Albert Barnes Commentary Revelation 14:10

"he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:" — Revelation 14:10 (ASV)

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God. See Barnes on Revelation 14:8.

The "wine of the wrath of God" is the cup in the hand of the Lord, which when drunk makes them reel and fall. The image would seem to have been taken from the act of holding out a cup of poison to a condemned man that he might drink and die. See the sentiment expressed here illustrated in See Barnes on Isaiah 51:17.

Which is poured out without mixture. Without being diluted with water; that is, in its full strength. In other words, there would be no mitigation of the punishment.

Into the cup of his indignation. The cup held in his hand and given them to drink. This is expressive of his indignation, as it causes them to reel and fall. The sentiment here is substantially the same, though in another form, as that which is expressed in 2 Thessalonians 2:12. See Barnes on 2 Thessalonians 2:12.

And he shall be tormented. He shall be punished in a manner that would be well represented by being burned with fire and brimstone. On the meaning of this word, see Barnes on Revelation 9:5 and Revelation 11:10.

Compare also Revelation 18:7, 10, 15; Revelation 20:10; Matthew 8:29.

Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28. The word commonly denotes severe torture.

With fire and brimstone. As if with burning sulphur. See Barnes on Luke 17:28 and following. (Job 18:15; Isaiah 30:33; Ezekiel 38:22).

The imagery is taken from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24). The common representation of the punishment of the wicked is that it will be in the manner represented here (Matthew 5:22; Matthew 13:42; Matthew 18:9; Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:44–48; 2 Peter 3:7; Jude 1:7).

Revelation 20:14. Compare. See Barnes on Matthew 5:22 and on Mark 9:44.

In the presence of the holy angels. This may mean either:

1. that the angels will be present at their condemnation (Matthew 25:31), or
2. that the punishment will be actually witnessed by the angels—as it is most probable it will be. (Luke 16:23–26).

And in the presence of the Lamb. The Lamb of God—the final Judge. This also may mean either that the condemnation will occur in his presence, or that the punishment will be under his eye. Both of these things will be true in regard to him; and it will be no small aggravation of the punishment of the wicked that it will occur in the very presence of their slighted and rejected Saviour.

For the phrase "fire and brimstone," see Revelation 19:20.