Revelation 16:18

And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth—so mighty was the great quake.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The seventh angel pours his bowl into the air, and a loud voice from the temple throne declares completion before this cosmic disturbance occurs.

The words — ἀστραπαὶ (astrapai) translates literally as "flashes of lightning" and βρονταὶ (brontai) as "thunders," both describing the atmospheric phenomena accompanying the seismic event.

The thread — The sequence of lightning, thunder, and unprecedented earthquake appears in Revelation 4:5 and Revelation 11:13, while the scale of destruction aligns with the distress period described in Daniel 12:1.

Why it lands — The text records an irreversible judgment that precedes the splitting of the great city and the collapse of nations, demanding recognition that divine wrath operates through total cosmic disruption.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

Cross-references

Daniel 12:1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Revelation 4:5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God.
Revelation 11:13 And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Revelation 11:19 Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
Matthew 24:21 For at that time there will be great tribulation, unseen from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again.
Revelation 6:12 And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red,
Revelation 8:5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.