Jesus presented the Parable of the Mustard Seed to a mixed multitude to reveal a specific characteristic of the church in relation to the outside world. This parable illustrates the historical development of the church of God from humble beginnings, likening the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed that starts small but signifies growth in preparation for God's Kingdom. The mustard seed represents the progress of the church from its small origins, symbolizing an instrument by which spiritual growth is advanced, much like a plant grows and reproduces through a seed. In this analogy, the small seed is the church, appearing as the firstfruits of the Word, sown by the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, into the field of the world. The birds of the air, attracted to the mustard seed, are identified as representing evil forces. These birds, linked to the wicked one, Satan, and the devil, are predicted to lodge in the branches of the mustard plant. This signifies that demons, led by the prince of the power of the air, have continually attempted to infiltrate the church, with Satan moving quickly to implant agents to teach false doctrine while appearing as true Christians. The tree in the parable, described as a large growth from the mustard seed, represents an abnormal development beyond God's intended design. Naturally, a mustard plant is a small herb with thin, pulpy stems, not a large tree. When the church grew from a tiny seed into a small bush, it was as God designed, but over time, it mutated into a large tree, becoming a counterfeit of the true church. This large mustard tree, in which demons are welcome, ceased to be God's church as it perverted its doctrines and objectives, moving beyond God's intended limits. When this mutation occurred, God replanted His true church in another corner of the field, beginning the process anew, maintaining its characteristic as a small herb to spiritually feed the few chosen to become regenerated children of the Kingdom of God.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed, as presented in Matthew 13:31-32, illustrates the growth and corruption within the kingdom, particularly in relation to the physical nation of Israel. This parable, spoken to the great multitude, reflects the historical pattern of Israel's increase through God's blessing, followed by a fall into idolatry and demonic influence. As Moses foretold, Israel's corruption would grow in the latter days, provoking God's anger through their actions. This theme of spiritual uncleanness and deviation from God's path is consistent throughout the Old Testament, highlighting Israel's inability to remain faithful without the new heart and Spirit of the New Covenant. In this parable, Jesus addresses His audience, the remnant of Judah, revealing the pervasive corruption that had infiltrated the kingdom, mirroring the demonic influences that had taken root over time.

In Matthew 13, among the first four parables, the Parable of the Mustard Seed reveals a critical aspect of Satan's plan to destroy the church. The sower, clearly identified as Jesus Christ, plants a mustard seed in the field, which represents the world. This seed, though among the smallest of cultivated seeds, symbolizes His church—those few, small, weak, and base individuals who voluntarily submit to God's dominion. However, the parable takes a dark turn as the mustard seed, when grown, becomes greater than the herbs and transforms into a tree, an unnatural change since a mustard plant, even at its tallest of fifteen feet, remains a shrub with spindly branches, not a tree. This transformation signifies that the church has gone beyond its God-designed limit, a point emphasized by the contrasting "but" in the narrative, indicating something has gone terribly wrong. Further confirming this negative shift, the birds of the air, identified earlier as demons, come and nest in its branches, making themselves at home in this unnatural, gross tree. This imagery portrays a church that has ceased to be God's own, having embraced a false system and grown large, strong, and worldly against His design. The consequence is dire, as such a church invites demonic presence and risks being cut down by Him. Thus, the Parable of the Mustard Seed illustrates step three of Satan's plan: to influence the church to exceed its intended bounds and become a worldly entity, no longer aligned with His purpose.