REVELATION LESSON 32

REVELATION

LESSON 32

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 14:14   ¹⁴ And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

The one like unto the son of Man: presents as is obvious, the Lord Jesus Christ. White represents purity, the cloud represents glory. Son of man has reference to the humanity of Christ which always points to the cross.

Jesus was called the son of man throughout the gospels. It was the title he most often used for himself. It is a reminder that our coming judge is one who knows what we are like, his humanity gives him valid credentials for judging mankind.

John 5:26-27   ²⁶ For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

²⁷ And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Having on his head a golden crown, represents the victors crown: And in his hand a sharp sickle, represents the reaping that is going to be done at the battle of Armageddon, as the balance of this chapter describes.

The Scripture teaches that Jesus will come back in the clouds as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He said, the harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are the angels. Therefore, as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.

The son of man will send out his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend; Those who practice lawlessness; and cast them into the furnace of fire. It will be a terrible day for the lost because not only will it be their last day on earth, but their destiny will be sealed for all eternity.

Revelation 14:15   ¹⁵ And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

The first angel preached the everlasting gospel, the second angel predicted the fall of Babylon, the third angel proclaims a warning concerning the taking of the mark of the beast. The fourth angel announces the battle of Armageddon, even though it will be some three and a half years in coming.

As Jesus appears in the clouds, this angel, possibly the forth angel will come forth from the heavenly temple. He will urge Jesus to take his sickle and reap because the time of Judgment has arrived and the harvest is ready. The Greek word for ripe is xeraino, which means totally ripe for gathering.

The harvest of the earth is RIPE is showing us that God will with hold his judgment until the last minute. When his judgment falls, the church will have been raptured (or caught up). Most of the tribulation saints and Jews will have been killed and the world will be totally corrupt.

No one will be able to truthfully claim that Jesus acted too soon. The tribulation saints have already asked God how long he would wait to judge and avenge their blood. He told them to wait a little longer. He will wait, but when the end of the tribulation period starts drawing near the time to wait will be no more.

Revelation 14:16-17   ¹⁶ And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

He who sat on the cloud and thrust in his sickle on the earth refers to Christ, who will orchestrate this tremendous event. When it says the earth was reaped, it means it took place on earth.

Jesus will swing his sickle over the earth. Many of the remaining unbelievers will be filled with terror and try to run and hide others will beg and cry and plead, but it will be to late, they will have wasted their last chance and he will take multitudes and cast them into the everlasting lake of fire.

Revelation 14:17   ¹⁷ And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

When this angel comes out of the temple which is in heaven, it represents the fifth angel of this chapter. Having a sharp sickle portrays the fact that angels will have a great part to play in the coming battle of Armageddon.

This angel will come directly from the presence of God with a sharp sickle just like the one Jesus will have.

Revelation 14:18   ¹⁸ And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

Yet another angel will come forth. This time from the alter in the heavenly temple. This is the pattern alter after which the brazen alter on earth was fashioned, which had power over fire. It refers to the fire on the alter.

When it speaks of gathering the clusters of the vine of the earth for her grapes are ripe, it proclaims the absolute significance of what is about to happen and that its outcome will affect the earth greatly. God does not always answer prayers right away. He will not let them go unanswered forever. Neither will he let wicked nations or individuals deny him forever.

Until the next lesson,

Stay in the word.

Brother Andy