Revelation 14:17

KJV

And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} another {G243} angel {G32} came {G1831} out of {G1537} the temple {G3485} which {G3588} is in {G1722} heaven {G3772}, he {G846} also {G2532} having {G2192} a sharp {G3691} sickle {G1407}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Another angel came out of the Temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.

Berean Standard Bible

Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.

American Standard Version

And another angel came out from the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 14:17 marks a critical juncture in the apocalyptic visions, introducing a new angelic figure dispatched from the heavenly temple, bearing a sharp sickle. This vision signals the imminent commencement of God's final, decisive judgment upon the wicked, setting the stage for the outpouring of divine wrath that will culminate in the "great winepress of the wrath of God." It underscores the divine origin and unyielding nature of the impending reckoning for those who have rejected God and worshipped the beast.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 14:17 is situated within a series of prophetic visions in [Revelation chapter 14](/revelation/14 "Revelation Chapter 14 - The Lamb, the 144,000, and the Harvests"), which serve as a pivotal interlude between the seven trumpets and the seven bowls of wrath. The chapter begins with the triumphant vision of the Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion ([Revelation 14:1-5](/revelation/14-1-5 "Revelation 14:1-5 - The Lamb and the 144,000")), followed by the proclamations of three angels announcing the eternal gospel, the fall of Babylon, and a solemn warning against worshipping the beast or receiving its mark ([Revelation 14:6-12](/revelation/14-6-12 "Revelation 14:6-12 - The Three Angels' Messages")). Immediately preceding this verse, [Revelation 14:14-16](/revelation/14-14-16 "Revelation 14:14-16 - The Harvest of the Earth") describes a "Son of Man" figure (Christ) harvesting the righteous. Thus, this verse introduces the second, distinct harvest—that of the wicked—which is elaborated upon in the subsequent verses leading to the winepress of God's wrath ([Revelation 14:18-20](/revelation/14-18-20 "Revelation 14:18-20 - The Winepress of God's Wrath")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a "harvest" for judgment draws heavily on Old Testament prophetic traditions and agricultural practices familiar to John's original audience. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the harvest was a time of separation—wheat from chaff, good fruit from bad. This metaphor was frequently employed by prophets to describe God's judgment, where the wicked are "reaped" and cast away, much like worthless crops. For instance, [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "Joel 3:13 - The Harvest of Judgment") speaks of putting in the sickle because the harvest is ripe for judgment. The concept of the "temple" as the locus of divine presence and the origin of judgment also resonates with Old Testament theology, where God's decrees often issued from His sanctuary ([Isaiah 6:1-7](/isaiah/6-1-7 "Isaiah 6:1-7 - Isaiah's Vision of God in the Temple")). The "heavenly temple" in Revelation emphasizes that this judgment is not earthly or human-initiated, but directly from God's holy throne room, underscoring its absolute authority and righteousness.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Revelation. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, demonstrating that God is in ultimate control of history and will justly recompense all unrighteousness. The angel's emergence "out of the temple which is in heaven" highlights that this judgment is not arbitrary but flows from God's holy character and established decrees. Secondly, it advances the theme of **Imminent and Decisive Judgment**, with the "sharp sickle" symbolizing the readiness and finality of God's wrath against those who have aligned with the beast. This is part of the broader **Dual Harvest** theme, distinguishing between the gathering of the redeemed and the reaping of the wicked. Finally, it serves as a **Foreshadowing of God's Wrath**, directly preceding the graphic depiction of the winepress, emphasizing the severe consequences for those who persist in rebellion against God, a theme woven throughout [Revelation chapters 15-16](/revelation/15 "Revelation 15 - The Seven Last Plagues") with the pouring out of the seven bowls.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sickle (Greek, _drépanon'_):** From a root meaning "to pluck," this term refers to a gathering hook, specifically for harvesting. In this context, it is not for gathering grain for sustenance but for the harvest of judgment, signifying the reaping of the wicked. Its agricultural origin is repurposed to symbolize the decisive and destructive act of divine separation and condemnation.
* **out of (Greek, _ek'_):** This primary preposition denotes origin, indicating the point from which action or motion proceeds. Here, it emphasizes that the angel, and thus the judgment, originates directly "out of the temple which is in heaven," underscoring its divine source, authority, and the sanctity from which such a severe decree issues.
* **sharp (Greek, _oxýs'_):** Meaning "keen" or "rapid," this adjective describes the sickle. Its sharpness implies the decisive, swift, and effective nature of the impending divine judgment, leaving no doubt about its finality and the thoroughness with which God's wrath will be executed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven":** This clause introduces a new angelic figure, distinct from the one in [Revelation 14:15](/revelation/14-15 "Revelation 14:15 - The Angel Commanding the Son of Man"). The angel's origin "out of the temple which is in heaven" is profoundly significant. The heavenly temple represents the very throne room of God, the seat of His holiness, justice, and sovereign authority. This detail emphasizes that the judgment is not arbitrary or earthly, but divinely sanctioned, originating directly from God's sacred presence and His unchangeable decrees.
* **"he also having a sharp sickle":** The phrase "he also having" draws a parallel to the "Son of Man" figure in [Revelation 14:14](/revelation/14-14 "Revelation 14:14 - The Son of Man with a Sickle"), who also possessed a sharp sickle for the harvest of the righteous. However, this angel's sickle is explicitly for the harvest of wrath. The description "sharp" underscores the readiness, efficiency, and decisive nature of the impending judgment. It signifies that the time for mercy has passed, and the instrument of God's final, unsparing judgment is poised for action.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 14:17 effectively employs **Symbolism** and **Foreshadowing**. The "angel" itself is a symbolic messenger and agent of divine will, not merely a literal being but a representation of God's active involvement in the unfolding events. The "temple which is in heaven" symbolizes God's holy presence, His ultimate authority, and the divine origin of all judgment, contrasting with earthly structures. Most prominently, the "sharp sickle" is a potent symbol. While agriculturally used for reaping, here it symbolizes the instrument of divine judgment, separation, and destruction, signifying the cutting off of the wicked. This imagery also serves as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the terrifying and comprehensive judgment described in the subsequent verses, particularly the "great winepress of the wrath of God" in [Revelation 14:19-20](/revelation/14-19-20 "Revelation 14:19-20 - The Winepress of God's Wrath"). The verse's stark imagery also creates a sense of **Imminence** and **Gravity**, conveying the solemnity and certainty of God's final reckoning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 14:17 powerfully articulates the theological truth that God's justice is not only certain but also originates from His holy character and heavenly throne. The angel's emergence from the temple underscores that judgment is not an arbitrary act but a righteous outflow of divine sovereignty. This verse, along with the subsequent "winepress" imagery, highlights the biblical concept of a dual harvest—one for salvation and one for condemnation—and the ultimate separation of humanity based on their response to God. It serves as a stark reminder that while God is patient and merciful, there is a limit to His forbearance, and a day of reckoning will surely come for those who persist in rebellion and rejection of His gospel.

Cross-references that illuminate this theme include:
* [Matthew 13:39](/matthew/13-39 "Matthew 13:39 - The Harvest is the End of the Age")
* [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "Joel 3:13 - The Harvest of Judgment")
* [Jeremiah 51:33](/jeremiah/51-33 "Jeremiah 51:33 - Babylon as a Threshing Floor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 14:17, with its stark imagery of the sharp sickle and the impending harvest of judgment, serves as a profound call to spiritual discernment and urgent decision. For the believer, it offers a solemn assurance that God is ultimately just and will not allow evil to prevail indefinitely. This vision provides comfort that those who suffer persecution for their faith will see their oppressors brought to account, and that God's righteous order will be fully established. It calls for perseverance in faith, holiness, and witness, knowing that our ultimate vindication rests in God's hands. For those who have not yet committed their lives to Christ, this verse is a grave warning, echoing the urgency of the eternal gospel proclaimed earlier in the chapter. It underscores the critical importance of choosing wisely in this life, aligning with God's will, and embracing the redemption offered through Christ, for the time of final separation and judgment is certain and draws near. We are called to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing the gravity of our choices and the certainty of God's ultimate justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the "sharp sickle" impact your understanding of God's justice and judgment?**
* **In what ways does knowing that judgment originates "out of the temple which is in heaven" affect your view of God's sovereignty and holiness?**
* **How should the certainty of future judgment motivate believers to live more faithfully and to share the gospel more urgently?**
* **What specific areas of your life might need to be "harvested" or separated from ungodliness in light of this passage?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the angel coming "out of the temple which is in heaven"?**

Answer: The angel's emergence "out of the temple which is in heaven" is highly significant because the heavenly temple represents the very presence, holiness, and throne room of God. It signifies that the judgment about to be executed is not arbitrary, earthly, or human-initiated, but is divinely sanctioned, righteous, and flows directly from God's ultimate authority and sacred decrees. This detail underscores the absolute legitimacy and unassailable nature of the impending divine wrath, emphasizing that it is an act of God's perfect justice, emanating from the purest source. It also contrasts with the earthly temple, pointing to a cosmic, divine judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 14:17 describes an angel wielding the sickle of judgment, the ultimate authority and execution of final judgment are consistently attributed to Jesus Christ in the New Testament. This angel's action foreshadows the comprehensive judgment that Christ Himself will administer at the end of the age. Just as Jesus spoke of the harvest as the "end of the age" where the Son of Man would send out His angels to gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers ([Matthew 13:39-41](/matthew/13-39-41 "Matthew 13:39-41 - The Parable of the Weeds Explained")), so this angelic harvest prepares for the full revelation of Christ's judicial role. The sharp sickle, though wielded by an angel here, points to the decisive power of Christ, who is appointed by the Father to be the Judge of all ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One, But Has Given All Judgment to the Son")). The imagery of the winepress, which follows this verse, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's return as the Rider on the White Horse, whose robe is dipped in blood and who "treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty" ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")). Thus, Revelation 14:17 serves as a powerful prophetic prelude to the glorious and terrifying day when Christ, the righteous Judge, will fully execute God's just and final reckoning upon the earth.

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

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 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.

Revelation 15:5

¶ And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

Revelation 15:6

And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

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 14:15

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.