What does Revelation 14:15 mean?

And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. Revelation 14:15

Explanation

Revelation 14:15 presents an image from a series of visions in the book of Revelation, which is widely regarded as apocalyptic literature within the Christian New Testament. In this particular verse, an angel is described as coming out of the temple in heaven and giving a loud command to the one who sits on the cloud—to reap the harvest of the earth because it is ready. The image of reaping a harvest is often associated with the gathering of souls. The individual on the cloud holding a sickle is traditionally interpreted to be Jesus Christ or a divine agent acting on His command. Thus, the thrusting of the sickle and the reaping symbolize a divine act of judgment, separating the righteous from the unrighteous at the end of the age. Literally, it refers to the act of harvesting crops when they are ripe, but on a deeper level, it represents the culmination of human history in God’s plan.

Historical Context

The book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John, traditionally believed to be the same John who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. The author wrote this text during a period of persecution of Christians, which is generally dated to the late first century, around 95 AD, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian. The imagery in Revelation frequently draws from the Old Testament, particularly from prophetic books like Daniel and Ezekiel. These images of judgment and harvest would have resonated with a community familiar with the agricultural cycles of planting and harvesting and the promise of divine intervention.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Revelation 14:15 is rich with insights:

• Preterism posits that the prophecies of Revelation were fulfilled in the past, particularly in the events of the first century such as the destruction of Jerusalem.
• Historicism views this verse as part of a prophetic overview of the entire course of history, with the reaping representing a critical phase in God’s judgment.
• Futurism holds that these events are yet to occur in the future, relating to the end times and the second coming of Christ.
• Idealism interprets the imagery symbolically, suggesting the ongoing struggle between good and evil throughout the history of the church.

The verse is seen as a declaration that the world has reached a point of moral and spiritual maturity—whether for good or evil—that necessitates divine intervention.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, Revelation 14:15 can serve as a reminder of the following principles:

• Readiness for Judgment: Encourages individuals to live in a way that is always prepared for God’s ultimate judgment.
• God’s Sovereignty: Reflects the belief in God’s control over the timing of events in human history.
• Urgency in Proclamation: It could inspire believers to share their faith with urgency, knowing that the time of harvesting could signify the end times.
• Moral Accountability: Emphasizes personal accountability for one’s actions and choices in life.

Cross-References

• Revelation 14:14 – “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.”
• Joel 3:13 – “Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.”
• Matthew 13:39 – “The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.”
• Revelation 16:15 – “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text include:

• “Angel” (ἄγγελος – angelos): A messenger; in this context, a divine being delivering a message from God.
• “Temple” (ναὸς – naos): Refers to the Holy of Holies or inner sanctuary of the temple, indicating a message directly from the presence of God.
• “Sickle” (δρέπανον – drepanon): A harvesting tool used for reaping crops, symbolizing the action of judgment or the end-time harvest of souls.
• “Reap” (θερίζω – therizō): To harvest or gather crops; figuratively, to gather humans for judgment.
• “Ripe” (ξηραίνω – xērainō): Literally to dry up or to wither; metaphorically, it indicates that the time for action (judgment) has fully come.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The imagery of a divine judgment involving the harvest is not unique to Christianity. In various ancient cultures, agricultural cycles were often mirrored in religious myths that dealt with themes of life, death, and divine judgment. For example, in ancient Egyptian mythology, the god Osiris is associated with the cycle of crop growth and harvest and is also a judge of the dead. The harvest symbolizes a time of collecting what has been sown, which can be found in numerous other religions and myths.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse in Revelation is not meant to convey scientific truths, its symbolic use of the harvest can be discussed in terms of our understanding of agricultural practices and the Earth’s vulnerability to climate change. Modern science teaches us of natural cycles and the necessity of a responsible stewardship of the earth’s resources—concepts that align with the scriptural theme of a moral responsibility to care for creation and its eventual culmination.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars offer interpretations of this verse:

• John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible: Suggests that the “sickle” is emblematic of the Gospel, sometimes seen as an instrument of spiritual reaping through evangelism.
• Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: Interprets the action of reaping to be an indication of the end of the world and God’s final judgment.
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: Emphasizes the urgency implied by the phrase “the harvest of the earth is ripe,” which signifies the appropriateness of the timing for judgment.
• Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: Points out that the command comes from the temple, indicating it is divine in origin, and that the “harvest” may not only relate to judgment but also to the gathering of the righteous.

These interpretations provide a nuanced understanding of Revelation 14:15, illustrating the spectrum of thought within biblical scholarship.