40
"The picture of thistles pulled up and burned is a scene from the final act.
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The Son of Man will send his angels, weed out the thistles from his kingdom,
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pitch them in the trash, and be done with them. They are going to complain to high heaven, but nobody is going to listen.
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At the same time, ripe, holy lives will mature and adorn the kingdom of their Father. "Are you listening to this? Really listening?
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"God's kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidently found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic - what a find! - and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field.
45
"Or, God's kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls.
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Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.
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"Or, God's kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish.
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When it is full, it is hauled onto the beach. The good fish are picked out and put in a tub; those unfit to eat are thrown away.
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That's how it will be when the curtain comes down on history. The angels will come and cull the bad fish
50
and throw them in the garbage. There will be a lot of desperate complaining, but it won't do any good."