The epoch of this manifestation, according to the above, is that of the last trump, the second advent, and the first resurrection. “At the last trump ... the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed,” 1 Cor. 15:52. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air,” 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. His “golden crown” indicates that he is now to take to himself his great power, and to reign, “when the kingdoms of this world become our Lord’s and his Christ’s,” 11:15, 17. Crowns are symbols of sovereignty. As such, they respectively denoted the periods, when the forms of government, symbolized by the heads of the beast (12:3) and its horns (13:1), bore rule. Now the diadem is to be transferred from them, to encircle the brow of earth’s rightful Sovereign. The sharp sickle in his hand, indicates that the time of harvest has arrived; and the act of reaping, the gathering of the harvest. There are two gatherings symbolized, corresponding to the two classes of persons who are to be gathered. “The dead in Christ shall rise first,” and will be “caught up to meet the Lord in the air,” before the wicked are gathered, 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. “I will come again, and receive you unto myself,” said the Saviour, John 14:5. The Lord of the harvest directs its gathering, but effects it by the instrumentality of angels: “He shall send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the 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.