Four parables in the Bible about a householder and heaven illustrate how God condenses millions of His thoughts in the few pages of the Bible. Using a 5-dimensional Bible study, this post will unpack some of God’s thoughts in these parables.

Who is God?

First, here’s a brief introduction to God. God is a divine Family known as “the Godhead” (Acts 17:29) in the Bible. This Family consists of three divine Persons, namely, the Father, the Son called Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

For those who are new to Bible notation, “Acts 17:29,” for example, is a reference to the Bible, which is a collection of books. In the Bible, each book consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses. The quotation referred to as “Acts 17:29” is taken from the book of Acts in the Bible, the 17^th chapter, and the 29^th verse.

What is God like? “God is love” (1 John 4:8) meaning that God’s character is the very definition of what is true love. Now, the members of the Godhead never contradict each other at any time. So, we can truly say, “there is one God” (Mark 12:32) in that they speak with one voice.

Our Bible Quotation of Focus

We will consider the following as our Bible verse of focus in this post: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalm 119:18. The “law” here refers, specifically, to God’s “ten commandments” (Exodus 34:28) which are amplified and applied throughout the entire Bible.

Now surely there is much, much, more to the Bible than one may see in a superficial reading of the Bible.

As the verse, Psalm 119:18, indicates, we need God’s help to unearth the hidden treasures of the Bible. In other words, human intellect is insufficient for the task.

What is a Bible Study in 5 Dimensions?

As was said before, we will be doing a Bible study on four parables about a householder and heaven in five dimensions, which is to say, in five applications.

What is a parable? It is a short story illustrating a moral lesson. Many of the parables in the Bible were spoken by Christ when He was on earth. Christ was born into the world as a baby boy named “Jesus” (Matthew 1:21) over 2,000 years ago.

Now in seeking to mine the meanings of the Bible, we can read the Bible in the following dimensions.

1^st Dimension: Literal – The literal interpretation of the Bible text.
2^nd Dimension: Christ – How does the Bible text apply to Christ?
3^rd Dimension: Me – How does the Bible text apply to me as an individual?
4^th Dimension: Church – How does the Bible text apply to the Christian church?
5^th Dimension: Heaven – How does the Bible text apply to heaven?

How do we do this? Continue reading and I will explain.

The Parable of the Householder and the Tares (Weeds): 1^st Dimension – Literal

Here is our first parable of a householder and tares (weeds). “Another parable put he [Jesus Christ] 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.” Matthew 13:24, 25.

“But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares [weeds] also.” Matthew 13:26.

“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 [weeds]? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?” Matthew 13:27, 28.

“But he said, Nay [No]; lest while ye gather up the tares [weeds], 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 [weeds], and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” Matthew 13:29, 30.

The question that we ask when considering the 1^st dimension is, What is the literal meaning of the parable? Well, Christ Himself gave the interpretation of His parable. “He [Jesus Christ] answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man.” Matthew 1:37.

“The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom [of heaven]; but the tares [weeds] are the children of the wicked one [Satan]; the enemy that sowed them is the devil [Satan]; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the [holy] angels.” Matthew 13:38, 39.

“As therefore the tares [weeds] are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man [Jesus Christ] shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity [wickedness]; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing [grinding] of teeth.” Matthew 13:40-42.

“Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13:43.

This then is the interpretation of the parable in the first dimension which is a literal application. In this first dimension we see that the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who has an enemy, Satan, who sows weeds in his field.

Who is Satan?

In Christ’s own interpretation of His parable of the householder and the tares (weeds), He mentions the devil as His enemy. But who is the devil? That is, who is “that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan” (Revelation 12:9)?

The Devil, Satan, is an angel of whom God says, “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity [wickedness] was found in thee.” Ezekiel 28:15.

For Satan rebelled against God in heaven and caused other angels to join him in his rebellion and so they became the enemies of God. Since Satan and his “evil angels” (Psalm 78:49) refused to turn away from their sins, which is evil and wrongdoing, God cast them out of heaven until God’s Judgment Day.

Satan came to the first human pair whom God created, a man named Adam and a woman named Eve, and through his temptations caused them to also fall into sin. As a result, all the descendants of Adam and Eve have inherited their disposition to sin and so are sinners.

Now God says, “The wages of sin is [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated]; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

So, Satan is also the enemy of humanity because he caused the human race to lose access to “the tree of life” (Genesis 2:9) which causes all those who eat from it to live forever. But thank God for Jesus Christ! For through Christ the entire human race can once more have access to the tree of life.

What is the Kingdom of Heaven?

You may be asking, What is the kingdom of heaven? It is first a spiritual kingdom and then a literal kingdom.

For God says, “The kingdom of God [kingdom of heaven] cometh not with observation [the seeing of the eyes]: Neither shall they say, Lo [see] here! or, lo [see] there! for, behold, the kingdom of God [kingdom of heaven] is within you [in your heart].” Luke 17:20, 21.

This is the spiritual kingdom which is made up those people who in their hearts love God and obey His commandments. These people are known only to God “for thou [God], even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men [of every human being].” 1 Kings 8:39.

Thus, God says, “I the LORD [God] search the heart [of every human being], I try [examine] the reins [mind], even to give every man [person] according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10. Then “they that have done good” (John 5:29) “shall inherit the kingdom of God [kingdom of heaven]” (1 Corinthians 6:10), that is, “shall inherit everlasting life” (Matthew 19:29) and “evildoers shall be cut off [be annihilated].” Psalm 37:9.

So then, there is a “world…which is to come” (Ephesians 1:21) which will take the place of “this present evil world, according to the will of God.” Galatians 1:4. This new world will be the literal kingdom of heaven.

