SEMESTER 5
180 – The Parable of the Fish Net
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: THEOLOGY V LESSON # 80
ESCHATOLOGY – THE KINGDOM OF GOD – THE PARABLE OF THE FISH NET
Read: Mat. 13:47-52
, Lk. 13:24-30
INTRODUCTION:
1. All these parables were used to show facts, paradoxes, apparent difficulties, etc., in the Kingdom of Heaven.
2. Remember the intermingled, invisible and hidden nature I spoke on.
3. In some of the previous parables we see the antagonists’ view of the kingdom.
4. In this parable, I think we have the contrast between the religious view of it and the reality of it.
5. Whatever else there is, this shows the purging out of false professors.
I. THE ACQUISITION OF FALSE DISCIPLES
1. As the Gospel was and is preached, there have always been rejecters. (Acts 17:32)
III: This principle by John the Baptist, Christ, Stephen, Paul, etc.
2. But there have been perhaps a greater number of superficial believers. (Jn. 8:30, Jn. 6:63-68, I Jn. 2:19)
3. The Kingdom of God is very clearly plagued by these false apostles.
i. By hypocrites who know they do not want His rule. (Lk. 19:14)
ii. By deceived ones, led to believe they are in when they definitely are not. (Lk. 13:26)
4. Many then, thought and taught that religious alignment and conduct would afford life.
5. Many now, are teaching the same thing. Religion, not discipleship is the direction.
6. Our Lord constantly discouraged shallow “decisions for Christ.” (Mat. 8:18-22, Lk. 9:57-62, Mat. 19:16-22)
II. THE OBSCURITY OF THESE TODAY
1. In the parable of the tares and of the net, it is only when fruit is seen that the difference appears. (Mat. 13:26 and 48)
2. There are multitudes of professors today, in varying stages of vacillation.
3. It seems that the wise and the unwise (lost and saved) are like the sleeping virgins of Mat. 25:1-13. Are they indwelt with the oil or not?
III. THE LORD KNOWS AND DELIBERATELY PERMITS THIS
1. He knew Judas was a devil, and did not at first identify him. (Jn. 6:70)
2. He did not direct that the tares were to immediately be removed.
3. The means of salvation (faith) may well necessitate this indulgence, but it is there.
4. But He urges that we seek the strait gate, the true relationship to God, through Christ.
IV. THE PURGING OF HIS KINGDOM
1. We are not here concerned with those false professors, who “fall by the wayside.”
2. It is those who shall be “bound in bundles,” “severed from the just,” “shut out.”
3. This clearly demands a future state and administration of the kingdom which is radically different.
4. Careful study of this aspect of the kingdom will make a Premillennialists of you (but that later).
5. For now let me ask, “Are you entering, are you “the good,” are you “wheat?”
6. Oh! my friend search your heart. Are you in the faith?