An Inquiring Mind

An Inquiring Mind

Do you possess an inquiring mind? No, I’m not talking about being a nosy busy body; but rather I’m referring to being a person who has a desire for gaining more and more real knowledge. 

To have an enquiring mind means to be someone who wants to know real facts and to personally gather information about history, science, people, places, events, and so forth. 

People with an inquiring mind are usually by nature curious; often probing with inquisitive questions; seeking facts; much as an inquiring reporter scrutinizing and questioning things as they dig for the truth.

Possessing an inquiring mind helps make us to become aware or observant of new information. When you are curious about something, your mind expects and anticipates new ideas related to the subject that you are exploring.

Some years ago, a popular phrase went as follows: “Inquiring Minds Want to Know.” I don’t know everything, but I do possess an insatiable desire to learn; and more importantly to learn the things of God.

In short, inquiring minds are very active instead of being passive, and much more apt to discover the truth. 

This is precisely the type of mind Jesus Disciples demonstrated. They were continually learning things from Jesus! And more importantly, they “inquired” of the perfect person for knowledge!

Such is the case with regards to the Lord’s Olivet Discourse that is recorded in Matthew 24:1-3; Mark 13:1-4; and in Luke 21:5-7.

Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

After Jesus overturned the tables of the money-changers on the Temple Mount plaza, he issued severe charges against the Pharisees. 

Jesus further declared prophetically that the glorious Temple building, that the Jews were so proud of would be destroyed, and even identified himself as the real Temple! 

In the ensuing chaos of the Temple event; the Disciples scattered, and then privately approached Jesus as he sat on the peak of the Mount of Olives; just mere yards across the valley from the magnificent Temple structure. 

Then the Disciples pummeled Jesus with questions! They rapidly fired “three distinct questions” at Jesus pertaining to things that they just heard him pronounce in front of the Temple priests. 

Question #1 When shall these things be?

Question #2 What shall be the Sign of thy Coming?

Question #3 When shall the End of the World come?

These three questions were paramount in the minds of the Disciples! Their minds had exploded with curiosity! They wanted to know more; and especially so since they now recognized the fact that Jesus knew things well in advance of their occurrence!

Their three questions, unbeknownst to them, revolved around three different and distinct time periods. 

Point #1 Jesus must have loved the fact that they possessed “An Inquiring Mind;” for he honored their queries and immediately launches into a detailed response to each question.

Point  #2 Had Jesus thought perhaps that the specific answers to their questions were beyond their ability to comprehend; he probably would have told them bluntly; “you can’t bear to know anything more about what you are asking.”

Point #3 Question number one dealt with the prophetic subject material that Jesus just pronounced against the Temple building and the city of Jerusalem.

Point #4 Question number two specifically involved the Disciples curiosity about the Second Coming of Jesus; and it’s implications for the nation of Israel.

Point #5 Question number three from the Disciples dealt with their interest about when the “End of the World” might happen. 

Suffice it to say; most all the information that Jesus expounded upon in this narrative is centrally focused around the nation of Israel.

Some of these things happened to Israel in the first century; while much more remains to take place in the Last Days, after Israel is regathered into the Promised Land. 

To be able to distinguish between these “timing events” and the Lord’s commentary requires, “An Inquiring Mind” for further study and research into the contents of the totality of Bible prophecy. 

John 16:13 conveys to us that the Holy Spirit can guide us into a knowledge of “All Truth,” but that guidance still requires for us to have An “Inquiring” Mind.

Do you have An Inquiring Mind? The Lord loves an inquiring mind; and his Spirit can guide you to all truth!

Focus on the Bible

by: Darrell G. Young

October 24, 2021