Thought: “We know for certain that
if or when everything else in the latter days is down or dying: if governments,
economies, industries and institutions crumble; if societies and cultures
become a quagmire of chaos and insecurity, nevertheless through it all the
gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that
bears that gospel to the world will stand triumphant, and we will stand
undefiled in God’s hand until the very Son of God Himself comes to rule and
reign as Lord of lords and King of kings,” Nothing is more certain in this
world. Nothing is more sure. Nothing could be more of an antidote to anxiety.”(Jeffrey
R. Holland, Evening with a General Authority, Feb. 6, 2015)
Book of the Week: A
Companion To Your Study of the New Testament-The Four Gospels- Daniel
Ludlow
Lesson 5: Matthew 13–15
PARABLES
The Savior employed Parallelism when teaching the people in His time. The
word used to describe the type of Parallelism that he employed is PARABLE. This
word comes from the Greek verb ballo, which means to throw or place
and is modified by the prepositional prefix para, meaning alongside
or near. So a parable is literally a parallel situation, a story
deliberately close to the main point but not identical with it.
“The perspective of the parable’s
rather limited role is no better illustrated than in its limited use. No
parables were used by Christ in his visit among the Nephite people. No parables
are found in the entire Book of Mormon. No parables were used by John in his
gospel, which is the gospel written to the Saints. No parables were used by
Paul in his epistles or in any New Testament book save the synoptic Gospels. (Gospel
Symbolism p. 15)
PARABLES-Short
stories which point up and illustrate spiritual truths. The essential feature
of a parable is that of comparison or similitude, by which some ordinary, well
understood incident is used to illustrate a fact or principle not directly
expressed in the story. May be fact or fictional. (2 Samuel 12-Nathan to
David-ewe lamb; Isaiah 5:1-7-The Lord's vineyard.)
FABLE-Imaginative,
exaggerated and improbable. Trees, animals talk etc. Judges 59:8; 2 Kings 14:9
ALLEGORY
(METAPHOR) -Longer, more detail, mixture of narrative with the lesson. Whereas
the parable has only one point of comparison, the allegory has many. (Jacob 5;
Ezekiel 17; Ezekiel 24)
MYTH-Fictitious
stories, sometimes based on fact-without spiritual worth
PROVERB-Short,
sententious sayings. Close to parables, sometimes interchangeable.
(Mortal
Messiah 2:234-35; Gospel Symbolism pp.14-15)
Reveal and
conceal - Matt. 13:10-17; Alma 12:9-11; Isaiah 6:9-10The lesser portion of the
word is printed on the page. The greater portion is what comes from the Spirit
while we are reading.
“Matthew 13....in my mind, afforded us as clear an understanding upon the
important subject of the gathering as anything recorded in the Bible.” TPJS p.
94
“The parables of Matt. 13 plot out the major steps of this gathering
process, starting with the planting of the gospel seed in the meridian of time
(sower-soils) and culminating in the final severing of the wicked from the
righteous (net).” Old New Testament Student Manual p. 72.
Robert K. McIntosh
|
PARABLE
|
PROPHETIC COMMENTARY
|
INTERPRETATION
|
|
The Soils
(vv. 3-9, 19-23)
|
TPJS. p.
97
1 Nephi 8
|
Refers to
the reaction of people to the setting up of the kingdom of God.
|
|
Wheat and
the Tares
(vv. 24-30, 37-43)
|
TPJS p.
97-98;
D&C 86:1-11
|
Christ’s
Church would be corrupted. His kingdom would be restored and God’s servants
would go forth warning the nations.
|
|
Mustard
Seed
(vv.
31-32)
|
TPJS p.
98-99
|
The Church
as it shall come forth in the last days. The Book of Mormon is sown as a
small seed but becomes like a great tree whereby God can grant his power &
gifts to man. Birds represent angels.
|
|
Leaven
(v. 33)
|
TPJS p.
100;
D&C 5:2-16
|
The
testimony of 3 witnesses will act as leaven until the kingdom of God spreads
throughout the entire world.
|
|
Hidden
Treasure
(v. 44)
|
TPJS p.
101-2
Mortal
Mes. 2:263
|
Refers to
gathering in the last days. Saints will give all they have to gather
together. Accidental find.
|
|
Pearl of
Great Price
(vv.
