The Two Harvests

Revelation 14

Story to read: The Two Harvests
Bible: Revelation 14

1. Sorting

Bring a bowl of mixed things — buttons and coins, two colours of pasta — and have the group sort them quickly.

Sorting is not cruelty. It is just telling what is what. Chapter 14 is a sorting chapter.

2. Back to God’s army

After chapter 13, which was heavy going, chapter 14 opens with relief: the Lamb is standing on Mount Zion, and 144,000 are with him — the same army as chapter 7.

And they are singing. A new song that only they can learn.

3. Their secret weapon

Ask what the group thinks the secret weapon is. Guesses will involve strength or cleverness.

It is neither. It is that they stayed faithful. They kept trusting Jesus and never pretended not to know him.

That is it. That is the whole weapon. It is available to everybody in the room, which is rather the point.

4. Three angels

Then three angels fly over with three announcements:

• the first has good news for every nation — the offer is still open, to everyone
• the second says Babylon is fallen — the great fake city is finished
• the third gives a serious warning about following the beast

Notice the order. The good news comes first. The warning is real, but the invitation is what leads.

5. Two harvests

Then the harvest, and it comes in two parts, which is why the chapter matters.

The first is a gathering-in. People brought home to be with Jesus — some of them, quite possibly, because they watched somebody like you stay faithful when it was awkward.

The second is a winepress. Those who wanted nothing to do with Jesus’ blood being given for them find that there is no other way this can end.

Say it plainly and without relish: this is the sad half, and Revelation does not enjoy it either.

6. Why two?

Because faith is a real choice, and real choices have real outcomes. If nothing at all depended on it, it would not be a choice — it would be a game.

God has spent fourteen chapters inviting, warning, sealing, protecting and announcing good news to every nation on earth. Nobody arrives at the winepress by accident.

Memory verse: “Here is the patient endurance of the saints who keep God’s commands and remain faithful to Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12)

Look for yourself

Two quiet minutes. Nobody has to say anything out loud.

There is a song here that only one group can learn, and they can learn it because of what they have been through with Jesus.

Listen for it. What do you think it is about? Is it loud or quiet? Fast or slow?

Now look at the two fields waiting to be harvested. Which one are you standing in?

Who is standing there with you — and is there anybody you would like to fetch across?

7. Prayer

Jesus, thank you that staying faithful is enough — that we don’t have to be clever or strong. Thank you that the good news goes to everyone first. Help us to be the kind of example someone else gets gathered in behind. Amen.

Appendix: Ideas for leaders

Opening activity: The sorting bowl. Keep it quick and matter-of-fact.

Craft idea: A sheaf of paper wheat. Each child writes on one stalk the name of somebody they would like to see gathered in — and takes it home to pray for them.

Questions:

1. Why do you think the only weapon mentioned is staying faithful?
2. Why does the good news get announced before the warning?
3. Who might be watching you and learning something?

Song suggestions: A song about faithfulness; a joyful one, since the chapter opens with singing.

Prep note: The winepress imagery is strong. Read section 5 in a level voice, do not dramatise it, and move promptly to section 6, which is where the meaning is.