Parables are illustrative stories which explain spiritual concepts and truths about YaHuWaH's Torah. They were used extensively by the Savior to unveil "...things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." (Matt 13:35) Their main purpose is to explain the Almighty's involvement in human affairs. To those who understand parables they impart a wealth of information: but to those who don't, they are a mystery. The parables of YAHUSHUA teach faith and obedience. The parable of the dragnet adds some awesome truths. Here is the parable.

When we analyze this parable we learn the following:

The dragnet may be compared to the different spiritual efforts made to gather souls into the Kingdom of Elohim. Fishermen use a variety of hooks, lures and nets to catch fish: each method having its own particular advantage or disadvantage. Winning souls is similar to catching fish. It includes activities like:

• Prayer Meetings ... calling upon YaHuWaH 's assistance to guide the fish to the net. Prayer is the most successful form of fishing for souls. Sad to say few Christians realize this fact. Prayer harnesses YaHuWaH 's power when fishing for souls.
• Gospel Sermons ... throwing out the net. Evangelical radio and TV broadcasts, Bible study, Youth activities etc. This is man's part in fishing for souls.
• Gospel Literature ... The written word is still one of the most powerful tools in winning souls. The Protestant Reformation owes much of its success to the Bible which began to be printed in large numbers in the 16th century.
• Who knows, the Internet may catch more souls than the printing press. We'll have to wait and see.

The chief fisherman in this expedition is the Savior himself. He is far more interested in catching 'fish' (human souls) than we ever will be. His understanding of the human mind is all important, and his success in bringing fish to the net is unparalleled. When a fish is caught, it normally brings other fish with it. One could conclude from this fact that a "captured fish could well become a fisherman."

In this parable the fish represent human beings. You will find every type of individual in the church. Rich and poor, educated and ignorant, black and white, young and old. YaHuWaH nets every type of fish, some turn out to be good fish, others bad. As in the parable of the wheat and the tares every type is found in the church of the Most High - both bad and good alike.

But there is coming the Day of Judgment, a time of sifting and sorting when the fish will be closely examined. In Bible terms, that sorting program is called the Day of Judgment. Let no-one forget that the Day of Judgment is near. The Savior's return is very near, 'even at the doors.' When he comes the great 'sort program' will take effect. Unclean fish, those unfit for spiritual consumption (see Leviticus 11:9-12) will be cast out. They are an abomination to YaHuWaH.

For some people the Day of Judgement will be a day of eternal bliss. For others it will be a day of terrifying anguish. Multiplied millions of souls will then realize that they are spiritually unfit for the kingdom. They have been weighed in the balances and found wanting: they are unclean fish! They will be judged by YAHUSHUA the Messiah, the Living Torah. He will say "...depart from Me, Ye that work iniquity (work lawlessness, negate the Torah). They will be thrown to utter destruction. Oh what a frightening prospect is here displayed! Make sure you are saved.

Matthew 19:17 And He (YAHUSHUA) said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but One, that is, YaHuWaH: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Many people believe that the Almighty is too good to eternally banish the persistent sinner from the Kingdom of YaHuWaH ; and that somehow, perhaps after many years of purification in the fires of purgatory, every soul will eventually make it to paradise. This is a fallacy. The Bible teaches the very opposite. It clearly spells out that the destination of the wicked is Hell-fire; not some transitional state called purgatory, a word which doesn't even appear in the Bible. Some folks will not accept this fact; but it will not quietly go away to please them. It is scheduled to come to pass: and come to pass it will, no matter what anyone believes. YAHUSHUA the Messiah says this:

In the parable of the wheat and the tares (weeds) the Savior voices the same truth: that the unbeliever will perish at the coming Judgement. Not that unbelievers are worse than believers. Oh no! Many unbelievers are apparently good people: often better than believers. But unbelievers are sinners. They have rejected pardon for the sins they have committed. Their greatest sin is unbelief, a sin of the mind which is infinitely more weighty that that of the flesh. And for those sins - particularly their unbelief - they will die. The believer on the other hand has accepted pardon for all his/her sins. He/she will live because of his/her faith.

The lessons from the parable of the dragnet are as follows:

• All are invited to the Kingdom of YaHuWaH and all kinds of 'fish' enter the net, the church.
• But before anyone is permitted to enter the Kingdom of Heaven there will be a time of sorting, evaluation and judgment. 'Unclean fish' will be thrown out.
• On that Day of Judgment millions will realize that they are not only excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven but are consigned to the fires of hell.
• Every believer should ensure that he/she is living a good life. Only then can they be sure of being sorted with the clean fish: those who have been cleansed by living faith in the YAHUSHUA the Savior, the only begotten Son of YaHuWaH, the living Elohim.

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