Devine Scripture

Revelation 14:9

What does Revelation 14:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 14:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 14:9 means

The third angel raises a loud, clear warning: if anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on forehead or hand, consequences will follow. The issue is allegiance. The mark signals loyalty to a blasphemous power in exchange for safety or advantage. This is the stark alternative to bearing the Lamb’s and the Father’s name. No neutral ground remains; worship is always directed somewhere. The angel’s tone is merciful severity, spelling out danger before it is too late. In a world of compromise, God dignifies people with a real choice, but He also tells the truth about the results of that choice.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, If any man worshippeth the beast and his image, and receiveth a mark on his forehead, or upon his hand,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, If any man worshippeth the beast and his image, and receiveth a mark on his forehead, or upon his hand,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a third angel came after them, saying with a loud voice, If any man gives worship to the beast and his image, and has his mark on his brow or on his hand,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And a third messenger did follow them, saying in a great voice, `If any one the beast doth bow before, and his image, and doth receive a mark upon his forehead, or upon his hand,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice: If any man shall adore the beast and his image and receive his character in his forehead or in his hand,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And another, a third, angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any one do homage to the beast and its image, and receive a mark upon his forehead or upon his hand,

Context

Verse 9 personalizes the previous declarations. After announcing Babylon’s fall (verse 8), the focus turns to individuals considering allegiance to the beast. The language recalls the mark in chapter 13 and contrasts it with the seal in verse 1. Verses 10–11 will detail the consequences of such allegiance: full exposure to divine wrath and unending unrest. This stark warning sets up the next two verses (12–13), which show the other path—patient endurance in obedience and faith, and a blessed rest for those who die in the Lord. The chapter will then transition to harvest imagery (verses 14–20).

v.8And another, a second angel, followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that hath made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

v.9This passage

v.10he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 44:4

    Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.

  • Revelation 13:11

    And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

  • Revelation 13:3

    And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast;

  • Revelation 14:6

    And I saw another angel flying in mid heaven, having eternal good tidings to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people;

  • Revelation 14:11

    and the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name.

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