◄ Revelation 6:1 ►
Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a thunderous voice, "Come!"
Study Bible
Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals,

The Lamb refers to Jesus Christ, symbolizing His sacrificial role as the Redeemer. The imagery of the Lamb is rooted in the Passover lamb of Exodus 12 and the prophetic vision of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53. The opening of the seals signifies the initiation of divine judgment and the unfolding of God's plan for the end times. The number seven often represents completeness or perfection in biblical literature, indicating the totality of God's judgment.

Rev 5:1-7 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One…
Dan 12:4 But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book…
Isa 29:11-12 And the entire vision will be to you like the words…

and I heard one of the four living creatures

The four living creatures are introduced in Revelation 4:6-8, representing the highest order of angelic beings, possibly cherubim or seraphim, who are in constant worship of God. Their presence around the throne signifies their role as executors of God's will and messengers of His decrees. They are symbolic of creation's praise and the divine order in the heavenly realm.

Rev 4:6-8 And before the throne was something like a sea of glass,…
Ezk 1:5-10 and within it was the form of four living creatures.…
Ezk 10:14-15 Each of the cherubim had four faces: the first face…

say in a voice like thunder,

The voice like thunder conveys authority and power, often associated with divine revelation or judgment. Thunder is frequently used in Scripture to depict God's voice, as seen in Psalm 29 and John 12:29. It emphasizes the seriousness and urgency of the message being delivered, underscoring the divine authority behind the unfolding events.

Jhn 12:28-29 “Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven:……
Psa 29:3-9 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;…
Exo 19:16-19 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder…

“Come!”

The command "Come!" is an invitation or summons, possibly directed towards the rider of the first horse, signaling the commencement of the events that follow. This imperative reflects the sovereign control of God over history and the unfolding of prophetic events. It also echoes the call to witness the fulfillment of God's purposes, as seen in other prophetic contexts like Isaiah 55:1 and Matthew 11:28.

Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears……
Rev 4:1 After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven.…
Mat 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Lamb
Refers to Jesus Christ, symbolizing His sacrificial role and authority to execute God's plan. The Lamb is central to the unfolding of the events in Revelation.

2. The Seven Seals
These are part of a scroll that only the Lamb is worthy to open. Each seal represents a different aspect of God's judgment and the unfolding of end-time events.

3. The Four Living Creatures
These are angelic beings that surround the throne of God, each with a unique appearance and role in worship and proclamation.

4. The Voice Like Thunder
This represents the authority and power of the message being delivered, emphasizing the significance of the events that are about to unfold.

5. The Event of Opening the First Seal
Marks the beginning of the judgments and events that lead to the culmination of God's plan for the end times.
Teaching Points
The Authority of Christ
The Lamb's ability to open the seals underscores His divine authority and sovereignty over history and future events.

The Reality of Judgment
The opening of the seals signifies the beginning of God's judgment, reminding believers of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance.

The Role of Worship
The presence of the living creatures highlights the importance of worship and reverence for God, even amidst unfolding judgments.

The Certainty of Prophecy
The events in Revelation are a fulfillment of God's prophetic word, encouraging believers to trust in His promises and timing.

The Call to Readiness
As the seals are opened, believers are reminded to remain vigilant and prepared for Christ's return, living lives that reflect His kingdom values.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the authority of the Lamb to open the seals impact your understanding of Jesus' role in the end times?

2. In what ways do the events described in Revelation 6:1 challenge you to consider the reality of God's judgment?

3. How can the worship of the living creatures inspire your own worship and reverence for God in your daily life?

4. What connections do you see between the events in Revelation and Jesus' teachings in Matthew 24, and how do they influence your perspective on current world events?

5. How can you live in readiness for Christ's return, and what practical steps can you take to align your life with His kingdom values?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Revelation 5
Provides context for the authority of the Lamb to open the seals, highlighting His worthiness and the worship He receives in heaven.

Matthew 24
Jesus' discourse on the end times parallels the events described in Revelation, including wars, famines, and other signs of the end.

