Revelation 20:11

KJV

¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I saw {G1492} a great {G3173} white {G3022} throne {G2362}, and {G2532} him that sat {G2521} on {G1909} it {G846}, from {G575} whose {G3739} face {G4383} the earth {G1093} and {G2532} the heaven {G3772} fled away {G5343}; and {G2532} there was found {G2147} no {G3756} place {G5117} for them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Next I saw a great white throne and the One sitting on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them.

Berean Standard Bible

Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.

American Standard Version

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 20:11 unveils a profound and dramatic vision of the Great White Throne Judgment, depicting the ultimate and final divine assize for all humanity. John observes a majestic, pure, and authoritative throne, occupied by a figure of such overwhelming glory and power that the very fabric of the existing cosmos—the earth and the heaven—vanishes from His presence, leaving no trace. This scene marks the decisive end of the old creation and sets the stage for the establishment of God's eternal new order, underscoring His absolute sovereignty and the inescapable reality of His perfect justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the conclusion of the millennial reign of Christ and the final, decisive defeat of Satan, who is cast into the lake of fire (cf. [Revelation 20:7-10](/revelation/20-7-10 "Revelation 20:7-10 - Satan's Final Rebellion and Doom")). Having dealt with the arch-enemy, the narrative shifts to the judgment of all humanity, particularly the unrighteous dead. [Revelation 20:11](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11 - The Great White Throne Judgment") serves as the grand prelude to this final judgment, setting the awe-inspiring stage before the books are opened and the dead are judged according to their deeds (cf. [Revelation 20:12-15](/revelation/20-12-15 "Revelation 20:12-15 - Judgment According to Deeds")). It marks the transition from the temporal earthly kingdoms and the millennial age to the eternal state.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a "throne" and a "judgment seat" would have been deeply familiar to John's original audience, drawing from both Old Testament prophetic visions (e.g., Daniel 7:9-10) and the Roman imperial context where emperors sat on thrones to dispense justice. The concept of a final, cosmic judgment is a consistent theme in Jewish apocalyptic literature and early Christian eschatology, reflecting a belief in God's ultimate justice and accountability for human actions. The "fleeing away" of heaven and earth resonates with prophetic expectations of a new creation, where the old order would pass away to make room for God's perfect dwelling (cf. [Isaiah 65:17](/isaiah/65-17 "Isaiah 65:17 - New Heavens and New Earth") and [2 Peter 3:10-13](/2_peter/3-10-13 "2 Peter 3:10-13 - The Day of the Lord and New Creation")).
* **Key Themes:** [Revelation 20:11](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11 - The Great White Throne Judgment") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Revelation and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, emphasizing God's absolute authority as the supreme Judge over all creation and humanity. The "great white throne" symbolizes His unimpeachable purity and righteousness in judgment. Another key theme is the **Finality of Judgment**, as this scene represents the ultimate and inescapable accountability for all who have lived outside of Christ. Furthermore, the dramatic dissolution of the current cosmos highlights the **Transience of the Old Creation** and foreshadows the **Promise of a New Creation**, where righteousness will dwell and God will make all things new, as described in [Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - The New Heaven and New Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **throne (Greek, _thrónos'_):** This word (G2362) signifies a stately seat, specifically a royal or judicial seat. By implication, it conveys power and authority, or even concretely, a potentate. In this context, it emphasizes the absolute, regal, and judicial authority of the One seated upon it, indicating a judgment of ultimate and universal scope. The addition of "great" (G3173, _mégas'_) further amplifies its immense power and majesty, while "white" (G3022, _leukós'_) symbolizes purity, holiness, and unimpeachable righteousness.
* **fled away (Greek, _pheúgō'_):** This verb (G5343) means to run away, to shun, or by analogy, to vanish. It denotes a swift, complete, and irreversible departure or disappearance. The use of this word for the earth and heaven emphasizes the overwhelming power of the Judge's presence, causing the very physical universe to dissolve and disappear, not gradually, but decisively, highlighting the absolute finality of this cosmic event.
* **earth (Greek, _gē'_):** This term (G1093) refers to soil, a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrestrial globe, including its occupants. Paired with "heaven" (G3772, _ouranós'_), it collectively represents the entire created cosmos as we know it—the physical universe. Their "fleeing away" signifies the complete cessation and removal of the present order, making way for the new heavens and new earth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I saw a great white throne,"**: John's vision begins with the central object of the judgment scene: a throne. The description "great" emphasizes its immense scale, universal authority, and profound significance. "White" symbolizes the absolute purity, holiness, and righteousness of the judgment about to be rendered. This is not merely a seat of power, but a seat of perfect justice.
* **"and him that sat on it,"**: The focus immediately shifts to the occupant of the throne, the ultimate Judge. While not explicitly named in this verse, the context of divine judgment and the overwhelming effect of His presence clearly identify Him as God Himself, the Alpha and Omega, the sovereign Lord of all creation. His mere presence is so powerful that it causes the universe to react.
* **"from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;"**: This is a dramatic and awe-inspiring image. The "face" (G4383, _prósōpon'_) of the Judge represents His direct, unmediated presence and power. Before this divine majesty, the entire created order—the "earth" (G1093, _gē'_) and the "heaven" (G3772, _ouranós'_), signifying the entire cosmos—cannot stand. They "fled away" (G5343, _pheúgō'_), indicating a swift, complete, and irreversible dissolution, as if unable to bear the purity and power of God's presence.
* **"and there was found no place for them."**: This final clause reinforces the absolute and total disappearance of the old creation. It's not just that they fled, but they ceased to exist in any discernible form or location. This emphasizes the finality of the old order's passing, preparing the way for the new heavens and new earth where righteousness will dwell.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 20:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Symbolism** is central, with the "great white throne" representing God's ultimate authority, purity, and righteous judgment. The color **white** universally symbolizes holiness and justice. The **Anthropomorphism** of "from whose face" attributes a human characteristic (a face) to God, emphasizing His personal presence and the direct, overwhelming impact of His being. The phrase "the earth and the heaven fled away" is a form of **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used for dramatic effect, underscoring the immense power of the Judge and the complete dissolution of the cosmos. This imagery also functions as **Personification**, giving the inanimate earth and heaven the ability to "flee," further emphasizing the terrifying majesty of God's presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 20:11 stands as a monumental theological statement, affirming God's absolute sovereignty, His unassailable justice, and the ultimate accountability of all creation before Him. The fleeting of the old heavens and earth before the Judge's face underscores the temporary nature of the physical universe in contrast to the eternal, immutable reality of God. This vision assures believers that divine justice will ultimately prevail, and all wrongs will be righted, while simultaneously serving as a solemn warning to those who reject God's grace, highlighting the inescapable reality of a final reckoning. It points to a new cosmic order, where God's presence will be fully manifested without the hindrance of a fallen creation.

* [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27 - Appointed to Die Once, Then Judgment")
* [2 Peter 3:10-13](/2_peter/3-10-13 "2 Peter 3:10-13 - The Day of the Lord and New Creation")
* [Daniel 7:9-10](/daniel/7-9-10 "Daniel 7:9-10 - The Ancient of Days and the Court")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vision of the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation 20:11 calls for profound reverence and sober reflection. For the believer, it offers immense comfort and assurance. Knowing that God is the ultimate Judge, whose purity and power cause the very cosmos to flee, provides confidence that all injustice will eventually be rectified and that God's perfect plan will culminate in righteousness. It reminds us that our hope is not in the fleeting things of this world, but in the eternal God and His coming kingdom. This should motivate us to live lives of holiness, seeking to honor Him in all we do, knowing that our ultimate accountability is to Him. For those who have not yet embraced God's gracious offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, this verse serves as a stark and urgent warning. It underscores the absolute necessity of responding to the Gospel now, before the day when the old order vanishes and only the eternal Judge remains, and judgment is rendered based on one's relationship with Christ. It compels us to consider our eternal destiny with utmost seriousness and to seek the mercy and grace available only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the "great white throne" impact your understanding of God's character and authority?**
* **What does the "fleeing away" of the earth and heaven signify about the permanence of our current world versus God's eternal kingdom?**
* **How should the reality of a final, inescapable judgment influence your daily choices and priorities?**
* **For believers, what comfort and motivation does this verse provide regarding God's ultimate justice?**
* **In what ways does this passage highlight the urgency of sharing the Gospel with others?**

### FAQ

**Who is the "him that sat on it" on the Great White Throne?**

Answer: While [Revelation 20:11](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11 - The Great White Throne Judgment") does not explicitly name the one seated on the throne, the overwhelming evidence from biblical theology and other New Testament passages identifies this Judge as God Himself, specifically God the Son, Jesus Christ. The Father has committed all judgment to the Son (cf. [John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One, But Has Given All Judgment to the Son")). Jesus is also described as the one who will judge the living and the dead (cf. [Acts 10:42](/acts/10-42 "Acts 10:42 - Jesus Appointed Judge") and [2 Timothy 4:1](/2_timothy/4-1 "2 Timothy 4:1 - Christ Jesus, Who Will Judge the Living and the Dead")). The majesty and power displayed, causing the very cosmos to flee, are attributes fitting for the divine Son.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 20:11, though depicting a scene of ultimate judgment, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "him that sat on it" is unequivocally the resurrected and glorified Son of God. While the Old Testament often speaks of God as the ultimate Judge (e.g., [Psalm 96:13](/psalms/96-13 "Psalm 96:13 - He Comes to Judge the Earth")), the New Testament reveals that the Father has entrusted all judgment to Jesus (cf. [John 5:22-27](/john/5-22-27 "John 5:22-27 - Jesus' Authority to Judge")). Thus, the terrifying majesty of the Judge before whom heaven and earth flee is none other than the Lamb who was slain, now enthroned in ultimate authority. This same Jesus, who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to take away the sin of the world (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), is the one before whom all will stand. His sacrifice on the cross provides the only escape from the condemnation of this great white throne (cf. [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Furthermore, His resurrection is the ultimate guarantee of this coming judgment (cf. [Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Has Fixed a Day to Judge the World by a Man He Has Appointed")). The passing away of the old heavens and earth also foreshadows the new creation brought forth through Christ's redemptive work, where He will reign eternally in righteousness (cf. [Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "Revelation 21:1-5 - The New Heaven and New Earth")).

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 21:1

¶ And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 Peter 3:7

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Daniel 2:35

Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Matthew 25:31

¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

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;

2 Peter 3:10

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2 Peter 3:12

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?