In The Word
Read: Revelation 14:14-20
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 Then He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.
17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. 18 Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. 20 And the wine press was trampled outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of 1,600 stadia.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
John saw Yeshua wearing a victor’s crown, sitting on a white cloud, and holding a sickle to reap the harvest of the earth, which represents bringing judgment upon the people of the earth. God has been patient by giving time for people to repent of their sin, but one day the vineyard will be fully ripe with wickedness so that it demands His attention. With free choice comes accountability, and mankind’s choice of wickedness calls for Yeshua’s just judgment. Each person has been created with the ability to either submit to God’s commands or rebel against Him. Thus, each person will face Yeshua’s judgment for his own decisions.
If you are saved, do you know that you are accountable for what you do? Some Christians believe that since they are saved by grace they will not face God’s scrutiny. Yes, there will be “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) and Yeshua “rescues us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). However, in Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:10, it says, “We will all stand before the judgment seat of God,” and Yeshua “will give to each one of you according to your deeds” (Revelation 2:23).
Are you ready for your day of examination? What is your life like now? A day of divine examination is coming, and God’s justice will hold you accountable for your choices (Romans 14:12). Use your freedom provided by Yeshua and the power from the Holy Spirit to choose righteousness instead of wickedness.