The Lamb: The Original Avenger

REVELATION 6:12-17

SUBJECT: TRIBULATION SEAL JUDGMENTS

THEME:  The Lamb breaks the sixth seal, sending God's judgments upon the earth.

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Rev. 6:12–17, King James Version).

INTRODUCTION:

The term “Avengers” has been associated with Marvel Comics since the Fall of 1963 featuring superhero characters like Hulk, Thor, Ant-man, Captain America, Iron Man and Wasp. Many others would join “Earths Mightiest Heroes” periodically to fight the onslaught of evil and to avenge the earth. In recent years some of these characters became household names upon being brought to the silver screen through Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. Movies featuring Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Black Panther, and the Avengers have become so popular that they routinely shatter box office records with each iteration. 

While these comic books and movies are firmly situated in fantasy and action/adventure, there is a real Avenger that predates them all. In fact, He is absolutely anchored in reality and transcends all else and all others bearing the title Avenger. This is the real Original Avenger: The Lamb a.k.a. the Lord Jesus Christ! While He is the original Avenger, His work as an Avenger is yet future. It will unfold during the judgments of the Tribulation Period of the book of The Revelation apocalypse. Yes, He is being opposed by the forces of evil and sin today, but eventually His patience will expire. It is then that He will deal decisively with sin and vindicate His servants who have suffered for righteousness sake.  

The worship described in The Revelation chapters 4-5 is preparation for the wrath described in Revelation chapters 6-19. It seems strange to us that worship and judgment should go together, but this is because we do not fully understand either the holiness of God or the sinfulness of man. Nor do we grasp the total picture of what God wants to accomplish and how the forces of evil have opposed Him. God is long-suffering, but eventually He must judge sin and vindicate His servants. Look now as the Original Avenger breaks the sixth seal on the scroll....

LESSON:

The Sixth Seal: The Seal of the Wrath of the Lamb (Rev. 6:12-17).

The martyrs in Heaven cried, "Avenge us!" but the unbelievers on earth will cry, "Hide us!"

 

   — The SIXTH SEAL is now broken which introduces World Chaos— the great day of God's wrath begins— and catastrophic judgments upon the universe and the natural world are unleashed (Rev. 6:12-17). 

   — In this paragraph we find that the universe is shattered, that continents shake, the sun is darkened, stars and meteors fall and whirl through space, and sinners will hide in fear.  Both heaven and earth feel the judgment of natural catastrophes.

   — The terrifying results of opening of the sixth seal will cause all unsaved people, small and great, to hide in caves, calling for the rocks to crush them rather than face God's wrath. 

   — Thus far the troubles upon the earth have been the result of man’s actions under God, but here we witness the beginning of the anger and wrath of Almighty God and the Lamb.

Isaiah 13:9-13, Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. [10] For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. [11] And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. [12] I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. [13] Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

But remember, this is still only the beginning and not the final judgments. The seals of the Book are being broken and then the other judgments can be read. Therefore, the seal judgments are events that are to happen at the outset of the Tribulation period. Here is the beginning of God's wrath against the violence, hatred, and rebellion of a corrupt and evil world.  Let’s take a moment to note what John felt, saw, and heard.

A.  JOHN FEELS THE IMPACT OF THE LAMB’S WRATH ON THE EARTH (Rev. 6:12 a).

Once again, the Lord Jesus brakes yet another seal form the scroll which is the title deed to the earth. Through these series of judgments, He will punish sinful mankind and prepare the earth for His future kingdom. The first development is the news that a great earthquake strikes. The opening of the sixth seal will produce worldwide convulsions and catastrophes, including the first of three great earthquakes (Rev 6:12; 11:13; 16:18-19).

   1.   There Will Be a “Great Earthquake.” Vs. 12

Rev.6:12, And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.

      — Note the word “great;” this will not be an ordinary earthquake. The shaking will be beyond anything ever known to man.

      — Imagine the destruction of property, the loss of life, the fear gripping the hearts of people, and the further damage caused by the aftershocks of the earthquake. 

