Reaping Experts - Rumor notes 147

Revelation 14

17 Another angel came out from the temple which is in heaven. He also had a sharp sickle. 18 Another angel came out from the altar, he who has power over fire, and he called with a great voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Send forth your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for the earth's grapes are fully ripe!" 19 The angel thrust his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vintage of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 The winepress was trodden outside of the city, and blood came out from the winepress, even to the bridles of the horses, as far as one thousand six hundred stadia.

First Harvest	Second Harvest	Differences
14 I looked, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloud one sitting like a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.	17 Another angel came out from the temple which is in heaven. He also had a sharp sickle.	The second harvester could represent human agents trained by the Son of Man. They come out from the temple in heaven as in Revelation 15:6.
15 Another angel came out from the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, "Send forth your sickle, and reap; for the hour to reap has come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe!"	18 Another angel came out from the altar, he who has power over fire, and he called with a great voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Send forth your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for the earth's grapes are fully ripe!"	The first harvest prepares the agents to assist in the second. In the second, the instructing angel has authority over fire like Elijah did. But the reapers are told to use their sickle for reaping, not fire. This is more in line with the disposition of the Lamb than with Elijah's methods.
16 He who sat on the cloud thrust his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.	19 The angel thrust his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vintage of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 The winepress was trodden outside of the city, and blood came out from the winepress, even to the bridles of the horses, as far as one thousand six hundred stadia.	The matured and sealed agents from the first harvest in turn cooperate with the One on the cloud to carry out the second harvest. Their outpouring of praise and prayers are described in the next two chapters, but produce reactions of wrath and release of evil plagues resulting in much bloodshed.

This is a different proposal for interpreting the harvests of chapter 14 deviating significantly from the previous one presented. We will examine the evidence here from a different perspective in light of the larger context of the war.

Another angel came out from the temple which is in heaven

After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their breasts. One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished. (Revelation 15:5-8)

This harvester is identified as coming out from the temple while the first harvester clearly references Jesus. I propose that this angel could possibly represent collectively the people that were just harvested, who in turn are then employed here by Jesus to conduct this second harvest.

After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their breasts. One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished. (Revelation 15:5-8)

Based on these passages I have increasingly come to believe that possibly this angel not only may represent the 7 angels in chapters 15-16 collectively, but that it may reference the trained and fully equipped special ops forces loyal to the Lamb as described at the outset of chapter 14.

I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. In their mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless. (Revelation 14:1-5)

In the mouth of Christ is found the sword of truth, the Word of God which is one of His titles. The 7 angels in chapter 15 reflect Him to the point of almost looking like clones. They also have no lie in their mouth for they are blameless. I am seeing increasing evidence from multiple directions that appears to confirm this proposal as serious for us to consider.

He also had a sharp sickle

I would like to include another symbol that may correlate to this symbol of a sickle. A sickle is little more than a curved sword used in cutting grain stalks or for other kinds of harvesting.

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called "The Word of God." The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen. Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. (Revelation 19:11-15)

The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword of him who sat on the horse, the sword which came forth out of his mouth. All the birds were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19:20-21)

Put in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the winepress is full, the vats overflow, for their wickedness is great." (Joel 3:13)

There is more to this phrase that needs to be examined. First, note that there is nothing here indicating where the sickle is associated to the reaper like what is mentioned in the first harvest. We could assume it is also in the hand, yet after considering other aspects of this harvest we can consider otherwise. Clues in other passages indicate the only sharp instrument used by Jesus in Revelation is always and only in His mouth, with the exception of this first harvest. That might seem incidental at first, yet upon closer reflection it may be very significant.

What would be a difference from doing something hands-on versus only using words? Hands-on infers more active involvement, yet when it comes to reaping souls, the issue of authority by consent plays a huge factor in how much one is allowed to be involved in another person's life.

