The occasion was just after the announcements on Sunday morning at church Elaine and I commenting about how quickly the summer was going by. We were all most lamenting the fact that the year was speeding by so quickly. I said, I don’t know how the summer has gone by so fast here it is the first of September and you know what’s coming!
But one of our farmers quickly spoke up, “Yes, the harvest is coming, praise the lord!” You can understand why the farmer responded in that way. The harvest is the sum of all his energies for that year. To the farmer the harvest is exciting. That difference in attitude was determined by our perspectives. And so it is with many things in life everything is dependent on your perspective.
There is something very different in the attitudes of “end time” events from the scripture. Most of the thinking concerning the last days are negative, fearful, doom and gloom. But I remember something Jesus said that has always given me peace, comfort and rest. He said, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)
Understand Jesus view point, his perspective was the harvest of the world. That is the day when the lion will lay down with the lamb, where God will wipe away every tear; we are speaking of the harvest of the earth. James speaks of that harvest in his epistle: Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (James 5:7)
Notice God is the husbandman waiting for “precious fruit”. His attitude is one of joy, anticipation, and love for his family is returning to him.
For those that are in that great reunion of people their attitude will be anything but doom and gloom. Their reunion will be a time of praise, thanksgiving, and joy. Notice the “song of the redeemed” in the book of revelations: And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Rev 5:9-10
The reality is when the Lord returns your attitude of faith or fear will be determined by your perspective. For those who have accepted the saving grace of Jesus and are living prepared to meet the lord there will be joy in seeing the Lord return.
As for me I am looking forward to the day when there will be no more injustice, racism, hatred, or murder. I’m looking forward to a day when nations no longer rise up against another. I’m looking forward to a day when children are safe in the streets. Can you imagine a day without sorrow? I’m looking forward to the harvest of all that is good. Because of my faith in Jesus and his salvation I’m sowing kingdom seeds and looking forward to the harvest! And when someone asks about the last days I respond, “Yes, the harvest is coming, praise the lord! Are you ready to meet Him! Get ready!”
The scripture says concerning Jesus: “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom 10:11-13)