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Revelation 6

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

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;

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.

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

What does Revelation 6:15 mean?

Explanation

Revelation 6:15 describes a scene from the opening of the sixth of seven seals in the Book of Revelation, where individuals from various social statuses, kings, great men, rich men, chief captains, mighty men, bondmen (slaves), and free men, seek refuge from the wrath of God by hiding in the mountains and caves.

The literal meaning of the verse conveys a collective fear and attempt to escape an impending divine judgment.

The deeper meaning suggests that, in the face of divine judgment, social hierarchies dissolve, and all are equal in their vulnerability and accountability to God.

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Historical Context

The Book of Revelation is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle and is believed to have been written towards the end of the 1st century AD, a time of persecution for many early Christians.

The historical context is essential because the imagery and language of Revelation often reflect the struggles, hopes, and resilience of a community facing oppression and the expectation of a deliverance by God.

Revelation 6:15, along with other visions in the book, is apocalyptic in nature, depicting the intervention of the divine in human history to bring about an end to evil and suffering.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse has been interpreted differently across Christian denominations and theological frameworks.

For premillennialists, it is a prophetic account of the literal end times and God's judgment.

For amillennialists, it reflects the ongoing spiritual struggle between good and evil.

Postmillennialists might see it as a symbolic description of societal transformation through Christianization.

Universally, it emphasizes the powerlessness of human status in the face of God's sovereignty.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse can serve as a reminder of the transient nature of power, wealth, and social status.

It suggests that individuals should strive for humility, recognizing that, regardless of earthly rank or possessions, everyone is equal before God. It also calls to mind themes of accountability and the need for spiritual preparation rather than seeking false security in worldly structures.

Cross-References

Revelation 6:16-17 - "And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:"
Isaiah 2:19 - "And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth."
Luke 23:30 - "Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, words such as "kings" (βασιλεῖς, basileis) highlight the highest social status, while "bondman" (δοῦλος, doulos) and "free man" (ἐλεύθερος, eleutheros) encapsulate the full spectrum of social rankings.

The verb "hid" (ἔκρυψαν, ekrupsan) implies an overt action to conceal oneself, an attempt to escape the perceived danger or wrath.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, the theme of divine wrath and human response is not unique to Christianity.

Similar motifs can be found in ancient myths, such as the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, where humans seek to escape the flood sent by the gods.

In Greco-Roman mythology, there are stories of humans turning to caves and natural formations to hide from the deities' anger.

Scientific Perspectives

While the events described are of a supernatural context, the human behavior of seeking shelter in the face of danger has parallels in evolutionary biology, where fear-induced responses include fleeing and hiding.

From a geophysical standpoint, caves and mountains have indeed served as refuges throughout human history during natural disasters.

Commentaries

Scholars and experts offer a variety of interpretations.

Some, taking a dispensationalist view, argue that these events are to be expected in a future tribulation period. Others, viewing the text allegorically, consider it a representation of spiritual truths rather than a prediction of literal events.

Many agree, however, that Revelation uses dramatic imagery to convey messages of hope, warning, and the ultimate triumph of God's justice.

Revelation 6

Revelation 6

What does Revelation 6:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Revelation Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

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What does Revelation 6:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Revelation Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

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