Revelation 7:12

KJV

Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004}, Amen {G281}: Blessing {G2129}, and {G2532} glory {G1391}, and {G2532} wisdom {G4678}, and {G2532} thanksgiving {G2169}, and {G2532} honour {G5092}, and {G2532} power {G1411}, and {G2532} might {G2479}, be unto our {G2257} God {G2316} for {G1519} ever {G165} and ever {G165}. Amen {G281}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“Amen!

“Praise and glory, wisdom and thanks,
honor and power and strength
belong to our God forever and ever!

“Amen!”

Berean Standard Bible

saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

American Standard Version

saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 7:12 captures a profound moment of celestial worship, where the heavenly host, including angels, elders, and living creatures, respond to the praise of the redeemed multitude by offering a sevenfold doxology to God. This declaration, framed by a double "Amen," comprehensively attributes blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power, and might to God, affirming His supreme worthiness and eternal dominion over all creation and history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a crucial interlude in the Book of Revelation, occurring between the breaking of the sixth and seventh seals. Following the intense judgments and cosmic disturbances described in [Revelation 6](/revelation/6 "Revelation 6 - The Opening of the Seals"), Chapter 7 provides a reassuring vision of God's protective sovereignty over His people. It first introduces the sealing of the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel in [Revelation 7:1-8](/revelation/7-1-8 "Revelation 7:1-8 - The Sealing of the 144,000"), guaranteeing their preservation. Immediately preceding our verse, [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - The Great Multitude") presents a breathtaking vision of "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language," standing before the throne and the Lamb. This multitude cries out with a loud voice, attributing salvation to God and the Lamb in [Revelation 7:10](/revelation/7-10 "Revelation 7:10 - The Multitude's Cry of Salvation"). Verse 12 then serves as the heavenly response to this human praise, with the angels, elders, and the four living creatures falling on their faces in [Revelation 7:11](/revelation/7-11 "Revelation 7:11 - Heavenly Worship") and joining in a grand chorus of worship, confirming and expanding upon the adoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature, characterized by symbolic language, visions, and a focus on eschatological events, written to a first-century Christian audience likely facing persecution. The repeated "Amen" in this verse draws from a rich Hebrew tradition, where "amen" (from the root meaning "to be firm" or "certain") was used to express solemn affirmation, agreement, and truthfulness, often in liturgical settings. The imagery of a heavenly throne room and celestial beings worshipping God is deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic visions, such as those found in [Isaiah 6](/isaiah/6 "Isaiah's Vision of God's Throne") or [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glory"). The sevenfold list of attributes is also significant, as the number seven frequently symbolizes completeness, perfection, or divine fullness in biblical numerology, suggesting a comprehensive and all-encompassing praise directed towards God. This vision would have provided immense comfort and assurance to early Christians, reminding them of God's ultimate sovereignty and the certainty of His triumph despite their present suffering.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 7:12 powerfully articulates several core theological themes. The foremost is **Divine Worthiness and Sovereignty**, asserting that God is supremely deserving of all honor, praise, and adoration. The comprehensive sevenfold list of attributes—blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power, and might—covers every conceivable aspect of His perfection, character, and dominion, leaving no facet of His being unpraised. This scene also emphasizes **Universal and Eternal Worship**, depicting a grand chorus of adoration involving both redeemed humanity (from [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - The Great Multitude")) and the heavenly host, underscoring that praise to God is a cosmic and unending activity. The phrase "for ever and ever" highlights the endless nature of God's reign and the perpetual adoration He receives. Furthermore, the repeated "Amen" signifies profound **Affirmation and Agreement**, sealing the declaration with certainty and conviction, reflecting the absolute truth and unwavering belief in God's ultimate authority and goodness. This doxology also implicitly reinforces the theme of **Salvation and Redemption**, as it is uttered in response to the multitude's cry of salvation, linking God's worthiness to His redemptive acts.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Amen (Hebrew, _amēn_):** This word, transliterated directly from Hebrew, signifies "firm," "trustworthy," or "so be it." Its use at both the beginning and end of this declaration emphasizes the profound certainty, solemnity, and sincere agreement of the worship being offered. It acts as an emphatic affirmation, sealing the truth and unwavering commitment of the heavenly beings to the praise they pronounce.
