Revelation 6:1-17
And so it begins, you can call it God's vengeance or the
apocalypse or end times how ever you want to view it. What I can say is that it
will be unpleasant for everyone left here on earth. If you remain true to God
you will be hungry, hunted, and eventually killed/martyred.
Introduction form The
Life Application New Testament Commentary:
This is the first of three
seven-part judgments. In chapter 5, a scroll with seven seals had been handed
to Christ, who is the only one worthy to break the seals and open the scroll,
setting into motion the events of the end of the world (Rev_5:1-5). In chapter 6, the scroll is opened
as each seal is broken. This scroll is not completely opened until the seventh
seal is broken (Rev_8:1). The contents
of the scroll reveal mankind’s depravity and portray God’s authority over the
events of human history.
Each of the judgments (seals,
trumpets, bowls) includes seven parts. The first four judgments involve natural
disasters on the earth; the last three are cosmic disasters. There are three
views about how to understand this series of judgments—seals, trumpets, bowls:
Recapitulation View. According to this
view, the three sets of judgments repeat each other (are cyclical); they present
three ways of viewing the same judgments. Because the trumpets and the bowls
have the same order, many have concluded that the three sets are repetitive. In
addition, in all three sets, the first four of the seven judgments are very
similar, as are the last three of each set of seven. Exact repetition, however,
occurs only in the trumpets and bowls.
Consecutive View. This view holds that judgments
will follow in the order described in Revelation: first the seals, then the
trumpets, then the bowls—in other words, Revelation is describing twenty-one
separate events. Thus, chapters 6–16 in Revelation would be chronological.
Progressive Intensification View. The key to
this view is understanding the results of the judgments. The seals destroy
one-fourth of the earth; the trumpets destroy one-third; the bowls affect
everything. The picture seems to be one of progressive intensity, with each of
these sets of judgments ending in the same place—that is, the end of history.
These views are helpful as you
consider and study the book of Revelation. While many will feel very strongly
about one view or another, only God knows the truth. He left much of Revelation
unclear to his people for a reason, perhaps so we’ll study it and be watchful
and morally alert. One truth is sure: as God prepares to end history and usher
in his Kingdom, he will bring judgments.
The horses represent God’s
judgment of people’s sin and rebellion. God is directing human history—even
using his enemies to accomplish his purposes. The four horses provide a
foretaste of the final judgments yet to come. Some view this chapter as a
parallel to Jesus’ words about the end times (see Mat_24:4-8; Mar_13:5-13; Luk_21:8-19). The imagery of colored horses and riders comes
from Zec_1:8-17; Zec_6:1-8. In Zechariah, the colors of the horses have no
special significance; in Revelation, the colors of the horses do have symbolic
meaning, as described below. In Zechariah, the horses and riders went out to
patrol the earth; in Revelation, they are sent out to bring disaster.
Rev 6:1 As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the
seven seals on the scroll. Then I heard one of the four living beings say with
a voice like thunder, "Come!" Rev 6:2 I looked up and saw a white horse standing
there. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out
to win many battles and gain the victory.
The white horseman is the one that no one can actually
say that it is this or that. There are conjectures that it could be Christ but
that one is the least likely since When Christ comes it is all over. Others
have thought that since there is a bow and a crown but no arrows that it may be
the Antichrist. The reason is that he/she will wreak havoc on the modern world
with lies and distortions but not death because of the lack of arrows. One that
was mentioned in Wikipedia was: "which was held by evangelist Billy
Graham, casts the rider of the white horse as the Antichrist,[12] or a representation of
false prophets, citing differences between the white horse in Revelation 6 and
Jesus on the white Horse in Revelation 19.[13] In Revelation 19,[14] Jesus has many crowns.
In Revelation 6 the rider has just one. A crown given, not taken. This indicates
a third person giving authority to the rider to accomplish his work. As no
arrows are mentioned perhaps this conquering is bloodless ... hearts and minds
of men ... guile. This is the beginning of the trauma that is about to come
upon the earth"
Rev 6:3 When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard
the second living being say, "Come!" Rev 6:4 Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its
rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And
there was war and slaughter.
This rider, the red horse, comes fully equipped to do
battle. He has a sword and the "authority to take peace from the
earth". In this day and age when there are wars raging in many countries.
When all the major powers on earth are building bigger ways to destroy it is
not hard to see that it would take very little for earth to be completely
changes as we know it. We are literally one foolish move away from WWIII. If
that were to happen is there anyone that thinks things would be the same after
it was completed? Personally I am not sure that the red horse hasn't already
started.
Rev 6:5 When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard
the third living being say, "Come!" I looked up and saw a black
horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Rev
6:6 And I heard a voice from
among the four living beings say, "A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves
of barley will cost a day's pay. And don't waste the olive oil and wine."
Rev 6:7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard
the fourth living being say, "Come!" Rev
6:8 I looked up and saw a horse
whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was
the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill
with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals.
If you are still breathing you now stand the 1 in
4 chance to be eliminated. This horse was given the task of eliminating 1/4th
of all everyone that was left. The population of the earth has now been
decimated to the point where large cities would be vacant and we would be
living like tribes in older times.
