Revelation 11:16 kjv
And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
Revelation 11:16 nkjv
And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God,
Revelation 11:16 niv
And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,
Revelation 11:16 esv
And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,
Revelation 11:16 nlt
The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him.
Revelation 11 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 4:4 | Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. | Identifies the elders' number and their status. |
| Rev 4:10 | The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. | Similar act of worship before God's throne. |
| Rev 5:8 | ...the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. | Worship of the Lamb and representation of saints. |
| Rev 5:14 | And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped. | Reiterates elders' responsive worship. |
| Rev 7:11 | And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God. | Celestial beings, including elders, in unified worship. |
| Rev 19:4 | And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, "Amen. Hallelujah!" | Final acts of worship for God's judgment and reign. |
| Rev 11:15 | The seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever." | The immediate context and cause for the elders' worship. |
| Ps 95:6 | Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! | Prostration as a posture of worship. |
| Matt 2:11 | And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. | Examples of falling down in worship or homage. |
| Exod 4:31 | And they believed, and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel and that He had seen their affliction, they bowed down their heads and worshiped. | People worshipping after receiving good news from God. |
| Gen 17:3 | Abram fell on his face; and God talked with him, saying... | Falling on face as a posture for divine encounter. |
| Josh 5:14 | And he said, "No; but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped. | Reverence and worship before a divine messenger/presence. |
| 1 Kings 18:39 | And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God." | Worship in response to a demonstration of God's power. |
| Phil 2:10 | ...so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth... | Universal acknowledgment and worship of divine authority. |
| Isa 45:23 | By Myself I have sworn; from My mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.' | Prophecy of ultimate submission to God. |
| Hab 2:20 | But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him. | Silence and reverence due before God. |
| Dan 7:9 | As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took His seat... | Imagery of divine council and thrones in heaven. |
| Zeph 1:7 | Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near... | Silence and awe in anticipation of divine judgment/presence. |
| 2 Chron 20:18 | Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. | Collective worship in response to divine intervention. |
| Neh 8:6 | And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. | Collective, communal worship through prostration. |
| Ps 22:27 | All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. | Universal worship in God's presence. |
| Heb 1:6 | And again, when He brings the firstborn into the world, He says, "Let all God's angels worship Him." | Angels worshipping Christ. |
Revelation 11 verses
Revelation 11 16 Meaning
Revelation 11:16 describes the immediate and profound response of the twenty-four elders to the seventh trumpet's announcement, which proclaims that the dominion over the world has now irrevocably passed to God and His Christ. Their action of falling on their faces and worshipping God signifies ultimate humility, adoration, and complete recognition of God's supreme authority, sovereignty, and the realization of His eternal kingdom and redemptive plan. It portrays a scene of celestial worship, acknowledging the consummation of all things according to divine will, contrasting sharply with the rebellion often seen on earth.
Revelation 11 16 Context
Revelation 11:16 follows the monumental declaration of the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11:15, which states: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever." This declaration marks a pivotal moment in Revelation, signifying the undeniable and ultimate triumph of God's sovereignty over all earthly powers and forces opposing Him. The previous verses (Rev 11:3-14) described the ministry, death, and resurrection of the two witnesses, concluding the second of the "woes" (associated with the sixth trumpet) and signifying a shift towards the final judgment and the consummation of God's plan. Historically and culturally, the original audience, facing Roman persecution and imperial cult worship, would have found immense encouragement in this proclamation. It served as a direct theological polemic against the claims of Roman emperors to divine status and ultimate authority, emphasizing that the true and eternal throne belongs to God alone, and all earthly power is subject to His divine will. The worship of the elders, therefore, is not just a reaction, but an affirmation of this ultimate truth in the face of prevailing imperial pride.
Revelation 11 16 Word analysis
And the four and twenty elders (kai hoi eikosi tessares presbyteroi - καὶ οἱ εἴκοσι τέσσαρες πρεσβύτεροι):
- Elders (presbyteroi): In biblical context, presbyteroi denotes seasoned, mature individuals, often associated with spiritual or civic leadership, wisdom, and authority within the community. In Revelation, these 24 elders are often seen representing either the totality of God's redeemed people (12 tribes of Israel + 12 apostles = complete church) or a distinct heavenly council advising God. Their consistent presence around God's throne (Rev 4:4, 5:8, 7:11, 19:4) highlights their privileged access and representative role in celestial worship and governance.
which sat before God (hoi enōpion tou theou kathēmenoi - οἱ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ καθήμενοι):
- Sat (kathēmenoi): Implies a settled, established position, indicative of authority, stability, and participation in the divine council. This is not a casual presence but a divinely ordained one.
- Before God (enōpion tou theou): Denotes proximity, direct access, and being in the immediate presence of the Divine Majesty. This position emphasizes their privilege and closeness to God's throne, serving as His direct attendants or advisors. It underscores the sanctity and solemnity of their environment.
on their seats (epi tōn thronōn autōn - ἐπὶ τῶν θρόνων αὐτῶν):
- Seats (thronōn): This Greek word specifically means "thrones." The fact that they sit on thrones indicates a co-regent status or shared authority given by God. It elevates their status beyond mere servants to those entrusted with a share in heavenly judgment or rule. These are distinct from God's singular throne, but reflect a delegated authority, emphasizing God's distribution of honor within His heavenly court.
fell upon their faces (epeson epi ta prosōpa autōn - ἔπεσον ἐπὶ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν):
- Fell (epeson): Denotes an immediate, voluntary, and often spontaneous action.
- Upon their faces (epi ta prosōpa autōn): This is the ultimate posture of humility, reverence, submission, and adoration in the ancient Near East and biblical tradition. It signifies complete abasement, recognizing absolute superiority and authority. It is an act of deep worship, fear, and profound respect, relinquishing any perceived authority or status of their own.
and worshipped God (kai prosekinēsan tō theō - καὶ προσεκύνησαν τῷ θεῷ):
- Worshipped (prosekinēsan): This verb means to "prostrate oneself," "do obeisance," or "adore." It encompasses both physical submission and spiritual devotion. It highlights the primary focus of the elders' actions: direct and absolute devotion to God, and specifically the God (with the definite article), emphasizing the one true God revealed in Scripture. This act confirms that the central purpose of all creation, and indeed all heavenly beings, is to give glory to God.
Revelation 11 16 Bonus section
The act of falling on one's face in worship is not merely a gesture but carries a deep spiritual significance of relinquishing all self-importance and bowing entirely to the divine will and power. In the face of God's overwhelming presence or a significant divine declaration, such a posture is an instinctive response of genuine awe and surrender. It echoes moments of profound revelation and divine encounter throughout the Old and New Testaments, consistently demonstrating humility before absolute authority. The 24 elders, often considered archetypal representatives of the redeemed humanity or heavenly figures symbolizing the church and Israel, act as a pattern for all believers: when God's reign is manifest, the only fitting response is worship, submission, and adoration of His majesty. Their golden crowns, mentioned elsewhere, are removed or ignored in this moment of prostration, emphasizing that no human or even delegated authority can stand in the way of ultimate worship.
Revelation 11 16 Commentary
Revelation 11:16 presents a powerful and deeply significant theological moment, showcasing the appropriate celestial response to God's ultimate triumph. Following the resounding declaration of God's and Christ's everlasting reign after the seventh trumpet, the twenty-four elders – key figures representing God's redeemed or a heavenly council with delegated authority – demonstrate immediate and profound worship. Their act of falling on their faces from their thrones and worshipping God is a demonstration of utter humility, acknowledging God's unchallengeable sovereignty. This physical posture, found throughout scripture, symbolizes complete submission, reverence, and adoration. It contrasts human pride and rebellion with divine majesty. Their worship underscores that even those privileged to sit on thrones near God understand that all power and honor belong to Him alone. This verse powerfully reaffirms God's absolute dominion, proving that despite earthly chaos and tribulation, His plans are sovereignly unfolding towards a glorious and definitive conclusion, where He receives all due praise.