The Meaning of Revelation 16:17 Explained

Revelation 16:17

KJV: And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

YLT: And the seventh messenger did pour out his vial to the air, and there came forth a great voice from the sanctuary of the heaven, from the throne, saying, 'It hath come!'

Darby: And the seventh poured out his bowl on the air; and there came out a great voice from the temple of the heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

ASV: And the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air; and there came forth a great voice out of the temple, from the throne, saying, It is done:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  the seventh  angel  poured out  his  vial  into  the air;  and  there came  a great  voice  out of  the temple  of heaven,  from  the throne,  saying,  It is done. 

What does Revelation 16:17 Mean?

Study Notes

angel
.
angels
Angel, Summary: Angel, "messenger," is used of God, of men, and of an order of created spiritual beings whose chief attributes are strength and wisdom. 2 Samuel 14:20 ; Psalms 103:20 ; Psalms 104:4 . In the O.T. the expression "the angel of the Lord" (sometimes "of God") usually implies the presence of Deity in angelic form.; Genesis 16:1-13 ; Genesis 21:17-19 ; Genesis 22:11-16 ; Genesis 31:11-13 ; Exodus 3:2-4 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:12-16 ; Judges 13:3-22 (See Scofield " Malachi 3:1 ") . The word "angel" is used of men in; Luke 7:24 ; James 2:25 ; Revelation 1:20 ; Revelation 2:1 ; Revelation 2:8 ; Revelation 2:12 ; Revelation 2:18 ; Revelation 3:1 ; Revelation 3:7 ; Revelation 3:14 In Revelation 8:3-5 . Christ is evidently meant. Sometimes angel is used of the spirit of man.; Matthew 18:10 ; Acts 12:15 . Though angels are spirits; Psalms 104:4 ; Hebrews 1:14 power is given them to become visible in the semblance of human form. Genesis 19:1 cf; Genesis 19:5 ; Exodus 3:2 ; Numbers 22:22-31 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:11 ; Judges 6:22 ; Judges 13:3 ; Judges 13:6 ; 1 Chronicles 21:16 ; 1 Chronicles 21:20 ; Matthew 1:20 ; Luke 1:26 ; John 20:12 ; Acts 7:30 ; Acts 12:7 ; Acts 12:8 etc.). The word is always used in the masculine gender, though sex, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels.; Matthew 22:30 ; Mark 12:25 . They are exceedingly numerous.; Matthew 26:53 ; Hebrews 12:22 ; Revelation 5:11 ; Psalms 68:17 . The power is inconceivable. 2 Kings 19:35 . Their place is about the throne of God.; Revelation 5:11 ; Revelation 7:11 . Their relation to the believer is that of "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," and this ministry has reference largely to the physical safety and well-being of believers.; 1 Kings 19:5 ; Psalms 34:7 ; Psalms 91:11 ; Daniel 6:22 ; Matthew 2:13 ; Matthew 2:19 ; Matthew 4:11 ; Luke 22:43 ; Acts 5:19 ; Acts 12:7-10 . From; Hebrews 1:14 ; Matthew 18:10 ; Psalms 91:11 it would seem that this care for the heirs of salvation begins in infancy and continues through life. The angels observe us; 1 Corinthians 4:9 ; Ephesians 3:10 ; Ecclesiastes 5:6 a fact which should influence conduct. They receive departing saints. Luke 16:22 . Man is made "a little lower than the angels," and in incarnation Christ took "for a little "time" this lower place.; Psalms 8:4 ; Psalms 8:5 ; Hebrews 2:6 ; Hebrews 2:9 that He might lift the believer into His own sphere above angels. Hebrews 2:9 ; Hebrews 2:10 . The angels are to accompany Christ in His second advent. Matthew 25:31 . To them will be committed the preparation of the judgment of the nations. Matthew 13:30 ; Matthew 13:39 ; Matthew 13:41 ; Matthew 13:42 . See Scofield " Matthew 25:32 ". The kingdom-age is not to be subject to angels, but to Christ and those for whom He was made a little lower than the angels. Hebrews 2:5 An archangel, Michael, is mentioned as having a particular relation to Israel and to the resurrections.; Daniel 10:13 ; Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 ; Daniel 12:2 ; Judges 1:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 . The only other angel whose name is revealed Gabriel, was employed in the most distinguished services.; Daniel 8:16 ; Daniel 9:21 ; Luke 1:19 ; Luke 1:26 .
Fallen angels. Two classes of these are mentioned:
(1) "The angels which kept not their first estate place, but left their own habitation," are "chained under darkness," awaiting judgment. 2 Peter 2:4 ; Judges 1:6 ; 1 Corinthians 6:3 ; John 5:22 .
(See Scofield " Genesis 6:4 ")
(2) The angels who have Satan Genesis 3:1 as leader.
(See Scofield " Revelation 20:10 ") .
The origin of these is nowhere explicitly revealed. They may be identical with the demons.
(See Scofield " Matthew 7:22 ") . For Satan and his angels everlasting fire is prepared. Matthew 25:41 ; Revelation 20:10 .

