Revelation 16:21 — From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse describes the final moment of the seventh bowl of God’s judgment. After the global earthquake and the collapsing of islands and mountains (verse 20), hailstones fall from the sky—massive ones, each weighing about a hundred pounds. This is not normal weather. This is supernatural judgment from heaven, and it hits with full force.
Instead of responding in repentance or humility, people curse God. They don’t cry out for mercy—they blame Him. The weight of the hail and the stubbornness of the people together reveal something important: God’s judgment is total, but even in the face of it, the human heart—if left unsoftened—can still reject Him.
This is a sobering end to the chapter. It shows the depth of sin, the power of God, and the tragedy of unbelief when people refuse to turn to the Lord, even when He makes Himself unmistakably known.
Historical Context
Hail was known in the ancient world as one of the most terrifying natural disasters. In Exodus 9, God sent hail as one of the plagues against Egypt, and it devastated the land. To John’s readers—many of whom were facing persecution and hardship—this verse would have reminded them that God knows how to bring justice, and He has done it before.
The detail that each hailstone weighs about 100 pounds (about the weight of a full-grown man or a large sack of grain) would have shocked ancient readers. This wasn’t just a severe storm—it was a miraculous act of judgment.
In ancient Jewish thought, hail was considered a direct instrument of God’s power—coming from the heavens as a sign of divine intervention. This imagery would have been seen as the climactic strike in God’s righteous response to a world that has rejected Him.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches that God’s judgment is both just and personal. The hail comes from the sky—symbolizing it comes directly from God. Its effect is widespread and inescapable, emphasizing the seriousness of ignoring God’s warnings.
But it also shows the condition of the human heart without God. Even after waves of judgment, people still refuse to repent. They curse God instead of crying out to Him. This shows that rebellion isn’t just about a lack of knowledge—it’s about a hardened will.
God is not being cruel—He is revealing the full truth: without repentance, judgment falls, and no one can say they weren’t warned.
Literary Analysis
The verse is short but packed with emotional and physical intensity. The imagery is vivid—hailstones from the sky heavy enough to crush anything they hit. The detail of their weight adds a sense of dread and finality.
The response of the people—they cursed God—is especially striking. It’s not just a passive reaction. It’s a deliberate, vocal rejection of God, even after the most powerful signs of His presence and power. This response closes the chapter with a dark reminder of the danger of persistent unbelief.
The structure moves from the act of judgment to the human response, keeping the focus on what matters most—how people respond to God’s truth.
Cross-References
- Exodus 9:18-26 – God sends hail as a plague in Egypt, killing people, animals, and crops.
- Joshua 10:11 – During a battle, God sends large hailstones to defeat Israel’s enemies.
- Ezekiel 38:22 – God says He will “pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur” in judgment.
- Revelation 11:19 – Another scene includes lightning, thunder, an earthquake, and “a severe hailstorm.”
- Hebrews 3:15 – “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”
These passages confirm that hail has often been used as a sign of God’s power and judgment—and that the response of the heart is always what matters most.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For believers today, this verse is a reminder of how serious sin is and how urgent the call to repentance truly is. God is incredibly patient, but His patience won’t last forever. There will come a day when judgment arrives—and no one can stand apart from God’s grace.
It also warns us against hardening our hearts. The people in this verse had every reason to repent—and yet they cursed God. This is a call to stay soft toward God, to listen when He speaks, and to walk humbly in obedience.
It’s also a call to share the gospel boldly. The world needs Jesus. Without Him, there is only judgment. But with Him, there is forgiveness, mercy, and hope.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
At first, this might not seem like a verse about love. But it actually reveals God’s faithful love in a deep way. A loving God does not ignore evil. He confronts it. He acts justly, even when it is difficult.
God has given countless chances for people to turn to Him. These judgments don’t come suddenly—they come after warnings, patience, and mercy. The fact that He still lets people choose—even at the end—is evidence of His respect for the will He gave them.
His love is also seen in His invitation to escape this judgment—through the cross of Jesus Christ.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the One who makes escape from judgment possible. He took the punishment we deserve so we wouldn’t have to face the wrath described in this verse. On the cross, He endured the fury of God—not with hail, but with suffering and death—so that we could be forgiven.
In John 3:36, it says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” This is exactly what Revelation 16:21 shows. Without Jesus, wrath remains. With Jesus, we are safe.
Jesus will one day return—not to suffer again, but to reign—and when He does, all judgment will be complete. But now is still the time of mercy.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think people in this verse curse God instead of turning to Him?
- What does this verse reveal about the seriousness of sin and the urgency of repentance?
- Are there areas in your life where your heart is at risk of growing hard toward God?
- How does Jesus provide a way to escape the judgment described in this chapter?
- How can this verse motivate you to live faithfully and share the gospel with others?