Manifestation of The
Heavenly Kingdom (5)
The Meaning of The Heavenly
Kingdom in Parables
When
Jesus preached the gospel of the Heavenly Kingdom, he often used parables to
instruct the people. Parables account for some 35% of His teachings. Most of
these discuss the mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven. The term ¡§mystery¡¨ does not
refer to elusive and enigmatic things, but to matters that have been revealed
by God but are hidden. To the hard-hearted non-believer, the mystery of the
Heavenly Kingdom is hidden, but if people respond with a trusting and
submissive attitude, the Lord will further make known to them the will of God.
(Mark 4:10-12) In this week¡¦s message, I will share some insights concerning
parables of the Heavenly Kingdom.
The
following parables indicate the Kingdom of God has come into effect since the
First Coming of Jesus Christ (Present reality):
|
Parable |
Passage |
Perspective
of the Heavenly Kingdom |
|
Stronger
than a strong man |
Luke
11:20-22 |
God¡¦s
kingdom is manifested by the person of Christ, who is stronger than Satan,
entering into Satan¡¦s realm and rescuing those under his control. |
|
Sowing
seed and the soil |
Matthew
13:1-9 |
Jesus
hopes that when people hear the gospel of the Heavenly Kingdom, they will
respond with the correct attitude, so that a favourable result will be
generated in their hearts. |
|
The
growing of seed |
Mark
4:26-29 |
After
the gospel of the Heavenly Kingdom has been spread, it grows and transforms
in people¡¦s hearts, bearing good fruit until the Lord comes again in
judgment. |
|
Weeds
in the wheat field |
Matthew
13:24-30 |
When
the gospel of the Heavenly Kingdom has been spread, Satan very quickly comes
to disrupt God¡¦s work. |
|
The
mustard seed |
Matthew
13:31-32 |
The
gospel of the Heavenly Kingdom starts from the wee word of God, yet when grown
has enormous consequence. |
|
Yeast |
Matthew
13:33-34 |
The
Enemy has furtively left behind destructive work in the gospel of the
Heavenly Kingdom. |
|
Hidden
treasure |
Matthew
13:44 |
The
Heavenly Kingdom is like hidden treasure, which the enlightened will willingly
pay any price to obtain. |
|
Looking
for fine pearls |
Matthew
13:45-46 |
The
Heavenly Kingdom is precious as fine pearls. Some will seek it
single-mindedly, sparing no cost. |
|
Casting
of the net |
Matthew
13:47-50 |
The
manifestation of the Heavenly Kingdom is a process of God calling together
and separating. |
|
The
big banquet |
Matthew
22:1-14 |
The
gospel of the Heavenly Kingdom is the unearned grace of God. The Jews
rejected it but Gentiles were chosen. |
|
The
wicked servant |
Matthew
18:23-35 |
The
Lord of the Heavenly Kingdom is full of mercy. The principle of the Heavenly
Kingdom is compassion and forgiveness. |
|
Working
in the vineyard |
Matthew
20:1-16 |
Christ
calls people from different ages to enter into the Heavenly Kingdom. Those
called are many but those chosen are few. |
The
following parables indicate the Kingdom of God will be consummated upon the
Second Coming of Jesus Christ (future reality):
|
Parable |
Passage |
Perspective
of the Heavenly Kingdom |
|
The
fig tree |
Luke
21:29-31 |
The
prophesy regarding the restoration of the nation of Israel indicates that the
return of the Lord is near. |
|
The
shrewd manager |
Luke
16:1-8 |
Utilize
present opportunities wisely so that one may enter the Kingdom of God in the
future. |
|
Weeds
and wheat |
Matthew
13:24-30 |
When
the Lord returns, He will separate God¡¦s children from children of the world.
They will have different outcomes. |
|
The
ten virgins |
Matthew
25:1-13 |
The
conclusion of the gospel of the Heavenly Kingdom requires believers to be
vigilant and to prepare oneself for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. |
|
Entrusting
to servants |
Matthew
25:13-40 |
The
servant of the Lord must work virtuously and faithfully while waiting for His
Second Coming. At that time, the Lord will reward or punish according to the
work of each person. |
|
Sheep
and goats |
Matthew
25:31-46 |
Real
and false workers will be exposed when the Lord returns again the second
time. |
By: Daniel To