The sickle symbolizes a harvest, specifically the gathering of humanity for judgment.
In Revelation 14, the sickle is used as a symbol of harvesting. Les Feldick explains that it represents God's sovereign action in gathering the nations to the Middle East for judgment, as seen in the context of Armageddon. The sharp sickle in the hand of Christ and the angels indicates the reaping of the earth's ripe harvest.
Revelation 14:14-16 — Describes the Son of Man with a sharp sickle and the angel's command to thrust it in for the harvest.
Revelation 14:17-20 — Shows the second sickle used to gather the vine of the earth, symbolizing the gathering of the wicked.
In Revelation 14:14, John describes a vision of a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of Man, having a golden crown and a sharp sickle. An angel from the temple cries with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, 'Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.' The one on the cloud thrusts his sickle on the earth, and the earth is reaped (Revelation 14:15-16). Then another angel came out of the temple, also with a sharp sickle, and another from the altar, crying, 'Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.' The angel thrusts in his sickle and gathers the vine of the earth, casting it into the great winepress of the wrath of God (Revelation 14:17-19). These passages use agricultural imagery of harvesting grain and grapes to depict divine judgment. The sickle is a tool of harvest, symbolizing the gathering of people for God's purposes, both for blessing and for judgment.
Les Feldick explains that the sickle in Revelation 14 symbolizes a harvest, directly tied to the agrarian practice of cutting grain. He points out that the one on the cloud is an allusion to Christ, who is about to reap the harvest. The angel's command to 'thrust in thy sickle' indicates that the time for reaping has come. This reaping is God's sovereign act of bringing the nations and their armies to the Middle East, particularly to the Valley of Megiddo and other flat areas, for the final conflict. Les emphasizes that this is symbolic language but with a literal truth: God is gathering humanity for judgment. He compares the gathering of armies to 'sardines in a can' due to the overwhelming numbers, illustrating how God causes them to assemble despite military logic. Thus, the sickle's imagery portrays God's sovereign reaping of the earth's inhabitants.
The sickle is held by the one seated on the white cloud, described as 'like unto the Son of Man' with a golden crown. Les Feldick identifies this as an allusion to Christ, the one who will reap the harvest. Additionally, another angel with a sharp sickle comes from the temple, symbolizing divine judgment.
The harvest represents the gathering of humanity for God's judgment. Les Feldick explains that this is the reaping of the earth, specifically the gathering of the nations' armies to the Middle East for the battle of Armageddon. The ripe harvest symbolizes that the time of judgment has fully come.
Les Feldick connects the sickle's harvest to the gathering of armies in the Valley of Megiddo and other flat areas in Israel. He describes these places as the location where God sovereignly packs the nations' forces, fulfilling the reaping imagery.
Les teaches that the sickle's reaping is an act of divine sovereignty. God controls the gathering of nations for judgment, just as a farmer controls the harvest. This is not random but part of His prophetic plan.
Armageddon Setting
Les describes the geography of the Middle East where the harvest will take place.
Sickle as Symbol
Les explains that the sickle represents a harvest, and the one on the cloud is Christ.
Harvest and Reaping
Les connects the reaping to God's sovereign gathering of nations.
Analogy of Harvest
Les emphasizes that the sickle is symbolic and tied to the coming judgment.
Gathering Humanity
Les says the sickle symbolizes the gathering of humanity under military auspices.
Megiddo and Sickle
Les connects the sickle to the gathering of armies in the plain of Megiddo.
Grapes and Winepress
Les explains that the clusters of grapes represent the overripe harvest, symbolizing the wicked.
Why the Church Will Not Go Through the Tribulation
And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, and out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword." Now always have to be careful when you study Revelation because it is always in symbolic language, but every symbolism has a literal truth. Go back with me, I think we have time.
Revelation 14:14: And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
Identifies the one holding the sickle as the Son of Man.
Revelation 14:15: And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Commands the Son of Man to reap the harvest of the earth.
Revelation 14:16: And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
Describes the act of reaping the earth.
Revelation 14:18: And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
Commands the gathering of the vine of the earth.
The sickle represents a harvest, symbolizing the gathering of humanity for God's judgment. Les Feldick explains that it is connected to the sovereign bringing of nations to the Middle East.
The Son of Man uses a sharp sickle, and an angel also has a sharp sickle. This imagery shows divine agency in reaping the earth.
It refers to the gathering of all nations for judgment, particularly the battle of Armageddon. Les Feldick teaches that God sovereignly assembles the armies.
Watch the Teaching: What Really Happens at Armageddon — Revelation 16 & 19