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Book of Revelation - Chapter 16 - Verse 21

16:21
And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Meaning

In this verse, we see that a great hailstorm struck the earth, with hailstones weighing as much as a talent each. To put this into perspective, a talent was equivalent to about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms. This hailstorm was so intense that it caused widespread destruction and devastation, leading people to blaspheme and curse God. The severity of the hailstorm was so great that it incited fear and anger among those affected, resulting in a lack of reverence towards God. This passage serves as a reminder of the power and might of God's wrath, as well as a warning of the consequences of turning away from Him. It illustrates the idea that natural disasters can be seen as acts of God's judgment, and it emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience in order to avoid facing His wrath.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Revelation, the theological interpretation revolves around the concept of divine judgment. The great hail that falls upon men is seen as a physical manifestation of God's wrath and a sign of His power over nature. The weight of each stone being that of a talent emphasizes the magnitude of the destruction wrought by this hailstorm. The response of men, blaspheming God because of the plague, highlights their hardened hearts and refusal to repent in the face of such clear signs of God's presence and power. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of refusing to acknowledge and honor God, even in the face of His mighty works. Word studies on terms such as "hail," "talent," and "plague" can provide additional insights into the symbolism and significance of this passage, shedding light on the broader theological themes at play in the book of Revelation.

American Standard Version

And 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.
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