The Parable of the Householder and the Tares (Weeds): 2^nd Dimension – Christ

The question that we ask when considering the second dimension is, How does the parable of the householder and the tares (weeds) apply to Christ?

Now Christ when He was on earth spoke words that help us to understand what He had said to Adam and Eve when they sinned, and which was a message for all humanity.

Christ said during His life on earth, “I am not come [to the earth] to call the righteous [those who think that they are good and, hence, feel no need for salvation, that is, no need for being saved by God from eternal death (annihilation)], but sinners to repentance [to a deep sorrow for and a turning away from their sins].” Matthew 9:13. “Repent ye, and believe the gospel [which is God’s plan to save all humanity from eternal death (annihilation)].” Mark 1:15.

“And ye shall know the truth [about God and Satan], and the truth shall make you free [from bondage to sin and Satan]…If the Son [Christ] therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:32, 36.

Note that ever since the sin of Adam and Eve, the Holy Spirit has been active in God’s plan of salvation in speaking, in a supernatural way, to every person’s heart and mind.

What does the Holy Spirit say to every human being? According to Christ, “He, the [Holy] Spirit of truth…will guide you into all truth [about God and Satan]: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak..for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [show] it unto you.” John 16:13, 14. In other words, the Holy Spirit speaks Christ’s words to the individual in the world.

But, as Christ said, “Why do ye not understand my speech [spoken through the Holy Spirit]? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil [Satan], and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” John 8:43-45. “He [or she] that hath an ear, let him [or her] hear what the [Holy] Spirit saith.” Revelation 2:7.

So then, the kingdom of heaven is like Christ as a Householder on earth who, figuratively, sows good seed which produces a harvest of wheat in that it produces those who repent and believe the gospel. Such persons will receive eternal life from God.

But Christ’s enemy, Satan, figuratively, sows weeds in that it causes persons to remain sinners because they believe and live by the wicked words of Satan. Such persons will receive eternal death (annihilation) from God.

This then is how the parable of the householder and the tares (weeds) in the second dimension applies to Christ.

The Parable of the Householder and the Tares (Weeds): 3^rd Dimension – Me

Our question when considering the 3^rd dimension is, How does the parable of the householder and the tares (weeds) apply to me?

As a Christian, a follower of Christ, that is, figuratively, a householder, I obey God’s commandments. And one of God’s commandments is, to “preach the word [of God, the Bible]; be instant [ready] in season [at favourable times], out of season [at unfavourable times]; reprove, rebuke, exhort [beseech] with all longsuffering and doctrine [teaching].” 2 Timothy 4:2.

Thus, the kingdom of heaven is made up of people who are like me, for as a householder with the world as my field I sow good seed seeking to make people followers of Christ.

However, I need to beware for God says, “I fear, lest [that] by any means, as the serpent [Satan] beguiled [deceived] Eve through his subtilty [subtlety], so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3. Beware that “when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway [by God].” 1 Corinthians 9:27.

How could this be? Well, “now the Spirit speaketh expressly [plainly], that…some shall depart from the faith [in God], giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” 1 Timothy 4:1, 2.

That is, as a householder I have an enemy, Satan, who sows weeds in that he would corrupt my mind and cause me to speak lies such that I become a castaway by God, destined for eternal death (annihilation). In other words, I would become disqualified for the kingdom of heaven and so fail to be accepted by God into that kingdom.

This then is how the parable of the householder and the tares (weeds) in the third dimension applies to me.

The Parable of the Householder and the Tares (Weeds): 4^th Dimension – Church

Our question when considering the fourth dimension is, How does the parable of the householder and the tares (weeds) apply to the Christian church?

The Christian church is “the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth [about God and Satan].” 1 Timothy 3:15. God has given the church a “charge…that they teach no other doctrine [no other teaching other than what the Bible teaches].” 1 Timothy 1:3.

Thus, the Christian church as a householder sows good seed in the world in an attempt to make people followers of Christ.

However, “After [according to] the working of Satan” (2 Thessalonians 2:9) there are “false brethren [converts] unawares brought in [to the church], who came in privily [stealthily] to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage [to sin and Satan].” Galatians 2:4.

Moreover, there are “false prophets also among the people…[and] false teachers among…[the members of the church], who privily [stealthily] shall bring in damnable heresies [ruinous errors], even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction [from God].” 2 Peter 2:1.

So, God says, “Beware of [people whom God calls] dogs, beware of evil workers.” Philippians 3:2. “For such are false apostles [pretended preachers], deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles [preachers] of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:13.

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light [a holy angel from heaven]. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:14, 15.

Thus, Satan, as an enemy of God, sow tares (weeds) in that he seeks to corrupt the church by leading its members away from God, and so prevent the church from accomplishing its God-given mission. Satan’s intent then is that church members become disqualified for the kingdom of heaven.

This then is how the parable of the householder and the tares (weeds) in the fourth dimension applies to the Christian church.

The Parable of the Householder and the Tares (Weeds): 5^th Dimension – Heaven

We will now consider the parable of the householder and the tares (weeds) in the fifth dimension by answering the question, How does this parable apply to heaven?

God “the LORD” (Psalm 145:17), as a Householder in heaven, “is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” Psalm 145:17. Whenever God spoke in heaven to an angel, “the LORD answered the angel…with good words and comfortable [comforting] words.” Zechariah 1:13. Thus, God sowed only good seed in heaven.

However, the angel, Lucifer, now called Satan, became rebellious against God and as “a froward [perverse, ungovernable] man soweth strife [among the angels in heaven]: and [as] a whisperer separateth chief [the best of] friends.” Proverbs 16:28. That is, Satan separated some of the angels from God by causing them to transfer their love and loyalty from God to him, Satan.

