Revelation 14:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} another {G243} angel {G32} came {G1831} out of {G1537} the temple {G3485}, crying {G2896} with {G1722} a loud {G3173} voice {G5456} to him that sat {G2521} on {G1909} the cloud {G3507}, Thrust in {G3992} thy {G4675} sickle {G1407}, and {G2532} reap {G2325}: for {G3754} the time {G5610} is come {G2064} for thee {G4671} to reap {G2325}; for {G3754} the harvest {G2326} of the earth {G1093} is ripe {G3583}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Another angel came out of the Temple and shouted to the one sitting on the cloud, “Start using your sickle to reap, because the time to reap has come — the earth’s harvest is ripe!”

Berean Standard Bible

Then another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the One seated on the cloud, “Swing Your sickle and reap, because the time has come to harvest; for the crop of the earth is ripe.”

American Standard Version

And another angel came out from the temple, crying with a great voice to him that sat on the cloud, Send forth thy sickle, and reap: for the hour to reap is come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 14:15 presents a pivotal moment in John's prophetic vision, where an angel emerges from the heavenly temple to deliver an urgent command to a figure seated on a cloud. This divine directive to "Thrust in thy sickle, and reap" signifies the imminent commencement of God's final judgment upon the earth, prompted by the full maturity of humanity's spiritual state, whether for salvation or condemnation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 14 serves as a crucial interlude between the intense descriptions of the beast's dominion in [Revelation 13](/revelation/13 "Revelation 13 - The Beast and His Mark") and the pouring out of the seven bowls of wrath in [Revelation 16](/revelation/16 "Revelation 16 - The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath"). Following the vision of the 144,000 redeemed with the Lamb on [Mount Zion](/revelation/14-1 "Revelation 14:1 - The 144,000 on Mount Zion"), three angels deliver a series of proclamations: the eternal gospel, the announcement of Babylon's fall, and a solemn warning against worshipping the beast or receiving his mark. [Revelation 14:15](/revelation/14-15 "Revelation 14:15 - The Angel's Command to Reap") initiates the first of two harvest scenes (the second being the vintage of wrath in [Revelation 14:17-20](/revelation/14-17-20 "Revelation 14:17-20 - The Vintage of God's Wrath")), signaling that the time for God's definitive action has arrived after a period of grace and warning. This verse marks the transition from divine proclamation to the execution of judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of harvest was deeply embedded in the agrarian societies of the ancient Near East, including first-century Judaism. Harvesting was a critical, seasonal event, signifying the culmination of a growing season, a time of reckoning and gathering what was sown. This familiar agricultural motif is consistently used in biblical prophecy to symbolize divine judgment or the gathering of God's people. The "temple" (G3485, _naós_) here refers to the inner sanctuary, the dwelling place of God's presence, indicating that the command originates directly from the divine throne room, underscoring its authority and solemnity. The concept of a heavenly council and angelic messengers delivering divine decrees was also a well-established theological framework in Jewish apocalyptic literature, making this scene immediately comprehensible to John's audience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Revelation and broader biblical theology. It underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment**, emphasizing that God's patience has a limit and a fixed time for reckoning will come. The repeated phrase "the time is come for thee to reap" highlights God's **Sovereignty and Perfect Timing**, asserting that judgment is not arbitrary but occurs at the divinely appointed moment when conditions are fully met. The figure "him that sat on the cloud" strongly evokes the **Christ's Role in Judgment**, echoing Old Testament prophecies like [Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - The Son of Man Coming with Clouds") and New Testament teachings about Jesus' return in glory as the Son of Man, as seen in [Matthew 24:30](/matthew/24-30 "Matthew 24:30 - The Sign of the Son of Man's Coming"). Finally, the "harvest of the earth is ripe" speaks to the **Ripeness of Humanity**, indicating that the world has reached a state of spiritual maturity, whether in its rebellion against God or in the completion of the number of the righteous, making it ready for final separation and accountability.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sickle (Greek, _drépanon'_):** From G1407, this term refers to a gathering hook, specifically for harvesting. In this context, the sickle is a powerful symbol of divine judgment, an instrument used to cut down and gather, signifying the decisive action of God in separating and bringing an end to the current state of affairs on earth. Its appearance here signals the initiation of a final, irreversible process of reckoning.
