Expositor's Bible Commentary 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 explicit reference to the certain judgment of the beast worshipers links this section to ch. 13. Through an OT figure of eschatological judgment, unmixed wine (not diluted with water) in the cup of God’s wrath (Psalms 75:8; Jeremiah 25:15) and “burning sulfur” (Isaiah 30:33; Isaiah 34:8–10; cf. Genesis 19:24; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 21:8), John describes God’s judgment inflicted on those who refuse his truth and worship a lie (Romans 1:18, 25). For those who drink Babylon’s cup (v.8), the Lord will give his own cup of wrath.

The reference to “torment” (GK 989; cf. 9:5; 11:10; 12:2; 20:10) has troubled some commentators since this torment takes place “in the presence... of the Lamb.” The view that some recalcitrant individuals will suffer eternal deprivation seems repugnant to Christian sensitivity, but John’s imagery conveys a sense of finality and sober reality. It is not clear whether this imagery points only to permanency and irreversibility of God’s punitive justice or also includes the consciousness of eternal deprivation (cf. 20:10). Preaching about hell, of course, should never be used as a terror tactic by the church but should always be presented in such a way as to show that God’s mercy is the final goal. Yet when all is said and done, the question is not whether the doctrine of hell is detestable but whether it is true. It does have the full support of Scripture and of our Lord (Matthew 25:46; Romans 2:3–9; 2 Thessalonians 1:6–9).

The worshipers of the beast will be unable to rest day and night, in contrast with the saints who will “rest” from their labor (v.13). While the beast worshipers had their time of rest, and while the saints were persecuted and martyred, in the final time of judgment God will reverse their roles (7:15ff.; cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6–7).

The great test for Christians is whether through patient endurance they will remain loyal to Jesus and not fall prey to the deception of the beasts . They do this by paying serious attention to God’s Word and their faithfulness to Christ Jesus (1:3; 2:26; 3:8, 10; 22:7, 9; cf. Php 1:28–30).