Considering the fact that we now live in a time in which “strange children” (Hosea 5:7) i.e. the tares far outnumber the wheat, the true children of God, and that likewise the great company (the “foolish virgins”) outnumber what remains of the “little flock” this side of the vail it is not hard to see why there are so many brethren who have returned to slumbering once again (Matt 25:5), content with the knowledge of salvation and of the Lord’s Parousia they have been lulled to sleep. Such have put far from their minds any study and preparation for the events soon to come as they imagine them still far off, imagining we suspect that the harvest will cease prior to the beginning of these events and that they will receive some kind of a warning so that they can then prepare. The truth is there will be a warning but only perceivable to those who are fully awake and watching for it. Imagining that the harvest must completely end prior to the beginning of these final events is a fallacy which many have fallen prey; the Scriptures indicate otherwise, viz.
“Behold the days are coming says the LORD, when the plowman shall overtake (follow close after) the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed” (Amos 9:13)
The work of “reaping” the Gospel harvest progresses, but even now the plowman (the great time of trouble, which comes like birth pangs upon a woman in labor and had its beginnings in 1914) is beginning to overtake 1) the reapers (the saints, the fully consecrated, those engaged in the harvest work), and 2) the treader of grapes (the various sides being mustered for this final conflict, the Lord’s great army), and 3) those who are sowing seed for the next age (generally consisting of the unconsecrated who are unaware of the harvest work presently taking place) shortly this (trouble, the “plowman”) will bring about the closing of the reaping work, for “the night comes when no man can work” (John 9:4).
"The closing in on this night will evidently put a stop to any further labor (by the Lord’s true children) to disseminate the truth, which, being generally misunderstood by the public will probably be accused of being the cause of much of the anarchy and confusion then prevailing. Nor should we expect that the coming of night and the closing of the door will be sudden, but rather that it will be a gradual obstructing and closing down of the Harvest work.
"Observe that, when this night comes, when the reapers must cease their labors, it will prove (i.e. serve as a warning) that this final work of the Gospel Age is accomplished; that the elect number of the Bride of Christ have all been 'sealed' and 'gathered' into a condition of separateness from the worldly-into the barn condition (Matt 13:30); for God will not permit anything to put an end to his work until it is finished. Then, all the true and faithful servants of God will have been sealed in their foreheads; and, the work of the Gospel Age being finished, no more can enter into that work or reap its rich reward, foretold as the reward of the faithful who enter while the 'door' is open." --2 Pet 1:4 (Volume 3, Pages 210, 211, 212)
“God’s time table is neither altered nor changed! “[The vision] speaks of the end, and it will not deceive: though it [seem to] tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not be delayed.” (Hab 2:3)
Of special note in Habakkuk’s prophecy is the reference to an apparent time delay with respect to the fulfillment of the vision: “Though it tarries, wait for it.” Hence, there seemed to be an advance indication that the full establishment of the Kingdom as well as of events immediately preceding it, viz. the end of the harvest, the destruction of Babylon, the completion of the Church and etc., would not be as smooth and as rapid as had been originally thought and that there would be the appearance of a delay in its implementation. As such, the prophecy offered a message of assurance and a gentle word of advice: The vision is certain, it will yet be fulfilled in due time; therefore, wait (watch) for it patiently.”
“Whatever the character of the watching, and whatever the thing to be looked for, there can be no question that the exhortation to watch for an event whose precise time is not stated implies that the watching ones will know when the event does take place. Watch, because ye know not, in order that at the proper time ye may know, is the thought; and the intimation clearly is, that those who do not watch will not know: that is the events which are to be known in due time to the Watchers will be recognized by them, and not recognized by others, at the time of accomplishment.” (R2359)
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