Luke 15:1 "Then drew near unto Him all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him."

"The publicans" were the tax-collectors, and most of the people looked down on them. Many times they assessed more than was required.

Luke 15:2 "And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, "This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." "

When the Pharisees and scribes, the religious leaders at the temple saw these publicans and sinners gathering around Jesus, they started muttering amongst them-selves. We will see in this chapter a view of God's overall plan. First of all remember that in that first earth age, one third of all God's children followed Satan in his rebellion. One third were sinners, and were separated from God. Even Esau was hated by God because of the sins he did from that first earth age; Romans 9:13 "As it is written, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." It was written in Malachi 1:3. This is why Jesus Christ was sent into our realm of flesh man, because of sinners. He did not come to prop up the self-righteous, or the scribes that in most cases didn't even believe the Word that they had studied.

We are told in I Chronicles 2:55 that way back in captivity in Babylon, the Kenites took over the duties of the Levitical scribes. By the time Jesus was born, some five hundred years later, they were teaching traditions, not the laws of Moses.

I Chronicles 2:55 "And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez [Jerusalem], the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab."

The Kenites are of Cain, not of Abraham. They are the offspring of the seed of Satan, Cain, and the things that they do is of their father Satan. Jesus told these Pharisees and scribes this right to their face in John 8:44. "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for He is a liar, and the father of it." The Kenites came into the temple at the time David was on the throne, as wood cutters. In time, they assumed many of the altar duties of the Levitical priests. In fact by the time of Ezra, some five hundred years later, not one of them was with Ezra, returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and set up sacrificial worship there.

Ezra 8:15 "And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the People, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi."

Think of the shock that must have been to the old prophet Ezra, he has these 43,000 people that he is bringing to Jerusalem to build this Temple, and not one of the hundreds of priests is a Levite, every last one of them was a Kenite, a son of Satan through Cain. What kind of worship would be set up then? Traditions. The Priesthood was completely taken over by the end of the Babylonian captivity.

So it is important to understand just who these so called religious leaders are that are looking down their noses at Jesus, and why they hate our Lord so. Jesus is calling attention to their man made traditions, that they are not of God. These Kenites are belittling Jesus for going around sinners. That is what a minister is for, going to sinners and giving them the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus is setting our example.

Luke 15:3 "And He spake this parable unto them, saying,"

Jesus is speaking these parables to the Pharisees and the scribes, to the religious leaders.

Luke 15:4 "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?"

Jesus is telling us exactly how our Heavenly Father's heart is, and He is doing it in a parable. If there is just one lost, He will go after that one until it can be saved. Jesus is telling us that if there is one sinner lost, it is important to go after that sinner. "One hundred" in biblical numerics signifies God election, or grace. These are the children of the promise. A wise person should think on two levels as we study these parables. Both the level of the election in the prodigal son, and the level of the sinner or the lost.

Luke 15:5 "And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing."

When the Good Shepherd finds that lost sheep, He is the one that carries that lost sheep home on His shoulders. That is exactly how it is with us also, when we get so tied down in our troubles, He will pick us up and carry us through those difficult times.

Luke 15:6 "And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, `Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.' "

When our Heavenly Father gets this one back to Himself, He is going to make over this lost one more than the others that are there with him.

Luke 15:7 "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."

Jesus had just given this parable of the lost sheep, and here He is comparing in to heaven. "Likewise joy", the same kind of joy will be in heaven when just one sinner repenteth. In heaven, when one sinner repents, the angels rejoice; those dear family and friends that have passed on rejoice over one soul repenting for their sins. Those that do not need repentance are mature in the Word, and follow the path that God has give us through His Word.

When you set goals for your life and as you reach each of those goals, it is a time for rejoicing. The purpose for this entire earth age of flesh man, is to save lost souls that have rebelled and followed Satan in that first earth age. When just one of those souls is saved, there is a victory in heaven, for as each lost comes to Christ, a goal is met and there is rejoicing. Each one is important, for that soul has been snatched out of Satan's hand. That rejoicing goes no not just on earth, but in heaven also.

