Parable of the Leaven (Mt 13:33) Intro: Why we need to know & care about future of kingdom We can be distracted from duty or make shipwreck of faith by inquiring about future. We may be tempted to the other extreme. But God has told us about future for a reason. Remember Israel on plains of Moab, Num 13:33-14:9. Not about the future, but the present.
Expos: Thorough permeation & effectiveness of kingdom Picture of: - Spread of evil (Dallas, most dispensationalists, Pink)? - Salvation of elect (Gill)? - Growth of religion in the soul (Barnes)? - (Most:) permeation & effectiveness of kingdom throughout whole world
Does this mean: 1. In the future, everyone will be saved? No, that's been covered (13:30). Both grow together til the end. 2. Society will be transformed? Not this, either; but gospel does benefit society. 3. Kingdom will get bigger & bigger right till the end? Not this, either.
Doctrine: Necessity of universal effect (not universal salvation) before the end
(a) Rev 5:9, '...purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe & tongue & people & nation.'
(b) 2Thess 2:3, '...that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, & the man of sin is revealed.'
Conclusion 'A man full of hope will be full of action”' (Brooks). A church full of hope will be full of action. Parable is not about future, but present.
See The Puritan Hope by Iain Murray: http://www.revival-library.org/catalogues/puritan/murrayi-puritanhope/contents.htm
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