Resurrection is a Birth…

Resurrection is a Birth……

 Isaiah 26:19 But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.  (NIV) 

Let’s brainstorm about the importance of the resurrection (and I will use personal pronouns for this “storm”):

•             I could not be justified.
•             I would be without hope of participating in Christ’s glor
•             I would be miserable without hope in the age to come, with only hope in this life.
•             I would not have the priestly ministry of my Lord for me today.
•             I would not be forgiven of present and future sins.
•             My faith would be vain – useless.
•             No way to please God.
•             Actually, I would be unable to access faith.
•              No grace.
•              No works of righteousness.
•              No spirit of the truth to teach me.
•              No blood on mercy seat in heaven today.
•              I would still be in my sins.
•             Those who had “fallen asleep in Christ” would perish – no hope of resurrection.
•              No “out-resurrection” from among the dead.
•              Christ would not be the declared Son of God.
•              Death would not be abolished.
•              No “eternal life” (life in the coming age – the rule in the coming kingdom)
•              No inheritance.
•              God would have to break His promise to the fathers!
•              I could not have a body of incorruption

 The importance of the resurrection of Christ

 1 Corinthians 15:14-19 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

 No other gods have the power to raise from the dead!  ANY other “god” to whom you have heard “prayers” made who did not raise His Son from the dead is a false god!   ANY “lord” you or anyone else serves who does not have the power to lay down His life and take it up again, is not worth your servanthood.

 I have read that the resurrection of my Lord is one of the best documented events in history -not only the Biblical record, but historical records written by man.  It is also the most hated fact/doctrine in the world’s system, as well as in so-called Christendom.

And why should you know of this most-important event?  Because satan knows its every importance!  This is satan’s only focus.  Satan rules from the heavenlies now and could keep his present position except for the resurrection.

This world’s system, as well as Christendom’s system, hates the doctrine of the resurrection because mankind wants to rule himself and rule over others, making a name for himself.  (It’s happened before – check out Genesis and that famous tower.)  There are world religions whose icon is one with Jesus still on the cross.

Jesus taught – “Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand!” (Mt. 4:17)  A LITERAL KINGDOM – ruled by qualified rulers from the heavens and upon earth.  Thrones, dominions, rulers and authorities in the heavens and on earth were created in Christ, the Son of God’s love “FOR” (“eis” –“unto”) –  Him.(Col. 1:16)  He is   the “firstborn from the dead” so that He might come to have first place in everything. (Col. 1:18)

 THE FIRST-BORN FROM THE DEAD HAS FIRST PLACE IN ALL THINGS THAT WERE CREATED IN THE HEAVENS AND ON THE EARTH!

Col 1:15 – 18 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible (in the heavens and on earth), whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities (in the heavens and on earth)–all things (in the heavens and on earth) have been created through Him and for Him.   He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.    He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. (NAS)

 When I meditate about the resurrection, my mind hovers over the first chapter in Hebrews.  

Go back to the first chapter of Hebrews and note something you need to understand.  That is – the fact that God refers to the resurrection of His only Son as a birth into the position of a Firstborn Son.  (Jesus was Mary’s firstborn son – not God’s – at His first inception and birth.)

God’s Firstborn Son has been appointed Heir (v.3) and took His appointed place at the right hand of the Majesty on high – after His resurrection.  This inheritance included a more excellent name than the angels.  The angels of God are called “sons of God” in the Old Testament; however, they cannot “make purification of sins,” (v.3), nor die and be resurrected (v.5).  God’s Beloved Son (The Son of His Love) has been “brought to the birth” (v.5) – through resurrection – now obtaining the throne and scepter – the righteous scepter – the scepter of His kingdom. 

 Can you see it?  Rev. 1:5 helps our understanding:  (Rev 1:5) and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born out of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth; to him who did love us, and did bathe us from our sins in his blood,(Rev 1:6) and did make us kings and priests to his God and Father, to him is the glory and the power to the ages of the ages! Amen.(Rev 1:7) Lo, he doth come with the clouds, and see him shall every eye, even those who did pierce him, and wail because of him shall all the tribes of the land. Yes! Amen! (Young’s Literal)

God will bring The First-born into the inhabited earth again (v.6, in Heb. 1)).  Then He will be worshiped by angels (sons of God).  And, all His enemies will become a footstool for His feet.  Those “beautiful” feet that brought the gospel of this very kingdom – and was rejected.  But, look at what this means now!

 HE IS THE FIRST-BORN OF MANY BROTHERS!  (“BRETHERN”)

The “only” Son, as First-born, means He will have brothers and sisters.  Ah, now the importance of the resurrection is revealed.  Being the “first begotten” means there will be other “begotten” –  brothers and sisters to the first-born who are foreknown, predestined, and conformed to the image of this First-born One:

 (Rom 8:28) And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.   (Rom 8:29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: (Rom 8:30) and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

 HE IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH OF THE FIRST-BORN!

(Heb 12:22) but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,  (Heb 12:23) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

 

 

God is making one new man – in Christ Jesus…

God is making one new man – a new creation – in Christ Jesus – a new Israel, the Israel of God.  (Not a replacement for the Israel that now is; but a “new” Israel of God, according to Galatians 6: 15-16.)  This new creation is neither Jew, nor Greek, nor slave, nor free, nor male, nor female.  It is an entirely new creation descending from Abraham, as father of the promised Seed, and the chosen (elect) are created “in Christ.”  This “new man” is created for the 7^th Day with a New Jerusalem for its capital city.

This chosen new man is to live by the faith of Abraham with righteousness exceeding any righteousness man has attempted through Moses’ law.  The Law of Liberty replaces the law given to Moses.  The Law of Liberty contains the promise of the Father of the Holy Spirit enabling works emanating from faith – the ability to please God through hearing, obeying, and living His Word concerning the Kingdom of God to come.  The Law of Liberty promises an abundant life in the age to come.

The Spirit of the Promise is received through faith – believing God in the present tense.  The New Creation, New Man in Christ, is placed into the New Covenant which our Lord made with His disciples sharing His bread and blood.  The Promise has an inheritance in the age to come – rewards accumulating and being preserved at this very moment in the heavens.

This Promise is able to impart the kingdom life in the age to come.  The Law cannot.  One must be “in Christ” to receive this life.

Those “in Christ” are required not to turn back, nor desire the country from which they are being delivered.  They are born of the “freewoman” – a barren woman who cannot conceive on her own. The “Christ ones” are born through Promise, having no labor or their own works.  They are born according to the Spirit of Promise, being made co-heirs with Christ.

“Christ ones” are to make their calling and election sure and steadfast – never taking their eyes of faith from the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.  They are to receive the Spirit by the hearing of faith so as to bring their faith unto perfection (completion) like Abraham.  They need to be aware that they can fail of the grace of God, falling short of the Glory of God.  (It was the God of Glory who called Abraham.)

Those “under the law” cannot produce works out from faith – no justification.  They are unable to bring their faith to completion and they make the death of Christ needless.  There is no promised Seed under the law.  Christ came to confirm the promises made to the fathers and to fulfill the law.

The law was added to the Covenant of Promise to show how they were straying from the promise – the Eternal Covenant.  The law was not contrary to promise, but unable to impart life.  Everyone is under sin – but – the promise by faith in Jesus Christ is given to those believing, who no longer are under a tutor, but under the new law of liberty in Christ Jesus.

FYI:     Thayer Definition: “New” – G2537 -“kainos”

1a) as respects form – recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn

1b) as respects substance – of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of

The Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 8…

Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 8…Thursday, April 5, 2012

In the two parables – from Luke 19 and Matthew 25 – concerning the slaves being given minas and talents, there was a similarity about the third slave in each. They both used the phrase, “I was afraid,” as an excuse. The other slaves do not mention this; they even seem excited about their investments. From whence came the fear? Aren’t we told that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom?”

It is obvious that there were two different aspects to fear at work. The wise response to fear is to obey, even obedience with joy and anticipation of pleasing the Lord, with love from our heart.

Here’s my take on this subject: The foolish servant “leaves his first love.” Since there is “no fear in love,” he does not love his Master and his Master’s plan and his Master’s Kingdom. The perfect love between slave and Master have perfecting love. There is no fear of punishment in perfect love.

If these parables and this doctrine of the coming Kingdom strikes fear in your heart, examine yourselves to see if you Love His Appearing!

1Jo 4:16 And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

17 ¶ By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

19 We love, because He first loved us.

I read the 17^th chapter of John after the above verses.

 What a blessing of   love! Thank you, Father.

 

 

The Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 7…

Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 7….April 4, 2012 – Wednesday

Reread yesterday’s parable from Luke 19.

