The fiery furnace is the judgment from which Christ came to save us (see Mark 9:48; Matthew 25:41; Luke 16:24; Revelation 19:20, Revelation 21:8). Matthew 13:42 mentions the punishment of those who have been gathered out: specifically, false Christians. The figurative nature of this phrase is seen in the fact that a literal oven consumes completely, with no further weeping or gnashing of teeth, so this does not mean the annihilation of the wicked, but the exclusion of what does not belong in the kingdom.
Matthew 13:42 speaks of the punishment of those who have been gathered out. Here the focus is on false Christians in particular. That the expressions used here are to be understood figuratively is clear from the fact that a literal oven consumes completely, leaving no further possibility for weeping or gnashing of teeth. Thus, it is not a matter of the destruction of the wicked, but rather of a gathering together of what does not belong in the kingdom.1
The fiery furnace thus signifies the unbearable judgment from which the Son of God came to save us (see Mark 9:48; Matthew 25:41; Luke 16:24; Revelation 19:20, Revelation 21:8).2
41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,