AT 13{
Introduction
In Matthew's gospel, the Lord Jesus is sent to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 15:2424But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 15:24)). From the beginning, both John the Baptist (Matt. 3:22And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2)) and the Lord Himself (Matt. 4:1717From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)) preach the nearness of the kingdom. Accordingly, they call upon the people to repent. Their hearts must be morally prepared by repentance if they are to receive the King when He appears. In addition, the Lord presents Himself to the people with many miraculous proofs of His Messiahship. Nevertheless, they refuse both Him and His testimony.
By the time we come to Matt. 12 then, things have come to a head. The Jews have gone so far as to ascribe the Lord's mighty works of power to that of Satan. (Matt. 12:2424But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. (Matthew 12:24).) Therefore, when, in their unbelief, they ask Him for still one more sign, He tells them they'll get no sign but that of Jonah the prophet. (Matt. 12:38-4038Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:38‑40).) As Jonah had been sent to the Gentiles after having spent three days and three nights in the fish's belly, so the rejected Christ would turn to the Gentiles after having spent three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. In the process of time of course, both of these developments have taken place. Three days after He was crucified, the Lord was raised from among the dead; and He has now turned to the Gentiles.
Accordingly then, when the Lord was raised from among the dead, the Jews should have known; but as we know, even that wasn't enough to overcome their unbelief. (See also Luke 16:27-3127Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:27‑31).) To this day, it is rumored among the Jews that the Lord's disciples came by night and stole His body away and then claimed He had been raised from among the dead (See Matt. 28:11-1511Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. (Matthew 28:11‑15).). Today therefore, that is where things stand with that people.
In view of this state of things therefore, chapter 13 of Matthew begins with the Lord's going out of the house, a figure in the Scriptures for the nation of Israel. (As we have already noted, He had come to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" [See also Zech. 13:66And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. (Zechariah 13:6).]). Having left the house, He goes to the sea, a figure in the Scriptures for the restless and unstable nations of the Gentiles. It is from there that He teaches His doctrine and sets forth the seven parables of our chapter.
In them, He speaks of the kingdom of heaven, but in a mysterious form—that is, as a thing hidden and unseen. (See Matt. 13:1111He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (Matthew 13:11).) This expression is intended to convey the idea that, unlike the kingdom the Lord would have set up if the Jews had received Him as their Messiah, it is presently a heavenly one and, therefore, spiritual and unseen. When Christ comes though "with power and great glory" to set up His millennial kingdom, it will be neither mysterious nor hidden, but rather, earthly and, therefore, visible and material. (See Matt. 24:3030And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30).) In the meantime then, the kingdom is a thing for faith and not for sight; hence, its "mysterious" character.
Verses 3-8,18-23: the Parable of the Sower AT 13:3-8{AT 13:18-23{the Seed That Is Sown Is the Word of God. There Are Four Kinds of Soil Into Which the Seed Falls. They Are by the Wayside, in Stony Places, Among Thorns, and Upon Good Ground. in Each Instance, Those Places Are Really the Hearts of Men. When the Seed Falls by the Wayside and It Is Not Understood, the Fowls, Figurative of Satan or His Emissaries Come and Snatch It Away. When It Falls on Stony Ground Though, Because It Doesn't Have Depth of Root, It Springs up Quickly; but As Soon As the Sun Becomes Hot, Figurative of Tribulation or Persecution, It Withers Away and Dies. When It Falls Among the Thorns, Figurative of the Cares of the World or the Deceitfulness of Riches, It Grows up With Those Thorns and Is Eventually Choked off by Them and Becomes Unfruitful. When It Falls Upon Good Ground Though, Necessarily Figurative of a Heart in Which There Is Living and Active Faith, It Bears Varying Measures of Fruit, Some a Hundredfold, Some Sixty, and Some Thirty.
The issue then is not whether this one or that one has faith and, therefore, divine life. Instead, it is the effect produced by the Word in any given heart. Any one of the first three may or may not be a believer. The last one however has to be a believer, because only a believer can bring forth fruit for God's glory and pleasure.
Verses 24-30, 36-43: the Parable of the Tares AT 13:24-30{AT 13:36-43{This Parable Is the First of Ten Parables That Are Said to Be Likenesses of the Kingdom of Heaven. Six of the Ten Are Found in This Chapter and the Remaining Four in the Following Passages: Matt. 18:23-3523Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:23‑35); Matt. 20:1-161For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. 2And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (Matthew 20:1‑16); Matt. 22:1-141And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:1‑14); and Matt. 25:1-131Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1‑13). As Might Be Expected, Since These Parables Have to Do With the Kingdom in Its Mysterious Aspect, They Have to Do Primarily With This Present Dispensation, During Which God Is Taking Out a Heavenly People for Himself.
Although the explanation of the parable of the tares does extend on into the millennial kingdom, the parable itself is a characterization of what is taking place morally in the world at this present time. A man sows good seed in his field. Then, as men (not the householder) sleep, the sower's enemy comes and sows tares among the wheat. The wheat and the tares both grow up together and the householder's servants offer to take the tares out from among the wheat. Fearing they might uproot the wheat as well as the tares though, he tells them they should leave them alone. When the wheat is fully mature, he will have his reapers gather the tares into bundles for the burning; and the wheat will be gathered into his barn. At the time of harvest then, he will send forth the reapers to cast the tares into the furnace for the burning.
At this point, the Lord Himself explains the parable to His disciples alone. He, the Son of man, is the sower; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the tares are the children of the wicked one, which professing to be Christians, are nevertheless without faith; the enemy is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age in which the Lord was then speaking; and the reapers are the angels.
He goes on to explain further. At the end of the world (or "the age" in which He was then speaking), the Son of man will come and will send forth his angels to gather out of His kingdom all things that offend and do iniquity. The unbelieving apostates, left over from the "assembly age," will then be taken, one here and one there, and cast alive into the lake of fire for the burning. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (See also Matt. 24:40-4140Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:40‑41).) After that, the heavenly saints will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father as they reign with Christ above the earth for a thousand years. (See Rev. 21:9-22:49And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. 17And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. 18And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 22And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. 25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. 1And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. (Revelation 21:9‑22:4).)
Verses 31-32: the Parable of the Grain of Mustard Seed AT 13:31-32{the Lord Compares the Kingdom of Heaven With a Grain of Mustard Seed, Which Is the Smallest of Seeds, but Grows Into the Greatest of Herbs. a Man Sows It in the Field, and It Grows Into Such a Great Tree That Even the Birds of the Air Find Ample Lodging in Its Branches.
Already in this chapter, the Lord has given us enough information to understand the force of this parable. The field, as we have already seen, is the world, and the birds, wicked emissaries of Satan, come to subvert the truth of God's Word in the hearts of men (See also Gen. 15:1111And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. (Genesis 15:11) and 2 Sam. 21:1010And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. (2 Samuel 21:10).). They use whatever means they might in accomplishing their ends. One of their commonest tactics is to corrupt the truth while maintaining the form of the Word itself.
Now, what is there in the New Testament that might answer to these symbolic representations? On the day the assembly was first formed, there was only a handful of souls present—perhaps, 120. Then, as a result of Peter's preaching, some 3000 more souls were saved and added that same day. As time passed and the gospel seed was sown throughout the region and on to the uttermost parts of the earth, more and more souls were added to those first few thousand. Since then and down through the centuries, we have no way of knowing how many more souls have been saved. At any rate though, there have doubtless been millions and millions of them and, perhaps, more. What started out very small therefore has grown disproportionately into a great multitude of saved souls.
At the same time though, there have also been many souls, who, though not saved, have nevertheless professed to be Christians. Accordingly, what began as the house of God and the assembly, composed of a few real believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, has now grown into a great house, consisting not only of real believers, but also of false professors as well. (See 1 Tim. 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15); 2 Tim. 2:19-20; 3:1-519Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. (2 Timothy 2:19‑20)
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1‑5).) As men became careless then, and even perverse, moral, doctrinal, and ecclesiastical evils were introduced into the house, where they were allowed to flourish until it became a great house. As such therefore, the house of Christian profession has become very large indeed and highly corrupted in both doctrine and practice. What is left of this house after the true assembly's rapture to heaven will be characterized as "the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" (Rev. 18:22And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (Revelation 18:2)).
Verse 33: the Parable of Leaven in Three Measures of Meal AT 13:33{This Time, It Is a Woman That Is Featured. She Hides Leaven in Three Measures of Meal (Flour) Until the Whole Thing Is Leavened. Again, the Word of God Is Its Own Interpreter. Throughout the Scriptures, Leaven Is Employed As a Figure for Evil, Whether Moral, Doctrinal, or Ecclesiastical. It Is so Whether in the Political, Legal, or Rational Arenas of Thought and Action.
Furthermore, as already observed, it is a woman that introduces leaven into this loaf. It is however not permitted that a woman teach or exercise authority over a man, whether in the assembly or elsewhere. (See 1 Cor. 14:34-5 and 1 Tim. 2:11-1211Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:11‑12).) Now then, in the New Testament Scriptures, the assembly (whether true or false) is depicted everywhere as a woman. Doubtless therefore, this woman represents any system that takes the place of being the assembly and, therefore, of a woman. Nevertheless, she assumes the place forbidden to women and becomes a teacher of spiritual things. (It is often said, "the assembly teaches this or that." The assembly, however, doesn't teach, it is taught. It is taught by the teachers given it by its ascended Head. See Eph. 4:1111And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11)) In doing so then, she introduces both doctrine and practices that are contrary both to God and to His Word.(See Rev. 2:18-2318And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:18‑23).). Thus, evil is introduced into the profession of Christianity, which evil will continue on and will spread until the whole thing is leavened.
The ultimate realization of this condition of things though will take place only after the rapture. At that point, every true believer will have been taken out of the world and up into heaven, leaving only those whose profession of Christianity is false. Then, while there will still be that in the world that claims to be Christian, the profession will be altogether empty. There won't be a single true believer left in it. Accordingly, the entire thing will have become leavened and an object for the judgment of Christ (See Rev. 17-18 in their entirety.).
Verse 44: the Parable of Treasure Hidden in a Field AT 13:44{in This Parable, the Kingdom of Heaven Is Likened to Treasure Hidden in a Field, Whose Whereabouts and Existence Is Altogether Unknown to Anyone. Then, a Certain Man Finds It and, Having Hidden It, Goes and Sells All He Has, in Order to Buy the Field, so He Can Get the Treasure That's in It.
Once more, by now, we know what the field is. It's the world. There's a treasure in it however, which has never before been seen, but which a man now discovers and will spare nothing to get it. He sells everything he has and spends all, in order to possess the treasure his heart craves.
Surely, Christ is the man; and you and I are the treasure. So great was His love for each one of us individually that He gave up everything He had, in order to get us for Himself. The cost though was so great that it also paid for the purchase of the whole world. Accordingly, He not only has sole rights over us, but He also has sole rights over the whole world too, as well as over everybody that's in it. Moreover, so complete is His ownership of all things that, believers and unbelievers alike are His possessions and come under His lordship. (See 1 Cor. 6:19-2019What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19‑20); 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); etc.) Therefore, when He sets up His earthly kingdom, it will be, in effect, His redemption of the possession already purchased. (See Eph. 1:10,13-1410That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10)
13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13‑14).)
Verses 45-46: the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price AT 13:45-46{in the Previous Parable, the Treasure Found Has All Individual Vessels of God's Mercy in View. in This One Though, the Kingdom of Heaven Is Compared to Just One Thing, a Single Pearl of Great Price. ("Many Members, yet but One Body" [1 Cor. 12:2020But now are they many members, yet but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:20).]) a Certain Merchantman Is Looking for Goodly Pearls; and When He Finds This One, Its Beauty Is Such That It Ravishes His Heart. He Goes and Sells All He Has, in Order to Buy It for Himself.
