Conclusion of To The Final Battle!

This mighty Warrior-King appears again in the next scene of the vision: "He treads too the winepress of the anger wrath of God the Almighty." (Revelation 19:15b) In a previous vision, John had already seen the treading of the "winepress of the anger of God." (Revelation 14:18-20) Isaiah also describes an executional winepress, and other prophets tell how calamitous the day of God's anger will be of all the nations. - Isaiah 24:1-6; 63:1-4; Jeremiah 25:30-33; Daniel 2:44; Zephaniah 3:8; Zechariah 14:3, 12, 13; Revelation 6:15-17.

The prophet Joel associates a winepress with Jehovah's coming to "judge all the nations round about." And it is Jehovah who issues the command, no doubt to His associate Judge, Jesus, and his heavenly armies: "Thrust in a sickle, for harvest has grown ripe. Come, descend, for the winepress has become full. the press vats actually overflow, for their badness has become abundant. Crowds, crowds are in the low plain of the decision, for the day of Jehovah is near in the low plain of the decision. Sun and moon themselves will certainly become dark, and the very stars will actually withdraw their brightness. And out of Zion Jehovah himself will roar, and out of Jerusalem he will give forth his voice. And heaven and earth certainly will rock; but Jehovah will be a refuge fro his people, and a fortress for the sons of Israel. And you people will have to know that I am Jehovah your God." - Joel 3:12-17.

That will be a day of doom, indeed, for disobedient nations and humans but a day of relief for all who have made Jehovah and his Warrior-King their refuge! ( 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) The judgment that started with the house of God in 1918 will have run through to its climax, answering the question at 1 Peter 4:17: "What will the end be of those who are not obedient to the good news of God?" The glorious Victor will have trodden the winepress to a finish, demonstrating that he is the exalted One of whom John says: "And upon his outer garment, even upon his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." (Revelation 19:16) He has proved to be far, far mightier than any earthly ruler, any human king or lord. His dignity and splendor are transcendent. He has ridden "in the cause of truth and humility and righteousness" and had triumphed for all time! (Psalm 45:4) Upon his blood-sprinkled garments is written the name bestowed on him by the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, who Vindicator he is!

Next time: The Great Evening Meal Of God.

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988