Verse 18
18. Another angel The two angels of Revelation 14:17-18, are the angels of the bloody vintage. The former has the sickle, and is the executioner; the latter reports the ripeness and readiness for the bloodshed.
Came out from the altar As the previous came from the visional temple in the sky; where the divine wrath against Babylon is brewing. The altar is the basis on which the victim is placed with bloodshed; thence it is revealed that the moment is ripe for the sacrifice.
Power over fire And was, therefore, the proper angel to guard the fires of the altar. The imagery presupposes the guardianship of the different elements by appointed angels. So in Revelation 7:1-2, we have the angels of the four winds, and in Revelation 16:5, the angel of the waters.
Are fully ripe As the juice of the grape has fully matured for the press, so the sins of Babylon are full for divine punishment.
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