Revelation 11 18

Revelation 11:18 kjv

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Revelation 11:18 nkjv

The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth."

Revelation 11:18 niv

The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small? and for destroying those who destroy the earth."

Revelation 11:18 esv

The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth."

Revelation 11:18 nlt

The nations were filled with wrath,
but now the time of your wrath has come.
It is time to judge the dead
and reward your servants the prophets,
as well as your holy people,
and all who fear your name,
from the least to the greatest.
It is time to destroy
all who have caused destruction on the earth."

Revelation 11 verses

Revelation 11 18 Meaning

Revelation 11:18 declares the arrival of God's appointed time for universal judgment and recompense, a pivotal moment in divine history. It highlights the direct contrast between human anger and God's righteous wrath. This wrath encompasses the judgment of all the dead, the rewarding of all categories of God's faithful people – including prophets, saints, and all who reverence Him – and the definitive destruction of those who have morally corrupted and laid waste to the earth through their wickedness and opposition to God. The verse underscores God's ultimate sovereignty and justice.

Revelation 11 18 Context

Revelation 11:18 falls at a climactic moment following the sounding of the seventh trumpet, which itself heralds the completion of God's mystery (Rev 10:7) and the reign of His Christ (Rev 11:15). After two witnesses are slain and resurrected, an earthquake ensues, and then voices in heaven proclaim that the "kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ." Verse 18 elaborates on the implications of this transfer of ultimate authority, announcing the commencement of divine wrath, judgment, and the consequential recompense for both the righteous and the wicked. Historically, the audience would understand "the nations" as earthly powers (like Rome) that actively persecuted God's people and rejected His rule. The announcement of judgment would serve as both a warning to oppressors and immense encouragement and validation for persecuted believers awaiting divine justice.

Revelation 11 18 Word analysis

• The nations were angry: (ἔθνη ὠργίσθησαν, ethne ōrgisthēsan).
  • The nations (ἔθνη, ethne): Refers broadly to Gentile peoples and, more specifically in Revelation, often represents rebellious, ungodly worldly powers in opposition to God. It highlights a global, universal rebellion.
  • were angry (ὠργίσθησαν, ōrgisthēsan): Signifies a furious, active opposition to God's reign and purpose. This is human anger and rebellion, which contrasts sharply with God's subsequent divine wrath. It is a past passive verb, implying a prior state or a direct response to God's impending rule.
• and Your wrath has come: (καὶ ἦλθεν ἡ ὀργή σου, kai ēlthen hē orgē sou).
  • Your wrath (ἡ ὀργή σου, hē orgē sou): This is God's righteous indignation, a just and controlled response to sin and rebellion, unlike the passionate rage of humanity. It emphasizes divine retribution.
  • has come (ἦλθεν, ēlthen): A definitive statement using the aorist tense, signifying a completed action or one that has just taken place, marking an epochal moment of divine judgment beginning. It’s not just predicted; it is here.
• The time has come: (ὁ καιρὸς, ho kairos).
  • The time (ὁ καιρὸς, ho kairos): This is not merely chronological time (chronos) but a pre-ordained, opportune, or critical moment appointed by God. It signifies the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and judgment.
  • has come: (past tense) Again emphasizes the arrival of this appointed moment, marking a decisive shift.
• for judging the dead: (τῶν νεκρῶν κριθῆναι, tōn nekrōn krithēnai).
  • judging (κριθῆναι, krithēnai): To separate, distinguish, condemn, or rule, indicating a formal process of divine adjudication. This judgment applies to everyone, without exception.
  • the dead (τῶν νεκρῶν, tōn nekrōn): Encompasses all humanity who have ever died, underscoring the universal scope of God's final assessment.
• and for rewarding Your servants the prophets and Your people the saints, and those who fear Your name, both small and great:
  • for rewarding (δοῦναι τὸν μισθόν, dounai ton misthon): To give what is due, specifically wages or recompense. This indicates just payment for faithful service, a reversal of the suffering experienced.
  • Your servants the prophets (τοῖς δούλοις σου τοῖς προφήταις, tois doulois sou tois prophētais): Those specifically called and empowered to speak God's word, often suffering persecution.
  • Your people the saints (τοῖς ἁγίοις, tois hagiois): Refers to all believers, set apart and consecrated for God's purposes through Christ. It emphasizes their belonging to God.
  • and those who fear Your name (καὶ τοῖς φοβουμένοις τὸ ὄνομά σου, kai tois phoboumenois to onoma sou): A comprehensive description of the faithful. "Fearing God's name" implies reverence, obedience, worship, and loyalty to His person and authority, reflecting genuine piety.
  • both small and great (τοὺς μικροὺς καὶ τοὺς μεγάλους, tous mikrous kai tous megalous): This phrase stresses the universality of reward (and punishment). It indicates that social status, wealth, or earthly prominence are irrelevant to God's assessment; all are judged and rewarded equitably.
• and for destroying those who destroy the earth: (καὶ διαφθεῖραι τοὺς διαφθείροντας τὴν γῆν, kai diaphtheirai tous diaphtheirontas tēn gēn).
  • destroying (διαφθεῖραι, diaphtheirai): Signifies utter ruin, corruption, or bringing to naught. This is a severe and final act of judgment.
  • those who destroy the earth (τοὺς διαφθείροντας τὴν γῆν, tous diaphtheirontas tēn gēn): This is a powerful, ironic statement. The term "destroy" here is the same as "corrupt" in the Septuagint of Gen 6:11-12. It refers primarily not just to environmental damage, but to those who morally corrupt humanity, engage in violence, oppress others, spread ungodliness, lead people astray, and bring ruin to society by opposing God's righteousness. It reflects an active moral and spiritual pollution of the world. This can be seen as a polemic against the idolatry and oppression of empires like Rome that "corrupted" the world with their practices and influence.

