Doctrine of the Matthew Thirteen Parables

Transcription

1 Doctrine of the Matthew Thirteen Parables 1. Christ in Matthew chapter thirteen presents several parables about two ages to come. Our Lord makes public His kingdom offering has been rejected. 2. No longer will he refer to Israel as being the recipient of an "at hand" Kingdom. Prior to the Matthew thirteen parables, Christ s Kingdom was often described as being at hand. In the Old Testament and early Kingdom Age, Israel s dispensation perspective is best described in chart form. 2.1 John the Baptist alerted Israel of Christ's Kingdom being at hand. 2.2 The Lord Himself also often spoke of the Kingdom being at hand. Mat 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mar 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel Jesus, after His temptation in the wilderness, announced His Kingdom was at hand. Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand Jesus told the 12 disciples to go out and announce to Israel that the Kingdom is at hand. Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 1

2 2.3 In the Tribulation, you can know as a fact, the Kingdom will again be at hand says our Lord. Luk 21:29-32 Luk 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; Luk 21:30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. Luk 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Luk 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled The Tribulation begins immediately following the Rapture and lasts years. 3. The kingdom, with Christ as the resident leader of Israel, must now await the Second Advent. By hindsight, we know His Kingdom awaits events future. The two inter-advent ages are: the Church Age and the Tribulation. 4. Clearly, there will be an interval and during that interval several changes will occur. The interval, though technically indeterminate, consists of two future ages beginning in A.D. 70 and extending through the Tribulation. The Church Age began with the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70. The indeterminate nature of the two ages is a product of the indeterminate tenure of the Church Age--the Tribulation lasting seven years. 4.1 Since Israel rejected the offered kingdom, the question naturally arises, "What will happen to God's Kingdom program? The kingdom has been rejected and the King is absent. This is something Christianity, since its early councils have wrestled. 4.2 Let s begin our analysis of the Matthew thirteen parables. Jesus will teach eight parables to describe what will happen when His kingdom message is rejected. 2

3 4.3 Since the kingdom is based on an irrevocable and unconditional covenant it is unthinkable that the Kingdom promise could be abandoned. 4.4 The chapter 13 parables unveil the events in the development of the Kingdom program from the time of its rejection until it is received by Israel at His Second Advent. 5. The parables to come describe the form of the Kingdom while the King is absent. The King is in heaven waiting events future. 6. Let s take a look at the Matthew thirteen parables and how they provide one of the few glimpses into the future two inter-advent dispensations found in the gospels. A look at our Intercalation chart will help us orient to the demise of the Kingdom offering and the inter-advent replacements. 7. And now for our subject--jesus teaches in parables. Mat 13:1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. Mat 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 8. The Parable of the Sower Mat 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went 3

4 forth to sow; Mat 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Mat 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: Mat 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Mat 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: Mat 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Mat 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 8.1 The Parable of the Sower Explained The Lord Himself interpreted the parable of the sower. Mat 13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Mat 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. Mat 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Mat 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Mat 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty There are four types of individuals listed in this first parable. There is the unbeliever of Mat 13:4. The bird is the devil and the seed is the gospel of salvation. Because it falls by the way side, the bird is able to snatch it away. The second individual described in Mat 13:5 and 6 is a believer who receives the word and there is enough soil (positive volition) for the salvation doctrine to take hold, but because of subsequent tribulation and persecution, his spiritual growth ceases and he, though a believer, soon becomes a casualty in the angelic conflict. The third individual of Mat 13:7, likewise, is a believer but the seed fell among thorns but nonetheless he receiveth it only to find the deceitfulness of riches chokes the word and he becomes unfruitful and though a believer he is just another casualty in the angelic conflict. And lastly, our hero, who receives the Word and continues in it until he produces just exactly what God would have for him to produce. 9. The Parable of the Tares 4

5 Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. 9.1 The Parable of the Tares Explained The Lord also interpreted the parable of the tares. Mat 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. Mat 13:337 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Mat 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear The true sowing, emphasized in the parable, will be imitated by a false sowing. There is to be a side-by-side development of that which is good with that which is evil because of the two sowings. There will be a judgment at the end of the age to separate the good from the evil. The wheat will be received into the millennial kingdom and the tares excluded. The devil comes in and sows the tares or darnel wheat The tares in the Greek is a particular kind of worthless wheat (tares) which grows 5

6 up in the field and looks like good wheat. The difference being it is poisonous to man and herbivorous animals causing nausea, vomiting, and even death in some. As a seed it looks the same, and as a plant, it looks the same The wheat represents the believer and the tares the unbeliever. Many feel this parable is to be related specifically to the Tribulation excluding the Church; yet it is true that the entire Church Age will be characterized by a false sowing in competition with the true. There are certainly several clear messages in this parable. First, do not try to get rid of the tares, after all you can't tell the difference, and by all means don't try to clean up the devil's world for as J. Vernon McGee has written, "God didn't call him to clean up the pond but to fish out of it;" and secondly, God will do the harvesting and thirdly you and I have been planted; we should think on that and be the very best plant possible. Bloom where you are for it was God Himself who planted you and gave you a special place in His garden. 10. The Parable of the Mustard Seed Mat 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Mat 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof The Parable of the Mustard Seed Explained The church of the Church Age and the Tribulation as they grow would seem to be characterized by an abnormal external growth. In the verse the birds are used negatively so it would seem logical that such should also be the interpretation here. Both Dwight Pentecost and H.A. Ironside agree that the mustard seed though small would grow until it becomes powerful in the world. The tree would seem to refer to a perversion of the Church which started from one small seed of faith. The tree grows so powerful that the birds representing false teachers find a place in it. The birds then represent all kinds of false professors and evil teachers and false and evil congregates who find place in the branches of the growing church. Like in the case of the tares, believers and unbelievers worship and work side-by-side. 11. The Parable of the Leaven Mat 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened The Parable of the Leaven Explained In a similar vein, the yeast is the evil and sin of the world which will mix during the time 6

7 in which Christ is absent from the world. This certainly has a contextual basis for its truth; also a consistent symbolic meaning of leaven as sin and evil would seem to support such a position. Once in the loaf, the yeast is indiscernible and that too is certainly a truth. It would seem any number of interpretations would fit so long as the symbol of the leaven represents false doctrine mixed indistinguishably into the church loaf. 12. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure Mat 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. C. I. Scofield writes, This is one of the most obvious of the parables. The field, according to Mat 13:38, is the world which was purchased by the Lord Jesus at the priceless cost of His own blood that He might have the treasure. As Israel was God s treasure in Old Testament times, so there is at the present time a remnant (of Israel) according to the election of grace. Those who compose the remnant are no longer reckoned as Jews but as members of the one body together with saved Gentiles and thus Christ s inheritance and His joy. 13. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price Mat 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Mat 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price Explained This parable would seem to relate to the universal church of the Church Age given the fact that many pearls are sought in the sea or ocean. The sea is often symbolic of the nations. Pearls are a product of accretion, i.e., growth or increase in size is a product of gradual external addition, fusion, or inclusion. So it would seem to be with the church; Christ having given Himself for the pearl, is now preparing it for presentation. It goes without saying, however, that Christ's purchase included both Jew and Gentile (Church Age saints being one in Christ) and this pearl is being prepared for presentation at His Second Advent. A pearl if subjected to darkness and the absence of air will turn to sand and become worthless, just as sin, evil and an absence of doctrine in the life of a believer proves a deleterious regression in one s spiritual life. Pearls therefore must be displayed or lose value, and thus a believer must let his light so shine before men for he was bought with such a great price. 14. The Parable of the Dragnet 7

8 Mat 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Mat 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. Mat 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, Mat 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth The Parable of the Dragnet Explained C. I. Scofield seems to have best interpreted this fairly obvious parable: "The parable... presents another view from that of the wheat and tares, that of the mystery of the kingdom as the sphere of profession, with this difference: there Satan was the active agent; here the admixture is more the result of the tendency of a movement to gather to itself that which is not really of it. The kingdom of heaven is like a net which, cast into the sea of humanity, gathers of every kind, good and bad. These remain together in the net (v 49) and not merely in the sea, until the end of the age. It is not even a converted net, much less a converted sea. Much violence has been done to sound exegesis by the notion that the world is to be converted in this age. Against that notion stands our Lord's own interpretation of the parables of the sower, the wheat and tares, and the net." I recall a story from a seasoned fisher-lady who would not swim in the ocean. She warned I have seen too many really weird creatures pulled out of the sea. Indeed there are some weird creatures that will one day be removed from the net and cast into the lake of fire. Summary 1. There will be four kinds of reaction to the sowing of the seed in our first parable. 2. The unbelievers described in Mat 13:6 and 19 will be cast into the lake of fire, Mat 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 3. There are two believers in our first parable who start to grow and then tribulation and persecution come along and they lose their momentum. Mat 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and with joy receiveth it; Mat 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 8

