Revelation 14:11; No Rest Day Nor Night

Revelation 14:11 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. 

The picture of torment is meant as a warning to the unbelievers, who in their daily lives reject the revelation of God and His Christ. John has taken the wording for this picture from the curse God pronounced on Edom, where pitch and sulfur will burn unquenched night and day while its smoke rises without ceasing (Isaiah 34:9–10).

Isaiah 34:9-10 And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever. 

God’s archenemies are forever in the smoke of this fire that is tormenting them. It is impossible to escape God’s righteous judgment except by repenting and believing in Christ during one’s lifetime.

The Apocalypse is a book of contrasts from beginning to end. The smoke of the torment afflicting God’s antagonists is the opposite of the smoke at the altar of incense mingled with the prayers of the saints that ascend to God (Revelation 8:4).

Revelation 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. 

 Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 412). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.