      --- Massive tsunamis will reach deep inland the world around; these seismic sea wave will destroy all forms of life, property, sea industries, and even entire coastal civilizations.   

      — Bridges, sky scrapers, water tank towers, subways, and travel tunnels will collapse.  Power lines will be down, and fuel, gas, and water lines destroyed. Pandemonium will grip what was once ‘civilized’ cultures. Without any intimation of exaggeration, desperation will reach epic levels….

   2.  Christ Foretold Such Earthquakes.

Mt.24:7, For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  

      — Jesus Christ Himself predicted there would be more earthquakes in the latter days than ever before.  Down through history there have been many earthquakes as the Lord Jesus stated (Matt. 24:7), but this one in Revelation will be more than an ordinary earthquake.

      — All the earth’s faults will begin to fracture simultaneously, resulting in a cataclysmic, global earthquake.  Every section of the earth will be jolted by this killer quake.

                                                                                                                       

   3.  John Mentions Three Great Earthquakes.  (In the Revelation)

Rev.11:13, And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city [Jerusalem] fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant [rest] were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Rev. l6:17-19, And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

   4.  The Prophet Predicted Such Earthquakes.

The Old Testament predicted earthquakes in the end time.

Ezk.38:19, 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.

Jer.4:24, I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.

Amos 8:8, Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.

Joel 2:10, The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.

Hag.2:6, For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land.

B.  JOHN SEES THE IMPACT OF THE LAMB’S WRATH ON THE UNIVERSE (Rev. 6:12 b-14).

All of nature will be affected: the sun, moon, and stars, as well as the heavens, the mountains, and the islands. Compare this scene with Joel 2:30-31 and 3:15 as well as with Isa 13:9-10 and 34:2-4.

  1.  The Sun and Moon are Affected.   Vs. 12

The sun and moon will be eclipsed and blackened, and stars or meteorites will shower the earth (6:12 b).

    — Very practically there are times when such astronomical events occur now.

    — The heavenly bodies are sometimes darkened by such catastrophes as volcanic eruptions, wind storms, and smoke from fires. Of course, whatever darkens the sun hides the light of the moon and stars from earth.

    — When the volcano Krakatau exploded on August 27, 1883 with the loudest noise ever heard in the world, an estimated cubic mile of rock entered the atmosphere.  The dust and debris circled the earth at a height of 17 miles (27km), and for two years strange red sunsets were seen.

    — This will be a period of great darkness.  Accompanying the earthquake will be numerous volcanic eruptions; and large amounts of ash and debris will be blown into the earth’s atmosphere, blackening the sun and giving the moon a blood-red hue (Zech. 14:6,7).

  2.  The Stars and Meteors are Affected.  Vs. 13

These are star-like items falling and creating stellar showers with large heavenly bodies crashing into each other and slamming into the earth’s atmosphere (Rev. 6:13).  The stellar showers are likened unto winter figs growing without the protection of leaves and are easily blown from the trees. So, will the heavens be mightily shaken with the winds of God’s wrath that even the stars themselves will fall!

     — “Stars” and/or meteorites of varying sizes fall from outer space to earth quite often. The word “stars” can refer to any celestial body, large or small, and is not limited to the normal usage. The best explanation is a massive asteroid or meteor shower.

     — This at least in part is what is meant by these passages; in addition, there will be unbelievable disorder inflicted upon some of the stars above, disorder causing massive explosions like fireworks will hurl meteorites throughout space.  A massive volcanic eruption in the heavens that affects all the universe!  This seems to be the case. We do know for certain that there is going to be a severe intensification of astronomical developments, and they will shake the heavens themselves!  

     — Scripture declares emphatically that these events will occur during the end times. (Note: the stars fall to earth only two times: here when the sixth seal is broken [Rev.6:13], and after the tribulation when Christ returns to earth (Mt 24:29-31).

