Revelation 14:14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.

The first of the two reapings

We have just left the judgement on the people who accepted the mark of the Beast. Now we see a picture of One like the Son of Man having a golden crown and a sharp sickle. A sickle is an instrument with a wood handle and a long-curved blade that was used in gathering wheat. Put these together and Jesus who is the Son of Man is coming to earth to reap.

Revelation 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” Jesus told us in Matthew 24:36 that no one knows the day or hour in which He will return, only the Father knows. The angel comes from the Temple in Heaven and delivers to Jesus the word from the Father, it is time. What He is to reap is not told to us, but He will start His reaping.

The second reaping

Revelation 14:17 Then another angel came out of the temple, which is in Heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. Here another angel comes out from the presence of God, and he has been commanded to reap also. This reaping we are told more about, and it is not pleasant. Revelation 14:18-19 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe. So, the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

These verses are telling us that the wicked and sinful people left on the earth are gathered together by the angels and thrown into the winepress of the wrath of God. A winepress was used to squeeze the juice out of grapes in this time. The juice from the crushing of the grapes would be diverted into a small ditch where it would flow into a collecting area. The wicked will be crushed and their essence will be diverted to a place of judgement.

The Result

Revelation 14:20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs. As you can see, the scripture is very descriptive. But, the truth has to be told. If people do not know they need saving from this, then how will they know?

The plan of salvation is simple. Jesus paid it all. We just need to accept His free gift of salvation. Jesus has been calling out to you since you were born. Will you take time today and listen for His voice?