Revelation 6: The Sixth Seal

🔹The papacy has two periods of power:

• One in the past (1260 years).

• One in the future (at the very end of time).

🔹The tribulation:

Consequently, the tribulation has two stages, one in the past and one in the future.

The previous stage of the tribulation was the longest in recorded history. However, the intensity is greatest in the second stage.

🔹The signs in the heavens have two stages:

• The first set of cosmic signs predicts the end of the first period of suffering and the beginning of the "judging" portion of the fifth seal.

• The second set of cosmic signs marks the end of the second period of tribulation and the "vengeance" portion of the fifth seal. Between these two points in time, there occurs a judgment that vindicates the martyrs and seals the 144,000 saints who remain alive.

1. The initial stages of signs took place in 1755, 1780, and 1833. These signs indicated that the first phase of persecution by the papacy was coming to a close and that the disciplinary judgment would soon start. Revelation 6:12, 13, and Joel 2:31 mention these indicators.

2. The second phase of the signs will occur prior to Jesus' second coming and will indicate the deliverance of the saints from the second phase of papal persecution. Revelation 6:14–17 explains these signs.

🔹Purposes of the signs

The signs in Revelation 6:12 and 13 serve multiple purposes.

1. They proclaim that the Great Tribulation will soon end.

2. They serve as a sign of the papal authority's decline.

3. They help to call attention to the upcoming judgment.

4. They are also markers of the beginning of the end of the world.

5. They proclaim the imminent return of Jesus.

🔹Symbolic vs literal signs

Most of the book of Revelation is composed of symbolic language that must be decoded.

However, the massive earthquake and the indications from the sun and moon were actual events? Why? The explanation is based on the meaning of the Greek word "as," which appears four times in Revelation 6:12 and 13. (hos).

🔹Earthquake, dark sky and stars falling

The events surrounding the sixth seal in Revelation 6 were literal, despite the majority of the book of Revelation being symbolic.

• Earthquake - The Lisbon earthquake in 1755.

• The darkening of the sun and moon becoming like blood - The Dark Day in 1780.

• Stars falling - The Leonid Star Shower in 1833.

Revelation Chapter 6 - Verse 12

12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood

🔹Two earthquakes (Revelation 6 vs Revelation 16)

The sixth seal mentions two earthquakes. One occurs at the beginning of the sixth seal, while the other occurs at the end. Revelation 6:14 mentions an earthquake similar to Revelation 16:18–20, where the seventh plague is the setting.

1. First Earthquake – Revelation 6:12

- The earthquake has a limited impact.

2. Second Earthquake – Revelation 16:18

- The second earthquake will be catastrophic and universal. It will also be the largest and most extensive in history. On a global scale, only the largest earthquake in human history could displace mountains and islands.

- The setting is the seventh plague.

Lisbon earthquake of November 1, 1755.

The great earthquake of November 1, 1755, affected an area of at least 4,000,000 square miles. Its impacts were even felt in the waters in numerous places, where the shocks were not noticeable. It spanned most of Europe, Africa, and America, although its most acute violence was directed at the southwestern section of the former. This earthquake was felt almost as powerfully in Africa as in Europe. A large chunk of Algiers was destroyed. Many houses were torn down in Fez and Mequinez, and thousands were buried beneath the rubble. Similar results were observed in Morocco. Its effects were felt in Tangier, Tetuan, and Funchal on the island of Madeira.

The First Part of the Sixth Seal

🔹Critics who disagree that the sixth seal is literal

"How is it possible to think that events that occurred more than 250 years ago are indicators of Jesus' soon return?" This argument appears reasonable on the surface, until we quantify these years in a broader context.

Many theologians mention that there have been previous major earthquakes, dark days, and meteor showers throughout history. They contend, "What is it about the Lisbon Earthquake in 1755, the Dark Day in 1780, and the Leonid Star Shower of 1833 that makes them so exceptional?"

The answer has four components: location, order, time, and intensity.

1. Location:

The three events happened in Europe and the United States.

This is not by chance, given Europe's significance, because the papacy would receive the deadly wound that would mark the end of the 1260-year suffering there. Beginning in the 1830s, the Millerites zealously promoted the message of the approaching judgment throughout the United States, mainly in New England.

2. Order:

These historical events occurred precisely in the order described in Revelation 6's chronology.

For example, the Lisbon earthquake occurred in 1755, the Blood Moon and Dark Day occurred in 1780, and the star shower occurred in 1833.

Show me another instance in human history in which these events occurred in this exact order within less than a hundred years! The arrangement of these signs prompted people to examine the prophecies.

3. Time:

These signs occurred precisely at the right time, just before the conclusion of the 1260-year tribulation, the fulfillment of the prophecies regarding the fall of the papacy (1798), and the beginning of the judgment (1844).

4. Intensity:

Regarding the intensity of these signs, C. Mervyn Maxwell has stated it effectively:

“As recently as 1980, the widely respected seismologist, G. A. Eiby, in chapter 11 of the his book Earthquakes, ranked the Lisbon earthquake as “the largest shock ever”, and reckoned that it may well have reached an almost incredible 9.0 on the Richter scale, seven times stronger than the 1906 San Francisco earthquake… The dark day of May 1780 has not been equalled in North America in the two hundred years that have since come and gone.”

Stars falling November 13, 1833

A great deal and amazing showers of shooting stars have been known to occur at various locations in modern times; however, the most universal and wonderful that has ever been recorded is that of November 13, 1833, when the entire firmament over the United States was in fiery commotion for hours. No heavenly phenomena has ever occurred in our country since its inception that has elicited such deep appreciation from one class of the people while instilling such fear and concern in another...During the three hours it lasted, the day of judgment was thought to be just waiting for sunrise.

🔹The second part of the sixth seal

• The second section of the sixth seal (6:14–17) covers the second aspect of the martyrs' cry for revenge. During the second phase of persecution, the Lamb will unleash His wrath on those who have oppressed his people.

• The judgment of Revelation 7:1–8 takes place between the first and second sections of the sixth seal.

• First, God vindicates the martyrs slaughtered by the little horn over the previous 1260 years (together with everyone who has professed the name of Jesus).

• At the end of this, God will judge and seal the 144,000 living saints.

• The sealing of the 144,000 indicates the judgment phase for the living saints (Revelation 7:1–8), whereas the prize handed to the vast crowd represents the avenging phase (Revelation 7:9–17).

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Next: Revelation Chapter 7: Chapter Reading

Previous: Revelation Chapter 6: The Fifth Seal

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