Parable of the Pounds
Lyn Mize
The parable of the
pounds is distinctly different from the parables
on the kingdom of heaven. It is important to
note that the kingdom of heaven is not mentioned
throughout the whole parable. The kingdom of God
is mentioned once in verse 11 stating that the
kingdom of God was immediately to be set up.
This establishes the time frame as the Second
Coming of Jesus Christ in power and glory to
bring in His kingdom upon the earth. We know the
kingdom of God pertains to both the heavenly
aspect that was taken away from the Jews and
given to the Church, and the earthly aspect,
which will go to the Jews. We also know that the
earthly aspect will include saved Gentiles who
become believers during the tribulation period
and are faithful to Jesus in the last half of
the tribulation period.
Several points need to be addressed before we begin our verse-by-verse exegesis of the parable. The pound is an amount of silver worth about three months’ wages, and it is equal to one-sixtieth of a talent. The parable of the talents pertains to the Church during the tribulation period and the number of talents given in that parable was five, two and one. Consequently, the least of the tribulation Christians were given far more to work with than this group. The least amount of money in the parable of the talents was one talent or 60 times the amount given in this parable of the pounds.
It is also important to note that Zacchaeus was a little one or short of stature. It means one that is immature. Zacchaeus was an immature believer, but he knew a lot about Jesus even though he was immature. His name Zacchaeus means one that is pure. It is also important that Zacchaeus was very rich, but he was willing to give up his riches to be obedient to Jesus Christ. Lastly, Zacchaeus had to climb up in a Sycamore or Fig tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus Christ. The fig tree is a type of the nation of Israel. Since Zacchaeus had to depend upon Israel just to be able to see Jesus, he typifies the Gentiles in the tribulation period that are faithful to Jesus Christ during the tribulation period.
In verse 9 Zacchaeus is stated as “also is a son of Abraham”. This relates to his elect status as being saved spiritually. The New Testament refers to saved people as children of Abraham. The attitude of the people toward Zacchaeus as a sinner and chief of the publicans shows him as a type of the Gentiles during the tribulation period. Also, the previous story of the blind man healed because he referred to Jesus as the Son of David is a type of Israel receiving their sight at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Zacchaeus had already known about Jesus Christ prior to the present coming. The Jews do not receive their spiritual sight until Jesus is actually present, just as the blind man in the previous story.
We summarize this introduction to the parable of the pounds by saying that it is a picture of the sheep and goat judgment at the Second Coming of Christ in power and glory. It has nothing to do with the Firstfruits Rapture, the Main Harvest Rapture, the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Atonement of the Jews at His Second Coming. Please read my exegesis of the Olivet Discourse to understand the Parable of the Talents, which pertains to the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church.
(Luke 19:1 KJV) And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
The word for entered means to make a public appearance and the word for passed means to pass over or traverse over Jericho, which means requital or recompense of reward. This verse establishes that the parable that Jesus is about to give pertains to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in Power and Glory and the recompense of reward that will be meted out to the saved Gentiles upon the earth. Jesus will traverse over the heavens and He will come from the East as He makes His way to the Mount of Olives. When He passes over Jericho it will be right at the time that He sets His feet down on the Mount of Olives. Israel will just have received their spiritual sight as in the previous story, and then Jesus will have the sheep and goat judgment, which is a judgment of the Gentiles upon the earth. Those who have been faithful with what they have been given will enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom. This is described as the reign and rule over the cities of the earth. The Jews who enter the earthly aspect of the kingdom will be the premier nation on the earth and will reign from Jerusalem. The Gentiles who enter the earthly aspect of the kingdom will have reign over the cities of the earth. Some will reign over ten cities, some five cities, and some will not reign over any cities.
(Luke 19:2 KJV) And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
The name Zacchaeus means one that has done well. It means one that has been cleansed, purified, or sanctified. It means more than one who has just been spiritually saved. It means one that has been faithful. He was the chief of the tax collectors and he was very rich. He typifies Gentiles who are not only saved during the seven-year tribulation, but they have also sought out Jesus Christ as seen in the following verse.
