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Revelation 6

World English Bible

WEB

1I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, “Come and see!” 2Then a white horse appeared, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer. 3When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!” 4Another came out, a red horse. To him who sat on it was given power to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. There was given to him a great sword. 5When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come and see!” And behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a balance in his hand. 6I heard a voice in the middle of the four living creatures saying, “A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius! Don’t damage the oil and the wine!” 7When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see!” 8And behold, a pale horse, and the name of he who sat on it was Death. Hades followed with him. Authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth was given to him. 9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had. 10They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11A long white robe was given to each of them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, should complete their course. 12I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood. 13The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind. 14The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. 16They told the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17for the great day of his wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Revelation Chapter 6 presents a dramatic unfolding of events as the Lamb, representing Jesus Christ, opens the first six seals of the scroll in heaven. Each seal reveals a different aspect of the end times, beginning with the appearance of the four horsemen, which symbolize various forms of judgment and tribulation. The first horseman rides a white horse, often interpreted as a conqueror or false messiah, followed by a red horse representing war, a black horse symbolizing famine, and a pale horse associated with death. These horsemen illustrate the chaos and suffering that will occur during the last days, fulfilling the prophetic warnings found in the Old Testament, such as in #Zechariah 6:1-8 and #Matthew 24:6-8, where the signs of the end times are foretold.

As the seals are opened, the chapter also reveals the souls of martyrs under the altar, crying out for justice and vindication. They are told to rest a little longer until the full number of their fellow servants is completed, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the assurance that He will ultimately bring justice. The opening of the sixth seal brings cosmic disturbances, including a great earthquake, darkening of the sun, and the moon turning blood red, echoing the prophetic imagery found in #Joel 2:30-31 and #Matthew 24:29. This chapter serves as a sobering reminder of the trials that precede the final victory of Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in faith amidst tribulation.

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Referenced by

  1. Isaiah 2:19v15Isaiah 2:19 describes people hiding in caves from the terror of the Lord, a scene mirrored in Revelation 6:15-17 during the opening of the sixth seal.
  2. Isaiah 34:4v13Isaiah 34:4 describes the heavens being rolled up like a scroll, a vivid image also found in Revelation 6:13-14, symbolizing cosmic upheaval at the end times.
  3. Joel 2:31v12Joel 2:31 speaks of cosmic signs before the 'great and terrible day of the LORD,' which parallels the signs described in Revelation 6:12 during the opening of the sixth seal.
  4. Zechariah 6:1-3v1Zechariah 6:1-3 describes four chariots with horses of different colors, which parallels the four horsemen in Revelation 6:1-8, symbolizing divine judgment and the unfolding of God's plan.
  5. Luke 18:7-8v10Luke 18:7-8 speaks of God avenging His elect, which is paralleled in Revelation 6:10 where the martyrs cry out for justice, highlighting God's ultimate justice.
  6. Luke 21:11v12Both passages describe signs in the heavens and natural disasters as part of the end times, underscoring the cosmic scale of God's plan and the fulfillment of His purposes.

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