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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Revelation 14:9 - 14:12
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Rev_14:9-12
9Then 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, 10he 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. 11"And the smoke of their torment goes up 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." 12Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
Rev_14:9 "If. . ." This is a first class conditional sentence with two verbs, "worships" and "receives." Some humans, many humans, will commit these idolatrous acts. This is the exact opposite of receiving God's Messiah in Rev_14:7; Rev_14:12. Those who do will experience the wrath of God (cf. Rev_14:10).
Rev_14:10 "he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God" Humans have only two spiritual options, God or evil. The Greek term wrath orgç refers to "a settled opposition." See full note at Rev_7:14. The allusion is to Isa_51:17 or Jer_25:15-16 (cf. Rev_16:19; Rev_19:15). Believers must face the wrath of Babylon (cf. Rev_14:8), but unbelievers will face the wrath of God (cf. Rev_14:10).
This strange combination of terms (literally "mixed unmixed") means that the wine of God's wrath has been mixed with other elements in order to make it extremely intoxicating, but unmixed as far as being watered down. The term "cup" was often used in the OT for God's judgment (cf. Isa_51:17; Isa_51:22; Jer_25:15-17; Jer_25:27-29; Psa_75:8). Jesus drank the cup of God's wrath for all mankind (cf. Mar_14:36). The unbelieving world will not respond to Him by faith, and therefore, they face the cup themselves!
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▣ "and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone" This is an allusion to God's judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah (cf. Gen_19:24; Gen_19:28; Luk_17:29; or judgment in general, cf. Psa_11:6; Isa_34:8-11; Eze_38:22). Torment is the ultimate fate of the two beasts (cf. Rev_19:20), of the evil one (cf. Rev_20:10), and of unrepentant mankind (cf. Rev_20:15; Rev_21:8).
Fire (see Special Topic at Rev_16:8) was an OT metaphor of God's holiness (cf. Num_9:15-16, etc.) It was used as a means of cleansing (cf. Lev_8:17; Lev_8:32; Lev_9:11; Lev_9:24; Lev_13:32; Lev_13:55; Lev_13:57, etc.) and judgment (cf. Lev_10:1-2; Num_11:1-3, etc.). This association with judgment was expanded to describe a place of judgment. Jesus used the garbage dump south of Jerusalem in the valley of the sons of Hinnom (Gehenna) as a symbol of eternal punishment (cf. Rev_20:10; Rev_20:14-15).
Rev_14:11 "the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever" I wish that I could believe in universalism or at least in a second opportunity to respond to the gospel, but according to the Scriptures humans must respond to God's offer in faith (cf. Mar_1:15; Act_3:16; Act_3:19; Act_20:21) while they live (cf. Heb_9:27); if they refuse to respond, the consequences are ultimate and eternal (cf. Mar_9:47-48; Mat_25:46; Joh_5:29; Act_24:15; 2Th_1:6-9). The permanent punishment of the wicked is compared to the transitory suffering of the saints. This is supported in the phrase "they will have no rest day and night," while in Rev_14:13 the saints do have rest.
This is not an easy subject to discuss. The love of God and His heart for redemption are in contrast to His verdict of eternal punishment. Most of God's judgments in Revelation are for redemption, like the plagues on Egypt and the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 27-29. Yet, God's ultimate rejection is permanent. It is not disciplinary, it is punitive! This is so hard to understand, to emotionally handle. It does accentuate the need for evangelism!
Before I leave this subject let me share with you a thought I have had in this area. As bad as hell is for humankind, it is worse for God. God created humans in His image for fellowship. All of creation is a stage for God to meet and know mankind. God loves all the sons and daughters of Adam (cf. Eze_18:32; 1Ti_2:4; 2Pe_3:9). He loves them so much He was willing to send His own Son to die in their place (cf. Joh_3:16; 2Co_5:21). But He has chosen that sinners must respond to Him in trust, faith, repentance, obedience, service, worship, and perseverance. God does not send anyone to Hell, but unbelievers send themselves (cf. Joh_3:17-21). Hell is an open, bleeding sore in the heart of God that will never be healed! I am not sure God ever has "a good day." Oh, the pain of willful rebellion in the face of sacrificial love!
Rev_14:12 Perseverance is a major theme throughout the book (cf. Rev_1:9; Rev_2:7; Rev_2:11; Rev_2:17; Rev_2:19; Rev_2:26; Rev_3:5; Rev_3:10; Rev_3:12; Rev_3:21; Rev_13:10; Rev_21:7). God's people have been shown to be faithful even in the midst of persecution. See full note and Special Topic at Rev_2:2.
▣ "saints" See Special Topic at Rev_5:8.
▣ "who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus" A similar description of believers is found in Rev_12:17. Notice that the emphasis is on a personal faith relationship with Jesus, followed by a lifestyle of obedience (cf. Rev_12:17; Luk_6:46).
Mature Christianity consists of
1. a person to welcome (a personal relationship with Christ)
2. truths about that person to believe (doctrinal truths of the NT)
3. a life to live like that person (daily Christlikeness)
All three are required for a mature, healthy, growing faith.