Devine Scripture

Revelation 20:11

What does Revelation 20:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 20:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 20:11 means

John beholds a great white throne and the One seated on it, from whose face heaven and earth flee, leaving no place for them. White speaks of purity and justice; great of majesty and authority. The scene conveys unbearable holiness before which the old creation dissolves, making way for judgment and, soon, a new order. No one can stand by right or hide by distance. The Judge is not named here, but His presence uncreates what is corrupted. This is the solemn court of final review. The vision lifts our eyes from terrestrial conflicts to the ultimate tribunal where every creature’s destiny is reckoned before absolute righteousness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I saw a great white seat, and him who was seated on it, before whose face the earth and the heaven went in flight; and there was no place for them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I saw a great white throne, and Him who is sitting upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven did flee away, and place was not found for them;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I saw a great white throne and one sitting upon it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away: and there was no place found for them

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled, and place was not found for them.

Context

With Satan consigned to the lake of fire, the next movement reveals the final judgment. The throne vision introduces the judicial setting for verses 12–15. The imagery of creation fleeing underscores the gravity and universality of what follows. It prepares for the resurrection of the dead, the opening of the books, and the rendering of verdicts. The flow transitions from the defeat of personal evil to the comprehensive evaluation of all human lives.

v.10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

v.11This passage

v.12And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which isthe bookof life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 24:35

    Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

  • 2 Peter 3:7

    but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

  • Psalms 97:2

    Clouds and darkness are round about him: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

  • Psalms 47:8

    God reigneth over the nations: God sitteth upon his holy throne.

  • Revelation 21:1

    And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more.

  • 2 Peter 3:10

    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

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