INTRODUCTION
This parable is generally understood as the parable of grace. It reveals that in worldly business compensation is given according to that which one earns. But in the parable, Christ illustrates that His Kingdom is not governed by any human standard. This point is forcibly set forth by the Householder who pays the laborers the same wage whether they have worked one hour or all day. The purpose of our study today, however, is to look deeper into the message of this parable “to sink the shaft deeper into the mine of truth.” Right Spirit Essential.–Brethren, we must sink the shaft deep in the mine of truth. You may question matters with yourselves and with one another, if you only do it in the right spirit; but too often self is large, and as soon as investigation begins, an unchristian spirit is manifested. This is just what Satan delights in, but we should come with a humble heart to know for ourselves what is truth.
{CW 41.4}
God intends that, even in this life, truth shall be ever unfolding to His people. There is only one way in which this knowledge can be obtained. We can attain to an understanding of God’s word only through the illumination of that Spirit by which the word was given. “The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God;” “for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” And the Saviour’s promise to His followers was: “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth. . . . For He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you.”
{5T 703.2}
PRAYER THOUGHT: COL 127:4; CSW 28-30.
In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation. The old truths are all essential; new truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it. It is only as the old truths are understood that we can comprehend the new. When Christ desired to open to His disciples the truth of His resurrection, He began “at Moses and all the prophets” and “expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27. But it is the light which shines in the fresh unfolding of truth that glorifies the old. He who rejects or neglects the new does not really possess the old. For him it loses its vital power and becomes but a lifeless form.
God calls upon those who hold responsible positions in Sabbath school work to put away all egotism, all self-confidence, and pride of opinion; if a message comes that you do not understand, take pains that you may hear the reasons the messenger may give, comparing scripture with scripture, that you may know whether or not it is sustained by the word of God. If you believe that the positions taken have not the word of God for their foundation, if the position you hold on the subject cannot be controverted, then produce your strong reasons; for your position will not be shaken by coming in contact with error. There is no virtue or manliness in keeping up a continual warfare in the dark, closing your eyes lest you may see, closing your ears lest you may hear, hardening your heart in ignorance and unbelief lest you may have to humble yourselves and acknowledge that you have received light on some points of truth.
{CSW 28.2}
To hold yourselves aloof from an investigation of truth is not the way to carry out the Savior’s injunction to “search the Scriptures.” Is it digging for hidden treasures to call the results of some one’s labor a mass of rubbish, and make no critical examination to see whether or not there are precious jewels of truth in the collection of thought which you condemn? Will those who have almost everything to learn keep themselves away from every meeting where there is an opportunity to investigate the messages that come to the people, simply because they imagine the views held by the teachers of the truth may be out of harmony with what they have conceived as truth? Thus it was that the Jews did in the days of Christ, and we are warned not to do as they did, and be led to choose darkness rather than light, because there was in them an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. No one of those who imagine that they know it all is too old or too intelligent to learn from the humblest of the messengers of the living God.–TSS 62-66.
{CSW 29.1}
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND:
The Bible was divided into chapters by Cardinal Stephen Langton in 12th century.
PROPOSITION:
Mat. 19:16 – 20:16 should be in one chapter based on its contextual frameworks. The penny as the wage is ETERNAL LIFE.
What to do to have eternal life? Mat. 19:16
Obedience to the Law is not enough. Vs. 17-20
Perfection of Character – selling all for Jesus. V. 21
TRANSITIONAL STATEMENT:
Mat. 19:30 – But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.
The Last called servants will have the ETERNAL LIFE first.
BODY: Mat. 20:1-8 – The Parable of the Hired Labourers – 4 calls with 3 parabolical hour plus the urgent CALL at the 11th hour – an hour before the sunset.
Compare Mat. 19:30 with Mat. 20:16
Mat. 20:16 – SO THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST, AND THE FIRST LAST, FOR MANY BE CALLED, BUT FEW CHOSEN.
Note: The Eleventh-Hour Laborers will not taste death for they are the first to receive the PENNY-ETERNAL LIFE.
READ MATT. 20:1-8
REVIEW READING and various transactions.
Note: All calls were made at 3 hour intervals, except for the last (the 11th hour call).
WHOM DO THE HOUSEHOLDER AND LABORERS SYMBOLIZE?
