- The Grape-harvest: (14:17-20): This speaks of the judgement that takes place at the battle of Armageddon. This has a imagery of winepress.
Here again we see the role of divine angels.
Then another angel (the 5th angel) came out of the temple in heaven and also had a sharp sickle. He is pictured as the reaper. The Son of Man will be assisted by holy angels in His final judgement (2 Thess. 1:7; Matt. 13:39).
Then another angel (the 6th angel) came out from the altar. He does not come from the temple but from the altar of God. The altar of God is associated with the prayers of the saints. The 6th angel coming from the altar indicates that the prayers of the saints are being answered. This 6th angel “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”(14:18). Here the ripe again refers to something fully ripe and in its prime. The earth’s wickedness is ripe and has crossed its limits.
All those wicked people who survived the 7-bowl judgement will be gathered like grape clusters from the vine of the earth and flung into the great wine press of the wrath of God. The splattering of the juice as the grapes are vividly pictured as the splattering of blood of those who will be destroyed.
The blood bath of the battle of Armageddon will be so widespread that blood will flow from the winepress up the horse’s bridle (about 4-feet) height to a distance of 1600 stadia (360 KM). The blood bath will be outside the city. The Lord will protect Jerusalem from the carnage of the battle of Armageddon. There will be millions of people engaged in the battle of Armageddon as all nations will gather to fight against Christ. In other words, blood will flow deeply in troughs and streambeds.
Armageddon is actually the slaughter of human beings rather than a battle. When the Lord Jesus Christ returns, Antichrist, the false prophet, and all the human and demonic forces will be immediately destroyed. Those who refuse to repent even after repeated warnings will find their fate terrifying. Yes “it is terrifying thing to fall into the hands of living God” (Heb. 10:31). But the believers who take refuge in Him are blessed.