Faithwilldo

Here is a quick teaching on the Wheat and the Tares: Matt 13:24-30 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which 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 blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 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 and 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 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. Christ then explains the parable to His disciples but He does so with another parable: Matt 13:36-43 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 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 his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Here are the key symbols: World: mankind Good Seed: Holy Spirit (Early Rain) Wheat: New Man in Christ Tares seed: Satan's lies and deceptions Tares: Man of Sin (worsen carnal nature controlled by Satan) End of the world: the destruction of our Old Man/Man of Sin and birth of the New Man Here is the summarized meaning: As with most parables, the meaning is spiritual and happens within a person. Shortly after Christ comes to an unbeliever (the field/world), He gives them the Early Rain of the Spirit (plants the good seed in them). Satan then comes to them under the cover of darkness (hidden) and plants his seed (lies and deceptions) in them too which causes the Old Man to grow into the Man of Sin (Tares/a worsen carnal nature). The time of the harvest is the second coming of Christ where he gives the believer the Latter Rain of the Spirit. At that time, the brightness of Christ's appearance destroys (burns) the Man of Sin. The New Man (wheat) is born and is harvested into the Kingdom of Heaven. First Fruits The First Fruits are ALL the believers who are harvested into the Kingdom of Heaven from this present age. Rev 14:3-4 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. Chapter 7 of Revelation teaches on the two groups who are saved. The first group is the First Fruits of the harvest and the second group is the rest of mankind. The first group is symbolized by the spiritual term 144,000. In the verses above, the 144,000 are mentioned again and are also identified as the First Fruits. I hope this helps. Joe