Rev 6:9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw
under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and
for being faithful in their testimony. Rev 6:10 They shouted to the Lord and said, "O
Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before You judge the people who belong
to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?" Rev 6:11 Then
a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little
longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters—their fellow
servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.
These saints as they appear before God are praying for
the end times to have it's vengeance on Satan.
Because of the complication of these three verses I will
lean on my favorite commentary the Life Application New Testament Commentary
for you to get a full picture of these three verses. This will be a long note
within this writing but I urge you to read all the verses.
"6:9 After the four horses have ridden off, the Lamb broke the
fifth seal. It reveals an altar in heaven, under which are the
souls of all who had been martyred for faithfully proclaiming the word
of God. They had been killed for standing up for Christ and for his word
(see also Rev_13:15;
Rev_18:24;
Rev_20:4).
The altar represents the altar of sacrifice in the Temple, where animals would
be sacrificed to atone for sins. Instead of the animals’ blood at the base of
the altar, John saw the souls of martyrs who had died for preaching the gospel.
The word for “souls” (psyche) refers to the persons or to their lives.
These martyrs were told that still more would lose their lives for believing in
Christ (Rev_6:11).
In the face of warfare, famine, persecution, and death, Christians need to
stand firmly for what they believe. Only those who endure to the end will be
rewarded by God (Rev_14:12;
Mar_13:13).
6:10-11 The souls of the martyrs beneath the altar were calling out for
vengeance for their deaths, asking God how long it would be before he
would judge the earth and avenge their blood. This is an imprecatory prayer—a
prayer for vengeance against God’s enemies. Just as David had written psalms
that called for vengeance against his enemies (for example, Psalms 35; Psa_94:3),
so these martyrs asked for vengeance and vindication against the people who
belong to this world (see also Rev_3:10;
Rev_8:13;
Rev_11:10; Rev_13:8;
Rev_13:12;
Rev_17:2;
Rev_17:8).
These words may sound harsh when used in prayer, but the martyrs were calling
for God’s justice, and they were leaving the vengeance to God. God promises to
help the persecuted and to bring judgment on unrepentant sinners.
The martyrs were told to rest
a little longer until the full number of the servants of Jesus had been
martyred. God is not waiting until a certain number are killed; rather, he
is waiting for the appointed time to arrive. He promises, however, that those
who suffer and die for their faith will not be forgotten. In fact, they will be
rewarded and honored by God. Today, oppressed people may wish for justice
immediately, as these martyrs did, but they must be patient. God works
according to his own timetable, and he promises to act. No suffering for the
sake of God’s Kingdom, however, is wasted. God will vindicate his people, but
he will do it in his time, not ours.
The white robe that each
martyr was wearing, as throughout the book of Revelation, symbolizes purity
(see also Rev_3:4;
Rev_7:11).
White robes were worn for special ceremonies in Greek cities."
Rev 6:12 I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal,
and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and
the moon became as red as blood. Rev 6:13 Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth
like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. Rev 6:14 The
sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were
moved from their places.
The Life
Application New Testament Commentary covers this better than I could ever
do. I will insert comments they will appear in a different color.
6:12-14 The sixth seal changed the scene back to the physical world.
The first five judgments had been directed toward specific areas, but this
judgment was over the whole world. The entire population would be afraid when
the earth itself trembled. With the opening of the sixth seal, there was a
great earthquake, followed by other cosmic disturbances. To properly
understand these events, we must go beyond the literal meaning. These word
pictures were common to many of John’s readers and stood for the coming “day of
the Lord” or “day of judgment.” The earthquake in Scripture always pictures
God’s presence (see Exo_19:18;
I would like for you to see this video
Mount
Sinai video, it is a bit long but the people who went there followed the
bible. That is all shown in the video.Isa_2:19-21; Hag_2:6).
The color of the sun is that of cloth worn in times of mourning.
The moon will appear red due to whatever in the atmosphere caused
the sun to be darkened. I am old enough to remember
mount ST. Helen's volcano when it exploded. The ash and debris colored the moon
with it's ashes. That sounds very much like the Bibles version of the end
times.The stars falling to earth could refer to a terrifying meteor
shower with meteors striking the earth (see also Joe_2:30-31;
Mar_13:21-25).
The disappearance of mountains and islands will probably result
from the great earthquake (see Heb_12:26-27).
Finally, the sky will roll up like
a scroll (see also Isa_34:4).
Those who interpret this book as chronological will consider this to be the end
of the first round of judgments. Those who picture the book as cyclical, or as
showing varying intensity with all the judgments ending at the return of
Christ, see the rolling up of the sky as the time when Christ opens heaven and
returns to earth (Rev_19:11).
Rev 6:15 Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. Rev 6:16 And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. Rev 6:17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?"
Agape
Dave
i &[1] Philip W.
Comfort and Dan Lins, Editors
Tyndale House Publishers Life Application New Testament Commentary
Tyndale House Publishers Life Application New Testament Commentary
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