John saw someone like a son of man seated on a white cloud. This one had a golden crown (stéphanos, commonly designating a victory wreath) on his head and a sharp sickle in his right hand. An angel then came out of the heavenly sanctuary, evidently to convey the Father’s message to his Son. That message was for him to use his sickle to reap, for earth’s crop was then ripe. The one seated on the cloud then harvested the earth with his sickle. (14:14-16)
This picture appears to relate to the time of Jesus Christ’s return in glory, which is elsewhere in the Scriptures referred to as his coming on the clouds. (Daniel 7:13; Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27) His crown seemingly identifies him as the one who had conquered the world. This particular harvest apparently relates to the gathering of the “elect,” the faithful servants of God and devoted disciples of Jesus Christ, who will then receive their heavenly reward. (Matthew 24:31, 40-42; Luke 17:34-37) That the announcement respecting the time for this to commence is portrayed as being conveyed to the Son of God harmonizes with his words, “Of that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” (Mark 13:32)