making the final cut
Jesus said: "The reign of God is also like a dragnet thrown into the lake, which collected all sorts of things." —Matthew 13:47
At this moment, the dragnet is being pulled over the earth. It is collecting all sorts of things — churches, committed Christians, the lukewarm, sinners, denominations, ministries, the "religious," church-goers, etc. The Lord will sift through this motley crew when the net is finally hauled ashore on Judgment Day at the end of the world. Then the angels will separate the worthwhile from the useless (Mt 13:48).
God waits till the end before He separates the wheat from the weeds (Mt 13:30) and the sheep from the goats (Mt 25:32). Human beings approach this situation differently. Unlike God, we want to pull out the weeds before harvest (Mt 13:28). We decide who makes the team and who doesn't before the season starts. However, God makes the final cut at the end. The devil uses this to cause confusion. We think that, if we're playing the religious games, have a position on the team, and score a few points, we must be on the team for good. But God hasn't made the final cut.
Many things are in the dragnet, but only those saved and sanctified by Jesus through the Spirit make the final cut.
Prayer: Jesus, give me the grace to be ready for Your Second Coming now.
Promise: "The cloud covered the meeting tent, and the glory of the Lord filled the Dwelling." —Ex 40:34
Praise: Though still in her teens, Carol feels saddened when she cannot take part in daily Mass.
Reference: (Prepare for the end by reading the Bible every day. We have several tape series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. It is also available on our website. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is 32 audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or 17 video tapes starting with V-21.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 27, 2017
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