Lessons from the Tabernacle on Abiding in Christ – Canberra 2014
Gene Cunningham - September 7, 2019
AZ 2019 Lesson 3
Context matters. Matthew is written to Jews about the age in which they live, not to or about the church. In Matt 8:10-12 Jesus is speaking to and about unbelieving Jews refering to them "sons of the kingdom" (i.e., in the lineage of Abraham physically only) and because they refuse to believe being "cast into the outer darkness," which at the time was commonly known as hell, to include "weeping and knashing of teeth." In Matt 13:37-42, Jesus is explaining the parable of the tares to His disciples, having sent away everyone else (Matt 13:36). The "good" seeds are believing "sons of the kingdom" (Matt 13:38), that are true "seed of Abraham (Gal 3:16, Gal 3:28-29.) The tares are really "sons of the wicked one" (Matt 13:39) that are gathered at the end of the age and are "cast into the furnace of fire," and with "wailing and knashing of teeth." (Matt 13:40-42). For much more detail, refer to pages 6 through 19 in the Conference Notes.
Scripture References: Matthew 21::33-46, Luke 13:28-29, Matthew 13:36-43, Matthew 8:11-12, Galatians 3:16-29
From Series: "Shedding Ancient Light on the Outer Darkness Controversy"
Summary of the 2019 Arizona Conference 1. The theme running all through Matthew is the presentation of the King, His rejection by Israel, and the justice of the coming judgment. 2. All of the parables/teachings we have studied are consistent in the promise of reward to those who believe and warning of eternal judgment to those who reject their King. In light of this, how significant is the act of Pilate in posting over Jesus’ head the crime for which He was crucified, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews” (Matt. 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19)? 3. The term “outer darkness” was well understood by the Jews of Jesus’ time to refer to Gehenna/Hell. 4. Though the Jews assumed a right to enter the kingdom based on their lineage, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that each one “must be born again” by faith in Him. 5. Nowhere in these passages is the focus on the Church, nor are they describing events at the Bema Seat of Christ. 6. Sound biblical interpretation demands that passages be studied in the light of their literal, historical, grammatical, and cultural setting.