Calling Overcomers by Ron Brubacher

Title of this volume: Calling Overcomvers 1ª Edition: July 2012 Translated with permission of Editora Árvore da Vida Published by Editora Árvore da Vida in Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, French, Italian and German. All rights reserved by Jasper Life Publications 725 Viscount Road London, ON, Canada N6J 4G9 Phone: (519) 472-0350 http://jasperlife.com ISSN 1920-8510 Printed in Brazil

Bible text from the New King James Version® is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000.

ENJOY Individually 1. Meet with the Lord early in the morning. 2. As soon as you rise, before doing anything else, take a breath of life, deeply calling on the name of the Lord, “Oh Lord Jesus”. When doing this, drop all your cares, fears, sadness and sin, and receive the Lord Jesus as life, joy, peace and encouragement. Call “Lord Jesus” several times throughout the day. 3. Read the verses given each day in order to have a complete idea of the subject to be covered. Remember that the Bible explains the Bible; because of this, you will find quotations from many other books of the Bible aside from the one which we are presenting in this Daily Food. 4. Prayerfully read the verse suggested each day. To do this, each word ought to be repeated, emphasized and proclaimed without haste, as if one were chewing. Do not read the verse too fast, but spend time on each word. In this exercise, do not worry about understanding the verse, but “eat” it, taking it by faith as spiritual food. 5. Underline and highlight the phrases and words in the explanatory text that most impress you. Pay special attention to the Key Point. This point will function as a key to unlock the spiritual significance of the text. “Digest” it during the day, repeating it to yourself. In this manner, the text that you read in the morning will be your spiritual food all day long. 6. Share what you gain with those you are related to at home, at school, at work, etc. They need the life that you receive through the word.

ENJOY In Small Groups 1. Daily Food is an excellent tool for small groups meeting to study the Bible. These small groups may be informal and be characterized by mutual care among the members. 2. A small group meeting can be formed of household members, relatives and neighbours, friends who live nearby, classmates, or work colleagues. 3. Try to meet regularly with members of your small group meeting in order to read Daily Food together. 4. When together, read the suggested passages for each day and prayerfully read the verse of the day. 5. Try to apply the Key Point to your daily life and its difficulties, and to your personal and professional life. Make the word of God applicable to your living. In this way everyone can actively participate and be mutually edified. 6. Take the opportunity to pray together for individual needs or problems. 7. Whenever possible, bring guests to your small group meeting. Then more people can be supplied by Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s word.

May you all receive life abundantly!

The editors

PS: Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to look at the Additional Reading suggested at the end of each week. It is very helpful.

CONTENTS Week 1 – Message 17 The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 13:10-12) Blessed Are Those Who See, Hear and Understand the Mysteries of the Kingdom ............................. 7 Emphasis on Doctrines Causes Division............................................ 9 Having in Adequate Heart So the Word of the Kingdom Can Grow and Bear Fruit....................................... 12 Seeking the Lord Even More Amid Sufferings................................ 15 Growing in Life in a Normal Way.................................................... 17 Eliminating Leaven and Walking in Truth....................................... 19 Revealing the Treasure, Valuing the Pearl, and Not Fooling Oneself.............................................................. 21 Week 2 – Message 18 The Seven Churches in Revelation (Rev. 1:4-5) The Importance of the Scriptures.................................................... 26 The Revelation of the Mystery and the Way to Reach God’s Goal.28 Practicing God’s Word...................................................................... 30 Faithful in Tribulation...................................................................... 33 There Is Oneness in the Lord’s Name............................................. 35 Light unto Repentance..................................................................... 37 Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom with Love............................ 39 Week 3 – Message 19 Calling Overcomers (Rev. 3:12-13) The Parables in Matthew 13 and the Churches in Revelation 2 and 3................................................................... 43 The Church in Ephesus under the Leading of Paul......................... 45 Paul’s Epistolary Ministry................................................................. 48 The Vitality of the Church in Jerusalem at the Beginning.............. 51 The Emphasis of the Apostle John’s Ministry and His Maturity..... 53 The Way to Restore the Church in Ephesus.................................... 56 The Lord Is Calling for Overcomers................................................ 59 Week 4 – Message 20 The Reward of the Overcomers (Matt. 24:45-47) Growing in Life, Practicing the Word, and Manifesting Love......... 64 Recovering the First Love and Being Active in Preaching the Gospel............................................................... 66 The Sufferings Work Together for Our Maturing............................ 69 Purified from All Impurity in Order to Reign.................................. 71 The Restoration Work and the Cause of Division........................... 73 The Model of the Church Life That Pleases the Lord..................... 76 The Four Conditions That Will Remain until the Lord’s Return.... 78

