Page 453 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

PARABLE

not doing it was expressive of the highest disrespect for small beginnings until becomes great. The mustard seed
the king. This beautifully represents the conduct of the and the leaven are thought to be the gospel. To the
hypocrite in the church. A garment of salvation might be contrary, though, The Bible teaches us that leaven is a
his, wrought by the hands of the Saviour, and dyed in picture of sin and false teaching (1 Co. 5:6; Ga. 5:9).
his blood. But the hypocrite chooses the filthy rags of his Christ is actually speaking of the growth of false
own righteousness, and thus offers the highest contempt churches that are planted in the world by the devil. He
for that provided in the gospel. He is to blame, not for is referring to unnatural growth, as depicted by the
being invited; not for coming, if he would come—for he mustard seed that becomes a tree. The fowls are devils
is freely invited; but for offering the highest contempt to (Mt. 13:4; Re. 18:2).
the King of Zion, in presenting himself with all his filth THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS. Some claim the story
and rags, and in refusing to be saved in the way in Lk. 16:19-31 about the rich man in hell is a parable.
provided in the gospel.” This is usually claimed by those who deny that hell is a
(5) Make certain that the interpretation does not place of eternal torment, or by those who believe in
contradict sound doctrine from other parts of Scripture. Soul Sleep. The Seventh-day Adventists are an example
Parables illustrate doctrine; they do not formulate it. of this. They claim that the fire and other descriptions of
Parables must not be made the first source of doctrine. hell are not real. We know that this was not a parable
THE PARABLE OF THE WHEAT AND TARES (Mt. for the following reasons: (1) Christ used the proper
13:24-30) has been incorrectly interpreted as teaching names of two people, Lazarus and Abraham, and this He
that God does not want the Christian to exercise never did with parables. (2) The description of hell in
judgment against sin and error. That this is not the this passage corresponds with Christ’s descriptions of
meaning Christ intended is obvious by the many hell in other passages (Mk. 9:44, 46, 48). (3) There is
commands in the New Testament regarding church no indication that this is a parable. It is not called a
discipline and separation from error. The Lord Jesus parable and does not have any of the key expressions
Christ was describing the conditions in the world during associated with true parables (such as “like,” “as,” “like
His absence in heaven. He plainly said this in verse 38. unto,” or “likened unto.”
The field is the world, not the churches. The kingdom of PARABLES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. (1) Balaam’s
God will assume a mystery form, meaning a form not parables (Nu. 23:7,18; 24:3,15, 20, 21, 23). (2)
revealed in O.T. prophecy (Mt. 13:11). Mystery means Jotham’s (Jud 9:7). (2) Nathan’s (2 Sa. 12:1-7). (3) The
the revelation of truth hidden in prior ages. It refers to woman of Tekoa’s (2 Sa. 14:5). (4) The unnamed
N.T. truth that was hidden from the O.T. prophets. The prophet’s (1 Ki. 20:25-43). (5) Joash’s (2 Ki. 9; 2 Ch.
O.T. describes the coming kingdom of God on earth, but 25:18). (6) Job’s (Job 27:1; 29:1). (7) The Psalmist’s
it does not foresee this present interlude between the (Ps. 49:4-20; Ps. 78). (8) The prophets (Is. 5:1; Je. 13:1;
first and second comings of Christ, this age during Eze. 17:2; 19:2-3; 24:3; Mi. 2:4; Hab. 2:6).
which Christ is calling out a people for His name among THE PARABLES OF JESUS. The Seed (Mk. 4:26-29).
the nations. In the parables in Matthew 13, the Lord The Household Watching (Mk. 13:34-36). Candle under
taught that the conditions in this church age will be that the Bushel (Mt. 5; Mk. 4; Lk. 8). House Built on Rock
of increasing apostasy and wickedness. The kingdom of (Mt. 7:24; Lk. 6:48). The New Cloth on old Garment
heaven in its mystery form is all of professing (Mt. 9; Mk. 2; Lk. 5). New Wine in Old Bottles (Mt. 9;
Christendom, lost and saved, apostate and true. It Mk. 2; Lk. 5). The Sower (Mt. 13:1-23; Mk. 4:1-20; Lk.
includes the Roman Catholic Church, the Protestant 8:4-15). The Tares (Mt. 13:24-30,36-43). The Mustard
denominations, the cults, as well as the sound apostolic Seed (Mt. 13:31,32; Mk. 4:30-32; Lk. 13:18-19). The
congregations. When Jesus says that the tares must not Leaven (Mt. 13:33; Lk. 13:22-21). The Hidden Treasure
be rooted out until the end of the age, He is referring to (Mt. 13:44). The Costly Pearl (Mt. 13:45,46). The
the fact that apostasy cannot be destroyed until that Dragnet (Mt. 13:47-50). The Lost Sheep (Mt. 18:12; Lk.
time. The churches are not to put heretics to death or 15:1-7). The Wicked Servant (Mt. 18:21-35). The
burn down the apostate cathedrals! God will take care Laborers in the Vineyard (Mt. 20:1-16). The Two Sons
of error as far as rooting it out of His kingdom when (Mt. 21:28-32). The Vineyard and Husbandmen (Mt.
Christ returns in power and glory. To interpret the 21:33-46; Mk. 12:1-2; Lk. 20:9-19). The Wedding Feast
Parable of the Wheat and the Tares as applying to the (Mt. 22:1-14). The Ten Virgins (Mt. 25:1-13). The
N.T. church is a great error and contradicts the rest of Talents (Mt. 25:14-30). The Sheep and Goats (Mt.
the N.T. Scriptures. 25:31-46). The Two Debtors (Lk. 7:36-50). The Good
THE PARABLES OF THE MUSTARD SEED AND THE Samaritan (Lk. 10:25-37). The Friend at Midnight (Lk.
LEAVEN in Mt. 13:31-33 are interpreted by 11:5-8). The Rich Fool (Lk. 12:16-21). The Servants
amillennialists as the growth of the true churches from Watching (Lk. 12:35-40). The Steward on Trial (Lk.

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