Tag: Seven Last Plagues

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The sixth seal describes the seven last plagues and Christ’s return.

SUMMARY

Overview of the sixth seal.

As discussed, Revelation 5 describes what happens in heaven after Jesus’ ascension. That includes receiving a book that was sealed up with seven seals (Rev 5:1, 7). He breaks the seals over the church age. Each time that He breaks a seal, something happens on Earth.

The sixth seal has two parts. The first is the natural catastrophes (Rev 6:12-14) that are the signs of His return (Matt 24:29-30). The second is the response of the people who refused to repent (Rev 6:15-17). They hide in the mountains and cry out:

“The great day of their wrath has come,
and who is able to stand?”

After an interruption, describing the sealing of God’s end-time people (the 144000 – Rev 7:1-8), the sixth seal continues in Rev 7:9 with a description of the people who are “able to stand.” In other words, the sixth seal divides the people of the world between two great multitudes; those who hide and those who stand before Him. 

The sixth seal is not literal.

Literally interpreted, in the sixth seal, everything in heaven and on earth disintegrates. But we should not interpret these things literally because, even after the stars have fallen on the earth, and all mountains have been moved out of their places, the unrepentant are still alive and able to hide in the mountains. These are symbols of great upheaval on earth, which may, of course, include natural catastrophes.

Overview of the End-Time Events

Revelation 13 describes the end-time persecution of God’s people. The image of the beast attempts to force all people to receive the mark of the beast. Revelation 14 shows the response of God’s people; the 144,000. They refuse the mark of the beast and receive “the seal of the living God” (Rev 7:2). The end-time persecution ends in 14:13 and goes over to the return of Christ (Rev 14:14-20).

The seven last plagues in the next chapter (Rev 16) jump back in time to before Christ’s return for they describe the people with the mark of the beast as still refusing to repent. As discussed, these plagues begin to fall when all people have been marked either with the mark of the beast or the seal of God.

In the sixth plague, demon spirits gather the kings of the world together at Armageddon for “the war of the great day of God” (Rev 16:14, 16). This is not the war itself but the preparation for the war.

The seventh and final plague is the destruction of Babylon (Rev 16:19). After Revelation 17 and 18 had interrupted the seventh plague, that plague continues in Revelation 19 with “a great multitude in heaven” praising God for Babylon’s destruction (Rev 19:1-2).

Revelation 19 ends with Christ’s return (Rev 19:11-20:6). The seventh plague, therefore, is followed by or continues into Christ’s return. In summary, Revelation 13 to 19 represents the end-time events as consisting of three broad phases:

      1. The end-time persecution (Rev 13-14),
      2. The seven last plagues (Rev 16), and
      3. Christ returns (Rev 14:14-20; 19:11-20:6).

The Sixth Seal is Christ’s Return.

So, where does the sixth seal fit in this sequence of events?

1) Is later than the Seven Last Plagues.

The sixth seal is later than the sixth plague. Both refer to “the great day” but, while the sixth plague is the PREPARATION for “the war of the great day” (Rev 16:14), in the sixth seal, that “great day … has (ALREADY) come” (Rev 6:17).

The sixth seal is also later than the seventh plague. While, in the seventh plague, the people still refuse to repent (Rev 16:21; cf. Rev 16:9, 11), in the sixth seal they hide in the mountains from “the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev 6:15-17).

2) Separates the Living from the Dead.

As discussed above, the sixth seal divides the people of the world between the living and the dead:

      • Those who refused to repent hide from Him (Rev 6:17) and
      • The innumerable multitude stands before Him (Rev 7:9). 

This is what Jesus said He will do when He returns, “as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matt 25:31-32).

3) Is equivalent to Matthew 24:29-30.

Matthew 24:29-30 bears a striking resemblance to the two parts of the sixth seal. While verse 29 is parallel to the first part of the sixth seal, describing the signs in the sun, moon, stars, and heavens, verse 30 is parallel to the second part because it describes the response of “all the tribes of the earth” as mourning. Verse 30 explicitly states that they will mourn when they “see the Son of man coming” (cf. Luke 21:25-28; Mark 13).

4) Is the Day of the Lord.

The many similarities between the sixth seal and the Old Testament Day of the Lord identify the sixth seal as that great day. For example, both include:

      • The darkening of the sun, moon, and stars (Isaiah 13:10; Zeph 1:15; Joel 2:1-2, 31; 3:14-15);
      • A huge earthquake (Isaiah 13:13);
      • People hiding “in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains” (Rev 6:15-16; Isa 2:19).

So, the sixth seal is the Old Testament Day of the Lord but, in the New Testament, that day becomes Christ’s return (e.g., 1 Thess 4:15-17; 5:2).

5) Is “the great day.”

Since the seventh plague continues in Revelation 19 and since all ‘sinners’ are dead by the end of that chapter (Rev 19:21), the sixth seal must describe an event somewhere in Revelation 19. Beginning in Revelation 19:11, that chapter describes Christ’s return. As part of that, John saw:

“The kings of the earth and their armies assembled
to make war against Him who sat on the horse” (Rev 19:19).

For the following reasons, this (19:19) and the multitude hiding in the mountains in the sixth seal (Rev 6:15-17) describe the same event and the same people:

Both describe all the people of the world as gathered.

Both are “the great day.” In the sixth seal, the people are hiding because “the great day of their wrath has come” (Rev 6:17). The only other place in Revelation where we find the “great day” mentioned is in the sixth plague, where demons gather together “the kings of the whole world” to prepare them for “the war of the great day.” (Rev 16:14, 16) Since 19:19 describes the kings of the earth and their armies as gathered together “to make war,” that is the “great day” for which the demons gathered the kings (Rev 16:14) and which “has come” in the sixth seal.

The sixth seal, therefore, is Christ’s return, when He separates the Living from the Dead. It follows after the seven last plagues. It is the Old Testament the Day of the Lord.

The First Part is the Seven Last Plagues.