Week 5 – Message 21 Fiery Trials (1 Pet. 4:12-13) Maturing to Reign with Christ ........................................................ 82 Learning from the Apostle Peter...................................................... 84 What Is Behind the Good Side of the Soul-Life.............................. 87 The Purifying Fire............................................................................. 89 Growing and Bearing Fruit with Humility....................................... 91 Offering and Bearing Fruit............................................................... 94 Going Out to Sow God’s Word........................................................ 96 Week 6 – Message 22 The Things Which Pertain to Life and Godliness (2 Pet. 1:3-4) The Help We Received from Paul’s Ministry................................. 100 Purified Through Various Trials..................................................... 102 Led to Life and Godliness............................................................... 104 Giving Ground to the Divine Life.................................................. 106 The Unlimited Standard of the Divine Nature............................. 108 Diligently Seeking Love................................................................. 110 Reaching People Where They Are................................................. 112 Week 7 – Message 23 The Ministry of John in His Maturity (John 21:18-24) The Mending Aspect of John’s Ministry........................................ 116 The Ministry of John Is Permanent................................................ 118 A Testimony of Our Practice.......................................................... 120 The Basic Requirements for Our Perfecting.................................. 122 Being Like God in Life and Nature................................................ 124 The Importance of Practicing the Revelation of the Word........... 126 Progressing More and More........................................................... 128 Week 8 – Message 24 Our Ministry (Matt. 24:14) The New Testament Ministry ....................................................... 132 The Beginning of Paul’s Ministry .................................................. 135 Paul’s Building and Epistolary Ministry.......................................... 138 The Conclusion of Paul’s Ministry and the Beginning of John’s Latter Ministry.............................. 141 The Last Moments in the Life of Brother Lee............................... 144 Our Ministry and the Move of the Spirit....................................... 146 The Spreading of the Ministry of Spirit and Life........................... 148

Week 1 – MONDAY Scripture reading:

Matt. 13:1-8, 15, 24-33, 44-48; Rom. 8:9, 11, 16; 1 Cor. 2:14; 12:3; Eph. 1:13 Read with prayer:

But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear (Matt. 13:16). BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO SEE, HEAR AND

This week, we will talk about the kingdom of the heavens. The Lord Jesus speaks to His disciples concerning this matter in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13. Each parable portrays one aspect of the kingdom of the heavens: the parable of the sower (vv. 3-8), of the tares (vv. 24-30), of the mustard seed (vv. 31-32), of the leaven (v. 33), of the treasure (v. 44), of the pearl (vv. 45-46) and of the dragnet (vv. 47-48). Concerning the first parable, that of the sower, we see that the Lord had to explain it since the people did not understand the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens: “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them” (v. 15). We see, therefore, that the Lord did not speak to the people in a very clear way, for their hearts were hard, insensitive and fat. Hence, they were not willing to hear and would close their eyes that they may not see. In other words, despite hearing His words, they were unable to receive what Jesus wanted to convey.

