JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

August 1987

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your recent inquiry in which you asked how to understand the scripture, "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever ..." (Rev. 14:11).

Notice that verse 8 gives the time setting of Revelation 14:11. It concerns the impending fall of "Babylon."

Verses 9 and 10 state, "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark ... he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone ... in the presence of the Lamb" (that is, at Christ's Second Coming).

Those who have a part in this system of "Babylon," and who receive this frightful punishment from Almighty God, have "no rest day nor night" as long as they remain in that land falling under God's wrath. They will either have to flee that area and seek God's mercy or be tormented by sulphurous fumes TILL THEY PERISH.

This passage does NOT say these individuals are being tormented forever in an ever-burning hell. Verse 11 says, "The SMOKE of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever."

The Bible plainly teaches that flesh and blood is subject to combustion and death. Malachi 4:3 says that in the end the ashes of the wicked will be under the feet of the righteous. The wicked will be DESTROYED and will die that death -- the second death -- from which there is never to be a resurrection (Rev. 20:6, 14).

Thank you for your interest. Whenever we may be of further service, please let us know.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT