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The Mysteries of the Kingdom

“And Jesus said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to others in parables.” (Luke 8:10)

A. INTRODUCTION

The Gospel of Matthew gives special emphasis to the Kingly role of Jesus Christ. That is why Matthew devotes much of his gospel to the theme of the Kingdom of God. Much of this teaching is given in parables, natural stories that convey spiritual truth. Through these parables Jesus set forth the mystery of the Kingdom.
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The Biblical use of the word ‘mystery’ deserves some attention. In modern English the word means ‘something hidden, inscrutable, deep, difficult to understand, obscure,’ etc. It is very different in the Biblical usage. Here it refers to ‘something which has been kept secret for a long time, but is now revealed.’ The parables set forth truth about the Kingdom, which has not previously been grasped or understood.

B. SEVEN PARABLES EXPOUNDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD

In Matthew 13, there are seven such parables. In each parable. An explanation is given of each concept or aspect mentioned in the parable. From this the true mystery of the Kingdom is being revealed. The Kingdom message lies in this revealed mystery.

1. THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Mt.13: 1-23)

a. The Sower is the Holy Spirit.

b. The Seed is the Word of God.

c. The Soil is the human heart. The four kinds of soil speak of the four distinct reactions to the seed sown.

d. The Wayside hearer (Mt.13: 4) represents those whose hearts are hard. The seed cannot penetrate the hard ground. It lies on the surface. Birds come and devour it. The seed never takes root.

e. The Stony ground (Mt.13: 5) represents a shallow, superficial reception of the Word. He receives the Word emotionally, with joy (v.20) but it is not able to penetrate. When troubles come, this person turns from the kingdom again.

f. The Thorny ground (Mt.13: 7) speaks of the heart, which receives the Word of God but is over-occupied with the thoughts, cares and concerns of this life. The cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust for other things, are like thorns, which spring up and choke the plant. Ananias and Sapphire were examples of this (Acts 5:1-11).

g. The Good Ground (Mt.13:8) is the good soil of the heart, which is open, receptive, soft, and will bring forth good fruit. Even in this good soil there will be some variation in response. Some will bring forth 30 fold, some 60 fold and some 100 fold. This is a lesson that it took me, as a pastor, some time to learn. The fact that in every congregation, even amongst those who are represented as good soil, there will be some 30 fold, some 60 and some 100. Often a pastor is frustrated because not every one in the congregation is bringing forth 100 fold. Jesus warned us that some would only bring 30, others 60. If you have a good proportion of 100 people, be grateful for them.

MESSAGE: This parable teaches that the Kingdom comes upon a man softly, like seed falling on the ground. It does not descend like a hammer or a thunderbolt. The Kingdom is not forced upon anyone. It can be resisted and refused. God does not want prisoners – He wants volunteers. He will never drive anyone into His Kingdom. Some people will give more attention to the concerns of this life, and the seeds of the Spirit will be strangled. They are the poorer for their folly.

2. THE WHEAT AND THE TARES (Mt.13: 24-30)

a. The Sower is the Son of Man, Jesus. (vs.24, 37)

b. The Field is the whole world. (vs.24, 38)

c. The Good seed are the children of the Kingdom. Redeemed sons of God, sown in various parts of the world to produce a harvest for God.

d. The wheat represents those who obey the Gospel of the Kingdom.

e. The Tares are the children of the wicked one. Sown by the Devil.

f. The Harvest is the end of the Age. This present age is going to climax in a tremendous harvest. Both wheat and tares are growing up together. God will gather the wheat into His barns, but the tares will be cast into Hell.

g. There will be a time of reward for the righteous. “Then shall the children of the Kingdom, shine forth as the sun, in the Kingdom of the Father.” (Mt.13: 43)

MESSAGE: This parable teaches that the Kingdom of God is a universal kingdom. The field is the (whole) world. The Kingdom of God is not the exclusive right of any people. It is truly international, multi-national and multi-racial. The Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed to all nations, for a witness to the entire world. (Mt.24: 14)

The last days of this Age will see the emergence of a great missionary program when Jesus will sow dedicated Christians all across. There will be much cross-pollination, as Christians of every ethnic origin go forth into the entire world at Christ’s command. (Dan. 12:3-4)

This present awakening (revival) of the last days will not be a ‘neat and tidy’ religious awakening. The tares are also growing up prolifically amongst the wheat. Satan will also enjoy revealing himself (revival) too. False Christ’s will abound. Strange sects will proliferate, deceiving many; but the end will culminate in a tremendous manifestation of the Kingdom of our God, and His rule will be firmly established in the earth. “The kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ.” (Rev. 11: 15)

3. THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED (Matt.13: 31, 32)

a. The Sower, is the Lord Jesus Christ.

b. The field is the world, which Christ purchased through his death.

c. Because the mustard seed is so small it is almost insignificant.

MESSAGE: The coming of the Kingdom, in the form of the tiny infant Christ, was also small in its beginnings. Even when He ascended into heaven, only 500 people were present to see Him leave. The small group of 120, waiting in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, was an unimpressive, insignificant company. Yet from that gathering the Gospel went to every part of the then known world. They were to be designated, “they who have turned the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6)

4. THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN (Mt.13: 33-35)

a. Yeast is often a symbol of evil or uncleanness. Here it is a positive symbol of growth. Although yeast looks like a minor ingredient, it permeates the whole loaf.

b. Leavening – Take note that the power, which is to raise man, must come from without. Humanity has no self-leavening power. For the first few hours, the work of yeast is concealed from sight, but then suddenly, it is observed. It was not leavened in an instant. It was hidden but not lost; hidden that it might not be lost; hidden that it’s searching and diffusive energy might be tested and revealed.

MESSAGE: This parable represents the penetrating power of Divine grace. While the beginning of the Kingdom was small and nearly invisible, it would soon grow and have a great impact on the world. Learn from nature that the mightiest forces in the world are all lodged out of sight. Above all, learn from our Father, in Whom we live and move and have our being, does His work in secret, behind the curtain. It is in the nature of leaven to make all the meal like itself; so it is in the nature of the gospel of the Kingdom to turn every believer to be more and more like Christ Jesus. As the Head of the body, Jesus puts His life into each part of its members. Christ’s best, most real, most powerful work, and is always unseen.

5. THE HIDDEN TREASURE (Mt.13: 44)

Though the treasure is often seen to be Christ, the Gospel or the Kingdom, for which, in order to be obtained, a man will sell everything he has, this view is inconsistent with the interpretation of the other parables. The man always represents Christ, so the story may be understood as follows:

a. The purchaser of the field is Christ.

b. The field is the world, which Christ buys back for God.

c. The hidden treasure is the Kingdom of God in the form of a redeemed people, surrendered to the rule of God.

MESSAGE: The purchaser sells all he has in order to purchase it. Redemption cost Christ everything He had. He gave His life, His all. He did so joyfully and finds great satisfaction as He beholds the results of His travail. (Isa.53: 11)

6. THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE (Mt.13: 45, 46)

a. Again, the merchant is Christ, seeking good pearls.

b. The ‘pearl of great price is the redeemed community.

c. The price paid for the pearl is, His own life.

MESSAGE :

° The merchant is Christ, who came seeking men and women, (good pearls). Ultimately He gave all He had to purchase one great pearl, the great company of the redeemed, which He bought with His life’s blood. The pearl is a beautiful symbol for the redeemed.
° Life is involved in the formation of the pearl, whereas precious jewels such as diamonds and emeralds are formed from in organic materials. So the life of Christ is essentially involved in the formation of the redeemed community.
° Suffering is also involved. The pearl is formed by the entry of a grain of sand or similar substance, into the body of an oyster. An irritation is set up which makes the oyster bleed and emits a secretion with which to cover the irritating particle. As this builds layer on layer, the pearl is formed. The oyster gives its life for the formation of the pearl. Christ gave His life for the formation of the church.
° Polishing beautifies the pearl. Pearls appear to be of little value until they are polished, and then they are literally transformed. So with Christians, who at first appear to be of little worth or beauty. God has His methods and processes for polishing the Christian. When the process is finally complete, they will shine with great beauty and radiance in the Kingdom of God.
° Pearls are soft and can easily be scratched by contact with hard gems such as diamonds. They should therefore be kept separately. Believers should not be unlawfully yoked with unbelievers.
° Pearls adorn and beautify their owner. They are worn to enhance the beauty of the wearer. God will display, one day, the pearl of great price with great satisfaction. It will display to the world the manifest wisdom of God. (Eph.2: 7; 3:10,11)

7. THE PARABLE OF THE DRAGNET (Mt. 13: 47- 52)

a. The Net is the Gospel. Typical of the large type of net, which is often left in the water for a long time, this depicts the Gospel, which was sent forth into the entire world.

b. The Sea symbolizes the restless nations (Lk 21:25; Da. 7:3,17) It typifies humanity.

