Some of the last words that Jesus spoke to His disciples are found in Matthew 28. He says:
"All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.." (v. 18-19)
Jesus connects the power which He has been given, to his disciples ability to go and teach the nations. He makes the connection as He assures His disciples that He, with His power, is always with them unto the end of the age (v. 20). As signs tell us that we are indeed approaching the end of this age, these words of Jesus become especially pertinent to us today.
Jesus described the readiness to receive the Gospel of salvation as a ripened field just waiting to be harvested:
"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest." Mt. 9:37-38
The Lord has already done the work. The spiritual seeds have already been planted. The stalks have already grown tall, and the grain has not only appeared on the stalks, but has turned from newly formed green, to the white of readiness. And now the field, with its rich, ripened grain, stands waiting to be harvested (Jn. 4:35). This harvest is prepared already, and is just waiting for us to labor to bring it in. This waiting harvest also comes out of the Jewish people, and Israel. They are "every one that shall be found written in the book." (Dan. 12:1).We will discuss this in more detail later.
This commandment from Jesus stated above, requires more from us than lip service, procrastination, and the deferring of the task to others. Jesus tells a parable of two sons (Mt. 21:28-31) who were asked by their father to "go work today in my vineyard". One son answered his father that he would go, but he didn't. The second son said he would not go into the vineyard, but repented of that attitude and went. Those listening to the parable, who happened to be the chief priests and religious elders of Israel, agreed that the second son, who actually did the work, was the obedient son, doing the will of the father. Jesus concluded by saying that because these very respected religious leaders had not been obedient to the work the Father in heaven had given them, common sinners would enter the kingdom of God before they would.
Will we make the choice to obey the command to go into the harvest? This is the question for all of us in this new year. This does not necessarily mean going into foreign lands to preach the Gospel. The harvest is all around us, even where we ourselves have been planted. The Lord calls us to bloom right where He has planted us.
The prophet Daniel describes those who turn many to righteousness, "even to the time of the end", as the wise who shine with brightness like the stars (Dan. 12:3-4). Proverbs also associates winning souls with wisdom:
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Pro. 11:30
As mentioned earlier, the waiting harvest also includes those who are Jewish, and those who are out of Israel. Paul says in Romans, that when the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, all Israel shall be saved (Rom. 11:25-26). Who is the Jew, and who is included in Israel? Paul said that being "Israel" is not judged solely on the flesh, nor made up of all the descendants of Abraham, but rather "the children of the promise are counted for the seed" (Rom. 9:8). The children of promise are those who have relied on the belief that as God prophesies, He will prevail and perform. The children of promise believe God's eternal promise of salvation, redemption, and re-birth unto everlasting life. These are those of Israel who are found written in the book, and are those for whom the archangel Michael, the great prince, stands in the battle (Dan. 12:1).
This new year, will we choose to go into the harvest, as Jesus has asked us to do? If we choose to obey, for obedience is a choice, then we are doing the will of the Father.
God's prophetic promise:
Salvation Through Faith
To Contact/Submit Prayer requests/Give to the Ministry:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
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"NAZAH", the new book from Dr. Stevenson is now available. To order:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
As mentioned earlier, the waiting harvest also includes those who are Jewish, and those who are out of Israel. Paul says in Romans, that when the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, all Israel shall be saved (Rom. 11:25-26). Who is the Jew, and who is included in Israel? Paul said that being "Israel" is not judged solely on the flesh, nor made up of all the descendants of Abraham, but rather "the children of the promise are counted for the seed" (Rom. 9:8). The children of promise are those who have relied on the belief that as God prophesies, He will prevail and perform. The children of promise believe God's eternal promise of salvation, redemption, and re-birth unto everlasting life. These are those of Israel who are found written in the book, and are those for whom the archangel Michael, the great prince, stands in the battle (Dan. 12:1).
This new year, will we choose to go into the harvest, as Jesus has asked us to do? If we choose to obey, for obedience is a choice, then we are doing the will of the Father.
God's prophetic promise:
Salvation Through Faith
To Contact/Submit Prayer requests/Give to the Ministry:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
PayPal Available
"NAZAH", the new book from Dr. Stevenson is now available. To order:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
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