Will you please turn to the Gospel according
to Matthew.
Matthew chapter 3 verses 1
and 2.
Matthew chapter 3 verses 1 and 2.
Now in those days comes John the Baptist
preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying
repent for the kingdom of the heavens has
drawn nigh.
Chapter 4 verse 17.
From that time began Jesus to preach and
to say repent for the kingdom of the
heavens has drawn nigh.
Chapter 11 verse
12.
11, 12.
But from the days of John the Baptist
until now the kingdom of the heavens is
taken by violence and the violent seized on
it.
Chapter 24 of Matthew verse
12.
No, verse 14.
Verse 14.
And these glad tidings of the kingdom shall
be preached in the whole habitable earth for
a witness to all the nations and then
shall come the end.
Let's have a word of prayer.
Dear Lord, it is our heart's desire that
we may see the vision of the glory
of the Lord.
To answer our prayer, open our inner eyes
that we may see thee in all thy
beauty.
All that thou hast provided for us, all
thou hast called us to enter in.
And Lord give us grace that by faith
and obedience we may do so.
We want to give thee all the glory
in the name of our Lord Jesus.
Yesterday morning we considered together on this matter
of the kingdom of God.
We mentioned that kingdom in the strictest sense
means kingship.
The kingship of God.
God being the eternal one.
His kingdom is everlasting.
There is no end to his kingdom.
His dominion is over all generations.
No matter what happens.
Even after the rebelling of the archangel.
And also the rebelling of man.
God's kingdom goes on.
And yet in another sense, the kingdom of
God is over those who really submit themselves
to the rule of God.
And over them is the reality of the
kingdom of God.
Thank God by his grace we have been
delivered out of the power of darkness.
And have been translated, transferred into the kingdom
of the son of God's love.
So today we are in the kingdom of
God.
But the thing is, we may be in
the kingdom of God positionally.
But in our daily lives, are we really
living as sons and daughters of that kingdom?
I think this is something that we need
to consider very seriously before the Lord.
Now this morning we would like to consider
together on this matter of the kingdom of
the heavens.
Are the kingdom of God and the kingdom
of the heavens the same?
Are they different?
In what way the kingdom of God is
the kingdom of the heavens?
And the kingdom of the heavens is the
kingdom of God.
And in what way they are different?
I think this is something we need to
understand.
Now if the kingdom of God is where
God rules, then the kingdom of the heavens
is where the heavens rule.
In a very general sense, God is the
God of the heavens and of the earth.
So we find that the heavens always rule.
You remember in Daniel chapter 4 verse 26?
God through Daniel showed Nebuchadnezzar that the heavens
do rule.
So in any age, at any time, the
heavens do rule.
Because God is the God of the heavens.
But we find in the word of God
that the term the kingdom of the heavens
is a very special term.
It is used only in the gospel according
to Matthew.
Some said it is used 32 times, others
said 33 times.
But anyway we find this is a very
special term used in the gospel of Matthew.
The only other place that approaches it in
the New Testament is 2 Timothy chapter 4
verse 18.
The apostle Paul said, God will deliver me
from the works of evil and bring me
into his heavenly kingdom.
But aside from 2 Timothy in the New
Testament, or Daniel 4 in the Old Testament,
the kingdom of the heavens is a very
special term used only in the gospel of
Matthew.
Now what does it mean?
Simply put, the kingdom of the heavens is
a part in the kingdom of God.
It is a certain period within the kingdom
of God which is from eternity to eternity.
And within that time frame, there is a
specific period called the kingdom of the heavens.
It begins with the first coming of our
Lord Jesus to this.
And it ends with the second coming of
our Lord Jesus.
Coming to this earth and set up his
kingdom upon this earth for a thousand years.
And during this specific time zone is the
term, the kingdom of the heavens.
So brothers and sisters, in one sense, the
kingdom of the heavens and the kingdom of
God are one.
So sometimes you'll find, even in the gospel
of Matthew, the kingdom of God is used
four times.
And in the other gospels, it's the kingdom
of God.
And you will find sometimes they refer to
one and the same thing.
But at other times, you'll find the kingdom
of God is greater than the kingdom of
the heavens.
Because the kingdom of the heavens is only
one period in the kingdom of God.
Now why is the kingdom of the heavens
important to us believers?
Because this is especially related to us believers,
to the church.
So brothers and sisters, it is very very
important for us to have a clear understanding
of what the kingdom of the heavens is.
We would like to look into this matter.
From two different directions.
One is from the viewpoint of time.
And the other is from the viewpoint of
contents.
Now first of all, we will look at
the kingdom of the heavens from the time
viewpoint.
John the Baptist was raised up by God
to be the forerunner of our Lord Jesus.
And when he was of age, he came
out and began to preach.
He preached in the wilderness.
And yet people flocked to hear him.
And his message is one.
Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has
drawn nigh.
Now brothers and sisters, we know that for
400 years, God was silent to his own
people.
Even though the remnant returned to Jerusalem and
rebuilt the temple.
And the temple service was going on all
these years without interruption.
And yet, God was silent.
He didn't speak to his own people for
400 long years.
We were thinking it would be a very
difficult time for the chosen people of God.
But unfortunately, they did not think so.
Because they had the temple.
They had the priesthood.
They had the sacrifices.
They had the word of God.
They were able to pray.
And they considered themselves as a religious, godly
people.
So even though God was silent for 400
years, the people live on as if nothing
happened.
But I believe it will be very difficult
for God.
God loved his people.
He wanted to speak, to converse, to fellowship,
to reveal his heart to his people.
And yet, the people's spiritual condition shut him
up.
I believe it is the same thing for
us today.
It is more difficult for God not to
speak to his people than for his people
not to hear his voice.
But after 400 silent years, suddenly God began
to speak again.
Not because the condition of God's people had
changed.
It was God himself.
He couldn't restrain himself anymore.
He spoke.
And when he began to speak, he electrified
the whole nation.
And what is the message?
The message is very simple.
Repent.
For the kingdom of the heavens has drawn
nigh.
Why repent?
You know the Pharisees and the scribes, when
they heard this message, they couldn't accept it.
Because they didn't feel they needed to repent.
If the message is reformed, that's fine.
There's always room for improvement.
But to repent, that is too drastic.
Repent is a very strong word.
Repent means the past is all wrong.
You have to turn around completely and go
a different, opposite direction.
That's so strong for the Pharisees and the
scribes.
They didn't feel they need to repent.
But the reason for repentance is different.
You know we repent because we have sinned.
We repent because we have done something wrong.
We repent because we know we are not
right.
Therefore we need to repent.
To change our mind.
These are the regular, ordinary reasons for repentance.
But here the message is new.
Repent.
Why?
Because the kingdom of the heavens has drawn
nigh.
Brothers and sisters, do you see the difference?
Repent not because of something negative.
Not because of sin, of failures, of shortcomings.
Repent for something that is most positive.
And that is the kingdom of the heavens
is drawing near.
As the chosen people of God, living in
Jerusalem, having the temple, having daily worship, fasting
twice a week, gave the one tenth, that
is good enough to live in the commonwealth
of Israel.
As a people of God.
Different from the people of the world.
But brothers and sisters, the message was It
may be enough for you to be a
chosen people in the commonwealth of Israel.
But it is not enough for you to
enter into the kingdom of the heavens.
Therefore you need to repent.
Completely turn around.
Acknowledging that you are a total failure.
And you come to accept the mercy of
God.
That is the message John the Baptist brought
into the chosen people at that time.
Six months later, our Lord Jesus himself also
began to preach.
And when he heard that John the Baptist
was put into prison, he began his ministry
in Galilee.
And the message he preached was the same
message.
Repent for the kingdom of the heavens has
drawn nigh.
Now brothers and sisters, why is it that
John the Baptist said, the kingdom of the
heavens has drawn nigh.
There is a kingdom very different from all
the kingdoms of the world.
It is a heavenly kingdom.
And this heavenly kingdom is coming.
It is drawing near to you.
Therefore you have to prepare when it arrives.
Otherwise you will be cast out.
John the Baptist preached it in this way.
Why?
Because he knew the king of the heavens
has already arrived on the earth.
He is going to set up his kingdom
very soon.
Therefore be prepared to meet the king.
The children of Israel, they were looking for
the Messiah, the king.
But the king, the Messiah has silently, quietly,
hiddenly come already.
And he is almost ready to begin his
work.
So John the Baptist, to prepare the way
of the Lord, called everyone to repent.
But isn't it strange that when our Lord
Jesus began to preach, he should say, repent
for the kingdom of the heavens is here.
Because he is here.
Where the king is, there will be his
kingdom.
But our Lord preached the same message.
Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has
drawn nigh.
Why?
It is because the king is here.
But where are his people?
He has no one to rule over.
Therefore you find in the beginning of the
ministry of our Lord Jesus, his message is
still, the kingdom of the heavens has drawn
nigh.
But strangely, when you turn to Matthew chapter
11, you know John the Baptist was put
in prison.
He began his ministry maybe in A.D.
27.
He was put in prison in A.D.
28.
He was martyred in A.D. 29.
But while he was in prison, and probably
close to the time of his martyrdom, he
sent his disciples to our Lord Jesus.
And asked, are you the one whom we
are waiting for?
Or shall we wait for another one?
Now brothers and sisters, that seems to be
very strange.
John the Baptist bore such a powerful, wonderful
testimony to our Lord Jesus.
Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away
the sin of the world.
I know he is the Son of God.
I am only the friend.
He is the friend.
Such a marvelous testimony to the Lord Jesus.
But now, he asked, are we waiting for
another one?
Or are you the one?
He was in prison, probably fully expecting the
Lord to deliver him.
But the Lord didn't do anything.
He was almost offended by the Lord.
Why is it that the Lord did all
these things to other people, and not doing
it?
And the answer of the Lord is also
strange.
The Lord said, go and tell him what
I am doing.
Yes, I am opening the eyes of the
blind.
I am making the lamb walk, the leper
clean, raise the dead.
But I am not doing anything to you.
Bless it, if you are not offended by
me.
Thank God, John took that message.
He was faithful to the very end.
But you know, after these messengers from John
left, then the Lord began to praise John.
He said, do you know who he is?
He is greater than the prophets.
There is no one born of woman greater
than he.
But the little one in the kingdom of
the heavens is greater than John.
Now from the time of John the Baptist
until now, the kingdom of the heavens is
to be taken by violence.
And the violence sees on it.
Brothers and sisters, you notice there is a
change of time.
When the Lord first preached, he said, the
kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.
But now, he said, the kingdom of the
heavens is to be taken by violence.
It is already here.
And if you want to take it, you
can take it now.
If you want to enter it, you can
do so.
There is a change of time.
Within a very short period, our Lord has
already begun to set up his kingdom, the
kingdom of the heavens in man on earth.
Why?
Because you remember, at that time, he already
had called disciples.
There were some people who responded to him
and followed him.
They left everything behind and followed the Lord
Jesus.
And these few became the kingdom of our
Lord, the kingdom of the heavens.
In view of the kingdom of the heavens
drawing near, what is the proper response to
it?
Repent.
But when the kingdom is now, has
already begun, then what is the proper attitude
towards it?
Very simple.
Violence.
The kingdom of the heavens is to be
taken by violence.
It is such a kingdom, so different from
the kingdom of the world.
It is a heavenly kingdom.
And the only way you can take it
is through violence.
Now we must remember the word violence is
a very strong word.
But the violence here is a heavenly word,
not an earthly word.
The violence here is not doing violence to
other people.
It is to do violence to yourself.
The problem of this world is we love
ourselves too much.
Self is the sign of this world.
But in the kingdom of the heavens, this
self has no place.
We have to do violence to ourselves in
order to gain the kingdom.
And that's the reason why our Lord Jesus,
He said, if anyone comes to me, let
him deny himself.
That is to say to himself, I do
not know you.
I don't know you.
I have nothing to do with you.
I'm not going to cater to you, to
gratify you.
I deny you.
We must deny ourselves.
Take up our cross daily and follow Him.
Otherwise we are not worthy to be His
disciples.
We are not worthy of the kingdom of
the heavens.
Brothers and sisters, the message is very clear.
From John the Baptist until now, the kingdom
of the heavens is to be taken by
violence.
And the violent, those who do violence to
themselves, they seize on it.
It's theirs.
And dear brothers and sisters, from that time
onward until now, this is the way to
the kingdom of the heavens.
But thank God, one day, this kingdom of
the heavens will be publicly manifested on this
earth.
So you'll find in Matthew chapter 24, verse
12, our Lord Jesus said, the glad tidings
of the kingdom of the heavens must be
preached throughout the habitable earth as a witness
to all the nations.
And then the end will come.
In other words, when this message has gone
out as a testimony to the world, that
God has a people upon this earth.
They are different.
They belong to the kingdom of the heavens.
They exhibit, they live their lives, a heavenly
life.
And one day, this kingdom of the heavens
will publicly be manifested on this earth.
The kingdom of this world will become the
kingdom of our God and of His Christ.
And this will happen at the second coming
of our Lord Jesus.
And thank God, we know it is very
soon.
So dear brothers and sisters, from time wise,
the kingdom of the heavens can be seen
in three different times.
The kingdom of the heavens is near.
The kingdom of the heavens is now.
And the kingdom of the heavens is come.
Finally, it will come to us.
The message of the kingdom of the heavens
is near is the word repentance.
The kingdom of the heavens is now.
The word is balance.
And the kingdom of the heavens is to
come.
The word is watch.
Watch for the kingdom of the heavens is
coming very soon.
Now this is one way to look at
the kingdom of the heavens.
Then there is another viewpoint we would like
to consider.
And that is from the viewpoint of its
contents.
We know that the gospel of Matthew is
the gospel of the kingdom.
Thank God, even though it is not the
first gospel written.
And yet in God's sovereignty it is put
as the first of the gospels.
Because the gospel is so full.
There is the gospel of the kingdom.
As we find in Matthew.
There is the gospel of servanthood.
We find in Mark.
There is the gospel of grace.
We find in Luke.
There is the gospel of life.
We find in John.
Now all these are the different aspects of
the gospel.
There is only one gospel.
The gospel of Jesus Christ.
But it is so full.
It has many aspects.
And the first one God wants us to
understand is the gospel of the kingdom.
So that is why we find Matthew as
you open the New Testament it is Matthew.
Now in the book of Matthew we find
there are three peaks.
And these three peaks on the kingdom of
the heavens will show us what the kingdom
of the heavens is like.
The first peak is found in Matthew chapter
5 to 7.
The so called Sermon on the Mount.
That gives us the spiritual reality of the
kingdom of the heavens.
In other words in the Sermon on the
Mount our Lord Jesus show us what the
kingdom of the heavens is like.
What is the kingdom of the heavens?
Who are the people in that kingdom?
Then you find in Matthew chapter 13 another
peak.
Here you find our Lord Jesus use parables
telling the mysteries of the kingdom of the
heavens.
Now the kingdom of the heavens today is
a spiritual reality.
It is real.
It is here.
But it cannot be seen by the world.
It is hidden.
Not because it is hidden it is not
present.
It is here.
But the world does not know exactly what
it is.
Cannot explain it.
So to the world it is a mystery.
A mystery is something hidden waiting to be
revealed.
But thank God for those who today are
in the reality of the kingdom of the
heavens.
They understand.
They know.
But to the world they do not know.
All they see is a confused picture.
That you find in Matthew chapter 13.
And then in Matthew chapter 24 and 25
another peak.
It is Olivet prophecy.
Our Lord Jesus prophesied concerning the kingdom of
the heavens to come upon this earth on
the Mount of Olives.
And that will show us how the kingdom
of the heavens will come eventually upon this
earth fill this earth to the glory of
God.
So brothers and sisters we will very briefly
consider together these things.
First, Matthew chapter 5 to 7.
Now I believe brothers and sisters we are
all familiar with the so-called Sermon on
the Mount.
The Bible says our Lord Jesus He went
to a mountain.
And His disciples followed Him.
But there were also great crowds following Him.
So our Lord Jesus He sat down and
He began to speak.
But the Bible tells us very clearly He
was not speaking to the crowds.
He was speaking to His own disciples.
He wanted to tell His own disciples what
the kingdom of the heavens really is.
What manner of life when you live in
that kingdom.
The crowds only overheard it.
But they are not the objective of our
Lord's word.
Some people think on the mount our Lord
Jesus proclaimed a new law.
Moses gave the children of Israel the law.
The Ten Commandments.
And now our Lord Jesus on that mountain
He proclaimed a new law.
Higher.
Nobler.
Greater.
