What does Revelation 11:18 mean?

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

Explanation

Revelation 11:18 speaks to a time of divine judgment and the culmination of human history as understood within Christian eschatology—the part of theology concerned with the final events of history. The verse is rich with themes such as divine wrath, judgment of the dead, rewarding the faithful, and the punishment of those who harm the earth. It depicts a scene where human anger is contrasted with God’s wrath, the latter having a corrective and just purpose. It addresses the judgment of the dead, which implies a resurrection or a spiritual reckoning after death. Rewards are promised to prophets, saints, and those who fear God, indicating a recognition of faithfulness and service. Conversely, there is a sense of retribution for those who destroy the earth, which can be seen as a divine mandate for environmental stewardship or as a metaphor for moral and spiritual corruption.

Historical Context

Revelation, known as the Apocalypse, is the final book of the New Testament, traditionally attributed to John of Patmos, written in the late 1st century AD. It emerged in a time of persecution for early Christians and was intended to offer hope in the belief that God would ultimately triumph over evil. The book is apocalyptic literature, which includes visions, symbols, and allegory, often reflecting the struggles and hopes of the oppressed.

Theological Insights

The verse confronts several theological concepts:

1. Theodicy—the justification of God’s goodness given the existence of evil.
2. Eschatology—the study of the end times.
3. Moral accountability—emphasizing that actions in life have consequences after death.
4. Stewardship of the earth—suggesting that there are divine expectations for humans to care for the planet. Different denominations and theologians interpret this verse through various eschatological views, such as premillennialism, amillennialism, or postmillennialism, each understanding the timeline of end times differently.

Practical Applications

While the verse speaks of prophetic and eschatological events, it can offer contemporary relevance in themes of accountability, justice, and environmental stewardship. It calls individuals to live with an awareness of their actions’ potential long-term spiritual implications and encourages the faithful to endure and remain steadfast in their beliefs amidst a turbulent world.

Cross-References

• Revelation 20:12 – Judgment of the dead.
• 2 Peter 3:10 – The day of the Lord and the destruction of the heavens.
• Psalm 2:1-5 – The vanity of nations raging against God.
• Matthew 16:27 – Christ rewarding each person according to their works.
• Romans 8:19-22 – Creation awaiting liberation from corruption.

Language Study

The original Greek language of Revelation contributes to a deeper understanding of the text:

• “θυμὸς” (thymos) often translated as “wrath”, can convey passionate emotion, either negative or positive.
• “νεκρῶν” (nekrōn) means “dead,” signifying the deceased awaiting judgment.
• “διαφθείρω” (diaphtheirō), commonly interpreted as “destroy,” can also mean to corrupt or spoil, broadening its potential meaning beyond environmental ruin to moral decay.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing other myths and religious texts, themes of divine judgment and world-ending events can be found, such as in Norse mythology’s Ragnarök, Hinduism’s concept of the Yugas, and the Day of Judgement in Islam. These narratives share common elements of final accountability and the restoration or renewal of the world.

Scientific Perspectives

The call to “destroy them which destroy the earth” may resonate with modern understandings of environmental science and ecology. While the original text did not have contemporary issues like climate change in mind, one could argue that the admonition aligns with principles of sustainability and responsibility toward the planet.

Commentaries

Commentaries offer varied interpretations of Revelation 11:18. Some highlight the prophetic nature of Revelation, warning about future events. Others focus on the passage as a moral and ethical call to action. For example, the destruction of the earth could be seen as both literal ecological harm and symbolic of spiritual or societal decay. Most agree on the passage’s assurance that God will enact justice and that history moves toward a divinely determined purpose.