Revelation 19:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The weapon signifies the punishment that overtakes ungodly sinners according to the righteous judgment, by command from the mouth of God. They will be shepherded by Him with the unbreakable rod of eternal torments, to cut off their impiety. The saints will not experience this, for according to the word of the Psalmist, "The Lord will not leave the rod of the wicked over the lot of the righteous" (Ps 124:3). He treads the winepress of wrath, because the Father Himself judges no one, but has given judgment to Him as Man. He possessed this judgment from the beginning according to essence, as Son.

It is said that a sharp sword comes from His mouth. This is the authority of the law and the severity of the Judge. He preserves its edge for justice, so as to divide all things and set a limit to each person's deeds. Finally, John says: "that with it He may strike the nations." To strike means to smite, to judge, to free, to condemn, to justify, to tear out, and to save. The iron rod is the teaching of power, by which all nations are corrected. It partly removes defects and partly executes judgment. The winepress is the underworld, and the wine is the sentence by which those in whom the righteous wrath of God is active are pressed down and trampled.

By the two-edged sword is understood the authority of Christ, by which the righteous are defended and the unrighteous are punished. By the iron rod is meant His justice, by which the humble are instructed and the proud are shattered like a clay vessel. And when John said, "He treads the winepress of the wine of the fury and wrath of God Almighty," this means that He treads it even now. He allows the wicked to persecute the good and leaves the former in their pleasure. But afterward He repays them, when He sends the unrepentant into Gehenna.

The vision, giving a most exact description, places the sword in the mouth. This signifies that all things have their being through the Word of God, and that whoever transgresses His commands in anything will not remain unpunished. "From His mouth comes a sharp sword, with which to strike the nations." Which nations? Those who fight on the side of the antichrist against the servants of Christ and have placed themselves under his command. It is said: "He shepherds them with a rod of iron." For the Lord, as self-existent Goodness and Mercy, wished to shepherd these nations with the pastoral staff of consolation. He wished to lead them to a verdant place and nourish them by the waters of rest (Ps 22:2).

The sharp sword signifies either the two Testaments, or what we read concerning Wisdom: "Law and mercy are on her tongue" (Prov 31:26), that is, judgment and mercy. The iron rod, in turn, signifies the straightness of inflexible justice. As grain separated from chaff during threshing is preserved in the barn, so by the force of pressure in the winepress wine is providently separated from skins and seeds, or oil from sediment. The Prophet had this in mind when he said: "He dug a winepress in it" (Is 5:2). This happens in the Church when persecution arises or some other calamity occurs. Some sink like sediment in an irreparable fall, while others, through abundant faith, shine more brightly.

By the sword, some interpreters understand the word of God that condemns sinners, which, according to the Apostle (cf. Heb 4:12), is sharper than any sword. Others understand by the sword the punishment of the ungodly and sinners, which will be carried out upon them according to the righteous judgment of God. The iron rod signifies the scourge of endless torments appointed for sinners. "He treads the winepress of the wine of the fury and wrath of God Almighty," because the Father judges no one, but has entrusted judgment to Him as the Son of Man. He possessed this judgment from the beginning as the Son of God (cf. Jn 5:22-29). That is, as the God-man He is the full King and Master over all heaven and earth. He is Master over all men who rule over passions and sins, and they will reign with Him in the age to come.