Revelation 14:20

20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.

A. The torment of the wicked is outside the city. This term will appear again in Revelation 22:14-15. The obedient are inside the city of God. Outside the city are dogs. The dogs here are defined as sorcerers, harlots, murderers, idolaters and liars.

B. Jesus was crucified outside the city of Jerusalem. (Hebrews 13:12) The wicked will suffer the wrath of God. Part of the wrath and retribution from God will be separation from Him. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

C. The disobedient will suffer. All the wicked will suffer punishment.

D. The blood of those in the winepress of God’s wrath will form a river of blood. It is described as a river as deep as the bridle of a horse’s bridle. This river runs for 1600 furlongs. NOTE: A furlong Isaiah 606 feet and 9 inches (606.75 feet). This was the length of a race in the ancient Olympics (just over 200 yards). So, the river is as deep as a horse’s bridle and over 180 miles in length.

E. I do not believe that these numbers have any particular significance. I believe John is adding this information to the drama. The description is given for dramatic effect. Just as the streets of Rome were lighted with the burning bodies of Christians, so there is now a river of blood flowing from the wrath of God. The imagery is unmistakable. The wrath of God will be complete. No one will escape punishment.