6:12-17 What does the opening of the sixth seal here signify?
6:12-17 What does the opening of the sixth seal here signify?
Here, for the first time since the seals were opened, we see God's judgment upon sinners. Prior to this, the sword, representing war, famine, death and hell were the natural consequences of Antichrist going forth "conquering and to conquer" (cp Re 6:1-9). Now, in V12,
God unleashes His judgment upon the earth from which there will be no escape for those left on earth who have heard the gospel and rejected it, after the church is raptured to heaven (cp Re 6:15-17 with Lk 14:24 and Ro 1:32; 2Th 2:7-12).
When God brings down his judgment upon the earth during the tribulation, sinners would rather be crushed to death by mountains and rocks than endure the judgment of God and the wrath of Jesus (cp Hos 10:8; Lk 23:27-30). This is the wrath from which Christ promised to save the church (cp Ro 5:8-9; Eph 5:1-6; 1Th 1:10; 5:2-11; 2Pe 2:9; Rev 3:10).
God's judgment on the earth in Rev 6:12-17 will be so cataclysmic it will cause the sky to recede as if it were a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its position (cp He 12:26-27).