Daniel 7
Offers a vision of heavenly beings and the Ancient of Days, providing a backdrop for understanding the role of the Lamb and the living creatures.
Sermons
The Conquering LordR. Green Revelation 6:1, 2
The ConquerorW. M. Punshon, D. D.Revelation 6:1-17
The Development of Good and Evil in Human History D. Thomas, D. D.Revelation 6:1-17
The Future Triumph of Our KingJ. Clayton, M. A.Revelation 6:1-17
The Going Forth of the GospelJames Durham.Revelation 6:1-17
The Opening of the SealsS. Conway Revelation 6:1-17
The Redeemer's ConquestsJ. Parsons.Revelation 6:1-17
The Seven Seals; Or, the Development of Good and Evil in Human HistoryD. Thomas Revelation 6:1-17
People
John
Places
Patmos
Topics
Beasts, Behold, Beings, Broke, Creatures, Ears, Lamb, Noise, Opened, Saying, Seals, Seven, Stamps, Thunder, Undid, Voice
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Revelation 6:1

     4852   thunder
     8201   blamelessness

Revelation 6:1-2

     4859   white

Revelation 6:1-3

     2315   Christ, as Lamb
     4627   creatures

Revelation 6:1-8

     4150   cherubim
     4657   horse
     5127   back

Revelation 6:1-12

     5518   seal

Library
"For if Ye Live after the Flesh, Ye Shall Die, but if Ye through the Spirit do Mortify the Deeds of the Body, Ye Shall Live. "
Rom. viii. 13.--"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die, but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Though the Lord, out of his absolute sovereignty, might deal with man in such a way, as nothing should appear but his supreme will and almighty power, he might simply command obedience, and without any more persuasions either leave men to the frowardness of their own natures, or else powerfully constrain them to their duty, yet he hath chosen that way that …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Departed Saints Fellowservants with those yet on Earth.
"I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets." The revelation made to St. John in the isle of Patmos, was a comfort to the suffering apostle, and a blessing to the church. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the word, of this prophecy." The beginning indeed was dark; the prophetic sketch, was for sometime, gloomy: It unfolded a strange scene of declensions and abominations, which were to disgrace the church of Christ and mar its beauty; and dismal series of woes on woes, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

God's Dealings with the Earth During the Tribulation Period.
The interval of time which separates the removal of the Church from the earth to the return of Christ to it, is variously designated in the Word of God. It is spoken of as "the day of vengeance" (Is. 61:2). It is called "the time of Jacob's trouble" (Jer. 30:7). It is the "hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world" (Rev. 3:10). It is denominated "the great day of the Lord" (Zeph. 1:14). It is termed "the great tribulation" (Matt. 24:21). It is the time of God's "controversy with the …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

An Advance Step in the Royal Programme
(Revelation, Chapters iv. and v.) "We are watching, we are waiting, For the bright prophetic day; When the shadows, weary shadows, From the world shall roll away. "We are watching, we are waiting, For the star that brings the day; When the night of sin shall vanish, And the shadows melt away. "We are watching, we are waiting, For the beauteous King of day; For the chiefest of ten thousand, For the Light, the Truth, the Way. "We are waiting for the morning, When the beauteous day is dawning, We are …
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

An Awful Contrast
"Then did they spit in his face."--Matthew 26:67. "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away."--Revelation 20:11. GUIDED BY OUR TEXT in Matthew's Gospel, let us first go in thought to the palace of Caiaphas the high priest, and there let us, in deepest sorrow, realize the meaning of these terrible words: "Then did they spit in his face." There is more of deep and awful thunder in them than in the bolt that bursts overhead, there is …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 42: 1896

"So Then they that are in the Flesh Cannot Please God. "
Rom. viii. 8.--"So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." It is a kind of happiness to men, to please them upon whom they depend, and upon whose favour their well-being hangs. It is the servant's happiness to please his master, the courtier's to please his prince; and so generally, whosoever they be that are joined in mutual relations, and depend one upon another; that which makes all pleasant, is this, to please one another. Now, certainly, all the dependencies of creatures one upon …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

