14:18 Another angel came out from the altar. The altar of burnt offerings.
Which had the power over fire. This angel, one that has power over fire, comes forth from the altar where fire was kept burning. Fire is an emblem of punishment, of destruction.
Thrust in thy sickle. He bids the angel who holds the sickle to begin his work, to put forth his sickle and cut off
the clusters of the vine of the earth for they are ripe. Grapes are chosen as a symbol of the wicked because of their harmony with the figure that describes the fate of the wicked. The vine of the earth means the world that lieth in sin, earth being used in an unfavorable sense thus far in Revelation.
14:18 And another angel from the altar - Of burnt offering; from whence the martyrs had cried for vengeance. Who had power over fire - As the angel of the waters, Rev 16:5, had over water. Cried, saying, Lop off the clusters of the vine of the earth - All the wicked are considered as constituting one body.
14:14-20 Warnings and judgments not having produced reformation, the sins of the nations are filled up, and they become ripe for judgments, represented by a harvest, an emblem which is used to signify the gathering of the righteous, when ripe for heaven, by the mercy of God. The harvest time is when the corn is ripe; when the believers are ripe for heaven, then the wheat of the earth shall be gathered into Christ's garner. And by a vintage. The enemies of Christ and his church are not destroyed, till by their sin they are ripe for ruin, and then he will spare them no longer. The wine-press is the wrath of God, some terrible calamity, probably the sword, shedding the blood of the wicked. The patience of God towards sinners, is the greatest miracle in the world; but, though lasting, it will not be everlasting; and ripeness in sin is a sure proof of judgment at hand.
