Matthew 13:44-52 further explains the Kingdom of Heaven:
(44) Again, the kingdom of heaven
is like unto treasure hid in a field,
the which when a man hath found, he hideth,
and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath,
and buyeth that field.
The Kingdom of Heaven is compared to a treasure that has been hidden in a field. A treasure is something of great value. Again this Kingdom cannot be found by those (of the bad seed) who do not see its true value. Therefore, to them, it has been hidden.
However, a person who has been called and chosen by God (the good seed) is able to find the treasure, because God gives him the capacity to realize its value, which motivates him to tenaciously seek it with all his heart. The value of this treasure is so great, that the person is willing and happy to sell everything he has so he can buy the field.
This does not mean that we can do any works ourselves that would guarantee a ticket to Heaven. This is an illustration designed to make us aware that in order to enter the Kingdom, we must be able to realize that the Kingdom's value is greater than anything this world has to offer.
Therefore, we must be willing to submit everything we have to God.
Must we literally give up all of our earthly possessions to follow Christ? No, we are not usually expected to live in poverty. That of itself would just be another means of doing vain works...However...there may be times when it will be necessary, for one reason or another, to let go of earthly possessions in order to follow Christ.
This parable is an illustration of what should be transpiring in our heart when we begin to desire a relationship with Chirst.
While salvation is a free gift, something will be required of us when we have a relationship with Him...He must be preeminent/Lord of our life...He must be above everything else in our life...and we must love to hear the sound of His Voice...enough to follow it, instead of the multitude of voices out there in the world coming from others who do not really know or love the Father or His Son and do not appreciate the value of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
God and His Kingdom are the treasure.
(45) Again, the kingdom of heaven
is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
(46) Who, when he had found one pearl of great price,
went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
The goodly pearl is the same as the treasure. The merchant man realizes the unique value it has and is willing to sell everything he possesses on earth so he can obtain it.
(47) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net,
that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
(48) Which, when it was full, they drew to shore,
and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels,
but cast the bad away.
(49) So shall it be at the end of the world:
the angels shall come forth,
and sever the wicked from among the just,
(50) And shall cast them into the furnace of fire:
there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
There is not one doubt about it. When the system of this world ultimately ends and the final net is cast into the sea of humanity, people from every kind or ethnic background and religious belief will be gathered together and, according to God's requirements for eternal life, the "wicked" will be separated from the "good." Then the wicked will be cast away--removed.
Humanity will be separated out according to the original seed planted by God--whether good seed or bad seed. Those who will be cast away are those who have not seen the value of the Kingdom of God.
God's requirements for eternal life are found in His Holy Word, the Bible, which He has preserved for us from the beginning of time.
You will find the list of steps to salvation found in the Word of God, by clicking on the picture at the top left side of this page where it says, "God's Gift of Salvation."
(51) Jesus saith unto them,
Have ye understood all these things?
They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
(52) Then said he unto them,
Therefore every scribe which is instructed
unto the kingdom of heaven
is like unto a man that is an householder,
which bringeth forth out of his treasure
things new and old.
-Matthew 13: 36-52
Those God has called and chosen, have been given the capacity to study and learn what Jesus has told them through these parables and realize the amazing value of the Kingdom of God
They are like scribes--God's students. Like a person who owns valuable property, these scribes possess many valuable treasures of knowledge from God's Word regarding God and His Kingdom and can draw from both the new and the old insights they have learned through the precious Word and Law of God.
I believe it is fitting to also compare the old and new treasures to the Old and New Testaments, in this symbolism, since the treasures they contain are the very Word of Almighty God that is instrumental in bringing us the knowledge of God and His means of our eternal salvation.
(22) There was brought unto him
one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb:
and he healed him,
insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
(23) And all the people were amazed, and said,
Is not this the son of David?
(24) But when the Pharisees heard it, they said,
This fellow doth not cast out devils,
but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
(25) And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them,
Every kingdom divided against itself
is brought to desolation;
and every city or house divided against itself
shall not stand:
(26) And if Satan cast out Satan,
he is divided against himself;
how shall then his kingdom stand?
(27) And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils,
by whom do your children cast them out?
therefore they shall be your judges.
(28) But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God,
then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
-Matthew 12:22-28
When Jesus was accused of using the devil's power to heal the blind and dumb and to cast out demons, He replied with a valuable lesson about the Kingdom of God. He told them that every kingdom, city, or home divided against itself will be destroyed. It will fail.
Since the kingdom of the devil is divided against itself playing both parts (good at times/bad at times) in an attempt to deceive the world with its "good works," "miracles," and "wonders," it too will ultimately fail.
Because Jesus is the Truth and there isn't any evil in Him, this proves that genuine goodness and truth exist. Therefore we know that unity also exists in the Kingdom of God. Truth produces genuine unity that can never be destroyed.
That which is false causes division. It is truth that produces genuine unity. Therefore the Kingdom of God cannot fail.
If people were being healed and devils being cast out by the devil, he would be destroying his own kingdom. As a matter of fact, this is exactly what he is ultimately doing when he performs his own miracles--but he does not care. Right now the devil just wants to cause confusion with his many forms of false religion, "good works," and clever signs and wonders.
However his nature is, at its very core, self-destructive because he knows that he does not have a future. He is, in fact, on a suicide mission and wants to take as many with him as he can. The Bible verifies that the devil knows that his time is limited.
On the other hand, if people were being healed and devils were being cast out by the Spirit of God, then it would be proof that God's Kingdom had come to them--and it has.
Does this mean that every healing experience and every experience of casting out devils is evidence that the Spirit of God is at work?
We must be careful not to jump to conclusions when we see something supernatural and presume that we are seeing Almighty God at work, just because the outcome may appear to be good at the moment.
Jesus warns us:
(21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth
the will of my Father which is in heaven.
(22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in they name?
and in thy name have cast out devils?
and in they name done many wonderful works?
(23) And then will I profess unto them,
I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
-Matthew 7:21-23
Yes, much confusion, trickery, and deception is a foot. The devil does have some power and his spirit has definitely invaded false religion today with his own signs and wonders.
For this reason we are warned to walk by faith and not by sight because our own eyes can deceive us if we are not careful. Entering the Kingdom of God depends on our relationship with Christ and willingness to do God's will, God's way, and not on religious works or spiritual experiences.
If this is what you desire with all of your heart, scroll to the top of the page and click the button on the left that says, "God's Gift of Salvation." Then follow the instructions to make sure your relationship with Jesus Christ is sealed for eternity.
Be ready for the soon appearing of our Lord and Saviour, so you will be able to claim this promise of Jesus, the One who never lied:
(1) Let not your heart be troubled:
ye believe in God, believe also in me.
(2) In my Father's house are many mansions:
if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
(3) And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also.
-John 14: 1-3
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