What does Revelation 6:13 mean?

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. Revelation 6:13

Explanation

Revelation 6:13 depicts a vivid and symbolic event as part of the opening of the sixth seal by Jesus Christ in a vision revealed to John the Apostle. The verse describes a cataclysmic celestial event where the stars of heaven fall to the earth. This image is akin to a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when violently shaken by a strong wind. The falling of the stars is not to be understood literally, as stars are much larger than the earth, but rather symbolically, representing a shaking of the existing heavenly order. The event is often interpreted as a signal of God’s impending judgment and the upheaval of established powers or authorities.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse of John, was likely written toward the end of the 1st century A.D. during a time when Christians were facing persecution under Roman rule. The authorship has traditionally been attributed to John the Apostle, although this is subject to debate among scholars. The apocalyptic genre was a form of literature familiar to Jewish and Christian communities and served as a coded language to communicate hope and perseverance amidst dire circumstances. The imagery used in this verse reflects the cosmic disturbances often associated with significant changes or the end of an era as understood by people in the ancient world.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse is rich with eschatological meaning, referring to events of the end times:

• Futurist View: Many Futurists believe this verse points to literal astronomical events that precede Christ’s return.

• Preterist View: Preterists argue that the verse symbolizes the fall of political and spiritual authorities, such as the judgment on Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.

• Historicist View: Historians often interpret this verse as indicating the fall of rulers, governments, or ecclesiastical powers throughout history.

• Idealist or Symbolic View: Idealists view the imagery as representing the ongoing conflict between good and evil and the ultimate victory of God.

Practical Applications

Despite its apocalyptic tone, this verse offers several practical applications for modern readers:

• Hope in Trials: It reminds believers that cosmic and societal upheavals are within God’s control and foresight.

• Call for Readiness: It serves as a call to be spiritually ready for times of testing and God’s eventual judgment.

• Perspective on Change: It encourages individuals to maintain perspective during times of dramatic change, trusting in Divine sovereignty.

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 34:4: “And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.”

• Daniel 8:10: “And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.”

Language Study

The phrase “stars of heaven” (Greek: “asteres tou ouranou”) can refer to celestial bodies but often symbolizes angelic beings or powers. The word “fell” (Greek: “epesen”) is translated from a term that indicates descending from a higher place to a lower. “Earth” (Greek: “ges”) can signify the physical ground or the world at large. The comparison to “a fig tree casteth her untimely figs” uses the word “olunthos,” referring to unripe or immature figs that are not securely attached to the tree, making them susceptible to being dislodged easily. The severity of the shaking caused by a “mighty wind” (Greek: “megas anemos”) connotes a force that disrupts and changes the existing order.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This apocalyptic imagery has parallels in other cultures and religions:

• Ancient Near East: Many ancient cultures saw celestial events as omens, connected to the fate of rulers and empires.

• Roman Mythology: The Romans would interpret comets and other heavenly phenomena as signs of significant births or deaths among the ruling class.

• Judaism: Jewish apocalyptic texts like Daniel also contain imagery of stars being cast down, symbolizing the fall of powerful entities.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific standpoint, the literal falling of stars (massive celestial bodies such as suns) onto the Earth is an impossibility due to the vast differences in scale and the destructive consequences that would follow. Instead, such language might be metaphorically aligned with astronomical events like meteor showers, which to ancient observers could appear like stars falling from the sky.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians provide various interpretations of this verse:

• John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible: Gill suggested that the stars falling symbolize the subversion of the Pagan Roman empire’s governors and generals during Christian times.

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary: Henry views this as a prophetic representation of God shaking the powers of heaven, meaning the political and ecclesiastical authorities.

• The MacArthur Study Bible: John MacArthur identifies the falling of stars as symbolic of the collapse of earthly dignitaries from power, signifying God’s direct intervention in human affairs.

Each commentator highlights the symbolism inherent in the apocalyptic language and agrees on the overarching theme of God’s sovereignty in the upheaval of established orders, though they differ on the specifics of historical fulfillment.