A great white throne: as in 1.4; 4.2; here it is a very large throne, and it is white. God is referred to, as in the earlier instances, as him who sat upon it. The translation can say “Then I saw God sitting on a large white throne.”

From his presence: there is something about God’s expression that causes the created universe to disappear; see similar language in Psa 114.7.

Earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them: here it seems better to translate “earth and heaven,” or “heaven and earth,” which is a familiar (biblical) way of referring to the whole universe (see 21.1, which speaks of a new universe replacing the old one). Sky doesn’t seem to fit as well in English, but in many other languages it will be quite natural. Note New Revised Standard Version “the earth and the heaven,” and Revised English Bible “earth and heaven.” The statement no place was found for them means that they disappeared. They were never seen again (see also 12.8).

Alternative translation models for this second sentence are:

• When he appeared, earth and sky (or, heaven) disappeared and no one saw them anymore.

Or:

• When he appeared, the universe disappeared forever.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .