Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

REVELATION 4:11KJV
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Revelation 4:11 (KJV)

What does Revelation 4:11 mean?

Revelation 4:11 declares that God is worthy to receive glory, honor, and power because He created everything, and all things exist and were created for His pleasure. This verse is a statement of praise, recognizing God’s ultimate authority and purpose in creation.

In the setting of Revelation 4, heavenly beings are speaking directly to God, worshiping Him as the Creator. This scene takes place in a vision given to John, where he sees the throne room of heaven. The verse highlights that everything in existence owes its origin and continued existence to God’s will and desire.

The Greek behind Revelation 4:11

  • "worthy" (ἄξιος, axios): This word means deserving or fit. The heavenly beings are saying God truly deserves all praise and honor, not just as a formality, but because of who He is and what He has done.
  • "created" (ἔκτισας, ektisas): This verb points to God as the one who brought everything into being. The Greek here emphasizes a completed action—creation is something God has accomplished.
  • "pleasure" (θέλημα, thelēma): This word is often understood as will, desire, or purpose. The verse is saying that creation happened according to God’s own intention and delight, not by accident or necessity.

Why Revelation 4:11 matters

  • Revelation 4:11 clarifies that creation is not random or meaningless; everything exists because God wanted it to, and for His own reasons.
  • The verse places all honor and power in God’s hands, reminding readers that no one else is ultimately in control or truly deserving of worship.
  • This verse connects to the wider scene in Revelation 4, where the focus is on worshiping God as Creator before any mention of judgment or redemption, grounding everything that follows in God’s authority over creation.

Where else these words appear

“created” Greek G2936 · used in 12 verses

  • Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
  • Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
  • Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

“worthy” Greek G514 · used in 39 verses

  • Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  • Luke 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
  • 1 Corinthians 16:4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

“honour” Greek G5092 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 27:6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
  • Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
  • Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

“pleasure” Greek G2307 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  • Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
  • Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,