Devine Scripture

Revelation 14:14

What does Revelation 14:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 14:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 14:14 means

John sees a white cloud, and seated upon it one like unto a son of man, wearing a golden crown and holding a sharp sickle. The imagery presents the Messiah as both King and Harvester. The crown signals rightful rule; the sickle, readiness to judge and gather. The cloud links to divine presence and authority. This is Christ depicted as the Lord of the harvest, poised to act at the appointed time. The scene assures believers that history’s end will not be chaotic but governed by the Son of Man who once suffered and now reigns. His reaping will be righteous, neither premature nor delayed.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I saw, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloudI sawone sitting like unto a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I saw, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloudI sawone sitting like unto a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I saw a white cloud, and on the cloud I saw one seated, like a son of man, having on his head a crown of gold, and in his hand a sharp curved blade.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I saw, and lo, a white cloud, and upon the cloud <FI>one<Fi> sitting like to a son of man, having upon his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I saw: and behold a white cloud and upon the cloud one sitting like to the Son of man, having on his head a crown of gold and in his hand a sharp sickle.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I saw, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud one sitting like [the] Son of man, having upon his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Context

This vision inaugurates the chapter’s closing section, moving from exhortation and blessing (verses 12–13) to symbolic action. The figure like a son of man recalls earlier Christ-centered visions and signals that the coming harvest is under His authority. Verse 15 will introduce an angel from the temple urging that the time to reap has come, highlighting divine timing. Verse 16 will record the act of reaping. A second, distinct harvest will then begin in verses 17–20, focused on the vintage of wrath, distinguishing between a gathering to salvation and a gathering to judgment.

v.13And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.

v.14This passage

v.15And another angel came out from the temple, crying with a great voice to him that sat on the cloud, Send forth thy sickle, and reap: for the hour to reap is come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 13:30

    Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.

  • Revelation 10:1

    And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire;

  • Revelation 11:17

    saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art and who wast; because thou hast taken thy great power, and didst reign.

  • Joel 3:12

    Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the nations round about.

  • Daniel 7:13

    I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

  • Hebrews 2:9

    But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man.

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