Revelation 16:17

¶ And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

And {G2532} the seventh {G1442} angel {G32} poured out {G1632} his {G846} vial {G5357} into {G1519} the air {G109}; and {G2532} there came {G1831} a great {G3173} voice {G5456} out of {G575} the temple {G3485} of heaven {G3772}, from {G575} the throne {G2362}, saying {G3004}, It is done {G1096}.

The seventh one poured out his bowl on the air, and a loud voice came out of the Temple from the throne, saying, “It is done!”

Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, “It is done!”

And the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air; and there came forth a great voice out of the temple, from the throne, saying, It is done:

Commentary

Revelation 16:17 marks a pivotal moment in the apocalyptic narrative, signifying the culmination of God's final judgments upon the earth during the tribulation period. This verse describes the pouring out of the seventh and final bowl of wrath, accompanied by a definitive declaration from the throne of God.

Context of Revelation 16:17

This verse concludes the series of the seven bowls (or vials) of God's wrath, which are detailed throughout Revelation chapter 16. Preceding this, the earth has endured severe plagues, including sores, seas turning to blood, scorching sun, and darkness. The sixth bowl prepared the way for the kings of the East and the gathering for the climactic battle of Armageddon. The seventh angel pouring his vial "into the air" indicates a judgment that is all-encompassing, affecting the very atmosphere and extending globally, touching every facet of life and the environment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Finality of Divine Judgment: The resounding declaration, "It is done," from the temple of heaven and the throne of God, signifies the absolute completion and irreversibility of this phase of God's judgment. It is a pronouncement of ultimate divine authority and the fulfillment of prophetic decrees.
  • God's Absolute Sovereignty: The voice emanating "out of the temple of heaven, from the throne," underscores that these cataclysmic events are not random but are orchestrated by God Himself. He is in complete control, executing His righteous judgment. The throne is a consistent symbol of God's supreme power in Revelation.
  • Cosmic Scope of Wrath: Pouring the vial "into the air" suggests that this final judgment impacts the entire world, affecting the very breath of life and the spiritual atmosphere. It is a universal judgment, leaving no corner untouched.
  • Climax of God's Wrath: This verse marks the apex of the bowl judgments, leading directly into further dramatic events described in subsequent chapters, such as the great earthquake and the fall of Babylon.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "It is done" is Gegonen (γεγονεν). This is the perfect active indicative form of the verb ginomai (γίνομαι), meaning "to come into being," "to happen," or "to become." The perfect tense here is crucial, as it denotes a completed action with lasting, permanent results. It is not merely "it will be done" or "it is being done," but "it has been done and remains done." This carries a similar weight of finality as Christ's cry on the cross, "It is finished" (Greek: Tetelestai) in John 19:30, though the contexts differ. In Revelation, it signifies the culmination of God's judicial process.

Practical Application and Reflection

For believers, Revelation 16:17 offers profound assurance of God's ultimate victory and the certainty of His prophetic word. It reminds us that despite the chaos and evil in the world, God is sovereign and will bring all things to their appointed end, establishing His righteous kingdom. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of divine justice and the necessity for all humanity to prepare for accountability before God. It calls for humility, repentance, and faith in the Lord, while also providing comfort that God will ultimately wipe away all tears and make all things new for those who trust in Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 21:6

    And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

  • John 19:30

    When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

  • Ephesians 2:2

    Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

  • Revelation 10:6

    And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

  • Revelation 10:7

    But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

  • Revelation 15:5

    ¶ And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

  • Revelation 15:6

    And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
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