Revelation 14 17

Revelation 14:17 kjv

And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

Revelation 14:17 nkjv

Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

Revelation 14:17 niv

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

Revelation 14:17 esv

Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.

Revelation 14:17 nlt

After that, another angel came from the Temple in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle.

Revelation 14 verses

Revelation 14 17 Meaning

Revelation 14:17 introduces another angel in the unfolding sequence of final events, distinguished by his emergence directly from the "temple in heaven," signifying immediate divine commission and authority. This angel is also equipped with a sharp sickle, paralleling the tool used by the Son of Man in the preceding verses. His specific role is to initiate the "grape harvest" – a powerful metaphor for God's impending and severe judgment upon the wicked of the earth.

Revelation 14 17 Context

Revelation chapter 14 outlines a pivotal sequence of events immediately preceding the outpouring of God's final wrath. It begins with the triumphant vision of the Lamb on Mount Zion with the 144,000, then shifts to three angels proclaiming the eternal gospel, announcing Babylon's fall, and warning against worshipping the Beast and receiving its mark. Following these proclamations, the scene transitions to two distinct "harvests." The first harvest, executed by the Son of Man with a sharp sickle (Rev 14:14-16), is followed by this verse (14:17), which introduces another angel with a sharp sickle, signaling the beginning of the "vintage" – the second harvest. This second harvest specifically details the treading of the "winepress of the wrath of God" (Rev 14:18-20), representing the comprehensive and crushing judgment upon those who oppose God. The chapter culminates with a beatitude for those who die in the Lord, providing a stark contrast between the fate of the righteous and the wicked. Historically and culturally, the imagery of harvest, sickles, and winepresses was deeply understood by the original audience, who lived in an agrarian society, lending powerful meaning to these symbols of finality and judgment.

Revelation 14 17 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction connecting this angel's appearance and action to the preceding angelic proclamations and the Son of Man's harvest. It signifies a continuation and logical progression within the divine plan.
• another (ἄλλος - allos): Distinguishes this angel as different from those previously mentioned (Rev 14:6, 8, 9, 15), yet belonging to the same category or carrying out similar divine work. It's the fifth angel with a distinct message or task in this sequence.
• angel (ἄγγελος - aggelos): A divine messenger or agent, consistently depicted as God's instrument in judgment or revelation throughout Revelation. Here, a specific celestial being empowered to act.
• came out (ἐξῆλθεν - exelthen): Emphasizes a definitive emergence or dispatch, signifying divine commissioning and authority for the angel's task.
• of the temple (ἐκ τοῦ ναοῦ - ek tou naou): "Naos" (ναοῦ) refers to the inner sanctuary or holy of holies within a temple, the place of God's immediate presence. Its emergence from the "naos" highlights the direct, sacred, and authoritative source of this angel's mission—it proceeds directly from God's dwelling place, indicating divine will and holiness behind the impending judgment. This contrasts with "hieron," which refers to the temple complex as a whole.
• which is in heaven (τοῦ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ - tou en tō ouranō): Clarifies that this temple is not an earthly structure but the true, heavenly abode of God. This reinforces the divine and transcendent nature of the judgment's origin and ultimate authority. It underscores that God, from His throne in heaven, is directly orchestrating these final acts.
• he also having (ἔχων καὶ αὐτὸς - echōn kai autos): The Greek phrase "kai autos" (he himself also) places particular emphasis on this angel, explicitly linking him in function and possession of the sickle to the Son of Man in Rev 14:14. It creates a parallelism but also signals a distinction in the type of harvest, from the general "grain" to the specific "grapes of wrath."
• a sharp (ὀξύ - oxy): Describes the condition of the sickle. "Oxy" implies readiness, efficiency, and decisiveness. There will be no hesitation or inadequacy in the judgment that is to come. It highlights the severity and certainty.
• sickle (δρεπανὸν - drepanon): An agricultural tool used for reaping or cutting down. Biblically, the sickle serves as a potent metaphor for judgment or divine separation, signifying the gathering in (either of righteous or wicked) at the appointed time of the "harvest."

• "came out of the temple which is in heaven": This phrase emphasizes that the ensuing judgment is not a chaotic or arbitrary event but a directly ordained and authorized act from the very throne of God in His heavenly dwelling. It underlines God's ultimate sovereignty and justice.
• "he also having a sharp sickle": This specific phrasing highlights the direct connection to the "Son of Man" figure earlier in the chapter (Rev 14:14). It sets up the critical distinction between the "grain harvest" (potentially the gathering of the righteous or initial judgment) and the "grape harvest" of divine wrath, both initiated by heaven and executed with decisive power. The shared tool points to shared divine authority, even if different roles.

Revelation 14 17 Bonus section

The sequential appearance of angels throughout Revelation 14 is noteworthy, showcasing a progression from the universal proclamation of the gospel (v. 6) to explicit warnings (v. 8-11), culminating in the definitive judgments initiated in v. 14 and beyond. The angelic figures serve as direct executors of God's purposes, removing any doubt about the divine initiative of these end-time events. The imagery subtly differentiates God's ultimate harvest from mere human or earthly conflict; it is a meticulously ordered and righteous process directed from His throne, not chaotic or random. The consistency of the "sickle" as the implement reinforces that divine judgment is a reaping—a culmination of what has been sown, ensuring just retribution.

Revelation 14 17 Commentary

Revelation 14:17 marks a crucial transition from prophetic proclamation and initial judgment to the direct execution of God's fierce wrath. The appearance of "another angel" immediately following the first harvest (Rev 14:14-16) signifies a continuous, divinely ordained sequence. The key detail is the angel's origin "out of the temple which is in heaven." This is not just "from heaven" but specifically from the naos, the inner sanctuary. This detail elevates the divine authority and holiness of the impending judgment, establishing that the coming wrath flows directly from the presence of God Himself. It conveys the idea that judgment is an outflow of His perfect righteousness and holiness, a necessary response to persistent wickedness and defiance against His rule. The angel "also having a sharp sickle" links this event to the preceding harvest, indicating that while the agents might be different (Son of Man vs. an angel), the method of final separation and gathering—judgment—is consistent. The "sharpness" of the sickle reiterates that this is a swift, efficient, and complete operation, leaving no doubt about its efficacy. This verse thus prepares the stage for the climactic treading of the winepress of God's wrath, reinforcing the biblical theme that God's judgments are decisive, just, and executed according to His sovereign will.