The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

We submit an interpretation which we believe is in perfect harmony with the Scriptures
already noted, to the effect that this winepress treading of the vision under consideration
occurs in the land of Palestine, and describes the last feature of the time of trouble there.
The land of Palestine or a portion of it might be considered as fulfilling the symbol of the
vat into which the blood flowed. Certain methods of measurement of this land seem to fit
perfectly this thousand six hundred furlong measurement. We quote an expositor in this
connection, noting, however, that further light than that which he had, indicating who or
what will be represented in this final gathering of God's enemies in the land of Palestine,
causes us to disagree with a few of his conclusions. And this variation on our part is
simply and solely because more light on this great event is now due, than when this writer
gave his exposition, about seventy years ago. The quotation follows:
"As to the remaining particulars of the figuration we may observe, in passing, that the
gathering of the vine's clusters by the angel's sharp pruning hook, and the casting them
into the winepress of the wrath of God, seemed to indicate acts preparatory to the
winepress-treading; the former perhaps meaning some signal separation, by sharp
judgments, of Antichrist's members from those of Christ; the latter, the overruling of their
own wicked wills . . . to accomplish the gathering of the anti-Christian body to the fated
field of vengeance."
Concerning the locality of this winepress-treading of what Mr. Elliott (the writer we are
quoting) calls the "fated field of vengeance," he speaks of it as "the glorious holy
mountain," Palestine, and associates this event with the deliverance of Daniel's people in
connection with the great time of trouble. (Dan. 12:1.) Note his words, as further
elaborating this point:
"And let me not fail to add, in corroboration of these views, that there are three other well
known prophecies in the Old Testament, viz., in Ezekiel 39, Joel 3, and Zechariah 12,
which seem all to point similarly to some grand destruction of an anti-Christian
confederacy in the mountains of Judah or Israel, immediately at, or before the final
conversion and restoration of the Jews and the commencement of the consequent glorious
predicted times of blessedness [times of restitution].
"After all which agreeing evidence, it seems to me that we shall probably not err in looking
confidently for the coincident occurrence of the two grand events following, viz.:
"1. The homeward return of the Jews from captivity in fullness and strength like as when
the mighty Euphrates stream of their conquerors is forced backward by the mightier
influences of the tide of the Southern Ocean. [The words of the Psalmist, "Turn again our
captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south," Psa. 126:4, are the words upon which Mr.
Elliott bases his poetical exposition.]
"2. The gathering into, and the destruction in Judea of the Papal Antichrist; and perhaps,
too, of the Mohammedan Turk."
He further enlarges on this point: