The blessing for the saints of God: (14:12-13):
“This calls for the patient endurance on the part of the saints” is one of the most important teachings in Scripture. The justified and faithful believers will never lose their faith, but preserve until death. The group of faithful believers will face one of the harshest tribulations. This group contains both Jews and Gentiles who have been saved through the ministries of 1,44,000 evangelists (7:1-8) and 2-great witness (11:3-13). They will endure the most intense persecution in human history, yet God will set a limit on their persecution. God will not allow to suffer more than they can bear (1 Cor. 10:13). In a way they will be like the heroes of faith listed in (Heb. 11).
They will die with the promise (14:13). For the 6th time John hears the voice from heaven.
John hears the voice from heaven for 12 times: (10:4, 8; 11:12; 12:10; 14:2; 14:13; 18:4; 19:5; 21:3). The martyrs are blessed because they lived in complete obedience and so the death of the saints are eternally blessed. The Apostle John was told that “not only the believers who are dead are blessed, but also those who die from now onwards are blessed.”
The Holy Spirit declares to John that:
- These believers will have rest from their labours. Further those who are still alive, their lives pass through dangerous struggle for survival. Not having the mark of the beast, they will be excluded from society, unable to buy or sell and live lives on the run as hunted fugitives. Death will come as a welcome relief.
- These believers are again blessed because “their deeds will follow with them.” In other words, their service to the Lord is recorded in heaven. When they enter heaven, they will have a rich welcome with heavenly rewards (Heb. 6:10).
The 2-Harvests: (14:14-20):
The final harvest of divine wrath is explained in pictorial view of 2-agriculatural harvests, viz, Grain harvest and Grape harvest. The Grain-harvest symbolizes the 7-bowl judgements and the Grape-harvest symbolizes the judgement of Armageddon. Both harvest involve sickle and reaping.
- The grain harvest: (14:14-16): Isaiah and Joel spoke of the Lord Jesus Christ’s harvest of divine wrath when He will execute the final judgement (Joel. 3:12-13; Isa. 63:1-6).
Christ is described as sitting on the white cloud (the image is also given in Dan. 7:13-14). The brilliant cloud symbolizes His glory and majesty. The reaper is sitting as He waits for the proper time to stand and begin the reaping. The reaping (the 7-bowl judgements) will be followed by Christ’s return to establish His kingdom. He is described as having a golden crown on His head. The crown speaks of (Gk. Stephanos) worn by victors in a war or athletic events which picturizes His triumphant conqueror over all His enemies. He held a sharp sickle in His hand. The picture overall gives the meaning that He is about to mow down His enemies like a harvester cutting the grain.
Then another angel (the 4th angel) appears and proclaims that judgement was coming. He brings the command to execute it. He came out of the heavenly temple before the throne of God and announces: “Take your sickle and reap because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe”(14:15b). The verb translated “ripe” actually means “dried up” or “withered.” That means the grain pictured here has passed the point of usefulness and is fit only to be gathered up and burned with fire (Matt. 13:40). Without any delay and fan-fare, the divine judgement starts upon the whole earth (Rev. 16).