WEEK 17
“The Sixth Seal; Cosmic Disturbances”
Date: October 9, 2002
Place: Allendale Baptist Church
Text: Revelation 6:12-17
Introduction
In the 6th chapter of Revelation we must remember this is an outline or a brief description. Some have asked if there will be a pause or a time between each seal? I believe from the beginning of the first opening of the seal to the last seal will be a continual time of tribulation. We are told the tribulation period will be a period of seven years.
I believe it is Daniel that tells us that the tribulation will be broken down in to two 3 &1/2 periods. The 1st 3 &1/2 years the anti-Christ will come as the great Deceiver and make a peace covenant with Israel, as seen in the 1st seal. The 2nd 3 &1/2 year period the anti-Christ will reveal himself and Great War, famine, pestilence will nearly destroy the world. Each seal her in this chapter brings us closer to the time of the 2nd coming of Jesus. A time when Jesus will return to the earth and reign for 1000 years, as we will see in our later studies.
We closed last week with the opening of the 5th seal. In the 5th seal we did not see the wrath that was poured out on the earth, but we did hear the cry of the martyrs. They are asking God, when will our blood be avenged?
Let’s begin tonight with…
Verse 12
“And I looked when He opened the sixth seal”
In the first four seals we notice the words, “Come and see”, which should be literally translated “Go and do what needs to be done”.
Remember we said the riders on the four horses are representatives of not only forces, but also the wording is Jesus is giving the authority and power to the anti-Christ to bring this destruction.
We need to remember God is still in control of the tribulation time.
“And behold, there was a great earthquake”
Some refer to this as a political shaking of the world government.
But the word for earthquake hear is the Greek word from which we arrive at our word seismic.
It means a shaking and moving of the earth.
Jesus spoke of the tribulation and end times to His disciples about signs before His second coming and warned of earthquakes in Matt. 24:7
We have witnessed great earthquakes in the past few years, and they are just reminder of God will do in the last days.
“And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood”
Some speak of this as possibly an eclipse, or maybe volcanic ash which will cloud the sky.
But the original language seems to speak of a literal darkening.
Whichever the case this will be a very dark time in the history of the world.
Verse 13
“And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as fig tree drops its late fig when shaken by a mighty wind.”
The word “stars” can refer to any celestial body, large or small, and is not limited to normal English usage.
Some say the best explanation is a massive asteroid or meteor shower
“Late figs” or winter figs that grow without the protection of leaves and are easily blown from the tree.
This great earthquake will have such tremendous force that the stars will fall from heaven.
Verse 14
“Sky receded as a scroll”
This speaks of the sky disappearing, as we know it.
So many of us when we think of the sky or see the clouds, we imagine on the other side is our hope, the heaven we will one day enjoy.
Some one has said this refers to those going through the tribulation, will not be able to see the hope of heaven.
“And every mountain and island was moved from its place.”
Some say this is referring to the moving and destructions of nations.
But this is referring to things will see as stable and immovable will no longer be able to withstand the wrath of God.
Verse 15
Here we see seven categories of men
1. Kings 2. Great men 3. Rich men 4. Commanders 5. Mighty men 6. Slaves 7. Every free man
We have tried for many years to put every person on the same level. The world has never done that. Only Jesus puts us on the same level. Jesus sees each of us as equals.
“Hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains.”
Because of the anger and wrath that God will pour out upon those who have rejected Him and His Son, nothing will be able to keep these from His destruction.
All through history, man has been trying to hide from God. Denying Him and denying His truth.
Verse 16
“And said to the mountains and rocks”
Notice the prayer meeting of those who seek protection from God’s wrath
They do not pray to God, but to the rocks & the mountains.
“Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and the wrath of the Lamb”
The inhabitants of the earth will recognize for the first time the source of their trouble.
Prior to this they will be living their lives as usual.
Matthew 24:37-39; “But as in the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days of the flood, they were eating and drinking, marring and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
“Who is able to withstand”
The answer …
And what should be the Christian’s response when we read this passage of Scripture?
We should encourage people to turn to Christ.
Someone has said we must cast ourselves headlong into the sovereignty of God. We may never fully understand why pain and suffering occurs, and we might cry out as the martyrs “How long Lord?” At the same time we affirm the goodness of God. He is all-powerful. He still rules from His heavenly throne. In the end all will be well… Justice and love will prevail!!!
