Matthew 13:19-23. 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.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
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.
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.
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.
The Holyspirit spirit reveals the truth of God and takes the truth and seal it.
Also;
John 16:12-15. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Here in John 16:30-32 we have a picture of the disciples belief shattered after Jesus was crucified.
The very reason the woman is giving birth to the manchild (the spirit of truth the H.G. ) is that he might reprove the world of sin and righteousness and Judgement....That the Prince of this world (satan) will be Judged...our carnal minds is satans seat...Which is gonna make us righteous and not able to sin as he that is born of God cannot sin which is our new innerman....The H.G. I come not to judge this world but to save this world...I come not to destroy mens lives but to save mens lives...
.....Thats y Jesus wants to sow his precious seed in our hearts Matthew 13:18 that we might be bornagain of his incorruptible seed the words of that New Covenant....The good fruit is a baby Christ thats y he is saying unless you receive the kingdom of God as a lil Child...which is that manchild that is gonna rule all nations... Romans 7:4..Mankinds fruit unto God via that Promise Seed...The contents of the book in the fathers right hand that Jesus wrote with his own blood...They don't call him the bridegroom for nothin...He wants to impregnate this whole world with his precious seed....Thats y Jeremiah 30:6 saw this whole world in travail and birth pains....A time of Jacobs troubles simply b/c this World is gona be the Israel of God...But we will go thru much tribulation....1 st Cor. 12 :13...By 1 spirit are we all baptised into the body of Christ Jew or Gentile...Bond or free...If i be lifted up i will draw all men unto me....Remember Jesus said the field is the world where that good seed will be sown....She brought forth a manchild that is gona rule all nations....Which is that Spirt of truth. Plz take note that the kingdom does not come till the woman births the children of Promise which is the H.G. The manchild, mans fruit unto God....Rev, 11:15 kjv...Then the Kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever....Right here on this beautiful Earth..Beautiful for situation the joy of the whole world is mt ZION.. Ps 48.
Hello all dear do you all know how valuable to the Lord u are? And testify of Him with yourselves as long as you are here on Earth. Then come Holy Spirit, be with us in understanding, and open our eyes and heart that we may see this.
When I heard that I was a witness to the Lord did I think very briefly and thought for myself that this is going to be scant and bad. (Smileys) Today after 20+ years I have found that it is the greatest task, the most fun and rewarding case, the testimony case way. Because we can be where we are, Hallelujah Amen.
Today I want to mention something to you when the Lord put a few words on me. A few weeks back, this was a hot topic in here on the web. Now I hope that the Holy Spirit shows you all who still believe that we will be taken away before the great tribulation. That He shows you that we are going to be part of much much more.
Matthew 13:47-52 Especially in verses 49-50 Here JESUS says clearly that the Angels will come and divide the wicked from the Righteous. Now remember all the scriptures that have appeared on this topic. Set up an opinion yourselves. If you don't understand it today: Same thing, because you'll see it eventually. It's true what JESUS says.
And not all teachings about this and that. We have shapes how to dress and what to eat and so on, endless rows of injunctions and rules in addition to the LAW that is in our hearts. As time has passed for my task of being a WITNESS. So, my days have ended in a separate little apartment. Which I don't want! I want to be out witnessing to the Lord. But bodily weakness kind of denies me. Or yes, I can crawl. That would be both painful and unappealing. So then the matter is this: Don't you think He may have used for me after all? Certainly, He does. Yesterday I was visited by a dear sister in the Lord, she came to me and talked about the light, a brilliant light. But we'll take that another time. Om the web the Time is short! (Smileys) See u all and be glad love u in Christ.
I have seen this connection made between Matthew 13:24-30 & Revelation 14:14-20 before, Tammy, but as you study those passages, you may notice some clear differences. To give them much detail here would take too long, so I'll highlight them, to show that these are not the same events.
Matthew 13:24-30 (with the parable's interpretation given in vv 36-43). The Sower is the Lord Who planted His Seed (which brought forth His children) in His field (the Church, His Body). But the enemy (Satan) also has his way & planted his seed (of unregenerate & evil hearts) amongst the good seed. If this was the world spoken of & not the Church, then identification between the good & evil would be easy. Of course, as they grew together, they appeared the same, until the tares showed their true color. Using Jesus' instruction in Matthew 18:15-17, those tares that could be easily seen amongst them can be exposed for who they are, but often they can't be seen until Christ's examination, judgement, & removal. The believers will be gathered by the reapers at the harvest unto Him & the imposters burned with fire. Given that this parable was spoken amongst the Jews, there could be application to those who were righteous under the Law ("children of the kingdom") & the unrighteous amongst them.
Revelation 14:14-20, the Reaper is the Lord (v16) and the angel who had the sickle did the gathering. What was reaped & what was gathered? "..the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are ripe". These are not the tares in Matthew, but are shown as being slashed off the vine, & that at their crushing, their juice (as blood) came out in volumes as a result of Christ's Judgement; maybe at that great final battle when the enemies of Christ are slaughtered ( Revelation 19:17-21).
The parable of the wheat & the tares is for "the end of this world" ( Matthew 13:40), not post-trib, nor pre-trib. So I don't read this parable as you do & in comparing it with Revelation 14.
Matthew 13:30 Let them grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye FIRST the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
The field is the world, both the seeds of wheat and the seeds of tares are planted together, they grow together and are harvested together, but one goes to the fire and the other to the barn.
During Christ time everyone was associated with farming, today not many know much of anything about farming.
The tares are weeds, yet they also bear seed, the farmer burned the weeds to destroy their seed; so they, the weeds, would not keep multiplying, the wheat is gather into the barn to be replanted and thus multiplying.
Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: the SEED is the WORD of GOD.
Christ is the SEED, the SEED (wheat) is gather into the barn and replanted so it will multiply.
Revelation 10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must go again (after your harvested) and prophesy again before many peoples, and nations and tongues.
Luke 20:36 Neither can they (the SEED) died anymore (you died with Christ): for they (the SEED) are EQUAL unto the angels; and are the children (the SEED) of God, being the children of the RESURRECTION (you were raised with Christ) ...
the new creation the new SEED.
