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786. "IN THIS WAY THE LAST ONES WILL BE FIRST, In contrast to the veiled explanations given previously by false witnesses, the following are true understandings. The illustration given to Jesus' disciples in Matthew chapter 20 (NWT) is principally a continuation of Matthew 19:28-30. It is Jehovah God who is referred to as the "Householder" of His spiritual house, who went out of His house to "hire workers for His vineyard". The true "vine" is Jesus, and those under this "vine" are under the new covenant. (Matt 26:29). The "day" is a period of time when Jehovah would cultivate and gather His sons of the Kingdom, through His man in charge, Jesus. A denarius symbolizes the heavenly reward. Important to note is the fact that those first hired for this gathering work would have to be present to see others who were hired last being paid their wages, and know that they would only receive the same (being the last ones paid). Jehovah certainly would not allow these murmurers who were envious of His goodness to inherit anything more than what they had agreed. No, in fact they are told: "Take what is yours and go". As brothers already asleep in death would rise first, they would see those first rewarded by the Lord, the eleventh hour ones. (1 Thess 4:15-17). The "burden" they bore was the work they did for the full period in the literal sense, but referred to only as the "day", from the beginning of hiring to the "evening" when their final number is gathered. They murmured of the burden of the "heat" during the middle part "midday" of this period, claiming that they had experienced the greatest persecution. They concluded that they should receive more than their more recent eleventh hour brothers. The teaching from Jesus was that the Kingdom heirs would all receive the same, but that there would be those who would want more because they felt they deserved it for length of service under greater difficulties. This results finally in Jehovah telling them to go, receiving His reprimand instead of His approval, as the Kingdom disposition of the heavens is not self-seeking. Their initial agreed reward was intended to be for their service to God in working for their brothers to gain everlasting life. The cultivation of their spirit was intended to bear good "fruit" within them. (Gal 5:22). So because of their jealousy, some of the first hired ones will be least in favour with Jehovah because of their proven 'superior' attitude over their late-hired brothers. The illustration Jesus gave was to show that loving unity is a spiritual requirement of the sons of God for everlasting life. In verse 30 of Matthew chapter 19 it conveys that many (not all) will murmur against Jehovah Himself and lose favour for harbouring resentment against His judicial decision. So it is to be understood that after Jesus inaugurated the new covenant, certain first hired ones fail to give due respect to their Heavenly Father. (Cont. on Page 787). 21/1/77. |
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