Revelation 6:17 - Exposition

For the great day of his wrath is come. Of their wrath, which is read in the Revised Version, is found in א , C, 38, Vulgate, Syriae; but αὐτοῦ , "his," is supported by A, B, F, Coptic, Andreas, Arethas, Primasius. The article is repeated, making the term almost a proper name—the day, the great [ day ] . Alford remarks that this of itself should be sufficient to keep commentators right in confining their interpretation of this seal to the last judgment (cf. Joel 1:15 ; Joel 2:1 , Joel 2:2 ; Acts 2:20 ; Jud 6). And who shall be able to stand? Who is able (Revised Version). Thus Malachi 3:2 , "Who shall stand when he appeareth?" And Nahum 1:6 . Thus, then, the question in Nahum 1:10 , "How long?" is answered; not by limiting the length of time, but by a renewed assurance of an awful termination of the course of the world, at the appearance of the Judge. The dread attending that end is vividly portrayed, and the fear of the wicked, with their conscience-stricken inquiry, "Who is able to stand?" an answer to which is required for the edification of the faithful. And, therefore, the seer immediately describes the preservation of the righteous from amidst the destruction of the wicked, and their raptured praises, a joyous contrast with the despairing fate of those whose doom has just been narrated.