Presents
Three
Parables and Explanations Thereof
And yet as simple as His explanation is, would you believe that the knowledge He reveals to us is still hidden to this very day "like a fig" from the multitudes of Christianity!
Do you know why Christ spoke in parables? Do you know what it means to have "eyes to see and ears to hear"? It is imperative that you do, else with closed eyes and clogged ears you will not be able to see nor understand the "eight parables" of Jesus Christ concerning the Kingdom of God in this pivotal 13th chapter of the great Book of Matthew. Furthermore it is written in Mark 4:13 that if you do not understand the parable of the sower, which we will begin reading in this study, then you will not be able to understand any of Christ's parables! That means that the Book of Life shall remain a mystery to you and you shall remain "unfruitful". Yes, it is that important, even a matter of spiritual life and death that you understand this parable.
You "see", those foolish Christians who do not go to Him, to His Word, to get to know Him and believe in Him will surely be among those spiritually deaf and blind sheep who are destined to stumble and fall before Satan, the spurious messiah, in the great apostasy of these last days simply "because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thes. 2:10)". Fortunately we are blessed in this study to have Jesus Christ explain with great clarity by using a simple analogy that even a child can understand, what it takes to have eyes that see Him and ears that hear (take heed to) His voice.Mark 4:13
And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
This is "the same day" that we left off in Matthew 12 so we should well keep in mind that which we have learned so far concerning things like good vs. corrupt trees and the unpardonable sin and how it is that "whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven" can enter into the family of God! Notice also that Jesus has gone "out of the house" to speak in public to the multitudes because when we get to verse 36 we shall see Him "go into the house" and only His disciples who hunger and thirst for His wisdom and knowledge and understanding will follow Him there.This is important because the "action" we see gives us a graphic illustration, a picture, of why it is some people understand His parables while others don't. In other words, we can see how some people "put their ears on" and seek Him even after the manner in which the Queen of Sheba sought the wisdom of Solomon, while others do not.Matthew 13:1
The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
Also, in as much as the subject of Christ's teaching in this 13th chapter of Matthew has to do with "hearing His voice", the Word of God, the opening phrase to this most important chapter, "The same day", sets the time frame and places emphasis on "Today", even this same day! Let's read what the Psalmist wrote concerning "Today":
Will you hear His voice this day or will you be among those who stick with their religious traditions of men and fall short of His righteousness? The choice is yours.Psalm 95:7-11
For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
If you stubbornly hang onto your idolatrous ways, including not only the cares of this world but also the traditions of men taught by most churches, and forsake the rich knowledge and wisdom of the Word of God then you are going to stumble and fall in the great apostasy (2 Thes. 2) and shall not enter into the promised land, i.e. His rest (vs. 11)![8] Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Our forefathers saw all the wonderful works and miracles He performed and how He protected them and provided for them, yet they hardened their hearts and turned aside from His ways.[9] When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
"Forty" in Biblical numerics denotes trial and tribulation even as the tribulation of our forefathers in the wilderness was an ensample for us in these last days "upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Cor. 10:11)". You "see", the reason they did err in their hearts (minds) back then is the same reason our people do err today. It is because they hardened their hearts against seeking Him to "hear His voice" and obey His commands. To wit, the depth of Biblical illiteracy in this nation witnesses to the fact that the same attitude prevails among our people "this day"! Therefore take heed and be as one who is wise and open your ears today, this same day, to hear His voice, the Word of God, believing Him regardless of what the mainstream churches teach, for as it is written in Mat. 24:5 and Mark 13:6 the many (majority) of Christians shall be deceived by their preachers in these last days.[10] Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
So Christ has gone out of the house and now great multitudes have gathered unto Him.[11] Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
In order to be able to speak to (as in broadcast to) all the ears of such great multitudes, Christ entered into a ship at a location that served as a natural outdoor amphitheater. Then He spoke unto them in parables which was the manner in which He always spoke unto the multitudes. Matthew 13:34 documents it: "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them."Matthew 13:2
And great multitudes were gathered together unto Him, so that He went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
Do you wonder why Christ always spoke in parables? His disciples also wondered and so they went to Him and asked Him for an explanation, the substance of which might come as a surprise to some. We will find out shortly. By the way, what exactly is a "parable" anyway? Let's go to the Greek from which it is derived.[3] And He spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
In other words, a parable is a symbolic or representative analogy, a similitude, used to figuratively explain something else. Therefore the connection between the parable, that which is figurative and symbolic, and the literal thing it represents must be made by the "hearer" else the parable cannot be understood! The beauty of it is that a parable has the unique capacity to work to the extreme on both ends of the scale of understanding, which simply means that if you know what the symbols represent then the picture painted in your mind by the imagery of the parable makes vividly clear the meaning and explanation thereof, but if you know not what the symbols mean then even though you have heard the parable in your ears and seen a picture in your mind's eye you are still deaf in your understanding and blinded to the truth of the matter. In the latter case, the true meaning of parable itself remains hidden from your eyes.parabole, par-ab-ol-ay', Greek 3850; from Greek 3846 (paraballo); a similitude ("parable"), i.e. (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage :- comparison, figure, parable, proverb.
One more note on parables for the deeper student. If you are familiar with the primary preposition "para" and the primary verb "ballo" from which the compound word "parable" is formed, you will "see" that a parable is a "casting" "alongside of" or even a casting from above... like being cast from a higher or parallel dimension... spiritually speaking that is.
So Christ has now begun to speak in parables saying: Behold, a sower went forth to sow;.
Sowing seed by hand from a sack is sometimes called broadcasting. Smith's Bible Dictionary gives the following description under the heading "sower":
Christ now describes four types of ground (conditions of the mind) upon which the broadcast falls. By the way, He is the sower (are you yoked with Him?) and the "seed" is the Word of God."The operation of a sowing with the hand is one of so simple a character as to need little description. The Egyptian paintings furnish many illustrations of the mode in which it was conducted. The sower held the vessel or basket containing the seed in his left hand, while with his right he scattered the seed broadcast. The "drawing out" of the seed is noticed, as the most characteristic action of the sower, in (Psalms 126:6) (Authorized Version "precious") and (Amos 9:13)..." (Smith's Bible Dictionary).
The wayside was the packed earthen pathway upon which people walked, i.e. a sidewalk. The seeds that fall upon that compacted sidewalk find no bed and therefore have no chance to germinate before Satan's "devouring birds" swoop down and gobble them up (vs. 19).[4] And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
[5] Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
The seed "sprung up", which means it did germinate but there was not enough ground to build a root system. So when things got hot because of the Word they were "burned up" in the heat of tribulation and just withered away (vs. 19-20).[6] And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
These fell upon ground which was fertile enough to cause growth but the riches and cares of this life crowded them out (vs. 22).[7] And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
Good ground is fertile ground that has been worked and tilled to the point that the Word of God can easily take root and grow and bring forth fruit according to its measure (vs. 23).[8] But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold*, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
And there you have the results of the broadcast! The question then is, "What happens when the seeds of His Word are received into your mind?" Does it fall upon deaf ears, void of understanding? Do you "hear" His words but are just too busy trying to make a living or put out fires to take the time to study His Word? Or... do you have "ears to hear"?
* Note: Some might find it interesting that "100" as in hundredfold in Biblical numerics denotes "election of grace".
