Revelation Chapters 5 & 6
Bible used unless otherwise stated: Darby
Chp 5
Verse
1-4. While sitting on his throne, God has a scroll in his right hand. It is tightly shut by the highest security possible, seven seals. No one seemed to have the authority to open it, and John wept because he knew it impacted him.
5,6. Now the Lion of Judah, the Sprout of David, the Root Jesus Christ comes to open this scroll. He is the Lamb, the greater passover lamb, who already has been sacrificed. He is standing among his elders, ancients, his Saints.
He has
seven horns indicating his complete royal authority over all the earth. This interpretation is what the book of Daniel provides for the horns. (Daniel 7:24, 8:20)
Daniel 8:20, The ram that thou sawest having the two horns: they are the kings of Media and Persia.
7,8. Because he is worthy, he takes the scroll and opens it. As he does, the cherubim and the Saints, the twenty four elders fall down before the lamb.
Their harps perhaps refer to their praise of mouth, their witnessing work they had, music to God's ears. Their prayers are portrayed as incense or fragrant golden bowls.
9,10. Christ blood has bought from every tribe and national group, individuals to become Saints, who shall reign over the earth and become kings and priests with Christ.
11. A break occurs and we are given the number of angels present: 10000 x10000 + 1000 x1000 – indeed a great number.
12. All creatures in heaven and on earth, even in the waters give glory to God and his Christ.
This chapter twice distinguishes between God and Christ. There is no confusion about Christ being God the Almighty, because he isn't.
Chp 6
Commentary: This chapter contains much information. Because of what is shown, several difficult issues exist. If I fail to answer one of your questions, ask me, what I know shall be given freely.
One Possible Interpretation of 5&6
It is evident that Christ receives the royal crown. What is obscure is the timing of this event. From these chapters and the following it seems as if this conincides with Christ's invisible presence. Thus it would be fulfilling Ps 110:1,2
A Psalm of David. Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2Jehovah will send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies
Chapter 5&6 then is seen to encompass many tribulations.
A word of warning: The Great Tribulation in Matthew chapter 24 does not include Armageddon while then one in chapter six does. This is apparent from chapter 7:14 where the Great Crowd is seen exiting the Great Tribulation into Paradise, God's kingdom. The proof then is that the term Great Tribulation is used in two ways selectively.
Verse
1. The Lamb opens the
first seal.
2. This reveals a white horse. Its rider has a bow and a crown is given him. From this moment then Christ has become king. Immediately, he rides off to conquest.
3,4. Seal Two: A red horse follows Christ's ride of conquest. This means that peace is taken away from the earth. It's rider has a great sword readied for much slaughter.
5,6. Seal Three: A black horse who brings food shortage and hunger rides out. Thus world wide war brings a halt to the usual harvesting of food and to its normal distribution. Food prices go up drastically.
7.
Fourth Seal:
8. Death's horse rides out followed closely by Hades. As if the above is not enough to tell us that a lot of death comes to the earth, this most certainly underscores this fact. After war, hunger, and pestilence - a great deal of death shall occur. A fourth of humanity are destined to die by their efforts.
9.
Fifth Seal:
10. The slain Saints under the altar are shown as if impatient for their vengeance and judgment of the world.
11. They are told to wait until their full number is gathered.
12. Sixth Seal: A great earthquake occurs and the sun and the moon are greatly affected. Even the stars fall down it says. (See this link: )
Such a passage is difficult, but starting with the stars: in Job 38:7 the angels are called the morning stars. In a later chapter of Revelation the demons, angels gone bad, are thrown down to earth. This would perhaps be the explanation here.
The sun and the moon are our largest luminaries. The sun black as in a sackcloth means no light with the moon's light greatly reduced also.
In Ezekiel chapter 32 Pharaoh is addressed, but in reality it is Satan the Devil that is. God then (v.7,8) assures that darkness shall come on the land. Clearly, the world at the moment is in a great spiritual darkness. The terror coming upon the land everywhere all the time, reminds us of the Bible's telling us that (Luke 1:25-28) confusion and perplexity that comes upon men. Such confusion is similar to the confusion of the blind. Thus the above could easily be accepted as such spiritual darkness, profound blackness of the sun.
Ezekiel 32:7 And I will veil the heavens when you are extinguished, and will darken the stars thereof; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light. 8All the bodies that give light in the sky shall be darkened over you, and I will bring darkness upon the earth, says the Lord God.
Luke 21:25-28 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves; 26Men withering away for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved; 27And then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with great power and majesty. 28But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand. (DRC)
The earthquake is the same one mentioned by Ezekiel and Joel. What is interesting is that these both have to to with the final judgment day, Armageddon. Thus this chapter six must also be that.
Ezekiel 38:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, in the day when Gog shall come against the Land of Israel, says the Lord God, 19that My wrath and My jealousy shall arise, I have spoken in the fire of My anger, verily in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; (AB)
Joel 3:14Noises have resounded in the valley of judgment: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of judgment. 15The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their light. 16And the Lord shall cry out of Zion, and shall utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heaven and the earth shall be shaken, but the Lord shall spare His people, and shall strengthen the children of Israel. (AB)
13-15: The last days are upon the earth. The description fits Armageddon.
