Apocalypse Revealed＃652
652. 14:20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city. This symbolically means that the examination was made in accordance with Divine truths in the Word, to discover the character of the works that flowed from their church's doctrine regarding faith.
The trampling of the winepress means symbolically that the examination was made to discover the character of the works. To trample a winepress means, symbolically, to examine, and the clusters of grapes that were trampled symbolize works, as in no. 649 above, here the works that flowed from their church's doctrine regarding faith, namely evil works. The city here means the great city mentioned in chapter 11:8, above, "the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt." That it means the doctrine of faith divorced from charity - the doctrine of the church of the Protestant Reformed - may be seen in nos. 501, 502 above. And because every examination of a church's doctrine is made in accordance with the Divine truth in the Word, and because this is not found in the doctrine of the Protestant Reformed, but apart from it, this too is symbolically meant by the trampling's having taken place outside the city.
It can be seen from this that the trampling of the winepress outside the city means symbolically that the examination was made in accordance with Divine truths in the Word, to discover the character of the people's works that flowed from their church's doctrine regarding faith.
In the following passages, to trample or tread a winepress means, symbolically, not only to examine for evil works, but also to hold them up to view and to remove them and cast them into hell:
I speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Why is your apparel red, and your garments like those of one who treads in the winepress? I have trodden the winepress alone... (Isaiah 63:1-3)
The Lord has trodden underfoot all my mighty men...; the Lord has trampled the winepress of the... daughter of Judah. (Lamentations 1:15)
(He who sat on the white horse) shepherds (the nations) with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fury and wrath of... God. (Revelation 19:15)
Isaiah 63:1-3
1
Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this who is glorious in his clothing, marching in the greatness of his strength? "It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save."
2
Why are you red in your clothing, and your garments like him who treads in the wine vat?
3
"I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yes, I trod them in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments, and I have stained all my clothing.
