The Parables of the
Kingdom...Part Two
Continued from Part One
                                                                                              By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                              March 15, 2017
     "And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest Thou unto them in parables?
     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 13:10-11.  
Introduction
     In these Scriptures the Lord Jesus explicitly states that His purpose in speaking in parables,  was that His disciples might know "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven," but that the general populace of Israel might not know.  Folks, a heart filled with love for the Lord and for His Word, gives access to truths that are denied to those who refuse to believe, 1 Corinthians 2:12-16.  
      Previously, in "the kingdom of heaven" parables, recorded in Matthew 13, we examined the first three parables, 13:1-32.  Now let's resume our studies with the fourth parable.....
The Parable of the Hidden Leaven
     "Another parable spake He unto them:  The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened," 13:33.  
     In this parable the "woman" hides "leaven" in "three measures of meal."  Now let's examine the symbology of these statements.
     The "woman" in this parable is wicked old "Jezebel," the Babylonian "Queen of heaven," the "high priestess" of the ancient Babylonian religion,  Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17-19; 44:25; Revelation 18:7.
     The "leaven" is her false doctrines and teachings, which are contrary to the great truths of God's Word.  Leaven, anywhere it is found in God's Word, always typifies sin, malice, hatred, wickedness, hypocrisy, and rebellion against God.  See Matthew 16:6, 16:11-12, Mark 8:15, Luke 12:1, 13:20-21, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, and Galatians 5:6-9.  The word, "leaven," is never used in God's Word other than in a bad or evil sense.  The very fact that she "hid" the leaven, indicates that she knew it was bad and evil, and she didn't want to be caught while hiding it.  
     The "three measures of meal" speaks of God's people; true believers, in the third century of Christianity.  God's people are symbolized as "grain" in the Scriptures; both barley and wheat.  See Leviticus 23:9-11, 23:14-17, Matthew 13:38, and 1 Corinthians 15:35-38.  During the first three centuries of Christianity, Christian believers were subjected to great persecution, suffering, and martyrdom.   In other words, they were "ground in the mills " of suffering and persecution at the hands of the Roman Empire and also the unbelieving Jews.  Compare the letter to the church at Smyrna, Revelation 2:8-11.  
     Since the spread of Christianity could not be stopped by persecuting true Christian believers, the emissaries of Satan decided to "water it down," and nullify the effects of true Christianity, by "hiding" their own pagan doctrines and teachings within it.  This is why the "woman," the old Babylonian whore, "hid" the leaven in the "meal."  Compare this parable to the letters to the churches at Pergamos and Thyatira, Revelation 2:12-17; 2:18-29.  
     Christian history records that it was in the third century of Christianity that the pagan holidays of "Christ-mass," "Lent," "Ishtar" [Easter], and other pagan holidays, began to be observed as "Christian holy days."  Barf!  The Lord's churches, during the first two centuries of Christianity, never observed such pagan days.  But by giving these pagan days, "Christian" names, and associating them with "Christian" events, the old Babylonian whore religion succeeded in subtly slipping them into the ranks of "Christianity."  Remember, Paul plainly stated to the Corinthian church, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," 1 Corinthians 5:6.  Now take a long hard look at what is being accepted and taught in the churches and the ranks of Christianity today.  Hello!
    It was also in the third century of Christianity that such outright "false teachings" as "baptismal regeneration," "infant baptism," "allegorical interpretation of Scripture," "replacement theology," "post-millennialism," "Nicolaitanism," "Balaamism," "Dominionism," "Kingdom Now," and the worship of angels and idols, prayers to the dead, and many other "false teachings" were "hidden" within the ranks of Christianity by the old Babylonian whore religious system.  Study and carefully compare Revelation 2:12-17 and 2:18-29.  
     The Lord Jesus Himself explicitly stated that "the whole" kingdom would ultimately be "leavened" by such unscriptural wickedness.  The "leaven" hidden by the woman in the third century has continued to ferment in "Christianity" and the whole world system throughout this present dispensation.  Today, it is hard to find true Bible believing Christians who stand absolutely true to the literal statements and teachings set forth in God's Word.  Is this why the Lord also said, ".....Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8.  The Lord Himself never answered this question, but rather left the answer to be determined by what is in the hearts of those today who "profess" to be true believers.  Take heed!
