That’s all good except one thing. Who’s Jesus talking to? We’re His 11 faithful apostles not His sheep? Are you purposely skipping all the relevant pieces?
The Word of God is talking to everyone who has
eyes to see, and ears to hear. The disciples are the
firstfruit of His instruction - but it applies to
all of us who want to be a follow of Christ/Christians.
Why does Jesus tell them “Remain in Me” if they are incapable of not remaining in Him?
Because He is speaking to all of us, including the disciples, and reminding us to keep His commandments. It is akin to anaphora - specifically the "remain in me/keep my commandments" that He repeatedly emphasizes.
Then He explains why they must remain in Him because if they don’t they cannot bear fruit.
He is using another literary device -
intrusion. He is talking not only to the disciples, but
all of us. Lest we forget, we need to remain in Him (keep His commandments) if we want to produce fruit. If we don't produce fruit, it is because we do not remain in Him.
Anyone listening to this message with ears to hear and eyes to see is the target. The lost are already ignorant of what He is saying, even though He is also talking about them.
Then He explains to them the consequences of failing to remain in Him which is they will be thrown away to wither (dry up and waste away) then thrown (without regard or care of one’s wellbeing often violently or intensely) into the fire to be burned. That’s according to the Greek definitions of the words used. His apostles are not excluded when He said “anyone who does not abide in me”. Anyone means anyone believer or not.
Right. And what is the metaphor of fire and burning used to describe?
Hell.
Who goes to hell?
Those who aren't resurrected, and die the second death.
Who dies the second death?
Those who do not keep the commandments of the Word of God Himself and the commandments of the Most High God.
What are the commandments of the Most High God?
They are what they have always been - as
He does not change, and He has never declared His Law, or commandments as null, void or inactive for anyone that wants to be His son/daughter.
We have been told all things. It is up to us to believe it, and do it. The Word of God Himself is very clear.