Revelation Part 28
The natural catastrophes serve to call people to repentance and readiness before the full outpouring of God’s wrath. While the wicked experience terror and dread, believers are assured of God’s sovereignty and promises.
The darkening of the sun and blood-red moon echo the plagues in Egypt, when God revealed His superiority over creation and over false gods. Just as the Egyptians experienced total darkness for rejecting God’s light, so too will the world be plunged into symbolic and literal darkness for ignoring Christ, the Light of the world (John 8:12; John 9:5). The falling of the stars recalls past meteor showers such as the famous 1833 Leonid storm, which gave people the impression that the heavens were collapsing. In Revelation, such cosmic disturbances signify God’s direct intervention and His sovereignty over the created order. The sky rolling up like a scroll portrays the undoing of creation itself, as though the heavens are being unrolled to reveal God’s throne.
Even the mountains, symbols of stability, permanence and kingdoms throughout Scripture, are moved from their places. Mountains have long represented strength and government—whether earthly empires like those in Daniel 2 or the eternal reign of Christ, whose kingdom will have no end (Isaiah 9:7; Luke 1:33). By shaking the mountains, God shows His power over every form of human government, material wealth and false security. Just as the plagues destroyed Egypt’s wealth, crops, animals, and even its firstborn, the sixth seal strips away the foundations of worldly pride.
This terrifying vision forces the nations to recognize the reality of divine wrath. For the first time, the world acknowledges not only God the Father but also the wrath of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. A lamb is typically seen as meek and harmless, but here the Lamb displays righteous anger against those who have rejected His mercy and refused His sacrifice. The final cry, “The great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:17) is not only rhetorical but also confrontational. The implied answer is that no one can stand except those sealed and preserved by God’s mercy.
The purpose of the sixth seal is both judgment and warning. These natural catastrophes serve to call people to repentance and readiness before the full outpouring of God’s wrath. While the wicked experience terror and dread, believers are assured of God’s sovereignty and promises. Jesus repeatedly told His followers, “Do not be afraid” (Revelation 1:17; Matthew 24:6; 28:10). The faithful are promised deliverance, as seen in Revelation 3:10, where Christ assures His Church that because they persevered, He will keep them from the hour of trial coming upon the whole earth.
This seal also serves as a reminder of God’s patience and justice. For millennia, prophets and disciples were sent into the world to preach repentance and salvation, but the majority rejected the message, even to the point of killing the messengers. Now, God’s power breaks through in a way the world cannot ignore. It is His way of saying, “Can you hear Me now?” When human pride, greed and rebellion have exhausted their course, God brings the shaking necessary to prepare for Christ’s return in power and glory.
The conclusion of the sixth seal is clear: it is a divine act of judgment meant to shake humanity from its false securities and call people back to God. Believers are urged to watch, to remain faithful, and to live with a sense of urgency (Luke 21:36; Matthew 24:42-44). It provides both assurance of God’s sovereignty and encouragement for the faithful. As 2 Peter 3:10–13 reminds us, the heavens and earth will one day dissolve, but believers look forward to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. Revelation 1:3 blesses those who read and hear these words, for they are meant to prepare us for endurance, faithfulness and hope in the unshakable promises of God.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
