08-31-08
Sorry, you must have Windows Media Player 9 or higher. This is a large file which may take a few seconds to start Windows Media Real Audio MP3 Click here, or scroll down to view today's diagram (Luke 19:11,12) And as they heard these things, he [Jesus] added and spake a parable, because he was nigh [Gk: near] to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman [speaking of Himself in the third person] went into a far country [i.e., heaven] [“he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9] to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return [the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, this time in judgment]. (Luke 19:13,14) And he called his ten servants [ten herein implies “complete,” i.e., all His servants - us], and delivered them [Gk: gave, granted, ministered] ten pounds [the “weight” of the gospel message of salvation - complete], and said unto them [who love Him], Occupy till I come [until I return]. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us [in contrast to those of us who willingly serve Him]. 1. Commentary: Please note the marked distinction in attitude and actions between His servants and His citizens. Do we not see the same differences between the saved and the unsaved in our society today? 2. (Mat 11:28-30) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden [Gk: are heavy loaded, overburdened], and I will give you rest [1x]. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me [understand]; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls [2x]. For my yoke is easy [Gk: good, gracious, kind], and my burden is light [in contrast to “heavy.” Why is His burden “light”? Phil 1:6]. 3. occupy = Gk: to busy oneself with, i.e. to trade:--occupy /// a deed; by impl. an affair; by extens. an object (material):--business, matter, thing, work /// to "practice", i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually; by impl. to execute, accomplish:--commit, deeds, do, exact, keep. 4. (Luke 2:49) And he [Jesus, when He was 12 years old, sitting in the temple talking to the doctors of the Law, sowing the seeds of salvation] said unto them [His parents], How is it that ye sought me? wist [Gk: understand] ye not that I must be about my Father's business? a. Commentary: SEEDS, STEM, FRUIT. The seeds of the kingdom of God, of salvation, of righteousness are sown and take root in the Old Testament; the stem appears and matures in the New Testament; the fruit is completely separated and reaped in the Millennium, "that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." (Isa 61:3) (Luke 19:15) And it came to pass, that when he was returned [the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in judgment, and the beginning of the Millennium], having received the kingdom [Rev 19:16], then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money [Gk: silver] [further defining the weight of each “pound”], that he might know how much every man had gained by trading [Gk: to earn in business]. 1. (Rev 19:15,16) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [“the word of God” Heb 4:12; Eph 6:17] [the judgment/reaping instrument], that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [iron is a biblical symbol of judgment]: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 2. Commentary: Silver is a biblical symbol of our redemption/salvation (Exo 38:25,26). Trees are the symbol of men in the Bible. There were 48 cities given to the priests (geographically illustrating the enigmatic “two sides westward”), and there were 48 wooden boards in the Tabernacle (including the “two sides westward” – a key phrase found only in the KJV). Each of the 48 wooden priest-boards of the Tabernacle rested upon two silver “sockets” (shoes) into which their two wooden “tenons” (feet) were inserted as they stood unified, perfectly joined side-by-side in support of the Tabernacle, which of-itself is a glorious picture of the Body of Jesus Christ. (Exo 26:17-27). a. (Exo 26:18,19) And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward. And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons. b. Commentary: The two “tenons” at the base end of each wooden broad were carved into a shape like the prongs at the end of an electrical plug. The prong/plug end of the board was then inserted into the holes of two silver sockets under the board, each socket having one hole. Why were two silver sockets placed under each board as two receptacles for the two prongs rather than one silver socket for both prongs? Because the stability of the boards was symbolically improved (clean animals are cud chewing, mediating, and cloven hoofed) by using two sockets over one, and because the use of two silver sockets decisively and undeniably completes the intentional word picture that God has drawn for us. How else could we clearly identify the prongs as two “feet,” the sockets as two “shoes,” and the wooden boards as “priests”? The purpose of standing in the silver sockets of our redemption/salvation is to prevent and thoroughly insulate us from any defiling contact with the cursed earth, i.e., complete separation unto God. We have been made “kings and priests [unto God]: and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev 5:10 & 1:6) standing firmly joined together with our brothers and securely at rest upon our eternal salvation. Hallelujah! (Luke 19:16-19) Then came the first [of us], saying, Lord, thy pound [the understanding that you have given me of your gospel of salvation] hath gained ten pounds [ten more people now understand your gospel]. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little [if this accomplishment is “a very little” and the reward proportionate, how much more in His unfathomable grace must God have in store for us?], have thou authority over ten cities. And the second [servant] came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 1. Commentary: – Imagine yourself as one of these servants who have been given the kingdom message and commanded to “Occupy til I come,” for you are indeed one of these servants, and upon your death you will be exactly in this position, called before the Righteous Judge to give a reckoning of your deeds. Are you faithfully doing your job? 2. Commentary: This earth is the location of our military boot camp; it is a training school to educate us in the thoughts and ways of God. Are you diligently “study[ing] to show thyself approved unto God” (2 Tim 2:15), or are you a slothful (syn: lazy, idle, sluggish, inactive, indolent, apathetic) student? God will give His “authority” only to those who have shown themselves to be studious, obedient, understanding, and responsible to His commands. (Luke 19:20-23) And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound [oh oh, could be trouble], which I have kept laid up in a napkin [Gk: a handkerchief used for binding the face of a corpse]: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere [Gk: rough, severe] man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down [you are a thief], and reapest that thou didst not sow [you are a thief, repeated]. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury [Gk: interest]? (Luke 19:24-27) And he said unto them that stood by [His other servants and angels], Take from him the pound [i.e., the gospel of his salvation; showing him to be a stony ground person], and give it to him that hath ten pounds [the most studious, obedient, understanding, and responsible servant, the servant who can most profitably use the additional pound to enhance the kingdom of God]. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath [understanding: Mat 13:23] shall be given [more understanding]; and from him that hath not [understanding], even that [understanding] he hath shall be taken away from him [“which for a while believe” Luke 8:13]. But those mine enemies [the disobedient and unprofitable servants (professing Christians), and all His disagreeable “citizens” Luke 19:14], which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. [The latter statement is pretty conclusive – just in case you are still wondering what happens to unfruitful people. (John 15:2,6)] Amen Click here, or on graphic for a printable (pdf) version. Previous Chapter Table Of Contents Next Chapter Click here to download a printable version of this message Click here to download a DOC version of this message
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(Luke 19:11,12) And as they heard these things, he [Jesus] added and spake a parable, because he was nigh [Gk: near] to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman [speaking of Himself in the third person] went into a far country [i.e., heaven] [“he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9] to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return [the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, this time in judgment].
(Luke 19:13,14) And he called his ten servants [ten herein implies “complete,” i.e., all His servants - us], and delivered them [Gk: gave, granted, ministered] ten pounds [the “weight” of the gospel message of salvation - complete], and said unto them [who love Him], Occupy till I come [until I return]. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us [in contrast to those of us who willingly serve Him].
1. Commentary: Please note the marked distinction in attitude and actions between His servants and His citizens. Do we not see the same differences between the saved and the unsaved in our society today?
2. (Mat 11:28-30) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden [Gk: are heavy loaded, overburdened], and I will give you rest [1x]. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me [understand]; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls [2x]. For my yoke is easy [Gk: good, gracious, kind], and my burden is light [in contrast to “heavy.” Why is His burden “light”? Phil 1:6].
3. occupy = Gk: to busy oneself with, i.e. to trade:--occupy /// a deed; by impl. an affair; by extens. an object (material):--business, matter, thing, work /// to "practice", i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually; by impl. to execute, accomplish:--commit, deeds, do, exact, keep.
4. (Luke 2:49) And he [Jesus, when He was 12 years old, sitting in the temple talking to the doctors of the Law, sowing the seeds of salvation] said unto them [His parents], How is it that ye sought me? wist [Gk: understand] ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
a. Commentary: SEEDS, STEM, FRUIT. The seeds of the kingdom of God, of salvation, of righteousness are sown and take root in the Old Testament; the stem appears and matures in the New Testament; the fruit is completely separated and reaped in the Millennium, "that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." (Isa 61:3)
(Luke 19:15) And it came to pass, that when he was returned [the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in judgment, and the beginning of the Millennium], having received the kingdom [Rev 19:16], then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money [Gk: silver] [further defining the weight of each “pound”], that he might know how much every man had gained by trading [Gk: to earn in business].
1. (Rev 19:15,16) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [“the word of God” Heb 4:12; Eph 6:17] [the judgment/reaping instrument], that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [iron is a biblical symbol of judgment]: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
2. Commentary: Silver is a biblical symbol of our redemption/salvation (Exo 38:25,26). Trees are the symbol of men in the Bible. There were 48 cities given to the priests (geographically illustrating the enigmatic “two sides westward”), and there were 48 wooden boards in the Tabernacle (including the “two sides westward” – a key phrase found only in the KJV). Each of the 48 wooden priest-boards of the Tabernacle rested upon two silver “sockets” (shoes) into which their two wooden “tenons” (feet) were inserted as they stood unified, perfectly joined side-by-side in support of the Tabernacle, which of-itself is a glorious picture of the Body of Jesus Christ. (Exo 26:17-27).
a. (Exo 26:18,19) And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward. And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.
b. Commentary: The two “tenons” at the base end of each wooden broad were carved into a shape like the prongs at the end of an electrical plug. The prong/plug end of the board was then inserted into the holes of two silver sockets under the board, each socket having one hole. Why were two silver sockets placed under each board as two receptacles for the two prongs rather than one silver socket for both prongs? Because the stability of the boards was symbolically improved (clean animals are cud chewing, mediating, and cloven hoofed) by using two sockets over one, and because the use of two silver sockets decisively and undeniably completes the intentional word picture that God has drawn for us. How else could we clearly identify the prongs as two “feet,” the sockets as two “shoes,” and the wooden boards as “priests”? The purpose of standing in the silver sockets of our redemption/salvation is to prevent and thoroughly insulate us from any defiling contact with the cursed earth, i.e., complete separation unto God. We have been made “kings and priests [unto God]: and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev 5:10 & 1:6) standing firmly joined together with our brothers and securely at rest upon our eternal salvation. Hallelujah!
(Luke 19:16-19) Then came the first [of us], saying, Lord, thy pound [the understanding that you have given me of your gospel of salvation] hath gained ten pounds [ten more people now understand your gospel]. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little [if this accomplishment is “a very little” and the reward proportionate, how much more in His unfathomable grace must God have in store for us?], have thou authority over ten cities. And the second [servant] came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
1. Commentary: – Imagine yourself as one of these servants who have been given the kingdom message and commanded to “Occupy til I come,” for you are indeed one of these servants, and upon your death you will be exactly in this position, called before the Righteous Judge to give a reckoning of your deeds. Are you faithfully doing your job?
2. Commentary: This earth is the location of our military boot camp; it is a training school to educate us in the thoughts and ways of God. Are you diligently “study[ing] to show thyself approved unto God” (2 Tim 2:15), or are you a slothful (syn: lazy, idle, sluggish, inactive, indolent, apathetic) student? God will give His “authority” only to those who have shown themselves to be studious, obedient, understanding, and responsible to His commands.
(Luke 19:20-23) And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound [oh oh, could be trouble], which I have kept laid up in a napkin [Gk: a handkerchief used for binding the face of a corpse]: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere [Gk: rough, severe] man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down [you are a thief], and reapest that thou didst not sow [you are a thief, repeated]. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury [Gk: interest]?
(Luke 19:24-27) And he said unto them that stood by [His other servants and angels], Take from him the pound [i.e., the gospel of his salvation; showing him to be a stony ground person], and give it to him that hath ten pounds [the most studious, obedient, understanding, and responsible servant, the servant who can most profitably use the additional pound to enhance the kingdom of God]. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath [understanding: Mat 13:23] shall be given [more understanding]; and from him that hath not [understanding], even that [understanding] he hath shall be taken away from him [“which for a while believe” Luke 8:13]. But those mine enemies [the disobedient and unprofitable servants (professing Christians), and all His disagreeable “citizens” Luke 19:14], which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. [The latter statement is pretty conclusive – just in case you are still wondering what happens to unfruitful people. (John 15:2,6)]
Amen
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