When a person's heart turns to the Lord through Paul's Gospel, the veil that hides the truth is taken away.
Paul's gospel is veiled to those who cannot comprehend it, but when the heart turns to the Lord, that which was hiding is removed (2 Corinthians 3:16). Once the veil is gone, believers are no longer blinded and are transformed — the same Greek word used for Christ's transfiguration. This is the unveiling of the Gospel Paul received by revelation from the ascended Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:16 — Paul's direct statement that the vail over the heart is taken away when the heart turns to the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18 — Shows the result — believers with open face behold the Lord's glory and are changed into the same image.
In 2 Corinthians 3:14-16, Paul explains that the minds of Israel were blinded: the same vail remains untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament, and that vail is done away in Christ. Even to this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless, when the heart shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Verse 17 adds that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, and verse 18 says believers with open face beholding the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory. Romans 11:7 confirms that Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for, but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's gospel was not received from man, but by revelation from the ascended Lord after the work of the cross — the unveiling of truth given to Paul to pass on especially to Gentiles. The gospel is veiled to those who cannot comprehend it, and when Israel reads Moses in synagogue worship, the veil is still upon their heart, keeping them from seeing that the Law has passed off the scene. But when the heart turns to the Lord, the veil which was hiding is taken away. Les emphasizes that grace cannot be mixed with works — Israel nationally has not obtained what it sought, while the believing remnant has. When the veil is removed, believers are no longer blinded; God looks on them and sees Christ, and they are glorified. The believer's transformation uses the same Greek word as Christ's transfiguration on the mount.
Les Feldick explains that when Israel reads Moses in synagogue worship, they are sincere, but the veil keeps them from seeing that the Law is passed off the scene. That veil is still upon their heart. In the same way, if the gospel is veiled, something is over it so hearts cannot comprehend it.
The veil that was hiding is taken away (2 Corinthians 3:16). Once the veil is removed, hearts can comprehend the gospel. The righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel, just as the Temple veil was rent from top to bottom when Christ died.
Les Feldick points out that the Greek word Paul uses for the believer being transformed is the same word translated 'transfigured' when Christ was changed before Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration. Every time God looks upon the believer, He sees Christ — the believer is glorified in His sight, though others cannot see it.
Paul did not receive his gospel from man, but by revelation — an unveiling — from the ascended Lord after the work of the cross. Jesus spoke to Paul from the ascended glory, and Paul saw the Lord face to face. This makes all the difference for the gospel revealed to him.
No. Using Romans 11, Les teaches that if it is by grace, it is no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace. Grace cannot operate mixed with law. Israel nationally has not obtained what it sought, but the believing remnant has.
The Veil on Israel's Heart When Reading Moses
Les teaches that even to this day, when Israel reads Moses, the veil remains on their heart so they cannot see that the Law has passed off the scene — and grace cannot be mixed with works.
Paul's Face-to-Face Revelations From the Ascended Lord
Les explains that Paul saw the risen Lord face to face after the work of the cross and received revelations from the ascended glory, making Paul's gospel distinct from the earthly ministry.
Transformed and Transfigured: The Same Greek Word
Les shows that the Greek word for the believer's transformation is the same word used when Christ was transfigured before Peter, James, and John on the mount.
God Sees Believers as Glorified in Christ
Les teaches that fellow man cannot see the believer's glory, but God does — for when He looks on the believer, He sees Christ.
Paul's Gospel Came by Revelation or Unveiling
Les stresses that Paul did not receive the gospel from man, but by revelation from the ascended Lord, to pass on especially to Gentiles.
The Veil Is Taken Away When the Heart Turns
Les explains that when the heart turns to the Lord, the veil hiding the gospel is taken away; if our gospel is veiled, something is over it so hearts cannot comprehend it.
Righteousness Revealed and the Temple Veil Rent
Les connects the unveiling of God's righteousness in the gospel with the Temple veil being rent from top to bottom at the cross.
Growth After Salvation
Les reminds that after salvation believers are to grow in grace, in knowledge of the Word, and in works for the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:16: Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
This is the direct answer to what happens when the heart turns to the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:14: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
Shows the veil remains in reading the Old Testament until it is done away in Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:15: But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
The veil is upon the heart when Moses is read.
2 Corinthians 3:17: Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
With the veil removed, there is liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is.
2 Corinthians 3:18: But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
The result of the veil removed — believers behold the glory and are changed.
Romans 11:6: And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Grace and works cannot be mixed.
Romans 11:7: What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Israel nationally did not obtain; the believing remnant did.
Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The transformed believer uses the same Greek word as the Transfiguration.
Romans 1:17: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
The righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel.
Galatians 1:11-12: But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul's gospel came by revelation from the ascended Lord.
Galatians 1:15: But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
Paul was separated and called by grace to receive the unveiled gospel.
Les Feldick teaches that the veil keeps Israel from seeing that the Law of Moses has passed off the scene. When Moses is read in synagogue worship, the veil is still upon the heart. It is the same hiding that keeps the gospel from being comprehended when our gospel is veiled.
When the heart turns to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:16 says that when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. The gospel is no longer hidden once the heart turns to the Lord.
The believer is transformed, using the same Greek word as the Lord's transfiguration. God sees the believer in Christ as glorified, though fellow man cannot see it. After salvation, believers are to grow in grace and in knowledge of the Word.
Because, as Romans 11:6 says, if it is by grace, it is no more of works. Les stresses that grace cannot operate mixed with law — it must stand totally by itself.
Watch the Teaching: What the Veil on Moses' Face Really Meant (Most Miss This)