Reaping the Harvest

• 1^st – The Evangelists… vs. 1-5
  • 1^st – Their Location.… vs. 1
    • The end of the WAR…
      • We saw the BEAST go to WAR with the SAINTS – and he was VICTORIOUS – Revelation 13:7
      • Does that mean that the Antichrist will be able to kill ALL the believers…
      • The answer to that question is a firm NO!
    • Then I looked – and behold – the Lamb standing on Mount Zion!
      • The vision jumps to the CONCLUSION of the SEVEN years of wrath…
      • John sees the LAMB [Jesus] standing [perfect] on Mount Zion…
      • Mount ZION – an alternative name for the City of Jerusalem – II Samuel 5:7
      • Do NOT miss the contrast – the BEAST is no longer standing in the HOLY place…
      • The ABOMINATION of DESOLATION has ended – Daniel 9:27
      • INSTEAD – Jesus [the Lamb] is now the one who is standing in the HOLY city…
      • And He is NOT alone – the BEAST was NOT able to KILL every believer!
    • With Him 144,000!
      • We FIRST saw these 144 thousand at the beginning of the Tribulation – Revelation 7:4-8
      • They are all JEWS – TWELVE thousand from each of the TWELVE tribes…
      • They will be the FIRST to be SAVED after the rapture of the church – so they can tell others!
      • Because even in the darkest times – God finds a way to make His LOVE known!
    • Having His Father’s name written on their foreheads!
      • NOTE – they are NOT killed by the Antichrist…
      • Instead – they are STANDING with Jesus at His Second COMING – Revelation 19:16
      • How did they manage to SURVIVE when so many will DIE for their faith – Revelation 7:9
      • The answer is they have the MARK of God – the name of the FATHER – on their foreheads!
      • It is worth noting – the MARK of God is not a DENOMINATION…
      • It does not say JEW – or CATHOLIC – or BAPTIST
      • The only MARK that can save – is the NAME of the LORD [יְהוָה]
      • There are only TWO options on WHO we can belong to in this life…
      • We will either be MARKED and belonging to the FATHER – or to SATAN – Revelation 13:16
      • And the simple CHOICE every person must make – what is our MARK!
      • Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. He will hate the one and love the other.”
  • 2^nd – Their Song… vs. 2-3
    • The Voice… vs. 2
      • I heard a voice from heaven – like the voice of many waters – like the voice of loud thunder!
      • John not only SAW the 144 thousand – he also HEARD a VOICE…
      • The sound came out of heaven – it was LOUD – sounding like MANY waters – like THUNDER…
      • The VOICE John heard was the LORD – approving of the 144 thousand!
      • Psalm 29:3 – “The voice of the LORD is over the waters. The God of glory thunders!”
    • And a Song… vs. 2-3
      • I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
      • They sang as it were a new song before the throne – the four living creatures and the elders.
      • No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth!
      • John HEARD the sound of HARPS playing in heaven [24 elders] – Revelation 5:8
      • Something LIKE a new song being sung by the FOUR living creatures and ELDERS…
      • But NO one can learn this NEW song – except the 144 thousand who are REDEEMED [perfect]
      • They key word – REDEEMED [ἀγοράζω] – purchased by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ!
      • Revelation 5:9 – “[You] have redeemed us to God by Your blood.”
      • Receiving PRAISE from God in heaven – and learning to WORSHIP God in heaven…
      • Are both the direct results of being REDEEMED by God from heaven…
      • ANYONE puts their FAITH in Jesus – REDEEMED – will receive PRAISE from the Father…
      • And they will also get the NEW song [to them] – used to WORSHIP God in Heaven! 
  • 3^rd – Their calling… vs. 4
    • These are the ones who were not defiled with women – for they are virgins.
      • FIRST – they are NOT married [virgins]
      • Presumably this is because they are MARRIED to the MINISTRY!
      • I Corinthians 7:34 – “The unmarried cares about the things of the Lord – that [they] may be holy both in body and in spirit. But [those] who [are] married care about the things of the world – how [they] may please [their spouse].”
    • These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
      • SECOND – they follow Jesus wherever he goes…
      • There is NO condition here – no matter WHERE the Lamb leads – they FOLLOW!
      • Too many Christians today give CONDITIONS to Jesus…
      • Only willing to FOLLOW if they like where He is taking them…
      • But CHOOSING Jesus – means we take up our CROSS – and go where He leads – Luke 9:23
    • These were redeemed from among men – being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb!
      • THIRD – they were REDEEMED from men [they are NOT special]
      • But they were saved FIRST [first fruits] – so they could PASS on the message…
      • God used them as super EVANGELISTS – to spread the message of the Gospel!
      • Did you ever wonder why after God saved us – He did not just take us directly to heaven…
      • It certainly would have been a WHOLE lot easier – straight to GLORY…
      • But God leaves us – so we can tell others about Jesus!
  • 4^th – Their Words… VS. 5
    • In their mouth was found no deceit – for they are without fault before the throne of God!
    • In contrast to the message of the BEAST – the Antichrist who DECEIVES…
    • The MESSAGE that the 144 thousand share is NOT a LIE [no deceit]
    • The MESSAGE that they share has the POWER to let them stand FAULTLESS before God!
    • Everyone will have to STAND one day before the THRONE of God – Revelation 20:12
    • For many it will be a SAD day – it is when we will have to answers for all our SINS…
    • Only the GOSPEL can make us FAULTLESS – so we can STAND before God with JOY!
    • Jude 1:24 – “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling – and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy!

