The Drag-Net: Matthew 13:47-48

Matthew 13:47‑48
Listen from:
• BibleTruthPublishers.com
Tills is the last of the series of parables that were uttered by our Lord on the memorable day of Matthew 13. “The Kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away” (vv. 47-48). Here we have the final results of the operations of God, man, and Satan during the period called Christianity. As a net cast into the sea, the Gospel has gone forth into all the world, with its touching appeal to men of every nation. It has achieved results which are manifest to the eyes of all. Both good and bad have been gathered in: the good fish representing those who, having humbly acknowledged their guilt and ruin, have been cleansed from their sins by the Saviour’s precious blood; the bad being those (alas how many) who “profess and call themselves Christians,” with no love for the Saviour’s person, and no living faith in the Gospel. It is vain to urge that we must not judge. How is it possible for the Christian to obey the injunction to “love the brethren” if he cannot distinguish between “the brethren” and all others? (1 John 3:1414We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. (1 John 3:14)). Flow refuse fellowship to an unbeliever if it is impossible to define such? (2 Cor. 6:1515And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (2 Corinthians 6:15)). Or how avoid false teachers who bring in damnable heresies, if none can tell who are false? (2 Peter 2:11But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1)). Although mistakes in discernment are only too possible, all those to whom Christ is something more than a mere name are solemnly responsible to distinguish, in godly fear, between those who are good and those who are bad, companying with the one, and eschewing the other.
When the gospel net is full it will be drawn to shore. How soon this will take place is known to none but God, though everything around us is suggestive that the end of the age is drawing near. Then will ensue the great separation, which will sever the ungodly from even the outward communion of the godly forever. According to the teaching of the parable, the fisherman’s duty was to care for the good fish. This is the present responsibility of those who in this day profess to serve the absent Christ. The bad fish the fishermen merely cast out of the net, as not being those for whom they were in search. The judgment of God upon false professors will be meted out, not by human hands, but by angelic power. “So shall it be at the end of the age (not ‘world’): the angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 13:49-5049So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:49‑50)). Such is the end of Christendom, as described by God Himself; not the whole world subdued to Christ by the operation of religious agencies, but eternal ruin for many who have passed current amongst their fellows as Christians indeed. The Saviour will undoubtedly have His own, though the final discrimination by His unerring hand will reveal an appalling amount of unreality and hypocrisy in the circle of those who, in one way or another, bear His holy name.