Householder: God the Father
The householder’s dealing with the workers in his vineyard represents God’s dealing with the human family.
Laborers: The saints (Luke 10:1-2) God’s people are not to cease their labors until they shall encircle the world.
{6T 23.4}
The words of the Lord in the fifty-fourth chapter of Isaiah are for us: “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame. . . . For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called.” Isaiah 54:2-5.
{6T 23.2}
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE VINEYARD AND MARKET PLACE? (COL 396, 398; 5T 203)
Vineyard: The world
God claims the whole earth as His vineyard. Though now in the hands of the usurper, it belongs to God. By redemption no less than by creation it is His. For the world Christ’s sacrifice was made. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” John 3:16.
The vineyard includes the whole world, and every part of it is to be worked. There are places which are now a moral wilderness, and these are to become as the garden of the Lord. The waste places of the earth are to be cultivated, that they may bud and blossom as the rose. New territories are to be worked by men inspired by the Holy Spirit. {6T 24}
–the place where the saints labor.
“The kingdom of heaven,” He said, “is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.” It was the custom for men seeking employment to wait in the market places, and thither the employers went to find servants. The man in the parable is represented as going out at different hours to engage workmen. Those who are hired at the earliest hours agree to work for a stated sum; those hired later leave their wages to the discretion of the householder. {COL 396.3}
Market place: The church (COL 399, 5T 203)
This parable does not excuse those who hear the first call to labor but who neglect to enter the Lord’s vineyard. When the householder went to the market place at the eleventh hour and found men unemployed he said, “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” The answer was, “Because no man hath hired us.” None of those called later in the day were there in the morning. They had not refused the call. Those who refuse and afterward repent, do well to repent; but it is not safe to trifle with the first call of mercy. {COL 399.1}
The words of Christ apply to the church: “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” Why are you not at work in some capacity in His vineyard? Again and again He has bidden you: “Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.” But this gracious call from heaven has been disregarded by the large majority. Is it not high time that you obey the commands of God? There is work for every individual who names the name of Christ. A voice from heaven is solemnly calling you to duty. Heed this voice, and go to work at once in any place, in any capacity. Why stand ye here all the day idle? There is work for you to do, a work that demands your best energies. Every precious moment of life is related to some duty which you owe to God or to your fellow men, and yet you are idle! {5T 203.3}
THE ANCIENT TIME CLOCK
In the days of Christ and even now in some countries, time is regulated by sunset at twelve o’clock. Near the equator where the days and nights are continually equal, the sun sets at twelve and rises at twelve. Therefore, six o’clock would be noon in the light part (top part of the chart), and six o’clock in the dark part would be midnight (bottom part of the chart). This is the kind of time Jesus used in the parable. See John 11:9.
THE FIRST LABORERS–Ancient Israel
COL 400– The Jews had been first called into the Lord’s vineyard, and because of this they were proud and self-righteous.
They are the only ones with whom God has made an agreement (covenant). See verse 2. Also Psalms 105: 8-10.
To all the other laborers the Householder sent out saying, “Whatsoever is right that shall ye receive.” (See also COL 397). In the parable the first laborers agreed to work for a stipulated sum, and they received the amount specified, nothing more. Those later hired believed the master’s promise, “Whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.” They showed their confidence in him by asking no question in regard to wages. They trusted to his justice and equity. They were rewarded, not according to the amount of their labor, but according to the generosity of his purpose. {COL 397.1}
WHEN WERE THE FIRST LABORERS CALLED INTO THE VINEYARD?
Answer: When the sun was rising (early in the morning)
The Bible is our spiritual sun or light (Psalms 119:105)
Thus, the Israelites were sent into the vineyard just when the spiritual sun (the Bible) was coming into existence. See GC V, Haggai 2:5.
During the first twenty-five hundred years of human history, there was no written revelation. Those who had been taught of God, communicated their knowledge to others, and it was handed down from father to son, through successive generations. The preparation of the written word began in the time of Moses. Inspired revelations were then embodied in an inspired book. This work continued during the long period of sixteen hundred years–from Moses, the historian of creation and the law, to John, the recorder of the most sublime truths of the gospel. {GC v.2}
WHAT WAS THE MESSAGE OF ISRAEL?
Answer: The sanctuary service–the ceremonial system.