Isaiah 59:21 And this is my covenant with them (the harvested SEED), saith the Lord (our Father), MY SPIRIT that is upon thee (Christ, the WORD, the SEED, and the WORDS (seed) that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy SEED, nor out of the mouth of thy SEED'S SEED forever.
Read Ephesians 4:32. When we truly are saved, we become a new creation in Christ. The old is passed away. We are forgiven. As Christians we are to be doers of the word. Jesus said in John 14:15, if you love me, keep my commandments.
1John 2:4
1John 4:20-21
The Lord is my Shepherd.
I am lifting you all up in prayer today. Jesus Christ is coming soon. We are living in the last of the last days, and hell is a real place of torment. Eternal. I don't want to go there and I don't want you to go there.
Matthew 10:28
Matthew 13:50
2Thessalonians 1:9
Psalms 145:20
Hebrews 10:26-31
So let Jesus work in your heart and life. No one can put Him there. You must see your need for Him and repent (stop sinning,stop hating,forgive,stop rejecting Christ) REPENT of YOUR own evil deeds, ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness.
Matthew 6:14-15
He paid for our sin with His life's blood when He was crucified on the cross.His gift of forgiveness is free. Please accept it. Repent and be baptized in water and the Holy Spirit.
HE IS COMING BACK SOON. If YOU are not ready, the Bible says you will be eternally lost. I would not wish Hell on my worst enemy. No, on the contrary. I want to spend eternity loving and worshiping Jesus Christ together with them.
( Matthew 5:44)
May the Lord richly bless you today in Christ Jesus!
Helpful tip; touch the verse addresses in red and they will open up. You won't have to look them up separately.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Matthew 13:10-17
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Matthew 13:34,35
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Psalms 78:2
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 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? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 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.
Matthew 13:36-43
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. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 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; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Matthew 13:10-17
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Matthew 13:34,35
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Psalms 78:2
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
David 0920. Yes indeed, "Christ spoke in parables" to the multitudes, and He did so for a particular reason: Matthew 13:13-15,35. I realize that there is a point that you're aiming for here, so I won't proceed with this unless you wish to develop it. But to state at the outset, what Jesus shared with the people in parables (earthly stories with a kingdom principle) cannot be related to everything (or, most things) that the Bible declares. A parable has a specific meaning & format. But clear literal statements of persons, events, or Kingdom living cannot be admitted as parables. Even the OT mention of 'parables', holds a different meaning to what we read of Jesus' Words. Metaphors or allegories are employed throughout the Scriptures, but even these are clearly discerned & are not parables. I'll stop here; I assume that the Bible teacher you referred to hasn't got his messages on this subject, on the Web - I would like to listen to his take on this.
If you have been following my comments on Bible interpretation, you will understand why we may be arriving at different conclusions on some things.
We must keep in mind that Christ spoke in parables and without a parable spoke he not. And that we are to compare spiritual things with spiritual. That is the Bible is its own interpreter. Any conclusion we arrive at must harmonize with everything else the Bible is teaching on the subject.
Matthew 13:10-17
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Matthew 13:34,35
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Matthew 13:34, 35
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Why do you assume the ones teaching on this forum; and those teaching, refute the doctrine of the church, are in error, and not the church being in error.
That's a stretch:
Isaiah 6:8 And I (Christ, he is the WORD(s) that are written) heard the voice of the LORD (my Father) saying, Whom shall I (the Father) SEND? and who will go for us? Then said I (Christ), here am I, SEND ME.
Isaiah 6:9 And he (the father) said, Go (Christ), and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, BUT UNDERSTAND NOT, and see ye indeed, and PERCEIVE.
Matthew 13:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they UNDERSTAND.
Most in the church will tell you the WORD is not a parable, nor believe it is a parable, so why do you think their doctrines are correct, when they don't believe the WORDS OF GOD.
God sent Jesus to be the saviour of the world, and his RESURRECTION saved the world, the church doesn't believe this, you have said yourself most go to hell,:there is going to be a kingdom, back on this earth, when God raises the UNBELIEVERS (even Satan believes there is a God, he just doesn't believe the WORDS of GOD) back to their flesh, and they will bow and confess GOD'S WORDS ARE TRUTH.
You don't believe you fall into this pigeon hole, because you believe the DOCTRINES of man instead of God's words, Revelation SAYS: Satan who deceives the WHOLE WORLD; this includes his church, you don't believe the church is deceive, can you point to the time God caused you to SEE this deception. Until you AGREE with God, that you and I and everyone one else has been deceive, and ASK God to open your eyes and HIM CAUSE you to see, you will be among those spoken of in John:
John 9:41 Jesus is saying unto YOU: If you were blind you would have NO SIN: but now you say I SEE (you day, I haven't been deceived) therefore YOUR SIN REMAINETH.
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Matthew 13:34, 35
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Jesus (Christ) is the Word of God. So would we not expect God to use parabolic language in describing actual historical and future events throughout the entire Bible in order to both reveal and hide Truth.
The book of Ruth is a prime example. A beautiful love story but dripping with the Gospel message in every verse when we understand how God uses specific words and phrases to reveal some aspect of the Gospel.
For those of us that can hear the parable of the sower,I want to thank God your converted and listen to the Word (Jesus).The Word falls into the soil,rock,and thorn bushes.It is hard to plant seeds and how much more the Word of God in people's heart that is choked by the cares of this world ( Matthew 13:19).
Thanks again Jimbob for your thoughts on this. Tribulation or Great Tribulation? I see a difference. The apostles, the early Church & believers today are not exempt from tribulation; it will come to us as declared ( Matthew 13:21; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 8:35; 2 Corinthians 7:4; etc): not just physical hardships, but certainly the exercises by the enemy against us, even to testings of faith & martyrdom. We are not insulated from any of these, nor should we expect to be, but what of the Tribulation sent by God our Father? You shared 1 Thessalonians 3:4, "For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know." You understand that Paul was referring to the Great Tribulation, of God's Wrath. I don't see that at all in his discourse, rather, that Paul was describing his own afflictions (vv 3,7 & coupled with 1 Thessalonians 2:2,9,14). I see a clear difference between the two expressions of Tribulation: that which comes to all of us, & that which is only directed to haters of God & His Christ.
