Revelation 16:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The angel of the waters praises God as righteous and eternal because His judgment is just.
What Does Revelation 16:5 Mean?
As the waters turn to blood, the angel set over them speaks, not in protest but in worship. He confesses God as the One 'which art, and wast, and shalt be,' the eternal Lord whose being spans all time, and he calls His judgment righteous.
Heaven's response to judgment is praise, because the One who judges is utterly holy and never wrong. This is striking: the very angel of the afflicted waters declares God just. When we cannot understand the severity of God's acts, the saints' posture is the same, to trust that the Judge of all the earth does right. His unchanging nature is our anchor, the same yesterday, today, and forever in Christ.
Revelation 16:5 in the Original Language
dikaios (δίκαιος), 'righteous' -- just and right in character and in every verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 16:5
What does Revelation 16:5 mean?
The angel of the waters praises God as righteous and eternal because His judgment is just.