Revelation 11:17
Saying, We give thee thanks, O LORD God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
Revelation 11:17
The chorus of thanksgiving: “We give thee thanks… because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.” This articulates confidence that God’s plans are underway—power is exercised, kingship asserted. The language echoes covenantal language of God’s rule and the anticipation of final consummation. The “art, wast, art to come” emphasizes God’s timeless, unchanging nature—past, present, and future all meet in the eternal reign. The verse frames judgment as an act of righteous sovereignty rather than mere punitive action.
This expresses faith in God’s unchanging authority and the certainty of divine victory. It ties the present tribulation to the eternal plan, reinforcing the trustworthiness of God’s character and purposes.
In personal life, it encourages gratitude even amid difficulty and reinforces the practice of praising God for who He is, not only what He does. It invites believers to anchor hope in God’s ultimate sovereignty, shaping attitudes toward politics, social conflicts, and personal trials.
Cross-References: Psalm 46:10; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 1:8; James 1:17