NOTE: The ceremonial system in connection with the sanctuary as a new or original truth (not understood before). So must it be with the following calls. See GC 609 or COL 127.
The same trials have been experienced by men of God in ages past. Wycliffe, Huss, Luther, Tyndale, Baxter, Wesley, urged that all doctrines be brought to the test of the Bible and declared that they would renounce everything which it condemned. Against these men persecution raged with relentless fury; yet they ceased not to declare the truth. Different periods in the history of the church have each been marked by the development of some special truth, adapted to the necessities of God’s people at that time. Every new truth has made its way against hatred and opposition; those who were blessed with its light were tempted and tried. The Lord gives a special truth for the people in an emergency. Who dare refuse to publish it? He commands His servants to present the last invitation of mercy to the world. They cannot remain silent, except at the peril of their souls. Christ’s ambassadors have nothing to do with consequences. They must perform their duty and leave results with God. {GC 609.1}
Ever since the first promise of redemption was spoken in Eden, the life, the character, and the mediatorial work of Christ have been the study of human minds. Yet every mind through whom the Holy Spirit has worked has presented these themes in a light that is fresh and new. The truths of redemption are capable of constant development and expansion. Though old, they are ever new, constantly revealing to the seeker for truth a greater glory and a mightier power. {COL 127.3}
THE THIRD HOUR LABORERS–The Early Christians
The message of the Jews met its fulfillment at the cross. Thus, then call must have come somewhere around the crucifixion of Christ. See Mark 15:25; Acts 2:14,15; Acts 13:46.
This was the time of the Gospel, the next newly and original new truth.
The Apostles were the next laborers. The lord called and sent them to the vineyard. (Matthew 28:19)
We note that providentially Christ was crucified at the 3rd hour (Mark 15:25), and that the Apostles received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the 3rd hour of the day.
THE SIXTH HOUR LABORERS –The Millerites or First -day Adventists.
The only new truth after the early Christian church was the message of the 2300 days and the second advent of Christ, proclaimed by Miller and his associates. They announced the Judgment to the world.
NOTE: The sixth hour laborers could not be the Protestant Reformers because their endeavors were purely to restore old down-trodden truths, not to reveal new ones. In other words, they taught the same truths as the Apostles.
THE NINTH HOUR LABORERS–The SDA Church
A. The only movement with a freshly revealed truth after Miller and his co-laborers would be that of the SDA church coming up in 1844 teaching the Judgment of the dead–the Third Angel’s Message.
THE SIXTH AND NINTH CALLS ARE CLOSELY RELATED
Both calls or movements are connected. One picked up where the other left off. Both movements are connected by the same year (1844) . One ended (First-day Adventists) in 1 844, the other (SDA) started the same year.
THE ELEVENTH HOUR LABORERS AND THEIR MESSAGE
The faithful SDA’s who will proclaim the loud cry to the whole world.
The 11th hour call is the last on record coming just one hour before sunset (end of time–John 9:4).
The call comes within the time period (3 hours) allotted to the Ninth hour workers, indicating that the 11th hour call is NOT another church, but a laymen’s movement–A Call Within A Call.
It also shows that something has gone wrong, and the work of finishing the Gospel is delayed–not progressing as it should. Thus, another call had to be made just one hour before sunset. (See 5T 217; TM 86).
The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt, and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers who preach self instead of Christ would have it thus. The testimonies are unread and unappreciated. God has spoken to you. Light has been shining from His word and from the testimonies, and both have been slighted and disregarded. The result is apparent in the lack of purity and devotion and earnest faith among us. {5T 217.2}
The conviction is gaining ground in the world that Seventh-day Adventists are giving the trumpet an uncertain sound, that they are following in the path of worldlings. {TM 86}.
If all the previous calls were new truths then the 11th hour call must also be a new truth.
This shows, too, that another message is to come within the church to finish the Gospel.
WHAT IS THE ELEVENTH HOUR MESSAGE?
Read 6T 406.4 .–Here we see that the Third Angel’s message is to be followed by another angel who is to lighten the earth with its glory. (Rev. 18)
Read Rev. 18:1-4–This angel is not flying in the midst of heaven, but is come down. Therefore, it cannot be the same as the three angels of Rev. 14.
Read EW 277 (the whole page) an additional message to the third.