Luke 15:8 "Either what woman having ten pence's of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house till she find it?"

However, on the other hand, Jesus is saying; If a woman has ten pieces of money and she misplaced one of those units of money, she will turn on the lights, sweep the house until she has found the lost pence. Of course the "woman" here represents the Holy Spirit of God. It is the Holy Spirit that seeks out our soul to touch and warm it, and convict it of sin. "Ten" in biblical numerics is the number for "testimony".

Luke 15:9 "And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, `Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.' "

Remember that Jesus is explaining in this chapter why He is going amongst sinners, and why He is here for. That was the purpose even from the book of Genesis, and the Old Testament. The first prophecy of the coming of Christ was back in the garden of Eden.

Luke 15:10 "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

When ever any person repents for their sins, those family members in heaven that have died and passed on, rejoice. You know our grandparents are pulling for you, living your life here in the flesh. There is great rejoicing every time on person repents and comes to the Lord. Each soul living in their flesh body, is spiritually dead until they repent of their sins and come under the blood of Christ in repentance. Revelation tells us that those hundreds of thousands that are under the altar, that shed their blood on earth, that were human beings, are there with God.

Revelation 6:9 "And when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held:"

 

Revelation 6:10 "And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?"

Revelation 6:11 "And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled."

Those dear souls that lost their lives observe those things that are going on in this earth age of flesh man, but they can not enter back into the dimension of flesh man. They are these angels of God that are rejoicing over the sinner that repenteth. They are waiting for the events of this earth age to be fulfilled and the seventh and final trumpet to sound. Because this was spoken in a parable, the scribes and Pharisees probably had not idea what Jesus was talking about. It was just a story to them.

Luke 15:11 "And He said, "A certain man had two sons:"

Luke 15:12 "And the younger of them said to his father: `father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.' And he divided unto them his living."

The Father gave to the younger son the portion that was to sustain him while he lived in this flesh life here on earth. This portion was not in properties, but is was the wealth of his inheritance that he would receive at the father's death. It was an equal value in money and movable goods that the son would have received due to an inheritance. By law, the elder son would have received two thirds of the estate, and the younger, one third, at the father's death. This younger son was not happy living under his father's roof, and being under his older brother. He wanted to set out and make it on his own, and that is what he did.

Luke 15:13 "And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living."

This young fellow lived his life in the fast lane, wasting his money and squandering the estate that his father had given to him. He just never gave it a second thought while the money lasted. This is exactly as it is today for not many care of their heritage that they have from our heavenly Father. They just don't care of that heritage our forefathers left for us, and they are out to do things their own way. All races are included in this heritage, but many just don't care about pleasing God, but they try to please them-selves. This young man has friends everywhere because he is paying the tab. He is buying their friendship, but as we will see, you just can't buy friends.

Luke 15:14 "And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in the land; and he began to be in want."

His friends sure helped spend his money, until the funds ran out. This young man never gave a thought about the future, and when the mighty famine hit the land, those friends were no where around. This young man didn't care about what his father had given to him, for he didn't earn it, and he did not know the value of his wealth. His goods and heritage meant nothing to him. He was after the good time, and that is what he had, for a very short time.

Luke 15:15 "And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine."

This young man went out into the country and joined himself to the prince of this world, and worked on his farm feeding the pigs. The pig is the lowest carnal flesh on the face of the earth. Even the demons did not want to posses the pigs, as we read in Luke 8:33, when the demons left the man and entered into the swine. So here this young man is, in a far off land during a famine, and feeding the pigs on another mans farm.

Luke 15:16 "And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him."

There was a famine going on, and this young man was hungry. Even the pig's food looked good to him, for it would put something into his belly. This man is starving. You never put the good times over the paying of the bills, or the very hard times will come upon you. The joys and highs of this world will give you a kick for awhile, but in time it will knock you right off your feet.

Luke 15:17 "And when he came to himself, he said, `How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!"