Pay close attention to what Christ teaches us in the next few verses because He is now going to explain what it means to "have ears to hear". Again, one must have those "ears to hear" in order to rise to the level of understanding the parables Christ spoke and hence the Word of God... else he or she remains in darkness which is to remain ignorant of the truth. Consider therefore the following question posed by His disciples who came to Him:Matthew 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Remember the unique characteristic of parables which allows them to both reveal and hide the truth at the same time? You "see", they have much to do with the "stupor" God has allowed to be placed over the eyes of those who hear but have not the sincere desire to take action and seek Him for wisdom and understanding. Paul documents this for us in Romans chapter 11 where he quotes from the same passage in Isaiah Christ will refer to a few verses hence.[10] And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Are you beginning to see how the parables play a part in this? "Whomsoever will" must wake up and take action and go to Him... for only Jesus Christ, the Word of God, can heal their deafness and heal their blindness. So "Wake up" Christian before it is too late! Stop listening to men who teach you to follow their church traditions and instead turn to your Father's Word "Today" and hear His voice! If you do, then the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven shall be opened unto you! Otherwise, you can just continue to suffer in ignorance and stumble in darkness.Romans 11:8
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Would you like to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven? Did you know that Jesus Christ gave the brotherhood, His family, the key of David (Rev. 3:7) to open and unlock the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, even those "mysteries" which are contained in the eight parables spoken in this 13th chapter of Matthew. You were already told how to become part of that family, that brotherhood, in Matthew 12:50: "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."Matthew 13:11
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.
That does not mean that God does not love those who do not seek Him to do His will. On the contrary, it is precisely because He does love them that He speaks to them in parables, lest they should see and hear and become accountable to the point they could commit the unpardonable sin, the penalty of which is to follow the son of perdition into the lake of fire.
Whosoever hath what? Remember the subject is sowing the Word of God and the "whosoever" are those who have ears to hear and sow that Word! That one shall reap the abundant blessings of God for bringing forth fruit for the harvest, not to mentioned that he or she will be as overjoyed and excited as the Queen of Sheba for seeking the wisdom of God. Remember to what great lengths she went to seeking the wisdom God had bestowed upon Solomon? Those who do not make and are not willing to make that journey shall lose out on the abundant blessings of the first resurrection (Rev. 20:6).Matthew 13:12
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.
They do not have the spiritual understanding of God's Word because they listen to men instead of "hearing His voice"! In other words, the "seed" either falls upon deaf ears and does not germinate, or it germinates but quickly withers away in the "heat" of things because it has no root, or the ears that could hear are just too busy "takin' care of business" to be bothered with studying Father's Word.[13]Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
The following verses quoted from the Book of Isaiah (6:9-10) explain why it is God has placed that spirit of slumber upon them by speaking to them in parables which the blind cannot perceive.
They hear His words with their ears but they have no spiritual ears with understanding from above as to what they mean. To that end, this next verse explains why they do not have those eyes to see and ears to hear.[14] 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:
The REASON they cannot understand the meaning of the parables is because THEY have closed their eyes to wisdom and understanding. This is the "heart of the problem" in that their hearts (minds) are "waxed gross" which is akin to Ps. 95:8 where we read of our forefathers who "hardened their hearts". However, should they have a change of heart and be converted (which means to "turn about", i.e. turn to Him) then He will heal their deaf ears and open their spiritually blind eyes to the truth![15] 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.
Again, it cannot be emphasized enough that it is because of the love our Father has for His children that He has allowed their eyes to be glazed over whereby the spirit of slumber (stupor) has come over them. For it is their ignorance of His Word that actually serves as a cloak of protection lest they begin to see and understand to the point of accountability and find themselves in the spiritual position of being able to commit the unpardonable sin.
However, the eyes of those who do "see" and the ears of those who do "hear" shall be blessed indeed. Do you want to be blessed?
Happy you will be if you seek Him to hear His voice...Today.[16] But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Do you understand how privileged and blessed we are in this final generation? Many prophets and righteous men have desired to "see" Christ and "hear" His voice. The prophets all wrote of Him and foretold of His coming and desired to see Him and understand the things He has revealed unto us. Take the prophet Daniel for example: Daniel 12:8-9 "And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? [9] And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end."However, in the time of the end, the "wise" shall understand (Dan. 12:10).[17] 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.
And now with the understanding of the importance and knowing what it takes to have ears to hear, are you ready to "hear" Christ explain the simplicity of the parable of the sower?
Therefore, open your ears and "Hear ye"!Matthew 13:18
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
This is the explanation of verse 4 concerning the seed which fell by the wayside! The wayside are people who listen to Satan's doubters and are caught away by the "birds of prey".[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.
This is the explanation of verses 5 & 6. Note: Look up the Greek word translated "offended" (skandalizo) and you will find it means to "stumble", as in fall in the great apostasy.Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up.[20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;[21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Matthew 13:5-6 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: [6] And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
This is the explanation of verse 7 concerning the "thorns" which choke the word.[22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Christ explains that the thorns represent the care of this world and the deceitful of riches. My, this is real hard stuff, isn't it?Matthew 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them.
Those who hear with understanding, i.e. those with ears to hear, and then bear fruit and bring forth fruit, are those that receive seed "into the good ground".[23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
You must bring forth fruit else what good are you? And there is no emphasis on the amount of fruit that you must bring forth, only that you do so, for you "see" it is the seed itself that grows and produces fruit and that is how you become blessed. Unfortunately some teach that "sowing seeds" means you write big checks to their ministry and God will bless you for it. More unfortunately than that, many of our spiritually blind and deaf brothers and sisters believe that what they say is true and are taken across by these charlatans. Don't be a foolish virgin. Today, this same day, open your eyes and put your ears on and listen to His voice and then you won't be a fooled by thieves and wolves who come to you in sheep's clothing claiming God's Word says this or that! Always go to Him and let the Word of God interpret itself for the true Shepherd will never lead you astray.Matthew 13:8-9 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. [9] Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Now get ready to test your eyes and ears because next we are going to learn the incredible "Parable of the Tares" in which the meaning of the Greek word for "seed" used so far in this 13th chapter is going to change from "speiro", meaning to sow or receive seed, to "sperma" which means... yep, that's right... "sperm"!
But do not worry for after Christ has spoken the parable in public, His disciples will go to Him privately, seeking wisdom and understanding with their ears to hear, and He will explain the simple meaning of the parable.
And yet as simple as His explanation is, would you believe that the knowledge He reveals to us is still hidden to this very day "like a fig" from the multitudes of Christianity!
Jesus Christ told His disciples that He spoke in parables for two reasons (Mat. 13:11):
We also learned that He spoke in parables because He loves all of God's children and wishes to protect those of free-will who do not yet have "the love of the truth". You see, if and when they are ready in this flesh age to truly "believe in Jesus Christ", they will become disciples of His Word and go to Him privately through that Word to ASK for wisdom and understanding... "and it shall be given unto them"! They will turn to Him and they will "seek and they shall find"! They shall "knock" and the door to life shall be opened unto them and they shall receive the key of David which unlocks the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus Christ is that door and the One who holds the key (John 10:9, Rev. 3:7) "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.) In other words, they will become doers of the Word and not hearers only (Rom. 2;13, James 1:22 ) and they will obey His commands because they love Him (John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments.") and His Word shall become more precious to them than anything this earth age has to offer.(1) To simplify and make easy to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven to His disciples, those who discipline themselves in His Word.(2) To hide the mysteries of the kingdom from those who do not seek Him and therefore do not have eyes to see nor ears to hear.
