47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the sea and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:47-50)
Here fish represents people. Lord Jesus told his disciples that he wants to make them to become fishers of men. The sea represents the world. The net is cast into the sea to gather all kinds of fish, this means that people in the world have a chance to hear the gospel. When the net is full, fishermen pulled it ashore. At the end of the world, when Lord Jesus comes again, he will send angels to separate the righteous from the wicked. What does it mean the righteous? A righteous person is a person who practices righteousness, a person who practices God’s righteousness, a person who does God’s will.
9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
Here we see that Lord Jesus does not like self-righteous people, people who despise others, and he likes humble people. If we see our sins and confess our sins and repent, He will forgive our sins, and in his eyes, we are considered righteous.
41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:41-43)
This is what one of the two criminals who was crucified with Jesus said. The criminal confessed his sins and repented before he died, and Lord Jesus accepted him to Paradise. Even a criminal, if he repents, Lord Jesus will accept him to go to heaven.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
This is the message Lord Jesus preached at the beginning of his ministry. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven at hand”. Lord Jesus wants everyone to repent and turn to Him. The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom of God, the kingship of God, if a person is willing to live under the kingship of God, believes and be baptized, he will receive the Holy Spirit, and have the presence of the Lord. The kingdom of heaven is in his heart. When Lord Jesus returns, as mentioned in the parable. The angels will gather the righteous to be with the Lord.
May God bless you and your family. 🙏😊
