KINGDOM PARABLES

Sources of the following arrangement: Authorized Version of the 1611 King James Bible, Strong?s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, and the Spirit of truth. All commentary is in Italics font as seen here.

Let us study the Word of God about the kingdom parables of Matthew chapter 13, for example; the kingdom of heaven is like. In addition, we will study a parable of the Scribe. First, for clarity and a deeper understanding we will divide the chapter into segments.

__Out Of The House__public__

Matt.13:1-9 ??.Parable, the Sower.
Matt.13:10-17 ?.Question of disciples, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Matt.13:18-23 ?..Interpretation, Parable of the Sower.
Matt.13:24-30 ?..Parable, tares of the field.
Matt.13:31-32 ?..Parable, kingdom of heaven is like, a grain of mustard seed.
Matt.13:33 ??..Parable, kingdom of heaven is like, leaven.
Matt.13:34-35 ?..Prophecy fulfilled.

__In The House__private__

Matt.13:36-43 ?...Interpretation, Parable of the tares of the field.
Matt.13:44 ???Parable, kingdom of heaven is like, treasure hid in a field.
Matt.13:45-46 ?...Parable, kingdom of heaven is like, a merchant man.
Matt.13:47-50 ?...Parable, kingdom of heaven is like, a net.
Matt.13:51 ???Question of Christ, Have ye understood all these things?
Matt.13:52 ???Parable, the Scribe.

It is important to note; first the seed (Word) is sown in the soil (minds).

Concerning the parable of the Sower, in Mark Christ said the following.

Mark 4:11-13 And He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And He said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

Understanding the parable of the Sower is essential to knowing all parables.

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__ Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like__ a grain of mustard seed __

Matt.13:31-32 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: 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 Hebrew writers speak of the mustard-tree as one on which they could climb, as on a fig-tree.

Its size was much owing to the climate.

The seeds of this tree are remarkably small, so that they, with the great size of the plant, were an apt illustration for Christ.

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This parable immediately follows (Parable, tares of the field), which is later interpreted privately, see Matt.13:36-43.

The man is God and the field is the world.

The seeds are children but here we have one seed, a grain of mustard seed or a tree.

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The tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden.

Ezek.31:8 The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.

Gen.3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes,
and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

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The word ?birds? is the same Greek word as in Matt.13:4 only translated there as ?fowls?, note by the way side.

Christ speaking, parable.
Matt.13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Christ speaking, interpretation.
Matt.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.

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__ Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like__leaven__

Matt.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.

Leaven always used in a bad or negative sense to show corruption.

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Christ taught to beware of three types of leaven.

__1.__hypocrisy or formalism__

Luk 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, He began to say unto His disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

__2.__evil doctrine or teaching__

Matt.16:11-12 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

__3.__political religion or worldliness__

Mark 8:15 And He charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees,
and of the leaven of Herod.

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Woman is used as a common symbol of evil.

Rev.2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Zech. 5:7-8 And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. 8 And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.

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Three measures of meal or flour used to make bread, the bread of life, the bread of eternal life.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.

I Cor.5:6-8 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

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__ Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like__treasure hid in a field__

Matt.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.

Again the man is God and the field is the world, see Matt.13:36-43.

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Spiritual treasures of the heart (mind or soul).

Matt.6:20-21 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Col.2:2-3 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
3 In Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

II Cor.4:6-7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Also, consider God?s hidden purpose concerning the Remnant, His peculiar treasure hidden.

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hideth G2928 krupto (kroop'-to) A primary verb; to conceal (properly by covering): - hide (self), keep secret, secret [-ly].

Rom.4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

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buyeth G59 agorazo (ag-or-ad'-zo) From G58; properly to go to market, that is, (by implication) to purchase; specifically to redeem: - buy, redeem.


__ Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like__a merchant man__

Matt.13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Here a merchant man is used to show he is carnal and of the world.

A merchant man seeking goodly pearls of wisdom, goodly pearls of understanding, goodly pearls of counsel, and goodly pearls of knowledge.

