The Predictions of the King- the Sign of the End of Age and Christ's coming (Matthew 24:1- 31) By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

The Predictions of the King- the Sign of the End of Age and Christ's coming (Matthew 24:1- 31) 

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce      Christian Arts Ministries 

The destruction of the Temple 24:1-2,

“Jesus left the temple and was walking away when `His disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. Do you see all these things? He asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.”

The disciples’ questions,  

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us, “They said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (v.3).

 The Mount of Olives, just E. of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley. In this discourse Jesus answered two of the three questions the disciples asked. He does not answer “when will this happen?” He answers” what will be the sign of your coming?” in vv.29-31, and He speaks of the signs of the end of the age in vv.4-28. Verses 4-14 list characteristics of the first half of the Tribulation period, while vv.15-28 deal with the second half.

 Verse 1-3 the Lord came out from the temple, indicating that He had left the temple. This was to fulfill His word in 23:38, concerning His leaving the temple to the rejecting Jews as their house of desolation. This was equivalent to God’s glory leaving the temple in the ancient time (Ezek.10:18). Verse 2 this was fulfilled in A.D. 70 when Titus and the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem. Verse 3 the disciples’ question concerned three matters: 1) the time when “these things” would take place, including not only the destruction of the temple (v.2) but also the things mentioned in 23:32-39; 2) the sign of Christ’s coming; and 3) the sign of the consummation of the age. The Lord’s word from 24:4-25:46 answered the disciples’ question concerning these three matters.

 In Greek, parousia which means presence. Christ’s coming will be His presence with His people. This presence (parousia) will begin with the rapture of the man-child (Rev.12:5) and the rapture of the firstfruits (Rev.14:1-4) and will end with His appearing on the earth with the saints. During the period of His parousia there will be the great tribulation (v.21); Rev.9:1-21;11-14;16:1-21), which will begin with supernatural calamities(Rev.6:12-17;8:7-12); Christ’s descending to the air (Rev.14:14); the rapture of the majority of the believers to the air (1Thes.4:15-17); the judgment seat of Christ (2Cor.3:10); and the marriage of the Lamb (Rev.19:7-9). 

The signs of the End of the Age (Matthew 24:4-28)

Concerning Israel; a) from Christ’s ascension to the consummation of the Age

Jesus answered:

“Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Christ” and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against Kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At the time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matt.24:4-14)

 Verse 4 the Lord’s answer has three sections: the first section(vv.4-31) concerns the Jews, who are the chosen’ the second (v.32-25:30) concerns the church; and the third (25:31-46) concerns the Ge3ntitles (the nations). The first section, concerning the Jews, should be interpreted literally, whereas the second section, concerning the church; should be interpreted spiritually, because it is spoken in parables for the reason given in 13:11-13. For instance, the winter in v.20 is the actual winter, but the summer in v.32 is a symbol signifying the time of restoration. The third section, concerning the Gentiles, also should interpreted literally.

Some aspects of the prophecy in vv.4-14 have been fulfilled, and some are in the process of being fulfilled. At the time of the great tribulation, which will be the consummation, the end, of this age, the prophecy will be fully fulfilled.

Verse 6 wars here denote all the wars from the first century to the present. They are signified by the read house of the send seal in Rev.6:3-4). The End denotes the consummation of this age (v.3 Dan.12:4,9,6-7), which will be the three and a half years of the great tribulation. Although vv.6-9 and 14 are in the section concerning Israel, the tribulations and the preaching of the gospel mentioned in these verses take place generally, in the whole would, from the time of Christ’s ascension to the end of this age. Verse 15, immediately following v.14, speaks concerning the beginning of the great tribulation (v.21), which is the time when Antichrist will set up his image in the temple of God, which image will thereby become the abomination of desolation.

