Revelation 8:13

And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

And {G2532} I beheld {G1492}, and {G2532} heard {G191} an {G1520} angel {G32} flying {G4072} through {G1722} the midst of heaven {G3321}, saying {G3004} with a loud {G3173} voice {G5456}, Woe {G3759}, woe {G3759}, woe {G3759}, to the inhabiters {G2730} of {G1909} the earth {G1093} by reason of {G1537} the other {G3062} voices {G5456} of the trumpet {G4536} of the three {G5140} angels {G32}, which {G3588} are yet {G3195} to sound {G4537}!

Then I looked, and I heard a lone eagle give a loud cry, as it flew in mid-heaven, “Woe! Woe! Woe to the people living on earth, because of the remaining blasts from the three angels who have yet to sound their shofars!”

And as I observed, I heard an eagle flying overhead, calling in a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the remaining three angels!”

And I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, for them that dwell on the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, who are yet to sound.

Commentary

Revelation 8:13 serves as a pivotal interlude in the unfolding apocalyptic visions of John, specifically within the sequence of the seven trumpet judgments. Following the first four trumpets, which brought ecological devastation upon the earth, sea, rivers, and celestial bodies, this verse introduces a stark warning about the severity of the judgments yet to come.

Context

This verse is strategically placed after the initial quartet of trumpets (Revelation 8:6-12) and before the final three. John sees an angel (or eagle, depending on the manuscript tradition, but KJV specifies "angel") flying centrally through the sky, acting as a herald of impending doom. This solemn proclamation prepares the reader for the intensified suffering that will accompany the sounding of the fifth, sixth, and seventh trumpets, often referred to as the "three woes."

Key Themes and Messages

  • Escalation of Judgment: The repeated cry of "Woe, woe, woe" signals an extreme intensification of divine judgment compared to the previous trumpets. Each "woe" corresponds to one of the remaining three trumpets, signifying a new level of terror and suffering for humanity.
  • Divine Warning: The loud voice of the angel underscores the clarity and certainty of God's impending actions. It's a final, urgent warning to those who remain unrepentant amidst the unfolding end-times events.
  • Focus on "Inhabiters of the Earth": This phrase often refers to those whose allegiance is primarily to worldly systems and who are resistant to God's reign. These are the ones who will bear the brunt of the coming judgments, contrasting with God's faithful who are often depicted as being preserved or protected (see Revelation 7:3). The judgments are not random but targeted at those who reject God's authority.

Linguistic Insights

The thrice-repeated word "Woe" comes from the Greek ouai (οὐαί), an exclamation of deep sorrow, lamentation, and impending doom. Its repetition here emphasizes the extreme severity and certainty of the future judgments. It's not just a cry of distress but a strong pronouncement of calamity. The "inhabiters of the earth" (Greek: hoi katoikountes epi tēs gēs) often contrasts with those whose citizenship is in heaven, highlighting the spiritual distinction between those who embrace God's truth and those who cling to worldly ways and face the consequences of divine wrath.

Practical Application

Revelation 8:13 serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of God's righteous judgment against sin and rebellion. For a modern audience, it underscores the importance of heeding spiritual warnings and aligning one's life with God's will. It prompts reflection on where our primary allegiance lies—with the fleeting things of this world or with the eternal kingdom of God. While the specifics of these prophetic events are debated, the overarching message remains: God is sovereign, and there are profound consequences for persistent unrepentance. It encourages believers to live faithfully and to share the message of hope and salvation found in Christ, offering an escape from the ultimate woe.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 9:12

    One woe is past; [and], behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

  • Revelation 11:14

    ¶ The second woe is past; [and], behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

  • Ezekiel 2:10

    And he spread it before me; and it [was] written within and without: and [there was] written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

  • Revelation 14:6

    ¶ And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

  • Revelation 19:17

    And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

  • Hebrews 1:14

    Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

  • Revelation 9:1

    ¶ And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
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