uttermost part of the earth, to the uttermost part of heaven," Mark 13:27.
When thus gathered, they are caught up to meet the Lord in the air, where
the Lord of the harvest sits. This is the separation of the righteous and
wicked, who were to "grow together till the harvest," which, says the
Saviour, "is the end of the world," Matt. 13:39.

Mr. Lord suggests, that it is inconsistent with the dignity of Christ, to
be notified by an angel when to begin his work; and therefore dissents
from the application of the symbol to him. It may not, however, be
necessary to consider the cry of the angel, as one of command. The angel
may be a messenger from the Ancient of days, announcing the epoch of the
resurrection. Or he may symbolize a body of men, who will be ardently
praying for the return of the nobleman to take his kingdom.

The harvest is spoken of in distinction from the gathering of the vine,
and in contrast with it. Men harvest what they prize,--their grain and
fruits. They do not harvest briers and thorns. They cut or reap both; but
the act of reaping is not expressive of the destiny of what is reaped.
This is indicated by the disposition made, and the terms applied; the one
is gathered into the garner of the Lord; but the other is given to the
consuming fire.

The righteous being caught up to meet the Lord at his coming, the
destruction of the wicked, which must precede the regeneration of the
earth and descent of the saints, is next symbolized.

The Reaping of the Vine.

"And another angel came out of the temple in heaven, he also
having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar,
who had power over the fire, and called with a loud shout to him
who had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and
cut off the clusters of the vine of the earth; for its grapes are
ripe. And the angel cast in his sickle into the earth, and cut off
the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine-press of
the wrath of God. And the wine-press was trodden without the city,
and blood came out of the wine-press, even to the bridles of the
horses, for the distance of one thousand six hundred
furlongs."--Rev. 14:17-20.

The wicked also are gathered by the instrumentality of angels: said the
Saviour, "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so
shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his
angels, and they