HARVEST TIME IS ALMOST OVER
By W.G. Guy
In the New Testament we read of three distinct periods of harvest. The first harvest is listed in each of the four Gospels, and the last two are listed at the very end of this age in the Book of Revelation. A harvest refers to the reaping of a crop, also known as the time of in gathering.
The first harvest began with the ministry of Jesus Christ declaring the benefits of the Kingdom of God. In Luke 10 He sends out seventy disciples to begin working the harvest in addition the original twelve that He sent out earlier as described in Matthew 10.
Matthew 10:1, 7-8 – And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. …….And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Luke 10:1-2, 9 – After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. ……and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Notice that Jesus calls for us to pray to the Father, the Lord of the Harvest, to continue to send out more and more laborers into the work of the harvest throughout every generation. This first harvest began with Jesus and is still ongoing today; thus the need to continue to send out more laborers into the harvest.
The last two harvests occur at the end of the age: harvest #2 is the ingathering of the saints to the clouds to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air.
Revelation 14:14-16 – And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 – then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Harvest #3 is when the angel of the Lord gathers the wicked and unrepentant sinners to be placed in the “wine press of the wrath of God”.
Revelation 14:17-19 – And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine press of the wrath of God.
Since we are still in the last stages of the first harvest, which is the harvest of souls, we need to address what Jesus requires of us in these last hours of the harvest. While reading the parable of the owner of the vineyard in
Matthew 20 the Lord quickened to me that this parable is actually prophetic about the harvest of souls.
Matthew 20:1-15 – For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
This prophetic parable is about the master of the vineyard needing laborers throughout the entire period of harvest right up unto the very last hour in order to complete the task. Each laborer received the same reward for his efforts regardless of when they began to work in the harvest. The harvest was not completed until the final laborers were sent in to work the fields. It appears that the laborers working during the midst of the harvest time were not able to, or capable of doing the job requiring those to be added at the very end.
The prophetic significance is that we are now nearing the end of the harvest time for souls to be brought into the kingdom through salvation and the revelation of Jesus Christ as the signs of His return are all present now. What is apparent is that those workers in these last hours will be especially equipped to do the work, just as the original workers were. Look at how those original workers were equipped:
Matthew 10:7-8 – And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Luke 10:9 – and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Healing and casting out demons, even raising the dead was how the Lord equipped them and it is to be the same in these last hours of the harvest. It is like the end shall be as it was in the beginning. This may also be what is meant by the “early rain” and the “latter rain”.
James 5:7 – Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Recently while watching documentaries on travels in other countries they focused on the religious beliefs and practices of the locals who worshipped idols and all manner of things other the true God through Jesus Christ. I thought how would be the most effective way to get these people to turn to accept Jesus Christ as savior and Lord. The answer was as clear as can be; it was the same way Jesus did when He began His ministry and also how He used His disciples: the answer is in healing the people in His name.
Almost everyone is in need of healing in one way or another. The miracle of healing and casting out demons is a sure sign that Jesus is the answer and the true Son of God. This is how the last hour laborers are to work the harvest. This also appears to answer what the Lord told this writer in 1975 that there was coming a time of a double anointing; He would anoint (empower) His servants to speak the Word of God to people, and then He would anoint (empower) those words spoken, to have a powerful effect on those who hear – healing, delivering and saving them. The last laborers will be as the first and the first laborers will be as the last.
Jesus concluded the above prophetic parable with this following statement:
Matthew 20:16 – So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Are you one of the called to this end time harvest; if so get prepared in fellowship with Him and in His Word. There is work to do! There is a price to pay, but it will be worth it!
One final thing to note about what Jesus told his disciples when they went out into the harvest; He told them not to waste time or effort on those who refuse to hear or reject them and their message.
Luke 10:10-16 – But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
We are to witness for Jesus Christ faithfully as He instructed; He is faithful to acknowledge and honor His Word that we preach.
