Christians: What do you think about this theory?

Question

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Regarding the fulfillment of the Parable of the wheat and tares:
“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.’” – Matthew 13:30

Tares and wheat are in the church. That is, both a “tare” and a “wheat” call themselves “Christians”.

The “tares” are now starting to be “gathered together” in the churches that are coming together for the sake of unity at the expense of truth…

The “wheat” are now being “gathered together” as denominational barriers crumble because of truth, as we are unified by essential Gospel truths…

The gathering of “tares” is more physical and visible – as physical churches literally join in their liberal, heretical, and even blasphemous views – even in the spirit of “ecumenism”.

The gathering of the “wheat” is spiritual and not as visible to the world – but brothers and sisters in different denominations are more than ever extending the “right hand of fellowship” to one another, and often feel closer to each other in Christ then even of others within their own denomination.

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Your thoughts on this theory?

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Answer 1

I agree and I believe we will be shocked and amazed at who God filters out, because His judgment begins with the house of God. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of Almighty God. There are too many pastors and priests who will not teach the truth for fear of disturbing their wealthy congregation. These are useless pastors and priests and they make their congregation more of a child of the devil than they were when they first came in.

Answer 2

While the people saying that parables and prophecy are two different things have a point, I think in the case of this particular parable there were undeniable prophetic undertones.

Your interpretation may be partly correct, prophecy often has layers of meaning to it (such as many of the Messianic prophecies had both their Messianic meaning, and more immediate fulfillment for the nation of Israel). The overall prophetic meaning to this parable is, I believe, that there are true and false "believers", and there will come a time when the true believers are harvested in at the time of the rapture, while the false ones are thrown into the fires of the tribulation. Another layer to it comes after the tribulation, when those who turned to Christ during that time will be gathered up, and those who accepted the mark of the beast will be cast into the lake of fire. Like many things in prophecy, there are layers of meanings, none of which contradict each other, but all of which are slightly different.

Answer 3

I think you might be over thinking this a little, however you are on the right track.

Martin Luther explained it this way:

There are two Churches, one visible, one invisible. The visible Church (also called the Church militant) consists of what we see, buildings, people, doctrines, and all the different denominations. It is made up of both believers and non-believers (Wheat and Tares).

The invisible Church (also called the Church Triumphant, The cloud of Witnesses, and in the creeds the Holy catholic (universal) Church, The communion of Saints) is made up of ALL believers and ONLY believers, both living and dead. Christ is the head of this Church. This Church will be added to by those living and those yet to be born, who through the power of the Holy Spirit shall come to faith in Christ. This is the wheat.

This doctrine is also held by the RC and Anglican Church.

Your friend in Christ,

Mark

Answer 4

Very interesting... after reading the parable in context, I'd say that your theory is applicable, but as a smaller part inside of the whole message. Your explanation is an example, not THE example. Still, greatly appreciated, thanks for the stimulus!
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"First off, since when is a parable the same as prophecy?

Second, if we look at the incessant infighting on R&S and in the real would I doubt the Christian churches will get chummy any time soon. What is your evidence of "denominational barriers crumbling"?"

Parable is not the same as prophecy. This is not a prophecy speaking of specific events in the future, It's more of a situation that was actually happening at the time and we are being told to expect it as it gets worse and more defined. It is talking about an ebb and flow (and eventual polarization) between people who have labeled themselves Christian and the people who are not concerned with a title, and are too busy walking the walk.

As far as evidence... I don't know what to tell you, but if you haven't noticed the explosion in "non-denominational" Churches then you must not be paying attention to whats happening. Churches are trying to promote good feelings and draw the biggest crowds, so they are changing sermons and messages so that they will attract more people. It's not my place to say that the message is becoming watered down or not yet, but the possibility and opportunity is there. It's great that more people are becoming exposed to the word of God, but it's not all "warm 'n fuzzies" and bake sales and nice clothes on sunday... My personal faith was greatly magnified when I stopped worrying about religious routines and started reading the Bible on my own and just talking about it with Christian friends. Come to think of it, while I was in Church I always felt like Sunday was my time to be "religious" and I really never talked about Christianity to other Christians during the week...

Answer 5

Grace unto you, and peace,
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1stly - the parable is about "the kingdom of heaven", which is "like unto leaven" in Matthew 13:33, which is thereby like the doctrine of Pharisees and Saducees and Herod: the doctrine of Law we are told to "beware", not share; For "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump": 1Cor 5:6, not some.

2ndly - there is no "respect of persons" with God: is a constant theme from 2Chronicles ... 1Peter. Having respect of persons faith is not good nor Godly, as noted by Samuel, Solomon, Matthew, Paul, James, and Converted Peter.

3rdly - rapture theory xians should all read this parable, notes tares get harvested first. I'd have them also note new F5 harvestors cut a swath of law worketh wrath up to a mile wide, sometimes 20 miles long, and many never even hear it coming, after saying Peace & Safety in law. But those who do live thru it say it sounded like a freight train roaring thru.

The tares may "recover themselves": 2Timothy 2:26,
or not & dble kiss their divided law law @ss bye bye,
as what happens to them, they sayers, in 1Thess 5:3.

Above a KofH is the KofG, which we're told to seek FIRST, and notably along with God's righteousness = God's grace;
And in the grace us KofG there is no tares. We all are one.
I hope some day you'll join us, and the world shall live as one.

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 6

I agree with you, dear one. We can see, even now, that many of the denominations are crumbling because of inner strife. I attend a non-denominational fellowship that is growing so fast that the entire congregation can't fit inside the building, so they have 3 services and home groups as well. It's nearly impossible to know everyone, but in a home group, it's like a small church and we grow as close as a family.

Your explanation was excellent! God bless you!

Answer 7

I like the notion of the "Wheat not being as visible to the world" as St. John told us that the world did not recognize the Word when made flesh. I can clearly see where your coming from and to a degree it does make sense. However, how and when the Lord decides to bring this parable about is up for debate. I guess that's why you called it a theory.

Answer 8

I think that your theory bears some credit. Jesus said a lot of things concerning the 'Church'. I found it interesting that there were tendencies of the early church to follow after error. And they are noted partly in Revelation. John was issuing his epistles concerning some of these. Paul was dealing with it mainly in the Corinthian church, yet also in the Galatian church.

Sometimes Baptist , Episcopal, Roman Catholic, etc. sounds a lot like: "I am of Paul" and, "I am of Apollos", etc.

Answer 9

when I think of this passage I think of my garden in the spring and how everything looks alike but come the late summer you can clearly see the weeds and pull them out I enjoy doing that because it reminds me of God and how he works. we are all able to make changes and a difference so we cant be too eager to rip out the weeds because I know in my garden when I wait long enough they show them selves and it is easy then to rip em up without making a mistake or prejudged but when the moment is right go ahead and judge I say rip em up

Answer 10

I respect all those in Trinity chuches and who are born again and dont even go to church...i know alot in that category cuz i was in a cult for a long time and ppl got hurt..