I haven't noticed if anyone else has noted this but Luke does not talk about the stories in Luke 15 as being three parables. In 15:3 it states "He told them this parable..", but in the rest of the chapter, each of the other stories is not called a new parable. I believe they are all together as three different aspects of the same parable, a harmony or chorus written as a trilogy under one suggested heading That Which Was Lost, and Was Found.

Since this parable was not directed at His disciples, but rather at the tax-collectors, sinners, Pharisees and scribes, I don't think we should interpret it as being for Christians. Although there are aspects of reconciliation there, the parable seems to be about the "Lost and Found" and the joy of the One who is the finder.

Both sons were "lost" but only one realized it, and admitted it. He was restored. There is no suggestion that the older brother was willing to admit his sins. He was dishonoring to his own father. He was self-righteous in his suggestion that he "never neglected a command of yours". This echoes the words of that unfaithful young man from Matthew 19:20.

So since this parable was expressed to the Pharisees, I suggest that He was trying to show them that their own unrighteous arrogance made them blind to their need. Unlike the sinners and tax-collectors who "drew near to Him" (15:1), these men were scrutinizing Him, "watching Him closely" (14:1) and "plotting against Him, to catch Him in something He might say" (11:54).

It's ironic that they murmured quitely under their breath about how Christ received sinners "and eats with them". Christ had a meal with the Pharisees, just a few hours before! (14:1)


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I have always thought that this parable should be called the parable of the forgiving father.
This poor Father is saddled with two miserable sons.
The transgressions of the younger is obvious. The transgressions of the older are far more insidious. Upon hearing about his brothers return the older brother refuses to talk to him. Yet he seems to feel he knows how the money was spent. Never in the story do you hear that the younger son took up with prostitutes except from the older brothers mouth. I've known many people who have easily blown a fortune on just drinking without giving any thought to where the money was going. Let's not forget how many friends a man has when he has money. The older brother has obviously spent a fair amount of time thinking about what he would have done if he had taken his inheritance. In this whole story all he cares about is himself. He is serving father only for what he can get in the end. In essence he says "I've been good and I deserve something for it!"

So the younger son in essense says to his father "Your gonna die someday - Give me what I will get when you die!" The older son says "I follow your orders not because I love you or because it is the right thing to do but because I expect a special reward!" Each son is focused on himself and his own wants.

The father loves these two jerks because he loves them. Even when they are the most vile he still loves and accepts them. To the father it is not about the things (He does not promise to give anything to the younger son except love and acceptance)... It's not about the stuff to him. The father had to go out of his way to bring each of the sons back into the family. The father overlooks each of his sons selfishness and tries to bring them home.

It's all about how God tries to bring us home even though we would rather hold on to our own selfish desires.
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who were they really? what were some of their main beliefs? how did they relate to the Jews? to Rome? Where were they located? what rolde did they play in Jesus' life?HELP
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The second message is more complete, it has more to it at the bottom!
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u dont kno wat ur talkin about. da church is lieing 2 u. jesus never said worship me.u can read da bible u will never see him say dat
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Dear Friend,

Kindly send me a picture of the mustard seed.

Thanks,

Lea Fiegalan
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The bridegroom,Jesus Christ actually comes(Raptures) the Wise righteous (born again) New Creatures! In fact, this passage says that after trying to buy oil from the wise virgins, the foolish virgins had time to go to the marketplace in pursuit of the oil(Matthew 25:9) Similarly in (Revelation 3:18) the Laodiceans are a picture of the foolish virgins left behind! They are told to go,and buy gold tried in the fire,and to buy white raiment.

[Matthew 25:9]

[Matthew 25:9] But the (wise)answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and (buy for yourselves.

Revelation 3:18

I counsel thee to (buy) of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and (white raiment) that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and (anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see)

The white raiment represents the robes of righteousness that these foolish virgins will have to obtain in the tribulation. The fire of the furnace of tribulation that these Laodicean, foolish virgins will go through will motivate them to be on fire for the Lord. The heat that they go through during the tribulation, will skim off their impurities, purifying them, and qualifying them to join the Bride for the Judgment Seat of Christ and Marriage Supper of the Lamb as the Wrath of God falls on this earth.

Door is associated with the rapture. In this verse Matthew 25:10 when it says the door is shut, the rapture of the Bride is over and the door or gate into the New Jerusalem at that time is shut.

Door in Greek can be seen as Portal,

Notice the Door is open in Revelation 4:1,and Matthew 25:10 shares the Bridegroom(Jesus Christ) came,and those who were Ready(Wise)Lamps Lit,and filled with oil(Holy Ghost) went in with him to the Marriage,and then the Door was shut.

2 Samuel 22:29

For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.

Proverbs 21:20

(There is treasure to be desired) and (oil in the dwelling of the wise) but a foolish man spendeth it up.


The foolish neglect the Word of God. The Foolish become deceived by man made religion,and fall for the ways of the world(back sliding,and lukewarm)

God is preparing His bride,His righteous born again New Creatures for the rapture and the wedding of His Son. The day is coming, in our lifetime! Some will be taken, but many will remain to suffer God's wrath.

Jesus tells us to pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen.(Luke 21:34-36)

Luke 21:34-36

(And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares)

35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36(Watch ye therefore) and pray always) that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

king Jesus Christ prophetically warned, Take heed to yourselves, lest at anytime your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (overindulgence)and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, so that day come upon you unawares.(Watch ye) therefore, and (pray always) that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things .

