“Through the Looking Glass” The Kingdom of Heaven as seen through the parables of Jesus
“For now we see through a glass…” – I Cor. 13:12
“Filet of Soul!”
The Fishing Net – Matthew 13:47-52
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 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. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. 52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
There has always been a “ WORLDWIDE NET .” (47) “all kinds of fish”
EVERYONE will be caught up. (Worldwide and “history-wide”)
The “net” will be pulled in AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME. (48a) “When it was full”
Galatians 4:4 & Mark 1:15 … Kingdom came with Jesus… SALVATION HAS COME! We aren’t waiting for the beginning of eternity, we are awaiting the eternal finale! God IS AND HAS BEEN ON THE THRONE ALL ALONG… God has been the “General” of His “army” bringing the battle to the perfect point for crushing the enemy!
II Peter 3:15 “Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…” Gospel spreading to remote areas = “ALL kinds of fish.”
Not one will be LEFT OUT, everyone will be SORTED. (48b-50)
“Net” first, sort later… no one left behind, that would be unjust… Opportunity created, invitation given, result is what is chosen (“men loved darkness rather than light”)
II Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
Revelation 7 Winds held back…144,000 sealed… white robed multitude… seals opened
The “keepers” are “ FILET OF SOUL !” (51-52) (cutting away the crud)
What is Jesus talking about as to whom brings new things out of his house as well as old? Teachers of the law… the “stump of Jesse”… new “shoot”… LEARNING TEACHER
Hebrews 4:12 “the word of God is living and active… cuts between bone and marrow… soul and spirit…”
“Teachers” today… Pastors, Disciplers, parents, teachers, evangelists, Gospel sharers… Must be learning/experiencing teachers, bringing new “treasures” out of our “house” as well as old.
HOW CAN I KNOW I’m a “keeper?”
Romans 8:15-16 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
If I DON’T KNOW, I need to ASK MYSELF, “WHY?”
“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” – #Jesus@matthew11.15