Verse 7 nation denotes the people, the Gentiles, kingdom denotes an empire. Famines issue mainly from war. According to history, war has often brought famine, signified by the black horse of the third seal in Rev.6:5-6. Since Christ’s ascension, earthquakes have been occurring throughout all the centuries and will be intensified at the end of this age (Rev.6:12;8:5;11:13,19;16:18)

Verse 8 Birth pangs are for the bringing forth of a child. In His New Testament economy, God’s desire and purpose are to bring forth many sons (Gal.3:26; Heb.2:10) as His expression. Hence, birth pangs here refer to all the tribulations in the New Testament age, including wars, famines, earthquakes, afflictions, and persecutions, as mentioned in vv.6-9 and 21. The birth pangs here are suffered only by the New Testament believers for the Lord’s sake, whereas the travailing in birth in Rev.12:2 refers to all the travailing suffered throughout the generations by God’s people in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Thee tribulations, along with the preaching of the gospel (v.14), are used by God to produce His many sons so that He can constitute the Church in this age, accomplish the kingdom in the coming age and produce the New Jerusalem in eternity as the ultimate consummation of the church and the kingdom that He may have an eternal expression in eternity future. Galatians 4:19 and Rev.12:2 and 5 confirm this viewpoint.

Verse 14 the gospel of the kingdom, which includes the gospel of grace (Acts20:24), brings people not only into God’s salvation but also into the kingdom of the heaven (Rev.1:9) The gospel of grace emphasizes forgiveness of sin, God’s redemption and eternal life, whereas the gospel of the kingdom emphasizes the heavenly ruling of God and the authority of the Lord. This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole earth for a testimony to all the nations before the end of this age. Hence, that preaching signified by the white horse of the first seal in Rev. 6:1-2, will be a sign of the consummation of this age.

The gospel of the kingdom is a testimony to all the nations (Gentiles). This testimony must spread to the whole earth before the end of this age, the time of the great tribulation.  

 At the consummation of the Age (Matthew 24:15-31)

1)      The transpiring of the great tribulation

So when you see standing in the holy place the abomination that causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet Daniel- let the reader understand –then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ….(vv.15-16)

At that time if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Christ!” or “there he is!” do not believe it, for false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect –if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tell you, “there He is, out in the desert,” do not go out or, “Here He is, in the inner room” do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.(vv.23-28)

Immediately after the distress of those days “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (vv.29-31)

 Verse 15 No one knows the length of time spanning the events mentioned in vv.4-14. But the prophecy in vv.15-31, concerning the remnant of the Jews, definitely will be fulfilled in the last three and a half years of this age, the time of the great tribulation, the second half of the last week prophesied in Dan.9:27, which will begin with the setting up of Antichrist’s image (the idol) in the temple (v.15) and will end with Christ’s open coming (v.30). Abomination denotes an idol (Deut. 29:17). Here it refers to Antichrist’s image, which will be set up as an idol in the temple of God (Rev.13:14-15;2 Thes.2:4) at the beginning of the great tribulation (v.21). Hence, this idol will be another sign of the consummation of this age. Lit, causing desolation, desolating. The abomination, the image of Antichrist, will cause desolation. Antichrist is called “the destroyer” (Apollyon Rev.9:11); he will do much destroying (Den.8:13,23-25;9:27) Holy place here refers to the sanctuaries in God’s temple (Psa.68:35; Ezek.7:24;21:2)

Verse 19 for those who are pregnant or are nursing babies, it will be difficult to escape. Winter is a time when escape is difficult.

 Verse 20 on the Sabbath one was allowed to walk only a short distance (Acts 1;12), A distance not adequate for escaping. The mentioning of the Sabbath here indicates that the Sabbath here indicates that the Jews would still keep the Sabbath after the restoration of the nation of Israel. The disciples, the audience for the Lord’s word here, had a twofold status, one as representatives of the remnant of the Jews and the other as the New Testament believers, who constitute the church. In the section of the Lord’s word that concerns the Jews (vv.4-31), the disciples represent the remnant of the Jews, whereas in the section that concerns the church (24:32-25:30), they represent the New Testament believers. In the four Gospels, in matters regarding outward circumstances, the Lord treated His disciples as Jews, but in matters concerning spirit and life, He considered them New Testament believers.

 Verse 21 The great tribulation will occur in the last three and a half years of this age. (Rev.11). The great tribulation spoken of here will have Jerusalem as its center and Judea as Jerusalem as its center and Judea as its circumference, whereas the trial mentioned in Rev.3:10 will have Rome as its center and the whole inhabited earth as its circumference.

The great tribulation will last only three and a half years. The chosen here refers to the Jews, God’s chosen people (Rom.11:28) So in the succeeding verses.

 Verse 23 The Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah and are expecting a Messiah who is yet to come. They need to be warned that Messiah, the Christ, will not arise here or there on earth but will descend from heaven on the cloud.

 Verse 24 Antichrist will be the last of the false Christs and will work signs and lying wonders with the power of Satan in order to deceive the perishing (2Thes.2:3, 9-10)

Another beast in Rev.13:11 denotes the last of the false prophets (Rev.19:20), who will do great signs to deceive those who dwell on earth (Rev.13:13-14).

 Verse 26 The wilderness is where a person might go in order to separate himself from the world. His doing this might easily cause people to wonder whether he is the Messiah, as happened in the case of John the Baptist. (3:1; John 1:19-20). Private rooms: a place where a person can make himself appear mystical so as to charm people.

 Verse 27 The second coming of Christ has two aspects: one is the secret aspect, related to His watchful believers; the other is the open aspect related to the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles. The lightning here signifies the open aspect, which will take place after the great tribulation (vv.29-30) whereas the thief’s coming in v.43 signifies the secret aspect, which will occur before the great tribulation. Lightning may be considered as being concealed in a cloud, waiting for an opportunity to flash forth. In a similar way, Christ will be clothed with a cloud (rev.10:1) in the air for a time and then will suddenly appear, like a flash of lightning striking the earth. Hence, the Lord’s coming like a flash of lightning will be a sign of the end of the Lord’s parousia. This implies also that the Lord is like electricity.

 Verse 28 taken in context vv.15 and 21 imply that at the end of this age Antichrist will be the cause of the great tribulation. It is he who will need to be judged and destroyed. All people in Adam are dead (1 Cor.15:22); thus, the evil Antichrist, who with his evil armies will war against the Lord at Armageddon (Rev.19:17-21), is in the eyes of the Lord a stinking corpse, good for the vultures’ appetite. Furthermore, in the Scriptures both the Lord and those who trust in Him are likened to an eagle (Exo.19:4; Deut. 32:11; Isa.40:31), and the swift, destroying armies are likened to flying eagles (Deut. 28:49; Hosea8:1). Hence, the vultures here, being predatory birds of the eagle kind, refer undoubtedly to Christ and His overcomers, who will come as a swift, flying army to war against Antichrist and his armies and destroy them at Armageddon, thus executing God's judgment upon them. This indicates not only that at His appearing, Christ with His overcoming saints will appear in the place where Antichrist is with his armies, but also that Christ with His overcomers will appear swiftly from the air like vultures. This corresponds with the flash of lightning in the foregoing verse.

Verse 29 this is strong proof that the open coming of Christ will take place after the great tribulation (v.21). This supernatural calamity will occur in heaven after the great tribulation, at the close of the end of this age (Rev.6) This differs from the calamities of the sixth seal and the fourth trumpet (Rev.6:12-13;8:12), which will occur at the beginning of the great tribulation.

Verse 30 we have no way of knowing what this sign is. However, it must be supernatural and clearly visible (perhaps like the lightning in v.27), appearing in heaven. The tribes here are the tribes of the nation of Israel, and the land is the Holy Land. At the Lord’s appearing all the tribes of Israel will repent and mourn (Zech.12:10-14; Rev.1:7).  By this time the Lord will no longer be in the cloud but on the cloud, appearing to the  people on earth. This is the open aspect of His second coming (Rev.10, 14). In Christ’s first coming He manifested His authority in acts such as His casting out of demons and His healing of diseases (Mark6:7); Matt8:8-9), to vindicate Himself as the heavenly King, whereas in His second coming He will exercise His power to execute God’s judgment, to destroy Antichrist and his armies, and to bind Satan, for the establishing of His kingdom on earth.

Verse 31 After the great tribulation, at His coming back to earth, the Lord will gather together to the Holy Land the scattered Jews from all parts of the earth. This will be the fulfillment not only of the Lord’s word in 23:37 but also of God’s promise in the Old Testament. 