Matthew 24:29-30, Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: [30] And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

  

  3.  The Heaven and Skies are Affected.

The sky rolls up like a scroll and will disappear (Rev. 6:14 a).  The earth’s atmosphere will be somehow dramatically affected and the sky as we know it disappears (Is. 34:4).  I’m unable to elaborate more on this mind-blowing statement in Scripture.  This was the most dramatic judgment thus far in this time of great distress before the Second Coming. But Scripture predicted these developments in no uncertain terms in other places also.

Is. 34:4, And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.

Ps. l02:25-26, Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.

NOTE:  Many interpreters have attempted to see a figurative fulfillment to this prophecy or have sought a more rational explanation by handling it in a non-literal sense. It is perhaps more accurate, however, to take this prediction very literally; to resist explaining away the clear emphasis on universal calamities and apocalyptic events. The trumpet and bowl judgments, to be revealed later in Revelation, also include great disturbances in the heavens and on the earth before Christ’s second coming.

  4.  The Mountains and Islands are Affected. Rev. 6:14

     — Every mountain, hill, and island will be removed from out of their places (6:14 b). What does this mean? This is a prophetic way to describe the devastation of the astronomical events and the great earthquake and meteorites falling to earth. 

     — Under the stress created by the global earthquake, great segments of the earth’s plates will begin to slip and shift, realigning whole continents.

Jer. 4:24, I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.

Nah. l:5, The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, ye, the world, and all that dwell therein.

Remember: this is a picture of what will be happening in the early portion of the Day of the Lord. These events-the catastrophe in the heavens and on earth and the fright and panic that strikes people with maddening terror-all this is right before the Great Tribulation. This is only the breaking of the seals of God's great scroll and the events within the pages of the book-the worst judgments-are yet to come. Who will be able to stand before The Lamb: the universe’s mightiest Avenger?

CONCLUSION:

In Romans 10:9-13, God reveals how we can be saved and escape the wrath that is coming; we are instructed to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ who died, was buried, and rose again the third day:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11, For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.12, For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Rom 10:9-13, KJV)

The Apostle Paul details the need to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord God, the supreme authority sent by God the Father to provide the solution for humanity's sin problem. By believing that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again as the all sufficient payment for our sins, we are saved. God begins for the first time ever to view us as righteous when we believe on Christ with all our heart and we naturally now confess Him as the Lord and Savior of our lives. Furthermore, we are assured of a growing confidence that such an outright confession of faith in the Lord Jesus will not in any way fall short of God's saving grace, be disappointed, proved foolish, or become the source of shame. Paul further guarantees that anyone, whether Jewish or non-Jewish, who calls upon the Lord Jesus Christ will be indeed rescued from eternal perishing and the ultimate consequences of our sins. We must call upon the Lord for mercy today and the Lord is generous to save anyone and everyone who truly calls upon Him for deliverance from the ultimate condemnation of sin.

Beloved, salvation is by God showing undeserved favor on repentant sinners who place their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. When we examine our past, we can only discover that we do not measure up to God's or our own expectations. We are guilty of significant and small failures before a perfect and holy God. When Christians look at our present situation, we understand that it is because of God's saving grace and redemptive work on our behalf. When we consider our future, it can only be summed up as the outcomes and provisions of Almighty God dealing with us most graciously. He has an incredible plan for our present and our future. We deserve hell for our failures, idolatry, and sin, but because of Jesus Christ we will enjoy forever with God. What God has done for us He is willing to do for all who will repent believing the gospel of grace.

Beloved, salvation cannot be earned, deserved, merited, bought, worked up, or worked for. It is not for sale; it is already paid for and based on the work of Jesus Christ alone. Like myself, you must come to God acknowledging your sinfulness, confessing Jesus Christ, the Son of God as Lord and Savior, and believing the Gospel—Christ died, was buried, and arose again the third day as the Scriptures said He would. This Jesus died to pay the price for my and your sins. When we trust Him, He will forgive, cleanse, and reconcile us to God forever. Beloved, today is your day to come to Jesus Christ. Trust Him today as Savior or face Him one day as The Avenger. The choice is yours.