October 27: HARVEST TIME (part 1)

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. Revelation 14:14

The immediacy of this verse relative to the three angels’ messages is confirmation that the content of the three angels’ messages is God’s last-day message to the world, just before the Savior’s return. His favorite name for Himself in the gospels was the Son of Man, and John’s use of the name in his vision here makes it extremely personal. It is fascinating that Daniel used it in his prophetic vision (Daniel 7:13) of the heavenly judgment scene that began in 1844 (Jesus entered after the court was seated, and the books were opened in verse 10, even as the little horn continued his pompous charade, right up until the end of time).

The golden crown on the Lord’s head here is translated from the Greek stephanos, meaning a victory wreath, not a diadema (a jewel-studded royal crown). This same word, stephanos, was also used for the crown of thorns pressed into His brow at His crucifixion. Though Satan saw the scene that day as a victory for himself, it was in reality the sure sounding of his death knell. The true victory at the cross was won by Christ on behalf of His followers.

The sharp sickle in Jesus’s hand signifies that the proclamation of the gospel is completed and the harvest is ripe. Many such manual tools for harvesting have been unearthed by archeologists in Bible lands. In the parable of the wheat and tares, Jesus told of only two groups at the end of time: “Let both grow together until the harvest” (Matthew 13:30). At the end of the age (v.40), and not before, the heavenly judgment will be completed and the pronouncement, saved or lost, will be made manifest.

John’s vision in our opening verse is very similar to Christ’s own description of His return: “They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30). John’s vision also upholds the angel’s statement in Acts 1:11: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Revisit the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:24-30 and its explanation (vv.37-43). In this parable is the hope of Jesus. In allowing both [to] grow together until the harvest, He is pointing to the possibility of a miracle: the miracle of re-creation. It is the miracle of redemption followed by the miracle of sanctification. If we will only allow Him into our ‘house’ (He is knocking politely, per Revelation 3:19-20), He will come in and perform a cleansing that, in the end, will restore His righteous image in every willing heart.

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

For further study: Compare Matthew 13:43 with Daniel 12:3, and see James 5:19-20