Revelation 06
The Seven Seals (First Seal: False Christ)
6:1 I looked on when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a thunderous voice, “Come!”
The Lamb is the Lord Jesus Christ. He will open the first of the seven seals. The timing will be at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation will begin after Israel signs a peace treaty with the Antichrist. The four living creatures are the seraphim that surround the Father's throne. They guard His holiness. One of the seraphim will order the Antichrist to begin his conquest.
According to the Old Testament, there are three purposes of the Great Tribulation. First, the Great Tribulation will purge evil and evil ones out of the universe. (Isa 13:9, 24:10-20). Second, God will raise up 144,000 Jewish witnesses who will evangelize the entire world. (Rev 7:1-14, Mt 24:14) Third, the Great Tribulation will break the stubborn will of the Jewish nation. (Dan 12:5-7)
6:2 So I looked, and here came a white horse! The one who rode it had a bow, and he was given a crown, and as a conqueror he rode out to conquer.
The Greek word for "crown" is στέφανος (stephanos), meaning the crown of a conqueror. The rider on this white horse is the Antichrist. However, this is not the same rider in Revelation 19. The rider in Revelation 19 is wearing a different crown, a διάδημο (diadem), which is a crown of royalty. The rider in Revelation 19 is the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Antichrist will appear as part of an unholy Trinity. Satan will masquerade as God the Father. The Antichrist will masquerade as God the Son. The False Prophet will masquerade as God the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was identified by many names, such as Yeshua, Emmanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and many others. The Antichrist will counterfeit the Son. He will also be identified with many names as well, such as the Seed of Satan, the Little Horn, The King of Fierce Countenance, the Prince that shall come, the Desolater, the Willfull King, the Man of Sin, the Son of Perdition, the Lawless One, the Antichrist, the Beast, and others as well.
Jesus was the seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15, meaning that He was born of a virgin. The Antichrist will be the seed of Satan, which is also mentioned in this same Genesis 3:15 passage. Like Jesus, the Antichrist will have a natural and supernatural origin. According to Daniel 9:24-27, the Antichrist will be born of a Gentile of Roman origin. Just as the fallen angels impregnated women in Genesis 6, Satan himself will impregnate a Gentile woman of Roman origin in the future. The book Rosemary's Baby is a close resemblance to how this event will occur. The name "Rosemary" was not just an accidental name chosen by the author. She is Satan’s Mary, who will give birth to the Antichrist. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 supports this teaching, as Paul mentioned that the Antichrist will be a result of the "energizing of Satan.”
The bow without an arrow means that the Antichrist will be so powerful, that he will conquer without arrows. He will conquer without violence. He will be so strong militarily, that no one will oppose him. The Antichrist just simply shows his bow and everyone falls in line.
Daniel 8:23-25 predicted that the Antichrist will "be understanding of dark sentences," meaning that the Antichrist will be deeply involved in the occult. He is predicted to have tremendous power, but the power will not come from himself, but from his father, the Devil. The Antichrist will use this occult power in an attempt to destroy "the holy people," who are the Jewish people. Eventually, his power "will be broken," which will occur at the end of the judgment of the seven seals. The seven seals will actually be 19 different judgments that will come upon the earth.
6:3 Then when the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!”
The Lamb of God will open the second seal. The Greek word for "then" is Καὶ (kai), which means that John was thinking in Hebrew. If a sentence in Hebrew continues a thought, then a vav consecutive, or a Greek Καὶ (kai), will begin the sentence.
The Greek word for "come" is ἔρχομαι (erchomai), a present middle imperative verb, meaning to go or move out. The second living creature is the cherubim, which is one of four angels who stand around the throne of God. The cherubim commanded the second horse to "go" and perform a task.
6:4 And another horse, fiery red, came out, and the one who rode it was granted permission to take peace from the earth, so that people would butcher one another, and he was given a huge sword.
The Greek word for "another" is ἄλλος (allos), meaning another horse of the same kind.
The Greek word for "fiery red" is πυρρός (purrs), meaning a fiery reddish color.
