Read Revelation 14:14–20
Questions from the Scripture text: What did John do in v14? What did he see? Who sat on it? What was on His head? What was in His hand? Who came out of where (v15)? What was he doing to Whom? What did he say for Him to do with His sickle? Why? What was ripe? Who does what in v16? With what result? Who comes out of where in v17? Having what? Who comes out of where in v18? Over what did he have power? Unto whom does he cry? Telling him to gather what? Why? What does this other angel do (v19)? Where does he throw what is gathered from the vine? Where was this winepress trampled (v20)? What came out? How high? For how wide?
What is the last day like? Revelation 14:14–20 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the last day is a day of double harvest.
This passage concludes the section that began in v12 detailing the war with the dragon.
As with the messages to the churches, the seven seals, and the seven trumpets, the war with the dragon applies to the entire period between the comings of Christ.
And, as with those other sections, the close of the section focuses more specifically on the close of the age. Here, there are two harvestings, one of those who belong to the Son of Man, and the other of those who are gathered for fire.
There can be no question Who the Son of Man (v14) is, as He is identified by this title (cf. Dan 7:13–14). He is also identified by His crown (cf. Rev 19:12), and the cloud. This “white” cloud is not like a rain cloud; it is the glory cloud by which the Lord appeared to Israel, inhabited the temple, and displayed His presence at the Transfiguration. Marvelously, Jesus is not just in the cloud, or surrounded by it, but seated on top of it. He is the King of Glory. Even as He returns as Mediator, a glorified man, He is the God-Man, a divine Person, Who sits atop the display of God’s glory!
Notice that His sickle is sharp. He has not been idle. True to His promise, He has been preparing a place for those who are His (cf. Jn 14:1–3). He is preparing to gather in His own, and when the Day comes, the preparation will be perfect. His servant-angle in v15 cries out to Him that all is ready, and He harvests His own.
But it is not just the “wheat” who are harvested on this day, but the tares. Another angel emerges from the temple for this work in v17. And a third angel cries out to him (v18). This harvest isn’t “tares” as in the parable, but grapes, because the wine of their blood is pressed by the wrath of God (v19).
As we have seen before, the number four often refers to the whole earth (“four corners,” “four winds,” etc.). And here, 4x4x100 indicates the fullness of the earth. Just as those who are Christ’s shall be completely and securely harvested to Him in one great moment of His gathering, so also those who are not His shall be gathered unto their everlasting suffering of wrath in one fell swoop.
The harvest of the last day will be swift and sure for you, dear reader, either the one way or the other.
Which shall it be? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb, by which you overcome? Or shall that day be, for you, the day of the wrath of the Lamb?
What is Jesus doing for you now? What will He do for you (or to you) on the last day? How do you know? How sure is this to happen? What will He be like when you see Him? What will this be like for you?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for our carelessness about the last day. Thank You for preparing a place for us now, and the certainty of Your gathering us in the last day. Thank You for saving us from Your own dreadful wrath. Grant that, by You Sprit, we would live with the courage and confidence that is appropriate to those who belong to You, ask through Christ, AMEN!
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