Verse:
"And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia." (Revelation 14:20)

Context and Interpretation:
Revelation 14:20 is a vivid and symbolic depiction of divine judgment, part of the apocalyptic vision given to the Apostle John. This verse concludes a section where the imagery of a harvest is used to describe the final judgment of the wicked. The "winepress" symbolizes the wrath of God being executed upon those who have rejected Him, a theme consistent with prophetic literature throughout the Bible (e.g., Isaiah 63:3, Joel 3:13).

Symbolism and Imagery:
The "winepress" is a metaphor for God's judgment. In ancient times, a winepress was used to crush grapes to extract juice, symbolizing the crushing of the wicked under God's righteous anger. The location "outside the city" may allude to the place of execution and disgrace, reminiscent of Jesus' crucifixion outside Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:12).

The "blood" flowing "as high as the horses’ bridles" for "1,600 stadia" (approximately 180 miles) is hyperbolic imagery, emphasizing the totality and severity of the judgment. The number 1,600, a square of 40, may symbolize completeness, as numbers often carry symbolic weight in apocalyptic literature.

Theological Significance:
This passage underscores the certainty and severity of divine judgment. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the ultimate justice of God. The imagery of blood flowing so extensively highlights the seriousness with which God views sin and the thoroughness of His judgment.

Application for Believers:
For believers, this passage is a call to remain faithful and to persevere in righteousness. It serves as a reminder of the ultimate victory of God over evil and the importance of aligning oneself with God's will. The imagery of the winepress also points to the urgency of evangelism, as it underscores the fate awaiting those who do not turn to Christ.

Conclusion:
Revelation 14:20, with its dramatic and powerful imagery, encapsulates the theme of divine retribution against sin. It is a call to repentance and faithfulness, urging readers to reflect on their spiritual state and to seek refuge in the grace offered through Jesus Christ. This verse, while daunting, ultimately points to the hope of redemption and the establishment of God's righteous kingdom.1600 (1 Occurrence)

Revelation 14:20
The winepress was trodden outside of the city, and blood came out from the winepress, even to the bridles of the horses, as far as one thousand six hundred stadia.
(See NIV)

1600 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 1600 (1 Occurrence). Revelation 14:20 The winepress
was trodden outside of the city, and blood came out ...
/num/1600.htm - 6k

1365 (1 Occurrence)

/num/1365.htm - 6k

1760 (1 Occurrence)

/num/1760.htm - 6k

Joppa (14 Occurrences)
... in 1892. It is noticed on monuments BC 1600-1300, and was attacked by
Sannacharib BC. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JOPPA. jop'-a ...
/j/joppa.htm - 17k

Gaza (22 Occurrences)
... (see SAMSON.). It is noticed on monuments as early as BC 1600. Its small port
is now called el-Mineh. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GAZA. ...
/g/gaza.htm - 19k

Egypt (596 Occurrences)
... The Hyksos were finally expelled about BC 1600, by the hereditary princes of Thebes,
who founded the Eighteenth Dynasty, and carried the war into Asia. ...
/e/egypt.htm - 101k

Dothan (2 Occurrences)
... Here, at the suggestion of Judah, they sold him to the Ishmaelite merchants
(Genesis 37:17). It is mentioned on monuments in BC 1600. ...
/d/dothan.htm - 8k

Brazen (42 Occurrences)
... This alloy was known in Egypt in at least 1600 BC It was probably known in Europe
still earlier (2000 BC), which helps to answer the question as to the source ...
/b/brazen.htm - 25k

Brass (168 Occurrences)
... This alloy was known in Egypt in at least 1600 BC It was probably known in Europe
still earlier (2000 BC), which helps to answer the question as to the source ...
/b/brass.htm - 44k

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