Revelation 16:18

And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, [and] so great.

And {G2532} there were {G1096} voices {G5456}, and {G2532} thunders {G1027}, and {G2532} lightnings {G796}; and {G2532} there was {G1096} a great {G3173} earthquake {G4578}, such as {G3634} was {G1096} not {G3756} since {G3739}{G575} men {G444} were {G1096} upon {G1909} the earth {G1093}, so mighty {G5082} an earthquake {G4578}, and so {G3779} great {G3173}.

There were flashes of lightning, voices and peals of thunder; and there was a massive earthquake, such as has never occurred since mankind has been on earth, so violent was the earthquake.

And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth—so mighty was the great quake.

and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since there were men upon the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty.

Commentary

Revelation 16:18 vividly describes the immediate, terrifying effects following the pouring out of the seventh and final bowl of God's wrath. This verse portrays an unparalleled cosmic and earthly upheaval, signifying the culmination of divine judgment upon an unrepentant world.

Context of Revelation 16:18

This verse is part of the seventh bowl judgment, which is announced in Revelation 16:17 with the declaration, "It is done." This final bowl unleashes the most severe and comprehensive judgments seen in the book of Revelation. The preceding six bowls brought various plagues, but the seventh brings a global cataclysm that affects the very fabric of the earth and sky, leading to the events described in this verse and the subsequent destruction of Babylon the Great.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The "voices, and thunders, and lightnings" are classic biblical imagery often associated with the powerful presence of God and the manifestation of His judgment, reminiscent of the awe-inspiring scene at Mount Sinai. They underscore that these events are not random occurrences but are direct, deliberate acts of divine judgment, demonstrating God's absolute control over all creation.
  • Unprecedented Cataclysm: The central focus is the "great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great." This emphasizes the unparalleled magnitude and destructive power of this seismic event. It signifies a complete disruption of the established order and a final, overwhelming display of God's wrath against human rebellion. This earthquake surpasses all previous seismic events mentioned in Revelation, including the one in Revelation 11:13.
  • Finality of God's Wrath: This event marks a critical turning point in the end-time prophecies, leading directly to the ultimate destruction of the great city Babylon (Revelation 16:19) and setting the stage for the climactic return of Christ. It underscores the severity of God's righteous anger against persistent sin and unrepentance.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "great earthquake" is seismos megas (σεισμός μέγας). The KJV translation's emphatic repetition—"so mighty an earthquake, and so great"—accurately captures the unparalleled nature of this event as described in the original text. The phrase "such as was not since men were upon the earth" translates literally to "such as did not happen from the time men came to be on the earth," reinforcing its unique historical severity and global impact.

Practical Application and Reflection

Revelation 16:18 serves as a sobering reminder of God's ultimate power and the certainty of His justice. For believers, it reinforces the importance of living in reverence and faithfully anticipating the Lord's return, knowing that they are delivered from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10). For those who have not yet submitted to Christ, it is a stark warning about the profound consequences of rejecting God's grace and a call to sincere repentance before these final, irreversible judgments are fully unleashed. This verse underscores the cosmic implications of human choices and the absolute sovereignty of God over all creation and history.

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

  • Daniel 12:1

    ¶ And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

  • Revelation 4:5

    And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

  • Revelation 11:13

    And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

  • Revelation 11:19

    And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

  • Matthew 24:21

    For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

  • Revelation 6:12

    And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

  • Revelation 8:5

    And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast [it] into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.