Topical Bible: Heaven is Called: A Garner

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical literature, the term "garner" is an archaic word for a granary or storehouse, a place where grain is collected and stored. This imagery is used metaphorically in Scripture to describe heaven as a place of gathering and safekeeping for the faithful. The concept of heaven as a garner emphasizes the themes of harvest, preservation, and divine care.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 3:12 : "His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." In this passage, John the Baptist speaks of the coming judgment, where the righteous are likened to wheat gathered into a barn, symbolizing heaven. The barn, or garner, represents the secure and eternal dwelling place for those who belong to God.

2. Matthew 13:30 : "Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters, ‘First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’” Here, Jesus uses the parable of the wheat and the tares to illustrate the final judgment. The wheat, representing the righteous, is gathered into the barn, a metaphor for heaven, where they are kept safe and secure.

3. Luke 3:17 : "His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." This verse echoes the message of Matthew 3:12, reinforcing the imagery of heaven as a garner where the faithful are gathered and preserved.

Theological Significance:

The depiction of heaven as a garner underscores the idea of divine selection and protection. Just as a farmer carefully gathers and stores valuable grain, God gathers His people into heaven, ensuring their eternal safety and blessing. This imagery also highlights the separation between the righteous and the wicked, as the wheat is stored while the chaff is discarded and destroyed.

The garner metaphor aligns with the broader biblical theme of harvest, which often symbolizes the end times and the final gathering of God's people. It reflects the hope and assurance that believers have in their ultimate destiny, where they will be kept in the presence of God, free from the trials and tribulations of the earthly life.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient agrarian societies, the garner was a vital structure, essential for the survival and prosperity of a community. It was a place of security, where the fruits of labor were protected from spoilage and theft. This cultural understanding would have resonated deeply with the original audience of the biblical texts, providing a powerful image of heaven as a place of ultimate safety and provision.

Conclusion:

The metaphor of heaven as a garner offers a rich and comforting image for believers, assuring them of their place in God's eternal kingdom. It serves as a reminder of the divine promise of protection and the hope of a future where the faithful are gathered and cherished by their Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 3:12
Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Lights and Stars of Heaven --Of Day and Night, Ver. 14
... the earth, and righteousness look down from heaven," and let ... which fail not [1306]
Thou preparest a garner for our ... our text is to what is called the Disciplina ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter xviii of the lights and.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 25, "I Thank Thee, O Father ...
... confess to Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth ... the way of salvation; "They in
praise called upon the ... the Nestorians (but falsely according to Garner, in Mar ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xvii on the words.htm

The Catholic Apostolic Church (Called Irvingites. )
... have adopted the three great creeds commonly called the Apostles ... by his own bodily
presence in heaven; and the ... all the faithful gathered into the garner of the ...
/.../ 113 the catholic apostolic.htm

Hebrews xi. 13-16
... Because He is called God of earth and of heaven as also ... that not only was He "not
ashamed to be called" from them ... come and will lay us up in His Garner, and we ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxiv hebrews xi 13-16.htm

Psalm XLVIII.
... the Sacrament of the Baptism of Christ, are called Christians, but ... But will it also
belong to the garner? ... be not ungrateful for soft rain coming from heaven. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlviii.htm

Preface.
... The Sermon on the Mount is called the Sermon of the ... For verily I say unto you, Till
heaven and earth pass ... floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/shedd/sermons to the natural man/preface.htm

Powerful Persuasives
... Sooner might heaven and earth pass away than one word of ... his shoulders, and given
him a name called Wonderful, Counsellor ... had not the keys of the garner; but he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/powerful persuasives.htm

Third Circuit of Galilee. The Twelve Instructed and Sent Forth.
... and he sends the apostles among them as reapers who shall garner them.] 1 And he
called { ^b calleth ... 7 As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxi third circuit of galilee.htm

The Strait Gate;
... (Matthew 25) So then, the entrance into heaven is called a gate, to show there is
a time when there may be entrance, and there will come a time when there ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

St. Peter
... was behaving like a devil, and had to be called Satan to ... So near beside each other
do heaven and hell lie. ... but the wheat was left behind safe for God's garner. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xviii st peter.htm