(Luke 19:3 KJV) And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Zacchaeus “sought to see Jesus” and this means that he sought intimacy with him. He wanted to know Jesus. This is more than spiritual salvation. It is a desire to follow Jesus as a disciple.
(Luke 19:4 KJV) And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
Zacchaeus ran before the arrival of Jesus and prepared himself by climbing up into a sycamore or fig tree. This verse sets Zacchaeus apart from the Jews who will receive their atonement on the very day that Jesus sets His feet down on the Mount of Olives. He knew already that Jesus was the Messiah, and he prepared himself ahead of time. By climbing the sycamore or fig tree, he also sets himself apart from the nation of Israel, as the fig tree typifies Israel. The sycamore tree in this parable would most likely refer to the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits who are saved early in the tribulation period and preach the gospel of the kingdom during the last half of the tribulation period. The blind man in the previous story depicts the nation of Israel receiving its spiritual sight at the very presence of Jesus Christ. It is also very significant that the story of the blind man is literal and not a parable, as parables are for the Gentiles. This further confirms that Zacchaeus pertains to saved Gentiles and not Israel.
(Luke 19:5 KJV) And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
The word “came” means to make a public appearance and the word “place” means a station of position that one holds in an assembly. This clearly refers to the time that Jesus arrives upon the earth and sets up his kingdom. In the sheep and goat judgment in Matthew 25:31 it is described as “sitting on the throne of his glory”. The phrase “he looked up, and saw him” refers to the intense scrutiny that Jesus will perform at the Sheep and Goat judgment to determine the rewards and punishments that will be rendered. In speaking to Zacchaeus he states “today I must abide at thy house.” Today is a parabolic reference to the millennial day or the thousand years reign of Jesus Christ upon the earth. It is the day of rest when the curse will be removed from the earth and the reign of Jesus Christ will be over all the nations upon the earth. It is the day that the actual presence of Jesus Christ will be upon the earth among the saved Gentiles of the earth.
Note: The home of the Church is the New Jerusalem and not the earth during the millennial kingdom. This is further confirmation that Zacchaeus typifies the Gentiles saved during the tribulation period and not during the Church Age. We have already seen how he does not typify the Jews.
(Luke 19:6 KJV) And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
Zacchaeus hurries down from the Sycamore tree and receives Jesus joyfully. This equates with entrance into the earthly aspect of the kingdom on the part of the Gentiles at the sheep and goat judgment.
(Luke 19:7 KJV) And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
This verse refers to the millennial kingdom when Jesus will dwell upon the earth. His name Emanuel means “God with us” and refers to this time. The phrase “to be guest” literally means to “dissolve or disunite” and refers to the destruction or separation of the sin nature in the Gentiles who are typified by Zacchaeus. All of the Gentiles who enter the earthly aspect of the kingdom will be purified by Jesus at the time that they are judged, and this means a separation of their sin nature from them. This happened to the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits at the time that they were sealed in the middle of the tribulation period.
(Luke 19:8 KJV) And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
This represents the confession of sin on the part of the Gentiles at the Sheep and Goat Judgment. This is the cleansing and sanctification of these people at their judgment.
(Luke 19:9 KJV) And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
The salvation apparently refers to the soul salvation that will occur in those who have been faithful to the Lord in the last half of the tribulation period. This is the salvation referred to in the following passage:
(Mat 25:34-40 KJV) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: {35} For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: {36} Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. {37} Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? {38} When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? {39} Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? {40} And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
(Luke 19:10 KJV) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus Christ as the Son of Man came to save three groups of people: 1) the Church, 2) Elect Jews, and 3) Elect Gentiles. These are the ones that were lost, but realize salvation through Jesus Christ.
(Luke 19:11 KJV) And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
This verse confirms that Zacchaeus is in reference to the Gentiles, since Jesus uses a parable to confirm the teaching. The following passage shows that parables pertain to Gentiles since the sea refers to Gentiles:
(Mat 13:1-3 KJV) The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. {2} And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. {3} And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
The house is the house of Israel and the sea represents the Gentiles. Jesus began teaching in parables when he began teaching the Gentiles. His parabolic teachings pertain to the Church and elect Gentiles outside of the Church Age.
We will now attempt to understand the parable:
(Luke 19:12 KJV) He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
The nobleman is Jesus Christ and the going into the far country is after the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church when Jesus is preparing to receive the earthly aspect of the kingdom. He will return to the earth in power and glory to reign and rule in the earthly aspect. The actions and judgments of Jesus in the last half of the tribulation period are the receiving of the kingdom of the earth. The earth must first be prepared by destroying the works of man and Satan. The “far country” is heaven.
(Luke 19:13 KJV) And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
The “ten servants” represent the Gentiles on the earth during the last half of the tribulation period. They are each given one pound, which represents three months wages in silver, or one piece of silver. The one piece of silver represents the salvation that each receives. This is all that they receive. There are no gifts of the spirit to be manifested at this time and each one receives the one measure of spirit. There is not a lot of fruitbearing at this time as the very best only realizes ten-fold, which is ten pieces of silver.
As stated earlier, the parable of the talents represents the Main Body of the Church during the first half of the tribulation period. The Church received differing amounts of five talents, two talents and one talent, and one talent is sixty times more than one pound. The Church in the tribulation still has the gifts of the spirit, so they have much more to work with than the Gentiles in the last half of the tribulation period. Also, some of those in the Church had the greater gifts of prophecy and teaching while some had some of the lesser gifts. We must remember that those in the Church with the greater gifts must accomplish more for the same reward. This is why the servant with ten talents received the same reward as the servant with two talents.
In this parable all ten servants receive just one pound, and they will be rewarded according to their faithfulness with this one pound.
(Luke 19:14 KJV) But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
These are the citizens of the earth during the last half of the tribulation period. This is after He has removed his Church from the earth, and “his citizens” send a message to Him after this that they do not want Him to return and reign over them. They are very sincere about this as the nations (i.e., Gentiles) of the earth gather together at Armageddon to fight against Him to prevent His return to reign over them.
(Luke 19:15 KJV) And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
This is the return of Jesus Christ in power and glory at the end of the tribulation period. This is seen in the following passage of Scripture:
(Mat 25:31-33 KJV) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: {32} And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: {33} And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
The sitting upon the throne of His glory represents His having received the earthly aspect of the kingdom. He received the heavenly aspect in the middle of the tribulation when the whole Church was gathered to him at the middle of the tribulation. His throne was initially set in heaven at the beginning of the tribulation period with the Firstfruits Rapture in the following passage:
(Rev 4:1-2 KJV) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. {2} And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
The following verse depicts the Main Harvest Rapture with the whole Church standing before the heavenly throne:
(Rev 7:9 KJV) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
(Luke 19:16 KJV) Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
This shows that the judgment of the Gentiles at the sheep and goat judgment is an individual judgment. Each man will receive his reward in accordance with his works. It is very important to note that the servant who was the most faithful only gained ten pounds, which is ten pieces of silver. This is only ten-fold and contrasts greatly with the most faithful members of the Church who gained 100-fold, and their initial investment from the Lord was more than five talents. A talent was sixty times a pound, so the members of the Church have a much greater portion of investment from the Lord than the Gentiles saved during the first half of the tribulation period. The total accumulation of the most faithful Gentile in the last half of the tribulation is ten pounds and this is only one-sixth of one talent. This is very little in relation to the fruit bearing of Church members during the first half of the tribulation. The most faithful of the Church members in the first half of the tribulation period had doubled his five talents to ten talents. It is very important to see that this person was called the “good and faithful servant”, while the following servant is only called “good servant”. The servant who was taken in the Firstfruits Rapture was called “faithful and wise”.
(Luke 19:17 KJV) And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
This servant who is the most faithful of the elect Gentiles gains ten-fold or ten pounds and he is simply called “good servant” and he has been “faithful in a very little”. This parable has nothing to do with the Church, but we must remember that there will be Church members with one talent who have this talent taken away from them because of their unfaithfulness. They will be called “wicked and slothful” servants in accordance with the following Scripture:
(Mat 25:26-28 KJV) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: {27} Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. {28} Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Note: Please see my dissertation on the Olivet Discourse to understand the parable of the talents in detail.