So if you are ready and have your eyes open and your ears to hear on and in place, then we are all set to learn one of the great mysteries of the "kingdom of heaven" which begins with a parable spoken from the mouth of the Lord. Hear ye! Hear ye!
The subject of this parable is the kingdom of heaven which begins with the sowing of good seed.Matthew 13:24
Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Notice first that once the enemy sowed "tares" among the wheat... he went his way! The next thing we need to learn is "What are "tares"? For that answer we need to turn to the horticulture of "tares" which we discover is called zizanion (dziz-an'-ee-on) in Greek (#2215) which means "darnel" or false grain :- tares. Here is Dr. Smith's explanation (emphasis ours):[25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Tares: A noxious plant, of the grass family, supposed to mean the darnel. It grows among the wheat everywhere in Palestine, and bears a great resemblance to it while growing - so closely that, before they head out, the two plants can hardly be distinguished. The grains are found, 2 or 3 together, in 12 small husks, scattered on a rather long head. The Arabs do not separate the darnel from the wheat, unless by means of a fan or sieve, after threshing (Mat. 13:25-30). If left to mingle with the bread, it occasions dizziness, and often acts as an emetic. ("Smith's Bible Dictionary", A. J. Holman Company, pg. 301.)So we have a field in which both good seed and bad seed were sown and grow together. Do not forget that the Greek word used here for seed is not the same as the one which was used symbolically to represent the Word of God prior to verse 24. This Greek word is "sperma"! Also, it is important to note that only a trained person can distinguish a toxic tare from a true wheat plant while they are growing together in the field, i.e. while the blade is springing up. However, at harvest time when the fruit appears the two are easily distinguishable one from the other! That makes sense because we know that when we examine fruit we then know what kind of tree or plant produced it.[26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
That is why it is written: "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them (Mat. 7:20)."
Now suppose you ARE a trained person and you can tell the difference between the tares and the wheat and you know they have been sown in the field. What should you do about it? Well, even though your first inclination is probably to go root up the tares, as a wise servant of the householder you would surely not take it upon yourself to go meddling in the field with your own solution to the problem without first going to the householder to see how he wants to handle it, would you? Hopefully not for in this case if you rooted them up you would be working against the will of the householder. Wisdom would dictate that you go to him first and ask him what you should do about them?The bearded darnel (Lolium temulentum) is a poisonous grass, almost indistinguishable from wheat while the two are only in blade, but which can be separated without difficulty when they come into ear (cp. mat. 13:29, 20). ("Davis Bible Dictionary", Baker Book House, pg. 759.)
We see that the "servants" of the householder knew there were tares, toxic look-alike false wheat plants, in the field![27] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Hmmm, it seems the sowing of the tares was the deliberate covert activity of the enemy. Again, one's first thought might be to rush out and pluck up those suckers. However, when the servants went and ask the householder if they should go and gather them up (which was what they were inclined to do), here is His direct answer... "NO"! So take an object lesson from this and remember to first learn the plan of God, His will, and then do things His way or He might just have to find another servant who is willing to do so![28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Let the tares alone! Remember this well, for when we learn who the tares represent, then the literal application of this instruction will be evident. Now here is the householder's further instruction concerning the tares.[29] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Let them alone "until the harvest" ( the end of this earth age when Christ returns) lets us know that this instruction is given even to this final generation and applies right now as well as in the future. So make no mistake about it! The will of the householder is that we "Leave the tares alone!" All we still need to learn yet is what or who the tares represent. So hang in there because we are about to learn the mystery, which is actually the simple meaning, of the parable of the tares as it relates to God's Plan in the kingdom of heaven. Again, it cannot be emphasized enough that what we have just read so far from Mat. 13:24-30 is only a parable, which if you recall is "a truth expressed in similitude using symbols with characteristics analogous to something else". And most Christians, who comprise the multitudes today, do not understand this parable for as we shall see when we get to verse 34, its "secret" has been kept just that, secret (hidden) from the "foundation of the world"! And so it is to this day that because the multitudes are Biblically illiterate and are therefore not "trained" in the Word of God as disciples (students) of Christ, they cannot tell the difference between a tare and a wheat plant.In fact, they do not even know of the sowing of the "sperma" that has taken place in the field![30] Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Jesus Christ will now "put forth" (paratithemi) two more parables (another* parable) concerning the kingdom of heaven (i.e. the plan thereof) before He sends away the multitudes unto whom He is speaking! Let's dig up the Greek word translated "put forth" and understand what precious truths (food) these parables are that He entrusts to His disciples.
* Note: See the structure on page 1336 in The Companion Bible regarding the three "another parables".put forth, paratithemi, par-at-ith'-ay-mee, Greek 3908; from Greek 3844 (para) and Greek 5087 (tithemi); to place alongside, i.e. present (food, truth); by implication to deposit (as a trust or for protection) :- allege, commend, commit (the keeping of), put forth, set before.
These next two parables give us additional insight into how the kingdom of heaven works and what to expect.
Never underestimate the potential of a "seed" you plant. Even a tiny mustard seed, which is the smallest of the herb seeds, can germinate and grow as great as a tree in stature! However, you had better expect the "dirty birds" of prey, Satan's own, to come roost in the branches thereof for they always seek to lodge in the highest branches. Take that old te'ashshur (box-cedar) in Ezekiel 31:3 who became exalted above all the trees of the field. You'll find those same dirty birds nesting in his boughs.[31] Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
So take heed to those things which start out small, for even a small ministry, a single individual who plants a tiny seed of His Word, can become as a tree in God's sight, i.e. one who bears good fruit. BUT beware of the "birds" Satan will send to come and try to roost in the branches.Ezekiel 31:5
Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth.[6] All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.
Now hear this... if you have ears to hear.Matthew 13:32
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Whereas in the case of the mustard seed, a man took and sowed it, in this case concerning the fine wheat flour (meal), it was a woman (wife) who took the leaven and hid it in "3" measures of meal, 'till the whole was leavened. Here is the Greek word for woman:[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.
Are you familiar with the 3 earth ages spoken of in 2 Peter 3, i.e. the world that then was (vs. 6), the heaven and earth age which are now (vs.), and the new heavens and new earth (age) to come (vs. 13)? Do you know that these three earth ages (aions) are "fitly joined together" in the Plan of God to bring about salvation? Yes, of course it is not commonly taught. These things "put forth" by Christ have been kept secret, hidden to blind eyes that cannot "see" and deaf ears that cannot "hear", since the foundation of the world. In fact, the knowledge of the three earth ages is essential to faith and is the very first thing Paul talks about in the 11th chapter of Hebrews which is often called the "faith chapter"! Hebrews 11:3 "Through faith we understand that the worlds [aions, meaning earth ages] were framed [perfectly joined together] by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."woman, gune, goo-nay', Greek 1135; probably from the base of Greek 1096 (ginomai); a woman; specially a wife :- wife, woman.
