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THE FINAL JUDGMENT REPRESENTED BY THE HARVEST
THIS is a remarkable prophecy of the destruction of God’s enemies. The prophet summons the executioners of vengeance to come up against them [Note: The valley of Jehoshaphat, or of decision, to which they are summoned, ver. 12, 14. seems to be not any particular place: It may rather be considered as an allusion to the utter destruction which his enemies (the Syrians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Grecians, and Romans) should successively bring on each other. And it may have a further reference to the destruction of Antichrist, and of the wicked at the last day.]. They are represented as a field of corn; the command is given to cut them down; and the prophet instantly sees them fall; “multitudes,” &c. Our Lord delivers a parable resembling this in reference to the whole world. In a similar manner we shall improve the passage before us, by inquiring,
I. What it is that ripens men for the great harvest—
There is a ripeness to which every one must attain. The wicked have a measure of sin which they must fill up [Note: Gen_15:16.]; the righteous have degrees of holiness for which they are reserved [Note: Eph_4:7; Eph_4:13. Not that there is any general standard either of sin or holiness to which all persons must attain: There is no degree of sin to which any shall be impelled against their will; nor of holiness, which any shall be prevented from surpassing. But some are kept from more sin, and others are excited to more holiness, by the preventing of assisting grace of God; for sinners would commit more sin unless prevented, and saints attain less holiness unless excited.]: there are growing in the great field of the world both tares and wheat; and both are ripening for their proper end.
Sin is ripening some for vengeance—
[It unfits the soul for the enjoyment of God. It renders a person meet for destruction [Note: As dry wood for the fire. See Luk_23:31.]. It creates many horrors, which are foretastes of hell itself.]
Holiness, on the other hand, is ripening others for glory—
[It unfits the soul for the society of the wicked. It induces a “meetness for the heavenly inheritance.” It is a source of joys which shall be consummated in glory.]
The Holy Scriptures enable us to discern,
II. What are the marks of our being ripe—
Nothing can be more awful than the thought that a sinner is ripe for everlasting misery. Yet it may be justly apprehended that he is so,
1. When he is given over to a total insensibility—
[Custom in sinning will harden the heart and sear the conscience. When a person is arrived at such a state, he is fitted for destruction. This is both figuratively [Note: Heb_6:8] and plainly [Note: Pro_29:1] declared in the Scriptures.]
2. When he continues wilfully in sin against conviction—
[There are some who determine to hold fast their sins. These have reason to think that God’s Spirit will be taken from them [Note: Gen_6:3]. They may expect to be utterly given up to their own lusts [Note: Rom_1:28 Eze_24:13-14].]
Saints, on the other hand, may be judged ripe for glory,
1. When they simply rely on the Lord Jesus—
[We fix upon the lowest marks of true grace. Faith in Christ is exercised by the weakest saint. yet to that is eternal happiness annexed [Note: Joh_3:36]. Of consequence, he who possesses it must be fit for glory.]
2. When they unfeignedly desire to be conformed to his image—
[There is a great difference in the attainments of different Christians, and much allowance must be made for a difference in their respective advantages; but all desire to be “holy as God is holy.” “Vessels thus sanctified are meet for their Master’s use [Note: 2Ti_2:21].]
While space is yet allowed us, it becomes us to consider,
III. What shall be done when we are ripe—
When the corn has attained maturity, the sickle is put to it; thus, when our measure of sin or holiness is complete, we shall be reaped down—
[Our existence in the world is entirely dependent upon God [Note: Psa_31:15.].” None can shorten or protract it beyond its appointed bounds [Note: Job_14:5.].]
The saints will be “gathered into the garner of their Lord”—
[Saints, at their departure, ascend immediately to God [Note: Luk_23:43.]; but in the day of judgment their bodies also will rise. They shall then be carried to their eternal home.]
The wicked will be “bound in bundles, and cast into the fire”—
[They, who die in sin, immediately sustain their just punishment [Note: Luk_16:23.]; but at the last day their bodies also shall be restored to life. Then shall they too be collected by the ministry of angels, and receive their final doom in fire unquenchable.]
Address—
1. Those who are ripening for destruction—
[You may easily discern your real state, but who can express the misery of it? You ripen, however involuntarily, every day. Notwithstanding your security, you will quickly fall. The great husbandman will easily distinguish you from the saints; and he will most assuredly, yea, eternally, separate you from them. But, through the mercy of God, you may yet be changed. Though you be tares at present, God can make you wheat [Note: 2Co_5:17.]. Seek then this divine change ere it be too late.]
2. Those who are ripening for glory—
[What thanks do you owe to God for his distinguishing grace! And how well may you be reconciled to the afflictions of life! There is no event which does not promote your maturity. Look forward then for the blessed period of the harvest. Reflect on the happiness of the state for which you are preparing [Note: No Wintry blasts, no scorching suns, no worm at the root, &c.]. Still seek the showers of the Spirit, and the influences of the Sun of Righteousness. Thus shall you, in due season, be transmitted to the mansions of eternal bliss.]