* **Reap (Greek, _therízō'_):** From G2325, meaning "to harvest." This verb is central to the command, emphasizing the act of gathering the produce of the earth. In biblical prophecy, "reaping" is consistently used as a metaphor for divine judgment, where the wicked are "reaped" for destruction and the righteous are "reaped" for gathering into God's kingdom. The repetition of this verb ("reap" and "to reap") underscores the urgency and certainty of the impending action.
* **Ripe (Greek, _xēraínō'_):** From G3583, meaning "to desiccate; by implication, to shrivel, to mature." While it can mean "dried up" or "withered," in the context of a harvest, it signifies a state of full maturity, readiness for cutting or gathering. The earth's "ripeness" implies that the conditions—whether the full measure of human sin or the completion of God's purposes for His people—have reached their culmination, necessitating the divine intervention of the harvest.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And another angel came out of the temple,"**: This signifies the divine origin and authority of the message. The angel's emergence from the heavenly "temple" (G3485, _naós_) indicates that this command issues directly from God's presence, emphasizing its solemnity and the divine initiative behind the impending judgment. It is not a human decree but a heavenly one.
* **"crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud,"**: The "loud voice" (G3173, _mégas_ voice G5456, _phōnḗ_) conveys urgency, importance, and public declaration, ensuring the command is heard and understood. The figure "him that sat on the cloud" (G2521, _káthēmai_ on G1909, _epí_ the cloud G3507, _nephélē_) is a clear allusion to the "Son of Man" imagery from [Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - The Son of Man Coming with Clouds") and is widely understood to be Jesus Christ, who is given authority to execute judgment. His position "on the cloud" signifies divine majesty, authority, and imminent arrival.
* **"Thrust in thy sickle, and reap:"**: This is the direct, imperative command. "Thrust in" (G3992, _pémpō_) implies immediate and forceful action. The "sickle" (G1407, _drépanon_) is the instrument of the harvest, symbolizing divine judgment and separation. The command "reap" (G2325, _therízō_) signifies the act of gathering, which in this context, is the execution of judgment upon the earth.
* **"for the time is come for thee to reap;"**: This clause provides the primary justification for the command. The "time" (G5610, _hṓra_) refers to the divinely appointed hour or season. It underscores God's perfect timing and the inevitability of the judgment, indicating that the period of grace or preparation has concluded, and the moment for decisive action has arrived.
* **"for the harvest of the earth is ripe."**: This second justification further explains *why* the time has come. The "harvest" (G2326, _therismós_) represents the culmination of all that has grown on the earth, both good and evil. The earth being "ripe" (G3583, _xēraínō_) signifies that humanity's spiritual condition, whether in its wickedness or its readiness for redemption, has reached its full maturity, making it ready for the final separation and reckoning.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 14:15 is rich in **Symbolism**, employing familiar agricultural imagery to convey profound theological truths. The "sickle" is a potent symbol of divine judgment and separation, while the "harvest" serves as a pervasive metaphor for the culmination of human history and the final reckoning. The "temple" symbolizes the divine presence and authority from which the command issues, and the "cloud" signifies the majesty and divine nature of the one who is to execute the judgment, strongly echoing Old Testament theophanies and New Testament portrayals of Christ's return. The phrase "the harvest of the earth is ripe" employs **Personification**, attributing a state of readiness to the entire earth, as if it were a field ready for reaping. The repeated use of "reap" and "harvest" creates a sense of **Repetition** and emphasis, reinforcing the urgency and certainty of the impending event. The direct command "Thrust in thy sickle, and reap" uses the **Imperative Mood**, highlighting the authoritative and decisive nature of the divine decree.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 14:15 stands as a profound theological statement on God's ultimate sovereignty over history and His unwavering commitment to justice. It affirms that there is an appointed time when human rebellion and the suffering of the righteous will reach their culmination, prompting God's decisive intervention. This "harvest" imagery, while often associated with judgment, also carries the dual implication of gathering the righteous. The ripeness signifies that the full measure of both good and evil has been reached, necessitating a final separation. It is a powerful reminder that God is not indifferent to the affairs of humanity but will, in His perfect timing, bring all things to a just and final conclusion.

