Previous verse Next verse1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.
This is the same expression John uses in Revelation 4:1 in his first encounter with heaven. This implies that what he will describe is taking place in heaven.
The LAMB is such a contrast to the sea beast (Revelation 13:1) and the earth beast (Revelation 13:11). We sense a total change in the atmosphere is taking place in this verse.
This is the only place in the Revelation where ZION is used. The only other place where it is used in the New Testament is by Paul in Hebrews 12:18-29. Here, too, it has the heavenly qualities. The more I study the Revelation, the more I am convinced there is a heavenly reality (not fully experienced yet) and an earthly reality which actually is a subset of the heavenly reality. Thus, references in the Old Testament while referring to the city of Jerusalem also imply a foretaste of the heavenly ZION (e.g. Isaiah 59:20; Psalms 132:13-18; Psalms 2:4-6; Isaiah 2:2-4; Psalms 76:1-3).
The tendency is to equate these 144,000 with those in Revelation 7:1-4. If these are the same 144,000 then this verse shows that the SEAL (Revelation 7:2) really works (Revelation 7:4), and these Jews are kept through all the terrible times to sing a great song (next verse). Dake's Annotated Reference Bible indicates that these 144,000 really are the man-child which was taken up into heaven (Revelation 12:5).
However, these 144,000 may also be a different group which meet the criteria in verses 4 and 5. We naturally assume these must be adults but they could be children like Jesus explained in Matthew 18:1-14.
This verse confirms the overcomers at Philadelphia (Revelation 3:12). They also are the new Jerusalem occupants in Revelation 22:4.
The King James version omits HIS NAME (meaning Jesus' name) and only indicates the FATHER's NAME is written on their foreheads. The FATHER is 'dominant' in the triune GOD inasmuch Jesus calls the FATHER, "MY GOD", in John 20:17 .
One thing is clear: this is a special group with a special praise (verse 3) and their purity is overwhelming (verse 4).Previous verse Next verse2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.
This may be redundant as we have already established in the previous verse that this is taking place in heaven. Perhaps the sound is coming from another part of heaven.
On earth the audio spectrum is a very limited spectrum. Perhaps this is John's way of saying the frequency range is expanded on both ends. That is, the RUSHING WATERS expands the high frequencies and the LOUD PEALS of THUNDER expands the low frequencies.
Likewise on earth, sound requires a substance to travel through like air, water, or other solid material. Now if there is no substance in heaven which is likely since it is spiritual in nature, then this voice is communicating the song (next verse) by a totally unknown mechanism. This method of communications also is described in Revelation 1:15, Revelation 19:6, and Daniel 10:6.
God is a HAPPY God, and harps are instruments of JOY. When the LAMB shows up, a song breaks out (Psalms 40:2-3 and Ephesians 5:18-19)
Harps express the emotions one is going through. On the bright side, Psalms 33:1-3 and 1 Samuel 16:14-23 show a lifting emotion. On the cloudy side, Job 30:31 and Isaiah 24:1-8-13 show the silence of a harp is like 'mourning'.Previous verse Next verse3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
Previously, the 'NEW SONG' had words to it, but in this case there are no words. Yet the singers (some commentaries assume they are angels) are given a place near the center of heaven, the THRONE, and in the sight of the four living creatures and the (24) elders (Revelation 4:2,4).
In verse one, we suggested that these 144,000 could be children. Many faiths teach that children are heaven-bound if they die between conception and the "age of accountability". Since during this time, we adults have little recollection of that part of our life, how can we say what translation to heaven is (John 17:2) when one of these lives is snuffed out? In the "greatest in the kingdom of heaven" discussion (Matthew 18:1-14), Jesus uses a child as the example.
These 144,000 thousand, I believe, understand this experience very well. See next verse.
Recall that the breaking of the seals around the scroll (Revelation 5:1), is the start of the redemption process of the earth. This SONG indicates that from the beginning of life, the first fruits (next verse) carry a special distinction. To say the these little lives have NOT been REDEEMED contradicts the sanctity of life itself. Likewise, it is arrogant for adults collectively to say that because some have not been baptized or confirmed or in some other way 'been approved' by adults, these little ones cannot take their place in front of the THRONE.
