81
To read this citation in its context in Daniel 7:9-14 is to see that the coming of the Lord, as set forth in Matthew
*
24, has no reference to `the church', but is entirely connected with the kingdom and its restoration to Israel, for it
`shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High' (Dan. 7:27).
Little is needed for our present purpose to complete the survey of the teaching of Matthew 24 and 25 - the bulk
of chapter 25 being taken up by the two parables, the Ten Virgins and the Talents, which parables have already
formed part of our study (see pages 136 to 146). If we now show that the two chapters form a complete whole, we
shall then be ready to pass to the remaining study in the Gospel according to Matthew namely, the miracles.
Matthew 24 and 25
A a 24:1-30. THE SON OF MAN. `The Coming'.
b 24:31.
THE GATHERING. The elect (Israel).
c 24:32-41. PARABLE. Fig tree and Noah.
B
d 24:42-44.
WARNING. `Watch therefore'.
e 24:45-51.
PARABLE. Servant.
B
c 25:1-12. PARABLE. Ten Virgins.
d 25:13.
WARNING. `Watch therefore'.
e 25:14-30.
PARABLE. Servants.
A a 25:31.
THE SON OF MAN. `When He shall come'.
b 25:32-46. THE GATHERING. The nations (Gentiles).
We must now retrace our steps, retaining in our memory what we have seen both regarding the dispensational
place of the Parables, together with the teaching of Matthew as a whole, and apply ourselves to the new
investigation, namely, the Miracles of the Gospel according to Matthew, and their dispensational importance.
.D.CHAPTER 4
THE MIRACLES
(1)
Introduction
We have seen that the Parables have a definite dispensational bearing, and read in the light of their context are a
great help in understanding the true purport of the Gospel according to Matthew.
We now turn to the recorded miracles of the same Gospel and shall find them equally illuminating as we
perceive them to be `powers of the age to come', and shadows of the unfolding purpose of God.
It may be as well here if we notice the Scriptural words and expressions used for miracles in the New Testament:
Dunamis.
An act of power. The English dynamo, dynamite and dynamics have power as their dominant
note.
Semeion.
A sign. Used chiefly by John.
*
The author is referring here to The Church which is His Body of Ephesians 1:22,23. Ed.