Jan
9
Revelation 6:9-17
Filed Under Book of Revelation
v9 From 0 to 1000 AD what could be more characteristic than seeing the righteous leaders slain for their testimony of the word of God. The under the altar reference comes from the way that the blood of sacrificial offerings was poured at the base of the altar so the symbolism is that those martyred were “sacrificed” in the old way. John would have surely seen this and we can’t miss something so important.
v10 Intriguing is the statement they make “avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth” They mean that the wicked who were responsible should feel the punishment for what they had done. Some were denied the long life they should have enjoyed and their posterity cut short, or even snuffed out by their death. They only want the sacrifice not to be in vain, they want people to see that their God is the Lord and he will fight their battles and that the righteous will be justified and the wicked punished.
v11 White robes, symbolic of purity and victory were given all those that were “sacrificed”. I can think of no greater reward than being able to enter into the rest of the Lord, not a rest like a nap just a rest from suffering, and pain. This is what the Sabbath should be like weekly for all of us, here these true saints get it for a time till their brethren join them in the ranks of the martyred.
v12-15 Sixth seal opened 1000 AD to 2000 AD. Joel prophesied similar things Joel 2:10 “the earth will quake before them the heavens shall tremble” Joel 2:31 “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.” This speaks of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. which comes during the 7th seal or Millennial reign. Stars fall and the heaven rolls like a scroll. Mountain and Island are removed from their places, Powerful men hide in caves.
v16 This verse says more about Judgment than any I know of. Those same powerful people ask the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the Father and the wrath of the Lamb. We don’t have forever to change our ways, a day of reckoning will arrive. If we fail to heed the prophets counsel to repent while there is time we may find we never make the time to repent as we ought, and arrive at that day afraid with others who squandered their days on riotous living like the prodigal with no time to return to a loving Father.
v17 The question is posed “who shall be able to stand?” Paul answered this question, thus Ephesians 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.” This image of us standing before God is one that many prophets commented on because we all know what it is like to stand to accounting for something either done or left undone before a master, parent, or respected leader. The image is as good today as it was in Paul and John’s. We must armor up!
