And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. ~ Revelation 14:14 KJV

Today we will be exploring another section of the book of Revelation. The Bible again is giving us a visual of what is being revealed to us. One can almost see an image if you are focused enough. So let’s break down this scripture to get a clear meaning.

John looked up and saw a white cloud. This is pretty straight forward. And on this cloud sat one like the Son of Man. Any references we see in the New Testament that referred to the “Son of Man” was always interpreted or referred to as Jesus. So this description will not change. It is Jesus. It shows he has a golden crown because he is our king and in his hand he has a sickle. Farmers use sickles to cut their harvest, correct? Then they gather it together. Jesus is painting the image to John so he can relay it to the body of Christ.

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. ~Revelation 14:15 KJV

An angel told the Lord his harvest is ready to be picked up.

And he that sat on the cloud thrust his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 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. ~ Revelation 14:16-18 KJV

This is the same imagery continuing but now it’s the Lord and a few angels have joined in the gathering of his harvest. In the last verse the Lord gave John an image of grapes. The gathering of this harvest is not a good one though because of the type of description that is given after the sickle is used. He is gathering those who will be pressed and destroyed.

And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it in to the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse birdies, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. ~ Revelation 14:19-20 KJV

We can read these two scriptures are in a negative connotation because if we understand how wine is made it goes through a squeezing process. When you imagine grapes being pressed they are squished to nothing to get the juice of the grape. We can observe that the description of the great winepress of the wrath of God is not a positive image. First of all, because of the press and second because it mentions “wrath of God“.

If we look up the word “wrath” on the Webster’s online dictionary it will say, a strong vengeful anger or indignation; a punishment for an offense or a crime. What would be the offense or crime that is being judged in this case? It is anyone who has not accepted Jesus as the Son of God. He came and paid a heavy price for us and if people have not accepted this payment there is a severe judgment that is coming against those who rejected Jesus.

This is not applying to those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and savior. There is only one sin that will be judged and it is written in John 16:7-11 KJV.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. ~ John 16:7-11 KJV

Righteousness has rewards which will be given to his saints when Jesus returns. The prince of this world, which is know as Satan and various other names such as; the devil, the serpent and dragon, has already been judged. There are people in the world today who still have a chance to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This is the reason why “the sin” judgment is still open. It’s not complete because Jesus has not returned yet. Therefore, the scripture at the end of Revelation chapter 14 talks about a “wrath of God” when his harvest is collected.

It is written and it will be done. A believer in Christ as the Son of God is not to be included in this judgment of wrath. This should bring peace to your heart to know you are His. You are part of the family if you believe in Jesus and keep his two commandments in your heart. This shows Him that you love Him. Piece by piece we pray these teachings will open your understanding to the book of Revelation. Stay tuned for more soon…