The parable of the net

Matthew 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, they pulled it to the shore.  They sat down, and gathered the good into containers, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the world.  The angels will come and separate the ungodly from the godly, ⁵⁰ and shall cast them into the blazing furnace: where there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

As you listen to any teaching, since we’re all fallible humans, you must sort through all the detail presented, and in accordance with God’s word, throw out the bad and gather the good into your contemplations.  I delight in casting my net wide to listen to various teachers, to gain a broader understanding.  If you focus on one teacher or one school of thought, you won’t understand the arguments against their understandings.  I pray that those reading what I write would be guided and shielded by God’s wisdom to absorb the good and throw out the bad.

Jesus teaches in this story that not everyone will go to heaven.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

So, those who do not believe in Jesus will be thrown into the blazing furnace of Hell where they will suffer for eternity.  To believe in Jesus means to believe that he is God.  That he was born as a baby to a virgin, that he lived as a human and died in our place.  Through this he covers our imperfection that we might be brought back to life, just as he is, and live with him in Heaven for eternity.

If anyone teaches that God will not condemn the ungodly to Hell is teaching fake news.  Please throw out such teachings and ignore such teachers as they are only teaching what is pleasant to the ears, but empty of love to present the truth of God’s word to their listeners.

Shalom

– Brent