Revelation 14:11 KJVS
[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.

This verse has caused me much concern over the years. Concern for family and friends that I have who are not believers. The language at first glance seem to indicate torment for eternity. It’s troubled me much so that I have studied the word definitions of the Greek words in the above verse with different bible tools. This verse comes to mind after many years of studying scripture and consulting various different bible translation.

Jeremiah 8:8 ESV
[8] “How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie.

I would think the lying pen of the scribes is not confined to the Old Testament law of Moses but to those who translate the original Greek into the different versions of the Bibles that we have today. Some versions good, some misleading, perhaps intentionally so. Let us look at Rev 14:11 using the Young’s Literal Translation and Rotherham versions.

Revelation 14:11 YLT
[11] and the smoke of their torment doth go up to ages of ages; and they have no rest day and night, who are bowing before the beast and his image, also if any doth receive the mark of his name.
Revelation 14:11
Rotherham(i) 11 And, the smoke of their torment, unto ages of ages, ascendeth; And they have no rest day or night, who do homage unto the beast and his image, or if anyone receiveth the mark of his name.

These translations greatly change the meaning of the verse. A literal bible version attempts to translate a Greek or Hebrew word the same in every usage. Context is one way to determine meaning. Also in the book of Revelation this verse comes to mind.

Revelation 11:15 KJVS
[15] And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Now does the Lord and his Christ reign forever and ever?

1 Corinthians 15:25-26,28 KJVS
[25] For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. [28] And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Rev 20:4&6 state that the saints will reign with Jesus a thousand years which agrees with the above verse, as it also limits our Lord’s reign. Which leads me to believe that the smoke of their torment mentioned in Rev 14:11 is not eternal and very likely ascends only to the start of the thousand year kingdom of the God. I also see verses in scripture that state God is going to save all men.

1 Timothy 4:10-11 KJVS
[10] For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. [11] These things command and teach.

So in regards to family and friends that the Lord has not called. I find comfort in the verses that I used in this article. And I trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men.