Revelation 14:15

Another angel (cf. Revelation 14:9) came out of the opened heavenly temple (cf. Revelation 11:19; Revelation 15:5) and announced that the time to judge those living on the earth had arrived. Three previous angels (Revelation 14:6-7; Revelation 14:9) announced that judgment was coming, and now this one conveyed the command to execute it without delay. The harvest was "ripe" (Gr. exeranthe). Some scholars take this word as describing an over-ripe harvest and others simply a ripe one. The earth-dwellers during this late stage in the Tribulation were ready for judgment (cf. Revelation 19:11-21). Some believe that this is a judgment of believers. [Note: E.g., Alford, 4:691-92; et al.] But this runs counter to the context (Revelation 14:1-5; Revelation 14:12-13), which is a judgment of unbelievers (cf. Joel 3:13).

"The harvest is an OT figure used for divine judgment (Hosea 6:11; Joel 3:13), especially on Babylon (Jeremiah 51:33). Jesus also likens the final judgment to the harvest of the earth (Matthew 13:30; Matthew 13:39)." [Note: Johnson, p. 543.]