The doctrine of the mystery part 4: The Lord introduces the mystery of the kingdom after His ultimate rejection. Matt 13Memorial Day: Opening prayer after the following:
[slide: Medal of Honor]
DUNHAM, JASON L. [Medal of Honor Recipient]
Corporal, United States Marine Corps
Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah (kara-beelah), Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west.
Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah (hoo-say-bah).
As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons.
As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat.
Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
This is a story given by ~ Captain John Rasmussen ~
It was raining "cats and dogs" and I was late for physical training. Traffic was backed up at Fort Campbell, Ky., and was moving way too slowly. I was probably going to be late and I was growing more and more impatient.
The pace slowed almost to a standstill as I passed Memorial Grove, the site built to honor the soldiers who died in the Gander airplane crash, the worst redeployment accident in the history of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
Because it was close to Memorial Day, a small American flag had been placed in the ground next to each soldier's memorial plaque. My concern at the time, however, was getting past the bottleneck, getting out of the rain and getting to PT on time.
All of a sudden, infuriatingly, just as the traffic was getting started again, the car in front of me stopped. A soldier, a private of course, jumped out in the pouring rain and ran over toward the grove. I couldn't believe it! This knucklehead was holding up everyone for who knows what kind of prank. Horns were honking.
I waited to see the butt-chewing that I wanted him to get for making me late.
He was getting soaked to the skin. His BDUs (battle dress uniform) were plastered to his frame. I watched-as he ran up to one of the memorial plaques, picked up the small American flag that had fallen to the ground in the wind and the rain, and set it upright again. Then, slowly, he came to attention, saluted, ran back to his car, and drove off. I'll never forget that incident. That soldier, whose name I will never know, taught me more about duty, honor, and respect than a hundred books or a thousand lectures.
That simple salute -- that single act of honoring his fallen brother and his flag -- encapsulated all the Army values in one gesture for me. It said, "I will never forget. I will keep the faith. I will finish the mission. I am an American soldier." I thank God for examples like that. And on this Memorial Day, I will remember all those who paid the ultimate price for my freedom, and one private, soaked to the skin, who honored them. ~ Captain John Rasmussen ~
As we remember and honor all the men of the American armed forces who lost their lives on battlefields around the world and in the one war we had at home, we also remember and honor the greatest soldier who ever lived and gave His life for all – the Lord Jesus Christ, the Commander and Lord of the Armies of heaven for whom we fight in the invisible war called the AC, even to the loss of our own lives.
In His honor, let us prepare ourselves to receive His word by naming and citing any known sins that we may have and removing any distractions from our minds; let us pray:
/4. Part of the mystery doctrine, including the blindness or hardness of Israel during the Church Age, is also a part of the fifth cycle of discipline – Romans 11:25. \
Since the kingdom promised to Israel was the subject of an irrevocable covenant it was unthinkable that it could be abandoned.
Matt chapter 13 gives the events in the development of the kingdom program from the time of its rejection until it is received when the nation welcomes the King at His second advent.
The Lord entitled the development of the kingdom program after His rejection and subsequent Jewish dispersion as the “mysteries of the kingdom,” which includes all that will occur until His second coming.
While this does include the Tribulation, this does not mean that the Tribulation is a part of or an extension of the Church. The mystery doctrine to the Church is unique and only for the church. Therefore the Church is unique to Jew and Gentile alike, which the Tribulation is centered on Israel only.
Matt 13:10 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them [not the multitude but the nation of Israel] in parables?"
Matt 13:11 And He answered and said to them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted [because of unbelief].
We must understand the use of the word, “kingdom.”
The use of the term kingdom of heaven.
/In the Scriptures the term kingdom is used in seven different ways: (1) the Gentile kingdoms, (2) the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, (3) the kingdom of Satan, (4) God’s universal kingdom,\
There is general agreement among theologians concerning the first four of these classifications.
/(5) a spiritual kingdom, (6) the millennial Davidic kingdom, and (7) the mystery form of the kingdom.\
The last three are concerned with the realm of Eschatology and are the subject of debate. It is necessary to make some observations concerning these.
/The spiritual kingdom, which is closely related with God’s universal kingdom, is composed of the elect of all the ages, who have experienced a new birth by the power of the Holy Spirit.\
This kingdom can not be entered apart from such a new birth.
It is referred to in Matt 6:33; 19:16,23,24; John 3:3-5; Acts 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23; Rom l4:17; lCor 4:20; 6:9-10; 15:50; Gal 5:21; Eph 5:5; Col 4:11; 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Thess 1:5.
/The millennial kingdom is declared to be a literal, earthly kingdom over which Christ rules from David’s throne in fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (2 Sam. 7:8-17; Matt. 1:1; Luke 1:32). \
This kingdom is the subject of Old Testament prophecy (2 Sam. 7:8-17; Isa. 9:6-7; 11:1-16; Jer. 23:5; 33:14-17; Ezek. 34:23; 37:24; Hosea 3:4-5; Micah 4:6-8; 5:2; Zech. 2:10-12; 8:20-23; Psalm 2:6, 8-10; 72:11, 17; Mal. 3:1-4).
/This millennial kingdom was proclaimed as being “at hand” at Christ’s first advent (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 10:5-7); but was rejected by Israel and therefore postponed (Matt. 23:37-39). \
It will again be announced to Israel in the tribulation period (Matt. 24:14). It will be received by Israel and set up at the second advent of Christ (Isa. 24:23; Rev. 19:11-16; 20:1-6).
/The mystery form of the kingdom brings us a concept entirely distinct from the preceding two. \
That God was going to establish a kingdom on the earth was no mystery. Since the first sin in heaven, when God’s sovereignty was challenged, it was His purpose to manifest His sovereignty by the establishment of a kingdom over which He ruled.
[Slide]When Adam was created dominion was given to him (Gen. 1:26) so he might manifest the sovereignty that belonged to God, which was Adam’s by appointment. But Adam sinned and there was no such manifestation of God’s authority.
/Sovereignty given to Adam – Adam rejected it.\
[Slide]The reign of conscience was intended to bear evidence to the individual as to his responsibility to the sovereignty of God, but man failed under this test.
/The reign of conscience – man rejected it.\
[Slide]Human government was ordained that men might recognize that government as a manifestation of God’s sovereignty, but man rebelled against that.
/Human government manifest God’s +S – man rebelled against it.\
[Slide]God appointed judges so that these might manifest God’s authority, but man rejected this display of sovereignty.
/God appoints judges – man rejects their God given sovereignty.\
[Slide]God instituted a theocracy, in which God was recognized as sovereign, but the nation chosen to manifest this display of sovereignty rebelled (1 Sam. 8:7).
/God institutes theocracy for client nation – nation of destiny rebels.\
1 Sam 8:7 And the Lord said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.
[Slide]God then revealed His purpose to manifest His sovereignty through David’s seed who would reign (2 Sam. 7:16). And when Christ came even this manifestation of God’s purpose to re-establish sovereignty was rejected.
/The Son of David arrives to reestablish +S – nation chose to kill Him.\
Sinful man has consistently rejected each manifestation of the authority of God.
Man has a problem. He doesn’t want to be subject to God. Since God is Sovereign He cannot just ignore that. That is why judgment has to come upon all who reject Him.
This is why man clings to evolution and why satan promotes it. There is no accountability to the +S of God in evolution. But at the same time they want all that God has to offer and only the Creator can deliver on – freedom, peace, tranquility, acceptance, prosperity, etc. So, human race who reject God and the Son of Man, you want to be free and prosperous? Yes. And you want that without God? Yeah, don’t want Him at all. Ok. “Wait, I can’t see, why is it so dark?” God gives light. “Let there be light, let there be light!” You can say that for eternity, you don’t have the power to do that – go ahead, make a sun.
Within this program of God it was not the fact that God was going to establish a kingdom that was an unrevealed secret.
/The mystery was the fact that when the One in whom this program was to be realized was publicly presented He would be rejected and an age would fall between His rejection and the fulfillment of God’s purpose of sovereignty at His second advent.\
The mystery form of the kingdom, then, has reference to the age between the two advents of Christ.
/The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven describe the conditions that prevail on the earth in that interim while the king is absent. \
These mysteries thus relate this present age to the eternal purposes of God in regard to His kingdom.
Concerning this mystery form of the kingdom, it is observed; in the first place, that it can not be equated with the millennial kingdom, for that kingdom was no mystery but was clearly predicted in the Old Testament.
In the second place, it can not refer to the spiritual kingdom, for that kingdom is constituted only of saved individuals, who enter it by the new birth, but:
/This mystery form of the kingdom is composed of saved and unsaved alike (wheat and tares, good and bad fish). \
It cannot refer, thirdly, to the eternal kingdom for these mysteries are limited in time to the inter-advent period.
It can not be limited, fourthly, to the church, for this mystery form of the kingdom includes more than the church. Therefore, within the mystery form of the kingdom we have two dispensations.
/The dispensation of the Church was not revealed in the OT. The dispensation of the Tribulation was progressively revealed in the OT, but without the specifics of Matt 24-25 or Revelation.\
On the other hand, it must be observed, this mystery form of the kingdom has reference to things that were up to then unrevealed, is definitely limited as to time, and represents the entire sphere of profession in the present age.
It is most important, eschatologically, to keep these three usages of the term kingdom separate and distinct.
With this in mind, look again at: Matt 13:10 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them [not the multitude but the nation of Israel] in parables?"
Matt 13:11 And He answered and said to them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted [because of unbelief].
In regard to the terms kingdomof God and the kingdom of the heavens it is to be observed that, while not synonymous, they are used interchangeably.
What distinctions there are, are not inherent in the words themselves, but in their usage in the context.
/Both of these terms (kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven) are used interchangeably to designate the millennial kingdom, the spiritual kingdom, and the mystery form of the kingdom.\
While we recognize the distinctions between the earthly and the eternal aspects of the kingdom program,we must guard against making the terms kingdomof God and the kingdom of the heavens absolute. Only the context can determine the meaning intended to be conveyed by the terms.
/The Lord reveals what kingdom He is referring to through the use of parables – 1. The Parable of the Sower and the Soils.\
Matt 13:1 On that day Jesus went out of the house [symbolic of His leaving the Israel of His day], and was sitting by the sea.
Matt 13:2 And great multitudes gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole multitude was standing on the beach.
Matt 13:3 And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow;
Matt 13:4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up.
Matt 13:5 "And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.
Matt 13:6 "But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
Matt 13:7 "And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.
Matt 13:8 "And others fell on the good soil, and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.
Matt 13:9 "He who has ears, let him hear."
Matt 13:10 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"
Matt 13:11 And He answered and said to them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
Matt 13:12 "For whoever has, to him shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.
Matt 13:13 "Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
Matt 13:14 "And in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, 'You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
Matt 13:15 For the heart of this people has become dull [negative volition – the more you reject the word of God you become more dull to it.], And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes [volition – you close your own eyes] Lest they should see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I should heal them.'
Matt 13:16 "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear [positive volition].
Matt 13:17 "For truly I say to you, that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it; and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
The Lord will interpret this parable Himself:
Matt 13:18 "Hear then the parable of the sower.
Matt 13:19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one [“one” is not in the original, evil refers to the birds which refers to the false gospels ] comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.
/The first example is the unbeliever. He has heard the gospel but rejected it and believed a false one.\
Matt 13:20 "And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy;
Matt 13:21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word [represented by the scorching sun], immediately he falls away.
/The second example is the believer who has rejected doctrine and therefore cannot handle life’s problems. He thinks and acts just like an unbeliever.\
Matt 13:22 "And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
/The third example is also a believer who has rejected doctrine and lacks faith rest. He frantically searches for happiness and also thinks and acts no different than an unbeliever.\
Matt 13:23 "And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty [notice the gradual decline]."
/The fourth example is the positive believer who handles life to the extent that he produces divine good; some produce much.\
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