1. Revelation 14:10 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why does the third angel add a reference to being tormented with fire and sulphur?

Revelation 14:10 (ESV)

10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

The torment described here is intended to provide a sense of what the wine of God’s wrath tastes like. This fire and sulphur reminds us of the penalty that fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24), and refers to the unrelenting agony of hell (Revelation 9:17–18; Revelation 20:10). It is a very different sort of fire than that which the second beast brought down from heaven (Revelation 13:13).