45-46)
|
TPJS p.
102
|
Refers to
Saints in last days looking
for places to build Zion; they will sell all to buy these places.
|
|
Gospel Net
and Householder
(vv. 47-52)
|
TPJS p.
102
Mortal
Mes. 2:268
|
People
from all nations will be gathered in last days. For the kingdom to grow, the
Saints must share the gospel (show their wares).
|
13:55-57- The family of Jesus- How many half
siblings? Why does it not mention Joseph?
14:22–33. Jesus and Peter walk on water (Mark 6:45–52; John 6:15–21)
Vs. 34 - 1st
occurrence of "Divine Title" in Synoptic Gospels. They knew because
they had seen a miracle.
15:21–28. Jesus heals daughter of Canaanite
woman (Mark 7:24–30) Vs. 26 - The GK word for dogs is
"kynarios" which meant "a little household dog." The Jews
designated the Gentiles as such.
Lesson 6: Matthew 16–18
16:1–12. Vs. 1 - Notice anything unusual in
this verse? "Such is ever the case with the various branches of the
devil's church. Sign-seeking, the
leaven of the Pharisees . If your faith is based up signs, can you
ever see enough signs?
5. Matthew 16:13-20 -
Peter's Testimony-At Caesarea
Philippi some 6 months before the crucifixion, Jesus asked the Twelve:
"Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Answering for the 12,
Simon said: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew
16:13, 19). Peter had a testimony, but he slipped and stumbled.. Almost
immediately after his testimony at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus began to prepare
his chosen12 for what lay ahead—his arrest, passion, and death. "Then
Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord:
this shall not be unto thee. Jesus said to Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan:
thou art an offense unto me; for thou savorest not the things that be of God,
but those that be of men" (Matthew
16:21-23). Here we see that the rock, or seer stone had become a stumbling
block. There was the most classic of Peter's blunders—his open denial of a
knowledge of Jesus on the night the Saviour was arrested (Matthew 26:69-74). How could someone who had a testimony fall short
so often? Answer to such questions seems to lie in a conversation between Jesus
and Peter at the Last Supper. Jesus said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan
hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for
thee, that thy faith fail not: and when
thou art converted, strengthen thy
brethren" (Luke 22:31-32). Because the full power and gifts of the
Holy Ghost were not given until the day of Pentecost, though Peter had a
testimony, he was not yet fully converted. We need only to read the opening
chapters of Acts to witness a transformation in the man Peter. He is bold and
certain and solid in his ministry—the permanent and indelible impression was
planted, and the Holy Ghost had made Peter into a new creature, a new creature
alive in Christ. Robert L. Millet, Alive in Christ: p 96. The difference between the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost.
5. Matthew 16:21-28 -
Jesus foretells Death & resurrection
6. Matthew 17:1-13 - Mount of Transfiguration- Matthew 17:1-13, 4:11; Mark 9:2-13;
Luke 9:28-36, 22:42-44; 2 Peter 1:16-19; TPJS p. 13, 158; D&C 63:20-21;
131:5, DHC 3:387, John 1:14, Mormon Doctrine, p.718-9, 725-6, Jesus the Christ,
p. 373, DNTC 1:399-401.
Transfiguration is a special change in appearance and
nature which is wrought upon a person or thing by the power of God. This divine
transformation is from a lower to a higher state; it results in a more exalted,
impressive, ands glorious condition.
Daniel H.
Ludlow gives us a list of 10 features of the Transfiguration from the writings
of Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “Until men attain a higher status of spiritual
understanding than they now enjoy, they can learn only in part what took place
upon the Mount of Transfiguration. From the New Testament accounts and from the
added light revealed through Joseph Smith it appears evident that:
1) Jesus
singled out Peter, James, and John from the rest of the 12; took them upon an
unnamed mountain; there he was transfigured before them, and they beheld his
glory. Testifying later, John said, ‘We beheld his glory, the glory as the only
begotten of the Father and Peter, speaking of the same event, said they ‘were
eyewitnesses of his majesty.’
2) Peter,
James, and John, were themselves ‘transfigured before him, even as Moses, the 3
Nephites, Joseph Smith, and many prophets of all ages have been transfigured,
thus enabling them to entertain angels, see visions and comprehend the things
of God.
