The present condition of Christ’s kingdom on earth is the subject of the parables of Matthew 13. The Parable of the Four Soils reveals four different responses to the King — unresponsive, superficial, impulsive, and genuinely responsive. The first three responses are not genuine. The Parable of the Wheat and Tares reveals there will be both regenerate and unregenerate people in His kingdom. At the end of the present age, Christ gather the regenerate into His physical kingdom on earth and cast the unregenerate into Hell. The Parable of the Mustard Seed reveals the kingdom’s growth from something insignificant to something of great proportions. However, with growth comes false teachers who will infiltrate it. The Parable of the Leaven reveals that these false teachers will insert corruption into the message of the kingdom. The false teachers will present a different Gospel. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure reveals Israel’s present place in the kingdom. Christ purchased Israel at the cross, but will not possess Israel until a future time, specifically, the Millennial Kingdom. The Parable of the Pearl reveals the Church’s place in the kingdom. Christ purchased the Church at the cross. As a pearl grows through gradual accretion, so the Church is gradually growing through persecution. Like a pearl, the Church will be lifted out of its place of formation (i.e., the Rapture). The Parable of the Dragnet reveals the judgment that will occur at the end of the present age.
RSS Feed