If God is in control...(part seven)

 ...where is He?

Is God on Vacation? Why Does it Seem Like He Stands by and Lets all This Happen?

Where is God when all this happens? Do not good people pray for safety? And yet God says, " The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:18). God did not remain aloof from human suffering. He suffers with the innocent. He sent His innocent Son to endure unfair treatment just so He could ensure our eternal salvation. Jesus was the classic example of the suffering of the innocent. In His death on the cross, He is the only truly innocent person who has ever suffered unfair treatment. He accepted the consequence of our rebellion against Himself. He did not shy away from our suffering. He came down to this world and suffered in our suffering. Then, He experienced the most horrible pain imaginable upon the cross. He endured the pain of the hostility of a sinful human race. He took upon Himself the consequence of our sins. And in doing so, He feared He might be eternally separated from His Father in heaven. And yet, He did it anyway. He still offered Himself, no matter the cost, so that we might have the chance of forgiveness and reconciliation and eternal rescue from this life of pain and suffering.

(Source: bibleinfo.com)

Revelation 14:16-17

16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle

Revelation 14:16–17 Meaning and Context

Revelation 14:16–17 describes a pivotal moment in the end-time vision, where Jesus, seated on the cloud, swings His sickle over the earth and reaps it. This is part of a two-part harvest imagery in Revelation 14:14–20.

Verse 16

“And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” (KJV)
The “One seated on the cloud” is Jesus Christ, symbolizing His divine authority and presence (cf. Daniel 7:13–14; Matthew 24:30) Bible Hub. The sickle is a tool for gathering crops, here representing the decisive act of gathering the righteous from the earth biblerepository.com. The “earth” is a metaphor for the world, and the “reaping” signifies the gathering of God’s elect into His kingdom Bible Hub. This is the first harvest in the chapter, often linked to the gathering of the righteous (Matthew 13:30, 39; Matthew 24:31) Bible Hub.

Verse 17

“And the winepress was trodden underfoot of the nations; and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horses’ bridles, and the blood was up to the horses’ bridles.” (KJV)
The winepress is a symbol of God’s wrath and judgment, often associated with the “great winepress of the wrath of God” in Revelation 14:20 Enduring Word. The “nations” here likely refers to the wicked who oppose God’s people. The blood imagery shows the completeness and severity of God’s judgment — it reaches even the horses’ bridles, indicating no part of the wicked is spared Enduring Word.

Theological Significance

• Righteous Harvest (v. 16): Christ’s authority is affirmed; the righteous are gathered from all nations, fulfilling prophetic promises Bible Hub+1.

• Judgment Harvest (v. 17): The wicked are gathered into God’s wrath, showing that God’s patience has reached its limit and judgment is inevitable Bible Hub.

• Contrast: The first harvest is joyful and redemptive; the second is sobering and judgmental, but both are part of God’s sovereign plan Enduring Word+1.

Summary
Revelation 14:16–17 presents a dual vision:

1. Gathering of the righteous — Christ reaps the earth, bringing God’s people into eternal life.

2. Judgment of the wicked — The nations are trampled underfoot, and God’s wrath is poured out in full measure.

Together, these verses assure believers of God’s ultimate victory and the certainty of His justice, while also underscoring the need for faithfulness in the face of tribulation Enduring Word+2.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Have a blessed day!

If God is in Control...(part six)

 ...why do people suffer?

Why Is it so Often the Poor, the Elderly, and Children Who Suffer the Most?

Is it fair for the innocent to suffer? No, it’s not fair. The point is that sin is not fair. God is fair, but sin is not fair. That is the nature of sin. When Adam sinned, he gave himself and the human race into the hands of a destroyer. God allows Satan to become active in working through nature to bring about destruction. And just like any bully, Satan targets the weak and the poor, the young and defenseless. God does not want this to happen. He did not want Adam and Eve to sin. But he allowed it, because that was the only way human beings could have the gift of freedom of choice.

For example, a son or daughter may rebel against good parents and go out into the world and live a life of sin. They may have children. They may even choose to abuse those children. This is not fair, yet it happens when people make wrong choices. A loving parent or grandparent would want to rescue the abused children. And God longs to do the same. This is why Jesus came to this earth. He came to live a perfect life and die a death that would bring the opportunity of salvation to all people. Although evil things may happen on this earth, Jesus has the ultimate rescue plan that He has put into action to save eternally everyone who accepts the reality of His love and pardon. Suffering is not forever. The perfect peace and joy of living with Christ forever is just around the corner.

What is the Wrath of God That Will Be Poured Out in the Last Days?

The Bible explains God’s wrath as allowing human beings to choose to separate themselves from God if they so desire. When the Bible speaks about God’s wrath, it does not mean that God is vindictive or retaliatory. God is love, and He wants everyone to be saved. But He allows men and women to go their own way if they insist on doing so. God says, “ My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water” (Jeremiah 2:13, NIV). Many people have rejected the joy of living with Jesus. They have chosen other lifeless things to fill their lives. Instead of living water, they have chosen to make their own wells that don’t even hold water or happiness. It is their choice and they have used their freedom of choice to reject the eternal life that God offers and, instead, try to find life and fulfillment in other worthless sources.

Sadly, God’s wrath is the inevitable consequence that comes to those who choose to separate themselves from Him. God does not want to give up any of His children to destruction. He says with so much yearning, “How shall I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? … My heart churns within Me; my sympathy is stirred” (Hosea 11:8, NKJV). The Lord longs with all His heart to see everyone eternally saved. “‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11, NKJV). God continually calls out to those who reject him to return, and it hurts His heart so much when they don’t. (Source: bibleinfo.com)

Revelation 14:14-15

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.

