Wednesday, July 5, 2017

The Parable of the Tares of the Field


“His disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field (Matthew 13:36).” The parable of the tares is about the harvest of end times, but equally as important it is one more part, and another clue, in the kingdom of heaven parables. Before getting into the interpretation of this parable, let's briefly consider the collective work of all the kingdom of heaven parables. Most Christians already know that the words, "kingdom of heaven," pertain to the receiving of the Holy Spirit, but what they have not known is that those very same words also apply to God's hidden agenda. The mystery of God's hidden agenda is that in the fullness of time God planned to cause every believer to inherit the Holy Spirit, and he called and named his plan: the kingdom of heaven.

The goal and purpose of God’s hidden agenda is to cause every religious leader to stand before the people, and confess and acknowledge four things: Number one: that all of God's people should desire to obtain the Holy Spirit, for it is the gift of God. Number two: that God has given his people a new covenant, and from henceforth eternal life will only be granted unto believers that know God's new covenant, and do it: and the new covenant is to learn of Jesus. Number three: that religion resulted from the forefathers' misinterpretations of God's word, as well as from people's fears of deviating from religious doctrine and the beliefs of their assemblies. Number four: that God used four carpenters to build Zion: Islam, Judaism, Christianity and the priesthood: and all four of these carpenters are of the seed of Abraham, therefore all four of these groups are God’s chosen people.

It is necessary to have the priesthood confess and acknowledge all four of these truths before the people: for then, and only then, will the kingdom of heaven be received by all God's people; and then, and only then, are all of God's people set free from every possibility of religious deception. Rejoice, for this is the day that believers have been waiting for, for when these four truths are confessed before the masses, then all of God's people have the opportunity to partake in eternal life with the Holy Spirit. “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation… for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:20-21).” Since God’s wrath will be the ultimate confirmation of the matter, the new covenant will be established, and spiritual death will be swallowed up in victory! “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory (1Corinthians 15:55)?” Rejoicing evidence of these things is documented in the words: "And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and for there children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them (Jeremiah 32:39-40)."

God's hidden agenda involves many aspects which are simultaneously working together towards knowing and acknowledging what God's will is, and towards fulfilling prophecy. For lack of better terminology, these various aspects could be referred to as, facets. Each individual kingdom of heaven parable yields perspective and understanding to one of the various facets of God's end time plan. These various facets are already at work at fulfilling prophecy. Wherefore, collectively the kingdom of heaven parables are within themselves, evidence that God is causing every believer to inherit the riches of the kingdom. “That ye may know… the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18).” “That he would grant you… to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man… that you might be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16; 3:19).”

Now the parable is this: “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field (Matthew 13:24).” “He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man (Matthew 13:37).” The interpretation of the parable of the tares must start out by acknowledging that this sower is a priest or a religious leader, because, in prophecy, the male gender is used to represent religious leaders. Additionally, crediting the sower with being the Son of man insinuates that he understands Jesus’ doctrine: the sower is in Christ, and the Holy Spirit is in him. The work of a “sower” pertains exclusively to one specific message, therefore this believing priest is teaching his listeners how to receive the Holy Spirit. “The good seed are the children of the kingdom (Matthew 13:38).” Because there is some “good seed,” the seed itself becomes evidence that this man’s message is in agreement with God's word, for good seed only happens when God causes a good message to be received in the hearts and minds of his people.

“The field is the world (Matthew 13:38).” There are important understandings which can be learned from each of the two words used to describe where the sower is sowing his message. First of all it is important to acknowledge that everyone, from all the people who have forgotten God, unto all the people who have drawn near to him, everyone is said to be “in the world.” “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (John 17:15).” “As he is, so are we in this world (1John 4:17).” “Ye shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15).”

When scripture sounds its alarm against “loving the world,” it is insinuating that believers can corrupt themselves if they love and respect the laws of a religious doctrine over what God’s word truly says. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men (Colossians 2:8).” “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition (Mark 7:9).” God plans to overthrow the vain philosophies of every religion, therefore every profitable believer should be studying the scriptures, and increasing their understanding of what God's word truly says. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him… The world passeth away, and the lusts thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (1John 2:15-17).” “The fashion of this world passeth away (1Corinthians 7:31).” “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (1John 5:4).” Believers need to overcome their love of religious doctrine, because it contains, mistaken, albeit widely accepted, and well rehearsed beliefs.

The word "field" reveals something about the sower, as well as about the people that are hearing his message. “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest (John 4:35).” In prophecy, the parable word “field” pertains to everywhere that the covenant message is being heard, even though, and during the while, its controversial parts are being silenced. “The meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God (Joel 1:13).” Evidence concerning the parable meaning of the word “field,” is found in an old testament account which prophesy's truths about the Assyrian. It has already been established, as well as verified with evidence, that, in prophecy, the parable words, "king of Assyria," and "the Assyrian," pertain to one specific Christian prophet, and his followers. These are the leaders that been dealing with the newly discovered truths of prophecy. Anyways, the afore mentioned old testament account links the parable word "field," with the Assyrian. The old testament account is in itself a parable, and in it the word "field" was rehearsed and promoted several times. Listen not only to the repetition, but also to how this word was placed in this particular parable: for it manifests evidence that the parable word "field" pertains unto every person who has ever sat under the teachings and persuasions of the Assyrian. “Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon… his height was exalted above all the trees of the field… under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young… In the day when he went down to the grave… I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him (From Ezekiel chapter 31).”

Despite seeming to the contrary, God allowed and caused the Assyrian to fulfill his word, and his ways have resulted in a delightsome field. “Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength (Joel 2:22).” “Your vine shall not cast her fruit before the time in the field (Malachi 3:11).” “You shall go out with joy… and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12).” So the church's time in the field was purposed to be a time of exercise, wherein believers were increasing, as well as gaining back some of their strength. Bear in mind that the field is where the sower of our parable is sowing his message, therefore it is concluded that the sower is himself, an Assyrian.

The parable continues: “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way (Matthew 13:25).” Confirming that men are sleeping is evidence that some Christians are not paying enough attention, and they are allowing mistakes to be made. “The tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil (Matthew 13:38-39).” Who is the wicked person that sowed these tares? He is anyone, even a visiting evangelist, who has stood before the Lord’s congregation and rehearsed old religious doctrines which are contrary to God’s will for end times. Every ignorant and uninformed person who is still teaching traditional religious beliefs, is subjecting God’s people to deceit and confusion. Evidence of God’s opinion on the matter resounds in the words: “I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam… So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against thee with the sword of my mouth (Revelation 2:14-16).”

“Tares are the children of the wicked one (Matthew 13:38).“ The parable word “tares” applies to confused and deceived believers that sat in the congregation under the influence of an ignorant and uniformed sower, and they received the Holy Spirit when God's adversary taught them his traditional and religious ways. Tares are, by the design of their father, eager to contend for their religious beliefs, and ardently opposed to conversion. “The wicked… go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies (Psalm 58:3).” “I beseech thee, look upon my son… A spirit taketh him… and it teareth him… As Jesus was yet a-coming, the devil threw him down, and it tare him (from Luke 9:38-42).”

“Wheat” on the other hand, is a name which pertains to good believers that perceive God’s hand in the activities of end times. These believers rejoice, and are eager to come into the Lord's house for healing, and for greater understanding. God placed the name "wheat" upon these believers because of the obvious relationship that wheat has with bread: the awakenings of the multitudes of people which will come into the house of the Lord, will be a sign, for it will be the bread of enlightenment which will convince many a naysayer. “Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all (Jeremiah 31:12).”

The parable continues: “But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also (Matthew 13:26).” The blade is another anticipated sign, and it will be the unmistakeable indication that it is harvest time. “Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven (Matthew 24:30).” Certain men are waiting for this sign. “Be patient… unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it (James 5:7).” Having patience is part of God’s plan, insomuch that a season of patient waiting fulfills scripture. Patience was necessary because it insured that every priest had an opportunity to hear God’s end time plan. Men have been patiently waiting because God seemingly indicated that his people should wait for a prophet’s words to come to pass, before they regard his message. “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:22).” Wherefore, the Assyrian and his helpers felt it necessary to silence the controversial parts of God’s message, until after they had seen the Lord’s unmistakeable sign. “I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe (John 13:19).” But should the priesthood be continuing to wait for a sign? "An evil and adulterous nation seeketh after a sign (Matthew 12:39)." It is not a good thing, especially since some of the understanding which was first proclaimed in the covenant message, has already come to pass.

