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.

Vintage Wine - Rumor notes 146

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 lacks the credentials of the Son of Man. It merely comes out from the temple in heaven, paralleling the assistant angel of the first.
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 assistant angels differ in origin. The latter one relies on fire possibly of the altar for his authority. His emphasis is on the sharp sickle. The second angel mentions vine clusters while the first doesn't mention anything specific.
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.	Again, the first harvest is very simple while the second elaborates on vintage wine, wrath and elaborate descriptions of bloodshed.

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

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?" (Revelation 6:9-10)

This loud voice joins many references to a loud voice throughout this book. Another loud voice this resonates with was heard in the warning of the third angel describing the tragic results of viewing God through the lens of the dragon and its beasts and image. Keep in mind that this assistant angel is defined as having power over fire. The belief that God punishes people with fire to torture them is central in the dark views of God promoted by the enemy.

Another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead, or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. (Revelation 14:9-10)

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

Note that the previous assistant angel did not mention the word sharp, though both reapers are identified as having a sickle. This could relate to an emphasis on sharpness as reflected in our system of enforced consequences that despises heaven's method of allowing natural principles to result in natural consequences.

At this point it is becoming clear that what is being harvested on the earth is not the same as the previous harvest, though that one does not specifically identify what was reaped. Here it clearly identifies that the target harvest are grapes from clusters of the vine of the earth. This may have to do with the fact that fermented grape juice is the primary source of intoxication, especially in prophecy, rather than alcohol from any other source. Throughout Revelation we are warned against imbibing the wine of Babylon which would come from fermented grape juice. Identifying these clusters closely with the earth could indicate differentiating this harvest from the nature of what was harvested by the previous Reaper.

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 these metaphorical grapes can represent the maturation of evil in the hearts and lives of those refusing a love of the truth, who harden their hearts to the kindness and mercies of their Creator until they are ripe for destruction.

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)

While this next parable is not directly about grape vines, it was set by Jesus as taking place in a vineyard. I find His choice of metaphors significant given the interesting thread of fig trees throughout Scripture. From my study about the meaning of fig trees through the Bible, I came to a personal conclusion that possibly the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil just might have been a fig tree, given that our first parents took refuge to hide and used its leaves to try to cover up their sense of shame from their sudden awareness of their nakedness. If so, it could resonate with how this harvest plays out in the end.

He spoke this parable. "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. He said to the vine dresser, 'Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down. Why does it waste the soil?' He answered, 'Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it, and fertilize it. If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.'" (Luke 13:6-9)

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

The word translated here as thrust in is significantly different from the parallel word used for the previous harvest. This word literally does mean 'into,' while the previous one means on or over, even above the earth. It appears to indicate a difference in method concerning how reaping takes place between the first and second harvest in this chapter.

The word translated here as gathered actually means to dry ripe fruit, to gather, to collect the vintage. Another translation renders it this way:

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. (Revelation 14:19 NAS95)

threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God

The word translated here as threw it into is the same word describing how the sickle was used in the first part of this verse. As pointed out above, this is different from how the first Reaper used His sickle.

This action might imply retaliation on the part of Satan for being cast out of heaven, though as we saw previously it more likely transpired a different way. That is part of unraveling the difference between how God operates in this war versus how Satan and his followers rely on coercion to gain and maintain control.

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. He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." I saw an angel standing in the sun. He cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the sky, "Come! Be gathered together to the great supper of God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, and small and great."

I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him who sat on the horse, and against his army. 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 19:15-21)

Note who is itemized here and get a hint of who is thrown into the winepress of the wrath of God. Keep in mind that wrath means letting go of protection, not the opposite.

Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this who is glorious in his clothing, marching in the greatness of his strength? I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Why are you red in your clothing, and your garments like him who treads in the wine vat?

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yes, I trod them in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments, and I have stained all my clothing. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore my own arm brought salvation to me; and my wrath, it upheld me. I trod down the peoples in my anger, and made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth. (Isaiah 63:1-6)

How does this inform us as to the way Jesus is related to this metaphor? Is Jesus the direct cause of what we are reading here in this second harvest, or is this prophecy informing us of how completely He identified with the consequences of all His enemy's sins leaving them no excuse to be lost? He has already taken on the full effects of all the sins of the world that results from embracing false identity outside of what God says about our worth and value to Him. Christ fully absorbed the effects of sin, leaving us free to embrace His identity as our own if we will simply believe what He says is true about God's disposition towards us. He put to death our false identity, pouring out His blood representative of our death to the old creature, in order that any willing to accept Him in to take residence inside of them may live a new life in Christ, filled with the life of His Spirit.