 

Chief priests, elders, Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees, lawyer’s insidious questions (Matthew 22:15-46) By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Chief priests, elders, Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees, lawyer’s insidious questions (Matthew 22:15-46) By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce      Christian Arts Ministries

 In answer to the Herodians- tax issue- give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” (Matt.22:15-22)

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher” they said, “We know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right pay taxes to Caesar or not? But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “ You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”  “ Caesar’s” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” (22:15-21)

Insight and understanding

 The Herodians were those who took sides with King Herod’s regime and took part with him in infiltrating Grecian and Roman manners of life into Jewish culture. They sided with the Sadducees but were opposed to the Pharisees. But here they united with the Pharisees to ensnare the Lord Jesus. Verse 17 this was truly an ensnaring question, Giving tribute to Caesar was opposed by all the Jews. If the Lord Jesus had said that it was lawful to do this, He would have offended all the Jews, whose leaders were the Pharisees. If He had said that it was not lawful, the Herodians, who stood with the Roman government, would have  had strong ground to accuse Him. Verse 19 the Lord Jesus did not show the Roman coin but asked them to show one to Him. Since they possessed one of the Roman coins, they were caught. Verse 21 this is to pay tribute to Caesar according to his governmental regulations. This is to pay the half – shekel to God according to Exo.30:11-16, and to offer all the tithes to God according to the law of God.

 

 In answer the Sadducees - At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage, they will be like the angels in heaven. Matthew 22:23-33

That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her? (vv.23-28)

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage, they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead- have you not read what God said to you, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” (vv.29-32) when the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. (v.33)

Insight and understanding

     Verse 29  Knowing the Scriptures is one thing; knowing the power of God is another. We need to know both. The Scrptures here refer to the Old Testament verses that concern the matter of resurrection, and the power of God refers to the power of  resurrection. Verse 32 as God is the God of the living and is called “the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob,” so the dead Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be resurrected. This is the way the Lord Jesus expounded the Scriptures –not only according to the letter but also according to the life and power implied within them. Verse 35 One who was knowledgeable in the law of Moses, a professional interpreter of the law of the Old Testament. Verse 40 both commandments, the commandment to love God and the commandment to love man, are a matter of love. Love is the spirit of God’s commandments. 

 

In answer to the Pharisees-the greatest commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:34-40

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself. “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. (vv.34-40)    

 In questioning the Pharisees – Son of David, yet David calls him “Lord” Matthew22:41-46

            While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he? “The son of David,” they replied. He said to them, “ How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him “Lord”? for he said, “ The Lord said to my Lord: “ sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” If then David calls him “Lord” how can he be his son? No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on one dared to ask him any more questions.

In sight and understanding

 Verse 40 As portrayed in 21:23-22:46, during His last visit to Jerusalem, the center of Judaism, Christ was surrounded by the chief priests, elders, Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees, along with a lawyer, all of whom endeavored to ensnare Him by asking puzzling and insidious questions.

 First, the chief priests, representing the authority of the Jewish religion, and the elders, representing the authority of the Jewish people, asked Him concerning His authority (21:23). Their question was according to their religious concept.

 Second, the Pharisees, the fundamentalists, and the Herodians, who were zealous in politics, asked Him a question related to politics.

Third, the Sadducees, the modernists, questioned Him concerning fundamental belief.

 Fourth, a self-approved lawyer asked Him question concerning the law.

 After answering all their questions wisely, He asked them a question concerning the Christ. This is the question of questions. Their questions were related to religion, politics, belief, and the law, but Jesus’ question was concerning the CHRIST, who is the center of all things. They knew religion, politics, belief, and the law, but they paid no attention to Christ. Hence, He asked them, “What do you think concerning the Christ?” This question of questions must be answered by everyone. Verse 43 Christ can be known by us only in our spirit through God’s revelation (Eph.3:5). Verse 45 Christ is God; in His divinity He is the Lord of David. He is also a man; in His humanity He is the son of David. The Pharisees had only half the scriptural knowledge concerning Christ’s person, i.e., that He was the son of David according to His humanity. They did not have the other half, i.e., that He was the Son of God according to His divinity. Verse 46 Chist’s question of questions concerning His wonderful person muzzled the mouths of all His opposers. 