9 4. There are believers who begin to grow but because of prosperity pressures they will lose their momentum. Mat 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 5. There are positive believers who produce. Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 6. Production among believers however will vary. As our Lord said production will be 30, 60 and 100 fold. Production is a product of doctrine in the soul. Production like everything else is subject to the sovereignty and omniscience of God. 7. God has seen the time line and our choices and then implemented a perfect plan for our life. All of which will be based on what the Potter wants done and not based upon the presumptuous wishes of the inept clay. 8. God's plan is perfect even though it accommodates our imperfect choices. Thus there will be those with varying amounts of divine good. 9. The glories of the Messianic reign were clearly sketched in the Old Testament. The Messiah would come, Israel would accept and the Lord would change His people then the Kingdom would be implemented on earth as it is in heaven. In perfection even the animals, trees, fish and people will praise Him. Psalm 148 makes this abundantly clear. 10. The rejection of the Messiah and the interval between his first and second comings were not generally understood. 11. Recall in reply to the disciples' question about why the parables? Jesus tells them basically three are reasons for the parables. They were a means of substantiating His claim to being the Jewish Messiah. Mat 13:34-35 Mat 13:34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. Mat 13:35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet in Psa 78:2: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world." 12. Parables communicated doctrine to positive people while also hiding truth from the negative people while also fulfilling prophecy. 9

10 Mat 13:13 This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. Mat 13:14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. Mat 13:15 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' 14. The thirteenth chapter of Matthew holds a unique place in the development of the theme of the Gospel. Before the thirteenth chapter of the Book of Matthew Christ is seen as the Messiah presenting His platform to Israel and declaring it to be neare. 15. As chapter 12 closes however the Lord indicates that He is setting aside all natural relationships with Israel and the presentation of an earthly Kingdom for Israel--given their rejection. 16. There will be an interval and during that interval several changes will occur. The interval is the indeterminate gap represented by the Church Age and the Tribulation. 17. Since Israel rejected the offered kingdom, the question naturally arises, "What will happen to God's kingdom program? The kingdom has been rejected and the King is absent. This is something "Christianity" since the first century has wrestled "with. 18. Since the kingdom is based on irrevocable and unconditional covenants to Israel; it is unthinkable that the kingdom promise could be abandoned. 19. Chapter 13 gives the events in the development of the kingdom program from the time of its rejection until it is received by Israel at His Second Advent. The parables of Matthew chapter 13 describe the strange form of the Kingdom while the King is absent. 20. The King is in heaven waiting events future. Col 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Mat 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 21. The kingdom being at hand will now become a thing of the past. It would no longer be at hand for Israel. There will be two intervening ages making up the inter-advent period: the Church Age and the Tribulation. 10

11 Ryrie writes to show that these parables are limited to the inter-advent period. He says: "The kingdom of the heaven has become like unto", (Mat 13:24). This sets the time limit for the beginning of the subject matter involved. In other words, the kingdom of heaven was assuming the form described in the parables as that time when Christ was personally ministering on the earth. The end of the time period covered by these parables is indicated by the phrase "end of the world" or more literally "the consummation of the age" Mat 13: This is the time of the Second Advent of Christ when He shall come in power and great glory. Therefore, it is clear that these parables are concerned only with that time between the days when Christ spoke them on earth and the end of this age. This gives a clue to the meaning of the phrase "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven." 22. There are several keys to be used in the interpretation of these passages which will keep one from error. First some of the parables are interpreted by the Lord. Any interpretation of the whole must, of necessity, be in harmony with that which has been interpreted by the Lord. Second, while many of the parables are in figurative language, these figures are familiar ones throughout the Word of God and, therefore, will have the same usage here as used consistently elsewhere. 23. The fact that these are not isolated makes interpretation easier. The revelation of these mysteries in parable form was due to the existence of two distinct groups: to you it is given; to them it is not given. The disciples, having responded in faith to Jesus, already possessed much truth regarding the Messiah and his program and they would seem to be good examples of those who have vis-à-vis those who have not. 24. Careful reflection upon these parables would most likely enlighten them further. Jesus no doubt taught them much in private as those who have. 25. Let's review in summary fashion the meaning of the parables mentioned in Mat 13: It appears that the key to the interpretation of these parables is verse 52 of this Chapter13. Many elect not to call this verse 52 a parable: Mat 13:52 He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old." 25.2 These words are spoken of the things which precede, and surely speak of the parables as some new and some old. 11

