What does Revelation 11:17 mean?

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Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. Revelation 11:17

Explanation

Revelation 11:17 is a part of the scene where the twenty-four elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fall on their faces and worship God. The verse expresses a declaration of thanks to the Lord God Almighty. The acknowledgement of God as one “which art, and wast, and art to come” reaffirms the belief in God’s eternal nature, as being beyond the constraints of time, a concept that is fundamental to Christian theology.

This acknowledgment is followed by a recognition of God’s action in taking up his great power and establishing his reign. The verse is filled with anticipation and celebrates God’s ultimate triumph and sovereignty, which is a recurring theme in the Book of Revelation – the consummation of God’s kingdom and the fulfillment of divine promises.

Historical Context

Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, is thought to have been written by John of Patmos, traditionally identified as the Apostle John, around 95 AD. It came at a time when Christians were facing persecution under the Roman Empire. The book’s apocalyptic and prophetic literature served to fortify the faith of the Christian community in these challenging times by portraying the final victory of God over evil.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse speaks to several key doctrines:

Eternal Nature of God: God is acknowledged as the One who exists always – past, present, and future.
Divine Sovereignty: It celebrates God taking up His royal power and actively reigning, which touches on the belief of God’s control over history and the cosmos.
Eschatological Fulfillment: The verse points to the end times when God will fully assert His dominion, as foreseen by apocalyptic literature.
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Thanksgiving and Worship: It encapsulates a posture of worship, with God being the focus of gratitude and praise.

Different denominations may emphasize different aspects of this verse, from God’s unchanging nature (Orthodox and Catholic traditions) to the imminent hope of God’s kingdom (evangelical Protestant perspectives).

Practical Applications

In daily life, believers may use this verse to:

Encourage gratitude: Regardless of circumstances, one can always find reasons to thank God, acknowledging His supremacy and past faithfulness.
Foster Hope: In times of trouble, this verse can remind believers to maintain hope for God’s future reign and final victory over evil.
Inspire Worship: Similar to the elders in Revelation, believers are encouraged to worship God for His attributes and actions.

Cross-References

Revelation 1:8 – “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 4:8 – “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”
Revelation 19:6 – “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”

Language Study

The original Greek language provides depth to key terms:

“Eucharistoumen” (ϝὐχαριστοῦμέν): “We give thee thanks.” The act of giving thanks or gratitude.
“Kyrios ho Theos” (Κύριος ὁ Θεός): “Lord God.” A title denoting authority and divinity.
“Ho Pantokrator” (ὁ Παντοκράτωρ): “Almighty.” This title suggests God’s omnipotence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Similar to how the Judaic tradition incorporates hymns of thanksgiving to God for His deeds and attributes (Psalms), the verse in Revelation resonates with other religious traditions that recognize a supreme deity’s power and timelessness. Comparatively, ancient myths often include themes of gods reigning with great power, but the monotheistic and eternal nature of the Christian God is a distinguishing feature.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse does not directly correlate with scientific perspectives, as it deals with theological concepts such as divine nature and eschatology. However, themes of time (past, present, and future) could intersect with philosophical discussions on the nature of time as understood in theoretical physics, albeit through a metaphorical lens.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on this verse:

Matthew Henry stresses the thanksgiving owed to God, emphasizing the importance of recognizing God’s hand in the course of history.
Robert H. Mounce notes the ultimate victory of God reflected in this verse and its encouragement to beleaguered believers.
Craig S. Keener suggests that the acknowledgment of God’s power and reign denotes not only future hope but also God’s current authority despite appearances.

Scholars generally concur that Revelation 11:17 offers a triumphant affirmation of God’s sovereignty and his ultimate victory, which would have been especially relevant to John’s original audience facing tribulation and seeking reassurance of God’s control over history.