"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth".
I used to see this as all the Christians being judged on judgment day. Now that I understand Jesus offered Himself to take away the sins of the whole world, I see what He was saying.
It's easy to see this (under Law) as God condemning the bad Christians but saving the "good" ones. You know, the "dedicated" or "faithful and good servants". But that would completely contradict the verse in Romans that says: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus". Not to mention the fact that we're not saved by our own righteousness.
In this parable I believe Jesus is simply saying that He died for everyone, but only those who believe (the righteous) will be saved. The evil (unbelieving) will be thrown away.
So, while He preaches universal reconciliation, He is not preaching universalism.
Have you guys any thoughts on this parable?
2 comments:
I agree. BTW, I never thought of this parable in this way but I think it makes sense. The sin of unbelief has to be repented. All other sins are forgiven at the cross and we can easily justify that position by just one verse which says 'without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness". There is absolutely nothing we can 'do' to be forgiven other than accepting the forgiveness provided in Christ.
"Throwing into the fiery furnace." is the unbeliever, the only reason they are thrown into the lake of fire is their unbelief in Christ, not any other sins.
Yo Bino.
Exactly my point. How can there be "bad" Christians? Are we not all the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus? So we see that the evil are those who reject the Gospel of Christ Jesus. But that doesn't at all mean that Jesus didn't take away their sins as well. "All sins and blasphemies will be forgiven the children of man. That sounds like everyone to me.
"But the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness." They have rejected the work of the Spirit on their behalf.
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