So, the sixth seal describes a moment during Christ’s return when the people who refused to repent realize that there is no escape (Rev 19:17-19). However, as discussed, the sixth seal consists of two parts. For the following reasons, the first part is the seven last plagues that precede Christ’s return:

Firstly, since the second part of the seal is the response of unrepentant humanity to the massive natural catastrophes in the first part, the two parts describe different events.

Secondly, both the natural catastrophes and the seven last plagues are the revenge promised to the souls in the fifth seal (Rev 6:10-11):

The natural catastrophes in the first part of the sixth seal (Rev 6:12-14) are that promised revenge because they follow immediately after the fifth seal.

However, according to Revelation 19:2, God will fulfill that promise of revenge through the judgment on Babylon, and that judgment is the seventh plague (Rev 16:19). Furthermore, according to Revelation 16:5-6, the third plague is also part of that revenge. Therefore, all seven plagues are that revenge.

Thirdly, both the seventh plague and the natural catastrophes in the sixth seal begin with “a great earthquake” (Rev 6:12; 16:18) and conclude with the destruction of “every mountain and island” (Rev 6:12; 16: 20).

For these reasons, the first part of the sixth seal is the seven last plagues. It follows that the second part is the subsequent return of Christ.

So, what is the Seventh Seal?

The seventh seal is very brief. It is only a single verse and says “there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Rev 8:1). Since it is so brief, the context must explain it. Since the second part of the sixth seal describes a point in time during Christ’s return, when the people realize that they are doomed (Rev 19:17-19), another article interprets the silence of the seventh seal as the extreme sorrow in God’s heart and the hearts of His people when God’s enemies are put to death (Rev 19:20-21).

– END OF SUMMARY –

INTRODUCTION

The Text

6:12 I looked when He broke the sixth seal,

and there was a great earthquake;
and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair,
and the whole moon became like blood;
13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth,
as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.
14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up,
and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

15 Then the kings of the earth and the great men
and the commanders and the rich and the strong
and every slave and free man
hid themselves in the caves and
among the rocks of the mountains;
16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks,

“Fall on us and hide us
from the presence of Him who sits on the throne,
and from the wrath of the Lamb;
17 for the great day of their wrath has come,
and who is able to stand?”

Purpose of this article

In Revelation 5, Jesus arrives in heaven after His ascension and receives a book that was sealed up with seven seals (Rev 5:1, 7). In Revelation 6, He breaks the first six seals. Each time that He breaks a seal, something happens on earth.

When He broke the sixth seal, there was a huge earthquake and all mountains were moved out of their places (Rev 6:12-14). However, apparently, Christ has already returned because the people of the world were more scared of Him than of this earthquake, for they attempted to hide from Him in the rocks and caves of the mountains (Rev 6:15-17).

The purpose of this article is to explain the sixth seal.

Introduction

The sixth seal is the longest of all the seals. Of the 17 verses in chapter 6, it occupies 6. It consists of two parts, namely:

    • Natural Catastrophes (Rev 6:12-14)
    • Response of the people who live in rebellion against God (Rev 6:15-17)

Part 1: Natural Catastrophes

The first part is the dramatic natural catastrophes of Revelation 6:12-14. When Jesus broke the sixth seal:

      • There was a great earthquake.
        • The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair.
        • The moon became like blood.
        • The stars of the sky fell to the earth.
        • The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up.
      • Every mountain and island was moved out of their places.

That the sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up suggests that the sky rips apart at the zenith (top) and rolls up in both directions.

One Single Event

These natural disasters begin with “a great earthquake” and end with “every mountain and island were moved out of their places.” Some see two different earthquakes in the text and, therefore, propose that these verses describe a series of events rather than a single event. But perhaps the more natural reading of the text is that the mountains move out of their places as a result of the preceding events, which would mean that verses 12-14 describe a single event.

Signs of Christ’s return

Between these two references to the earthquake, there are signs in the sun, moon, and stars. These signs seem to be the signs of Christ’s return, for Jesus gave the following sequence of events immediately preceding His return:

      • There will be a great tribulation as never before (Matt 24:21, 29). Then:
        • The sun will be darkened.
        • The moon will not give its light.
        • The stars will fall from the sky.
        • The heavens will be shaken. (Matt 24:29)
      • Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky (Matt 24:30).

Part 2: The Living and the Dead

The second part of the sixth seal begins with the response of the people who live in rebellion against God. They will attempt to hide in the caves and in the mountains and say to the mountains and to the rocks to fall on them and hide them:

“From the presence of
Him who sits on the throne,
and from the wrath of the Lamb.”

Then they ask:

“The great day of their wrath has come,
and who is able to stand?” (Rev 6:15-17)

“To stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36) refers to His return. Those who “keep on the alert at all times” will be able to stand (Luke 21:36). They will “have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming” (1 John 2:28).

The response of the hiding multitude is followed by the sealing of God’s end-time people (the 144000 – Rev 7:1-8). However, this sealing should precede the worldwide turmoil described by the sixth seal. One often finds in Revelation that the sequence of events is interrupted to provide a bit of background information as context.

The sealing is followed by a description of “a great multitude which no one could count … standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Rev 7:9). Since this is the answer to the question of the hiding multitude (Rev 6:17), it is proposed that:

1) The multitude hiding in the mountains and the innumerable multitude standing before the throne describe the same point in time.

2) In other words, this description of the innumerable multitude is part of the sixth seal and the sixth seal describes the people of the world divided into these two great multitudes:

        • Those hiding from Him (Rev 6:17) and
        • The innumerable multitude standing before Him (Rev 7:9). 

(For a further discussion, see, Who is the innumerable multitude?)

Him who sits on the throne

They hide from both “Him who sits on the throne” and from the wrath of the Lamb (Rev 6:15-17):

“Him who sits on the throne” (Rev 6:16) refers to the Father. For example, the entire creation gives glory “to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Rev 5:13)

“The Lamb” is Jesus Christ. He appears as the loving Ruler of the universe, but for people who have cursed God all their lives, His appearance is pure torment.

In the sixth seal, the multitude in the mountains attempts to hide from the Father’s “presence.” The Scriptures, elsewhere, do not say that the Father will accompany Christ when He returns. Perhaps we must understand this as that “the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father” (Matt 16:27), for the Father cannot be seen. For example:

Christ “is the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15).

“The King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God” (1 Tim 1:17)

“Who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see” (1 Tim 6:16).

The Wrath of the Lamb

The concept of the “wrath of the Lamb” (Rev 6:16) is certainly paradoxical. The third angel later similarly warns that people who accept the mark of the beast “will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence … of the Lamb” (Rev 14:10). We should not think that Jesus will become cruel. He will always love every one of God’s creatures (Rev 4:10-11). We need to find an explanation for these symbols that retain the principle that God is love. For a discussion, see – The smoke of their torment goes up forever (Rev 14:9-11).

Not Literal

Literally interpreted, in the sixth seal, everything in heaven and on earth is destroyed. A “great earthquake” moves every island and mountain out of their places. The word “every” appears 3 times in this seal, indicating the worldwide nature of this cataclysm.

But we should not interpret these things literally. For example, even after the stars have fallen on the earth, and all mountains have been moved out of their places, the rebellious people are still alive and able to hide in the mountains.

In other words, it is not a real earthquake and the sun is not literally darkened. These are all symbols. The great earthquake, moving the mountains and islands out of their places symbolizes some great upheaval on earth, which may include some natural catastrophes, such as an acceleration of climate change.

Old Testament Allusions

This seal alludes to a huge number of Old Testament verses, but we should not assume that these words and phrases retain the same meaning in Revelation. Revelation often alludes to Old Testament passages but changes the meaning. For example:

In Revelation 17, the waters of Babylon become a symbol for the peoples of the world (Rev 17:15).

The ten horns of the fourth beast in Daniel 7 are not the same as the ten horns of the beast in Revelation. Actually, in Daniel 7, there are 11 horns; as discussed, the 11th horn is the beast in Revelation, which has 10 horns.

Hosea 10:8 predicted that the idolaters of Samaria would one day “say to the mountains, ‘Cover us,’ and to the hills, ‘Fall on us.” As shown below, the sixth seal applies this language to the Second Coming.

OVERVIEW OF THE END-TIME EVENTS

The purpose of the next section is to show where the sixth and seventh seals fit in the end-time events as described elsewhere in the book of Revelation. The first half of Revelation emphasizes the entire church age, with references to the end-time events at the end of the seals and at the end of the trumpets. For example, at the end of the trumpets:

“The kingdom of the world has become
the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” (Rev 11:15).

“We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty …
because You have taken Your great power
and have begun to reign” (Rev 11:17).

In contrast, the emphasis of the last 11 chapters of Revelation is on the end-time events. For that reason, this section provides an overview of the events in Revelation 13 to 20:

End-Time Persecution

The end-time persecution is described in Revelation 13. The false prophet will convince the people of the world to make an image of the beast (Rev 13:14). In other words, an end-time replica will be created of the evil system that is symbolized by the beast in Revelation and by the eleventh horn of Daniel 7.

This image will persecute God’s people. It will attempt to force all people, with threats of violence, to receive the mark of the beast “on their right hand or on their forehead” (Rev 13:15-17). This “image,” therefore, symbolizes authority of religious organizations over civil authorities in the end-time. The harlot woman sitting on a beast (Rev 17:3-5) symbolizes the same principle but during the entire church age (during all seven heads).

But God’s people, symbolized as 144,000, will refuse. In place of the mark of the beast, “on their foreheads” (Rev 7:3), they will receive “the seal of the living God” (Rev 7:2), which is “His name (Jesus’ name) and the name of His Father written on their foreheads” (Rev 14:1). While the mark of the beast “on their right hand or on their forehead” (Rev 13:16) symbolize that the followers of the beast DO and/or THINK like the beast, the seal of God on the foreheads symbolize that they will THINK like God.

The description of that end-time persecution ends in 14:13 and goes over to the return of Christ (Rev 14:14-20), when blood will flow “out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred” (Rev 14:20).

The Seven Last Plagues

The seven last plagues, as described in Revelation 16, jump back to the time before Christ’s return because it describes the people with the mark of the beast (Rev 16:2) as still refusing to repent (Rev 16:9, 11, 21). But it does not jump back to the beginning of the church age. It begins by describing “those who had been victorious over the beast and his image” (Rev 15:2). Furthermore, the plagues only fall on “the people who had the mark of the beast” (Rev 16:2). The plagues, therefore, begin to fall at a point in time during the end-time persecution when all people have been marked either with the mark of the beast or the seal of God.

In the sixth plague, demon spirits GATHER the kings of the world together at Armageddon for “the war of the great day of God” (Rev 16:14, 16). This is not the war of Armageddon itself; only the preparation for it.

The seventh and final plague is the destruction of Babylon (Rev 16:19). The seventh plague is interrupted by Revelation 17 and 18 which jump back in time to explain the origin, nature, and the end of Babylon. She is:

      • “The Mother of Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth” (Rev 17:5),
      • “The great city which reigns over the kings of the earth” (Rev 17:18), and
      • The one who kills God’s people (Rev 18:24).

The seventh plague continues in Revelation 19 where “a great multitude in heaven” praises God because “He has judged the great harlot” (Rev 19:1-2; cf. Rev 16:19).

Christ’s Return

Revelation 19 ends with Christ’s return (Rev 19:11-20:6). The seventh plague, therefore, is followed by or continues into the return of Christ.

This means that Christ’s return is described both in chapters 14 and 19. His return is also described at the end of the seven seals and at the end of the seven trumpets (e.g., Rev 11:15-17).

