3. The Harvesters of the earth. 14:14-20 I. In verses 14-16 the Grain harvest is harvested. In verses 17-20 the Grape harvest is harvested. II. The 2 harvests might be the same harvest. III. These verses describe the battle of Armageddon. 17:12-16; 19:11-21 IV. These verses is another view of 19:11-21 V.14 a) Reaper of the earth - I. Jesus as the Son of Man is getting ready to harvest the unbelievers. Dan.7:13 II. His Personality (Son of Man), His Purity (white cloud), His Power (golden crown) and His Purpose (sharp sickle). V.15-16 b) Ripeness and reaping of the earth announced by the 4th angel - I. Jesus has been sowing but now it is harvest time. Matt.13:24-30, 36-43 II. Jesus said that the harvest would happen at the end. Matt.13:39 III. The word ripe (Gr. Xeraino) means to be withered. IV. The grain is overripe because these grains are tares and not believers. James 1:11; John 15:6; Luke 3:8-17; Joel 3:13-14 V. The 3 other angels’ v.6, 8, 9 announced upcoming judgments, this angel commands it to be executed. V.17 a) Gatherer of the harvest, the 5th angel - An angel is now coming forth to harvest the grapes (unbelievers). V.18 b) Grapes are ready for harvest, the 6th angel - Jer.25:30-31 I. Another angel who cries to the harvesting angel, this angel is the angel over fire - Who watches over the fire in the temple. II. Perhaps he goes out from the golden altar as an answer of prayer. 8:3; 6:9-10 III. The word for ripe here (Gr. akmazo) means maturity or fully ripe. In v.15 the word for ripe (Gr. Xeraino) means to be withered. V.19 c) Gathering of the harvest - I. The reference to the great winepress of God refers to the battle of Armageddon. Isaiah 34:1-3, 6; 63:1-4; Joel 3:1-2, 9-17 II. In John’ s days the grapes were trampled barefooted in the winepress and would get stained garments. III. The harvesting of the grapes is used in Scripture as a picture of the Day of the Lord. IV. God will lead them into this battle. 17:12-16; 19:11-21; Joel 3:1-2; Zech.14:1-5 V.20 d) Great winepress trampled - I. During this judgment by God at the return of Christ, there will be a great measure of blood from the valley of Jezreel to Bozra. II. 1 furlong is equivalent to 200 meters, 1600 furlongs equivalent to 320 kilometres. III. There is about 320 kilometres from Megiddo to Bozra. This is the distance from Bozrah in Edom (south) Isaiah 63:1-6 to the Valley of Jezreel in Jerusalem Joel 3:1-2 , 9-14 to Megiddo in the north Rev.16:16 IV. The blood reaches to the horses’ bridles. (About 4 feet) V. The judgment happens outside but near Jerusalem. Dan.11:45; Joel 3: 12; Zech.14:4; Rev.16:16