Revelation 16:5

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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:

Revelation 16:5 presents a profound declaration of God's righteousness amidst the severe "bowl judgments" poured out upon the earth during the end times. Here, a specific angelic being, identified as the "angel of the waters," affirms the justice of God's actions.

Context

This verse immediately follows the third of the seven bowl judgments described in Revelation chapter 16. The previous verse, Revelation 16:4, details how the angel poured out his bowl upon the rivers and fountains of waters, and they became blood. The angel's declaration in verse 5 is a direct response to this specific judgment, affirming that God's decision to turn the waters to blood is entirely just and deserved, especially in light of the unrepentant wickedness of humanity, as further explained in Revelation 16:6.

Key Themes

  • God's Righteousness and Justice: The core message is the affirmation of God's perfect justice. Even in the midst of devastating judgments, His character remains untainted. The angel's declaration, "Thou art righteous," underscores that God's actions are always aligned with His holy nature. This provides assurance that divine judgment is not arbitrary but a just response to sin and rebellion.
  • God's Eternality and Sovereignty: The title "O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be" is a profound descriptor of God's eternal nature and His unchanging sovereignty. This echoes similar expressions found in other parts of Revelation, such as Revelation 1:4 and Revelation 11:17, emphasizing that God is outside of time, existing from eternity past to eternity future, and therefore His judgments are based on perfect knowledge and unwavering truth.
  • Divine Retribution: The phrase "because thou hast judged thus" points to the principle of divine retribution, where the punishment fits the crime. The angel's subsequent words in Revelation 16:6 clarify that those who are now forced to drink blood had previously "shed the blood of saints and prophets." This highlights God's justice in returning to the wicked what they have meted out to His faithful.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be" is a significant theological statement. In Greek, it is Ho On kai Ho En kai Ho Erchomenos (ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος), meaning "The One Who Is, and Who Was, and Who Is Coming." This title is a direct reference to God's eternal self-existence and His ongoing presence and future coming as judge and deliverer. It connects to the Old Testament name for God, Yahweh (YHWH), which is often understood to mean "I Am Who I Am" (Exodus 3:14), signifying His unchanging nature and absolute being. The angel's use of this title emphasizes that the eternal God is the one executing these righteous judgments.

Practical Application

For believers today, Revelation 16:5 offers comfort and a warning. It provides comfort in knowing that God is ultimately just and that all suffering and injustice in the world will eventually be addressed by His perfect righteousness. Even when His judgments are severe, they are always just and purposeful. It also serves as a solemn reminder that sin has consequences and that God will not forever tolerate rebellion against His holiness. This verse encourages believers to trust in God's sovereign plan and to live righteously, knowing that He is the ultimate arbiter of justice for all of humanity, as referenced in Romans 2:5.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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