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Still need some clarification on this passage, please
mharrell08:
--- Quote from: onelovedread on January 10, 2012, 01:17:50 PM ---Mark 4: 24 And He said to them, "Beware what you are hearing! With what measure you are measuring, it will be measured to you, and it will be added to you. 25 For he who has, it shall be given to him; and he who has not, even what he has shall be taken away from him."
I have been searching through Ray's teachings and still haven't found where he addressed the foregoing. Is this addressed only to the Jews? Or does this apply to the few chosen rather than the called? - a subject on which Ray has taught extensively.
Is this passage a warning to the many who were called but have taken the spiritual "broad way to destruction", who aren't the few (chosen)who take the straight and narrow pathway that leads to eonian life? Anyone?
--- End quote ---
Hello John,
This is addressed to whoever hears the parables that Jesus is speaking. This admonishment comes in the middle of many parables.
In verses 1-9, Jesus gives the parable of the sower and the seed. In verses 10-12, Jesus gives the purpose of this and all parables:
Mark 4:10-12 ...when He was alone, those around Him [Jesus] with the twelve asked Him about the parable. And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.
In verses 13-20, Jesus explains the parable of the sower...but with another parable. In verses 21-25 (the verses in your original question), Jesus then gives another parable where He likens understanding and knowledge to light. Light is like understanding & knowledge in certain ways: They both allow you to see clearly and give you direction in darkness:
Mark 4:21-25 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? [Comment - Does God keep His knowledge and wisdom for Himself like one would keep light hidden away? Would He not share His understanding like one would share a light on a lampstand?]
For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” [Comment - For anything that God has yet to be revealed shall not be kept secret but shall be brought forth like light]
Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. [Comment - Listen and hear. With the same measure you use (TO HEAR and SEEK UNDERSTANDING), it will be measured to you (you will begin to understand by how much you seek the Kingdom...you get what you put in).]
For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” [Comment - To whom has understanding, which comes from seeking the Kingdom, more will be given. But whoever does not have, because they did not seek the Kingdom, whatever understanding he does have will be taken away.]
Hope this helps,
Marques
Gina:
I've removed my reply upon further consideration. :)
onelovedread:
Thank you, all for your insight and for opening up this passage for my understanding. I did not see it from that perspective, so this has been truly a learning experience for me. I tell you, God's Word can not be understood merely on a mental plane, but has to be taken in spiritually. And as Ray always teaches, we have to pay attention to all the words and to what comes before and after the passage we're examining.
I really get what you're saying, Marques about the application we give to the Word, and that if we don't seek to go deeper, then we are in danger of losing even the little understanding we may have. Ain't that the truth!
I really appreciate all the sharing. Thanks guys.
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