Journal: Pneumatikos
Volume: PNEUMATIKOS 16:1 (Spring 2025)
Article: The Parables Of The Mysteries Of The Kingdom Of Heaven
Author: Jeremy M. Thomas

Pneumatikos 16:1 (Spring 2025) p. 87

The Parables Of The Mysteries Of The Kingdom Of Heaven

Jeremy M. Thomas

Spokane Bible Church
Spokane, Washington, USA

Keywords: parables, kingdom of heaven, postponement theology, dispensationalism, Matthew 13, eschatology, premillennialism

Abstract: The parables of Matthew 13 are given in the context of Israel’s rejection of their Messiah. Dispensational interpreters have held to two major views of the mysteries of the kingdom. Some view the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven as a mystery form of the kingdom. This view changes the meaning of kingdom of heaven from Matthew’s prior usage. Others view the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven as previously unrevealed truths concerning the kingdom. This view maintains the meaning of kingdom of heaven from Matthew’s prior usage. Parables are challenging to interpret and must be distinguished from allegories in that parables make one major point rather than an allegory which presses every detail into service. By suddenly shifting to teaching in parables, Jesus was giving new revelation to the disciples while the crowds heard without understanding. The disciples were to learn that the kingdom was being postponed until a generation of Israel received their Messiah. During the interadvent age, evil would grow up alongside good, finally ending in judgment and the establishment of the kingdom of heaven on earth.

Pneumatikos 16:1 (Spring 2025) p. 88

Introduction

The parables of Matthew 13 have been an area of dispute among dispensationalists. In part, this is due to Jesus suddenly shifting to teach in parables. Jesus describes these parables as proclaiming “mysteries of the kingdom.” Usually, dispensationalists have pointed out that a mystery in the New Testament is something previously unrevealed that is now being revealed. However, in this use some dispensationalists claim that mysteries of the kingdom refer to a mystery form of the kingdom. By this, they mean that, in light of Israel’s rejection, a previously unrevealed form of the kingdom is now being revealed. The present age is characterized as a kingdom during which the church forms. Other dispensationalists claim that, in light of Israel’s rejection, these mysteries refer to previously unrevealed truths about the kingdom that are now being revealed. By this, they mean a previously unrevealed age will take place before the arrival of the kingdom. In this view, there is no kingdom now because the kingdom offered in Matthew’s Gospel has been postponed as far as its arrival in history. ...