The Greek word for "granted permission" is δίδωμι (didimi), an aorist passive indicative verb, meaning to receive divine permission from God. The cherubim will give the rider of the red horse the divine permission from God to take peace from the earth.
The Greek word for peace is εἰρήνην (eiranan), which comes from the Hebrew word שָׁלום (shalom), meaning peace with God. During the Great Tribulation, the government will not be at peace with God.
The opposite of peace is war. The first seal brought peace without war. The second seal judgment will be that of World War III by violence. There will be at least three more world wars during the Great Tribulation. This will be the first of three world wars.
1 Thes 5:10-11 teaches that there will be a period of peace and false security before the Great Tribulation. This peace will end at the breaking of this second seal.
The Greek word for "butcher" is σφάζω (sphazo), meaning to kill by ritual slaughter or to kill by violence.
The Greek word for "one another" is ἀλλήλων (allalon), meaning another individual of the same kind. During the second seal, there will be anarchy. Individuals will rise up against other individuals.
The Greek word for "sword" is μάχαιρα (machaira), meaning a short sword or dagger. Most ancient leaders take away the weapons of their people before enslaving them. The Antichrist may create gun laws, which will cause people to kill with daggers instead of guns.
The Greek word for "huge" is μεγά (mega), which means great or massive, such as a mega-supermarket. The μάχαιρα (machaira) dagger used by the citizens of the Great Tribulation will not be huge, but it will cause μεγά (mega), or massive damage.
In conclusion, the breaking of the second seal will bring violent anarchy and war upon all of the nations upon the earth. The Holy Spirit will disappear with Christians at the Rapture, so He will not be restraining evil. Individuals will most likely have their guns taken away by government gun control laws, so they will have to use daggers as a first choice of weapon.
6:5 Then when the Lamb opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying, “Come!” So I looked, and here came a black horse! The one who rode it had a balance scale in his hand.
The symbol of a balance in the Old Testament was a symbol of scarcity and famine. Famines cause food shortages, inflation, malnutrition, disease, and famine. This third world war will destroy the world's economic system, causing a world-wide famine.
Lamentations 4 gave a good description of the horrors of famine. There is always a foolish view among people that God would never come down too hard upon His own people. Even many believers do not understand the judgment attribute of God. They see God as love, so they foolishly take advantage of this attribute. They forget that God hates sin. There is usually grace before judgment. When the cup of wrath fills, then God will judge sin.
Israel was very prosperous. They were the only nation who possessed the Word of God. They believed that because they were God's chosen people, God would not judge them. They believed that God would not destroy Jerusalem, because His temple was located there. America and many modern nations possess this same arrogance today. The cause of Israel's failure was the sin of the Levites not teaching the Word of God. The sin of America is that pastors and teachers are not teaching the Word of God. The spiritual leaders of Israel were called "the blind leading the blind." The teachers of Israel did not know the Word of God, so the people were being destroyed for lack of knowledge.
The divine discipline on the Jews was famine. Lamentaions 4 gave some of the details of famine. The Jewish mothers were so malnutritioned that they could not nurse their children. The children's tongues cleaved to their mouth. The children cried for food and water, but there was no food or water. The Jews moved to socialistic control of the food supply, resulting in corruption. The money began to inflate, meaning that the Jews could not afford to buy food. Inflation is a sign of divine judgment. The bellies of the children began to bloat. The nobles who ate delicacies were living in poverty in the streets. Those who were dressed brightly were living in ash and manure piles. Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed in an instant, but famine is a worse judgment because of the slow sufferings of starvation. The people began to eat grass. At one time, these people were healthy in appearance. During the famine, the malnutrition caused their appearance to become black and dirty that even their friends failed to recognize them. Their skin dried up and clung to their bones. The mothers and fathers began to cook and eat their own children.
In conclusion. Israel rejected God and began worshipping idols. God's judgment for this rejection was famine. The Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah and called Him demon possessed. Their judgment was this same famine of the Babylon Captivity. During the Great Tribulation, the people of the earth will reject God and worship the Antichrist. Their judgment will be famine. They will eat their own children.
