This parable is certainly not about the afterlife, but rather the fate of Israel.
Matthew 13’s Kingdom parables tell the gospel in a nutshell. This may challenge an old teaching of the “Pearl of Great Price”, or it may just be an encouragement.
We love church, and believe there is a place in the New Earth for “church”. We do not believe, however, that the Scriptures in any way mandate church membership or even attendance.
Nothing against pastors (honest!)… but if you consider yourself a member of a flock under a church “pastor”, then you really have appointed someone between yourself and God. This is not in line with the New Covenant.
New Earth Christian Studies 