Until Harvest Comes

1
Until Harvest Comes

• All will be clear in the Day of Judgment

2
Introduction

• Many view the parables and other teachings of
  Jesus as a contrast between believers and
  non-believers.
• While there is a definite distinction between
  believers and non-believers that IS NOT what
  Jesus focused his teaching on.
• Much of Jesus teachings among His Jewish
  brethren focused on distinguishing among the
  religious the faithful from those who only
  appear faithful.

3
Introduction

• Thus, when Jesus taught the parable of the wheat
  and tares He wanted listeners to be aware of this
  distinction and how all will be clear by the time
  Judgment comes.
• To be clear it should be obvious to all that
  atheists and religious people who do not believe
  in Jehovah God ARE NOT a part of this discussion.
• Specifically, Jesus is talking about Himself, His
  teaching (the word of the kingdom. V. 19) and the
  Judgment to come.
• The people of God (Jews) who heard the preaching
  of Jesus would either accept or reject Him.
• The same is true for the people of this world,
  and just as important, those within the kingdom.

4
Explaining The Parable

• The audience large crowd of Jews (people of
  God). Matt. 13
• Followers and detractors. V. 10-16
• All the audience were religious minded they came
  to hear Jesus. V. 18-23
• Some, however, rejected Gods word immediately.
• Others initially receive Gods word, but have no
  root or are lead by the cares of the world, thus
  fall away.
• Finally, some with good hearts would receive and
  bear fruit, the teachings of God.

5
Explaining The Parable

• Setting/Characters of the parable. Matt.
  1324-30 36-43
• The field is the world. V. 38
• Jesus is the Son of Man (cp. Matt. 820) and
  the good seed are the wheat He sowed in the field
  (V. 37-38), which is His kingdom. V. 41
• The evil one is the devil (v. 39) and those
  belonging to him are the tares (v. 38).
• The harvest is the end of the age with the angels
  serving as the reapers. V. 39

6
Whos Who? Distinguishing The Wheat From the Tares

• Since the first century Gods word has spread as
  visualized through this parable. V. 38, 41
• Aside from those who are true disciples of Jesus
  many have rejected Gods word outright and are
  easy to judge as unbelievers.
• Likewise, while others receive Gods word as
  believers they are also easy to judge as having
  become unfaithful for various reasons.
• Others seemingly bear fruit according to Gods
  and through the eyes of men cannot be
  distinguished from Gods truly faithful.

7
Whos Who? Distinguishing The Wheat From the Tares

• It is this last group that Jesus contextually
  speaks of in the parable.
• The wheat and tares are virtually
  indistinguishable in the early stage of growth,
  even to the expert farmer. V. 25-26
• Likewise, many faithful Christians have
  difficulty distinguishing the faithful from some
  of the tares among us.
• The unfortunate tragedy is that by the time the
  tares are distinguished from the wheat it would
  be disastrous to rid the tares from the field as
  surrounding wheat would also be destroyed. V.
  27-30
• In this case Jesus said the separation will come
  at the harvest the Day of Judgment.

8
Whos Who? Distinguishing The Wheat From the Tares

• The Day of Judgment will separate the Wheat from
  the Tares.
• Many secretly come into the Lords church and are
  well disguised.
• They are false teachers who appear as wolves in
  sheeps clothing. Cp. Matt. 715 Acts 2029-30
• For this reason Gods faithful must be vigilant
  lest false teachers lead them astray. Acts 2031

9
Whos Who? Distinguishing The Wheat From the Tares

• The Day of Judgment will separate the Wheat from
  the Tares.
• When the end comes, those who are false in any
  way will be separated from the faithful.
• They will be separated as tares from the wheat
  goat from the sheep unfaithful from the
  faithful.
• Until then Gods faithful must endure till the
  harvest comes. Jas. 12

10
Conclusion

• Gods people will always have tares among the
  faithful.
• Examine yourselves whether you are in the faith.
  2 Cor. 135