And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

REVELATION 14:11KJV
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Revelation 14:11 (KJV)

What does Revelation 14:11 mean?

Revelation 14:11 describes the lasting consequences faced by those who worship the beast and its image or receive its mark. The verse uses severe images to portray their torment as continuing without relief, day and night.

The smoke rising forever is a picture of enduring judgment. A third angel speaks these words after describing that judgment in verse 10. For the first hearers, the image of rising smoke could recall descriptions of destroyed places, such as Edom in Isaiah 34:10.

The Greek behind Revelation 14:11

  • “rest” — ἀνάπαυσις (anapausis): This word means relief or a break from trouble. Joined with “day nor night,” it emphasizes the absence of any pause.
  • “mark” — χάραγμα (charagma): This word can mean a stamp or an engraved mark. Here the mark is associated with the beast’s name and identifies those who receive it.
  • “worship” — προσκυνέω (proskyneō): This word can mean to bow down or give honor in worship. Here it describes the allegiance given to the beast and its image.

Why Revelation 14:11 matters

  • The warning concerns both worship and the mark. Revelation 14:9 brings the two together, while verse 11 names those who worship and whoever receives the mark.
  • The beast’s image belongs to a scene of enforced worship. In Revelation 13:15, those who refuse to worship the image face death, making the angel’s warning part of a wider conflict over allegiance.
  • Christians differ over whether the images describe unending conscious torment or lasting destruction.

Where else these words appear

“torment” Greek G929 · used in 5 verses

  • Revelation 9:5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
  • Revelation 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
  • Revelation 18:10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

“rest” Greek G372 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
  • Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
  • Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

“mark” Greek G5480 · used in 9 verses

  • Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
  • Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
  • Revelation 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

“smoke” Greek G2586 · used in 11 verses

  • Acts 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
  • Revelation 9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
  • Revelation 15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.