Revelation 14:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Whoever submits to the beast-like antichrist, follows his impious life, and proclaims him god in word or deed, as the mark on the hand and forehead bears witness, [...]

The third angel forbids men to worship the beast and to take his seal. For it is utterly impious to worship as God anything other than the real and true God.

"He shall drink the wine of the wrath of God, unmixed wine, prepared in the cup of His anger." The divine David recalls this cup and this wine, saying: "For in the hand of the Lord is a cup of unmixed wine, full of mixture, and He pours from it this way and that. Yet its dregs will not be exhausted. All the sinners of the earth shall drink it" (Ps 74:9).

He calls the wrath of God wine, using this metaphor not because of gladness, but because of the darkening and madness by which those who experience the wrath of God are tormented.

Some heretics have separated from us because of evil faith, while also having a decline in morals. Others have deviated from our traditions. But there were also those appointed to perish because of both faith and morals.

Here all the living who receive the mark of the beast on their forehead and hand are embraced together. The cup of wrath here must be understood not only as the cup of that wrath of which the Lord says, "the wrath of God remains on him" (Jn 3:36), indicating a particular sin.

It is also like that cup of which He says to the obstinate Jews: "You will die in your sin" (Jn 8:21), indicating an increasing measure of deeds worthy of condemnation.

The saints who reign with the Lord can always behold the punishment of the wicked. Giving thanks all the more fervently to their Redeemer, they sing forever of the mercy of the Lord.

For the sight of the torments of the corrupt does not grieve those who are in agreement with the righteous Judge. Likewise, the sight of Lazarus at rest could not ease the suffering of the rich man consumed by flame (cf. Lk 16:23-24).

"If anyone," says St. Andrew, "submits to the beast-like antichrist, takes part in his lawless life by word or deed, and proclaims him God, this may signify receiving the mark on the forehead and hand.

Such a one will share with him in drinking the cup of punishments. It is not mixed or diluted with the mercy of God, but mixed with various punishments because evil is manifold and many-shaped."