1. Revelation 19:5 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Whose voice comes from this throne?

Revelation 19:5 (ESV)

5 And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”

The use of the preposition “from” leaves the matter ambiguous. The voice could belong to him who is seated on the throne, that is, God himself (though the ensuing words “our God” suggest not); the voice could also belong to someone near the throne, that is, one of the elders or one of the living creatures. As the Holy Spirit does not tell us, it clearly is not important. What is important is that this voice comes from (the direction of) God’s throne and hence is one of authority. It is incumbent that one and all take heed to this commanding voice and “praise our God, all you his servants.”