Category Archives: Parables of Yeshua

The Kingdom of Elohim — An Ignored Subject in the Church

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 If you were to ask the average Christian do define the term “the kingdom of God” or “the kingdom of heaven,” how would they respond? Maybe they would say something like, It is going to heaven when you die. Or maybe it is the church or Christianity as a whole at work on this earth. More likely it is some nebulous, pie-in-the-sky  concept that has little or no basis in reality at all. All of these answers would be missing the mark as to how the Bible defines this most overlooked subject in Christianity.

To be sure, the kingdom of heaven or Elohim is a major, not to be underestimated, missing element in the preaching of the gospel message in the mainstream Christian church and, I suspect, most so-called Hebrews roots or Messianic congregations as well. This is in spite of the fact that Yeshua preached it and commanded his disciples to do so as well. This is also despite the fact the Gospels succinctly define the message that John the Baptist, of Yeshua and his disciples all preached as “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Not only do few churches teach about repentance of sin or Torahlessness, but fewer still teach about the kingdom of heaven. Or is it the other way around?

This gross failure and blatant overlooking of a key aspect of the gospel message by most Bible teachers is punctuated by the fact that the kingdom of Elohim is the fourth most mentioned subject from Yeshua’s lips during his ministry (144 references in the Gospels of Matthew and John alone). The only other subjects that Yeshua mention more frequently were himself (316 references), his Father (184 references), the hypocritical religionists of his day (e.g., the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees et al with 177 references) followed by the kingdom of Elohim or heaven. In the Gospel of Matthew alone, “the kingdom of heaven” is mentioned 33 times. In the New Testament, “the kingdom of God” is mentioned 69 times. Obviously, Yeshua and the apostolic writers considered the kingdom of Elohim to be an important topic, and maybe our understanding of Scripture and our destiny would be enriched to do the same.

Since the Gospel writers juxtaposed the two subjects of repentance and the kingdom of heaven, it is worth noting that the Bible is clear about an important truth: Without repentance of sin, one cannot enter the kingdom of heaven or Elohim. There is zero place for sin in the presence of a holy or set-apart (in Heb. kadosh), totally pure and sinless Elohim, for, as we read in the Bible, without holiness, no one will see Elohim (Heb 12:14).

Before delving into the subject of the kingdom of Elohim or heaven, let’s briefly note some other subjects that the modern church is more likely to teach about instead and then hold that up against the template of the actual words of Yeshua. 

During his ministry, Yeshua preached on about 136 topics. The following list contains a number of topics that the church preaches on a lot compared to the number times Yeshua talked about them:

  • Prophecy – 1 time
  • The rapture or the resurrection of the dead – 1 time
  • Grace – 1 time
  • Money – 3 times
  • Material blessings – 4 times
  • Forgiveness – 24 times
  • Heaven –10 times
  • Hell – 17 times
  • Salvation – 27 times
  • Sexuality – 2 times
  • Sickness (physical) – 1 time
  • The soul –1 time
  • Some subjects Yeshua never discussed include:
  • Self-esteem
  • Retirement
  • Sex, Sexual pleasure and fulfillment
  • Racism, Diversity, Inclusion (or “wokeness”)
  • Sexual orientation
  • Self-fulfillment
  • Personal happiness
  • Social welfare
  • Politics
  • The economy
  • You fill in the blank as to the favorite subject of your local church pastor. It is likely it is not on the list of Yeshua topics!

Why is it vital to our spiritual orientation and mindset to learn about and then embrace the concept of the kingdom of Elohim that is coming to this earth from heaven? Because the establishment of the kingdom of Elohim starts with you and me. Yeshua declared that it actually starts within each person—in their heart and mind (Luke 17:21). He brought the kingdom of heaven down with him to the earth, deposited a bit of its territory in each of us and then commissioned us to go forth and to expand that kingdom one life at a time as we are salt and light to the world, and as we share or preach the good news of that kingdom everywhere. Are you fulfilling your role to be an emissary or ambassador for the kingdom of Elohim? If so, how?

The Scriptures have many things to say about the kingdom of Elohim that we need to learn about and that affect us directly. Let’s briefly explore some of the ramifications of  this subject.

The Kingdom of Elohim Was a Main Theme of Yeshua’s Ministry and the Gospel Message

Spreading the good news of the kingdom of heaven or Elohim was the central theme of the gospel message.

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matt 3:1–2)

From that time Yeshua began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 4:17)

These twelve Yeshua sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” (Matt 10:5–7)

To further emphasize the importance of the kingdom of Elohim in the mind of the Messiah, in the Lord’s prayer, for example, at the top of the list of prayer point after honoring the Father’s name, Yeshua instructed us to pray that the kingdom of Elohim would come:

Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread… (Matt 6:9–11)

Moreover, many of Yeshua’s parables were about the kingdom of Elohim. In fact, Yeshua declared that the purpose of his parables was to reveal the mystery of the kingdom of Elohim, and not make the gospel message plain to everyone.

And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” (Matt 13:10–13, emphasis added)

Here is a list of parables and analogies where Yeshua teaches on various aspects of the kingdom of Elohim:

  • The Parable of the Weeds (Matt 13)
  • The Parable of the Sower (Matt 13)
  • The Parable of the Hidden Treasures (Matt 13)
  • The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value (Matt 13)
  • The Parable of the Net (Matt 13)
  • The Analogy of New and Old Treasures (Matt 13)
  • The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matt 18)
  • The Analogy of the Eunuchs (Matt 19)
  • The Analogy of Little Children (Matt 19)
  • The Camel Going Through the Eye of the Needle (Matt 19)
  • The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matt 20)
  • The Parable of the Two Sons (Matt 21)
  • The Parable of the Tenants (Matt 21)
  • The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matt 22)
  • The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt 25)
  • The Parable of the Talents (Matt 25)
  • The Analogy of the Sheep and Goats (Matt 25)
  • The Parable of the Seed Growing (Mark 4)
  • The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4)
  • The Parable of the Leaven (Luke 13)
  • The Narrow Door Analogy (Luke 13)

Again, the subject of the kingdom of Elohim was a major component of Yeshua’s ministry. So why doesn’t the Christian church spend more time teaching on this subject? Good question. Is there a good excuse for this dereliction of duty—for not following Yeshua’s clear command? 

What Yeshua Taught About the Kingdom of Elohim

Let’s explore further what Yeshua taught about the this most important subject that directly affects you and me and our eternal destiny. 

Yeshua taught that being in the kingdom of Elohim should to be the first priority of every one of his disciples.

But seek first the kingdom of Elohim and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matt 6:33)

The kingdom of Elohim is a mystery that is only revealed to the disciples of Yeshua, the elect called out ones. This message is so exclusive that even the modern mainstream church largely ignores it. When was the last time you heard a message on this subject in your church?

And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of Elohim; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that ‘SEEING THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND HEARING THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND; LEST THEY SHOULD TURN, AND THEIR SINS BE FORGIVEN THEM.’” (Mark 4:11–12)

Then Yeshua revealed an amazing truth that runs counter to everything that society (and most Bible teachers in the church) teach us about how to attain greatness. He declared that greatness in the kingdom of heaven corresponds to one’s observance of YHVH’s Torah-law (Matt 5:19). For sure this truth is almost never taught in most churches. When was the last time you heard a sermon on that verse? Never! From this statement of Yeshua, we learn that being in the kingdom of Elohim has basic requirements and that there are levels of rewards or greatness in the kingdom of Elohim and in the afterlife. Within Elohim’s kingdom there are levels of rewards and placement from the least to the greatest. All the church teaches is that when you die you either go to heaven or hell, and that’s about it. End of discussion. Even this paltry and lacking explanation pertaining to the afterlife is a twist on the truth, but we will save that topic for another time.

Sadly, not everyone will be in the kingdom of heaven, even among those who claim to be Christian. To this point, Yeshua clearly taught, 

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matt 7:21–23)

Yeshua gives additional insights on the subject of the kingdom of Elohim in his Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matt 25:1–13). This parable teaches us that all the virgins were “saved” and were now part of the kingdom; however, not all the virgins were permitted to go to the next level in the kingdom. That is, not all were permitted to be participants in the marriage of the Lamb of Elohim. Just because one is espoused or engaged to “marry” the Messiah does not mean that they will meet the qualifications to be his bride. Every redeemed believer is given the chance, but not all are properly preparing themselves for the lofty role of being the Messiah’s spiritual bride as the foolish virgins found out.

