The Winepress of Wrath

Ancient winepresses in Palestine were normally a limestone basin cut into rock near vineyards. Grapes were carried in baskets, placed on the floor of the winepress, and then treaded upon with bare feet. The juice squeezed out would flow down a channel and into a deeper hole.

The grapes in today’s verse are reaped from “the vine of the earth.” In contrast, Christ described Himself as “the vine” and His followers as “the branches” (John 15:5). He said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Sadly, the grapes in today’s verse didn’t come from the vine of Christ; they are of the world (Deuteronomy 32:32). And as such, Christ prophesied, “They gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6). Again, here is a reference to the final conflagration at the end of the world.

Notice also the direct correlation to the third angel’s message, which states that those who worship the beast will “drink of the wine of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:10). Now it is made even clearer that those with the beast’s mark will make their bed with the wicked in the final judgment. As their characters have fully ripened to wickedness, so must they drink God’s wrath at “full strength,” unmingled with mercy.

God’s wrath is aimed at sin. God hates sin because sin separates us from Him (Isaiah 59:2). But what can God do when a person loves to sin, when a person won’t let go of sin? How many times will the Holy Spirit plead with that person to repent? How much patience will God show him time and again? Even after a lifetime of mercy, there will still be those in the end who reject God’s tender love. Only then, when the wicked have chosen against eternal life, will God’s wrath fall upon sin and all who cling to it.

As we take a look at the sobering picture of drinking God’s wrath, remember that God is now offering you the choice to instead drink His “living water” (John 4:10).

Merciful Savior, may I quench my thirst forever in Your river of life, that You may save me out of Your winepress of wrath.

For Further Study: Isaiah 63:2–4; Lamentations 1:15; Romans 1:18

Key Bible Texts

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 14:19 KJV)