THE FULFILLMET OF REVELATION 14:9-11

 ON THE FIRST VIAL JUDGMENT   

Every aspect of the warning threatened in Revelation 14:9-11 is to be found in judgments which take place on this earth prior to, or connected with Christ’s second coming (The seven last "Bowl" Judgments"). None of the language has anything to do with hell or the doctrine of eternal torment. An examination of the context, both immediate, and from the scriptures as a whole makes this plain.

Many students of prophecy, myself included feel that we may be nearing the end of this age. The return of our savior is fast approaching. The Book of Revelation paints a sobering picture of what is to befall our world prior to the return of Jesus. Its warnings are real, and need to be taken seriously. Tragically, Christians have been conditioned to misread Revelation’s warnings and misapply them to hell, thus removing the perceived and immediate danger to a time and place far removed from our world.

Revelation 14:9-11 is not about hell. It concerns the fate of this earth and its inhabitants. It warns of judgments which were then soon to take place and soon will come to their climactic conclusion.

 

Comparing Revelation  Chapter 14 with Revelation Chpaters 15-19
WARNING
REVELATION 14:9-11 		FULFILLMENT
REVELATION CHAPTERS 15-19

Wrath of God (Rev14:10)
Bowls of the Wrath of God (Rev 16:1)

Poured Out (Rev 14:10)
Bowls of Wrath Poured Out Upon the Earth (Rev 16)

Cup of the wine of his wrath (Rev 14:10)
Cup of the wine of his wrath given to Babylon the Great (Rev 16:9)

In the Presence of the Angels (Rev 14:10)
Harvesting Angel (Rev 14:7) Angels Pour Out (Rev 16:2,3,4,8,10,12,17)

Those Worshipping the Beast Threatened (Rev 14:9)
Those Worshipping the Beast Tormented (Rev 16:2)

Tormented with Fire (Rev 14:10)
Tormented / Scorched with Great Heat (Rev 16:8)

Tormented with Fire (Rev 14:10)
Burning, Torment (Rev 18:9-10,15)

Torment, No Rest Day or Night (Rev 14:11)
Grievous Sore, Waters Turned to Blood, Scorched with Fire, Darkness, They Gnawed Their Tongues for the Pain (Rev 16:2,3,4,8,10,12,17)

Smoke Arose Forever and Ever (Rev 14:11)
Smoke Arose Forever and Ever (Rev 19:3)

Revelation 14:10 - The wrath of God is poured out. The "lake of fire" is never spoken of in this language. Where do we find this language? It is in the pouring out of seven bowls of God's wrath. (Revelation 16:1-21)

Revelation 14:10 - The threatened torment is "The cup of the wine of his wrath". The "lake of fire" is never called this. This is, however, the "cup" which specifically represents the destruction of Babylon the Great. (Revelation 16:19)

Revelation 14:10 - The punishment is to take place in the presence of the angels. There is no mention of the presence of angels surrounding the "lake of fire". What we find are God's angels pouring out the last seven bowls of His wrath upon the earth. (Revelation 16)

Revelation 14:9 - The punishment is specifically directed towards those worshipping the beast, its image, or taking its mark. There is no specific mention of these being uniquely punished in the "lake of fire". However, we do see this group uniquely singled out for torment and punishment beginning in Revelation 16:2

Revelation 14:10 - They shall be tormented with fire and have no rest. Revelation says nothing about wicked mankind being tormented in the "lake of fire"; You have only assumed that it does. Revelation 20:10 does contain the phrase "tormented day and night forever and ever", but that phrase applies only to the dragon, beast and false prophet.(8) Please don't take my word for it. Check it. Where do we find torment inflicted on those worshipping the beast? "Torment" - Revelation 18:7, 10,15. "Burning" - Revelation 18:9, 18. "Grievous sores", "scorched with fire", "gnawed their tongues because of the pain" - Revelation 16: 2, 3, 4, 8-9, 10, 12, 17! None of these things are said about the state of the wicked in the "lake of fire".

Revelation 14:11 - The smoke arises forever and ever. Is this ever said about the "lake of fire"? It is not. The fulfillment is found in Revelation 19:3 on the complete and utter ruin of Babylon the Great; There is no scripture where this phrase is ever applied to anything other than an earthly destruction.

Those worshipping the beast are to, "Drink of the wine of the wrath of God" (Revelation 14:10). Before the seven bowl judgments are poured out upon them we are told that, "In them the wrath of God is complete" (Revelation 15:1). We are informed in Revelation 15:8 that "No one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed". On the pouring out of the seventh, and final bowl we are told, "It is done!"