Revelation 6:17

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

For {G3754} the great {G3173} day {G2250} of his {G846} wrath {G3709} is come {G2064}; and {G2532} who {G5101} shall be able {G1410} to stand {G2476}?

For the Great Day of their fury has come, and who can stand?”

For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”

for the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?

Revelation 6:17 KJV describes the terrifying realization of those experiencing divine judgment during the opening of the sixth seal in John's apocalyptic vision. This verse captures the desperate cry of humanity as they face the overwhelming and inescapable wrath of God.

Context

This verse immediately follows the dramatic events of the sixth seal's opening, which includes cosmic disturbances like a great earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon like blood, and stars falling. These signs cause immense fear among all classes of people on earth, from kings to slaves, who seek to hide themselves from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. Revelation 6:17 is their collective utterance, a rhetorical question born of utter despair, acknowledging that the prophesied "great day of his wrath" has arrived, and no one can withstand it.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Inevitability of Divine Judgment: The phrase "is come" signifies that God's long-foretold judgment is not merely a future threat but a present, undeniable reality. This "great day of his wrath" is a central concept in biblical prophecy, often referred to as the Day of the Lord in the Old Testament, a time of reckoning for the ungodly.
  • Universal Inability to Stand: The rhetorical question "who shall be able to stand?" emphasizes the utter helplessness of humanity in the face of God's power and righteous indignation. No human strength, wealth, or status can provide refuge or resistance against the Almighty. This echoes ancient warnings like Nahum 1:6, "Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger?"
  • The Terror of God's Wrath: The reaction of the people—hiding in caves and crying out—underscores the profound fear and terror associated with experiencing God's holy judgment directly. It is a stark contrast to the patience and mercy often shown by God, revealing the consequence of unrepentant sin.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "wrath" is orgē (ὀργή), which in this context refers to God's settled, righteous indignation and punitive justice, not a volatile human emotion. It is a holy and just response to sin and rebellion. The word "stand" (σταθῆναι - stathēnai) implies not merely physical standing, but the ability to endure, resist, or remain firm in the face of overwhelming opposition. The question highlights the complete absence of such ability for those under judgment.

Practical Application

Revelation 6:17 serves as a powerful warning and a call to reflection. It underscores the severity of God's judgment for those who reject His mercy and refuse to repent. For believers, it highlights the immense grace of God in providing a way of escape from this wrath through faith in Jesus Christ. As Romans 5:9 states, "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." This verse encourages an urgent response to the gospel, recognizing that while a day of wrath is coming, God has also offered a path to reconciliation and eternal life.

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.

  • Malachi 3:2

    But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

  • Psalms 76:7

    ¶ Thou, [even] thou, [art] to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

  • Joel 2:11

    And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp [is] very great: for [he is] strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD [is] great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

  • Joel 2:31

    The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

  • Jeremiah 30:7

    Alas! for that day [is] great, so that none [is] like it: it [is] even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

  • Revelation 16:14

    For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

  • 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;

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