6:6 Then I heard something like a voice from among the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat will cost a day’s pay and three quarts of barley will cost a day’s pay. But do not damage the olive oil and the wine!”
The voice came "from among the four living creatures." This was the voice of God the Father. The four living creatures were the cherubim who surround the throne of God.
A quart of wheat was about two pounds of weight. The Greek historian Herodotus recorded that a quart was one day of food rations for the Greek solider. The Spartan soldiers were trained to eat very little food. Their food was so distasteful and so difficult to digest, that it would make many other soldiers vomit.
A denarius was one day’s wage. Father God declared from between the cherubim that inflation will be so severe that the average worker will receive one days wage, which was enough to purchase food for one day.
Barley was the poor man's food. Barley had less taste and less nutrition than wheat. Barley was half the price of wheat. Muslims called themselves "wheat," but they called the Jews "barley."
This third world war will cause rampant global inflation. Inflation is caused by government waste on social programs. Most social programs are tax funded. Citizens are taxed and the money is transferred via social programs to wealthy party members who are in charge of the government.
One denarius was formally a day’s wage that would normally buy eight quarts of wheat and 24 quarts of barley. During the Great Tribulation, the denarius will only be worth 1/8th of its value.
Notice that the olive oil and wine will not be in short supply. Oil, grain and wine were the three staple foods during Biblical times. Oil and wine will become luxury items. Only the rich and powerful will be able to purchase oil and wine. While food will be in short supply, God will show enough mercy so that at least medicine will be in great supply.
Once the irritating Christians are removed by the rapture, then humanism and socialism will abound all over the world. The Antichrist will call for godless socialistic programs to replace capitalistic programs. Instead of looking to God for food, shelter, and health, the people will look to the government. The government of the Antichrist will become the gods of the people. The state will be deified as god. The state will have absolute authority over the people. They will control medicine, education, economics, food supplies, shelter, energy, technology, surveillance, and even the job market.
6:7 Then when the Lamb opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come!”
The sentence begins with καὶ (kai), meaning that the author is thinking in Hebrew. The kai is a conjunction which joins the preceding sentence.
The Lamb of God will open the fourth seal. The four living creatures are the cherubim. The cherubim surround and protect the throne of God. These four living creatures possess the heads of the lion, ox, man, and eagle.
The Greek word for "come" is ἔρχομαι (erchomai), a present middle imperative verb, meaning to go or move out. The cherubim commanded the fourth horse to "go" and perform a task.
6:8 So I looked and here came a pale green horse! The name of the one who rode it was Death, and Hades followed right behind. They were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill its population with the sword, famine, and disease, and by the wild animals of the earth.
The Greek word for "looked" is ὁράω (horao), meaning to observe in a panoramic view. This is the origin of the English word "horizon." John looked across the horizon in a panoramic view.
The Greek word for "pale" is χλωρός (cloros), meaning a light greenish-yellowish color. This is the color of the face when a person is frightened or startled.
The Greek word for “death” is ὁ θάνατος (ho thanatos). It contains a Greek article, so it should be translated as “the dead one.” The Dead One, or the One who controls death, is riding the pale horse.
The Greek word for “Hades” is ᾅδης (hades), meaning the underworld. Hades consists of Paradise, Torments, Tartarus, and the Abyss.
Paradise was the place of the Old Testament believers. It was also called Abraham’s Bosom. This area was emptied after the resurrection of Christ. Lazarus lived in Paradise, but he was taken up to heaven after Christ emptied Paradise.
Torments is the place of all unbelievers who lived before and after the resurrection of Christ. It is also known as hell. The rich man who tormented Lazarus was and still is living in Hell. Everyone in Hell will be judged guilty at the Great White Throne Judgment and thrown into the Lake of Fire for eternity.
The demons who intermarried with human women in Genesis 6 were sentenced to a holding place called Tartarus. They will stay in Tartarus until the time of the Great White Throne Judgment. They will then be judged, found guilty, and thrown into the Lake of Fire for eternity.
When Jesus was casting out demons during His earthly ministry, the demons asked not to be thrown into the Abyss. The Abyss is a temporary holding place for disobedient demons. Even demons must obey God, or they will be punished by God Himself. Some of the demons will be released from the Abyss during the Great Tribulation.
