Revelation 20:11

¶ 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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Revelation 20:11 presents a pivotal and awe-inspiring vision at the climax of human history, introducing the scene of the final judgment.

Context

This verse marks the beginning of the Great White Throne Judgment, which follows the thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth (often referred to as the millennium) and the final rebellion of Satan, who is then cast into the lake of fire. After these events, all the dead, both righteous and unrighteous, are raised to stand before God for judgment. This verse sets the stage by describing the majestic and terrifying presence of the Judge and the dissolution of the current cosmos.

Key Themes

  • The Great White Throne Judgment: This is the ultimate and final judgment for all humanity, particularly the unrighteous dead, whose names are not found in the Book of Life. It signifies the end of the old order and the establishment of perfect divine justice.
  • Divine Authority and Sovereignty: The "great white throne" emphasizes God's absolute power, purity, and righteousness as the supreme Judge of the universe. The one seated on it is unmistakably God Himself, before whom all creation bows.
  • Cosmic Dissolution: The dramatic imagery of the "earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them" signifies the complete and utter passing away of the present universe. This prepares the way for the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells. This dissolution underscores the finality of the judgment and the temporary nature of the current physical realm (see 2 Peter 3:10).

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "great white throne" is highly symbolic. "Great" (Greek: megas) conveys immense power, majesty, and universal scope. "White" (Greek: leukos) traditionally symbolizes purity, holiness, righteousness, and justice. Together, they depict a judgment seat of unimpeachable integrity and ultimate authority.
  • "Fled away" (Greek: ephygon) is a strong verb indicating a swift, complete, and irreversible departure or disappearance. It's not merely a gradual fading but a decisive vanishing, highlighting the absolute authority of the one on the throne over creation itself.

Practical Application

Revelation 20:11 serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate justice and sovereignty. For believers, it offers assurance that all wrongs will eventually be righted and that God's plan culminates in perfect righteousness. It reinforces the importance of living a life pleasing to God, knowing that accountability awaits everyone. For those who have not yet committed their lives to Christ, this verse is a solemn warning about the coming final judgment. It underscores the urgency of accepting God's gracious offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, as the subsequent verses describe the Book of Life being opened and judgment based on deeds.

This vision encourages reverence for God and a sober reflection on one's eternal destiny, urging all to seek the mercy and grace available in Christ before the day when the old heavens and earth flee away, and only the eternal Judge remains.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Message of the Book of Revelation An Introduction to Revelation: The Victory of the Lamb The "Beginning and the End": A Study of Genesis and Revelation The "Binding of Satan" in Revelation 20 What the Bible Says About the End Times

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?
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