Revelation 14:20

And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and the blood that flowed from it rose as high as the bridles of the horses for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

Study Bible

And the winepress was trodden outside the city
This phrase evokes imagery from the Old Testament, particularly Isaiah 63:3, where God is depicted as treading the winepress in judgment. The location "outside the city" is significant, as it often symbolizes a place of judgment and exclusion from the holy city, Jerusalem. In biblical times, winepresses were located outside city limits, and this imagery is used to convey the severity and separation of divine judgment. The city likely refers to Jerusalem, a central place in biblical prophecy and eschatology.

and the blood that flowed from it
The flowing blood symbolizes the outpouring of divine wrath and judgment. This imagery is consistent with apocalyptic literature, where blood often represents the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. The blood flowing from the winepress signifies the magnitude of judgment upon those who oppose God.

rose as high as the bridles of the horses
This hyperbolic expression emphasizes the extent and severity of the judgment. Horses were common in ancient warfare, and their bridles would be about four to five feet high. The imagery suggests a catastrophic and overwhelming judgment, indicating that the consequences of sin are vast and inescapable.

for a distance of 1,600 stadia
A stadion was an ancient Greek unit of length, approximately 607 feet. Therefore, 1,600 stadia would be about 184 miles. This specific measurement may symbolize completeness or totality, as the number 1,600 is the square of 40, a number often associated with testing and judgment in the Bible. The vast distance underscores the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, affecting a wide area and leaving no place untouched.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Winepress
Symbolic of God's judgment, the winepress represents the process of divine wrath being executed upon the wicked. In ancient times, a winepress was used to crush grapes to extract juice, symbolizing the crushing of evil.

2. Outside the City
This phrase indicates that the judgment occurs outside the holy city, often interpreted as Jerusalem. It signifies separation from the sacred and the profane, emphasizing the exclusion of the wicked from God's presence.

3. Blood Flowing
The imagery of blood flowing as high as horses' bridles is a hyperbolic expression of the magnitude of God's judgment. It underscores the severity and completeness of divine retribution.

4. Horses' Bridles
Horses were often associated with warfare in biblical times. The mention of horses' bridles suggests a battlefield scene, reinforcing the theme of divine warfare against evil.

5. 1,600 Stadia
This measurement, approximately 180 miles, symbolizes the vast extent of the judgment. The number 1,600 may also have symbolic significance, representing completeness (40 x 40).

Teaching Points

The Reality of Divine Judgment
God's judgment is real and inevitable for those who reject Him. The vivid imagery serves as a warning to take God's justice seriously.

The Separation of the Righteous and the Wicked
The judgment occurring "outside the city" emphasizes the separation between those who belong to God and those who do not. Believers are called to live lives that reflect their citizenship in the holy city.

The Completeness of God's Justice
The extensive measurement of 1,600 stadia illustrates the thoroughness of God's judgment. It reassures believers that evil will be fully and finally dealt with.

The Urgency of Repentance
The graphic depiction of judgment should motivate individuals to repent and turn to God, seeking His mercy and grace before it is too late.

The Hope of Redemption
While the passage focuses on judgment, it also points to the hope of redemption for those who are in Christ, who have been spared from this wrath.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of the winepress in Revelation 14:20 help us understand the nature of God's judgment?

2. What is the significance of the judgment occurring "outside the city," and how does this relate to the concept of holiness in the Bible?

3. In what ways does the description of blood flowing as high as horses' bridles challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice?

4. How can the measurement of 1,600 stadia be interpreted symbolically, and what does it teach us about the scope of God's judgment?

5. Considering the urgency of repentance highlighted in this passage, how can we apply this urgency in our daily lives and in sharing the gospel with others?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Isaiah 63:1-6
This passage describes the Lord's vengeance and the imagery of treading the winepress, providing a prophetic backdrop to Revelation 14:20.

Joel 3:13
The prophet Joel also uses the imagery of a winepress to describe the judgment of the nations, highlighting the consistency of this symbol throughout Scripture.

Revelation 19:15
This verse further develops the theme of the winepress of God's wrath, connecting it to the return of Christ and the final battle against evil.