Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the "Harvest of the End of the World" is a significant eschatological theme found in the New Testament, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ. This theme is primarily drawn from the parables and apocalyptic discourses that describe the final judgment and the separation of the righteous from the wicked.Biblical References 1. The Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43): In this parable, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a man who sows good seed in his field. However, while everyone is sleeping, an enemy sows weeds among the wheat. When the plants sprout, the servants ask if they should pull up the weeds, but the owner instructs them to let both grow together until the harvest. At that time, the reapers will gather the weeds to be burned and the wheat to be stored in the barn. Jesus explains this parable to His disciples, stating, "The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels" (Matthew 13:39). The weeds represent the sons of the evil one, and the wheat symbolizes the sons of the kingdom. This parable emphasizes the final separation and judgment at the end of the age. 2. The Parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47-50): Jesus further illustrates the end-time judgment with the parable of the net. A net is cast into the sea, gathering all kinds of fish. When it is full, the fishermen sort the good fish into containers and throw away the bad. Jesus explains, "So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous" (Matthew 13:49). This parable reinforces the idea of a final sorting and judgment. 3. The Book of Revelation (Revelation 14:14-20): The imagery of harvest is vividly depicted in Revelation, where John describes a vision of a white cloud with one "like a son of man" seated on it, wearing a golden crown and holding a sharp sickle. An angel emerges from the temple, calling out, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe" (Revelation 14:15). This passage portrays the final reaping of the earth, symbolizing the ultimate judgment and the gathering of the faithful. Theological Significance The harvest imagery in these passages underscores the certainty and inevitability of divine judgment. It serves as a reminder of the moral and spiritual accountability of all individuals. The separation of the righteous from the wicked highlights the justice and holiness of God, who will ultimately vindicate His people and punish evil. The harvest motif also emphasizes the role of Jesus Christ as the judge of the living and the dead. As the Son of Man, He is entrusted with the authority to execute judgment, a theme consistent with His teachings throughout the Gospels. Practical Implications For believers, the Harvest of the End of the World serves as both a warning and an encouragement. It calls for vigilance, faithfulness, and readiness, as the timing of the harvest is known only to God. The anticipation of this event motivates Christians to live lives that reflect the values of the kingdom of heaven, bearing fruit in keeping with repentance and righteousness. The theme also inspires evangelistic efforts, as the knowledge of a coming judgment compels believers to share the gospel message with urgency, inviting others to become part of the harvest of the righteous. Torrey's Topical Textbook Matthew 13:30,39Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather you together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Post-Millennialism Refuted. What the Reign of the Saints with Christ for a Thousand Years Is ... The Harvest of the Earth. And He Set Forth to them Another Parable, and Said... Petilianus Said: "And Again, Charity Suffereth Long... The Enemy Sowing Tares. Letter Lxxvi. (AD 402. ) John Chapter xviii. 33-40. The First Great Group of Parables. The Understanding of Parables. Resources What does the Bible say about work ethic? What is a Christian work ethic? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of “Cast your bread upon the waters” in Ecclesiastes 11:1? | GotQuestions.org How does God restore the years that the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25)? | GotQuestions.org Harvest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Harvest of Barley, Before Wheat Harvest of Wheat at Pentecost, in Palestine Harvest: And of Wheat Before Harvest Time Harvest: Promises of Plentiful Harvest: Sabbath Desecrated In Harvest: Sabbath to be Observed In The Harvest of a Time of Judgment The Harvest of a Time when Many are Ready to Receive the Gospel The Harvest of Barley at the Passover The Harvest of Ripeness for Wrath The Harvest of Seasons of Grace The Harvest of the End of the World The Harvest of Wheat at Pentecost The Harvest: (Cold In) of a Refreshing Message The Harvest: (Dew In) of God's Protection The Harvest: (Rain In) Honor Given to Fools The Harvest: A Time of Great Joy The Harvest: Called The: Appointed Weeks of Harvest The Harvest: Called The: Harvest Time The Harvest: Failure of a Cause of Great Grief The Harvest: Failure of a Punishment for Sin The Harvest: Failure of Occasioned by Drought The Harvest: Failure of Occasioned by Locusts The Harvest: Failure of Sometimes Continued for Years The Harvest: Fields Appeared White Before The Harvest: Former and Latter Rain Necessary to Abundance of The Harvest: Ingathering of Fruits of the Fields The Harvest: Legal Provision for the Poor During The Harvest: Men and Women Engaged In The Harvest: Miraculous Thunder In The Harvest: Not to be Commenced Until the First Fruits had been offered The Harvest: Omitted in the Sabbatical Year The Harvest: Omitted in Year of Jubilee The Harvest: Patience Required in Waiting For The Harvest: Persons Engaged in Binders The Harvest: Persons Engaged in Called Harvest-Men The Harvest: Persons Engaged in Called Labourers The Harvest: Persons Engaged in Fed by the Husbandman During The Harvest: Persons Engaged in Often Defrauded of Their Wages The Harvest: Persons Engaged in Reapers The Harvest: Persons Engaged in Received Wages The Harvest: Slothfulness During, Ruinous The Harvest: The Sabbath to Observed During The Harvest: To Continue Without Intermission Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |