Saying 4 of 10
At the end of the age the angels will separate
In two parables, the weeds in the field and the net full of fish, Jesus said that at the end of the age the angels will separate the wicked from the righteous.
The weeds and the wheat
Jesus told of a field where an enemy sowed weeds among the wheat. The owner let both grow until the harvest. When His disciples asked what it meant, Jesus said the harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are angels.
24He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away. 26But when the blade sprang up and produced grain, then the darnel weeds appeared also. 27The servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where did these darnel weeds come from?’ 28“He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’ 29“But he said, ‘No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
Matthew 13:24-30 (WEB) · context
37He answered them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38the field is the world, the good seeds are the children of the Kingdom, and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. 39The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. 41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and those who do iniquity, 42and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 13:37-43 (WEB) · context
The net
A net gathers fish of every kind, and the fishermen sort them on the shore. Jesus said it will be like that at the end of the age.
47“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some fish of every kind, 48which, when it was filled, fishermen drew up on the beach. They sat down and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49So it will be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous, 50and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 13:47-50 (WEB) · context
Why God waits
In the parable the owner waits so that no wheat is lost. Elsewhere the Bible says God is patient because He does not want anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance.
9The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 (WEB) · context
The good news
Jesus came to save you from this
God loves you and gave His Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish.