We looked at the scroll. We know that the scroll holds the future of our world. We know that Jesus is the only one with the power to manage the scroll. Starting today, Jesus is breaking the seals found within the scroll. Over this seven-part series, we are looking at what the different seals represent and how we can be interpreting these seals in our world today. This series will be called “Sealed No Longer.” Again, my goal is to look deeper into what the seals represent and how we can be mindful of how to interpret those events in our world today. The sixth seal is in Revelation 6:12-17:

Revelation 6:12-17

12          I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood.

13          Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind.

14          The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and island were moved from their places.

15          Then everyone – the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person – all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.

16          And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of Lamb.

17          For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”

This is all very intense imagery, and one of the first lines that describe a direct response to the living people. The first four seals described the battles of the world that we’ll face as the world we know comes to an end. The fifth seal describe the response of those that were martyred; that is, died for the cause of spreading the Gospel. Now we see the response of the general population. Both the wealthy and high status people and the lowly, impoverished, and enslaved people are asking to hide away in a place that cannot be reached by God (even though God can reach us anywhere at any time.)

So, what will be the signs of the end to the general population? Let’s look at the imagery that John mentions: a massive earthquake, the sun going dark, the moon turning red, the stars falling from space to earth, and the sky crumpling up like a piece of paper (perhaps to reveal the kingdom of Heaven based on the ancient Near-Eastern belief system.)

This judgment affects everyone. Everyone will be afraid when the earth itself begins to tremble. As we tremble in fear and anxiety when we’re afraid, the earth itself will feel very similar reactions when this final judgment occurs. It’s an interesting imagery to think about for me, that the world we live in can react in ways that we as the creation that lives on it react. It truly connects the body and soul to the earth to show that we are united.

At the sight of God sitting on the throne, every human will be afraid. They will call for the mountains to fall on top of them so that they will not have to face the final judgment from God. This wasn’t meant to frighten people, especially believers. We must remember that God is about love, and his response (even judgment) is in love. Those who aren’t followers (as John calls out: kings, rulers, generals, powerful people) that had no fear of God and arrogantly flaunted the fact that they did not believe, will find out that they were wrong. In those moments, they will have to face the judgment of God and risk the eternal separation from the Kingdom of Heaven.

No one that reject God will survive the banishment from the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who have believed early on or repented on this day will receive the reward of eternal life. When you belong to Christ, you are safe, and the events of these days will not harm you. This belief is the main reason that there’s such a fervent push to be a Christian immediately. We don’t know when the final judgment will occur, nor do we want to risk the chance of an eternal life. Eternality is not a continuation of our current life, but a life that has no pain, sorrow, grief, or evil. There are no concerns for hunger, thirst, or clothing, but it’s a joyous life with our heavenly Creator that exists until the new Eden is created.

Associated Scripture

Revelation 6:12          Joel 2:10; Matthew 24:29; Revelation 16:18

Revelation 6:13          Isaiah 34:4; Revelation 8:10, 9:1

Revelation 6:14          Psalm 46:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 16:20, 20:11, 21:1

Revelation 6:15          Isaiah 2:10, 2:19, 2:21; Jeremiah 4:29

Revelation 6:16          Hosea 10:8; Luke 23:30

Revelation 6:17           Joel 2:11; Zephaniah 1:14-15; Malachi 3:2

Check out the next part of the series: Sealed No Longer – Part 7