Albert Barnes Commentary Revelation 20:11

"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them." — Revelation 20:11 (ASV)

And I saw a great white throne. This verse begins the description of the final judgment, which includes the remainder of the chapter. The first thing seen in the vision is the burning throne of the Judge. The things that are specified concerning it are that it was great and that it was white.

The first expression, great, means that it was high or elevated. Compare to Isaiah 6:1. The second expression, white, means that it was splendid or shining. Compare to 1 Kings 10:18–20. The throne here is the same one referred to in Matthew 25:31, and called there the throne of his glory.

And him that sat on it. The reference here, undoubtedly, is to the Lord Jesus Christ, the final Judge of mankind , and the scene described is that which will occur at his Second Advent.

From whose face. Or, from whose presence; though the word may be used here to denote more strictly his face—as illuminated and shining like the sun. See Revelation 1:16: And his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

The earth and the heaven fled away. This means that, just as the stars at the rising of the sun seem to flee to more remote regions and vanish from human view, so when the Son of God will descend in his glory to judge the world, the earth and all other worlds will seem to vanish.

Everyone must admire the sublimity of this image; no one can contemplate it without being awed by the majesty and glory of the final Judge of mankind. Similar expressions, where the natural creation shrinks back with awe at the presence of God, frequently occur in the Bible. Compare to Psalm 18:7-15; Psalms 77:16–19; Psalms 114:3–5; Habakkuk 3:6, 10-11.

And there was found no place for them. They seemed to flee entirely away, as if there was no place where they could find a safe retreat, or which would receive and shelter them in their flight. The image expresses in the most emphatic manner the idea that they entirely disappeared, and no language could more sublimely represent the majesty of the Judge.