Revelation 14:16

And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

And {G2532} he that sat {G2521} on {G1909} the cloud {G3507} thrust in {G906} his {G846} sickle {G1407} on {G1909} the earth {G1093}; and {G2532} the earth {G1093} was reaped {G2325}.

The one sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

So the One seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

And he that sat on the cloud cast his sickle upon the earth; and the earth was reaped.

Revelation 14:16 KJV describes a pivotal moment in the apocalyptic visions of John, depicting the execution of divine judgment upon the earth. "And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped." This verse vividly portrays the final stage of the 'harvest' metaphor, a powerful symbol of separation and judgment that runs throughout biblical prophecy.

Context

This verse is situated within a series of urgent messages and visions in Revelation chapter 14, which immediately follows the introduction of the Beast and the mark of the Beast. After the declarations of three angels warning against false worship and proclaiming the everlasting gospel, John sees "one like unto the Son of man" sitting on a white cloud, having a golden crown and a sharp sickle. This figure, often identified with Jesus Christ, is then commanded by another angel to begin the harvest because "the harvest of the earth is ripe." Verse 16 signifies the direct action and immediate consequence of that command.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The primary theme is the execution of God's righteous judgment upon the wicked inhabitants of the earth. The "sickle" is an instrument of reaping, and here it symbolizes a comprehensive and irreversible act of divine wrath. This is not merely a symbolic warning but an active intervention.
  • The Harvest Metaphor: The imagery of a "harvest" is common in biblical prophecy to denote a time of judgment, where the wicked are gathered for destruction, just as crops are gathered from the field. This concept is echoed in Joel 3:13, "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe," and in Jesus' parables, where the harvest represents "the end of the world" (Matthew 13:39).
  • Authority of the Son of Man: The act is performed by "he that sat on the cloud," explicitly linking back to the Son of Man figure introduced in Revelation 14:14. This highlights Christ's supreme authority in executing God's judgment and bringing about the culmination of history.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "thrust in his sickle" conveys a decisive and forceful action. The Greek word for "thrust in" (ἔβαλεν - ebalen) implies casting or throwing, emphasizing the swift and unhesitating nature of the judgment. "Reaped" (ἐθερίσθη - etheristhē) indicates a complete and finished work, signifying that the judgment was thorough and effective.

Practical Application

For believers, Revelation 14:16 serves as a profound reminder of God's justice and the certain reality of judgment. It underscores the urgency of heeding the gospel message and remaining faithful. While this verse speaks of judgment for the wicked, it also offers comfort to the righteous, knowing that God will ultimately set all things right and that their suffering will not be in vain. It encourages a life of preparedness and spiritual vigilance, understanding that the time for decision is now, before the final reaping.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 16:27

    For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

  • Revelation 14:19

    And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast [it] into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

  • 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.

  • Revelation 16:1

    ¶ And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

  • Revelation 16:21

    And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, [every stone] about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

  • John 5:22

    For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

  • John 5:23

    That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

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