Parables

Mindonfire · Alley Cat Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 188

Parables

In order to truly comprehend the events that have been taking shape in this world, Believers must first be able to understand the significance of Jesus’ parables. Unbeknownst to most, these parables deal with the time of the end. They are very important instruments which can be used to understand the state of the world and the people who inhabit it.

We must first understand that Jesus’ parables are not constrained by time. Contrary to some popular beliefs, these parables were not restricted to a historical Israel. These parables encompass the whole world. No one is exempt and no one is left out. Now in order for us to understand this point, let us first define parable.

Definitions (Merriam Webster)
1. Parable: (n) : EXAMPLE; specifically : a usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle

2. Moral: (adj)1 a : of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior : ETHICAL *moral judgments* b : expressing or teaching a conception of right behavior c : conforming to a standard of right behavior d : sanctioned by or operative on one's conscience or ethical judgment

3. Religious: (adj) 1 : relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity *religious attitudes* 2: of, relating to, or devoted to religious beliefs or observances *joined a religious order* 3 a : scrupulously and conscientiously faithful b : FERVENT, ZEALOUS

4. Principle: (n) 1 a: a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption b (1) : a rule or code of conduct (2) : habitual devotion to right principles *a man of principle* c : the laws or facts of nature underlying the working of an artificial device 2 : a primary source : ORIGIN 3 a: an underlying faculty or endowment *such principles of human nature as greed and curiosity* b : an ingredient (as a chemical) that exhibits or imparts a characteristic quality 4 capitalized , Christian Science : a divine principle : GOD

From its definition we can see that a parable is a short story which is told to illustrate a moral attitude, or mindset or a religious principle. Or better yet, One can say that a parable is:

A. a usually short fictitious story which is told to illustrate a principle of right and wrong in behavior, : ETHICAL (Moral 1a) or attitude or a religious comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption (Principle 1a).
B. a usually short fictitious story which is told to illustrate a conception of right behavior (Moral 1b) or attitude or a religious rule or code of conduct or devotion to right principles (Principle 1b1&2)
C. a usually short fictitious story which is told to illustrate a standard of right behavior (Moral 1c)or attitude or a religious law or fact of nature underlying the working of an artificial device (Principle 1c)
D. a usually short fictitious story which is told to illustrate one's conscience or ethical judgment (Moral 1d) or attitude or a religious principle

Before we continue, there is a general misconception which needs to be addressed. In order to completely understand the term (religious principle), it is important for us to understand that religion or being religious does not always involve the worship of a deity. If you will look at the definition you will see that religious also relates to, manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality. This means that whatever one has acknowledged and faithfully devoted themselves to in this world as their ultimate reality, becomes their religion. Since this is the case, those who adhere to Communism, Socialism, Fascism, Democracy, or any other form of government or system are practicing a religion. So whether they realise it or not, everyone is religious and everyone has a religion.

As we can now see, a parable is all inclusive. Whether right or wrong, all humans in this world are governed by morals, and all humans are governed by religious principles.

Now, when One reads a parable there are certain steps that One must take in order to comprehend it. First, One must identify the elements or characters. Each element, or character in a parable is always symbolic of various things, people or conditions of the current world. Secondly, Since each element, or character is symbolic, one must then correctly match it to that thing or things, person or persons and condition or conditions that is present in the world. For example, in the parable of the sower (Matt 13: 3- 8) the sower is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the thorns are the worries of the world, the seeds are different groups of people etc. After this is done the individual should be able to better understand the parable

Finally, if you will notice, the various themes of Jesus’ parables are always constant. They do not change. All of his parables deal with people and their present states or conditions. This is because spirits and conditions are constant. People may die, but spirits and conditions will remain. You will always have the spirit of foolishness or foolish people (Matt 7:26). You will always have people with various talents (Matt. 25:14-30). You will always have good Samaritans (Luke 10:30-37) And you will always have evil and unforgiving people (Matt 18: 23-35) This is the main reason why those who theorise that the parables of Jesus are limited to a historical Israel are greatly mistaken. Evil, good Samaritans, talents, foolishness, and wisdom are not limited to a specific sphere or a historic time period. These are all spirits and conditions which are always recurring.

“To know the unknown, One must first know the Known.”

Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

l.t.21378 · Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 1:46 pm Post subject:

Why would you use a modern day dictionary to define a biblical word?
When we read the Bible very carefully, we find that the whole Bible is a Spiritual book. in Spirit and in Truth.")

The whole Bible is a Spiritual book. When God wrote the Bible, He used earthly language (words we are familiar with) to express to us His teachings. To understand a particular word, we need to search the Scriptures to see how God has used this familiar word and in what context. An example is in John 3:16 where we are told "whosoever believeth in Him should not perish" Now this word believe is used by God to describe His Elect, the unsaved, and even the devils (all believe in a different way). The word perish can be another example. When we get to literal or historic statements in the Bible, we therefore can look for the parable God has placed within. Matthew 13:34 "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them"
_________________
"Let God be true and every man a liar." Romans 3:4

Mindonfire · Alley Cat Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 188

golfjack · Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 4:41 pm Post subject: reply

If the whole Bible is a spiritual book, does that mean there is no literal hell?

May God bless, golfjack

Mindonfire · Alley Cat Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 188

l.t.21378 · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:20 am Post subject: Re: reply

Fake · Tiger Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 862

lone-traveler · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 4:44 am Post subject:

Fake wrote:

Mindonfire · Alley Cat Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 188

l.t.21378 · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: reply

golfjack · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:40 pm Post subject: reply

What is spiritual hell?

May God bless, golfjack

l.t.21378 · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: reply

golfjack · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:30 pm Post subject: reply

Well, I am not under the wrath of God because I have been saved and have been promised life through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who are these people who are under God's wrath in what you call spiritual hell?

May God bless, golfjack

FFT · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:59 pm Post subject:

Mindonfire · Alley Cat Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 188