The 144,000 and the Multitude
Chapter 14
The Wheat Harvest
Just as there is a firstfruits in the form of the barley harvest, which represents the 144,000, there is also a wheat harvest. The firstfruits of the wheat harvest are brought in on the day of Pentecost.
Pentecost marks the 50th day of the barley harvest or the end of the Feast of Weeks. The wheat harvest begins after the barley is harvested. The Lord has a specified period in his timetable for the harvest of both the barley and the wheat. He reserves unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that
giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth
unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. - Jeremiah 5:24
Let’s take a look at the well- known parable that Jesus put forth concerning the wheat and the tares.
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: [25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. [26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. [27] 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? [28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? [29] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. [30] 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 13:24-30
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.[37] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; [38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; [39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. [40] As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. [41] 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; [42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. - Matthew 13:36-43
This series of Christ’s parables is absolutely teeming with prophetic meaning. Jesus Christ states that the wheat (the Multitude) was planted in a field. At night, the enemy (the devil) came, and planted tares (members of the apostate church) right alongside the wheat.
The tares (apostate church) are not to be pulled out until the time of the harvest. The harvest of the wheat occurs at the end of the world. In Ezekiel 7:6, it states “An end is come, the end is come.” This would be the end of the world.
The tares are gathered first, in order that they may be burned, and then the wheat is gathered into His barn. The tares are the 2/3 that are cut off and die. The wheat is the 1/3 that is brought through the fire.
Tares are what one might call “pseudo-wheat.” They look like wheat, they act like wheat, and you can’t tell the difference between the two of them until they have matured. The word tare is defined as; darnel or false grain: tares. [i] The Webster’s definition for darnel is interesting: darnel: black caraway, black: so called from its supposed stupefying or intoxicating qualities, a poisonous weed resembling rye, often found in grain fields: also called rye grass.” [ii]
Isn’t that definition interesting? Darnel has “stupefying or intoxicating qualities,” but is also poisonous! Would that in any way resemble the poison that the pastors and preachers put forth in the harlot church? They present their poison with stupefying and intoxicating lies that are leavened with false hope and promises. Beware! It is poison! It will kill you!
There is another aspect to this parable that we must understand. This will completely change what you have thought in the past about the Tribulation and who the Tribulation effects. All my life I was told by pastors and preachers that the Tribulation comes upon the whole world and everybody will be affected. This is not true.
The proof of this is in this parable. This parable is describing a field that is owned by a man that sowed the seed into the field. The seed that he sowed was good seed but bad seeds sprouted among the good. There are workers in this field that alert the owner of the field of this. There are identifications within this parable, timing, and who is affected.
The timing is stated by Jesus as “the harvest is the end of the world.” The harvest occurs during the Tribulation. The harvest is the harvest of the Multitude that will be gathered (one taken) into his barn (New Jerusalem).
The identifications of each of these people and objects are as follows: the owner of the field is the Lord, the workers in the field are the 144,000, the wheat is the Multitude (1/3), and the tares are the apostate (2/3). The world is not the whole earth as we perceive it. The world is the church!
This is where the Tribulation will take place and who it affects. It will take place within the church and it will affect those that call themselves Christians. All others outside of the Christian church are not currently under the judgement of God “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” [iii]
This puts a whole new light upon the Word, doesn’t it? When the scriptures are speaking about the world or the earth, it is speaking about the church and those that are within the construct of the church.
As we approach the conclusions of this work, I’d like to repeat a few things that I’ve written about the 144,000 in relationship to the Multitude. Earlier, I alluded to the properties of the Barley and the Wheat. These facts about the barley and the wheat show the characteristics of the two. With more understanding about the Multitude as the wheat, let’s read this again.
Barley is a cereal grain that is rough in its texture. It can withstand wide temperature fluctuations, and it can handle drought. It is not as easily digestible as other grains, but it has a high nutritional value. Barley plantings do not have any tares.
