Revelation Chapter 14
VERSE 17-19 “Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” So, the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.”
VERSE 20 continued “And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.”
The “winepress” represents dire circumstances and troublesome conditions which will arise under Divine Providence to constrict the liberties, influence, and popularity of the worldly Church, eventually crushing within its confines all false systems of worship. The expression “outside the city” denotes a place of opprobrium and shame (Lev. 14:34, 40).
Blood issuing forth from the winepress is the manifestation of retributive judgment avenging the former spilled blood of the saints (Rev. 6:10). The ensuing bloodbath will reach within the winepress unto the horses’ (See # 1) bridles (See # 2). This symbolism indicates that those of the glorified Church, pictured riding on horses elsewhere in the Apocalypse, will share with their Lord in the treading of the winepress (Rev. 19:14, 19, 20). The same theme is revealed in Isa 21:7 and also in Dan 2:34, where the Kingdom class (pictured as a stone cut out without hands) is seen to smite the great image upon its clay-iron feet.
Although Verse 20 does not specifically state who will tread the winepress without the city, it is strongly implied that the angel of Verse 19 (the true Church) is a participant. (See # 3)
As we saw in our previous post brethren appear to differ on the three angels mentioned here, obviously here Brother Shallieu believes the angel of Verse 17 and 19 (Angel # 5) pictures the true Church (glorified), whereas other brethren believe Angel # 5 depicts the Great Multitude. As stated, this angel (if the latter be correct) does not tread the winepress, but he does throw the grapes in to be trodden.
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1. Translators are in unanimous agreement that the Greek word for horse (hippos) is in the plural form, which contradicts the Common Version rendering in the singular. Moreover, the Sinaitic rendering is in the plural.
2. The term “horses’ bridles” could almost equally be translated “horses’ bits” without serious alteration of the symbolism, but “horses’ bits” seems preferable, signifying having something, as it were, up to the teeth. (Rotherham renders this word “bits” in the text.) A “bit” is the metallic mouthpiece of a bridle, to which the reins are fastened.
3. At first Isa 63:1–6 seems to contradict the thought of the true Church’s participation in treading the winepress. However, the garments dyed with blood and the use of the personal pronoun indicate that Jesus assumes full responsibility for the action taken and for his leadership role. Verses 3 and 5, “of the people there was none with me” and “there was none to help,” refer to the indifference and apathy of the world at large down here as far as initiating the divine decree— apathy, that is, until self-interest and the curtailment of former liberties of the public arouse them to action in this direction.
Continued with next post.
