Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and 1  him that serveth him not.”

ABSTRACT

This article delves into Jesus’ parable of the wheat and tares, revealing how good and evil coexist within the church and the world until God’s final separation at judgment’s end. It examines applications to the community, individual hearts, and the broader spiritual war, urging vigilance, patience, and reliance on Christ’s righteousness amid the ongoing battle.

DUALITY DRAMA UNFOLDS!

The church is composed of two distinct classes, often compared to good and bad metal, good and bad fish, and more. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. This duality is highlighted in Christ’s teachings, particularly in the parables of the wheat and the tares. These parables illustrate that good and evil will coexist in the church until the final judgment. According to Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 123), “The wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest.” This cohabitation mirrors the good and bad fish being drawn ashore for a final separation. The casting of the net represents the preaching of the gospel, which gathers both righteous and wicked individuals into the church. Yet, as Christ’s Object Lessons (pp. 122-123) explains, the presence of false ones in the community will lead some to criticize the truth of the gospel and cause others to stumble in their faith. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14, KJV). “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15, KJV). “While Christ is sowing the good seed, Satan is sowing the seeds that produce a noxious, poisonous weed” (Selected Messages Book 2, p. 69, 1958). “The tares and wheat are now commingled, but then the one hand that alone can separate them will give to everyone his true position” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 235, 1923). Therefore, Christ emphasizes that it is one’s character, not mere affiliation with the church, that determines eternal destiny.

The parable underscores that no probation remains after the judgment. Separation occurs at the end of time. Once the gospel’s work is completed, the separation between the good and the evil will be final, fixing the fate of both classes forever (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 123). “And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:32, KJV). “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:46, KJV). “The cases of all are pending in the heavenly sanctuary. Names are accepted, names rejected. But man knows not which with him it may be” (Evangelism, p. 221, 1946). “The work of separation is given to the angels of God, and not committed into the hands of any man” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 47, 1923). This vital teaching reminds us of the need for vigilance in our faith and reliance on Christ’s righteousness. But what deeper insights does Jesus offer on this parable’s elements?

Building upon this foundation, Jesus provides a deeper explanation of the parable of the wheat and tares in Matthew 13:24-30, where He describes the roles of the wheat, the sower, the field, and the tares in the context of the final harvest. The harvest marks the climax of separation. “The harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels” (Matthew 13:39, KJV). “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world” (Matthew 13:40, KJV). “The wheat and the tares are to grow together until the harvest. Then it is that the angels gather the good grain for the heavenly garner” (Review and Herald, October 10, 1893). “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” (That I May Know Him, p. 180, 1964). Christ reveals the ultimate roles in this divine drama. But how does the parable apply to the separation of good and evil?

SEPARATION SHOWDOWN STRIKES!

In the parable of the wheat and tares found in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Jesus presents a profound teaching about the final judgment and the coexistence of good and evil in the world. Coexistence challenges the community until the end. Initially, the disciples did not understand the meaning, so Jesus later provided an explanation. The wheat represents the children of the kingdom, while the tares symbolize the children of the wicked one. Jesus, the sower of the wheat, plants seeds in the world, symbolized by the field, while Satan plants tares, representing his followers. As both wheat and tares grow together, the final separation will occur at the end of the world when angels, the harvesters, will separate the righteous from the wicked. Ellen G. White, in Testimonies for the Church (Vol. 5, p. 100), highlights that the righteous and wicked coexist, serving as a contrast for the world to see the difference between light and darkness. “And the field is the world, the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one” (Matthew 13:38, KJV). “The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels” (Matthew 13:39, KJV). “While the Lord brings into the church those who are truly converted, Satan at the same time brings persons who are not converted into its fellowship” (Our Father Cares, p. 92, 1991). “There is in the Saviour’s words another lesson, a lesson of wonderful forbearance and tender love. As the tares have their roots closely intertwined with those of the good grain, so false brethren in the church may be closely linked with true disciples” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 72, 1900). This parable emphasizes that the final judgment belongs to God, and it is not our role to separate the righteous from the wicked prematurely.

As Jesus explained, the final harvest will occur at the end of time, where the angels will gather the wheat for the heavenly garner, and the tares will be burned. The harvest signals irreversible fate. The field, representing the world, is a place where both good and evil will remain until the end, reminding us that we must live in patience and readiness, knowing that divine judgment will come at the appointed time. “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31, KJV). “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book” (Daniel 12:1, KJV). “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” (That I May Know Him, p. 180, 1964). “The tares and wheat are now commingled, but then the one hand that alone can separate them will give to everyone his true position” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 235, 1923). Divine timing governs the ultimate division.

Christ further clarifies that the field represents not just the world, but the church in the world, where we must grow and ripen in preparation for God’s harvest (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 70). The church serves as the ripening ground. “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9, KJV). “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18, KJV). “The wheat develops ‘first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.’ The object of planting seed is the reproduction of seed” (Education, p. 105, 1903). “While the Holy Spirit works globally, it is within the church that the community grows and ripens for the garner of God” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 70, 1900). Growth demands patience amid imperfections. But how does this parable unfold in the church setting?

CHURCH CLASH ERUPTS!

In the parable of the wheat and the tares, Jesus provided a second application where the field represents the church rather than the world. The kingdom illustrates mixed elements. In Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 70), Sr. White explains that while the Holy Spirit works globally, it is within the church that we grow and ripen for the garner of God. This parable is an illustration of the kingdom of God, where both righteous and unconverted individuals coexist. Despite the imperfections in the church, Christ instructs His followers not to uproot the tares hastily, as this could harm the wheat, the true ones among us. Instead, both are to grow together until the final harvest, symbolizing the end of probationary time. “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13, KJV). “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8, KJV). “Has God no living church? He has a church, but it is the church militant, not the church triumphant. We are sorry that there are defective members” (Our Father Cares, p. 92, 1991). “Divisions will come in the church. Two parties will be developed. The wheat and tares grow up together for the harvest” (Selected Messages Book 2, p. 114, 1958). Imperfections test our endurance.

The presence of wheat and tares in the church illustrates the ongoing battle between good and evil. Satan sows discord amid growth. According to Sr. White in Testimonies to Ministers (p. 46), while Christ plants good seeds, Satan simultaneously sows tares. These unconverted members, who embody false principles, often appear outwardly righteous but are spiritually corrupt. The church is not immune to this deception, and the righteous often find themselves in conflict with false ones. However, Christ’s servants are advised to refrain from passing judgment on others, for only God can truly discern the heart. As noted in Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 71), premature judgment risks uprooting those whom Christ is still drawing to Himself. “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24, KJV). “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matthew 7:1-2, KJV). “It is not given us to know the hearts of others or to judge their motives” (Evangelism, p. 313, 1946). “It is dangerous work to invest men with authority to judge and rule their fellow men” (Christian Leadership, p. 33, 1974). God alone discerns true motives.

The parable also addresses the notion of final judgment within the church. Humanity lacks authority to judge motives. Sr. White emphasizes that while open sin must be addressed, the task of judging one’s character or motive is not given to humanity. In Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 71), she warns that attempting to cleanse the church prematurely could extinguish the last hope for some souls. God’s patience with individuals like Judas Iscariot serves as a model for us, highlighting that we are to bear with others, just as Christ has borne with us. The wheat and tares will grow together until the harvest, the end of probationary time, when God will separate the righteous from the wicked. “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17, KJV). “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30, KJV). “God will judge those who take unwarrantable liberties and make use of dishonorable means in order to give character and influence to what they judge to be right” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 33, 1923). “May the Lord open the eyes and soften the hearts of those who have a harsh, unforgiving, unrelenting spirit toward those whom they judge to be in error” (Christian Leadership, p. 65, 1974). Patience mirrors divine mercy.

As we move toward the third application of the parable, we shift our focus from the church to the broader spiritual battle in which Satan seeks to steal the seeds of divine truth from our hearts. In Christ’s Object Lessons (pp. 44-45), Sr. White describes how Satan works tirelessly to prevent the Word of God from taking root in the hearts of those who hear it, using worldly distractions, doubts, and criticisms to thwart the work of the Holy Spirit. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12, KJV). “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). “One influence is working for the purification of the church, and the other for the corrupting of the people of God” (Our Father Cares, p. 92, 1991). “Satan is working with great power in and through the children of disobedience, to exalt treason and apostasy as truth and loyalty” (Evangelism, p. 620, 1946). Distractions demand vigilant defense. But how does this battle rage within each heart?

