Witnessing for an End Time Harvest

Seeking the Lost, Hurting, and Hopeless

Bringing in the Sheaves

In the end times,
► Believers OVERCOME and CONTEND FOR THE FAITH with their testimony.

► Believers witness to the lost and hurting to bring in a harvest.
(even as they bretray us.) (Matthew 24:10)

A popular hymn from the 19th century called "Bringing in the Sheaves" made use of this imagery from the Bible to encourage believers to share the Gospel.
To bring in the sheaves refers to the idea that one day believers will come before the Lord, bringing others with them with whom they shared the Gospel.

Sheaves are bundles of plants usually wheat that are tied together after being reaped. They represent a harvest.

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
--- Psalm 126:5-6

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." --- Matthew 5:16

Jesus instructs the Church to share the gospel.
Before He ascended, Jesus said, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." --- Mark 16:15

We have been given the task to bring in the sheaves. In the end times when great distress comes upon the world, the "fields" will be ripe for harvest.
"Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest." --- John 4:35

On the Jewish calendar, Shavuot (Pentecost) was originally a harvest festival.
Perhaps this is when the promised new outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2) occurs and thus equips believers to evangelize the lost. This might happen on the Pentecost after the "abomination of desolation."

"...but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
--- Hebrews 10:25

One of the reasons that the Lord allows the end times is to use upheaval and disaster to plow up the ground of hard hearts, enabling them to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And once the soil of their hearts is prepared to receive the seed of the gospel, the Lord allows us to plant it and water it. God makes it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6)

As we enter the end times, great fear and even terror will fill the hearts of most people around the world. All believers need to be ready to speak the truth of the gospel to the hurting and confused.
"Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37-38
But as we pray for more laborers, we should be saying, "Lord, ... Here I am! Send me." (Isaiah 6:8)

The Bible describes the last days: "For then there will be great tribulation (affliction, distress, and oppression) such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now—no, and never will be [again]. (Amplified version) --- Matthew 24:21

The suffering and distress will be incomprehensible, and it will be worldwide.

Believers must be ready.
The Lord has already told us to prepare our hearts and minds by being self-controlled and sober-minded. And also to be alert, watchful, and prayerful while trusting the Lord and believing His word.

Matthew 26:41, Matthew 24:42, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Revelation 16:15, Revelation 3:3, 1 Peter 4:7, Luke 21:36, Luke 22:46, Proverbs 3:5, John 16:33

We must be ready to love others by speaking truth in love along with acts of kindness.

I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
--- Psalm 40:9-10

The spiritual battles will be real, and we must rise to the occasion.
We must be prepared by putting on the armor of God to be the overcomers that the Lord has called us to be in the last days.
The Armor of God will be needed to overcome evil in the last days and witness to the lost and deceived.
As we use the armor of God, believers are able to stand firm against evil and all unrighteousness.
(Ephesians 6:10-18, Revelation 21:7 NASB, Revelation 3:21 NASB, Revelation 2:7 NASB)

We must prepare our hearts and minds for and struggle to maintain the faith that was given to the saints.
And to stand up for the truth of the faith in the manner of Christ, and to do so with wisdom, gentleness, respect, and especially love. We must love our enemies as Christ commanded.

We must embrace the coming chaos as sheep to be slaughtered:
"As it is written, For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." --- Romans 8:36

Standing firm in the faith:
Jesus said, "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." -- Matthew 10:33

Spreading the gospel amidst persecution and uncertainty:
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, --- 2 Timothy 1:8-9

We must remember the words of Jesus to the Smyrna Church:
Jesus says to the end time church in Smyrna, "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." --Revelation 2:10

We must give our utmost as we witness to the lost and hurting:
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. --- Matthew 16:25 NLT

There is an understandable temptation to isolate oneself from all contact with the world around us and with an increasingly hostile culture.
Most in the world will be hurting and scared. And those who are not firmly grounded in Christ will be needy and feel hopeless.

As believers, we need to be prepared to share our food, water, comfort, faith, and hope with everyone, even those who claim to be our enemies.
And even if they betray us.

We must not abandon the Great Commission that the Lord has given us, no matter the cost.
Rescue the Perishing. (Proverbs 24:11, Jude 1:23 NLT)

We must be a light of Christ to a dying world:
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." -- Matthew 5:14–16

As followers of Christ, we understand the consequences of witnessing in the end times:
"Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves." --- Luke 10:3

We must be good Samaritans:
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." --- Hebrews 13:16