Nevertheless, the plan is that God uses His elect among the wheat (in all three measures, in all earth ages) to bring forth the knowledge of His Word. Interestingly enough, Christ called the sons and daughters of these last days who would see the visions of the prophets and teach them (Acts 2), who are also those same servants who comprise the church of the brothers and sisters (Philadelphia, Rev. 3) along with Smyrna (Rev. 2), "seed" when He quoted the 22nd Psalm while hanging on the cross:
The "seed" of the final generation are His sons and daughters (seed, offspring) who serve Him. They are not of this world, but rather of the kingdom of heaven! (You "see", they do His will! Remember Mat. 12:50?) John 17:16 "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." And they are here among the wheat!Psalm 22:30-31
A seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
Looks like they do some sowing of His Word, doesn't it? And soon the whole earth shall be leavened with His righteousness! What a magnificent plan our Father has prepared for the children He loves so much.[31] They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.seed, zera`, zeh'-rah, Hebrew 2233; from Hebrew 2232 (zara`); seed; figurative fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity :- × carnally, child, fruitful, seed (-time), sowing-time.
Not only has He already "uttered" (spoken out, put forth) things that have been kept secret from the foundation of the world, He is going to explain in detail the parable of tares, and that parable for sure has been hidden like a fig from the eyes of the multitudes that cannot "see".By the way, Christ quoted from the 78th Psalm in verse 34 & 35.Matthew 13:34
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them:[35] 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.
Here is that Psalm.
Open your ears to His Word! Won't you do that? Stop listening to the traditions of men and learn the magnificent, rich wisdom, contained in the parables of the Kingdom of Heaven. He has shed His light and they are now only dark sayings (difficult to understand) to those who walk in darkness, apart from the light which is His Word.Psalm 78:1
Maschil of Asaph.
Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
He has foretold us all things (Mark 13:23). In other words, it is all written and told to us in the personal letter He has sent to us from above, the Word of God![2] I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:[3] Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
This is the generation that is privileged to understand those things which have been "Hidden"![4] We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
A "seed' shall serve Him in the final generation (Ps. 22:30).[5] For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:[6] That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
"Harden not your heart" as did our fathers in the wilderness.[7] That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, butkeep His commandments:[8] And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
Let us return to Matthew 13 and notice what happens next as Jesus sends the multitude away and goes into the house. Only those eager-to-hear-and-hungry-to-know-His-Word disciples, His family, follow Him "into the house" and ASK HIM to "explain the parable of the tares of the field"! The multitudes were dismissed and they went away probably saying something like, "Wasn't that a lovely sermon today?"
Jesus granted their request to seek knowledge from the Living Word of God and He answered and EXPLAINED the parable! Therefore, what we are going to read next will NOT BE A PARABLE! It will be the simple EXPLANATION of the parable by Jesus Christ to His disciples who want to KNOW the meaning therefore. Since it "has been kept secret since the foundation of the world" I'm sure you will want to "hear" what He has to say as He explains each and every symbol used in the parable.Matthew 13:36
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
Symbol |
|
The Sower |
|
The Field | ? |
The Good Seed | ? |
The Tares | ? |
The Enemy | ? |
The Harvest | ? |
The Reapers | ? |
It was prophesied in Psalm 78 from which Jesus Christ quoted in Mat. 13:35, that He would open His mouth and speak in parables and utter (pour out) things which have been kept secret (hidden) from the foundation of the world. Do you know what the "foundation of the world" is?
The "foundation of the world" is "katabole kosmos" in Greek which means the "casting down of the cosmos (earth age)". In other words, it was the destruction, the utterly "void and without form" (tohu va bohu, in Hebrew) condition to which the earth was reduced in Gen. 1:2 by "God's fierce anger" (Read about it in Jer. 4:19-27)". The fact is that in the beginning the heavens and the earth were created beautiful and to be inhabited, NOT in a state of utter waste and desolation, "tohu va bohu"!Matthew 13:35
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.
Here is your documentation from the Book of Isaiah:
Look up the word "established" in your Strong's Concordance and you will find it means to stand erect, to set up, which is certainly not compatible with casting down. In other words, the earth was not created in a state of desolation but it "became" that way following the rebellion of Satan in the first earth age when that old dragon drew 1/3 of God's children (Rev. 12:4) away from the mercy seat. At that time, God sentenced Satan to perish in the lake of fire at the end of the Millennium and then He destroyed that "world that then was (2 Pet. 3:6)" to prepare this present earth age to bring about the salvation of His lost children.Isaiah 45:18
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, He created it not in vain (tohu), He formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
It is amazing that even the
knowledge of the first earth age, to which both the fossil records of the
dinosaurs, etc. and geology itself positively attest, is also not commonly
taught nor understood by most of those ministers and preachers who claim
to represent Christ, and therefore the Word of God. Though
it may appear a little too "scholarly" for some, nevertheless because of
the importance of this subject matter, please find below some excerpts
from appendix 146 from "The Companion Bible", Kregel Publications, concerning
"The Foundation of the World", i.e. the "katabole kosmos".
And do you think it is just a coincidence that they singled out this specific parable for clarification.The Noun, katabole, occurs in Matt. 13:35; 25:34. Luke 11:50. John 17:24. Eph. 1:4. Heb. 4:3; 9:26; 11:11. 1Pet. 1:20. Rev. 13:8; 17:8; and the corresponding Verb (kataballo) occurs in 2Cor. 4:9. Heb. 6:1; and Rev. 12:10.A comparison of all these passages (especially 2 Cor. 4:9, and Rev. 12:10) will show that kataballo and katabole are not the proper terms for founding and foundation, but the correct meaning is casting down, or overthrow.
Accordingly, the Noun katabole, derived from, and cognate with the Verb, ought to be translated "disruption", or "ruin".
The remarkable thing is that in all occurrences (except Heb. 11:11) the word is connected with "the world" (Gr. kosmos. Ap. 129. 1), and therefore the expression should be rendered "the disruption (or ruin) of the world", clearly referring to the condition indicated in Gen. 1:2, and described in 2Pet. 3:5, 6. For the earth was not created tohu (Isa. 45:18), but became so, as stated in the Hebrew of Gen 1:2 and confirmed by 2Pet. 3:6, where "the world that then was by the word of God" (Gen. 1:1), perished, and "the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word "were created (Gen. 2:4), and are "kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment" (2Pet. 3:7) which shall usher in the "new heavens and the new earth" of 2Pet. 3:13.
"The disruption of the world" is an event forming a great dividing line in the dispensations of the ages. In Gen. 1:1 we have the founding of the world (Heb. 1:10 = themeliou), but in Gen. 1:2 we have its overthrow.
This is confirmed by a further remarkable fact, that the phrase, which occurs ten times, is associated with the Preposition apo = from (Ap. 104. iv) seven times, and with pros = before (Ap. 104. xiv) three times. The former refers to the kingdom and is connected with the "counsels" of God; the latter refers to the Mystery (or Secret. See Ap. 192) and is connected with the "purpose" of God (See John 17:24. Eph. 1:4. 1Pet. 1:20).
Ample New Testament testimony is thus given to the profoundly significant fact recorded in Gen. 1:2, that "the earth became tohu and bohu (i.e. waste and desolate); and darkness was on the face of the deep", before the creation of "the heavens and the earth which are now" (2Pet. 3:7).
One point we would like to emphasis in all of this is that if something (like truth) has been hidden from your eyes all of your life and in its absence you have believed something different along with the majority (multitudes), then would not the truth of the matter perhaps seem unusual or strange to your ears once it has been revealed? Of course it would at first... until you realize it makes more sense than the traditional teaching you grew up with. Remember too that Jesus Christ said in Mat. 24 and Mark 13 that the majority of Christians would be deceived in these last days by the "many" who would come in His name claiming to be his ministers.Let us now return to Matthew 13 where we find that Jesus Christ has just sent the multitude away and has entered into the house where His disciples, those hungry "students" who seek to know and understand Him, have come to ask Him to please EXPLAIN the Parable of the Tares. Take notice that even they did not quite understand the Parable of the Tares.