This young man had to hit the bottom, before he would take the time to look up. Sitting there amongst the pigs, the lowest flesh life on earth, he thought of how it was back with his family, where even the servants had enough to eat with some left over. When this boy left home, he thought he was really something, high minded and in control of the world. He plenty of money and so-called friends that would help him with the good times, as long as he paid the tab. When the money ran out, so did the friends, and his pride. He is now thinking of returning and working for his father as a hired hand on the farm.

Luke 15:18 "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,"

The young man as finally came to his senses, and is repenting for his wild ways. He has been out working for Satan, in Satan's field of this world, but now he wants to turn from Satan, and return back to the Father in repentance. He realizes that his actions were a sin against heaven, and before the Almighty Father. This is all going through this young man's mind.

Luke 15:19 "And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.'  "

This is what this young man is going to say to his earthly father, for he realizes what he has done to his father's heritage. This man just wants to be on the farm, and live as the servants live: Nothing special, just work and eat.

Do you think the father will forgive him? Do you think the Heavenly Father will forgive you for turning your back on Him in your life? Of course He would when there is true repentance.

Luke 15:20 "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."

This boy left a very high minded person, but he is coming back humble. Our heavenly Father will always rejoice when He finds that humble soul coming back to Him in repentance. This parable is symbolic of the love our Heavenly Father has for his children. Our Heavenly Father is happy to receive each soul that comes back to him in humility and repentance. Our Father is supernatural and He can read our minds and he knows when a person has a truly repentive heart. He know what you were thinking before you ever made a move back to Him. When you come back to Father, rest assured that He is there looking for you, and waiting for you to make that move. This earthly father had compassion on his son, and ran to meet him and wrap his arms around that little fellow. It is Father's will that all will come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Father is longsuffering with the patience to wait for the time for you to come to your senses in repentance, just as this young man finally did. When one sinner of Father's lost children comes home there is great joy in heaven, even amongst the angels.

Luke 15:21 "And the son said unto him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.' "

The son's confession to his father. "I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son."

Luke 15:22 "But the father said to his servants, `Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:"

This young man came home to his father in such poor shape that he did not even have a pair of shoes. He is standing there in rags, tears, and a humble heart, and his father is ready to have a great feast because his son has returned. The ring that is put on the boy's hand is a signet, that is what royalty uses to press wax to certify that they are of the family and position to do what they do. This even allows this boy to sign the checks for the father. This father not only allowed him to sit at the family table, but he restored the young man right back to where he was before he left. He even got to wear the robe that he had before he left. This young man was lost, and now he is found and restored to his rightful position in the family.

This is what Christ's ministry is, to find lost souls and return them to their rightful position in the family of God. To leave the ninty and nine and seek out that one lost sheep, that wayward sinning lost soul. Remember in the second verse where the religious Pharisees were talking down on Jesus for being around publicans and sinners. That is what Jesus came to this earth for, to save sinners. However today many churches continue to teach salvation over and over when every one present has been saved. It becomes a mockery against Jesus.

Luke 15:23 "And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:"

This verse is symbolic for that time in heaven when one sinner repents. Your ancestors rejoice in heaven when a member of the family repents.

Luke 15:24 "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to be merry."

This means that his son's soul was mortally liable to die, and by his repentance he has now found eternal life.

Luke 15:25 "Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing."

This elder brother has been faithful to his family duties and the job on the farm. In his entire life his father has never given such attention to him, as this little brother is receiving. As he came near the house after being in the field all day, he could hear the music and see dancing. Remember that parable of the workers in the vineyard, where the boss paid the workers that came in last the same as those that toiled in the field all day. This deals even with the election, those that were judged in the first earth age for being true to Christ when Satan was in his rebellion. This son that worked hard is an example of the election, true to his work and to Father.

As pointed out in Romans 8, God will not make the lost do anything, but he will hold the election accountable for the duties that are given to them. In return the Holy Spirit will even give utterance for the elect when they don't even know what to pray for; but not for the lost. If you are one of the elect, don't ever get jealous over the rejoicing for one soul being saved, for that is the purpose for this earth age. The purpose for this earth age is allowing those lost souls that rebelled with Satan to come back to God, our heavenly Father. The door is open "to whom so ever will".

