Photo taken on Oct. 22, 2012
of gathered bundles and deliberately burned to protect the forest in Oregon.
The harvest is the end of the world, or the destruction of the wicked. The reapers are the angels, or the messengers sent of heaven. As, therefore, the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world, or the destruction of the wicked.
For in that day, before the Son of Man shall come, he shall send forth his angels and messengers of heaven. And they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them out among the wicked; and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
For the world shall be burned with fire.
JST Matthew 13: 39-44
SIDENOTE:
Here is a picture of Wheat and a picture Tares (scientific name: loluim temulentum). It is difficult to tell the difference between the two. In fact before wheat produces fruit, the tares look IDENTICAL to WHEAT.
The parable of the wheat and tares isn’t necessary the WORLD versus the SAINTS (or Babylon versus Zion).. but instead, I think the parable is referring to those who appear like followers of Christ versus the those who truly are disciples of Christ.
In the spring, wheat and tares grow together but the tares grow faster and shoot their branches over the wheat, preventing the wheat from growing and ripening. Therefore, the tares appear taller, stronger and healthier then wheat. The tares actually overshadow wheat and take nutrients out of the soil causing the wheat to deepen their roots to find the nutrients they need. At this stage it is very hard to pull out the tares because their tendrils are wound around the wheat. if you pluck or uproot the tares prior to the wheat becoming mature than you run the risk of pulling up the roots and destroying the wheat.
The work of separation must therefore wait until the harvest.
So how will the Angels know the difference?
The Tares stand straight up, are puffed up and tall.. but with very little grain, empty but full of pride.
While the wheat are bowed down in humility, heavy with grain ready to be harvested.