I, for one, if I am not too involved in praising my Savior, want to communicate with one of these REDEEMED lives to see how Jesus' blood covered and translated them. I believe that is one of the mysteries of heaven that we adults will not or cannot ever learn. This verse says I won't.Previous verse Next verse4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb where he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.
This characteristic of the 144,000 is the most bothersome to interpret. If one interprets this literally, then probably only children would qualify.
If one interprets this symbolically, then
| defile | --> | cult prostitution as in Revelation 3:4 (cross-reference Revelation 2:14,20,22) |
| women | --> | man-made systems of religion (James 1:27; 1 Timothy 5:22; Hebrews 10:23) |
| PURE |
--> | spiritual purity (2 Corinthians 11:2-3) |
Being PURE is one of the most difficult of human endeavors. The force to replenish the earth (Genesis 1:28) was created into us. Thus, when false doctrines want to subvert a true believer (or these 144,000), they will attack the vulnerabilities with something like "forbidding marriage" (and allowing anything to go - 1 Timothy 4:3).
Contrast this with Hebrews 13:4.
Here we see a role reversal from John's "Good Shepherd" discussion in John 10:1-18 and John 21:22. There is a price to pay to follow (Matthew 16:24; John 12:26), and hence the use of "PURCHASED" in the next sentence in the verse.
Contrast this with following the MOTHER OF HARLOTS (Revelation 17:5)!
PURCHASED is past tense, so many scholars try to determine when they were purchased. Finis Jennings Dake implies that these are the first 144,000 in the early New Testament church who meet the requirements of this and the following verse.
In the Middle Ages, these 144,000 were thought to be priests.
However, FIRST-FRUITS are associated with reaping. Reaping has three
parts:
1. First Fruits - Leviticus
23:10
2.
Harvest
- Leviticus
23:22
3.
Gleaning
- Leviticus
23:22
Later in this chapter in verse 15 the harvest will take place. This implies that these 144,000 are FIRST-FRUITS after "the rapture" and within the Tribulation.
During the Church age, Christ is the FIRST-FRUIT (1 Corinthians 15:23). He was presented as such in the temple in Luke 2:23. But these 144,000 are post Church Age and thus have a song we cannot learn (previous verse).
An interesting observation (which does not have direct Scripture to support it):Previous verse Next verse5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
What a contrast to what we studied in Chapter 13!
A temple guard thumped Jesus when He was asked a question by the high priest. Jesus' response is interesting, "If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?" (John 18:23) The high priest apparently couldn't produce the witnesses. Here in this heavenly scene, the 144,000 did NOT lie, yet they had the whole throne room congregation as witnesses (verse 3).
You already are aware of what liars have waiting for them? Check out Revelation 21:8 and Revelation 22:15.
To be blameless doesn't mean these haven't sinned. What it does mean is that Someone else has taken the blame for them when they were redeemed (Philippians 2:12-18 and Jude 24-25).
That Someone is standing there with them (verse 1).
In the Old Testament, the prophet Zephaniah was shown this same group (Zephaniah 3:13).
Some day all believers will be able to stand blameless before the throne. WILL YOU BE STANDING THERE WITH ME?Previous verse Next verse6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth --- to every nation, tribe, language and people.
It is an ANGEL this time flying as only angels can do in midair preaching an ETERNAL GOSPEL. The ETERNAL GOSPEL means it has existed for all time, even before the fall of man. Perhaps it's this ETERNAL GOSPEL that God is explaining to Adam when He walked with him (Genesis 3:8-13). Now as then, the moral code passed in this ETERNAL GOSPEL is CHOICE. The CHOICE between 'knowledge of good and evil' (Genesis 3:1-7).
Recall that another angel, Satan, deceived man into sin by man's CHOICE. This 'another angel' says that judgment for those sins is near. Soon earthlings must 'FEAR GOD, GIVE HIM GLORY, AND WORSHIP HIM' (next verse) or ...... the CHOICE is in verse 9.
Now this ETERNAL GOSPEL does not set aside the 'gospel of the grace of God' (Acts 20:24) but rather embraces it. The CHOICE during this time of grace still is yours, 'Accept Christ (good) or Satan (evil)'. However, with the uptaking of the believers (1 Corinthians 15:51-58), the CHOICE comes down to taking the 'MARK of the BEAST' (evil - verse 9) or refusing it. This ANGEL is warning that the judgment time is very near for those who CHOOSE the MARK.
The command to PROCLAIM was first given to us believers (Mark 16:14-18), but here in the final half of the tribulation, the message is so terrible (JUDGMENT/REAPING) that an ANGEL has to deliver it. The devil (AntiChrist) will be so oppressive that any persons who refuse to take his MARK will not dare expose themselves or talk about their CHOICE for fear of capture and certain death. However, the devil can't touch this angel since he is flying in midair (midheaven in other translations). The devil has been tossed out of heaven (Revelation 12:9)
All who are alive will hear it as well as governments and leaders (see comment in Revelation 7:9).
Incidentally, this is the last time the word GOSPEL (good news) is used in the Bible. For earthlings, particularly those who take the MARK, there is NO MORE GOOD NEWS!Previous verse Next verse7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
This verse confirms the previous verse that an ETERNAL GOSPEL is being preached. It has the three attributes of a Gospel: conviction, conversion, and consecration.
At this time, only an angel's voice could be loud enough to overcome the loud boastings of the Satanic Trilogy (Revelation 13:5 and Revelation 13:15)
This is not only a Revelation conclusion. "The Preacher" (Solomon) in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 concludes that we should "FEAR GOD, and keep His commandments....".
We used to hear "hell fire and damnation" sermons and people were saved. These sermons are much less frequent now. Ever wonder why? Conviction by a reverent fear of God was used in New Testament times, too (Jude 23).
Note that the HOUR and not DAY is used here. Time is really getting short (Revelation 12:12).
This is the first use of the term "judgment" in the Revelation. Previously, the word used was "wrath". Later on in Revelation, "judgment" is carried out (Revelation 16:7; Revelation 18:10; and Revelation 19:2)
This parallels with the trumpets and bowls
and lends support that the Revelation is really "parallel consecutive"
in form.
| TRUMPETS | BOWLS | |
| Heaven | 4th trumpet (Revelation 8:12) | 4th bowl (Revelation 16:8) |
| Earth | 1st trumpet (Revelation 8:7) | 1st bowl (Revelation 16:2) |
| Sea | 2nd trumpet (Revelation 8:8) | 2nd bowl (Revelation 16:3) |
| Springs of water | 3rd trumpet (Revelation 8:10) | 3rd bowl (Revelation 16:4) |
Previous verse Next verse8 A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."
This angel is distinct from the first one (verse 6). However, the word 'followed' implies that this one also in flying in midair. Like the first angel, this one has a distinct message:
This is the first specific mention of BABYLON in Revelation. Again, there is a literal Babylon and a symbolic one. The literal one is the Babylon of the Old Testament. The old city of Babylon generate much discussion by both the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 13 and 14) and the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 50 and 51). Both prophesied its complete destruction.
The Revelation' Babylon most likely is a symbolic Babylon. Like the one of old built by Nimrod, there really are two symbolic Babylons. As Tim LaHaye describes it in his book 'Revelation', "These two Babylons begun by Nimrod are (1) false religion, which emphasizes idolatry, and (2) commercialization, which causes men to become materialistically oriented." We will cover this symbolic Babylon in much more detail in Revelation 17 and 18. Incidentally, this Babylon, too, will be destroyed.
Previous verse Next verse9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand,
A third, distinct angel makes this warning with a LOUD voice (to overcome the "noise" of the world and the BEAST worshipping).
This angel gives a choice (most solemn - this verse),
the choice's consequence (most awful - next
verse),
and the resultant duration
(most final - verse 11).
THE CHOICE:
We have seen this before in Revelation 13:3-8!
