The next set of events involving the four more angelic introductions occur in rapid succession. It is apparent that the events on earth parallel the events in heaven. As before, these events describe what is to occur in the last half of tribulation and in heaven.

The fourth angel and the sharp sickle

Revelation 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

This angel, as with the great angel in chapter 10, exhibits characteristics as the glorified Christ, showing his proximity to his throne. However, he is not the Son of man, as in the next verse, a fifth angel calls out to this one to use his sickle. The important point here is that this angel is sent directly from the throne of God to execute judgment.

The fifth angel calling out to the fourth to execute judgment. Ref Rev 11:19, the temple is open and judgment is pending

Revelation 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

Similar to what has already occurred, all of the judgments commence from the temple. An angel with the censor threw it with the fire from the alter. Here, the picture shows the angel emerging from the temple with his orders to engage his subordinates to commence the judgment for which they are prepared to execute.

The sixth angel is prepared to reap the wicked fruits of mankind.

Revelation 14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

The scene with the fourth and fifth angel is repeated again.

The seventh angel issues the order to execute judgment and gather the grapes

Revelation 14:18-20 18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had  power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

As mentioned above, the parallel between the events in heaven and earth are very evident here. This occurrence is at the end of tribulation, during Armageddon.  It is interesting to draw out the characteristic of this angel, which is unique to what we have seen thus far. He had power over fire. This is the element that God has reserved to use in destroying the old, and replacing it with the new earth and new Jerusalem. I am not sure what other significances are implied with this attribute.  In addition, the aerial description of this event is equivalent to 180 miles, from Megiddo to the region near Petra. In other words, Armageddon does not consist of a single location for the final war, but at least three points along this front.  The three areas will be defined later when we get to that chapter that actually describes the battle scene.

These events appear to be tied to the bowel judgments and Armageddon.