If there was ever a time to preach the end of all times, it is now. Many big things continue to happen. When we hear the katydids in late summer we know that harvest time is near. It’s close to spring, so we know that planting time is coming. We’re all part of a harvest. Which one are you part of? If you’re not ready for the sickle of Jesus, get ready.
Revelation 14: 14 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.15 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.16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.18 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.19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
John saw what is coming at the end—a great settling day. Since the fall of Adam and Eve sin came into the world. Man is as a field that flourishes. Two types of people are in this field. Sin and iniquity flourish. The only way out of this is by accepting Jesus as Savior. He changes us from the root upward. Though saved, we are not perfect. We struggle against sin and the tempter. As we put our faith in Jesus and choose his way, we can still be the harvest God wants and be taken home to glory. Everyone who calls on the name of Jesus can be saved.
Our duty is to win others to Christ. We’re in the same field as the lost and it is our job to tell others. Time is short. The scripture says 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. Jesus is coming back. A cloud received him out of sight of his followers. He now sits at the right hand of God making intercession for us. He’s our High Priest. We have a Savior ready to save. Here we see him on a white cloud heading to earth. Instead of a thorny crown he wears a golden one. In his hand is 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. The time is soon. God will tell the Son that the age of grace is over. It will mean the time of reaping has come.
The troubles we see unfold and the celestial signs all say the same thing. The harvest of the earth is ripe. Ready or not. When God says enough, it’s enough. The final sin will be committed. The final witness will be given. The Father will give the word. His sickle is sharp. He won’t miss one person trusting in him. Continue in the faith and be ready to go. When he swings the sickle, all those trusting in God will be reaped out of this world. We may feel like we’re not much, but Jesus knows our name. When the trumpet sounds, he’ll find us. If we’re under the ground, he’ll dig us up. If we’re alive, the sickle will cut us loose from this life. He’ll cut us loose from the devil. We’ll be cut loose from life—tv, iPhones and iPads. We’ll get a new body and new raiment. Jesus will give us a body like his and will gather us home.
Let’s not get settled like the Laodicean church. If we love our life here, we’ll lose it. Is there anything you’re not ready to leave behind? God has a better home. We’ll leave it all behind. When the reaping has taken place and God’s people are taken, the judgment will come. The sharp sickle is an awful sickle, the scythe of the grim reaper. This sickle will cut down. Today people brag about their sins. They are proud of their lifestyles and dare God to do anything. One day it will come. They’ll call for the rocks and mountains to fall on them. The earth will be reaped and thrown into the winepress of God.
You’re going to be part of a harvest. Be part of the first one. It depends on what you do with Jesus. They are getting ready in heaven. What are you doing?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 