Verses 14-16 describe the first one of the two visions that bring chapter
14 to its close. Many people have concluded it is a picture of divine judgement
in the form of a harvest of grains. The Son of man himself is seen to be
thrusting in the sickle. As we recall in the previous chapter, God’s people
were warned about worshipping the monster. In the up-coming chapter, we will see
those same people, now victorious and singing the new song, by the sea of
glass. How were they brought from one place to the other? Of course by being
the harvest of the Lord. So here what this depicts for us is about salvation
and not condemnation.
In Revelation, salvation is seen to be attained through suffering. In
this book, John is encouraging the people to face the prospect of persecution
in faith and patience. So when the angel encouraged the son of man to put in
the sickle to reap, it is to be seen as the process of harvesting those
faithful people who are ready for the salvation.
We shall come to the second vision in our reflection tomorrow. We need
to know that the time will come when God will bring us safely home. In the main
time, we must be mindful that there will be tribulation in this world. But
let’s be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world and we are in His
victorious force. We will overcome!
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