Page 31 - The Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2009

Then of course, we also have the clear statement of Jesus pertaining to those who “hear the
word of the Kingdom” (Matt. 13:19), that only one in four people will have a right heart
condition to bring forth the fruit of the Kingdom of God in their lives:

11 22 33 4

HEART OF OFFENDED ENSNARED GOOD
UNBELIEF HEART HEART HEART

"THEREFORE HEAR THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER: WHEN ANYONE HEARS THE WORD OF THE KINGDOM,
AND DOES NOT UNDERSTAND IT, THEN THE WICKED ONE COMES AND SNATCHES AWAY WHAT WAS SOWN

IN HIS HEART. THIS IS HE WHO RECEIVED SEED BY THE WAYSIDE. BUT HE WHO RECEIVED THE SEED ON
STONY PLACES, THIS IS HE WHO HEARS THE WORD AND IMMEDIATELY RECEIVES IT WITH JOY; YET HE HAS

NO ROOT IN HIMSELF, BUT ENDURES ONLY FOR A WHILE. FOR WHEN TRIBULATION OR PERSECUTION
ARISES BECAUSE OF THE WORD, IMMEDIATELY HE STUMBLES. NOW HE WHO RECEIVED SEED AMONG THE

THORNS IS HE WHO HEARS THE WORD, AND THE CARES OF THIS WORLD AND THE DECEITFULNESS OF
RICHES CHOKE THE WORD, AND HE BECOMES UNFRUITFUL. BUT HE WHO RECEIVED SEED ON THE GOOD

GROUND IS HE WHO HEARS THE WORD AND UNDERSTANDS IT, WHO INDEED BEARS FRUIT AND
PRODUCES: SOME A HUNDREDFOLD, SOME SIXTY, SOME THIRTY.“ Matt. 13:18-23

This parable is not limited to the initial act of salvation, but rather is a principle that is always at work among

“saved” people. Jesus is merely stating that fruit-bearing Christians will be in the minority in spite of the

expressed will of God: “I CHOSE YOU AND APPOINTED YOU,
THAT YOU SHOULD
“BY THIS BEAR MUCH
IS MY FATHER GLORIFIED,

THAT YOU BEAR MUCH

AND SO YOU WILL BE AND THAT YOUR FRUIT
MY DISCIPLES.” SHOULD REMAIN.”

John 15:8 John 15:16

Is the “good heart” Christian to abandon the church because it is filled with saved people whose hearts are
filled with unbelief, offense or ensnarement with things other than God? Is the answer to not assemble with
such a mixture? Specifically Paul warns the believer not to follow such a pattern:

“LET US CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER IN ORDER TO STIR UP LOVE AND GOOD
WORKS, NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER AS IS

THE MANNER OF SOME, BUT EXHORTING ONE ANOTHER,
AND SO MUCH THE MORE AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING.”

Heb. 10:24-25

As we see what “day” approaching? The day in which Jesus Christ will separate the wise from the foolish
virgins. The day in which Jesus will send forth His angels to “gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend
and those who practice lawlessness”, namely, Satan’s tares. As this day approaches, the good heart, fruit-
bearing Christians are to NOT “forsake the assembling of themselves together, as is the manner of some.” We
tend to think that those not assembling are just the backsliders in heart. Many of them are backsliders, but this
is an exhortation to those capable of “stirring up (backsliders) to love and good works! Jude exhorts the
believer to:

“KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD, LOOKING FOR THE MERCY OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST UNTO ETERNAL LIFE. AND ON SOME HAVE COMPASSION,
MAKING A DISTINCTION; BUT OTHERS SAVE WITH FEAR, PULLING THEM OUT OF

THE FIRE, HATING EVEN THE GARMENT DEFILED BY THE FLESH.”
Jude 21-22