Revelation 6:9-17
Please read your Bible text: Rev 6:9-17.
The Apostle John is writing about what is coming on the earth in the last days leading up to the Great Tribulation, before the second coming of Jesus Christ to rule. As each seal is broken – John sees something, and he writes. The 1st seal broken; the false teaching will arise to deceive. The 2nd seal broken, there will be wars on earth and wars will escalate to such a state the world has ever seen. The 3rd seal broken, John sees famines or scarcities and the 4th seal broken, pestilences ravage the earth. I believe we are living as in the days of Jacob’s troubles very soon (Jeremiah 30:3-7). We are already at the beginning of birth pangs (as Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24:8). We will begin to see more and more and in greater intensity of these signs—falsehood, war, famine, death through natural disasters (earthquake & tsunami), disease, and pestilence.
Following, John sees Martyrdom (the 5th seal broken) and cosmic disturbance (the 6th seal broken).
The cries of the martyrs – V.9-10
The 5th Seal is about those who were martyred for the Word of God and for being faithful in their witness, since the Christian era. These are those who had suffered and died for their faith in Christ. The Christians came under severe persecution under the Roman Empire, and many were martyred. All the Apostles were martyred except John who was exiled to the island of Patmos. What about those who died for the truth of the Gospel during the dark ages of the medieval church? Many were burnt at the stake or tortured to death. What about those faithful Christians behind the iron curtain and the bamboo curtains? Going through history from its very dawn to the present time, you will find an innumerable host under the altar, slain for their love for God and Christ Jesus. These martyrs are seen crying for vengeance under the altar. They are given white robes and told to rest until the full numbers of martyrs are completed.
That is to say that many more martyrs are expected in the last days and even so in the Great Tribulation. When evil dictators inspired by Satan and his cohorts start to rule the world, Christians will be hated and hunted down like dogs and be killed. Many will have to face the ultimatum – “Caesar is Lord or Jesus is Lord”. Believers, when you must face this situation, stand firm, and be faithful unto death. There is enough reason for you to stand firm because Jesus has forewarned us twice already. Once in the Gospel, Jesus said, “…Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.” (Matthew 24:8-9). Second, here in Revelation—seal number 6 – Jesus has indicated many more martyrs are expected in the Great tribulation.
Yes, we may be hunted down like dogs and be killed. But we will be saved in Heaven and given white robes (representing their purity of faith by refusing to compromise with the Antichrist). Martyrdom only kills the body, not the spirit. So, fear not martyrdom. Notice here, those martyred are alive and conversing with the Lord in His presence. We shall find comfort here that the cries of the martyrs are heard, and they are told to rest in white robes of purity and acceptance. Sometimes the answer to our delayed prayer is still to rest and wait. I can imagine the faces of these martyrs under the altar, smiling, dressed in white, beaming with joys for their pains and tortures are over. Indeed, these are so blessed. When you must go through these painful tortures in the Great Tribulation, remember John’s vision of the martyrs here!
The disturbance of the earth’s cosmic – v.12-17
The breaking of the 6th Seal brings in physical disturbances in the cosmic. These are predicted elsewhere in scripture (Isa 34:4; Joel 2:30-31; Matt 24:19). Catastrophic earthquakes of unprecedented scale will be rampant, flattening mountains and sinking islands. Sun will refuse to shine, and the moon will be red. Falling stars (meteors) will fall like rain and hit the earth, destroying cities, and killing many. Jesus had said this while He was on earth: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:39). In recent years, there were far more earthquakes than in any other. Is the 6th seal broken, and happening today? Read the news. If you hear of such happening in the news, then for sure the 6th seal has broken out!
Men have always thought the earth, the sun, and the moon are unshakable. Some even worship the sun or the moon. But when the Great Tribulation comes – when God pours out his wrath in judgment against a sinful world – the cosmic, including the earth, will be shaken. It is worthy to note that all men – be they kings or slaves, mighty or lowly, free or bond will share the same fate and fear – all will share the same cries for the mountain to cover them or the same desire to run to the caves to hide from the all fiery and consuming God. When the Tribulation comes, men will ACT, on the belief that the end of the world has arrived, and not merely SNEER about it in unbelief.
Think: The Great Tribulation is not fiction – it is a Prophetic happening soon.
Prayer: Lord, in tribulation – you are still my strength and comfort. Keep my eyes on your face and my ears to your voice if I must face the Great Tribulation.
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