Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. (Matthew 13:24-26)
Wheat was during biblical times, and still is today a very desirable crop. (see RUTH: Favor in God's Eye) We can do many things with wheat, especially when it comes to food. Jesus refers to the wheat as good seed. Tares, on the other hand are weeds. For any of us with grass yards, we know how frustrating it is to try and get rid of weeds, while trying not to destroy the good grass. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” (Matthew 13:27-30)
This parable is the first time Jesus explains exactly what will happen at the final judgement. Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man [Son of God, Christ Jesus]. The field is the world [all people], the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (Matthew 13:36-42)
Jesus explains that the field is the world, all people. This world is full of all different types of people who believe all different kinds of things. We will study in a future lesson that Jesus promises ...this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14) Every human being has had and will have the opportunity to hear the Word of God; God will make sure of it! (see Tolerance, But At What Cost) And every human being will live with the consequences of whether they accept or reject the Word of God. (see Jesus + Nothing = Salvation) God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. [Genesis 7] And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. (II Peter 3:5-7 NLT)
Whether we admit it or not, we either choose to be "wheat", believe Jesus, or we choose to be "tares, believe the devil. There is no other option, there is no "sitting on the fence", no "gray area". If we choose to believe the devil, we will suffer his same fate, when Jesus will have His angels gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. (Revelations 19:20-21) The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works [whether they chose to believe God or not]. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelations 20:10, 12-15)
But for those of us who choose to believe Christ Jesus, even if we don't understand it all, Jesus says to His angels gather the wheat into my barn. The Lord does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. ...what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. (II Peter 3:9, 11-13 NLT, see Heaven, Sweet Heaven pt.1) God allowed the Apostle John to see this "barn", this ...new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelations 21:1, 3-4, see Heaven, Sweet Heaven pt. 2)
He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (Matthew 13:43)
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