Why is the imagery of smoke from a furnace repeated in Genesis 19:28 and Revelation 9:2?

The identical imagery of smoke links God's judgment with darkness, but it does not make Genesis 19:28 and Revelation 9:2 descriptions of the very same event. In the first passage, it is the aftermath of the actual destruction of Sodom, while in the second, it is a symbolic portrayal of spiritual darkening within a prophetic vision.

A Shared Biblical Image

Both passages employ a similar comparison: smoke ascends "like the smoke of a furnace." In the ancient world, a furnace was associated with intense heat, thick black smoke, and an inability to see through it. Thus, this expression vividly conveys the scale of the catastrophe: the land or the abyss seems to turn into a giant furnace. The repetition of this imagery is not accidental: biblical authors often draw upon familiar scenes of past divine judgments to underscore the gravity of sin and its consequences.

“Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace.” Gen 19:28

What the Smoke Signifies in Genesis

In Genesis 19:28, Abraham gazes upon the outcome of the judgment fallen on Sodom and Gomorrah. This is not merely a poetic symbol: the smoke is a visible sign of devastation following the destruction of the cities. At the same time, it carries spiritual significance, showing that God is not indifferent to cruelty, moral decay, and the stubborn rejection of His appeal. Judgment did not come without warning: Lot and his family were given the opportunity to leave the city. Thus, the picture of smoke speaks not of God's caprice, but of the tragic end of sin that people long refused to abandon.

What the Smoke Signifies in Revelation

In Revelation 9:2, the scene belongs to a symbolic prophetic vision regarding the trumpets. Here, smoke arises from the "bottomless pit," darkening the sun and the air. Unlike Genesis, the text does not depict a repeat of Sodom's destruction. The imagery conveys the spread of darkness, fear, deception, and destructive forces that stand in opposition to God's light. In biblical language, the sun is frequently associated with light, life, and the ability to discern the path; therefore, its darkening highlights spiritual disorientation.

“And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit.” Rev 9:2

Is There a Direct Reference to Sodom Here?

John may well be deliberately using language that reminds readers of God's ancient judgments, particularly Sodom. However, we should not claim more than the text itself states: Revelation 9:2 does not explicitly name Sodom, nor does it interpret the smoke as physical fire consuming cities. It is rather a shared biblical metaphor. Its central point in both instances is similar: sin brings destruction, and separation from God leads to darkness.

In the Adventist understanding of prophecy, it is essential to interpret Revelation through its symbols and Old Testament background. Ellen White repeatedly emphasized that rejecting God's truth brings moral and spiritual darkness. Yet, God's warnings always include a call to return to Him while there is still time.

Conclusion and Practical Application

Thus, the phrase "smoke... like the smoke of a furnace" shares the common meaning of intense devastation and darkness; yet in Genesis, it describes the historical aftermath of the judgment on Sodom, while in Revelation, it presents a symbolic prophetic picture of spiritual darkening. The practical lesson is simple: let us not grow accustomed to sin, nor allow deception to obscure God's Word. Let us daily examine our convictions by the Bible, pray for spiritual light, and choose obedience to God rather than the path that leads into darkness.