What I am beginning to sense here is that if the first harvest is about completing character transformation in people's lives who are eager to become completely like Jesus, then Jesus has permission to be more engaged in their lives to transform them both internally and externally into His likeness until they are matured. However, in the second harvest, if it involves a harvest of those who dwell on the earth, those who resist the love, convictions and promptings of the Spirit and reject correction by God in their lives, reapers potentially would be limited to only using words as there is no permission for them to get any closer. Thus it is possible that this second harvest could be executed by use of what only comes out of the mouth short of more direct involvement that is implied by a sickle in the hand. We will expand on this issue of the sickle later.

Another angel came out from the altar, he who has power over fire

When we hear the altar mentioned it should alert us to connect this to the scant other references to the altar in this book. What comes to mind especially is this one from the 5^th seal.

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had. They cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" A long white robe was given to each of them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, should complete their course. (Revelation 6:9-11)

This may symbolize immature saints crying out for justice as was discussed when we studied this seal. They are instructed to be patient until the final group of saints become fully matured by completing their course. It is possible that what we find here in these harvests in chapter 14 is the fulfillment, at least in part, of this promise to the souls under the altar?

This assistant angel is noted as having power over fire, yet he is not the one doing the reaping. Rather he is giving instructions to the reaping angel as to when and how to carry out his task. What does power over fire have to do with this?

Authority over fire has a historical precedent for being easily abused at times. It appears to be a high risk gift from God, and we discussed this in our study of the two witnesses in chapter 11. It could be that in this instance, the angel with power over fire holds this power in reserve while providing direction to the actual reapers in this harvest. Rather than giving them this power directly and risk having it abused, they have it available but leave it in reserve. That is one option.

he called with a great voice to him who had the sharp sickle

The word voice here or in the KJV cry used by the first assistant angel, is different from the word cry in reference to the second assistant. Neither of these is used in describing the loud voices of the first 3 angels in this chapter. The angel of chapter 18 as well as the outcry of the souls under the altar do have the same word as the Greek for cry found in the first harvest.

The word translated cry in the first harvest uses a Greek word meaning to scream, an outcry, clamor, shriek, exclaim, intreat. It conveys much more intensity than the word for cry used in the second harvest. That word is more subdued; it means an outcry (in notification, tumult or grief), clamor, crying in sadness. Because the first cry has far greater intensity while the second cry involves something darker, foreboding and involving grief, I believe it offers valuable insight to discerning more clearly the differences between these two harvests.

For me this lends even more credence to the proposal that those represented by this reaping angel can be the same ones who cried out to the One on the cloud in the previous harvest, as well as being the ones who are harvested. I also believe they may be, at least part, the fulfillment of the promise given to the souls under the altar. This group could be the last of the fellow servants and brothers who have here completing their training and character preparation to then be used as agents by God to synchronize with the first reaper as they are now tasked with helping to carry out this second harvest which involves the wicked. And while they may not be killed as were those represented as being under the altar, as Paul might put it they are as good as dead, for at the beginning of this chapter we see that they are identified as not loving their own lives unto the death.

If these are harvested people who are in turn commissioned to participate in the harvesting of the wicked, it should be safe to assume that their actions, testimony and disposition are the same as the Lamb that they follow. This enhances the suggestion that their experience in doing so may also parallel what the Lamb endured as the sins of the world were placed on Him as we find described in Isaiah 52-53. A clue is that the same word for cry in the second harvest is used in Hebrews related to Jesus.

He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, (Hebrews 5:7)

I believe that what Jesus experienced emotionally while consciously bearing the weight of the sins of the entire world from all humanity, was what He referred to as His spending 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of the earth. That does not necessarily mean being in the grave as most have assumed. If we approach it from this perspective, it will affect how we may see how these reapers may be called upon to pass through a similar emotional experience that Jesus went through leading up to His death. That is not to suggest in any way that there would be need or benefit to be derived from their dying as He did, for Christ has already conquered the power of death. That issue has already been fully settled forever because death and fear are completely absorbed and neutralized by Jesus. He identified fully as one of us, all who are subject to death, and He overcame and defeated it. Even more so, by conquering the most potent weapon relied on by the enemy of life, Jesus destroyed all credibility of the devil, for his only ability to control us is by fear and deception to manipulate our emotions.

Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

I am proposing that this reaper may well represent the 144,000. Additionally I am finding much evidence to also believe they might also be represented as the 7 angels who are active in the next couple chapters. We will examine that evidence when we get there hopefully soon. What I am coming to believe is that this group of Lamb followers may be so dedicated and refined in their total allegiance to the Lamb, that He can entrust them with the rare privilege and high honor of demonstrating once again the pure testimony of Jesus, the real truth about God's heart, by revealing clearly to the world through their lives under severe trial, the same revelation of glory as was witnessed in the disposition of Jesus as He received all the blame, accusation, slander and maltreatment of sinners against Him, yet only responding with humility, kindness, compassion and mercy.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in his mouth." Who, when he was cursed, didn't curse back. When he suffered, didn't threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously; (1 Peter 2:21-23)

These Lamb-followers have come to see the real issue, that what Christ suffered was not punishment by God but the effects caused by sin itself. They also have learned how He overcame and follow His example, by focusing on the joy set before them just as He did, by saturating their mind, heart and imagination with the New Song involving praises and thanksgiving to God, along with intercessions and appeals for repentance in earnest concern for even their worst enemies.

Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don't grow weary, fainting in your souls. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

How might this 'cry' in the first harvest be a preparation to share in the sufferings of Christ? I believe a prophecy in the Old Testament resonates with how those who follow the Lamb become prepared to appreciate His perspective so thoroughly that they are ready to face down death itself.

For thus says Yahweh: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask now, and see whether a man does travail with child: why do I see every man with his hands on his waist, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. It shall come to pass in that day, says Yahweh of Armies, that I will break his yoke from off your neck, and will burst your bonds; and strangers shall no more make him their bondservant; but they shall serve Yahweh their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up to them. Therefore don't you be afraid, O Jacob my servant, says Yahweh; neither be dismayed, Israel: for, behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be quiet and at ease, and none shall make him afraid. (Jeremiah 30:5-10)

Strangely enough, it seems possible to me that the harvest of the wicked just might be accomplished by allowing these faithful witnesses, special ops forces fully synchronized with the Lamb in every way, to pass through similar treatment as what He experienced to demonstrate vividly the truth of how God responds to evil treatment as Jesus did. The main difference this time will be that this demonstration of God's disposition what was first revealed during the abuse experienced by Christ, will now be witnessed on a worldwide scale so vividly it cannot be ignored. It will not just happen on a single cross in one location on earth, but will be simultaneously demonstrated strategically all over the planet. As a result, the whole earth will be exposed to such an intense revelation of the true glory of God's heart paralleling what was initially released by the first-fruit Lamb, that it will precipitate the collapse of the entire empire of evil in a most surprising and unexpected way. Such a revelation of God's true glory undermines the very foundation of Satan's system that it ruptures from exposure by this unprecedented demonstration of selfless love through human beings filled and motivated with the passion of God's heart.

After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory. (Revelation 18:1)

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the assembly; (Colossians 1:24)

This might be what it means to fill up the sufferings of Christ, for suffering is sure to come on all who choose to participate in reflecting Christ's disposition of only love for His enemies. They will be interceding for those who hate them, who despitefully abuse them and who are blaspheming the name of God. These witnesses are forgiving and loving them unconditionally while not loving their own lives more than others. These reflect freely God's passionate love received into their hearts in real time while they demonstrate the same willing vulnerability and humility that was previously seen in the life and death of the violently slaughtered Lamb who is their Hero.

Why is all this important? How does this scenario link to what we started with here, the nuance of the word cry that conveys such intensity? I believe this word indicates what is needed in order for anyone to become prepared enough to participate in such an advanced revelation of God's heart. The word conveys an extreme passion, an outcry, a desperate hunger to become transformed fully including a complete surrender to allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify them so thoroughly that they are enabled to follow their Leader the Lamb all the way to death if necessary without shrinking back.

send forth your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth

"For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will execute judgment on them there for my people, and for my heritage, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations. They have divided my land, and have cast lots for my people, and have given a boy for a prostitute, and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink. [child sex trafficking – sound familiar?]

"Yes, and what are you to me, Tyre, and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Will you repay me? And if you repay me, I will swiftly and speedily return your repayment on your own head. Because you have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried my finest treasures into your temples, and have sold the children of Judah and the children of Jerusalem to the sons of the Greeks, that you may remove them far from their border. Behold, I will stir them up out of the place where you have sold them [revival and reformation?], and will return your repayment on your own head; and I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hands of the children of Judah, and they will sell them to the men of Sheba, to a faraway nation, for Yahweh has spoken it." [depleting the Greeks of heritage?]

Proclaim this among the nations: "Prepare for war! Stir up the mighty men. Let all the warriors draw near. Let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.' Hurry and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves together." Cause your mighty ones to come down there, Yahweh. Let the nations arouse themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the surrounding nations.

"Put in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the winepress is full, the vats overflow, for their wickedness is great." Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of Yahweh is near, in the valley of decision. [The 'sickle' used by Jehoshaphat was the choir singing praises to Yahweh.]

The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. Yahweh will roar from Zion, and thunder from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth will shake; but Yahweh will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel. So you will know that I am Yahweh, your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain. Then Jerusalem will be holy, and no strangers will pass through her any more. (Joel 3:1-17)

I can't help seeing how the secret power of the New Song plays a pivotal role in the defeat of evil.

Praise Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints. Let Israel rejoice in him who made them. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp! For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in honor. Let them sing for joy on their beds. May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute on them the written judgment. All his saints have this honor. Praise Yah! (Psalms 149:1-9)

While a two-edged sword in the hand may seem significantly different from a sickle, it may not be that far apart given how the Son of God is portrayed as having a sword coming out of His mouth that is used in righteous judgment, to separate and execute His kind of justice.

If we allow other passages to compliment this symbol of a sickle as being similar to a sword, while still conforming with the same pattern as is involved in harvesting with a sickle, we find congruency and insights while remaining faithful to the truth of the disposition of the Lamb.

Listen, islands, to me; and listen, you peoples, from far: Yahweh has called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother has he made mention of my name: and he has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand has he hid me: and he has made me a polished shaft; in his quiver has he kept me close: and he said to me, 'You are my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified.'

But I said, 'I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely the justice due to me is with Yahweh, and my recompense with my God.'

Now says Yahweh who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, and that Israel be gathered to him (for I am honorable in the eyes of Yahweh, and my God is become my strength); yes, he says, It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give you for a light to the nations, that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:1-6)

Then he said to them, "But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword." (Luke 22:36)

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the spoken word of God; with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: (Ephesians 6:17-18)

Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.

For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:9-12)

gather the clusters of the vine of the earth

Here it clearly identifies the harvest as grapes from clusters of the vine of the earth. Fermented wine in Scripture was apparently the primary source of intoxication, especially as portrayed in prophecy. Revelation warns us against being involved in the wine of Babylon. These clusters identified as of the earth can indicate this harvest pertains to all those not harvested by the previous Reaper. This second harvest is of those who have become ripened in rebellion against God's mercy, whose hearts are hardened by the mindset of Babylon.

How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and Yahweh had delivered them up? For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, of the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are grapes of gall, Their clusters are bitter. Their wine is the poison of serpents, The cruel venom of asps. (Deuteronomy 32:30-33)

for the earth's grapes are fully ripe

Noah began to be a farmer, and planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and got drunk. He was uncovered within his tent. (Genesis 9:20-21)

Let me sing for my well beloved a song of my beloved about his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a very fruitful hill. He dug it up, gathered out its stones, planted it with the choicest vine, built a tower in its midst, and also cut out a winepress therein. He looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.

"Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, please judge between me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Why, when I looked for it to yield grapes, did it yield wild grapes?

Now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away its hedge, and it will be eaten up. I will break down its wall of it, and it will be trampled down. I will lay it a wasteland. It won't be pruned nor hoed, but it will grow briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain on it." For the vineyard of Yahweh of Armies is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression; for righteousness, but, behold, a cry of distress. (Isaiah 5:1-7)

Be instructed, Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from you; lest I make you a desolation, a land not inhabited. Thus says Yahweh of Armies, They shall thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn again your hand as a grape gatherer into the baskets.

To whom shall I speak and testify, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they can't listen: behold, the word of Yahweh is become to them a reproach; they have no delight in it. Therefore I am full of the wrath of Yahweh; I am weary with holding in: pour it out on the children in the street, and on the assembly of young men together; for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him who is full of days. Their houses shall be turned to others, their fields and their wives together; for I will stretch out my hand on the inhabitants of the land, says Yahweh. For from the least of them even to the greatest of them everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, says Yahweh. (Jeremiah 6:8-15)

This ripeness of metaphorical grapes represents a maturation of evil in the hearts of those refusing a love of the truth, whose hearts are hardened to the kindness and mercies of their Creator.

Put in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the winepress is full, the vats overflow, for their wickedness is great." Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of Yahweh is near, in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:13-14)

The angel thrust his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vintage of the earth

What is important for this to make sense are the methods used to accomplish this harvest. We must never confuse this with old paradigms of judging but stick to the methods and means used by the Lamb. The fact that these agents are into praise music accompanied with harps of God is a strong clue to connect more dots even more compellingly. We will look at this more. Here the point I want to emphasize is that the process of discovering the truth about those being harvested while not resorting to methods used by the enemy, is how these harvesters rely solely on thanksgiving, petitions, praise and honoring the Father and the Lamb as the sole means of flushing into the open the true nature of those fiercely opposed to the truth that shapes the character of these Lamb fans.

We will explore the mystery of how bowls are used in the next couple chapters and what contents are poured out that result in climatic eruptions of catastrophe after catastrophe, yet still remains within the parameters of truth, love and freedom with no force involved. As a result of various passages brought together, we can discern how this last harvest could also be a condensed summary of what will be expanded on over the next two chapters as well as referenced in various passages throughout the Old Testament.

What lies behind this second proposal are various key words and symbols that show up strategically in passages that corroborate this concept. We will approach them with this concept in mind to see how dots might connect by comparing one seemingly disconnected passage to another. What is emerging to me presently are threads that seem to be consistent in a number of these passages that we will explore more thoroughly as we go along. Here are some threads that appear to strengthen this idea as being valid.

These agents reflect the disposition and use only the methods of the Lamb exclusively

The Lamb has chosen them to participate in the process of harvesting, which is judgment.

According to Jesus' definition of judgment, it is what happens when light is released that exposes everything hidden in darkness.

Their means of bringing light into the darkness is through praise, celebration, thanksgiving and glorifying God's reputation while loving enemies just as the Lamb does.

Music and instruments are utilized in amplifying the intensity of glory which invokes God's powerful presence. Of particular mention seem to be harps and tambourines.

All who are resistant to love, truth, light and who deny freedom of conscience, react violently to such exposure, yet they perceive their terror as being imposed on them when in reality they are themselves the root cause of their own torment.

When it comes to this final harvest, unlike previous exposures by the light, this wave of intense revelations of God's glory only results in permanently hardening rejectors of God's mercy in complete obstinacy and rebellion. Yet this is a necessity in the long term order that it may become clear to everyone that God is in no way complicit in the punishments that the lost experience and blame on Him, for He is only light, love and truth in all situations.

In the next study we review many of the same passages we covered last time, though from a uniquely different perspective that we have laid out here. We will explore in particular Isaiah 30 which is where the above threads provide greater perspective.