I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel’s message. {EW 277.1}
Angels were sent to aid the mighty angel from heaven, and I heard voices which seemed to sound everywhere, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844. The glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon and calling upon God’s people to come out of her that they might escape her fearful doom. {EW 277.2}
Points Of Emphasis In EW 277:
1. Fourth angel gives “power” and “force” to the Third Angel’s message.
2. He unites his voice with the third. Showing that he has his own voice (message).
3. It prepares the people of God for the hour of temptation ahead. Without it (this angel) the church would not be ready for the time of trouble ahead.
4. When this message is to be given it must be fearlessly proclaimed. This is not being done now. Therefore, this call is yet future.
5. It is an ‘ADDITION” to the Third Angel’s message. Therefore, this other angel is a message separate and apart from the third message, but will give power and force to it swelling it to a loud cry. It is not the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but a message, which prepares the church for the outpouring of the Spirit.
Objections which may arise about EW 277: The word “seemed “ as used in this passage may be said to show doubt or uncertainty as to this other angel being an additional message. (See EW 277:2).
Answer:
The word “seem: means to appear to be, to appear to oneself; appear to be true or the case” The American College Dictionary.
Read the first five lines of the 2nd paragraph. The word seemed appears again. “. . . I heard voices which seemed to sound everywhere, ‘come out of her my people. . ..’” Here she heard voices saying exactly what the Bible says in Rev. 18:4. So if in using the word “seemed” it indicated doubt or uncertainty, then it would show doubt or uncertainty as to what the Bible states in Rev. 18.
She, therefore, is in vision showing what she saw and how it was revealed to her.
IS THE CALL TO COME OUT OF BABYLON BEING GIVEN TODAY?
Answer: NO–Read GC 389 The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the advent message; but that fall was not complete. As they have continued to reject the special truths for this time they have fallen lower and lower. Not yet, however, can it be said that “Babylon is fallen,… because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has not yet made all nations do this. The spirit of world conforming and indifference to the testing truths for our time exists and has been gaining ground in churches of the Protestant faith in all the countries of Christendom; and these churches are included in the solemn and terrible denunciation of the second angel. But the work of apostasy has not yet reached its culmination. {GC 389.2}
–We note here that the fall of Babylon is not yet complete and she has not made all nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Hence, the message and call of Rev. 18 is still yet future.
GC88 383 (1888 Edition): “The message of Revelation 14 announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. Since this message follows the warning of the judgment, it must be given in the last days, therefore, it cannot refer to the Romish church, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. Furthermore, in the eighteenth chapter of the Revelation in a message which is yet future, the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon.”
WHO ARE THE ELEVENTH HOUR WORKERS?
Answer: Faithful SDA s–The church purified–144,000. (See outline on Revelation 7, part 1 for more information.
A PENNY A DAY
“So when even was come, the Lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should receive more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house.” (Matt. 20:8-11).
Note that those who were hired last were paid first, and the first, last. As all were equally regarded, the ones hired first murmured, though they were paid in full. Their disdainful act denotes that the Jewish nation was unworthy of their hire, and the Goodman said to them, “Take that thine is, and go thy way,” denotes the rejection of the nation. As ancient Israel is represented by the first call, to them, the words apply, and as they were the ones who murmured, it proves the parable correct.
Why were the first paid last and the last first?
Answer. — The pay God’s servants receive is eternal life and is characterized by the penny. Therefore, those who are granted the assurance of a never-ending life first, are those who were hired last, and according to the parable, it was the company called at the eleventh-hour. They are those who are marked or sealed by the man with the writer’s inkhorn of Ezekiel 9, or as John calls him, the angel with the seal of God; and he sealed, or marked, 144,000. (See Rev. 7).
This glorious company is the first who are granted the assurance of never tasting death.
Thus they are paid first, but those who were called early in the morning (Israel after the flesh) are to be resurrected (the righteous) when Christ comes in the clouds, at which time they shall be given immortality.
“So that the last shall be first, and the first, last.”
SUMMARY:
The 11th hour message is therefore the Loud Cry message of Revelation 18—the other angel that is to join the Third Angel’s Message and give it “power and force.” It is not the outpouring of the Spirit but another message that joins the Third and prepares the church for the finishing of the gospel. Without this “additional “ message the church will not be able to complete its gospel mission.