Devine Scripture

Revelation 19:2

What does Revelation 19:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 19:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 19:2 means

The heavenly multitude celebrates God’s judgments as true and righteous. He has acted with perfect moral clarity against the great harlot who spread spiritual corruption across the earth. Her seduction was not victimless; she intoxicated nations and persecuted God’s servants. God’s justice therefore includes vindication—He has avenged the blood of His people. This is not revenge in human terms but holy recompense: evil is named, stopped, and answered. For believers who suffered under oppressive powers, this verse affirms that God sees, weighs, and acts justly. Judgment is not arbitrary; it fits the crime and exposes the lie that wickedness can flourish forever without consequence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for true and righteous are his judgments; for he hath judged the great harlot, her that corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for true and righteous are his judgments; for he hath judged the great harlot, her that corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For true and upright are his decisions; for by him has the evil woman been judged, who made the earth unclean with the sins of her body; and he has given her punishment for the blood of his servants.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because true and righteous <FI>are<Fi> His judgments, because He did judge the great whore who did corrupt the earth in her whoredom, and He did avenge the blood of His servants at her hand;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For true and just are his judgments, who hath judged the great harlot which corrupted the earth with her fornication and hath revenged the blood of his servants, at her hands.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for true and righteous [are] his judgments; for he has judged the great harlot which corrupted the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of his bondmen at her hand.

Context

This verse supplies the reasons for the Hallelujah of verse 1: God’s judgments are trustworthy and morally right. The language recalls the earlier portrayal of the great harlot’s influence and cruelty, now brought to its appointed end. The worship in heaven is not vague adoration but grateful response to specific acts. The focus on avenging the martyrs transitions naturally to the permanence of Babylon’s ruin (verse 3). The flow teaches first-time readers that God’s justice is both corrective and conclusive, paving the way for heaven’s leaders to agree and bow (verse 4).

v.1After these things I heard as it were a great voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, Hallelujah; Salvation, and glory, and power, belong to our God:

v.2This passage

v.3And a second time they say, Hallelujah. And her smoke goeth up for ever and ever.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Kings 9:7

    And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of Jehovah, at the hand of Jezebel.

  • Psalms 19:9

    The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever: The ordinances of Jehovah are true, and righteous altogether.

  • Revelation 15:3

    And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages.

  • Revelation 18:20

    Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye saints, and ye apostles, and ye prophets; for God hath judged your judgment on her.

  • Revelation 17:1

    And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls, and spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters;

  • Revelation 6:10

    and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

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