The Master's Net

From these scriptures we see that four of our Lord's apostles were fishermen. This is a worthy occupation; nevertheless, Jesus wanted these four men, along with all whom he chooses to preach the gospel, to leave their nets (occupations) and to follow him in fishing for ungodly men and women, who are dying in a sea of sin and despair.

Of course, 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; and 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.25:1-12) as well as good. 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.

Sinner, you have one thing especially for which to thank God, and that is, His net is still in the water. However, the net is being drawn nearer to shore each day. The day is approaching when we shall hear him say, "Bring near the fish which ye have now caught."

This same truth is revealed in a parable which Paul explained to the Galatian church: "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?

May God help Isaac to grow and be weaned from the ceremonies and traditions of men which so heavily burden the body of Christ. 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). The separation of the foolish and the wise in the church 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 soon send, which delusion will deceive every stubborn soul in His kingdom, every heart not completely yielded to Christ.

The gospel ship has been launched into the sea of humanity. The net has been cast on the right side of the ship and is being filled with the souls of men. Hurry, sinner, ere you be left in the sea to perish in the destruction of the earth. Hurry, lukewarm child of God, prepare your heart to be tried by the Almighty. On that day, may we all be able to say, "Thou, O God, hast proved us. Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net. Thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads. We went through the fire and through water, but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place" (Ps.66:10-12).

May every true fisherman stay by the net, with hands steady in faith, until we hear the words of the Master, "Bring of the fish which ye have now caught."

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