What does Revelation 20:11 mean?

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. Revelation 20:11

Explanation

Revelation 20:11 speaks of a vision that the apostle John received concerning the end times and the last judgment. The “great white throne” symbolizes a place of judgment and authority. The one who sits on it is typically understood to be God or Christ, who has the ultimate authority to judge humanity. The imagery of the earth and heaven fleeing from the face of the one on the throne signifies the utter dissolution or transformation of the current physical universe in anticipation of a new, pure existence, often interpreted as the “new heaven and new earth” mentioned later in Revelation 21:1. This verse encapsulates the idea that nothing in the current fallen state of creation can withstand the unveiling presence and holiness of God in his final judgment.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written during a time when Christians were undergoing intense persecution, especially under Roman rule. Generally dated to the late first century AD, the text is ascribed to John, traditionally identified as the apostle and author of the Gospel of John. It is written in an apocalyptic genre common to Jewish literature, where visions, symbols, and allegory are used to convey hope and divine justice to the oppressed faithful. The dominant cultural and historical influences thus include Roman imperialism, Christian eschatology, and Judaic apocalyptic thought.

Theological Insights

Theological perspectives on this passage vary. Pre-millennialists see it as occurring before a literal thousand-year reign of Christ, while post-millennialists interpret it as happening after such a period, figuratively understood. Amillennialists view the thousand years as symbolic for the church age. A common insight among these views is that God’s holiness and justice are so great that they overwhelm and transform the existing order. All agree this is a depiction of final judgment, though they differ on the particulars of the sequence of end-times events.

Practical Applications

This verse can have several applications in the life of believers. It offers a reminder of the transient nature of the physical world, encouraging individuals to focus on eternal matters and live righteously. It provides comfort to those suffering, knowing that ultimate justice will be rendered. It also serves as a wakeup call for self-assessment and repentance, as it pronounces the certainty of divine judgment.

Cross-References

• Revelation 21:1 – “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”
• 2 Peter 3:10 – “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
• Daniel 7:9-10 – “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, […] the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”

Language Study

The key words in this verse in the original Greek text include:

• “Thronos” (θρόνος): Usually translated as “throne,” this word denotes a seat or chair of authority, indicating judgment and sovereignty.
• “Leukos” (λευκός): Translated as “white,” it often symbolizes purity and holiness in biblical texts.
• “Pheugo” (φεύγω): Meaning “fled away,” suggesting a sense of disappearance or fleeing in terror.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient mythologies often depict judgment scenes similar to the one in Revelation 20:11. For instance, the Egyptian Book of the Dead features a judgment scene in which the dead’s heart is weighed against a feather. In Norse mythology, Ragnarök includes the destruction of the world in preparation for its rebirth. These examples show a common religious theme of the world’s end and the judgment of individuals or peoples, followed by a new beginning.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the concept of the heavens and earth fleeing could be seen as poetic imagery, not a literal claim about cosmology. However, modern cosmology does discuss possible end scenarios for the universe – like the Big Freeze, Big Rip, or Big Crunch. These theoretical ends involve the universe’s expansion, tearing apart, or collapsing, not necessarily disappearing from someone’s presence as depicted in Revelation 20:11.

Commentaries

Commentary on Revelation 20:11 often emphasizes the theme of divine judgment and the majesty of God. Matthew Henry’s Commentary points to the greatness and terror of the judgment day and the impartiality with which God will judge. The New International Commentary on the New Testament notes the cosmic significance of this event, as it marks the removal of the old creation to make way for the new. Moreover, many scholars highlight the vision’s call for faithfulness amidst persecution, echoing the message that God’s ultimate justice will prevail.