Revelation 16:18 kjv
And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
Revelation 16:18 nkjv
And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.
Revelation 16:18 niv
Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.
Revelation 16:18 esv
And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake.
Revelation 16:18 nlt
Then the thunder crashed and rolled, and lightning flashed. And a great earthquake struck ? the worst since people were placed on the earth.
Revelation 16 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 9:23 | "...the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire came down on the earth..." | God's judgment through thunder and fire. |
| Ex 19:16 | "...there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain..." | Divine presence/theophany at Sinai with storms. |
| 2 Sam 22:14-15 | "The LORD thundered from heaven... He sent out arrows and scattered them..." | God's voice as thunder, using natural elements for judgment. |
| Ps 18:13 | "The LORD thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice..." | God speaking in thunder, displaying power. |
| Ps 29:3-9 | "The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders..." | Majesty and power of God's voice, expressed in thunder. |
| Isa 2:19 | "...they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, from the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty..." | Hiding from God's terrifying presence/judgment. |
| Joel 2:2 | "A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness; like the morning clouds spread over the mountains..." | Imagery of unprecedented, dark days of judgment. |
| Joel 3:16 | "The LORD also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake..." | God's voice shaking heavens and earth. |
| Zech 14:4-5 | "And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives...and the Mount of Olives shall be split..." | Eschatological earthquake linked to Messiah's return. |
| Dan 12:1 | "...there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation..." | Unprecedented period of tribulation. |
| Hag 2:6-7 | "For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Once more... I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land...' " | God shaking all creation for final purpose. |
| Matt 24:7 | "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places." | Earthquakes as birth pains before the end. |
| Matt 24:21 | "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world..." | Unprecedented magnitude of suffering/distress. |
| Mk 13:8 | "...and there will be earthquakes in various places..." | Similar to Matthew, earthquakes as signs. |
| Lk 21:11 | "...and great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences..." | Similar to Matthew and Mark, signs of the end. |
| Acts 4:31 | "...and the place where they were assembled together was shaken..." | Earthquake signaling divine presence/power (positive). |
| Heb 12:26 | "whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, 'Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.'" | God's voice shaking creation, prelude to ultimate shaking. |
| Rev 4:5 | "And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices..." | Theophany in heaven, sounds from God's throne. |
| Rev 6:12 | "I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake..." | Great earthquake accompanying the sixth seal judgment. |
| Rev 8:5 | "...and there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake." | Elements from the throne, associated with judgment after seven seals. |
| Rev 11:13 | "In the same hour there was a great earthquake..." | Earthquake after the two witnesses ascend. |
| Rev 11:19 | "...and there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail." | Elements after the seventh trumpet, preceding the bowls. |
| Rev 19:6 | "And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings..." | Voices like thunder praising God. |
Revelation 16 verses
Revelation 16 18 Meaning
Revelation 16:18 describes a cataclysmic series of events accompanying the pouring out of the seventh and final bowl of God's wrath. This verse highlights the divine manifestation of power and judgment through terrifying sounds, flashes, and an unprecedented global earthquake. These phenomena signal the climactic culmination of God's indignation upon the wicked and the systems of the world opposed to Him, signifying a profound cosmic and historical upheaval unmatched in human history.
Revelation 16 18 Context
Revelation 16:18 occurs as the immediate consequence of the seventh angel pouring his bowl into the air (Rev 16:17). This act prompts a thunderous proclamation from the throne in heaven: "It is done!" (Rev 16:17). This declaration signals the absolute completion of God's wrath and judgment against the antichrist kingdom. The subsequent phenomena—noises, thunderings, lightnings, and especially the unparalleled great earthquake—are the physical manifestations of this divine culmination. These events occur globally, profoundly affecting all humanity still rebellious against God. The timing places this verse at the absolute climax of the bowl judgments, just before the full collapse of Babylon and the gathering for Armageddon. Historically, John's audience, residing in seismically active regions, would recognize the physical power of earthquakes, but the biblical depiction here elevates it beyond natural disaster to a definitive act of supernatural divine power, marking the end of an age and the prelude to Christ's full return and reign.
