The Parable of Wheat and Tares

Matthew chapter thirteen marks a transition in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. The Pharisees accused Jesus of performing His miracles by the power of Satan (Matthew 12:22-27). After this event, Jesus began teaching in parables (Matthew 13:34-35). The Disciples asked Jesus why He began teaching in parables and He explained that they had been given the knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom, but unbelievers will not comprehend (Matthew 13:11-13). Christians, as disciples of Jesus, have been given this same knowledge. Praise His name!

Beginning in verse twenty-four of chapter thirteen, Jesus gave the Disciples, and Christians, the Parable of Wheat and Tares. A man sowed wheat in his field, but an enemy came at night and sowed tares, an unproductive weed that looks like wheat. This is a picture of the Lord’s “field,” the world. The farmer in the parable told his workers to allow the weeds to remain until the harvest. The weeds would then be collected and burned, and then the wheat would be gathered into the barn.

Later in Matthew 13:37, Jesus explained the parable. Jesus is the farmer, the field is the world, the good seed are children of the Kingdom, the enemy is the devil, the bad seed are the children of the devil and the reapers are the Lord’s angels. This parable will be fulfilled at the end of the age (Matthew 13:40). “ … end of the world.” (aion (age) – Strong’s G165).

This event is prophesied to occur at the end of the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:7-9). It is difficult to conceive of people living under the peace of the Lord Jesus for 1,000 years, and then rebelling against Him. But that is exactly what this passage describes. Satan is loosed from the abyss. He gathers all his evil children from over all the earth, and they march against Jerusalem, “the camp of the saints and the beloved city.” Then the prophesied burning will occur with fire from Heaven.

Following this passage is the great judgment of the Lord, and the “second death” for those whose names are not written in the Book of Life. The next thing the Apostle John saw was the new Heavens and new Earth. After the children of the devil are burned, the children of the Kingdom are gathered into the new, wonderful Heaven (the barn), as told by Jesus in the parable.

At this point, most Believers are in agreeance. But there are doctrines that cause different understandings of Scripture.

Preterists believe that the Tribulation occurred at the destruction of Jerusalem at 70 A.D., and therefore we are in the Millennial Kingdom now.
Post-Millennialists believe that we will go through the Tribulation, or perhaps the Tribulation is figurative, and we are now in the Kingdom awaiting the Rapture into Heaven, if I have this straight.
A-Millennialists believe there is no millennium. It is figurative and not literal. A-Millennialists await the coming of the Lord Jesus, which they believe will be the Rapture of the Church.

The Rapture is understood to be when the Lord Jesus calls us Home to Heaven. These doctrines noted above share some common beliefs:

The Church must work to make the world better and better for the Lord to return. The return of the Lord depends on the works of man.
The promises made by the Lord to Israel have been applied to the Church. The Church has replaced Israel. This is Replacement Theology.
As the Church conquers the world and reigns supreme, the world will get better and better.
The Word of God is understood on a spiritual or figurative basis, rather than a literal basis. This allows broad interpretation of the principles and promises found in the Bible.

The Lord Jesus declared that the Gospel would be preached to all nations, and then the end would come (Matthew 24:14). He said nothing about the Church conquering the world. Jesus delineated between human political authorities and activities, and the authority of God in Luke 20:25:

“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.”

The Apostle Paul said the Last Days would be a perilous time (II Timothy 3:1). The word “perilous” is chalepos in Greek. (Strong’s G5467) It is defined as harsh, fierce, savage. Paul then went on to list nineteen negative, even demonic, characteristics of mankind at that time. Paul’s description does not sound like the Church will reign triumphant.

Praise the Lord for His mercy and grace toward us. He who spoke the world into existence can achieve His perfect will. He is the victor! Praise Him always and forever!

The Parable of Wheat and Tares

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