Tag: Angels separate

The Final Catch!

Posted in Gospels - January 19, 2013 - 0 Comment

Scripture reading for January 19th: Matthew 13:44-58, Psalm 14, Proverbs 3:27-28

As we read these parables, Jesus used different stories but the message that was within them was the same truth.  This is a technique of a good teacher who is trying to impart truth to their students.  These parables contained truth that if grasped and understood would enable a person to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Different stories would help people of different backgrounds and culture to relate to the simple message they contained.  (Matthew 13:10-11)  Let’s look at another parable used by the Master Teacher, Jesus.

“Once again,the Kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.  When it was full,the fishermen pulled it up on the shore.  Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.  This is how it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:47-50)

Jesus had several disciples who were fishermen and He taught extensively around the Sea of Galilee where fishing would be easily understood.  Fish was a staple food of that culture.  This simple story about the kingdom being like a net would have resonated with those who caught fish or ate them.  The preaching of the message of repentance and faith in Jesus is like casting a net and bringing in a catch of precious souls.  The visible kingdom will contain those who are “good” fish and others that are “bad”.  The only difference between them is whether they truly have saving faith.

As fishermen would sort out their catch after catching them, Jesus taught that angels would separate the wicked from the righteous.  The wicked would be cast into hell where there would be eternal torment.  This was a simple truth that Jesus as a Master Teacher was trying to impress upon those who would listen.  Disciples are called to be “fishers of men” and cast the “Gospel net”.  Angels will separate the wicked and righteous at the end of the age.  It pays to be in the company of the righteous!  Are you ready for the final catch?  Are you casting the Gospel net?

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Don’t weed God’s field!

Posted in Gospels - January 18, 2013 - 0 Comment

Scripture reading for January 18th: Matthew 13:24-43

Jesus continued His teaching using other parables. Jesus had told them that He was the farmer who was sowing the message of the kingdom of heaven.  Those who received the seed of this message and acted on it would produce a crop  that He would harvest one day.  His followers were still wondering what this kingdom of heaven would look  like so Jesus gave them another parable.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.  When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.  The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field?  Where then did the weeds come from?’  “An enemy did this,’ he replied.”  “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?'”  “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest.  At that time I will tell the harvesters:  First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'” Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus gave an explanation to those who asked.  The enemy was Satan and he sowed his followers into the same field that God had sowed with the good seed.  As the harvest ripened, the weeds became evident.  Some servants came to God and asked about removing the weeds.  God told them He would take care of that at the end of the age.  At that time the angels would pull the weeds and bundle them for burning in the fiery furnace.  There would be weeping and gnashing of teeth because the weeds were really lost souls under the control of Satan.  The righteous would enjoy the kingdom of light in the presence of the Father for ever.  Those with ears were encouraged to hear!  (Matthew 13:32-43)

Jesus’ message was simple: there are only “wheat” and “weeds”!  There will be a final harvest!  Angels will gather the “weeds” for burning and take the “wheat” into the kingdom.  We who follow Jesus must be busy sowing the message of eternal life, not trying to weed the field!  If you have ears, listen!

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