Primitive Pentecostal Gnostic View book of Obadiah

The primitive pentecostal gnostic view of the book of Obadiah is complex and multifaceted, combining many aspects of early Christian thought. Obadiah is an obscure yet important book in the bible, not least due to its connection with the birth of the Church at Pentecost and its teachings on the need for the believer to partake in spiritual transformation. 

Firstly, Obadiah can be seen as part of a larger Gnostic tradition, with its emphasis on direct knowledge of God through inner illumination and spiritual awakening. This is seen in Obadiah's discussion of God's inner presence within individuals, which is seen as the key to personal transformation and direct access to divine wisdom. This is further reflected in the book's focus on individualistic ethics and the rejection of traditional religious structures in favour of personal connection with God.

Secondly, Obadiah can be seen as an important part of the development of primitive Pentecostalism, or 'charismatic' Christianity. This is seen in its teachings on the gifts of the Spirit which individual believers can access through faith and an open heart. It emphasises personal witness, prophecy, healing and spiritual growth, all aspects which can be seen in modern Pentecostalism. 

Thirdly, Obadiah manifests an eschatological theme, outlining the dangers of the 'idolatry of the past' and foretelling the removal of the worldly kingdom of Edom and the dawn of a new divine kingdom established by God. This can be seen as symbolic of the Christian concept of the Second Coming which promises the ultimate victory of God over all.

The book of Obadiah is a book that explores the conflict between the true God, Jehovah, and the false gods, Baal and Molech. The book discusses the spread of false prophets and the corrupt deportment of leaders. It is one of the Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible and finds relevance in the Pentecostal Gnostic view.

From a Pentecostal Gnostic view, the book of Obadiah can be read as a warning against those who attempt to deny and suppress the knowledge of the true God. This is seen in the condemnation of Edom and its associates who rejected Jehovah in favor of alternate gods. The Edomites were strongly against the nation of Israel and felt they had the right to mistreat them. Pentecostal Gnostics can identify with this persecution as they too have faced judgement and rejection from those who disagreed with their belief in the supramundane knowledge that can only be unlocked through the Holy Spirit.

The Pentecostal Gnostic viewbook of Obadiah does not reject the power of false prophets and their prophecies but instead identifies them as a tool to further the cause of the true God. It is not just the false prophets who are at fault for leading people away from the true God, but their teachings as a whole are destructive. The book of Obadiah shows us that when false prophets are embraced they can lead to evil and wickedness, as is stated in verse 16.

The Pentecostal Gnostic viewbook of Obadiah then becomes relevant to those who have been called to ministry. As those who are to lead, they have the responsibility to guard themselves from false teachings and lead people away from them, even if it means going against the world. Ultimately, these leaders must guide people to the knowledge of God so that people can walk in His will.

Primitive Pentecostal Gnostics view the book of Obadiah as a prophetic representation of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. They believe that it foretells the return of Jesus Christ, His glorified resurrection and second coming. According to them, the book’s emphasis on the resurrection and ascension of Christ demonstrates its importance as a representation of Pentecost or the Day of Pentecost in which the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the apostles (Acts 2).

In line with the book of Obadiah, Primitive Pentecostal Gnostics believe that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit brings a new dawn wherein the words of God are being made known. The Spirit’s transformative power is seen in the destruction of the enemies of the Lord, which is said to have taken place on the day of the Pentecost. It is further seen in the restoration of Israel and the restoration of the glory of the Lord ( Obadiah 1:17). This restoration gives Primitive Pentecostal Gnostics the confidence to go into the world and proclaim the refreshing message of the gospel with the power of the Spirit.

Moreover, Primitive Pentecostal Gnostics look to the book of Obadiah as a symbolic description of what God intends to accomplish during the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Beneath all the images of destruction, they see an underlying message of hope and redemption that God desires to bring into the world. They believe this is done through the work of the Holy Spirit, who brings about a new era that symbolizes the fullness of God’s will. According to them, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost is then the fulfillment of the prophecies recorded in the book of Obadiah.

The main themes of the book of Obadiah—judgment, destruction of Israel’s enemies, deliverance, and restoration—are also seen by Primitive Pentecostal Gnostics as being fulfilled by the powerful renewal of the Holy Spirit in the Church. They view this outpouring as representing the end of spiritual exile from the presence of God, the restoration of the people of Israel, the reunification of God’s kingdom, and the emergence of the Church of Jesus Christ. This fulfilled hope is then seen to be part of the mission of the Church and the mission of the Spirit in the world.

Primitive Pentecostal Gnostics see the words of the prophet Obadiah as not only a predictive look at events in the Old Testament but also a mystical expression of what the Holy Spirit can do today. Through this prophetic vision they are able to take inspiration from the words of Obadiah and celebrate the amazing power of the Spirit at work in their lives and the world.

The book of Obadiah, as seen from a Pentecostal Gnostic view, is a warning against false teachings and the potential for evil acts. It boldly declares that no matter the persecution that may come from embracing the true God, we must continue to trust in Him and be guided away from those who do not share the same beliefs. As leaders, the responsibility lies in protecting people from being taken in by and living out false dynamics.

In conclusion, the book of Obadiah speaks deeply to the primitive Pentecostal Gnostic, manifesting multiple dimensions of early Christian thought and faith. Its insights into the need for personal transformation, the importance of the Gifts of the Spirit, and ultimately the belief in an ultimate divine victory provide timeless guidance and support for all believers.