Three Stages

In summary, Revelation 13 to 19 represents the end-time events as consisting of three broad phases:

      1. The end-time persecution (Rev 13-14),
      2. The seven last plagues (Rev 16), and
      3. Christ returns (Rev 14:14-20; 19:11-20:6).

CHRIST’S RETURN.

The Sixth Seal is Christ’s Return.

So, where does the sixth seal fit in this sequence of events?

Later than the seven last plagues.

In both the sixth seal and in the sixth plague, we find the phrase “the great day.” But there is a difference:

In the sixth plague, the people PREPARE for “the war of the great day of God” (Rev 16:14). In other words, the sixth plague describes events PRECEDING that “great day.”

In contrast, in the sixth seal, they hide in the mountains because that “great day … has come” (Rev 6:17).

Therefore, the sixth seal is later than the sixth plague.

During the plagues, the people refuse to repent (Rev 16:9, 11). Even after Babylon (the false religious system) has been judged in the seventh plague (Rev 16:19), the people still refuse to repent (Rev 16:21). But, in the sixth seal, they hide in the mountains from “the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev 6:15-17). It is the cry of those who realize that there is no escape from a dreadful fate (cf. Matt 24:29-30; Rev 1:7, Luke 23:30). Consequently, the sixth seal describes events later than the seventh plague.

Separates the Living from the Dead

Jesus said:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, …
All the nations will be gathered before Him;
and He will separate them from one another,
as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats”
(Matt 25:31-32).

As discussed above, this is what we find in the sixth seal. The people are divided between:

      • Those hiding from Him (Rev 6:17) and
      • The innumerable multitude of God’s people standing before His throne (Rev 7:9).

Therefore, it is proposed that the sixth seal is Christ’s return. This may be confirmed as follows:

Equivalent to Matthew 24:29-30.

Matthew 24:29-30, which is part of Jesus’ Synoptic Apocalypse, bears a striking resemblance to the two parts of the sixth seal. Both the first part of the sixth seal and Matthew 24:29 describe the signs in the heavens:

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will fall from the sky,
and … the heavens will be shaken.”

The second part of the sixth seal, where the multitude hides in the mountains, is parallel to Matthew 24:30 because that verse also describes the response of the people to these signs, namely that they will “mourn.” But that verse explicitly states that that will be when Christ returns

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky,
and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn,
and they will see the Son of man coming
on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory”
(cf. Luke 21:25-28; Mark 13).

This confirms that the sixth seal describes Christ’s return.

Is the Day of the Lord.

This is further confirmed by showing that the sixth seal is the Old Testament Day of the Lord, which becomes Christ’s return in the New Testament:

Many of the Old Testament prophets referred to “the Day of the Lord” (e.g., Isa 13:6; Ezek 13:5; Joel 1:15; Amos 5:18; Obad 1:15). There are also variations of this phrase, such as:

        • “Great day of the Lord” (Zeph 1:14),
        • “Day of the LORD’s wrath” (Zeph 1:18),
        • “Great and terrible day of the LORD” (Mal 4:5) or simply the
        • “Great day” (Jude 1:6).

Similarities to the Sixth Seal

The many similarities with the sixth seal identify the sixth seal as that Day of the Lord. Consider, for example, Isaiah 13:9-13, which I summarized as follows:

The day of the LORD is coming.
The LORD will exterminate sinners from the land.
The stars of heaven will not flash forth their light.
The sun will be dark.
The moon will not shed its light.
I will punish the world for its evil.
The heavens will tremble.
The earth will be shaken from its place.
At the fury of the LORD of hosts
In the day of His burning anger.

In these verses, similar to the sixth seal, we find:

      • Signs in the sun, moon, and stars,
      • A huge earthquake, and
      • “The fury of the LORD of hosts in the day of His burning anger” (Isa 13:13) becomes the “wrath of the Lamb” in the sixth seal (Rev 6:17).

Other examples of similarities between the sixth seal and the Old Testament Day of the Lord include the following:

Similar to “the great day of their wrath” in the sixth seal (Rev 6:17), Zephaniah refers to “the day of the LORD” as “the great day … of the LORD’S wrath” (Zeph 1:14, 18; 2:2).

Similar to the darkening of the sun and moon in the sixth seal:

Zephaniah describes it as “a day of … thick darkness” (Zeph 1:15).

Joel describes it as “a day of darkness and gloom” (Joel 2:1-2). “The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes” (Joel 2:31). “The day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon grow dark And the stars lose their brightness” (Joel 3:14-15).

See also Ezekiel 32:7-8; 38:19-20; Jeremiah 4:23-27; Amos 8:9-10; Nahum 3:12 and Micah 3:6.

In both the sixth seal (Rev 6:14) and Isaiah 34:4, “the sky will be rolled up like a scroll.”

Similar to the people who ask, “who can stand” (Rev 6:17), Joel asks: “The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, and who can endure it” (Joel 2:11)?

Similar to the people hiding in the mountains in the sixth seal (Rev 6:15-16), “men will go into caves of the rocks and into holes of the ground before the terror of the LORD” (Isa 2:19).

These similarities between the sixth seal and the Old Testament Day of the Lord mean that the sixth seal is that “great day.”

Day of Judgment

One aspect of the Old Testament Day of the Lord, which is not explicitly clear from the sixth seal, but implied, is that it is a day of judgment on sinners. For example:

“The day of the LORD … will bring distress on men …
because they have sinned against the LORD”
(Zeph 1:14, 17).

“The day of the LORD draws near …
As you have done, it will be done to you” (Obad 1:15).

“The day of the LORD is near … I will punish on that day all who … fill the house of their lord with violence and deceit” (Zeph 1:7-9).

“The day of the LORD is coming … with fury and burning anger, To make the land a desolation; And He will exterminate its sinners from it” (Isa 1:9).

“I will bring distress on men … because they have sinned against the LORD.” “He will make a complete end … of all the inhabitants of the earth.” (Zephaniah 1:17-18)

Since the sixth seal is the Old Testament Day of the Lord, we are able to read these statements into the sixth seal. In other words, the people hiding in the mountains in the sixth seal are sinners and they will soon be exterminated.

