“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” (Matthew 13:30, KJV).

ARTICLE

The Parable of the Wheat and Tares illustrates how good and evil coexist in the world and the church, highlighting God’s patience in allowing both to grow together until the final separation at the end of time, offering insights into divine judgment, personal responsibility, and communal harmony through scriptural teachings and inspired guidance.

SOWING SEEDS SHOWDOWN!

Jesus begins by describing a farmer sowing good seed in his field. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. This seed represents the children of the kingdom. However, an enemy comes and sows tares among the wheat. These tares, resembling wheat in their early stages, symbolize the children of the wicked one. This paints a vivid picture of the world, and even the church, as a mixed field, where good and evil coexist. Clearly, Satan, as the adversary, scatters his agents to sow discord and error among the faithful. Scripture reveals that “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8, KJV). Revealing His role clearly, God warns that “An enemy shall sow tares among the wheat, and when the grain is sprung up, make a show of great conversion, but the love of Jesus will not be in the heart” (Galatians 6:7, KJV). A prophetic voice once wrote, “Satan never sleeps. He is watching, and he improves every opportunity to set his agents to scatter error, which finds good soil in many unsanctified hearts” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 113, 1875). Through inspired counsel we are told, “The sincere believers of truth are made sad, and their trials and sorrows greatly increased, by the elements among them which annoy, dishearten, and discourage them in their efforts. But the Lord would teach His servants a lesson of great carefulness in all their moves” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 113, 1875). This coexistence is not a comfortable reality; it can cause us distress and confusion. But it’s a reality we must confront. How often do we look around our churches and see behaviors or teachings that seem contrary to the true spirit of Christ? This parable reminds us that God is aware of this mixture. But how do we discern when to act against such intrusions?

SEPARATION STRUGGLE!

The servants, noticing the tares, ask their master if they should gather them up. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. The master’s response is crucial: “Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them”. This highlights the danger of premature judgment. We, with our limited perspective, might mistakenly condemn those who are actually striving towards righteousness. This is especially relevant in our church today. We sometimes see division and judgment based on differing opinions on minor points of doctrine or practice. The parable warns us against such hasty actions. We are not called to be the judges, but to be witnesses of God’s grace. Clearly, God instructs, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24, KJV). Scripture reveals that “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things” (Romans 2:1, KJV). A prophetic voice once wrote, “The Lord would teach His servants a lesson of great carefulness in all their moves. ‘Let both grow together.’ Do not forcibly pull up the tares, lest in rooting them up the precious blades will become loosened” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 114, 1875). Through inspired counsel we are told, “What can we expect but trial and perplexity in our connection with men and women of peculiar minds? We must bear this and avoid the necessity of rooting up the tares, lest the wheat be rooted up also” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 114, 1875). But what awaits at the culmination of this growth?

HARVEST HEROICS!

Jesus explains that the separation will occur at the harvest, the end of the world. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. The angels will gather the tares and burn them, while the wheat will be gathered into the barn. This imagery is powerful. It reminds us that there will be a final reckoning, a time when God will separate the righteous from the wicked. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10, KJV). Scripture reveals that “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31, KJV). In Patriarchs and Prophets we read, “The time of the harvest will fully determine the character of the two classes specified under the figure of the tares and the wheat. The work of separation is given to the angels of God, and not committed into the hands of any man” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 324, 1890). A passage from The Review and Herald reminds us, “Finite man is likely to misjudge character, but God does not leave the work of judgment and pronouncing upon character to those who are not fitted for it. We are not to say what constitutes the wheat, and what the tares” (The Review and Herald, September 5, 1893). This is not a cause for fear for those who are striving to live according to God’s will, but a source of hope and assurance that justice will ultimately prevail. Yet what does this field truly represent in our midst?

FIELD OF FATES!

The field, as Jesus clarifies, represents the world. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. Christ also states that the field represents the church in the world. This is a profound point. The church is not a perfect institution, free from sin and error. It is a field where wheat and tares grow together. This should humble us. We are all part of this mixed field, and we must strive to be wheat, bearing fruit for God’s glory. As a movement, we see this mixture as a call to continually purify ourselves according to the word of God. We must be ever vigilant against the leaven of worldliness that seeks to infiltrate the church. Clearly, God declares, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17, KJV). Scripture reveals that “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9, KJV). A prophetic voice once wrote, “The church of Christ on earth will be imperfect, but God does not destroy his church because of its imperfection. There have been and will be those who are filled with zeal not according to knowledge, who would purify the church, and uproot the tares from the midst of the wheat. But Christ has given special light as to how to deal with those who are erring, and with those who are unconverted in the church” (The Review and Herald, September 5, 1893). Through inspired counsel we are told, “There is to be no spasmodic, zealous, hasty action taken by church-members in cutting off those they may think defective in character. Tares will appear among the wheat; but it would do more harm to weed out the tares, unless in God’s appointed way, than to leave them alone” (The Review and Herald, September 5, 1893). But how does this dynamic reveal divine affection?

LOVE’S LONG GAME!

How do these concepts reflect God’s love? Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. The very fact that God allows the tares to grow alongside the wheat demonstrates His long-suffering and patience. He desires that all should come to repentance. The parable shows that God does not want to prematurely destroy anyone who might still turn to Him. Ellen G. White wrote, “The teaching of this parable is illustrated in God’s own dealing with men and angels. Satan is a deceiver. When he sinned in heaven, even the loyal angels did not fully discern his character. This was why God did not at once destroy Satan. Had He done so, the holy angels would not have perceived the justice and love of God. A doubt of God’s goodness would have been as evil seed that would yield the bitter fruit of sin and woe. Therefore the author of evil was spared, fully to develop his character. Through long ages God has borne the anguish of beholding the work of evil, He has given the infinite Gift of Calvary, rather than leave any to be deceived by the misrepresentations of the wicked one; for the tares could not be plucked up without danger of uprooting the precious grain. And shall we not be as forbearing toward our fellow men as the Lord of heaven and earth is toward Satan?” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 72, 1900). Sr. White further explains, “Not judgment and condemnation of others, but humility and distrust of self, is the teaching of Christ’s parable” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 74, 1900). “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, KJV). Scripture reveals that “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10, KJV). This demonstrates God’s mercy, giving space for repentance. This forbearance is a testament to His love. Ultimately, the separation is an act of love, protecting the righteous from the influence of evil and ensuring a place for them in His eternal kingdom. Therefore, the parable, while dealing with judgment, is fundamentally rooted in God’s love and desire for the salvation of humanity. But how can we apply this truth in our daily lives?

GROWTH AND GRACE GUIDE!

For me, this parable is a constant reminder to focus on my own growth in Christ. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. It’s easy to get caught up in judging others, but my energy is better spent cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in my own life. For us as a church, this parable calls us to unity and forbearance. We must avoid creating divisions based on minor differences. We must focus on the core truths of the gospel and work together to spread the three angels messages. I see this parable reflected in the current state of the church, where we see differing views on doctrine and practice, and even open rebellion against the clear counsels of the Spirit of Prophecy. We must remember that God is the ultimate judge, and our role is to be faithful witnesses, living lives that reflect His love and truth. We must strive to be the wheat, rooted in the word of God, bearing fruit to His glory, and patiently waiting for the final harvest. Clearly, God commands, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5, KJV). Scripture reveals that “But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another” (Galatians 6:4, KJV). A prophetic voice once wrote, “The world has no right to doubt the truth of Christianity because there are unworthy members in the church, nor should Christians become disheartened because of the tares among the wheat. It is not our place to uproot the tares, according to human wisdom, lest under the suggestions of Satan the wheat may be rooted up under the supposition that it is tares” (The Review and Herald, August 8, 1893). Through inspired counsel we are told, “If we know what is the manner of character Christians should develop, and yet see in others that which is inconsistent with this character, let us determine that we will firmly resist the enemy in his temptations to make us act in an inconsistent way, and say, ‘I will not make Christ ashamed of me’” (The Review and Herald, August 8, 1893).

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into these prophetic truths, allowing them to shape my character and priorities?

How can we adapt these complex themes to be understandable and relevant to diverse audiences, from seasoned church members to new seekers or those from different faith traditions, without compromising theological accuracy?

What are the most common misconceptions about these topics in my community, and how can I gently but effectively correct them using Scripture and the writings of Sr. White?

In what practical ways can our local congregations and individual members become more vibrant beacons of truth and hope, living out the reality of Christ’s soon return and God’s ultimate victory over evil?