Worship is a decision which is active and overt. This is much like a person who "loves this actor or actress" and "has to see that movie because so-and-so is in it". But when one considers what they are worshipping, compare this to what Paul writes in Romans 1:18-25.
Check out Revelation 13:16-17.
This is the overt part: the MARK will be visible and once a person takes it, their doom (verse 10) is sealed forever (verse 11). To those people remaining on the earth at the time when this verse takes place, the alternative (Matthew 10:28) doesn't matter anymore. They feel they have to WORSHIP the BEAST to SURVIVE (Luke 9:23-27).Previous verse Next verse10 he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.
This is a continuation of the previous verse.
Today in this "mercy and grace" period, we cannot fully comprehend "GOD'S FURY". We wonder how a loving God can be this way. But God, first of all, is holy, and a holy and righteous God will not tolerate any other gods before Him (Exodus 20:1-3-17) including the beast and his marking system.
In verses 9-11, this FURY is placed on each individual who CHOOSES the mark of the beast. However, countries also will come under the same FURY (Jeremiah 25:15-29).
This is not diluted (with water, implied). If one believes the relationship between water and spirits, then this says these individuals will not be able to get assistance from evil spirits to ease the torment. It is their CHOICE to take the mark, and thus they must suffer the FULL CONSEQUENCES.
Previous verse Next verse11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."
Individually, these people received the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16); now collectively they face a forever TORMENT.
Fire and smoke are associated with Hell (Mark 9:38-50) and the "wood" (persons who chose the mark) is being stacked up waiting for the breath of God (Isaiah 30:27-33). Yes, there is a Hell, or spiritual burning place. These individuals get there in this verse, followed by the beast and false prophet (Revelation 19:19-21), and finally the devil himself is confined there FOREVER (Revelation 20:10).
Note: while on earth the believers were tormented and persecuted. Now the roles are reversed (see verse 13). As a believer, I am willing to suffer now for only a lifetime rather than make the wrong choice and be TORMENTED FOREVER. Also, from the physics of this illustration, smoke going up forever may be an indication of the infiniteness of the physical universe.
Recall this was caused by the 'earth beast' - Revelation 13:12-17.
Previous verse Next verse12This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.
There are three characteristics of SAINTS:
1) Patient endurance through trials
2) Keeping God's commandments (as much as possible)
3) Having a FAITH in JESUS.
Compare this verse with Revelation 13:10. Note the difference. This "HERE" includes keeping God's commandments.
In the previous verse, we indicated that we are seeing a role reversal. HERE we see the SAINTS' viewpoint.
While SAINTS generally means all believers in Christ, here this is more targeted at Jewish believers - "he came to that which was His own .... (John 1:9-13). Few Jewish believers exhibit the three characteristics above. As Matthew teaches, Gentile believers will play a supportive role (Matthew 25:31-40-46).
These include all God's commandments from Genesis 2:15-17 to Exodus 20:1-17 through Mark 16:14-18. To honor the holiness of God by keeping His commandments shows up as keeping your faith in His Son. God's holiness is the standard (humanly unattainable) while His Son, JESUS, is the way into that holiness (Hebrews 9:11-14). When we accept Jesus as our way, we will persevere.
These are not two distinct characteristics where one can chose one or the other. They support or require each other. In Jesus' own words, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." (John 14:20-24). It is very difficult to have FAITH in someone you don't love or who doesn't love you.
Previous verse Next verse13Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
Here we have a very brief pause between the announcements of the three angels (verses 6, 8, and 9) and the harvesting of the earth and the final judgments, 7 bowls.
Not clear whether this is an angel's voice or Christ's voice. It is clear that it is NOT an earthly voice.
These are those who during the tribulation period (Matthew 24:21) refuse to take the mark of the beast (verse 11).
This also is the second beatitude of Revelation. See Revelation 1:3 for a discussion of these beatitudes.
The expression 'from now on' indicates that this is a very specific time during the tribulation. This fits with the precise timings in the rest of the Revelation.
Other than in Revelation 22:17, this is the only place where the SPIRIT speaks directly. It is as though, the SPIRIT is being released from His commission to be the Comforter, John 14:15-24. Then as now, He usually is in the background working through the believers.
Also implied here is that even under much distress, believers WILL and DO WORK DILIGENTLY for the Lord. This continues right until DEATH. Then, oh how sweet is that FOREVER REST!
The REST is even sweeter because their work is recompensed (rewarded for good work). See 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Timothy 5:24-25; 1 Corinthians 3:5-17; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 3:24; and Hebrews 6:10.Previous verse Next verse14. I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one "like a son of man" with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.
In the previous verse, John "heard". Now he takes a look, probably because the vision contains a Person he is familiar with.
The cloud indicates the Shekinah or "glory of God". Recall that the waters above the firmanent probably are clouds (Genesis 1:7).
WHITE denotes PURITY.
When One is reigning in judgment, the leader, king, or judge usually is seated. Here the Son of Man is SITTING waiting for the pending judgment/harvest. This Son of Man described this scene in Matthew 24:29-31.
There are two contrasts here. First one of water, and second of the Son of Man.
Water:
The Son of Man sits on the WHITE CLOUD; in Revelation
17:1,15, the harlot sits on many waters. If water is related
to spirits' abode, then the cloud denotes the presence of the Holy
Spirit.
Son of Man:
Compare the use of "Son of Man" by Christ in Matthew
13:36-37-43.
|
|
|
| On this earth in poverty (Matthew 8:20) | Sitting on white cloud with POWER (sickle) |
| Made to wear a "crown of thorns" (Matthew 27:29) | Sitting here with a GOLDEN CROWN. |
See Psalm 21:3 for the prophetic version of this KINGLY picture. Wearing the CROWN denotes ultimate authority to carry out the task at hand.
This image replicates that given in Joel 3:9-13-16.
One general observation: In the Old Testament, the feast of the tabernacles followed the harvest. So here, too, the harvest comes before the celebration (Revelation 19:1-10).Previous verse Next verse15. Then another came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe."
The previous three angels were flying in midair (midheaven) as implied in verses 6, 8, and 9. This angel comes out of the TEMPLE.
This creates a spatial problem. Is John seeing a glimpse of the new heaven (Revelation 21:22) where the TEMPLE is the LAMB (Son of Man - previous verse)? Or is it the previous TEMPLE which was opened in heaven (Revelation 11:19)? They could be one and the same.
It appears that this angel is coming directly from Christ and is repeating what he is ordered to announce. This fulfills one of Christ's missions given to Him to perform upon this earth (John 5:17-27-29).
The LOUD VOICE indicates this isn't a localized announcement but rather one to be heard over all the earth.
This is related to judgment. See Joel 3:9-13-16 and Psalm 75:6-8. GOD IS THE JUDGE OF THIS EARTH!
The timing, again as in the rest of Revelation, is precise down to the HOUR. This implies the reaping is NOT a prolonged event. Indeed, if it were, some of the harvest would spoil.
Reaping is a judgment process and particularly upon Babylon (Revelation chapters 18 and on). This parallels with prophesy in Jeremiah 51:33 and the parable of the wheat and weeds (Matthew 13:24-30) and the explanation (Matthew 13:36-43).
The word "RIPE" here has the connotation of really ripe almost to the point of being overripe. But this is exactly when a harvest should be done and be done quickly.
Christ refers to this in Matthew 7:16-20. With this harvest, the mocking of God will cease (Galatians 6:6-8-10) and the principles of judgment (Romans 2:1-16) will be executed.Previous verse Next verse16. So he that was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
It is harvest time. Farmers will tell you they have to wait until the moisture content is below a certain level before they will combine a field. Here the grain is DRY (see previous verse) and READY.
The Lord Jesus begins the harvest with one swing of the sickle. The sickle probably is His word (the sharp two-edged sword - Revelation 1:16). It is a pure effortless swing of ultimate judgment. It is so easy for Him to perform this judgment act that He doesn't even have to stand up (like we probably would do to swing a sickle). He just sits there on the waters above the expanse (heaven - Genesis 1:6-8).