The winepress was trodden outside of the city

We just read the following passage where it specifically mentioned that the winepress was carved inside the vineyard.

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. (Isaiah 5:1-2)

Why does it now say that the winepress was trodden outside the city?

He took away the foreign gods, and the idol out of the house of Yahweh, and all the altars that he had built in the mountain of the house of Yahweh, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. (2 Chronicles 33:15)

But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, 'They will respect my son.' But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and seize his inheritance.' So they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. (Matthew 21:37-39)

Again he sent another; and they killed him; and many others, beating some, and killing some. Therefore still having one, his beloved son, he sent him last to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' But those farmers said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' They took him, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. (Mark 12:5-8)

The lord of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be that seeing him, they will respect him.' "But when the farmers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.' They threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them? (Luke 20:13-15)

For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside of the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate. Let us therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach. For we don't have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come. Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name. (Hebrews 13:11-15)

blood came out from the winepress

For my sword has drunk its fill in the sky. Behold, it will come down on Edom, and on the people of my curse, for judgment. Yahweh's sword is filled with blood. It is covered with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams; for Yahweh has a sacrifice in Bozrah, And a great slaughter in the land of Edom. The wild oxen will come down with them, and the young bulls with the mighty bulls; and their land will be drunken with blood, and their dust made greasy with fat. (Isaiah 34:5-7)

I heard the angel of the waters saying, "You are righteous, who are and who were, you Holy One, because you have judged these things. For they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. They deserve this." (Revelation 16:5-6)

The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of the sexual immorality of the earth.

I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered with great amazement. (Revelation 17:4, 6)

In those days, the father will be beaten together with his sons, in one place; and brothers shall fall together with their friends, in death, until a stream shall flow with their blood. For a man shall not be able to withhold his hands from his sons nor from (his) sons’ sons in order to kill them. Nor is it possible for the sinner to withhold his hands from his honored brother. From dawn until the sun sets, they shall slay each other. The horse shall walk through the blood of sinners up to his chest; and the chariot shall sink down up to its top. (1 Enoch 100:3)

even to the bridles of the horses

Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. (James 3:1-3)

One meaning that may explain this symbol of a bridle, has to do with what methods are used to control or guide someone. This is a start for unpacking this prophecy involving a harvest.

Here is another clue that when couched in the context of the whole chapter offers more significant options regarding the meaning of what we are looking at here.

Behold, the name of Yahweh comes from far away, burning with his anger, and in thick rising smoke. His lips are full of indignation, and his tongue is as a devouring fire. His breath is as an overflowing stream that reaches even to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction; and a bridle that leads to ruin will be in the jaws of the peoples. (Isaiah 30:27-28)

Here we find close correlation to what we are studying in Revelation. An overflowing stream that reaches to the neck coupled a reference to a bridle. What is even more insightful is to unpack the fuller context in which this passage is located. That we shall do that in the next proposal relating to this harvest.

Dubious Harvester - Rumor notes 145

 

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 lacks all the credentials of the Son of Man. It merely comes out from the temple in heaven, paralleling the assistant angel of the first.
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 assistant angels differ in origin. The latter one relies on fire possibly of the altar for his authority. His emphasis is on the sharp sickle. The second angel mentions vine clusters while the first doesn't mention anything specific.
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.	Again, the first harvest is very simple while the second elaborates on vintage wine, wrath and elaborate descriptions of bloodshed.

Another angel came out from the temple which is in heaven. He also had a sharp sickle

This 'also ran' harvesting angel reminds us of an imposter that shows up elsewhere. Here he is described as coming out from the temple which is in heaven, yet that description alone does not prove he is working on God's side, but only that he may have originated in heaven. But Lucifer first began his career as a covering cherub in heaven, but he was later was cast out. Despite that he can continue to claim that address when aids in promoting his deceptive credentials.

And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:7-9 NAS95)

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ's apostles. And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)

And behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came forth conquering, and to conquer. (Revelation 6:2)

I leave open the option that I may be wrong in my strong suspicions about this second harvest. But there are so many clues accumulating in my study of this that I don't feel safe ignoring them. Satan is a master deceiver, the father of lies, and the nature of deception is that it can often be extremely compelling, meaning it is easy to believe it is true because it resembles so closely what is true. We see this repeatedly in our study of this book, and we must apply the testing criteria received at the opening of this book and apply it to every passage.