* [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "Joel 3:13 - The Valley of Decision")
* [Matthew 13:30](/matthew/13-30 "Matthew 13:30 - Parable of the Weeds")
* [Revelation 14:19](/revelation/14-19 "Revelation 14:19 - The Vintage of Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 14:15 serves as a solemn and urgent call to spiritual readiness. The image of a ripe harvest reminds us that life is not an endless continuum but is moving towards a definitive culmination, a time of reckoning for all humanity. For those who have embraced Christ, this verse offers comfort and hope, assuring them that God sees their perseverance and will ultimately bring justice and vindication. They are the "good grain" to be gathered into God's barn. Conversely, for those who have rejected God's grace and persisted in rebellion, it is a stark warning that the opportunity for repentance is finite. The "ripeness" of the earth implies that a point of no return will be reached, where choices are solidified, and the time for grace gives way to the time for judgment. This should motivate believers to live purposefully, proclaiming the eternal gospel and striving for holiness, while also fostering a compassionate urgency to share the message of salvation with a world rapidly approaching its harvest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "harvest" challenge or comfort your understanding of God's justice and sovereignty?**
* **In what ways might the "ripeness" of the earth be evident in our world today, prompting a sense of urgency in your faith or witness?**
* **How does this verse motivate you to live a life of greater spiritual readiness and intentionality?**

### FAQ
**Who is "him that sat on the cloud" in Revelation 14:15?**

Answer: "Him that sat on the cloud" is widely interpreted by biblical scholars as Jesus Christ, the Son of Man. This imagery directly echoes the prophetic vision in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Receiving Dominion"), where the "Son of Man" comes with the clouds of heaven to receive dominion, glory, and a kingdom. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself frequently refers to Himself as the "Son of Man" and speaks of His return on the clouds with power and great glory, as seen in [Matthew 24:30](/matthew/24-30 "Matthew 24:30 - The Sign of the Son of Man's Coming") and [Matthew 26:64](/matthew/26-64 "Matthew 26:64 - Jesus' Prophecy of His Return"). This identification underscores Christ's divine authority to execute judgment, a role He explicitly claims in passages like [John 5:27](/john/5-27 "John 5:27 - Christ's Authority to Judge").

**What does "the harvest of the earth is ripe" signify?**

Answer: The phrase "the harvest of the earth is ripe" (G3583, _xēraínō_) signifies that the spiritual condition of humanity on earth has reached its full maturity, making it ready for a decisive divine intervention. In agricultural terms, a crop is "ripe" when it is ready to be gathered. Theologically, this "ripeness" can refer to two aspects:
1. **The full measure of human sin and rebellion:** The iniquity of the wicked has reached its peak, making them ready for judgment, much like the Amorites whose "iniquity is not yet complete" in [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites").
2. **The completion of God's purposes for His people:** The number of the righteous has been gathered, and their perseverance tested, making them ready for glorification and deliverance.
Thus, the "ripeness" signifies that the time for separation and final accountability has arrived, where the wheat (righteous) will be gathered into the barn, and the weeds (wicked) will be bundled for burning, as depicted in Jesus' parable in [Matthew 13:30](/matthew/13-30 "Matthew 13:30 - Parable of the Weeds").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 14:15 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is uniquely appointed by God to execute judgment. The figure "him that sat on the cloud" is unmistakably the Son of Man, a title Jesus frequently used for Himself, emphasizing His dual nature as both fully human and divinely authoritative. Just as He came the first time to sow the seed of the Kingdom ([Matthew 13:3-9](/matthew/13-3-9 "Matthew 13:3-9 - Parable of the Sower")), He will come again as the divine Harvester to reap. His first advent was characterized by grace and the offering of salvation, a time for the seed to be planted and grow. His second advent, foreshadowed by this angelic command, will be a time of final separation and judgment, where He, as the righteous Judge, will gather His elect from the four winds ([Matthew 24:31](/matthew/24-31 "Matthew 24:31 - Gathering the Elect")) and consign the unrighteous to their just recompense ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")). The "sickle" is His instrument of divine justice, and the "ripe harvest" signifies the culmination of His redemptive plan and the righteous administration of His universal kingdom, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Jeremiah 51:33

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon [is] like a threshingfloor, [it is] time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.

Mark 4:29

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

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.

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Revelation 14:18

And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

Matthew 23:32

Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.