Revelation 6:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 6:17 captures the terrifying and desperate cry of humanity as they confront the undeniable arrival of divine judgment, signaled by the opening of the sixth seal. This verse articulates the universal realization that the long-prophesied "great day of his wrath" has come, leaving all people—regardless of status—with the chilling, rhetorical question of who could possibly withstand such overwhelming and righteous indignation. It underscores the absolute power and inescapable justice of God in the face of unrepentant sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the cataclysmic events unleashed by the opening of the [sixth seal](/revelation/6-12-14 "Revelation 6:12-14 - The Opening of the Sixth Seal"). John describes a series of cosmic disturbances: a great earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon becoming like blood, and stars falling to the earth. These signs are not merely natural phenomena but divine portents, signaling the direct intervention of God in judgment. The preceding verses depict a universal panic among all societal strata—kings, princes, generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free person—who desperately seek refuge in caves and among the rocks of the mountains, crying out for the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them. Their plea in [Revelation 6:16](/revelation/6-16 "Revelation 6:16 - Hiding from the Lamb's Wrath") is to be hidden "from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." Revelation 6:17 serves as the climactic, collective utterance of this terrified populace, a rhetorical question born of utter despair, acknowledging the arrival of the prophesied judgment and their complete inability to resist it.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of cosmic upheaval and a "day of wrath" draws heavily from Old Testament prophetic traditions, which frequently describe the "Day of the Lord" as a time of divine judgment, often accompanied by natural disasters and the collapse of human institutions. Prophets like [Isaiah](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon") and [Joel](/joel/2 "Joel 2 - The Day of the Lord") depict the sun darkening, the moon turning to blood, and stars falling as signs of God's direct intervention in human history to execute justice. For John's original audience, likely facing persecution under the Roman Empire, such apocalyptic language would resonate with their understanding of God's ultimate sovereignty over earthly powers and His promise of final vindication for His people. The concept of "standing" or "abiding" before God's wrath also has roots in Old Testament warnings, emphasizing that no human strength or status can withstand divine power, a stark contrast to the perceived invincibility of empires.

* **Key Themes:** Revelation 6:17 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Revelation and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **Inevitable and Universal Nature of Divine Judgment**. The phrase "is come" (Greek: _ērchei_) signifies that God's long-foretold judgment is not merely a future threat but a present, undeniable reality for those who have rejected Him. This "great day of his wrath" is a central concept in biblical prophecy, often referred to as the [Day of the Lord](/zephaniah/1-14 "Zephaniah 1:14 - The Great Day of the Lord") in the Old Testament, a time of reckoning for the ungodly. Secondly, the rhetorical question "who shall be able to stand?" underscores 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, echoing ancient warnings like [Nahum 1:6](/nahum/1-6 "Nahum 1:6 - Who Can Stand Before His Indignation?"), which asks, "Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger?" Finally, the verse profoundly illustrates the **Terror of God's Holy 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 dire consequence of unrepentant sin and rebellion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **day (Greek, _hēméra'_):** This word refers to a specific period, not just a 24-hour cycle. In this context, "the great day" (G2250, G3173) signifies a divinely appointed and clearly defined period of intense judgment, distinct from ordinary time. It is a time of ultimate reckoning, fulfilling long-standing prophecy concerning God's intervention in human affairs.
* **wrath (Greek, _orgḗ'_):** This term (G3709) denotes God's settled, righteous indignation and punitive justice, rather than a volatile or uncontrolled human emotion. It is a holy and just response to sin, rebellion, and the rejection of His grace. In Revelation, it is often linked to the Lamb, emphasizing that even the compassionate Savior participates in divine judgment.
* **stand (Greek, _hístēmi'_):** This verb (G2476) implies more than just physical standing. It signifies the ability to endure, resist, remain firm, or hold one's ground in the face of overwhelming opposition. The rhetorical question "who shall be able to stand?" (G5101, G1410, G2476) highlights the complete absence of such ability for those under God's judgment, emphasizing their utter helplessness and inescapable doom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the great day of his wrath is come":** This clause declares the arrival of a long-anticipated, climactic period of divine judgment. The word "great" emphasizes the unparalleled intensity and scope of this wrath. It is "his wrath," referring to the wrath of God and the Lamb, indicating a unified divine judgment. The perfect tense verb "is come" (Greek: _ērchei_) conveys a sense of accomplished reality; it is not merely approaching but has definitively arrived, signifying the fulfillment of prophecy and the end of God's patience for the unrepentant.
* **"and who shall be able to stand?":** This is a rhetorical question, implying a resounding "no one." It underscores the universal inability of humanity to resist, endure, or escape the overwhelming power and justice of God's judgment. It highlights the futility of human strength, status, or any earthly refuge in the face of divine reckoning. The question is a cry of despair from those experiencing the wrath, acknowledging their utter helplessness and the inescapable nature of their predicament.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 6:17 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "and who shall be able to stand?" This question is not posed to elicit an answer but to emphasize the absolute impossibility of anyone standing against God's wrath, thereby highlighting humanity's utter helplessness. **Hyperbole** is also present in the preceding verses, where people wish for mountains to fall on them, underscoring the extreme terror and the desire for any escape from God's presence. The phrase "the great day of his wrath" itself functions as **Apocalyptic Imagery**, a common feature in prophetic literature that uses vivid, often symbolic, language to describe divine intervention in history, particularly judgment. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as humanity, which often boasts of its strength and self-sufficiency, is now revealed in its ultimate weakness before the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 6:17 serves as a stark reminder of God's absolute sovereignty and His righteous character, which necessitates a response to sin. It connects profoundly with the Old Testament concept of the "Day of the Lord," a recurring prophetic theme signifying a time when God intervenes decisively in human history to execute judgment upon His enemies and deliver His people. This "day" is characterized by cosmic signs, widespread destruction, and the revelation of God's glory and power. The verse emphasizes that God's wrath is not arbitrary but a just and holy response to humanity's rebellion and rejection of His authority. It highlights the universal accountability of all people before their Creator and the terrifying reality of facing Him without a mediator.

