SECRET GOSPEL
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The purpose of parables
was to provide instruction to those chosen
without revealing the
items of the instructions to those who were on the outside.
Was Jesus a Gnostic esoteric revealer for only the fortunate few?
First Word
·
This Secret of the Kingdom
of God
was previously unknown. – Jesus would speak secrets that have been hidden since
the creation of the world. - It was not a mystery in the classic sense, but was
of things that were incomprehensible to understand in their own nature. – He was teaching that the Kingdom of God was
at hand, “spiritually”, present; drawing near.
·
Parables or Riddles have a dual purpose: one is
to reveal and the other is to conceal. – To those who were
sensitive; acknowledged that the light was given to them; (they had light and sight.) – Parables use the visible world to
illustrate the spiritual realm. - They were able to see the Divine revelation
that instructed them; while others saw the parable as a story, an
amusing tale of temporary interest and entertainment - Teachings or Amusement – Is your pastor teaching you or amusing you from the pulpit.-
(Just a thought)
·
I practice Fence Post
Theology;
if a fence post in scripture is out of line with the rest of the Bible, either
the scripture is wrong or I understood it wrong. - Did Jesus use parables to
keep this message a Secret from everyone except the Twelve Disciples?
Matthew 13:34-35 - Words hidden since foundation of the world
34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in PARABLES; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.
35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in PARABLES; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.” (ESV)
34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in PARABLES; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.
35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in PARABLES; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.” (ESV)
Psalm 78:1-2 – Prophecy - I will open my mouth in
parables
1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a PARABLE; I will utter dark sayings from of old, (ESV)
1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a PARABLE; I will utter dark sayings from of old, (ESV)
The Controversy
·
The Twelve Disciples, when they were alone
with Jesus, asked Him why He was teaching them in parables. – In the Gospel of Mark; it sounds like
Jesus said that he did not want the others on the outside to perceive
and understand His teachings lest they should repent and be forgiven of their
sins.
·
WHAT? -The fence post of this scripture
does not line up with all the other fence posts concerning the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and the Kingdom of God; what’s going on here?
·
The Apostle Paul further states almost the
same thing, but adds that the Gospel message is revealed only through the empowerment
of the Holy Spirit and that the natural man is incapable of understanding it.
·
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus was quoting the
prophet Isiah who was prophesizing to a people whose hearts were calloused
hard, their ears were dull, and their eyes were closed.
“They may indeed see but not perceive,
and may indeed hear but not understand,
lest they should turn and be forgiven”.
Mark 4:10-12 – Parables so they will hear, but not
understand
10And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for THOSE OUTSIDE everything is in parables,
12 so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.” (ESV)
10And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for THOSE OUTSIDE everything is in parables,
12 so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.” (ESV)
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 – Gospel revealed only through
the Spirit
9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 2:13-14 – Natural person is not able to understand
13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (ESV)
9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 2:13-14 – Natural person is not able to understand
13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (ESV)
Prophecy
·
Omnipotence: Jesus not only knew what
would occur with the people; He used it in His plan. Had their hearts actually been
open, they would have repented and their sins forgiven.
·
The prophecy of the “outsiders”
was taking place right before their eyes.
Isaiah 6:9-10 - PROPHECY See not perceive Hear not
understand
9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
10 Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
10 Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
(ESV)
Matthew 13:14-15 - The prophecy
of Isaiah is being fulfilled
14 And in their case the PROPHECY of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ' you will keep on hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
15 for the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I should heal them.' (ESV)
14 And in their case the PROPHECY of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ' you will keep on hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
15 for the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I should heal them.' (ESV)
The Audience
·
The Semitics; the Arabs, Syrians, Babylonians
and especially the Hebrews all showed a particular liking for the imagination
and logic thought to be hidden in parables and riddles. The Hebrews delighted
in searching the Torah seeking hidden secrets and enlightenment.
