The Parable of the Net (Matt 13:47 - 50 HCSB)
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea. It collected every kind [of fish], and when it was full, they dragged it ashore, sat down, and gathered the good [fish] into containers, but threw out the worthless ones. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out, separate the evil people from the righteous, and throw them into the blazing furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Continuing my series on the secrets of the kingdom. The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given to us (Matthew 13:11). Jesus came to share this kingdom message (Luke 4:43). So I'm examining different passages related to this kingdom message.
So here we have a large net that represents the kingdom of God.
It seems there may be good fish and bad fish in this net during the present era of the kingdom of God.
There are likely some people that appear to be part of the reign of God now, but are really citizens of another kingdom. Who or what is truly ruling other people's hearts? It is hard for us to judge.
They may be sick or diseased fish, or even dead rotten fish, but they are still in the net.
It is not the job of the good fish to get rid of the bad fish.
At the end of the ages, the angels will collect the good fish, and dispose of the bad fish. There is no value in keeping rotten fish around forever.
This parable seems parallel to the Kingdom and Weeds parable in Matt 13:24-29.
What does this parable mean to you?
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2 comments:
I like what you say about the good fish not having the responsibility to get rid of the bad. And I agree that it is linked to the parable of the wheat and the tares. Some will only repent right at the end (the man on the cross) and others will fall away at the end. We do not know who they will be, and so we dare not judge before the appointed time.
Thanks Tobie for the comment. At best all we can do is judge the outward signs, and look for fruit. Considering I only know a handful of people really well, I suspect my accuracy at judging most people would be pretty low.
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