Kingdom Coming

Luke 19:11-15

And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

Within these words of Jesus is the form and substance of the three kingdoms found. The kingdom of the natural comes first to which he now appears. At the opening of the text, the Lord is found of the people around him. Herein is the kingdom clearly visible, plain for all to see. Then comes the kingdom of the supernatural, or that of the far country. It speaks of those things seen by faith rather than sight. Without this kingdom understood, the rest may be but a fading memory. It is this kingdom then that is of God and the Father's house above. So it seems according to the text that it has not yet appeared. Finally, the largest of the three is that of the final kingdom seen on his return. At first, it might sound not that important to you. But to Jesus it means everything. See, his blood shed upon the cross to make atonement for the kingdom of the natural. His life accounted for the supernatural. Without it, would he not yet be risen again for earth with its' bars would securely have locked him in. Now all that remains is the marriage of the two. That and the wedding supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:6-9 after all the rest has been dealt with of course. I am getting a bit ahead of myself. First, let us find out how.

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

Speaking of the failings of the servants, let us see two in specific if you will. It is important to note that the master's giving ten pounds preceded his going away. No matter what the nobleman expected from this kingdom, none could have predicted what came next. Later in the story out of all the servants, only three remain on the nobleman's return. You might wonder then what of their absence. Remember, how the citizens at first rejected the nobleman until he had come into his kingdom. Could it be then that some of servants went down to look among the people even from the Master's house far up above. So, 1 Peter 1:12 testifies of the things preached unto them that believe. This message also attracted even the angels of those things that desired earnestly to see. Yet as with all things, some such angels were good and some spoke evil as we will see at the last. Of such then is the kingdom of Heaven.

Now what then of the nobleman's servants remaining. Here there are three types of servants each having done according to his ability. One came back with the account of having gained ten talents with him from the master's one. The second also returned with the report of having five also with him from his one that was given. But that is hardly the end of the matter, for seven servants were skipped. How many of you know that nothing is ever lost, missing, or wasted in the house of the Lord. Might I suggest that the seven servants correspond in number with the seven angels of God of Revelation 3:1. Such also went out with the seven Spirits of God sent unto all the earth. Now whether the angels and the Spirits were one and the same or whether two separate entities remains to be seen.

There are some things that if the Lord wanted us to know, would he not have told us so. That is why it is so important never to know more than the Lord. For if "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of" wisdom so also is caution. That is so lest before him such a one be found "a liar and the truth" not in him as 1 John 2:4 states. Thus, the three servants that remain correspond directly with the angels, the children, and the fallen. It is according to their ability that predict the increase in conjunction with what had already been given. It is highly likely then that in his absence, the servants received the message sent. See, the text tells of a message borne from the citizens of mutual hatred for the nobleman. Notice how the faithful servant works to counteract that message. Just because man has placed a period does not mean that God has meant the end.

Just because the devil and man meant it for evil, does not mean that God will not yet use it for good. So, Genesis 50:20 testifies of that thing which turned into good at the hands of the Lord. You, like the servants, might not yet know all your Master's business. So should you be faithful for he has also given you much. Now is it known that the house has been left along with the business. Never at any point has the Master left it all behind as some are wont to think. Indeed, herein is seen the promise of his return soon. Remember, he that has been given much is also entrusted with much. See, the trial might be great and the hour of Revelation 3:10 which now is to try the world. But that does not mean you should just lie down and let it take you away. For he that has begun a good work in you will also complete it until the day of the Master's return.

So then, there comes a day according to Job 1:6 in which the sons of God are presented before him. The angels also came in with them. How I would like to say that the meeting included the seven Spirits and seven angels of God sent unto all the earth. But what came of it is up for God to say. It is his work is it not and hardly our place at all. Still Revelation 2 has much to say of the citizens which hated him. See, there is a progression between having left their first love, the onset of the two false teachers, and the spiritual children borne of rebellion. It is a progression if you will. So, at the last are the spiritual children urged to repent just as their mother Jezebel before them. It is important to note that these children have committed spiritual and physical idolatry in departing from their God. As such they are the precursor of their own great tribulation. As in Revelation 9:21, "nor repented they of their murders" and fornications which they have committed. Therefore, is the judgment sent of God upon the spiritual children of such a way. Notice the temptation given here to blame the servants for the citizens' misconduct. Yet here as in all things are they held responsible only for their own. I do not know about you, but I refuse to see God as evil after all he has done. How much more should this nobleman be seen with all he represents. Sure, I have seen some mighty dark days. But the goodness of God in the land of the living has always remained no matter what.

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.

Then at the last came one wrapped up in a dirty napkin, shoved deep into his pocket. Its' contents had just been recovered from the earth. This is the one that allowed fear to keep him from reaching out to his faith. More than that there is a distinct threat of inaction and failure to do as the Master had asked. So also, is seen the fear of the Lord due to his perceived hard and unfeeling nature. Notice that this servant's observations are based entirely upon his own assessment of the situation. See it indicated by the words out of his mouth at the last. While his assessment of the situation might have been the case, his conclusions were not. More than that, could this have been the cause of the citizens' sudden rejection of the Master's rule. Between his assessment of the Master's nature and his own evil speaking, it seems he bears some responsibility at least.

His actions or lack thereof of what could be considered a reasonable response was what finally finished him off. Note the Master's words 'could you not have at least taken it to the bank.' It is almost as though he says 'I gave you something good; you ought to have taken my Word for it that it was so.' For this then at the last is he judged. But wait a minute; hold up. The story is not over, and his fate far from done. Jesus indicates that the unfaithful servant is to be cast into outer darkness. There most certainly is "the weeping and gnashing of teeth" in eternity apart from the Lord.

What then would be the fate of the talent he held. How the Master cares for all things whether it be his money, his possessions, his servants, his people, and his church. It is this talent that will be rescued and given to another more faithful. See where this money had been. Revelation 3:14-22 opens addressed to the angel watching over the church. Nor was this a usual church. In particular, it was the one which had feared the Master the most. See how the rebellion and adultery translated into the state of the church at the last. It is a condition of being lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. The talent was returned neither dead nor alive. But rather it was in a state of unambiguous limbo. Having possession of such coin might make one feel rich; indeed, everything had been kept in perfect condition for the Master. Yet was it not just dug up as some strange plant from the depths of the earth.

So also, is it found unclothed, laid bare in his presence, lacking in much. It seems to me that there are some things lacking here which only God can supply. Where is your testimony tried in the refiner's fire and the white robes of Christ's righteousness. While you are at it, fix your spiritual eyes so you can see and for God's sake put on something better than that old dirty napkin. Believe it or not this is his house, his Spirit, and his kingdom, dear church. He will tolerate no disorder or uncleanness within. Make ready now as a willing bride to receive him. The Master is coming again for his kingdom. I pray we will all stand ready to face him on that great day. So then let us with arms outstretched welcome him in.