The Meaning of Revelation 14:7 Explained

Revelation 14:7

KJV: Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

YLT: saying in a great voice, 'Fear ye God, and give to Him glory, because come did the hour of His judgment, and bow ye before Him who did make the heaven, and the land, and sea, and fountains of waters.'

Darby: saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come; and do homage to him who has made the heaven and the earth and the sea and fountains of waters.

ASV: and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Saying  with  a loud  voice,  Fear  God,  and  give  glory  to him;  for  the hour  of his  judgment  is come:  and  worship  him that made  heaven,  and  earth,  and  the sea,  and  the fountains  of waters. 

What does Revelation 14:7 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The angel spoke loudly, revealing his urgency and concern. The loudness of his voice implies that everyone will hear his message. He called earth-dwellers to fear God (cf. Ecclesiastes 12:13; Luke 12:5), to acknowledge their accountability to Him (cf. Romans 1:32). To give God glory means to repent having acknowledged His attributes (cf. Deuteronomy 6:13; Deuteronomy 10:20; Matthew 4:10; Acts 14:15-17). [1] The positive response to this invitation appears in Revelation 15:4 and the negative response in Revelation 16:9; Revelation 16:11; Revelation 16:21. The reason for fearing God is that the hour of His judgment has come. This is the very last chance that these unbelievers will have to change their allegiance from Satan to God before the final judgments of the Great Tribulation begin.
The angel referred to natural revelation in making this appeal. Some commentators believed the eternal gospel is the witness of natural revelation that has gone out since Creation. [2] God is worthy of worship because He is the Creator, and He has the right to judge what He has created (cf. Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 33:6-9; Psalm 146:6). The four categories of creation encompass all of it. The first four bowl judgments will affect each of these four aspects of creation ( Revelation 16:2-9).

Context Summary

Revelation 14:1-8 - The Lamb's Chosen Worshipers
The blessed ones with whom this chapter opens are only the first-fruit sheaf from the great harvest field. Think of it! If one sheaf consists of 144,000, what will be the entire number of the saved? The characteristics attributed to them may be realized by us all now and here. We must bear the name, that is, the nature and character of Jesus, in our faces; we must be pure in heart and life; and we must go wherever He goes. If to Gethsemane, we must follow Him; if to Calvary, we must take up our cross and go thither; if to Heaven, we shall be with Him there also. It is thought by some that this first-fruit sheaf represents the dear children who have died in early life and have become the Savior's body-guard and close associates. It may be so, but more likely it stands for the possessors of the child-heart.
In majestic procession, one after another, strong angels are seen issuing from the heavenly portals, with "their sublime announcements. Notice the phrase, the everlasting gospel, Revelation 14:6. In other words, the gospel of the grace of God is no expedient brought in to patch up a program which has been seriously spoiled; it is as old as eternity and brings to men eternal joy, and peace, and hope. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 14

1  The Lamb standing on Mount Zion with his company
6  An angel preaches the gospel
8  The fall of Babylon
15  The harvest of the world
20  The winepress of the wrath of God

Greek Commentary for Revelation 14:7

And he saith [λεγων]
See above. [source]
Fear God [ποβητητε τον τεον]
First aorist passive (deponent) imperative of ποβεομαι — phobeomai here transitive with the accusative as in Luke 12:5. It is a call to judgment with no hope offered except by implication (Acts 14:15.).Give him glory (δοτε αυτωι δοχαν — dote autōi doxan). Second aorist active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi For the phrase see Revelation 11:13.The hour is come Second aorist (prophetic use) active indicative of ερχομαι — erchomai Common idiom in John‘s Gospel (John 2:4; John 4:21, John 4:23; John 5:25, John 5:28; John 7:30, etc.).Worship (προσκυνησατε — proskunēsate). First aorist active imperative of προσκυνεω — proskuneō with the dative case. Solemn call to the pagan world to worship God as Creator (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 10:6), as in Psalm 96:6; Acts 14:15. For “the fountains of waters” see Revelation 8:10. [source]
Give him glory [δοτε αυτωι δοχαν]
Second aorist active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi For the phrase see Revelation 11:13. [source]
The hour is come [η ωρα ηλτεν]
Second aorist (prophetic use) active indicative of ερχομαι — erchomai Common idiom in John‘s Gospel (John 2:4; John 4:21, John 4:23; John 5:25, John 5:28; John 7:30, etc.).Worship (προσκυνησατε — proskunēsate). First aorist active imperative of προσκυνεω — proskuneō with the dative case. Solemn call to the pagan world to worship God as Creator (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 10:6), as in Psalm 96:6; Acts 14:15. For “the fountains of waters” see Revelation 8:10. [source]
Worship [προσκυνησατε]
First aorist active imperative of προσκυνεω — proskuneō with the dative case. Solemn call to the pagan world to worship God as Creator (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 10:6), as in Psalm 96:6; Acts 14:15. For “the fountains of waters” see Revelation 8:10. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 14:7

