6/1/11 Matthew 13:40-43 Separation at the end

⁴⁰As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
⁴¹The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
⁴²And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
⁴³Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
⁴⁴Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

(Parable of the Sower)

Thoughts: Jesus points out that the church is separated into the righteous and unrighteous not now- but in the end by Him.  For this reason, all should make every effort to stay together, to keep "the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3). 
The second things we see is that angels separate out "them that do iniquity" literally "those who commit lawlessness" (poinontas ten anomian )."  Christ is concerned about keeping the Law.  Those who ignore the law do so to their own peril.  The lawless ones contrast with the righteous ones.  It doesn't matter what motivation, temptation, or excuse the lawless ones have for breaking and ignoring the Law.  It does not matter if the whole culture becomes lawless.  We are called by this parable to follow the righteous and not the lawless. 

Prayer: Help me, Lord, to follow you by follwing your prescription and laws.  Help me to do my part for the unity of your church.