Prophesies are definitely not interpreted in terms of being literal.
They are to be interpreted as literal if they make common sense.
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The Reaping is the theme, and the reason to Watch.
Revelation 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for
the harvest of the earth is ripe. (the wheat)
14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of
the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. (the tares)
14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast [it] into the great winepress of the wrath of God. (to Megiddo, before the vials are poured out)
Matthew 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the
one shall be taken,
and the other left. 41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the
one shall be taken,
and the other left. 42
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (these are also the 10 virgins)
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy.
Revelation 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and
keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16 And He gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Matthew 22:5 But
they made light of [it], and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated [them] spitefully, and slew [them].
Revelation 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write,
Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and
He that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.
19:14 And the armies [which were] in heaven followed Him upon white horses,
clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
19:19 And I saw
the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army.
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Knowing when the reaping will be, is the secret. But we're not told to watch the days and hours or even years... we're told to watch our selves... to keep faith in Jesus, and to do the works of the Kingdom Gospel, every day, all day long, no matter what happens.
Jesus says, "If ye love Me, keep My commandments."