Matthew 13:36
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house; and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
Here then is Christ's explanation of the parable of the tares:
Let's see what we have been given so far:Matthew 13:37
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;[38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
[39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
Symbol |
|
The Sower |
|
The Field | The World |
The Good Seed | Children of the Kingdom |
The Tares | Children of the Wicked One |
The Enemy | The Devil |
The Harvest | End the World (aion, earth age) |
The Reapers | The Angels |
This doesn't seem all that difficult, does it?
Then why is it this has been hidden from so many... even from the beginning?
It is because most preachers try to spiritualize and "spin it" away instead of understanding that there is NO SYMBOLOGY in the explanation of the parable! In other words, "the world" is not representative of something else! It means that "the world" is just that, "the world".
It means that "children" are "children" and "the devil" that sowed the "sperma" is "the devil", Satan himself.
Let's finish Christ's explanation and then we will go to the beginning and read about the "seed" (sperma) that was sown.
Satan's unrepentant children (tares) shall be gathered at the end of this flesh dispensation and bound to be cast into the lake of fire with their father at the end of the Millennium (Rev. 20:11-15).Matthew 13:40
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Are you hearing this? Are you a disciple of Christ with ears to hear? Or, are you hardening your heart and closing your ears as do the multitudes of "mainstream churchianity" because it is something "different" than you've always thought or been taught?Matthew 13:41
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;[42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
[43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Let's go to the beginning of this earth age where one of the "greatest cover-ups" of all time took place... in the fig grove of the garden of Eden. Of course God has allowed the cover-up to take place for it is part of the "stupor", the spirit of slumber, that has fallen over the eyes of our people.
However, if you will open your ears and "hear His voice" and seek His wisdom instead of holding fast to the traditions (traditional lies) of men, then you can be His disciple (student of the Word) and He will unlock the things that have been hidden for so long, the mysteries of the kingdom of God!
Just go to Him, to the Word of God, and ASK for wisdom and knowledge and He will give it to you. James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
A Christian should know that one of Satan's most effective and subtle tools in covering up the truth of God's Word is to take that which is expressed figuratively and cause people to take it literally, and vice versa. And since it is of such extreme importance to understand what happened in the beginning of any book in order to place that which follows in proper context, you can be certain that Satan has worked real hard on the first few chapters of God's Word to make sure it is misunderstood thereby throwing people off track, by covering up his own tracks from the very start.
In other words (and never forget this):
Again, that is why Jesus Christ said that if you do not understand the Parable of the Sower you will not understand any of His other parables, which is why we have come to the Book of Genesis in order that we might understand the sowing of the "seeds", the children, both the good and the bad, so that we might then be able to understand more fully the Parable of the Sower and even the Parable of Fig Tree which Christ told us to learn if wanted to know when the final generation would begin (Mark 13:28).If you do not know what really happened in the first few chapters of Genesis and especially in garden of Eden you will never truly understand the rest of God's Word.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words", so let us "see" a visual of the typical "fairy tale" Satan would have the "little children" believe happened in the garden:
The narrative at the bottom of the picture reads:
"Adam and Eve were told by God not to eat apples from a certain tree in the garden. An evil serpent tempted Eve and she and Adam both ate the forbidden fruit. Because they disobeyed God, they were forced to leave the Garden of Eden."What is said in the narrative and illustrated in this picture is as far from the truth of what happened in the garden as night is from day, for it is the very twisted "interpretation" of God's Word by the prince of darkness himself, i.e. Satan. It is an image created by "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world (Rev. 12:9)" to keep you in darkness, from learning the truth. We intend to shed the "light" on this "snake" and expose him as the liar and fraud that he is.
Keep in mind that what you are about to read and hear may be so completely different than this illustrated "tradition" handed down by the churches for many generations that it might "set you on your heels", which is a figure of speech meaning it might astound you. So do not say we didn't warn you!Of course, if you are willing to believe fairy tales like the one in this picture then perhaps you can believe some reality which actually makes much more sense than such nonsense.
First of all, would it surprise you to know that the word "apple" is not even mentioned anywhere in the Book of Genesis? Check it out for yourself. You see, Satan wants you to believe that the "forbidden fruit" Adam and Eve partook of was literal fruit just like an apple. This is a prime example of taking that which is used figuratively to be the literal thing (or place or person) that it used symbolically to graphically depict something else.
Figures of speech are so overlooked in God's Word that I'm sure if we were to read in the New Testament that the apostle Paul "got into hot water" that there would be churches teaching that in order to be in good standing among their members you would have to "get into hot water" yourself. That would be Satan's literal interpretation akin to what he has done with the serpent of Genesis! Of course there would be division and disagreement among the denominations and "scholars" as to what temperature actually constitutes "hot" as opposed to just "warm" and how much hot water a person should actually get into, i.e. should one step into hot water just up to his knees or waist or should one become totally immersed in hot water. And if you looked up the word "water" in any Greek dictionary it would certainly mean H2O, like rain. Yet the phrase he "got into hot water" has absolutely nothing to do with water! It is a figure of speech which means he "got into trouble"!
Maybe this hot water scenario sounds
a bit ridiculous to you but you should just see some of the ludicrous things
churches teach and have their people do because of their ignorance of His
Word. Do you not think Satan would be laughing his fool head off
at watching Christians getting into pools of "hot water"? Well
guess what?
He is laughing his fool head off
at Christians who think Eve was deceived by a snake who talked her into
eating an apple from a fruit tree!
Good grief Charlie Brown!
You see, the word "serpent" is simply one of the symbolic names of Satan that describes him according to his low-life character. He is also called the dragon, the little horn, the vile person, the son of perdition, the Devil, Satan, Lucifer, the morning star (Isa. 14), etc. Spiritually speaking, he is a "snake" alright! He is a sneaky, no-good, low-down, yellow-bellied, lying, conniving "serpent"! Rev. 20:2 "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years." In fact, Satan is the original "Spinmeister", the father of lies and cover-ups! But you know what? He is also the most beautiful and charismatic individual you will ever encounter, a charming one indeed! You can read all about this highly intelligent glistening one, "perfect in beauty", in the 28th chapter of Ezekiel.
He does NOT look like this:
Ok,
then what about the fruit and the trees? They
are symbolic, remember? Trees are used
throughout the scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, to symbolize people.God's
elect are called "Cedars of Lebanon" because the roots of the cedar go
as deep as the tree is tall and therefore those trees cannot be easily
shaken or uprooted.
Jesus
Christ is symbolized by the "Tree of Life" and the Vine, the branches of
which bring forth good fruit.
And
Satan is symbolized by the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" and
he and his branches bring forth corrupt and evil fruit which we are NOT
to EAT.
And so depending on what kind of "tree" you are determines what kind of fruit you produce.
