English: unfoldingWord® Open Bible Stories Study Notes

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50-01

The Church has been growing

That is, the number of people who have believed in Jesus has been increasing.

at the end of the world

This refers to the final days of this world.

50-03

make disciples

This has the meaning help people to become my disciples.

The fields are ripe for harvest

That is, people in many places are ready to be gathered and brought to God like crops that are ripe in fields and ready to be gathered.

The fields

In this expression, The fields represents the people in the world.

ripe

Ripe here represents being ready to believe in Jesus.

harvest

Harvest here represents the work of bringing people to God by teaching them about Jesus.

50-04

in this world

This could mean in this lifetime.

remain faithful to me

This could mean Keep obeying me.

to the end

This could mean to the end of your life.

will save you

This refers to spiritual salvation rather than physical deliverance from harm. It has already been stated that many believers will be killed or tortured.

50-05

good seed

This seed was wheat grain.

weed seeds

The weed seeds that were planted would grow up as tall grass but could not be eaten. They were useless.

wheat seeds

Wheat is a kind of grain that grows like a tall grass. It has seeds that people use for food.

50-07

you will pull out some of the wheat as well

It would be too difficult to distinguish young wheat from the weeds, and to pull the weeds without uprooting the wheat.

barn

This refers to the building where the harvested wheat grain was saved and stored.

50-08

the people of God’s kingdom

This refers to the people whom God has chosen to live in his kingdom.

50-09

who belong to the devil

This refers to the people who are ruled by the devil.

the devil

The devil is also called “Satan.”

the evil one

This is another title for Satan. It describes his character.

the harvesters

This refers to the men who harvest the ripe grain.

50-10

who belong to the devil

This refers to those who do not believe in Jesus, but follow the evil ways of the devil.

the people who are righteous

This refers to the people who belong to the Messiah (See: 50:08).

shine like the sun

This means everyone in heaven will see that they are good.

50-11

he will have a real body

Jesus will still have his physical body, but it will be different than the body he had while he was on earth. He will never be able to die again.

will come on the clouds in the sky

The clouds in the sky will surround Jesus as he comes.

meet him in the sky

Those who believe in Jesus will go up to be near Jesus while he is in the sky.

50-12

still alive

This refers to followers of Jesus who will still be alive when he returns to earth.

50-13

a crown

This crown represents our reward for believing in Jesus and serving him in this life.

50-14

hell

Hell is the place where God will punish forever all the people who do not believe in Jesus.

weep and grind their teeth

This is a symbol of their intense suffering (See: 50:10).

continually burn them

The fire will never completely destroy them. They will continue to suffer forever.

50-15

his kingdom

This refers to all the evil things Satan does and the evil people he controls.

50-16

God cursed it

See 02:11.

a new heaven

This refers to a new set of stars and everything else in the sky.

a new earth

This current earth on which we live will be replaced by a new and improved one.

50-17

wipe away every tear

This means that Jesus will cause his people to never be sad again.

They will not be sick or die

The people in the new earth will no longer suffer the effects of the curse that Adam and Eve brought upon the people of this earth.