The Day of the Lord is Christ’s Return.

In the New Testament, the Day of the Lord becomes Christ’s return. For example:

(a) Paul explained that, at “the coming of the Lord,” when He “will descend from heaven with a shout,” “the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” He added that “the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night” (1 Thess 4:15-17; 5:2). By implication, the three instances of “the Lord” in these quotes refer to the same Person (Jesus Christ) and “the day of the Lord” is “the coming of the Lord.”

(b) We see the same in the following:

“Now we request you, brethren,
with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
and our gathering together to Him,
that you not be quickly … be disturbed … by …
a message … as if from us,
to the effect that the day of the Lord has come” (2 Thess 2:1-2)

(c) Still, in other places, Paul describes that day of judgments as follows:

“Jesus Christ … will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:7-8),

“I have decided to deliver such a one … for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor 5:5)

“He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:6, 10).

1 John 4:17 says that “we may have confidence in the day of judgment” but 1 John 2:28 states that, “when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” These two statements are linked by the phrase “we may have confidence,” implying that “His coming” is “the day of judgment.”

Consequently, the sixth seal is the Day of the Lord, and the Day of the Lord is Christ’s return.

Is “the great day.”

Literally interpreted, the massive destruction in the sixth seal (Rev 6:12-14) is the end of all things. A “great earthquake” moves every island and mountain out of their places and the people hide in the mountains and cry for the rocks and mountains to fall on them. But it is not yet the end, for the hiding multitude is still alive. When Christ returns, the hiding multitude will be put to death:

“The rest were killed
with the sword which came
from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse”
(Rev 19:21; cf. Rev 19:19-20; 14:19-20).

Since the seventh plague continues in Revelation 19 and since all ‘sinners’ are killed by the end of that chapter, the sixth seal must describe an event somewhere in Revelation 19. As from Revelation 19:11, that chapter describes Christ’s return. As part of that, John saw:

“The kings of the earth and their armies assembled
to make war against Him who sat on the horse” (Rev 19:19).

For the following reasons, I propose that this (19:19) and the multitude hiding in the mountains in the sixth seal (Rev 6:15-17) describe the same event and the same people:

(a) All People Gathered

Both describe all the people of the world as gathered. Revelation 19:18 describes them as “all men.”

(b) The Great Day

Both are “the great day:”

In the sixth seal, the people are hiding because “the great day of their wrath has come” (Rev 6:17). The only other place in Revelation where we find the phrase “great day” is in the sixth plague, where demons gather “the kings of the whole world” at Armageddon (Rev 16:14, 16) to prepare them for “the war of the great day of God.” The battle of Armageddon, therefore, is that “war of the great day.” The sixth plague is not the “great day” itself; it is only the preparation for that day through the gathering of the kings and their armies.

Since 19:19 describes the kings of the earth and their armies as gathered together (assembled) “to make war against Him who sat on the horse,” that is the “great day” for which the demons gathered the kings (Rev 16:14) and which “has come” in the sixth seal.

Christ’s return, therefore, is the real Armageddon; the real “great day of God, the Almighty” (Rev 16:14). For further discussion, see – Armageddon is not a literal place; it is Judgment Day.

THE FIRST PART

The First Part is the seven last plagues.

So, the sixth seal describes a moment during Christ’s return when the people who refused to repent realize that there is no escape from a dreadful fate (Rev 19:17-19). However, as discussed, the sixth seal consists of two parts. Do both parts describe Christ’s return?

For the following reasons, it is proposed that the first part of the sixth seal is the seven last plagues that precede Christ’s return:

1) Cause and Consequence

Firstly, since the second part of the seal is the response of unrepentant humanity to the massive natural catastrophes in the first part, it is proposed that it is possible that they describe two different events.

2) The Promised Revenge

Secondly, both the natural catastrophes and the seven last plagues are the revenge promised to the souls in the fifth seal. To explain:

In the fifth seal, “the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God” ask God, “How long … will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood?” They are told to wait “for a little while longer” (Rev 6:9-11).

The natural catastrophes in the first part of the sixth seal (Rev 6:12-14) may be understood as that promised revenge because they follow immediately after the fifth seal.

However, in Revelation 19:2, a great multitude praises God because He has “avenged the blood of his bond-servants.” All main concepts from the fifth seal, such as judge, avenge, and the slain fellow-servants, are found in 19:2. This verse, therefore, praises God that He has executed the judgment promised in the fifth seal.

But 19:2 indicates that God has fulfilled that promise by judging “the great harlot;” also known as Babylon (Rev 17:5). She is identified as the one who is guilty of the deaths of all of God’s people that have ever been killed (Rev 18:24).

However, Babylon was judged in the seventh plague. That plague reads: “Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath” (Rev 16:19).

Furthermore, Revelation 16:5-6 indicates that the third plague, where water is turned to blood, is also part of that revenge:

“Righteous are You, who are and who were …
because You judged these things;
for they poured out the blood of saints …”
(Rev 16:5-6).

Therefore, we conclude that the seven last plagues are the revenge promised in the fifth seal. But, since the first part of the sixth seal is that revenge, that first part is equivalent to the seven last plagues.

3) Great Earthquake

Thirdly, both the seventh plague and the natural catastrophes begin with “a great earthquake” (Rev 6:12; 16:18) and conclude with the destruction of “every mountain and island” (Rev 6:12; 16: 20).

For these reasons, it is proposed that, while the second part of the sixth seal is Christ’s return, the first part is the preceding seven last plagues. A series of articles is available on the seven last plagues.

THE SEVENTH SEAL

So, what is the seventh seal? The seventh seal is very brief. It is only a single verse and says “there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Rev 8:1). Therefore, it must be understood relative to the context. Since the second part of the sixth seal has been interpreted as describing a point in time during Christ’s return, when the people realize that they are doomed (Rev 19:17-19), another article interprets the silence of the seventh seal as the sorrow in God’s heart and in the hearts of God’s people when God’s enemies are put to death in Revelation 19:20-21.

