The Book of Revelation is a book that blesses the reader and hearer, and those that keep the things written. (Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand). The goal of this book is to prepare the world for what is coming. It is written for the redeemed, so that they who choose Jesus as Lord and Savior will be redeemed, but it is also written for those who will not be redeemed. I know this seems odd as those who will not be redeemed won’t be reading, listening, or keeping the things that are written now; but once the harpazo occurs and peace is taken off the earth, and men start killing men, people will start to wonder what is happening, and thereby search for answers. The goal in the here and now is to make people disciples. We don’t want others to have to live through this time. We want to see people who are Jews, Muslims, atheists, and the like come to Jesus today. With that goal in mind, we want people to read and hear the words of this book. If we don’t reach others now, angels will preach the good news at the mid-point of the tribulation. While Jesus does not use fear as a motivation, the satan does. Fear doesn’t motivate people into salvation. However, the satan will use fear throughout the tribulation to herd the masses into following him.
If we remember, Jesus has been coronated as King from age to age. He has given rewards to his saints and the very next thing we see Jesus do is gather his 144,000.
Revelation 14:1-20 (KJV)
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile [no lies]: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
As we previously studied, these are virgin males who have not lied, are unblemished, and are from the tribes of Israel. They are redeemed, bought from the earth. They had been marked by angels with the Father’s name. They now sing a new song in what appears to be the same place that the redeemed saints sang a new song. They now follow the Lamb wherever he goes. This is interesting as they are the heirs of Jacob, they are young, and they had been marked so that they would not be harmed during all the unrest on the earth. The beast now rises up against Babylon and the 144,000 are safe in heaven.
Now an angel witnesses to the earth.
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Revelation 14:6 G2532 And G1492 I saw G243 another G32 angel G4072 flying G1722 in G3321 mid-heaven G2192 having G2098 [2good news G166 1eternal] G2097 to announce good news G3588 for the ones G2521 being settled G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth, G2532 and G1909 unto G3956 every G1484 nation, G2532 and G5443 tribe, G2532 and G1100 language, G2532 and G2992 people,
7 G3004 saying G1722 with G5456 [2voice G3173 1a great], G5399 Fear G3588 G2316 God, G2532 and G1325 give G1473 to him G1391 glory! G3754 for G2064 [4came G3588 1the G5610 2hour G3588 G2920 3of his judgment]; G1473 G2532 and G4352 do obeisance G3588 to the one G4160 having made G3588 the G3772 heaven G2532 and G3588 the G1093 earth, G2532 and G3588 the G2281 sea, G2532 and G4077 springs G5204 of waters!
2920 LSJ Gloss:κρίσις a separating, power of distinguishing
Dodson:κρίσις judging, divine judgment judging, judgment, decision, sentence; generally: divine judgment; accusation.
Thayer:
1) a separating, sundering, separation
1a) a trial, contest
2) selection
3) judgment
3a) opinion or decision given concerning anything
3a1) esp. concerning justice and injustice, right or wrong
3b) sentence of condemnation, damnatory judgment, condemnation and punishment
4) the college of judges (a tribunal of seven men in the several cities of Palestine; as distinguished from the Sanhedrin, which had its seat at Jerusalem)
5) right, justice
κρίσις
krisis kree'-sis (Subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension a tribunal; by implication justice (specifically divine law) KJV Usage: accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.
At this point in the tribulation there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of good news on the earth. There is a human war about to start between the wild beast and Babylon. The woman will be de-throned and the beast will rise up. It seems odd that the angel is preaching good news as there doesn’t seem to be much to call “good” at this point. Literally, an angel flies in the sky just above the earth.
Notice that whatever language people understand will be the language that they hear when the angel announces the gospel. The angel says “fear God”. Why is the angel telling people to fear? Because they are already in fear. He is directing their fear away from the world chaos and to the Heavenly Father. Why? Because it is now the hour or time of His judgment. The bowl judgments are about to take place. This is the time right before the bowls are poured out. The angel is giving a warning, and at this point, death for one’s confession of Jesus as Lord is the only way to heaven.
The heavens declare the glory of God. The earth proves intelligent design, the magnificence of the beauty and splendor surrounding us attests to the supreme Mighty Almighty, I AM, I Exist. The creation is travailing until the revealing of the sons of the Living God. Let’s read what Paul says in Romans.
Romans 1:16-25 (AMP)
16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,
17 For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.
18 For God's [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative.
19 For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them.
20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification],
21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened.
22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves].
23 And by them the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God were exchanged for and represented by images, resembling mortal man and birds and beasts and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their [own] hearts to sexual impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin],
25 Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen (so be it).
We see the Creator’s handiworks throughout the world. Everyone sees it. That is why there is no excuse to not believe in Him. When we see the beauty of nature, the mountains, the oceans, the rivers, the trees, and the flowers, we know there is a Creator. But some people decided to worship the creature, the satan, the one who was a created being, instead of the Ever Existent One, Yahweh. Claiming to be wise does not make one wise, but as the Amplified translates, it makes them simpletons. The unsaved exchanged the glory of His Creation for representations of birds, beasts, reptiles, and men. Who created the earth? As Proverbs 8 tells us Yahweh, and the Holy Spirit was the architect along side His work. Why then would one serve images and representations of creatures, or created beings, as compared to the one who created it all? That is the final blasphemy of the first wild beast, claiming to be Yahweh as we studied last week. It becomes a lust in one’s flesh to worship anything other than Yahweh.
The next announcement made by an angel is that Babylon is fallen.
Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that {the} great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Revelation 14:8 G2532 And G243 another G32 angel, G1208 a second G190 followed, G3004 saying, G4098 Is fallen, G4098 is fallen, G* Babylon G3588 the G3173 great; G1537 because G3588 [6of the G3631 7wine G3588 8of the G2372 9wrath G3588 G4202 10of her harlotry G1473 G4222 1she has given 5to drink G3956 2all G3588 3the G1484 4nations].
2372 LSJ Gloss:θυμός the soul
Dodson:θυμός an outburst of passion, wrath.
Thayer:
1) passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again
2) glow, ardour, the wine of passion, inflaming wine (which either drives the drinker mad or kills him with its strength)
θυμός
thumos thoo-mos' From G2380; passion (as if breathing hard)
KJV Usage: fierceness, indignation, wrath.
4202 LSJ Gloss:πορνεία fornication, prostitution
Dodson:πορνεία fornication, idolatry fornication, whoredom; met: idolatry.
Thayer:
1) illicit sexual intercourse
1a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
1b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev.
18 1c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk.
10:11,12 2) metaph. the worship of idols
2a) of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols
πορνεία
porneia por-ni'-ah From G4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry KJV Usage: fornication.
The word “city” is not in the text. Babylon is fallen, not just one city but the entire system, the entire world system of commerce, the mixing and merging of religions, and organization of many nations into one group, like Nimrod did in Babylon. Look at the words used here. Thumos is a boiling up, like a thermal hot spring, and porneia is adulterous and incestrous behavior. This is a misguided fierce passion towards the creature. What is the creature? Properly and ultimately the satan, but it is false religion, false systems of religion, false governance, unfair systems of justice which are random and chaotic. Anything that is done in a manner that opposes the Creator and His Creation is part of the system of the creature. Nimrod did not start out with a complex world system, it grew into a complex world system after he became a strong leader and turned from Yahweh. The creature morphs and changes and adds to itself until it is so far removed from the original it is unrecognizable from it’s origin. Even though the satan makes something to look like the truth, alētheia, it is only a false image, just like the image of the beast, or the man behind the curtain.
The reason Babylon is such a crazy world system is that it was inspired by the satan whose only goal is to distort the understanding of men and cause men to worship him. In doing this the satan can point out that mankind was an inferior creation and he was then justified in not bowing to the adam.
Babylon irrigated the entire world with her poison. If we look at this from 30,000 feet, we see how the wine spread over the world like a river that overflows it’s banks. It organized all the nations of the world into varying and different groups. It made associations, secret societies, and underground networks that all move in different directions, some in opposing directions, all with the end to control the world. Since the satan is aware that his first chaotic world order will fall, he simply moves to influence the next world order. He has designed two opposing world orders. This is also why a study in secret societies becomes futile, in that there are many rabbit trails to follow leading to many rabbit holes that simply take us to many mystical worlds of wonderland, to which none are all true. In other words, if there are ten secret societies that seem to rule the world, all of them do something, but none of them are the ultimate leader. Studying one or all ten becomes a distraction away from the Creator. It may even seem like some of the ten are fighting against each other, and they are. It is all smoke and mirrors. Babylon. In this context she is not “a” city she is “the” world system.
Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Revelation 14:9 G2532 And G243 another G32 angel, G5154 a third G190 followed G1473 them, G3004 saying G1722 with G5456 [2voice G3173 1a great], G1536 If any G4352 does obeisance to G3588 the G2342 beast G2532 and G3588 G1504 its image, G1473 G2532 and G2983 receives G5480 an imprint G1909 upon G3588 G3359 his forehead G1473 G2228 or G1909 upon G3588 G5495 his hand; G1473
10 G2532 even G1473 he G4095 shall drink G1537 of G3588 the G3631 wine G3588 of the G2372 rage G3588 G2316 of God, G3588 the one G2767 being mixed G194 undiluted G1722 in G3588 the G4221 cup G3588 G3709 of his wrath; G1473 G2532 and G928 he shall be tormented G1722 by G4442 fire G2532 and G2303 sulphur G1799 before G3588 the G39 holy G32 angels, G2532 and G1799 before G3588 the G721 lamb.
3709LSJ Gloss:ὀργή natural impulse
Dodson:ὀργή anger, wrath, passion anger, wrath, passion; punishment, vengeance.
Thayer:
1) anger, the natural disposition, temper, character
2) movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger
3) anger, wrath, indignation
4) anger exhibited in punishment, hence used for punishment itself
4a) of punishments inflicted by magistrates
ὀργή
orgē or-gay' From G3713; properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), that is, (by analogy) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment KJV Usage: anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.
928LSJ Gloss:βασανίζω to rub
Dodson:βασανίζω I torment, torture, buffet I examine, as by torture; I torment; I buffet, as of waves.
Thayer:
1) to test (metals) by the touchstone, which is a black siliceous stone used to test the purity of gold or silver by the colour of the streak produced on it by rubbing it with either metal
2) to question by applying torture
3) to torture
4) to vex with grievous pains (of body or mind), to torment
5) to be harassed, distressed
5a) of those who at sea are struggling with a head wind
βασανίζω
basanizō bas-an-id'-zo From G931; to torture KJV Usage: pain, toil, torment, toss, vex.
The person who now accepts the mark of the wild beast, the double sword, will drink the wine of the rage of God. Today it is being mixed, but now will be pure, undiluted, in a cup of vengeance. We are not in the time of the wrath of God today. His anger is not poured out on us. The tribulation is the time of vengeance upon the earth and the bowl judgments will be poured out on the earth and there will be no easing of the wrath.
After a person’s death who has taken the mark of the wild beast, he will be vexed with fire and sulphur in front of the angels and Jesus the lamb of God.
Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Revelation 14:11 G2532 And G3588 the G2586 smoke G3588 G929 of their torment G1473 G1519 [2into G165 3 the eons G165 4of eons G305 1ascends]; G2532 and G3756 they have not G2192 G372 rest G2250 day G2532 and G3571 night, G3588 the ones G4352 doing obeisance to G3588 the G2342 beast G2532 and G3588 G1504 his image, G1473 G2532 and G1536 if anyone G2983 takes G3588 the G5480 imprint G3588 G3686 of its name. G1473
The smoke of the torture of those who have accepted the wild beast’s mark rises from age to age. From this age into the next age. They will have no rest or cessation from the fire and sulphur. This blatantly false religion and it’s leader who claims to be Jesus, will cause his followers to suffer from age to age, from eon to eon. More specifically for at least two ages, the tribulation age and the age of the millennial reign of Christ on the earth.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 14:12 G5602 Here G3588 [2the G5281 3endurance G3588 4of the G39 5holy ones G1510.2.3 1is]. G5602 Here G3588 are the ones G5083 keeping G3588 the G1785 commandments G3588 G2316 of God, G2532 and G3588 the G4102 belief, G3588 of the one G* of Jesus.
The steadfast endurance of the saints is to guard and protect the precepts of the Living God and the belief of Jesus. There will be people who change their belief system during this time, making Jesus Lord. They will have to endure to death. Then they will be blessed.
Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Revelation 14:13 G2532 And G191 I heard G5456 a voice G1537 from out of G3588 the G3772 heaven G3004 saying G1473 to me, G1125 Write! G3107 Blessed are G3588 the G3498 dead, G3588 the ones G1722 [2in G2962 3 the Lord G599 1dying] G575 from G737 now on. G3004 [3says G3483 4yes G3588 1The G4151 2spirit], G2443 for G373 they shall rest G1537 from G3588 G2873 their toils, G1473 G3588 G1161 and G2041 their works G1473 G190 shall follow G3326 after G1473 them.
373 LSJ Gloss:ἀναπαύω to make to cease, to stop
Dodson:ἀναπαύω I make to rest, give rest to, rest, take my ease
I make to rest, give rest to; mid. and pass: I rest, take my ease.
Thayer:
1) to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength
2) to give rest, refresh, to give one's self rest, take rest
3) to keep quiet, of calm and patient expectation
ἀναπαύω
anapauō an-ap-ow'-o From G303 and G3973; (reflexively) to repose (literally or figuratively (be exempt), remain); by implication to refresh KJV Usage: take ease, refresh, (give, take) rest.
2873 LSJ Gloss:κόπος a striking, beating
Dodson:κόπος trouble, toil, labor (a) trouble, (b) toil, labor, laborious toil, involving weariness and fatigue.
Thayer:
1) a beating
2) a beating of the breast with grief, sorrow
3) labour
3a) trouble
3a1) to cause one trouble, make work for him
3b) intense labour united with trouble and toil
For Synonyms see entry G5860
κόπος
kopos kop'-os From G2875; a cut, that is, (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication pains KJV Usage: labour, + trouble, weariness.
Those who die from this mid-point of the tribulation to the end of the tribulation who are also keeping His commands and have the faith that Jesus is Lord, will have rest from their labor pains. This next point is interesting, their works will follow after them. This tells us that there will be those who are not only saved during this time, but that their works will earn them rewards. There will be new believers in Jesus who will do good things for others on the earth. They will evangelize, they will share what they have, they will help others. These new believers will be like the first century church and they will be killed for their witness and their kindness.
What has Jesus been doing since the kingdom of the satan was turned over to Jesus? He gave rewards to the saints and then redeemed the 144,000. Now we see him on a cloud with a crown on his head. This is the first time we see Jesus as King taking kingly actions.
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.
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.
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
Revelation 14:14 G2532 And G1492 I saw, G2532 and G2400 behold, G3507 [2cloud G3022 1a white], G2532 and G1909 upon G3588 the G3507 cloud G2521 sitting G3664 was one likened to G5207 son G444 of man, G2192 having G1909 upon G3588 G2776 his head G1473 G4735 [2crown G5552 1a golden], G2532 and G1722 in G3588 G5495 his hand G1473 G1407 [2sickle G3691 1a sharp].
15 G2532 And G243 another G32 angel G1831 came forth G1537 from out of G3588 the G3485 temple, G2896 crying out G1722 with G5456 [2voice G3173 1a great] G3588 to the one G2521 sitting G1909 upon G3588 the G3507 cloud, G3992 Send forth G3588 G1407 your sickle G1473 G2532 and G2325 reap! G3754 for G2064 [3came G3588 1the G5610 2hour] G3588 G2325 to reap, G3754 for G3583 [5is dried G3588 1the G2326 2harvest G3588 3of the G1093 4earth].
16 G2532 And G906 [6put G3588 1the one G2521 2sitting G1909 3upon G3588 4the G3507 5cloud] G3588 G1407 his sickle G1473 G1909 unto G3588 the G1093 earth, G2532 and G2325 [3was reaped G3588 1the G1093 2earth].
2325 LSJ Gloss:θερίζω to do summer-work, to mow, reap
Dodson:θερίζω I reap, gather I reap, gather, harvest.
Thayer:
1) to reap, harvest
2) proverbial expression for sowing and reaping
3) cut off, destroy
3a) as crops are cut down with a sickle
θερίδω
theridō ther-id'-zo From G2330 (in the sense of the crop); to harvest KJV Usage: reap.
3583 LSJ Gloss:ξηραίνω to parch up, dry up
Dodson:ξηραίνω I dry up, parch, ripen I dry up, parch, am ripened, wither, waste away.
Thayer:
1) to make dry, dry up, wither
2) to become dry, to be dry, be withered
2a) of plants
2b) of the ripening of crops
2c) of fluids
2d) of the members of the body
3) to waste away, pine away, i.e. a withered hand
ξηραίνω
xērainō xay-rah'ee-no From G3584; to desiccate; by implication to shrivel, to mature KJV Usage: dry up, pine away, be ripe, wither (away).
