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Revelation 16:20

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 16:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
Revelation 16:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17And the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air; and there came forth a great voice out of the temple, from the throne, saying, It is done:
18and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since there were men upon the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty.
19And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21And great hail, [every stone] about the weight of a talent, cometh down out of heaven upon men: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof is exceeding great.
← Revelation 16:19Revelation 16:21 →
← Full Chapter 16 Revelation Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And every island fled away, etc.] This may be understood either of the dissolution of the world, the present heavens and earth, when there will be no more sea, (<662101>Revelation 21:1) and so consequently no islands: and the mountains were not found; for the earth and the heaven will be fled away at the appearance of Christ the Judge, and there will be no place found for them, (<662011>Revelation 20:11) and new heavens, and a new earth, without sea or mountains, will succeed: or rather this may signify the utter extirpation of all the antichristian powers in every shape, whether on islands or on the continent; for this day of the Lord will be upon every high mountain and hill, to bring them…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Plainly parallel to Rev 6:14-17, and by anticipation descriptive of the last judgment. the mountains--rather as Greek, "there were found no mountains."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And every island fled away - Expressive of great and terrible judgments, as if the very earth were convulsed, and everything were moved out of its place. See the notes on Revelation 6:14. And the mountains were not found - The same image occurs in Revelation 6:14. See the notes on that place. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Every island and mountain was "moved out of its place," Rev 6:14; but here they all flee away. What a change must this make in the face of the terraqueous globe! And yet the end of the world is not come. Revelation 16:21”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Rev 6:14, Rev 20:11; Isa 2:14-17; Jer 4:23-25 Revelation 16:21”
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Related study paths

Read Revelation 16 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification