Verse 18
Another angel, the sixth in this chapter, came out from the golden altar of incense in heaven (Revelation 8:3). This is probably an allusion to his responding to the Tribulation saints’ prayers for vengeance from under the altar (Revelation 6:9-10). His "power over fire" may indicate his authority to execute punishment. It seems clear from Revelation 14:19 that this angel was addressing the angel with the sickle (Revelation 14:17), not Jesus Christ. John saw a different crop here ready for harvest. The two reapings seem to describe a single judgment at the end of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 19:15; Revelation 19:17-21).
"Following the pattern of Joel 3:13, the scene furnishes two pictures of the same judgment for the same reason that Joel does, i.e., to emphasize the terror of it." [Note: Ibid., p. 220. Cf. Isaiah 34:1-3, 6; 63:1-6.]
The vine may represent Israel and the wheat Gentiles.
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