There is no field here, no world, but just the pearl. (Note, however, that a pearl is harvested from the seas, typical, as we have already seen, of the restless nations of the Gentiles.) Even before the foundation of the world, the assembly was in the eternal counsel of God and will continue when there is no longer any world left at all. (See Eph. 1:4; 5:25-74According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4); and Rev. 21:22And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2).) There is nothing more precious to the heart of Christ than His assembly, which is His body. In heaven and throughout all the ages of eternity, His bride will hold the nearest place to Him. There will be the earthly redeemed; but while near, they will not share the closeness that will be hers. What is more, even in heaven, there will be various families of angelic beings and redeemed souls; and while they will all enjoy His presence, none of them will enjoy the nearness that she will enjoy.
Verses 47-50: the Parable of the Net Cast Into the Sea AT 13:47-50{the Kingdom of Heaven Is Likened to a Net Cast Into the Sea. Then, When It Is Full of Every Kind of Fish, They Pull It to Shore and Put the Good Fish Into Vessels and Cast the Bad Away. Likewise, at the End of the World (or "the Age" in Which the Lord Was Then Speaking), the Angels Will Sever the Wicked From the Just and Cast the Former Into the Fire. There Shall Be Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth.
As always, the Word of God is its own interpreter. As we have already noted, the sea is a commonly used figure in the Scriptures for the restless, turbulent, and unorganized masses of Gentile nations in contrast with the land, a figure for a settled sphere of things, where order is maintained. Further, when the Lord first calls Peter and Andrew to follow him, they are fishermen mending their nets. He tells them that, if they will follow Him, He will make them "fishers of men.”
The net therefore is the "gospel net." The gospel has been going out to the Gentiles now for nearly 2000 years. As to the fish, which are of "every kind," they are men from all nations, not merely those from among the Jews. Those who separate the good fish into vessels and cast away the bad fish are those whose responsibility it is to exercise discerning oversight in the local assembly. (Not everybody that professes to be a Christian really is a Christian.) The "vessels" are the local assemblies themselves. Then, after the assembly has been raptured away and the end of the Mosaic age arrives, then it will be that the angels will sever the wicked from the just and cast the former into the lake of fire.
Summary These Parables Give Us the Full Range of Events From the Time of the Lord's Ministry Here on Earth to the Time of His Setting up of the Millennial Kingdom and of Its Heavenly Side. None of Them However Takes Us Beyond the Millennium or Into the Eternal State. What Began on Pentecost As a Very Small Thing Has Now Grown Into a Great Edifice, Where Wicked Men Find Accommodations for Themselves and for Their Corrupting Influences Upon the Truth of God. Evil Doctrines and Practices Have Already Leavened the Loaf of Christian Profession, Whose Leavening Will Be Total After the Rapture. at His Appearing Though, When He Comes to Set up His Earthly Kingdom, the Lord Will Both Judge and Destroy the Entire Thing.
Nevertheless, in the meantime, God is also working. He acknowledges what He is doing as His own workmanship. There is the treasure, found by Christ in the world, the acquisition of which has also resulted in His obtaining present and future ownership of the whole created universe. Furthermore, there is that one pearl of great price, so costly and ravishing in the beauty of its oneness that He gives all He has to gain it for Himself. Finally, there is the gospel net as the means by which men are brought into blessing; and there are the solemn implications for those who will not have it.
Now, last of all, God has not given us this outline of things merely to satisfy our natural intellects or idle curiosity. He has given these things to us that our hearts might be affected by them. Therefore, may He grant our hearts to understand them in such a way as to have a moral effect upon our walk and ways. (See again vs. 8, 23.) The way in which we receive them will have its eternal consequences. True Christians are not of this world or its moral order. They are a heavenly people and, therefore, have nothing to say to this world, whether political or religious. They are, after all, only "strangers" in this world and "pilgrims" passing through an alien land on their way to their eternal home above. (See John 14:2-3; 17:16-182In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3)
16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. (John 17:16‑18); Phil. 3:20-2120For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:20‑21); Col. 3:1-41If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1‑4); 1 Thess. 4:16-1716For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17); Heb. 3:1; 11:8-16; 13:141Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1)
8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:8‑16)
14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. (Hebrews 13:14); 1 Peter 2:11-1211Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:11‑12); and Rev. 3:1010Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10).)