When a believer dies, he goes to heaven to be with Christ in soul and spirit. His physical body will join him at the Rapture. When an unbeliever dies, then he goes to Hell to await judgment at the Great White Throne Judgment. Everyone at the Great White Throne Judgment will be pronounced guilty and thrown into the Lake of Fire.
The world war and famine will cause the death of one fourth of the world's population. In today's world, this is about two billion people. Death will come by sword, famine, disease, and wild animals.
Notice that death by gunfire is not mentioned. Strong governments usually enforce gun control laws in order to prevent any rebellion from their people. During the Great Tribulation, the government will control all of the guns and all of the transportation. The people will have to use knives, sticks, and stones as their weapons. Since the government will possess all of the cars, jeeps, tanks, boats, submarines, and planes, the people will have to transport themselves by horses, bicycles, and foot. The government will also control the oil, gas, electricity, medicine, food, water, money, property, and all natural resources. The modern global socialistic government policies are establishing a new world order which the Antichrist will someday control.
The Greek word for "famine" is λιμός . Famine is the most horrific way for a person to die. Famine will cause parents to become so desperate for life, that they will actually eat their own children. The end result of liberalism is death by cannibalism and eternal life in the Lake of fire.
The Greek word for "wild animals" is θηρίον (tharion), meaning a small, dangerous, and venomous small beast. It is a different word than the Greek word ζῷον (zoan), meaning an animal that is often found in the zoo. Paul was bitten by a θηρίον (tharion) on the island of Malta, so it may refer to poisonous snakes. It is also used to describe the coming Antichrist and false prophet, so it could refer to their merciless persecutions against the Jews. The animal kingdom will become more ferocious during famine, turning to human flesh in order to satisfy their hunger. With weapons outlawed, many humans will be killed and consumed by wild and hungry animals.
The Greek word for "disease" is θάνατος (thanatos), meaning death. If one's body is suffering from famine, then it will not be able to fight off disease. Therefore, disease will become a big killer during the Great Tribulation.
6:9 Now when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given.
The Lamb of God will open the fifth seal. The scene will shift from earth back to heaven. The fifth seal will reveal martyrs in heaven who have escaped the horrors of the Great Tribulation by being put to death.
Notice that these martyrs are "under the altar." This is most likely the altar of incense in heaven, which pictured the saint's prayers ascending to God.
The Greek word for "soul" is the ψυχή (psuche), meaning to breathe or to blow. God breathes in the ψυχή (psuche), or the personality of each person.
The personality of the individual was affected negatively by the Fall of Adam. The ψυχή (psuche) will grow more evil with its exposure to the satanic world system. However, the ψυχή (psuche) can grow into spiritual maturity by the intake of Bible doctrine.
Baby Christians walk around with a ψυχή (psuche) full of information from the satanic world system. Bible doctrine must be infused into the soul in order to reverse this process. A 40 year Christian who has studied the gospels through a gifted pastor- teacher is less mature than a 2 year Christian who has studied the entire counsel of the Word of God through a gifted-pastor teacher.
How do these martyrs come to Christ during the Great Tribulation? Revelation 7 will answer this question.
Who was killing these martyrs? Revelation 7 will answer this question.
6:10 They cried out with a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Master, holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?”
The testimony of these martyrs has cost them their lives. The Greek word for “cried” is κράζω (krazo), an aorist active indicative verb, which is an onomatopoetic term for a raven's piercing cry (“caw”). These martyrs were crying out loudly and emotionally with an urgent scream or shriek. This was a loud and emotional request. They are extremely angry and sad about how they were treated on earth by the Christ-rejecters. They are angry at how these men dishonored Christ and His followers.
The Greek word for “Sovereign Master” is not κύριος (kurios), meaning Lord, but it is Δεσπότης (despotas), meaning despot or dictator. A Δεσπότης (despotas) is an extreme dictator who owns others. It is bad to be owned by an evil dictator. It is good to be owned by a powerful and kind dictator. God is a dictator who owns everything under heaven and earth. As dictator, He can dictate anything that He wants, or He can delegate responsibilities to His creation.
