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The Sixth Seal
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughUnder the sixth seal of Revelation, a series of catastrophic celestial and terrestrial events unfold, striking terror into the hearts of humanity. The sun darkens, becoming black as sackcloth of hair, severely limiting visibility even during daylight hours. The moon turns like blood, a chilling omen of calamity and death, often linked to natural phenomena such as dust in the atmosphere from volcanic eruptions or earthquakes. The stars appear to fall, resembling late figs blown down by a violent winter wind, suggesting a meteor shower of immense proportions with larger-than-normal meteorites intensifying the effect. The sky itself recedes, likened to a scroll rolling up, with turbulent clouds perhaps creating the illusion of the heavens splitting apart. Mountains and islands move due to a great convulsion of the earth, causing massive land transformations and unprecedented destruction, terrifying earth's inhabitants as nothing remains stable under their feet. These cosmic signs from God provoke sheer terror, driving people of every origin, status, and creed—from kings to slaves—to flee into caves under the mountains, vainly attempting to hide from the wrath of God the Father and the Lamb, Jesus Christ. They cry out to the mountains and rocks to fall on them and conceal them from the sight of Him who sits on the throne and from the Lamb's anger. This desperate plea reflects their recognition of these cataclysmic events as divine wrath, a succession of disturbances that can only be acts of God. The phrase "face of Him" implies being under the judgment of an angry God, fitting the context of their fear. The wrath of the Lamb, though seemingly incongruous, reveals the complex nature of Jesus Christ, who is both the sacrificial Redeemer and the Exalted Lord and Judge of all. The sixth seal culminates in the stark declaration that the great day of Their wrath has come, posing the rhetorical question, "Who is able to stand?" This announces in unmistakable fashion that the great day of the Lord is near, hastening quickly, leaving humanity to ponder who will survive God's judgment.
The Sixth Seal and Israel
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeEach depiction of the Sixth Seal also shows God's involvement with physical Israelites. John's vision precedes a glimpse of 144,000 of the tribes of Israel.
The Lamb of Revelation
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeIn Revelation, John refers to Christ as the Lamb more than any other designation because of His role of Redeemer, which is different from a sin offering.
Revelation 10 and the Church's History
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe sixth seal in the book of Revelation, as described in chapter 6:12, marks a significant point in the progression of events. When this seal is opened, it initiates a sequence that does not immediately lead to the seventh seal, which is opened later in chapter 8:1. Between these seals, chapter 7 serves as an inset, providing detailed information about events occurring within the broader progression, though not strictly in sequence with the sixth seal itself. This inset shows God postponing further events to allow for certain necessary actions to take place, which would be impossible under the intense conditions otherwise prevailing. The events following the sixth seal are understood to be part of a larger cycle of increasing intensity, building toward a climactic conclusion. Historically, no tribulation against the church since its founding has been followed by the heavenly signs associated with this seal, indicating that the full impact of the sixth seal remains in the future, within a period of heightened pressure and disaster. The events of Revelation 11, particularly those involving the Two Witnesses, are tied to the time of the fifth and sixth seals, occurring during the Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, further emphasizing the significant role of the sixth seal in the unfolding sequence of divine judgments.
Earthquakes in Various Places
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughGod uses earthquakes to capture attention, shattering feelings of security and revealing human weakness and vulnerability. In Revelation 11:13, an earthquake strikes when God resurrects the Two Witnesses, occurring at the end of the Sixth Trumpet or the beginning of the Seventh. This quake may align with the one in Revelation 11:19, when the reign of Christ is announced, and could also connect to the event where the saints rise to meet Christ as He returns. Another significant earthquake happens at the pouring of the Seventh Bowl of God's wrath, described as a mighty and great earthquake unlike any since humans existed on earth, so powerful that every island flees away and mountains disappear. Despite this, humanity continues to blaspheme God because of His wrath against them. God is using these events to warn of His displeasure with the increasing anti-God and anti-Christ conditions in the world, Israel, and the church, urging repentance before greater calamity strikes.
Are the Blood Moons Significant? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe Sixth Seal of Revelation, as described in the sixth chapter, encompasses far more than just the moon turning to blood. It includes disturbances in the sun, stars falling, and the sky receding, events unrelated to mere eclipses. When the Sixth Seal is fulfilled, the cosmic disruptions will be extensive, shaking the stability of the firmament. God declares through Haggai that He will shake the heavens, and Christ, in the Olivet Prophecy, states that the powers of the heavens will be shaken, indicating a disruption in the forces of heavenly bodies. Isaiah also prophesies that the earth will be moved out of its place, rendering predictions of events like eclipses impossible due to the upheaval. These cosmic events of the Sixth Seal will occur in a manner and time that cannot be foreseen, unlike the predictable orbits currently calculated by NASA. Furthermore, these disturbances are positioned after the Fifth Seal, which involves the martyrdom of those who hold the testimony of God, and follow a time of unprecedented tribulation, after which God must intervene for the sake of the elect. Thus, the current sequence of blood moons, while symbolically significant due to their alignment with holy days, does not fully align with the comprehensive cosmic events described in the Sixth Seal.
Post-Historic Cave-Dwellers
'Prophecy Watch' by Charles WhitakerUnder the sixth seal of Revelation, as described in Revelation 6, the earth experiences profound and terrifying events involving the sun, moon, and sky, instilling constant terror in humanity. Notable individuals, reduced to post-historic cave-dwellers, are driven underground at the end of satan's rule. These intelligent people, in their desperation, irrationally cry out to mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, exclaiming, "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" Their words reflect a humbled state during the period known as the Day of the Lord, where the Lord alone is exalted. The phrase "every slave and every free man" represents a specific class of people, possibly God's own, who are both free in His truth and yet slaves, embodying a dual status as they endure these cataclysmic times. God's actions during this seal are not only judgments on those who destroy the earth but also beneficial, as He begins terraforming the planet to make it habitable again for life as He created it.
What Is Joel 2 Really About?
'Prophecy Watch' by Mike FuhrerThe signs described in Joel 2:30-31, which include wonders in the heavens and on earth such as blood, fire, pillars of smoke, the sun turning to darkness, and the moon to blood, are identified as precursors to the great and awesome day of the Lord. These events align with the sixth seal of Revelation 6:12-17, marking significant cosmic disturbances before the day of God's wrath.
Shock and Awe - and Speed
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Sixth Seal of Revelation, as described in the context of the end-time events, heralds a cataclysmic display of divine power and judgment that surpasses any human experience of shock and awe. When the Sixth Seal is opened, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, signaling a cosmic upheaval as the powers of the heavens are shaken. The earth will quake underfoot, and the heavenly signs will be unmistakable, visible to all as a terrifying light show unlike any other. People will be so overwhelmed by fear that they will crawl into caves, calling on mountains to fall upon them to escape the distress and devastation of this moment. This event, following the Great Tribulation, marks a time of unparalleled suffering and sets the stage for the Day of the Lord, a period of even greater intensity. The return of Jesus Christ during this time will not be a hidden event but a global phenomenon, announced by lightning flashing across the sky, trumpet blasts growing louder, and a universal trembling as He comes with power and great glory to judge and to wage a righteous war.
The Book of Joel (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Sixth Seal of Revelation marks a pivotal moment of divine intervention in world affairs, heralding the onset of God's wrath. As described in Revelation 6:12-17, when He opened the sixth seal, a great earthquake shook the earth; the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon turned like blood. The stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when shaken by a mighty wind. The sky receded as a scroll when rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. The kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in caves and rocks of the mountains, crying out to the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. They declared, "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" This event signifies the beginning of the Day of the Lord, a time of terrifying heavenly signs following the Great Tribulation, leading to the return of Christ in power and glory to rule the earth and bring peace.
Christ's Second Coming
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Feast of Trumpets memorializes God's deliverance of Israel beginning with Joseph, and looks forward to Christ's return when God will deliver His people.
Matthew (Part Thirty)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe events in Matthew 24 parallel the six seals of Revelation 6 and the seventh seal of Revelation 7, showing a definite chronological progression.
The Capital of the World
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)New York is the current "Capital of the world" while Jerusalem is the imminent new capital of the world. The choice we have is present glitz or future glory.
Matthew (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe transfiguration prefigured the Kingdom of God, with the disciples only seeing Jesus in the end, showing salvation is through Him alone.
The Days of Noah
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBefore the flood, Satan had attempted to corrupt mankind, probably through massive demonic possession. The same demonic threat will occur at the end-time.