Originally posted by Hope of Glory:
All four are saved. This is a parable that pertains to the Kingdom and it pertains to fruit bearing. The message of the Kingdom is never given to an unsaved person, and an unsaved person is never expected to bear good fruit.
Matthew 13:11 says, "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."
This was in response to the question the disciples asked, in Matthew 13:10: "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?"
These parables deal with the mysteries of the Kingdom of the Heavens (it’s always plural), or the rule of the heavens over the earth.
Matthew 13:11 begins with, "because it is given to you".
The "you" there refers to the disciples, as mentioned in the first part of verse 10, where it says, "the disciples came". Disciples. The disciples were to know the mysteries surrounding the Kingdom of the Heavens, but unto them (the multitudes) it is not given.
These mysteries are not for all of God’s children; these mysteries are for ears that can hear. It has to do with initiation. You might remember this word "mystery" from our study of Revelation 17. This comes from the Greek word "musteron" and it has to do with a secret. It has to do with something that someone has to be initiated into. Not all ears can hear.
Matthew 13:9: "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
This expression is used twice in this passage. In verse 43, the same expression is used again.
Who were those that it was not given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of the Heavens?
Matthew 13:15: "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."
That’s the key expression in this passage: "Their ears are dull of hearing". They’re full of earwax. They’re dull of hearing.
The message of spiritual salvation is given to everyone and it's in simple language that anyone can understand it. The mysteries of the Kingdom, are not given to everyone.
The mysteries of the Kingdom have to do with fruit bearing. Not all Christians will bear good fruit, and those who do will bear differently.
The Bible tells us clearly what will happen to those who have accepted Christ but do not bear fruit. They are depicted as branches on the vine (Jesus) which are cast into the fire.
Jhn 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Jhn 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Jhn 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Jhn 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Jhn 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Jhn 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.
Jhn 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Jhn 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Jhn 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Jhn 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Jhn 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full.
Some try to make being a true Christian easy but that is not so.
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
