Reflections on Revelation #257

Day 257

“Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and [d]brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Revelation. 14:9-11. (NASB)

In contrast to God’s faithful people, Revelation 14:9-11, the third angels message, warns about the fate of those who face God’s wrath. In the Old Testament, the outpouring of God’s wrath is described symbolically as drinking wine from a cup (Jer. 25:15, 16). The severity of the judgment upon the worshipers of the beast is expressed as drinking the wine of the wrath of God that is poured out “unmixed” (V:10) into the cup of His indignation. In ancient times, people often diluted wine with water to reduce its intoxicating strength. But the wine of God’s wrath is described as “full strength”. The unmixed, undiluted wine represents the pouring out of God’s wrath in its full strength, without mercy. The only time in all sacred history where God has not offered mercy in the face of Judgment. 

The statement of the torment with fire and brimstone refers to total destruction. Fire and brimstone is a means of judgment (Gen. 19:24, Isa. 34:8–10). The ascending smoke of destruction is a well-known image in the Bible. Isaiah prophesied of the future destruction of Edom by fire and brimstone: it will become a burning pitch; “it shall not be quenched night or day; its smoke shall ascend forever” (Isa. 34:10, NKJV). Jude describes the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah as suffering the punishment of “eternal fire” (Jude 7). These texts do not talk about endless burning, for none of these cities are burning today. The consequences are eternal, not the burning itself. The “eternal fire” in Revelation refers to annihilation; the burning will be long enough to make the consumption complete until nothing is left to burn. The result is eternal. There is a big difference between eternal punishing(verb) and eternal punishment(noun). The Bible never uses the verb! The punishment (Noun) of the unsaved is eternal in its consequences. 

In our text, it is only “the smoke of their torment” that metaphorically “ascends for ever and ever.” If you would like more information on this subject, please request it. This is one of the dragon’s big lies, that teaches the God of ‘love’ will roast people for ever if they don’t believe in Him. This would make God the ultimate terrorist.

1 Comment
  • Sue Garda
    Posted at 06:03h, 16 September Reply

    Yes please, I would like more information on eternal fire/smoke, thanks

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