Scripture
Vs 12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
Vs 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
VS 14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand.
Vs 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.”
Observation
There are two “callings” happening here … one for the “saints” (me), and one for the “son of man” (Jesus).
- A “call for endurance” for the saints to keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
- A “calling with a loud voice” for the Son of Man to “reap, for the hour to reap has come”.
And there is an incredible “status” of those in these “called” positions.
The “saint” is blessed and at rest. (“Blessed indeed that they may rest from their labors”.
The Son of Man is working. (Put in your hand the sickle and reap”.
Application
How often do I, or “Christian culture”, or more specifically “Church culture”, get these callings completely backwards?
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard church leaders and pastors talk about “reaping a harvest for the Lord”!
Or even “doing the Lord’s work”?
But in this context, what does that even mean?!
Who is to do the “reaping of the harvest”? … The Lord! … Jesus, the Son of Man, is the one with the sickle in His hand!
And what is the harvest? … People? … Both Saints in the faith and the victims of His wrath with be “harvested”.
But it’s not my job to do the harvesting!
(The parable of the wheat and the weeds makes so much sense in this context.)
What am I to do? … Be blessed & rest! … Sure, there is an “enduring”, but it’s an enduring in keeping faith and commandments.
Faith in the work of Jesus, not my own.
Jesus has come as “The Sower” … He will come again as “The Reaper”.
What am I to do in the meantime? … Pray! …It’s what Jesus asked me to do!
“Pray to the Lord of the harvest.” (Matt 9)
The harvest will be plentiful. And the laborers will be few.
I am to pray for laborers to go “into the harvest”.
But it is the Lord that does the harvesting … the final judgment of salvation or condemnation.
I can even be eager for this harvesting … “Come! Lord Jesus, Come!”
But I must never mistake His role for mine.
Prayer
Thank you, God, for your Word again
Help me see you for who you are
You are the ultimate Judge … the Harvester
Help me fulfill my role … keep my faith and your commands
Thank you, Spirit, you call me blessed
In Jesus name
Amen