THE PARABLE OF THE NET.
: New Testament StoriesThese fishermen have just returned to shore with their net full of
fish. Now this is not a casting-net, which is thrown out from the boat
and drawn in again, but a drag-net which is of great length, and which
is drawn constantly through the water until it is well filled with
fish. It is then hauled up to the shore, and the fishermen sit around
it, and take out the fish. Many of these, of course, are unfit for
food, or
fish which they can sell for food are carefully placed in vessels
brought for the purpose.
Christ said, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast
into the sea, and gathered every kind (of fish): which, when it was
full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into
vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the
world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among
the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There shall be
wailing and gnashing of teeth."
At another time Jesus taught His disciples the same truth; when He
spake of His coming and of the gathering of all nations before Him,
the good entering into eternal life, but the wicked being cast away.
"When the Son of Man shall come in His glory," said Jesus, "and all
the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His
glory. And before Him shall be gathered all nations; and He shall
separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from
the goats. And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats
on the left."
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