For Satan was, “he that hideth hatred [of God] with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander [against God].” Proverbs 10:18.

So then, Satan sowed tares (weeds) in heaven resulting in Satan himself and his “evil angels” (Psalm 78:49) being disqualified to live any longer in heaven among God and holy angels. Hence, Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven by God leading to a decrease in the angelic population of the heaven.

This then is how the parable of the householder and the tares (weeds) in the fifth dimension applies to heaven.

The Parable of the Householder and His Treasure: 1^st Dimension – Literal

The second of the four parables that we will consider in this post is the parable of the householder and his treasure.

Here is the parable: “Then said he [Christ] unto them, Therefore every scribe [everyone who reads and explains God’s law to the people] which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” Matthew 13:52.

This parable in its first dimension, that is, in its literal meaning, states that everyone who reads and explains God’s law to the people, and who has been instructed by God, is as a householder who has treasure both new and old and does not hoard his treasure, but shares it with others.

Thus, the householder is like one who, having been instructed by God, brings out new and old truths from the Bible to share with people.

This then is the literal meaning of the parable in the first dimension of the householder and his treasure.

The Parable of the Householder and His Treasure: 2^nd Dimension – Christ

When considering the parable of the householder and his treasure in the second dimension the question is, How does this parable apply to Christ?

First Example of  Christ and Treasures New and Old

Christ, when He was on earth, “said unto his disciples” (Luke 12:22), “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32.

These words of Christ were to His disciples, as Jews, old treasure which they already understood. For God had said hundreds of years before through the prophet, Daniel, that “the saints of the most High [God, the true followers of Christ] shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.” Daniel 7:18.

Second Example of Christ and Treasures New and Old

Christ also said to a man named Nicodemus, “a ruler of the Jews” (John 3:1), “Verily [Surely], verily [surely], I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” John 3:3, 4.

“Jesus [Christ] answered, Verily [Surely], verily [surely], I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the [Holy] Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the [Holy] Spirit is spirit [mind]. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:5-7.

“The wind bloweth where it listeth [desires], and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence [from where] it cometh, and whither [where] it goeth: so is every one that is born of the [Holy] Spirit.” John 3:8.

“Nicodemus answered and said unto him [Jesus Christ], How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master [instructor] of Israel, and knowest not these things?” John 3:9:10.

To Nicodemus, the words of Christ were strange, new treasure, but they were, in fact, old treasure put in a new setting.

For God had said hundreds of years before through the prophet Ezekiel, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit [mind] will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my [Holy] spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them…and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.” Ezekiel 36:26-28.

That is, without a change of heart from selfishness to love, no human being will ever be accepted into the kingdom of heaven. This change of heart cannot be brought about by one’s own effort but only by the supernatural act of God.

Nicodemus, as a representative Jew, did not understand Christ’s words because the Jews did not find God’s words of old to align with their own desires and their personal and national ambitions.

The Application of the Parable to Christ

So, Christ was a Householder on earth who brought out treasures new and old from His Father in heaven who had sent Him to speak to humanity.

This then is how the parable of the householder and his treasure in the second dimension applies to Christ.

The Parable of the Householder and His Treasure: 3^rd Dimension – Me

We will now consider the parable of the householder and his treasure in the third dimension which gives rise to the question, How does the parable apply to me?

Now God says, “For what man [person] knoweth the things of a man [person], save the spirit [mind] of man [of the person] which is in him [or her]? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the [Holy] Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world [Satan], but the [Holy] spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:11, 12.

“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit] teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:13.

This is the prerequisite for correctly interpreting the Bible.

Thus, God says, “Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.” Proverbs 8:6, 7.

“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward [evil] or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge [through the working of the Holy Spirit].” Proverbs 8:8, 9.

In other words, there are many things that are plain and easy to understand in the Bible. So, I, if I am instructed by the Holy Spirit, can as a householder, readily bring out some new and old treasures from the Bible which lie on the surface.

However, there is in the Bible “some things hard to be understood.” 2 Peter 3:16. In order to unearth these new treasures from the Bible, it is necessary to “search the scriptures.” John 5:39.

For such things, God says, “Call unto me [God], and I  [God]will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7, 8.

So, I as an householder, instructed by God in answer to much prayer, can bring out new and old treasures from the Bible that lie deep below the surface.

This then is how the parable of the householder and his treasure in the third dimension applies to me.

The Parable of the Householder and His Treasure: 4^th Dimension – Church

We will now look at the parable of the householder and treasure in the fourth dimension where we want to answer the question, How does the parable apply to the Christian church?

To the Christian church, God has given the following commission: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature [person].” Mark 16:15.

How does the church as a body fulfill its commission? Well, consider the following incident which occurred while Christ was on earth.

The Incident Involving Christ and His Disciples

“And Jesus [Christ] went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals [food].” Matthew 14:14, 15.

“But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither [here] to me.” Matthew 14:16-18.

“And he [Jesus Christ] commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.” Matthew 14:19.

“And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.” Matthew 14:20, 21.

The Spiritual Significance of the Incident Involving Christ and His Disciples

What is the spiritual significance of this incident? The literal food represents spiritual food, that is, treasure, from the Bible that is to be given to the world.

Having studied the Bible as a body, the church must present their little spiritual food, that is, their spiritual five loaves and two fishes, to God in sincere prayer.

Then it will be that the church can say, “I will remember the works of the LORD [God]: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” Psalm 77:11. This is the old treasure from the Bible that God has multiplied and given to the church to, in turn, give it to the world.

