Separating the Godly and the Ungodly

Following the same general vein, Jesus used another parable about planting seed, in Matthew 13:24-30.  “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which 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 blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.

 The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

As Jesus had explained, the parables were intended to teach about things they didn’t understand using things they knew about to explain them. Those who were interested would try to learn exactly what he was saying while those who didn’t care would be entertained with the story and not interfere.  A little later, when the others left, the disciples asked Jesus to explain the parable, in Matthew 13:36.  “Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.”

Jesus had warned them that not everyone who claimed to be a Christian really was, and that there would be many false teachers who sought to mislead people by posing as teachers and prophets who were from God.  In Matthew 13:37-39, he explains that that is the basis for this parable.  “He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.”

God has given his word, using people who are those who have truly been saved and serve God.  Satan has deliberately injected false Christians to mislead and mess up God’s crop, by planting inedible plants among God’s people in the world in hopes of making them all unacceptable to God.  Just as the owner told his workers not to try to root out the tares because of the danger of uprooting the wheat, Christians are not to try to destroy the false teachers and religions.  If left alone, eventually it will become obvious what they really are, and at the time of Christ’s return they will be judged.  God will send his angels to separate his children from those who are only pretending to be.  Paul instructs us to be aware of false teachings and avoid them, but not to attack the teachers, in II Thessalonians 3:14-15.  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”  If we attack them we may well drive away others by our judgmental attitude.  If we just overlook their false teachings we encourage others to think it is okay.    God is far better equipped to separate the saints and sinners than we are. 

Matthew 13:40-43 explains the separation in greater detail.  “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Those who are not God’s children will be separated out by God’s angels when Christ returns and cast into the lake of fire.  Those who believe in him will enter into God’s eternal kingdom and God will wipe away all their tears.  This is the picture painted in Revelation 14:14-19.  “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.  And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.  And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.  And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.  And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.”