·
The Parables were for all who would
seek to penetrate below the surface, the real meaning of His teachings. – The
Disciples had responded to Jesus by Faith; they acknowledged the “distinguishing
favor” that had been given to them to understand “for the most part”
the Secrets of the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 13:16-17 – Disciples have Faith to
perceive
16 But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
17 For truly I say to you, that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it; and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (NASB77)
16 But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
17 For truly I say to you, that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it; and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (NASB77)
The Outsiders
·
Persistent Unbelievers were those on the
outside; those who witnessed the miracles, heard His teachings and still
did not receive or understand the spiritual aspect; in their hearts the
teachings remained unused; it was of NO VALUE. – They were persistent
unbelievers with no intention of repentance and being forgiven; therefore
they were responsible for their own unbelief.
·
The Enemies of Jesus were also a part
of the outsiders, and because of the parables, they were unable to
comprehend the full significance of His words and thus could not find ways to
bring false accusations and charges against Him.
·
Outsiders – Understand, although MOST
rejected Christ; not all the outsiders that heard and followed Christ were the
enemy; on the contrary, along with the inner circle of Disciples, there were
many others who sought the light; who would dig deeper. - They would be
the remnant stump of Holy seed which will spring forth with new believers.- (It’s in the book)
·
This is about timing; the gift of discernment comes
progressively. - Jesus was carrying
out His sovereign purpose and plan to give everyone time and opportunity to
really understand by Faith about the Kingdom of God.
Isaiah 6:13 – There will be a remnant that will
believe
13 And though a tenth remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak, whose stump remains when it is felled.” The holy seed is its stump. (ESV)
13 And though a tenth remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak, whose stump remains when it is felled.” The holy seed is its stump. (ESV)
The Take Away
·
There is a Great Ethical
Principal
of immense importance - To those who have spiritual insight and retain it;
more will be given. – To those who DO NOT USE the knowledge; even that which
they have will be taken away from them. – Even what they THINK they have, will
be taken away.
·
Principals become stronger with
exercise and become weaker through disuse. – To voluntary refuse to do what God
commands will finally render you morally incapable of doing it.
·
This is significant – A time is coming, when
God, in His plan and purpose will harden the hearts, dim the eyes and
dull the ears, so those who have not believed; CANNOT believe. They will have rejected God’s Word in Christ.
- It will be too late. – Life is Choice
Driven -
Matthew 13:12 - He who has and retains shall be
given more
12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (ESV)
12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (ESV)
Luke 8:18 – What you THINK you have, will be taken away
18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he THINKS that he has will be taken away.” (ESV)
18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he THINKS that he has will be taken away.” (ESV)
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 – They refused the Truth
9 The coming of the lawless one is by the
activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,
10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 - God will send them a strong delusion
11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (ESV)
11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (ESV)
No Man ever
spoke the way this man does.
John 7:46 - (NIV2011)
In the multitude of
counselors,
there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14
I
am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical
information, and scripture verses.
Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further that I
otherwise ever could have.
A Commentary
– Critical, Experimental and Practical –
Eerdmans
All the
Parables of the Bible – Herbert Lockyer
Baker
Commentary on the Bible – Walter A. Elwell
Case for
Mid-Tribulationalism – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
English
Standard Version Bible – ESV
Ezekiel –
Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee
Exposition
of the Parables – Benjamin Keach
Expositor’s
Bible commentary; The – Frank E.
Gaebelein
Fly Away
Doctrine; Shepherd’s Chapel – Dr. Arnold
Murray
Gospel of
Judas; The - Wikipedia
Manna Fest;
Post Trib Return – Perry Stone
Matthew
Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan
Message
Bible; The – MES
New
International Version Bible – NIV
New King James Bible - NKJV
Rapture; Pre
Tribulation or Post – Daniel’s Timeline
Wycliffe
Bible Commentary; The – Pfeiffer -
Harrison
Wikipedia
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