The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven

UNDERSTAND THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM

Calling Overcomers

For us, who are preaching the gospel of the kingdom in these latter days, it is very important to understand this matter. Today, those who have a hardened heart are the ones concerned with the things of men rather than those of God. Although many Christians begin reading the New Testament once they are saved, they find it hard to understand the Bible. A hard heart hinders the understanding of God’s word, which is the condition of someone who lives according to the natural man and vanity of their thoughts—the soul-life (1 Cor. 2:14). Conversely, when we are in spirit, the Lord can speak to us in a very special way, thus revealing His will to us and making us blessed, happy. Hence, we should always be mindful of calling on the Lord’s name to be in spirit. When we believed in the Lord Jesus, God’s Spirit entered into our spirit (Eph. 1:13; Rom. 8:9, 11, 16). From that moment on, whenever we call on His name, we remain in spirit (1 Cor. 12:3). The Spirit in us gives us revelation concerning God’s Word, allowing us to see and hear the Lord’s words with our spiritual eyes and ears. Hallelujah! Key-point: Calling helps us to see, hear and understand the Lord’s words! My key-point: Question: Despite hearing and reading God’s Word, why do many people still not understand it?

Week 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; TUESDAY Scripture reading:

Rom. 8:3; Eph. 1:7; 2:8 Read with prayer:

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace... speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Christ (Eph. 4:3, 15).

We know that the gospel of God has two aspects: the first aspect presents the Lord Jesus as the Son of man and as the descendant of David according to the flesh; the second aspect exhibits Jesus as the Son of God, designated as such through His resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:3-4). We can say that David is a good representative of sinners; David committed sins such as covetousness, adultery, and even homicide. As for the Lord Jesus, He inherited a human body from Mary, a descendant of David. Nevertheless, there was no sin in Him, only the likeness of sinful flesh (8:3), making Him able to die in our place. When the Lord was crucified, He dealt with every problem related to sin, that is, associated with David and humanity as a whole. Praise the Lord! We refer to this aspect as the gospel of grace; it is known by all believers. It shows us that, despite deserving to die for the sins we committed, the Lord Jesus was punished in our place so that we might freely receive forgiveness through faith (Eph. 1:7). We call this immense grace and good news, the gospel of grace (2:8). Unfortunately, the mere knowledge of many biblical truths and doctrines has been the reason for much division in the church. In the sixteenth century, when Martin Luther

The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven

EMPHASIS ON DOCTRINES CAUSES DIVISION

Calling Overcomers

translated the Bible from Latin into German and printed it, many kings who were under the control of the Vatican took the opportunity to free themselves and create their own churches. This movement is known as the Reformation. State churches emerged in many European countries: in Germany, there was the Lutheran church, in England, the Anglican church. Other countries such as Holland and France also rebelled against the papal authority, creating other religious ramifications. Others began studying and analyzing the Bible, so that each one clung to different aspects of the truth which became the foundation of numerous religious divisions, especially after the eighteenth century. Although oneness is a biblical principle associated with the church, that is, one church in the whole earth, a number of churches came about after the Reformation and fell into the condition of the church in Sardis, whose name means restoration. In Sardis, we see that the Lord wanted to restore the church’s practice to what it was in the beginning that they may once again call on His name. In Revelation 2:3, we see that the church in Ephesus endured trials because of the Lord’s name and did not surrender. The church in Smyrna certainly remained faithful, even under persecution by the Roman Empire, keeping the Lord’s name until the death of Antipas (vv. 10c, 13). Nevertheless, after the Reformation, in addition to not restoring that which was essential for the church life, many leaders focused on doctrines and caused many divisions among God’s people. The truths revealed throughout those years could have been used to restore the genuine oneness of the church, but the enemy used that situation to cause much division through human obstinacy and the excessive emphasis of certain doctrines, hindering the Lord’s desire for His people.

Key-point: The truth must be used to promote the oneness of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people. My key-point:

The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven

Question: What can lead us astray from Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will concerning the oneness of the church?

