Grapes of Wrath

Jesus will Return, with the Certain, Sudden, and Swift Sickle of Judgment.

The sickle of justice will be sure, sudden, and swift.

Mark 13:26 NASB95

“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

Mark 14:62 NASB95

And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Clouds depict the glory of God. God reveals HIs glory in the presence of His power of protection. In the OT, the cloud of God’s glory reminded His people that His presence would provide and guide them in His power.

Exodus 13:21 NASB95

The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

When we focus on the presence of God, He will guide and provide us with the power to walk in His paths of righteous. Those who reject the glory of God stumble in the darkness of rebellion waiting for the wrath of God to be revealed against all unrighteousness.

Romans 1:18 NASB95

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

The phrase “Son of Man” refers to a chosen human, who is somehow also divine. In Daniel and Ezekiel we are taught that this Hebrew idiom refers to the humanity of a person. Jesus uses the title “Son of Man” to refer to His human qualities, while at the same time, He points to His incarnation. God became man to die for the sins of humanity. Daniel 7:3 Prophesies that a glorious divine, exalted Man, who alone receives the right to rule will ride on a cloud, out of heaven, and restore God’s kingdom to its perfection.

Jesus will return wearing a crown of victory, triumphant over His enemies, with the sharp sickle of swift justice in His hand.

Philippians 2:6–11 NASB95

who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Galatians 4:4–5 NASB95

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Just as Jesus came as a lamb in manger and was received back into heaven on a cloud, Jesus will return a Conquering Lion King to judge the humanity of her iniquity.

Jesus came to seek and save and he will return to judge.

The Reaper knows the hour of the harvest is certain.

Genesis 15:16 NASB95

“Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”

Daniel 8:23 NASB95

“In the latter period of their rule, When the transgressors have run their course, A king will arise, Insolent and skilled in intrigue.

1 Thessalonians 2:15–16 NASB95

who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.

Jesus came the first time humble meek and mild.

God has an appointed time for judgment to be revealed from heaven. God’s judgment on sin is sure. God’s wrath against iniquity is certain.

Joel 3:12–13 NASB95

Let the nations be aroused And come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat, For there I will sit to judge All the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the wine press is full; The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.

The judgment of unbelievers is certain.

The hour of reaping will come sudden.

Mark 13:32 NASB95

“But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

John 5:30 NASB95

“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

The rapid fire pouring out of the bowls of judgment, in chapter 15–16, mark the final reaping of the earth. the last hope of bringing sinners to repentance fades. but no repentance means no forgiveness. The grain has passed the point of harvest.

The hour of reaping will be swift.

Jesus came the first time sowing the seed of Salvation, because the wrath of God was set against the iniquity of wickedness.

Jesus will Return, with Severe Judgment Against All Unrighteousness.

Jesus will Trample the Juices of Injustice into the Wine of God’s Wrath.

This marks the battle of Armageddon, described in chapters 16 and 19. the battle of Armageddon is the war to end all wars. It is the slaughter of the wicked unrepentant unbelieving rebellious followers of Satan.

Love meets grace at the cross of Christ and the wrath of God is satisfied.

In the end, everyone stands accountable for wickedness. You either choice to stand in the grace of Christ washed in the blood of HIs righteousness, or you stand alone trampled underfoot by the wrath of God.

The fear of the horror of God’s wrath should move us to share the eternal gospel.

God is eternal and therefore His righteous judgment must be eternal.

While we are on the earth we will see wickedness end. Those who suffer God’s wrath in the world to come will His wrath end. Trust God today and resist the devil, and you can rest in the future.

Reject God today and suffer with satan for eternity.

The king, who degreed justice in His kingdom.