Revelation 14:14-16 (NKJV) Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like 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 who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
V14 “Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.” Clouds are associated with God depending on the context. Compare Revelation 10:1 (angel), Psalm 97:2 and Isaiah 19:1 (God), Luke 21:27 and Daniel 7:13 (Jesus), and false teachers (Jude 1:12). The one looking like the Son of Man is variously interpreted. The Son of Man is a Messianic title (Daniel 7:13).
“Interpreted to be a holy angel: Utley: “The same identity problems in chapters 6 and 10 apply to these verses. Is this a description of the divine Messiah (cf. Dan 7:13) or just another angel serving on His behalf? I think it is another powerful angel, because
- this is in a series of angels (cf. Rev 14:15; Rev 14:17-18)
- Mat 13:39; Mat 13:41-42; Mat 13:49-50 says that angels will gather and separate people at the end-time (some for blessing and some for judgment)
- an angel commands him (cf. Rev 14:15)”
Keathley: “And One sitting on the cloud was one like the Son of Man.” The sitter sits on the cloud like a throne, and he appears as a Son of Man. This is clearly a title of the Lord Jesus Christ and emphasizes the humanity of Christ as the One who came to die for man, but who, as the God-Man and King, would one day come to judge men as Man. The issue is when men reject Christ and His Word, they will face Him as Judge. Compare the words of Christ in John 5:22; John 5:27 with 12:46-48 and Acts 17:31. The harvest of the earth proceeds from the holiness of God who, in His perfect righteousness, must judge a Christ-rejecting world. The world will be reaped according to its own sowing.”
Personally, I believe this being to be a holy angel in service to God. Note, verse 15 “and another angel.” But, it is not clear.
Jesus doesn’t return until the end of the Tribulation (Zechariah 14).
In verse 15, the text says “another angel,” implying the first was an angel.
The text states “like” the Son of Man,” not the Son of Man.
V15 “And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” Judgment is ready. Compare Matthew 13:41-43. The earth is ripe refers to the sins of the world have gone beyond the patience of God.
V16 “So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.” Here is compliance to the command relayed from God to one angel who delivered it to another angel. Compare Joel 3:1-17.
We learn:
- God delights
- Holy angels have an important role in these judgments
- God’s patience has run out