Moreover, the church will be able to say “He [God] hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear [have reverence for God], and shall trust in the LORD [God].” Psalm 40:3. This is the new treasure that God has revealed to the church and which the church is to give to the world.

In this way, the Christian church is a householder bringing out of its treasure from the Bible, things new and old to give to the world.

This then is how the parable of the householder and his treasure in the fourth dimension applies to the Christian church.

The Parable of the Householder and His Treasure: 5^th Dimension – Heaven

Now let us consider the parable of the householder and his treasure in the fifth dimension, which is to say, How does the parable apply to heaven?

There was a time in heaven when all was peace, love, joy, and harmony. At that time, all the angels said, “Great is the LORD [God], and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.” Psalm 48:1.

Then it was that “in his temple doth every one [of the angels] speak of his [God’s] glory.” Psalm 29:9. The angels were “daily his [God’s] delight, [and they were] rejoicing always before him [God].” Proverbs 8:30.

God said to the angels, “Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.” Proverbs 8:6. God’s words then were those bringing out new and old treasures to the ears of the angels. And the angels responded to God by saying, “I will hear what God the LORD will speak.” Psalm 85:8.

Then came Lucifer’s, that is, Satan’s, rebellion which broke the harmony in heaven. At that time “the [holy] city [of God]…was perplexed.” Esther 3:15. God now had to speak words of rebuke, reproof, and correction, to the angels. This was new treasure brought forth from the mouth of God.

Satan and his evil angels were eventually cast out of heaven, but Satan continued in his rebellion against God by causing Adam and Eve to fall into sin. God then spoke to angels about His plan of salvation, His plan of saving humanity from eternal death (annihilation).

The angels’ response was , “Thou [God] bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.” Acts 17:20. For this was new treasure which God brought forth to the angels from His mouth, “which things the angels desire to look into.” 1 Peter 1:12.

God spoke “to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church [in heaven and earth] the manifold [multifaceted] wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 3:10, 11.

So, God is a Householder in heaven bringing forth treasures new and old from His mouth.

This then is how the parable of the householder and his treasure in the fifth dimension applies to heaven.

The Parable of the Householder and His Labourers: 1^st Dimension – Literal

The third of our four parables under consideration is the parable of the householder and his labourers. In looking at this parable in the first dimension, our question is, what is the literal meaning of the parable?

In order to understand this parable we need to recognise that to the Jews of that time, “there [were]…twelve hours in the day” (John 11:9), from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Here is the parable: “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.” Matthew 20:1, 2.

“And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.” Matthew 20:3-5.

“And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.” Matthew 20:6, 7.

“So when even [evening] was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.” Matthew 20:9, 10.

“But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought [worked] but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.” Matthew 20:10-12.

“But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” Matthew 20:13-16.

The parable of a householder hiring labourers for his vineyard is itself self-explanatory. This literal meaning then represents the parable considered in the first dimension.

The Parable of the Householder and His Labourers: 2^nd Dimension – Christ

Let us now consider the parable of the householder and his labourers in the second dimension. Here we seek to answer the question, How does the parable apply to Christ?

The Case of the Thief on the Cross

Jesus Christ was put to death by the nailing His hands and feet to a t-shaped wooden structure called a cross. On either side of Christ, on His right hand and on His left, was a thief both of whom were also crucified with Him.

One of the thieves repented, that is, had deep sorrow for and turned away from all his sins, while he was dying on a cross. This thief “said unto Jesus [Christ], Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Luke 23:42.

“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day” (Luke 23:43), you “shalt…be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43.

 Thus, Jesus Christ, who is God, accepted the thief’s repentance and faith in Him and promised the thief that he will be in the kingdom of heaven.

Here the thief represents the eleventh-hour labourers whom Christ, the Householder, sends into His spiritual vineyard, which is the world, to win people to Christ. For the thief was converted while he was dying, and his words of repentance and faith in Christ must have been a good work done for God to call the thief’s hearers to repent and accept Christ.

All those who were obedient to God’s call through the thief on the cross were to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The Case of Simon Peter and Andrew

“And Jesus [Christ], walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren [brothers], Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:18, 19.

Now we do not know the ages of Simon Peter and Andrew, but as adults they probably, spiritually, represented labourers hired at the third or sixth hour. Here Christ promises to send them into his spiritual vineyard, which is the world, to become “fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19. In other words, to win people to Christ so that they may enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The Case of King Solomon

King Solomon wrote, “Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished [cautioned].” Ecclesiastes 4:13.

Solomon was “a wise child” (Ecclesiastes 4:13) because as a child he was obedient to God’s call for him to win people to Christ. He represented, spiritually, the labourers hired by the Christ, the Householder, early in the morning.

However, Solomon in his adulthood turned away from God and sinned against God for many years of his life, becoming “an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished [cautioned].” Ecclesiastes 4:13.

Happily, though, Solomon in his old age turned from sin and back to God. Thus, Solomon wrote “And moreover, because the preacher [Solomon] was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed [attention], and sought out, and set in order many proverbs [moral statements of the wise that require interpretation]. The preacher [Solomon] sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.” Ecclesiastes 12:9, 10.

So, Solomon wrote for all people in order that they may learn from his sad life experience: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” Ecclesiastes 12:1.

Solomon then in his old age represents, spiritually, the eleventh-hour labourers hired by Christ, the Householder, to go into His vineyard which is the whole world and win people to Christ. Again, those won to Christ will enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The Spiritual Significance of the Parable with Respect to Christ

“There is no respect of persons [no favouritism] with God.” Romans 2:11. “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons [does not have favourites], nor taketh reward.” Deuteronomy 10:17.

