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 20:4). It is evidently God’s throne in heaven (cf. Revelation 4:2; Revelation 5:7; Daniel 7:9; Ezekiel 1:26-28). It is great because it is God’s throne and because it is the seat of this last judgment. Its whiteness suggests that the verdicts that proceed from it are pure, holy, and righteous (cf. Psalms 97:2; Daniel 7:9). The judgment described here is the last in a number of future judgments (cf. Revelation 20:4-5; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

The one sitting on this throne is God. This is probably a general reference to the Father and Jesus Christ since both will judge finally (cf. Revelation 3:21; Revelation 4:2-3; Revelation 4:9; Revelation 5:1; Revelation 5:7; Revelation 5:13; Revelation 6:16; Revelation 7:10; Revelation 7:15; Revelation 19:4; Revelation 21:5; Revelation 22:1; Revelation 22:3; Revelation 22:12; Daniel 7:9-10; John 5:22-23; John 5:26-27; John 8:16; John 10:30; Hebrews 1:3).

John saw earth and heaven flee from God’s presence (cf. Psalms 114:3; Psalms 114:7). This seems to indicate that we have come to the end of His dealings with this earth as we know it (cf. 2 Peter 3:7; 2 Peter 3:10-12). The flight of the present earth and heaven from God’s presence strengthens the description of Him as the ultimate Judge.