JUDGMENT TO COME

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“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 blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 13:47-50

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

A man who sows good seed.

A mustard seed.

Yeast.

Hidden treasure.

Fine pearls.

What do all of these have in common?

Jesus used each as an analogy within the context of a parable to explain the kingdom of heaven.

Today, we see Him continuing to use this model in the Parable of the Net, a parable only found in the Gospel of Matthew. Look again at Jesus; words here:

“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 blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13:47-50

The main facets of this parable, the matter of fishing for people and a coming sorting out of people between good and bad, are not new concepts by any means. We find Jesus using them elsewhere for sure.

For example, look at these words as Jesus calls His first disciples:

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed Him.” Matthew 4:18-20

If you want to use fish as an analogy for people then you could definitely say (and still say) that Jesus was a Master Fisherman who cast out a wide net, a net that would be able to catch every fish. Indeed, no “fish” can escape His net, a net that is compared to the kingdom of heaven.

Note I didn’t say that every “fish” that was in the net would get to the kingdom of heaven. Jesus makes it very clear that not every “fish” will be deemed good and merit saving.

“The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The wicked, represented by the bad fish, will be taken from the net and cast away into “the blazing furnace”, representing eternal damnation and torment, where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Conversely, the righteous, those who have received Jesus as Savior and were righteous (the good fish), would remain in the net because the kingdom of heaven was theirs. Through their faith and trust in Jesus to save them, they would receive salvation and eternal life.

So what will it look like for you at the day of judgment to come?

Will you be pulled from the kingdom of heaven by the angels and cast into hell or will you welcomed into the everlasting life you were promised, receiving your part of the glorious inheritance in the kingdom of heaven where you will live with God and Jesus forever?

What will be your destiny when Jesus returns?

Do yourself a favor and be one of the “good fish”. Life forever with God and Jesus are worth it.

Amen.  
In Christ,
Mark
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