Please note that this servant will be assigned a position over ten cities. The ten cities represent the earthly aspect of the kingdom. The abode of the Church will be the heavenly city called the New Jerusalem.
(Luke 19:18 KJV) And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
The second servant gained five pounds and receives a reward commensurate with work.
(Luke 19:19 KJV) And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
This servant receives rule over five cities in the earthly aspect of the kingdom. Keep in mind that these servants are not members of the Church, and they are not Jews saved in the tribulation period. They are Gentiles saved outside of the Church Age either before the Church Age or in the seven-year tribulation period after the Church Age.
(Luke 19:20 KJV) And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
The third servant kept his pound wrapped up in his sweat cloth (i.e., napkin). This means that he did no work for the Lord as his sweat cloth was utilized to hold the piece of silver instead of being used to wipe the sweat from his brow. This servant was saved in the tribulation period, but he did no work for the Lord. He used his sweat cloth to stow away his salvation.
(Luke 19:21 KJV) For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
This servant is fearful of the Lord to the point of being terrified. He calls the Lord a harsh or severe (i.e., austere) man who “takest up”. This means one who takes away the life of a person by natural death or violence. This servant has seen the judgments of the Lord in the last half of the tribulation period when the lives of over a billion people will be taken away violently. These ones who are killed violently are the ones that the Lord “layedst not down”. These are the ones who were not elected to salvation. “Layedst down” means to ordain and bring to salvation, so the ones that He “layedst not down” are the ones who were not ordained to salvation. The Scriptures are clear that the elect of God were ordained for salvation before the foundation of the earth.
The meaning of “reapest that thou didst not sow” refers to the cutting off or destroying of those who were not sown by him. Jesus Christ will destroy those who were not sown by Him. In the parable of the sower, all the seed sown by the Lord are saved spiritually. This is true even though only one group in four end up bearing fruit at the time the Church Age ends. The Lord will destroy those who are not sown by Him. Those who are not sown by Him are not spiritually regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and the works thereof are evil works. The evil works of Satan will come to full fruition in the last half of the tribulation period.
(Luke 19:22 KJV) And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
The Lord concurs that He is harsh in His judgments, and that he will kill those who are not ordained to salvation by him. He will also cut off or destroy those crops or fruit that He did not sow. This is a reference to the fruit of evil that was sown by Satan. Evil will ripen to fullness in the last half of the tribulation period, and the Lord will harvest it with his sickle and throw it into the winepress of the wrath of God. Please see my verse-by-verse exegesis of Revelation for a more detailed explanation of this reaping of evil that the Lord will perform.
(Luke 19:23 KJV) Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
This verse has reference to the servant who would not do work himself, but he could have at least helped support others who are working, and then there would have been a little return on the Lord’s investment.
(Luke 19:24 KJV) And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
Since this servant did no work himself for the Lord, nor helped others with their work, his total inheritance in the earthly aspect of the kingdom is removed from him.
(Luke 19:25 KJV) (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
At this point the servants chime in and state that this servant already has ten pounds, implying that this is not fair.
(Luke 19:26 KJV) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
The Lord replies to the implication that he is unfair by stating that the servant who has fully used his pound in the Lord’s service will be given even more than what he has already earned in the way of rewards.
(Luke 19:27 KJV) But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
In the previous verses in this parable we were talking about the Lord’s servants during the last half of the tribulation period. The ones who were faithful and worked hard using the Lord investment in them will be rewarded with responsible positions in the earthly aspect of the kingdom. The ones who hide the Lord’s investment away in their sweat cloths will lose all reward and will not be an heir in the earthly aspect of the kingdom. In this verse, the Lord refers to those who are not his servants and refused to allow Him to reign over them. This represents the Gentile nations of the earth who come against the Lord at the Battle of Armageddon. They will be slain in the winepress of the wrath of God when Jesus sets His feet down on the Mount of Olives. This is the valley that will run through the Mount of Olives. Please see my verse-by-verse exegesis on Revelation for a more detailed description of the winepress of the wrath of God.