Thanks for your comments. I responded to your private message already. First, I want to lay a foundation for what I will be saying. The truth is different than what is commonly taught in the mainstream. So much so that it can be very overwhelming. That is why it is better just to teach on one issue rather than the big picture. The big picture will come when all the "bits and pieces" are put together. Here is a foundational truth that I want to start with: Matt 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. To understand this parable, we must identify and define the symbols used. Remember Christ said that His words are "spirit" and Paul said that those "spirit" words carry a different meaning than what "man's wisdom teaches". Most people can understand that some verses contain symbolism but they tend to pick and choose what is literal and what is symbolic. Since Christ's words are "spirit", ALL of His teachings use spiritual symbolism. Matt 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: In the parable above, here is a quick summary of the symbols and what they mean. Woman: carnal mankind Leaven: Satan's false teachings Three: spiritual death Meal: truth (similar to bread) Here is what it means: Believers who have been "called out", who remain carnally minded & spiritually blind after receiving the Early Rain, will "take" from Satan his lies (leaven) and mix them secretly into Christ's truth until the whole truth of Christ is false. The reason the leaven is mixed into three measures of meal is to show that the new loaf of bread is poisonous and will spiritually kill anyone who consumes it. The believers who eat this bread do so without realizing that it will kill them because the leaven is hidden in the bread. Scripture says that many are called but few are chosen. The many "called" includes God's Elect prior to them receiving the Latter Rain. At that point in time, the Elect are just as deceived and spiritually dead as those who are not chosen but only "called". Everyone will eat this bread after they are first called out. God is not a respecter of persons so even the Elect must experience being made into a "worse creature". The parables of the Ten Virgins and the Wheat & the Tares teach much of the same thing but give us new details. It is a hard truth to accept that everyone who is "called out" is quickly deceived by Satan and that the WHOLE loaf of bread they consume is fully leaven. But after years of study, I have not found even one mainstream doctrine to be true. Most are completely false but some have a few elements of truth mixed into them. The deceived believers will remain deceived until and if Christ comes to them a second time to baptize them with the Latter Rain. Satan's deceptions are so strong that scripture says this: Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. The Elect are deceived by Satan's lies for a time but they come out from that deception when they receive the Latter Rain of the Spirit. This verse also applies: 2Thes 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. This verse applies to carnal mankind which includes all "called out" believers. The called out believers who eat the leavened loaf do not have a "love for the truth". A "Love for the Truth" is one of the gifts that Christ must give us before we can come out of Satan's deception. Satan's deceptions are how Satan kills believers, even the Elect. Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Matthew chapter 24 is a greatly misunderstood chapter. It is teaching about the pathway that leads to conversion that the Elect travel in this present age. It is a teaching about the "end-time" of our Old Man. After He is destroyed, the New Man is born. That is conversion. Back to the verse: False teachers will deliver up the Elect to be afflicted by the false teachings that come from Satan. Once the leavened loaf is eaten, the new believer will spiritually die (shall kill you). The false teachings that are taught by Satan's minsters causes the world to hate Christ along with those who say they follow Him. Certainly the Doctrine of Hell is one of those teachings that cause unbelievers to hate Christians. Even in their unbelief they can see that tormenting someone in fire for all eternity is wrong. For Christ's Elect, He will not abandon them in this fallen away condition. He will come a second time to them and give them the Latter Rain of the Spirit. When this happens, they will hear Christ say: Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Once they hear Christ, the Elect are changed in a twinkling of an eye and they come out from this religious way of thinking. Religion is man's attempt to reconcile themselves to God through works. Scripture calls this religion the Great Harlot because this belief system is at it fullest level of corruption (caused by Satan). The Great Harlot is a spiritual term that should be applied within us. After we have been fully made into a "worse creature" (also called the Man of Sin), we are spiritually controlled by the Great Harlot (religious way of thinking). Also, the Great Harlot has plaques that afflict those who follow her. Hell is one of the greatest plagues the Great Harlot causes us to receive. But once Christ comes to us a second time, the city (earthly Jerusalem/Sodom/Egypt/Babylon) from which the Great Harlot rules is quickly destroyed from within us: Rev 18:10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. I hope you can now accept this portion of the pathway that every believer must endure. It is our time of tribulation. In the final age, it will be even worse and will be known as a time of GREAT tribulation. But as you can see in the verses below, those experiencing Great Tribulation in the final age will come out from it and find salvation: Rev 7: 9-17 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. The first half of chapter 7 represents the Elect of God who were saved first in this age. They are represented by the 144,000 (not a number but a spiritual symbol meaning God's government). The second half of the chapter describes the rest of mankind (who are too numerous to count) who were cast into the Lake of Fire (Christ's judgment). Their judgment takes place on the New Earth outside the gates of the New Jerusalem. There they are tormented and judged but their time of Great Tribulation does come to an end. It does not last forever. Then at the end of their judgment, they will hear Christ's call and will come and drink of the water of life: Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. These verses of scripture above should give everyone peace of mind knowing that Christ will save not only us, but all our friends and loved ones who were not chosen to be save in this lifetime. Christ will wipe away all the tears from their eyes and God will be "all in all". Death will be destroyed and it will be testified to be true that Christ is truly the Savior of the World. Joe

I have no doubts that Christ is going to save me along with everyone else. He is the Savior of the world don't you know? Joe

You seem to still be confusing the First Fruits of the harvest with the final harvest that comes at the end of the growing season. Why do you believe that only the First Fruits are harvested? What about the main harvest that comes at the end of the growing season? Christ is not going to let the main harvest rot in the fields. Joe

