Many prophetic words coming forth for the New Year include some mention of harvest—a significant increase of people coming into relationship with God. Several I have noted include, "These are the beginning of the days of a great harvest!" and, "We really sense that the Holy Spirit is coming with a massive harvest." The ACPE Word of the Lord for 2015 stated, "This is the time for the harvest of the Jews to begin."

As early as 2014, I felt the Lord signaled a new measure of harvest being released when I was given Revelation 14:14,“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.”  Interestingly, through a completely random series of events surrounding my husband’s pickup being recently totaled, I now drive a 2014 Chevy pickup called a “Reaper,” complete with the image of a sickle on the back!

Prophetic words, and even signs like my truck, reveal that a momentum for harvest is building. Proverbs 29:18 (MSG) says:

If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed.

We can better “attend to,” or unlock, this revelation of coming harvest by understanding several key components.

Just the Right Time

Acts chapter 3 contains a fascinating story of a beggar who was healed by the apostle Peter. This man was lame and was carried daily to beg by the temple gate called Beautiful.

It’s apparent that Jesus must have passed by this beggar many times, but He never called him forth to be healed. Yet when Peter and John passed by and the beggar asked them for money, Peter responded by taking him by the hand, and he was instantly made whole! (vs. 7-8)

The prophetic insight contained in this story in intriguing. Jesus healed all who asked, and He also moved in accordance with what He heard His Father saying and doing. It follows, then, that He did not move to heal this man because He did not hear the Father telling Him to do so. I believe that Jesus did not heal the beggar because it was not the appointed time, according to God’s larger and greater plan.

The word Beautiful (which the temple gate was called where the beggar lay) does not mean beautiful in the sense of pleasing to the eye, as we would ordinarily assume. Instead, it means: belonging to the right hour or season (timely), i.e. (by implication) flourishing; or good timing.1 In other words, beautiful as in the sense of—isn’t it beautiful when a plan comes together at just the right time.

What came together at just the right time was a harvest, for the beggar’s healing sent shockwaves into the community. Ultimately, this caused the number of believers to be increased by almost two thousand souls! (Acts 3:11; 2:41, 47; 4:4)

The Lord has hidden a number of His faithful servants until the right time. I believe the right time He has been waiting for is the historic time of harvest nearly upon us!

Life From The Dead

“Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!...” (Ps. 14:7)

The nation of Israel and the Jewish people play a critical role in the harvest. Certain important biblical promises have already come to pass, like the founding of the state of Israel in May of 1948 and the liberation of the old city of Jerusalem in June of 1967. The increase of the Messianic movement among Jews, both inside and outside of Israel, has followed these events.2

Romans 11 reveals that if the Jews’ falling away was riches for the Gentiles and for the world (salvation), how much more will their fullness be (v. 12)! Verse 15 continues by saying that if by their casting away the world was reconciled, their acceptance (of the Messiah) will be as life from the dead! And Ezekiel 36 declares that after Israel is restored, then “the nations shall know that I am the Lord” (v. 23).

The increase of world revival, signs and wonders, and significant advances in evangelism that have followed the restoration of the land (or nation) of Israel and the beginnings of their return to the Lord are well documented.3 This brings the realization that one of the key things that will trigger the end time harvest is prayer for the Jews. As they return to their land and to the Lord, we will see the continued escalation and release of worldwide revival!

Additional Components

“… the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.” (Matt. 13:39)

Several other elements are important to understand for those who want to fully engage with the coming harvest.

- We must recognize the key role that the fivefold ministry plays in equipping the body of Christ to bring in the harvest. Until believers come into the “fullness of Christ,” an element of the manifestation of harvest will remain missing. (Eph. 4:11-13)

- We must resist the “doctrine of Balaam.” (See Num. 31:16; Rev. 2:14.) Balaam was the prophet who tried to curse Israel—although the Lord would not let him. Balaam had his own interests in mind. Beware of any prophet or teacher led by their own interests, and the doctrines that they teach. Those who bring in the harvest will have God’s interests in mind.

- We will need to withstand political correctness. As you do this, you are making your calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10-11).

- We must discern and cooperate with the increased presence of angels who have been sent to help bring in the harvest. Matthew 13:24-43 gives great insight into the significant role that they play.

Let’s make a commitment to pray for the return of the Jews to their land and to the Lord, and to partner with the Lord to unlock revelation of harvest!

Endnotes

1. Strong’s Dictionaries #5611

2. Isa. 66:8; Luke 21:24. Also see God's Promise and the Future of Israel, by Don Finto

3. See Megashift, by James Rutz