(Luke 21:34-36) Here, in praying always, it is the Christians that are instructed to be sober,and not to be overtaken with overindulgence and the cares of this life,not just the unbeliever (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8) First, note that unbelievers do not believe.

Secondly, unbelievers do not pray,and Worship God! nor will they pray always,and Watch which is an explicit Christian directive for saved Christians to be Watching in preparation for King Jesus Christ! Lest That Day overtake them unawares.

We must continue to share,and teach the Powerful Gospel with anyone,and everyone at all Times!

One must remember to Pray the Back sliders,Lukewarm,and unbelievers Wake up(Romans 13:11)get Saved,and abide in King Jesus Christ!

Also we must continue to share,and teach that the Christians need to (Wake up) (Watch)and (Abide) in our wonderful King Jesus Christ!
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I ask you please read the webpage called(Rapture of his Bride) on the website www.raptureprophecy.com




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HOW POWERFUL AND PROFOUND that artical is. It describes exactely howI feel for THE LORD GOD our FATHER the HOLIEST of HOLY! AMEN thank you for it. May GOD BLESS you + KEEP you
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Who are the tares and when were they first planted and do their progeny still exist today? Is it possible that the source of these tares is directly connected with the "sons of God" and their offspring, the nephilim as recorded in Genisis 6:4? Does the book of Enoch have any relevence to this. After reading it, I believe that the all this is very possible.
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The man was asking Who was his neighbor in response to loving others as yourself. By saying we don't have to believe in Jesus to inherit eternal life leaves out the first half of verse 27 where you are to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strenght and with all you mind." This is HUGE! and we cannot ignore it when trying to understand Jesus's message about loving EVERYONE not matter who they are in relation to you.
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Note; The parable of the ten virgins immediately following begins with the word "THEN " pointing back to the parable of the Householder and His servant. Note that by comparing Matt 24:45-51 with the parallel section in Luke 12:42-46, it is clear that one servant is in view throughout. The servant either remains faithfull or he becomes unfaithfull. The parable of the ten virgins then begins and covers the same subject matter, providing additional information from a different perspective; and the parable concludes in a similar fashion by showing that which awaits both those who are ready and by showing that which awaits both those who are ready and those who are not ready at the time of the Lord's return
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birds of the air
Strong's Ref. # 3772 for air
Romanized ouranos Pronounced oo-ran-os'
perhaps from the same as GSN3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specifically, the Gospel (Christianity):
KJV--air, heaven([-ly]), sky.
so it could be written as? so that the birds of heaven come and lodge in the branches thereof.

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Short parable, but meaningful! The truly saved WILL bring forth fruit, just by the true indwelling of the Spirit! Two ways to look at the last verse...one, as the second coming occuring at the fulfillment of the kingdom, and two, as our branches getting "pruned" when full to that we can produce more fruit. Chrys _________________ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.


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Interesting post you guys have,and I wanted to share Be wise!Keep Your Lamp Lit with(JESUS CHRIST)Filled With oil(As with the Holy Ghost)

There will be wise and foolish believers!

In the parable of the ten virgins, King Jesus Christ reveals that there will be wise and foolish believers in the day of His coming. He compares five wise virgins with five foolish virgins, they were ALL VIRGINS!

2 Corinthians 11:2

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste (virgin to Christ)

The WISE are those who usher a deep Love,and Personal Relationship with the Bridegroom and know King Jesus Christ is coming again for His bride.

(The Wise are Awake,and Watching)

Jesus Christ is the lamp,the light of the world John 8:12

Five/Half were Wise

Five/Half were Foolish!

The Foolish once lived in the wonderful joy of being ready and watching, but turned back to accept the careless lifestyle of worldly living and conduct(Back Sliding,Lukewarm) as Shared in Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth)

The Lord is our LAMP

2 Samuel 22:29

For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.

Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Only the WISE had OIL! Only the wise had received the infilling of the Holy Spirit.Throughout Scripture, the oil is used as the symbol for the Holy Spirit.

Only the wise hungered and thirsted for righteousness and received God's promise of His fullness. They received,and ushered the fruit of the Spirit(Galatians 5:22-26)The fruit is produced as you abide in His infilling, as you abide in His fullness. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the oil that makes your light shine, that makes you an overcomer, that empowers you to overcome your sinful nature producing garments that are clean and white without spot or wrinkle.

OIL in the dwelling of the WISE

Proverbs 3:35

(The wise shall inherit glory:) but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Proverbs 14:35

(The king's favour) is toward a (wise servant) but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Proverbs 21:20

(There is treasure to be desired) and (oil in the dwelling of the wise) but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Proverbs 28:26

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool (but whoso walketh (wisely) he shall be delivered)

The Wise Virgins(As Pure Heart)The Children of God who abide(Intimate)Who have a personal Relationship(Born Again)with JESUS CHRIST!Lamps Lit,and filled with oil(As Holy Ghost)

The Foolish Virgins were not thankful,and were not grateful enough to love King Jesus Christ more than anything,and everything(with all their Heart,Soul,and Mind)

This is the first and great commandment)as Shared in Deuteronomy 6:5,Matthew 22:37-38,and Mark 12:30

The foolish had none of the oil that comes from surrender of self. They did not replenish the oil of the Holy Spirit. They did not hunger and thirst for righteousness and become filled.