* **Glory (Greek, _dóxa_):** Derived from the concept of "seeming" or "thinking," *dóxa* here refers to God's inherent splendor, majesty, renown, and the visible manifestation of His divine presence and character. It encompasses His intrinsic worth and the outward expression of His magnificent attributes, making Him worthy of ultimate praise and adoration.
* **Might (Greek, _ischýs_):** This term denotes inherent strength, forcefulness, and active power. While closely related to *dýnamis* (power, G1411), *ischýs* specifically emphasizes the active exertion of strength and the capability to overcome, highlighting God's dynamic and irresistible dominion in action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, Amen:"** This opening "Amen" serves as a solemn, collective affirmation by the heavenly host, indicating their complete agreement and unwavering conviction regarding the truth and righteousness of the praise they are about to declare. It sets a tone of absolute certainty.
* **"Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might,"** This is the heart of the doxology, a sevenfold ascription of attributes to God. Each term represents a distinct facet of God's character and actions, collectively forming a comprehensive expression of worship. "Blessing" acknowledges His inherent goodness and the benefits He bestows; "glory" recognizes His inherent splendor and majesty; "wisdom" praises His perfect knowledge and discernment; "thanksgiving" expresses gratitude for His redemptive acts and provisions; "honour" ascribes supreme reverence and value; "power" affirms His inherent ability and authority; and "might" highlights His active strength and dominion.
* **"[be] unto our God"** This phrase clearly identifies the singular recipient of this magnificent praise: "our God." It emphasizes the personal relationship between the worshipping host and the divine, directing all these glorious attributes specifically to the One who sits on the throne.
* **"for ever and ever."** This phrase, using the Greek term *aiṓn* (age, perpetuity), underscores the eternal and unending nature of God's reign and, consequently, the perpetual duration of the worship He receives. It signifies that God's worthiness and dominion are not temporal but extend throughout all ages, without end.
* **"Amen."** The concluding "Amen" reiterates the solemn affirmation, sealing the entire declaration with finality and profound conviction. It serves as a powerful echo of the opening "Amen," framing the doxology with absolute certainty and agreement.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 7:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine worship. The most prominent is **Anaphora**, seen in the repeated use of "and" (`καί`, G2532) before each of the seven attributes ("and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might"). This repetition creates a rhythmic, cumulative effect, building momentum and emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the praise. The sevenfold list itself functions as a **Litany** or **Doxology**, a formal expression of praise to God, structured to highlight His multifaceted perfections. The number seven is a powerful **Symbol** of completeness and perfection in biblical numerology, indicating that every conceivable aspect of God's being and action is covered in this adoration. Furthermore, the placement of "Amen" at both the beginning and end of the declaration creates an **Inclusio**, a literary device where a passage is framed by the same word or phrase, thereby emphasizing the certainty, solemnity, and unwavering truth of the worship contained within.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 7:12 offers a profound theological statement about the nature of God and the purpose of creation. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty and inherent worthiness, declaring that He alone is the source of all blessing, the possessor of all glory, the fount of all wisdom, the recipient of all thanksgiving, the object of all honour, and the embodiment of all power and might. This comprehensive doxology reveals that worship is not merely an activity but the very essence of existence in the presence of the Almighty, a perpetual acknowledgment of His supreme authority and goodness. The eternal nature of this praise, "for ever and ever," underscores God's unchanging character and His everlasting reign, providing ultimate assurance and hope for believers amidst earthly trials. It paints a picture of a unified cosmos, where heavenly beings and redeemed humanity join in one chorus, testifying to God's unparalleled greatness and the certainty of His ultimate victory.