Each servant (slave) was given one mina.

Each slave had equal opportunity for profit.

ALL are the master’s property.

ALL commanded to “trade.”

ALL assembled for judgment.

Each alone when giving his report.

The first one to report was given a commendation and a reward.

The second one was given a reward, but no commendation.

The third one received reproof and loss of his mina. This slave was judged by his own words.

Remember the parable following the parable of the 10 virgins? The master entrusts his possession to his own slaves, giving one 5 talents, another, two, and to another, one – EACH ACCORDING TO HIS OWN ABILITY. (Ah, I capitalized that phrase because it is so comforting to me. I don’t need to plow in someone else’s field or run another’s race – just my own.)

The master returns to settle accounts with them. The first one had a 100% profit from his 5 talents. The second one had a 100% profit, also. The third one is lazy and wicked as the Master’s slave because he took his one talent and hid it in the ground. A 100% profit for him would only have been to gain 1 more talent. He has an excuse, too: “and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed. I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground; see, you have what is yours.’” I want to use a quote from Oswald Chambers at this point:

“The servant justified himself in everything he did and condemned his lord on every point – ‘Your demand is all out of proportion to what you give. You expect more than you give me power to do. You demand too much from me.’”

That wasn’t true, was it? Verse 15 says, “each one according to his own ability…”

In these two examples, notice that each servant had equal opportunity and equal ability to make a profit. Parables build upon each other and amplify each other. Without a doubt, the 5 foolish virgins had every opportunity and ability to prepare their lamps with an extra vessel of oil for their journey to meet the bridegroom.

We are without excuse!

The Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 6…

Parable of the 10 Virgins, Part 6…. Tuesday, April 3, 2012

It would help us to understand the wise virgins telling to the foolish ones to go buy their own oil – (“go instead to the dealers and buy [some] for yourselves.’”), if we were reminded of other similar passages that give us our responsibilities as faithful slaves of our Lord while He is preparing a place for us in His coming Kingdom.First, what do you think of when you see that word, “buy?”

“Paying the price.”

Right!

You will be paying a price for living Godly in Christ Jesus. For some, the daily crucifixion of the self – life (“the flesh”) is too high priced. For others, it is the Good News that such sacrifice is pleasing to God and has age-long positive results.

Overcomers who “buy” (pay the price for) gold refined by fire, white garments for their clothes (preparation for the wedding feast), and eye-salve for anointing eyes for farsightedness, have a precious promise!

Rev 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

Please keep in mind that individuals are individually responsible for their decisions. But, also, please keep in mind that everything needful for this journey into the coming age and Kingdom and Glory IS PROVIDED!! Praise Him! The chosen ones in the Exodus never needed new shoes, strength, or sustenance. But, they did have to gather the Manna – daily, and, on the 6^th day, a double portion.

Luke 19 gives us our duties during this age in the parable of a “Nobleman” who went away to receive a kingdom for himself with a promise to return.

Read this and weep – OR – read this and rejoice. Your choice!

Lu 19:12 He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and [then] return.

13 “And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business [with this] (KJV says, “occupy”) until I come [back.]’

14 “But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ (This is where I weep because this is the crux of the matter.)

15 “And it came about that when he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him in order that he might know what business they had done.

16 “And the first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’

17 “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, be in authority over ten cities.’

18 “And the second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’

19 “And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’

20 “And another came, saying, ‘Master, behold your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief;

21 for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.’

22 “He *said to him, ‘By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave.(note: this is a “slave” also – not “unsaved” because they are not called into account before setting up the Kingdom) Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow?

23 ‘Then why did you not put the money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?’

24 “And he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’

25 “And they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas [already.]’

26 “I tell you, that to everyone who has (more profit) shall [more] be given, but from the one who does not have (a profit), even what he does have shall be taken away.

27 “But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.” (And, there we have the key to the whole matter – worthless slaves of our Lord do not want Him to rule over them. This is not a new thing! God’s firstborn son, Israel, did not want Him to rule over them either, so He gave them Saul instead.)

The Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 5…

Parable of the 10 Virgins, Part 5… Monday, April 2, 2012

Refresh your memory by rereading Friday’s printed passages from Matthew 24 & 25.

You know what I consider one of the main themes? THE VALUE OF THE WAY WE USE OUR LIVES NOW. Fruit bearing and accruing a profit is necessary to pleasing God.