12 The parables can be divided into four spoken in public, and three spoken in private; to show that the first four are the new treasures of truth, and the last three are the old; that is, truths revealed before by our Lord concerning His Kingdom This is problematic. There is no doubt however that the parables taken as a whole have new and old truths but whether there are four communicating the new and three communicating the old is again arguable. Pentecost chooses to explain the parables by the old and new classification Let's assume for training purposes this is the case, "the present Age", says Dr. Pentecost, "is presented in a series of seven progressive pictures, describing the course of the kingdom in kingdom mystery form. 26. The New Things The Seed and the Soils: The Proclamation of the Kingdom. Mat 13:18-23 Mat 13:18 "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: Mat 13:19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches ;away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. Mat 13:20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. Mat 13:21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. Mat 13:22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. Mat 13:23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." Comment: Seed is sown by Christ first and then His followers and there are varying degrees of response. This we have already studied. Most agree this parable would seem to have application to a sowing of the seed during the rest of the kingdom age, the church age and the tribulation. Teachings about the judgment are absent here which may direct the application more to just the remaining KA and the CA. The Wheat and the Tares: Kingdom and a future judgment. Mat 13:24-43 Mat 13:24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. Mat 13:25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. Mat 13:26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 12

13 Mat 13:27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' Mat 13:28 "'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' Mat 13:29 "'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn... Mat 13:36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." Mat 13:37 He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. Mat 13:38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, Mat 13:39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, a &nd the harvesters are angels. Mat 13:40 "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. Mat 13:41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. Mat 13:42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Mat 13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Comment: The true sowing, emphasized in the parable of the Sower, is to be imitated by a false sowing. There is to be a side-by-side development of that which is good with that which is evil as the result of these two sowings. There will be a judgment at the end of the age to separate the good from the evil. The wheat will be received into the millennial kingdom and the tares excluded. The devil comes in and sows the Zizonia or darnel wheat. The wheat represents the believer and the tares the unbeliever. Many feel this parable is to be related specifically to the Tribulation excluding the church; yet it is true that the entire age is to be characterized by a false sowing in competition with the true. The tares in the Greek is a particular kind of worthless wheat called darnel wheat which grows up in the field and looks like good wheat. The difference being it is poisonous to man and herbivorous animals causing nausea, vomiting, and even death in some people/animals. As a seed it looks the same and as a plant it looks the same. What is the message to us in this parable: first don't try to get rid of the tares, after all you can't tell the difference; second don't try to clean up the devil's world for as J. Vernon has said : "God didn't call him to clean up the pond but to fish out of it"; third God will do the harvesting, a most important message and fourth "you and I have been planted, we should think on that and be the very best seed possible. Bloom where you are would 13

