Revelation 16:5

KJV

And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I heard {G191} the angel {G32} of the waters {G5204} say {G3004}, Thou art {G1488} righteous {G1342}, O Lord {G2962}, which {G3588} art {G5607}{G3801}, and {G2532} wast {G2258}{G3801}, and {G2532} shalt be {G3741}{G3801}, because {G3754} thou hast judged {G2919} thus {G5023}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then I heard the angel of the waters say,

“O HaKadosh, the One who is and was,
you are just in these judgments of yours.

Berean Standard Bible

And I heard the angel of the waters say: “Righteous are You, O Holy One, who is and was, because You have brought these judgments.

American Standard Version

And I heard the angel of the waters saying, Righteous art thou, who art and who wast, thou Holy One, because thou didst thus judge:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 16:5 records the solemn declaration of the "angel of the waters," who affirms the perfect righteousness and eternal sovereignty of God in His execution of the third bowl judgment. This angelic pronouncement serves as a divine vindication, asserting that the severe retribution poured out upon the earth, specifically the turning of waters into blood, is a just and deserved consequence of human wickedness and persecution of God's saints.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 16:5 is embedded within the sequence of the seven bowl judgments, which represent the final outpouring of God's wrath upon an unrepentant world, immediately preceding the return of Christ. Specifically, this verse follows the third bowl judgment described in [Revelation 16:4](/revelation/16-4 "Revelation 16:4 - The Third Bowl Judgment"), where the angel pours his bowl upon the rivers and springs, turning them into blood. The angel's declaration in verse 5 is a direct, theological justification for this specific judgment, explaining *why* it is righteous. This justification is further elaborated in [Revelation 16:6-7](/revelation/16-6-7 "Revelation 16:6-7 - Justification for the Judgment"), where the angel and the altar echo the divine justice, linking the judgment to the shedding of the blood of saints and prophets by the wicked. Thus, verse 5 acts as a pivotal moment of divine commentary, ensuring the reader understands the moral basis for God's actions, even in their terrifying severity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of waters turning to blood would have resonated deeply with ancient audiences, recalling the first plague in Egypt ([Exodus 7:17-21](/exodus/7-17-21 "Exodus 7:17-21 - The First Plague")). This connection emphasizes God's sovereign power over creation and His historical precedent of using natural elements as instruments of judgment against those who oppose Him and His people. In a broader sense, the book of Revelation was written to Christians facing intense persecution under the Roman Empire. The concept of divine justice and retribution would have been immensely comforting to those suffering, assuring them that God saw their plight and would ultimately avenge the blood of His martyrs. The declaration of God as "which art, and wast, and shalt be" draws upon ancient Near Eastern concepts of divine eternality and immutability, underscoring God's unchanging character and His ultimate authority over all time and events.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation. Firstly, it reiterates **God's absolute righteousness and justice**, a foundational attribute often highlighted in the face of escalating judgments (e.g., [Revelation 15:3-4](/revelation/15-3-4 "Revelation 15:3-4 - Song of Moses and the Lamb")). Even when His actions appear destructive, they are always perfectly aligned with His holy character. Secondly, the declaration "which art, and wast, and shalt be" emphasizes **God's eternality and unchanging sovereignty**, a recurring motif throughout the book (e.g., [Revelation 1:4](/revelation/1-4 "Revelation 1:4 - God's Eternal Nature") and [Revelation 11:17](/revelation/11-17 "Revelation 11:17 - God's Reign")). This title assures that the One executing judgment is the timeless, all-knowing, and all-powerful God. Thirdly, the phrase "because thou hast judged thus" points to the theme of **divine retribution** or *lex talionis*, where the punishment justly fits the crime. The subsequent verse ([Revelation 16:6](/revelation/16-6 "Revelation 16:6 - Justification for Judgment")) explicitly links the turning of waters to blood with the shedding of the blood of saints and prophets, demonstrating God's just recompense.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **righteous (Greek, _díkaios'_):** This term signifies being equitable in character or act, innocent, or holy. When applied to God, it denotes His inherent moral perfection and His unwavering adherence to justice and truth. The angel's declaration that God "art righteous" confirms that His actions, even these severe judgments, are not arbitrary but are perfectly aligned with His holy nature and moral standards. It assures that God's judgments are always fair and deserved.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** Meaning "supreme in authority" or "controller," this title is a respectful address to God, emphasizing His absolute dominion and sovereignty. In the context of judgment, addressing God as "Lord" underscores His rightful position as the ultimate judge and ruler over all creation. It highlights His power and authority to execute these final judgments.
* **judged (Greek, _krínō'_):** This verb means to distinguish, decide (mentally or judicially), try, condemn, or punish. Here, it refers to God's act of rendering a judicial decision and executing a verdict. The angel's statement, "because thou hast judged thus," directly links God's righteous character to His specific act of judgment, affirming that His decision to pour out wrath is a just and deliberate act of divine justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I heard the angel of the waters say":** This introduces the speaker, a specific angelic being identified by his domain or responsibility over the waters. His voice carries divine authority, as he is a messenger of God. The act of hearing emphasizes the importance and truthfulness of the pronouncement that follows.
* **"Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be":** This is the core declaration. The angel directly addresses God, affirming His inherent righteousness. The profound title, "which art, and wast, and shalt be," is a unique divine epithet in Revelation, emphasizing God's eternal, self-existent, and unchanging nature, encompassing past, present, and future. It underscores that the One who judges is the timeless, sovereign God.
* **"because thou hast judged thus":** This clause provides the justification for the angel's praise. God is righteous *because* of the way He has judged. The "thus" refers specifically to the preceding third bowl judgment, where the waters were turned to blood. It asserts that this severe act of judgment is not only justified but is a manifestation of God's perfect righteousness, a righteous response to the wickedness of humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 16:5 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, as the angel directly addresses God ("Thou art righteous, O Lord"). This direct address elevates the solemnity and personal nature of the declaration. The phrase "which art, and wast, and shalt be" serves as a profound **Divine Epithet** or **Periphrasis**, a descriptive title that encapsulates God's eternal, immutable, and sovereign nature without directly naming Him. This echoes the divine self-declaration of "I AM" in the Old Testament, signifying His absolute being. The angel himself, as the "angel of the waters," introduces an element of **Personification** or **Anthropomorphism**, giving voice to an entity associated with a natural domain, thereby reinforcing the idea that even creation itself acknowledges and praises God's justice. The entire scene is steeped in **Apocalyptic Imagery**, where symbolic figures and dramatic pronouncements convey profound theological truths about divine judgment and righteousness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 16:5 powerfully articulates the unwavering truth of God's justice, even in the midst of devastating judgment. It counters any notion that God's wrath is arbitrary or disproportionate, instead presenting it as a righteous and necessary response to persistent rebellion and the shedding of innocent blood. This divine vindication is crucial for understanding God's character throughout Scripture; He is not merely loving and merciful, but also perfectly just and holy, and His justice demands a response to sin. The angel's declaration of God's eternality ("which art, and wast, and shalt be") further grounds this justice in an unchanging, transcendent being, assuring that His judgments are founded on perfect knowledge and an eternal standard of righteousness. This verse serves as a solemn reminder that while God is patient, His patience is not infinite, and ultimately, all will stand before His righteous judgment.