Note how this reaper is said to come out of the temple, while the previous reaper makes no such claim but simply is seen as simply sitting on a cloud. It is the assistant to the first reaper who is reported to come out of the temple, yet even then it is not identified as the temple in heaven as this one does. So the first assistant comes out of the temple while here it is the reaper who comes out of the temple. This alerts us to the incongruities between these two harvests that should make us wary of assuming both of them are cooperating with the forces of light.

He also had a sharp sickle

If this is a counterfeit harvester (note there is no mention of him being a reaper but simply as also having a sharp sickle), then very likely the methods he will use to harvest will be different than the methods relied on by the true Reaper. There is good reason for the adage 'the grim reaper,' for it is intended to elicit fear, while the reaper of those who obey the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus live in His love which casts out all fear.

In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:17-18)

Satan designed an entire counterfeit system to God's original design, and his system operates through reward incentives and threats of forceful punishments as its version of reaping. The kingdom of heaven defines reaping in terms of natural fruit, cause and effect rather than imposed penalties. This understanding is key for discerning the differences between these two harvests. From this perspective it is easier to see that the way this second harvest unfolds radically diverges from the simple way in which the previous harvest was accomplished. This is the difference between natural outcomes acknowledged versus artificial penalties and rewards that defines the system of Satan's kingdom.

When people sin, they earn what sin pays--death. But God gives his people a free gift--eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 ERV)

If Satan also has a sickle, consider how he uses it to harvest souls based on his kind of judgment.

Don't judge, so that you won't be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1-2)

The commandment, which was for life, this I found to be for death; for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. (Romans 7:10-11)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace; (Romans 8:1-6)

Satan's sickle is operates by guilt, shame, condemnation, fear and punishment by death for breaking the law. He hijacks the commandments of God and manipulates them to bring about death, despite the fact that they were never intended to be used for that purpose. Thus his false harvest involves bloodshed and unspeakable violence as reinforcement of his version of justice, because that is how his system asserts its authority in his kingdom of darkness.

There are two harvests, but the methods relied on betray who is doing the harvesting. Our opinion about what is going on here will be directly affected by how much we believe the truth that God is just as His Son, the violently slaughtered Lamb, reveals Him to be. How so we see this second harvester using his sickle of judgment? Let's take a much closer look at the motives and methods and disposition as measured by the principles of light and love.

Throughout most of the Old Testament, the judgments asserted as coming from God appear to align more with the methods of the enemy of love. This has caused so much confusion, and we need to give allegiance fully to the Son who has been sent to clear up our confusion, to show us the real truth of God's heart in contrast to the mixed messages of all those who came before Him.

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

This angel is a collaborating angel paralleling the angel with the first reaper. Rather than coming out from the temple, in this instance the assistant is said to come out from the altar and has power over fire. This should alert us to pay close attention to what is coming into focus about the nature of this second harvest. Let's start by looking at other mentions of the altar starting in this book.

The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had one trumpet, "Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!" The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind. The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million. I heard the number of them.

Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur. By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm. (Revelation 9:13-19)

The third poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. I heard the angel of the waters saying, "You are righteous, who are and who were, you Holy One, because you have judged these things. For they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. They deserve this." I heard the altar saying, "Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments." (Revelation 16:4-7)

This strongly resonates with a previous description connected to the altar.

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)

In our study of this previous passage we saw that the desire for revenge on the part of those loyal to God, reflects an immature appreciation of God's motives and methods for defeating evil. While they were not rebuked, but were affirmed for their loyalty, they were instructed to be patient and wait until such time as the more advanced truth of God's heart would become more fully revealed through the martyrs who would come after them, who had a better appreciation of the principles of light and love and would lay down their lives for more noble reasons than those previous.

The timing of these references to the altar may also provide clues. The souls under the altar crying out happens during the opening of the fifth seal. When the seals are finished and trumpets are given to seven angels prepared to sound them, we find the following event with an angel again involving the altar that includes smoke, incense and fire, all important symbols associated with the altar here.

I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand. The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake. The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (Revelation 8:2-6)

A reed like a rod was given to me. Someone said, "Rise, and measure God's temple, and the altar, and those who worship in it. Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and don't measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months. (Revelation 11:1-2)

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!" (Revelation 14:18)

Here is a sequential listing of key phrases taken from every mention of the altar in this book.

the 5^th seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls cried for God to judge and avenge

preliminary to trumpets

an angel stands over the altar with a censer and much incense to add to the prayers

the saints, or their prayers, are on the golden altar

in the 6^th trumpet a voice is heard from the horns of the golden altar

interlude before 7^th trumpet someone said, measure the altar and those who worship in it

second harvest another angel came out from the altar, he who has power over fire

during 3^rd plague the altar says, true and righteous are your judgments

If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him in the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:23-26)

What is this telling us? Jesus links earthly style judgment to the altar for an important reason. This contrasts two very different ways of relating to those around us and how we perceive the meaning and purpose of the altar and worship. Our perceptions of how to come to God at the altar determines what we believe the altar represents, and that thinking also affects our disposition with others around us, especially those with whom we have conflicts.

Jesus explains here that if we ignore or resist forgiving anyone, resist seeking reconciliation as far as possible with anyone who has cause to feel resentment towards us, we posture ourselves under the authority of Satan's system of judgment, so the results will come from his standards of justice measured by balance scales. There is no other option. We choose the version of judgment we experience by the kind of judgment we endorse in the way we relate to others around us.

Don't judge, so that you won't be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1-2)

Therefore Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man, you will show yourself perfect. With the pure, you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd. For you will save the afflicted people, but the haughty eyes you will bring down. (Psalms 18:24-27)

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

For the day of Yahweh is near all the nations! As you have done, it will be done to you. Your deeds will return upon your own head. (Obadiah 1:15)

"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38)

These alert us to the creation principle of cause and effect, reproduction after its own kind.

Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things. (Romans 2:1)

So speak, and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom. For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:12-13)

he who has power over fire

Both power and fire are trigger words involving key concepts competing for definition from both sides of this conflict. The enemy would have us view power seductively, and wants us to imagine that God's fire involves using His power to inflict severe torment on any who dare resist His will. Let's look at this more closely.

I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, standing before the Lord of the earth. If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way. These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. (Revelation 11:3-6)

Power and fire figure prominently in the lives of many of God's people throughout history who sometimes used their gifts from God as fire-power that did more to darken the truth about God's heart rather than shedding greater light on the reality of God's character of love and light alone.

Then Elijah said to the people, "I, even I only, am left a prophet of Yahweh; but Baal's prophets are four hundred fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under; and I will dress the other bull, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under. You call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Yahweh; and the God who answers by fire, let him be God." All the people answered, "It is well said." (1 Kings 18:22-24)

It happened at the time of the offering of the evening offering, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Hear me, Yahweh, hear me, that this people may know that you, Yahweh, are God, and that you have turned their heart back again.

Then the fire of Yahweh fell, and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, Yahweh, he is God; Yahweh, he is God. (1 Kings 18:36-39)

I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people. (Revelation 13:11-13)

He said, Go forth, and stand on the mountain before Yahweh. Behold, Yahweh passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before Yahweh; but Yahweh was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but Yahweh was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but Yahweh was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

Asserting that God is fully supportive of every fiery demonstration done in His name, and is the reason we should believe and obey Him is problematic at best. The insistence that destructive fire and force is God's way of gaining compliance and includes His method of punishing, all originates with the enemy who is the father of lies. This lies at the very heart of paganism, but is absent in the revelation of God's true character as displayed and taught by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

"Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:10-12)

I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled. But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. (Luke 12:49-51)

Did Jesus bring division by fiery arguments, confrontations, punishment involving force, condemnation? No, the division He brought about came through His revelations that God's fire is strikingly different from how He has been represented by those claiming to represent Him. God's fire as reflected through the lens of Jesus' life on earth, is the fire of passionate love, not destructive fire to punish and arouse fear. This is what causes division between those who come to see God through Jesus' eyes versus those who embrace the good/evil paradigm of God reflected in paganism and that originated with the occupant of the Tree of Good and Evil.

The fourth poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given to him to scorch men with fire. People were scorched with great heat, and people blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues. They didn't repent and give him glory. (Revelation 16:8-9)

Notice the warning embedded here – it is those who refuse to change their mind, believing that God is behind the scorching heat, that this fire they experience is a direct punishment inflicted on them by God – this assertion is actually blasphemy of His character. Sadly most Christians, yea most people on this planet, embrace this blasphemous lie about God and presume it is simply a fact of religion. Yet here this is clearly identified as blasphemy against the reputation of God, and clinging to this dark view of Him never brings Him true glory.

They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground. (Psalms 74:7 KJV)