Remember again the words of Jesus Christ:
In God's nature there is no such thing as a literal corrupt tree, because you see, trees have no brains and no knowledge of good and evil. However, people do!Luke 6:43
For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
If you eat the fruit from that "corrupt tree", which brings forth no good fruit, you are going to be in big trouble. Where should you get your fruit?[44] For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Here is what your Father says:
Imagine that! God even likens Himself to a tree, an evergreen fir symbolic of eternal life! You are to get your fruit from Him and from His Word and from NO ONE ELSE, no other tree!Hosea 14:8
Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
The question is "Who is wise, and understands these things?" Are you wise, or do you believe in fairy tales about snakes and apples? Become a disciple of Christ and get studying His Word (2 Tim. 2:15).[9] Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
So let's go to Genesis and see what happened in the garden.
You now know who this "serpent" is who was more subtle, meaning cunningly wise, than any "beast" of the field, which means any other living, created being, human or otherwise! So the PICTURE you now need to place in your mind is one of a very smart, good looking, handsome young preacher who is very, very charming and likeable and intelligent and well spoken. Got it? He is going to explain to Eve by spinning (spiritualizing away) what God "really" meant when He said "Thou shalt surely die!" in Gen. 2:17 to end up with "Ye shall not surely die!" in Genesis 3:4. Then He will impart carnal knowledge to her and seduce her by sowing his "sperma" which shall bring forth his son Cain!(Is that too shocking to your ears? Want to close your eyes and leave now or stick around and learn from your Father's Word? It is your choice!)Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
That old serpent has perpetuated a lie, a tradition, about the "snake" and the "apple" long enough. Do not let him have the victory any more! Again, it is his diabolical plan to deceive a Biblically ignorant people, "because it ministers to the acceptance of his lie, the hiding of God's truth, the jeers of the infidel, the opposition of the critics, and the stumbling of the weak in faith." (Companion Bible, appendix 19, last paragraph.)
And you know what? This original "spinmeister" is exceptional unlike any other in that he has been able to convince just about the entire Christian world that "he did not have sex with that woman"! However, those who are in the know have his "number" and know better than to believe his lies and cover-ups.
By the way, the apostle Paul also refers to this "serpent" in the garden in 2 Cor. 11:3 where he explains that Eve lost her virginity to the serpent and likens it to losing one's spiritual virginity in these last days:
The Greek word for "serpent" is ophis, which means "an artful, malicious person; (figuratively a snake).2 Cor. 11:2
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.[3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiledEve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Again, Satan appeared to Eve as a beautiful and charismatic charming young man, truly a glorious "angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:14). And he "beguiled" her (wholly seduced her) and "sowed" his wicked seed among the wheat. (Hang in there, we will document it further.)serpent = ophis of'-is Strong's #3789
Probably from G3700 (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake, figuratively (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan:—serpent.
Let us continue in Genesis.beguiled, exapatao, ex-ap-at-ah'-o, Greek 1818; from Greek 1537 (ek) and Greek 538 (apatao); to seduce wholly :- beguile, deceive.
Notice Eve also did not accurately quote God's Word for she left out the word "freely", probably due to the now negative tone Satan has injected into God's words.Genesis 3:2
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Eve again has not gotten it right! God did not say "LEST ye die!" There is no "lest" or "perhaps" about it! It is not "questionable" at all! God said "thou shalt surely die!"She also added "neither shall ye touch it"! However, she will end up "touching" this tree who will literally "touch" her as in wholly seduce her. Yes, she will lose her "virginity" to the serpent, to this handsome, smart young man! Have you ever looked up the word "touch" in a Hebrew dictionary?[3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (All the trees/people in the garden, but not Satan)
touch = naw-gah' Strong's #5060
A primitive root; properly to touch, that is, laythehandupon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication to reach (figuratively to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.):—beat, (X be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.
Satan has now brought the Word of God into question and after leading a twisted discourse he smiles at Eve and tells her that God didn't really mean that you will actually die! This is the first of many, many lies, for he is the father of lies (John 8:44).Genesis 3:4
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
There is another lie! The truth is that if you LISTEN to the words of the serpent, if you eat the fruit from the corrupt tree, then you eyes will be SLAMMED SHUT! And most Christian's eyes are closed to the truth! Satan's "opening of the eyes" is called "enlightenment" whereby you become enlightened through the "expansion of the mind" through men's knowledge of good and evil instead of God's Word that SETS THE STANDARD of RIGHT AND WRONG!You see, what Satan is saying is that you do not need God's Word to be your standard for right and wrong. No, you can be liberated, as in a "liberal", and you can determine for yourself what is right and wrong! Yeah baby, that only makes good sense, doesn't it? I mean, who is to say what is really right or wrong? Furthermore, the argument goes, what right do you have to impose your beliefs on someone else?[5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
So if it "feels good", DO IT! And Eve took hold of the tree (asherah) and "Did it"!
Note: If a person gets really filled with the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good an evil he or she can become an arrogant condescending liberal politician or preacher or whatever who believes he or she can also determine in his or her own "godly wisdom" what is best for other people (of lesser intelligence). Of course what is good for others would obviously have to exclude God's Word, any reference of which must be stricken from the halls of justice and any and all government and public institutions, especially those schools where the children go to learn. Armed police and drug sniffing dogs are man's "wise and knowledgeable" solutions instead of teaching those nasty "Thou shalt not" 10 Commandments.
Now Think: When is the last time you saw an apple tree and said to yourself, "You know self, if I eat the fruit from this tree it will instantly make me wiser. I'll bet these are some kind of smart-laced apples". Hello! Wake up! Get apples and grapes out of your mind. It is the "leaven", the doctrine of Satan, his bad fruit, that Eve listened to. In other words, she "ate up" Satan's philosophical reasonings and "interpretations" of God's Word as he began to appeal to her ego and "desire". It all started to make sense to her and she told Adam all the things she was learning and he began to eat it up also. And before long, they were both had![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,
Thus was Eve "seduced" by the serpent in garden, the truth of which has been hidden for a long time to those who cannot tell the difference between trees and people, between literal snakes who crawl on the ground and snakes who stand in pulpits and sit in senate seats and seduce people with lies and half-truths. Yes, our people have allowed the deceptive stories of the traditions of men to blind their eyes, that in seeing they don't see and in hearing they don't hear.... she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Their eyes were opened all right and they experienced something new, NAKEDNESS, both spiritually and physically![7] And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
But why in the world did they now "know they were naked"? You will find it is because of the SHAME they have brought upon themselves, for disobeying God, yes, but in a much more perverted way than biting bad apples.
"And they sewed FIG LEAVES together, and made themselves aprons." Do you suppose these were itty bitty little aprons that they sewed together to cover their mouths because they just ate a bad apple? How stupid the traditions of men! Learn to think for yourself and stick to God's Word, not the traditions of men.
Uh oh! There's big trouble in paradise now! Adam and Eve hear their Father walking in the garden in the "ruach" (cool)! And now that they know good and evil, they know they've done evil! So they did what most people do, they HID THEMSELVES! Today we would call it "FigGate". You can read their excuses for disobeying God in verses 9 through 13 on your own.[8] And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Let us now see what judgment was made by our Father:
"Upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life" are Hebraisms, figures of speech, which are simply statements of "degradation" and have nothing to do with snakes crawling! In English we might say you will always be "lower than a snake's belly" and "eat dust" all your life! Remember, the rotten snake seduced mother Eve right there in the fig grove! And you know what? She conceived his "seed"!Genesis 3:14
And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
Here we have it! The two seeds of the Parable of the Tares in Mat. 13! REMEMBER? God is NOT talking about "apple seeds" here! Here is the definition of Hebrew word translated "seed" in vs. 15:[15] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
The two "seeds", the "tares" and the "wheat", will grow together until the time of the harvest, remember? However, there will always be enmity between them... and so there has been down through the ages and so there is even now!seed, zera`, zeh'-rah, Hebrew 2233; from Hebrew 2232 (zara`); seed; figurative fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity :- × carnally, child, fruitful, seed (-time), sowing-time.