A fourth angel yells out to Jesus who is wearing a golden crown and holding a pruning hook. He says to reap or gather the harvest, because the harvest is drying up on the earth. So Jesus puts his pruning hook upon the earth and the earth’s harvest was harvested. This is the third thing Jesus does after he is crowned. He is still sitting, and he gives the command for the earth to be reaped. Now a fifth angel is doing something.
Revelation 14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
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.
Revelation 14:17 G2532 And G243 another G32 angel G1831 came forth G1537 from out of G3588 the G3485 temple, G3588 of the one G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven, G2192 having G2532 also G1473 himself G1407 [2sickle G3691 1a sharp].
18 G2532 And G243 another G32 angel G1831 came forth G1537 from G3588 the G2379 altar, G2192 having G1849 authority G1909 over G3588 the G4442 fire. G2532 And G5455 he called G2906 [2cry G3173 1 with a great] G3588 to the one G2192 having G3588 the G1407 [2sickle G3588 G3691 1sharp], G3004 saying, G3992 Send forth G1473 your G3588 G1407 [2sickle G3588 G3691 1sharp], G2532 and G5166 gather the vintage G3588 of the G1009 clusters of grapes G3588 of the G288 grapevine G3588 of the G1093 earth! G3754 for G187 [2are ripened G3588 G4718 1her grapes]. G1473
1009 LSJ Gloss:βότρυς a cluster
Dodson:βότρυς a cluster of grapes a cluster (bunch) of grapes.
Thayer:
1) a bunch or cluster of grapes
βότρυς
botrus bot'-rooce Of uncertain derivation; a bunch (of grapes) KJV Usage: (vine) cluster (of the vine).
288 LSJ Gloss:ἄμπελος clasping tendrils
Dodson:ἄμπελος a vine a vine, grape-vine.
Thayer:
1) a vine
ἄμπελος
ampelos am'-pel-os Probably from the base of G297 and that of G257; a vine (as coiling about a support) KJV Usage: vine.
187 LSJ Gloss:ἀκμάζω to be in full bloom, be at one's prime
Dodson:ἀκμάζω I reach maturity, become ripe I reach maturity, become ripe, am in full vigor.
Thayer:
1) to flourish, come to maturity
ἀκμάζω
akmazō ak-mad'-zo From the same as G188; to make a point, that is, (figuratively) mature KJV Usage: be fully ripe.
4718 LSJ Gloss:σταφυλή a bunch of grapes
Dodson:σταφυλή a grape, cluster of grapes.
Thayer:
1) grapes, bunch of grapes
σταφυλή
staphulē staf-oo-lay' Probably from the base of G4735; a cluster of grapes (as if intertwined) KJV Usage: grapes.
The fifth angel John sees has a pruning hook; He is going to do the harvesting. A sixth angel who has authority over the fire of the altar yells out in a great voice and tells him to collect the vintage of the cluster grapevines because they are mature grapes. There are some interesting points to take note of here. First, Jesus puts his pruning hook to the earth, then the fifth angel is told by the sixth angel to take his pruning hook and gather the harvest. He is to gather the vines. The angel is not told to pick them by the bunch, but to take all the vines. In other words, he is to cut the entire vine. If you have ever seen a grape vine you understand that no one cuts the entire vine, but instead takes the grapes that are clustered together. He is getting rid of the entire plant. The grapes are mature. These grapes are going into the winepress of the wrath of the Mega God.
Revelation 14:19 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.
Revelation 14:19 G2532 And G906 [3put G3588 1the G32 2angel] G3588 G1407 his sickle G1473 G1519 to G3588 the G1093 earth, G2532 and G5166 gathered the vintage -- G3588 the G288 grapevine G3588 of the G1093 earth. G2532 And G906 he cast G1519 into G3588 the G3025 wine vat G3588 of the G2372 rage G3588 of the G2316 great God. G3588 G3173
20 G2532 And G3961 [3was trodden G3588 1the G3025 2wine vat] G1855 outside G3588 the G4172 city. G2532 And G1831 came forth G129 blood G1537 from out of G3588 the G3025 wine vat G891 as far as G3588 the G5469 bridle G3588 of the G2462 horses, G575 from G4712 [3stadiums G5507 1a thousand G1812 2six hundred].
3961 LSJ Gloss:πατέω to tread, walk
Dodson:πατέω I tread, trample upon.
