Revelation 14:12

Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 

• ·        You have before seen their patience exercised, now you see it rewarded. (MH)

• ·        We can only imagine what courage and comfort this passage will give embattled, persecuted saints during the Great Tribulation. Clearly, God wants to encourage His people to be steadfast in times of trial, focused on what blessed rest and reward awaits them in eternity. (DG)

Psalm 78:7  That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments

Psalm 89:5  And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD: Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints.

Revelation 14:11

“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.”

• ·        Those who worship the Antichrist and receive his mark will endure this wrath and indignation for eternity in hell.  (DG)

• ·        If the only consequences for sin are in this life, or if the only penalty for sin is temporary, then clever sinners have won out over God. Walvoord says of the phrase forever and ever: “Literally ‘into the ages of ages,’ the strongest expression of eternity of which the Greek is capable.”  (DG)

Isaiah 34:10  It shall not be quenched night or day; its smoke shall ascend forever.  From generation to generation it shall lie waste; no one shall pass through it forever and ever.

Isaiah 66:24  And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me.  For their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched.  They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.

Revelation 14:9-10

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, 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.

• ·        Those who refuse to come out of Babylon must receive of her plagues (MH)

• ·        This reminds us that there is a connection between worshipping the beast and his image and receiving his mark on his forehead or on his hand. No one will “casually” or “accidentally” take the mark. The connection between worshipping the beast and taking the mark will be clear enough. (DG)

Genesis 19:24  Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens.

Isaiah 51:17  Awake, awake!  Stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of His fury; you have drunk the dregs of the cup of trembling, and drained it out.