Then a merchant man finds One Pearl of great price, Jesus Christ, the key of David.

God?s Word is one pearl of great price.

Rev.19:11-13 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. 13 And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God

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For your consideration, do you buy Salvation with money?

The words ?he had? means to hold possessions, so what other possessions does a merchant man hold?

For example, talent, intuition, aptitude, competence, and last but not least his love.

The word ?bought? is the same Greek word (G59 agorazo) as in Matt.13:44.

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__ Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like__a net__

Matt.13:47-50 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. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

This is the Lord?s harvest and final harvest.

The Lord?s harvest reaped a merchant man.

The Lord?s harvest sprouts with Christ, the First Advent, and ends at the great white throne, then final harvest and eternal glory.

Hard to comprehend but there will be many in the final harvest.

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__ Parable, The Scribe__

Matt.13:52 Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

instructed G3100 matheteuo (math-ayt-yoo'-o) From G3101; intransitively to become a pupil; transitively to disciple, that is,
enrol as scholar: - be disciple, instruct, teach.

Some may teach the New and Old Testament, which is fine, but let us look at this word ?new?.

new G2537 kainos (kahee-nos') Of uncertain affinity; new (especially in freshness; while G3501 is properly so with respect to age): - new.

Consider seeds germinating and growing, producing fruit, producing fresh fruit.

Remember the spiritual treasures of the heart (mind or soul).

Matt.6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

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Heavenly Father we are thankful for your Word a Pearl of great price. Feed us Father the bread of life and help purge the old leaven out. Heavenly Father, that we may lay up treasures in heaven, where our hearts are, and produce fresh fruit. In Jesus name, amen.

The left behind teaching is one of the cornerstones of the rapture doctrine. In this study we will examine it in great detail. It is taken from Matthew 24, and there is a lot more information there than is commonly taught. If you have been taught the rapture, you have likely never studied these verses to the depths this study will take you. We should test any doctrine we follow to be sure it is in harmony with God's word. Please view this study with an open mind and then decide for yourself concerning the left behind doctrine.

Matthew 24 (37-46)

37) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark

Here we are told that before Christ returns, it will be just like in the days of Noe. Then we are given a general description of what was happening at that time. There is a lot more to this than what is actually said. To understand this completely, we must go to Genesis and find out exactly what was happening at that time.

Genesis 6

1) And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

2) That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Here is the marrying that was spoken of by Jesus in the book of Matthew. I want you to notice how these sons of God are contrasted with men. In this verse, the Hebrew word that is translated God, is Elohim. This title is always used of God in relation to creation or as the creator. You can contrast this with God in verse 5 in which it is Jehovah. Jehovah is always used of God in terms of His covenant relationship with man. This will be relevant after we read the next two verses.

3) And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

4) There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

We see here, that when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, giants were born in the earth. Now this is not normal. So I think it is fair to say, these sons of God are somehow different, than the men that daughters were born unto. The title, sons of God, or son of God (Elohim), is only used of Adam (Luke 3:38), who God created directly and of angels (Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7), that is, up until the time of Christ, through which we become a new creature and all things are of God (2 Cor.5:17). The word giants in the Hebrew dictionary is nephilim. It means fallen ones.

So we have here, a group referred to as the Sons of God, who are obviously given this title to set them apart from men, and we know from scripture that God, (Elohim), is only used as a title for God when he is the direct creator of an entity, as in angels or Adam. From this, we have to assume, God created these entities directly. Since there is only one record of God creating a man directly, Adam, then we have to assume these are angels. When we look again at the word nephilim, (fallen ones), it's no great stretch to draw the conclusion that these are fallen angels. This may seem outrageous but scripture further documents these assumptions. The book of Jude will tell us about these fallen angels and their sin with the daughters of men.

Jude

6) And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

7) Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

These two verses tell us about the angels leaving their habitation and compares their sin to that of Sodom and Gomorrah. It would be no great leap to give these the title "Fallen Angels", since they disobeyed God and would have fallen out of His Grace. It is also evident from verse 7, that their sin was that of fornication. Angels are not flesh, they are spirits, taking the daughters of men for wives, would be giving themselves over to strange flesh. This unnatural act would have caused an unnatural result, giants were born in the earth.. You can also read about the angels sin in 2 Peter chapter 2 (1-5).

The point of all of this, is that, this is what was happening during Noah's time, and Matthew tells us, it will happen this very same way again. These angels will be returning to the earth to take wives of the daughter's of men. To just further this point and give a second witness that this is true, let's go to 1 Corinthians Chapter 11.

4) Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

5) But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

Here we are told it would be a dishonor for a woman to pray or prophesy with her head uncovered. Why? Verse 10 holds the answer.

10) For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

The power the woman should have over her head is Christ. Why, because of the angels, they will be coming back! God sent the flood in Noah's time to destroy these unnatural nephilim. Noah was spared, because he was upright and his generations were perfect (Gen. 6:9). Noah's family had not mixed with the fallen angels or the giants. This mixing with the angels and their offspring was all plotted by Satan himself to corrupt the seed line in which Christ was to come. If he could have accomplished this God's word would have failed.

Now that we have determined the events that were happening to Noah, and will happen at the time of the end, we can establish a timeline. The angels do not appear on the earth until the sixth seal. Let's go read about that in Revelation chapter 6.

Revelation 6:12-13

12) And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

13) And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

Angels are often referred to as stars in the Bible, here are just a few examples: (Rev. 1:20, Rev. 9:1, Dan. 8:10). Our goal here, is to see when the one will be taken and the one will be left behind. Let's go back to Matthew for a moment.

37) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40) Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41) Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Notice here, that when one is taken and one is left, the marrying has already began. We can determine that the angels are already here taking the daughters of men as wives. We just read in the book of Revelation, that the angels are not here until the sixth seal. There is only one seal that has not been opened. If "Left Behind" is describing a rapture, then it is not a pre-trib rapture. The tribulation of antichrist has already began at this point. Let's read on and see if we can determine who is left behind, and who is taken.

Matthew 24

39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40) Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41) Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

I just want you to ask yourself one simple question about this verse. In the time of Noe, who was taken in the flood? Was it Noe, who was upright and just? No, it was those who weren't watching, those who didn't believe they had anything to watch for or to prepare for. Those who are taken are taken in a flood of lies and deception. This will be the flood of the end times and we can read about it in Daniel chapter 11.

20) Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

21) And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

22) And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

23) And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.

Notice this vile person shall become strong with a small people. This is the little horn of Daniel 8:9, which is the antichrist. Satan doesn't come in like most people think, but rather he comes in peacefully and obtains the kingdom through flattery and deception. Words are his weapons, along with a few miracles he has the power to perform. He is very convincing and notice, "with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown". Just like in the days of Noe, only this flood comes out of the mouth of the serpent. We can read about that in Revelation 12:15.

15) And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

Here we see this flood of lies and deception and it comes right out of his mouth. It's amazing how many e-mails we have received were people say there is no way a Christian could be deceived by Satan. If he can obtain rule over the whole world through his deception and flattery, it wouldn't be too smart to underestimate his ability to deceive you or me. We need to take this seriously and prepare ourselves.

44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Many will think Christ is already here because they have been taught He comes first. The antichrist comes first and he will be playing the role of Christ, his mission, to deceive you and me. See that this doesn't happen, let go of fables and find the truth.

45) Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46) Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Notice the faithful and wise servant is found here on earth taking care of his household. He wasn't taken away in a rapture. We need to prepare ourselves and our family with the spiritual meat of the word. Let's just suppose for a moment, that this is talking about people who missed the rapture. How could they be called faithful and wise, as they are in verse 45, if the rapture were true? They would be very foolish and obviously not good caretakers of their household. We have to separate the false doctrines like the rapture from the word of God. If we do this we will be blessed when the Lord comes.