Seal 6 - Rumor notes 31

 

Sixth Seal

I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood. The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind. The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. They told the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of his wrath has come; and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6:12-17)

It is very tempting at this point to skip adhering to the second key from verse one of this book and insist that this is referring to literal events on earth. While I do not deny these may well be literal events, I want to cling to the principle of first looking for clues to unlock the symbolic meaning of each phrase before releasing it to apply to literal explanations. Otherwise it is all too easy to rush past vital revelations and thus make serious mistakes in our observations of how everything fits together in this book and how each one affects the flow and progression laid out. So I want us to turn our attention to potential meanings of each of these things relying on Scripture to be our primary medium for interpretation and remaining faithful to the Lamb as the only accurate revelation of the Father's heart.

If an earthquake can be symbolic, what might that look like? Well, what might the earth itself represent in the context of this war between light and darkness, truth and lies? We will soon see a key phrase that shows up repeatedly throughout this book that goes like this, all those who dwell on the earth. This is found to apply to all who resist the mercy and kindness of God designed to produce repentance, all who cling to fear and reliance on Satan's methods and who fight against the truth the Lamb brings to light. These are described by Jesus as He defines the true nature of judgment.

This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. (John 3:19-20)

If these are what is described in Revelation as those who dwell on the earth, then what might a mighty earthquake look like in that context?

Earth shaking just might be an symbol of a massive upheaval brought on by revelation of truth in the titanic struggle between truth and lies, light and darkness. The reverberations this could cause might upend everything we thought was settled and firm as everything is challenged. This may relate to the final shaking time that polarizes the world as motives and character becomes exposed.

The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair

Just as the sun is the main source of light for our planet, this could represent God or Jesus as the source of all life and truth. When the light brought to us by the Lamb becomes obscured by pervasive unbelief and distortions about God so thoroughly that it becomes nearly impossible to find truth, would that fit this symbol of the sun becoming black? And why might sackcloth made of hair be used as representing what darkens the sun? What might we learn from that symbol?

Let's connect available clues found primarily in this book but extending to other Scriptures when possible. Here is the only other reference in Revelation to sackcloth, and it gives important context to what this might refer to symbolically here.

I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. (Revelation 11:3)

Students of prophecy will know that this number 1260 was used in Daniel as well. It is most likely this refers to the prophetic period of 1260 years that covered what we call the dark ages, after Satan hijacked the movement Jesus began on earth and turned the gospel completely on its head. The result of the massive assault of dark lies, insinuations, assertions and hideous teachings about God that took over Christianity during those dark centuries nearly obliterated the glorious revelation exposed by the cross of Jesus. By forcing the narrative of the cross of Christ into the mold of trading and commerce principles, the light of truth was nearly extinct before the reemergence of a new dawn began in the 1800's and expands yet today.

I see this as a very good fit to help explain the sun being blackened by sackcloth as connecting to this verse in chapter 11. This is not to suggest that the same darkness might reoccur, maybe this time in literal days rather than prophetic time. As well, these events may also be exhibited through literal events in nature, yet I believe it is grave a mistake to insist this refers primarily to physical events instead of first seeking the symbolic application while leaving the door open for other possibilities.

the whole moon became as blood

The moon gives off reflected light. Appearing like blood could infer confusion caused by assertions that Scripture teachings related to blood sacrifices enforce ideas of punitive vengeance by God. Sun darkened, moon red, both of these are light obscuring, darkening the truth revealed in Jesus that has been blocked or perverted by those in His church on earth.

When the earth comes between the sun and the moon, the appearance of the moon is closest to looking like blood. This could symbolize our sinful world coming between the Sun of Righteousness and the people who are supposed to reflect that righteousness, distorting the light of the real meaning of the blood of Jesus to be distorted by appeasement allegations making God out to be a debt collector.

stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind

With the sun and moon obscured, the stars are the only light left, yet they too are fallen. Stars can represent angels, or leaders of God's people or any leaders that people look up to for guidance or from which to receive identity.

In chapter 12 we learn that the dragon, Satan, the devil, caused a third of the stars of heaven to be cast down with him. I don't think that should be isolated from this passage in the same book. If we allow Scripture to interpret itself, we should seriously consider what this might be saying to us here. In the trumpets we see two references to a major star falling from the sky. I believe it is important to take all of these into account when seeking to discern the meaning of how to interpret symbols in Revelation.

The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of the waters. (Revelation 8:10)

The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him. (Revelation 9:1)

Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns. His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. (Revelation 12:3-4)

An important clue needs to be included here as it relates to stars falling and it relates to the means by which this dragon accomplishes this with his tail.

Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought Yahweh of Armies. Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day. The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail. For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed. (Isaiah 9:13-16)

When we put all of these clues together, I find compelling reason to believe that the stars falling from the sky may somehow be related to massive deception of leaders who mislead others with lies that turn their hearts away from God. Stars, even in our secular terminology, are those we admire, want to emulate and in essence are those we worship, for worship involves looking to someone to identity with to feel good about ourselves and to imitate and give us our identity and sense of value.

like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs

This is an important clue we must not pass over lightly, for when prophecy tells us something is 'like' we need to explore what it is trying to convey to us in the metaphor being used. Let's look at some passages that might tell us important clues related to figs and fig trees.

The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens her green figs. The vines are in blossom. They give forth their fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away." (Song of Solomon 2:12-13)

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among those who fall; in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, says Yahweh. I will utterly consume them, says Yahweh: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them. (Jeremiah 8:12-13)

Yet was she carried away. She went into captivity. Her young children also were dashed in pieces at the head of all the streets, and they cast lots for her honorable men, and all her great men were bound in chains. You also will be drunken. You will be hidden. You also will seek a stronghold because of the enemy. All your fortresses will be like fig trees with the first-ripe figs: if they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater. Behold, your troops in your midst are women. The gates of your land are set wide open to your enemies. The fire has devoured your bars. (Nahum 3:10-13)

Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came to see if perhaps he might find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Jesus told it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" and his disciples heard it. (Mark 11:13-14)

The first reference has to do with love while others infer judgment. I suspect the two are connected.

They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity. He will punish them for their sins. I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at its first season; but they came to Baal Peor, and consecrated themselves to the shameful thing, and became abominable like that which they loved. (Hosea 9:9-10)

The vine has dried up, and the fig tree withered; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all of the trees of the field are withered; for joy has withered away from the sons of men. (Joel 1:12)

A more thorough study of fig trees reveals some fascinating implications. They seem to represent a sense of security as well as studiousness or serious pursuit of truth.

Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. (1 Kings 4:25)

Many nations will go and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For out of Zion will go forth the law, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem; and he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more. But they will sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and no one will make them afraid: For the mouth of Yahweh of Armies has spoken. (Micah 4:2-4)

Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I told you, 'I saw you underneath the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these!" He said to him, "Most certainly, I tell you, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." (John 1:44-51)

We see in these and other passages how the fig tree figures into the symbolism of both security and safety as well as a sign of judgment and doom. Personally I have come to conclude that it is likely that the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil may well have been a fig tree because of its significance throughout history and prophecy. It makes sense that our first parents would have attempted to take refuge from God when they heard Him approaching by trying to hide behind the leaves from the very tree they had just eaten from in disobedience.

The eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:7)

The following may well correlate closely with the passage we are looking in in Revelation 6 as it appears to be connected to the Second Coming of Christ that overthrows the enemies of God bent on destroying His faithful children from the earth.

Is the seed yet in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree haven't brought forth. From this day will I bless you.'" The Word of Yahweh came the second time to Haggai in the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying, "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, 'I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overthrow the chariots, and those who ride in them. The horses and their riders will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother. In that day, says Yahweh of Armies, will I take you, Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel,' says Yahweh, 'and will make you as a signet, for I have chosen you,' says Yahweh of Armies." (Haggai 2:19-23)

Taken together, we might see how the fig tree represents love, security and safety and the loss of these things as being reflected in the condition of fig trees. So it only follows that this same symbolism is used in this prophecy of the final condition of the earth that has become devoid of love, security and honest seeking after truth by all who dwell on the earth.

shaken by a great wind

Besides the last passage quoted above from Haggai, I find one from the experience of Elijah relevant here as well as others.

He said, Go forth, and stand on the mountain before Yahweh. Behold, Yahweh passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before Yahweh; but Yahweh was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but Yahweh was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but Yahweh was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

(1 Kings 19:11-12)

Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place in the wrath of Yahweh of Armies, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Isaiah 13:13)

But immediately after the oppression of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; (Matthew 24:29)

There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves; men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21:25-26)

What is this referring to here, the 'powers of the heavens'?

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

For though we walk in the flesh, we don't wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

See that you don't refuse him who speaks. For if they didn't escape when they refused him who warned on the Earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven, whose voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more," signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

(Hebrews 12:25-29)

While I am not insinuating that all of these signs are not literal, we miss a great deal of edification when we rush to interpret these as literal and ignore the far greater revelations embedded in the symbols presented throughout this book. We must first unpack as much as we can before letting temporal applications rivet our attention if we want to receive the blessing of those who read this book promised at the beginning.

The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up

Again, if we try to force this to describe the literal sky instead of applying the key that everything is presented in symbols, we will find it difficult to explain how the sky can roll up since the literal sky is not even an object but rather the emptiness of space over our heads. Some might try to say it represents the clouds or the air, but still we will miss the bulk of what is intended to be conveyed if we don't allow Scripture to be our primary means of finding meaning in these prophecies instead of speculation or even modern science.

It is helpful to begin with the Bible's definition of the word sky.

God said, "Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters." God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. God called the expanse sky. There was evening and there was morning, a second day. (Genesis 1:6-8)

Note something compelling about this definition. It was an expanse designed to separate two different bodies of waters. This may well have changed significantly during the flood, but originally it is likely that there was considerable moisture in a very thick layer above an atmosphere of air that in some way suspended it like a canopy over the entire planet. Scientists believe this acted to distribute heat evenly all around the globe as well as shielding those at ground level from harmful rays from the sun and outer space. It also may well have served as a magnifying glass to amplify distant stars and planets, making them readily visible in great detail to the naked eye which is very different than what we see today.

What could be a prophetic interpretation of this symbolically? Waters are symbolic of masses of people. So if the sky or atmosphere originally was partly designed to separate waters, would this infer that something similar is in place to separate two distinct different classes of people today? What are the implications of this and how might it relate to the sky being rolled back like a scroll?

Mention of this scroll is likely linked to what this whole section is all about, the breaking open of seals holding a scroll closed. While there is yet one more seal to go, does this imply that there is enough open to begin glimpsing what is really inside the scroll in preparation for the final broking of the last seal? Something to ponder anyway.

Having said that, this indicates a rolling up of a scroll rather than an opening. This says the sky will be rolled up while we are waiting for the unrolling of the scroll taken from the hand of God. This may well have something to do with two different kinds of sealing that we will soon see has taking place, a marking of those who resist God's love and a sealing of God's people even while seals are being broken open by the Lamb. This sealing is the very next thing we will study.

Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed. (Psalms 102:25-26)

Come near, you nations, to hear! Listen, you peoples. Let the earth and all it contains hear; the world, and everything that comes from it. For Yahweh is enraged against all the nations, and angry with all their armies. He has utterly destroyed them. He has given them over for slaughter. Their slain will also be cast out, and the stench of their dead bodies will come up; and the mountains will melt in their blood. All of the army of the sky will be dissolved. The sky will be rolled up like a scroll, and all its armies will fade away, as a leaf fades from off a vine or a fig tree. (Isaiah 34:1-4)

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness, looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:10-12)

Every mountain and island were moved out of their places

Here is one link we just read from Isaiah 34. the mountains will melt in their blood

The great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. Every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (Revelation 16:19-20)

We just read in Hebrews that some things will be shaken and removed while others cannot. Compare that with this next passage.

For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my loving kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed, says Yahweh who has mercy on you.

(Isaiah 54:10)

Truly in vain is the help that is looked for from the hills, the tumult on the mountains: truly in Yahweh our God is the salvation of Israel. (Jeremiah 3:23)

I saw the earth, and, behold, it was waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I saw the mountains, and behold, they trembled, and all the hills moved back and forth. I saw, and behold, there was no man, and all the birds of the sky were fled. I saw, and behold, the fruitful field was a wilderness, and all the cities of it were broken down at the presence of Yahweh, and before his fierce anger. (Jeremiah 4:23-26)

Behold, I am against you, destroying mountain, says Yahweh, which destroys all the earth; and I will stretch out my hand on you, and roll you down from the rocks, and will make you a burnt mountain. (Jeremiah 51:25)

For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; so that the fish of the sea, and the birds of the sky, and the animals of the field, and all creeping things who creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the surface of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. I will call for a sword against him to all my mountains, says the Lord Yahweh: every man's sword shall be against his brother. With pestilence and with blood will I enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him, and on his hordes, and on the many peoples who are with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and sulfur. I will magnify myself, and sanctify myself, and I will make myself known in the eyes of many nations; and they shall know that I am Yahweh. (Ezekiel 38:19-23)

The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it. (Nahum 1:5)

He stood, and shook the earth. He looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains were crumbled. The age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. (Habakkuk 3:6)

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain. (Isaiah 40:4)

Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of 'Grace, grace, to it!'" (Zechariah 4:7)

His feet will stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in two, from east to west, making a very great valley. Half of the mountain will move toward the north, and half of it toward the south. You shall flee by the valley of my mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azel; yes, you shall flee, just like you fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Yahweh my God will come, and all the holy ones with you. (Zechariah 14:4-5)

Jesus answered them, "Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don't doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it would be done. (Matthew 21:21)

This last verse gives us a very strong clue for putting all the pieces together here. When Jesus comes it will be the faith of Jesus that will demolish every resisting mountain that has risen up against a knowledge of the love of God. Literal mountains disappearing are nothing in comparison to this most important strategy for overcoming the diabolic power of evil in the universe.

 

[Note: some time after compiling these notes I revisited this seal with further information leading to a somewhat different conclusion than what this paper presents. That is not to negate what is written here but rather an alternative way of viewing this from a different perspective.]