Bad News for the Followers of the Beast.
“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, 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 brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 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.” – Relation. 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. (I have a full study on the subject. In communicating with me please use my personal #[0421232881] as this number is used for streaming and your request will get lost in the stream. Or you can use the comment section at the bottom of the post.) 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.
The beast and its image mentioned in today’s text is that which is described in Revelation 13:1-10. Remember I furnished 81 identifications of this beast power. Revelation 13:16 also told us that the Mark of the beast would be enforced worldwide. For this enforcement to occur a civil government needs to be involved. But since worship is involved, it must be a spiritual power as well. This means that the church and state will work to bring about the ‘mark of the beast.’
Revelation 13:15-17 also warned us of the international boycott levelled against those who refuse to cooperate. This will lead to a death decree. Remember as we compare this with today’s text, that the wrath of man is temporary whereas the wrath of God leads to eternal destruction (2Thess1:9).
The mark of the beast will be placed on the forehead or on the right hand. When the Bible talks about the forehead, it is talking about the seat of intelligence – where we give mental assent to what we believe. (The seal of God is also placed here – Revelation 9:4) . Receiving the mark on the forehead means agreeing with the beast and supporting what it is doing. The mark in the right hand stands for cooperation. It means, I may not agree, but I am willing to go along with what is being done. I will give my hand to it, because the alternative is not pleasant. TBC