So, I prayed specifically about this thread and I want to share a dream that God showed that I believe contains the answer to this question. My sincere hope is that this may help someone, that is my only aim. So in the dream an electronic bible was open, like on a phone, and I saw the verse 19 bold on the left, and the text scrolled “up” as if someone was reading “down” to the middle verse, and it stopped there. Somehow I knew that the chapter was Luke. So the info I had was Luke 19, middle verses…and that was it! So…I had to ask God for an understanding of the scripture because he said nothing in the dream. By faith, I will attempt to explain to you the meaning of this parable. So, I will start with talking about faith, because outwardly it may seem that Luke 19 has nothing to do with faith and salvation, but it does! In Hebrews 11, there is an entire chapter summarizing the works of some of our most famed bible heroes. By faith, Abel brought a better offering than Cain did. By faith, Noah…when warned about things not seen, built an ark to save his family. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. The chapter goes on and on about the faith of Moses, the faith that caused the walls of Jericho to fall, the faith of Rahab, David, Samuel, and many others. The curious thing is that faith in every believer listed is accompanied by works! It’s BY FAITH, that all of these heroes were able to perform the works. See, our outward works always reflect what we believe! (ie. You don’t open a bible to read it unless you think that it will benefit your spiritual life). It is clear that the middle verses of Luke 19[11-27] is about salvation/entering into the kingdom, but with a cursory glands one might think the way to obtain it is all about works. But it’s not. I will post the parable first, attempt to explain it, and then try to answer the question asked in this thread.
The Parable of the Ten Talents: Luke 19:11-17[middle verses]
11 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten talents. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ 15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. 16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your talent has earned ten more.’ 17 ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your talent has earned five more.’’ 19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ 20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your talent; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’’ 22 “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? [23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ 24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his talent away from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.’’ 25 “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ 26 “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’
So obviously the man of noble birth who appointed himself King is God[Jesus]. He is self-appointed. And he has three servants. Like the believers in Hebrews 11, the faithful servants did good works because they have faith in God that in doing so they would receive the promise. They sowed into God’s kingdom, by faith! By faith, they prepared for his return! Likewise, by faith, we prepare for his return and endure the cost of discipleship! And their good works were accompanied by their faith and evidence of their faith! See, this parable is not about works earning righteousness. But the wicked servant did not sow, but rather accused God! It was because of his unbelief, he was deemed wicked, and the penalty is death. It’s like the flipside of Hebrews 11, because of unbelief, he did nothing. Because of his unbelief, he did not obey God’s commandments to sow into his kingdom because he did not truly fear the King as he claimed. If he did, he would have obeyed. That is why he is deemed wicked, instead of just unfaithful! And because of it, he experienced “weeping and gnashing of teeth” which always refers to hell in the bible. Also notice that the wicked servant,rejected God as his king. God’s word says, why do you call me Lord, Lord, but do not do what I say. Luke 6:26. Not everyone who says, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom. Matthew 7:21. Prophesying in Christ's Name [by the power of Christ] and casting out demons, is done by Christians. Not wordly people. See this, whole parable was well and good with me, until I realized that ALL three servants, are Christians. Yep, even the wicked one. Which, indicated to me that Christians can forfeit their salvation through continual and willful unbelief. [I will try to support this by scripture in the rest of this message].
So from the last line, it’s clear the point of this parable is about salvation. But how do I know this parable is about faith, and not works? “For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and this is not your doing, it is a gift from God. Not because of your own works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship. Created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand.” Ephesians 2:8-10
Hebrews 10 is broken up into two parts. The first part talks about the sacrifice of God for our sins. The second half is an admonishment by Paul to persevere in faith. I will summarize the keep points. Paul starts by saying that we have the confidence to enter in by the blood of Jesus Christ, and to hold on unswervingly with the hope we profess, and to encourage eachother. Okay, I can’t summarize it. Verse 26:
26 If we [notice he includes himself, he is talking to Christians] deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his[notice he says HIS] people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.[still talking about Christians, who else would be persecuted for Christ’s sake]
35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised[he is talking about salvation]. 37 For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay. [again talking about salvation]” 38 And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” [See we must live by faith! Just like in the parable of the talents, because of our faith in him…we will be lead to do good works for the kingdom like the Hebrews 11 christians. Yes you, too! By faith, you have run the race like Paul, to get that crown that will last forever, 1 Corinthians 9:25. And by our faith ALONE will we be justified. The righteous ones will have faith through all the suffering we go through, see verses33-34. He will not walk away and turn to unbelief—and become and accuser of God,like the wicked servant, when things get rough; God takes no pleasure in this kind of person].
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