him. Deuteronomy 8:3
(KJV)

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which
thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that
man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth
of the Lord doth man live.

Matthew 4:7 (KJV)

“It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”

Jesus quoted Deut. 6:16—revealing Himself as “the Lord thy God.” Deuteronomy 6:16 (KJV)

Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.

Question 5: Is it not that Jesus’ Specific Teachings in the Old Testament concerned Him?

Yes. Jesus confirmed that all prophecy was about Him—both pre-resurrection and post- resurrection.

The Gospel According to John

John begins his Gospel by unveiling what Moses hinted at in Genesis:

John 1:1–4 (KJV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

This is revelation knowledge: Christ as the Word of God, present from the beginning. God’s/Eternity’s Plan, Purpose, and Testimony of the “Fulfilled Promise.”

To Be Continued in Part Two

Meditate on the Questions and Answers as you REREAD Part One.

Appendix One: Recommended Bible Versions:

For Easy Readability
- New Living Translation (NLT)
- The Message (MSG)
For Study and Accuracy
- English Standard Version (ESV)
- New International Version (NIV)
For Traditional Language
- King James Version (KJV)
For Contextual Understanding
- New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)