Than the law that came through Moses.
But if it is a law then we
must keep it.
We must do it.
Now if the children of Israel could not
do the Ten Commandments do you think we
can keep the Sermon on the Mount?
If you haven't tried you may think you
can.
But if you try the more you try
the further you are away.
It is impossible.
So some people they think that the Sermon
on the Mount is a new system of
ethics.
Moral ethics.
Now if it is who are able to
live that kind of life nobody can.
So we know that the Sermon on the
Mount is not a new law.
Nor a new ethical standard.
Because they are way beyond man.
It is grace.
It is what grace can do for us.
Only by grace are we able to live
that kind.
And in order to live that kind of
life you need a new life.
This old life wouldn't do.
That's the reason why our Lord is showing
us this new life that He has given
us.
This new life in us.
What kind of a life that is.
What is the character of that life.
So at the beginning of the Sermon on
the Mount we have the Beatitudes.
Blessed.
Happy.
If you really want to be happy to
be blessed blessed are the poor in spirit.
For theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.
What kind of people are living in the
kingdom of the heavens?
The poor in spirit.
Who is the poor in spirit?
Our Lord Himself.
He was so rich.
He was so full.
He was God.
Still He is God.
Ego with God.
And there is not something to be grasped
at.
It is right but He emptied Himself.
He cannot empty Himself of His own deity.
Because that is what He is.
He always is.
But He emptied Himself of all the glory
honor majesty surrounding.
And He took upon Himself the form of
a born slave.
No right no position not even owning His
own life.
As He was in the fashion of a
man He was obedient to the Father even
unto death and that the death of the
cross.
This is poor in spirit.
Not because He is poor but because He
emptied His riches obedient unto
death.
Brothers and sisters humanly speaking this is impossible.
We may try to be humble but the
more humble you are the prouder you are.
I remember when we were young Christians we
are told that Christians should be humble.
So we try to bow low when we
walk to be humble.
But the more you bow yourself the prouder
within you.
So you see how humble I am.
Poor in spirit.
Real.
Not because of poverty but because of riches.
Brothers and sisters that's Christ.
But it is Christ in you and in
me.
And the same thing is true with all
the Beatitudes.
Nothing of ourselves.
It is all Christ.
And Christ in us.
And because He is in us living out
His life therefore this righteousness is more excellent
than the righteousness of the Scribes and the
Pharisees.
It comes from within not put on from
without.
Then we be the salt and the light
of the world.
Then you'll find it is much higher than
the law of Moses because it not only
governs our outward actions it governs our inward
thought.
Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is
perfect.
So brothers and sisters you'll find in Matthew
5 the Word is one life.
It is a new life.
It is the life of Christ.
The life of Christ in us.
And because it is the life of Christ
in us therefore we can live the kind
of life that Christ lived.
And we are in His Kingdom.
So it is no matter of doing.
It is a matter of being.
Being what we are.
And then in Matthew chapter 6 to put
it very simply it is a life of
faith.
A life of faith.
Do not be anxious about what you shall
eat, what you shall drink, what you shall
be clothed with.
Seek it first.
The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
And all these things shall be added unto
you.
Our Lord Jesus says O ye of little
faith look at the birds, look at the
lilies why don't you believe your Heavenly Father?
Those who live in the Kingdom of the
Heavens live a life of faith.
Trust Him.
Have confidence in the Heavenly Father.
And then Matthew 7 is a life of
obedience.
Not only believing but obeying.
Choose the narrow way.
Not just say Lord, Lord but do His
will.
It is a life of obedience.
So brothers and sisters when you come to
the reality of the Kingdom of the Heavens
it is just a matter of life faith
and obedience.
Then you find in Matthew chapter 13 yet
Matthew chapter 13 is the mysteries of the
Kingdom of the Heavens.
They are called mysteries because to the world
it was something unknown, puzzled.
The world look at it and do not
know what it is.
Confused.
But to us our Lord Jesus said you
know.
You shall understand.
Our Lord uses parables.
So those who do not understand will never
understand.
But those who know know the depths of
these mysteries.
And in these parables you find there is
continues history behind it.
The first parable is the parable of the
sower.
The sower is none other but our Lord
Jesus Himself.
When He was on this earth He sowed
the seed.
The seed is the seed of the word
of the kingdom.
