Revelation 20:11 ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 20:11-15

The fourth scene in the history of humanity: the age of retribution. "And I saw a great white throne," etc. There was one fact common to all the preceding epochs through which redeemed humanity had passed—they were all probationary, all connected with the overtures of mercy to the guilty, and the means of spiritual purity, blessedness, and elevation for the polluted, unhappy, and degraded. But the probationary element, which had run on through all dispensations from Adam to Christ, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 20:11

And I saw a great white throne - This verse commences the description of the final judgment, which embraces the remainder of the chapter. The first thing seen in the vision is the burning throne of the Judge. The things that are specified in regard to it are, that it was “great,” and that it was “white.” The former expression means that it was high or elevated. Compare Isaiah 6:1. The latter expression - white - means that it was “splendid or shining.” Compare 1 Kings 10:18-20. The throne here... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 20:11

Revelation 20:11. The course of these prophecies, after many important visions describing the state of the church and world in this present life, brings us at last to the great and final judgment, when the whole scene and mystery of Providence shall be finished. Then the great doctrine which runs through the whole of these prophecies will be fully verified, namely, that truth and righteousness shall surely prevail in the end, against error and all iniquity; eternal happiness shall be the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 20:11-15

The last judgment (20:11-15)When the rest of the dead are raised to life (see v. 5) the final judgment takes place. The one who carries out the judgment is the Lord of the universe, and he carries it out with absolute justice. At this judgment people face two independent witnesses. The first is the record of their works, according to which they will be judged. The second is the list of names in the book of life, which confirms whether or not they accepted God’s offer of pardon (11-13). All... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 20:11

great. That in Revelation 4:2-6 was seen by John in heaven; this on earth. white. Indicating holiness and righteousness. No adjuncts mentioned. Only one throne and one Judge. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 20:11

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.And I saw a great white throne ... Is this God, or Christ? We should probably read it as Christ, to correspond with Matthew 25:31-46, and also with the truth that God has committed judgment unto the Son of man (John 5:22).From whose face the earth and the heaven fled away ... Note that very similar things were written in Revelation 6:14; 16:20;... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 20:11

Revelation 20:11.— The course of these prophesies, after many important visions describing the state of the church and world in this present life, brings us at last to the great and final judgment, when the whole scene and mystery of Providence and Grace shall be finished. Then the great doctrine, which runs through the whole of these prophesies; will be fullyverified, that truth and righteousness shall surely prevail in the end against error and all iniquity; eternal happiness shall be the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 20:11-15

Revelation 20:11-15. I saw a great white throne, &c.— Great, to shew the largeness and extent; white, to shew the justice and equity of the judgment; and one siting on it, that is, the Son of God; for the Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son, Joh_5:22 . 'The expression, that it was he from whose face the earth and heaven fled away, is inconceivably great; it is so plain, that it does not need, and so majestic and grand, that it exceeds commentary and paraphrase: it shews us, that... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 20:11

11. great—in contrast to the "thrones," Revelation 20:4. white—the emblem of purity and justice. him that sat on it—the Father [ALFORD]. Rather, the Son, to whom "the Father hath committed all judgment." God in Christ, that is, the Father represented by the Son, is He before whose judgment-seat we must all stand. The Son's mediatorial reign is with a view to prepare the kingdom for the Father's acceptance. When He has done that, He shall give it up to the Father, "that God may be all in all,"... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 20:11

This "And I saw" introduces something else John saw in this vision (cf. Revelation 19:11; Revelation 19:17; Revelation 19:19; Revelation 20:1; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 21:1-2). The continuation of chronological progression seems clear from the continued use of "And" to introduce new information. Almost every verse in this chapter begins with "And."The "great white throne" John saw seems to be different from the thrones he referred to earlier in this chapter (Revelation... read more