We all MUST be destroyed in order to be born again. Do you think you can be born again without your carnal nature being destroyed? Christ makes us all "willing" to be saved once He gives us His gifts. Do you think you were "willing" to be saved without Christ first doing His work in you? If you believe you had that ability, then Christ did not perform all the work in saving you. But of course, that cannot be. No man can boast about anything they did to be saved. You are not smarter or wiser than any lost person. You were merely blessed to be saved first. It is 100% the work of Christ. Anything less would mean that we do have something to boast about and that would mean we are self-righteous - and that is what causes us to "fall away". We can only be saved by faith alone (no works on our part). Everything we need comes from Christ, even our confession of faith. We are saved ONLY because it is God's will for us to be saved. John 1:12–13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Do you believe you are somehow spiritually better from birth than those who still reject Christ? Scripture says that you would still be an unbeliever if Christ had not come to you with the Early Rain of the Spirit. It is 100% His work that has made you into a new creature. Scripture clearly says that you are not special in comparison to other people (God is not a respecter of persons). The spiritual flaws that were inside you from birth are the same spiritual flaws that all mankind has from birth. Christ loves those who are still lost just as much as He loves us and He will not stop working until the last person is saved. No man contributes toward their own salvation. Christ is the Savior and He is NOT going to fail us, not anyone. Joe

All mankind will be saved because it is God's "will" for them to be saved. Acts 3:20-21 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Why do you believe that the "restitution of all things" excludes most of mankind? Christ breaks mankind's salvation into two parts. The first part is when He brings in the harvest of First Fruits (the Elect). That happens in this age. God predetermines who will be in this group. They receive the blessing of "ruling and reigning" with Christ in the final age until the full harvest of mankind is brought into the Kingdom of Heaven. Joe

Jesus did not warn about hell as you describe. Scriptural hell is the unseen place of the dead. It is not the Lake of Fire (Christ's judgment). They are two different things. Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 1Cor 3:13-15 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 1Cor 3:13-15 says that we are saved by fire. Fire (Christ's judgment) purifies us. It is for our benefit. It teaches us righteousness. Mat 3:11-12 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Christ will baptize us with the Holy Spirit AND with fire (judgment). They are both essential for our salvation. Christ does not use literal fire in His judgment nor is His judgment eternal. Judgment ends after we are spiritually purified. Joe

I'm not sure what you are saying here. It has nothing to do with scripture or proving mankind has a free will. The verses I quoted are what we should believe. Joe

Yes, we have a "will" and we can make choices. But that is NOT the issue here. The issue is whether mankind can make "free" choices independent of God's "will". Scripture clearly says that we cannot. God is the cause of the choices we make. When He is ready to save a person, He will give them the gifts necessary to cause them to willingly accept Christ has their Lord and Savior. They cannot make this confession of faith unless Christ acts first and causes it to happen. Jer 10:23 I know, Jehovah, that the way of man is not his own; it is not in a man that walketh to direct his steps. Isa 26:12 O Jehovah, Thou appointest peace to us, For, all our works also Thou hast wrought for us. Prov 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. Prov 20:24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? Joe

Christ will make all mankind "willing" to be saved. That is His work. He does this by the Early and Latter Rain of the Spirit. John 1:12–13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. Joe

These verses you posted are NOT speaking about physical death. They are speaking about spiritual death which means that we have no relationship with the Father. The penalty of sin is both physical and spiritual death. In other words, when we die, we perish and we don't exist anymore. That is why Christ said that He is not willing for any to perish (the penalty of sin). But because of Christ's work on the cross, He will resurrect the dead for the purpose of saving them too, just like He did for His Elect. And as this scripture below says, the last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Cor 15:20-28 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the consummation, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. I take it then that your argument is that the penalty of sin is spiritual death only since the hell doctrine says the people in hell are physically alive. But because the above scripture says death will be destroyed, where does that leave the people that you say are in eternal hell? Are they not spiritually dead anymore? The Doctrine of Hell is completely contradicted by the above scripture. As in Adam, ALL die and it is the same ALL who are made alive in Christ. Christ is truly the Savior of the world. Why do you believe Christ is going to fail? Joe