The Foolish let their Love,and fire for the Lord dwindle to a lukewarm ember as Shared in Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

(Matthew 25:10) This is incredible language that leaves no room for misunderstanding. The door is shut on these foolish virgins and they miss the welcome into the wedding chamber. The warning would suggest that these foolish virgins are just like much of our church world. They once lived in the wonderful joy of being ready and watching, but turned back to accept the careless lifestyle of worldly living and conduct(Back Sliding,Lukewarm)

To read More of the Message about The Rapture, WISE,and Foolish visit http://www.raptureprophecy.com and see the webpage called (Rapture of His Bride)


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Dan,
As a mother in a similar situation, I empathize with you. since you wrote almost 1 year ago, I just wanted to write to ask how things are going. I know I never stop praying for my younger child (Is it something to do with birth order?!). I have become devoted to St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. She prayed for THIRTY YEARS for the conversion of her son from his paganistic, hedonistic ways! Her bishop told her that the prayers of a mother who had shed so many tears for her son would not go unanswered. St. Augustine eventually converted to Christianity and became one of the greatest scholars of the early Church.
Praying for the same miracle for all our sons...
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When asked about eternal life Jesus affirms the "Teacher" on his understanding that unadulterated love for God is the basic requirement for eternal life. In todays vernacular that would be "Christian". What situation in your life would make you think otherwise?
Len
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I would like to see a picture of a mustard tree
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HARVESTING

The harvesting is nothing more than concentrating the yeast cells by
passing the fermented liquid through large centrifugal pumps called
separators. This process is similar to spinning clothes dry in a washing
machine. The result is off-white liquid called cream yeast. Further
processing is dependent on the type of yeast desired.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

In all the yeast processes, utmost care is taken to produce a product of
the highest possible quality and purity. Samples are routinely checked by
the laboratory and frequent cleaning and sterilization of the equipment
are conducted to assure the proper standards are met.



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Did you mean to use the word "apposed" which means, "to put before; apply (one thing) to another; to place in juxtaposition or proximity?"
There are two kinds of leaven mentioned in the Bible. One is the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, the other is the leaven of the Woman. The leaven of the Pharisees and Saducees is the leaven of which we should beware. The Pharisee’s leaven was/is sensuousness, self-righteousness, vanity and hypocrisy. If one wanted to compare that to "rot", I suppose one could say that sensuousness, self-righteousness, vanity and hypocrisy "rot" the moral character and moral fabric of individuals and countries but I think it has little to do with a Jewish kitchen. (I have seen a dirty Jewish kitchen. One of the jokes I've heard from my Jewish friends is that there is NO such thing as a Jewish kitchen, "we make reservations." Perhaps that's why they are generally neat and clean.) All "leavenity" aside, the leaven the woman hid in three measures of meal---in modes of human thought--- is a different kind of leaven, in that it is Truth. "Meal" in the Bible stands for healing. The Woman's leaven is NOT that of the hypocritical Pharisees but of God's Christ, Truth. This leaven of Truth is changing the whole of thought until the all of evil thought is changed into Truth. Woman plays a very important role in Biblical history. The golden thread of Truth and prophecy come through her from Old Testament times to the New, culminating in Mary giving birth to Jesus and the beautiful Woman in the Apocalypse clothed with the sun with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars. She opposes the dragon and is the opposite of the wicked woman Jezebel and is finally given the wings of an eagle to fly away to her place and be nourished. Her babe that the dragon is so intent on destroying is Truth. The dragon, serpent, satin, devil (Rev 12:9) is the lie and the liar that Jesus said he was in John 8:44. A lie always tries to destroy the Truth, but never will or can. Truth ALWAYS destroys a lie.-----I think the point should be that everything is a matter of human interpretation and it seems to me that what is most important is to gain the SPIRITUAL import of the Scriptures of which there is only one. It is not mine or yours but God's, given to each of us in the quiet of silent prayer. I agree that word definitions are MOST important and useful in discovering the spiritual aspect of the Scriptures, but only to that end.-------Sometimes the analogies people make about very serious spiritual things, are worse than silly. They steer our thought away from contemplating the Word of God. I would much rather "be silent, and know that I am God" than listen to someone tell me about Jewish kitchens. You said you heard this from someone. I think I would steer clear of that someone.
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The Parable of the 10 virgins that our Lord told in Matthew 25 is broad and not very well defined, and so, can have several interpretations. One can think of the girls representing believers and unbelievers when the Lord, as the bridegroom arrives as the second coming, or may be even as Jews who accept and don't accept the Lord at His first coming. It is not easy There are problems of logic and truth at each turn. I think we are on thin ice when we make the oil in the lamp the HS. After all, how can I carry a store or buy more of Him? Are the girls who go in really the ones who are saved and the others not? If so, then it sounds like salvation by works to me! What I can do to be saved, such as be properly prepared?

The best interpretation I can put on it, and I think the Lord's hearers may very well have taken it that way, is that this is guidance and a warning to those who believe. Guidance and a warning for you and for me. We are given a task, we have access to the materials and we have time. All are under the control of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no doubt who is in control. It is his wedding and he is the kingpin. Nothing starts before He is ready and in His presence.

All the girls are given a task to do; the same task. I must use my time and opportunities properly so that I am ready and behaving as the Lord requires to be able to participate in the task. Successful participation means that
1.my contribution to the ministry is accepted and so am a I. I can't just go on doing things, even if they are those of God, my way. If I do, there is going to be a problem! This is not about salvation, but participation in ministry.
2.If I am found prepared and present, then I will be swept in in the wonder of the Lord's presence and participation in far more than just my contribution makes.
3.If I am accepted or 'known' in ministry, then I will participate and enjoy the warmth, celebration and joy of the outcome of the ministry with the Lord Jesus. Ministry is not the end itself, just as welcoming with light wasn't the end of their task.

