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JUNE 23
GATHER FIRST THE TARES
“Let both grow together unto
the harvest: and in the time
of the 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.” (Matt.
13:30)
The field is the world, the
good seed the sons of the
kingdom, the tares are the
sons of wickedness. Both
have grown together to
maturity, and in the time of
reaping, the command is
given, “gather first the
tares.” There are two
specific Greek words used in
this passage for “gather,”
the first “sullego” meaning
“to lay together,” that they
might be bound together into
bundles to be burned. But
when it speaks of “gather
the wheat” it uses the word
“sunago” meaning to lead
together.” There is a lot of
difference in being laid out
together for binding in
bundles, and being led
together into the kingdom.
Binding into bundles
bespeaks of placing in
restraint, take away the
liberties, bind them all up
with treaties and
agreements, tighten the
rules and regulations until
every one is securely held
down and placed in
circumstances wherein they
cannot escape, and then
shall the fire fall, to
consume the dross and purge
the whole. All rebellion and
self-will shall be dealt
with, until every creature
shall be thoroughly purged,
and thus all flesh shall
ultimately see the salvation
of the Lord.
There is much binding
together these days, the
ecumenical movement has not
slackened its pace, but is
steadily tightening its
cords, and gathering up the
loose ends – strange
partnerships indeed, but
they give and take in
compromise while they forge
unions which will bind them
in bundles for the burning.
Little do they know of the
purging processes on the
horizon.
But, there is also the
gathering of the wheat.
These are being led together
into one body in Christ.
They are led by the Spirit
into that true oneness, both
with Him who is their Head,
and with that whole mystical
body of which it is written.
“But ye are come… to the
general assembly and church
of the firstborn, which are
written in heaven.” (Heb.
12:23). Amen.
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