MESSAGE : The net filled, speaks of the great in-gathering at the close of the Age. Isaiah, speaking of this time, said, “The abundance of the sea shall be converted unto Thee.” (Isa.60: 5) The good fish are those who surrender to the rule of God. They are gathered into the vessels of the Lord. The bad fish are cast away into judgment.

C. THE KINGDOM EMERGES IN MUCH TRIBULATION

“That we must, through much tribulation enter the Kingdom of God.” (Acts14: 22)

In this statement Paul shares a principle of the Kingdom, that it is through much “testing”, that we ‘enter’ the Kingdom. Life without war is impossible, either in nature or in grace. Health is the balance between physical life and external nature, and it is maintained only by sufficient vitality on the inside against things on the outside. Everything outside my physical life is designed to put me to death. If I have enough fighting power, I produce the balance of health. The same is true of my mental and moral life, and spiritually it is the same. “In this world you will have trouble,” i.e., everything that is not spiritual makes for my undoing, but – “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” I have to learn to score off the things that come against me, and in that way produce the balance of holiness; then it becomes a delight to meet opposition.

TWO WAYS TO ENTER THE KINGDOM

God would like His people to enter the Kingdom the easy way. “Fear not.” He says, “It is the Father’s good pleasure to ‘give’ you the Kingdom.” (Lk. 12:32) God wants to make the Kingdom a gift to His people. He wishes for them to receive it simply and easily. Unfortunately we often observe that we come into the purposes of God in either of two ways.

God seeks to bring us in the easy way. He seeks to draw us into His purpose. But if we will not allow Him to draw us into His plans, then He will allow circumstances to develop, which will drive us into the Kingdom. This is so often the case that He says; you will enter the Kingdom, through times of great tribulation and testing. This is true of us individually and it is true of the church collectively. The principle also pertains to the nations, which will ultimately come under His rule. (Rev.11: 15) They have chosen to come in the hard way.

ACCEPT OR REJECT

In conclusion each of us must bring ourselves into an honest introspection and face the last illustration of Christ at the end of His Sermon on the Mount. With great fear and awe, together with a spirit of brokenness the wise man must have listened to Christ. The authority whereby Christ spoke these words brought him face to face with the reality of his spiritual bankruptcy. He faced the facts and started immediately to seek “the Rock” ( Not a man or a pope) in order to build a spiritual house that could face the onslaught of this coming storm, Jesus mentioned about.

On the other hand there was the foolish man that also listened to the same words without being touched by them. He heard about this coming storm, he believed it, and set out to make the necessary preparation. Yet the way he did it proved the fact that he lacked fear and awe for this storm. He was blind to the fact that Jesus himself was the Rock without which there is no hope of survival.

THE KEY : A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP

A personal, vital relationship with Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords is the only key to understanding the Kingdom message. A Revelation, through the Person of the Holy Spirit concerning Jesus and not a mere intellectual understanding of Him, is the characteristic of the Wise man.

Living a life as described in these kingdom notes, will surely draw the attention of the enemy. Let us face the facts: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Ti. 3:12) “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts .14:22) But, praise be to God: through His precious Holy Spirit, we are more than conquerors in all these things. Lets not forget, Jesus Himself faced hardship, testing and temptation and is here with us to help in every test and temptation; (Heb 2:18)

D. CONCLUSION REGARDING THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM

° You and I have the privilege and responsibility of “…making known the secret truths of the Gospel…” (Eph. 6:19) That’s our ministry…our message…our mission! Obedience unto each command will surely lead to a progressive revelation of these secret truths.
° All over the world God continues to call out a people unto Himself! He will continue to do so “…until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” (Lk. 21:24)
° One day, He will have people from “…every tribe and language and people and nation…” (Rev. 5:9) gathering around His throne.
° The big question is “Who will be there because of your vision…your faith…your prayers…your giving…your sacrifice…your obedience?
° Don’t let these great truths of God remain a secret to the lost crowds of the world! “Make known the secret truth of the Gospel”
° Study the secret truths…preach the secret truths…live the secret truths! “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” (1Cor. 2:10)

“THE MYSTERY THAT HAS BEEN KEPT HIDDEN FOR AGES AND GENERATIONS, BUT IS NOW DISCLOSED TO THE SAINTS.” (COL 1:26)
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