What is the significance of the explanatory clause, “for its grapes are ripe”?
Revelation 14:18 (ESV)
18And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.”
This clause parallels the earlier clause of Revelation 14:15: “For the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” As with that phrase, this one too echoes the formulation of Genesis 15:16 and Daniel 8:23.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.”