Calling Overcomers

Week 1 – WEDNESDAY Scripture reading:

Matt. 13:3-8, 19-22; 1 Pet. 4:12 Read with prayer:

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21). HAVING AN ADEQUATE HEART SO THE WORD OF THE KINGDOM CAN GROW AND BEAR FRUIT

God desires us to walk in spirit, grow in the divine life, and do His will that we may be led by Him to the kingdom of the heavens. If we are in spirit, we are blessed, being able to see, hear and understand the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens (Matt. 13:11). Concerning the kingdom of the heavens, we have been helped much by the revelation presented in the parable of the sower. There, we find different types of ground portraying the varied conditions in which our heart can be found (vv. 3-8). Here, we see conditions that are inadequate for the growth of the divine life’s seed which was planted in us through the word of the kingdom, as well as the need to change these unwanted conditions into good ground, that is, a proper and fruitful heart that leads us to fulfilling God’s will. The first type of ground mentioned in this parable is the ground by the wayside where the intense traffic of people tramping on the soil makes it very hard. In olden times, before there were paved roads, people would walk where they wanted and cut through fields; these made paths of packed soil where nothing would grow. In this parable, the sower sows the seed in all kinds of ground, yet those

The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven

that fall by the wayside cannot germinate, being unable to penetrate the ground. Then, the birds come and eat those seeds. This means that when we hear the Word and do not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches it out of our heart (Matt. 13:4, 19). The second ground is the stony soil. When the soil is fertile, water is absorbed and stored for the seed to germinate and grow. However, if there are too many stones in the soil, it will not be able to retain much water. Hence, the seed sown there cannot find enough water or deepen its roots; when the sun comes, the sprout is quickly scorched due to its superficial roots. This means that when our roots are not deep, trials and persecutions stumble and cause us to dry up, causing us to lose our freshness (vv. 20-21). The third kind of ground has good soil, which promotes germination; nevertheless, the thorns surrounding the plant choke it. All plants need water and sunlight in order to germinate, thrive and bear fruit. The thorns which grow faster, hinder the plant from receiving sunlight, causing it to wither and remain barren. The same thing can happen spiritually; the thorns here refer to the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches (v. 22). These two things are in our soul and the only way to eliminate them is through the fire of the Spirit (1 Pet. 4:12). In the past, we thought that merely cutting the thorns would resolve the problem. Later on, we realized that if we only cut the thorns, they might be able to grow back. The solution, therefore, is to burn them. This parable shows us that we need to burn everything that is natural within us that we may provide Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word with the right conditions to germinate and bear fruit. Therefore, we must deal with the hardness and dryness of our heart by eliminating the traffic of all worldly cares and

Calling Overcomers

worries. If we remove the stones by confessing all hidden sins and tear down every stronghold of the mind, reasoning, and high thing that cause us to lose the simplicity and purity in Christ, burning the thorns through the genuine repentance of the Spiritâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fire, our heart will become good ground where the divine life can grow and bear much fruit. Hallelujah! Key-point: Removing that which prevents the growth of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word. My key-point: Question: What can we do to become this good ground?

Week 1 – THURSDAY Scripture reading:

Matt. 13:24-30, 37-43 Read with prayer:

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts (1 Pet. 3:14-15a).

The second parable presented in Matthew 13 is the parable of the tares: “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who 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 grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, “Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?” He said to them, “An enemy has done this.” The servants said to him, “Do you want us then to go and gather them up?” But he said, “No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, ‘First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn’”’” (vv. 24-30). The good seed in this parable refers to the sons of the kingdom and the tares, to those used by the enemy (v. 38). The tares absorb the nutrients from the soil in order to grow and reach the sunlight, thus hindering the wheat from receiving a sufficient amount of light and nutrients. Hence, the wheat will grow, but it will not be healthy.