The Groom's response is harsh, yes! But God doesn't compromise with our dilly-dallying, lack of commitment and mucking about in ministry. In terms of our task in a ministry, either He accepts our contribution and us, or neither. We can't muddle through or do it our way. I must remember I am dealing with almighty God, the one with all authority.
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Yes there is a case to be made about the elder son. In my Christain Fellowship we spent two weeks on this one parable; the first week we looked at how we can put ourselves in the shoes of the older son, and the sencond we talked about how, if we don't necesarily identify with the younger son, we probably do with the older one.
We talked about how sometimes as Christians we view that there are certain things we feel we have to do in order to recieve God's love. We have to go to church, not swear, follow the commandments, give to the poor....etc. And then we see/realize that there are other who are not doing all of the "required" things, and yet they still recieve God's love.
But the point that (I think) Jesus was trying to make is that there is no list of things you have to do to be loved by God. God loves all His children no matter what. And at the end of the parable Jesus never said whether or not the older son decides to go in and recieve his father's love, or stay out and get nothing.
Hope that helps!
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The French philosopher Simone Weil brought out some amazing insights on divine love based on this parable.

She notes that Jesus does not describe good neighbours as "loving" or "charitable", but "just". There is no distinction between justice and love. Greek justice occurs when two parties of equal strength come to an agreement. Supernatural justice occurs when an unequal relationship is treated equal by the stronger party - that is, the stronger party treats the weaker as his equal.

This is what the Samaritan did. Others walked by him, and saw an anonymous lump of flesh - they did not see a person. The Samaritan could not see the victim's humanity either, but he took that humanity on faith and acted lovingly towards the victim. Weil says that in this way, "Love shows us what is invisible."

The love of the Samaritan is not creturely love, it is divine love. She has an odd idea about Creation which I cannot agree with it, but it can deepen our understanding of love, so here it is:

God and His creatures are less than God alone. Creation was an act of loving renunciation - "He emptied a part of His being from Himself; that is why John says that the lamb had been slain from the beginning of the world."

When we love our neighbour, we are replicating God's love for Creation. We renounce a part of ourself. No person can love his neighbour. (I distinguish neighbour from friend, relative, beloved, etc.) God gives us that love.

"Only God, present in us, can really look at the afflicted with a look differing from what we give to ‘things’, can listen to their voice as we listen to spoken words. The love of our neighbour is the love which comes down from God to man."

Raphael Hythloday.
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Jeffery, I think that Sue is more correct than you. That's a wonderful, inspired comment she made. The compilers of the Bible often didn't put things in order. There are many compilations that straightened these verses out and put them back into their ORIGINAL order whatever that may be, so the KJV doesn't look or read in the same order as you see in your Bible of today. So to say that Sue has taken something out of context because it may be out of order, belies history. Not only verses in our Bible are out of order to the original, but chapters and whole books of the Scriptures too. Quite often compilers added their own notes also.-----What makes you think that Matthew, a tax collector, wrote the Gospel of Matthew and that if he did, he had a ready pen and paper and wrote down in shorthand everything that Jesus said and IN ORDER? Don't you think that he would have been more interested in really listening to Jesus and gaining some spiritual insight? Are you even sure that he heard Jesus in person? If he did, and I think as a disciple may have heard some, are you sure he walked the long trek home after listening to Jesus and was able to print by hand, everything in order and in exactly the same words? Do you think that he may have left something out on occasion? As all of us know, the stories were always word of mouth, not the printed page. Many of these things were written years later after they were heard. The synoptic Gospels are most generally the same and in the same order, but not all were disciples, so they copied from one another, hence their sameness in a lot of areas. Let me tell you that most authorities say that Mathew had Mark's Gospel before him as he wrote his book, inserting his own valuable additions, very seldom diverting from Mark's order. Also, Matthew borrows about half of his narrative from St. Mark and aprox. one third was borrowed from Luke. His main source of his discourses was a document called the Logia. -----There were numerous other Gospels that are not now in our Bible, although were transmitted in earlier history. The Gospel of Peter, for instance is contaminated by fiction. The despised Mathew, employed by Herod and the REPUTED author, was writing for the Jews from his tax collector's viewpoint. His point of view would necessarily be different than that of Luke who was St. Paul's interpreter and a physician. Mark was writing for the Romans. John's recordings were SELECTED by him to make a certain other point----that of illustrating the incarnation of the Son of God. So each was a scribe and not necessarily a reporter, scribing from others’ copies with a personal point of view and with a particular purpose and audience in mind.----The two different viewpoints of you and Sue illustrate my point that all of us take and see from the Scriptures different things because of our different backgrounds, personal history, occupation, likes, dislikes, and purposes----even though we all are reading the same words. This is good, for God speaks to all of us individually and according to our need. The point is for each of us is to gain the SPIRITUAL meaning of the Scriptures and not get hung up on semantics. Is there any one of us that can dictate another's inspiration? Your origanl inspiration taken from Sue's was what you should cling to.


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I agree with you! The fowls of the air are from Gen 1:20-21, 31 where God, who is Love, brought forth the fowls of the air to fly in the firmament of heaven and God saw everything that he made and behold it was very good. (Why would a good, loving God create evil birds to fly in His heaven? He did not.) Why would anyone want to take a symbol of inspiration, love and protection such as birds reflect and want to see them as they are described but once in the Bible as unclean, foul and hateful? There are so many inspired references to wings, brooding, flying, nest, eagles that are beautiful in the Scriptures. I'd rather take the inspired Word of the Bible. Mustard seed and leaven are synon. and both small but growing and changing into good, useful things. The woman hid the leaven in three measures of meal---modes of human thought. Meal in the Bible stands for healing. The leaven is NOT that of the hypocritical Pharasees but of God's Christ, Truth. This leaven of Truth is changing the whole of thought until the whole of evil thought is leavened--changed into Truth. The grains of mustard signify this growth of Truth too, until the leaves of the tree of Truth are used for the healing of the nations--knowing the Truth that makes us free----free from what? A lie. Truth always frees us from lies. Truth never frees us from itself! Only, only from lies. The devil is a liar and the Father of it and abides not in truth. John 8:44
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This is not the complete story about the two sons.
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The rich man and Lazarus is a prophetic parable. It comes before and after parables from Jesus. It is actually one of the most astonishing prophesies Jesus spoke. In a nutshell, the rich man, Israel, and the Lazarus, gentiles. It is prophesy of the role reversal that will be played out in the coming mellenia. The jews will not have the place of honor and blessings they once had and to the gentiles it will be given. The death in the parable is symbolizing the death and resurection of Christ. The 5 brothers are further evidence. The scriptures record for us the sons of Jacob through Leah were six, thus Judah had five brethren, all full-blood brothers. Those who would have heard Jesus 2,000 years ago would have understood as they lay great store in their ancestry. This rich man then was Judah the southern kingdom of the Jews. I could go on and on but, with this in mind now, read and study the parable again and see what God is showing you.
This parable is RICH with prophetic knowledge and understanding, and to take this incredible and powerful scripture and use it as some proof text for eternal torment in hell is small minded and missing the point all together.
Think people! God asks us to come and "reason" with Him.
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If we study the parable of the Mustard Tree we see that it relates to common OT themes.

Daniel 4,Ezekiel 31&17 show us that Christ is speaking of a type of Christian nation gone bad.Since the birds spoken of in Ezekiel 31 Matthew 13 Revelation 18 seem to relate to demonic principalities that have strongholds in the places of worship in Egypt,Babylon(NT & OT) & Assyria.We see the current state of our churches in the U.S.

In the Torah Mustard is not kosher in vedgetable gardens because as a seed bearing plant it is only permitted to be grown as a field plant yet Christ(a strict Jew)plants it in his garden.

This speaks of the fact that the people who made up the initial Mustard Seed were a very small group of Gentile believers who were made righteous(kosher) by faith.They were grafted on to Abraham (made his sons by faith).

This small group of faithful people were none other than the seperatists(Pilgrims) who landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620.They were the ones who Christ brought to himself then planted in his garden.
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Do you think that there are consequences for our sin? Is it possible, for example, that health problems can be a direct result or consequence for a life of eating junk food?
I'm dealing with a rebelious kid... he's lied, then we've caught him and he's apologized. Then he's lied again. Again, we've caught him later on and he's apologized. Each time, we've gone straight back to having the arms wide open like the father in this story. But it keeps happening again and again. The kid says that he's sorry and that he's been like the prodigal son and we must forgive him because that's what God wants us to do. And forgive, I will gladly do. However, trust is another thing completely... and I'm really struggling with understanding how the "unconditional forgiveness" fits into the whole picture. Does God want us to continue to put ourselves in the position of being lied to and yelled at over and over again? Is that healthy and a part of loving people like He does?
And I'm wondering, are we projecting an attitude onto the older son that was never expressed in Scripture? I think that the older son must have seen how hurt the father had been during the time that his younger son was gone. And that must've hurt him too. And I think that there is the part in me (as the older son type) that wants to know that there is a reason that I'm following hard after God and being faithful to my family and to the things He has called me to. If living life for myself and giving into my ungodly desires has no consequence, then why shouldn't I indulge myself? See, the difference I see between the two sons is that one gave into the sinful desires and another held strong because of his faith in God and his love for his father. It's not a sin to be tempted - heck, Jesus Christ was tempted in the New Testament. What IS a sin though, is when we give in to those desires.
How do I PRACTICALLY respond to the prodigal son... especially when it's hard to tell if he's really returned? After the arms wide open and the party and the ring... what then? PLEASE HELP ME!!!
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If you believe on the Father (God) Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Sprit you will be saved. Jesus Christ sits on the right hand of the Father making intercession for the saints. Romans 10:9 If u believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus was raised from the dead you shall be saved.
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Patrick hold on to your faith and Father God... He grieves with you...I too grive with you, as a formerly behaving as elder brother of prodigal son...Myself personaly God did a work in me and revealed my PRIDE, MY SELFISHNESS AND MY HEART, AND MY FEARS......

Keep praying God will reveal it to her in the scriptures about herself...
let god lead you when or if you should quote the scripture..Change may not come over night, as it did not come over night with you, or with the prodigal son, but the FATHER made his self availble to them, told elder son is been here for you the fatted calf, party, deliverance awaits your child. i love the comment made about wanting to be like the Prodigal son's Father that i read earlery