The party was not thrown for the one that father could depend on, but for the one who came back into the family. The time for the real party for the faithful son is coming, and it is not far away. We are living in the latter days, and that marriage feast of the Lamb will be a time when rewards will be given to every one that was faithful to the end. Be patient in your work, and know the purpose that you are here for; to save those that are lost and bound for hell fire. God always pays well for service rendered to Him.

Luke 15:26 "And he called on of the servants, and asked what these things meant."

This verse is given to give an answer by Jesus to those Pharisees standing there listening to this parable. This elder son wanted to know what all the singing and dancing was about.

Luke 15:27 "And he said unto him, `Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.' "

Friend, is your soul safe and sound? or are you still mortal? If you are a believer, you are living in the eternal and your soul is not mortal. Sure your physical body will age and die in time, but after repentance you soul will never die. Christ is answering the question here as to why he hangs around the sinners. Jesus is looking for His lost sons.

Luke 15:28 "And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him."

This is a warning to each of God's elect, those that have been tried and judged worthy in that first earth age. When you take this position that this elder son is taking, you could grow into the same position that those Pharisees and scribes were taking. They become so well learned in their traditions that they put themselves above everyone else in their self righteousness. Again, our purpose is to set a foundation for new believers to build upon from the Word of God.

Luke 15:29 "And he answering said to his father, `Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:"

Not yet, for the time of inheritance has not come yet to the eldest son.

 

Luke 15:30 "But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.' "

This eldest son complained that while I was out there in the field being faithful to my duties, your youngest son was throwing away his wealth, playing with harlots, and having a good time. Now stop and take a good look at mystery Babylon of the end times, and the harlots that the church world will be committing their fornication with.

Revelation 17:1 "And there came on of the seven angels which had seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, "Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters [nations]:"

Revelation 17:2 "With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication."

Those of this earth that will believe that this first messiah is the true Jesus are the ones that will spiritually fornicate with this harlot church. Make sure you stay focused on your duty in the field, until the true Christ comes at the seventh trump. Remember that you will not see Christ in your physical body, for Jesus comes at the seventh trump, and Paul has warned you that at the last, the seventh trump all flesh on the face of the earth will be changed instantly into their incorruptible bodies as the angels have.

Luke 15:31 "And he said unto him, `Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine."

This is the father speaking to his eldest son; it is our heavenly Father's Word to His elect. Father is telling you that you were with me before the foundations of this earth age, during this earth age, and throughout all eternity. You didn't fall after Satan in his rebellion in the first earth age, and you have been true in this age of flesh man. This also should remind us of the Zadok of the Millennium age where an earthly portion will not be given the Zadok, because everything is there.

Ezekiel 44:28 "And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession."

All that Christ has in His kingdom also belongs to the Zadok, and that is why no lot is given to them. If you get jealous over one soul entering into the kingdom, stop and think of the great inheritance that is and will be yours throughout all eternity.

Luke 15:32 "It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.' "

My friend, that is the reason for this earth age. That each soul will have the opportunity to repent and come back to the Father. When you do repent there is joy not only here on earth, but even the angels in heaven rejoice over one soul that repents and comes back to the Father. Each of those saved relatives that have passed on before you find joy in heaven over your repentance. At your repentance your soul comes to life again, and becomes immortal. Our duty in this earth age is to tell other of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to plant seeds of truth that the Holy Spirit can develop in the minds of the lost, and bring them to salvation.

You may work your entire life and never be noticed and recognized for the work you have done for our Lord, but the glory is not yours. All the glory goes to Jesus Christ, for He is the one that paid the price for each of our souls. You and I are not worthy to receive the praise no matter what we do, for only Christ could be offered as the perfect sacrifice.

Revelation 4:11 "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created."

He created you to find pleasure in you; have you given Him pleasure lately? Have you told Him that you love Him? He loves you and each soul, and desire each soul to come to repentance and be saved.