* [Psalm 9:7-8](/psalms/9-7-8 "Psalm 9:7-8 - God as Righteous Judge")
* [Romans 2:5-6](/romans/2-5-6 "Romans 2:5-6 - God's Righteous Judgment")
* [2 Thessalonians 1:6-8](/2_thessalonians/1-6-8 "2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 - God's Just Retribution")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 16:5 offers both profound comfort and a sobering warning for believers today. The comfort lies in the assurance that God is perfectly righteous and just. In a world often characterized by injustice, where evil seems to prevail and the innocent suffer, this verse reminds us that God sees, God knows, and God will ultimately set all things right. His judgments, though severe, are never capricious but are always rooted in His holy character. This truth should strengthen our faith, enabling us to trust His sovereign plan even when circumstances are bewildering. The warning, however, is equally potent: God will not forever tolerate sin and rebellion. His patience has an end, and His justice demands accountability. This should motivate us to live lives of repentance, holiness, and active pursuit of righteousness, knowing that we serve a God who judges justly. It also calls us to a deeper compassion for those who do not know Him, urging us to share the good news of salvation before the day of ultimate judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the angel's declaration of God's righteousness in judgment challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character?**
* **In what ways does knowing that God "art, and wast, and shalt be" provide comfort or conviction in your life today?**
* **How should the concept of God's just retribution, as highlighted in this verse, influence our prayers for justice and our actions against injustice in the world?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "angel of the waters" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "angel of the waters" is not explicitly identified by name elsewhere in Scripture, but his title suggests a specific angelic being appointed by God with authority or oversight over the earth's waters. In apocalyptic literature like Revelation, angels often serve as agents of divine judgment or revelation, and some are given specific roles or domains (e.g., the angel of fire in [Revelation 14:18](/revelation/14-18 "Revelation 14:18 - Angel of Fire")). His declaration here is not his personal opinion but a divinely inspired affirmation of God's justice in the context of the third bowl judgment, which specifically targeted the waters ([Revelation 16:4](/revelation/16-4 "Revelation 16:4 - Third Bowl Judgment")).

**Why is it important that God is declared "righteous" in the midst of such severe judgments?**

Answer: This declaration is crucial because it underscores the moral integrity of God's actions. Without it, the severe bowl judgments might appear arbitrary or cruel. By affirming God's righteousness, the angel clarifies that these judgments are not acts of capricious wrath but are perfectly just and deserved responses to humanity's persistent sin, rebellion, and persecution of God's people. It ensures that the reader understands that God's character remains untainted, even as He executes devastating retribution. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that God is always just in His dealings with humanity, as seen in passages like [Psalm 145:17](/psalms/145-17 "Psalm 145:17 - The Lord is Righteous").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 16:5, with its profound declaration of God's righteousness and eternality in judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's righteousness, the one through whom all things were created and by whom all things are sustained ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ's Supremacy")). As the "Lamb who was slain" ([Revelation 5:6](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb Who Was Slain")), Jesus took upon Himself the unrighteousness of humanity, satisfying the demands of God's justice on the cross, thereby making a way for forgiveness and reconciliation. Furthermore, the divine epithet "which art, and wast, and shalt be" is also applied to Christ in [Revelation 1:8](/revelation/1-8 "Revelation 1:8 - Jesus, the Alpha and Omega"), affirming His co-eternality and co-sovereignty with the Father. He is not only the righteous Savior but also the appointed righteous Judge of all the earth ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - Christ as Judge") and [Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God's Appointed Judge")). Thus, the angel's praise of God's righteous judgment in Revelation 16:5 foreshadows the ultimate judgment that will be executed by Christ, who perfectly upholds God's justice while also offering the ultimate path to escape it through faith in His atoning work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 1:8

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Revelation 11:17

Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

Revelation 1:4

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Psalms 145:17

The LORD [is] righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

Revelation 4:8

¶ And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Romans 2:5

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Psalms 129:4

The LORD [is] righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.