3) Moses
and Elijah-two ancient prophets who were translated and taken to heaven without
tasting death, so they could return with tangible bodies on this very occasion,
an occasion preceding the day of resurrection-appeared on the mountain; and
they and Jesus gave the keys of the kingdom to Peter, James and John.
4) John
the Baptist, previously beheaded by Herod, apparently was also present. It may
well be that other unnamed prophets, either coming as translated beings or as
spirits from paradises, were also present.
5) Peter,
James, and John saw in vision the transfiguration of the earth, that is, they
saw it renewed and returned to its paradisiacal state-an event that is to take
place at the second Coming when the millennial era is ushered in.
6) It
appears that Peter, James and John received their own endowments while on the
mountain. Peter says that while there, they ‘received from God the Father honor
and glory’, seemingly bearing out this conclusion. It also appears that it was
while on the mount that they received the more sure word of prophecy, it then
being revealed to them that they were sealed up unto eternal life.
7)
Apparently Jesus himself was strengthened and encouraged by Moses and Elijah so
as to be prepared for the infinite sufferings and agony ahead of him in
connection with working out the infinite and eternal atonement. Similar comfort
had been given him by angelic visitants following his 40 day fast and its
attendant temptations, and an angel from heaven was yet to strengthen him when
he would sweat great drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane.
8)
Certainly the 3 chosen apostles were taught in plainness “of his death and also
his resurrection”, teachings which would be of inestimable value to them in the
trying days ahead.
9) It
should also have been apparent to them that the old dispensations of the past
had faded away, that the law (of which Moses was the symbol) and the prophets
(of whom Elijah was the typifying representative) were subject to Him whom they
were now commanded to hear.
10)
Apparently God the father, overshadowed and hidden by a cloud, was present on
the mountain, although our Lord’s 3 associates, as far as the record stipulates,
heard only his voice and did not see his form. (A
Companion to Your Study of the New Testament, p. 123-4)
Matthew 17:5 Shekhinah-Cloud of the Presence (Ex. 24:18-Moses
entered cloud for 5-6 weeks; Ex. 33:9-11-Cloud at entrance to door of the tabernacle;
Ex. 40:34, 38 - the pillar of cloud going before Israel by day, changing to
pillar of fire by night; 1 Kings 8:10-11 - the cloud, the glory of the Lord
that filled Solomon's Temple; Acts 1:9- the cloud that received Jesus when he
ascended after His resurrection; Ether 2:4-5, 14 - Jesus in cloud with the
brother of Jared & the Lord went before those people in cloud & gave
them directions; Hel. 5:23-24, 28 - Nephi & Lehi encircled by fire &
overshadowed with a cloud; 3 Nephi 18:38-39 - Jesus ascended and a cloud
overshadowed the multitude; JSH 1:16-17; JSH 1:68; D&C 34:7; D&C 45:45;
D&C 76:102.
Matthew 17:10-13 - Elias is a composite personage. The
expression must be understood to be a name and a title for those whose mission
it was to commit keys and power to men in this final dispensation.
Matthew
17:24-27 - There was some fishy about how the Savior deflected the question
that didn't seem to have a right answer.
Matthew 18:15 & 21-35 - What to do if someone has offended
you. “During the first century A.D.,
it is estimated that 10,000 talents equaled 100,000,000 denarii. One denarius
was a typical day’s wage for a common laborer. If that laborer worked three
hundred days a year, it would take about 33 years for him to be able to
purchase one talent.
“Rabbinism
called upon the offender to initiate a course of reconciliation with his
brother and specified that forgiveness should not be extended more than
three times to any offender. His soul as yet not afire with the Holy Spirit,
Peter asked a question that, as he must have then supposed, assumed a far more
liberal rule than that imposed by the Rabbis. ‘Lord, how oft shall my brother
sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?’ Jesus answered: ‘I say
not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven,’ meaning
there is no limit to the number of times men should forgive their brethren”(BRM
Mil Mess 3:91)
“When
someone has hurt us or those we care about, that pain can almost be
overwhelming. It can feel as if the pain or the injustice is the most important
thing in the world and that we have no choice but to seek vengeance. But
Christ, the Prince of Peace, teaches us a better way. It can be very difficult
to forgive someone the harm they’ve done us, but when we do, we open ourselves
up to a better future. No longer does someone else’s wrongdoing control our
course. When we forgive others, it frees us to choose how we will live our own
lives. Forgiveness means that problems of the past no longer dictate our
destinies, and we can focus on the future with God’s love in our hearts” (“Forgiveness Will
Change Bitterness to Love,” Ensign May 2003, 12).