Revelation 16 18 Word analysis
- And there were (Greek: kai egenonto - and came to be / happened): Introduces a series of events, indicating an immediate effect of the seventh bowl being poured out.
- noises (Greek: phōnai - voices, sounds, noises): Not merely random sounds, but often signifying divine pronouncements, commands, or the sound of great events, similar to the voice of God from His throne.
- and thunderings (Greek: kai brontai - and thunders): Symbolize God's power, authority, and often His terrifying presence in judgment. Echoes the manifestations at Mount Sinai (Ex 19) and the throne room of God in heaven (Rev 4:5).
- and lightnings (Greek: kai astrapai - and lightnings): Parallel to thunderings, they signify God's illuminating power and judgment, often accompanying divine appearances or wrath. Seen in the heavenly throne room and previous judgments in Revelation.
- and there was a great earthquake (Greek: kai seismos megas egeneto - and a great earthquake occurred): Earthquakes in Revelation (e.g., Rev 6:12, 11:13, 11:19) symbolize profound cosmic or geopolitical upheaval and divine judgment. This specific one is singled out for its unprecedented magnitude.
- such a mighty earthquake (Greek: hoios ouk egeneto - such as had not happened): This phrase emphasizes the uniqueness and extraordinary severity of this particular earthquake. It implies an unparalleled physical disruption.
- that had not occurred since men were on the earth (Greek: aph' hou anthropos egeneto epi tēs gēs - from which man came to be upon the earth): Hyperbolic language, stressing that this earthquake surpasses all previous historical and natural disasters. It underscores the ultimate and decisive nature of this final judgment, paralleling similar descriptions of ultimate tribulation (Dan 12:1, Matt 24:21).
- Words-group analysis:
- "noises and thunderings and lightnings": This recurring triad in Revelation (Rev 4:5, 8:5, 11:19) consistently signifies the divine presence, activity, and powerful manifestations, often preceding or accompanying major judgments. Here, they signal the climactic intensity of God's final wrath on the earth.
- "a great earthquake, such a mighty earthquake that had not occurred since men were on the earth": The repetition and superlative language emphasize the unparalleled magnitude of this specific seismic event. It is not just a great earthquake, but the greatest in human history, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty and ability to shake the very foundations of the earth as a means of judgment. It signifies a radical disruption and cleansing of the fallen world system.
Revelation 16 18 Bonus section
The profound earthquake in Revelation 16:18, surpassing all previous seismic activity, signifies a critical theological point: God's ultimate power extends to the very foundations of creation. This unparalleled event visually and physically reinforces the "It is done!" proclamation, asserting divine finality over human history and rebellion. It underscores that all earthly kingdoms and structures, no matter how formidable, are subject to God's absolute sovereignty and will ultimately be shaken and removed, leaving only what is unshakeable (Heb 12:26-27). This shaking prepares the earth for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Revelation 16 18 Commentary
Revelation 16:18 powerfully describes the earthly effects of God's final, consummating judgment during the pouring of the seventh bowl. The cacophony of noises, thunderings, and lightnings serves as an unmistakable announcement of divine wrath, reminiscent of God's formidable appearance at Sinai, underscoring His awesome power. The centerpiece, however, is the unprecedented global earthquake. Its description as "such a mighty earthquake that had not occurred since men were on the earth" highlights its singular and universal impact, distinguishing it from all prior natural calamities and even preceding biblical judgments. This unparalleled seismic event signifies the complete shattering of human pride, power structures, and rebellion against God, making way for the establishment of Christ's righteous reign. It marks the total upheaval of the existing order, literally and figuratively shaking the very foundations of a world that rejected its Creator. This cataclysm serves not merely as destruction but as a profound act of divine cleansing and justice, bringing to an absolute conclusion the period of God's direct judgments.