Revival and Rebellion

9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the people slaughtered because of God’s word and the testimony they had. 10 They cried out with a loud voice: “Lord, the One who is holy and true, how long until You judge and avenge our blood from those who live on the earth?” 11 So a white robe was given to each of them, and they were told to rest a little while longer until the number would be completed of their fellow slaves and their brothers, who were going to be killed just as they had been. 12 Then I saw Him open the sixth seal. A violent earthquake occurred; the sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair; the entire moon became like blood; 13 the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a high wind; 14 the sky separated like a scroll being rolled up; and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the military commanders, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 because the great day of Their wrath has come! And who is able to stand?”

Revival

Revelation 6:9–11 HCSB

A number of people (souls) have been slaughtered.

They are “under” the altar.

They are there because they have been saved. (God’s Word and the word of their testimony) Testimony or witness is the word we get martyr from.

Perhaps they have come to faith in Jesus as a result of the first four seals (The antichrist, war, famine, and death. ) they see all the devastation and respond with faith. It is common even today, that people turn to God and put their faith in Jesus during or immdiately following a crisis.

Will people be saved during the tribulation? Absolutley yes. This passage points to that fact and so does Revelation 7. Even people that put off being saved now? I see no reason to think otherwise.

Note that these souls are aware that they are dead. (No soul sleep) and they have SOME awareness of what is still happening on the Earth.

These souls are crying out for judgment and justice. (How long) This helps to explain why there is worship in heaven just before the seals are opened. God is worshipped in anticipation of making all things right and new. And here they are calling out to him longing for judmgent and justice

White robes (picture right relationship with God) wait a while longer because there are more to be saved, and more to die. Who knows how many millions will be saved during that time.

Rebellion

Revelation 6:12–17 HCSB

12 Then I saw Him open the sixth seal. A violent earthquake occurred; the sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair; the entire moon became like blood; 13 the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a high wind; 14 the sky separated like a scroll being rolled up; and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the military commanders, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 because the great day of Their wrath has come! And who is able to stand?”

World wide natural catastrophe. We know that our world is filled with faultlines. Jesus taught us that we will have earthquakes etc, but this one will be like nothing ever seen before. We know there is connection between earthquakes and volcanoes. I believe this passage speaks of that kind of situation where the sky is filled with smoke and ash and haze that blakcs out the sun and makes the moon appear red. stars falling fro the sky can be stuff from an exploding volcano etc. every mountain and island are moved. This is MAJOR catastrophe.

What is the response to the 6th seal? is it more revival? No its massive numbers from every walk of life from Kings to commoners to slaves all hiding , desperate for the rocks to fall on them as they realize the dreadful day of God’s wrath is before them.

These people are not ignorant. They know what’s happening around them . How do they know? Maybe they read the Bible, or maybe those left behind who know the truth are preaching it to them. But they are not ignorant about God or the lamb of God. They know what is happening and why it is happening.

Think of that. People would rather shake their fist at God and prefer death than to be saved and love Him and servce Him.

Application.

Where do believers go the moment they die? I think this passage and many others points to the fact that go directly into the presence of God where they are aware and conscious.

This passage proves that God plans to make things right in the world Maybe you are dealing with stuff that seems so unjust and so wrong and unfair. God will make all things right. One of my favorite hymns is “This is My Father’s World” There is a line in it that says “though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s World, the battle is not done Jesus, who dies, shall be satisfied, and earth and heaven be one”

This passage demonstrates that God will judge all who don’t know Him. Do you know Him? We are all faced with the same decision. Trust Christ and be saved, or reject the truth no matter what God is using to get your attention. It is gut wrenching to think that these people would see the wrath of God being poured out, and know that it is the wrath of God being poured out, but would rather die in a rock slide than to repent and come to Jesus.

Related Media

Related Sermons