What then are we not appointed to? To our daily tribulations, even to suffering or dying for Christ, or to God's Wrath to unbelievers? I note that you agree to this: that believers won't face the outpouring of God's Wrath against a Christ-rejecting World, by your understanding that this outpouring will happen only after the believers are caught away (i.e. post-tribulation). The contention then is: is God's Wrath the same as the Great Tribulation? I believe the Great Tribulation is still to come - we haven't in the least begun to experience anything of it now. When it starts, we know that the time of the end is at hand and believers will be caught away before the world begins to feel the Mighty Hand of God against them. (cont'd).
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christ (Christ is the word, so there shall arise false words), and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; in so much that, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE (but is not possible), they should deceive the very elect.
Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, WHO WERE ORDAINED TO THIS CONDEMNATION .....
God says he himself has caused this and brought it to pass.
Luke 22:31 ....Satan has desired to have you, THAT HE MAY SIFT YOU as wheat ....
Luke 22:32 But I WILL PRAY FOR YOU: that your faith (the faith of Christ) fail not .... IT'S CHRIST'S WORKS ....
Isaiah 28:21 ....that he may do HIS WORK, HIS STRANGE WORK; and bring TO PASS his act, HIS STRANGE ACT.
Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his maker! Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth, Shall the clay say to him that fashioned it, What makest thou? OR THY WORK, He hath no hands?
Isaiah 48:10 Behold I have refined the, but not with silver, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself; but endureth for awhile, and when tribulations and persecutions ariseth because of the WORD, by and by he is offended.
Christ had many disciples, but when the words became to hard for them they went the way of the world.
Matthew 13:23 ..... and false prophets, shall show great signs and wonders .....
Revelation .... and with him the false prophet ....were cast alive into the a lake of fire burning with BRIMSTONE
Isaiah 30:33 ....the breath of the Lord, like a stream of BRIMSTONE, doeth kindle it.
Isaiah 33:14 ...Who among us SHALL DWELL with the devouring fire ( Hebrews 12:29)? who amongst us SHALL DWELL with everlasting burning?
Isaiah 9:5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise and garments rolled in blood, but this (battle) shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
Isaiah 9:18 ...and the people shall be the fuel of the fire .....
John 9:41 ....if you were blind, you would have no sin: but now you say, WE SEE, therefore your sin remainth.
When we read God's word and we come to words such a mountain, we automatically picture in our carnal minds a physical mountain, instead of what it represents in Christ mind.
As we study and the spirit of Christ teaches, we begin to develop the mind of Christ, we see the meaning, not the physical, this is a process that happens with time and study.
Matthew 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables, because they seeing see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Daniel 7:13 ...one like of the Son of man come with the clouds of heaven ----has that image popped into your carnal mind ------ that not the meaning in Christ mind ----
God Bless you as he creates the mind of Christ IN YOU.
I agree Matthew 24 is PROPHECY, but it's meaning is HIDDEN in a PARABLE
Psalms is also a PROPHECY.
Psalms 49:4 I (the spirit of Christ wrote Psalms) will open my mouth in a parable .....
Psalms 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable ....
The whole bible is written by the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, the whole bible is a parable, the meaning is HIDDEN from the physical eyes.
Job is a PROPHECY, but it's meaning is hidden in a Parable, the physical eye can't see the truth of the parable.
Job 27:1 Moreover Job CONTINUED his PARABLE ...
Job 29:1 Moreover Job continued his PARABLE ...
If Job is continuing his parable, it has been a parable from the beginning.
Ezekiel is a Prophecy, but hidden in a parable.
Ezekiel 17:2 Son of Man, put forth a riddle, and speak a PARABLE to the house of Israel of Israel.
Ezekiel 24:3 Utter a PARABLE unto the rebellious house .....
Ezekiel, through the spirit of Christ, is PROPHESYING that the words of God are a PARABLE, and can't be understood without the spirit of Christ revealing it to you.
Micah 2:4 In that day (the day he is speaking the words of Matthew 24) ONE (CHRIST) shall take up a parable against you ....
Matthew 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables, and without a parable spake he not to them.
You know ALL of God's words a Parable, because his word says so.
Mark 4:34 But with a parable spake he not to them, (the disciples never understood a word he was saying) and when they were alone, he expounded all things to them.
You have to be alone also, and the spirit of Christ will expound all things to you.
Revelation 19:10 ...for the testimony (words) of Jesus is the SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.
You need to rethink the abomination of desolation, the rapture, and a single anti-christ.
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after ----it's been 2000 years, that's not immediately after --- the tribulation of those days ---it's Christ's tribulation, leading up to his death on the cross, that he is speaking about ----shall the sun be darkened, Matthew 27:45 ---he is quoting Joel 2:31 and Revelation 6:12 a prophecy about Christ death on the cross ---and the moon (symbolising Christ) shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven ---- Revelation 12:4 ---and the powers of heaven shall be shaken ----all this description is a parable Matthew 13:34. Christ's words are most often HIDDEN in parables and symbols.
Matthew 24:30 Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven ---this is still symbolic and a parable ---heaven is symbolic of man, where GOD DWELLS, Colossians 2:27 ...Christ in you .... John 3:13 ... he which is in heaven ....
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will DO NOTHING, but he revealeth his secret to his servant the prophets.
Your raptured: one at a time
Isaiah 27:12 ....and ye shall be gathered ONE by ONE ....two in the field, one taken one left ....
God bless you, as you study and Christ reveals himself to you.
Jude was recently talked about in another post, I want to elaborate on verses 3 and 4.
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
FOR THERE ARE CERTAIN MEN CREPT IN UNAWARES, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."
"THEY'VE CREPT IN UNAWARES "
Are these wolves in sheep's clothing?
If so here's an scenario.
A wolf in sheep clothing is found out, he flees the sheep for a season, He returns with a different set of sheep clothing,
You spot him, Do you warn the sheep? Yes you do, especially the suckling.
We are not to pluck up the tares as mentioned in Matthew 13:27-30,
But there is nothing wrong with pointing them out as the servant did in this parable.
And notice who planted them!
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12.
Let me talk about the Children of the Kingdom for a Min....Jesus said the good seed are the Children of the Kingdom... Matthew 13:38...Which answers to that great Promise..That Christ wd be multiplied as the stars of heaven...Which is the contents of that book in the fathers right hand...The seeds of the sower...Note the Kingdom does not come till the woman births the manchild which are the Children, mankinds fruit unto God... Romans 7 :4...WE ARE ALL gona be married to Christ then comes the Children of Promise...But had Jesus not spoken in parables the Children wd have been born then...But the fruit which is the wheat Cd not have been born unless they cd understood clearly the words the parables of OUR LORD....The Kingdom cannot be born till the woman is in birth pains which requires understanding that good seed the words of the book...The parables...It was hid from the wise and Prudent but only revealed unto babes n sucklings...That are able to worship God with perfect praise..Unlike us who are eat up with materialistic things..Thats y the New Creature is so important...They are baby Christ that are gonna be born is us sinners that are not taken with materialistic things...Jesus is their father simply b/c they can only be born in us via his seeds...Remember he breathe on them ( his words was his seeds his breath..And they were impregnated...Thats y he said b/c i have spoken these words Sorrows have filled your hearts...A spiritual pregnancy...The wheat is a baby Christ Simply b/c the sower of that good seed is Christ the bridegroom...thats y he is saying Whosoever receiveth one such Child in my name receiveth me...Jesus has to multiply himself with his incorruptible seed sown in our hearts when the time comes...Kings shall be your nursing Fathers and Queens shall be your nursing Mothers....Thats y he aways refers to himself as the Son of MAN....The world is gonna have a baby Christ...The Child is the H.G. The Promise...I Will multiply thy seed as the stars o heaven.
[47]Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
[48]Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Confession comes after the net has been cast into the sea 'that is the preaching of the gospel Romans 10:14-15,17
[14]How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
[15]And how shall they preach,(casting of the net) except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
[17]So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I'd like to respond to your following comment: "If you do not recognize the body and blood to be literal, why would you take anything else literally?"
I too believe 100% in the Bible and that it's God's inspired word and take it seriously. Some people say they take something literally but actually mean seriously. I think in this case you mean every word in the Bible is literal, so I'd like to politely challenge that.
When Jesus said He's the bread of life do you believe he's literally made of bread? John 6:35. I would call that a metaphor. He's also called the Word, so if I believed that was literal that would mean He only a word spelled out as characters and nothing else?
When it says we're sheep, do you think we are literally sheep?
Jesus said He's a vine. Does that mean He wasn't a man on earth, but just a vine of a plant? John 15:1
The parables are all symbolic metaphors that have a deeper meaning, so if someone believes it's literal does that mean it no longer has a deeper meaning? Like the parable of the sower.
The abundance of symbolism and metaphors in the Bible in no way takes away from the meaning or seriousness for how it applies to our lives. I personally don't believe I'm literally engaging in cannibalism and eating Jesus when I take communion, but believe its deeply symbolic just like all the other symbolic things in the Bible. The symbolism of parables Jesus talked in was actually explained here: Matthew 13:10-11.
I will start this off by saying emphatically that those who say that we should be in love with Christ are placing a confusing term on Agape; which transcends all other human affections. I believe it is safe to say that God's love never relies or comes after human feelings; whether "phileo" (such as brotherly love) and certainly not eros (which involves sensual aspects). It is true that our emotions in any commitment; including the highest one in our spiritual lives will have our mind; heart and soul involved as we gain trust and learn obedience. That is probably what those who are well intentioned mean by this phrase. And in an abstract sense those who are in and ONLY in a Godly marriage can find intimacy as a result of God being at the core of their relationship. But the opposite is risked here and the fruit thereof is often seen in the mega churches. This is seen in the not so veiled "prosperity gospel" that invokes "sowing a seed" to the ministry and promising all sorts of finacial windfalls and is also seen in music obviously appealing to the flesh in the way women dress and shallow lyrics at best with just enough scripture to make it deadly. Matthew 13:30 gives us a strong admonition for those who "immediately" recieve the Word (or seed of truth) with joy. Without root; then as with many today we don't see an enduring capacity when trials of life and cares of this world come along. In fact it seems persecution isn't usually found in these places (hence a real drawing power). 2 Timothy 3:12; of course shows that all who are Godly will be persecuted; and it emphasizes the word "desire" to be Godly. This implies that we obey God because we love Him ( John 14:15).
The flesh and Spirit are in contention with each other ( Galatians 5:17). We need to keep in mind that every good and perfect gift is from above ( James 1:17).
In my next section I will discuss aspects of the Holy Spirit in ministry.
But he that received seed in the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it, who also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ( Matthew 13:23)
Now these are believers - and there are different types of believers: hundredfold, sixtyfold, thirtyfold. Remember that our Lord, speaking to His own men in the Upper Room, said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches" ( John 15:5), and then went on to say that His whole point was that they might bring forth fruitmore fruit much fruit - thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and hundredfold. These are the three classes of real believers today.
There are two marks that identify genuine believers. The first mark is this: They receive the Word and they understand it. God has given to every believer the Holy Spirit who will interpret the Word of God and will give an understanding of it. Let me insert a word of warning here. It does not mean that you will understand everything that is in it, nor does it mean that you will not have to study the Word. It does mean that you will be given an aid that the unbeliever does not have. If you have a sincere desire to know, He will see that you understand.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. ( Matthew 13:22)
At the extreme ends of the economic ladder we see those with the cares of the world - the poor and the wealthy. The grimness of poverty and the gaiety of riches are the thorns of this life. Folk who fall into these two categories are the hardest to reach with the gospel.
These that fall among thorns I like to call the Model T Ford hearers. Do you remember the old Model T Ford? Have you ever heard one at night trying to get up a muddy hill? Oh, how it would struggle. There are a lot of professing Christians like that today. They struggle and strive, tears will come, and finally they give it up.
When I first came to Southern California, a man became quite excited about my Bible-teaching ministry, but he was always insisting that I become more and more evangelistic. In fact, one summer he wanted me to put up a tent for which he was willing to pay. Before long he left this area. After a time his wife returned alone. She had left him - had to leave him. He had become wealthy, was living with another woman, and had lost all interest in spiritual things. I asked her, "He seemed so zealous - what happened to him?" She said, "Making money made a fool out of him."
The devil gets some, the flesh gets some, and the world gets some. The world, the flesh, and the devil are ready to take the seed that is sown. These are not different types of believers, they are not believers at all. They have only professed to believe the Word. Actually all three groups will read a message like this, but it will have no lasting effect.
But he that received the seed in stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and immediately with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, immediately he is offended. ( Matthew 13:20, 21)
These are the rocky-ground hearers. The devil got the first type, the flesh gets these. These folk are opposite from deep-freeze folk. These are the emotional type - with joy they receive the Word. How excited they become! They are greatly moved, they shed tears, they have strong feelings. I call these the Alka-Seltzer type. They are effervescent; they bubble up when they hear the Word. But, believe me, after it is all gone they are dead.
Years ago, while sitting in the observation coach of a train coming out of Fort Worth, Texas, I saw somebody drop off a newspaper. When the rear of the train went by, that paper fluttered up and, oh, how it kicked up a fuss. As we moved on down the track I saw it settling down and finally going dead. As I looked at it, the thought came to me that it is like a lot of church members I know. When something special comes along they become excited and enthusiastic. But when it comes down to the real study of the Word of God they are dead. They are rocky-ground hearers.
We are sealed by the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:30.
Here's the contrast to that.
Matthew 13:19-23. 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.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
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.
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.
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.
The Holyspirit spirit reveals the truth of God and takes the truth and seal it.
Also;
John 16:12-15. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Here in John 16:30-32 we have a picture of the disciples belief shattered after Jesus was crucified.
But after they were sealed they preached boldly!!
Look at their condition in Matthew 28:16-17.
Ephesians 1:13.
God bless.
.....Thats y Jesus wants to sow his precious seed in our hearts Matthew 13:18 that we might be bornagain of his incorruptible seed the words of that New Covenant....The good fruit is a baby Christ thats y he is saying unless you receive the kingdom of God as a lil Child...which is that manchild that is gonna rule all nations... Romans 7:4..Mankinds fruit unto God via that Promise Seed...The contents of the book in the fathers right hand that Jesus wrote with his own blood...They don't call him the bridegroom for nothin...He wants to impregnate this whole world with his precious seed....Thats y Jeremiah 30:6 saw this whole world in travail and birth pains....A time of Jacobs troubles simply b/c this World is gona be the Israel of God...But we will go thru much tribulation....1 st Cor. 12 :13...By 1 spirit are we all baptised into the body of Christ Jew or Gentile...Bond or free...If i be lifted up i will draw all men unto me....Remember Jesus said the field is the world where that good seed will be sown....She brought forth a manchild that is gona rule all nations....Which is that Spirt of truth. Plz take note that the kingdom does not come till the woman births the children of Promise which is the H.G. The manchild, mans fruit unto God....Rev, 11:15 kjv...Then the Kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever....Right here on this beautiful Earth..Beautiful for situation the joy of the whole world is mt ZION.. Ps 48.
When I heard that I was a witness to the Lord did I think very briefly and thought for myself that this is going to be scant and bad. (Smileys) Today after 20+ years I have found that it is the greatest task, the most fun and rewarding case, the testimony case way. Because we can be where we are, Hallelujah Amen.
Today I want to mention something to you when the Lord put a few words on me. A few weeks back, this was a hot topic in here on the web. Now I hope that the Holy Spirit shows you all who still believe that we will be taken away before the great tribulation. That He shows you that we are going to be part of much much more.
Matthew 13:47-52 Especially in verses 49-50 Here JESUS says clearly that the Angels will come and divide the wicked from the Righteous. Now remember all the scriptures that have appeared on this topic. Set up an opinion yourselves. If you don't understand it today: Same thing, because you'll see it eventually. It's true what JESUS says.
And not all teachings about this and that. We have shapes how to dress and what to eat and so on, endless rows of injunctions and rules in addition to the LAW that is in our hearts. As time has passed for my task of being a WITNESS. So, my days have ended in a separate little apartment. Which I don't want! I want to be out witnessing to the Lord. But bodily weakness kind of denies me. Or yes, I can crawl. That would be both painful and unappealing. So then the matter is this: Don't you think He may have used for me after all? Certainly, He does. Yesterday I was visited by a dear sister in the Lord, she came to me and talked about the light, a brilliant light. But we'll take that another time. Om the web the Time is short! (Smileys) See u all and be glad love u in Christ.
Matthew 13:24-30 (with the parable's interpretation given in vv 36-43). The Sower is the Lord Who planted His Seed (which brought forth His children) in His field (the Church, His Body). But the enemy (Satan) also has his way & planted his seed (of unregenerate & evil hearts) amongst the good seed. If this was the world spoken of & not the Church, then identification between the good & evil would be easy. Of course, as they grew together, they appeared the same, until the tares showed their true color. Using Jesus' instruction in Matthew 18:15-17, those tares that could be easily seen amongst them can be exposed for who they are, but often they can't be seen until Christ's examination, judgement, & removal. The believers will be gathered by the reapers at the harvest unto Him & the imposters burned with fire. Given that this parable was spoken amongst the Jews, there could be application to those who were righteous under the Law ("children of the kingdom") & the unrighteous amongst them.
Revelation 14:14-20, the Reaper is the Lord (v16) and the angel who had the sickle did the gathering. What was reaped & what was gathered? "..the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are ripe". These are not the tares in Matthew, but are shown as being slashed off the vine, & that at their crushing, their juice (as blood) came out in volumes as a result of Christ's Judgement; maybe at that great final battle when the enemies of Christ are slaughtered ( Revelation 19:17-21).
The parable of the wheat & the tares is for "the end of this world" ( Matthew 13:40), not post-trib, nor pre-trib. So I don't read this parable as you do & in comparing it with Revelation 14.
Matthew 13:30 Let them grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye FIRST the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
The field is the world, both the seeds of wheat and the seeds of tares are planted together, they grow together and are harvested together, but one goes to the fire and the other to the barn.
During Christ time everyone was associated with farming, today not many know much of anything about farming.
The tares are weeds, yet they also bear seed, the farmer burned the weeds to destroy their seed; so they, the weeds, would not keep multiplying, the wheat is gather into the barn to be replanted and thus multiplying.
Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: the SEED is the WORD of GOD.
