In Matthew 13, verse 33, Jesus says "..The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."
I read a footnote in one of my Bibles which said leaven ALWAYS represents impurity. But I beg to differ, here it is merely the leavening ingredient or Jesus didn't know what He was talking about! Which of course is not possible.
Three measures of meal.. three batches - kingdom of heaven
Three batches = three reapings or gatherings?
#1 those who 1st believed (witnessed His life, crucifixion, rising and ascension)
#2 all those during the 'church' age, i.e. the 1st resurrection at His return
#3 those of the 2nd resurrection after the millenium, during the long day (age?) of the examination/review of all things commonly called 'judgment' day..
[it's my belief, likely no humans in the LOF] :smile:
Quote from: marie glen on March 16, 2013, 03:50:38 PM
In Matthew 13, verse 33, Jesus says "..The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."
I read a footnote in one of my Bibles which said leaven ALWAYS represents impurity. But I beg to differ, here it is merely the leavening ingredient or Jesus didn't know what He was talking about! Which of course is not possible.
Three measures of meal.. three batches - kingdom of heaven
Three batches = three reapings or gatherings?
#1 those who 1st believed (witnessed His life, crucifixion, rising and ascension)
#2 all those during the 'church' age, i.e. the 1st resurrection at His return
#3 those of the 2nd resurrection after the millenium, during the long day (age?) of the examination/review of all things commonly called 'judgment' day..
[it's my belief, likely no humans in the LOF] :smile:
What if it does symbolize "impurity". I read this passage like this...
The Kingdom of Heaven is something that many see with disdain, something impure without worth. It conflicts with their world view and their rituals. So, it has been hidden. But, even though it has been hidden it is working, changing, moving and eventually ALL will be leavened. The meal doesn't ask to be leavened,it just is.
It is true that in most places leaven speaks metaphorically of impurity. But this is(imo) the clearest UR parable in the bible, altho I think it has layers, like body, soul, spirit(three measures) -I think it speaks of three 'world ages'(olam/aion).....This age, and two ages to come after which God will be all in all(this is just my opinion- not trying to proclaim doctrine)
The three measures of meal could represent:
the overcomer believers
the non-overcomer believers
the non-overcomer non-believers.
indeed it could
Maybe good to know the two loaves the priest presented to God on Pentecost did contain leaven.
Jews never understood why. Leviticus 23:15-17
Great care was taken the loaves were different. They were prepared totally independently. Not a big lump of dough to make 2 loaves but separate, grain, kneading, baking etc.
Some Christians hold the view leaven represents sin. How does sin compare to God's kindom?
Luke 13
20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Jesus said He is the bread of life. A well known verse with a less known Greek word, artos, which means leavened bread. (azumos is unsaved) I severely doubt Jesus was claiming He was a sinful bread.
(http://www.sabbathcog.org/WaveLoaves.jpg)