• 2^nd – Three Angels… vs. 6-13
  • 1^st – First Angel.… vs. 6-7
    • The Gospel… vs. 6
      • Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven.
      • Having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth.
      • To every nation – tribe – tongue – and people!
      • God gave the world 144 thousand EVANGELISTS – so they could hear the GOSPEL…
      • But He LOVES the world so much He went one step further – He also sends an ANGEL!
      • John saw an ANGEL flying across the SKY [where birds fly] – Revelation 19:17
      • Having the eternal GOSPEL [εὐαγγέλιον] – the GOOD news…
      • And he PREACHED it to ALL [πᾶς] who are on the earth…
      • Every NATION [ἔθνος] – FAMILY [φυλή] – in every LANGUAGE [γλῶσσα] – and people [λαός]!
      • FIRST – this fulfills the requirement for the return of Jesus!
      • Matthew 24:14 – “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations – and then the end will come.”
      • SECOND – it shows us God does not NEED us to spread the GOSPEL…
      • The church has struggled for TWO thousand years to spread the GOSPEL across the world…
      • But God does it in a single DAY – using just ONE angel…
      • Obviously God does NOT need us – He uses us because He LOVES us!
      • When Hallel asks to help out with a PROJECT – I will always say YES…
      • Not because I need her [it usually takes longer] – but because I LOVE her!
    • The message… vs. 7
      • Saying with a loud voice – Fear God – give glory to Him for the hour of His judgment has come.
      • Worship Him who made heaven and earth the sea and springs of water!
      • The MESSAGE the ANGEL gives – includes THREE commands…
      • FEAR [imperative] God – because unlike the beast – He is the GOD [τὸν θεὸν]
      • GIVE [imperative] Him glory – because the hour of JUDGEMENT has come…
      • WORSHIP [imperative] Him – because He made EVERYTHING [heaven – earth – sea]!
      • When we consider who Jesus is – He is the ONLY God – Isaiah 45:5
      • And understand what He has done – He made EVERYTHING – Colossians 1:16
      • Realizing what He will soon do – He will JUDGE the world – John 5:22
      • The GOSPEL is just common sense – of course we should put our FAITH in Jesus!
  • 2^nd – Second Angel… vs. 8
    • Another angel followed saying – Babylon is fallen – is fallen – that great city.
      • SECOND angel follows after the FIRST – telling the WHOLE world – BABYLON is FALLEN [2x]
      • BABYLON [Βαβυλὼν] – referred to here as the GREAT [μέγας] city…
      • There are THREE main views on which CITY is being referred to:
      • JERUSALEM – because it will be the CENTER of the false worship of the Antichrist – Revelation 17:5
      • BABYLON – in modern day Iraq – the CENTER of the economy of the Antichrist – Revelation 18:9-11
      • The massive amounts of OIL in the middle east have made them a modern economic powerhouse…
      • There have been efforts in recent years to try and rebuild the ancient city of Babylon…
      • Make it into a modern CENTER of FINANCE and commerce!
      • ROME [Europe] – because it will be the CENTER of the pollical system – Revelation 17:9
    • Because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication!
      • Whether it is RELIGION – MONEY – or POLITICS [or maybe all three]
      • The fall of BABYLON is a result of her INFLUENCE on the world…
      • She made them DRUNK with the WINE of her spiritual FORNICATION [πορνεία]!
      • Those who trust in RELIGION – will find they are not GOOD enough – Isaiah 64:6
      • Those who trust in MONEY – will find it there is not RICH enough – Mark 8:36
      • Those who trust in POLITICS – will find they are not STRONG enough – Proverbs 27:24
      • Bottom line – if we put our FAITH in anything other than Jesus – we will FALL!
  • 3^rd – Third Angel… vs. 9-11
    • Then a third angel followed them saying with a loud voice.
    • If anyone worships the beast and his image – receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand.
    • He himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God.
    • Which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.
    • He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone.
    • In the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
    • The smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever – and they have no rest day or night.
    • Who worship the beast and his image – and whoever receives the mark of his name!
    • THIRD angel follows after the SECOND – warning the WHOLE world…
    • Uniquely this FINAL angel uses a LOUD [μέγας] voice – PAY attention…
    • ANYONE who takes the MARK of the BEAST – will [future] drink the cup of the WRATH of God!
    • You might wonder – what if someone takes the MARK – and does not understand…
    • They are just trying to PROVIDE for their families [buy and sell] – Revelation 13:17
    • But no one will have an EXCUSE – the whole world will be WARNED!
    • ANYONE who takes the MARK – CANNOT be saved…
    • They CHOSE to worship the BEAST – and the DRAGON – and they will be JUDGED…
    • What follows is one of the most GRAPHIC depictions of the LAKE of fire in the Bible…
    • The JUDGMENT is PAINFUL [fire and brimstone] – described as TORTURE – Luke 16:24
    • The JUDGMENT is CONTINUAL – there is no BREAK [day and night]
    • The JUDGMENT is ETERNAL – it will last FOREVER – Matthew 25:41
    • It is a SOBER warning about why we do not want ANYONE to end up in HELL!
    • Hebrews 10:31 – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
  • 4^th – The Hope… vs. 12-13
    • Keep the command… vs. 12
      • Here is the patience of the saints.
      • Here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus!
      • After the VERY sobering statement of the THIRD angel…
      • John stops to give us HOPE – we do NOT need to FEAR the Lake of Fire…
      • Because we are the SAINTS [ἅγιος] – those who keep the commandments by FAITH in Jesus!
    • Better off dead… vs. 13
      • Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me.
      • Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.
      • Yes – says the Spirit – that they may rest from their labors – and their works follow them!
      • John then heard a VOICE from HEAVEN telling him to WRITE [imperative]
      • BLESSED are those who are DEAD – who DIE for their faith in the LORD…
      • Because they will have REST – and their WORKS [martyr] will follow them!
      • Written not for our SAKES – but for those who will come to FAITH in the TRIBULATION…
      • From the middle of the TRIBULATION on – it is BETTER that they die…
      • And most will not survive to see the RETURN of Jesus – Revelation 20:4
      • But they can REST – knowing that they will be with the LORD!

Only then will we be able to STAND with JOY before our KING!

3^rd – The Harvest… vs. 14-20

1^st – Good Harvest… vs. 14-16

The Harvester… vs. 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!

When John looked – on a WHITE cloud came one like the SON of MAN…

SON of MAN – a title used by 78x by Jesus – to describe His humanity [fully God fully man]

Daniel 7:13 – “Behold – One like the Son of Man. Coming with the clouds of heaven!”

Jesus had a GOLDEN crown [στέφανος] – pointing to the fact He is a KING…

In His hand a SICKLE – because He was ready to begin the HARVEST of SOULS!

John 4:35 – “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields – for they are already white for harvest!”

Ripe Harvest… vs. 15-16

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.

He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth – and the earth was reaped!

Another [ἄλλος] ANGEL came out of the TEMPLE in heaven…

He COMMANDED [imperative] with a loud [μέγας] voice – for Jesus to start the HARVEST…

For it was the HOUR [ὥρα] – the HARVEST was RIPE…

RIPE [ξηραίνω] 16x in NT – the words actually means WITHERED – Matthew 13:6

There are TWO views as to what they could mean:

FIRST – the earth is OVERRIPE – overflowing with EVIL and WICKEDNESS…

SECOND – the believers are DRIED up – they have NO strength left…

Considering the connection to the previous statement – better off dead – Revelation 14:13

I would lean toward the SECOND view – Jesus is HARVESTING the weary SAINTS!

2^nd – Bad Harvest… vs. 17-20

Angel of Death… vs. 17

Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven – he also having a sharp sickle!

SECOND [ἄλλος] ANGEL came out of the TEMPLE – with a SHARP sickle!

Interestingly this is where we get an IMAGE of the GRIM reaper…

The ANGEL of DEATH who comes to HARVEST souls! 

Fully Ripe… vs. 18

Another angel came out from the altar – who had power over fire.

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!

THIRD [ἄλλος] ANGEL came from the ALTAR – in the TEMPLE – who kept the FIRE…

Worth noting he would be the one to HEAR the prayer of the SAINTS – Revelation 8:3

Revelation 6:10 – “How long – O Lord – holy and true – until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

The answer to that question had been NOT yet – but NOW they get their answer…

He COMMANDED [imperative] with a loud [μέγας] voice – start to HARVEST the CLUSTERS…

CLUSTERS – only here NT – those who are STICKING together [in rebellion]

For the GRAPES are fully RIPE [mature] – the idea is the are perfect for HARVEST!

The world will GATHER [cluster] together – putting their HOPE in their NUMBERS…

They will VOTE to change LAWS – making WRONG seem RIGHT – Isaiah 5:20

But it does not make a difference what men say – God will always be TRUE!

Romans 3:4 – “Let God be true but every man a liar.”

Wrath of God… vs. 19-20

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.

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!

The ANGEL gathered the HARVEST [of souls] – and threw them into the WINEPRESS…

The PEOPLE will be trampled outside the CITY [of Jerusalem]

Their BLOOD come up to the horses bridle – about TWO meters…

And fill a space of ONE thousand SIX hundred furlongs – over THREE hundred kilometers!

A Reference to the Battle of Armageddon – Revelation 16:16

There in Israel – not too far from the city of Jerusalem…

THREE valleys in central Israel: Valley of Jezreel – Valley of Megiddo – Plain of Esdraelon

Where all of the nations of the earth will gather to battle Jesus…

It will NOT go well for them – with one WORD from Jesus – they will LOSE!

Revelation 19:15 – “Now out of [Jesus] mouth goes a sharp sword – that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

Two HARVESTS…

Jesus gave the PARABLE of the wheat and tares [weeds]

They are allowed to grow together – until the DAY of the HARVEST!

Matthew 13:30 – “Let both grow together until the harvest – and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers. First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them – but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Our lives are not about living – they are about a CHOICE…

Where will we spend out ETERNITY – what happens to us AFTER the HARVEST…

The KEY is to make sure we have the GOSPEL…