Mark 16:20 – And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen
By W.G. Guy
In the New Testament we read of three distinct periods of harvest. The first harvest is listed in each of the four Gospels, and the last two are listed at the very end of this age in the Book of Revelation. A harvest refers to the reaping of a crop, also known as the time of in gathering.
The first harvest began with the ministry of Jesus Christ declaring the benefits of the Kingdom of God. In Luke 10 He sends out seventy disciples to begin working the harvest in addition the original twelve that He sent out earlier as described in Matthew 10.
Matthew 10:1, 7-8 – And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. …….And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Luke 10:1-2, 9 – After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. ……and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Notice that Jesus calls for us to pray to the Father, the Lord of the Harvest, to continue to send out more and more laborers into the work of the harvest throughout every generation. This first harvest began with Jesus and is still ongoing today; thus the need to continue to send out more laborers into the harvest.
The last two harvests occur at the end of the age: harvest #2 is the ingathering of the saints to the clouds to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air.
Revelation 14:14-16 – And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 – then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Harvest #3 is when the angel of the Lord gathers the wicked and unrepentant sinners to be placed in the “wine press of the wrath of God”.
Revelation 14:17-19 – And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine press of the wrath of God.
Since we are still in the last stages of the first harvest, which is the harvest of souls, we need to address what Jesus requires of us in these last hours of the harvest. While reading the parable of the owner of the vineyard in
Matthew 20 the Lord quickened to me that this parable is actually prophetic about the harvest of souls.
Matthew 20:1-15 – For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
This prophetic parable is about the master of the vineyard needing laborers throughout the entire period of harvest right up unto the very last hour in order to complete the task. Each laborer received the same reward for his efforts regardless of when they began to work in the harvest. The harvest was not completed until the final laborers were sent in to work the fields. It appears that the laborers working during the midst of the harvest time were not able to, or capable of doing the job requiring those to be added at the very end.
The prophetic significance is that we are now nearing the end of the harvest time for souls to be brought into the kingdom through salvation and the revelation of Jesus Christ as the signs of His return are all present now. What is apparent is that those workers in these last hours will be especially equipped to do the work, just as the original workers were. Look at how those original workers were equipped:
Matthew 10:7-8 – And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Luke 10:9 – and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Healing and casting out demons, even raising the dead was how the Lord equipped them and it is to be the same in these last hours of the harvest. It is like the end shall be as it was in the beginning. This may also be what is meant by the “early rain” and the “latter rain”.
James 5:7 – Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Recently while watching documentaries on travels in other countries they focused on the religious beliefs and practices of the locals who worshipped idols and all manner of things other the true God through Jesus Christ. I thought how would be the most effective way to get these people to turn to accept Jesus Christ as savior and Lord. The answer was as clear as can be; it was the same way Jesus did when He began His ministry and also how He used His disciples: the answer is in healing the people in His name.
Almost everyone is in need of healing in one way or another. The miracle of healing and casting out demons is a sure sign that Jesus is the answer and the true Son of God. This is how the last hour laborers are to work the harvest. This also appears to answer what the Lord told this writer in 1975 that there was coming a time of a double anointing; He would anoint (empower) His servants to speak the Word of God to people, and then He would anoint (empower) those words spoken, to have a powerful effect on those who hear – healing, delivering and saving them. The last laborers will be as the first and the first laborers will be as the last.
Jesus concluded the above prophetic parable with this following statement:
Matthew 20:16 – So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Are you one of the called to this end time harvest; if so get prepared in fellowship with Him and in His Word. There is work to do! There is a price to pay, but it will be worth it!
One final thing to note about what Jesus told his disciples when they went out into the harvest; He told them not to waste time or effort on those who refuse to hear or reject them and their message.
Luke 10:10-16 – But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
We are to witness for Jesus Christ faithfully as He instructed; He is faithful to acknowledge and honor His Word that we preach.
Mark 16:20 – And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen
