THE HARVEST
[411]The Scriptures disclose a complete parallel concerning the Jewish
and gospel ages. The parallel exists with reference to time as well as
events. The Jewish age ended with a harvest, which harvest began with
the ascension of our Lord in the year A.D. 33. By the term "harvest"
here used is meant the gathering of the remnant of the Jews to Christ.
Jesus' statement plainly is that the gospel age will end with a harvest,
during which time he would be present, directing the work of that
harvest. In the earth three and a half years from the time of his
consecration and baptism, Jesus was preparing the Jews for the harvest
of that age. We should expect to find a parallel of this with reference
to the harvest of the gospel age, and we do find it. Counting three and
a half years from 1874, the time of his presence, brings us to 1878.
During the presence of the Lord from 1874 to 1878 he was making
preparation for the harvest of the gospel age. The Jewish harvest
covered a period of forty years, ending in A.D. 73. We should expect,
then, the general harvest of the gospel age to end in 1918.
[412]The natural harvest was used by the Lord to illustrate his harvest
of Christians. In the Jewish natural harvest it was customary to glean
the field after the regular harvest was over. We should therefore expect
to find a harvest period from 1878 to 1918, and thereafter for a time a
gleaning work going on, in which a few Christians would be gathered in,
as well as another part of the harvest work to be done, which we will
indicate.
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