 

The kingdom of the heavens is different from the kingdom of God (Matthew21:33-46; 22:1-14) by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

The kingdom of the heavens is different from the kingdom of God (Matthew21:33-46; 22:1-14)

by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce      Christian Art Ministries 

The parables of the King (Matthew 21:28-32) 

The rebellion of the nation

What do you think! There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” “I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. Other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted? : the first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “ I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. (vv.28-32)

Insight and understanding

 In Luke 15:1-2,11-32, the Lord likened the leaders of Judaism to the firstborn son, and the tax collectors and sinners to the second son; but here the Lord likened them in the opposite order. This indicates that the Jews were the firstborn of God (Exo.4:22) and had the birthright. However, because of their unbelief the birthright was shifted to the church, which has become God’s firstborn (Heb.12:3).

 The Gospel of Matthew, as the book on the kingdom, stresses the matter of righteousness, for the kingdom life is one of strict righteousness, which we must seek (5:20,6:33). John the Baptist came in the way of such righteousness, and the Lord Jesus was willing to be baptized by John to fulfill such righteousness.

 

The transfer to the kingdom of God (Matthew 21:33-46)

Hear another parable. There was a man, a householder, who planted a vineyard and put a hedge around it, and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower; and he leased it out to vinedressers and went abroad. And then the time to harvest the fruit drew near, he sent his salves to the vinedressers to get his fruit. (vv.33-34). And the vinedressers took his slaves and beat one and killed another and stoned another. Again, he sent some other slaves, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. (vv.35-36). Then later he sent to them his son; saying, they will respect my son.(v.37). But the vinedressers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, this is the heir, come let us kill him and take possession of his inheritance. And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. (vv. 38-39). Therefore, whether master of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers? They said to Him, He will miserably destroy those evil men and will lease the vineyard to other vinedressers, who will give the fruit to him in their season.(vv.40-41). Jesus said to them, “have you never read in the scriptures: “the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. He who falls on this tone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom if falls will be crushed. (Matt.21:42-44)

Insight and understanding of Matthew 21:33-46

 The householder is God, the vineyard is the city of Jerusalem (Isa.5:1), and the vinedressers are the leaders of the Israelites (v.45). Verse 34 these were the prophets sent by God (2Chron.24:19; 36:15). Verse 35 this was the persecution suffered by the Old Testament prophets (Jer.37:15;Neh.9:26;2Chron.24:21). Verse 37 this is Christ. Verse 38 this statement indicates that the Jewish leaders, wanting the maintain their false position, envied Christ because of His rights. Verse 39 Christ was killed outside the city of Jerusalem (Heb.13:12).

Verse 41 this was fulfilled when the Roman prince Titus and his army destroyed Jerusalem in A.D.70. Verse 41 these were the apostles. Verse 42 The stone is Christ, who is for God’s building (Isa.28:16; Zech.3:9; 1Pet.2:4), and the builders are the Jewish leaders, who should have been working on God’s building. Christ is not only the foundation stone (Isa.28:16) and the top stone (Zech.4:7) but also the cornerstone.

Verse 43 the kingdom of God was already there among the Israelites, but the kingdom of the heavens had only drawn near (3:2;4:17). This proves that the kingdom of the heavens is different from the kingdom of God. Verse 43 this is the church.

Verse 44 the builders, this is a person who stumbles on Christ, referring in particular to the unbelieving Israelites (Isa.8:15; Rom.9:32). Verse 44 “whomever is falls” these are the nations, Gentiles, that Christ will smite and break into pieces at His coming back (Dan.2:34-35). To the believers Christ is the foundation stone, the One in whom they trust (Isa.28:16); to the unbelieving Jews He is the stone of stumbling (Isa.8:14; Rom.9:33); and to the nations He will be the smiting stone.   

Chapter 22 parables the kingdom of heaven & the rejection of the nation (Matt.22:1-14)

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “the kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. Then he sent some more servants and said, “Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet. But they paid no attention and went off- one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.” (vv.1-7)

Then he said to his servants, the wedding banquet is ready but hose I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invited to the banquet anyone you find. So, the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with quests. But when the king came into see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. “Friend” he asked, “how did you get in here without wedding clothes? The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, “Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (vv.8-14) 

Insight and understanding

 The parable of the vineyard in chapter 21 refers to the Old Testament, in which was the kingdom of God (21:43), whereas the parable of a wedding feast in this chapter refers to the New Testament, in which is the kingdom of the heavens.

