Revelation 6:17 (KJV)

What does Revelation 6:17 mean?

Revelation 6:17 describes a moment of overwhelming judgment, declaring that the "great day" of God's anger has arrived and questioning who could possibly endure or survive it. The verse emphasizes the unstoppable and universal nature of this coming event.

In the book of Revelation, John is describing a vision where the opening of the sixth seal brings cosmic disturbances and terror to everyone on earth, from rulers to ordinary people. The question "who shall be able to stand?" highlights the seriousness of God's wrath and suggests that no one, by their own strength, can withstand what is coming.

The Greek behind Revelation 6:17

• "Great" (μεγάλη, megalē): This word means not just large in size, but also intense or significant in impact. Here, it stresses the unmatched scale of the day being described.
• "Wrath" (ὀργή, orgē): This Greek word often refers to a settled, righteous anger rather than a passing outburst. In this context, it points to a deliberate and just response, not random rage.
• "Able" (δύναται, dynatai): The word carries the sense of having the power or strength to do something. The verse asks who has the ability or strength to endure this day, implying that human ability falls short.

Why Revelation 6:17 matters

• The verse clarifies that the coming judgment is not just a threat for a few, but a universal event that no one can escape by status or power.
• By asking "who shall be able to stand?", the verse sets up a sense of urgency and seriousness that runs through the rest of Revelation, preparing the reader for the need for refuge or deliverance.
• Understanding the original words for "great" and "wrath" helps highlight that this is not ordinary anger or a minor event, but a decisive and purposeful act in the story's unfolding.