Parable of the Mustard Seed: Another Perspective
Many Bible teachers interpret this parable (Matt. 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19) as God’s Kingdom beginning small yet yielding a great increase of salvations through the gospel. But what if it’s not? What if, in the context of Jesus’ explanation of the Wheat and Weeds parable, He’s describing Satan’s kingdom? He’s the prince of his own worldly kingdom; what if that’s the kingdom Jesus described to His disciples?
There’s only one character in this story, a man, who planted the smallest seed in his field. Jesus previously explained the field represented the world but who is the man? Again, the Lord earlier taught there were two men planting seed (Wheat and Weeds parable) and one was our enemy (Matt. 13:37-43). What if the mustard seed actually represents Satan’s kingdom planted in the world running parallel to God’s Kingdom?
Jesus taught this parable compares to the Kingdom of God; compares to what? Christianity did grow rapidly in the beginning, about 100AD, and spread across continents but later so did Satan’s. Islam began it’s rapid growth after 600AD and hasn’t seen a decline, in fact, it’s the fastest growing world religion compared to Christianity which is declining in membership. Was Jesus attempting to give us more prophecy regarding the end times so we’re prepared to be the minority?
In His story the tiny mustard seed grew to be the largest tree in the field with strong branches for birds to nest and shade presumably for animals. Birds of prey often depict our enemies as Jesus taught in the Sower and the Soil (Matt. 13:4) but also back in Gen. 15:11. Was Jesus pointing us back to Daniel 4 when only this end time prophet could interpret the king’s dream? Daniel described the king as a great tree using the same words as Jesus.
The tree you saw was growing very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. It had fresh green leaves and was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth. Daniel 4:20-22
In this lower story King Nebuchadnezzar’s dominion was taken away for seven years due to his pride. Is there an upper story Jesus was referring to, a final worldly kingdom that will become dominant in the end times and subsequently be torn down by God on Judgment Day?
The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever! Revelation 11:15b
Mustard-seed faith is a beautiful truth but so are Jesus’ warnings, revealing secrets and mysteries only to His followers, of these two opposing kingdoms in the end times so we’re not surprised.
Comments are closed.