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.

REVELATION 14:19KJV
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Revelation 14:19 (KJV)

What does Revelation 14:19 mean?

Revelation 14:19 describes an angel using a sickle to gather the "vine of the earth" and throwing it into a great winepress, which represents the outpouring of God's wrath. The verse uses the image of harvesting grapes and crushing them in a winepress to picture a time of judgment.

In the setting of Revelation, John is witnessing a vision where angels carry out God's commands. Here, the angel acts on God's authority to gather those on earth who are destined for judgment. The "great winepress of the wrath of God" is a vivid symbol, showing that this is not a normal harvest but a dramatic act of divine justice, emphasizing the seriousness and completeness of what is happening.

The Greek behind Revelation 14:19

  • "σικύλην" (sickle, sikýlēn): This word refers to a curved blade used for harvesting. Its use here highlights the act of gathering, but in a context of judgment rather than blessing.
  • "ἄμπελον" (vine, ámpelon): The vine often symbolizes people or nations in biblical imagery. Here, it is "the vine of the earth," suggesting those who are not aligned with God.
  • "ληνὸν" (winepress, lēnon): The winepress is a place where grapes are crushed. In this vision, it stands for the process of judgment, where the results are decisive and inescapable.
  • "θυμοῦ" (wrath, thymou): This word means intense anger or fury. The phrase "the wrath of God" underscores that the judgment is not random but is a response to wrongdoing.

Why Revelation 14:19 matters

  • The verse clears up that the "harvest" here is not about gathering believers, but about judgment on those who have rejected God, as shown by the use of the winepress image.
  • It connects to the wider passage by continuing the theme of two harvests: one of grain (often seen as positive) and one of grapes (judgment), showing a complete picture of God's dealings with humanity.
  • The vivid language helps readers grasp the seriousness of divine judgment, using familiar agricultural images to make a spiritual reality more understandable.

Where else these words appear

“gathered” Greek G5166 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
  • Revelation 14:18 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.

“winepress” Greek G3025 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
  • Revelation 14:20 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 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

“sickle” Greek G1407 · used in 7 verses

  • Mark 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
  • Revelation 14:15 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.
  • Revelation 14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

“vine” Greek G288 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
  • Luke 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
  • John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.