The word of the kingdom.
That's what our Lord Jesus sowed.
And the fields are the hearts of man.
When the word of the kingdom is spread
and reached the hearts of man you find
some hearts are like the byways.
Trodden by the world.
Hardened.
The seed will not even get into the
heart.
And after they hear the birds came and
swallowed them.
And the bird here represents the evil power.
Evil forces.
So you find that when the gospel of
the kingdom is preached some have heard but
never entered into their heart.
As if they have never heard.
And some are like stony ground.
There is a thin layer of soil.
So it's when the seed fall into it
it quickly began to sprout.
But there is no root.
And when the sun came out some people
who hear the word of the kingdom they
receive it joyfully.
But there are sins.
The world and other things as huge stones
there.
No root.
So with a little persecution they fell away.
Fall away.
And some hearts are like thorny grounds.
The seed fall into the heart and began
to grow.
But it being squeezed by the thorns and
cannot bear fruit.
The word is there but no fruit.
Only the good ground.
The ground that has been tilled, softened.
They receive the word of God gladly and
patiently bear fruit.
30 foot, 60 foot, 100 foot unto God.
That's the first parable.
Then this is continued by the second one.
The second one is the seed you notice
is no longer the word of the kingdom.
The seed sown are the sons of the
kingdom of the heavens.
In other words the word of the kingdom
has born fruit.
These people have received the word, patiently allow
the word to work within them and begin
to grow.
They become the sons of the kingdom of
the heavens.
And our Lord Jesus sowed them on the
field.
But the field is no longer the heart.
The field is the word.
Brothers and sisters, do you know you are
sown by the Lord, say in California.
And he sowed, he spread you in California
for a purpose.
But at the same time, the enemy came
in quietly.
And he sowed his seed in the same
ground.
The world, dino, pear, they
look alike.
And they all grow together in the world.
But, when it began to sprout and bear
fruit, the difference is evident.
So the servants came to the Lord and
said, is it not that you sow only
the good seed?
Where comes all these bad ones?
The Lord knows.
The servants are ignorant.
But the Lord knows.
He said, the enemy does it.
So they said, do you want us to
pull them out?
Oh no.
If you pull the pear out, you will
pull the wheat out too, because their roots
are being entangled.
Wait.
Until the harvest time.
And then they will be separated.
The evil ones will be bound up and
burned.
And the good ones will be taken in
too.
Now brothers and sisters, wherever the gospel is
preached, wherever Christianity spread, you
find this picture.
In the world, in the so-called Christian
world, where the influence of Christianity is, Christendom,
Christian schools, hospitals, orphanages, churches, you
find a mixture.
They are sons of the kingdom.
But unfortunately, entangled with the sons of the
evil ones.
They grow together.
There is no way to separate them.
This is Christianity today.
This is Christendom.
Have to wait until the end.
And God will send His angels to separate
them.
Then it's followed by two parables.
The parable of the mustard seed and the
parable of the leaven in three measures of
meal.
Now brothers and sisters, even though today there
are many different interpretations, but I hope you
will consider and see according to the sequence
of the development.
I believe the Lord is showing us since
in the second parable you have both the
tare and the wheat growing together.
Now, the Lord is showing us the two
sides.
On the one hand, you find in Christianity
it begins as a mustard seed.
Our brother already mentioned a mustard seed is
the smallest of the seed.
But there is life in it.
Living.
But the mustard is a plant, not a
tree.
Each after its kind.
The church is a little flock, hidden in
this world.
But then you find the mustard seed has
grown abnormally into a big tree, out of
its species.
And the birds came and dwell in it.
Now, if you still remember the first parable,
what the birds are, is the evil one.
Christianity has developed instead of being a humble
hidden little flock.
It has become a huge institution.
Some people said Christianity has succeeded.
But God said it is corrupted.
The birds came.
Even full of evils.
That's the outward appearance.
How about the inside?
It's like a leaven.
Leaven in the scripture always speaks of something
evil.
Whether it is doctrine, or whether it is
behavior.
Always evil.
Three meals of fine flour are to be
the meal offering to God.
There should be no leaven in it.
And yet, leaven is put in it, and
it's corrupt.
That's Christianity.
That shows the one side of it.
But thank God, He also shows us the
other side of it.