(Luke 19:28 KJV) And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
After the winepress of the wrath of God, Jesus will cross the Kidron valley between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives and ascend through the Eastern Gate into Jerusalem proper. This verse nails down the parable as referring to the sheep and goat judgment at the end of the tribulation period.
Several points need to be addressed before we begin our verse-by-verse exegesis of the parable. The pound is an amount of silver worth about three months’ wages, and it is equal to one-sixtieth of a talent. The parable of the talents pertains to the Church during the tribulation period and the number of talents given in that parable was five, two and one. Consequently, the least of the tribulation Christians were given far more to work with than this group. The least amount of money in the parable of the talents was one talent or 60 times the amount given in this parable of the pounds.
It is also important to note that Zacchaeus was a little one or short of stature. It means one that is immature. Zacchaeus was an immature believer, but he knew a lot about Jesus even though he was immature. His name Zacchaeus means one that is pure. It is also important that Zacchaeus was very rich, but he was willing to give up his riches to be obedient to Jesus Christ. Lastly, Zacchaeus had to climb up in a Sycamore or Fig tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus Christ. The fig tree is a type of the nation of Israel. Since Zacchaeus had to depend upon Israel just to be able to see Jesus, he typifies the Gentiles in the tribulation period that are faithful to Jesus Christ during the tribulation period.
In verse 9 Zacchaeus is stated as “also is a son of Abraham”. This relates to his elect status as being saved spiritually. The New Testament refers to saved people as children of Abraham. The attitude of the people toward Zacchaeus as a sinner and chief of the publicans shows him as a type of the Gentiles during the tribulation period. Also, the previous story of the blind man healed because he referred to Jesus as the Son of David is a type of Israel receiving their sight at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Zacchaeus had already known about Jesus Christ prior to the present coming. The Jews do not receive their spiritual sight until Jesus is actually present, just as the blind man in the previous story.
We summarize this introduction to the parable of the pounds by saying that it is a picture of the sheep and goat judgment at the Second Coming of Christ in power and glory. It has nothing to do with the Firstfruits Rapture, the Main Harvest Rapture, the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Atonement of the Jews at His Second Coming. Please read my exegesis of the Olivet Discourse to understand the Parable of the Talents, which pertains to the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church.
(Luke 19:1 KJV) And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
The word for entered means to make a public appearance and the word for passed means to pass over or traverse over Jericho, which means requital or recompense of reward. This verse establishes that the parable that Jesus is about to give pertains to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in Power and Glory and the recompense of reward that will be meted out to the saved Gentiles upon the earth. Jesus will traverse over the heavens and He will come from the East as He makes His way to the Mount of Olives. When He passes over Jericho it will be right at the time that He sets His feet down on the Mount of Olives. Israel will just have received their spiritual sight as in the previous story, and then Jesus will have the sheep and goat judgment, which is a judgment of the Gentiles upon the earth. Those who have been faithful with what they have been given will enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom. This is described as the reign and rule over the cities of the earth. The Jews who enter the earthly aspect of the kingdom will be the premier nation on the earth and will reign from Jerusalem. The Gentiles who enter the earthly aspect of the kingdom will have reign over the cities of the earth. Some will reign over ten cities, some five cities, and some will not reign over any cities.
(Luke 19:2 KJV) And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
The name Zacchaeus means one that has done well. It means one that has been cleansed, purified, or sanctified. It means more than one who has just been spiritually saved. It means one that has been faithful. He was the chief of the tax collectors and he was very rich. He typifies Gentiles who are not only saved during the seven-year tribulation, but they have also sought out Jesus Christ as seen in the following verse.
(Luke 19:3 KJV) And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Zacchaeus “sought to see Jesus” and this means that he sought intimacy with him. He wanted to know Jesus. This is more than spiritual salvation. It is a desire to follow Jesus as a disciple.