The Greek word for “holy” is ἅγιος (hagios), meaning “different from the world.” God is described as being different from the world, because He is set apart to accomplish a task which is different from the goals of the satanic world system.
The Greek word for “judge” is κρίνεις (krineis), meaning to make a positive or negative verdict according to God’s word. God will judge those on the earth by HIS word, not by human standards.
The Greek word for “those who live on the earth” is κατοικούντων (katoikounton), which is a compound of two Greek words kata and oikia. Kata means “down” and oikia means “house.” The κατοικούντων (katoikounton) are those who are dwelling in their houses down on the earth. The believers are those who are dwelling in heaven.
These martyrs in heaven want to know how much longer it will take to avenge their blood. It is difficult for these martyrs to understand why God would allow their murderers to live, yet God asks these saints to trust Him.
6:11 Each of them was given a long white robe and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached of both their fellow servants and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.
Spirits without any substance cannot wear robes. Therefore, these martyred saints must have possessed some kind of temporary body in heaven which will later be replaced with their glorified bodies (Revelation 20:4). Notice also that these saints can speak, feel emotions, feel anger, feel sadness, think, possess memories, and they can rest. Many religions teach that the soul dies when the body dies. However, this verse disproves this false theology. Evil men on earth can take one's physical life if God allows it, but no man can take away the soul. Only God can destroy both body and soul.
The Greek word for "robe" is στολὴ (stola), meaning a robe of importance and honor. Many modern clergy wear robes today to separate themselves from the congregation. This is unbiblical, because the congregation is the priesthood of the believers. The multiple elders are part of this priesthood, and not above it. In this verse, the saints are special and given robes, only because Christ died for them and gave it to them.
The martyrs in heaven were told to be patient, because more martyrs would be killed. When the full number of martyrs who were predestined to be killed is complete, then God will move and avenge their deaths.
The Greek word for "brothers" is ἀδελφοὶ (adelphoi), meaning those who come from the same womb. The ἀδελφοὶ (adelphoi) are those who have been born again.
6:12 Then I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and a huge earthquake took place; the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and the full moon became blood red;
The Greek word for "then" is Καὶ (kai), which is the Hebrew equivalent of vav. Vav is a conjunction that connects one sentence thought with another. The use of Καὶ (kai) shows that John is thinking in Hebrew.
The Greek word for "looked" is ὁράω (horao), meaning to look across the horizon. John was looking into the future and observing prophetic events.
The Lamb of God opened the sixth seal.
The Greek for "huge earthquake" is σεισμὸς μέγας (seisms metas), meaning a great earthquake. This is not a normal earthquake of the world, but an earthquake of supernatural origin and supernatural destructive power.
In the last 4,000 years, earthquakes have killed over 13 million people. This earthquake will be even more devastating. All the earth’s faults will begin to fracture simultaneously, resulting in a cataclysmic, global earthquake which the world has never seen.
There will be five blackouts during the Great Tribulation. The first blackout will be before the Great Tribulation. This is the second of five blackouts. No light will penetrate through this darkness. This is similar to the ninth plague of Exodus. The darkness of the Exodus could be "felt" by the Egyptians. There was also three hours of darkness at the crucifixion of Christ.
The Greek word for "full moon" is ἡ σελήνη ὅλη (ha selana ola), meaning "the whole or full moon." The Greek for "blood red" is αἷμα (haima), meaning a dark red moon. During a solar eclipse, the sun's rays will be blocked and it will cause the full moon to have a reddish appearance. This phenomenon is called a "blood moon." There are no prophecies in the Bible that teach the return of Christ on the blood moon of 2015, or any other specific year. Satan often mixes false teachers into the church to purposely proclaim false prophets. He uses these false prophets to confuse a world that is devoid of Bible doctrine. He desires for all Christian to look like “fanatical kooks" so that the name of Christ can be discredited.
In this passage, apparently the light from the sun will be blocked out, creating a blood moon. It is possible that this time of darkness will be similar to the darkness of the ten plagues, or the three hours of darkness at the crucifixion of Christ.
