Revelation 14:9-13 NKJV Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives [his] mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall 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 ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” 12 Here is the patience of the saints; here [are] those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed [are] the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
V9 “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives [his] mark on his forehead or on his hand…” This describes the future for anyone who follows (is a disciple, worshipper, and practitioner). Receiving the antiChrist’s mark/seal is proof of voluntary loyalty to antiChrist which carries a death penalty when convicted by the Judge the Lord Jesus (John 5:22 and Revelation 20:11-15). Worship consists of loyalty, obeying the rules/laws faithfully, praise, thankfulness, etc. Most worship is misplaced into anything but where it rightfully belongs (God and no one else). See Matthew 4:10.
V10 “…he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” “Drink” means the medicine of judgment will be given to these people. Compare Job 21:20. This judgment is God’s severe anger. No mercy is now shown; it is full strength and not watered down. The eternal, never-ending, judgment is torment in fire and brimstone. All will see this will happen to those who refused and rejected the Lord Jesus. The doors of hell will be locked forever with no release ever.
V11 “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Smoke signifies fire. Fire is torment. Why don’t they burn up if they are in fire? They have a resurrected body (Daniel 12:2-3), not for glory as believers will have, but an indestructible body. In the Bible “many” means a multitude. The Hebrew word is (H7227) רַב raḇ, which means a large number. It is not quantitative, but immeasurable. It also hints at different resurrections. Resurrections in the Bible:
There are temporary resurrections where the person dies again.
- See OT examples: 1 Kings 17:17-24, 2 Kings 4:18–37, and 2 Kings 13:20–21.
- See NT examples: Luke 7:11–17, Luke 8:40–56, John 11:1–44, Matthew 27:50–53, Acts 9:36–42, and Acts 20:7–12.
The permanent resurrections are:
- Jesus and the First Fruits—John 20, 1 Corinthians 15:23
- Rapture and Dead Believers—1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
- Two Witnesses—Revelation 11:1-13
- Martyred believers in Tribulation and the OT believers—Daniel 12:2-3, Job 19:25-27, Isaiah 26:19
- All the unbelievers (Last Resurrection)—Revelation 20:11-15
V12 “Here is the patience of the saints; here [are] those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” For Old Testament believers, the commandments refer to Mosaic law. For New Testament believers, it is the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). Patience is because all that God promised did not happen immediately, but they will all be fulfilled. The faith of Jesus is the teachings of the New Testament (Ephesians 2:20).
V13 “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed [are] the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” The dead are martyrs for Jesus; they are blessed by God for all the afflictions they have, are, and will have experienced. Their works refer to Christian deeds that glorify God (1 Peter 2:12). This is God’s rest, which is a blessing. Those who are not believers have no rest, no peace (Isaiah 57:21). All they can look forward to is trouble and torment.
We learn:
- God’s wrath is fierce.
- Followers of God are blessed in many ways.