(Luke 19:4 KJV) And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
Zacchaeus ran before the arrival of Jesus and prepared himself by climbing up into a sycamore or fig tree. This verse sets Zacchaeus apart from the Jews who will receive their atonement on the very day that Jesus sets His feet down on the Mount of Olives. He knew already that Jesus was the Messiah, and he prepared himself ahead of time. By climbing the sycamore or fig tree, he also sets himself apart from the nation of Israel, as the fig tree typifies Israel. The sycamore tree in this parable would most likely refer to the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits who are saved early in the tribulation period and preach the gospel of the kingdom during the last half of the tribulation period. The blind man in the previous story depicts the nation of Israel receiving its spiritual sight at the very presence of Jesus Christ. It is also very significant that the story of the blind man is literal and not a parable, as parables are for the Gentiles. This further confirms that Zacchaeus pertains to saved Gentiles and not Israel.
(Luke 19:5 KJV) And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
The word “came” means to make a public appearance and the word “place” means a station of position that one holds in an assembly. This clearly refers to the time that Jesus arrives upon the earth and sets up his kingdom. In the sheep and goat judgment in Matthew 25:31 it is described as “sitting on the throne of his glory”. The phrase “he looked up, and saw him” refers to the intense scrutiny that Jesus will perform at the Sheep and Goat judgment to determine the rewards and punishments that will be rendered. In speaking to Zacchaeus he states “today I must abide at thy house.” Today is a parabolic reference to the millennial day or the thousand years reign of Jesus Christ upon the earth. It is the day of rest when the curse will be removed from the earth and the reign of Jesus Christ will be over all the nations upon the earth. It is the day that the actual presence of Jesus Christ will be upon the earth among the saved Gentiles of the earth.
Note: The home of the Church is the New Jerusalem and not the earth during the millennial kingdom. This is further confirmation that Zacchaeus typifies the Gentiles saved during the tribulation period and not during the Church Age. We have already seen how he does not typify the Jews.
(Luke 19:6 KJV) And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
Zacchaeus hurries down from the Sycamore tree and receives Jesus joyfully. This equates with entrance into the earthly aspect of the kingdom on the part of the Gentiles at the sheep and goat judgment.
(Luke 19:7 KJV) And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
This verse refers to the millennial kingdom when Jesus will dwell upon the earth. His name Emanuel means “God with us” and refers to this time. The phrase “to be guest” literally means to “dissolve or disunite” and refers to the destruction or separation of the sin nature in the Gentiles who are typified by Zacchaeus. All of the Gentiles who enter the earthly aspect of the kingdom will be purified by Jesus at the time that they are judged, and this means a separation of their sin nature from them. This happened to the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits at the time that they were sealed in the middle of the tribulation period.
(Luke 19:8 KJV) And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
This represents the confession of sin on the part of the Gentiles at the Sheep and Goat Judgment. This is the cleansing and sanctification of these people at their judgment.
(Luke 19:9 KJV) And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
The salvation apparently refers to the soul salvation that will occur in those who have been faithful to the Lord in the last half of the tribulation period. This is the salvation referred to in the following passage:
(Mat 25:34-40 KJV) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: {35} For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: {36} Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. {37} Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? {38} When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? {39} Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? {40} And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
(Luke 19:10 KJV) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus Christ as the Son of Man came to save three groups of people: 1) the Church, 2) Elect Jews, and 3) Elect Gentiles. These are the ones that were lost, but realize salvation through Jesus Christ.
(Luke 19:11 KJV) And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
This verse confirms that Zacchaeus is in reference to the Gentiles, since Jesus uses a parable to confirm the teaching. The following passage shows that parables pertain to Gentiles since the sea refers to Gentiles:
(Mat 13:1-3 KJV) The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. {2} And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. {3} And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
The house is the house of Israel and the sea represents the Gentiles. Jesus began teaching in parables when he began teaching the Gentiles. His parabolic teachings pertain to the Church and elect Gentiles outside of the Church Age.
We will now attempt to understand the parable:
(Luke 19:12 KJV) He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
The nobleman is Jesus Christ and the going into the far country is after the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church when Jesus is preparing to receive the earthly aspect of the kingdom. He will return to the earth in power and glory to reign and rule in the earthly aspect. The actions and judgments of Jesus in the last half of the tribulation period are the receiving of the kingdom of the earth. The earth must first be prepared by destroying the works of man and Satan. The “far country” is heaven.
(Luke 19:13 KJV) And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
The “ten servants” represent the Gentiles on the earth during the last half of the tribulation period. They are each given one pound, which represents three months wages in silver, or one piece of silver. The one piece of silver represents the salvation that each receives. This is all that they receive. There are no gifts of the spirit to be manifested at this time and each one receives the one measure of spirit. There is not a lot of fruitbearing at this time as the very best only realizes ten-fold, which is ten pieces of silver.
As stated earlier, the parable of the talents represents the Main Body of the Church during the first half of the tribulation period. The Church received differing amounts of five talents, two talents and one talent, and one talent is sixty times more than one pound. The Church in the tribulation still has the gifts of the spirit, so they have much more to work with than the Gentiles in the last half of the tribulation period. Also, some of those in the Church had the greater gifts of prophecy and teaching while some had some of the lesser gifts. We must remember that those in the Church with the greater gifts must accomplish more for the same reward. This is why the servant with ten talents received the same reward as the servant with two talents.
In this parable all ten servants receive just one pound, and they will be rewarded according to their faithfulness with this one pound.
(Luke 19:14 KJV) But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
These are the citizens of the earth during the last half of the tribulation period. This is after He has removed his Church from the earth, and “his citizens” send a message to Him after this that they do not want Him to return and reign over them. They are very sincere about this as the nations (i.e., Gentiles) of the earth gather together at Armageddon to fight against Him to prevent His return to reign over them.
(Luke 19:15 KJV) And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
This is the return of Jesus Christ in power and glory at the end of the tribulation period. This is seen in the following passage of Scripture:
(Mat 25:31-33 KJV) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: {32} And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: {33} And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
The sitting upon the throne of His glory represents His having received the earthly aspect of the kingdom. He received the heavenly aspect in the middle of the tribulation when the whole Church was gathered to him at the middle of the tribulation. His throne was initially set in heaven at the beginning of the tribulation period with the Firstfruits Rapture in the following passage:
(Rev 4:1-2 KJV) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. {2} And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
The following verse depicts the Main Harvest Rapture with the whole Church standing before the heavenly throne:
(Rev 7:9 KJV) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
(Luke 19:16 KJV) Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
This shows that the judgment of the Gentiles at the sheep and goat judgment is an individual judgment. Each man will receive his reward in accordance with his works. It is very important to note that the servant who was the most faithful only gained ten pounds, which is ten pieces of silver. This is only ten-fold and contrasts greatly with the most faithful members of the Church who gained 100-fold, and their initial investment from the Lord was more than five talents. A talent was sixty times a pound, so the members of the Church have a much greater portion of investment from the Lord than the Gentiles saved during the first half of the tribulation period. The total accumulation of the most faithful Gentile in the last half of the tribulation is ten pounds and this is only one-sixth of one talent. This is very little in relation to the fruit bearing of Church members during the first half of the tribulation. The most faithful of the Church members in the first half of the tribulation period had doubled his five talents to ten talents. It is very important to see that this person was called the “good and faithful servant”, while the following servant is only called “good servant”. The servant who was taken in the Firstfruits Rapture was called “faithful and wise”.
(Luke 19:17 KJV) And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
This servant who is the most faithful of the elect Gentiles gains ten-fold or ten pounds and he is simply called “good servant” and he has been “faithful in a very little”. This parable has nothing to do with the Church, but we must remember that there will be Church members with one talent who have this talent taken away from them because of their unfaithfulness. They will be called “wicked and slothful” servants in accordance with the following Scripture:
(Mat 25:26-28 KJV) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: {27} Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. {28} Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Note: Please see my dissertation on the Olivet Discourse to understand the parable of the talents in detail.
Please note that this servant will be assigned a position over ten cities. The ten cities represent the earthly aspect of the kingdom. The abode of the Church will be the heavenly city called the New Jerusalem.
(Luke 19:18 KJV) And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
The second servant gained five pounds and receives a reward commensurate with work.
(Luke 19:19 KJV) And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
This servant receives rule over five cities in the earthly aspect of the kingdom. Keep in mind that these servants are not members of the Church, and they are not Jews saved in the tribulation period. They are Gentiles saved outside of the Church Age either before the Church Age or in the seven-year tribulation period after the Church Age.
(Luke 19:20 KJV) And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
The third servant kept his pound wrapped up in his sweat cloth (i.e., napkin). This means that he did no work for the Lord as his sweat cloth was utilized to hold the piece of silver instead of being used to wipe the sweat from his brow. This servant was saved in the tribulation period, but he did no work for the Lord. He used his sweat cloth to stow away his salvation.
(Luke 19:21 KJV) For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
This servant is fearful of the Lord to the point of being terrified. He calls the Lord a harsh or severe (i.e., austere) man who “takest up”. This means one who takes away the life of a person by natural death or violence. This servant has seen the judgments of the Lord in the last half of the tribulation period when the lives of over a billion people will be taken away violently. These ones who are killed violently are the ones that the Lord “layedst not down”. These are the ones who were not elected to salvation. “Layedst down” means to ordain and bring to salvation, so the ones that He “layedst not down” are the ones who were not ordained to salvation. The Scriptures are clear that the elect of God were ordained for salvation before the foundation of the earth.
The meaning of “reapest that thou didst not sow” refers to the cutting off or destroying of those who were not sown by him. Jesus Christ will destroy those who were not sown by Him. In the parable of the sower, all the seed sown by the Lord are saved spiritually. This is true even though only one group in four end up bearing fruit at the time the Church Age ends. The Lord will destroy those who are not sown by Him. Those who are not sown by Him are not spiritually regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and the works thereof are evil works. The evil works of Satan will come to full fruition in the last half of the tribulation period.
(Luke 19:22 KJV) And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
The Lord concurs that He is harsh in His judgments, and that he will kill those who are not ordained to salvation by him. He will also cut off or destroy those crops or fruit that He did not sow. This is a reference to the fruit of evil that was sown by Satan. Evil will ripen to fullness in the last half of the tribulation period, and the Lord will harvest it with his sickle and throw it into the winepress of the wrath of God. Please see my verse-by-verse exegesis of Revelation for a more detailed explanation of this reaping of evil that the Lord will perform.
(Luke 19:23 KJV) Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
This verse has reference to the servant who would not do work himself, but he could have at least helped support others who are working, and then there would have been a little return on the Lord’s investment.
(Luke 19:24 KJV) And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
Since this servant did no work himself for the Lord, nor helped others with their work, his total inheritance in the earthly aspect of the kingdom is removed from him.
(Luke 19:25 KJV) (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
At this point the servants chime in and state that this servant already has ten pounds, implying that this is not fair.
(Luke 19:26 KJV) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
The Lord replies to the implication that he is unfair by stating that the servant who has fully used his pound in the Lord’s service will be given even more than what he has already earned in the way of rewards.
(Luke 19:27 KJV) But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
In the previous verses in this parable we were talking about the Lord’s servants during the last half of the tribulation period. The ones who were faithful and worked hard using the Lord investment in them will be rewarded with responsible positions in the earthly aspect of the kingdom. The ones who hide the Lord’s investment away in their sweat cloths will lose all reward and will not be an heir in the earthly aspect of the kingdom. In this verse, the Lord refers to those who are not his servants and refused to allow Him to reign over them. This represents the Gentile nations of the earth who come against the Lord at the Battle of Armageddon. They will be slain in the winepress of the wrath of God when Jesus sets His feet down on the Mount of Olives. This is the valley that will run through the Mount of Olives. Please see my verse-by-verse exegesis on Revelation for a more detailed description of the winepress of the wrath of God.
(Luke 19:28 KJV) And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
After the winepress of the wrath of God, Jesus will cross the Kidron valley between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives and ascend through the Eastern Gate into Jerusalem proper. This verse nails down the parable as referring to the sheep and goat judgment at the end of the tribulation period.