So, Christ calls people of all ages to go as labourers into His spiritual vineyard to win people to Him, Christ, so that they may enter into the kingdom of heaven.

But why is it that “the last shall be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16)? The answer is that those hired last at the eleventh hour are grateful to Christ, the Householder, for his goodness of in giving them the same wages, the same heavenly reward, as those hired first.

But many of those hired first expect and claim higher wages, greater heavenly rewards, than those hired last and they complain and murmur against Christ. Such an attitude of self-interest and ingratitude show that they have not been “born again.” John 3:3. That is, they have not experienced the change heart from selfishness to love that God can give.

Thus, the last shall enter into the kingdom of heaven while some of the first disqualify themselves from entering this kingdom.

This then is how the parable of the householder and his labourers in the second dimension applies to Christ.

The Parable of the Householder and His Labourers: 3^rd Dimension – Me

We now turn to looking at the parable of the householder and his labourers in the third dimension. Here we ask the question, How does the parable apply to me?

As a Christian, a follower of Christ, I am a householder seeking labourers for God’s spiritual vineyard.

To the young I say, “that from a child [you should be found among them that] hast known the holy scriptures [the Bible], which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15. To the adults I say that they too should know “the holy scriptures [the Bible].” 2 Timothy 3:15.

And “be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1. Thus, I seek labourers for Christ of all ages. This represents the hiring of labourers from early in the morning up until the eleventh hour.

For God says, “Seek ye the LORD [God] while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6. That is, do not delay to seek God for “his own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden [bound] with the cords of his sins.” Proverbs 5:22.

For he or she would have reached a point of no return where they have become fixed in their evil ways such that God cannot give them a change of heart unless it is against their will. Now God will not force anyone to seek Him and to labour in His spiritual vineyard, thus, the case of such is that they will fail to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

And if I fail to be a faithful householder for Christ, I too will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Thus, the reward of everyone who enters the kingdom of heaven is the same.

This then is how the parable of the householder and his labourers in the third dimension applies to me.

The Parable of the Householder and His Labourers: 4^th Dimension – Church

We will now consider the parable of the householder and his labourers in the fourth dimension. Where the question is, How does the parable apply to the church?

God says of the Christian church, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:27) “and he [Christ] is the head of the body, the church.” Colossians 1:18.

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4-6.

Therefore, with a united front the church is to say to people of all ages, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us [for all humanity] an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour [fragrance].” Ephesians 5:1, 2.

That is, the church is called to teach both young and old of spiritual things just like the individual Christian. This call by the church to people of all ages represents the church as a householder hiring of labourers for God’s spiritual vineyard from early in the morning up until the eleventh hour.

Again, the heavenly reward for all of the individual labourers is the same.

This then is how the parable of the householder and his labourers in the fourth dimension applies to the Christian church.

The Parable of the Householder and His Labourers: 5^th Dimension – Heaven

After the fall of Adam and Eve into sin, God in referring to Christ said, “But to which of the angels said he [the Father] at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they [the holy angels] not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:13, 14.

So, God has chosen the holy angels as heavenly householders who are to hire labourers from among the human race to labour in God’s spiritual vineyard. The angels minister to people of all ages and this represents the hiring of labourers from early in the morning up until the eleventh hour. As was said before, the heavenly reward of each of the individual labourers will be the same in that they all will enter into the kingdom of heaven.

This then is how the parable of the householder and his labourers in the fifth dimension applies to heaven.

The Parable of the Householder and His Husbandmen (Tenant Farmers): 1^st Dimension – Literal

Our last of the four parables which we consider in this post is the parable of the householder and his husbandmen (tenant farmers), and we will now look at it in the first dimension. Here we want to answer the question, What is the literal meaning of the parable?

This is the parable: Jesus Christ said, “Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out [leased it] to husbandmen [tenant farmers], and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen [tenant farmers], that they might receive the fruits of it.” Matthew 21:33, 34.

“And the husbandmen [tenant farmers] took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.” Matthew 21:35, 36.

“But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen [tenant farmers] saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew [killed] him.” Matthew 21:37-39.

“When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him [Jesus Christ], He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out [lease] his vineyard unto other husbandmen [tenant farmers], which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.” Matthew 21:40, 41.

“Jesus [Christ] saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures [the Bible], The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?” Matthew 21:42.

“Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Matthew 21:43, 44.

The parable of the householder and the husbandmen (tenant farmers) is largely self-explanatory.

At the end of the parable, Christ refers to the story of the building of the Temple in Jerusalem hundreds of years before. At that time, there was a stone needed to fill the corner of the Temple which was the most important role in the whole building. Now there was a stone that was brought to the building site but it was rejected as unfit for the purpose. So, another stone was sought but no suitable one could be found. In the end, the builders tried the rejected stone and found it to be perfect for the purpose.

This then is the parable of the householder and the husbandmen (tenant farmers) in the first dimension which is the literal meaning of the parable.

The Parable of the Householder and His Husbandmen (Tenant Farmers): 2^nd Dimension – Christ

We will now look at the parable of the householder and his husbandmen (tenant farmers) in the second dimension where we ask the question, How does the parable apply to Christ?

When Christ was born on earth, He was born as a Jew and He lived among the Jews. At about the age of 30 years, He began His public ministry where He went around teaching, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel [God’s plan of saving humanity from eternal death (annihilation)].” Mark 1:15.

However, “the Pharisees went forth, and…took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy [kill] him [Jesus Christ].” Mark 3:6. Also, “the scribes and chief priests…sought how they might destroy [kill] him [Jesus Christ].” Mark 11:18. Thus, Christ was hated by the Jewish leaders who plotted to kill Him.