* [Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - Worthy is the Lamb")
* [1 Chronicles 29:11](/1_chronicles/29-11 "1 Chronicles 29:11 - David's Prayer of Praise")
* [Psalm 145:3](/psalms/145-3 "Psalm 145:3 - Great is the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 7:12 serves as a timeless model for our own worship and a powerful source of spiritual encouragement. This celestial scene reminds us that worship is not confined to specific times or places but is an eternal, comprehensive, and universal response to God's character and deeds. It challenges us to expand our understanding of God beyond a narrow focus, prompting us to ascribe to Him blessing for His goodness, glory for His majesty, wisdom for His perfect plans, thanksgiving for His grace, honour for His supreme value, power for His inherent ability, and might for His active dominion. When we grasp the profound truth of God's ultimate worthiness, our earthly concerns and challenges are placed into their proper, transient perspective, fostering a life lived in deeper gratitude, reverence, and unwavering trust in the One who reigns forever. This vision of unified, eternal praise inspires us to live lives that consistently reflect His glory, knowing that our earthly worship is a participation in a grand, unending heavenly chorus.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this heavenly scene challenge or expand your personal understanding and practice of worship?**
* **Which of the seven attributes ascribed to God in this verse resonates most deeply with you today, and why?**
* **In what practical ways can you more intentionally ascribe "blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power, and might" to God in your daily life and interactions?**

### FAQ
**Why is "Amen" repeated at the beginning and end of the verse?**

Answer: The repetition of "Amen" (G281) at both the beginning and end of the declaration serves to emphasize the profound certainty, solemnity, and full agreement of the heavenly host with the praise being offered. It acts as a powerful framing device, sealing the entire doxology with an unwavering affirmation of its truth and the unshakeable conviction of the worshippers. This mirrors ancient liturgical practices where "Amen" was used to confirm and ratify a statement.

**What is the significance of the seven attributes listed in this verse?**

Answer: The list of seven attributes—blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power, and might—is highly significant due to the biblical symbolism of the number seven, which often denotes completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. This sevenfold declaration signifies a comprehensive and all-encompassing praise, ensuring that every facet of God's character, His inherent being, and His active dominion is acknowledged and adored. It leaves no aspect of His supreme worthiness unpraised.

**Who is speaking or "saying" this declaration in Revelation 7:12?**

Answer: According to the preceding verse, [Revelation 7:11](/revelation/7-11 "Revelation 7:11 - Heavenly Worship"), it is the angels, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures who are "falling on their faces before the throne and worshipping God" and then uttering this powerful declaration of praise. They are responding to the great multitude's cry of salvation in [Revelation 7:10](/revelation/7-10 "Revelation 7:10 - The Multitude's Cry of Salvation"), joining in a unified chorus of heavenly worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 7:12, while directly addressing God the Father, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The very attributes ascribed to God here—blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power, and might—are also attributed to the Lamb in [Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - Worthy is the Lamb"), highlighting the co-equality and unified worship of the Father and the Son. Christ is the ultimate revelation of God's **glory** ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the embodiment of divine **wisdom** ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")), and the one through whom God's **power** and **might** are most vividly displayed, particularly in His resurrection from the dead ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Incomparably Great Power")) and His triumph over sin and death. All **thanksgiving** from the redeemed multitude is ultimately directed to God through Christ, for it is His sacrifice that secures their salvation ([Colossians 1:12-14](/colossians/1-12-14 "Colossians 1:12-14 - Redemption Through Christ")). The **honour** and **blessing** due to God are also due to Christ, who sits at the right hand of the Father, reigning **for ever and ever** ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - The Son's Eternal Throne")). Thus, this doxology is not only a declaration of God's eternal worth but also an implicit celebration of His redemptive plan, fully realized in His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of all things ([Revelation 22:13](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Jesus, the Alpha and Omega")).

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 5:12

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Revelation 5:14

And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Jude 1:25

To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Revelation 19:4

And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

Psalms 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.

Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Jonah 2:9

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay [that] that I have vowed. Salvation [is] of the LORD.