REPENT – THE “TIME” IS AT HAND: The "Reaping" of the Saints

We are living in a time of acceleration—a time of shaking and awakening. Scripture urges us: wake up, cast off darkness, put on the armor of light, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:11–14). The “time” is not simply a calendar date; it is a divine moment, a season in which God calls His people to repentance, readiness, and righteousness.

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”— Romans 13:11 (KJV)

Jesus foretold seasons of distress, perplexity, fear, and shaking across the earth (Luke 21:25–26; Mark 13:7–8; Matthew 24:6–8). Whether we consider public crises, societal confusion, or global instability, the command remains the same: “Look up… for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28, KJV). This post is a call to repent, to reconcile, to watch and pray, and to put on Christ—because the reaping is at hand.

1) Knowing the Time: Wake Up, Cast Off, Put On

Romans 13:11–14 (KJV)

Paul gives a threefold charge for an urgent hour:

1. Wake Up — “It is high time to awake out of sleep.” Spiritual drowsiness is dangerous in a decisive hour.

2. Cast Off — “Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness.” We renounce habits and patterns that dull the conscience.

3. Put On — “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.” We do not merely remove sin; we clothe ourselves with Christ, His character, and His power.

Walk as in the day—honestly, free from riot, drunkenness, immorality, strife, and envy (v. 13). Do not make provision for the flesh (v. 14). Our nearness to final salvation (glorification) demands sobriety and holiness now.

2) Signs and Seasons: Watch and Pray

Luke 21:25–36; Mark 13:5–33; Matthew 24:13–46 (KJV)

Jesus taught us to read the times like we read the fig tree. When the leaves sprout, we know summer is near (Luke 21:29–31; Mark 13:28–29; Matthew 24:32–33). In the same way, when we see wars and rumors of wars, nations in distress, earthquakes, famines, deception, and betrayal, we recognize these as “the beginning of sorrows” (Mark 13:8).

Key commands from the Lord in these passages:

• “Take heed… be not deceived.” (Mark 13:5–6; Matthew 24:4–5)

• “Be not troubled… the end shall not be yet.” (Mark 13:7)

• “Endure to the end.” (Matthew 24:13)

• “Watch… and pray always.” (Luke 21:36; Mark 13:33; Matthew 24:42)

• “Be ready.” (Matthew 24:44)

The culmination of these events is the visible return of the Son of Man in power and great glory, and the gathering of the elect (Mark 13:26–27; Matthew 24:30–31). The exact day and hour remain unknown (Mark 13:32; Matthew 24:36), so our calling is constant readiness.

3) Get It “Right” with Your Brother/Sister

Romans 1:16–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 1 Corinthians 6:1–6 (KJV)

As we draw near to the Day, Scripture calls for personal repentance and relational reconciliation.

• The Gospel’s Power & The Reality of Judgment (Romans 1:16–32). The Gospel reveals God’s righteousness and the path from faith to faith. It also uncovers the reality of human sin and God’s righteous wrath. Idolatry, impurity, and unrestrained passions are not trivial; they reveal a heart that has exchanged God’s truth for a lie (vv. 25, 28–32).

• The Call to Holiness (1 Corinthians 6:9–11). The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. But hear the hope: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed… sanctified… justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” Grace not only forgives—it transforms.

• The Household of Faith and Disputes (1 Corinthians 6:1–6). In light of the coming kingdom, Paul rebukes believers for taking one another to secular courts over internal disputes. Kingdom people should be able to reconcile with wisdom and humility among the saints.

Application: Forgive, release bitterness, seek peace, and repair breaches now (cf. Ephesians 4:31–32). The times are too urgent, and the harvest too near, to carry grudges.

4) Harvest Theology: Wheat, Tares, and Reaping

Matthew 13:24–30; 1 Corinthians 3:6–9 (KJV)

Jesus’ parable of the wheat and tares reveals the mystery of the present age:

• Good seed and tares grow together until the time of harvest.

• Premature judgment risks uprooting wheat with the tares (Matthew 13:29).

• At harvest, reapers bind tares for burning and gather wheat into the barn (v. 30).

This teaches patience, discernment, and confidence that God Himself will separate and reward rightly. Our task now:

• Sow faithfully and water diligently.

• Trust that “God gives the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:6–7)

• Remember: We are laborers together with God; God’s field, God’s building (v. 9).

Definitions for clarity:

• Wheat — the fruitful, true believers destined for the Lord’s barn.

• Tares — look-alikes; pseudo-believers; harmful weeds among the wheat.

• Reap/Reaper — to gather the harvest in its season.

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5) Put On Christ: Repent, Be Baptized, Receive the Holy Ghost

Acts 2:38–41 (KJV)

The apostolic pattern of response to the Gospel remains:

1. Repent — Metanoó (Μετανοώ): a Spirit-prompted change of mind, heart, and direction, producing visible fruit.

2. Be Baptized — Baptizó (βαπτίζω): to immerse/dip; a public identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.

3. Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost — the Paraclete (Latin: paracletus), our Advocate and Helper, empowering holy living and bold witness.

“Save yourselves from this untoward generation… and the same day there were added… about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:40–41)

This is how we “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14): by repentance, baptism, and Spirit-filled living.

6) Grace in This Dispensation: Saved to Walk in Good Works

Ephesians 2:4–10 (KJV)

We live in the dispensation of grace—a period in which God’s unmerited favor is lavishly poured out in Christ:

• Saved by grace through faith—not by works (vv. 8–9).

• Raised and seated with Christ (v. 6).

• Created anew for good works God prepared beforehand (v. 10).

Grace is not a license to sin; it is the liberating power to live as God’s workmanship.

7) Sealed for the Day: Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:25–32 (KJV)

Receiving the Holy Ghost is no small matter. We are sealed unto the day of redemption (v. 30). Therefore:

• Put away lying, theft, corrupt speech, bitterness, wrath, and malice.

• Embrace truth, honest labor, edifying words, kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness (vv. 25–32).

Holiness is how we honor the Seal upon our lives.

8) Comfort and Courage: The Blessed Hope

1 Thessalonians 4:15–18; 5:1–10; 1 Corinthians 15:50–58 (KJV)

Our hope steadies us:

• The Lord will descend with a shout, the voice of the archangel, the trumpet of God; the dead in Christ will rise, and we who are alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). "RAPTURE"

• In a moment, at the last trump, we shall be changed; mortality will put on immortality. “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:52–57) "RAPTURE"

• The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night—so we watch and remain sober (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 6). "SECOND COMING" (Coming back with those who were "RAPTURED")

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Application: “Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Hope fuels faithful work.

9) Practical Responses for an Urgent Hour

A. Repent Daily

• Confess sin quickly; keep short accounts with God (Acts 2:38; Romans 13:12).

• Replace works of darkness with the armor of light.

B. Reconcile Relationally

• Seek forgiveness; release offense (1 Corinthians 6:1–6; Ephesians 4:31–32).

• Don’t carry into tomorrow what Jesus calls you to lay down today.

C. Watch and Pray

• Guard against deception and distraction (Mark 13:5, 33).

• Build a habit of Scripture, prayer, and sober-mindedness (Luke 21:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8).

D. Put On Christ Intentionally

• Live your baptism: buried to sin, raised to new life.

• Walk in the Spirit’s power and purity (Ephesians 4:30).

E. Labor in the Field

• Sow the Word, water in prayer, and trust God for increase (1 Corinthians 3:6–9).

• Expect both wheat and tares—stay faithful until the harvest (Matthew 13:24–30).

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10) A Pastoral Appeal: The Time Is at Hand

Beloved, the Lord has told us what to do in such a time:

• Awake from spiritual sleep.

• Lay aside every work of darkness.

• Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Repent, be baptized, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

• Watch, pray, and endure.

• Love one another earnestly and reconcile quickly.

• Abound in the work of the Lord while it is day.

  
  

The reaping is at hand. Let us be found as wheat—ready, rooted, and gathered to our Master’s barn.

A Simple Prayer of Response

Father, in Jesus’ name, I acknowledge the urgency of this hour. I repent of sin and cast off the works of darkness. Fill me afresh with the Holy Ghost (for I know that Your SPIRIT will give me the utterance)—seal, strengthen, and sanctify me (for it is a promise "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Acts 2: 39). Heal my relationships; make me a peacemaker. Keep me sober, watchful, and faithful until the day of Christ. Make me abound in Your work and ready for Your harvest. Amen.

CALL TO SALVATION

Do you desire prayer?

Do you desire salvation?

If you want to know Christ—and be known by Him—today is the day.

“Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” - 2 Corinthians 6:2

I can help you with a prayer, Scripture guidance, or steps to salvation—just let me know how you’d like to continue.

“³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? ⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” - John 3: 3-5

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