Parable In Things To Come

Parables were used to stimulate thoughts and open the eyes and minds of the hearer. It is used as a teaching tool.

The parable uses images or items that the hearer would find familiar to them. The subject of the parable is not hidden to those hearing it.1 If those hearing the parable consider the subject, the context surrounding it, the meaning will be clear and understandable. The hearer or reader of a parable must understand that it is an allegory, a fictional story with fictional figures and actions used to paint a story to help their understanding of the subject matter.

The image expressed in the parable must be familiar, and “be elegant and beautiful in itself.”2 The purpose of the parable is to teach a point in such a way as to stimulate

First, the sensible similitude which deals with a particular object. In his statement, he used tree bark. The person can easily see tree bark. Second, he states, the explanation or mystical sense. In this case, he adds to the tree concept by adding sap or fruit. Now the focus of the hearer or reader goes to that portion of the

1Thomas Hartwell Horne, “An Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures” in Things to Come, by J. Dwight Pentecost (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1978),

The literal sense must be considered before the interpreter can consider the internal sense.7 The balm tree could be used to illustrate this concept. There is a balm tree that is familiar to the Israelites. If a parable were used with the balm tree, the literal sense would be the sap. One usage of it is for medical purposes. In Jeremiah’s account of the balm tree, there were sick people. They needed a physician. The balm was readily available. Why were the people still sick? No one was administering the balm. The internal or mystical view could be seen as the balm representing the blood of Jesus. The physician would be soul winners. Why are people not getting saved? The soul winners are not doing their job of spreading the