OVERVIEW OF THE SEVEN SEALS

As a summary of the conclusions of this and other articles, this section provides an overview of the sequence of events in the seven seals:

The white horse of the first seal (Rev 6:1-2) has been interpreted as the gospel going forth into all the world. That rider “went out conquering and to conquer,” meaning that the gospel will never stop conquering. This is not one specific event but covers the entire church age.

The next three seals bring killing (Rev 6:4), famine (Rev 6:5-6), and death (Rev 7:8). Since the first seal is the gospel, this killing, famine, and death are the consequences of preaching the gospel; also during the entire church age. Since the fifth seal shows God’s slain people, these three seals have been interpreted as follows:

        • Seal 2 (killing) = the killing of God’s messengers
        • Seal 3 (famine) = the resulting famine for the word of God
        • Seal 4 (death) = the resulting spiritual death

While the first four seals describe the ENTIRE church age, the last three seals describe specific events during the church age:

The fifth seal (Rev 6:9-11) describes a specific and significant POINT IN HISTORY during the church age when “the souls of” God’s people who have already “been slain because of the word of God” (Rev 6:9) cry out for revenge. But they are told to rest a little time longer until God’s people have been ‘completed’ (Rev 6:11). This ‘completion’ has been interpreted as equivalent to the sealing of God’s people (Rev 7:1-8), which has been interpreted as an end-time only event. For that reason, the point in history described in the fifth seal sal been interpreted as the beginning of the Time of the End.

This is followed by the natural catastrophes in the first part of the sixth seal (Rev 6:12-14) – interpreted above as the seven last plagues and as the revenge on the people who killed God’s messengers.

This is further followed by the people hiding in the mountains, in the second part of the sixth seal, which has been interpreted above as Armageddon; a point in time during Christ’s return when the people who refused to repent realize that they are doomed (Rev 19:17-19).

This is followed by the silence of the seventh seal (Rev 8:1), interpreted as the sorrow in the heart of God and His people at the destruction of the lost:

“The rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse” (Rev 19:20-21).

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Where does the sealing (Revelation 7:1-8) fit in the end-time events?

This is an article in the series on the vision of the book with the seven seals (Rev 4:1-8:1).

Summary

Purpose

In Revelation 7, four angels are instructed to hold back the four winds until all of God’s people (symbolically, the 144000) are sealed on their foreheads with the seal of God. As soon as they are all sealed, the four winds of end-time destruction will be released (Rev 7:1-3). The purpose of this article is to determine where this sealing fits in the end-time events as described in Revelation 13 to 16.

The End-Time Persecution

Revelation 13:11-18 describes the end-time persecution of God’s people. The beast from the earth (the false prophet – cf. Rev 16:13) will convince the people of the world to create an image of the beast (Rev 13:14). In other words, an end-time replica will be made of the persecuting system symbolized by the beast.

This image will attempt to force all people, with threats of death (Rev 13:15; 14:13), to receive the mark of the beast “on their right hand or on THEIR FOREHEAD” (Rev 13:16-17).

144000 in Revelation 14

Next, Revelation 14 describes the people who refuse to accept the mark of the beast. Instead of the beast’s mark, they have on their foreheads “His (Jesus’) name and the name of His Father” (Rev 14:1):

Since both are 144000 in number (Rev 14:1), the 144000 in Revelation 7, who receive the seal of God (Rev 7:4), are the same as the 144000 in Revelation 14.

Since they have both “the seal of the living God” and “His name and the name of His Father” on their foreheads (Rev 7:2-3; 14:1), the seal of God is God’s name.

Sealed During Persecution

For the following reasons, it is concluded that the Revelation 13-persecution will divide humanity into two classes;
(1) those with the mark of the beast and
(2) those with the seal of God of people:

1) The text mentions the mark of the beast and the seal of God TOGETHER (Rev 13:16-17; 14:1) IN THE CONTEXT of the end-time persecution (13:11-14:13.

2) Both the mark of the beast and the seal of God are NAMES ON FOREHEADS.

3) While the 144000 are described in Revelation 14:1 AFTER the Revelation-13-persecution, in Revelation 15:2 they are mentioned BEFORE the plagues begin to fall in Revelation 16.

God’s people, therefore, will be sealed (Rev 7:1-8) DURING AND THROUGH the Revelation-13-persecution. In other words, they are NOT sealed to protect them during that time of persecution, but to protect them for what follows AFTER that persecution!

In Revelation, names on foreheads symbolize character. For example, the harlot’s character is reflected by the name ON HER FOREHEAD (Rev 17:5). Similarly, the mark of the beast is the name of the beast on the foreheads of people (Rev 13:16-17). They have the beast’s character! But the 144000 have God’s name is on their foreheads (Rev 14:1), meaning that they will think like God.

The Seven Last Plagues

The description of this end-time persecution ends in 14:13 and goes over to the return of Christ (Rev 14:14-20), when a sea of blood (of the people with the mark of the beast) will flow “out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred” (Rev 14:20; cf. Rev 19:21).

However, the seven last plagues, as described in Revelation 15-16, jump back to the time BEFORE His return because they describe the people with the mark of the beast still refusing to repent (Rev 16:2, 9, 11, 21).

The Victorious Ones

These seven last plagues are described in Revelation 16. God initiates those plagues in Revelation 15. That chapter, therefore, describes events and conditions AT THE BEGINNING of the seven last plagues:

It describes God’s people as “those who had been victorious over the beast” (Rev 15:2). They, therefore, are the people who have resisted the efforts of the beast to put the mark of the beast on them. In other words, these victorious ones are the 144000!

John saw “those who had been victorious over the beast” (Rev 15:2). By implication, he saw ALL of them. This means that, at the point in history represented by Revelation 15, which is when the plagues begin to fall, all of “the bond-servants of our God” have ALREADY been sealed (Rev 7:3).

No Switching of Sides

This conclusion is confirmed by the observation that there will be no switching of sides after the plagues began to fall:

    • NONE of the people with the mark of the beast will repent (Rev 16:9, 11, 21) and
    • The term “seal of God” implies that the eternal destiny of the sealed people has been permanently settled. Therefore, NONE of them will fall away during the plagues.

Since there will be NO switching of sides after the plagues began to fall, and since Revelation 15 describes the point in history when God sends forth the seven last plagues (Rev 15:7-16:1), we are further able to conclude that the seven last plagues will begin to fall as soon as EVERY person on earth is marked EITHER with the mark of the beast or the seal of God.

Further Conclusions

1) Since the end-time persecution of Revelation 13-14 will divide the people of the world into these two groups, the persecution of God’s people will continue during the plagues.

2) Since BOTH the seven last plagues and the four winds will be released as soon as God’s people are all sealed, the four winds are the same as the seven last plagues.

3) The purpose of God’s seal is to protect God’s people during the plagues; not during the Revelation 13-persecution.

4) Since the sealing describes the time BEFORE the sixth seal, and since the “four winds” will be released as soon as all God’s people are sealed, the four winds are the same as the sixth seal. It then also follows that the sixth seal is the seven last plagues.

– End of Summary –

Purpose

The 144000 are mentioned explicitly both in Revelation 7 and 14 (Rev 7:4; 14:1, 3):

In Revelation 7:1-3, the four winds of the earth are held back UNTIL ALL of God’s people have been “sealed … on their foreheads.” Revelation 7:4-8 describes them symbolically as 144000; 12000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Revelation 14:1-5 describes their character in the context of the end-time persecution by the image of the beast: They have “His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads,” meaning that they think like God. They “have not been defiled with women,” meaning that they are not involved with Babylon’s daughters (Rev 17:5). In other words, their worship is not corrupted (cf. Rev 14:8; 17:2).

Revelation 13 describes the attempt of the end-time image of the beast to put the mark of the beast on all people.

Revelation 16 describes the plagues that fall on the people who have accepted the mark of the beast.

The purpose of this article is to compare the sealing of the 144000, as described in Revelation 7:1-8, to those later chapters to determine:

Where the sealing fits chronologically in the end-time events described in Revelation 13 and 16.

What the purpose and meaning of God’s seal are:
(a) Will the seal protect God’s people from persecution by the image of the beast?
(b) Or will it enable them to remain faithful during the seven last plagues?
(c) Or is it simply an indication that their eternal destiny is fixed?

This article begins with an overview of the plagues of Revelation 16, then compares that with the end-time persecution of Revelation 13, and then uses that information to conclude with respect to the sealing in Rev 7:1-8.

Revelation 15-16

Revelation 16 describes the seven last plagues. The plagues are initiated in Revelation 15.

The World Divided into Two Groups

Revelation chapters 15 and 16 divide humanity into two groups:

1) Chapter 15 describes “those who had been victorious over the beast and his image” (Rev 15:2).

2) Then the seven angels receive the seven last plagues (Rev 15:7) and pour them out on “the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image” (Rev 16:2).

These descriptions of these two groups of people refer back to Revelation 13, where the people of the world made “an image to the beast” (Rev 13:15). This image is made alive and it then attempts to force all people to accept the mark of the beast (Rev 13:16-18).

When the Plagues begin to Fall

The way in which these two groups of people are described in Revelation 15 and 16 (see, Rev 15:2-4; 16:2) means that:

(A) They are the people who will LIVE when the image will attempt to force all people to accept the mark of the beast. “Those who had been victorious over the beast and his image” are the people who will refuse to accept the mark. The others will accept the beast’s mark.

(B) Revelation 15 – in which God initiates the seven last plagues – describes a point in human history when EVERY PERSON HAS MADE HIS OR HER FINAL CHOICE for or against the mark of the beast. At that time, every person on earth will either have the mark of the beast or the seal of God. There will be no third ‘undecided’ group. This conclusion is based on the following observations:

        • These two groups are described as if complete when the plagues begin to fall (Rev 15:2; 16:2).
        • None of the people with the mark of the beast will repent during the plagues (Rev 16:9, 11, 21).
        • The seal of God implies that the eternal destiny of the people who have God’s seal has been permanently settled.
        • In Revelation 15:8, the temple closes and nobody is allowed to enter. Since the temple is where people go to receive forgiveness (e.g., Heb 10:10, 19), the closing of the temple symbolizes that nobody else will be saved.

Since there is no changing of sides while the plagues fall, the mark of the beast and the seal of God on the foreheads of people indicate that the eternal destiny of every person living on earth is fixed.

Revelation 15, therefore, is a major moment in the history of mankind. We might not be able to see much change immediately. Things will remain as before, except that increasingly horrible catastrophes will threaten life and property; like people on a sinking ship. But the people of the world have survived and even thrived through many previous catastrophes over the millennia and they believe that humanity will always survive:

“Where is the promise of His coming?
For ever since the fathers fell asleep,
all continues just as it was
from the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:4).

The persecution of God’s people, therefore, will continue during the plagues.

Revelation 13/14:
The End-Time Persecution

Persecution

In Revelation 13, people are forced to accept the mark of the beast. Revelation 16 describes the seven last plagues (Rev 15:1) on the people who HAVE accepted the mark of the beast. Logically, the Revelation 13-persecution PRECEDES the plagues.

Revelation 13 shows Satan’s attack on God’s people through the authorities of the world (the image of the beast). People will be forced by laws of government to conform to certain blasphemous religious practices (the mark of the beast).

God’s Response

Revelation 14 shows how God responds through His people. While the image of the beast persecutes people who do not accept the mark of the beast, God’s people will preach the message of the three angels (Rev 14:6-11). These angels fly “in midheaven” (Rev 14:6), symbolizing that this message will go out with exceptional clarity and power. They will:

      • Warn all people to worship the Creator alone (Rev 14:6-7),
      • Explain the corruptness of the religious systems driving the persecution (Rev 14:8; see – Babylon, Mother of Harlots), and 
      • Warn people of the eternal consequences of accepting the Mark of the Beast (Rev 14:9-11).

The crisis of Revelation 13, therefore, will be a period of final decisions. Everybody will be forced to choose.

The 144000 are the Victorious People.

“Those who had been victorious over the beast and his image” (Rev 15:2) are God’s people during the war over the mark of the beast as described in Revelation 13. However, Revelation 13 and 14 symbolize the overcomers as 144000 sealed with the seal of God (Rev 14:1). Therefore, the 144000 are the same as the “victorious” people. To confirm this, notice that the “victorious” and the 144000 are both contrasted with the people with the mark of the beast:

      • Rev 15:1-16:1 contrasts the victorious people with the beast’s people.
      • Rev 13:16-14:1 contrasts the 144000 with the beast’s people.

Sealed during the Revelation-13-Crisis

We already know that God’s people are sealed before the plagues begin to fall. But the crisis of Revelation 13 precedes the plagues. Then the question is: Is the sealing completed also before the persecution of Revelation 13 begins? For the following reasons, God’s people will also be sealed DURING AND THROUGH that persecution:

1) Persecution Separates.

Sometimes, chapter divisions create confusion. Revelation 13 ends by describing the image of the beast forcing people to accept the mark of the beast. Revelation 14 begins by describing the 144000 with the seal of God on their foreheads (cf. Rev 7:1-3). Since these two descriptions are in two different chapters, people sometimes fail to associate them. However, THEY FORM A UNIT.

By mentioning the mark of the beast and the seal of God together and by describing them both as names on foreheads, these verses indicate that the Revelation 13-persecution will divide the world into these two classes of people:

The people with the mark of the beast. This mark can be on the forehead (Rev 13:16), which means to think like the beast. Or it can be on the right hand, which means that they comply with the law, even though they know it is wrong, but because they are intimidated by threats of punishment. 

The people with the seal of God. The seal will only be on the forehead (Rev 7:3; 14:1), meaning that the 144000 will think like God. They will have “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16). No group is mentioned with the seal of God only on the hand because God never forces people to do His will through intimidation. For a further discussion, see – Why Satan thought he could win against God. Or God’s creatures are free to rebel against Him.

The mark of the beast and the seal of God, therefore, serve a similar function and identify the class to which a person belongs. Since the persecution divides the world into these groups, the conclusion is that God’s people are sealed DURING AND THROUGH that persecution; just as the beast’s people will receive his mark during that period of persecution.

2) Mentioned after the Persecution but before the Plagues

This conclusion may be confirmed as follows: While the 144000 are described in Revelation 14:1 AFTER the Revelation-13-persecution, in Revelation 15:2 they are mentioned BEFORE the plagues fall in Revelation 16. This also suggests that God’s people will be sealed THROUGH that persecution.

This also means that God’s people receive the seal of God to prepare them for the plagues. The plagues will be a difficult time for God’s people, for they will be warned:

“Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes,
so that he will not walk about naked
and men will not see his shame” (Rev 16:15).

Revelation 7 – The Sealing

Based on the brief overview of Revelation 13 to 16 above, we are now able to explain where the sealing fits into those events.

In Revelation 7, four angels hold back the four winds of the earth until all of God’s people (the 144000) are sealed. The winds will be released as soon as they are sealed (Rev 7:1-3).

It was concluded above that God’s people are sealed DURING the Revelation 13-persecution and that the seven plagues will be poured out as soon as everybody has received either the mark of the beast or the seal of God. Therefore:

1) The sealing of the 144000, as described in Revelation 7:1-8, coincides with the Revelation-13-persecution.

2) Since both the four winds and the seven plagues are released as soon as God’s people are sealed, the four winds are another symbol for the seven last plagues.

3) God delays the winds because His people are not sealed (Rev 7:3), meaning that God delays the plagues because His people are not yet ready. As discussed in the Purpose of the Plagues, the plagues serve a very important function, and God’s people need to be prepared. For a further discussion, see – Why has Christ not yet returned? What is God waiting for?

A War Over Worship

The end-time crisis will be a war over worship.

The people with the mark of the beast profess to be Christians. See:

During the intense conflict of the Revelation 13 persecution, people will be forced by laws of government, namely by the threat of the death penalty (Rev 13:15) and by economic sanctions (Rev 13:17) to conform to long-standing (orthodox) but blasphemous religious practices and beliefs. At the same time, the three angels will preach God’s warnings with exceptional clarity and power (Rev 14:6-11). This will provide all intelligent human beings with sufficient evidence on which to base their decisions.

The message of the first angel is: “worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters” (Rev 14:7). By implication, the orthodox practices and beliefs force people to worship another. By the powerful message of the three angels, everybody will be made sufficiently aware that this age-old teaching, which is adopted by the majority, blasphemes God. 

The persecution by the beast will force every person to make a decision, and their decisions will reveal their faith or the lack thereof. Despite the threats of persecution, the 144000 will heed the warnings of the three angels. Contrary to the revealed will of God, nominal Christians will submit to the image of the beast, thereby receiving the mark of the beast.

Final Conclusions

1) The 144000 in Revelation 7 are the same as the 144000 in Revelation 14 and as “Those who had been victorious over the beast” (Rev 7:4; 14:1; 15:2).

2) The Revelation 13-persecution will divide humanity into two classes; (1) those with the mark of the beast and (2) those with the seal of God. In other words, God’s people will also be sealed DURING AND THROUGH the Revelation-13-persecution – to protect them during the plagues.

3) The seven last plagues will begin to fall as soon as every person on earth either has the mark of the beast or the seal of God.

4) There will be NO switching of sides after the plagues began to fall.

5) The four winds (Rev 7:1-3) are the same as the seven last plagues and as the sixth seal (Rev 6:12-17).

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