WHEAT AND TARES

We are now seeing the signs of the soon-coming final harvest. As we approach the end, Satan's weapon of choice is 'false religion' and Jesus' parable in Matthew 13:24-30 reveals his strategy ... 

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. 

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 asked 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".’  

1. The landowner is God. 
2. The servants are His angels.
3. The enemy is Satan.
4. The wheat represents those who are anointed to bear fruit for His Kingdom.
5. The tares are the deceiving false prophets that spread religious heresy.   

The tares and wheat look alike as they grow. For evil to be accepted as truth, the counterfeit must appear like the original. Into the heart and mind of a lost soul, the adversary plants the 'false teachings' of a 'false gospel' and a 'false Jesus'. 

Paul warned the church ... For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might submit to it. 2 Corinthians 11:4

Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons are but a few of the cults who claim to be 'Christian'. They stand in your doorway and profess 'We believe in Jesus just like you do'.

THEY DON'T ...

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Even in many 'so-called' evangelical mainline churches, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is misrepresented. The doctrines of men bastardize the truth found in God's Word and people are led down a path of destruction.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

Back to the parable. Note that the servants were told to wait for the wheat to ripen before separating and destroying the tares. According to prophecy, we are fast approaching that day and God is waiting for you to come into the fold. 

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

There is a moment in time when the sickle will be thrust into the crop for the final harvest. Are you ready?