Again, God is talking about progeny, children, the same thing Christ was talking about in Mat. 13!
That's right? Eve is about to give birth to maternal, but not paternal twins and one of those children will be the offspring of the Devil who will be named "Cain" (Kayin in Hebrew). And Cain's children will be called Kayinites or simply Kenites which means sons of Cain. It is the kenites that were responsible for the cruxifiction, not our brother Judah.Matthew 13:38
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
Satan sowed his "seed" right there in the fig grove! How? He seduced Eve and she participated in the "conception" of that bad seed![39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Now, notice the sentence of "sorrow" (travail) related to child birth that Eve receives because of what she has done.
God is going to multiply the sorrow of her "conception"! Why? Because SHE HAS JUST CONCEIVED seed (sperma) from that old serpent the devil.And so God said that because of this conception she would now have labor pangs (sorrow) in bringing forth children! Then too, the sorrow of this conception would continue (be multiplied) when Cain would become the first murderer by rising up and slaying Adam's son, righteous Abel.Genesis 3:16
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Well, enough for today. How
are you doing? Are you still with us or
have you decided to go back to sleep and stick with "snakes and apples"?
Please Log unto
#1003
to read more about the creation and destruction of the first earth and
heaven.
Note: Much of today's study is excerpted from the study titled "Parable of the Fig Tree", which is available in its entirety on this site. Log unto Parable of the Fig Tree
Have you ever wondered why it is that Cain is not listed in Adam's genealogy in chapter five of Genesis?
The answer is real simple if you
have eyes to see the "hidden things" Christ revealed in the Parable of
Tares. You "see", it was the plan of God
for this flesh age that the promised "Seed", Jesus Christ, would come forth
through Adam and his wife Eve. Of
course Satan knew that was the plan and so he cunningly entered in and
tried to destroy the woman through whom Messiah would be brought forth
by planting his own seed (sperma), the result of which produced
the "tares" beginning with Kayin (Cain). Remember,
it is written that you must understand the Parable of the Sower in which
Christ reveals things hidden even from the "foundation of the world", else
you will not be able to understand any of His parables. And it
is through the Parable of the Tares that we know that Cain was not of Adam's
seed but rather of the seed of the wicked one which is precisely why
Cain has his own "seed line" listed in chapter four of Genesis
while Adam's "seed line" is listed in chapter five beginning
with Seth. In fact, the name "Seth" means appointed or substituted for
God raised him up in Abel's stead because
Cain murdered Abel, his half-brother who was Adam's first and unly son!
Furthermore, when you examine and compare the two separate genealogies
you will discover that the names are very similar just as the "tares" look
and appear like "wheat" to most Christians who do not have eyes to see
nor ears to hear the simplicity of the Parable of the Sower.
|
|
Enoch | Enos |
Irad | Jared |
Mehujael | Mahalaleel |
Methusael | Methuselah |
Then too, from the garden of Eden throughout the Old Testament and into the New we can read example after example where Satan tried to destroy the seedline through which Jesus Christ would be born.
Even as soon as Genesis chapter six we see Satan's evil ploy where he sent his fallen angels (Nephilim) to intermarry with the daughters of Adam to destroy the chances of the "Seed" being born. That union between the angelic "sons of God" and the flesh "daughters of Adam" produced giants and it came to the point where only eight descendants of Adam were left in the land to carry on the seedline through which Messiah would come. Those "eight" were Noah and his family who remained "pure blooded" because they had not intermixed with the fallen angels. (See appendixes 25 & 26 in the "Companion Bible", Kregel Publishing.)
To be perfect in his "generations" simply means that he and his family had pure pedigrees and were not mixed with the Nephilim, the fallen angels called the "sons of God" in Gen. 6:2.Genesis 6:9
These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
However, Satan's plan to destroy the daughters of Adam also failed because God brought about the flood of Noah to rid the world of the giants and the wickedness brought upon the earth by the fallen angels. We could go on and on with other examples of Satan's attempts to prevent Messiah from being born, e.g. Abraham & Sarah, Judah, etc., right up to Mary and Joseph!generations, towledah, to-led-aw', Hebrew 8435; or toledah, to-led-aw'; from Hebrew 3205 (yalad); (plural only) descent, i.e. family; (figurative) history :- birth, generations.
Of course ultimately, Satan's murderous children who are "of" their father Cain (Kayin), called "Kayinites" or "Kenites" and who are NOT of our brother Judah, would bring about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ even while claiming to be of the good "seed of Abraham"! And you know what? To this very day Satan's children claim to be "God's chosen people" and "of Abraham's seed" and most Christians who are "blind" to Father's Word believe their lies to be true. They even believe the lie that our brother Judah was responsible for the crucifixion when it was actually the son's of Cain! Let's read the discourse in John 8:33-44 between some kenites, i.e. sons of the Cain, as they try to "pull the wool over the eyes" of Messiah to cause Him to believe that they are of Abraham's seed.
Notice that Jesus Christ doesn't buy into their pack of lies and so neither should you!
The "they" in this verse are the Pharisees (vs. 13).John 8:33
They answered Him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Christ knew they were liars and murderers who "claimed" (see vs. 39) to be Abraham's seed, i.e. his offspring, and He thus exposed and confronted them about BOTH by saying "I know you say you are Abraham's seed", but you seek to kill me.[37] I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
If you have learned the Parable of the Tares then you know there are two "fathers".[38] I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
The "if" documents that Christ knew they were NOT pure blooded children of Abraham, though they claimed to be.[39]They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
The understanding of the simple explanation of the Parable of Tares does not allow this verse to be "spiritualized away" any more than it allows one to "spiritualize away" the fact that many today also claim to be of Abraham (through Judah, i.e. Jews) but they ARE NOT for they too are a bunch of liars.[40] But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.[41]Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
[42] Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but He sent me.
[43] Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
[44]Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
You "see", it was Cain who was the first murderer, right? And these are the descendants of Cain to whom Christ is speaking! The question is, are you familiar with the "tares" today who claim to be of Judah (by heritage, i.e. by "seed") but ARE NOT? Only two out of the 7 churches in Rev. 2 & 3 know who they are in this final generation. They are the Church of Smyrna (Rev. 2:9) and the Church of Philadelphia (Rev. 3:9).
The blasphemous kenites make the same "claim" today that they are of Judah (Abraham's seed) and even call themselves "God's chosen people!"Rev. 2:9
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Don't you believe it?
By the way, these are the only two churches Christ found no fault with. The rest had some severe problems they needed to work on and overcome!Rev. 3:9
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Now let us return to Matthew 13 and learn "Again", "Again", and "Again" adding to our knowledge and understanding of what the kingdom of heaven is like unto (See structure below). To this point in the Parable of the Sower we have learned about the plan of the kingdom of heaven and how that plan works! We have learned about the sowing of the tares by enemy noting who they are, how they operate by roosting in the branches, and the fact that Christ told us to "leave them alone" and let them grow until the harvest. We also learned how God's elect are used in the three earth ages to bring about the filling up of the whole, i.e. the three measures of meal. So as we read these next few parables, keep in mind that there will ultimately be a division and a separation between the tares and the wheat, between that which is good and that which is wicked, between that which is clean and that which is unclean.
