Before we understand the forthcoming and soon harvest of souls upon the earth. We must first understand the ancient Hebrew tradition of two different grain harvests and one fruit harvest and then compare them to God’s imminent three spiritual harvests of souls.
ANCIENT ISRAELITE THREE HARVESTS TRADITION
1. Barley Harvest
2. Wheat Harvest
3. Grapes Harvest
These metaphors depict God’s harvest times. Most importantly, when a crop is ripe, it is harvested by separating the chaff.
BARLEY - Mature barley goes through a time of winnowing. Using a wooden fork, winnowers, throw the gathered barley against the wind so that the air can separate the husks from the grain.
WHEAT - On the other hand, mature wheat goes through a time of threshing. Using a tribulum, a wooden board with holes in it, or using a wooden sled, both of which oxen often pull. Threshers then stand or sit on the sled as it is drawn over the grain that is laying on the threshing floor, causing the grain to be separated from the husks and straw.
BARLEY/WHEAT - Barley and wheat have certain amounts of small stones and weeds that remain mixed in. These grains must go through a second sifting. Sifters sit on the floor and shake a sieve containing the grain. Once that chaff appears at the top, sifters blow away the chaff.
GRAPES - Lastly, mature grapes also go through a time of crushing, known as treading. Using a wine press, treaders crush the grapes until the juice is separated from the skins.
GOD’S THREE MAIN SPIRITUAL HARVESTS OF SOULS
Having said that, now we are ready to understand the metaphors that God uses to harvest the souls that love Him here on earth.
FIRST HARVEST OF SOULS — A.K.A. THE BARLEY HARVEST
(See Ephesians 5:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Peter 3:14)
The Barley Harvest represents the over-comers. These are the souls whose hearts are tender. They are repentant on-fire believers. Completely sanctified by yielding completely to Christ Jesus. Like Christ, they are considered First-fruits. They are the first harvest souls who participate in the first resurrection and rapture. Some, like the Apostles are the resurrected dead in Christ. We who are living on earth are raptured alive to meet Christ in the air. (See 1 Corinthians 15:51- 54; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)
Because the First Harvest is also the Barley Harvest, these sous have been winnowed. God harvested them without using a “TRIBULUM” (Latin word Tribulation). In other words, the Barley Harvest of Souls will NOT have to go through the seven-year TRIBULATION! The last 3½ years are going to be the time of great distress that this world has never seen before, and will never see again.
SECOND HARVEST OF SOULS — A.K.A. THE WHEAT HARVEST
(See Matthew 3:11-12; Matthew 13:38-39; Revelation 14:14-16)
The Wheat Harvest represents all other believers in Christ. The souls were not ready for the first harvest for whatever reason. Left behind because they were immature, hardened, possibly carnal and were not ready to be picked. These souls are the Wheat Harvest set to endure the Great Tribulation, lasting seven years. The last 3½ years is a judgment that can be compared to the most severe action of wheat threshing that is done in order to make the wheat easier to separate from the chaff.
The Wheat Harvest, thus, represents those believers who are asleep, in the spiritual sense (See Matthew 13:25). Those that mature and remain are called “Tribulation Saints.” They are left behind believers in Christ that participate in the Second Harvest and resurrection when Christ returns in seven years.
THIRD HARVEST — A.K.A. THE GRAPES HARVEST
(See Revelation 14:17-20; Revelation 19:15)
The Grapes Harvest represents the unbelieving Jews who, at the Second Coming of Christ, “Look on Him whom they have pierced” and convert. They are also unbelievers who, for the most part, will be part of the massive crop of unbelievers who participate in the Third Harvest and resurrection, including centuries of unbelievers who will be judged according to their works (see Revelation 20:11-13).
Because of their hardness of heart, these grapes have been thrown into the great wine press of God’s wrath. The press thoroughly extracts juice (life) by crushing them. (See Revelation 14:19) Put differently, the grapes and their seeds are utterly and totally squashed and pressed.
There is good news! The First-fruits of the Grapes Harvest are 144,000 Messianic Jews (see Revelation 14:3-4). They become faithful followers of Jesus the Christ during the Tribulation. These 144,000 saints will be redeemed, raptured and resurrected when Christ returns to earth to rule and reign in the years 2030 to 3030.
I hope this has helped clear up events that are upon us now. You all are in my heart, thoughts and prayers.
His Peace is Yours,
Brother Joseph
Founder, Servants of the Father of Mercy
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