“So He who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth and the earth was reaped.” – Revelation 14:16

Scripture reading: Revelation 14:14-20

The last picture in Revelation 14 is of the final judgment described as a harvest with two parts, a general harvest and a harvest of grapes, or the wicked. Notice that it is Jesus Who brings in the harvest, Who swings the sickle in v. 16. He comes to judge. Many do not like to see Jesus this way, but John the Baptist said of Jesus, His winnowing fork is in his hand and He will clear his threshing floor, gathering the wheat into his barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:12). In Revelation 19 Jesus is seen treading out the winepress of the fury of God’s wrath.

Here the unrighteous are trampled in the winepress of the wrath of God. This happens outside the city because the wicked are not allowed in the city. Those who do not believe in Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for sins will never know the joy of the new heavens and earth, but will suffer the torments of eternal punishment. They will never enter the glory of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:27). While there is time, they should repent and put their faith in Jesus. Today is yet a day of salvation.

This picture of the harvest is one of great comfort for believers. We are saved by the grace of God through a faith expressed in our following of Jesus. We rejoice in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life. Jesus comes to judge the world in righteousness.

Suggestions for prayer

As we anticipate celebrating Christmas this year, pray that we will keep in mind that Christ came to make all things new, and is coming again to do that in the final judgment. Praise God for the hope we have in Him. Pray for courage to call the world to repent before Jesus returns.

Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.