be bless everyone, i was enlightened by all the comments and revelations on this parable
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Actually the son that stayed at home was also wayward...not in location...but in relationship to his Father! His relationship was built on duty and perfection and not on love!!!
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I have been told by a counselor, professional, that i have Cyclothymia, but I am also a christian, and I am wondering, can saten attack one who is saved, just like symptoms of depression, as well, to trick you into thinking you have this when you don't, or, if you do, it is a trial? How should I look at this. I don't want to take meds, I am not suisidal, or bad behaviour, but I wonder if it is a trial, or if it is saten messing with me, to get me to doubt God. Do you understand this? THanks for the help if you can . I am just now seeing this might be the case.
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Thanks Brother Prater,
OPEN HEAVEN!
It is a wonderful revelation to experience inheritance. Some will receive and others will be looking right at it and never experience any more. OUR LORD CAME TO TAKE BACK WHAT THE ENEMY HAD STOLEN. We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ and sons of God. We are all wanting more, but the level of wanting is only quickened by the Holy Spirit. HAVE WE ASKED? Father God I want more of YOU?
This warning to us about the two sons is a sad story to say the least when one brother takes what is given and runs with it and loses all, ending up in the pig slime. The other stays in his boundaries, limited, shutting himself down. wanting inheritance but not wanting to spend quality time with the Father The son who stayed home has set his limits and will never take the fullness of all that has been given to him. Faith, believing in the Word Of The Lord. receiving revelation to all that had been given and how THE KINGDOM OF GOD is not by works or presumption, It is a wonderful koinonia relationship, intimate, and personal. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, The love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. (2 Cor. 13:14). This is where we receive inheritance, and this is how we become full of the Glory of God. Romans 14:17 (Righteousness, Peace, and Joy In The Holy Ghost).
Rev. 3:20 is the key to knowing (YADA) Him. He's knocking, Open the door and let Him in. He wants to banquet with us. The Father said prepare a feast as he gazed at his son coming home. A couple of verses later there was a open door in heaven. Our Father has a open door policy and we can all come home to his banquet table. Have we taken the time to sup with Him lately? Do we know how to? Let's Ask OF HIM!
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im not here to reply i just want to tell you that the morals of islam agree completley with the teachings of jesus , you only have to study it careful by yourslef and dont believe what your media tells you .
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I am teaching this Sunday on parables. A picture of the mustard tree will help my visual presentation. Can anyone point me to any source?
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First, to fully understand what was happening, let's look at why the events in this parable happened the way they did.

It was common practice in these times that if a person owed somebody else, the person they owed was allowed to sell him, and his family, as servants until the debt was paid off. Here's another example of where it happened, this one in the old testament. 2 Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. A more detailed description of this practice is found in Leviticus:

LEV 25:39 And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:

LEV 25:40 But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubilee.

LEV 25:41 And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.

LEV 25:42 For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.

LEV 25:43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor; but shalt fear thy God.

LEV 25:44 Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.

LEV 25:45 Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession.

LEV 25:46 And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigor.

So this is what we see happening at the beginning of this parable. There was the servant of a man who owed his master a debt, and he was unable to pay it. The master did what was common in that time....prepared to sell him, his family, and his possessions in return for the payment owed. The servant begged for more time, and his master had compa/s/sion. He could have just had *some* but and gave him more time to come up with what he owed, but instead he had TOTAL compa/s/sion, and forgave the amount owed.

The amount forgiven was approximately $16,180,000.

After he was forgiven, this servant then went to one of his fellow workers who owed him (approximately $14). He choked him and demanded his payment. His fellow worker requested the same thing the servant had requested.....more time to pay what he owed.

You'd think that a man who'd just been forgiven an amount that nobody at that time would have been capable of paying off would understand and be compa/s/sionate towards another in the same position...and this wasn't even CLOSE to the same amount! Yet he didn't...he was angry and unforgiving, and had the man imprisoned.

When his master found out what he had done, he reminded him of his previous debt, and wondered that the servant didn't have the same compa/s/sion on his fellow worker.

The master then reinstated the debt. I'm not sure what the tormenters were...I'd guess it was worse than being sold, unless it means the same thing. Someone else can jump in and explain this part.

Anyhow, the moral of the story? Do unto others as you'd have done to you! Christians, you have been forgiven a debt you could have never paid. In comparison to that, how hard can it be to forgive your fellow men offenses against you?

Chrys _________________ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.


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One thing I am reminded of while I was reading through your messages was, not hiding the lamp under the bowl, but letting the light shine. Does everyone remember the concept of not hiding the light and letting our light shine? The last servant was scorned because he had buried into the world whatever the master had entrusted.
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This is not about the rapture of the church at all. Jesus is speaking to Jews about the tribulation period. The virgins are Jews. Five responded to the preaching of the 144,000 evangelists and worshipped God and five did not. When the king comes to reign at the end of the tribulation period, the tribulation saints are raptured as He gathers the elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. 24:31 Notice that they go out to meet the bridegroom, not to marry him. He is already married to the church which is a virgin in the singular never in plural. This parable which begins with "then" (Identifying the period that is being discussed) is nestled between Matt 24:30 describing the Lord coming in in the clouds in His glory (Rev 19) and Matt.25:32 where is is seated on His throne and judging the nations. While these foolish virgins go out to buy oil, they take the mark of the beast, forever shutting themselves out and sealing their destiny to be cast into the lake of fire. Rev 14:1-6
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Rob

That was really good! I’m all ears.

A good example that would support what you’re saying would be the fact that Jesus said in Mark chapter Four “the earth brings forth fruit of herself”.

The earth is the human heart (our own). Jesus also said “things spoken in darkness will be heard in the light” and scripture supports that it’s your own spirit that’s radiating it outward-like a ball of dough manifesting yeast or becoming leavened (YOU CAN SEE IT!). And yet Jesus said “your HEAVENLY FATHER will reward you openly”.