The “blade” is Nebuchadnezzar, whose name in prophecy pertains to a righteous Islamic prophet whom God hath chosen (Isaiah 41:2). The blade will come, and furthermore, he will make his debut, and his sudden appearance, in Ariel. “Woe to Ariel… I will camp against thee… and thou shalt be brought down… it shall be at an instant suddenly. Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire (from Isaiah 29:1-6).” “The Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard… For through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be beaten down (Isaiah 30:30-31).” “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh… a day of darkness… a great people and a strong; there hath never been the like… yea, and nothing shall escape them (from Joel 2:1-3).” Hear once again that verse concerning the tares, and the blade: "But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also (Matthew 13:26)." These words more, or less confirm that the tares will not be a problem until after the blade makes his debut.

“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 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 the 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 13:27-30).” Note how the words “householder” and “servants” elicit their confirmation that this parable is about a priest, and his church. Before believers can understand this priest’s response, the parable words “reapers” and “harvest” must be interpreted and defined.

“The harvest is the end of the world; and reapers are the angels (Matthew 13:39).” A good place to start is by examining the word “angel.” This word conjures up images of a spiritual beings, but according to God’s word, Spirit led believers are also called, angels. This is easily understood by studying the Hebrew and Greek words which were translated into the words “angel” and “angels.” These same words were also translated into the words, ambassadors, messengers, apostles, and even into the word, God. Wherefore, angels are believers with sincere hearts, and they desire to do their part for the Lord: they are the Lord's messengers. Additional evidence concerning the word, angels, is found in the book of Revelation, wherein Jesus wrote messages to the "angels" of the seven churches. Unfortunately, even “angels” can be deceived. Deceived angels are serving their leaders, and not God, which is why Satan has angels. “The angels which kept not their first estate… he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day (Jude 6).”

“Reapers” are end time angels, which are sent out with their priest's message, to gather the people. “He shall send his angels with the 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).” Reapers who are following after false teachers, will be gathering the offended into assemblies wherein religion is still being taught. “He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity (Proverbs 22:8).” “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up (Matthew 15:13).” “Angels… shall gather out of his kingdom all things which offend, and them which do iniquity (Matthew 13:41).” “Then shall he say… Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).”

As for the meaning of the parable word, harvest: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest (Matthew 9:37-38).” The secret to interpreting the parable word “harvest,” is to understand that each and every priest is his very own, “Lord of the harvest.” Priests have a certain amount of control over harvest day. Harvest day happens on the day that a priest either confesses the newly revealed truths of prophecy from his pulpit, or else he uses his influence and persuasion to try to convince his congregation to work against the Lord's message. “When the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come (Mark 4:29).” On the day that a priest utters his sentiments, his angels will go forth with his answer, and they will work to convince others to come to their places of assembly for greater understanding. So while some reapers are gathering the righteous, other reapers will be working to gather the disgruntled into the furnace of affliction. “Cut off… him that handleth the sickle in time of harvest (Jeremiah 50:16).” “They have sown wheat, but they shall reap thorns (Jeremiah 12:13).”

Hear again the sower’s response unto his servants. “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 the 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 13:27-30).” This priest is showing mercy in that he is allowing time for the deceived to be healed and converted, but his response is especially meant to be a warning, as well as an instruction: for reasons of peace within the congregation, God's people should not go forth to correct an individual’s theological mindset until after the priest has confessed the truths of the covenant message before the congregation. “I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love: endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is… one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4:1-6).”

“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 the kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and they shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:40-42).” This verse is evidence that believers who are promoting the mistaken messages of false teachers, will be gathering the rebellious into places of worship that are filled with unrest, and conflict. The parable word “furnace” pertains to the tumults and conflicts which will be taking place among the deceived all the while that religion is being debated. God factored the furnace into his plan. The unrest within these places of worship will cause the righteous to seek for the truth of God's word, before Judgment Day. “The house of Israel is to me become dross… therefore I will gather you… into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it… and I will leave you there, and melt you (Ezekiel 22:18-20).” The word “fire” conjures up images of the raging passions of infuriated believers as they protest, and blame one another for messing up, and for making religious mistakes. These fires will be burning until the day that believers perceive their need to be charitable and forgiving, or until Judgment Day, when God causes all religious mistakes, and the power of religious deceit, to be burnt up and destroyed forever.

Another gift: There are three short kingdom of heaven parables included in the thirteenth chapter of the book of Matthew. Although the lessons of these parables are brief, they are good insight for end times. The remainder of this message is dedicated to these three short parables.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field (Matthew 13:44).” This parable manifests the response of believing priests as they rejoice in finding and perceiving the truths of the covenant message. “Buy the truth and sell it not (Proverbs 23:23).” These priests have already bought the truth of the message, wherefore they have left behind every religious law, and every religious mistake that their forefathers and teachers ever taught them. They are wholeheartedly, albeit secretively, following after this message. “In the house of the righteous is much treasure (Proverbs 15:6).”

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it (Matthew 13:45-46).” The parable word “pearl,” pertains to hearing honest and sincere words of wisdom. The word “merchant” is God’s clever way of depicting a modern day prophet. Prophets are like merchants in that they buy and sell the truths of scripture. Let me elaborate: Modern day prophets seek for inspired truths among faithful believers, and when they hear words of wisdom, they rework the inspirations that they have found into their own inspired messages, which they sell for profit. When believers apply the meanings of these two words unto the parable, then the interpretation of the parable is that some of today’s prophets were seeking after good and honest words, when they came across the covenant message. Its good counsel caused these merchants to give up everything, all of their former works, and all of their former beliefs, in order to follow after its message and hear the newly revealed truths of prophecy. “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast… and come and follow me (Matthew 19:21).”

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:47-50).” First of all, think upon the words “when it was full.” These words provide proof and evidence that God allowed for there to be a sustained period of waiting: it was a necessary part of his plan. Next, it is important to acknowledge that God is preparing a net for the purpose of catching rebellious leaders in it. “I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard (Hosea 7:12).” “Take up a lamentation for Pharaoh… I will spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall bring thee up in my net (Ezekiel 32:2-3).”

“As fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them (Ecclesiastes 9:12).” Keep in mind that the net is prepared exclusively for the rebellious: it is how God intends to force the rebellious to listen to the newly revealed truths of prophecy. Scripture is God’s voice, and through it God has commanded his people to watch, and to listen diligently to, and do those things that the word instructs them to do. God used the tenor of this commandment to affirm that during end times it is the responsibility of every believing priest to be diligently listening and watching for the newly revealed understandings of prophecy. The covenant message is revealing the hidden truths of God's end time message: through it believers are receiving knowledge and understanding, which is a gift from God. This gift is intended for the good of all God's people, for it is purposed to cause priests to know how to safely guide their congregations through the turmoils of end times. “Those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29).” It is not unreasonable to conclude that every religious leader who is still ignoring the newly revealed truths of prophecy, is without excuse; for they have rebelled against keeping God's commandment.

“In their affliction they will seek me early (Hosea 5:15).” God is allowing the covenant message to send out his warning: affliction will be poured upon every religious leader that refused to hear God's end time message. This is one of the newly revealed truths of prophecy, and it is a big one, for it is the "net" of God's word. When believing priests get caught in this net and they are forced to endure the reality of affliction; then they will be anxious to learn the newly revealed truths of prophecy. Whereas unbelieving priests who get caught in this net are simply tossed back and they disappear into the sea, the parable is indicating that angels will be gathering believing priests with some measure of goodness in the into vessels, and they will be casting them into the furnace. The furnace is where they will tested and made perfect. It is a place of correction, and punishment. The scriptures testify that God will be with these priests throughout their ordeal, and he will defend them. Once they have been perfected, then God will be judging their enemies. “Unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work (Psalm 62:12).”