Verse Meaning

This final judgment has the greatest impact of all since the air into which the angel pours his bowl is what humans breathe. [1] The loud voice is probably once again God"s since it comes from the throne in the heavenly temple (cf. Revelation 16:1). With the outpouring of the final bowl God announced that His series of judgments for this period in history was complete. This statement is proleptic since it anticipates the completion of the seventh bowl judgment, which John had yet to reveal (cf. Revelation 21:6).
"The pouring out of the seventh vial into the air is probably a gesture pointing to the utter demolition of man"s greatest final weapon in human warfare, when once the wrath of God is poured out in the great day of God Almighty." [2]
"Men would not have the Savior"s "It is finished!" on Calvary; so they must have the awful "It is done!" from the Judge!" [3]
The Greek words used are not the same.

Context Summary

Revelation 16:10-21 - "the War Of The Great Day Of God"
All these judgments apparently refer to the destruction of those great systems of falsehood and apostasy which set themselves against the truth and purity of God. The dragon, beast, and false prophet are the devil's mimicry of the divine Trinity. The dragon corresponds to God the Father in delegating His authority; the beast, like our Lord, is crowned with diadems, Revelation 13:1; Revelation 19:12; the false prophet directs attention to the beast, as does the Holy Spirit to Christ.
The mystery of iniquity will make one last effort to obtain the empire of the world, seeking to effect its purpose through a human confederacy. When that confederacy has reached its climax of effrontery, the coming of the Son of God is near; hence the need for watchfulness and purity, Revelation 16:15. Armageddon is the mountain of Megiddo, in the plain of Esdraelon. See Joel 3:2; Joel 3:12; Joel 3:14; also Zechariah 12:11. The great city symbolizes the apostate Church, or professing Christendom. The true Bride is away from these judgments, awaiting the manifestation of her Lord. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 16

1  The angels pour out their bowls of wrath
6  The plagues that follow
16  Armageddon

Greek Commentary for Revelation 16:17

Upon the air [επι τον αερα]
All men breathe the air and this is worse than the smiting of the earth (Revelation 16:2), the sea (Revelation 16:3), the fresh waters (Revelation 16:4), the sun (Revelation 16:8). [source]
A great voice [πωνη μεγαλη]
The voice of God as in Revelation 16:1.It is done (Γεγονεν — Gegonen). Perfect active indicative of γινομαι — ginomai Like Γεγοναν — Gegonan in Revelation 21:6. The whole series of plagues is now complete. [source]
It is done [Γεγονεν]
Perfect active indicative of γινομαι — ginomai Like Γεγοναν — Gegonan in Revelation 21:6. The whole series of plagues is now complete. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 16:17