ISAIAH
33-39
Chapter 33
Vs. 1- This verse is pointed at Sennacherib, the Assyrian King who
attacked Jerusalem after promising he wouldn't if the Jews would pay him a big
tribute. They did and he didn't keep his word. He lost 185,000 soldiers before
he returned to his home land, only to be killed by his son.
As ye sow, so shall ye reap.
Vs. 2- A plea to God for support
Vs. 3-4- The scattering and gathering of Israel.
Vs. 5-6- The Lord is exalted and Zion is filled with righteousness
Vs. 7-9- Ambassadors of peace weep.
Vs. 10- The Lord will rise up.
Vs. 11-12- Destruction of the wicked (vs. 1-12, Horne, Isaiah Prophet To The Nations, p. 211)
Vs. 13-17 - Who shall dwell with God with Everlasting Burnings"
Joseph Smith taught that some men
“shall rise to the everlasting burnings of God; for God dwells in everlasting
burnings, and some shall rise to the damnation of their own filthiness, which
is as exquisite a torment as the lake of fire and brimstone” (Teachings, p. 361; compare D&C 128:24; 130:7; 133:41; Hebrews 12:29). In one of the most beautiful
scriptures of the Old Testament, the Lord asked who would be able to abide this
devouring fire, and then described the kind of person that would be able to
abide it (see vv. 14–15).
Vs.20–24. What Is Known of Zion’s Future?
In its redeemed condition, Zion will be a place of singular beauty and
righteousness. Therefore, “look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities” (Isaiah 33:20), that is, consider what it will
be like to live in Zion. “There the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of
broad rivers and streams; … he will save us” (vv. 21–22). Then too, “the inhabitant [of
Zion] shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven
their iniquity” (v. 24). Clearly, these are those who
have applied the atoning blood of Christ in their own behalf.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said
of the word stakes: “In prophetic imagery, Zion is
pictured as a great tent upheld by cords fastened securely to stakes. Thus Isaiah, envisioning the latter-day glory of
Israel, gathered to her restored Zion, proclaimed: ‘Enlarge the place of thy
tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not,
lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on
the right hand and on the left. … For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but
with great mercies will I gather thee.’ (Isa. 54:2–7.)
Chapter 34- contains Isaiah's harshest pronouncements against
the wicked. It graphically portrays the Lord's wrath upon the evil nations.
vs. 1 - Isaiah introduces his prophecy by
addressing the earth and its inhabitants with two Synonymous Parallelisms: Nations=People; Earth=World
vs. 3- the mountain shall be melted (soaked) with
their blood
Vs. 4 - D&C 88:95- And there shall be
silence in heaven for the space of half an hour; and immediately after shall
the curtain of heaven be unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled
up, and the face of the Lord shall be unveiled;
vs. 5 - Idumea=Edom=World=Wicked
Vs. 9-10 - The “pitch” and “brimstone” and
“smoke” suggest the results of nuclear warfare, which could logically accompany
the last great wars. (See Enrichment I OTSM on the battle of Armageddon.)
vs. 16-17 - "The book of the Lord=The book of
the law of God (D&C 88:5 & =the book of life as in Rev. 20:12) No
person whose name is in that book shall fall. See 2 Nephi 22:15-17.
Chapter 35 - This chapter is in contrast to 34.
Isaiah goes from a tale of wo - to a blossoming rose - see vs. 1. Referring to
Israel and to Utah.
Vs. 1,2 &10- Hymn # 42
·
Mr1987Joe • 8 hours ago May the
Lord bless and keep all of you, and those you bravely rush to the aid of.
You've just brought tears to my eyes.
·
ISAIAH 35:3-4
"Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
"Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
Vs. 10 Hymn #'s
38, 42, 59 (332)
Chapter 36-38 - Compare With Ii Kings 18-20
