Revelation 6:14

KJV

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the heaven {G3772} departed {G673} as {G5613} a scroll {G975} when it is rolled together {G1507}; and {G2532} every {G3956} mountain {G3735} and {G2532} island {G3520} were moved {G2795} out of {G1537} their {G846} places {G5117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.

Berean Standard Bible

The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.

American Standard Version

And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 6:14 vividly portrays a cataclysmic cosmic and terrestrial upheaval, marking a pivotal moment in the unfolding divine judgments. Upon the opening of the sixth seal, the very fabric of the heavens is depicted as vanishing like a rolled-up scroll, while every mountain and island on earth is violently displaced from its foundation. This dramatic imagery signifies the absolute and irreversible nature of God's judgment, demonstrating His supreme power over all creation and signaling the complete dissolution of the present world order in preparation for a new era.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 6:14 is a climactic moment within the sequence of the seven seals. It immediately follows the terrifying scene where humanity, from kings to slaves, desperately seeks refuge from the wrath of the Lamb and Him who sits on the throne, crying for the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them ([Revelation 6:15-17](/revelation/6-15-17 "Revelation 6:15-17 - The Great Day of Wrath")). This verse provides the cosmic and geological backdrop to that terror, illustrating *how* the earth and heavens are being shaken. It precedes a pause in the judgments, introducing the sealing of the 144,000 and the multitude before the seventh seal is opened and the trumpet judgments begin in [Revelation 8](/revelation/8 "Revelation 8 - The Seventh Seal and Trumpet Judgments"). The imagery here is a powerful precursor to the final, complete renewal of creation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For John's original audience, living under Roman imperial power and facing potential persecution, the stability of the natural world was a given, and mountains were enduring symbols of permanence and refuge. The idea of the heavens being "rolled together as a scroll" would have resonated with their familiarity with ancient documents, which were typically written on scrolls. Once a scroll had served its purpose, it was rolled up and put away or discarded. This action would have conveyed finality and the end of an era. The widespread earthquakes and volcanic activity common in the Mediterranean region might also have made the imagery of mountains and islands being moved particularly potent and terrifying, underscoring the unprecedented nature of this divine intervention.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation and biblical eschatology. First, it underscores the theme of **Cosmic Upheaval and Judgment**, demonstrating that no part of the created order, from the heavens above to the earth below, is exempt from God's purifying wrath. Second, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, emphasizing God's absolute control over creation, capable of dismantling and reshaping the cosmos at His will. This imagery serves as a stark reminder that all earthly structures and perceived securities are temporary. Finally, the radical transformation depicted here signifies **The End of the Old Order**, preparing the way for the establishment of God's eternal kingdom and the promise of a [new heaven and a new earth](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - A New Heaven and New Earth"), where righteousness dwells and the former things have passed away.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **rolled together (Greek, _heilíssō'_):** This word, derived from a verb meaning "to coil or wrap," vividly describes the action applied to the "scroll" of the heavens. It implies a deliberate, decisive, and complete action of removal or closure, much like a document that has been read or whose purpose has been fulfilled is neatly rolled up and put away. The use of this specific term emphasizes the finality and intentionality of the heavens' departure.
* **mountain (Greek, _óros'_):** Derived from a root suggesting "to rise or 'rear'," this term refers to a mountain or hill. In ancient thought, mountains were often considered symbols of stability, permanence, and even divine presence. Their inclusion here, alongside islands, highlights the universality of the terrestrial upheaval. The fact that even these seemingly immovable fixtures are "moved out of their places" underscores the unprecedented and radical nature of the judgment.
* **moved (Greek, _kinéō'_):** This verb means "to stir (transitively), literally or figuratively; to (re-)move." When applied to mountains and islands, it denotes a forceful, active displacement, not a gentle shift. It conveys the idea of a violent, divinely orchestrated shaking that dislodges foundational elements of the earth, leaving no part of the established order untouched or secure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together":** This clause presents a profound simile, comparing the vanishing of the sky to an ancient scroll being rolled up. The "heaven" (οὐρανός, _ouranós_) here refers to the visible sky, the expanse above the earth. Its "departure" (ἀποχωρίζω, _apochōrízo_) signifies a complete separation or removal. The imagery of a scroll being rolled up suggests that the current heavenly order, like a document whose contents have been revealed or whose purpose is fulfilled, is being put away. This striking visual evokes a sense of finality, the conclusion of an age, and the removal of the familiar cosmic canopy. This echoes prophetic language found in [Isaiah 34:4](/isaiah/34-4 "Isaiah 34:4 - The Heavens Rolled Up").
* **"and every mountain and island were moved out of their places":** This second clause describes the corresponding terrestrial upheaval. The use of "every" (πᾶς, _pâs_) emphasizes the comprehensive and universal nature of this displacement. Mountains, traditionally symbols of stability and permanence, and islands, often seen as isolated and unmoving landmasses, are violently "moved" (κινέω, _kinéō_) or dislodged "out of their places" (ἐκ τῶν τόπων αὐτῶν, _ek tōn tópon autōn_). This signifies a complete disruption of the earth's topography and its perceived stability, indicating that no physical refuge or secure location will remain untouched by this divine judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 6:14 is rich with **Imagery** that evokes a sense of overwhelming cosmic and terrestrial disruption. The vivid picture of the heaven departing like a rolled-up scroll and mountains and islands being violently displaced creates a powerful mental landscape of chaos and dissolution. The primary literary device employed is **Simile**, specifically in the phrase "the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together." This comparison helps the reader grasp the abstract concept of the sky's removal by likening it to a familiar, concrete action. Furthermore, the description employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the magnitude of the event; while the exact literal interpretation is debated, the language of mountains and islands being moved out of their places is an exaggerated depiction intended to convey the extreme, unprecedented nature of God's judgment. Finally, **Symbolism** is pervasive, with the heaven, mountains, and islands serving as symbols of the established, stable created order. Their dramatic upheaval symbolizes the complete and irreversible dismantling of the present world system under divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 6:14 powerfully underscores the biblical doctrine of God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His ultimate authority in judgment. This cosmic and terrestrial upheaval is not random chaos but a divinely orchestrated act, demonstrating that the physical world, despite its apparent stability, is entirely subject to the will of its Creator. It serves as a stark reminder of the temporary nature of all earthly things and the certainty of a coming judgment that will dismantle every human construct and perceived security. This passage challenges humanity to recognize the fragility of the present age and to place their hope not in the fleeting stability of the world, but in the enduring, eternal kingdom of God. The shaking of creation is a prelude to the establishment of a new, unshakable order.

* [Isaiah 34:4](/isaiah/34-4 "Isaiah 34:4 - Heavens Rolled Up")
* [2 Peter 3:10](/2_peter/3-10 "2 Peter 3:10 - The Day of the Lord's Coming")
* [Hebrews 12:26-27](/hebrews/12-26-27 "Hebrews 12:26-27 - The Shaking of All Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 6:14 calls us to a profound re-evaluation of our priorities and our ultimate hope. The dramatic portrayal of the heavens vanishing and the earth's foundations being shaken serves as a powerful reminder that everything we see and experience in this physical world is temporary and subject to divine dismantling. For believers, this imagery should cultivate a deep sense of awe for God's immense power and sovereignty, fostering a trust that transcends the instability of the present age. It compels us to live with an eternal perspective, not clinging to the transient comforts or securities of this world, but investing our lives in the unshakable realities of God's kingdom. For those who have not yet reconciled with God, it stands as a solemn warning of the inescapable judgment that awaits a rebellious world, urging repentance and seeking refuge in Christ before the "great day of His wrath" fully arrives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the heavens departing and mountains moving impact my understanding of God's power and sovereignty?**
* **What earthly securities or comforts am I clinging to that this verse challenges me to release?**
* **In what ways does this passage motivate me to live with a greater eternal perspective and urgency for the gospel?**
* **How should the certainty of future judgment shape my present actions and priorities?**

### FAQ
**What does "the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together" mean?**

Answer: This vivid metaphor describes the visible sky or cosmic order being removed or dissolved, much like an ancient scroll that has been read or whose purpose is fulfilled is rolled up and put away. It signifies the complete and decisive end of the current cosmic arrangement. This imagery is not unique to Revelation; similar prophetic language is found in the Old Testament, such as in [Isaiah 34:4](/isaiah/34-4 "Isaiah 34:4 - Heavens Rolled Up"), where the heavens are also described as being "rolled together as a scroll." It conveys finality, the conclusion of an era, and the removal of the familiar order, preparing for something new.

**Is the description of mountains and islands moving literal or symbolic?**

Answer: While Revelation often employs highly symbolic language, the *effect* described in [Revelation 6:14](/revelation/6-14 "Revelation 6:14 - Cosmic Upheaval") is undeniably real and catastrophic. Whether the movement of every mountain and island is to be understood as a literal, geological event on a global scale or as a hyper-realistic symbolic depiction of an unprecedented, universal upheaval, the theological truth remains: no part of the earth, no matter how seemingly stable or remote, will be exempt from God's ultimate judgment and transformation. The imagery emphasizes the complete disruption of all perceived earthly stability and the inescapable nature of divine wrath.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 6:14, with its depiction of cosmic and terrestrial dissolution, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is both the orchestrator of these judgments and the one who brings about the new creation. It is the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who is worthy to open the seals ([Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of Judah Opens the Scroll")), initiating these very judgments. The "wrath of the Lamb" ([Revelation 6:16](/revelation/6-16 "Revelation 6:16 - The Cry for Hiding")) is not arbitrary but is the righteous indignation of the one who bore the world's sin and was rejected. This shaking of the heavens and earth, while terrifying, serves a divine purpose: to remove all that is temporary and corrupt, paving the way for Christ's eternal, unshakable kingdom ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - An Unshakable Kingdom")). He is the one who will return in power and great glory, with the sun and moon darkened and the stars falling from heaven ([Matthew 24:29-30](/matthew/24-29-30 "Matthew 24:29-30 - Signs of the Son of Man's Coming")), fulfilling these cosmic signs. Ultimately, this destruction is not the end, but the painful birth pangs of a new creation, for Christ is the one who declares, "Behold, I make all things new" ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")), establishing a [new heaven and a new earth](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - A New Heaven and New Earth") where righteousness dwells and His redeemed people will live in His presence forever.

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

Isaiah 34:4

And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling [fig] from the fig tree.

Revelation 16:20

And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

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.

Hebrews 1:11

They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

Hebrews 1:13

But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Psalms 102:26

They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

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.