John 1:3 Were made [ἐγένετο]
Literally, came into being, or became. Expressing the passage from nothingness into being, and the unfolding of a divine order. Compare John 1:14, John 1:17. Three words are used in the New Testament to express the act of creation: κτίζειν , to create (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 10:6; Colossians 1:16); ποιεῖν , to make (Revelation 14:7; Mark 10:6), both of which refer to the Creator; and γίγνεσθαι , to become, which refers to that which is created. In Mark 10:6, both words occur. “From the beginning of the creation ( κτίσεως ) God made ” ( ἐποίησεν ). So in Ephesians 2:10: “We are His workmanship ( ποίημα ), created ( κτισθέντες ) in Christ Jesus.” Here the distinction is between the absolute being expressed by ἦν (see on John 1:1), and the coming into being of creation ( ἐγένετο ). The same contrast occurs in John 1:6, John 1:9. “A man sent from God came into being ” ( ἐγένετο ); “the true Light was ” ( ἦν ). “The main conception of creation which is present in the writings of St. John is expressed by the first notice which he makes of it: All things came into being through the Word. This statement sets aside the notions of eternal matter and of inherent evil in matter. 'There was when' the world 'was not' (John 17:5, John 17:24); and, by implication, all things as made were good. The agency of the Word, 'who was God,' again excludes both the idea of a Creator essentially inferior to God, and the idea of an abstract Monotheism in which there is no living relation between the creature and the Creator; for as all things come into being 'through' the Word, so they are supported 'in' Him (John 1:3; compare Colossians 1:16sq.; Hebrews 1:3). And yet more, the use of the term ἐγένετο , came into being, as distinguished from ἐκτίσθη , were created, suggests the thought that creation is to be regarded (according to our apprehension) as a manifestation of a divine law of love. Thus creation (all things came into being through Him ) answers to the Incarnation (the Word became flesh ). All the unfolding and infolding of finite being to the last issue lies in the fulfillment of His will who is love” (Westcott, on 1 John 2:17). [source]
Revelation 14:6 Having [εχοντα]
Accusative singular agreeing with αγγελον — aggelon like πετομενον — petomenon (flying), but λεγων — legōn in Revelation 14:7 is nominative, as if a new sentence like λεγων — legōn in Revelation 4:1.An eternal gospel (ευαγγελιον αιωνιον — euaggelion aiōnion). The only use of ευαγγελιον — euaggelion in John‘s writings, though the verb ευαγγελισαι — euaggelisai (first aorist active infinitive epexegetical with εχοντα — echonta like John 16:12) occurs here and in Revelation 10:7. Here it is not το ευαγγελιον — to euaggelion (the gospel), but merely a proclamation of God‘s eternal (αιωνιος — aiōnios here alone in the Apocalypse, though common in the Fourth Gospel and 1 John) purpose. Origen even took this “eternal gospel” to be another book to be written! Note the double use of επι — epi (with accusative after ευαγγελισαι — euaggelisai and the genitive with γης — gēs). See Revelation 5:9 for the races, etc. [source]
Revelation 14:15 And reap [και τερισον]
First aorist (urgency) active imperative of τεριζω — therizō old verb (from τερος — theros summer), as in Matthew 6:26. See Revelation 14:7 for “the hour is come.” Τερισαι — Therisai (to reap) is epexegetical infinitive (first aorist active of τεριζω — therizō).The harvest (ο τερισμος — ho therismos). Old, but rare word (from τεριζω — therizō to harvest), as in Matthew 13:30; John 4:35, here only in Revelation.Is over-ripe First aorist (prophetic as in Revelation 10:7; Revelation 15:1) passive of χηραινω — xērainō (cf. James 1:11), to wither, to dry up. Perhaps just “ripe,” not “over-ripe.” Cf. Joel 1:17. [source]
Revelation 16:1 A great voice [μεγαλης πωνης]
Not an angel as in Revelation 5:2; Revelation 7:2; Revelation 10:3; Revelation 14:7, Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:15, Revelation 14:18, but of God as Revelation 15:8 shows, since no one could enter the ναος — naos out Second aorist active imperative of εκχεω — ekcheō (same form as present active imperative). Blass would change to εκχεατε — ekcheate (clearly aorist) as in Revelation 16:6. [source]
Revelation 16:9 With great heat [καυμα μεγα]
Cognate accusative retained with the passive verb. Old word (from καιω — kaiō to burn), in N.T. only Revelation 7:16 and here. For blaspheming the name of God see Revelation 13:6; James 2:7; Romans 2:24; 1 Timothy 6:1. They blamed God for the plagues.They repented not (ου μετενοησαν — ou metenoēsan). This solemn negative aorist of μετανοεω — metanoeō is a refrain like a funeral dirge (Revelation 9:20.; Revelation 16:11). In Revelation 11:13 some did repent because of the earthquake. Even deserved punishment may harden the heart.To give him glory Second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi almost result. For the phrase see Revelation 11:13; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 19:7. [source]
Revelation 16:9 To give him glory [δουναι αυτωι δοχαν]
Second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi almost result. For the phrase see Revelation 11:13; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 19:7. [source]
Revelation 19:2 For [οτι]
Because. The reason for God‘s judgments is given in Revelation 15:3; Revelation 16:7. The doom of Babylon seen in Revelation 14:7 is now realized. [source]
Revelation 7:17 Shall be their shepherd [παιμανει αυτους]
“Shall shepherd them,” future active of ποιμαινω — poimainō (from ποιμην — poimēn shepherd), in John 21:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2; Revelation 2:27; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15. Jesus is still the Good Shepherd of his sheep (John 10:11, John 10:14.). Cf. Psalm 23:1.Shall guide them (οδη γησει αυτους — hodē gēsei autous). Future active of οδηγεω — hodēgeō old word (from οδηγος — hodēgos guide, Matthew 15:14), used of God‘s guidance of Israel (Exodus 15:13), of God‘s guidance of individual lives (Psalm 5:9), of the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), of Christ‘s own guidance here (cf. John 14:4; Revelation 14:4).Unto fountains of waters of life The language is like that in Isaiah 49:10; Jeremiah 2:13. Note the order, “to life‘s water springs” (Swete) like the Vulgate ad vitae fontes aquarum, with emphasis on ζωης — zōēs (life‘s). For this idea see also John 4:12, John 4:14; John 7:38.; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:1, Revelation 22:17. No special emphasis on the plural here or in Revelation 8:10; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 16:4.And God shall wipe away (και εχαλειπσει ο τεος — kai exaleipsei ho theos). Repeated in Revelation 21:4 from Isaiah 25:8. Future active of εχαλειπω — exaleiphō old compound, to wipe out (εχ — ex), off, away, already in Revelation 3:5 for erasing a name and in Acts 3:19 for removing the stain (guilt) of sin.Every tear Old word, with other form, δακρυ — dakru in Luke 7:38, Luke 7:44. Note repetition of εκ — ek with οπταλμων — ophthalmōn (out of their eyes). “Words like these of Revelation 7:15-17 must sound as a divine music in the ears of the persecuted. God will comfort as a mother comforts” (Baljon). [source]
Revelation 7:17 Unto fountains of waters of life [επι ζωης πηγας υδατων]
The language is like that in Isaiah 49:10; Jeremiah 2:13. Note the order, “to life‘s water springs” (Swete) like the Vulgate ad vitae fontes aquarum, with emphasis on ζωης — zōēs (life‘s). For this idea see also John 4:12, John 4:14; John 7:38.; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:1, Revelation 22:17. No special emphasis on the plural here or in Revelation 8:10; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 16:4.And God shall wipe away (και εχαλειπσει ο τεος — kai exaleipsei ho theos). Repeated in Revelation 21:4 from Isaiah 25:8. Future active of εχαλειπω — exaleiphō old compound, to wipe out (εχ — ex), off, away, already in Revelation 3:5 for erasing a name and in Acts 3:19 for removing the stain (guilt) of sin.Every tear Old word, with other form, δακρυ — dakru in Luke 7:38, Luke 7:44. Note repetition of εκ — ek with οπταλμων — ophthalmōn (out of their eyes). “Words like these of Revelation 7:15-17 must sound as a divine music in the ears of the persecuted. God will comfort as a mother comforts” (Baljon). [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 14:7 mean?

saying in a voice loud Fear - God and give Him glory because has come the hour of the judgment of Him worship the [One] having made heaven the earth sea springs of waters
λέγων ἐν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ Φοβήθητε τὸν Θεὸν καὶ δότε αὐτῷ δόξαν ὅτι ἦλθεν ὥρα τῆς κρίσεως αὐτοῦ προσκυνήσατε τῷ ποιήσαντι οὐρανὸν τὴν γῆν θάλασσαν πηγὰς ὑδάτων

λέγων  saying 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
φωνῇ  a  voice 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: φωνή  
Sense: a sound, a tone.
μεγάλῃ  loud 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: μέγας  
Sense: great.
Φοβήθητε  Fear 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: φοβέομαι 
Sense: to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away).
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεὸν  God 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
δότε  give 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
δόξαν  glory 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δόξα  
Sense: opinion, judgment, view.
ὅτι  because 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
ἦλθεν  has  come 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
ὥρα  hour 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ὥρα  
Sense: a certain definite time or season fixed by natural law and returning with the revolving year.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
κρίσεως  judgment 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: κρίσις  
Sense: a separating, sundering, separation.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
προσκυνήσατε  worship 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: προσκυνέω  
Sense: to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence.
τῷ  the  [One] 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ποιήσαντι  having  made 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
οὐρανὸν  heaven 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: οὐρανός  
Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it.
γῆν  earth 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.
θάλασσαν  sea 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: θάλασσα  
Sense: the sea.
πηγὰς  springs 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: πηγή  
Sense: fountain, spring.
ὑδάτων  of  waters 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: ὕδωρ  
Sense: water.