Blood, Wine, and Cup - Execution

     At this point the harlot has been destroyed, and geographic Babylon has been warned.  The physical city would subsequently be destroyed by a massive earthquake as part of the seventh and final bowl judgment.

     “…and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth…And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.”  Revelation 16:18b-19

     Inasmuch as the mighty city of Babylon focused on trade and materialism, it is logical who would miss her the most.

     “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning.”  Revelation 18:9

     It is interesting to consider America’s priorities today and the emphasis presently being given to trade agreements with other nations around the globe.

     Now let’s turn our attention to the fate of the multitudes who accepted the mark of the beast, the leader of the final world empire.  Everyone alive during the tribulation will need to make a choice whether to remain loyal to Christ and experience immeasurable suffering, or take the easier way and accept the leadership of the beast.

     An angel provided the very succinct answer for those who chose allegiance to the beast.

     “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.  He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone…and the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever…”  Revelation 14:9-11

     ‘Wine’ in this passage metaphorically means the dreadful judgment of God while ‘wrath’ likewise represents divine judgment to be inflicted on the wicked. 

     ‘Cup’ in the above definitely means the ‘lot’ or ‘portion’ of the ungodly.

     And it is beyond the finite mind to fully comprehend torture without end.

     Recall that the prophets foretold of the winepress of the wrath of God.  And so it will be.

     An announcement is then confirmed by an angel from the heavenly temple, describing the harvest of those deceived by the beast.

     “‘Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.’ So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.  And the winepress was trampled…and blood came out of the winepress up to the horses’ bridles, for (approximately 184 miles)” Revelation 14:19-20

     The ‘vine of the earth’ represents those who have been deceived by the beast.  ‘Fully ripe’ applies to one who is in their prime at what they do.

     The ‘winepress of the wrath of God’ describes His righteous indignation as He metes vengeance on those who reject Him, and instead choose the beast and idolatry.

     The fate of the beast is described when the King of Kings returns to earth.

     “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war…Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations…He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”  Revelation 19:11, 19

     Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored!

     Glory! Glory!  Hallelujah!

     The beast and the remainder of his followers will be killed by the returning victorious Christ to end the great tribulation.

     “And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him…Then the beast was captured…and cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.  And the rest were killed with the sword…”  Revelation 19:19-21

     The Bible very clearly defines the correct priorities America should be taking.  Are we preparing for the inevitable, or being complacent as in the time of Noah?