Revelation of John 14:9
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And a third angel followed them, calling out in a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image, and receives its mark on his forehead or on his hand,
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
A, B, C, and ANDREAS read, "another, a third angel." Compare with this verse Rev 13:15-16.
Open source ↗After an account of the great trials and sufferings which the servants of God had endured, we have now a more pleasant scene opening; the day begins now to dawn, and here we have represented, I. The Lord Jesus at the head of his faithful followers (Rev 14:1-5). II. Three angels sent successively to proclaim the fall of Babylon and the things antecedent and consequent to so great an event (Rev 14:6-13). III. The vision of the harvest (Rev 14:14, etc.).
Open source ↗14:9-11 The third angel announces God’s judgment (14:7) on the counterfeit worship of the beast and his statue (see 13:12-18; 19:20; 20:4). God’s response to the rebellion against his reign is anger or wrath, pictured as a cup of bitter wine (see ch 16; 19:15). • fire and burning sulfur . . . smoke: This description of judgment (see also 19:20; 20:10, 14-15) echoes God’s judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18:16–19:28). • Those condemned to a fiery end will suffer in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb (cp. Luke 16:22-24).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. Day and night there is no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”
Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying: ‘Do not do this detestable thing that I hate.’