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Luke 19 v 15. “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.”

Up to now we have been taught what it means to enter the Kingdom of God spiritually, that means by personal faith in the Saviour. All who receive Christ as Saviour and King are in the Kingdom of God. But until He comes back that is true of us only spiritually. Now Jesus makes us look forward to His return to this world. What will it mean to enter the Kingdom in its outward and tangible form at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Well, for one thing, it will mean eternal life for all true believers, but it will also mean much more than this. This parable is an allegory which is self-explanatory to a larger degree. Allegories and parables are very similar. Both use stories or sayings about familiar earthly things to convey truth in a symbolic manner. But an allegory is usually a little longer than a parable and unlike a parable which is usually making just one point, an allegory may make several points in its details. This parable Jesus has told about the Ten Minas, has an element of allegory in it because the details are important.

Jesus teaches us here, that when He returns in glory his people will reign with him. We Christians will be exalted to great honour and glory because of our relationship with him. (2 Timothy 2 v 12; Revelation 2 verses 26, 27). But what does reigning or ruling mean? It means that we will share the glory of the One who is ruler over all (Romans 8 v 17). Jesus certainly hints at some sort of active participation in the “government” of heaven or the new world (Matthew 19 v 28). So does the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 6 verses 2-3). We confess that the final reality of these things is so great that they are beyond us. We cannot begin to fathom such privilege while we are still based in these weak bodies and living in such a sin-laden and sad world. Nevertheless there are flashes here of a glory indescribable in which all who have truly believed in Christ will share.

But there is far more to learn from the details of what Jesus taught. We must at least catch a glimpse of what Jesus teaches about how we will be dealt with when he returns. But we will look at that tomorrow.