I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one “like a son of man” with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So, he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.” The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia. (Revelation 14:14-20, NIV 1984).
My Musings – This section likely is the “harvest … [at the] end of the age” (Matthew 13:39), when the good seed (Revelation 14:14–16) and the tares (Revelation 14:17–20 uses the imagery of grapes instead or tares) are separated in preparation of their final judgment and eternal destinies.
The Son of Man is the title that Christ took for Himself. In the Book of Matthew alone it is ascribed to Christ more than 25 times. While Jesus is not specifically named here (“one like the son of Man”), there is evidence to suggest that it is Him.
King – He is wearing a golden crown suggestive of Kingship.
Judge – He is holding s sharp sickle. A sickle is not only an implement of the harvest but also is a symbol of judgment.
Authority – No one except Christ has the authority to initiate this judgment.
This passage parallels the passages in Daniel 7:13 (“one like the son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven”) and Matthew 26:64 (“you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of Heaven”). In Revelation 14:1, Christ stands, as the Lamb, on Mount Zion. Here, He appears on the white cloud with a sickle, ready to harvest the earth. “Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow— so great is their wickedness!” Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:13-14, NIV 1984).
But why two images, a ripe harvest and trampling of the grapes?
The Harvest of the Earth is Ripe – This harvest appears to refer to the harvest of the elect. Under the pre-tribulation view this would be only those saved and not martyred during the tribulation period. Under the post-tribulation or mid-tribulation view this would be all saints still alive.
The Grapes are Ripe – This comes after “the earth is harvested.” It is the judgment of those who ultimately deny Christ, which is clear from the context (“the great winepress of God’s wrath”). The imagery is also chronologically consistent since the harvest of the grapes comes later than the wheat-harvest. As such, it would appear to signify that the judgment upon the wicked is not until after the ingathering of the righteous. This harvest is the “day of vengeance” proclaimed in Isaiah 63:1–6, as God treads “the wine press … in [His] anger” and “trample[s] the nations in [His] anger,” “splatter[ing] [His] garments” with their lifeblood.
Some see in these images the battle of Armageddon, when the armies of the world will gather against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1–4; Revelation 16:16). There is disagreement on whether John is using hyperbole or is to be taken literally when he describes a river of blood four feet deep and 1600 stadia. In modern terms this is approximately 200 miles long (see also Isaiah 63:1–6). If literal, the distance itself would cover the entire length of Palestine. Some believe the Kidron valley, which lies between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, is the likely location, if taken literally. This view accords with Joel’s prophecy that the valley of Jehoshaphat is to be the scene of the overthrow of the anti-Christian foes.
If not literal or hyperbole, it could also be a metaphor for the whole earth. Sixteen hundred is a square number (four hundred by four hundred). It may be a reference to the four quarters, north, south, east, and west, of the Holy Land, or else of the world (indicating the completeness and universality of the world-wide destruction). Outside the city may be a reference to the fact that criminals and the wicked were executed outside the city. For example, Jesus, when He was crucified for our sins, was executed outside the city of Jerusalem between two common criminals.
Whether the measurements should be taken literally, as hyperbole, or metaphorically, the carnage that awaits rebellious mankind will nonetheless be unparalleled in the history of mankind. Unparalleled is a term that is commonly used (overused) these days to sensationalize events. But in that day, term will fit.
My Advice – Today, God is speaking to the world in grace, and many will not listen to God’s plea. A day is coming when He will speak in wrath, after which God will no longer hear fallen mankind’s plea. The bitter cup will be drunk, the harvest of sin reaped, and the vine of the earth cut down and cast into the winepress.
Resources:
Cabal, T., Brand, C. O., Clendenen, E. R., Copan, P., Moreland, J. P., & Powell, D. (2007). The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (p. 1906). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
Walvoord, John F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 965). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., Moore, E., Craven, E. R., & Woods, J. H. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Revelation (p. 288). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Re 14:15, 20). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 586-587). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 2479). Peabody: Hendrickson.
Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Re 14:17–19). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 608). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Re 14:20). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.
The Brew Is A Musing 