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Revelation Chapter Six

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

Opening the Seal from the First to the Sixth

I. Opening the first seal (v.1-2)----He who sat on a white horse.

II. Opening the second seal (v. 3-4)----He who sat on a fiery red horse.

III. Opening the third seal (v.5-6)----He who sat on a black horse.

IV. Opening the fourth seal (v.7-8)----He who sat on a pale horse.

V. Opening the fifth seal (v.9-11)----the souls of those who had been slain cried for righting a wrong.

VI. Opening the sixth seal (v.12-17)----there was a great earthquake and the host of heaven changed.

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Rev. 6:1 “Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder Come and see.’”

   YLT: “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as it were a voice of thunder `Come and behold!'”

   Meaning of Words: “open”: open up uncover reveal; “thunder”: a voice of thunder.

   Literal Meaning: “Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals;” there are two explanations for the time that the Lamb opened the first four seals: 1) it began after Christ was raised and taken up into heaven. 2) The Lamb opened the seals in heaven however the reality on the earth began till the beginning of the last seven years and the first four seals were carried out at the same time.

“And I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder ” the first four seals were related to the life and death of men in all creatures and therefore the four living creatures declared the opening of the first four seals one by one.

“‘Come and see.’” In the original there is only the word “come” or “go”.

 

Rev. 6:2 “And I looked and behold a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him and he went out conquering and to conquer.

   YLT: “and I saw and lo a white horse and he who is sitting upon it is having a bow and there was given to him a crown and he went forth overcoming and that he may overcome.”

   Meaning of Words: “look”: look round.

   Literal Meaning: “And I looked and behold a white horse.” “White” from the positive aspect it means spotless white and lovable. However in the reverse side it is a color easy to cause illusion. If “horse” is used in the battlefield it represents the force of invasion however if it is used in competition it represents the power of rushing on to be the first.

He who sat on it had a bow;” “He who sat on it” the four ones who sat on the horse were not real men but personification of various expressions. “Having a bow” however there isn’t an arrow showing that: 1) it makes a show of strength and it is not fearful; 2) the arrow has been shot and the foundation of victory has been laid.

“And a crown was given to him and he went out conquering and to conquer.” “Crown” represents authority and glory. “Conquering” refers to being invincible and all-conquering everywhere.

   Spiritual Meaning: a white horse. He who sat on it…” “White” represents brightness righteousness purity and being lovable. “He who sat on it” there are two reasonable explanations:

    I. it symbolizes the false Christ and the reasons are as follows: A. what the four horses symbolize completely conform to the sign of the end of the world said by the Lord Jesus (See Matt. 24:3-9). B. sitting on the white horse symbolizes brightness and righteousness and Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light and its ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness (See 2Cor. 11:14). C. He had a bow without an arrow. Satan can only make a show of strength and seek whom he can devour (See James. 4:7; 1Pet. 5:8). D. A crown was given to him and he went out conquering and to conquer. To those it can devour it is the king of the world and the whole world lies in it (See John. 12:31; 1John. 5:19).

II. It symbolizes the gospel and the reasons are as follows: A. the four ones who sat on horses all symbolize things instead of real men. B. sitting on the horse implies the competition with each other. Since the Lord Jesus was raised and taken up into heaven the four things----the gospel wars famines and death carry on continually. C. having a bow without an arrow shows that the arrow has been shot and the gospel has gone deep into the hearts of men. D. A crown was given to him----the gospel has been crowned with “the glorious gospel of Christ” (See 2Cor. 4:4). E. he went out conquering and to conquer----the gospel is invincible and all-conquering.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord Jesus said that take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name saying "I am the Christ and will deceive many” (Matt. 24:4-5).

2) The Lord Jesus also said that this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations and then the end will come (Matt. 24:14).

3) Whether he who sat on the horse symbolizes the false Christ or the gospel believers should watch and prepare ourselves----not be deceived by the devil on the negative aspect and preach the gospel more and gain men for the Lord on the positive aspect.

 

Rev. 6:3 “When He opened the second seal I heard the second living creature saying Come and see.’”

   YLT: “and I saw and lo a white horse and he who is sitting upon it is having a bow and there was given to him a crown and he went forth overcoming and that he may overcome.”

   Literal Meaning: please see the notes in v.1

 

Rev. 6:4 “Another horse fiery red went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

   YLT: “and there went forth another horse -- red and to him who is sitting upon it there was given to him to take the peace from the land and that one another they may slay and there was given to him a great sword.”

   Meaning of Words: “fiery red”: flame-colored; “take”: catch get; “kill”: slay.

   Literal Meaning: “Another horse fiery red went out.” “Fiery red” is the color of blood.

And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth and that people should kill one another;” “the one who sat on it” according to this verse it obviously represents bloodshed and wars (See Matt. 24:7). “Taking peace from the earth” war is opposite to peace and if there are wars there won’t be peace. “Killing one another” the feature of war is conquering the other part by killing men.

“And there was given to him a great sword.” “A great sword” is the weapon used in the war.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord Jesus said that you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom (See Matt. 24:6-7).

2) The so-called world peace movement is the dream far away from the reality and we should not take it seriously. The United Nations have been founded for many years and the fact proves that the world is not at peace one day on the earth.

 

Rev. 6:5 “When He opened the third seal I heard the third living creature say Come and see. So I looked and behold a black horse and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.

   YLT: “And when he opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying `Come and behold!' and I saw and lo a black horse and he who is sitting upon it is having a balance in his hand ”

   Meaning of Words: “a pair of scales”: a balance with two scales.

   Literal Meaning: “When He opened the third seal I heard the third living creature say Come and see.’” Please see the notes in v.1

So I looked and behold a black horse ” “black” represents badness. In the Bible “being black” is used to describe the condition that men suffer famine (See Jer. 14:1-4) and “black” is also used to describe the color of men’s face and skin when they are hungry (See Lam. 4:8-9; 5:9-10).

“And he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.” “He who sat on it” symbolizes famine from this verse (See Matt. 24:7). “A pair of scales” is used to weigh precious things and it shows that grain becomes precious because of its shortage.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) War brings about famine. Where there is war there will be famine.

2) The trend of this world becomes more and more miserable and it shows that there must be the fundamental reformation----the old heaven and the old earth shall be passed away and the hope of men and every creature lies in a new heaven and a new earth.

 

Rev. 6:6 “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying A quart of wheat for a denarius and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.’”

   YLT: “and I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying `A measure of wheat for a denary and three measures of barley for a denary ' and `The oil and the wine thou mayest not injure.'”

   Meaning of Words: “harm”: do wrong injure.

   Literal Meaning: “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying ” it means that he was not certain who was speaking.

“‘A quart of wheat for a denarius and three quarts of barley for a denarius;” “a denarius” is the name of the Roman silver coins and it is equal to one’s pay one day at that time. “A quart” is the unit of measurement. It is about a quarter of one gallon and it is equal to one’s ration one day. “Wheat” is the food of the poor.

“And do not harm the oil and the wine.’” “The oil and the wine” is produced by grain. Since there is the shortage of grain the oil and the wine must be rarer. “Do not harm” means that men have to cherish them.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) In the wealthy countries and families men always waste God's good gifts recklessly and do not know that they are not easily won. We believers should cherish the blessing of the Lord more and bear in mind the interest of others more.

2) This verse is the best annotation to “in the sweat of your face you shall eat bread” (Gen. 3:19) and therefore in the final analysis the disaster of men originates in sin (See Gen. 3:17)----men desire to eat but they cannot because they had coveted a bite of the thing that they should not eat.

 

Rev. 6:7 “When He opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying Come and see.’”

   YLT: “And when he opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying `Come and behold!'”

   Literal Meaning: please see the note in v.1

 

Rev. 6:8 “So I looked and behold a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword with hunger with death and by the beasts of the earth.

   YLT: “and I saw and lo a pale horse and he who is sitting upon him -- his name is Death and Hades doth follow with him and there was given to them authority to kill (over the fourth part of the land ) with sword and with hunger and with death and by the beasts of the land.”

   Meaning of Words: “Hades”: hell; “power”: reigning being in power.

   Literal Meaning: “So I looked and behold a pale horse.” “Pale” is the composite color of livid and olivine and it appears to be slate-grey which is the color of one’s face before his death.

And the name of him who sat on it was Death and Hades followed with him.” “Hades” refers to the hell which is the house of detention of souls after their death and all dead ones shall be kept in hell temporarily and wait for the judgment of the great day. At that time death and hell will no longer be useful and death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire (See 20:14). However the souls of believers have rest in the paradise of the hell (See Luke. 23:43) and wait to rise and be caught up (See 1Thess. 4:16-17).

And power was given to them “power” refers to the power of death (See 1Cor. 16:55; Heb. 2:14).

“With sword with hunger with death and by the beasts of the earth.” “Sword” refers to killing men by war. “Hunger” refers to killing men by starvation. “Death” refers to killing men by diseases. “The beasts of the earth” refers to killing men by beasts (See Num. 21:6; 2Kings. 2:24; 17:25)

“Over a fourth of the earth to kill” according to the original meaning it refers to having the power over a fourth of the earth and it does not show that a fourth of men on the earth were killed. Anyway the number of men who were killed must be quite large.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Bible tells us that the one that has the power of death is the devil today (See Heb. 2:14) and it has the power of Hades (See Matt. 16:18). The world is in the bondage to it through their fear of death however believers do not love their lives to the death (See 12:11).

2) The Lord Jesus said that fear not them which kill the body (See Matt. 10:28) because they have no more that they can do after killing the body (See Luke. 12:4).

 

Rev. 6:9 “When He opened the fifth seal I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.

   YLT: “And when he opened the fifth seal I saw under the altar the souls of those slain because of the word of God and because of the testimony that they held ”

   Meaning of Words: “under”: beneath; “testimony”: holding fast to the testimony; “soul”: the life of soul.

   Literal Meaning: “When He opened the fifth seal I saw under the altar” “Under the altar” means that they devoted their life to the Lord and sacrificed themselves for the Lord. Some Bible exegetes held that the altar here referred to the altar in the outer court of the temple. The outer court symbolizes the land and therefore under the altar refers to the paradise in the hell under the land which has taken in the souls of martyrs for the Lord.

“The souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.” It refers to the two reasons why they were martyred: 1) for the word of God i.e. for the truth; 2) for holding fast to the testimony of the Lord i.e. for confessing the Lord before men. From ages and from generations many believers were martyred for these two reasons.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life (See 2:10). It shows that those who are martyrs for the Lord must be listed in overcomers. It seems to be easy to be martyred for the Lord because one overcomes in a moment however when one is deciding between life and death will he accept it willingly and calmly?

2) If we hope to be martyred for the Lord one day we must lead a life of martyrs daily. Without the life of a martyr one cannot be martyred for the Lord. And therefore we shall devote ourselves to the word of God and the testimony of the Lord today and live for the word of God and the testimony of the Lord.

 

Rev. 6:10 “And they cried with a loud voice saying How long O Lord holy and true until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’”

   YLT: “and they were crying with a great voice saying `Till when O Master the Holy and the True dost Thou not judge and take vengeance of our blood from those dwelling upon the land?'”

   Meaning of Words: “dwell”: reside settle down; “avenge”: punish retaliate.

   Literal Meaning: “And they cried with a loud voice saying O Lord holy and true” “cried with a loud voice” means that they feel too patient to wait because they do not understand the arrangement of God’s plan. “Holy” indicates that He cannot suffer sins (See Josh. 24:19). “True” indicates that He is the living and true God (See 1Thess. 1:9).

  “Until You judge those who dwell on the earth?” “Judge” refers to the judgment at the last day (See 1Pet. 4:5; 2Pet. 3:7). “Those who dwell on the earth” refers to the unbelieving world especially the world that persecutes believers. If the persecutors are still alive on the earth it shows that the martyrs mentioned in v.9 were murdered in the period of the great tribulation.

How longavenge our blood’” “avenge our blood” the blood is the life (See Deut. 12:24) and God forbids men from shedding men’s blood (See Gen. 9:6) and the voice of blood bore witness before God (See Heb. 12:24).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Believers should not avenge yourselves when living in the world but rather give place to wrath (See Rom. 12:19).

2) Our blood shed for the sake of the Lord is not in vain (See 19:2). “Vengeance is Mine I will repay ” says the Lord (Rom. 12:19).

 

Rev. 6:11 “Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who would be killed as they were was completed.

   YLT: “and there was given to each one white robes and it was said to them that they may rest themselves yet a little time till may be fulfilled also their fellow-servants and their brethren who are about to be killed -- even as they.”

   Meaning of Words: “a little while”: a little time short time; “complete”: fill abundant fulfill.

   Literal Meaning: “Then a white robe was given to each of them;” here “a whit robe” is used to show that their being martyred is justified and praised by God.

“And it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer ” “rest a little while” refers to being at ease to give it to God and waiting for the coming of the judgment at the last day. Some Bible exegetes according to “a little while” firmly believed that the cry of the martyrs was made during the period of the great tribulation. And therefore the days they shall wait won’t be long.

“Until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who would be killed as they were was completed.” “Their fellow servants and their brethren” refers to believers who faithfully hold fast to the truth. “Who would be killed as they were” “they” refers to martyrs mentioned in v.9. “Was completed” shows that the second coming of the Lord is related to the number of the world who has been saved (See Rom. 11:25) and the number of believers who overcome.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord clearly knows what we have devoted to Him and the Lord knows them that are His (See 2Tim. 2:19; John. 10:14).

2) The reason why the Lord has not come yet is not slackness but longsuffering towards us----He hopes to fulfill the number of those who are saved and overcomers (See 2Pet. 3:9).

 

Rev. 6:12 “I looked when He opened the sixth seal and behold there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair and the moon became like blood.

   YLT: “And I saw when he opened the sixth seal and lo a great earthquake came and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair and the moon became as blood ”

   Meaning of Words: “become”: turn; “sackcloth”: coarse cloth.

   Literal Meaning: “I looked when He opened the sixth seal and behold there was a great earthquake;” “the sixth seal” should take place during the last phase of the great tribulation and before the second coming of the Lord (See Matt. 24:29-30; Luke. 21:25-26). However some Bible exegetes according to the two paragraphs recorded in the Book of Joel held that the supernatural disasters caused by the sixth seal should refer to the first paragraph i.e. taking place in the middle stage of the great tribulation (See Joel. 2:30-31; 3:11-16). “There was a great earthquake” refers to the super-great earthquake.

“And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair and the moon became like blood.” They are the supernatural disasters. Scientists told us that when “sunspots” move vigorously all aspects of the earth will be influenced. Some Bible exegetes held that “the sun became black as sackcloth of hair and the moon became like blood” is the phenomenon caused by the volcanic cinders and gases lingered in the air because the great earthquake made the layers broken and many volcanoes erupted.

 

Rev. 6:13 “And the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.

   YLT: “and the stars of the heaven fell to the earth -- as a fig-tree doth cast her winter figs by a great wind being shaken --”

   Meaning of Words: “drop”: cast throw; “late figs”: figs that fell off.

   Literal Meaning: “And the stars of heaven fell to the earth ” it may indicate that shooting stars broke through the atmospheric layer and fell to the ground or refer to the phenomenon that the volcanic rocks were spurted into the upper air broke the air layer and fell down.

“As a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.” It describes the thriving scene that they fell to the ground.

 

Rev. 6:14 “Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

   YLT: “and heaven departed as a scroll rolled up and every mountain and island -- out of their places they were moved;”

   Meaning of Words: “recede”: separate rend apart; “was moved”: be stirred be shaken.

   Literal Meaning: “Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up ” it should not refer to the phenomenon that the old heaven and the old earth were annulled (See Heb. 1:12) but that from the eyes of men on the earth the whole atmospheric layer was changed as the sky receded and cloud layers rolled as they are rolled up.

“And every mountain and island was moved out of its place.” The earthquake was so great that landforms were changed.

 

Rev. 6:15 “And the kings of the earth the great men the rich men the commanders the mighty men every slave and every free man hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains

   YLT: “and the kings of the earth and the great men and the rich and the chiefs of thousands and the mighty and every servant and every freeman hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains ”

   Meaning of Words: “the great men”: chancellors ministers; “commander”: chiliarch; “the rich men”: rich persons; “mighty men”: the mighty the powerful; “every free man”: the free.

   Literal Meaning: “And the kings of the earth the great men the rich men the commanders the mighty men ” These ones all have great achievements in the world and great fame among the world.

“Every slave and every free man ” this sentence includes men of different status.

“Hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains ” At the appointed time all men have noting to rely on and they want to seize protection from nature.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Status and wealth and courage and power are useless in the terrible days of the great tribulation and they cannot save any one at all.

2) Everyone whether his has high status or not or whether he has good family financial situation or not cannot avoid from the harm without exception because it is the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world (See 3:10).

 

Rev. 6:16 “and said to the mountains and rocks Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

   YLT: “and they say to the mountains and to the rocks `Fall upon us and hide us from the face of Him who is sitting upon the throne and from the anger of the Lamb '”

   Meaning of Words: “hide from”: depart from move off; “face”: countenance.

   Literal Meaning: “and said to the mountains and rocks Fall on us and hide us” it means that: 1) they appeal to places which they consider as strong and secret to hide themselves. 2) They would rather be smashed into pieces than suffer the pain of the tribulation.

“From the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!” This sentence implies that men clearly know that there is God but they do not fear Him (See Rom. 1:19-21) and they have clearly heard of the gospel of the Lamb but harden their hearts and are unwilling to receive it. At this time when disasters come from heaven they are indeed unwilling to repent but want to hide themselves.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Some people hold that nowadays is not the time for them to believe in the Lord and turn to God and they want to enjoy the world well and believe in Him at the point of death----they want to be rich man during their lifetime and Lazarus after their death (See Luke. 16:19-23). They want to gain both the heaven and the earth. However when death comes all their intentions become nothing and they are powerless and full of shame.

2) Men who do not repent refuse to obey the will of God and would rather hide themselves from God than become obedient to turn to God. It shows that judgment and disasters cannot change men’s hearts and they even blame and blaspheme God (See 16:9 11 21).

3) The wording of “the wrath of the Lamb” seems to be inconsistent: the gentle and harmless Lamb even becomes indignant----today the Lord is the Lamb to everyone and that day He is indignant like a lion to those who do not believe in Him (See 5:5).

 

Rev. 6:17 “For the great day of His wrath has come and who is able to stand?’”

   YLT: “because come did the great day of His anger and who is able to stand?”

   Meaning of Words: “stand”: stand firm be established.

   Literal Meaning: “For the great day of His wrath has come ” “the great day of wrath” refers to the Day of Judgment. Actually according to the records in the Bible there are three kinds of judgment at the last days: 1) the judgment before the judgment-seat of Christ (2Cor. 5:10): it is the judgment towards believers when the Lord comes for the second time (See 1Pet. 4:17; Rom. 14:12) and the result is that he shall receive a reward or suffer loss (See 1Cor. 3:14-15). 2) The judgment before the throne of Christ’s glory (See Matt. 25:31-32): it is the judgment towards all nations that are alive when the Lord comes for the second time and the result is that some shall go away into everlasting punishment or into life eternal (Matt. 25:46). 3) The judgment before the great white throne (See 20:11): it is God’s judgment towards those who haven’t partaken in the first resurrection ----the dead unbelieving world after the kingdom of a thousand years and the result is that they shall be cast into the lake of fire (See 20:5 12 15).

    From the above-mentioned conditions “the great day of His wrath” is the general saying which mentions that the world shall face judgment at the last days. And before that those who are still alive shall suffer the pain of the great tribulation.

“And who is able to stand?’” “Stand” refers to passing through the judgment of God and the Lamb and not being punished. The interrogative sentence shows that no one is able to stand.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God’s rich goodness forbearance and longsuffering lead us to repentance (See Rom. 2:4) however if men despise His goodness and in accordance with their hardness and their impenitent heart they are treasuring up for themselves wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God (See Rom. 2:5)

2) Exhorting one another daily while it is called "Today " lest any of us be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (See Heb. 3:13). All those who are hardened today will not be able to stand in the day of His wrath.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Sign of the End of the World

I. He who sat on a white horse (v.1-2)----the false Christ (Matt. 24:4-5) or the gospel (Matt. 24:14)

II. He who sat on a fiery red horse (v.3-4)----wars (Matt. 24:6)

III. He who sat on a black horse (v.5-6)----famines (Matt. 24:7)

IV. He who sat on a pale horse (v.7-8)----death (Matt. 24:7-8)

V. Martyrs under the altar (v.9-11)----martyrs (Matt. 24:9)

VI. The great disorder of the host of heaven (v.12-17)----the great disorder of the host of heaven (Matt. 24:29)

 

The Great Day of the Wrath of the One who Sat on the Throne and the Lamb

I. The objects of judgment: the world who does not believe in the Lord----the kings of the earth the great men the rich men the commanders the mighty men every slave and every free man (v.15a)

II. The reaction of men: they all hid themselves (v.15b-16a)

III. Why did they hide themselves (v.16b):

  A. the face of Him who sits on the throne

  B. the wrath of the Lamb

  C. the great day of their wrath

  D. no one is able to stand

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren