The Groupings among God's People
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.
Matthew 13:30
(The War in Context)
"The teaching of this parable is illustrated in God's own dealing with men and angels. Satan is a deceiver. When he sinned in heaven, even the loyal angels did not fully discern his character. This was why God did not at once destroy Satan. Had He done so, the holy angels would not have perceived the justice and love of God."
Christ's Object Lessons p.23 E.G.W.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins,
which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And the foolish said unto the wise,
Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you:
Matthew 25:1,8,9
The 3 Groups:
---3---
-1- Wise Virgins/Wheat
-2- Foolish Virgins
-3- Tares
-1- The Wise Virgins/Wheat are one & the same. These are those of God's people who are both justified & sanctified.
-2- The Foolish Virgins are the saddest group. These ALMOST made it into the Kingdom -- but never became fully sanctified. These were NOT like the Tares, choking the truth.
-3- The Tares, the troublemakers in the Church, damaging the Word of God among the people.
But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.
Matthew 13:26,28
* "All who wait for the heavenly Bridegroom are represented in the parable as
slumbering because their Lord delayed his coming; but the wise roused themselves
at the message of his approach, and responded to the message, and their
spiritual life was replenished. Their spiritual discernment was not all gone,
and they sprang into line. As they took hold of the grace of Christ, their
religious experience became vigorous and abundant, and their affections were set
upon things above. They opened their hearts to receive
the Holy Spirit, by which the love of God was shed abroad in their hearts. Their
lights were trimmed and burning, and sent forth steady rays in to the moral
darkness of the world."
Signs Of The Times 8/13/1894 E.G.W.
* "The five foolish virgins represent the careless, indolent, self-satisfied
professor of religion. They have a calm expectation of entering heaven sometime,
yet they have not purified their souls by obeying the truth. They understand the
theory of truth, but have no vital connection with God. They trust to feeling,
and neglect to search the Scriptures. They are satisfied to walk in the sparks
of their own kindling."
Signs Of The Times 8/13/1894 E.G.W.
* "As the tares have their roots closely intertwined with those of the good grain, so false brethren in the church may be closely linked with true disciples. The real character of these pretended believers is not fully manifested."
Christ's Object Lessons p.24 E.G.W.