It is true that there is nothing more precious and valuable and joyous to our Father than His children and the love He has for them. You "see", His children are His most valued treasure which is why Jesus Christ came and paid the price on the cross with His shed blood to purchase the entire field, the tares included, and He will come and save His treasure out of the field! But the tares shall be gathered by the angels and cast into the furnace of fire at the end of the Millennium. We read of that casting into the fire in verse 42 earlier in our study and we shall read it once again for emphasis in verse 50 as these three "again" parables are linked together. The point is we are to know that it is the plan of God and therefore what the kingdom of heaven is like unto.Matthew 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.
Then too as the saying goes, like father like son! One who loves and serves our Father with both eyes to see and ears to hear knows in his or her heart that in this "field" wherein we "walk under the sun" there is simply NOTHING of more value than the treasures and riches to be found in the Word of God. For we know that ALL the treasures of knowledge and pearls of wisdom even from "the foundation of the world" are hidden in the parables, in the words of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, who is our joy. You "see", if you are part of the king's dominion, the kingdom of heaven, then you are like this!
How valuable to you are the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge contained in the Word of God? It sure was worth a lot to the Queen of Sheba to come hear the treasures of wisdom God had given unto Solomon, remember?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 hidall the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
This is like unto the previous parable giving us yet another view of what the kingdom of heaven is like in that we know that Christ gave all He had, His very life, for each one of His precious children. We know too that pearls are valuable because of their immense beauty and command their price because of the amount of seeking it takes to find good ones. And so it is that each one who possesses the treasured knowledge hidden in Him, in His Word, and each one who seeks and finds the beautiful wisdom found in Him, is priceless to Him indeed.Matthew 13:45
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.
So be wise and prudent with the greatest treasure of knowledge and priceless pearls of wisdom that one can ever find in this world. And remember Christ's teaching in Matthew 7:6 to "give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." You see, swine will take your precious pearls and trample all over them in an attempt to rob you of your wealth and richness. Let them have their evil spirits and wallow in their filth for we know that which is unclean shall be completely separated from that which is clean, even as the next parable explains.
There are creatures of "every kind", both clean and unclean, to be found in the sea! The clean fish are good and edible but the unclean scavengers are toxic just like tares and are not fit to eat.[47] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Yes, there shall be a dividing of that which is clean from that which is unclean. To that end, a man or woman of God must possess the knowledge to know the difference between that which is holy and that which is profane along with the wisdom to "discern" between the unclean and the clean. That is exactly what God's elect, the kings and priests of the kingdom of God, teach now and that is exactly what they shall teach during the Millennium. Here is your documentation concerning the Zadok (just ones) during the Millennium:[48] Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
The hidden knowledge and pearls of wisdom allow one to know the difference between the holy and the profane and be able separate the clean from the unclean. A word to the wise is sufficient. Nevertheless, the point of the parable we just read is that the wicked shall first be severed from among the just even as the tares shall first be gathered and cast into the furnace of fire and the wheat then gathered into His barn.Ezekiel 44:23
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
This was the plan from the "foundation of the world" which was the very reason that our Father sent Light into the world of darkness, a world that had become "tohu va bohu" at the overthrow of Satan. You "see", He sent that Light to divide the children of light from the children of darkness! Genesis 1:3-4 "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. [4] And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness." Jesus Christ was that Light! John 1:4-9 "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."Matthew 13:49
So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
And so it is written that at the end of the Millennium the final separation shall take place and all that is wicked shall be consumed in the lake of fire. That will be when the second death takes place, the perishing of the wicked souls along with the wicked one himself (Rev. 20:10, 21:8).
That's the plan and the good news is that world shall be rid of wickedness forevermore![50] And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Have you understood ALL these things in the 7 parts of the Parable of the Sower to this point? Can you say, "Yea, I do"? Here is a brief outline of what we have "seen".[51] Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
To the Multitudes
1. Parable of Broadcasting the SeedOut of the House
2. Another parable, the "Tares"In the House
3. Another parable, the "Mustard Seed"
4. Another parable, the "Hidden Leaven"
5. Again parable, the "Hidden Treasure"If you have understanding to this point, then there is one more parable to go for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. It is the "8th" part to the complete Parable of the Sower! Perhaps it is worth noting (and it is) that "8" in Biblical numerics signifies "resurrection" or "new beginning".
6. Again parable, the "Pearl of Great Price"
7. Again parable, "Net Cast in the Sea"
Are you "instructed" in the Parable of the Sower which explains what "The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto..."? If so then you are like unto "an householder" which means you are to bring forth out of your treasure, things (good things) new and old, a wealth of the knowledge and precious pearls of wisdom you have found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament!Matthew 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.
And once you have absorbed His Word and fully understand the Parable of the Sower, then you are off and running... the race set before you that is (Heb. 12:1)! Let us learn from the example set forth by Christ when He had finished these parables.Matthew 12:35
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
The word "finished" ties together all the individual parables of the sower into one complete parable, which simply means we must understand it all together as a whole! Now notice what Christ did when He departed thence.Matthew 13:53
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, He departed thence.
Once a person has sought and found the hidden treasure of knowledge and the priceless pearl of truth and wisdom... what happens? He or she goes forth to bring and share the good things out of the abundance of his treasure to his family and friends showing forth and doing the wonderful works of God! But alas, sometimes the reaction is less than positive from those who know you well, perhaps all too well in knowing you from your days of "partying", the former days of your life like Peter describes: 1 Peter 4:3 "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries." Therefore, be aware and know that the closeness of your family and their familiarity with you might become a stumbling block to them whereby they are not able to take you seriously when you bring forth the good things. Sometimes that can be overcome after a period of time living a changed life. Other times you just have to move on. Here is what they said concerning Jesus Christ Himself.[54] And when He was come into His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
Hey, we know this fellow! Is He not Mary's son?[55] Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
His brothers and sisters were part of the local community. How can it be therefore that Christ has all this knowledge and wisdom? You "see", it was merely the fact of their familiarity and not even His actions, for Christ had no sins and did not fall short as we often do.[56] And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
They still stumbled because they looked upon Him as a common flesh man. Of course, many still do today and even say the precious Word of God cannot be true because it was written by flesh men. Unfortunately they shall remain in their unbelief and fall (stumble) in the great apostasy of these last days.[57] And they were offended in Him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
offended, skandalizo, skan-dal-id'-zo, Greek 4624; ("scandalize"); from Greek 4625 (skandalon); to entrap, i.e. trip up (figurative stumble [transitive] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure) :- (make to) offend.
Their unbelief was the fact that theycould not open their eyes beyond the flesh to be able to "see" and discover the precious hidden truths and pearls of wisdom standing right before their eyes! Therefore they remain ignorant of His Word and know not the difference between the holy and the profane, between the true Christ and the false messiah who shall appear first and to whom they will fall down and worship. And so shall they remain unclean and subject to the "separation" lest they open their eyes and ears to hear the simplicity of the Word of God.[58] And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
How about you?
Who hath ears to hear, let him hear! (Matthew 13:43)
To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits;
to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, you accomplish both.
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