HEART HAVOC IGNITES!

In the third application of the parable of the wheat and tares, the field represents the heart of the individual, and the seeds are the words of truth sown by Christ. Sin infiltrates unguarded hearts. Satan, however, is quick to scatter tares in the form of errors, false doctrines, and sin. Sr. White, in Christ’s Object Lessons (pp. 44-45), explains that just as birds catch the seeds from the wayside, Satan eagerly seeks to catch away divine truth before it takes root in the heart. He works tirelessly to divert the minds of individuals away from the word of God, often through worldly distractions or doubt, rendering the truth ineffective. This battle for the heart is ongoing, as the field must be guarded against the infiltration of sin, which must be rooted out before the close of probation. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23, KJV). “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts” (Proverbs 21:2, KJV). “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (The Faith I Live By, p. 87, 1958). “Negligence in guarding the heart provides Satan with the opportunity to spread error” (Testimonies for the Church Volume 3, p. 113, 1873). Vigilance secures victory over infiltration.

The sower of the good seed in this application is Christ, who continuously sows seeds of truth in our hearts. Truth requires cultivation against falsehood. As noted in Christ’s Object Lessons (pp. 37-38), Christ is the eternal revealer of truth, bringing the gospel seed to mankind since the fall of man. The field, or heart, must be cultivated with vigilance, as Satan seeks to sow tares—representing sin and falsehood—among the truth. According to Sr. White in Testimonies for the Church (Vol. 3, p. 113), negligence in guarding the heart provides Satan with the opportunity to spread error. If the tares of sin are left to grow unchecked, they will corrupt the heart, and if not uprooted before the close of probation, they will result in spiritual destruction. “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you” (Hosea 10:12, KJV). “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee” (Proverbs 23:7, KJV). “The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought” (The Faith I Live By, p. 87, 1958). “By sin we have been severed from the life of God. Our souls are palsied” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 84, 1905). Unchecked corruption leads to ruin.

The heart, as described in Jeremiah 17:9, is deceitful and wicked, making it difficult for individuals to recognize their own faults. Self-examination uncovers hidden faults. Many may harbor evil within their hearts without realizing it, necessitating constant vigilance and self-examination. David’s prayer in Psalm 139:23-24 provides a model for this, asking God to search the heart and reveal any hidden wickedness. Sr. White explains in Christ’s Object Lessons (pp. 71-72) that while open sin must be addressed immediately, the judgment of one’s character and motives is reserved for God alone. A person may appear righteous outwardly, yet harbor sin within their heart. As such, the removal of sin must be done with care and in accordance with divine guidance. “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). “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31, KJV). “Deep humility of soul before God is necessary, and firm, humble reliance upon the merits of the blood of Christ alone” (Counsels on Health, p. 377, 1914). “In such cases of affliction, where Satan has control of the mind, before engaging in prayer there should be the closest self-examination” (Counsels on Health, p. 377, 1914). Divine guidance ensures proper removal.

As we move from this application of the parable, we transition to examine the role of the angel in the final phase of God’s plan. The gospel must be preached to all the world before the end can come, as outlined in Matthew 24:14. The apostles played a crucial role in this mission, as seen in Romans 10:16-18 and Colossians 1:5-6, 23, yet the work of spreading the gospel continues today. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14, KJV). “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19, KJV). “When Jesus rises up in the most holy place, and lays off His mediatorial garments, and clothes Himself with the garments of vengeance in place of the priestly attire, the work for sinners will be done” (The Faith I Live By, p. 209, 1958). “The probation of all closes when the pleading for sinners is ended and the garments of vengeance are put on” (Testimonies for the Church Volume 2, p. 191, 1868). Angels herald the closing mission.

Matthew 13:30 (KJV): “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.”

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into the parable of the wheat and tares, allowing its truths 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 the coexistence of good and evil in the church 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 patience amid tares and vigilance for the harvest?