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.

Revelation 14:14–15 — Meaning and Context

Revelation 14:14–15 describes a climactic moment in the Book of Revelation, where God’s final judgment is about to be executed. The vision unfolds in the heavenly realm, with the glorified Son of Man (Jesus) seated on a cloud, symbolizing His divine authority and sovereignty Bible Hub.

14:14 — The angel sees the Son of Man with a golden crown and a sharp sickle in His hand. The sickle is a harvesting tool, representing the authority to separate the righteous from the wicked at the end of the age Bible Hub.

14:15 — Another angel comes from the temple (God’s dwelling place) and calls out to the Son of Man: “Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is fully ripe” godsbless.ing+1. This is not a metaphorical suggestion but a divine command, marking the precise moment when God’s plan for humanity’s final judgment is set in motion.

Key Symbolism

• Sickle: Represents Christ’s judgment, as in Joel 3:13 and Matthew 13:30, separating the wheat (righteous) from the chaff (wicked) Bible Hub.

• Harvest of the earth: Signifies the culmination of God’s plan, where all people’s deeds—good and evil—will be judged godsbless.ing+1.

• Ripe: Indicates that sin and iniquity have reached their full measure, and God’s patience has ended Bible Hub.

• Cloud: Symbolizes divine glory and authority, showing Christ’s sovereign control over the judgment Bible Hub.

Theological Significance

This passage is part of a sequence of heavenly proclamations in Revelation 14, which include:

• An angel preaching the gospel (v. 6–7)

• A warning against Babylon (v. 8)

• A call to judgment against those who follow the beast (v. 9–11) StudyLight.org+1

The “reaping” in 14:15 is the final step in God’s victory over evil, sealing the fate of the righteous and the wicked. It is a moment of urgency and finality, showing that God’s timing is precise and that no one can delay His judgment Bible Hub.

In summary: Revelation 14:14–15 portrays the divine command for Christ to execute the final judgment, using the imagery of harvest to depict the separation of the righteous and the wicked at the end of the age. It is a solemn, authoritative moment in God’s plan, underscoring His sovereignty and the inevitability of His judgment.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Have a blessed day!

 

If God is in Control...(part five)

 Why does He Kill Sinners?

Does God send calamities to kill sinners? 

Some mistakenly think that God always sends calamities to punish sinners. This is not true. Jesus commented on acts of violence and natural calamities that happened in His day. The Bible says, "There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:1-5).

These things happened because, in a world of sin, there are calamities and atrocities that take place that would not happen in a perfect world. It does not mean that everyone who dies in such calamities is a sinner nor does it mean that God causes the calamity. Sadly, it is often the innocent that suffer the consequences of living in this world of sin. But God does not send these calamities. Satan is the one who sends them.

But Didn't God Destroy Wicked Cities Like Sodom and Gomorrah?

Yes. In past times, God has brought judgment upon the wicked as He did in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible says, “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7, NKJV). The destruction of these wicked cities was an example of the judgments that will come upon the whole world at the end of time as a result of sin. This is a warning for us today, but it does not necessarily mean that when an earthquake or a tornado or a tsunami strikes that God is pouring out His wrath in judgment upon cities like New York, New Orleans, or Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We live in a sinful world and disasters can strike at any time.

Some have suggested that natural disasters are perhaps the beginning of God’s final judgments upon the wicked. One should not rule out the possibility that sinners are receiving the consequences of their rebellion against God, but we cannot correlate particular disasters with divine retribution against specific sinners or sins. As humans we simply don’t have enough information to make that judgment. Only God can make that judgment. These horrible events may well be simply the result of living in a world that has fallen so far from God’s ideal. Even if these disasters might be considered early warnings of God’s final judgment, none should conclude that all those who die in them are eternally lost. Jesus said that in the final judgment it would be more tolerable for some of those destroyed in Sodom, than for those who reject His invitation to salvation in cities that were not destroyed (see Luke 10:12-15).

(Source: bibleinfo.com)

13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Revelation 14:13 — Text and Meaning

The verse in the King James Version reads:
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." Bible Gateway

Verse in Other Translations

• NIV: “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’” Bible Hub

• ESV: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!’” Bible Hub

• NLT: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!’” Bible Hub

Context in Revelation

This verse appears in Revelation 14:6–13, where John records a vision of three angels proclaiming God’s message. The third angel’s message is a call to repentance, followed by a declaration of God’s judgment. In this context, Revelation 14:13 is a divine affirmation of blessing for those who die in faith — especially the tribulation martyrs — contrasting them with the wicked who will face eternal torment (Revelation 14:11) BibleRef.com.

Meaning and Interpretation

• “Die in the Lord” — This phrase identifies believers who have died in union with Christ, marking them as new creations in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). It implies a life lived in faith and obedience to God BibleRef.com.

• “Rest from their labours” — This is a promise of eternal rest, both in the sense of relief from earthly toil and in the sense of entering into God’s rest (Matthew 11:28–29). It is a contrast to the unrest of the wicked BibleRef.com.

• “Their works do follow them” — This suggests that God will reward the faithful for their deeds, both in this life and in eternity. It affirms the value of a life lived in service to God BibleRef.com.

In summary: Revelation 14:13 is a prophetic declaration that those who die in Christ are blessed, will enjoy eternal rest, and will be rewarded for their faithful works. It is a message of hope and encouragement for believers, especially those facing persecution.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Have a blessed day!