What is the Kingdom of Heaven?
Not every fish will be caught and rescued from the sea (the sea is the peoples of the earth - Rev.17: 15). Indeed, this kingdom net holds only a small number of fish in comparison to those left in the sea. Yet, not all those who are brought out of the sea will be saved in the end, for there are some bad fish in the net of the kingdom of God (Mt.13:48-49) as well as good. When rightly understanding the "kingdom of heaven", we must first understand that it is a kingdom consisting of holy Ghost baptized believers ONLY! We are brought into this heavenly kingdom when we are "born of the Spirit" - which is receiving the Spirit of God: "...by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (1Cor.12:13). There is NOBODY who has entered the kingdom of heaven except those who have entered into it by receiving the Spirit of God (with the evidence of speaking in other tongues). Those who are "gathered into the nets" are the "vessels" which have become habitations of the Spirit. But entering the kingdom is merely a starting point - not the end of the matter. As was stated earlier, in the "kingdom of heaven" there are gathered both "good" and "bad" vessels. In other words, there are some Spirit-baptized people who will make it, and there are some Spirit-baptized people who will not. When the net was full, our text tells us, "they drew to the shore and sat down and gathered the good [obedient believers] into vessels [glorified bodies], but cast the bad [disobedient believers] away. So shall it be at the end of the world." Many saints are constantly vexed by the presence of these trouble-making bad fish, or foolish virgins (Mt.25:1-12), among us. But do not fret yourselves, faithful ones. It won't be long. "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Heb.10:37). In the appointed time, foolish virgins will be cast out of the kingdom of God. The whole point of Jesus' parable of the net is that some who are born of the Spirit will be damned in the final judgment because they have been disobedient children of God since their new birth experience. "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsel of the hearts" (1Cor.4:5). God's kingdom must bear among its citizens both good and bad until the harvest. Remember, the servants of God "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." We are also told that "when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to his servants, Bind him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen" (Mt.22:11-14). Yes, thank God, the time is near when "the Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom [net] all things that offend, and them which do iniquity.... Then shall the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father" (Mt.13:41.43). God will purge His family of all disobedience before the end of this age. The point is this: do not think that because you have received the Spirit baptism, you are safe. Instead, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phi.2:12). There are two groups of people in God's kingdom! Which one are you? The "good" or the "bad"? This truth of the kingdom is revealed in a parable which Paul explained to the Galatian assembly: "It is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one [Ishmael] by a bondmaid [Hagar], the other [Isaac] by a freewoman [Sarah]. But he who was born of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory [a story which is told to explain something else] (Gal.4:22-24). In this allegory, Abraham typified God the Father. He was father to both Ishmael and Isaac, who symbolized the foolish and wise among the children of God today. To those who walk in the liberty of Christ, Paul continued, "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of the promise [the Spirit]. But as then he that was born after the flesh [Ishmael] persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless, what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman." Do you recall how it grieved Abraham when he had to "cast out this bondwoman and her son"? Yes, "the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son [Ishmael]" (Gen.21:11). Nevertheless, he had to give him up. Friend, don't you know that it will be grievous to God when He casts some of His children out of His kingdom? What is it that makes a child of God a "bad vessel"? It is disobedience, my friend. It is refusing to follow the Spirit of God, when that word is spoken to you. May God help Isaac to grow and be weaned from the ceremonies and traditions of men which so heavily burden the body of Christ, and lead them into sin. Not merely the sins of the flesh, but the religious sin which hardens our hearts. "...let us cleanse ourselves from the filthiness of the flesh AND spirit...(2Cor.7:1). We readily cleanse ourselves from the sins of the flesh, but few can do so in the spiritual. This is what is required of the "wise virgins" or the "good vessels". It was when Isaac was weaned that Sarah saw Ishmael mocking! Oh, how the foolish virgins now mock the few who have been wise enough to withdraw themselves from the "commandments and doctrines of men, which things indeed have a show of will-worship [punishing oneself] and humility", but "which all are to perish with the using" (Col. 2:22-23). This "religious" sin is "Christianity" - where God's people worship Jesus, but not in Spirit and in truth. Where they are required to mingle, deny, or compromise the holy Ghost. Certainly Christians will think it a strange thing then the Spirit-baptized separate themselves from the carnal ceremonies and ways of Christianity. They will speak evil of those who are being led by the Spirit, all the while, clinging to a "religion" that will not save - but rather, damn them in the end. Only OBEDIENCE to the Spirit will save us in the end - and every Spirit baptized vessel that does NOT come out of Christianity will be "cast away". Purged from the good. The separation of the foolish and the wise in God's congregation is drawing near. Sarah is about to cry, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son"! According to Jesus' parable of the tares in the field (Mt.13:24-30, 36-43), this separation will occur before the coming of the Lord! Pray, my Friend, to be found worthy to escape the "strong delusion" which God will send... a delusion which will deceive every stubborn soul in His kingdom, every heart not completely yielded to Christ.
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