[Fredoheaven]

Our economy has been down since the Leihmann Bro./ AIG issue.Unemployment rate is high and a growing business establishments are streaming down lately here in our country (Philippines). In our bible study, we've been discussing which is the best between becoming an employee and owning a business(small). We've lots to share and I started reading the Parable of our Lord in Luke 19:11-26. I pointed to them the following:
1. Business. As the Lord is said, the nobleman called his servants and delivered them ten(10) pounds and that upon his returned, hw would knew that his money gained. "Gained by trading" is somewhat like of having business.
2. Investments. Trading may also be in the form of having an investments in the stocks, bonds, UITF etc.
3. Savings in the Bank. This is what verse 23 is all about."money into the bank".

Our bible study focus on this economic upheaval but a friend of mine put a stunning question and asked me if I could figure out when did this nobleman returned? Is there out there could offer a help?


Jude 25
http://fredsites.weebly.com:

[kevinvw]

Luk 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

I'm not sure really what you're asking. The nobleman returns in the parable in verse 15. The true nobleman, the Lord Jesus Christ, comes back when He recieves His kingdom, shortly after the second advent. The teaching is clearly tribulation Jews who are to endure to the end bringing forth good works to keep the Holy Spirit, as seen in other parables such as the 10 virgins. Practically, or devotionally, I guess it can be applied to the economy or someones personal savings.

[chette777]

the nobleman is Jesus Christ he returns at the end of the 7year wrath of God poured out on the world, and unbelieving Israel to complete their chastisement.

it is primarily a Jewish Parable concerning the leaders of Israel but may have an application as you have shown in doing business. also in how we handle the Gospel that has been given to us. are we planting the seed given or hording it? are we doubling that which is given to us or our we keeping as it is?

[Brother Tim]

It is important that the interpretation of a parable follows this guideline:
The message of a parable is singular. There is one emphasis. Trying to allegorize every part of the story will open the door for misunderstanding.

[BornAgainBibleBeliever514]

Brother Tim,

I am intrigued by your statement, as I've been coming across differing views of various parables. Personally, I havn't revisited this one closely since I started learning about rightly dividing, and dispensations, but at first glance, I would be thinking judgement seat of Christ?

How did you formulate that rule of interpretation for the parables, where does it come from?

btw, are the tribulation saints and OT saints also present at the JSOC ?

[kevinvw]

No, the Judgement Seat of Christ is for the Church only. It will take place after we get raptured out.

Jesus Himself shows us that there is one meaning behind the parables. They all relate to something in the scripture and every word used wasn't used in vain, so having an understanding and knowledge both in the world and in the scriptures can help find the meaning behind the parable.

[Brother Tim]

How did you formulate that rule of interpretation for the parables, where does it come from?

From a training standpoint, my father, who was my "seminary professor" for 52 years, drilled that guideline into me as I learned the Scriptures.

From a personal standpoint, I examined the parables as I taught them to the children in our church and school. I considered that Jesus used the parables to capture the attention of the listeners, and then the Holy Spirit would open the understanding to those who sought it. The parables had to have a point, not be complex and interlocking with wide-ranging meaning.

Just one example:

Matthew 13:24-30 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Who is the wheat? Who is the tares? When is the harvest? Which is gathered first? In one parable, the seed is the Word of God. Is it the same here? WHAT IS THE CENTRAL POINT OF THIS PARABLE?

[Fredoheaven]

Originally Posted by Brother Tim

It is important that the interpretation of a parable follows this guideline:
The message of a parable is singular. There is one emphasis. Trying to allegorize every part of the story will open the door for misunderstanding.

chette777 and others have a nice intepretations. bro tim it's your turn to single out the parable. It could be a great help in my studies you know.

thanks,


Jude 25
http://fredsites.weebly.com

[Brother Tim]

We have all said the same, parables have a single message.

I am a children's teacher, so I will put it as I would for them:

God knows who are His and who are not. Even though while we are here on earth, the people of the world intermingle with God's children, when it comes time for God to gather His family together, those who are false will be separated out and judged, while those who are His will be gathered to be with Him eternally.

Now chette has already pointed out that the Scriptures answer most of my questions in the verses following the parable. Parallel verses in other areas also aid in interpretation (authoritatively I might add ). Where things get fuzzy is if one tries to interpret every detail of the story beyond the point of the message. Example: The good seed is the children of the kingdom, the bad seed are the children of the wicked one. Does this mean that a bad seed cannot become a good seed. Is this evidence of the hyper-calvinist definition of election? AND, who are the sleeping men?