The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven

SEEKING THE LORD EVEN MORE AMID SUFFERINGS

Calling Overcomers

What should we do in this situation? Our initial desire may be to pull up the tares sown by the enemy. However, because they were sown among the wheat, their roots have intertwined. If we uproot the tares, we may damage the wheat in the process; so it is better to wait for the harvest, when the wheat is ripe, to be able to distinguish them. Once ripe, the wheat will bend down from the weight of its fruit, whereas the tares remain upright, making it easy to tell them apart, so the tares can be separated and burned. Our experience is like that of the wheat; when we grow in life, the tares grow also. Instead of losing heart or becoming discouraged by the tares, we must seek even more to grow spiritually. We must go on following the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading and having more fellowship with Him in order to bear much fruit. This way, when it is harvest time, the Lord will send His angels to gather all the things that offend in His kingdom and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 13:30, 37-42). The sons of the kingdom, the righteous ones who have matured, will shine like the sun as overcomers in the kingdom of their Father (v. 43). Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Key-point: Seeking growth even while going through persecution and suffering. My key-point: Question: How can we grow in a normal way?

Week 1 – FRIDAY Scripture reading:

Gen 1:11-13; 49:22; Jer. 17:7-8; Matt. 13:4, 19, 31-32; Rev. 2:13a; 22:2. Read with prayer:

And not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God (Col. 2:19).

The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven

GROWING IN LIFE IN A NORMAL WAY

The third parable is the parable of the mustard seed, recorded in Matthew 13:31-32 as follows: “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.’” According to this parable, the mustard seed which is the smallest of all seeds, grew and became a tree. This indicates an abnormal growth since we know that a mustard seed should grow to become an herb. What is the abnormality here? The plant here had gone beyond the stature of its species, beyond its limitations. Mustard is a small plant, an herb, as opposed to a tree which is a different species. In Genesis, we can see that the Lord created every plant according to its own kind on the third day (1:11-13). Hence, the mustard plant must also be according to its own species, that is, it should grow to become an herb that is food for men in a normal condition. In the parable, however, the herb grew and became a tree upon which birds came and nested in its branches.

Calling Overcomers

Some interpret the exaggerated growth of the mustard seed as something normal, yet they do not realize that aside from becoming something that is not food for men, it became a refuge for the birds. The birds nesting on the branches of that tree do not typify good angels as some may think, but the enemy who comes in to snatch the words sown in man’s heart (Matt. 13:4, 19). Therefore, this abnormal growth does not yield a good result since it provides a shelter for God’s enemy (Rev. 2:13a). After being saved, I began reading the Bible. One day, I came upon a portion that spoke about the time when the Lord left Bethany early in the morning to go Jerusalem. He was hungry. On the way there, the Lord saw a beautiful and leafy fig tree. He must have thought, “Now I am going to be able to eat something.” However, that fig tree, which should have been food for men, had no fruit. So, the Lord cursed it (Matt. 21:1819). In a normal situation, we should also be fruitful and able to satisfy the Lord’s hunger (Gen. 49:22; Psa. 1:3; Jer. 17:7-8). Despite having been recently saved, I realized through those words that the church needs to grow in a normal way; neither abnormally nor merely for a display. The church must grow in reality; that is, it must bear much fruit to gladden God’s heart so the enemy will have no room to come in. Praise the Lord! Key-point: Feeding men and not affording the enemy any room. My key-point: Question: What sign of normal growth must be seen in us?

Week 1 – SATURDAY Scripture reading:

Exo. 12:8; Matt. 13:33; 16:5, 12; Eph. 4:14; 3 John 3-4 Read with prayer:

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Cor. 5:8). If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet (John 13:14).

The fourth parable is the parable of the leaven, recorded in Matthew 13:33. In the Bible, leaven typifies something that is abnormal and reproved by God. In the Old Testament, for instance, God ordered the children of Israel to take with them unleavened bread as they left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea (Exo. 12:8). In Mathew 16:5, Jesus exhorts the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, referring to their doctrines (v. 12). Hence, leaven represents the doctrines, religious teachings and the trickery of men leading toward deceit (Eph. 4:14). We must stay away from these teachings; for instead of leading us to life, they lead to discussions and twist the revelation of God’s pure Word. In the book of Revelation, when the Lord speaks to the church in Thyatira, He mentions the teachings of a woman, Jezebel. Her teachings were like the leaven in the parable of Matthew 13, which a woman added to the dough until it was all leavened. When there are traditions and men’s teachings mixed with the pure Word of God, people move away from the truth and create doctrines based on their own

The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven

ELIMINATING LEAVEN AND WALKING IN TRUTH

Calling Overcomers

interpretations. Worse than that, these teachings promote the practice of prostitution and idolatry (Rev. 2:20). However, the truths are not for us to merely have them in our minds, analyzing and admiring them. Although we have done so in the past, we have received much help from the apostle Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latter ministry in his maturity, and have seen that we need to practice those truths and live in their reality (John 13:17). John spent twenty years on the island of Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation; after his release, he began his work in Ephesus. John was over 90 years old when he went to Ephesus and began serving the brothers and sisters there with Spirit and life. In his third epistle, John speaks of Gaius from the church in Corinth. Gaius exercised the gift of hospitality from the beginning of his Christian life, having a good testimony among the saints. John even mentions him as someone who walks in truth (3 John 3). In this epistle, John declared that he had no greater joy than to see his children walking in truth (v. 4). The truth is not meant to be analyzed, but practiced through Spirit and life. Likewise, we should never introduce any leaven into the church life, but practice the truth and gladden Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart! Key-point: Practicing the Word. My key-point: Question: How can we gladden Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart?

Week 1 – SUNDAY Scripture reading:

Matt. 13:44-50 Read with prayer:

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ (Phil. 3:7). REVEALING THE TREASURE, VALUING THE PEARL,

The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven

AND NOT FOOLING ONESELF

This week, we have been going over the first four parables in Matthew 13. Today, we will talk about the other three: the parable of the treasure, the pearl and of the dragnet. The fifth parable is presented in Matthew 13:44: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” In the beginning, we have a good situation, one of a man who finds a hidden treasure and buys a field. The problem here is that the treasure remains hidden. Finding a treasure is something very good and being able to buy the land where it is hidden is even better. Nevertheless, it is pointless to have such a great treasure if it will remain hidden. The spiritual riches we receive must be shared and revealed to others, rather than kept for our own benefit only. The parable after that is different: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (vv. 45-46). Unlike the previous situation, the man who finds the pearl does not hide it. He bought the pearl by selling everything that he had. That pearl represents the Lord Jesus, for whom we should “sell

Calling Overcomers

everything that we have” as we realize its immeasurable value (Phil. 3:7-8). The seventh parable is the one of the dragnet: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 13:47-50). This should be a warning to us, showing that, in the last days, the righteous will be separated from the unrighteous. The righteous ones are the good fish that are gathered into vessels, whereas the unrighteous are the ones thrown away. Do you want to be separated for the kingdom? Then, you must be righteous, doing what God has determined. On one occasion, I was in João Pessoa, a city in Brazil, where I stayed at a brother’s beach house. He had a dragnet and would fish by staking one side of the net and using the other side haul in the fish. Then, another brother and I would go into the water to help him haul in the net back onto shore. Judging by the weight of the net, I thought that we had caught many fish, but, in fact, there was much junk in the net such as trash, debris, and seaweed; so, after separating it all, there were only a few fish. This parable teaches us not to fool ourselves, thinking, “I have caught enough! Look at what I have!” We should watch our conduct today and never become proud, so when the Lord comes back, we will not be cast out. We want to be among the righteous ones who will be separated by the Lord to reign with Him. May we ponder on these words and think about who we are and whether our living

today will help us stand in the presence of the Son of Man in that day (Luke 21:36). Key-point: Revealing the treasure, appreciating the pearl, and not fooling ourselves. My key-point: Question: What do these three items mean practically? Complementary Reading: “Your Kingdom Come” - chaps. 21-24 - Dong Yu Lan.

The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven

“The Mysteries of the Kingdom of the Heavens” - chap. 2 Dong Yu Lan.

NOTES