6:13 and the stars in the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a fierce wind.
The Greek word for “star” is ἀστήρ (astir), which can mean any object in the heavens, including planets, asteroids and meteorites.
The Greek word for "unripe figs" is ὀλύνθους (olunthous), meaning figs that are unripe and not ready to fall off of the tree on their own. The wind is forcing these unripe figs to fall unnaturally to the ground.
Astronomers have long been concerned about the possibility that asteroids or giant meteorites would one day collide with the earth in its orbit and cause another ice age, or even death to all life on earth. Just as figs fall from a tree after being shaken with the wind, many asteroids and meteors will fall upon the earth. Basically, a divine wind will shake up the meteorites of heaven and cause them to strike the earth. This is not the divine wind of Japanese polytheism. This is the divine wind which God will send upon the earth during the Great Tribulation.
6:14 The sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.
The Greek word for "sky" is ὁ οὐρανὸς (ho-uranus), a nominative singular noun with an article, meaning the heavens. There are three different heavens in the universe. The first heaven is the atmosphere. The second heaven is outer space. The third heaven is God's throne room.
If taken literally, then the Lord Jesus Christ is going to supernaturally split the heavens like a scroll rolled up. All men on earth will be able to look directly into the third heaven and see God for themselves. This will be a powerful miracle that may cause many to turn to Christ, but it will also cause others to run away from God in fear.
The Greek word for "moved" is κινέω (kineo), meaning to set in motion or to stir up. This is the root word of "kinetics," which is energy in motion. Every mountain and island will supernaturally change its location.
Many of the worldwide religions are based upon Hinduism. Buddhism, Native American spiritism, druidism, paganism, the New Age, etc. basically all cults and isms teach that God is a part of creation. When God moves the mountains and islands, then all of the cults and isms will know that God is above all of creation.
6:15 Then the kings of the earth, the very important people, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.
The Greek word for "kings" is βασιλεῖς (basieis), meaning the leader of a government. This could refer to the ten regional leaders appointed by the Antichrist. The people will look to government for help, but the governmental leaders will be hiding.
The Greek word for "the very important people" is μεγιστᾶνες (megistantes), meaning those who are great. The scientists, philosophers, medical doctors, and theologians will not be able to help mankind, because they will be hiding.
The Greek word for "the rich" is οἱ πλούσιοι (hoi plousioi), meaning the rich and wealthy members of Wall Street. The people will look to the rich, but they will be hiding in their caves. Their wealth can bribe judges, but their wealth will mean nothing during this time period when the wrath of the Lamb will be executed.
The Greek word for "generals" is οἱ ἰσχυροὶ (oi ischroi), meaning the military commanders. The people will look to the military to save them from the wrath of the Lamb, but the military commanders will be hiding.
The Greek word for "powerful" is οἱ ἰσχυροὶ (hoi ischuroi), meaning the strong and athletic ones. The people will look to those who are physically fit, but there fitness will not help them. They will also be hiding in caves.
The Greek word for "slaves" is δοῦλος (doulas), meaning slaves. Human slavery will return under the reign of the Antichrist. The slaves will look to hide in the ground.
The Greek word ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros), means free people. The free people will be hiding in caves from the wrath of the Lamb.
The Greek word for "hide" is κρύπτω (krupto), an aorist active indicative verb, meaning to actively hide. Adam and Eve hid from God after their sin. Those living in the Great Tribulation will also hide from the wrath of God.
The Greek word σπήλαια (spalaia), means caves, dens, holes, or hideouts. The Christ-rejecters will look to hide in the darkest hole which they can find.
The Greek word πέτρας (petros), means rock. In the future, the Jewish Remnant will hide in Petra. Petra was an ancient rock city of the Edomites.
Notice that all of the liberals and Christ-rejecters do not come to God in humility, but they run away from Him. Liberals, skeptics, and Christ-rejecters are surely brave on this earth, but if they are still alive at the time of the sixth seal, they will be running from God and hiding in caves.
