THE PARABLE OF THE DRAG-NET
The seventh and last of the Kingdom parables is that of the Dragnet.
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels and cast the bad away." (Matt 13:47, 48)
Is anyone puzzled as to where, on the stream of time, the chronological fulfillment of this parable is to be found?
Such need be puzzled no longer, for the answer is given by our Lord himself. In Matt. 13:39 he says: "So shall it be at the end of the Age."
It will thus be seen that just as the first parable, that of the Sower, touches our Lord's first advent, so this seventh parable touches his second advent. And it is reasonable to conclude, since seven is the number of completeness, that the other five parables span the entire intervening period.
The teaching of the Parable of the Drag-net is anticipated in the Parable of the Tares. However, in that parable, although the harvest of the Age is in evidence, the harvest is not the only feature. Indeed, it may be questioned if, in the Parable of the Tares, the harvest is the main point. The main point, as we understand it, was to forewarn the disciples of the tare-sowing enemy. Here, however, in the Parable of the Drag-net, the consummation of the Age is the only point.
The one lesson in this parable is, that the mixed state of affairs which would obtain throughout the Gospel Age, would not be allowed to continue forever; that there would eventually come a time of separation, when those in whose hearts Christ reigns, would be gathered to him, and when all others would be rejected.
In the message to Laodicea, the teaching of our Lord in this parable is confirmed. The message to Laodicea, as all are aware, covers the period of the decline and fall of Protestantism, (the daughters of the great harlot) at the close of the Age.
In the Laodicean epoch the Lord is represented as standing outside the Church-the Church, be it remembered, which he redeemed with his own precious blood; the Church in which, by every right, he should be recognized as the hub and center. This Church he rejects, in words that admit of no possible misunderstanding: "Because thou art lukewarm I will spew thee out of my mouth."
But while the Church as a whole is rejected, Christ is not unmindful of the few who may yet remain loyal to him. And so, the message closes with the pathetic picture of the Master standing outside the Church, making known his presence by knocking, tarrying awhile, if per chance any one may awake to his knock, hear his voice, and open the door. To all such, his gracious promise was, and is: "I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." - Rev. 3:18-20.
SUMMARY
The Parable of the Drag-net closes the list of seven Kingdom parables, as the message to Laodicea closes the list of what might well be termed the Kingdom messages. As we have endeavored to show, in addition to containing a wealth of ethical teaching, instruction on which we have scarcely touched, they constitute two prophecies, each setting before us seven successive phases, or characteristic epochs, of the Church, which embrace the whole of her career on earth.
At the beginning of the Age our Lord sowed the good seed, but the bad soil of human hearts rendered it, for the most part, unfruitful. Where it does grow well, an enemy causes disastrous confusion by stealthily introducing disguised children of the Wicked One, among the children of the Kingdom (Tares). Changed by this evil admixture, the professing church casts off her humility and, ceasing to wait for her Lord from heaven, strives to establish herself upon earth. Throwing aside the cross, she desires to say: " I sit a queen, and am not a widow, and shall know no sorrow." (Rev. 18:7)
And, in order to gratify her ambition, she enters into a shameful alliance with the great ones of earth, and suffers the very ones who had previously sought her destruction, to take refuge in her branches (the various sects, creeds and denominations). With such counselors and helpers, she organizes herself, and so corrupts the whole Word of God by pernicious doctrines of men and demons, that it can be no more recovered, any more than can fine flour be again purified from that which has once leavened it.
For a while the Word lies hidden in the earth -- only a "few names" remaining. These receive the Word with joy, such as one might experience who happens upon a great treasure buried in a field, although, in order to obtain it, he must needs sell all that he has, and buy the whole field.
After a while there comes a period of partial revival. The agitated and threatening state of the world moves some to search earnestly for Divine revelation and truth, and these do find the pearl of great price and, if they are willing to give up all else, may possess and enjoy it. At the close of this period the Lord returns. He passes in review the whole of Christendom-all who have professed to be his. At once he begins a separating work, which his servants had not been permitted to attempt, and the secret purpose of the Age is brought to a completion. The mystery (secret) of God is finished. - Rev. 10:7. (The last members of the body of Christ, the true Church, the “feet of him” being harvested and joined to the rest of the body beyond the Vail.)
Who can thoughtfully consider these parables and fail to admit their striking fulfillment, thus far, in the history of the professing church, together with the grave inference that the days of this dispensation are numbered?
But while we think these epochs were foretold as destined to occur in the order we have given, and though the accuracy of the prediction has since been confirmed on the pages of history, we are not -to understand that the period of one parable, or one of the messages to the seven churches in the Revelation, was completely ended before the next commenced. On the contrary, it may overlap, or be contemporaneous with, that which follows it, or even extend its influence, in a greater or less degree, to the end of the Age. He that hath an ear, therefore, should give heed, not alone to what the spirit saith to Laodicea, nor yet to what the spirit saith to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, or Philadelphia only. Rather he should give heed to all seven parables; to all seven of the messages to the Churches. This is clearly indicated in the exhortation, seven times repeated, with which this discussion may appropriately close: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the (plural) Churches." - Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22.