In the foregoing parable (21:33-46) the Lord illustrated how the Jews, who were in the kingdom of God, would be punished, and how the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to the kingdom people. Another parable was needed for Him to illustrate how the kingdom people, who are in the kingdom of the heavens, will be dealt with strictly. Both parables indicate that the kingdom is a serious matter.

 Verse 2 The king is God, and the son is Christ. In the foregoing parable the Old Testament was likened to a vineyard, with the focus mainly on the matter of labor under the law; in this parable the New Testament is likened to a wedding feast, with the focus mainly on the matter of enjoyment under grace. Verse 3 these are the first group of New Testament apostles. Verse 4 these are the apostles sent later by the Lord. Primarily the first meal, taken early in the morning, before work. both the oxen and the fatted cattle refer to Christ, who was killed so that God’s chosen people could enjoy Him as a feast.

 Verse 7 these were the Roman troops who, under the leadership of Titus, destroyed Jerusalem in A.D.70. verse 8 The rejection by the Jews made them unworthy to enjoy the New Testament (Acts.13:46). Verse 9 because of the rejection by the Jews, the preaching of the New Testament turned to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46;Rom.11:11)

 Verse 11 This wedding garment is typified by the embroidered garment in Psalm 45:14 and is signified by the fine linen in Rev.19:8. This is the surpassing righteousness of the overcoming believers, mentioned in 5:20. The man not clothed with a wedding garment is saved, because he has come to the wedding feast. He has received Christ as his righteousness that he might be justified before God (1 Cor.1:30; Rom.3:26), but he has not lived Christ out as his subjective righteousness (Phil.3:9), that he might participate in the enjoyment of the kingdom of the heavens. He has been called to salvation, but he has not been chosen for the enjoyment of the kingdom of the heavens, which is for the overcoming believers only.  

 Verse 13 the servants should refer to the angels. (cf.13:41,49). To be cast out into the outer darkness is not to perish; it is to be dealt with dispensationally, to be disqualified from participating in the enjoyment of the kingdom during the millennium, for not having lived by Christ an overcoming life. In the millennium the overcoming believers will be with Christ in the bright glory of the kingdom (Col.3:4), whereas the defeated believers will suffer discipline in outer darkness (ch.8:12).  

Verse 14 to be called is to receive salvation (Rom.1:7;1 Cor.1:2;Eph4:1), whereas to be chosen is to receive a reward. All believers have been called, but few will be chosen to receive a reward.

 

 

To sit on the throne, you must drink the cup of suffering (Matthew 20: 20-28) by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 To sit on the throne, you must drink the cup of suffering (Matthew 20: 20-28) 

by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce     Christian Arts Ministries 

Third times Jesus revealed His death and resurrection (Matthew 20:17-28)

And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside privately, and on the way, He said to them, Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes. And Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes. And they will condemn Him to death. And deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised. (Matthew 20:17-19)

                In chapter 20 17-19 this is third time that Jesus revealed His death to the disciples. The first was in Caesarea Philippi, before His transfiguration (Matthew16:13, 21). The second was in Galilee, after His transfiguration (17:22). This third time was on the way to Jerusalem. This revelation was a prophecy. Altogether strange to the natural concept of the disciples; yet it would be fulfilled literally, in every detail.

To sit on the throne, you must drink the cup of suffering (Matthew 20: 20-28)

Then the mother of sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, worshipping and asking something of Him. He said, "What do you want?" She said to Him, say that these two sons of mine will sit, one on Your right and one on Your left in Your kingdom. But Jesus answered and said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup which I am about to drink? They said to Him, we are able. (vv.20-22) He said to them, “My cup you shall indeed drink, but to sit on My right and on My left this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”(v.23).And when the ten heard this, they were indignant concerning the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “You know the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you (vv.24-26), but whoever want s become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you shall be your slave; Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20: 26-28)

Ø  Insight and understanding

In verse 22 if we ask to sit on the throne in the kingdom, we must be prepared to drink the cup of suffering. To suffer the cross is the way to enter into the kingdom (Acts 14:22). The selfish entreaty of the mother of John and James afforded the Lord an opportunity to reveal the way to enter into the kingdom. Verse 23 standing in the position of man, the Lord was fully subject to the Father; He did not assume the right to do anything outside the Father. James was the first of the twelve to be martyred. King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. (Acts.12:1-2).  

Verse 26 this is absolutely contrary to the natural, self-seeking mind. The indignation of the ten disciples (v.24) also afforded the Lord an opportunity to reveal the way to live in the kingdom: to be willing to serve others as a servant, even as a slave (v.27), rather than rule over others.

Verse 28 “as a ransom for many” The Word “for “unbeatably mean “in the place of” many. Christ here clearly interprets the meaning of His sacrifice as a substitution for sinners.  In the book of Matthew, the book of kingdom, the Lord stood always in the position of man. Although the kingdom of the heavens is constituted with the divine life, it is carried out in humanity.   

 

The principle not of work but of grace (Matthew 20:1-16) By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

The principle not of work but of grace (Matthew 20:1-16)

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce       Christian Arts Ministries

For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard, He agrees to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing, He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right. So, they went. He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around, He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ “Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.”  When the evening came, the master of the vineyard said to his steward, call the workmen and pay them their wages, beginning from the last ones to the first. When the first ones came, they supposed they would receive more. And they themselves also received each a denarius. And when they received it, they murmured against the householder, saying, these last ones worked one hour, and you have made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day and the scorching heat. But he answered one of them and said, Friend, I am doing nothing unrighteous to you. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go. I want to give to this last one even as I have given to you.  Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous? So, the last will be first, and the first will be last.  (Matthew 20:1-16)

 Ø  Understanding and insight

 

Chapter 20: 1-16 the workmen imply the disciples; the vineyard is the kingdom. Moring here is 6 am, denoting the earliest part of the church age, when Christ came to call His disciples into the kingdom. Third hour is 9 am the second part of the church age. Sixth is 12 noon, denoting the middle part of the church age. The ninth hour is 3 pm means the fourth part of the church age. Eleventh hour is 5 pm, denoting the fifth part of the church age. Evening fell is 6 pm, denoting the end of the church age.

The subject is the reward of willingness to serve, whether one comes early or late, Christ is not teaching economics. A DENARIUS FOR THE DAY is a good and normal wage for a rural worker. Additional workers were hired at about 9 am, noon, 3 pm, and 5 pm. This is the point of the parable; God’s grace and generosity know no bounds, and man’s ideas of merit and earned rewards are irrelevant.

This is against the natural and commercial concept. It indicates that the wages paid to the last workmen are not according to their work but according to the gracious wish, and good pleasure and grace of the Lord of the vineyard. These first workmen included Peter, who made a deal with the Lord in Chapter 19:27-29. They didn’t know Rom.9:14-15,20. There is no unrighteousness with the Lord. He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy. Who were they to reply against the Lord?   

Peter’s natural concept, representing that of all believers, was commercial; he did not know the Lord’s gracious wish. Verse 13 denoting the agreement the Lord made with Peter in 19:27-29. Verse 14 was a strong answer to Peter from the Lord, indicating that the Lord had given him what he thought he deserved. But the Lord has the right to give the same wages to the last workmen according to His own wish, in the principle not of work but of grace. This shattered Peter’s natural and commercial mind and corrected his concept.

Verse 15 in dealing with the Lord in 19:27, Peter’s concept was altogether commercial, according to the principle of work not grace. In His answer to Peter, the Lord strongly indicated that His reward to His followers is not a commercial matter but a matter according to His desire and grace. For the disciples to gain the kingdom of the heavens they have to leave all and follow the Lord; but what He will give them as a reward is more than they deserve. It is not according to the principle of commerce but according to the Lord’s good pleasure. This is an incentive, stimulus and encouragement to His followers. The last are the latest workmen and the first are the earliest ones. In working, the earliest come first, but in receiving the reward, the last become the first. It is in this way that the Lord makes the last first and the first last.

