The Vine of the Earth by Eliza H. Morton

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 18, 1916

The Vine of the Earth

By Eliza H. Morton

CHRIST is the Vine from heaven; but there is also a vine of the earth, called an empty vine, and a strange vine, bringing forth wild grapes. Hosea 10: 1. The fruit of this degenerate vine is not to the Lord, but to itself. It symbolizes all manner of wickedness. Gal. 5: 19-21. Josephus tells of a fruit similar to a puffball, found in Palestine, which is beautiful outwardly, but within filled with a bitter powder. This well symbolizes the fruit of the vine of the earth,—the empty pleasures of the world.

When the clusters on the vine of the earth are fully ripe—when the wicked nations have filled up their cup of iniquity—then the harvest will be reaped. The vine of the earth will be gathered, and cast into the great wine press of the wrath of God. Rev. 14: 19. This wine press is none other than the seven last plagues, for in them is filled up the wrath of God. Rev. 15: 1; 16. The branches of the true Vine, having been purged by the Husbandman, will abide forever.

ELIZA H. MORTON.