Christ is the SEED, the SEED (wheat) is gather into the barn and replanted so it will multiply.
Revelation 10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must go again (after your harvested) and prophesy again before many peoples, and nations and tongues.
Luke 20:36 Neither can they (the SEED) died anymore (you died with Christ): for they (the SEED) are EQUAL unto the angels; and are the children (the SEED) of God, being the children of the RESURRECTION (you were raised with Christ) ...
the new creation the new SEED.
Isaiah 59:21 And this is my covenant with them (the harvested SEED), saith the Lord (our Father), MY SPIRIT that is upon thee (Christ, the WORD, the SEED, and the WORDS (seed) that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy SEED, nor out of the mouth of thy SEED'S SEED forever.
God bless you.
Read Ephesians 4:32. When we truly are saved, we become a new creation in Christ. The old is passed away. We are forgiven. As Christians we are to be doers of the word. Jesus said in John 14:15, if you love me, keep my commandments.
1John 2:4
1John 4:20-21
The Lord is my Shepherd.
I am lifting you all up in prayer today. Jesus Christ is coming soon. We are living in the last of the last days, and hell is a real place of torment. Eternal. I don't want to go there and I don't want you to go there.
Matthew 10:28
Matthew 13:50
2Thessalonians 1:9
Psalms 145:20
Hebrews 10:26-31
So let Jesus work in your heart and life. No one can put Him there. You must see your need for Him and repent (stop sinning,stop hating,forgive,stop rejecting Christ) REPENT of YOUR own evil deeds, ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness.
Matthew 6:14-15
He paid for our sin with His life's blood when He was crucified on the cross.His gift of forgiveness is free. Please accept it. Repent and be baptized in water and the Holy Spirit.
HE IS COMING BACK SOON. If YOU are not ready, the Bible says you will be eternally lost. I would not wish Hell on my worst enemy. No, on the contrary. I want to spend eternity loving and worshiping Jesus Christ together with them.
( Matthew 5:44)
May the Lord richly bless you today in Christ Jesus!
Helpful tip; touch the verse addresses in red and they will open up. You won't have to look them up separately.
1 Corinthians 2:13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Matthew 13:10-17
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Matthew 13:34,35
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Psalms 78:2
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 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? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 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.
Matthew 13:36-43
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. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 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; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Matthew 13:10-17
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Matthew 13:34,35
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Psalms 78:2
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
If you have been following my comments on Bible interpretation, you will understand why we may be arriving at different conclusions on some things.
We must keep in mind that Christ spoke in parables and without a parable spoke he not. And that we are to compare spiritual things with spiritual. That is the Bible is its own interpreter. Any conclusion we arrive at must harmonize with everything else the Bible is teaching on the subject.
Matthew 13:10-17
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Matthew 13:34,35
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Matthew 13:10-17
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Matthew 13:34, 35
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Why do you assume the ones teaching on this forum; and those teaching, refute the doctrine of the church, are in error, and not the church being in error.
That's a stretch:
Isaiah 6:8 And I (Christ, he is the WORD(s) that are written) heard the voice of the LORD (my Father) saying, Whom shall I (the Father) SEND? and who will go for us? Then said I (Christ), here am I, SEND ME.
Isaiah 6:9 And he (the father) said, Go (Christ), and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, BUT UNDERSTAND NOT, and see ye indeed, and PERCEIVE.
Matthew 13:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they UNDERSTAND.
Most in the church will tell you the WORD is not a parable, nor believe it is a parable, so why do you think their doctrines are correct, when they don't believe the WORDS OF GOD.
God sent Jesus to be the saviour of the world, and his RESURRECTION saved the world, the church doesn't believe this, you have said yourself most go to hell,:there is going to be a kingdom, back on this earth, when God raises the UNBELIEVERS (even Satan believes there is a God, he just doesn't believe the WORDS of GOD) back to their flesh, and they will bow and confess GOD'S WORDS ARE TRUTH.
You don't believe you fall into this pigeon hole, because you believe the DOCTRINES of man instead of God's words, Revelation SAYS: Satan who deceives the WHOLE WORLD; this includes his church, you don't believe the church is deceive, can you point to the time God caused you to SEE this deception. Until you AGREE with God, that you and I and everyone one else has been deceive, and ASK God to open your eyes and HIM CAUSE you to see, you will be among those spoken of in John:
John 9:41 Jesus is saying unto YOU: If you were blind you would have NO SIN: but now you say I SEE (you day, I haven't been deceived) therefore YOUR SIN REMAINETH.
This is written in LOVE:
God bless YOU!
And
Matthew 13:10-17
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Matthew 13:34, 35
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Jesus (Christ) is the Word of God. So would we not expect God to use parabolic language in describing actual historical and future events throughout the entire Bible in order to both reveal and hide Truth.
The book of Ruth is a prime example. A beautiful love story but dripping with the Gospel message in every verse when we understand how God uses specific words and phrases to reveal some aspect of the Gospel.
Thanks again Jimbob for your thoughts on this. Tribulation or Great Tribulation? I see a difference. The apostles, the early Church & believers today are not exempt from tribulation; it will come to us as declared ( Matthew 13:21; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 8:35; 2 Corinthians 7:4; etc): not just physical hardships, but certainly the exercises by the enemy against us, even to testings of faith & martyrdom. We are not insulated from any of these, nor should we expect to be, but what of the Tribulation sent by God our Father? You shared 1 Thessalonians 3:4, "For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know." You understand that Paul was referring to the Great Tribulation, of God's Wrath. I don't see that at all in his discourse, rather, that Paul was describing his own afflictions (vv 3,7 & coupled with 1 Thessalonians 2:2,9,14). I see a clear difference between the two expressions of Tribulation: that which comes to all of us, & that which is only directed to haters of God & His Christ.
What then are we not appointed to? To our daily tribulations, even to suffering or dying for Christ, or to God's Wrath to unbelievers? I note that you agree to this: that believers won't face the outpouring of God's Wrath against a Christ-rejecting World, by your understanding that this outpouring will happen only after the believers are caught away (i.e. post-tribulation). The contention then is: is God's Wrath the same as the Great Tribulation? I believe the Great Tribulation is still to come - we haven't in the least begun to experience anything of it now. When it starts, we know that the time of the end is at hand and believers will be caught away before the world begins to feel the Mighty Hand of God against them. (cont'd).
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christ (Christ is the word, so there shall arise false words), and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; in so much that, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE (but is not possible), they should deceive the very elect.
Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, WHO WERE ORDAINED TO THIS CONDEMNATION .....
God says he himself has caused this and brought it to pass.
Luke 22:31 ....Satan has desired to have you, THAT HE MAY SIFT YOU as wheat ....
Luke 22:32 But I WILL PRAY FOR YOU: that your faith (the faith of Christ) fail not .... IT'S CHRIST'S WORKS ....
Isaiah 28:21 ....that he may do HIS WORK, HIS STRANGE WORK; and bring TO PASS his act, HIS STRANGE ACT.
Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his maker! Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth, Shall the clay say to him that fashioned it, What makest thou? OR THY WORK, He hath no hands?
Isaiah 48:10 Behold I have refined the, but not with silver, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself; but endureth for awhile, and when tribulations and persecutions ariseth because of the WORD, by and by he is offended.
Christ had many disciples, but when the words became to hard for them they went the way of the world.
Matthew 13:23 ..... and false prophets, shall show great signs and wonders .....
Revelation .... and with him the false prophet ....were cast alive into the a lake of fire burning with BRIMSTONE
Isaiah 30:33 ....the breath of the Lord, like a stream of BRIMSTONE, doeth kindle it.
Isaiah 33:14 ...Who among us SHALL DWELL with the devouring fire ( Hebrews 12:29)? who amongst us SHALL DWELL with everlasting burning?
Isaiah 9:5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise and garments rolled in blood, but this (battle) shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
Isaiah 9:18 ...and the people shall be the fuel of the fire .....
God Bless YOU!
John 9:41 ....if you were blind, you would have no sin: but now you say, WE SEE, therefore your sin remainth.
When we read God's word and we come to words such a mountain, we automatically picture in our carnal minds a physical mountain, instead of what it represents in Christ mind.
As we study and the spirit of Christ teaches, we begin to develop the mind of Christ, we see the meaning, not the physical, this is a process that happens with time and study.
Matthew 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables, because they seeing see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Daniel 7:13 ...one like of the Son of man come with the clouds of heaven ----has that image popped into your carnal mind ------ that not the meaning in Christ mind ----
God Bless you as he creates the mind of Christ IN YOU.
Here's a strongs definition of the word sow.
Probably strengthened from G4685 (through the idea of extending); to SCATTER that is sow (literally or figuratively): - sow (-er) receive seed.
( It means to SCATTER seed.)
The term is used in the Bible to spread the word of God.
Jesus says the seed is the word of God here in Luke 8:11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God."
Some fell on good ground and some fell on bad ground as mentioned in Luke 8:5-15.
That which fell on good ground bares fruit that which fell on bad ground doesn't.
The fruit represents LIFE! and that's eternal LIFE.
AN INDICATION WE ALL WON'T HAVE IT.
ALSO SEE. Matthew 13:3-23.
God bless you.
I agree Matthew 24 is PROPHECY, but it's meaning is HIDDEN in a PARABLE
Psalms is also a PROPHECY.
Psalms 49:4 I (the spirit of Christ wrote Psalms) will open my mouth in a parable .....
Psalms 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable ....
The whole bible is written by the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, the whole bible is a parable, the meaning is HIDDEN from the physical eyes.
Job is a PROPHECY, but it's meaning is hidden in a Parable, the physical eye can't see the truth of the parable.
Job 27:1 Moreover Job CONTINUED his PARABLE ...
Job 29:1 Moreover Job continued his PARABLE ...
If Job is continuing his parable, it has been a parable from the beginning.
Ezekiel is a Prophecy, but hidden in a parable.
Ezekiel 17:2 Son of Man, put forth a riddle, and speak a PARABLE to the house of Israel of Israel.
Ezekiel 24:3 Utter a PARABLE unto the rebellious house .....
Ezekiel, through the spirit of Christ, is PROPHESYING that the words of God are a PARABLE, and can't be understood without the spirit of Christ revealing it to you.
Micah 2:4 In that day (the day he is speaking the words of Matthew 24) ONE (CHRIST) shall take up a parable against you ....
Matthew 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables, and without a parable spake he not to them.
You know ALL of God's words a Parable, because his word says so.
Mark 4:34 But with a parable spake he not to them, (the disciples never understood a word he was saying) and when they were alone, he expounded all things to them.
You have to be alone also, and the spirit of Christ will expound all things to you.
Revelation 19:10 ...for the testimony (words) of Jesus is the SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.
You need to rethink the abomination of desolation, the rapture, and a single anti-christ.
God Bless YOU as HE reveals his words to you.
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after ----it's been 2000 years, that's not immediately after --- the tribulation of those days ---it's Christ's tribulation, leading up to his death on the cross, that he is speaking about ----shall the sun be darkened, Matthew 27:45 ---he is quoting Joel 2:31 and Revelation 6:12 a prophecy about Christ death on the cross ---and the moon (symbolising Christ) shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven ---- Revelation 12:4 ---and the powers of heaven shall be shaken ----all this description is a parable Matthew 13:34. Christ's words are most often HIDDEN in parables and symbols.
Matthew 24:30 Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven ---this is still symbolic and a parable ---heaven is symbolic of man, where GOD DWELLS, Colossians 2:27 ...Christ in you .... John 3:13 ... he which is in heaven ....
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will DO NOTHING, but he revealeth his secret to his servant the prophets.
Your raptured: one at a time
Isaiah 27:12 ....and ye shall be gathered ONE by ONE ....two in the field, one taken one left ....
God bless you, as you study and Christ reveals himself to you.
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
FOR THERE ARE CERTAIN MEN CREPT IN UNAWARES, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."
"THEY'VE CREPT IN UNAWARES "
Are these wolves in sheep's clothing?
If so here's an scenario.
A wolf in sheep clothing is found out, he flees the sheep for a season, He returns with a different set of sheep clothing,
You spot him, Do you warn the sheep? Yes you do, especially the suckling.
We are not to pluck up the tares as mentioned in Matthew 13:27-30,
But there is nothing wrong with pointing them out as the servant did in this parable.
