“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,
and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13: 45-47
To the untrained eye, pearls can look very much alike.
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GENUINE |
CULTURED |
FAKE |
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Origin: |
Starts with grain of sand naturally placed in oyster by Creation |
Human intervention—a bead is inserted in oyster |
All man-made |
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Kingdom Classification: |
Born-again/regenerated man (aka The Remnant) |
Regenerate man/carnal Christian |
Unregenerate man |
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Characteristics: |
Grain of sand was planted, “they heard the word in an
honest and good heart, and hold it fast” Lk. Secret formation through suffering; “taking up the cross; putting the hand to the plow and not looking back, etc,” Genuine pearl is the product of suffering; the offending article (grain of sand, etc.) becomes a thing of beauty. The work of formation is done slowly and gradually There is a people whereby the Kingdom has been inserted into their spirit like a grain of sand into an oyster. The Kingdom message starts to change one’s lifestyle. The Lord keeps working the pearl through suffering; in the process it gets larger and more and more valuable “Nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’
For the Phillipians 3:10 Revelation 3:18-19 |
Seed was planted in their spirit but “as they go on their
way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life” Lk. Have not totally grasped the idea that salvation is through grace and works are the fruit/bi-product; Suffering for the kingdom is random event, done at one’s convenience. There is a sitting on the fence between being “sold out for the kingdom” and “kingdom living at one’s convenience” |
Totally sold out to the world; “the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and be saved” Lk.8:12 Good works are performed but what is the motive? Suffering is a foreign word, avoided at all costs |