In light of this, Christ said to the Jews, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I [Christ] have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Matthew 23:37, 38.

As a result of the hatred of the Jewish leaders, the leaders delivered Christ to the Roman governor, Pilate, to be put to death. “But they [the Jewish leaders and the mob of Jews] cried out, Away with him [Christ], away with him [Christ], crucify him [Christ]. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.” John 19:15. Thus, Christ was crucified and He died on a cross.

About three and a half years later after Christ’s death, burial, resurrection (His raising from the dead to live again), and His ascension to heaven, “they [the Jews] stoned Stephen [to death].” Acts 7:59. So it was that Stephen was the first Christian martyr, that is, the first to die for his faith in Christ.

“And at that time there was a great persecution against the [Christian] church which was at Jerusalem; and they [the church members] were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Acts 8:1. “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word [of God].” Acts 8:4.

What does all this have to with the parable? Well, God had chosen the Jewish nation to be His representatives on earth. Their God-given commission was to themselves be holy and to teach all other peoples on earth to repent and turn to God.

That is, God had chosen the Jewish nation to be His spiritual husbandmen (tenant farmers) to labour in His spiritual vineyard, which is the whole world. But the Jews killed the prophets whom God sent to them to turn them from their sins. Finally, they killed Christ, the Son of God, whom God had sent to turn them from their sins.

So, God took away from the Jews their role as husbandmen (tenant farmers) and chose the Christian church to be His new husbandmen (tenant farmers) in His spiritual vineyard. This transfer of God’s commission to the Christian church took place when the Jews stoned Stephen to death as the Jews had proven themselves to be fixed in their evil opposition to Christ and God.

This then is how the parable of the householder and his husbandmen (tenant farmers) in the second dimension applies to Christ.

The Parable of the Householder and His Husbandmen (Tenant Farmers): 3^rd Dimension – Me

Let us now look at the parable of the householder and his husbandmen (tenant farmers) in the third dimension. Here the question is, How does the parable apply to me?

God “hath saved us [the human race from eternal death (annihilation)], and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace [God’s unmerited favour], which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” 2 Timothy 1:9.

God’s commission then to Christians is, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature [person].” Mark 16:15.

Thus, as an individual Christian, God has chosen me as a spiritual husbandman (tenant farmer) to labour in his spiritual vineyard, which is the whole world. I am called by God to preach that people are to repent and have faith in Christ.

However, I must beware of becoming a wicked husbandman (tenant farmer) as was the case of a man named Diotrephes.

We read in the Bible where the apostle John wrote, “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us [scolding us angrily and at length] with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” 3 John 1:9-11.

For God says, “If they [the members of the church] shall fall away [from God to a life of sin]…they [spiritually] crucify to themselves the Son of God [Christ] afresh [once again], and put him [Christ] to an open shame.” Hebrews 6:6.

Now God says, “For a just [righteous] man falleth [into sin] seven times [a number of times], and riseth up again [turns away from sin each time]: but the wicked shall fall into mischief calamity]” (Proverbs 24:16) and be “a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27) by God.

Thus, if as a Christian I become fixed in the ways of evil, I will become like king Saul: “Then came the word of the LORD [God] unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.” 1 Samuel 15:10, 11.

“And the LORD [God] said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.” 1 Samuel 16:1. “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Acts 13:22. “And the LORD [God] said [to Samuel], Arise, anoint him [David as king of Israel]: for this is he [whom I have chosen].” 1 Samuel 16:12.

In other words, if I fall away from God, He will reject me as His husbandman (tenant farmer) and choose others to be His faithful husbandmen.

This then is how the parable of the householder and his husbandmen (tenant farmers) in the third dimension applies to me.

The Parable of the Householder and His Husbandmen (Tenant Farmers): 4^th Dimension – Church

We will now consider the parable of the householder and his husbandmen (tenant farmers) in the fourth dimension. Here the question is, How does the parable apply to the church?

A Pure Church

As we have seen before, the Jews caused the Roman governor, Pilate, to crucify Jesus Christ. This was the time of what we will call the pagan Roman Empire.

The Jews and the Romans persecuted the Christian church in the first few hundred years after Christ’s death in the year 31 A.D. (Note that the year we call 2021 is properly called 2021 A.D.)

Christ said to the Christian church at that time, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil [Satan] shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of [eternal] life.” Revelation 2:10.

This was then a pure church called by God to be His spiritual husbandmen (tenant farmers) to labour in God’s spiritual vineyard which is the whole world.

A Corrupted Church

A man named Daniel wrote about a dream that God gave him, “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints [the true followers of Christ], and prevailed against them…And he shall speak great words [blasphemous words (ungodly words)] against the most High [God], and shall wear out [persecute] the saints of the most High [God], and think to change times and laws: and they [the saints] shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time [until 1,260 literal years].” Daniel 7:21-25.

What does all this mean? Well, pagan Rome was followed by papal Rome which we know today as the Roman Catholic Church.

A man named John whom God gave a vision (supernatural mental imagery) wrote, “And the woman [the Roman Catholic Church] was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration [amazement].” Revelation 17:4-6.

It is a historical fact that the Roman Catholic Church killed from 50 Million to 100 Million Christian saints during its reign in the Dark Ages. However, they were never able to completely annihilate all true Christians, for these Christians hid themselves in the mountains of Europe.

The Roman Catholic Church had both political and religious power over the 1,260-year period from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D. It lost its power, that is, it received a “deadly wound” (Revelation 13:3) in 1798 A.D. when the Napoleon Bonaparte’s general, Berthier, took the then pope captive and the pope died in captivity.

