A Field in Judea
In a sunlit Judean field, wheat and tares grew side by side, their roots entwined beneath the soil (Matthew 13:24, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field”). The rolling hills of Judea, dotted with olive groves as noted by Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 15), framed this scene—a fitting setting for Jesus’ teaching near Capernaum. Yet, an enemy sowed tares, revealing human failure to discern good from evil. Christ’s parable offers hope through judgment. Dual-Realm Dispensationalism unveils this Sod (סוֹד, Strong’s H5475: hidden secret), linking works in the Kingdom of God now (Colossians 1:13, “transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son”) to the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:13), shaping our role in the Kingdom of Heaven (Revelation 20:6). John Walvoord writes, “The Wheat and Tares preview the separation of true and false at the end of the age” (Matthew: Thy Kingdom Come, 1974, p. 98). Discern wisely—your works face God’s fire.
The Sower and the Enemy
The sower planted good seed, but an enemy sowed tares (Matthew 13:25). When the plants grew, servants asked, “Did you not sow good seed in your field?” (Matthew 13:27). The master replied, “An enemy has done this… let both grow together until the harvest” (Matthew 13:28-30). The harvest separates wheat (righteous) from tares (wicked), reflecting the Bema Seat (1 Corinthians 3:12-15, “the fire will test what sort of work each one has done”). David Guzik notes, “The tares mimic wheat, but their fruit reveals their nature at judgment” (Matthew Commentary, 2013, p. 54). This parable warns that works in the Kingdom of God now determine rewards in the Kingdom of Heaven later. Work faithfully—bear fruit that endures.
The Kingdom of God Now
The Kingdom of God, accessed by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9, “by grace you have been saved through faith”), calls believers to works reflecting Christ (Colossians 1:10, “bearing fruit in every good work”). The wheat symbolizes Spirit-led works—gold, silver, precious stones—that endure (1 Corinthians 3:12). The tares, works of the flesh, perish (Matthew 13:30, “gather the weeds… to be burned”). Fruchtenbaum teaches, “Works reveal the heart—only Spirit-led deeds survive God’s judgment” (Israelology, 1989, p. 456). Live righteously—let your works shine as wheat in God’s harvest.
The Faithful Servants
Two servants in a Judean household exemplified enduring works (Matthew 24:45-47). The faithful servant, tasked with feeding others, was diligent, earning, “Blessed is that servant… he will set him over all his possessions” (Matthew 24:46-47). Chuck Smith reflects, “Faithful service in small things leads to greater reward” (The Gospel of Matthew, 1982, p. 134). Their works, like the wheat, endure (1 Corinthians 3:14, “if the work… survives, he will receive a reward”). Serve diligently—your faithfulness now shapes your eternity.
Preparing for the Bema Seat
The harvest points to the Bema Seat, where works are judged (2 Corinthians 5:10, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”). Wheat endures, tares burn—Spirit-led works gain reward (1 Corinthians 3:14), while fleshly works face loss (1 Corinthians 3:15, “he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved”). Tim LaHaye writes, “The Bema Seat evaluates our works, not our salvation, for the Kingdom of Heaven” (The Rapture, 2002, p. 89). This prepares us for reigning with Christ (Revelation 20:4). Prepare now—let your works be wheat, not tares.
More to Explore
The Wheat and Tares challenge us—are our works wheat or tares? Upcoming posts will explore how love (Luke 10:25-37) and perseverance (Hebrews 12:1) in the Kingdom of God now secure our place in the Kingdom of Heaven. Stay tuned—God’s Word holds treasures (2 Timothy 3:16), and for a deeper dive, look forward to Refined by Fire, a forthcoming book exploring these truths across 24 chapters, deepening your journey in the Kingdom of God and Heaven (Ephesians 2:10).
Refined By Fire 