From the Supplement to the Summa --Question Lxxii of the Prayers of the Saints who are in Heaven
I. Are the Saints cognizant of our Prayers? II. Ought we to appeal to the Saints to intercede for us? III. Are the Saints' Prayers to God for us always heard? I Are the Saints cognizant of our Prayers? On those words of Job,[267] Whether his children come to honour or dishonour, he shall not understand, S. Gregory says: "This is not to be understood of the souls of the Saints, for they see from within the glory of Almighty God, it is in nowise credible that there should be anything without of …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Christ's Kingly Office
Q-26: HOW DOES CHRIST EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF A KING? A: In subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies. Let us consider now Christ's regal office. And he has on his vesture, and on his thigh, a name written, "King of kings, and Lord of lords", Rev 19:16. Jesus Christ is of mighty renown, he is a king; (1.) he has a kingly title. High and Lofty.' Isa 57:15. (2.) He has his insignia regalia, his ensigns of royalty; corona est insigne …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Seventh vision "In Heaven"
H^7. Chap. xix. 1-16. The final heavenly Utterances and Actions. We now come to the last of the seven Visions seen "in Heaven," which is the subject of chap. xix. 1-16, giving us the final heavenly Utterances and Actions which lead up to, explain, and introduce the five concluding judgments which close up the things of Time, and pass on to what we call the Eternal State. This last Vision "in Heaven" is divided into two parts, each having its own independent construction. The first contains the words …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
Rom. viii. 1.--"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." There are three things which concur to make man miserable,--sin, condemnation, and affliction. Every one may observe that "man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward," that his days here are few and evil. He possesses "months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed" for him. Job v. 6, 7, vii. 3. He "is of few days and full of trouble," Job xiv. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Consolations against Impatience in Sickness.
If in thy sickness by extremity of pain thou be driven to impatience, meditate-- 1. That thy sins have deserved the pains of hell; therefore thou mayest with greater patience endure these fatherly corrections. 2. That these are the scourges of thy heavenly Father, and the rod is in his hand. If thou didst suffer with reverence, being a child, the corrections of thy earthly parents, how much rather shouldst thou now subject thyself, being the child of God, to the chastisement of thy heavenly Father, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Meditations of the Blessed State of a Regenerate Man in his Death.
When God sends death as his messenger for the regenerate man, he meets him half-way to heaven, for his conversation and affection is there before him (Phil. iii. 20; Col. iii. 2.) Death is never strange nor fearful to him: not strange, because he died daily--not fearful, because whilst he lived, he was dead, and his life was hid with Christ in God (1 Cor. i. 31; Col. iii. 3;) to die, therefore, is to him nothing else in effect, but to rest from his labour in this world, to go home to his Father's …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Messiah Worshipped by Angels
Let all the angels of God worship Him. M any of the Lord's true servants, have been in a situation so nearly similar to that of Elijah, that like him they have been tempted to think they were left to serve the Lord alone (I Kings 19:10) . But God had then a faithful people, and He has so in every age. The preaching of the Gospel may be compared to a standard erected, to which they repair, and thereby become known to each other, and more exposed to the notice and observation of the world. But we hope …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the Third Great Group of Parables.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) Subdivision C. Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen. ^A Matt. XXI. 33-46; ^B Mark XII. 1-12; ^C Luke XX. 9-19. ^b 1 And he began to speak unto them ^c the people [not the rulers] ^b in parables. { ^c this parable:} ^a 33 Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder [this party represents God], who planted a vineyard [this represents the Hebrew nationality], and set a hedge about it, and digged a ^b pit for the ^a winepress in it …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Death by Adam, Life by Christ
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. F rom Mr. Handel's acknowledged abilities as a composer, and particularly from what I have heard of his great taste and success in adapting the style of his music to the subject, I judge, that this passage afforded him a fair occasion of displaying his genius and powers. Two ideas, vastly important in themselves, are here represented in the strongest light, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace Being Made, from Being Archbishop of Armagh He Becomes Bishop of Down.
[Sidenote: 1129] 19. (12). Meanwhile[365] it happened that Archbishop Cellach[366] fell sick: he it was who ordained Malachy deacon, presbyter and bishop: and knowing that he was dying he made a sort of testament[367] to the effect that Malachy ought to succeed him,[368] because none seemed worthier to be bishop of the first see. This he gave in charge to those who were present, this he commanded to the absent, this to the two kings of Munster[369] and to the magnates of the land he specially enjoined …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

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