Here is what scripture says about our ability to choose: Rom 3: 10-11 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. In our carnal condition we have from birth, no one has any desire to seek and accept Christ. Christ must act within us FIRST before we can seek after Him. Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Paul hated Christ but immediately after Christ came to him on the Damascus Road, Paul fell to the ground and called Him Lord. Paul did not repent first. Paul repented as a result of Christ changing him from within with the Early Rain of the Spirit. Paul is the "pattern" for our salvation. Scripture says "many are called". They are the ones who fill up the church pews each week. They all profess faith in Christ. This only happens because Christ gave them the Early Rain. They had no ability to "choose" Christ prior to Christ giving them His "gifts". However, the Early Rain is not enough to save them. They remain carnally minded and spiritually blind after they receive the Early Rain. Because of these spiritual flaws, they still reject the true Christ because the carnal mind hates God. Then Satan, who masquerades as Christ, quickly comes to them and deceives them. He easily accomplishes his deception because he feeds them the things that are pleasing to their carnal nature. The Doctrine of Free Will and the Doctrine of Hell are beliefs that originated from Satan. Those beliefs have no scriptural support and they directly conflict with the character of God. If a person is to ever accept the true Christ, Christ must come to them a second time and baptize them with the Latter Rain. It is only then that they can come out from Satan's deception. What I have stated above is all part of Christ's plan to save mankind. We have no "free will" ability to deviate from this path. Christ is in full control of our spiritual condition - so much so that even the words we speak are a result of Christ's work within us. Prov 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. Prov 20:24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? Matt 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Isa 26:12 O Jehovah, Thou appointest peace to us, For, all our works also Thou hast wrought for us. Jer 10:23 I know, Jehovah, that the way of man is not his own; it is not in a man that walketh to direct his steps Clearly, mankind does not have a "free will". God is in full control of His creation. Nothing happens within it without Him causing it to happen. When He is ready to save a person, He gives them the Early Rain. Without the Early Rain, they have no ability to "choose" Christ from their supposed "free will". John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 1:12–13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Eph 1:4-5 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. There are no verses of scripture that say mankind has the free will ability to direct their own steps. There are no verses that say mankind can seek out Christ and accept Him as Lord prior to Christ changing them from within. And just like Paul, once Christ does His work within us, we all accept Him as Lord. Christ does not force us to accept Him - He changes us spiritually so that is what we want to do. When you first accepted Christ as Lord, did you feel like Christ was forcing you to accept Him? Of course, not. That is not the way Christ works within us. He changes our spiritual makeup so that accepting Him as Lord is the only choice we WANT to make. Joe

These are great verses that should give all mankind hope. If God is not willing that any should perish (the true penalty of sin), then who is going to stop Him from saving us all? Certainly not mankind. Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of the heavens, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Thanks for posting these two verses. Joe

Obviously Christ has not finished His work yet. When He finishes His work, all mankind will confess that Jesus is Lord. God will then be all and all. Phi 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 1 Cor 15:20-28 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the consummation, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. By the end of the final age, all mankind will be restored to the Father and we will all be brothers in Christ. So when someone does you wrong, just remember that someday they will be your brother/sister in Christ. Do you believe the scriptures I posted above? Joe

If you go and light a person on fire in this world, even the unbelievers know that this is wrong. Christ is our loving and merciful Savior. It is completely outside of His character to harm anyone. The Doctrine of Hell is so ghastly, most people can't even think about it for very long. How can you follow Christ when you believe that He is going to fail to save most of mankind as scripture says He will do? And because He fails, you believe that He is going to torment in literal fire most of mankind without a redeeming purpose. Where is God's love in your Hell doctrine? Is has none. Do you not know that Christ loves us all and is not willing that any should perish (the real penalty of sin)? Fire is a spiritual symbol that represents Christ's judgment. All mankind will be judged because it is a necessary part of the pathway that leads to salvation. Isa 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Psa 33:5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. Jer 4:2 And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory. Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD. Amos 5:24 But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Prov 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. Christ's judgment fills the earth with God's "goodness" and is not like man's judgment. God's judgment will "bless" the nations and make them righteous. It burns away our spiritual impurities. Judgment is good and necessary. The fire is not literal as you believe. 1Cor 3:13-15 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Joe