Two Harvests: Judgment and Hope in Revelation 14

Summary

In Revelation 14, we are presented with a vivid depiction of the final judgment, symbolized through the imagery of two harvests. This chapter serves as a reminder of the ultimate reality that awaits humanity: the judgment of God. The first harvest, depicted as a grain harvest, symbolizes the gathering of the saints by Jesus Christ. This imagery is consistent with the biblical theme of God’s people being likened to grain, which is harvested and brought into His eternal presence. The presence of Jesus, described as one like a Son of Man riding on a cloud with a golden crown, signifies His divine authority and kingship. This is a comforting image for believers, as it assures us of our eternal security in Christ.

The second harvest, however, is a sobering depiction of the judgment awaiting those who reject Christ. This is symbolized by the grape harvest, where the grapes are thrown into the winepress of God’s wrath. The imagery of blood flowing as high as a horse’s bridle for 1,600 stadia is a stark reminder of the severity of God’s judgment. This serves as a call to urgency for those who have not yet placed their faith in Jesus. The reality of God’s wrath is not something to be taken lightly, and it underscores the importance of proclaiming the gospel to those who are lost.

As believers, we are called to live in light of these truths. We must not only rejoice in the assurance of our salvation but also be diligent in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. The time of harvest is coming, and we must be faithful in our witness, knowing that God’s grace is available to all who will receive it.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Dual Nature of Judgment: Revelation 14 presents two harvests, symbolizing the dual nature of God's judgment. The grain harvest represents the gathering of believers into eternal life, while the grape harvest signifies the judgment of those who reject Christ. This duality reminds us of the certainty of God's justice and the hope of salvation for those in Christ. [03:06]

2. The Presence of Christ: The imagery of Christ as one like a Son of Man riding on a cloud with a golden crown emphasizes His divine authority and kingship. This assures believers of their eternal security and the fulfillment of God's promises. It is a call to trust in His sovereignty and to find comfort in His reign. [07:40]

3. Urgency of the Gospel: The depiction of the grape harvest and the winepress of God's wrath underscores the urgency of sharing the gospel. The reality of God's judgment should compel us to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those who are lost, knowing that His grace is available to all who will receive it. [23:21]

4. Living in Light of Eternity: As believers, we are called to live in light of the coming harvest. This means living faithfully, sharing the gospel, and being diligent in our witness. The assurance of our salvation should motivate us to live with purpose and urgency, knowing that the time of harvest is near. [29:43]

5. The Reality of God's Wrath: The imagery of the winepress of God's wrath is a sobering reminder of the severity of God's judgment. It challenges us to take seriously the reality of sin and the need for repentance. This depiction calls us to examine our own lives and to ensure that we are living in accordance with God's will. [36:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:40] - The Certainty of Judgment
- [03:06] - The Tale of Two Harvests
- [04:04] - The Grain Harvest
- [06:11] - The Presence of God in the Clouds
- [07:40] - The Son of Man and His Authority
- [12:27] - The Role of Angels
- [14:20] - The Urgency of Reaping
- [16:22] - The Symbolism of Grain
- [18:31] - The Hope of Resurrection
- [19:46] - Assurance in Christ
- [20:42] - The Wheat and the Tares
- [21:42] - The Call to Faith
- [23:21] - The Grape Harvest and God's Wrath
- [25:54] - The Winepress of Wrath
- [27:29] - The Blood of the Grapes
- [29:43] - The Depth of God's Judgment
- [36:22] - The Reality of the Harvest
- [37:20] - Living in Light of the Gospel
- [38:29] - Sharing the Good News
- [39:36] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Revelation 14:14-20

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two types of harvests depicted in Revelation 14, and what do they symbolize? [03:06]
2. How is Jesus described in Revelation 14:14, and what does this imagery signify about His role in the harvest? [07:40]
3. What is the significance of the angel's role in the harvest as described in the sermon? [12:27]
4. How does the imagery of the winepress in Revelation 14:19-20 convey the severity of God's judgment? [25:54]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the dual nature of the harvests in Revelation 14 reflect the dual nature of God's judgment? [03:06]
2. In what ways does the presence of Christ as depicted in Revelation 14:14 provide assurance to believers? [07:40]
3. What does the urgency of the grape harvest in Revelation 14:18-19 suggest about the importance of sharing the gospel? [23:21]
4. How does the imagery of the winepress challenge believers to consider the reality of God's wrath and the need for repentance? [36:22]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the dual nature of God's judgment. How does this understanding impact your view of justice and mercy in your own life? [03:06]
2. The sermon emphasizes the assurance of salvation for believers. How can you find comfort in Christ's sovereignty during times of uncertainty? [07:40]
3. Considering the urgency of the gospel message, what steps can you take this week to share the good news with someone who has not yet placed their faith in Jesus? [23:21]
4. How does the reality of God's wrath as depicted in the winepress imagery motivate you to examine your own life and ensure you are living in accordance with God's will? [36:22]
5. The sermon calls believers to live in light of eternity. What practical changes can you make in your daily life to reflect this eternal perspective? [29:43]
6. How can you balance the assurance of your salvation with the responsibility to share the gospel with urgency? [19:46]
7. Reflect on the depiction of the final judgment. How does this influence your understanding of God's character and your relationship with Him? [25:54]

Devotional

Day 1: The Certainty of Dual Judgment
The dual nature of God's judgment is vividly depicted in Revelation 14 through the imagery of two harvests. The grain harvest symbolizes the gathering of believers into eternal life, a comforting assurance of salvation for those who are in Christ. This imagery aligns with the biblical theme of God's people being likened to grain, harvested and brought into His eternal presence. On the other hand, the grape harvest represents the judgment of those who reject Christ, with the grapes being thrown into the winepress of God's wrath. This stark contrast serves as a reminder of the certainty of God's justice and the hope of salvation for those who believe. The duality of these harvests calls believers to reflect on their own standing before God and to live in a way that honors the assurance of salvation they have received. [03:06]

Matthew 13:39-43 (ESV): "The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear."

Reflection: Consider your own life and actions. Are you living in a way that reflects the assurance of salvation and the hope of eternal life? What changes can you make today to align more closely with this assurance?

Day 2: Christ's Sovereign Presence
The imagery of Christ as one like a Son of Man riding on a cloud with a golden crown in Revelation 14 emphasizes His divine authority and kingship. This depiction assures believers of their eternal security and the fulfillment of God's promises. It is a powerful reminder of Christ's sovereignty and a call to trust in His reign. As believers, we are encouraged to find comfort in the knowledge that Christ is in control, reigning with authority and power. This assurance should inspire us to live with confidence and peace, knowing that our lives are held securely in His hands. [07:40]

Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV): "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in Christ's sovereignty? How can you actively surrender these areas to His control today, finding comfort in His reign?

Day 3: Urgency in Proclaiming the Gospel
The depiction of the grape harvest and the winepress of God's wrath in Revelation 14 underscores the urgency of sharing the gospel. The reality of God's judgment should compel believers to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those who are lost, knowing that His grace is available to all who will receive it. This urgency is not just a call to action but a reminder of the eternal consequences at stake. As believers, we are entrusted with the message of salvation and are called to share it with others, motivated by love and compassion for those who have yet to place their faith in Christ. [23:21]

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel message? How can you intentionally reach out to them this week, sharing the love and truth of Jesus Christ?

Day 4: Living with Eternal Perspective
As believers, we are called to live in light of the coming harvest, as depicted in Revelation 14. This means living faithfully, sharing the gospel, and being diligent in our witness. The assurance of our salvation should motivate us to live with purpose and urgency, knowing that the time of harvest is near. This eternal perspective challenges us to prioritize what truly matters and to invest our lives in things of eternal significance. By living with this mindset, we can make a meaningful impact in the world around us, pointing others to the hope and salvation found in Christ. [29:43]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What are some practical ways you can shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal priorities? How can you live with a greater sense of purpose and urgency in your daily life?

Day 5: The Sobering Reality of God's Wrath
The imagery of the winepress of God's wrath in Revelation 14 is a sobering reminder of the severity of God's judgment. It challenges believers to take seriously the reality of sin and the need for repentance. This depiction calls us to examine our own lives and to ensure that we are living in accordance with God's will. The reality of God's wrath should not be taken lightly, but rather, it should drive us to a deeper understanding of His holiness and justice. As we reflect on this truth, we are reminded of the importance of living a life that honors God and reflects His character to the world. [36:22]

Nahum 1:2-3 (ESV): "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you need to seek repentance and realignment with God's will? How can you take steps today to address these areas and live in a way that honors God?

Quotes

I invite you to open your Bible and join me in the book of Revelation, chapter 14. [00:00:02] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Hebrews tells us this. You know this scripture probably pretty well. It is appointed for man once to die and then comes what? The judgment. [00:01:40] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

It's appointed for man once to die and then comes judgment. We understand from the scriptures. Certainly, we don't... We don't have to go just to the book of Revelation to know that on the other side of death comes the judgment of God, where we are judged for our lives, for our works, for our deeds, what we have done and what we have not done. And in Revelation 14, we get two different depictions or images or metaphors of that judgment and what it's going to be like. So let me read the text to you, beginning in verse 14 and to the end of the chapter. Here's the word of the Lord. [00:01:52] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

This portion of Scripture gives us a tale of two harvests, two different depictions of the judgment that is to come at the end of these days we're living in, the end of the last days. [00:03:47] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

When it all comes to a close, there's going to be a time of judgment, and it's depicted here by the metaphor of a harvest. The first is the harvest of grain. [00:04:04] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And so, the fairly consistent testimony of Scripture with reference to the image of clouds is that they are often, if not always, a representation of God's presence to His people. We live under the clouds, so to speak, and God lives above them. [00:06:21] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And so, in Revelation 14 and verse 14, when John looks and beholds a white cloud, we understand immediately something of the presence of God coming. [00:06:41] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

This is to say that the one riding on the cloud has the appearance of a human being, just like us, right? A human, not a celestial being, not an angel, right? We don't know exactly what angels look like, but all the biblical depictions of them, number one, don't look like those little figurines you have in your curio cabinet, right? They're not little chubby cherubs with flowers. [00:07:05] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And the use of that helps us when we come to Revelation 14, begin to think about and understand what's being communicated here. The question we have to ask is, are these two reapings that we're going to look at, are they both pictures of God's judgment, God's wrath, or is one of them a depiction of God's reaping of his saints and one of them a depiction of God's reaping of those who've rejected him? [00:14:50] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And I'm going to argue that the depiction of Jesus being the one who does the reaping here in the first half, his identification as both divine and human, and the use of the grain harvest as the metaphor here. That's all throughout the scripture, speaking of people coming to faith in Jesus and trusting in him, all point to this being a depiction of Jesus gathering in his saints. This first reaping where Jesus puts in the sickle to reap the harvest of grain is a depiction of how Christ is going to come for the rescue of his people. We could say it is a depiction in symbolic form of the resurrection of the dead. On the last day. [00:16:56] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

There is coming a time, if you trust in Jesus Christ, where the final harvest of the saints of the earth is going to take place. Now, I say this almost every week. I don't know whether that time is going to come for you in this life or it's going to come to you in the grave. [00:17:45] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

I do know, the scriptures are very clear, that whether we live to see the coming of Christ or we die in faith, we all will be raised on the last day to be with Jesus for all eternity. [00:18:09] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And I also know, based on all the things we've read in Revelation, that is profoundly good news. [00:18:22] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Listen, in Revelation, we've had both those weeks of groan, oh, this depiction of horror, and we've had those moments of lightness and relief. God is here. He's gracious to us. The harvest is coming. [00:18:41] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And as followers, as followers of Jesus, the reality is this. We are in the planting, watering, pulling up weeds, tending, all of those season, but there is a time of harvest coming for us. And he gives us a picture of it in Revelation chapter 14. [00:19:10] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

That final harvest is going to come and Jesus is going to personally return to call his people to their eternal home with him. And that is wonderful good news. As long, as you have faith in Jesus Christ. [00:19:30] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

You see, Revelation never lets us go very long without having this really important conversation. [00:19:46] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

It is not good news for you that Jesus is coming to harvest his saints. If you believe that you're going to be a part of that harvest because you come to church often. [00:19:53] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Or because your grandparents believe in Jesus or your parents believe in Jesus. [00:20:04] (6 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Or if you believe that because you're a good person, you'll be a part of that harvest. You see, there is another depiction, it's not pointed out here, because this is a picture of the positive reaping of the saints, but elsewhere in the scriptures, when they talk about this grain harvest, what do they talk about? They talk about how the wheat and the tares grow up among each other. [00:20:09] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

There are weeds that grow up inside the wheat field. [00:20:28] (4 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And the best thing to do, according to one of Jesus' teachings, is you let them grow up, and then at the time of harvest, what happens? It's easy to separate them. [00:20:32] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And even in that, the wheat and the chaff, you've seen maybe images of this before, right? The chaff is that little husk, it's the part you don't need. The easiest way to get rid of it, they beat the stuff and it all separates. You throw it up in the air and the chaff's so light it just blows away. [00:20:40] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

So there is a reminder for us, even in this depiction, of the only assurance you should have that this is good news for you is that you have put your faith in Jesus Christ. [00:20:56] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And I mean by that, not just... I believe a set of facts about who Jesus is. I mean by that, I've given my life to Jesus. He's the only thing I have to hope in. I trust in Him entirely. [00:21:21] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

I put the weight of my life on the truth of who Jesus is and that He is who He said He is and He's done what He said He's done. [00:21:30] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

If you're here and you've not trusted in Christ, God has brought you here today so that you might trust in Jesus now. [00:21:52] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

You don't need to wait. There's not a magic formula I need to tell you to say later. You need to simply call out to God and say, I'm a sinner and I need to be forgiven and saved. I want to trust in Jesus Christ and believe in him. The work's done. You don't have to earn it. You couldn't. [00:22:00] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

You couldn't earn God's grace. He's not asking you to turn over a new leaf and stop doing all those bad things you did. He'll do the work of transforming you. [00:22:17] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

He'll make you who he created you to be. [00:22:30] (3 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

You don't need to clean your life up and get ready. You don't need to wait until you can think it all through. You need to trust in Jesus today because the time of final harvest is coming and brothers and sisters in Christ, we can't just go, oh, this is wonderful news. How great for us. And they go on about living our peaceful lives because let's look at the other half of this depiction. It is, it's difficult. Another angel came out of the temple in heaven and he too had a sharp sickle. So we already see there's going to be another reaping, another angel, another vision, another harvest. He's got a sharp sickle, but this harvest is going to be different. There is another, another, another angel. This is like a really common phrase in this part. Verse 18, another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority of the fire. And he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth for its grapes are ripe. [00:22:34] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

So this angel brings a message to the other angel says, okay, it's time for your harvest to happen. And that angel has said, there's a strange phrase. He has authority over the fire. What does that mean? Well, again, context, right? It's not long now since we've seen in this very same chapter, a depiction of the fire and sulfur, the fire and brimstone that was going to consume those who rejected Jesus. Remember that third angels message from the three angels last week, there's going to be a, an eternal suffering for those who reject Christ. And it will be, it was described as a fiery suffering.

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?