Verse 12-13
"...Here is the patience of the saints..."
A picture is seen here which portrays an opposite future for the saints who remain faithful. Those who persevere in the great tribulation, even to death, will find a rest for their souls, which those who submit to the Beast will never know. These are a group of individuals who labor for their Lord under very adverse conditions. These conditions, along with persecutions, make their lives extremely difficult to remain faithful to God; but that is exactly what they do.
Verse 14-15
"...One like unto the Son of man..."
This phrase is used frequently in both the Old and New Testaments and was previously used in the Book of Revelation in {Rev. 1:13}, in connection with the appearance of Jesus in the first vision of the book.
It is also used in {Dan. 7:13} in connection with the "Ancient of days" (God, the Father) bestowing power, authority and kingship, upon His Son. In the New Testament, Jesus frequently referred to Himself as, "the Son of Man", an obvious reference that He was the one to which the prophets pointed, when alluding to this title.
Throughout chapter 14, we see the phrase, "... another angel..." used repeatedly. When we get to the one sitting upon the cloud however, the phrase, "One like unto the Son of man..." is used, distinguishing Him from all others in this chapter.
In the parable of the sower (Matt. 13) the angels are identified as the reapers, or those which gather the crops. Here in chapter 14, the "one like unto the Son of Man", having the sickle, represents the other part of that process.
Once the wheat has fully ripened, and is no longer is dependant upon the earth for its developement, the one with the sickle severs it from the earth, and His angels go forth and gather together the sheafs of grain, to bring them into the harvester's storehouse.
The harvesting of the righteous is accomplished by the Son of God and His holy angels. The harvesting of the wicked, on the other hand, is accomplished by another angel, who cuts off the wicked in the fullness of their sin.
"...her grapes are fully ripe..."
The harvest spoken of here, is the direct results of the gospel being proclaimed to every nation and people, as stated in verse 6. It is also in full agreement with Matt. 24:14 which states,
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all the nations, and then shall the end come."
When the preaching of the gospel to all nations has been accomplished, then the Judgment of the same nations (Matt. 25:31) will be initiated.
Biblically speaking, in the land of Israel, there are three times of harvest: twice in the Spring, celebrated by the "Feast of Firstfruits" {Lev. 23:10-11} and the "Feast of In-gatherings, or Weeks" {Lev. 23:16}. The final, great harvest, occurs during the months of the Fall season, after the summer growth is completed.
On the Jewish calendar, this period of final harvest begins with the 1st day of Tishri (usually in September of October). This day, is also the day of the feast or Festival of Trumpets, in which it is also believed that the {last trumpet} will sound, and the resurrection and judgment of the dead will take place.
In the Christians understanding the Feast of Firstfruits was fulfilled with the resurrection of Jesus. The Feast of In-gatherings, or Weeks, is identical with the Day of Pentacost (fifty days after firstfruits), which day resulted in the ingathering of 3,000 of the children of Israel {Acts 2:40-41}.
This day is also regarded, among many jewish people, as the anniversary of the day when Moses brought down the law from Mount Sinai, after which 3,000 were killed for worshipping the golden calf. As it has been aptly stated: "the law kills, but grace brings life".
The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanna), opening the Fall season, is reckoned to be identical to the sounding of the last trumpet, when the deceased saints will be resurrected and caught up together (raptured) with the living Church to heaven. This will be the actual beginning of the final harvesting of the earth, and is believed by many to be the event which initiates the seven years of tribulation in th earth.
The reaping of Chapter 14 appears to deal with the final days of the Fall harvest. The phrase, "...the harvest of the earth is ripe..." speaks to a two part gathering of the produce of the earth. The first harvesting (verses 14-16) is of the righteous, and seems to point to both {Matt. 24:30-31 and Matt. 25:31-32}. The second harvesting, of the wicked, can be identified as occuring in Matt. 25:41-46. Both events appear to be associated with the Judgment of the Nations, after the Revelation of Jesus.
At the Judgment of Nations, it's clear that the righteous receive the kingdom prepared for them first; then the wicked are removed from their presence. This is also the order set forth here in chapter 14.
Verses 17-20
In Matt. 13:24-30, Jesus told His disciples, the parable of the sower. In opening His explanation in verses {36-43}, He identified Himself as the Son of Man, and as the sower. He further stated that, "...the reapers are the angels..." and that they shall gather out of His kingdom, "...all things that offend..."
This parable is in full agreement with what we see in Rev. 14:17-20, where after the righteous are given the kingdom (verses 14-16), the wicked are then removed from it. It is evident, from the context of Scripture, that the wicked shall see the righteous take possession of the kingdom, before they are removed from it.
"...the wine press was trodden without the city..."
Verse 20 points to the immense slaughter of those who, have been judged as wicked at the Judgment of Nations. The Lord will show no mercy at all to those who have set their faces to fight against Him. Their death sentences however, will not be enacted within the city redeemed by the Prince of Peace, but rather outside of its borders, and more properly, at the lake of fire which will be covered in chapter 20. A horrendous day to behold!