Revelation 11 18 Bonus section

The phrasing "destroying those who destroy the earth" creates a strong parallel construction (a figura etymologica in Greek), emphasizing a just reversal of roles where the wicked reap what they sowed. The divine action precisely mirrors human transgression, highlighting God's impeccable justice. The specific mention of "prophets," "saints," and "those who fear Your name" represents a cumulative description of God's covenant people from various ages – Old Testament figures (prophets, fearing God), New Testament believers (saints), and all true worshipers throughout time. This comprehensive list reassures all God's people that their faithfulness is seen and will be rewarded. This verse acts as a bridge from the trumpet judgments to the more intense bowl judgments, solidifying the coming of God's universal reign declared in verse 15. The "anger of the nations" preceding God's wrath underscores the futility of humanity's opposition against the divine will; it is their rebellion that ultimately brings forth God's just response.

Revelation 11 18 Commentary

Revelation 11:18 is a monumental declaration, serving as the theological anchor for the final judgment in the book of Revelation. It underscores that God’s justice is precise, encompassing universal judgment, righteous reward, and absolute destruction. The verse directly contrasts the futility of human rebellion ("the nations were angry") with the certainty of divine sovereignty ("Your wrath has come"). It signifies a critical kairos, an divinely appointed epoch where long-awaited justice begins. God, having tolerated humanity's corruption of the earth through sin, violence, and opposition to His will, now steps in. The judgment of the dead signifies accountability for all human actions throughout history, demonstrating that none escape God’s reckoning. Conversely, God's faithful are vindicated and recompensed, categorized comprehensively as "prophets" (God's special messengers), "saints" (His consecrated people), and all "who fear His name" (demonstrating true reverence and obedience), irrespective of earthly status ("small and great"). This reward for steadfastness and faithfulness assures believers of ultimate triumph. Finally, the judgment against "those who destroy the earth" is God's ultimate answer to the rampant wickedness and moral defilement of the world. This is not simply about ecological damage, but primarily about moral and spiritual corruption that has plagued human societies since the Fall. It promises a just end for all oppressors and purveyors of evil. This verse offers both a profound warning and immense comfort: evil will not prevail, and divine justice will ultimately set all things right.