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The parables were spoken "unto them" (13: 10, 11, 13, 34), "in them" (13: 14),
"this people" (13: 15), and to him that "hath not" (13: 12), referring to the multitude in
contrast with the disciples, who are referred to in the passages which say, "It is given
unto you to know" (13: 11), "whosoever hath" (13: 12); "blessed are your eyes . . . . .
ears" (13: 16). The disciples are even compared favourably with "prophets and
righteous men" (13: 17).
The "mysteries" of the kingdom of heaven were not revealed until it became evident
that Israel were going to reject their King, and that the manifest, open, course of the
kingdom would be suspended while a secret aspect, hitherto unknown, would operate.
The "secret" phase of the kingdom of the heavens has its effect upon Gentile dominion
which was also running its course. By the time our Lord came to Bethlehem, the
prophetic period of 490 years (Dan. 9:) was well-nigh exhausted. The fourth kingdom
was ruling the habitable earth and would have easily produced the Monster with which
Gentile rule will close (Rev. 13:), if Israel had accepted their King. Tiberius, Caligula
and Nero had all the making of the Beast, and Herod (Acts 12:) exhibited characteristics
that could easily have become the Antichrist. The Lord had definitely said, "The time is
fulfilled" (Mark 1: 15), and Peter declared that if Israel would but repent the times of
refreshing and restitution would begin which had been the theme of all the holy prophets
since the world began (Acts 3: 19-26). It is impossible to think that had Israel repented,
God would have failed to respond. Israel did not repent, however, and the kingdom, in
all its phases, including Nebuchadnezzar's line and successors, entered on its "mystery"
phase.
A parallel difficulty may be found in the case of John the Baptist, but the
difficulty also provides a principle which can be applied to the matter before us. Was
John the Baptist Elijah? No (John 1: 21). Yes (Matt. 11: 14, and 17: 12). It would be
as easy to create a faction concerning this problem as to create controversy over the
question whether Rome was or was not the Fourth Beast. The presence of the word "if"
in our Lord's answer in Matt. 11: 14 provides the answer to the question concerning the
mystery of the kingdom, and the Fourth Beast. Was Rome the Fourth Beast? Yes, for
the time was fulfilled. Yes, "if" Israel had repented. Will there be another Beast at the
time of the end, after the gap in prophetic times which "our eyes have seen" but which
was hidden till the time of the Lord's rejection? Yes, for the kingdom has entered into its
mystery phase and Babylon, at the end, is called "Mystery, Babylon" (Rev. 17: 5), and
when, at the sounding of the seventh trumpet the kingdoms of this world become the
kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, the "mystery" of God shall be finished (Rev. 10: 7;
11: 15).
The reader will have noticed where the statement comes which introduces the problem
about Elijah. It is in Matt. 11: 15, at the moment when the rejection of the Lord becomes
evident. It takes its place as a part of the mystery of the kingdom with which Matt. 11:,
12: and 13: are connected.