Present & Future Matthew 13:1-52

  The Message Of The Kingdom. In this chapter Jesus introduces parables as a means of teaching"Kingdom " truths (vv10,11 ) one of the 40 parables Jesus gave, He made direct referances to the Kingdom in 19. These stories clearly relate to different time frames. Some impact The present, teaching 1. the need for kingdom peopleto have hearing ears (vv3-23) 2. the breadth of the kingdom spread ( vv31-35) and 3.the cost of the kingdom's acquisition (44-46 ). Others relate to the future,teaching 1. the final disposition of the Adverary's hindrance (vv36-43)  and 2. the final disposition of the mixed ingathering from kingdom outreach (vv47-51) . In mixing these two aspects of the " kingdom", Jesus helps us appreciate the kingdoms as both present and prospective.  The message of the kingdom is two edged and relates to two frames of time; First' God, in Christ, is now recovering man from his double loss- relationship with God and rulership under God. He promised this at man's fall, illustrated it in the patriarchs and Israel's history and now the King has come  to begin fully bringing it about. The kingdom is being realized presently in patial and personal ways, as it is spread through all the Earth by the Holy Spirit"s power in the church. Second, the kingdom will be realized finally in the consummate and conclusive ways only at the return of Jesus Christ and by his reign over all the Earth. What we experience of His triump now in part, will then be fully manifest ( 1 Cor. 15:24 ; Rev. 11: 15 , 1 cor. 13:9,10 ). This complete view allows for our understanding and applying the principles of " kingdom come" without falling into the confusion of expecting now what the Bible says will only be then.

( John 3: 1-5/ Luke 17:20,21

Garry