Ephesians 2:2 The air []
According to Paul's usage, in the simple physical sense. See Acts 22:23; 1 Corinthians 9:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 16:17. The air is regarded as the region of the demons' might. [source]
Revelation 14:10 He also shall drink [και αυτος πιεται]
Future middle of πινω — pinō Certainty for him as for Babylon and her paramours (Revelation 16:17). [source]
Revelation 15:5 Was opened [ηνοιγη]
Second aorist passive indicative of ανοιγω — anoigō as in Revelation 11:19. For ναος — naos see Revelation 3:12; Revelation 7:15; Revelation 14:15, Revelation 14:17; Revelation 16:1, Revelation 16:17. [source]
Revelation 16:2 Went and poured out [απηλτεν και εχεχεεν]
Second aorist active indicative of απερχομαι — aperchomai (redundant use like υπαγετε — hupagete with εκχεετε — ekcheete “go and pour out,” in Revelation 16:1) and of εκχεω — ekcheō Each angel “went off” to perform his task. For εχεχεεν — execheen see it repeated in Revelation 16:3, Revelation 16:4, Revelation 16:8, Revelation 16:10, Revelation 16:12, Revelation 16:17. [source]
Revelation 19:5 A voice from the throne [πωνη απο του τρονου]
Not the voice of God, nor of the Lamb, nor εκ του ναου — ek tou naou (Revelation 16:17), but from an angel of the Presence. This angel summons all the servants of God to join in the antiphonal praise to God. [source]
Revelation 21:3 The tabernacle of God is with men [η σκηνη του τεου μετα των αντρωπων]
It is one of the angels of the Presence (Revelation 16:17; Revelation 19:5) speaking. [source]
Revelation 21:5 Behold, I make all things new [Ιδου καινα ποιω παντα]
The first time since Revelation 1:8 that God has been represented as speaking directly, though voices have come out of the throne before (Revelation 21:3) and out of the sanctuary (Revelation 16:1, Revelation 16:17), which may be from God himself, though more likely from one of the angels of the Presence. This message is not addressed to John (Revelation 7:14; Revelation 17:7; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:6), but to the entire world of the blessed. See Isaiah 43:18. for the words The idea of a new heaven and a new earth is in Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; Psalm 102:25. For the locative here with επι — epi See Revelation 20:11 for the picture. [source]
Revelation 21:6 They are come to pass [Γεγοναν]
Second perfect active indicative of γινομαι — ginomai with αν — ̇an for ασι — ̇asi See Revelation 16:17 for a like use of γεγονεν — gegonen “They have come to pass.” Here again it is the voice of God because, as in Revelation 1:8, He says: [source]
Revelation 5:8 Fell down [επεσαν]
Second aorist active indicative of πιπτω — piptō with first aorist “Holding.”A harp Old word, the traditional instrument (lyre or zithern) for psalmody (Psalm 33:2; Psalm 98:5, etc.).Golden bowls (πιαλας χρυσας — phialas chrusās). Broad shallow saucers, old word, in N.T. only in Revelation 5:8; Revelation 15:7; Revelation 16:1-4, Revelation 16:8, Revelation 16:10, Revelation 16:12, Revelation 16:17; Revelation 17:1; Revelation 21:9.Of incense Old word from τυμιαω — thumiaō to burn incense (Luke 1:9), as in Luke 1:10.Which are (αι εισιν — hai eisin). “Which (these bowls of incense) symbolize the prayers of the saints” as in Psalm 140:2; Luke 1:10. [source]
Revelation 5:8 A harp [κιταραν]
Old word, the traditional instrument (lyre or zithern) for psalmody (Psalm 33:2; Psalm 98:5, etc.).Golden bowls (πιαλας χρυσας — phialas chrusās). Broad shallow saucers, old word, in N.T. only in Revelation 5:8; Revelation 15:7; Revelation 16:1-4, Revelation 16:8, Revelation 16:10, Revelation 16:12, Revelation 16:17; Revelation 17:1; Revelation 21:9.Of incense Old word from τυμιαω — thumiaō to burn incense (Luke 1:9), as in Luke 1:10.Which are (αι εισιν — hai eisin). “Which (these bowls of incense) symbolize the prayers of the saints” as in Psalm 140:2; Luke 1:10. [source]
Revelation 5:8 Golden bowls [πιαλας χρυσας]
Broad shallow saucers, old word, in N.T. only in Revelation 5:8; Revelation 15:7; Revelation 16:1-4, Revelation 16:8, Revelation 16:10, Revelation 16:12, Revelation 16:17; Revelation 17:1; Revelation 21:9. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 16:17 mean?

And the seventh poured out the bowl of him upon the air came out a voice loud from the temple from throne saying It is done
Καὶ ἕβδομος ἐξέχεεν τὴν φιάλην αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸν ἀέρα ἐξῆλθεν φωνὴ μεγάλη ἐκ τοῦ ναοῦ ἀπὸ θρόνου λέγουσα Γέγονεν

ἕβδομος  seventh 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἕβδομος  
Sense: seventh.
ἐξέχεεν  poured  out 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐκχέω 
Sense: to pour out, shed forth.
φιάλην  bowl 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: φιάλη  
Sense: a broad shallow bowl, deep saucer.
αὐτοῦ  of  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἐπὶ  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
ἀέρα  air 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀήρ  
Sense: the air, particularly the lower and denser air as distinguished from the higher and rarer air.
ἐξῆλθεν  came  out 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐξέρχομαι 
Sense: to go or come forth of.
φωνὴ  a  voice 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: φωνή  
Sense: a sound, a tone.
μεγάλη  loud 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: μέγας  
Sense: great.
ναοῦ  temple 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ναός  
Sense: used of the temple at Jerusalem, but only of the sacred edifice (or sanctuary) itself, consisting of the Holy place and the Holy of Holies (in classical Greek it is used of the sanctuary or cell of the temple, where the image of gold was placed which is distinguished from the whole enclosure).
θρόνου  throne 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θρόνος  
Sense: a throne seat.
λέγουσα  saying 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
Γέγονεν  It  is  done 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.