J04.10.83.htm

.
HARVESTING PEOPLE OF GOD.

THE GATHERING WORK OF THE TEMPLE SANCTUARY.
When the Archangel Michael, the Son of God, is told to put in his "sickle" and reap, it signifies that the time has come for him to gather the righteous "harvest" of the earth. They are the "great crowd" of "other sheep" who along with his anointed brothers must become "one flock, one shepherd". (John 10:15,16. Rev 7:4-17). In doing so, the "harvest of the earth" will be reaped. (Rev 14:14-16).

"And still another angel emerged from the altar and he had authority over the fire." (14:18). This angel gives the order that the "clusters of the vine of the earth" must also be gathered, but they are to be culled and hurled "into the great winepress of God's wrath". (14:19 Moffatt). Among them are those who claim to be anointed spiritual "Jews" but are proven liars, and other unsealed men that they appointed as 'elders' in Christ's congregations, and the remaining members of this sect falsely calling themselves Jehovah Witnesses but who by their deeds prove they are not true witnesses of God. (Rev 3:9. 2 Thess 2:1-12).

THE TERRITORY OF ISRAEL: SYMBOLIC OF THE "WINEPRESS" OF GOD.
From the northernmost point to the southernmost point of Israel is approximately 200 miles or "a thousand six hundred furlongs." (Rev 14:20). Unbelievers and apostate worshippers are "outside the City" of God (spiritual "Jerusalem") and will be "trodden" down. They do not belong to the "true vine" of The Christ and his anointed "body" members, but are of the "vine of the earth". Whereas the capitol city of earthly Israel is Jerusalem, those of the "true vine" of The Christ are of heavenly spiritual "Jerusalem" and are the City of God. (John 15:1 5) (Heb 12:22-24).

(1) THE SPIRIT "BURNING" FOR A TRIAL.
"Sharers in the sufferings of The Christ" experience a "burning" sensation within their spirit, for "the Spirit of God, is resting upon you." This kind of "burning" is for a trial. It is a test of one's faith and character, and is intended for one's benefit. (1 Peter 4:12-14).

(2) THE SPIRIT "FIRE" OF JUDGEMENT. (Isaiah 33:10-14).
Jehovah has also promised to pour out a Spirit "flood" of righteousness that will destroy sons of disobedience. "The instrument of final destruction" is "justice in full flood", "wasting with sickness, yet overflowing with righteousness." (Isaiah 10:22 NEB Footnote).

"And I saw, and, look! a white cloud, and upon the cloud someone seated like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. And another angel emerged from the temple sanctuary, crying with a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud: "Put your sickle in and reap, because the hour has come to reap, for the harvest of the earth (1) is thoroughly ripe." And the one seated on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. And still another angel emerged from the temple sanctuary that is in heaven, he, too, having a sharp sickle. And still another angel emerged from the altar and he had authority over the fire. And he called out with a loud voice to the one that had the sharp sickle, saying: "Put your sharp sickle in and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, (2) because its grapes have become ripe." And the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and he hurled it into the great wine press of the anger of God. And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out of the wine press as high up as the bridles of horses, for a distance of a thousand six hundred furlongs." (Rev 14:14 20).

As the "harvest of the earth" (1) is thoroughly ripe in
righteousness, put your "sickle" in Lord, and reap!

4/10/83.