What do the parables really mean~Chip Brogden

Admin Thu 09 Dec 2010, 12:13 pm

[size=12]Hello Elaine,
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Our weekly study brings us to Matthew 13 - a very critical chapter because it introduces the first of a series of Kingdom Parables given by Jesus to reveal the spiritual nature of the great movement of God to subdue all things and bring them under the preeminence of Christ.

Here is an except from one of my writings that gives a good overview of why the parables are important for us to consider - not just as teachings, but as prophetic utterances that tell us what to expect.

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The parables are not quaint little stories; they are prophetic declarations of spiritual truth, and they give us invaluable insight into this Irresistible Kingdom. Concealing the truth within the context of a parable was necessary, Jesus said, "Because it is given unto you [the disciples] to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them [the rest of the people] it is not given." Those who want to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom have to have a relationship with the King. The mysteries of the Kingdom are reserved, not for passive listeners, but for true followers: so "when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples."

Virtually every parable concerning the Kingdom introduces some imperfection into the otherwise perfect arrangement of things. The Heavenly Order is constantly challenged by elements that claim to be part of it but are not truly submitted to it. This is critical to our understanding. This satanic assault is not some worldly thing constantly trying to breach the walls and attack the Kingdom from the outside, but something that slips in and spreads from the inside, giving the appearance of authenticity until its true colors are eventually revealed.
Perhaps the devil simply moves upon men to exploit the universality and openness of the Irresistible Kingdom, taking advantage of the King's goodness and grace, the way a nation with open borders might become a safe haven for people with less-than-wholesome intentions.

We do know that Jesus describes the Kingdom of God as a work in progress. Only some of the seed sown actually produces fruit; tares are sown in among the wheat; bad fish are taken up in the same net with the good fish; leaven works its way through the unleavened lump of dough; foolish virgins are mixed in with the wise virgins; unfaithful, unprofitable, disobedient servants are found working side-by-side with faithful, profitable, obedient servants. It seems like a lot of chaos and confusion, with appearances not always indicative of reality, and everything thrown in together. Of course this creates tension and conflict that is eventually resolved with the removal, or the exclusion, of the offensive elements.

If we read these stories not just as parables but as prophecies then they all say that the Kingdom will be compromised and contaminated by men before it is ultimately purified and purged by God. For reasons that are not immediately obvious, the Lord takes no action to prevent the corruption or to remove the offensive elements immediately lest it "harm the wheat" but says "let both grow together until the harvest." Interestingly enough, by permitting the enemy to introduce something evil into His creation, God has (once again) made Himself the One ultimately responsible for dealing with it - which He will certainly do in a time and season of His choosing.

- From "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden

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To learn more about the specific parables and what they mean, I invite you to join us for tonight's live webinar from Matthew 13:

http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/learn

The cost is free but you must register to reserve your virtual space before all the lines are taken.

I am your brother,
What do the parables really mean~Chip Brogden Sig

What do the parables really mean~Chip Brogden Sig

Chip Brogden
http://www.TheSchoolOfChrist.Org