* [Psalm 76:7](/psalms/76-7 "Psalm 76:7 - Who Can Stand Before You?")
* [Jeremiah 10:10](/jeremiah/10-10 "Jeremiah 10:10 - The Lord is the True God")
* [Malachi 3:2](/malachi/3-2 "Malachi 3:2 - Who Can Endure the Day of His Coming?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 6:17 is a profound warning and an urgent call to self-examination. It compels us to confront the reality of God's righteous judgment and the terrifying consequences of living in rebellion against Him. For those who have not yet surrendered to Christ, this verse underscores the critical need for repentance and faith, recognizing that apart from God's grace, no one can withstand His wrath. It shatters any illusion of human self-sufficiency or escape from divine accountability. For believers, this verse deepens our appreciation for the immense grace and mercy extended through Jesus Christ, who delivers us from this very wrath. It should ignite a renewed sense of urgency in sharing the Gospel, for the "great day of his wrath" is a coming reality from which only Christ can save. It also serves to humble us, reminding us of God's awesome power and holiness, fostering a greater reverence and fear of the Lord that leads to wisdom and obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the "great day of his wrath" challenge my understanding of God's character?**
* **What does the universal inability to "stand" imply about human strength and self-reliance in the face of divine judgment?**
* **How does this verse deepen my appreciation for the salvation offered through Jesus Christ?**
* **What urgent call to action or spiritual re-prioritization does this passage inspire in my life?**

### FAQ

**What is meant by "the great day of his wrath"?**
Answer: "The great day of his wrath" refers to a specific, divinely appointed period of intense and universal judgment from God. It is often synonymous with the Old Testament concept of the [Day of the Lord](/isaiah/2-12 "Isaiah 2:12 - The Day of the Lord"), a time when God intervenes decisively in human history to punish sin and rebellion, and to bring about His ultimate justice. This "day" is characterized by cosmic disturbances and the undeniable manifestation of God's power and righteous indignation against all who have rejected Him. It signifies the end of God's patience and the full outpouring of His holy wrath.

**Why is no one "able to stand" against this wrath?**
Answer: The rhetorical question "who shall be able to stand?" emphasizes the absolute and universal helplessness of humanity in the face of God's omnipotent power and perfect justice. "To stand" here means to endure, resist, or remain firm. No human strength, military power, wealth, status, or earthly refuge can offer protection or opposition against the Creator of the universe when He executes judgment. This highlights the futility of human efforts to escape divine accountability and underscores the truth found in passages like [Psalm 130:3](/psalms/130-3 "Psalm 130:3 - Who Can Stand if You Mark Iniquities?"), which asks, "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?"

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 6:17, with its terrifying declaration of the "great day of his wrath," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not only in Jesus's role as the ultimate Judge but, more significantly, in His work as the Lamb who bore this wrath on behalf of humanity. The very wrath that humanity cannot stand against was poured out upon Christ on the cross. He became the propitiation for our sins, absorbing the full measure of divine indignation so that those who believe might be spared from it. As [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Saved from Wrath Through Him") declares, "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." While Revelation portrays the Lamb as the one who opens the seals and unleashes judgment, it is this same Lamb who, through His sacrificial death, provides the only means by which anyone can "stand" – not by their own merit or strength, but by being found "in Christ." His resurrection further confirms His victory over sin and death, establishing Him as the one through whom God's people are delivered from the coming wrath and granted the ability to stand before God in righteousness on the [great day](/1_thessalonians/5-9-10 "1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 - Appointed Not to Wrath, but to Salvation").

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

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;