What Jesus Taught About the End Times
To watch the sermon Secrets of the Kingdom, End of the Age | Matthew 13
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In a world where many try to explain away biblical prophecy or claim that end-time events have already occurred, Jesus' parable of the fishing net stands as a clear reminder that God's kingdom has both present and future realities. This teaching reveals important truths about judgment, grace, and our role as kingdom citizens.
Why Jesus Spoke in Parables
Jesus deliberately chose to teach through parables, riddles, and allegories - exactly as the Old Testament prophesied He would. Psalm 49 and Psalm 78 foretold that the Messiah would come speaking in "dark secrets" and "mysteries of the kingdom" through parables.
When people claim that Jesus didn't speak about end times in riddles, they're contradicting both prophecy and clear biblical evidence. Jesus literally sat by the sea and revealed kingdom secrets through vivid imagery, just as Scripture predicted He would.
The Reality of Future Judgment
What the Parable Teaches
In Matthew 13:47-50, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a dragnet cast into the sea. Unlike a regular fishing net that might miss some fish, a dragnet catches everything in its path - both good and bad fish. When the net is full, fishermen sort the catch, keeping the good fish and discarding the bad.
Jesus explains that "so it will be at the end of the age" when angels will separate the righteous from the wicked. This isn't symbolic language about past events - it's prophecy about a future reality called the telos, the ultimate consummation of the ages.
Why Some Reject This Teaching
Many people struggle with parables because they require effort to understand. Even in Jesus' day, people complained when rabbis taught through parables, preferring direct statements. But the deeper issue isn't the method - it's the message.
Some reject the idea of future judgment because they don't want to accept that the God of grace is also the God of righteousness and justice. They prefer a version of Christianity that eliminates accountability and final judgment.
The Danger of False Teaching
Preterism and Its Problems
Today, some teach that all biblical prophecies were fulfilled in 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed. This "full preterist" position denies the Second Coming and bodily resurrection - doctrines that are essential to Christian faith.
This isn't just a different opinion about timing; it's heresy that contradicts clear biblical promises. When Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives, angels declared He would return "in the same way" - visibly and bodily.
The Pattern of Rejection
Throughout history, people have found ways to reject God's clear warnings. In Ezekiel's day, the elders of Israel refused to believe that Jerusalem would be destroyed, even creating theological justifications for their unbelief. Similarly, some today use clever arguments to explain away biblical prophecy.
Our Role in the Kingdom
What We're Called to Do
Understanding that judgment is coming shouldn't make us fearful - it should clarify our mission. We're called to cast the net of the gospel, not to sort the fish. That's God's job at the appointed time.
Our responsibility is to:
Share the gospel with everyone
Trust God to handle judgment
Stay focused on our calling
Avoid getting distracted by those who reject the message
The Treasure of the Kingdom
The kingdom of heaven is a treasure worth everything. Jesus gave His all to purchase us - we are His pearl of great price. This means we cannot despise what God loves, including ourselves and others He died to save.
Good Fish Can Get Stinky
Even those who belong to the kingdom can sometimes "smell like fish" when pride and arrogance creep in. The moment we become focused on our spiritual status, our worship style, or our biblical knowledge in a way that looks down on others, we start to stink.
Humility is the aroma of good fish. We must remember that grace brought us into the kingdom, and grace sustains us there.
The Hope of the Telos
What's Coming
Jesus promised that this gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all nations, and then the end will come. There's a day approaching when:
The righteous will shine like the sun
All stumbling blocks will be removed
God's kingdom will be fully established
Justice and righteousness will prevail
Living with Eternal Perspective
Knowing that the telos is coming should affect how we live today. We're not just enduring until we get to heaven - we're participating in God's kingdom now while anticipating its full manifestation.
Life Application
This week, examine your heart and actions in light of the coming kingdom. Are you faithfully casting the net of the gospel, or have you become distracted by trying to sort the fish? Remember that your role is to share God's love and truth, trusting Him to handle judgment in His perfect timing.
Ask yourself these questions:
Am I living with the reality of the telos in mind, or have I become comfortable with the status quo?
Do I truly believe I'm valuable to God, or am I "loathing what God loves" when I look in the mirror?
Am I staying in my lane by focusing on evangelism and discipleship, or am I trying to do God's job of judgment?
Has pride crept into my spiritual life, making me "smell like fish" to those around me?
The kingdom of heaven is both a present reality and a future hope. Live today as a citizen of that kingdom, knowing that the King is coming to make all things right.