Sermon Title: Gathering and Judgment

Text: Revelation 14:14–20

Main Idea

Revelation 14:14–20 gives us a preview of the final judgment. Jesus, the Son of Man, returns with authority to reap the harvest of the earth. For the unrighteous, this means judgment in the winepress of God’s wrath. For the righteous, it means mercy and life.

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1. The Son of Man with a Sickle (vv. 14–16)

• John sees “one like a son of man” seated on a white cloud with a golden crown and a sharp sickle.
• This figure clearly points to Jesus, who often used the title “Son of Man” for Himself (cf. Dan. 7:13–14; Matt. 24:30).
• The angel’s urgent message—“the harvest of the earth is ripe”—comes from the Father. Jesus reaps at the exact moment God determines (cf. Mark 13:32).
• The grain harvest depicts the sweeping authority of Christ at His return.

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2. The Grape Harvest of Wrath (vv. 17–20)

• Another angel emerges with a sickle, followed by one from the altar who has authority over fire—connected to the prayers of the saints for justice (Rev. 6:10).
• The angel calls for the gathering of grapes, which are thrown into the “great winepress of the wrath of God.”
• Blood flows as high as a horse’s bridle for 1,600 stadia (~180 miles)—an image of the vastness and severity of judgment.
• Prophetic echoes: Joel 3:13, Isaiah 63:2–3, Revelation 19:15—all tie the winepress imagery to God’s final, decisive judgment.

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3. Interpretations of the Two Harvests

• Two harvests: one of the righteous (grain, reaped by Christ) and one of the wicked (grapes, judged in wrath).
• One harvest, two visions: emphasizing certainty and finality, much like Pharaoh’s two dreams (Gen. 41).
• One harvest, two stages: the grain depicts Christ’s coming in judgment, while the grape harvest points to Armageddon (Rev. 19).

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4. A Preview of the End

• Revelation 14 functions like “scenes from next week’s episode”—a preview of what will unfold in Revelation 16 and 19.
• It reminds us that judgment will come swiftly and at the precise time God appoints.
• John 5:27—Jesus has authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of Man.

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Application

• For unbelievers: this is a terrifying preview—no more warnings, no more delays. The harvest is certain. Today is the day of salvation.
• For believers: this is a hopeful preview—the Judge is also our Savior. The One who swings the sickle is the same One who bore our judgment at the cross.
• God’s justice means vindication for His people and the fulfillment of His promises.

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Closing Thought

Revelation 14 is not fiction or fantasy—it is God’s unshakable promise. The King will come, the harvest will be reaped, and judgment will be poured out. For the world, it is terror. For the church, it is triumph. The Son of Man will return—are you ready?