Jesus began teaching in parables on “the same day” He was rejected by the nation as the Messiah (Matthew 13:1). In light of His rejection, the purpose of the parables is to illustrate the truth to the disciples but hide it from the masses (Matthew 13:11-16). The term “kingdom of heaven” or “kingdom of God” used in these parables refers to God’s Kingdom Program which has five facets in the Scriptures.
1. The Universal or Eternal Kingdom – Emphasises God’s eternal and sovereign rule everywhere (1 Chronicles 29:11; Jeremiah 10:10).
2. The Spiritual Kingdom – Comprised of all people of all time who have experienced the new birth by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 6:33; John 3:3-5).
3. The Theocratic Kingdom – God’s rule over Israel and was established by Moses.
4. The Messianic or Millennial Kingdom – The 1000-year reign of Jesus as King Messiah over the whole earth (Matthew 3:2; 4:17).
5. The Mystery Kingdom – The Age between the First and Second Comings of the Messiah. The name is derived from Matthew 13:11, but perhaps the term ‘Christendom’ is the closest definition. It is this particular facet of the God’s Kingdom Program that is the focus of the nine parables found in Matthew 13 and the parallel accounts in Mark 4 and Luke 8. When taken together, these nine parables develop a basic flow of thought that describes the conditions on the earth while the Messiah is no longer physically present and is in Heaven.
The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9)
– There will be a sowing of the gospel seed throughout this Age.
The Parable of the Seed Growing of Itself (Mark 4:26-29)
– The gospel seed has an inner energy so that it will spring to life of its own accord.
The Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30)
– The sowing of the gospel seed is going to be imitated by false counter-sowing.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32)
– The Mystery Kingdom or Christendom is going to assume huge outer proportions.
The Parable of the Leaven (Matthew 13:33)
– Christendom is going to be marked by inward doctrinal corruption.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)
– God will gain a believing Remnant from Israel.
The Parable of the Pearl (Matthew 13:45-46)
– God will also gain a people from among the Gentiles.
The Parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47-50)
– This Age will end with the judgment of the Gentiles; the unrighteous will be excluded from the Messianic Kingdom, and the righteous will be taken in.
The Parable of the Householder (Matthew 13:51-53)
– Some aspects of the Mystery Kingdom have similarities with the other facets of God’s Kingdom Program; other aspects are brand new, never found before.
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