And notice who planted them!
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12.
Be watchful.
God bless.
[47]Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
[48]Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Confession comes after the net has been cast into the sea 'that is the preaching of the gospel Romans 10:14-15,17
[14]How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
[15]And how shall they preach,(casting of the net) except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
[17]So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I'd like to respond to your following comment: "If you do not recognize the body and blood to be literal, why would you take anything else literally?"
I too believe 100% in the Bible and that it's God's inspired word and take it seriously. Some people say they take something literally but actually mean seriously. I think in this case you mean every word in the Bible is literal, so I'd like to politely challenge that.
When Jesus said He's the bread of life do you believe he's literally made of bread? John 6:35. I would call that a metaphor. He's also called the Word, so if I believed that was literal that would mean He only a word spelled out as characters and nothing else?
When it says we're sheep, do you think we are literally sheep?
Jesus said He's a vine. Does that mean He wasn't a man on earth, but just a vine of a plant? John 15:1
The parables are all symbolic metaphors that have a deeper meaning, so if someone believes it's literal does that mean it no longer has a deeper meaning? Like the parable of the sower.
The abundance of symbolism and metaphors in the Bible in no way takes away from the meaning or seriousness for how it applies to our lives. I personally don't believe I'm literally engaging in cannibalism and eating Jesus when I take communion, but believe its deeply symbolic just like all the other symbolic things in the Bible. The symbolism of parables Jesus talked in was actually explained here: Matthew 13:10-11.
God bless.
I will start this off by saying emphatically that those who say that we should be in love with Christ are placing a confusing term on Agape; which transcends all other human affections. I believe it is safe to say that God's love never relies or comes after human feelings; whether "phileo" (such as brotherly love) and certainly not eros (which involves sensual aspects). It is true that our emotions in any commitment; including the highest one in our spiritual lives will have our mind; heart and soul involved as we gain trust and learn obedience. That is probably what those who are well intentioned mean by this phrase. And in an abstract sense those who are in and ONLY in a Godly marriage can find intimacy as a result of God being at the core of their relationship. But the opposite is risked here and the fruit thereof is often seen in the mega churches. This is seen in the not so veiled "prosperity gospel" that invokes "sowing a seed" to the ministry and promising all sorts of finacial windfalls and is also seen in music obviously appealing to the flesh in the way women dress and shallow lyrics at best with just enough scripture to make it deadly. Matthew 13:30 gives us a strong admonition for those who "immediately" recieve the Word (or seed of truth) with joy. Without root; then as with many today we don't see an enduring capacity when trials of life and cares of this world come along. In fact it seems persecution isn't usually found in these places (hence a real drawing power). 2 Timothy 3:12; of course shows that all who are Godly will be persecuted; and it emphasizes the word "desire" to be Godly. This implies that we obey God because we love Him ( John 14:15).
The flesh and Spirit are in contention with each other ( Galatians 5:17). We need to keep in mind that every good and perfect gift is from above ( James 1:17).
In my next section I will discuss aspects of the Holy Spirit in ministry.
Part 18.
Good Soil
Finally we come to some seed!
But he that received seed in the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it, who also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ( Matthew 13:23)
Now these are believers - and there are different types of believers: hundredfold, sixtyfold, thirtyfold. Remember that our Lord, speaking to His own men in the Upper Room, said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches" ( John 15:5), and then went on to say that His whole point was that they might bring forth fruitmore fruit much fruit - thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and hundredfold. These are the three classes of real believers today.
There are two marks that identify genuine believers. The first mark is this: They receive the Word and they understand it. God has given to every believer the Holy Spirit who will interpret the Word of God and will give an understanding of it. Let me insert a word of warning here. It does not mean that you will understand everything that is in it, nor does it mean that you will not have to study the Word. It does mean that you will be given an aid that the unbeliever does not have. If you have a sincere desire to know, He will see that you understand.
See Part 19.
and maybe one more.
Part 17.
Thorny Soil
There is a third group:
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. ( Matthew 13:22)
At the extreme ends of the economic ladder we see those with the cares of the world - the poor and the wealthy. The grimness of poverty and the gaiety of riches are the thorns of this life. Folk who fall into these two categories are the hardest to reach with the gospel.
These that fall among thorns I like to call the Model T Ford hearers. Do you remember the old Model T Ford? Have you ever heard one at night trying to get up a muddy hill? Oh, how it would struggle. There are a lot of professing Christians like that today. They struggle and strive, tears will come, and finally they give it up.
When I first came to Southern California, a man became quite excited about my Bible-teaching ministry, but he was always insisting that I become more and more evangelistic. In fact, one summer he wanted me to put up a tent for which he was willing to pay. Before long he left this area. After a time his wife returned alone. She had left him - had to leave him. He had become wealthy, was living with another woman, and had lost all interest in spiritual things. I asked her, "He seemed so zealous - what happened to him?" She said, "Making money made a fool out of him."
The devil gets some, the flesh gets some, and the world gets some. The world, the flesh, and the devil are ready to take the seed that is sown. These are not different types of believers, they are not believers at all. They have only professed to believe the Word. Actually all three groups will read a message like this, but it will have no lasting effect.
See Part 18.
Good soil.
Part 16.
Rocky Soil
The second type is rocky ground. Notice this:
But he that received the seed in stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and immediately with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, immediately he is offended. ( Matthew 13:20, 21)
These are the rocky-ground hearers. The devil got the first type, the flesh gets these. These folk are opposite from deep-freeze folk. These are the emotional type - with joy they receive the Word. How excited they become! They are greatly moved, they shed tears, they have strong feelings. I call these the Alka-Seltzer type. They are effervescent; they bubble up when they hear the Word. But, believe me, after it is all gone they are dead.
Years ago, while sitting in the observation coach of a train coming out of Fort Worth, Texas, I saw somebody drop off a newspaper. When the rear of the train went by, that paper fluttered up and, oh, how it kicked up a fuss. As we moved on down the track I saw it settling down and finally going dead. As I looked at it, the thought came to me that it is like a lot of church members I know. When something special comes along they become excited and enthusiastic. But when it comes down to the real study of the Word of God they are dead. They are rocky-ground hearers.
See Part 17.
Thorny soil.