14 seem to be a message! Most people today are wanting to be something different or go somewhere else or change their status because they don't like where God has placed them. I guess the message is "bloom where you are" for it was the God of the universe who planted you. There are those who suggest: first there is a gathering into bundles and then a later burning; could it be the Lord is gathering them now into their little groups like the national council of churches, world council of churches, blasphemous denominations, etc. A possibility but maybe a stretch. The Mustard Tree: Wide, visible Extension of the Kingdom. Mat 13:31-32 Mat 13:31 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Mat 13:32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." Comment: The inter-advent age as it grows would seem to be characterized by an abnormal external growth. In the verse the birds are used negatively so it would seem logical that such should also be the interpretation here. Both Pentecost and Ironside agree that the mustard seed though small would grow until it becomes powerful in the world. The tree would seem to refer to to a perversion of the Church which started from one small seed of faith. The tree grows so powerful that the birds representing false teachers find a place in it. The birds then represent all kinds of false professors and evil teachers and false and evil congregates who find place in the branches of the growing church. The Leaven in the Meal: Insidious Corruption of the Kingdom. Mat 13:33 Mat 13:33 He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in three measures of flour (Zume meaning leaven) until it worked all through the dough." Comment: This parable is one with perhaps the most controversy in that there ar e varied valid interpretations. Let me give a few: Pentecost believes the yeast is the evil and sin of the world which will mix during the time in which Christ is absent from the world. This certainly has a contextual basis for its truth; also a consistent symbolic meaning of leaven as evil and sin would seem to support such a position... The woman is the false church of the tribulation. Once in the loaf the yeast is indiscernible and that too is certainly a truth. Col. R. B. Thieme explains the parable by concluding the three measures of flour as follows: the first measure he says represents the false doctrine which will infiltrate during the church age, the second represents the false doctrine of the global church 14

15 during the tribulation and the third measure represents the false doctrine pervading many Jews of the tribulation. The tribulation writes the Col. is in view given the use of the Woman in the parable. The leaven mixed with the three represents the evil so pervasive during the time of our Lord's absence. The woman being the symbol of the harlot church as described by John in his revelation; it would seem to fit the tribulation period. Ironside writes of the parable: "Throughout the Word leaven is used always in an evil sense. Of old the people of Israel were to put all leaven out of their houses during the Passover season and Paul explains this when he says "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1Co 5:6-8). Leaven then speaks of... sin and evil... The three measures of meal... is the truth of God concerning His Son. The woman is... Jezebel of... the Revelation... who calls herself a prophetess, and teaches... unholy principles... and is ultimately judged..." It would seem any number of interpretations would fit so long as the symbol of the leaven represents false doctrine mixed indistinguishably into the church loaf. Such could certainly occur in the remaining time of the Kingdom Age, the later Church Age and Tribulation. An erroneous meaning and common view held by many "denominations" is that the woman is the church; the three measures of meal the world; the leaven the gospel: as a result of which the whole world will be converted eventually. The Old Things The Treasure: The Israelitish Nation. Mat 13:44 Mat 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Comment: Two explanations here would seem to best explain the parable given its context. First that of Pentecost: "The purpose... is to depict the relationship of Israel to this present age. Although set aside by God until the age of the church... yet Israel is not forgotten... the individual Who is... the Christ is purchasing a treasure... effected at the cross. This treasure is hidden away in a field, unseen by men, but known to the purchaser. During the age... the purchaser does not come into the possession of His purchased treasure, but only into the possession of the place in which the treasure resides. The parable is showing that Christ has laid the foundation for Israel's acceptance in this age, even though the age ends without His having appropriated His treasure. The treasure of Israel would be unearthed when He comes to establish His kingdom. Israel is now in blindness, but possessed. 15

16 Second that of Scofield: The field is the world (v 38) which was purchased by our Lord... that He might have the treasure (1Pe 1:18). As Israel was God's treasure in O.T. times (Exo 19:5; Psa 135:4), so there is at the present time "a remnant according to the election of grace (Rom 11:5)... the remnant are no longer reckoned as Jews but as members of the "one body" together with saved gentiles and thus Christ's inheritance and His joy... Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed wit ph corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Psa 135:4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. The Pearl: The Inclusion of the Nations. Mat 13:45-46 Mat 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. Mat 13:46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Comment: This parable would seem first to "zero in on" the church given the fact that many pearls are sought in the sea or ocean. The sea is again being symbolic of the nations. Pearls are a product of accretion, i.e., growth or increase in size by gradual external addition, fusion, or inclusion. So it would seem to be with the church. Christ having given Himself for the pearl, is now preparing it for presentation. It goes without saying however that Christ's purchase included both Jew and gentile so the pearl of great price is being prepared for presentation in His Second Advent to Israel. Related Scriptures: Hos 2:23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God... Hos 3:4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and 16

17 without teraphim: Hos 3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days. Hos 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, Rom 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afor Se in few words, Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Eph 3:10 To the in Ntent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Col 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the ri Tches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 17

