King James Version

What Does Revelation 14:18 Mean?

Revelation 14:18 in the King James Version says “And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the shar... — study this verse from Revelation chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 14:18 · KJV


Context

16

And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

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.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The angel from the altar who has power over fire commanding the grape harvest connects judgment to prayers of martyred saints (6:9-11). The altar represents intercession; fire symbolizes both judgment and refining. This angel's authority over fire suggests he executes the judgment that answers martyrs' prayers for vindication. The command to 'gather the clusters of the vine' represents collecting the wicked for wrath. The vine's full ripeness indicates sin reaching its measure (Genesis 15:16). Reformed theology affirms that God's justice, though patient, is certain—He will fully answer His people's prayers for vindication.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Altar imagery recalled both incense (prayers) and sacrifice (atonement) in temple worship. Fire from the altar destroyed Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2), showing judgment's connection to God's holiness. The grape harvest timing ('fully ripe') demonstrated that God waits until iniquity is complete before judgment—patience, not negligence, delays wrath.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does connecting judgment to the altar (prayers of saints) encourage you that God will vindicate His people?
  2. What does the vineyard's full ripeness teach about why God sometimes delays judgment while allowing evil to continue?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 42 words
καὶ1 of 42

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἄλλος2 of 42

another

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

ἄγγελος3 of 42

angel

G32

compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

ἐξῆλθεν4 of 42

came

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

ἐκ5 of 42

out

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ6 of 42
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θυσιαστηρίου7 of 42

from the altar

G2379

a place of sacrifice, i.e., an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative)

ἔχοντι8 of 42

to him that had

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἐξουσίαν9 of 42

power

G1849

privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o

ἐπὶ10 of 42

over

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τοῦ11 of 42
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πυρός12 of 42

fire

G4442

"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)

καὶ13 of 42

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐφώνησεν14 of 42

cried

G5455

to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation

κραυγῇ15 of 42

cry

G2906

an outcry (in notification, tumult or grief)

μεγάλῃ16 of 42

with a loud

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

τῷ17 of 42
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔχοντι18 of 42

to him that had

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

τὸ19 of 42
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δρέπανον20 of 42

sickle

G1407

a gathering hook (especially for harvesting)

τὸ21 of 42
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀξὺ22 of 42

sharp

G3691

keen; by analogy, rapid

λέγων,23 of 42

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Πέμψον24 of 42

Thrust in

G3992

to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term

σου25 of 42

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

τὸ26 of 42
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δρέπανον27 of 42

sickle

G1407

a gathering hook (especially for harvesting)

τὸ28 of 42
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀξὺ29 of 42

sharp

G3691

keen; by analogy, rapid

καὶ30 of 42

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τρύγησον31 of 42

gather

G5166

to collect the vintage

τοὺς32 of 42
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βότρυας33 of 42

the clusters

G1009

a bunch (of grapes)

τῆς34 of 42
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀμπέλου35 of 42
G288

a vine (as coiling about a support)

τῆς36 of 42
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γῆς,37 of 42

of the vine of the earth

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

ὅτι38 of 42

for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἤκμασαν39 of 42

are fully ripe

G187

to make a point, i.e., (figuratively) mature

αἱ40 of 42
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σταφυλαὶ41 of 42

grapes

G4718

a cluster of grapes (as if intertwined)

αὐτῆς42 of 42

her

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Revelation. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Revelation 14:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Revelation 14:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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