What is Fire and Brimstone Torment?
What is Fire and Brimstone torment?
The idea that God—who reveals Himself as a loving Father—would torment His creation forever in conscious, unrelenting pain has troubled countless minds and shattered many hearts. And it should. Because not only does this doctrine contradict the heart of the gospel, but it also twists scripture to paint the most merciful being in the universe as the eternal tormentor-in-chief.
It’s time to hold the fire up to the fire and see what actually survives.
The Revelation 14 Misreading
One of the most quoted passages used to defend eternal torment is Revelation 14:10–11:
“He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night…”
Let’s slow down and look at what’s actually being said.
1. Tormented “in the presence” of the Lamb
This is not hell. This is not the lake of fire. This is something happening in the very presence of Jesus.
If Jesus is physically present, then we are not talking about banishment or hellfire in some distant realm. We’re talking about the manifest presence of Christ Himself causing the torment—as a consequence of guilt, exposure, or judgment—but not a sentence to eternal torture.
2 Thessalonians 1:9 – Not “Away From” But “From” the Presence
Another verse often used to support ECT is 2 Thessalonians 1:9:
“Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”
Let’s make this clear:
The Greek word ἀπὸ (apo) does not mean “away from”—it means “from” as in “originating from.”
So Paul isn’t saying destruction happens far from God. He’s saying it comes directly from His presence.
This is crucial. God’s presence is what causes the destruction—not His absence. His unveiled glory, righteousness, and holiness are what consume rebellion and expose everything false.
The Fire and Brimstone Already Show Up in Revelation 9
Let’s not forget: torment by fire and brimstone doesn’t start in Revelation 14 or 20. It actually appears back in Revelation 9:
“And out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. By these three was the third part of men killed…” (Revelation 9:17–18)
This is not final judgment. This is plague-like judgment on earth during the Great Tribulation. It’s symbolic, temporal, and deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic language.
So let’s not pretend that “fire and brimstone” automatically means “hellfire forever.” The Bible uses it many times as a metaphor for swift, devastating judgment—especially from God’s presence.
Isaiah 34 – “Forever Smoke” is a Metaphor of Judgment
When Revelation says “the smoke of their torment goes up forever,” it’s borrowing straight from Isaiah 34:
“The streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust into brimstone… It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste…” (Isaiah 34:9–10)
This judgment was on Edom, a literal nation on earth. Is Edom still burning today? Of course not. The language is poetic and prophetic—not literal. The smoke going up “forever” is the symbol of total, irreversible judgment, not an ongoing barbecue of souls.
The same is true in Revelation. The “smoke” is symbolic, the “torment” is contextual, and the “forever” is covenantal language—not literal, endless time.
No Rest Day or Night – But During What Timeframe?
Revelation 14:11 says those who worship the beast “have no rest day or night.” But that clause is tied specifically to:
“those who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
This is a Great Tribulation warning, not a final eternal judgment passage.
Think it through:
- The “mark of the beast” is not eternal—it’s tied to a specific age.
- So the “no rest” they experience is not infinite. It’s describing the agony and unrest under Antichrist’s reign—while God is pouring out judgment and the Lamb is actively present.
Let’s Be Honest: The ECT View is Absurd
Let’s say it like it is.
You really think God—who calls Himself Father—is going to take His image-bearers, burn them alive forever, never allowing death, never allowing rest, never allowing relief…
…because they didn’t interpret the right theology?
…or were born on the wrong continent?
…or were deceived, abused, broken, angry, blind?
Let’s put it in perspective:
If an earthly father threw his child into a fire for five minutes, we’d arrest him.
But if God does it forever, we’re supposed to call Him holy?
No. That’s not holiness. That’s horror in a robe.
The Gospel Has Been Hijacked by Pagan Imagery
ECT is not a “faithful reading” of Scripture. It is the product of bad translations, pagan import, and church tradition gone rogue. When Jerome translated the Bible into Latin, he imported imagery from Roman and Greek mythology, and that influenced Augustine, who in turn influenced 1,000 years of fear-based theology.
And now? The average Christian doesn’t even realize their idea of hell is Dante’s Inferno with a Jesus sticker slapped on it.
But What About Annihilationism? Isn’t That More Loving?
Sure. It’s better than ECT. But it still frames God as the kind of Being who says:
“Love me—or I’ll erase you from existence.”
That’s still coercion, not covenant. That’s still a threat, not a relationship.
The gospel doesn’t say, “Come to Jesus or die.”
It says, “Jesus died, so you will live.”
So What Does the Fire Mean?
It means God shows up.
When His presence is revealed, everything false burns.
Lies are exposed.
Sin is judged.
The proud are brought low.
But it’s not retributive torture—it’s purifying judgment.
That’s why everyone will be salted with fire (Mark 9:49).
Even believers.
Even now.
God’s fire isn’t reserved for the damned. It’s how He heals the world.
The Real Question Isn’t “Is Hell Forever?”
The real question is:
Will Love Win?
Or does Love… become a torturer in the end?
If you believe Love never fails…
If you believe God is a Father…
If you believe Jesus is the exact representation of God’s nature…
…then eternal torment is off the table. Forever.
