1
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2
And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
3
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
4
And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
5
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
7
And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
9
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11
And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
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;
13
And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14
And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17
For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Revelation 6 Study & Commentary
Overview & Chapter Summary
Revelation 6 describes the opening of the first six seals by the Lamb. This brings forth the four horsemen (conquest, war, famine, and death), the souls of the martyrs under the altar crying for justice, and a great cosmic shaking that causes the kings of the earth to hide.
Theological Context & Insights
CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS
1. The Reality of Judgment: The "wrath of the Lamb" is a sobering reality for those who reject His mercy (v. 16-17). We must live with the awareness that all human history moves toward a final divine accountability.
2. Sovereignty over Chaos: Even the horsemen are "given" power to act (v. 4, 8). God remains in control of the limits and timing of even the most devastating global events.
3. The Cry of the Martyrs: God hears the prayers of those who have suffered for His Word (v. 9-10). Justice may be delayed from a human perspective, but it is certain in God’s timing.
Practical Lessons & Daily Application
FORMAL PRAYER
O Lord, holy and true: we acknowledge Thy sovereignty over the nations and the seasons of judgment. Grant us to be found in Christ, that we may not fear the day of Thy wrath, but rest in Thy righteous vindication. Amen.