How can we be sure that God in the Bible is speaking of the Roman Catholic Church? A prayerful and careful study of the books of Daniel and Revelation in the Bible will leave us in no doubt. Such a study is beyond the scope of this blog post but I will mention a few more points of identification.

The Roman Catholic Church speaks blasphemous words in the following ways:

By claiming to be able to for give sins. For God asks, “Who can forgive sins but God only?” Mark 2:7.

By claiming that the pope is God on earth. For the Jews attempted to stone Christ when Christ claimed to be God, a claim which is true. “The Jews answered him [Jesus Christ], saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” John 10:33.

Furthermore, God said that the Roman Catholic Church would “think to change times and laws.” Daniel 7:25. How? A comparison of the “ten commandments” (Exodus 34:28), “God’s law” (Nehemiah 10:29), given by God Himself and found in Exodus 20:1-17 in the Bible with the Roman Catholic Church’s Catechism (available online at https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7B.HTM [click Next to move through all the Ten Commandments in the Catechism]) will reveal that:

The Roman Catholic Church has changed the fourth commandment which points to the seventh-day Sabbath to make it point to the first day of the week, Sunday, which is a false Sabbath. This is a change to God’s law and to God’s time.

The Roman Catholic Church has also removed the second commandment forbidding bowing down to and the worship of images, and they have split the tenth commandment into two to make up the number to ten commandments. This is a change to God’s law.

We see then that the Christian church, the Roman Catholic Church, was corrupted by Satan.

The Reformation

Starting in the 1300s A.D. God began to raise up reformers of the Roman Catholic Church.

The 1300s A.D. – John Wycliffe called “the morning star” (Revelation 2:28) of the Reformation translated the Bible into the English language for the first ever. Why is this important? Because the Roman Catholic Church had locked away the Bible from the people in a strange language, Latin, and would kill anyone who possessed or read the Bible. Thus, the Roman church was able to teach all manner of errors and superstitions, as well as charge the people money for supposed blesssings from God in order to enrich the church.

Now with the translation into English, the people could for the first time read the Bible for themselves and know the true way to salvation, the saving from eternal death (annihilation) by God.

The 1400s A.D. to 1500s A.D. – Martin Luther, founder of the Lutheran Church, restored the truth that repentance and faith in Christ’s sacrificial death for humanity was sufficient for salvation, for the saving from eternal death (annihilation).

The 1500s A.D. – John Calvin, founder of the Presbyterian Church, restored the truth that people could go directly to God in prayer and did not need to go through a priest, dead so-called “saints,” or dead Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.

The 1600s A.D. – John Smythe and Roger Williams, the founders of the Baptist Church, restored the truth that only those who can intelligently repent of their sins and have faith in Christ can be baptized and that, therefore, infant baptism was null and void. In addition, they restored the truth that baptism was by complete submersion under water and the rising up again out of the water and that sprinkling with water was not biblical.

The 1700s A.D. – John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, restored the truth that we must become holy if we are to receive eternal life from God and enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Corrupt Daughter Churches

All the various and numerous churches formed since the time of the Reformation became known as the Protestant Churches because they were protesting against the errors and sins of the Roman Catholic Church.

However, the Protestant churches have progressed no further than they were led by their founders. Today these churches still retain some of the errors of the Roman Catholic Church, mainly, that they teach that Sunday is the Sabbath of God instead of the seventh-day Sabbath (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) which the Bible teaches.

Thus, God says of the Roman Catholic Church, “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Revelation 17:5. Here God refers to the Protestant Churches as “harlots [prostitutes]” (Revelation 17:5) and corrupt daughter churches of the corrupt Roman Catholic Church.

Now there is much, much more in the Bible about the Roman Catholic Church and end times prophecies. To get an understanding of this, read and study the Bible, particularly the books of Daniel and Revelation in the Bible.

The Remnant Church

In the early 1800s A.D., God brought about a worldwide religious awakening as people began to study the prophecies of the books of Daniel and Revelation in the Bible.

People everywhere came to the conclusion that Christ would come to the earth a second time (His second advent) some time in the early 1840s to punish the wicked, destroying them with fire, and to take the righteous to heaven with him. These people became known as the Advent Movement and included the Millerites in the United States of America.

Eventually, the Advent Movement came to the conclusion, based on their interpretation of the Bible, that Christ would return to the earth on October 22, 1844. However, Christ did not come on this day and this became known as The Great Disappointment.

As a result, many of the Adventists gave up their faith in the prophecies, some wandered into numerous erroneous Bible interpretations, while some studied the Bible earnestly and prayed to God for light on why Christ did not come as expected.

Those who studied and prayed found that The Great Disappointment was prophesied in the Bible. For God had said in advance through a man named John, “And the voice which I [John] heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book [the book of Daniel in the Bible] which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.” Revelation 10:8, 9.

“And I took the little book [the book of Daniel] out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” Revelation 10:10 11. It was sweet as honey to preach and to expect that Christ would come on October 22, 1844, but it was a bitter disappointment when Christ did not come on that day.

So, by this prophecy and other studies in the Bible they came to understand that the event that was to occur on October 22, 1844 was not Christ’s coming to the earth. Instead, the event was Christ’s movement from the Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary to the Most Holy Place to begin the Investigative Judgment prior to His return to the earth.

This small group of Adventists restored the truth about the seventh-day Sabbath that it was still binding upon the human race and was not changed to Sunday, the first day of the week. They later became organised as the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This church today has millions of members and is to be found in over 215 countries of the world.

This Seventh-day Adventist Church is a pure church in its teachings just like the early church which existed not long after Christ had ascended to heaven in 31 A.D. And God has prophesied concerning the Seventh-day Adventist Church, saying, “And the dragon [Satan] was wroth [furious] with the woman [the early church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed [the remnant church which is the Seventh-day Adventist Church], which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17.

The Application of the Parable in the Fourth Dimension

So then, we may conclude that God, as a heavenly Householder, gave the commission to the early church as spiritual husbandmen to spread the gospel to the whole world (God’s spiritual vineyard), but they became the corrupted Roman Catholic Church and her corrupt daughter Protestant churches.

Thus, God rejected these corrupt husbandmen who, “crucify to themselves the Son of God [Christ] afresh [once again], and put him [Christ] to an open shame.” Hebrews 6:6. Instead, God has given His commission to the Seventh-day Adventist Church as spiritual husbandmen to labour in His spiritual vineyard, that is, in the whole world.

So, God calls upon the Christians in these corrupt churches: “And I (John) heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her [out of Babylon, the name in the Bible for unfaithful Christian churches], my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4. Having come out of these churches, they are called by God to join the remnant church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

To all other people across the world, God says, “Be such that” “ye [have] turned to God from idols [the things the world idolises] to serve the living and true God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9. In other words, God calls upon them to come out of Satan’s worldwide kingdom, and join the remnant church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

For God says, “And other sheep [other people] I have, which are not of this fold [not of the Seventh-day Adventist Church]: them also I must bring [into the Seventh-day Adventist Church], and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold [the Seventh-day Adventist Church], and one shepherd [God].” John 10:16.

This then is how the parable of the householder and his husbandmen in the fourth dimension applies to the Christian church.

The Parable of the Householder and His Husbandmen (Tenant Farmers): 5^th Dimension – Heaven

Lastly, in this blog post, we will look at the parable of the householder and his husbandmen in the fifth dimension. Here we want to answer the question, How does the parable apply to heaven?

God said about Lucifer, now called Satan, “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity [wickedness] was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned.” Ezekiel 28:14-16.

As a covering cherub, Lucifer was one of the two angels highest in rank above all the angels. It is believed that Lucifer was the higher in rank than the other covering cherub, and so Lucifer was therefore above all the angels in heaven.

God as the heavenly Householder had given to Lucifer the commission as a faithful husbandman to “do his [God’s] commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word” (Psalm 103:20) and to cause the other angels to do likewise.

But Lucifer, that is, Satan proved to be a wicked husbandman. Now God says, “the prophet [the spokesman for God] that teacheth lies, he is the tail.” Isaiah 9:15. And so it was true of Satan that “his tail [his lies in heaven] drew the third part of the stars [angels] of heaven, and did cast them [out of heaven] to the earth” Revelation 12:4.

Therefore, God chose another angel to fill Satan’s place as a husbandman in heaven. This angel could possibly be “the angel…Gabriel, that stand[s] in the presence of God” (Luke 1:19) in heaven.

This then is how the parable of the householder and his husbandmen in the fifth dimension applies to heaven.

Conclusion

By looking at four parables of a householder and heaven in the Bible in five dimensions we have realised the answer to our prayer to God as recorded in our Bible verse of focus in this post: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalm 119:18.

Now we see and can appreciate how God condenses millions of His thoughts into the few pages of the Bible and how interconnected the whole Bible really is.

Clearly there is much to be known about God and about the Bible, but it can easily be seen that God has made a provision for every human being to escape eternal death and have instead eternal life from God. Therefore, make sure that you do not miss out on living happily forever with God; take all the necessary steps.

The Bible Teaches Us How to Obtain Eternal Life from God

“In the beginning was the Word [Christ], and the Word [Christ] was with God, and the Word [Christ] was God.” John 1:1. “And the Word [Christ] was made flesh [was born as a baby boy named Jesus], and dwelt among us [human beings], (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father).” John 1:14. Thus, Christ, whose “name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13) is the One who gave the whole Bible to humanity, from the Bible’s beginning to its end. Further, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8), which is to say, Christ is love.

And every one of you as a human being are to “lay apart [put away] all filthiness and superfluity [abundance] of naughtiness [of wickedness], and receive with meekness the engrafted [the implanted] word [from God, which is the Bible and], which is able to save your souls [from annihilation by God as the penalty for sin].” James 1:21. For the word of God, the Bible, being implanted in us means that “the love of God is shed abroad [is poured] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [the Holy Spirit] which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5. So then, “love is of God; and every one [every human being] that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7. This is known as “justification” (Romans 4:25) which is accomplished by our repentance, that is, our deep sorrow for our sins and the gift of faith from God, which when exercised to believe God’s promise of forgiveness of sins and cleansing from sin brings us the gift of love from God. Note that everyone receives the gift of faith from God but without repentance people have a superficial faith and not saving (correct) faith that takes proper hold of God’s truth by the working of the Holy Spirit.

Immediately upon our justification, God tests our character to see if we will successfully resist all temptation to sin. Our success depends on our exercising faith in Christ’s keeping power through the Holy Spirit and, hence, we become sanctified (made holy) and thus receive eternal life from God.

And this is life eternal [everlasting life], that they [as human beings] might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent [to the earth as a Deliverer from sin].” John 17:3. Thus, when the whole Bible makes our character a character of perfect love, it means that we know God and, hence, we will receive eternal life from God.

How This Blog Teaches Bible Study

My blog posts take one or more Bible verses and unpack what is often the hidden meaning in them, to help you to gain in your understanding of the Bible, and to receive insights into how to study it. For God says, “Study [the Bible] to shew [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [interpreting] the word of truth [the Bible].” 2 Timothy 2:15. There are new blog posts every two weeks on a Monday at 12:01 a.m. in timezone UTC-5 (GMT-5).

Further Reading

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