6:16 They said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb,
The liberals, skeptics, and Christ-rejecters will know the identity of the one who is sending these judgments. However, instead of turning to the one true living God, they will run away from Him. Instead of praying to the one true God, the Christ-rejecters will pray to the mountains and rocks to fall upon them. These Christ-rejecters would not allow their children to pray at school. They mocked those who prayed to the living God. Those who denied prayer to the living God are now praying to lifeless rocks.
The Christ-rejecters are hiding from the face of God. The Greek word for "face" is πρόσωπον (prosowpon), meaning from the eyes. The Christ-rejecters do not fear rocks fallen on them. They do not fear death. They do fear standing in front of the face of the living God.
The Christ-rejecters also fear facing "the wrath of the lamb." The Greek word for "lamb" is ἀρνίον (anion), meaning a little lamb. A lamb has no sharp teeth or sharp claws. He is not very strong, quick, or fast. However, these Christ-rejecters fear the little lamb.
The Greek word for "wrath" is ὀργή (orga), meaning to slowly swell up with a passionate anger. God is very patient, but He will not judge until the cup of iniquity is full. When the cup overflows, then God becomes the executioner of wrath. The Christ-rejecters fear the wrath of the lamb.
Sin causes one to hide from God. Adam and Eve committed the first sin. The first thing they did was to hide from God. Instead of hiding from God, the believer should continually confess his sins according to 1 John 1:9. This confession of sin cleanses the believer for service.
It is interesting to note that the believers are saying "avenge us." The nonbelievers are saying "hide us."
6:17 because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”
The Great Tribulation has arrived, and the question is, who can withstand it? Who can survive it? These questions will be answered in the next chapter.
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Appendix:
The Birth Pangs of the Messiah
Most of this teaching comes from chapter four of The Foosteps of the Messiah by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum.
Are we living in the last days? We must go to the Bible for answers. Dr. Fruchtenbaum listed nine chronological events which must happen before the Great Tribulation.
1. World War I and II--Matthew 24 teaches that the first birth pangs of the Messianic Kingdom are world wars. There have only been two global wars in history. Both of these wars had tremendous effect on Jerusalem. World War I began the Zionist Movement. World War II placed Israel back in their land.
2. The re-establishment of Israel--Ezekiel 36 teaches the re-establishment of Israel as a state of unbelief. This second birth pang was fulfilled in 1948 A.D.
3. Jerusalem under Jewish control--Daniel 9:27 teaches that the Antichrist will enter a literal temple in Jerusalem during the middle of the Great Tribulation. If the Antichrist steps into a temple, then Israel must rebuild their temple in Jerusalem during the Great Tribulation. This means that the Jews must gain possession of the temple compound in Jerusalem. Israel took control of the temple compound area during the Six Day War in 1967.
4. The invasion by the Northern Alliance--The first three prophetic events have already been fulfilled. The fourth birth pang is the next to come. Ezekiel 38-39 teaches that a northern alliance will invade Israel. Russia will lead a northern alliance into Israel. This invasion will cause the Antichrist to step in and control the nations in the name of global peace.
5. A one world government--The fourth Gentile Empire will devour the entire world. This fourth empire was not Rome, but it is the future Gentile power of the Antichrist.
6. The ten kingdoms--The world will be divided into ten different political regions.
7. The rise of the Antichrist--The Antichrist will arise and take over the ten kingdoms. He will subdue three of these kings. According to 2 Thessalonians, the identity of the Antichrist will be revealed before the Great Tribulation.
8. The period of peace and false security--For the first 3.5 years, the world will live in false peace and security. Many of the Jews will think that the Antichrist is the Messiah.
9. The seven year covenant--According to Daniel 9, when Israel signs the seven year covenant with the Antichrist, then the Great Tribulation will begin.
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Other events of the pre-tribulation
Joel 2 predicted a global blackout
Malachi 4 predicts that Elijah will come before the Great Tribulation.
The Jewish temple may be rebuilt, because the Antichrist will step into the Jewish temple at 3.5 years and declare that he is God.
The Rapture will come sometime before the Great Tribulation.
Here is Dr. Fruchtenbaum's chart on these issues: