Revelation Ch.6
King James Bible
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?
King James Bible's Revelation Ch.6
Introduction
Revelation Chapter 6 stands as one of the most vivid and dramatic passages in the New Testament. It describes the opening of six of the seven seals on a scroll, each unleashing apocalyptic events upon the earth. This chapter is rich in symbolism, apocalyptic imagery, and theological significance. This analysis will explore the literary aspects of Revelation 6, examining its structure, imagery, themes, and overall impact as a work of apocalyptic literature.
Structure and Form
Revelation 6 is structured around the opening of six seals, with each seal unveiling a new vision or event. The chapter can be divided into four main sections:
- Verses 1-8: The Four Horsemen (first four seals)
- Verses 9-11: The Martyrs (fifth seal)
- Verses 12-14: Cosmic Disturbances (sixth seal, part 1)
- Verses 15-17: Human Response to Divine Judgment (sixth seal, part 2)
This structure creates a sense of mounting tension and escalating consequences as each seal is opened. The repetition of the phrase "Come and see" (or simply "Come" in some translations) at the opening of the first four seals creates a rhythmic quality and a sense of anticipation.
The chapter employs a mix of narrative and visionary elements, characteristic of apocalyptic literature. The repeated use of "And I saw" or "And I beheld" emphasizes the visionary nature of the text and places the reader in the position of the narrator, John.
Imagery and Symbolism
Revelation 6 is replete with powerful and often enigmatic imagery:
- The Four Horsemen (verses 1-8)
- White Horse: Often interpreted as conquest or false peace
- Red Horse: Clearly representing war and bloodshed
- Black Horse: Symbolizing famine and economic hardship
- Pale Horse: Explicitly named as Death, accompanied by Hades
- The Altar and Martyrs (verses 9-11)
- Souls under the altar: Representing martyrs who have died for their faith
- White robes: Symbolizing purity and victory
- Cosmic Disturbances (verses 12-14)
- Earthquake: Representing divine judgment and the shaking of earthly powers
- Blackened sun and blood-red moon: Symbolizing cosmic disorder
- Falling stars: Possibly representing the fall of earthly or heavenly powers
- Sky rolling up like a scroll: Suggesting the dissolution of the known order
- Human Response (verses 15-17)
- People hiding in caves: Representing futile attempts to escape divine judgment
- Wrath of the Lamb: A paradoxical image combining gentleness and judgment
The vivid and often terrifying nature of these images contributes to the chapter's emotional impact and memorability.
Language and Style
The language of Revelation 6 is characterized by its vivid imagery and dramatic declarations. The repeated use of "And I saw" or "And I beheld" creates a sense of immediate witnessing, drawing the reader into the visionary experience.
The King James Version's archaic language lends the text a sense of otherworldliness and gravitas, appropriate to its apocalyptic content. The use of symbolic numbers (four horsemen, fourth part of the earth, sixth seal) is characteristic of apocalyptic literature.
The chapter employs several literary devices:
- Symbolism: Extensively used throughout, with colors, objects, and figures representing larger concepts
- Paradox: Particularly in the image of the wrathful Lamb
- Hyperbole: In descriptions like stars falling to earth and mountains moving
- Anthropomorphism: Giving human qualities to abstract concepts like Death and Hades
These devices work together to create a text that is visually striking, emotionally charged, and rich in interpretive possibilities.
Thematic Analysis
Several key themes emerge in Revelation 6:
- Divine Judgment: The central theme of the chapter, with each seal unveiling a new aspect of judgment on the earth.
- Martyrdom and Vindication: The fifth seal focuses on the cry of martyrs for justice, introducing themes of perseverance and ultimate vindication.
- Cosmic Upheaval: The sixth seal describes a total disruption of the natural order, emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of divine judgment.
- Human Powerlessness: The response of people from all social strata highlights the ultimate equalizing effect of divine judgment.
- The Sovereignty of God: Despite the chaotic events described, there's an underlying sense that everything unfolds according to divine plan.
- Anticipation and Delay: The structure of the seven seals (with the seventh not yet opened) creates a sense of building tension and anticipation.
These themes interweave to create a complex picture of end-time events, divine justice, and human destiny.
Theological Implications
Revelation 6 raises significant theological questions and has been the subject of varied interpretations throughout Christian history:
- The nature of divine judgment and its relationship to human history
- The role of martyrdom in God's plan and the cry for justice from the faithful
- The relationship between earthly events and cosmic, spiritual realities
- The tension between God's love (symbolized by the Lamb) and divine wrath
- Eschatological expectations and the nature of end-time events
Different theological traditions have interpreted these events literally, symbolically, or as a mix of both, leading to diverse eschatological views.
Literary and Historical Context
Revelation 6 draws heavily on Old Testament prophetic literature, particularly the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. The four horsemen, for instance, have parallels in Zechariah 6. The cosmic disturbances described echo prophetic descriptions of the "Day of the Lord" in books like Joel and Isaiah.
The chapter also reflects elements of first-century apocalyptic literature, a genre popular in Jewish and early Christian circles. This genre typically used vivid symbolism to convey messages of judgment and hope in times of persecution or distress.
Impact and Interpretation
Revelation 6 has had a profound impact on Christian thought, art, and culture:
- In theology, it has influenced various eschatological views and understandings of divine judgment.
- In art, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse have been a popular subject for centuries, inspiring works by artists like Albrecht Dürer and Viktor Vasnetsov.
- In literature, its imagery has influenced numerous works, from Dante's "Divine Comedy" to modern apocalyptic fiction.
- In popular culture, references to the Four Horsemen and other images from this chapter are common, often detached from their original context.
The chapter's vivid imagery and dramatic narrative have made it one of the most memorable and frequently discussed portions of the Book of Revelation.
Conclusion
Revelation Chapter 6 stands as a powerful example of apocalyptic literature, combining striking imagery, complex symbolism, and profound theological themes. Its structure, building from the Four Horsemen to cosmic upheaval, creates a narrative of escalating judgment that has captured the imagination of readers for centuries.
The chapter's literary craftsmanship is evident in its use of repetition, vivid symbolism, and dramatic pacing. Its imagery, while often enigmatic, creates a visceral sense of cosmic significance and divine power.
Ultimately, the power of Revelation 6 lies in its ability to convey transcendent concepts through concrete, if symbolic, images. Whether interpreted literally or figuratively, the chapter presents a vision of divine sovereignty, human accountability, and cosmic upheaval that continues to provoke thought, inspire art, and shape theological reflection.