Parable #2 is about the kingdom of heaven compared to a merchant man – “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” This parable also infers that we should be willing to give away all of our worldly habits and lifestyle to know God and come into the kingdom of heaven after this life. See Parable #3 below. You can also test your knowledge on the New Testament stories and many other topics by taking our Bible Quizzes (link above).

Now, onto the third parable: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” One of the meanings of this parable could be that the kingdom of heaven attracts many people of different kinds. At the end of the world, the angels shall separate the good from the evil or from those that made an appearance of being righteous but inside were deceivers. These types of people are explained more in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” So, let us be like the 5 wise virgins that filled their lamps with oil by practicing kindness and following the commandments of God.