Jesus' Parable of the Wheat and Weeds

You have to ask the obvious and necessary question concerning what has come to be called Christianity: Why are there so many different Christian denominations that disagree with one another when Jesus and his apostles gave us one truth? They all claim to believe in the book of truth inspired by God—the Bible. Yet Jesus himself answered that question for us and explained what would go wrong.

“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."

“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.” (Matthew 13:24–43, King James Version) (Tares are injurious weeds that resemble wheat in their early growth. Once fully grown, they are distinguishable from wheat, separated at harvest, and destroyed.)

Jesus prophesied that the Devil would succeed in corrupting the work he and his apostles had begun. This would happen after Jesus and the last of his apostles died— “while men slept.” The Apostle Paul confirmed Jesus’ parable: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29–30)

In the early years, under the guidance of the apostles, Christianity was protected (1 Corinthians 1:10). However, the Devil was already at work, sowing corrupt religious leaders into the teaching. The sect of Nicolaus was one such example (Revelation 2:6). After the last apostle, John, died, the wolves began to take over. It became increasingly difficult to distinguish between the “tares and the wheat”—between pseudo-believers and true believers.

Finally, corruption overpowered the flock. The weeds manifested themselves during the reign of Constantine. Emperor Constantine, in partnership with corrupt Roman religious leaders, fused Roman pagan beliefs with Christian beliefs for political purposes and made their brand of Christianity the state religion. The first unscriptural celebration of Christmas was introduced, and the cross of the pagan “Invisible Sun” was popularized in the new state religion. With the assistance of Rome’s political might, it persecuted and executed anyone who spoke out against it. Throughout history, atrocities such as the Inquisitions and Crusades were committed in the name of their Christianity. Spiritual adultery was committed with monarchies, blessing and encouraging followers to support wars and oppression.

This corrupt, pseudo-Christianity prevails today because the one truth taught by Jesus Christ and his apostles has become unimportant to the masses. As a result, what is believed to be Christianity today is not the Christianity of Jesus and his apostles. As Jesus said, it would remain that way until the harvest takes place at the end of the world. Then, “the righteous will shine forth,” and the true teaching will be restored. Corrupt Christianity and its teachings will be exposed and eliminated. (Revelation 17–18)

Jesus stated how his true followers could be identified: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Can it be said of the religions that slaughtered one another in World War I and II that they demonstrated love for one another?