ables.
Their meaning has been somewhat hidden by the use of the word "world"
where reference is made to this period of time; and the fact that the
conditions described are true of this age only, has not been generally
realized.

These seven parables are but a description of the unfolding and
development of these mixed elements to be found in Christendom
throughout this age. The same program is again proclaimed by Christ,
from the Glory, in the messages to the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 2
and 3). Here are seven letters to organized existing churches; yet these
messages also reveal an exact outline of the history of Christendom for
this entire age; and there is perfect agreement in order and detail
between the parables of Matthew 13 and the letters of Revelation 2 and
3. The first two parables are interpreted by Christ Himself, and the
interpretation of these sheds light on all that remains.

Christ is the sower in both the first and second of these parables, and
the sowing is continued by His messengers throughout this age. The field
is the world of men, which reveals a marked change from the
responsibility of the Jewish age that was then closing; and the results
of the sowing are most definite: not all the good seed sown comes to
fruitage; and the wheat and the tares grow _together_ until the end of
the age. This interpretation is not fanciful, for it is given by Christ
Himself; and the following parables must necessarily agree with these.
The third and fourth are of the mustard seed and the measure of meal.
Though commonly interpreted to mean the world-wide development of the
Church and the permeating influence of the Gospel, in the light of the
interpretation of the previous parables they can mean only the mixture
of evil with that which began as small as a mustard seed and as pure as
meal. The fifth parable is of a treasure hid in a field, which pictures
the earthly people in the world; while their real relation to Christ is
covered until the accomplishment of that which is revealed in the sixth.
Here the same man, the Lord Jesus Christ, sells all that He hath to
purchase the Church, the pearl of great price, for He "loved the Church,
and gave Himself for it" (Eph. 5:25); the pearl, by its formation and
its power to reflect the light, being a wonderful type of the Church in
her present formation and future place in glory. Both the treasure and
the pearl are found in the world, but do not include all of the world.