Revelation 6
Revelation 6 unfolds primarily around the scene in which the Lamb opens the first six of the seven seals. This is an important part that the Apostle John saw in a heavenly vision, signaling the beginning of judgment and the onset of tribulation to come. As each seal is opened, symbolic images follow one after another—the four horsemen (a white horse, a red horse, a black horse, and a pale yellow horse), the cries of the martyrs, and events such as natural disasters.
1verseI 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!”
2verseThen 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.
3verseWhen he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!”
4verseAnother 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.
5verseWhen 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.
6verseI 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!”
7verseWhen he opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see!”
8verseAnd 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.
9verseWhen 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.
10verseThey 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?”
11verseA 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.
12verseI 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.
13verseThe stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind.
14verseThe sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
15verseThe 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.
16verseThey 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,
17versefor the great day of his wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Meaning and Structure of Each Seal
- First Seal: A white horse and its rider appear, symbolizing conquest and victory.
- Second Seal: The red horse removes peace from the earth and brings war and conflict.
- Third Seal: The black horse, holding a balance, symbolizes shortage of food and economic hardship.
- Fourth Seal: The pale yellow horse appears, leading to death and Hades, revealing deaths caused by disease outbreaks, famine, war, and more.
- Fifth Seal: The martyrs call on God for justice and retribution, and they are asked to wait with endurance.
- Sixth Seal: End-times natural phenomena are described—such as a great earthquake, changes in the sun and moon, and the falling of stars—so fear reaches its peak.
Overall Meaning and Message
Revelation 6 shows the world’s suffering and turmoil, and—amid it all—God’s sovereignty and providence. God’s controlling hand is present in each disaster and trial, and within the cries of the martyrs there is God’s comfort and the promise of judgment. Overall, this chapter announces that there will be hardships in history within God’s plan, and ultimately points to the arrival of salvation and justice at the end.
Points for Reflection
- Take to heart the truth that even amid suffering and tribulation, God governs history.
- Reflect on how, by modeling the martyrs’ faithfulness and endurance, you can live with patience and hope while waiting in faith.
- In the chaotic events of the world, meditate on what eternal value we should focus on.
Apply It to Me
- When unexpected tribulation and hardship come into your life, renew your resolve to trust God and hand everything over to Him instead of giving in to fear.
- Look back on what values your faith is meant to protect, and plan in a concrete way how you can put those values into practice in everyday life.
- Try to view and act from God’s perspective even when facing real-life issues such as your relationships with others and social concerns.
