Summary: The authority God has given Jesus Christ to literally (and physically) judge and punish those who turn away from the Father now begins to show. Jesus is no longer the sacrificial lamb, but acts in righteousness with unmerciful authority.

Trampling the Winepress

Revelation, Part 23, Revelation 14:17-20

Introduction

- On His head is golden crown: signifying royalty and authority

- In His hand: a Sickle which has only one use: to harvest

-- Think of Jesus stepping to the edge of Heaven to reap what is His!

- An angel comes out of the temple and tells Him ………. to harvest!

-- This angel, I believe, is the one providing instruction to Jesus from Father

- All this time, 33AD to now – Jesus has waited to Harvest those who:

1. Have followed Him faithfully

2. Have worshipped Him unconditionally

3. Have given Him all the glory that he deserves

- Knowing what was before Him (the cross) and the command to reap …

-- He still knowing, willingly, lovingly offered Himself for your sin

-- No one needs Jesus more today than you and I; and those we see outside

-- Will you be among those? Will you be reaped for Christ or Satan?

- One thing is certain, is that nothing can escape the eyes of our Lord

-- We will be harvested either by the Lord of all creation (Jesus)

-- Or, by the Lord of this Earth (Satan)

-- The choice of who you will be reaped by is yours completely

- Read Revelation 14:17-20

Ω Point 1 – Judgment Angels

- This second angel that comes from the temple is heralding

-- Message is to Jesus Christ that the time to reap the harvest is upon us!

- The earth in its current state is beginning to rot and something must happen

-- It is time for Jesus to reap and remove those faithful to Him

-- Mankind is in such rebellion, it is important to see that the proclaiming of the Gospel is done by angels during this time, not by man

-- APP: But … God’s Word is still being proclaimed!

- Remember that men and women are being killed off left and right

-- These are martyrs for their faith, those who refuse the mark

-- Angels are proclaiming that the time is now to remove them

- These angels have a very important role

-- They are the ones who reap the Earth for not only God’s children

-- But also for those who have gone against the Gospel of Jesus Christ

- John is not only seeing the harvesting of the faithful

-- He is also seeing a glimpse of the harvesting of the unfaithful

-- These will be judged at the Great White Throne (Rev 20)

- How does this match up to your life? Are you ready to be reaped?

-- Are you ready to be taken up by the Son of Man now or later?

-- This is not only a message for tomorrow – but for TODAY as well!

- TRANS: Let’s examine a bit exactly what judgment means

Ω Point 2 – Harvest of the Vine

- Remember that God uses angels to get His work done as well

-- These angels are in heaven today, waiting for the Word to do their job

-- They have one purpose: to follow God without delay

- Matthew speaks very clearly about these angels:

-- Matthew 13:41-43 says “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

-- Matthew 24:31 says, “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

-- APP: This is for the church today!

-- We have to listen, we have to obey, and if we don’t we need to repent

- Remember that in heaven, right now, are these angels waiting to act

-- We have no time to waste for we will never know when they’ll be sent

- Understand that this Earth will be judged, it will pass away

-- God will use Israel to judge this entire planet

-- All nations on this Earth will seek out Israel for their own benefit

- The winepress is the literal (physical) judgment of God upon all nations

-- AND … this applies especially to those who come against Israel

- Challenge: Today, you may not come against this nation that you know of, but let me challenge you: Are you paying attention to the news?

-- Do you know what is going on in Israel?

-- Do you know of the proposed peace plan with Palestine?

-- Do you know how the US is trying to continue being on their side?

-- Or, is it just another world away to you?

-- APP: Our own failure to understand, or support, or pray for this nation is choosing to turn your back on them – this is who God will judge.

- IMP: It is VERY important that we understand our place in this.

Ω Point 3 – Jesus’ Authority

- A winepress is used to squish the juice from the grapes

-- In this same method, will God extract from this world his vengeance!

-- Vengeance for those who stand against Israel

- Verse 20 talks about a “city”, and this city is God’s holy city of Jerusalem

-- Judgment comes in the form of Jesus Christ, and Rev 19:15 covers this

-- Revelation 19:15 says “Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

- The one treading (or walking on top of) the winepress is Jesus Christ

-- APP: All nations shall be pressed under his wrath and authority

- A stadia (or furlong) are both a measurement of distance

-- 16,000 stadia measures about 181 miles in length Ω

-- Interestingly enough: 181 miles is the exact length of Israel from North to South! (The blood will flow enough to cover the nation of Israel, up to a horses bridal (about 4 feet) height!)

- This is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (righteous and (IMP) merciless)

-- Make no mistake: He shall no longer be the sacrificial lamb

-- He is the one promised to judge the living and the dead

- APP: If we are not ready to meet the Lamb right now, then we are not worthy to serve with the Lion – this is OUR second application for tonight

- In order to be one who serves with the Lion during this time of tribulation, we have to humble ourselves before the Lamb today.

- As Jesus tramples on the winepress, look at the specific word use of what spills out. (Blood) (“Without the shedding of blood …” – payment)

-- This is the blood of those who come against the Lamb and His nation

-- They are receiving their due judgment

- APP: This is how many will die as they come against the Lord’s army

-- Which side will you choose?

Ω Big Ideas

- Do you see the authority God has given Him?

-- Do you understand the depths of His power?

-- Through Jesus I am just beginning to see fully His authority and majesty

- Our application is simple: repent and serve the Lord, or …

-- Be crushed in the winepress of God’s judgment – it really is that simple

- Pray