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Chosen no: R-682 a, from: 1884 Year. |
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Harvest Work Misunderstood.
A brother writes among other things: "Are you quite sure that the
evidences warrant us in believing that the first seven years of the harvest was
the limit of time during which the overcomers were separated and glorified? Is
this implied in "FOOD," page 119?"
Dear Brother: We answer this portion of your letter through the TOWER in
hope of thus benefiting others who may have the same queries.
Your understanding of the teaching of "FOOD" is in the main
correct, but not so when you understand it to teach that the saints would be
separated and changed to spiritual beings during the first seven
years of the harvest. ("Food" was not published and circulated
until the close of those seven years.)
The thought we wish to convey is, that the gathering, or separating of
wheat from tares, is part of the harvest work and may be accomplished early in the harvest before the "fire" or judgments of that time come upon
"tares," etc. When the ripe wheat is garnered or brought under the
special care and labor of the Master, it requires some threshing, winnowing,
etc., to fully prepare it for his service.
To our understanding, the seven years which ended in Oct. 1881, with the
close of the Jewish sacred year, marked off the limit during which the harvest
work and that of sowing of seed for the Gospel harvest, progressed together. In
other words, while the harvest work was commencing and in progress, the
"call," (Matt. 20:16; 2
Pet. 1:10,) to the "Divine nature" through
opportunity to sacrifice, continued to go forth; and up to that time any
believer in the ransom who presented himself a sacrifice to God was "acceptable," and reckoned a member of "the body of Christ," and a joint heir in
the coming kingdom. But in October, 1881, we understand that the
"acceptable year of the Lord" closed, and that the "call"
to sacrifice and its promised reward is no longer authorized.
Not that sinners may not still turn from sin to righteousness and come
into full reconciliation with God, for this is the very work of
the Millennial age just dawning. But their call is to obedience, and faith in
the ransom with its reward of continued, everlasting life--as human beings, but
not to sacrifice and FILLING UP of the afflictions of Christ, which will
be filled up by the Church which is His Body, already selected.
Again, while 1881 marked an important point in the harvest work, it has
not completed the work for, much of the wheat already sown and ripening has yet
to be reaped, threshed, garnered, etc. Since October, 1881, we understand that
two distinct classes of work are in progress: One with the world, leading them
to Faith healings, etc., etc., engaged in by many; and the work of perfecting
of the saints, assisting those who have already consecrated, to realize their
obligation more fully and thus leading them out of Babylon and bondage and
darkness into the glorious light, liberty and enjoyment of their birth-right as
heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ their Lord --if so be that they suffer
with him that they may be glorified together. (Rom. 8:17.)
All branches of the Lord's service are grand, honorable and blessed, but
to those who appreciate the plan, and who see that the fullness of blessing to
the world will follow the completion of the Church and its exaltation to
power, the force of the Apostle's words, "especially to the household of
faith" will be apparent.
W.T. R-682a : page 8 - 1884r
