Revelation: Who Can Stand?

Revelation 6:9-17

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, which we discussed last time, signal a period of global peace brought about by the Antichrist, followed by widespread destruction that wipes out one-fourth of the earth’s population. 

Today, we will consider the fifth and sixth seals.

The Fifth Seal: Martyred Christians (Rev. 6:9-11)
The first four seals depict God’s overall judgments on the earth. The fifth seal is more personal, showing God’s people who have suffered greatly because of their faith. 

John said that when Jesus opened the fifth seal, he saw “the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne” (Rev. 6:9b). These souls of the martyred were “under the altar.” In the Old Testament, the blood of a sacrificed animal was poured at the base of the altar. Commentator Robert Mounce explains, “the souls of the martyrs under the altar, is a way of saying that their untimely deaths on earth are from God’s perspective a sacrifice on the altar of heaven.”[1]

These believers were killed “for the word of God and for the witness they had borne” (Rev. 6:9b). They stood firm for Christ despite facing death and did not deny him. With a loud voice, they praised God as the “Sovereign Lord, holy and true” (Rev. 6:10a). Then they asked, “How long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Rev. 6:10b). This question was not about revenge but about protecting God’s reputation. From their perspective as martyrs, evil seemed to have taken control. But justice delayed is not justice denied. God is the “Sovereign Lord, holy and true.”

Every martyr received a white robe symbolizing their righteousness and purity (Rev. 6:11a). They were instructed to “rest a little longer [to wait for God’s perfect timing], until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been” (Rev. 6:11b). This shows that many will trust in Christ during the tribulation, and a significant number will die for their faith. It also offers the comforting reminder that suffering is neither forgotten nor ignored by God. 

The Sixth Seal: Shaking and Shaken (Rev. 6:12-17)
The first four seals reveal major external trials. A period of peace is followed by war, famine, and death. The fifth seal is personal, as God interacts with those who gave their lives for Jesus. Opening the sixth seal causes upheaval within creation itself. 

When Jesus opened the sixth seal of the scroll, John saw that a great earthquake took place. Then the sun turned “black as sackcloth,” the moon appeared blood-red, and “the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale” (Rev. 6:13). 

With the earth shaking, the sun darkened, the moon turned blood-red, and stars falling from the sky, the heavens themselves vanished, rolling up like a scroll. These catastrophic events caused mountains and islands to disappear. Everyone on earth was thrown into a frenzied panic. 

Suddenly, wealth, titles, and positions lost all their significance. Powerful and influential people—royalty, military leaders—hid themselves in caves alongside slaves and the poor (Rev. 6:15). Together, they called out to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Rev. 6:16-17). 

Don’t miss the scene. Here are those who ignored God and acted as their own gods. They worshiped wealth, power, and status. They had no time for Jesus. But on this day, the day of God’s wrath, not a single thing or person can save or comfort them. They ask the rhetorical question—"Who can stand?” They finally recognize the power and authority of God. But it was too late.

After the sealing of the 144,000 in chapter 7 (which will be an interesting discussion), we will move on to the seventh seal in Revelation 8. When the seventh seal is opened, there is silence in heaven for thirty minutes, and then the terrible judgments begin again. Let’s finish today by considering the honest question in today’s passage. Those experiencing God’s wrath ask, “Who can stand?” 

The answer to the question is: “No one.” None of us can stand before the living God on our own merit. We are sinful, broken, and separated from him. Not one of us is righteous before him. We are unclean and undone. Our wealth, power, and status mean nothing before the holy God.

J. I Packer expresses what we all need to hear and accept: “The Bible labors the point that just as God is good to those who trust him, so he is terrible to those who don’t.”[2] God is a just God who punishes sin.

That’s why Jesus came. He took on God’s wrath for sin when he gave his life for us on the cross.

Who can stand? I can. You can. If we stand with Jesus. 

If you have not trusted in Jesus as the only way to know the living God, I pray today is the day.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Revelation 6:9-17. Focus on the futility of wealth, power, and position to save you.

Talking to God: Are you ready to stand before God? If the Lamb opened the sixth seal today, would you stand in confidence because of Jesus—or in fear because you’ve resisted God the Father?

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist you as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll reply soon. Please let us know if you would like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or if you're seeking spiritual guidance. 

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