What the Apostolic Writers Taught About the Kingdom of Elohim

Now let’s explore what the apostolic writers taught about the kindom of Elohim that his progressively coming down from heaven and is expanding little-by-little one life at a time as Yeshua describes in his parables about the mustard seed grows into a mighty plant or tiny bit of leaven in that expands to take over the whole batch of bread.

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The Kingdom of Elohim—The Most Overlooked Subject in the Church?

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The kingdom of heaven or Elohim is a major, not to be underestimated, missing element in the preaching of gospel message in the mainstream Christian church and, I suspect, most Hebrews roots or Messianic congregations as well. This is in spite of the fact that Yeshua preached it and commanded his disciples to do so as well. This is in spite of the fact the Gospels defines message of John the Baptist, of Yeshua and his disciples as “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Not only do few churches teach about repentance of sin or Torahlessness, but fewer still teach about the kingdom of heaven.

This gross failure and blatant overlooking of these key elements of the gospel message is punctuated by the fact that the kingdom of Elohim is the fourth most mentioned subject that came out of Yeshua’s mouth during his ministry (144 references in the Gospels of Matthew and John). The only other subjects that Yeshua mention more frequently were himself (316 references), his Father (184 references), the hypocritical religionists of his day (e.g., the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees et al; 177 references) followed by the kingdom of Elohim or heaven. In the Gospel of Matthew alone, “the kingdom of heaven” is mentioned 33 times. In the New Testament, “the kingdom of God” is mentioned 69 times. Let’s follow the biblical example and keep the main things the main things.

Since the Gospel writers juxtaposed the two subjects of repentance and the kingdom of heaven, it is worth noting that the Bible is clear: without repentance of sin, one cannot enter the kingdom of heaven/Elohim. There is zero place for sin in the presence of a holy, totally pure and sinless (in Heb. kadosh) Elohim, for, as we read in Hebrews, without holiness, no one will see Elohim (Heb 12:14).

Before delving into the subject of the kingdom of Elohim or heaven, let’s explore briefly what the modern church is more likely to teach about and then hold that up against the template of the actual words of Yeshua.
During his ministry, Yeshua preached on about 136 topics. The following list contains a number of topics that the church preaches on a lot compared to the number times Yeshua talked about them:

  • Prophecy – 1 time
  • The rapture or the resurrection of the dead – 1 time
  • Grace – 1 time
  • Money – 3 times
  • Blessings – 4 times
  • Forgiveness – 24 times
  • Heaven –10 times
  • Hell – 17 times
  • Salvation – 27 times
  • Sexuality – 2 times
  • Sickness (physical) – 1 time
  • The soul –1 time

Some subjects Yeshua never discussed include:

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Gospels Decoded—Prophetic Pictures of End Time Events (Pt 11)

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In this video, Nathan explains the end time prophetic implications of Yeshua the Good Shepherd gather his lost and scattered “sheep” together, the Parable of the Two Sons and how it relates to modern Jews and Christians, and Yeshua clashing with the religious system of his day and how that is a model for true end time believer Truth seekers to do the same.

 

The Gospels Decoded—Prophetic Pictures of End Time Events

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In this episode, we will discover the end time prophetic implications of Yeshua healing the sick man on the Sabbath, Yeshua declaring himself to be the good shepherd compared to other shepherds who are mere hirelings, and the Parable of the Two Son.

Yeshua Heals a Sick Man on the Sabbath

John 5:1–16, “After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Yeshua went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water. Whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Yeshua saw him lying there, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he said unto him, ‘Will you be made whole?’ The impotent man answered him, ‘Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’ Yeshua said unto him, ‘Rise, take up your bed, and walk.’ And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked. And on the same day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, ‘It is the Sabbath day. It is not lawful for you to carry your bed.’ He answered them, ‘He that made me whole, the same said unto me, “Take up your bed, and walk.”’ Then they asked him, ‘Who is the man who said unto you, “Take up your bed, and walk?”’ And he that was healed did not know who it was, for Yeshua had himself conveyed away [slipped away secretly], a multitude being in that place. Afterward Yeshua found him in the temple, and said unto him, ‘Behold, you are made whole. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you.’ The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Yeshua, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Yeshua, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day.”