So, this is followed by two other parables.
The parable of the treasure, and the parable
of the pearl.
Treasure, pearl.
That speaks of the reality of the kingdom
of the heavens.
The merchant, the pearl seeker is Christ.
He came into this world seeking for treasure.
Looking for pearl, treasure.
Pearl are precious to him.
And for that sake, he's willing to sell
everything to buy the world in order to
get the treasure.
So you see, that is the picture here.
And then finally, the dreadnought.
That's the end of the world.
At the end of the world, everything will
be sorted out.
And what is of God will enter into
the kingdom to come.
And what is not of God will be
thrown out.
So, brothers and sisters, there you find the
awkward appearance of the kingdom of the heavens.
So far as the world understands.
But still, it's a mystery to them.
But the Lord said, you know it.
Now, brothers and sisters, are we confused?
Do we know it?
Are we still saying, well, look at Christianity.
It is going to conquer the whole world.
Or do you see everywhere?
But thank God, He's looking for the real
thing.
And He will have it.
Now that's Matthew 13.
And then Matthew 24 and 25.
Now, this is prophecy.
Now, to say very briefly, the disciples asked
three questions.
When shall these things be?
What will be the sign of your coming?
And the end of this age?
Maybe to the disciples, these three things are
one.
Because if Jerusalem should be destroyed, no stone
upon another stone, certainly that's the time, that's
the sign that the Lord has come.
That's the end of the age.
End of the world.
So maybe in the heart of the disciples,
they are the same thing.
But our Lord knows the difference.
So in answering them, you'll find there are
three things in that prophecy.
One, when shall these things be?
When shall Jerusalem be destroyed?
When shall no stone upon another stone upon
the temple?
And our Lord's answer begins with Matthew chapter
24 verse 4.
From verse 4 to verse 13.
That is actually His answer, direct answer to
this question.
When shall these things be?
But because it is prophecy, so He goes
on from verse 14 until verse 31.
He goes on to the future.
The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple is
a near fulfillment in A.D. 70.
But the full fulfillment is towards the end
of this age.
When you will find the abomination of desolation
standing in the place of, that shows
the end.
You remember Daniel's prophecy.
And then the Lord said how He will
come as a lightning.
And He will gather His people, chosen people,
together from every corner of this earth.
Israel shall be restored.
Now that's when shall these things come.
And the sign of His coming is from
Matthew chapter 24 verse 32 to chapter 25
verse 29 30.
That tells us the sign of His coming.
As the days of Noah, so shall be
the coming of the Son of Man.
As the days of Lot, so shall be
the coming of the Son of Man.
Suddenly He will come as a thief.
Two men are working the field.
Two women are grinding the mill.
Two persons are sleeping in bed.
Suddenly without any notice one is taken one
is left.
Brothers and sisters we are on the verge
of this thing.
Suddenly any moment now throughout the whole world
because the world is round some are sleeping
some are in the early morning grinding some
are in the daytime working in the field
but suddenly all over the world certain believers
disappear.
The Lord comes and still they
will be taken right up to the throne
as the welcoming party to the return.
Brothers and sisters maybe by His grace we
are among if we watch if
we wait if we pray if we be
ready then when He shall come and
then the end of this age.
Matthew 25 verse 30 31 to the end
Our Lord shall come upon this earth set
up His throne of glory and He will
judge the nations and the sheep nations will
be removed into the kingdom of the heavens
upon the earth and the ghost nations will
be thrown into the lake of fire.
That's the end and the end is coming.
So brothers and sisters or you can look
at it another way the first part from
chapter 24 verse 4 through verse 31 to
the Jews 31 32
to chapter 25 verse 30 to the church
and 31 to the end to the Gentiles.
So you'll find it's all inclusive telling us
one day this kingdom that has been hidden
throughout the ages and even in the age
of grace it is still hidden but known
to some and one day the kingdom of
this world will become the kingdom of our
Lord and of His Christ.
Hallelujah.
Dear Lord we do want to thank Thee
that by Thy grace we have repented and
only by Thy grace Lord that we are
able to be violent to ourselves to seize
upon the kingdom today and we do look
forward to the day when Thou shall return
and we shall reign with Thee for a
thousand years to the glory of God.
In Thy precious name we pray.