18 Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. The Dragnet: The Judgment of the Nations at the end of the Tribulation. Mat 13:47 "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. Mat 13:48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. Mat 13:49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous Mat 13:50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Comment: Schofield seems to have best interpreted this fairly obvious parable: "The parable... presents another view from that of the wheat and tares, that of the mystery of the kingdom as the sphere of profession, with this difference; there Satan was the active agent; here the admixture is more the result of the tendency of a movement to gather to itself that which is not really of it. The kingdom of heaven is like a net which, cast into the sea of humanity, gathers of every kind, good and bad. These remain together in the net (v 49 ) and not merely in the sea, until the end of the age. It is not even a converted net, much less a converted sea. Much violence has been done to sound exegesis by the notion that the world is to be converted in this age. Against that notion stands our Lord's own interpretation of the parables of the sower, the wheat and tares, and the net It is a time of a mingled body of true and false, wheat and tares, good and bad. It is defiled by formalism, doubt and worldliness. But within it Christ sees the true children of the true kingdom who, at the end, are to shine forth as the sun. In the great field, the world, He sees His treasure that He redeems for His own through His cross. Thus, in this aspect of the kingdom, He sees the church, His body and bride composed of 18

19 believing Israelites and Gentiles, and for joy He sells all that He has and buys the field, the treasure and the pearl. 2Co 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. The determined unbelievers of our Lord's kingdom age who had refused the previous teaching of Jesus were not being given the bar e truths to trample under foot and as such represent a good example of those who have not. Some have with hope concluded they were spared the greater guilt of rejecting the plainest teaching. So there remained the possibility that the intriguing parables might arouse their curiosity and bring about a change of heart. The settled state of spiritual insensibility among the people is no doubt a partial fulfillment of Isa 6:9 and 10. Matthew's quotation follows the LXX, and emphasizes the obstinate unbelief of the people. 19. The Hebrew, make the heart of this people fat, presents the condition as a judgment from God upon their spiritual hardness. Let's review again Isa 6:9-10 Isa 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Isa 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and s Ãhut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Every believer is saved to serve; he is ipso facto, by the fact itself, from the time of conversion a witness for God. Although the emphasis of our Lord in these Mat 13 parables is to be a description of Israel with its attendant negative volition and their judgment, there is secondary application which is amplified in spades in the Epistles to the church. Isaiah had the terrible job of telling about Israel's negative response to their God. But note that Isaiah was invited by the query, Who will go for us? The prophet himself volunteered. Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for 19

20 us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. God can use only willing, loving service think many. Such is not the case, although no doubt service willingly and lovingly given would be the better. For every Isaiah, there are I suspect, several Jeremiah's and Elija's. Jeremiah: Jer 20:7-18 Jer 20:7 O LORD, you deceived me, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Jer 20:8 Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. Jer 20:9 But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jer 20:10 I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side! Report him! Let's report him!" All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him." Jer 20:11 But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and ª be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. Jer 20:12 O LORD Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. Jer 20:13 Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked. Jer 20:14 Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me not be blessed! Jer 20:15 Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, who made him very glad, saying, "A child is born to you--a son!" Jer 20:16 May that man be like the towns the LORD overthrew without pity. May he hear wailing in the morning, a battle cry at noon. Jer 20:17 For he did not kill me in the womb, with my mother as my grave, her womb enlarged forever. Jer 20:18 Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame? Elijah: 1Ki 19: Ki 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. 1Ki 19:19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. 20

21 1Ki 19:20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? Isaiah was commissioned to preach God's message faithfully and fearlessly, even though his ministry would result in rejection and apparent failure. Because of Israel's rejection of Isaiah's message it would be like not hearing at all. And their unwillingness to hear would result in the judicial blinding of their hearts. There is the near term application for 7th cent ury Judah when God permitted their exile to Babylon. In 606 BC, 597 BC and 586 BC a remnant is left in the land while the cream of Israel's population is taken captive. In 535 BC and following a remnant returns from Persia. There is a later far term application of this Scripture when a remnant of believing Jews who will be saved and occupy the land under the rulership of Christ at His Second Advent. Keep in mind there are no spiritual Jews in the Church Age. Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Col 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Col 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 21