Rev 14:18-20 | RWP | e4.org | Another angel ( αλλος αγγελος ). The fifth angel above Swete terms "the Angel of vengeance." He responds to the call of the sixth angel here as Christ does to the call of the fourth angel in verse . Out from the altar ( εκ του θυσιαστηριου ). From the altar of incense where he is in charge of the fire ( εξουσιαν επ του πυρος ). If it is the altar of burnt offering ( ; ), we are reminded of the blood of the martyrs (Swete), but if the altar of incense ( , ; ; ), then of the prayers of the saints. The sharp sickle ( το δρεπανον το οξυ ). Useful for vintage as for harvesting. So "send forth" ( πεμψον ) as in verse . Gather ( τρυγησον ). First aorist active imperative of τρυγαω , old verb (from τρυγη dryness, ripeness), in N.T. only . and . The clusters ( τους βοτρυας ). Old word βοτρυς , here only in N.T. ( ). Her grapes ( α σταφυλα αυτης ). Old word again for grapes, bunch of grapes, in N.T. only here, ; . Are fully ripe ( ηκμασαν ). Old and common verb (from ακμη , ), to come to maturity, to reach its acme, here only in N.T.

‏ Revelation of John 14:18-20

Another angel ( αλλος αγγελος ). The fifth angel above Swete terms "the Angel of vengeance." He responds to the call of the sixth angel here as Christ does to the call of the fourth angel in verse 15.

Out from the altar ( εκ του θυσιαστηριου ). From the altar of incense where he is in charge of the fire ( εξουσιαν επ του πυρος ). If it is the altar of burnt offering (6:9; 11:1), we are reminded of the blood of the martyrs (Swete), but if the altar of incense (8:3, 5; 9:13; 16:7), then of the prayers of the saints.

The sharp sickle ( το δρεπανον το οξυ ). Useful for vintage as for harvesting. So "send forth" ( πεμψον ) as in verse 15.

Gather ( τρυγησον ). First aorist active imperative of τρυγαω, old verb (from τρυγη dryness, ripeness), in N.T. only Re 15:18f. and Lu 6:44.

The clusters ( τους βοτρυας ). Old word βοτρυς, here only in N.T. (Ge 40:10).

Her grapes ( α σταφυλα αυτης ). Old word again for grapes, bunch of grapes, in N.T. only here, Mt 7:16; Lu 6:44.

Are fully ripe ( ηκμασαν ). Old and common verb (from ακμη, Mt 15:16), to come to maturity, to reach its acme, here only in N.T.

Cast ( εβαλεν ). As in verse 16.

Gathered ( ετρυγησεν ). Like εθερισθη in verse 16, in obedience to the instructions in verse 18 ( τρυγησον ).

The vintage of the earth ( την αμπελον της γης ). "The vine of the earth." Here αμπελος is used for the enemies of Christ collectively pictured.

And cast it ( εβαλεν ). Repeating εβαλεν and referring to αμπελον (vintage) just before.

Into the winepress the great winepress ( εις την ληνον τον μεγαν ). Ληνος is either feminine as in verse 20; 19:15, or masculine sometimes in ancient Greek. Here we have both genders, a solecism frequent in the Apocalypse (21:14 το τειχος εχων ). See Mt 21:33. For this metaphor of God s wrath see 14:10; 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19; 19:15.

Was trodden ( επατηθη ). First aorist passive indicative of πατεω, to tread. The image of treading out the grapes is a familiar one in the East. Perhaps Isa 63:3 is in mind.

Without the city ( εξωθεν της πολεως ). Ablative case with εξωθεν (like εξω ). This was the usual place (Heb 13:12). See εξωθεν in 11:2. Joel (Joe 3:12) pictures the valley of Jehoshaphat as the place of the slaughter of God's enemies. Cf. Zec 14:4.

Blood from the winepress ( αιμα εκ της ληνου ). Bold imagery suggested by the colour of the grapes.

Unto the bridles ( αχρ των χαλινων ). Old word (from χαλαω to slacken), in N.T. only here and Jas 3:3. Bold picture.

As far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs ( απο σταδιων χιλιων εξακοσιων ). A peculiar use of απο, for "distance from (of)" as also in Joh 11:18; 21:8, somewhat like the use of προ in Joh 12:1. The distance itself covers the length of Palestine, but it is more likely that "the metaphor is worked out with the exuberance of apocalyptic symbolism" (Swete) for the whole earth.