The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

at the Second Advent is plainly taught in several parables in which He is represented as
the "Lord of the harvest," or the Chief Reaper.--Matt. 13:30.
The fact that the vision represents Him as being seated on a "cloud," reminds us of the fact
that when He went away, a cloud received Him out of the disciples' sight (Acts 1:9); and
also of the words of chapter 1 describing the manner of His return: "Behold, He cometh
with clouds." (Rev. 1:7.) That the cloud in this latter instance, as also the one of this vision,
is a symbol, is quite generally understood. The peculiar symbolical manner in which the
events of all the visions of the Revelation are portrayed proves this. Clouds are quite
frequently employed in the Scriptures as symbols. In Isa. 19:1, Jehovah is represented as
riding on "a swift cloud." This represents the distress and troubles incidental to the
overthrow of the Egyptian government and its idols; the various agencies used being
represented as under Jehovah's leadership or providence. (See also Psa. 104:3; 97:2; Joel
2:2.) In the vision we are considering, however, it is a white cloud. This would seem to
indicate a work of judgment, bringing blessing, rather than that of judgment troubles--a
work that is to be accomplished under the direction of Christ, the Son of Man.
The sickle is suggestive of harvest time and harvest work. In this instance it doubtless
represents what is generally termed, Harvest Truth. The golden crown symbolizes the
Divine nature and authority of the kingly Reaper. The vision describes in a general way
the work of gathering the ripe fruitage of the Gospel Age--the saints, who are to be united
to Christ as His Bride. This is briefly but very comprehensively described in the symbolic
words: "And He that sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth; and the earth was
reaped."--Rev. 14:16.
Mr. Barnes, commenting on the expression, "Son of Man," says:
"It is probable that there is here a designed reference to the passage in Daniel [7]. The
meaning is, that one appeared on the cloud in a human form, whom John at once
recognized as He to whom the appellation of 'the Son of Man' peculiarly belonged--the
Lord Jesus. The meaning of that term had not been fixed in the time of Daniel (7:13);
subsequently it was appropriated by the Savior, and was the favorite term by which He
chose to speak of Himself. (Matt. 8:20; 9:6; 11:19; 12:8,32,40.)"
In regard to the golden crown on His head, this commentator says that this is "appropriate
to Him as King. It was mainly in virtue of His kingly power and office that the work was
to be done which John is now about to describe." Commenting on the words of the angel
addressing Christ, "For the time is come for Thee to reap," we have these words:
"That is, 'the harvest which Thou art to reap is ripe; the seed which Thou hast sown has
grown up; the earth which Thou hast cultivated has produced this golden grain, and it is
fit that Thou shouldst now gather it in.' This language is appropriately addressed to the
Son of God, for all the fruits of righteousness on the earth may be regarded as the result of
His culture."