Saturday, November 24, 2007

The Kingdom Gathering In and Sorting Out

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:47-50)
Notice that there are two actions taking place in this parable: Gathering in and sorting out. In Matthew 12:32, Jesus spoke two ages: This age and the age to come. This age is passing away, along with the lust of it (1 John 2:17). It is an age of darkness, but it is already passing away and the true light, the light of the age to come is already shining (1 John 2:8). Those who receive the Lord Jesus are son of that kingdom which is already breaking into the world. Those who reject Him are part of the world system that is passing away.

This present age is the age of gathering in people of every kind. However, not all who are in the kingdom are of the kingdom, nor do they all belong to the kingdom. There are those to whom the kingdom of Heaven on Earth has been given, and those to whom it has not. There are those who have ears to hear the word of the kingdom, and those who do not. There are those who receive the seed in good soil, with the whole heart, and those who do not. There are those who give up everything that they may possess the kingdom, and those who do not. There are those who are “sons of the kingdom,” and those who are “sons of the wicked one.” In other words, there are those who believe the Gospel and receive the King, and those who do not.

At the end of this age, there will be a sorting out. Those who belong to the kingdom shall see it in all its fullness and have joy in the age to come. Those who belong to this present age shall see the destruction of all they have so vainly held onto, and know only sorrow and misery.

The kingdom of Heaven on Earth is the only one that is going to be left standing at the end of this age. Be sure that you are not only in it, but of it, by receiving the King.



The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth

The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth
Keys to the Kingdom of God
in the Gospel of Matthew

by Jeff Doles

Preview with Amazon’s “Look Inside.”

Available in paperback and Kindle (Amazon), epub (Google and iTunes) and PDF.

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