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
     "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field," Matthew 13:44.  
     In this parable there is a "treasure," a "field," and "a man."  The Lord stated that the "treasure" was hidden in the "field," and that the "the man" found the "treasure," then hid it back in the field again.  After hiding it again, he then sold all that he had in order to buy "that field."
     In studying this parable, keep in mind that the Lord has already interpreted "the field" as being this present world, 13:38.  He has already stated that He Himself came into this world "......to seek and to save that which was lost," Luke 19:10; Matthew 18:11.  It is obvious that the Lord, in making this statement,  was referring to the nation and people of Israel.  Why?  Because He said so.......
     Carefully study and compare the Lord's statement to the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:24. In this Scripture, the Lord Jesus Christ explicitly stated, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."  This is a very emphatic statement, and in making it the Lord spoke the absolute truth.  He was sent by His Father only to find the lost  Jewish people of  Israel; "the Israel of God."  .
I Must Digress
     Oh, glory to God!  Dear readers, right here my eyes are filled with tears and my heart with love and rejoicing for my Savior and Lord.  I am literally sheding tears and worshiping my Lord as I write.  I have to leave the exposition of this parable for a moment or two.  
     Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,  can you not discern the great truth of God's GRACE in this statement of our Lord?  The Lord Jesus was sent by our Heavenly Father only to find "the lost sheep of the house of Israel," but in seeking them, He made the decision Himself to extend His favor and love, and the favor and love of God to those Gentiles who were also lost in sin, Acts 2:39; Ephesians 2:11-19.  Oh, glory to God!  Your salvation and mine was involved in this decision of Christ to extend "the grace of God" to the Gentiles.  Oh, thank you Lord Jesus!  Thank you Father God, for honoring the decision of our Lord Jesus.  Hallelujah!  Praise and honor and thanksgiving and worship to our Lord!   "Even so, come, Lord Jesus," Revelation 22:20.  
Returning to the Exposition
     It is then Israel and the Jewish people who were "the hidden treasure" at the first coming of Christ, having been scattered throughout the world [the field] at the time of the invasion of Israel by the Assyrian Empire, and later by the Babylonian Empire.  Inspired Scripture records only a "remnant" returning to their ancient homeland from Babylon in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah.  So there were Jews literally scattered all over the world at the first coming of Christ.  Then in 70 A.D., the Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, and caused even more Jews to be scattered among the nations of the world.     
     Christ Himself is the "man" in this parable, who finds the "treasure."  But the nation and people of Israel refused to receive Christ as their Messiah and Savior, therefore, the Lord made the decision to "hide" Israel back in the field again, and then went to Calvary and "selleth all that He hath [His very life's blood], and buyeth that field." The Lord Jesus Christ is the "Kinsmen-Redeemer;" the eternal God who clothed Himself in flesh in order to pay the sin debt of fallen mankind.  See Isaiah 7:14, John 1:1-2, 1:14, and 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.  
     It is explicitly stated in the parable that the "man" buys the "field."  In other words, Christ Jesus paid the redemption price to purchase the entire earth, through which His treasured Jewish people are "hidden."  And what is the Scriptural evidence of this truth?  I'm so glad you asked!
     When we believers read the account of the crucifixion, we often cringe or even weep, at the abuse and suffering of Christ.  One of the abuses heaped upon our Lord was that "a crown of thorns" was woven and placed on the head of the Lord Jesus.  This was done in mockery, since the Lord had claimed to be a king.  Then the "crown of thorns" was struck by a rod by one of the Roman soldiers, pushing the thorns down into His scalp beneath His skin, causing blood to flow freely from the top of His head and over His body.  Terrible!  Yes!  Yet the Roman soldiers did not realize that they were carrying out the will of God.  
     Those thorns growing in the soil of Israel, and all over the earth, are a direct result of the curse placed upon the earth as a result of Adam's sin of disobedience.  Read it for yourself in Genesis 3:17-20.  Christ Jesus then wore that "crown of thorns" as He hung on the cross, paying the sin debt of mankind, but also redeeming the earth from the curse placed upon it.  The inspired word is quite clear that in the coming Millennial Kingdom of Christ, the curse on the earth will be removed, "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off," Isaiah 55:13.  Glory to God!  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!  Here is a good place for true believers to read again Romans 8:28, and give praise to the Lord.  
     The redemption price for the "field" has then already been paid by our Lord and Kinsman-Redeemer.  The Lord is now the legal and rightful owner of this entire earth, and therefore owns the "treasure" hidden in it.  At the Second Coming of our Lord, He will take possession of what legally and rightfully belongs to Him, Revelation 5:1-7; 11:15-18.  At that time He will once again dig up the "treasure," burn away "the dross" upon it [Zechariah 13:8-9], and make "redeemed" Israel a blessing to all of mankind.  Read Isaiah 19:24-25, Zechariah 8:11-13, Romans 11:11-12, and 11:15.  
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
     "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
     Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it," Matthew 13:45-46.
     This sixth parable mirrors the previous parable, in that both parables speak of that which is so precious to the Lord Himself, that He was willing to sell "all that He had" to purchase both of them; Israel and His Church.  
     In this parable there is "a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls."  During His search, He finds "one pearl" that is of such "great price" [priceless] that, as in the previous parable, He sells "all that He hath" in order to buy that one priceless pearl.  
     The "merchant man" in this parable, is obviously the Lord Jesus Christ.  This truth can be determined from two different sources in God's Word.  
     [1]   The term translated as "merchant man," is translated from the Greek word, "emporos."  This Greek word occurs only five times in the New Testament.  The word literally means, "a man who travels from a far country to engage in commerce."  It is a Scriptural truth that the Lord Jesus Christ left Heaven [a far country.....Luke 19:12], to come into this world and suffer and die to pay our sin debt, and to purchase our redemption, Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23.  
     [2]   The Lord Jesus Christ is our "Redeemer."  This word is derived from the word, "redemption," which literally means "to purchase again; to buy back; to redeem for a price that which was lost."  This clearly then  sets forth Christ Jesus as a "merchant man," who traveled from a far country; Heaven itself, to redeem or buy back that which was lost in Adam, Romans 5:12; 5:15-19.  It is the Lord Jesus Christ who left Heaven and traveled to the Earth, in search of precious souls upon which He could bestow God's GRACE, John 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 8:9.  
     The "goodly pearls" in this parable are those precious souls who willingly receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior.  The word "goodly," is translated from the Greek word, "kalos," which literally means, "good; right; fine; excellent; beautiful."  See Strong's No. 2570.  
     The "one pearl of great price" is the Lord's Church; His "ekklesia," made up of true, dedicated, believers, who willingly and joyfully, love and serve Him.  It is the "one" above all others, whom He has chosen to become His bride; His body, His personal and intimate companion, whom He loves with His whole heart, and who responds to His love by total love and devotion to Him.  See Psalm 45:9-11, 45:13-14, and carefully study [and rightly divide] the Song of Solomon and Ephesians 5:22-32.  
     The word, "pearl," occurs only nine times in the New Testament.  But only three times does it apply to the Lord's Church; His Bride, Matthew 13:46; Revelation 21:21.  It is more than mere "coincidence" that "3" is the Bible number associated with both the resurrection and the rapture.  The Lord promised His Church that He was going away to "prepare" a place for her, and that He would come again and receive her unto Himself, John 14:2-3.  See also 1 Corinthians 15:48-58, Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Timothy 4:8, and Titus 2:11-15.  Also compare the letter to the church at Philadelphia, Revelation 3:7-13.  
     In Revelation 21:2 John was inspired to write, "And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."  In 21:9-10 an angel came to John, saying to him, ".....Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God."  
     Folks, just as Israel [in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob] was given an everlasting covenant with "earthly promises" and an "earthly inheritance," so the Lord's Church was given a New Covenant with "Heavenly promises" and a "Heavenly inheritance."  Glory to God!  While the earthly Jerusalem will be the eternal home and capitol city of the nation and people of Israel, so the New Jerusalem will be the eternal home and capitol city of the bride of Christ; the Lord's Church.  Dear readers, don't miss it for the love of this world.  May God grant to every reader spiritual understanding.  
     When the "merchant man" found the precious "pearl," then He "sold all that He had, and bought it," Matthew 13:46.  This literally means that Christ Jesus gave up everything, including His own life's blood, to purchase His bride [Church].  See Acts 20:28, Romans 5:7-9, Ephesians 1:7, 2:11-13, Colossians 1:12-14, Revelation 1:4-6, and 5:8-10.  
     In this parable the "pearl of great price" is not "hidden," as was the "treasure" in the previous parable.  Just as an espoused [engaged; betrothed] bride joyfully tells everyone about her espoused bridegroom, so the Lord's Church during this present dispensation, has sought to tell everyone about her Heavenly Bridegroom; the Lord Jesus Christ.  See Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:45-48, and John 20:21-23.  As the end of this age approaches, the Lord does not hide His precious "pearl" [Church], but rather will take it to Himself, just as He promised He would, John 14:2-3, Galatians 1:4, and Revelation 3:10.  Glory!  Praise the Lord!  Hallelujah!  Glory to God!  
The Parable of the Drag Net
     "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
     Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.  
     So shall it be at the end of the world:  the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
     And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth," Matthew 13:47-50.  
     This is the seventh "kingdom of heaven" parable.  This parable deals with the end of this present age and the seven year Tribulation period which will begin immediately after the Lord Jesus has taken His "Pearl of Great Price" to Himself at the resurrection and rapture of all New Covenant believers, John 14:1-3.  It is the Pre-Trib resurrection and rapture which will bring this present "Dispensation of Grace" to an end.   
     In this parable, our attention is focused on "a net," "the sea," and those who are caught in "the net," 13:47-48.  
     Mankind upon the earth today can never claim ignorance of "the net," for the prophetic Scriptures in the Old Testament, repeatedly warned humanity that "the wicked" have been plotting for centuries to enslave humanity in their "net," "nets," and "drag."  Add to these terms, the many other Hebrew words translated as "snare, snares, snared, trap, traps, gin, grin, and grins."  It is obvious that Almighty God warned mankind over and over again in His Word to beware of "wicked men," whose depraved hearts and minds are set on "catching" all of mankind in their "net."  This is what this parable is about; the enslavement of the whole human race, which will take place on earth following the rapture of God's people to glory.   
     Here is Scriptural proof of this truth,
     "For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare: so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them," Ecclesiastes 9:12.  
     "The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net," Micah 7:2.  
     Habakkuk 1:15-17 refers to the wicked men which we believers who seriously study world events from a Biblical viewpoint, recognize as the Illuminati, or New World Order.  This passage clearly states, "They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag; therefore they rejoice and are glad.
     Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.  
     Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?"  [war after war; the rich Illuminists make big money instigating wars].  
     All of these Scriptures, and others, speak explicitly of mankind upon the earth being "taken in an evil net."  This will be especially true of mankind left on the earth following the rapture.  So what is this "net?"  
     It was in the 1950's that computers came into popular use in conducting world commerce [business].  Today, millions of people all over the world own a personal computer, and use their computers for various purposes.  However, the main purpose for which the computer was invented has never changed.  Computers today are literally the life line of world commerce, banking, economics, and communication.  Let the computer crash, and business grinds to a halt until the computer system is repaired and online again.  Every area of human life on earth today is monitored and regulated by the world wide computer network.  
      And what is the "term" used in describing this world communications system?  "The World Wide Web!"  Is it then just "coincidence," that in this parable given by the Lord Jesus Himself, the entire world system is seen being all caught together in "a net?"  
     Our readers also need to know that there is an Occult Numerical System called "The Devil's Alphabet," which for centuries has been known and used by Satanists, demonists, witches, sorcerers, diviners, fortune tellers, and other assorted unbelievers.  This system simply assigns the number "6" to the letters of the alphabet in ascending order.  When this numerical system is applied to the word, "Computer," it is quite revealing.  C = 18, O = 90, M =78, P = 96, U = 126, T = 120, E = 30, and R = 108.  Now add these numbers together, and the numerical value of the word, "Computer," adds up to "666."  This should give our readers some insight into the evil force which directed the invention of the computer, and why it was invented just when the "end of the age" was rapidly approaching.  
     The Lord explicitly stated in this parable that the "net" is cast into "the sea," and gathers "of every kind."  The "sea" typifies the "sea of humanity," which is exactly who the wicked Illuminists, one-worlders, and  New World Order advocates, want to enslave and control, Isaiah 57:20-21; Revelation 17:15.  Is it then just "coincidence" that a few years ago, a news release announced to the public that a "super computer" had finally been perfected, that is capable of containing a file on every single person on the earth from the day they are born until the day they die.  Their file is constantly updated, and can instantly be called up, and brought to the attention of "the proper authorities."  And where is this "super computer" to be located?  Why, in Brussels, Belgium, of course, the world headquarters of the Illuminati.  
     Does this give our readers insight into why Ezekiel 28:2-10, which speaks of the "prince of Tyrus" [typical of the anti-christ] explictly states in verse 3, "Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:"?  
     Folks, during the Tribulation period, every human being left on the earth, will be kept track of by this "super computer" that is even now in existence, and the anti-christ will have access to all of the information.  All of mankind on the earth at that time will literally be caught in "the net," exactly as prophesied by the Lord Jesus Himself in this parable.  
     Now tell me, is God's Word relevant to the times in which we are living today?  .......or, as some unbelievers claim, is it just an old "outdated" book of Jewish fables?  Be careful how you answer, for God is listening, Matthew 12:36-37.  
     Notice that this parable is one of the three parables that Christ Himself explained to His disciples.  The Lord explicitly said that when the "net" is full, "the good" will be gathered "into vessels," but "the bad" will be "cast away."  
     In the Lord's explanation of the parable to His disciples, He stated that "at the end of the world" [aion...age], the angels will come forth and "sever the wicked from among the just."  This is exactly what the Lord had already predicted in the "Parable of the Wheat and Tares," 13:30; 13:39.  During the coming Tribulation period, all of the incorrigible wicked will be destroyed from off the face of the earth, [Psalm 104:35; Proverbs 2:22; Isaiah 13:9; Malachi 4:1] and will ultimately be cast into "the lake of fire and brimstone," 13:50; Revelation 20:15.  
     When the judgments of the Tribulation are concluded, only "redeemed" mankind will still be left alive on the face of the earth, to enter into the Millennial Kingdom of the Lord.  This "remnant" of survivors, will include both Jews and Gentiles.  Praise the Lord!
Conclusion
     Dear readers, I did not update this study, and am sending it out again, because these things written about are "far off."  No, not hardly!  I have had a real burden to send this study out again, because what I have wrote about is so very close.  All of these parables have already been fulfilled, except for the last two!    
  Even as I write, the Tribulation period is staring mankind in the face!  It should be obvious to any true believer that the Lord's coming to resurrect and rapture His people to glory, could take place at any minute of any day now.  
     Therefore I am asking every reader one final time to search your heart and "make your calling and election sure," 2 Peter 1:10.  Folks, we are right at the end of this present Dispensation of Grace, and it is past time to seek the Lord, and receive Him as your own personal Savior.  I have no desire to see any reader lost in sin,  and cast into "the lake of fire" for all eternity, Revelation 20:15.  
     If any reader has doubts about their salvation, please, please, seek the Lord in prayer right now, while there is still an opportunity for you to be saved.  Call or contact me, if you feel that I could be of help to you.  I want to meet every reader in glory when the Lord comes.  Please don't disappoint me!  
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     Permission is granted to any true believer or Bible believing Christian ministry to reproduce this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.  Please do share it!
     Thank each of you dear readers who pray for, and perhaps support this ministry with your gifts.   Your kindnesses are so much appreciated.  
     Please address all comments, questions, or correspondence to:  Pastor F.  M. Riley, 14275 County Road 8120, Rolla, Missouri 65401.  Those who prefer to speak with me personally, please call nearly anytime during the week, 573-201-0491.  Folks, I am old, not real fast anymore, and my hearing is diminishing.  If you call, please let the phone ring several times, giving me an opportunity to hear it and answer it.  May God bless you all is my prayer.
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