786.htm

786.

"IN THIS WAY THE LAST ONES WILL BE FIRST,
AND THE FIRST ONES LAST". (Matt 20:16).

In contrast to the erroneous explanation given by false witnesses, the following is the correct understanding of the illustration given by Christ Jesus to his disciples and recorded in Matthew 20:1-16 NWT. It is in continuation of Matthew 19:28-30.

Almighty God Jehovah is the "Householder" of His spiritual "house", who went out to "hire workers for His vineyard". (20:1). The "true vine" is The Christ, and the "branches" of this "vine" are those under the "new covenant". (John 15:1-5. Matt 26:27-29. 1 Cor 11:25). The "day" is a period of time during which Jehovah cultivates and gathers His anointed sons of the Kingdom through His "steward" The Christ. (20:8 NEB). Receiving the pay of a "denarius" symbolizes their heavenly reward.

It is important to note that those first hired for this work would have to be present to see those last hired receiving their wages and to learn they are to receive the same. (20:9,10). Jehovah certainly would not allow murmurers holding a grudge against His generosity to inherit anything more than what had been agreed. That is why those first hired are told to: "Take what is yours and go". As anointed ones already asleep in death will rise first, they will see their "eleventh-hour" brothers rewarded first by our Lord. (1 Thess 4:15-17).

The "burden of the day" borne by the first hired ones was the spiritual work they were called upon to do and complete during the "day". (20:12). This symbolic "day" runs from the beginning of hiring in the "morning" to the end of the "eleventh hour" in the "evening" when their complete number is finally gathered. (20:8) (Rev 6:9 11). They murmured of the burden of the "burning heat" they experienced during the "day", believing they had suffered greater persecution. They supposed that they should receive more than their more recent "eleventh hour" brothers. (20:12).

The teaching of The Christ is that Kingdom heirs will all receive the same, but that some would feel they deserved more for length of service and/or greater difficulties. That is why Jehovah the "Householder" tells them to "Take what is yours and go"; receiving a reprimand instead of a blessing, as the Kingdom disposition of the new heavens is not self seeking. Their agreed reward is intended to be for their service to God in working for their brothers to gain everlasting life. Cultivation of their spirits must bear good "fruitage" within them. (Gal 5:22). Through jealousy some of the first hired ones will be least in favour with Jehovah because of proven self-importance over their late-hired brothers. (20:15 NEB). The illustration Jesus gave was to show that loving unity is a spiritual requirement of the sons of God inheriting everlasting life.

Matthew 19:30 conveys that some will murmur against Jehovah Himself and lose favour for harbouring resentment against their late hired brothers and the judicial decision of God. So it was understood that after Christ inaugurated the "new covenant", certain first hired ones would fail to give due respect to their Heavenly Father and their late hired brothers.

(Cont. on Page 787).

21/1/77.