17, 18. The voice from beneath the altar, commanding the vintage to be gathered is the voice of a martyr whose blood cries to heaven for vengeance. [1] This martyr who has "power over fire" is probably Elias who will destroy Antichrist by sending down fire from heaven. [2] The prophet Joel also describes the judgments of God against unholy nations as a vintage and a treading of the wine-press. [3]
19-20. The wine-press of divine wrath shall be trod den outside the city of Jerusalem. [4] Final victory over Antichrist will be won through great slaughter and bloodshed in a battle near the Holy City, perhaps in the valley of Josaphat. The prophecy of Joel may refer to this event instead of the last judgment: Let the nations come up into the valley of Josaphat: for there I will sit to judge all nations round about. . . . Nations, nations in the valley of destruction: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of destruction. [5]
