PARABLE, MIRACLE, AND SIGN
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primarily deal with two aspects of the `kingdom', and that the miracles equally with the parables belong to the same
phase of the purpose of the ages. We have seen also the peculiar purpose behind the selection of the eight signs in
John, and have considered the scope of both the Gospels of Matthew and of John.
There remains the opening of the heart and understanding which is the prerogative of the Lord alone, but the
prayers of all those concerned with the publication of this volume go with it, that many a reader may be impelled,
after reading what has been written, to seek more fully to know the truth as it pertains to the present time, and
particularly for the Gentiles today.
The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven we saw turned upon Israel's rejection of the Lord, in the land, while
THE MYSTERY of the present dispensation turns upon Israel's blindness as recorded in Acts 28, when the hope of
Israel was temporarily suspended, the olive tree cut down, and the nation became `Lo-ammi', `Not My people'.
In Matthew 13 the Lord uttered things that had been kept secret from the foundation of the world (Matt. 13:35).
In Ephesians the apostle reveals a secret purpose that had been made and hid before the foundation of the world
(Eph. 1:4; see also Col. 1:26).
If the Lord could say of these earthly things, `Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and
have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them' (Matt. 13:16,17), how much
more can we say, `Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ' and rejoice in that superlative revelation that even principalities and powers
in heavenly places are learning through the church the manifold wisdom of God (Eph. 1:3; 3:10).
`HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR'.