Jesus taught that the human spirit acts as a candle or a light. I call it the overhead projector that projects things onto the canvas of our lives. But you’ve picked up on the fact that there’s a mystical parallel between the human heart and our heavenly father. Someone might be tempted to conclude that WE are GOD, but no I think the real meaning is that we were designed to be a type of mirror that reflects the glory of God (a chandelier?). God has sent the light of his word into the world and for those who allow it to “dwell in them richly”, that light will hit that inner mirror and be refracted into the world around us. Hence God uses this refracting property of mans heart as his M.O.

So, then the question is, just who is this unjust judge? FYI, I’m not saying that God is the unjust judge. What I was saying is that if this small, worldly insignificant woman can instill such torment into the heart of a human of great worldly stature through the use of this idea (it’s the idea of faith found in the new testament), then HOW MUCH MORE can we get results from one who is NOT proactively resisting us.

Both the man who came for bread at midnight and the widow came boldly DEMANDING that their petition be granted. Notice it had nothing to do with friendship, worldly status, or lack thereof; it had to do with BRAZENESS. That’s the word that comes closest to the real meaning of the word that was translated “importunity”. The real meaning of the word is WITHOUT BASHFULNESS. It’s the same idea found in the parable of the widow and unjust judge.

OK, but how about your point that we’re really in a sense praying to our own spirit and our own spirit is the putrid judge? Frankly I agree with you on that. But the question arises; do we need to go that far into the interpretation of this parable to reach some kind of understanding of it? Well your thinking is good! But I just don’t know if Jesus intended for us to analyze this analogy to that degree. But then that’s what we always say.

All that I can say right now is that I’ll have to look into that. I heard what you said and will take it seriously. But I like the way that you attempted to keep the underlying parallels of the kingdom in tacked when breaking this down.

Right now I think it’s merely an example of holy boldness and the refusal to capitulate upon the promises that we’ve received from God. It would also underscore the fact that prayer is based on covenant rights not wishy washy gravelling or begging as though were dogs under the table. HEY, didn’t Jesus say something similar to a woman who he ended the conversation with GREAT IS YOUR FAITH?

Rob keep up the good work. You’re an inspiration! And I’ll continue to look at it in the light that you’ve laid down.

God bless:)

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the parable has so many lessons and each of us will take a different lesson away from it.

both sons thought they knew better than the father and were both proven wrong. the father knows what we don't and we need to respect that.

i'd like to draw attention to some of the verses:
(12) And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. (the younger son); and (29) ... And yet thou never gavest me (a kid), that I might make merry with my friends (the older son).

notice: both sons asked for the same thing.

the difference follows: when the younger son sinned he sinned. then when he repented he repented. his dirt was dirty and his clean was clean (because his father forgave him without malice). the older son had the same sinful inclination but lacked the nerve to follow through. with the older son, his dirt and his clean were almost identical; not quite dirty enough to be sinful, but not spotless enough to be righteous. his righteousness changed depending on how much you knew about him. there isn't a right son/wrong son debate. to me, one son was wrong in public where his sin was exposed and corrected, and the other was wrong in private where his sin was well hidden but the father knew it all along and corrected him also.

the younger son and older son alike were also selfishly demanding. it wasn't until the younger son lost all that he learned to pray. furthermore, the younger son learned to be decisive, to stand and account for his actions (in v18 and 19). the older son never did but instead resorted to excuses (v29) and blame (v30). he stayed selfish to the very end.

only one son repented and only he was happy to be in the mansion. how many of us who have been saved too long will enjoy being in heaven? i'm sure some of us 'older son' believers will complain when we see streets of gold and whine because they're not streets of platinum. surely god owes us some platinum after we've served him all these years, doesn't he? i won't even mention what we'll say about some of the other 'younger son' believers we scorn as 'unsaveable' who arrive in heaven before we do. the devil himself would be ashamed to utter such backbiting and cursing.

now i'd like to contrast the sons' demands with the father's actions:
(22) ... Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: (23) And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry (to his younger son); and (31) ... All that I have is thine (to his older son).

bring the fatted calf! all that i have is yours! could either son say the same thing to their father? this shows the error of both their ways. the first couldn't say this because he had nothing. the second couldn't say this because he was selfish. neither son could be generous to their father because they were dependent on what he gave them. neither one was an earner. both failed to learn the lesson of wealth-building their father taught them daily with his words and actions. if you can't learn to be wealthy from a tycoon, who will teach you to be wealthy. if you can't learn to be generous from one who can afford generosity, who will you learn it from. these are important lessons neither son learned. again, it's not about which son was 'better' off. both missed the mark.

and now, let's contrast the story with the storyteller.

jesus himself was a son who inherited his father's great wealth. he's also a son who left home, so he did what both sons did. unlike the other sons, jesus increased his father's wealth and returned home to unselfishly share with his father. he didn't sqander his returns like the younger son or try to angle his way to his father's portion of the family money like the older one. jesus didn't try to cut his father out of the picture like the other sons. his father was ever foremost in his mind. jesus didn't divide his wealth from his father; he multiplied it unto his father.

so often we read this parable and we wonder which son we're like. instead, we are free to look to the storyteller for the best example.
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I too have the Greek meaning, but again, it does not say what you are trying to make it say! You have misquoted the Word of God, not by His Spiritual Truths, but according to the desires of your heart, which is earthy riches!
You want to use evil rich people that you might gain Riches, but did you not know,
(Proverbs-15-8) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is His delight!

Do you think for one second, Holy God would use money from the wicked, an abomination to the Lord, that He might reward His Servants?

Satan has always deceived man, by misquoting the Word of God!

