View source for Template:Torment

=== Test or torment ===

The words '''AND HE SHALL BE TORMENTED''' can give us the idea of torture or punishment. Tormented here is from ''''basanizo'''' which actually means “to test (metals) by the touchstone, which is a black siliceous stone used to test the purity of gold or silver by the colour of the streak produced on it by rubbing it with either metal” It might imply torture but the word was also used by sailors or fishermen whose ship was struggling with a head wind. The word has the sense of a test and is also translated  ''pain, toss, vex'', and ''toil''.

The word appears a dozen times<Ref name="tormentf">{{tormentf}}</Ref>  in the [[Bible]].

The word '''PRESENCE''' is from ''enopion'' which is more commonly translated ''before'' or ''in the sight of''. To emphasize the nature of these events as a test rather than a cruel punishment with torment and tortures we must ask, “Why would the ''holy angels and the Lamb'' want to watch people being tortured and suffering”? 

Does the good shepherd take delight in punishing his sheep?

Is this a test of our love, faith, hope, and humility?

Are these trials testing the heart and mind of all those who have taken the Mark?

What is written in your heart and mind? 

: "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." Revelation 14:11

Many will tell you that smoke of their TORMENT ascendeth up means if you take the mark, you will be cast into hell. This is a conclusion based again on the word ''torment'', which we have seen may have more to do with a test and the words ''fire and brimstone'' are not, nor have they ever been, synonymous with hell. 

'''FIRE AND BRIMSTONE''' appears during the time of the liberation and redemption of the Israelite from Egypt. I suspect that since most of the [[world]] is now back in a [[bondage]] worse than that of [[Egypt]],<Ref>Employ vs. Enslave from the book [[COg|The Covenants of the gods]]  </Ref> it would seem reasonable that we will see some “fire and brimstone” before the people are all free souls under God on earth again.

The words '''SMOKE ASCENDING''' has also been interpreted as coming from hell. Throughout the [[Bible]] the idea of smoke going up has to do with the accepting of a sacrifice as worthy and in the times of the great test men will be called on to [[sacrifice]] many things, including their very lives in order to pass the test hence the smoke goes up if they pass or goes down if they do not.

'''REST''' is not from the word ''anesis'', meaning a loosening (which is translated ''rest'' 3 times and ''liberty'' and ''be eased'' once each). Nor is it from ''koimesis'', meaning a ''reposing'', ''taking rest''. It is from ''anapausis'', which actually means ''intermission'', ''cessation of any motion'', ''business'' or ''labor''. As more is revealed about the nature of the “test,” our understanding of this passage may increase. One may see in this sentence two different points of view. One is that the smoke from the test goes up forever, and the others who do not repent, change their ways, get no cessation or intermission from their labors, their bondage. It may help to examine more of the context to this one line:

: "Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." [[Revelation 14]]:12

The word PATIENCE is from ''hupomone'', which means steadfastness, constancy, endurance. This may be disappointing to those who are expecting to be ''raptured'' away during this test, since it is clear you are going to need steadfastness, constancy, and endurance to pass.

There is also some requirements to [[Keep the Commandments|keep the commandments]]. Salvation is by [[grace]], but God does not owe us salvation simply because we say we believe.

You cannot save yourself just by what you say. Christ made that very clear.

: Matthew 7:21, 22  "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?"
: Luke 6:46  "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"


Many people proclaim that they believe in [[Christ]] just as the [[Pharisees]] claimed to believe [[Moses]]. But if they are still workers of iniquity and not [[Keep the Commandments|keeping the commandments]] and not [[forgiving]] those who owe them their [[faith]] may be dead.

Are we the [[Faithful]]? 

Are we true [[Believer]]s?

Or are we [[Unbeliever]]? 

We may all face that test of our faith. 

The test will be a witness to the truth.