The barley plant is easily recognizable and weeds can be distinguished from the barley easily and, according, be pulled out of the “field.” If you compare the 144,000 to the barley as a people, you will find that the 144,000 can weather adverse circumstances (analogized as wide temperature fluctuations).
They are resilient and tough (they have a rough grain). They can take long periods of no fellowship (seen as “drought” in the scriptures). They have the truth and many cannot stand their preaching or teaching. They are ostracized by the contemporary church (because they are high in nutrition, and are not easily digestible).
Wheat, on the other hand, is a smooth grain (not rough), and it cannot survive wide temperature fluctuations. It cannot survive drought, and tares are easily disguised among the wheat. When compared to the church as a people, you will find that they are not tough (they are smooth, or thin-skinned), and they buckle under adverse conditions (scripturally analogized as temperature fluctuations).
Wheat cannot stand long periods of no fellowship (seen as drought). And, once again, the wheat usually is found accompanied by tares (apostate Christians) that are disguised as wheat (true Christians), and these tares commonly co-exist with the wheat.
Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and
gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with
unquenchable fire. - Matthew 3:12
Here is a verse that speaks about the Lord purging his floor. In this passage He gathers his wheat into the garner (barn) and burns up the chaff (tares). The word purge [iv] means; to cleanse perfectly, i.e. (specially) winnow:- thoroughly purge. The under-definitions mean; thoroughly [v], to cleanse (literally or figuratively): - (make) clean (-se), purge, purify. [vi], and; clean (literally or figuratively): - clean, clear, pure. [vii]
With these definitions concerning the purging of the wheat, we have gone full circle, and are returned to the 1/3 that is brought through the fire. When the tribulational events proceed, the 1/3 of the Multitude will have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
When the scriptures tell us He will “ thoroughly purge” his “floor,” it means that all that are not chaff will be purged, they will all be purified and cleansed, and they will be clean and acceptable in His sight. Meanwhile the chaff that is separated from the wheat will be burned in the midst of Jerusalem
[i]. Strong’s 2215
[ii]. Webster’s New World Dictionary
[iii]. 1 Peter 4:17
[iv]. Strong’s 1245
[v]. Strong’s 1223
[vi]. Strong’s 2551
[vii]. Strong’s 2553
Pentecost marks the 50th day of the barley harvest or the end of the Feast of Weeks. The wheat harvest begins after the barley is harvested. The Lord has a specified period in his timetable for the harvest of both the barley and the wheat. He reserves unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that
giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth
unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. - Jeremiah 5:24
Let’s take a look at the well- known parable that Jesus put forth concerning the wheat and the tares.
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: [25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. [26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. [27] 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? [28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? [29] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. [30] 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 13:24-30
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.[37] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; [38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; [39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. [40] As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. [41] 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; [42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. - Matthew 13:36-43
This series of Christ’s parables is absolutely teeming with prophetic meaning. Jesus Christ states that the wheat (the Multitude) was planted in a field. At night, the enemy (the devil) came, and planted tares (members of the apostate church) right alongside the wheat.
The tares (apostate church) are not to be pulled out until the time of the harvest. The harvest of the wheat occurs at the end of the world. In Ezekiel 7:6, it states “An end is come, the end is come.” This would be the end of the world.
The tares are gathered first, in order that they may be burned, and then the wheat is gathered into His barn. The tares are the 2/3 that are cut off and die. The wheat is the 1/3 that is brought through the fire.
Tares are what one might call “pseudo-wheat.” They look like wheat, they act like wheat, and you can’t tell the difference between the two of them until they have matured. The word tare is defined as; darnel or false grain: tares. [i] The Webster’s definition for darnel is interesting: darnel: black caraway, black: so called from its supposed stupefying or intoxicating qualities, a poisonous weed resembling rye, often found in grain fields: also called rye grass.” [ii]
Isn’t that definition interesting? Darnel has “stupefying or intoxicating qualities,” but is also poisonous! Would that in any way resemble the poison that the pastors and preachers put forth in the harlot church? They present their poison with stupefying and intoxicating lies that are leavened with false hope and promises. Beware! It is poison! It will kill you!