(James-1-5) If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God! Ask Him to guide you to His Truths, that you might understand the Word of God, because the carnal minded cannot receive the Spiritual Truths of the Word!
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I am discussing the passage on the Mustard seed this Wednesday and would appreciate a picture of the Mustard tree by the 5.1.2005. Tq. God Bless.
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He stands for the self-righteous Pharisee's who would rather see a sinner destroyed than saved. Certain things stand out about him.

(i) His attitude shows that his years of obedience to his father had been years of grim duty and not of loving service.

(ii) His attitude is one of utter lack of sympathy. He refers to the prodigal, not as any brother, but as your son. He was the kind of self-righteous character who would cheerfully have kicked a man farther into the gutter when he was already down.

(iii) He had a peculiarly nasty mind. There is no mention of harlots until he mentions them. He, no doubt, suspected his brother of the sins he himself would have liked to commit.
The Father searches for the lost son on the horizon, the father represents God (Abba), The lost prodigal represents the sinner (you and me)
The Lost comes running to the father because we have free will (choose life eternal, or not) The elder son is ungrateful of the blessings of the Father, he is judgemental, narrow minded, unloving, and uncaring,
instead of running to his brother in wild and loving abandonment he accuses and whines in petty greed and jealously.
the younger son while being lost, found the Holy spirit by confession of his sin, his poverty and filth brought on the conviction of his sin and it convinced him of his fathers rightousness.
The eldest son lost the presence of the holy spirit when he turned a blind eye to love and forgiveness.
When we are convicted of our sin and convinced of gods rightousness by the power of the holy spirit, (geist=Ghost=Spirit), we find the natural outcome is love and forgiveness (love all, worship one).
By losing his love and compassion the elder son (i.e. the pharisee's and the sadducees that made up the council of the sanhedren had lost the holy Spirit!
The ultimate sin, is sin against the holy spirit!
Romans 10:14 says "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher"?
Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke with all longsuffering; for the time will come when they will not listen to sound doctrine!
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what are good works? how does one use his abilities to serve the lord? is it selling airplanes to don king? is it selling cars? or insurance? what about the birds that neither sow nor reap nor amass riches? what material things are gained by making 100, 000 per year? how is owning a lexus doing good works? what could people buy with money in 500ad? not computors!!! it is my observation the worlds point of reference is monetary gain and not christian charity. Self aquisitions and personal security above charity to its extreme. Although many interpretations of the parable of ten talents are similar i see common flaw running throughout their illogical analysis. i however have no revelation as to its true meaning. the master expects usury fees and yet christ said if they want ur cloak give ur shirt as well. give without expectation of reward. the first 2 servants are likely to have exploited the needs of the others in order to amass greater riches and leave the masses less wealth. wealth is not created. it only exchanges hands. if someone has more, all the rest have less. i see the servant with 1 talent as taking doing the least harm
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Big Island, please see my response under the topic of "leaven and the dough parable". But yes. I think you've seen the light!
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What is the main difference between the prodigal son and the elder brother? The prodigal son came to his senses.

The elder brother does what he is supposed to do, but as we can see at the end of the story, his heart is not right either. He is only following with his head. I think he would be considered "luke warm".

My question is, what would it take for the elder brother to come to his senses?
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okay like i have a problem i have a giant project on hope and i need a scripture on hope and i cant find any thing please help!
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I believe that the woed of God should always be used in the context of the verses around the one you are reading.
Mustard seed.
In Matt 13 it seems to be abnormally large and the fowls are clearly stated to be satan and his fallen angels. I believe it represents the earthly human church. Not the spirital church that is following after Christ first.
It started small and if you consider all the churchs called christian, has grown to cover most of the world. Many false teachers and false doctrines rest in it's branchs.

Now if you want to consider other verses.
Matt 17:19-21
Here the mustard seed represents the need for growing faith. The disciples could not cast out the demon because of unbelief. They needed much prayer and fasting. These things would focus you on Christ and thereby make faith grow.

Luke 17:5-6
Here the mustard seed is talked about in growing faith. (increasing your faith) It shows what is possable with faith that has no doubts. Although my faith is increasing by study of the bible, prayer, gathering at my church,ect. I can not say it has no doubts. It is just a sprout. Not even a bush yet.

If you will consider these verses you will see the mustard seed is used as a example of good and bad. Alway consider the verses around what you are reading to get the context of what is being talked about. This is why I personally hate proof text. Read one verse only and then say what it means. Easy to miss interpt that way. Always read 2 or 3 verses before the verse you want and 2 or 3 after or better yet read the whole chapter to get the context.
May Christ richly bless you as you study (not just read over) his word.
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Big Island, the seed is planted with the words of our mouth-spoken out loud. Apparently there is a mechanism set up within the human being that forever monitors our words and accepts them as programs. It doesn’t differentiate between good and bad, it just receives them much like the ground accepts seeds when planted, or the way yeast responds with dough.

IT’S THE NATURE OF THE WORDS DUDE! Second Corinthians chapter four says:

13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Paul quotes David and says in essence: (paraphrased) “do you recall when David said, “I believed therefore have I spoken”? Well we also have that same spirit of faith. Our faith also climaxes with a confession of the mouth.”

Jesus said a lot about our words and the affect that they have on our inner man. He talked about the faith that would speak to a mountain, sycamine tree, or uttered out loud (in the ear) in the privacy of the prayer closet.

Jesus said “if you had faith as a grain of Mustard seed you might say…” It’s very clear that he’s saying, “If you had faith as a seed, you would PLANT.

Make sense?

I hope that helps.

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what exactly is gnashing of teeth?
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