Prophetic Points to Analyze

  • verse 1— A feast of the Jews
  • verse 2— Sheep gate
  • verse 2— A pool
  • verse 2— Bethesda
  • verse 2— Five porches
  • verse 3— Lay a great multitude of impotent folk
  • verse 5— A certain man
  • verse 5— Which had an infirmity thirty-eight years
  • verse 6— will you be made whole
  • verse 10— The Sabbath day
  • verse 13— Yeshua had conveyed himself away [slipped away secretly]
  • verse 13— A multitude being in that place
  • verse 14— Found him in the temple
  • verse 14— You are made whole
  • verse 14— Sin no more

Understood allegorically, this story is speaking prophetically of Israel’s future healing from its spiritual sickness (i.e., of sin or Torahlessness). The infirm man received YHVH’s mercy and was healed at the cleansing waters that is a biblical symbol for Spirit and Truth, and where both the Spirit of YHVH and the Truth of Torah were to be found in the Person of Yeshua the Messiah. This all occurred on the seventh day Sabbath, which points to the culmination of the final redemption leading into Millennium or Messianic Age—a one thousand year-long “Sabbath”—that will begin at Yeshua’s second coming. The following is an analysis of the key points in this passage.

verse 1, A feast of the Jews. This event occurred at one of the biblical feasts; the text does not tell us which one.

verse 2, Sheep gate. The location of this event was at the Sheep Gate or Sheep Market in Jerusalem. Interestingly, the Tanakh refers to Israel as being like scattered, sick, and shepherdless sheep who have gone astray. Thus, the location of the story speaks to a greater issue relating to YHVH’s people.

verse 2, Bethesda in Hebrew means “house of mercy.” In Hosea, in reference to the spiritual adulterous house of Israel, YHVH said he would have no mercy (Heb. Lo-Ruchamah) upon her (Hos 1:6), and then later he calls her “Having Obtained Mercy” (Heb. Ruchamah, Hos 2:1; See also Ezek 39:25). This is prophetic of YHVH rejecting his people because of their apostasy and then redeeming them out of their wayward, sinful condition.

verse 2, A pool. Bethesda was a pool (Heb. mikveh) of healing waters that had five steps leading down to it. Christians view the number five as signifying grace, while Jews view it as representing the five books of the Torah. In biblical and Jewish thought, YHVH’s Torah is like water that brings life (e.g., see Deut 32:2). At the same time, Yeshua is the Living Torah-Word of Elohim (John 1:1, 14), and those who drink from this Living Word of Elohim will never thirst (John 4:10–14), but will have eternal life. Thus, this pool located at the Sheep Gate symbolically represents YHVH’s lost and scattered sheep coming back to his Torah and receiving his healing grace through Yeshua the Messiah who is the Word of Elohim. 

verse 3, Blind, lame, withered. Many sick were laid at this pool. The people of Israel are likened to sick sheep spiritually because of their sin and apostasy (Ezek 34:4, 16), who have gone astray and been scattered. We have all sinned and fallen short of YHVH’s glory (Rom 3:23), all we like sheep have gone astray spiritually (Isa 53:6), and despite our best efforts to follow and obey YHVH, our righteousness is still no more than filthy rags (Isa 64:6). Therefore, each of us is blind, miserable, poor and naked in YHVH’s sight, and our Father in heaven is calling us to repent and come back to him (Rev 3:14–22).

verse 3, Moving of the water. “Water”in Hebrew is poetic imagery or a metaphor for both the Torah (e.g., Deut 32:1–2) and for the Spirit of Elohim (Joel 2:23). Water brings healing, cleansing and restoration to those who “bathe” in it and allow it to clean them.

verse 5, Thirty-eight years. A certain man had been there for 38 years waiting to be healed. Interestingly, the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for an additional 38 years (as a judgment for believing the evil spies’ report) after they had already spent two years camped at Mount Sinai. Similarly, the house of Israel (which eventually became the Christian church) has been wandering in a spiritual wilderness for nearly 3000 years (from the time of Jeroboam) and the house of Judah for a shorter time. We have all been in a spiritual wilderness, and it is time to exit that dry, desolate place (Rev 18:4 cp. 2 Cor 6:17) as we prepare to meet Yeshua at his second coming, so that he can lead us into the spiritual promised land of his eternal kingdom.

verse 6, Do you want to be made whole? It was Yeshua’s wish to heal this man (who represents the whole house of Israel­, that is, both the Jews and the Christians) or to make him whole or restore him to health. The nation of Israel, which was fragmented into the houses of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and the house of Judah (the Southern Kingdom), is to be made whole or fully restored at the second coming of Yeshua (Ezek 37:11; 39:25). YHVH will have mercy on the whole house of Israel (Ezek 39:25). We need to envision and desire that wholeness and now begin to walk toward it ourselves as redeemed Israelites. It starts with us recognizing that we are sick and need the Master’s healing touch, and then we must, in faith, reach out ot him and let him heal us of our sin sickness.

verse 9, The Sabbath. The man was healed on the Sabbath day. In Jewish thought this is a picture of the Millennium, when the Messiah will rule over a regathered and reunited Israel. The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week on which YHVH Elohim commanded man to rest from his work, even as the Creator rested from his work after creating the heavens and the earth. Similarly, man will exist on this earth doing his work for six prophetic days or 6,000 years, and then the seventh prophetic day or seventh millennium will occur as a time of rest for man and the earth.

verse 13, For Yeshua had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. This speaks prophetically to Yeshua bringing healing and redemption to the broken and lost sheep of the whole house of Israel (both Jews and Christians) or the lost sheep of Israel (Matt 10:6; 15:24) at his first coming, after which he conveyed himself away or ascended to heaven.

verse 14, Finds him in the temple. Yeshua now dwells in the temple of his spiritual body of believers (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16) through the agency of his Set-Apart Spirit, and in the temple of heaven. Then at his second coming, he will touch down on the Mount of Olives and then go suddenly to his temple in Jerusalem (Mal 3:1). This event in Yeshua’s life could be fulfilled in two possible ways. It may be referring to a physical temple that will exist in Jerusalem at Yeshua’s second coming to which he returns. It could also be prophetic reference to the spiritual temple of Yeshua’s saints (1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:5; Heb 3:6), comprised of regathered, resurrected and glorified Israelites, who will meet him in the air at his second coming. The later will certainly occur, but whether a physical temple will stand in Jerusalem at Yeshua’s coming remains a question in the minds of many of us.

verse 14, You are made whole…sin no more. In declaring this to the man at the pool, Yeshua is, at the same time, prophetically telling the whole house of Israel (that is all of us) to go and sin no more, that is, stop breaking YHVH’s Torah (1 John 3:4). Both houses of Israel (in a very general sense, the Jews and the Christians) are guilty of violating YHVH’s Torah. Repenting of sin and preparing for the kingdom of Elohim was Yeshua’s message at his first coming (Matt 4:17, Yeshua preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand…”), and will also be his message to his bride prior to his second coming.

Yeshua Is the Good Shepherd

John 10:1–29, “‘Truly, truly, I say unto you, he that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorman opens; and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. And when he brings forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of strangers.’ This parable spoke Yeshua unto them, but they understood not what things they were which he spoke unto them. Then said Yeshua unto them again, ‘Truly, truly, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.…’” 

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Gospels Decoded—Prophetic Pictures of End Time Events (Pt 9)

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In this video, discover the end times prophetic implications of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, and Yeshua’s discussion with the woman at the well as it relates to worshiping the Father in Spirit and Truth.

 

The Parable of the Talents Explained Prophetically

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Matthew 25:14–30 (also Luke 19:11–27), In this parable concerning the kingdom of Elohim, a man travels to a far country leaving his belongings in the hands of his servant. Each was given a responsibility according to his ability. To one was entrusted five talents of silver, to another two and to the third one. The first two invested their talents and doubled their investment while the third servant buried his talent with no increase gained. Upon his return, the Master rewarded the first two servants for their faithfulness and fruitfulness, while the third servant was rebuked for his slothfulness and was cast into outer darkness.

Prophetic Points to Analyze

  • verse 14—talents
  • verse 15— five talents, two talents, one talent
  • verse 16— he that received five talents made five more talents
  • verse 17— he that received two gained two more
  • verses 18 and 25— hid his one talent in the earth
  • verse 25— I was afraid
  • verse 30— cast into outer darkness

Also immediately after his return to this earth, Yeshua will hand out rewards to the saints, which will be positions to be held in his kingdom during the Millennium. Some servants will be the least in his kingdom and some will be the greatest (Matt 5:19). What determines one’s level of rewards (not one’s salvation) in YHVH’s kingdom will be one’s level of faithfulness and obedience to the Master’s instructions; i.e., the Torah as this parable teaches: by one’s works. Yeshua says in Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works [deeds, mode of acting]” (see also Rev 20:12–13).

The number five in Jewish thought is significant because it represents the five books of the Pentateuch or Torah of Elohim. The servant that was given five talents and increased them allegorically means he flourished in obeying YHVH’s Torah commands. The Scriptures say that Torah is our wisdom and understanding (Deut 4:6), our righteousness (Deut 6:25), our blessing (Deut 28:1–14) and our life (Deut 30:16). The wise servant with the five talents recognized this and saw the blessing of Torah in his life and abounded in the loving instructions of YHVH and was rewarded accordingly. He took the five and turned them into ten. Ten signifies completion or entirety, a whole comprising of ten units such as the Ten Commandments or ten men as a representative cross section of Israel to form a minyan (or “number”) in a synagogue for the purpose of reading the Torah. 

In Hebraic thought, two stands for the two tablets of stone upon which the Ten Commandments of YHVH were written. Two is also the number of the shema, which Yeshua stated is the summation of YHVH’s Torah commandments. When asked which is the greatest commandment in the Torah he responded,

You shall love YHVH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matt 22:37–40)

The servant that had two talents wisely invested them and turned them into four. Four in Hebraic thought pictographically represents the four directions of the compass and corresponds with dalet, the fourth letter in the Hebrew alphabet signifying “a door.” A door has right and left post, a lintel and a threshold. YHVH-Yeshua created this earth with its four directions and he is also the spiritual door leading into the next world, as the Scriptures teach. Additionally, the number two represents the Hebrew letter beth that pictographically represents a house with four being the door of that house. Yeshua is the door to our spiritual house (or mansion, our eternal reward).

The servant that was given one talent buried his in the ground. It was valueless and dead to him. One is the number of self and selfishness. He cared only about himself and walked in fear instead of faith. The number one represents Torah as well, for the Jewish sages teach that all of Torah can be summed up in the phrase, “The just shall live by faith” (Hab 2:4). The slothful servant lived under the control of fear, which is why he buried his talent. The Scriptures teach that without faith it is impossible to please YHVH (Heb 11:6). The wicked servant lacked faith and was rewarded by being cast into of outer darkness (where the light of Torah-truth and the Sun of Righteousness that will light up the New Jerusalem will not shine). This is what we can learn from the Parable of the Talents.

 

The Parable of the Unjust Judge: The End Times Prophetic Implications

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Luke 18:1–8, “And he spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, ‘There was in a city a judge, which feared not Elohim, neither regarded man. And there was a widow in that city and she came unto him, saying, “Avenge me of mine adversary.” And he would not for a while, but afterward he said within himself, “Though I fear not Elohim, nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.”’ And the Master said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall not Elohim avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bears long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?’”

Though Yeshua’s people have been treated unjustly by this world’s political and justice systems, and though they have had to struggle for every shred of justice due them, the day is coming just prior to and at the return of Yeshua when the scales of justice will be balanced in the saints’ favor. This parable speaks to the time in the near future when the wicked will be punished, YHVH will avenge his own elect, and the righteous will be rewarded. Good will triumph over evil. 

This final balance of the scales of justice will occur in the time period between the last trumpet, which occurs on Yom Teruah (the Day of the Blowing of Trumpets) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) when the saints will receive their heavenly rewards (1 Cor 15:51–57; Rev 11:15–18) and the wicked will receive theirs (Rev 14:14–Rev 16:21).

What You Can Do

Yeshua admonishes us to pray always and do not faint in anticipation for the day of his return to come. It will be then that the righteous will reap the rewards of righteousness if they do not grow weary in the meantime for their well doing (Gal 6:9). 

What are the criteria that Yeshua the Just Judge will use to determine the levels of rewards his saints will receive at this coming? While salvation is a free gift not based on one’s works (Eph 2:8), there are levels of rewards in the Elohim’s kingdom, which will be based on one thing: works! Yeshua clearly teaches that each man will be rewarded according to his works (Matt 16:27 cp. 25:14–30). Whether one will be the least in Yeshua’s kingdom (the lowest level of rewards) are greatest (the highest level of rewards) will be determined by how faithful we were in following the Torah. Yeshua clearly states this in Matthew 5:19! On judgment day, the wicked will be rewarded according to their works (Rev 18:6; 20:12 cp. Matt 25:14–30) and the righteous according to theirs (Rev 20:12,13 cp. 19:8, NKJV, NIV or NAS).