There is another aspect to this parable that we must understand. This will completely change what you have thought in the past about the Tribulation and who the Tribulation effects. All my life I was told by pastors and preachers that the Tribulation comes upon the whole world and everybody will be affected. This is not true.
The proof of this is in this parable. This parable is describing a field that is owned by a man that sowed the seed into the field. The seed that he sowed was good seed but bad seeds sprouted among the good. There are workers in this field that alert the owner of the field of this. There are identifications within this parable, timing, and who is affected.
The timing is stated by Jesus as “the harvest is the end of the world.” The harvest occurs during the Tribulation. The harvest is the harvest of the Multitude that will be gathered (one taken) into his barn (New Jerusalem).
The identifications of each of these people and objects are as follows: the owner of the field is the Lord, the workers in the field are the 144,000, the wheat is the Multitude (1/3), and the tares are the apostate (2/3). The world is not the whole earth as we perceive it. The world is the church!
This is where the Tribulation will take place and who it affects. It will take place within the church and it will affect those that call themselves Christians. All others outside of the Christian church are not currently under the judgement of God “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” [iii]
This puts a whole new light upon the Word, doesn’t it? When the scriptures are speaking about the world or the earth, it is speaking about the church and those that are within the construct of the church.
As we approach the conclusions of this work, I’d like to repeat a few things that I’ve written about the 144,000 in relationship to the Multitude. Earlier, I alluded to the properties of the Barley and the Wheat. These facts about the barley and the wheat show the characteristics of the two. With more understanding about the Multitude as the wheat, let’s read this again.
Barley is a cereal grain that is rough in its texture. It can withstand wide temperature fluctuations, and it can handle drought. It is not as easily digestible as other grains, but it has a high nutritional value. Barley plantings do not have any tares.
The barley plant is easily recognizable and weeds can be distinguished from the barley easily and, according, be pulled out of the “field.” If you compare the 144,000 to the barley as a people, you will find that the 144,000 can weather adverse circumstances (analogized as wide temperature fluctuations).
They are resilient and tough (they have a rough grain). They can take long periods of no fellowship (seen as “drought” in the scriptures). They have the truth and many cannot stand their preaching or teaching. They are ostracized by the contemporary church (because they are high in nutrition, and are not easily digestible).
Wheat, on the other hand, is a smooth grain (not rough), and it cannot survive wide temperature fluctuations. It cannot survive drought, and tares are easily disguised among the wheat. When compared to the church as a people, you will find that they are not tough (they are smooth, or thin-skinned), and they buckle under adverse conditions (scripturally analogized as temperature fluctuations).
Wheat cannot stand long periods of no fellowship (seen as drought). And, once again, the wheat usually is found accompanied by tares (apostate Christians) that are disguised as wheat (true Christians), and these tares commonly co-exist with the wheat.
Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and
gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with
unquenchable fire. - Matthew 3:12
Here is a verse that speaks about the Lord purging his floor. In this passage He gathers his wheat into the garner (barn) and burns up the chaff (tares). The word purge [iv] means; to cleanse perfectly, i.e. (specially) winnow:- thoroughly purge. The under-definitions mean; thoroughly [v], to cleanse (literally or figuratively): - (make) clean (-se), purge, purify. [vi], and; clean (literally or figuratively): - clean, clear, pure. [vii]
With these definitions concerning the purging of the wheat, we have gone full circle, and are returned to the 1/3 that is brought through the fire. When the tribulational events proceed, the 1/3 of the Multitude will have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
When the scriptures tell us He will “ thoroughly purge” his “floor,” it means that all that are not chaff will be purged, they will all be purified and cleansed, and they will be clean and acceptable in His sight. Meanwhile the chaff that is separated from the wheat will be burned in the midst of Jerusalem
[i]. Strong’s 2215
[ii]. Webster’s New World Dictionary
[iii]. 1 Peter 4:17
[iv]. Strong’s 1245
[v]. Strong’s 1223
[vi]. Strong’s 2551
[vii]. Strong’s 2553