In my last lesson I wrote about the 4 horsemen of Revelation chapter 6. This current lesson completes the chapter. Looking at Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:7-8 helps us to understand what He is talking about in Revelation 6; “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning or birth pains.” And in Matthew 24:30 we read that stars will fall, and men will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky.
Certainly the earth has entered into her birth pangs. Man has not considered that the wars, famines, earthquakes, betrayals, and martyrdoms are the birth pains that push the sons of God out into the light (Rom 8:18-23). We are in the midst of spiritual warfare; a war so intense that men will give their lives once again for the faith they have in Jesus.
In Rev 6 when the 5th seal is opened, the martyrs under the altar ask the Lord “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (vs 10). Those in heaven know that the Day of the Lord is coming, and what that day will accomplish. God will avenge the blood of His saints (Ps 79:10 & Rev 18:20), refining and purifying His people (Mal 3:2). The Lord’s word in Amos asked His people why they longed for the Day of the Lord. He said it would be darkness, not light, and told them that justice must “roll like a river” (Amos 5:18-24). Because the martyrs are waiting for the Day when God sets all things right and justice prevails, they are asking for their deaths to be avenged. It is not the Day of the Lord yet, but the martyrs will wait along with the continuing number of saints martyred, each in their white robes.
When the Lord opens the 6th seal there will be a great earthquake, so severe that stars fall and the appearance of the earth and sky will change. Men will call to the rocks and mountains to fall and hide them from the Lord. This is an important passage in Revelation, not because of the great fear that this earthquake will cause. It is another wake-up call; God will bring His wrath one day. Men no longer believe in a Day of Wrath, however, this earthquake is part of the “darkness” spoken of by Amos. When the Lord returns, not all will be saved. Those that resist Him now will hate the acts of God which are intended to turn their hearts to God. He reigns, and one day all men will bow their knee to God, whether in heaven, or in hell.
It is hard for men to hold the concepts of love and justice together, for love holds onto forgiveness and pardon, and justice indicates a day of reckoning and punishment for the unrepentant. But God is not a man. Though He loves mercy, forgiveness and pardon, He equally loves justice and reward. God does not like to punish men and send them to hell, however He has set a Day aside to judge all men and on that Day, some will go there.
It is hard for men to hold the concepts of love and anger together also, for anger indicates revenge. Though God loves sinners, He also holds the blood of His saints as precious (Ps 72:14) and will one day let His anger be expressed as wrath towards sinners who abuse them. The earthquake is a physical shaking of all that cannot be trusted in so that men will turn their hearts in repentance to God.
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