Harvesters Wanted

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

I guess I have some explaining to do. A couple of days ago, I wrote an eDevotion titled Happy New Year! I’ve had several questions via eMail as to why the Jews celebrate the New Year (Rosh Ha Shana), in September — this year, September 14-15.

What's interesting about Rosh Ha Shana is that it doesn't fall on the first day of the first month like our January 1st. It actually falls on the first day of the seventh month on the Jewish Calendar. 

When we understand how the Jewish year begins, and how God outlined the ages according to the Jewish feasts, it all makes sense. The first month of the Jewish year begins with Passover. Two thousand years ago, the new age began with the crucifixion of Jesus on Passover. Next, Jesus rose from the dead precisely on the day of First Fruits. Then, fifty days later, the Feast of Pentecost began the celebration of the harvest season. That day marked the beginning of the first harvest in Jerusalem as three thousand souls came into the newly establish church.

Now, here we are, in the midst of the summer harvest, a harvest of souls, awaiting the sound of the trumpet. When the trumpet sounds, another age will begin; an age when "this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality” [1 Corinthians 15:53].

The celebration of Rosh Ha Shana or Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets), is a reminder that this age is coming to a close, harvest ended. It compels us to keep-on-keeping-on while we can. Don’t put off doing good — do good now. Don’t put off forgiving one another — forgive now. Don’t put of witnessing for Christ — witness now. Don’t put off living for God — live for Him now.

We are living in what has been described as the final days of the harvest. The “fields are ripe,” Jesus said. Let’s answer the call of “Harvesters Wanted.” In other words, let’s get ready for heaven and take as many people with us as possible!

Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet will sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-54