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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 42
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἄγγελος
angel
G32
ἄγγελος
angel
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
3 of 42
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
ἐκ
out
G1537
ἐκ
out
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
5 of 42
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 42
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυσιαστηρίου
from the altar
G2379
θυσιαστηρίου
from the altar
Strong's:
G2379
Word #:
7 of 42
a place of sacrifice, i.e., an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative)
ἔχοντι
to him that had
G2192
ἔχοντι
to him that had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
8 of 42
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἐξουσίαν
power
G1849
ἐξουσίαν
power
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
9 of 42
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
ἐπὶ
over
G1909
ἐπὶ
over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
10 of 42
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 42
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πυρός
fire
G4442
πυρός
fire
Strong's:
G4442
Word #:
12 of 42
"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 42
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐφώνησεν
cried
G5455
ἐφώνησεν
cried
Strong's:
G5455
Word #:
14 of 42
to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation
μεγάλῃ
with a loud
G3173
μεγάλῃ
with a loud
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
16 of 42
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 42
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔχοντι
to him that had
G2192
ἔχοντι
to him that had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
18 of 42
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 42
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 42
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
23 of 42
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Πέμψον
Thrust in
G3992
Πέμψον
Thrust in
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
24 of 42
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
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 42
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 42
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
30 of 42
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
32 of 42
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
34 of 42
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
36 of 42
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς,
of the vine of the earth
G1093
γῆς,
of the vine of the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
37 of 42
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
38 of 42
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
40 of 42
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does connecting judgment to the altar (prayers of saints) encourage you that God will vindicate His people?
- What does the vineyard's full ripeness teach about why God sometimes delays judgment while allowing evil to continue?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.