What does Revelation 6:12 mean?

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; Revelation 6:12

Explanation

Revelation 6:12 describes a series of dramatic cosmic events that are said to occur after the opening of the sixth seal from a scroll held by God, as witnessed by the apostle John in a vision. This verse uses apocalyptic imagery to paint a picture of a world consumed by chaos and transformation. Literally, it speaks of an earthquake, the darkening of the sun, and the moon appearing as blood. Metaphorically, these celestial disturbances can be understood as signs of divine judgement and the upheaval of the established order as a prelude to the end times, which is a common theme in apocalyptic literature.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, was written in a genre common among Jewish and Christian literature from 200 B.C. to 100 A.D. In its historical context, it is believed to have been written by John of Patmos, toward the end of the first century A.D., a time when Christians were experiencing persecution under the Roman Empire. The use of vivid imagery and symbolism served to convey hope to the persecuted believers, reassuring them that God would ultimately judge their oppressors and bring about a new era.

Theological Insights

From the perspective of Christian eschatology, this verse is often interpreted as a depiction of the events leading to the Day of Judgement. Different interpretations exist, however:

• Preterist View: This viewpoint holds that the events of Revelation were fulfilled in the past, likely in the first century, symbolizing the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D.
• Historicist View: Supporters of this interpretation believe Revelation outlines a broad span of history from John’s time to the second coming of Christ, with the events of each seal representing different historical periods.
• Futurist View: This perspective sees the sixth seal as a future, literal event during the “tribulation period” before the second coming of Christ.
• Idealist/Symbolic View: This approach interprets the imagery symbolically, reflecting the ongoing struggle between good and evil throughout history, rather than specific events in time.

Practical Applications

Modern readers might consider the message of Revelation 6:12 as a call to remain steadfast in the face of upheaval and a reminder of the transient nature of worldly power. It can inspire believers to maintain their faith during turbulent times and serve as a prompt to evaluate their lives in light of eternal perspectives rather than the immediate and often chaotic present.

Cross-References

• Matthew 24:29 – “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:”
• Isaiah 13:10 – “For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.”
• Joel 2:31 – “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.”

Language Study

• Earthquake: The Greek word used here is “seismos,” which can refer to any shaking or stirring, often used for both literal earthquakes and metaphorically for disruptions.
• Sun became black: The imagery of the sun becoming “black as sackcloth of hair” uses the Greek “melas” for black, and “sakkos,” a coarse cloth made from goat’s hair, symbolizing mourning or lamentation.
• Moon became as blood: The Greek “haima” translates to blood, and the phrase suggests a moon that appears red, which can happen during a lunar eclipse. Symbolically, a “blood moon” can represent omens or significant turning points.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Similar motifs of cosmic upheaval can be found in other ancient religious and mythological narratives. For example, in Norse mythology, the events of Ragnarok include the darkening of the sun and the upheaval of the earth. In many cultures, eclipses and celestial phenomena have been regarded as omens or portents, indicating divine displeasure or signifying significant change.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific viewpoint, a “blood moon” is explainable as a lunar eclipse, where the moon passes into the shadow of the Earth, causing it to take on a reddish hue. The sun appearing black could be seen as a reference to a solar eclipse. While these are natural events that occur with some predictability, their inclusion in the passage likely has symbolic meaning rather than being intended as a scientific prediction.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer varying interpretations of Revelation 6:12. Some contend that the vivid imagery is meant to evoke emotion and illustrate the moral and spiritual climate of an era rather than to provide a literal prediction. Others argue for a historical or future literalism, suggesting that the events will manifest in real-world phenomena. The majority view is that regardless of the literal or symbolic nature of the events, the passage serves as a stern warning about the consequences of turning away from God and a message of hope for redemption and justice.