Sobering Reminder of Judgment

Today's reading from oneyearbibleonline.com
zechariah 4:1-5:11; revelation 14:1-20; psalm 142:1-7; proverbs 30:21-23

From Revelation 14:14-20
Today's reading in Revelation includes strong and vivid imagery of judgment.  Two drastically different groups of people are described.  The first group mentioned is gathered by Christ.  It is clear this is Jesus in verse 14, "...sitting on the cloud was like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand." This particular gathering of people is referred to "the harvest of the earth" which is ripe (v15).  It is safe to conclude these are believers who have put their trust in Christ.

A stark contrast describes the gathering of the second group.  Imagery of fire, bloodshed, and the wrath of God is presented in a sobering manner (vv 17-20).  It's a horrible reminder of the impending judgment that awaits those who reject the Son of God.

Observations:
A few items stand out to me.  First, the profound distinction between the two groups that are gathered.  There is no mention of a third group in the "wishy-washy" middle.  It's either all or nothing.  So true.  Either we trust in Jesus for our complete salvation or we put our hope in our own good merit.  -The latter, of course, is the path to destruction.

Second, the tool used to gather is a sharp sickle.  If you've ever used a sickle, you know that one swipe of the blade delivers an efficient "swoosh" through the grass.  While it's one thing to use a sickle out in the field, it's entirely different and gruesome to think of as a gathering device for people.  (To me, it conjures up a scene out of a horror movie!)  This serious nature of judgment and finality does not go unnoticed in these verses.

Finally, the last observation is that Christ is the one who gathers the harvest to heaven while an angel "who has power over fire" is in charge of the second group.  Personally, I find comfort in this verse knowing that Christ will be there in the end.

Takeaway:
I don't believe it's helpful or productive to "scare people" to Christ.  (I believe we are to respond out of sincere love and gratefulness upon hearing of His great sacrifice for us).   However, I do see the immense value in this portion of Scripture to get our attention.  The intense imagery is like a splash of cold water on our face.  It should wake us up to the fact that there is a definite judgment coming.  It should be sobering and heart-wrenching to think that non-believers will be "thrown into the great wine press of the wrath of God" (v19).  The question: is this a heart-wrenching thought for us?

GrantJ