REAPING THE HARVEST
“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”
John 4:35 (KJV)
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.”
Psalm 9:17-18 (KJV)
Introduction:
Of course, to all Born-Again Bible-believing Christians, the Bible is without a doubt, the absolute infallible Word of God. The preceding scripture truly paints the picture of the day and time we are presently living in. The Nations of the world have forgotten God and are being turned into Hell. The world needs Revival today … the world needs Jesus now! We are in a time where evil is called good and good is called evil, right is wrong and wrong is right.
Truth is not being proclaimed out of every pulpit and every mouth that professes Jesus – Truth definitely has fallen in the streets:
Isaiah 59:1-21
1) “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
3) For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
4) None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
5) They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
6) Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
7) Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
8) The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
9) Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.
10) We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.
11) We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.
12) For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;
13) In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
14) And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
15) Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
16) And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
17) For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
18) According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
19) So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
20) And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.
21) As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever.”
The above scripture tells of the condition of the Church & people as a whole, tells of the remedy – Jesus, and the blessing of accepting the Redeemer and living for Jesus.
So, I’m laying a foundation for Revival – especially for the ministers and all Born-Again believers.
1) Prayer:
– Prayer is a privilege we receive when we become Saved, to commune with the Father through Jesus Christ. Pray is a joy, a mandate, and also hard work at times, because we are actively engaged in spiritual warfare against our adversary – the devil. Ephesians 6:12 … “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
– All ministers need to be praying at least 3 hours a day personally for revival, and ministers need to collectively assemble themselves together as many days out of the week as possible for 1 hour a day (or more) to pray for revival in Africa.
– Prayer must be sincere with Jesus; our hearts must be searched daily and cleared of all evil; we must be filled with the Holy Ghost daily; we must pray for great humility and meekness and pray for the Spirit of Revival and the Burden of the Lord to consume us.
2nd Chronicles 7:14 … If My People That Are Called By My Name
Matthew 6:5-18 … When Thou Prayest
Matthew 6:30-34 … Seek The Kingdom First
Matthew 7:1-11 … Ask And It Shall Be Given You
Luke 11:1-13 … As He Was Praying In A Certain Place
Luke 18:1-14 … Men Should Always Pray
Acts 1:1-19 … Peter Delivered From Prison Through Prayer
Acts 16:1-34 … Lydia Saved & Pray Was Needful
Acts 3:1-26 … Hour Of Prayer
Acts 4:1-31 … The House Was Shaken Because Of Prayer
Acts 13:1-4 … Ministering To The Lord
Colossians 3:12 … Laboring Fervently In Prayer
1st Thessalonians 5:1-24 … Pray Without Ceasing
1st Timothy 2:16 … First Of All Prayer
1st John 1:5-10 … If We Confess Our Sins
James 4:6-10 … Humble Yourselves
James 5:13-18 … Effectual Fervent Prayer
Jude 20-21 … Praying In The Holy Ghost
1st Kings 18:41-46 … Elijah Prayed
Psalms 55:1-2,16-17,22 … Cast Thy Burden Upon The Lord
Psalms 34:4,6,10,15,17 … I Sought The Lord
Jeremiah 29:11-13 … Ye Shall Seek Me And Find Me
2.) Fasting:
– Each Pastor, Minister, Leader – needs to fast 2 or more days out of every week up until the revival or 7 days consecutively right before the revival, if they are able of course.
– Fasting at least 2 days per week should be every minister’s normal routine, as the Lord leads them.
– True Spirit-led fasting crucifies the flesh, getting us out of the way so the Lord can use us any way He sees fit.
– Fasting brings us into great faith, grows us up spiritually, and pleases the Lord.
– Spirit-led fasting absolutely changes people and situations, and also creates the atmosphere conducive for Revival.
– Fasting releases the power of the Holy Ghost in a true Born-Again Believer’s life.
Luke 4:1-14 … Jesus’ 40 Days Fast
Isaiah 58:1-14 … Proper Motives & Reason For Fasting
Daniel 9:1-23 … Daniel’s Fast
Joel 2:12-17 … Sanctify A Fast
3.) Reading the Word:
– Lots of reading of the New Testament every day- especially the Gospels, for soul-winning.
– The Epistles are for Christians, to grow and be perfected or become complete in Jesus.
– The Word of God changes us from the inside out, and strict obedience to the Word and being driven by the Spirit causes the Christian to live a victorious life in Jesus, continually.
Hebrews 4:12 … The Word Of God Is Quick
Psalm 119:11 … Thy Word Have I Hid In Mine Heart
Psalm 1:1-6 … Meditating In God’s Law Day And Night
James 1:22 … Be Ye Doers Of The Word
Ephesians 6:17 … The Sword Of The Spirit
John 14:21 … He that Hath My Commandments, And Keepeth Them, He It Is That Loveth Me
John 14:24 … He That Loveth Me Not Keepeth Not My Sayings
Matthew 7:21-28 … Hearing The Saying Of Jesus And Doing Them
4.) Self-Denial and Dedication:
What the Lord Jesus Spoke To Me About Self-Denial
The Lord has been dealing with me much about self-denial and discipleship. He visited me in a night-vision Thursday night. Many people think they are the Lord Jesus’ disciples, but they are very mistaken. Jesus said in Luke 9:23-26 … “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.”
Most are gaining their lives on this Earth, but losing double – missing the abundant life on Earth through Jesus & ultimately their home in Heaven and their reward from Jesus. This is a deliberate, willing & planned sacrificing of our lives – time, energy, substance, plans, goals, family/friends, and our will – for the plan and purpose of God in Christ in us. No compromising will be allowed at all. It’s all of Jesus or none of Jesus.
Jesus said again in Luke 14:25-33 … “25) And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26) If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28) For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29) Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30) Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31) Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32) Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33) So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
Jesus being possessed by God, had no respect of persons, always putting His Father & His Will first, and His own feelings and will last. He did not regard man, forsaking all … always having the Will of the Father day and night driving Him. Jesus knew that those not doing the Will of God or following Him with a pure heart steadfastly, would not have a home in Heaven waiting for them.
Matthew 12:46-50 … “46) While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47) Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48) But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49) And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50) For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
We compromise the Life of God, His Will and His way, to please man, please ourselves, and keep from being persecuted and left out. It’s not nice or pleasurable being left out or persecuted, but necessary. If we please man, we certainly don’t please God. Galatians 1:10 … “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
JESUS WILL NOT ENTRUST HIS KINGDOM TO HALF-HEARTED INSINCERE PEOPLE! He will not put His treasures in non-sanctified carnal vessels – New wine must be put into new bottles! Mark 2:16-22 …”16) And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? 17) When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 18) And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? 19) And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20) But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. 21) No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. 22) And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.”
Unless we die to this world and our wills, we will not have all of Jesus and the full manifestation of Him in us! Many are abiding or operating and existing alone! Jesus went on to say in John 12:23-26 … “23) And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 25) Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 26) He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26) If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
The Word of the Kingdom isn’t falling on good ground! The fallow ground isn’t broken up! Hosea 10:12 … “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”
The hearts of the people aren’t pure from evil and worldliness. Their minds aren’t sanctified and renewed. The cares of this life, our will, pleasures, and the deceitfulness of riches are choking the Word and no fruit is being brought forth to perfection. Luke 8:14 … “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
The burden of for the lost, the sick, the hurting, the poor – is missing in God’s people. The Burden of the Lord for this lost world is missing in human hearts. Luke 19:10 … “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” We need to be compelling the lost … seeking after souls … hunting sinners!
What is our Meat, our Will, our Desire(s)? Are they given by the Lord? Are they God-breathed? What is really driving us? Jesus said in John 4:34 … “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”
*** I personally want to be consumed by Jesus and His Spirit, and be truly always concerned about what He is concerned about.
5.) Charity/Love:
There must be forgiveness and healing in the hearts of God’s people for Revival to truly break out. We must be real and transparent with Jesus, for He certainly knows all and sees all. Hebrews 4:13 … “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
We must become as little children to enter into the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 18:1-4 … 1) “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2) And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
We must must must have God’s love abiding in us, surging through us, breathing through us every minute. Proverbs 10:12 …
“Hatred stirreth up strife: but Love covereth ALL sins.”
1st Corinthians 13:1-13
– Charity: sincere goodwill, dearness, love of humanity, generosity or helpfulness especially towards the needy or suffering …
– Suffereth: puts up with; submits to; forces to endure; to allow especially by reason of indifference …
– Kind: tender …
– Envieth: painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage …
– Vaunteth: proud – feeling of superiority, excessive self-esteem, being extremely delighted with yourself or an accomplishment; boastful – gotta broadcast yourself to the world; vain – having or showing undue or excessive pride in one’s appearance or achievements …
– Puffed Up: carries same connotation as proud and vain …
– Unseemly: not according with established standards of good form or taste; not suitable for time or place; out or order; unruly ….
– Provoked: to stir up purposely to angriness, or arouse to a feeling or action of anger …
– Evil: morally reprehensible(disapproved); arising from actual or imputed(credit/blame) bad character or conduct …
– Iniquity: a wicked act or thing; sin; gross injustice(large/big/huge) …
– Truth: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life; He is the body of real things, events, and facts; sincerity in action, character and utterance …
– Beareth: deals with the hard & difficult things without complaining; something difficult to do or deal with …
– Believeth: your Faith in Jesus being firm to the end without waivering; accepting the Bible as true, genuine, and real; having a firm conviction as God’s goodness, His efficacy(or power to produce an effect in your life), or the ability of Jesus and His power …
– Hopeth: to expect with confidence; to desire with expectation or obtainment … “I’m gonna get it”; you cherish that Godly desire with anticipation of receiving it; you trust …
– Endureth: remaining firm in your Faith under suffering or misfortune without yielding, doubting, complaining …
– Faileth: never fades away, dies, or becomes absent; never loses strength or weakens, never falls short; never stops functioning normally …
– Faith: Belief and trust in God, and loyalty to God; belief in something or someone with strong conviction …
– God is Charity/Love and He never Fails ….
We here in the USA are quite excited with what Jesus has shown us and has prepared for Africa – GREAT REVIVAL!
So, we must prepare ourselves for the times of visitation and refreshing by the Lord Jesus
1st Peter 2:12
“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
Isaiah 57:15
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Joel 2:28-32
28) “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30) And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.
32) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.”
Bishop BC Bethelmy
