Answers to Correspondents: The Treasure and the Pearl; Violent Take the Kingdom of Heaven; One Thanking Another Breaking

From: Words of Faith: Volume 2

• 2 min. read • grade level: 9

Q. Do the treasure and the pearl in Matt. 13:45-46⁴⁵Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: ⁴⁶Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:45‑46), teach different truths?

A.-We believe that the symbols used in the verses referred to both picture the same thing; that is, the saints of the present dispensation, or, in other words, the church. Under the symbol of the treasure the preciousness of the church to Christ is set before the eye; under that of the pearl; her beauty as seen by Him who loved her and gave up Himself and everything He had, as the Messiah, to possess her.

Q.- What is the meaning of Matt. 11:12¹²And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. (Matthew 11:12), and Luke 16:16¹⁶The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. (Luke 16:16), and in what way do the violent take the kingdom of heaven by force, and men press into it?

A.-The kingdom of heaven here is looked at as a position of blessing on the earth, though connected with heaven where the King is. Into this actual and manifested relation to the King those who believe in Christ had to "force" their way in spite of all the opposition of Satan; they have not merely to enter it, but to "press" into it, because there is a force opposing their entrance. It looks at the responsible side of the path of faith, and while grace, of course, alone can enable the believer to enter into and sustain such a conflict, yet he has by personal and spiritual energy to gain the position he seeks for. The opposition of Satan in this world to Christ and His kingdom is a very real thing, and if we do not meet him and pass over him, as "the violent" and as those who by force "press" on, there is no getting into the kingdom. It is really what persecution means, and under this, for present, as well as future blessing, there must be faithfulness to Christ. (Compare Rev. 2:12¹²And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; (Revelation 2:12).)

Q.-Is it scriptural for one to give thanks, another to break the loaf? J. M. H.

A.-Luke 22:19¹⁹And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. (Luke 22:19) certainly gives no ground for it, nor does 1 Cor. 11:24²⁴And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. (1 Corinthians 11:24). Still, we have known those in great repute break the bread after another had given thanks, and, therefore, we should not like to say it was wrong, though we should not feel happy to do it ourselves. C. W.

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