This is what 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 is all about. In the Old Testament, this is what is prophesied in Jeremiah 51:33, and relates this verse with Revelation 14:8 (as daughter of Babylon).
One swing of the SICKLE, and the EARTH WAS REAPED. How completed, how absolute, how FINAL this judgment is!Previous verse Next verse17. Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.
This is the second angel who received his orders in the heavenly temple. The first one is noted in verse 15. Again, Jesus said angels would be used to do the actual judgment acts in the end of the age (Matthew 13:47-49-52).
That this angel comes from the TEMPLE denotes this will be a "religious" harvest, i.e. a separation of FALSEHOODS (LIES) from the TRUTH. As Henry Morris suggests, coming from the TEMPLE would make this one of the 'presence angels' (Revelation 8:2).
This can only denote a destructive (not good) purging. Those who will be cut by this SHARP SICKLE are those who exchanged the TRUTH of GOD for a LIE (Romans 1:18-25-32).
This SICKLE will be different than the one used in verse 14. This one is more curved to selectively cut the clusters of grapes (in the next verse). The SICKLE in verse 14 may be more like a scythe and makes a broad cut. Both SICKLES are equally effective because they are SHARP.Previous verse Next verse18. Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe."
This may be the same angel with the golden censer (Revelation 8:3-5) and the one who "worked the miracle" in 1 Kings 18:17-41.
Fire is used to burn the branches that were cut off the vine (John 15:1-6-17). This is the last judgment for apostate branches (1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Matthew 3:11-12).
Physically, fire is an "oxidation" process and performs a rapid conversion of matter into other constituentants while generating heat and light. Thus the actual angel who will apparently do the conversion calls out to get on with the harvest so he can do his work (the final purging of evil within and among men).
The altar in the Old Testament was where atonement was made for sins through animal sacrifices. Christ became the "final sacrifice" according to Hebrews 13:10.
Some scholars believe this is the same altar in Revelation 6:9 and Revelation 8:5. The request for vengeance has been heard.
This is the way angels talk in this chapter: verses 7, 9, and 15.
In previous verse, the angel is holding it. Again, SHARP denotes this SICKLE is "very effective and thorough". There is no chance any grapes will be left or escape being harvested. That chance to escape disappeared long ago. You have the chance TODAY to escape this harvest.
Previous verse Next verse19. The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath.
This angel knows which CLUSTERS he will gather. It is obvious by the "MARK of the BEAST" (Revelation 13:16).
The tense of the verb "SWUNG" implies that this gathering event (next verse, Revelation 16:16, and Revelation 19:19) is completed in the future over some span of time. As we will see, the seven bowls are a part of this vintage.
GRAPES implies a harvesting of all "varieties" and that the vintage will work on various areas. These areas are what man, a product of the earth (Genesis 2:7), take pride in. Follow the seven bowls in each of their "varieties", and note how it is an area man has taken some measures to control.
The concept of the "GOD'S WRATH" is difficult for those of us 'under grace'. But it exists, and it is Christ Himself who executes it (Revelation 19:15).
The seven bowls of chapter 16 are a direct reference to GOD'S WRATH.Previous verse Next verse20. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.
When grapes were ready, and wine was to be made, this was the way it was done. It was a messy process of putting the grapes in a vat and stomping the juice out of them. Because of the mess, the wine press usually was outside the city near the vineyards.
However, symbolically, Christ was crucified outside the city (Hebrews 13:12), and His Blood flowed as the grape juice. It is fitting that the final judgment of the world would begin outside the city.
Some commentators say this "wine press" judgment is for Jews only. They refer to what John had written earlier, "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him." (John 1:9-11-13).
This fulfills the truth given to Noah (Genesis
9:6-7),
"Whoever sheds the blood of man (Christ's blood),
by man (Son of Man) shall his
blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made man.
Joel 3:9-13-16 confirms this through prophesy. That there is a day of vengence is foretold in Isaiah 34:1-8. The actual mechanisms to squeeze out this BLOOD are in the seven bowls (chapter 16).