And, you picked out “preparedness” as a main theme, didn’t you? Be on the alert! And, what better than for our Lord to catch us teaching the meat of His Word, being doubly prepared with enough oil (Holy Spirit’s anointing, presence, and empowerment) and wisely making a profit out of the abilities He has given us as His possession.

The alternative to the above results is also given. We can be caught “off guard” and unprepared. The consequences are severe: being severely scourged and appointed a portion with the hypocrites where weeping and gnashing of teeth will be the norm. Also, the door to the wedding supper will be shut, barring entrance to this festive event. The Lord doesn’t know 5 of those ten unprepared virgins according to their individual responsibility for their own preparedness. They are unknown for their intimacy with their Lord during their preparation for His wedding feast and kingdom. And, there is the worthless slave – making no profit on the Lord’s investment in him – who is cast into the outer, the darkness, in the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.

In all four of these parables the persons involved were men and women at their daily tasks of farming, grinding the grain, “buying” lamp oil. They are also named as faithful and sensible (“wise” and “foolish”) slaves (“servants”). Please note that no matter the profit, or the lack thereof, that they were all slaves of their master. This will keep you from the misinterpretation of supposing these parables are addressed to the “unsaved.” They are not. The unsaved only need to hear, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

I copied the reminder below from Arlen Chitwood’s studies:

The parable of the ten virgins in Matt. 25:1-13 sets forth matters as they would exist relative to the Holy Spirit and Christians during the present dispensation. Note that this parable has to do with the kingdom of the heavens, which, at the time when the parable was given, had been taken from Israel. And the kingdom was taken from Israel with a view to a new nation being called into existence, which would be allowed to bring forth “the fruits thereof” (cf. Matt. 21:33-43;

Eph. 2:11-15; I Peter 2:9, 10). Thus, the parable of the ten virgins, no longer applicable to Israel, could only apply to those forming this new nation — to Christians.

The Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 4…

Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 4…..March 30, 2012

Now, back to our regular programming….

We have taken a cursory look at the one essential parable (the four soils) to understand all the parables. You need to know that the parables build upon one another in precept upon precept style. You need to know that all the parables are warnings and promises made to all those who are the called ones unto His Kingdom and Glory. You need to know – and believe – and receive – the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens (The Word of God) so as to comprehend what it is to have a lifestyle of faith that pleases God. “Many are called…..”

The first word in Matt. 25 concerning the parable of the virgins is the word, “Then.” It is G5119 – “tote” – a demonstrative adverb of time, denoting “at that time,” is used of concurrent events -which makes this parable follow the two previous ones in chapter 24. There is also another parable immediately following the one concerning the 10 virgins. These four comprise one unit and build “precept upon precept”. Ah, ha—perhaps I’d better paste all them here at the same time. As you read through, notice and mark similarities and differences. Note the overall theme and the lesser themes. Take time to prepare the soil of your heart. Plow through, discarding all the rocks, then – let the good soil of a hungry heart soak up the seed of the Word of God so that it begins to sprout in its journey of growth to fruit bearing, netting you a profit at the judgment seat of Christ.

Mt 24:32 ¶ “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near;

33 even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, [right] at the door.

34 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away.

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.

38 “For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.

40 “Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.

41 “Two women [will be] grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.

42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

43 “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

44 “For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think [He will.]

45 “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?

46 “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.

47 “Truly I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

48 “But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’

49 and shall begin to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards;

50 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect [him] and at an hour which he does not know,

51 and shall cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; weeping shall be there and the gnashing of teeth.

Mt 25:1 ¶ “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.

2 “And five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.

3 “For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,

4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.

5 “Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and [began] to sleep.

6 “But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet [him.’]

7 “Then all those virgins rose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 “And the foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

9 “But the prudent answered, saying, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you [too;] go instead to the dealers and buy [some] for yourselves.’

10 “And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.

11 “And later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’

12 “But he answered and said, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’

13 “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

14 ¶ “For [it is] just like a man [about] to go on a journey, who called his own slaves, and entrusted his possessions to them.

15 “And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

16 “Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.

17 “In the same manner the one who [had received] the two [talents] gained two more.

18 “But he who received the one [talent] went away and dug in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves *came and *settled accounts with them.

20 “And the one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me; see, I have gained five more talents.’

21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.’

22 “The one also who [had received] the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted to me two talents; see, I have gained two more talents.’

23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

24 “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no [seed.]

25 ‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground; see, you have what is yours.’

26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I scattered no [seed.]

27 ‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my [money] back with interest.

28 ‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

29 “For to everyone who has shall [more] be given, and he shall have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.

30 “And cast out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 3…

Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 3…..March 29, 2012

So – why do you think that we must know – and heed – the parable of the soils before we can understand any other parable?

1. The seed is the Word of the Kingdom which must be implanted in prepared soil. James 1:21 Therefore putting aside all filthiness and [all] that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

2. We are warned that this Word can be immediately taken away.

3. Believing this Word may be only for a while if we fall away from pleasing God by succumbing to temptation.

4. The worries, riches, and pleasures of this age can choke the Word, thus preventing the bearing of fruit – remaining fruit: John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of theFather in My name, He may give to you.

5. We CANNOT live a life of faith without this Word: Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (KJV)

6. BE PREPARED – Luke 12:39-48“And be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 40 “You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” 41 ¶ And Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone [else] as well?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 44 “Truly I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 “But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, [both] men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect [him,] and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers (the UNFAITHFUL, not “Unsaved.”). 47 “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, shall receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know [it,] and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

7. Keep a clean heart and lifestyle: 2Ti 2:21Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these [things], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. (Keep that word, “vessel” in mind for the parable of the 10 virgins.)22 ¶ Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love [and] peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

The Word of Faith is in the Heart

Romans10:8But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” –that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

The Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 2…

Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 2… Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Following is a summary of the parable that must first be understood before studying the parable of the virgins. For the context, go to Matthew 13, Luke 8, or Mark 4.

The four soils represent 100% of the ones who have ears to hear. Here are a few verses to meditate upon as you read my synopsis from the parable of the soils: 1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world 17 And the world is passing away, and [also] its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.

Now, apply these three to the soils below.

25% do not understand the Word of the Kingdom and the evil one snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is a cold, hard heart who is unwilling to hear. (boastful pride of life)

25% hear the Word of the Kingdom and immediately receive it with joy; yet, the Word has no firm root. The rocky ground has not been prepared and made fertile so that the Word is temporary and when affliction or persecution arises because of the Word, this person “falls away” from what he/she has heard. (lust of the flesh)

25% of those who hear the Word of the Kingdom fall upon the thorns in his/her life. The worry of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and it becomes unfruitful – meaning, that at some point, the Word was ready to bear fruit. (lust of the eyes)

25% of the 100% who hear the Word of the Kingdom, have good, prepared soil. They understand and live accordingly, bearing fruit, some as much as a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. (The one who obeys the will of God.)

I am persuaded that this last 25% experienced everything that the other 75% experienced – yet this last group endured to the end, so as to be saved unto His Kingdom and glory. (Mt. 24:13 – “But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.”)

It is best, at this point, to read this parable – from all three portions, Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8.

The Parable of the 10 Virgins, part 1…

 The Parable of the 10 Virgins

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

…….but, first a word from our sponsors……

Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? KJV

Mark 4:13 Then He said to them: “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any of the parables? EBR

 The gospel accounts that contain this parable are Matthew 13, and Luke 8, and Mark 4; but Mark adds the above verse to his portion. Therefore we will need to observe the parable of the “soils” to be able to understand any of the parables. Let’s take take a look at how the Bible defines “parable,” to whom parables were taught, and when parables were first prepared:

 Parables are Things (Truths) Kept Hidden and were prophesied that the Lord would unveil them.

 Mt 13:34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable, 35 so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, “I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES; I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.”

 Parables used to Veil Truth

Jesus taught doctrine in parables. Mark 4:34 “But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.” The parables stimulated questions that he explained to those who had questions. Most were not interested in the meaning of the parables. By teaching in parables he was making sure that the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven would stay a mystery. Matthew 13:10-11 “And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 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.” Matthew 13:16 “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.”

Proverbs 25:2“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.”

The mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens are still being veiled. That mystery is the Word of God as found in the parable of the sower according to Luke 8:8-11, “And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10. And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” The seed sown in Matthew 13, Mark 4; and Luke 8 is the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens and defined as the Word of God in Luke 8:11.

Obedience to the Word of God (Word of the Kingdom) bears Fruit

Luke 8:15 – “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it (obey it) and bring forth fruit with patience (endurance).

Parables Contain Mysteries Planned before the Foundation of the World

Mt 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

1Co 2:6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 9 but just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” 10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles– 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; 10 in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.