Thayer:
1) to tread
1a) to trample, crush with the feet
1b) to advance by setting foot upon, tread upon: to encounter successfully the greatest perils from the machinations and persecutions with which Satan would fain thwart the preaching of the gospel
1c) to tread under foot, trample on, i.e. to treat with insult and contempt: to desecrate the holy city by devastation and outrage
πατέω
pateō pat-eh'-o From a derivative probably of G3817 (meaning a “path”); to trample (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: tread (down, under foot).
3025 LSJ Gloss:ληνός trough;
Dodson:ληνός a winepress a trough, vat, winepress.
Thayer:
1) a tub or trough shaped receptacle, vat, in which grapes are trodden
2) the lower vat, dug in the ground, into which the must or new wine flowed from the press
ληνός
lēnos lay-nos' Apparently a primary word; a trough, that is, wine vat KJV Usage: winepress.
1855 LSJ Gloss:ἔξωθεν from without
Dodson:ἔξωθεν from without, outside (a) from outside, from without, (b) outside, both as adj. and prep; with article: the outside.
Thayer:
1) from without, outward
ἔξωθεν
exōthen ex'-o-then From G1854; external (-ly) KJV Usage: out (-side, -ward, -wardly), (from) without.
4172 LSJ Gloss:πόλις a city
Dodson:πόλις a city a city, the inhabitants of a city.
Thayer:
1) a city
1a) one's native city, the city in which one lives
1b) the heavenly Jerusalem
1b1) the abode of the blessed in heaven
1b2) of the visible capital in the heavenly kingdom, to come down to earth after the renovation of the world by fire
1c) the inhabitants of a city
πόλις
polis pol'-is Probably from the same as G4171, or perhaps from G4183; a town (properly with walls, of greater or less size) KJV Usage: city.
129 LSJ Gloss:αἷμα blood
Dodson:αἷμα blood blood (especially as shed).
Thayer:
1) blood
1a) of man or animals
1b) refers to the seat of life
1c) of those things that resemble blood, grape juice
2) blood shed, to be shed by violence, slay, murder
αἷμα
aima hah'ee-mah Of uncertain derivation; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specifically (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication bloodshed, also kindred KJV Usage: blood.
The wine vat is outside the city and the grapes are going to be stomped. This is a winepress or vat of the fierceness and the indignation of the Mega God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and out of the winepress flows blood. The blood volume of an average person is 1.2-1.5 gallons. If there are 2.5 billion people left on the earth, and about half of them will be killed by the beast, this is what it will look like for a billion people to die.
1.2 gallons of blood per person
x 1 billion people killed by the beast
———
120,000,000,000 gallons of blood.
For reference, one billion people being slain would fill Lake Powell, as Lake Powell holds 123 billion gallons of water. Now lets look at our next figure. A stadium, stadion, or furlong, is about 600 feet.
600 feet
x1600 one thousand six hundred stadia
———
960,000 feet
/ 5280 feet per mile
———
182 miles.
Lake Powell is 186 miles long. If one billion people lose their lives as the wild beast kills those who do not take his mark the volume of blood would fill Lake Powell. That is a horrible thought, but with the numbers we have for the time period of the wild beast killing Babylon, we now have a reality check. John saw a lot of blood, enough that would fill Lake Powell, and this is happening because the people on earth have rejected Jesus as their Lord and Savior before the tribulation started and now they are rejecting the first wild beast. The Mega God allows this to happen because these humans have refused Jesus as their Lord, although some may now believe on Jesus they will have this opportunity to die in His name. The other half of the humans left on the earth will follow a pseudo Jesus, not one who was the creator, but one who is filled with the spirit of the dragon. Those people will then burn with fire and sulphur from age to age. This is the endurance of the saints to keep the commands and the faith in Jesus Christ.
Hearing and reading this gives a better understanding to the things we see going on today and also gives us a glimpse into the tribulation time. We are still at the mid-point of the tribulation. The seal judgments were primarily man killing man. The trumpet judgments were primarily the earth (natural disasters) killing man. The first beast has just entered the holy of holies and is now claiming to be Jesus. The second wild beast is demanding that all people take the double sword mark or the image of the beast. Jesus, who has already been crowned, dropped the pruning hook to the earth, meaning he has now allowed the beast to kill Babylon, and while that is happening the bowl judgments are about to start.