The way of a rich man enters the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:16-30) By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 The way of a rich man enters the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:16-30)

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce    Christian Arts Ministries

Matthew 19:16-30

Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good things must I do to get eternal life?” Why do you ask me about what is good?

 Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” Which one? The man inquired.

 Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,” and love your neighbor as yourself.”

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

 Jesus replied, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is heard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:16-26) 

Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?

 Jesus said to them, “ I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve tribes, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matthew 19: 27-30)

Ø  Interpretation and insight 

Having eternal life as spoken of in Matthew differs from having eternal life as spoken of in John. Matthew is concerned with the kingdom, whereas John is concerned with life. In John, to have eternal life is to be save by God’s uncreated life that we may live by that life today and for eternity. But in Matthew to have eternal life is to participate in the reality of the kingdom of the heavens in this age by God’s eternal life and to share in the kingdom’s manifestation in the coming age, thereby enjoying God’s eternal life in a fuller way.

In verse 17 Jesus indicates that only God is good. This indicates not only that the young man asking the question was not good but also that the Lord Jesus is God, who is good. If He were not God, He too would not be good.

To enter into life means to enter into the kingdom of the heavens (v.23). The kingdom of the heavens is a realm of God’s eternal life. Hence, when we enter into it, we enter into God’s life. This differs from being saved. To be saved is to have God’s life enter into us to be our life, whereas to enter into the kingdom of the heavens is to enter into God’s life to enjoy the riches of God’s life. The former is to be redeemed and regenerated by the HOLY SPIRIT, whereby we receive God’s life; the latter is to live and walk by God’s life. One is a matter of life; the other is a matter of living.

 “Keep the commandments” (v.17), this is not the requirement for salvation; it is related to entering into the kingdom of the heavens. According to the constitution of the kingdom of the heavens, to enter into the kingdom of the heavens requires us to meet not only the standard of the old law but also the standard of the complemented new law given by the King (5:17-48). Salvation requires only faith, whereas the kingdom of the heavens requires the surpassing righteousness that issues from the keeping of the old law and the complemented law given by the heavenly King.

Verse 21 Even though the young man had observed the commandments of the old law, or so he assumed he still was not perfect, not up to the standard of the requirement of the complemented new law, for he was not willing to sell what he had and store up treasure in heaven, as the constitution of the kingdom required (6:19-21).

To follow the Lord Jesus is to love Him above all things (10:37-38). This is the supreme requirement for entering into the kingdom of the heavens. Loving material possessions above the Lord causes one to sorrow, but those who love Christ above all things accept with joy the loss of their possessions (Heb.10:34)

Verse 24 the Lord’s word here indicates the impossibility of entering into the kingdom of God by our natural life. Verse 23 uses kingdom of the heavens, but here kingdom of God is used. At this point the kingdom of the heavens had not come, but the kingdom of God was there. Hence, the Lord used the term kingdom of God.   

As most Christians do today, the disciples confused salvation with entering into the kingdom of the heaves. The Lord’s word to the young man concerned entering into the kingdom of the heavens (vv.23-24) but the disciples though that it referred to salvation. Their concept of salvation was natural and common. They did not grasp the Lord’s revelation concerning entering into the kingdom of the heavens.
             Verse 26 Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” By our human life it is impossible to enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but it is possible by God’s divine life, which is Christ Himself imparted into us so that we can live the kingdom life. By Christ, who empowers us to do all things (Phil.4:13) we can fulfill the requirements of the kingdom.

The reward of the kingdom, Jesus said, in verse 28, “ in the restoration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” this is the restoration in the coming kingdom age (Acts 3:21) after the Lord’s second coming. In the coming kingdom the overcomers will sit on thrones to reign over the earth (Rev.20:4). The first twelve apostles, including Peter, will judge the twelve tribes of Israel, and the other overcomers will rule over the nation.

Verse 29 to receive a hundred times as many houses, fields, and relatives is to be rewarded in this age (Mark10:30). This refers to our enjoyment today of brothers and sisters in the Lord, with their possessions. To inherit eternal life is to be rewarded in the coming age (Luke 18:29-30), in the manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens, with an enjoyment of the divine life that is fuller than the enjoyment in this age.