This parable in Matt. 21 shows why the vineyard or kingdom of God, was taken away from the natural Israel and given to the Church which is the true "Israel of God" (Gal. 6:16), and "holy nation," to show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Pet. 2:9).

The third and final stage will be in the new heaven and new earth which will be perfect and eternal. No wild grapes will grow there, nor will there be any tares or bad fish. It will be the glorious manifestation of the sons of God for which the whole creation is now waiting (Rom. 8:19-23).

If we grasp the truth that the vineyard is the kingdom of God, and then consider the nature and development of that kingdom in its threefold aspect, it not only throws much light upon many portions of Scripture, but also shows a perfect harmony and unity of the whole subject of the kingdom and its establishment on this earth. That it was established upon this earth, that it has been taken from the natural Israel nation, and that it has now developed into a spiritual kingdom is quite clear. And that it can never return again to its former state under the old covenant is also clearly revealed in not only this parable, but throughout the whole New Testament Scriptures.

The plain truth is Israel has "not obtained that which he seeketh for." They have lost the kingdom through killing the King, and the keys of the kingdom of heaven have been given to the Church. This is Christ's kingdom, and during the present gospel age in which He is visiting the Gentiles, "to take out of them a people for His name" (Acts 15:14), it is "LIKE" wheat and tares, "LIKE" good and bad fish, etc., but when He returns at the end of the age, all offenders and false professors will be gathered out of it.

When the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ having put all enemies under His feet, He delivers up the kingdom to God the Father. Then the righteous shall shine forth in their Father's kingdom.

We must distinguish between the present kingdom of God the Son, and the future kingdom of God the Father. (See Matt. 13:41 and 43). Christians are in Christ's kingdom now (Col. 1:13), and we pray for the Father's kingdom to come (Matt. 6:9, 10).

There will be no animal sacrifices there as there was in the first stage, nor any tares and bad fish as in this present stage, nor does the third stage last for a paltry 1,000 years, but " for ever and ever" (Rev. 11:15).

"The ransomed of the Lord shall come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy."

"Last of all. He sent unto them His Son." That was God's last and best that He could do for Israel, and New Testament Christianity is the best and last things He has for the whole world of sinners lost and ruined by the fall, Jew and Gentile alike. That being so, involves "a change also of the law."

For many years it has seemed to us that very much confusion exists among dispensational writers concerning the important subject of the law of God. Some even go so far as to say that the ten commandments have been "abolished" and "cancelled," at the Cross. That is true as regards the law of sacrifices under the Levitical priesthood, but certainly not true of the ten commandments.

What law then has been changed? The moral law says — Thou shall have no other gods before Me." "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image." "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain," etc.

Has that law been changed? Certainly not. And not one of the ten commandments

 

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