A Study in God’s Plan for Mankind: Study 18: The Gospel Age Harvest (Introduction)

The Gospel Age Harvest part 1: An Introduction to the Concept of the Harvest at the End of the Gospel Age

Before beginning the next phase of the ongoing study regarding God’s plan for mankind as revealed by the Bible, we would like to take a pause to reflect on the studies to this point, as well as provide a preview of the next phase of studies. The series of studies in God’s plan for mankind started with an examination of the Bible’s account of the creation of the universe, followed by the creation of the Earth. The studies then examined how God created the first man and first woman, Adam and Eve, in a state of human perfection. Although created perfect, this pair was also created with free will and, through disobedience, Adam and Eve fell from the state of human perfection. From the moment of their disobedience, they began the process of dying ultimately resulting in Adam and Eve’s deaths. This punishment for disobedience was passed on to every subsequent generation of Adam and Eve’s descendants, and continues to the present day.

The studies also examined what was, at the time, a somewhat vague promise made by God. The promise hinted that this unnatural condition would not be forever (Genesis 3:15). This theme of ultimate salvation from this punishment, and the means by which this salvation would be fulfilled, is one of the main themes of the Bible. As God’s plan moved on, an additional theme also revealed itself. Over time, God revealed his desire to identify and guide a small portion of mankind for a specific purpose. This portion of mankind would be given specific requirements with the intention that the keeping of those requirements would cultivate a specific condition of heart and mind which would be pleasing to God. This process may be likened to the growing cycle of farming, which includes a planting or seeding time, a growing season, and a harvest time.

The Concept of the “Harvest”

As covered in earlier studies, God singled out a group of people from amongst mankind to be his “chosen people.” This group of people were the descendants of Abraham, a significant figure in the Old Testament. Due to his great faith in God, God favored Abraham and his descendants with a profound and wonderful promise:

Genesis 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
Genesis 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Later, as the generations of Abraham’s line progressed and grew, God specifically asked this group of Abraham’s descendants if they would become His special people. The people responded positively to this question:

Exodus 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

God then delivered a series of laws and sacrifices which the people, now called out from mankind as God’s chosen people, were to keep. These laws and sacrifices are recorded across several books of the Old Testament, including Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Over time, the descendants of Abraham would form a nation called Israel. Those amongst the nation of Israel who chose to follow God and His laws became collectively know as the Jewish people.

Although not always fully understood by the generations of the Jewish people that would follow, God was dealing with them specifically to cultivate a heart and mind within them that would be pleasing to Him. The laws and sacrifices that He delivered to the Jewish people were meant to show them not only God’s power, knowledge and justice, but also His love as well. In many ways, God was figuratively “planting a seed” when He delivered His laws to the Jewish people. Consider how a farmer or a gardener goes about the work of their profession. First, the farmer decides the crop that is to be grown. This often requires a plan, which includes considerations such as what is to be grown, how long the crop will take to sprout and ripen, a schedule for the developing crop and protection of the developing crop from weeds and pests. In many ways, God was beginning the execution of a very similar plan with Israel and mankind. The “seed” was now planted. The Jewish people had a set of laws to follow, with the intention that, over time, the keeping of these laws would develop heart and mind conditions within them that God sought. The period of time allocated to the development of this group of people that would meet God’s qualifications, through an obedience to the Law, is often referred to as the “Jewish Age” of God’s plan for mankind. In many ways, the Jewish Age reflected the “growing season” of the seed God planted at the beginning of the age.

Generations later, the time in God’s plan arrived when God determined that sufficient time had passed for the recipients of His laws to have developed the characters and heart conditions He sought. The “seeds” He had planted, generations earlier, had now “ripened” throughout the “growing season” of the Jewish Age into a “crop”. It was, in God’s estimation, time for a “harvest” of what had developed from what He had “planted”.

Throughout the Old Testament, God delivered, through those He called forth to be prophets, the expectation of a coming king, also known as the Messiah, to the Jewish people:

Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

This king, or Messiah, would, by God’s commandment, have full authority to judge the nation of Israel.

Isaiah 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD
Isaiah 11:3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

The long-prophesied king would arrive in the form of Jesus. Consider, for example, the prophecy of the arrival of the Messiah, and compare this prophecy to the scriptural testimony that declares Jesus to be this king:

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
Matthew 21:2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
Matthew 21:3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

Although certainly not true when considering the history of imperfect mankind, a king should exemplify the best characteristics of the people he rules. As might be expected of a king sent by God Himself, Jesus did perfectly exemplify the heart and mind sought by God. This concept is shown in God’s own words of approval, in the well-known scripture:

Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Being the Messiah, the foretold king, placed Jesus in the appropriate position to judge the results of the Jewish people having, for generations, grown and developed under God’s laws.

The Work of the Harvester in the Jewish Age

During his time on earth at the end of the Jewish Age, Jesus made it abundantly clear that he was specifically interested in the Jewish people:

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

This is not to imply that the remainder of mankind, who were not born a descendant of Abraham, had, or continue to have, no place in God’s plan. Jesus was simply expressing that at that point in God’s plan, he was fulfilling his Father’s wish to review the results of the “seed” that had been planted, generations ago, in the people of Israel. The remainder of mankind have a wonderful place in God’s ultimate plan as well, as will be seen and experienced by all in the fullness of God’s own time.

Throughout his life, Jesus, being a Jew, followed each and every one of God’s laws as had been given by God to the Jewish people generations earlier. Unlike any before him, he kept this law perfectly, and without fail:

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Also, unlike many of the Jewish people around him, and certainly in contrast to the majority of the Jewish religious leadership that Jesus found surrounding him, the love of God and God’s laws and ways produced a heart unlike any other. During his ministry, Jesus preached of rejecting selfishness and the pursuit of earthly wealth and glory:

Luke 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ
Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Jesus also preached the necessity for an attitude of meekness and servitude toward others. Unlike many across history who have also preached similar concepts, Jesus exemplified these attitudes in his actions his whole life, and expected a similar attitude in those who would follow him:

John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
John 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
John 13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

John 13:12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
John 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

When asked specifically about the criteria for being judged worthy of being counted in this “harvest” period of the time, Jesus offered the same, consistent answer:

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Matthew 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Thus, after generations of opportunity to develop in the “field” of mankind and being “tended and guided” by God’s laws and care, the results or “fruits” of this period of growth among God’s specially called people were to be judged. Just as a farmer eventually harvests the crops that were so carefully tended, so did God send His son Jesus, who himself was the perfect example of what God considered “successful fruitage”, to gather those who had also developed sufficient heart and minds under God’s law to recognize their king, the “harvester”, and prove worthy of inclusion in the select group of individuals called forth by God from the rest of mankind.

The Need for the Gospel Age

The scriptures record that some from amongst the Jewish people were found to have hearts and minds sufficiently developed under God’s laws as to be counted worthy of being “harvested”. However, the nation of Israel, as a whole, fell short of God’s expectations. Instead of a people and a leadership that exemplified the spirit of love, kindness, servitude and meekness, Jesus instead found a people who he judged as more concerned about the minutiae of the law instead of the spirit of the law, and the recognition of mankind over cultivating a spirit that would be pleasing to God (as chronicled in Matthew 25 and Luke 11, for example).

After a multi-year period of judgement, the heart condition and mindset amongst the majority of the people, religious leadership included, caused their king to reject what he found, and ultimately reject them as a nation:

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Matthew 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Matthew 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Despite the rejection of the nation of Israel, God’s plan still required a “called-out” people, who would exemplify the heart and condition required by God and sought by Jesus. Acts chapters ten record Peter receiving a vision from God indicating that the call to serve God would soon expand from being available only to the Jewish people, but those not descended from Abraham as well. This latter group, which encompasses the majority of mankind, were collectively referred to as the “Gentile” people. Acts chapter eleven records the account of the first Gentile, Cornelius, responding to, and accepting, the calling of God to His service. The chapter ends with many others of Cornelius’ household also responding to God’s calling, thus becoming some of the earliest Gentiles to devote their lives to becoming members of the Church class.

God had now planted a new “seed” for the creation He desired; this new seed being planted amongst the Gentile people. This mirrors the “seed” that God planted with Abraham’s descendants at the beginning of the Jewish Age. This parallel is so striking that Paul made references to it in his writings:

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

In these verses, Paul strove to make this very point; that the calling to serve God, and if faithful, obtain the promised reward, was now not limited to the Jewish people alone, but to Gentile people who, through their faith in Jesus, were willing to sacrifice their lives in service to God. The words “heirs according to the promise” hearken back to God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 22, as covered earlier. This new age, which began with the planting of this new “seed”, and encompassed the “growing season” required to cultivate and grow a group of mankind with hearts and minds judged acceptable to God was labeled as “the Gospel Age” in previous studies. In many ways, the Gospel Age parallelizes the earlier Jewish Age, which saw the same cycle and purpose, although on a smaller scale.

Much like the preceding Jewish Age, the Gospel Age also required a guideline such that individuals seeking to answer God’s calling had a standard to develop under. In the Jewish Age, this standard was the series of laws and sacrifices that God gave to the Jewish people. However, this series of laws was delivered by God only to the Jewish people. The scriptures do not record God commanding Gentile people to follow these laws. Further, the point of the Jewish laws was to develop the hearts and minds of the generations of Jewish people in preparation for their harvester and king, Jesus. Once that king came and harvested, the Jewish law fulfilled its purpose. It was “complete”.

Jesus refers to this concept in the earlier examined in Matthew:

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Jesus fulfilled the law by his perfect keeping of every aspect of that law; by his “obedience even unto death”:

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Paul examines this concept throughout the book of Romans, as well as attempting to guide the early church who consisted of both Jewish people, many of whom still observed and kept the law; and Gentile people, who, rightfully, did not. Paul strives to make the point that the keeping of the law is not a requirement for prospective membership in the Church; only a belief in Jesus as savior, and of a sincere striving to follow the example that Jesus left. Although this is one of the central themes across the entire book of Romans, a verse that exemplifies this point may be found in chapter 10

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

A New Standard for a New Age

With the Jewish law having thus been “completed”, and in any case, inapplicable to the newly accepted Gentile people, the new standard for proving oneself worthy of God’s calling was given by Jesus himself. As examined earlier, Jesus issued this commandment in two simple, yet profound and far-reaching parts:

In his words, Jesus took the time to point out that these commandments were the intended purpose of the original Jewish law. Every point of the law was to have led the follower of that law to develop a heart condition that would truly love God, not just respect or fear Him, and also to develop a tenderness and love for the rest of mankind. This was one of the main deficiencies that Jesus, as “harvester” found amongst the people that were evaluated at the end of the Jewish Age.

However, before one can begin to “grow” under the keeping of these commandments, there is a necessary pre-requisite, as pointed out in various places in the New Testament. Paul explains this pre-requisite clearly and emphatically in many places, including Romans chapter 10:

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans 10:12 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.

In these verses, another parallel between the Jewish Age and the Gospel Age is revealed. At the dawning of the Jewish Age, the descendants of Abraham were given the choice to follow God’s laws and become prospective members of His chosen people. It was not until they accepted this calling that they were then able to develop forward. The “seed” was then “planted”, and could begin “cultivation and growing” until the “harvest”. At the beginning of the Gospel Age, those called forth from among both the Jewish and Gentile people to be God’s chosen people also need to responded affirmatively to a choice. The choice in the Gospel Age is the choice to accept Jesus as one’s savior; one’s means to salvation. Once this is accepted and acknowledged, the “seed” is “planted” and the “cultivation and growing” can likewise begin. The standard guiding the “cultivation and growing” in the Gospel Age is the lifelong process of transforming one’s heart and mind to one who, as Jesus commanded, loves God with all one’s heart and mind, and who further loves one’s neighbor as oneself.

During the Jewish Age, a system was permitted to be developed that served to bring the descendants of Israel in-line with God’s law. This system became known as the Jewish faith. As will be demonstrated in the upcoming studies of the Gospel Age and the “harvest” period which signals its end, a parallel system was allowed to develop during the Gospel Age in order to bring interested called ones in-line with God’s wishes, as well.

Just as the “growing season” of the Jewish Age required many generations, the “growing season” of the Gospel Age has also taken many generations. During this time, those who have been called forth by God, who truly acknowledge Jesus as their path to salvation, and who strive to mirror his teachings and character, have steadfastly worked to understand and respond to God’s calling. Just as the Jewish Age ended in a “harvest” period, the Gospel Age, as may be expected, also ends in a “harvest” period preceding the next age in God’s plan. As will be covered in the upcoming series of studies on the Gospel Age harvest period as part of God’s plan for mankind, there are scriptural reason to believe that the present time is this Gospel Age harvest period, and further, that this period of time is, in fact, drawing to a close.

Summary and Prelude: What Can Thus Be Expected of the Harvest at the End of the Gospel Age?

This study has attempted to fulfill two major purposes. First, this study has attempted to review the preceding studies on both the Jewish Age and of the Gospel Age, and through the allegory of a growing season of crops, attempted to demonstrate the beautiful parallels between some of the main purposes of each of these ages. Second, this study has reviewed the “harvest” period that overlaps the end of the Jewish Age and the beginning of the Gospel Age, with the intention of laying the foundation for future studies which will cover, in-depth, the various features of the Gospel Age harvest period, and its equally beautiful parallels with its predecessor, the Jewish Age harvest period. By examining the Jewish Age harvest period, and understanding that the Gospel Age harvest period will parallel its predecessor, the student of God’s plan can expect the following concepts in the Gospel Age harvest period to be proposed:

A “harvester” or “reaper” in the Gospel Age harvest, the same as the Jewish Age harvest (Jesus)
The “ripening” of a “new crop” during the Gospel Age
A casting away of those not worthy to be part of the “new crop”; a “harvesting” of the “new crop”
An examination of the system that facilitated the calling and development of “the new crop” during the Gospel Age, and the dismantling of that system during the “harvest” period at the end of the age
The beginnings of the preparation for the next age in God’s plan

As the next series of studies unfolds, each of these concepts, as well as a scriptural basis behind them will, in turn, be given consideration. As might be expected from a perfect Architect, God’s plan for mankind is not only wonderful, but full of such beauty and harmony that every aspect adds to the testimony of our all powerful, all knowing, all just, and all loving Heavenly Father. The harvest period at the end of the Gospel Age certainly adds to that beautiful song of harmony, made all the more exciting that it is unfolding before us now, during our very lifetimes.

Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Matthew 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Matthew 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Matthew The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Matthew 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

A Study in God’s Plan for Mankind: Study 18: The Gospel Age Harvest (Introduction)

The Concept of the “Harvest”

The Work of the Harvester in the Jewish Age

The Need for the Gospel Age

A New Standard for a New Age

Summary and Prelude: What Can Thus Be Expected of the Harvest at the End of the Gospel Age?

Further Readings and References

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The Concept of the “Harvest”

The Work of the Harvester in the Jewish Age

The Need for the Gospel Age

A New Standard for a New Age

Summary and Prelude: What Can Thus Be Expected of the Harvest at the End of the Gospel Age?

Further Readings and References

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