THE OPENING OF THE FIRST SIX OF THE SEVEN SEALS. (Rev. 6:1-17) one of the seals--The oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, Vulgate, and Syriac read, "one of the seven seals." noise--The three oldest manuscripts read this in th…
1Vi cuando el Cordero abrió uno de los sellos, y oí a uno de los cuatro seres vivientes decir como con voz de trueno: Ven y mira.
2Y miré, y he aquí un caballo blanco; y el que lo montaba tenía un arco; y le fue dada una corona, y salió venciendo, y para vencer.
3Cuando abrió el segundo sello, oí al segundo ser viviente, que decía: Ven y mira.
4Y salió otro caballo, bermejo; y al que lo montaba le fue dado poder de quitar de la tierra la paz, y que se matasen unos a otros; y se le dio una gran espada.
5Cuando abrió el tercer sello, oí al tercer ser viviente, que decía: Ven y mira. Y miré, y he aquí un caballo negro; y el que lo montaba tenía una balanza en la mano.
6Y oí una voz de en medio de los cuatro seres vivientes, que decía: Dos libras de trigo por un denario, y seis libras de cebada por un denario; pero no dañes el aceite ni el vino.
7Cuando abrió el cuarto sello, oí la voz del cuarto ser viviente, que decía: Ven y mira.
8Miré, y he aquí un caballo amarillo, y el que lo montaba tenía por nombre Muerte, y el Hades le seguía; y le fue dada potestad sobre la cuarta parte de la tierra, para matar con espada, con hambre, con mortandad, y con las fieras de la tierra.
9Cuando abrió el quinto sello, vi bajo el altar las almas de los que habían sido muertos por causa de la palabra de Dios y por el testimonio que tenían.
10Y clamaban a gran voz, diciendo: ¿Hasta cuándo, Señor, santo y verdadero, no juzgas y vengas nuestra sangre en los que moran en la tierra?
11Y se les dieron vestiduras blancas, y se les dijo que descansasen todavía un poco de tiempo, hasta que se completara el número de sus consiervos y sus hermanos, que también habían de ser muertos como ellos.
12Miré cuando abrió el sexto sello, y he aquí hubo un gran terremoto; y el sol se puso negro como tela de cilicio, y la luna se volvió toda como sangre;
13y las estrellas del cielo cayeron sobre la tierra, como la higuera deja caer sus higos cuando es sacudida por un fuerte viento.
14Y el cielo se desvaneció como un pergamino que se enrolla; y todo monte y toda isla se removió de su lugar.
15Y los reyes de la tierra, y los grandes, los ricos, los capitanes, los poderosos, y todo siervo y todo libre, se escondieron en las cuevas y entre las peñas de los montes;
16y decían a los montes y a las peñas: Caed sobre nosotros, y escondednos del rostro de aquel que está sentado sobre el trono, y de la ira del Cordero;
17porque el gran día de su ira ha llegado; ¿y quién podrá sostenerse en pie?
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
I
Versículo 2
I. Evidently Christ, whether in person, or by His angel, preparatory to His coming again, as appears…
Evidently Christ, whether in person, or by His angel, preparatory to His coming again, as appears from Rev 19:11-12.
bow-- (Psa 45:4-5).
crown--Greek, "stephanos," the garland or wreath of a conqueror, which is also implied by His white horse, white being the emblem of victory. In Rev 19:11-12 the last step in His victorious progress is represented; accordingly there He wears many diadems (Greek, "diademata"; not merely Greek, "stephanoi," "crowns" or "wreaths"), and is personally attended by the hosts of heaven. Compare Zac 1:7-17; Zac 6:1-8; especially Rev 6:10 below, with Zac 1:12; also compare the colors of the four horses.
and to conquer--that is, so as to gain a lasting victory. All four seals usher in judgments on the earth, as the power which opposes the reign of Himself and His Church. This, rather than the work of conversion and conviction, is primarily meant, though doubtless, secondarily, the elect will be gathered out through His word and His judgments.
II
Versículo 3
II. and see--omitted in the three oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, and Vulgate.
and see--omitted in the three oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, and Vulgate.
III
Versículo 4
III. red--the color of blood. The color of the horse in each case answers to the mission of the rider.…
red--the color of blood. The color of the horse in each case answers to the mission of the rider. Compare Mat 10:24-36, "Think not I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword." The white horse of Christ's bloodless victories is soon followed, through man's perversion of the Gospel, by the red horse of bloodshed; but this is overruled to the clearing away of the obstacles to Christ's coming kingdom. The patient ox is the emblem of the second living creature who, at the opening of this seal, saith, "Come." The saints amidst judgments on the earth in patience "endure to the end."
that they should kill--The Greek is indicative future, "that they may, as they also shall, kill one another."
IV
Versículo 5
IV. Come and see--The two oldest manuscripts, A, C, and Vulgate omit "and see." B retains the words.
Come and see--The two oldest manuscripts, A, C, and Vulgate omit "and see." B retains the words.
black--implying sadness and want.
had--Greek, "having."
a pair of balances--the symbol of scarcity of provisions, the bread being doled out by weight.
V
Versículo 6
V. a voice--Two oldest manuscripts, A, C, read, "as it were a voice." B reads as English Version. Th…
a voice--Two oldest manuscripts, A, C, read, "as it were a voice." B reads as English Version. The voice is heard "in the midst of the four living creatures" (as Jehovah in the Shekinah-cloud manifested His presence between the cherubim); because it is only for the sake of, and in connection with, His redeemed, that God mitigates His judgments on the earth.
A measure--"A chœnix." While making food scarce, do not make it so much so that a chœnix (about a day's provision of wheat, variously estimated at two or three pints) shall not be obtainable "for a penny" (denarius, eight and a half pence of our money, probably the day's wages of a laborer). Famine generally follows the sword. Ordinarily, from sixteen to twenty measures were given for a denarius. The sword, famine, noisome beasts, and the pestilence, are God's four judgments on the earth. A spiritual famine, too, may be included in the judgment. The "Come," in the case of this third seal, is said by the third of the four living creatures, whose likeness is a man indicative of sympathy and human compassion for the sufferers. God in it tempers judgment with mercy. Compare Mat 24:7, which indicates the very calamities foretold in these seals, nation rising against nation (the sword), famines, pestilences (Rev 6:8), and earthquakes (Rev 6:12).
three measures of barley for a penny--the cheaper and less nutritious grain, bought by the laborer who could not buy enough wheat for his family with his day's wages, a denarius, and, therefore, buys barley.
see thou hurt not the oil, and the wine--the luxuries of life, rather than necessaries; the oil and wine were to be spared for the refreshment of the sufferers.
VI
Versículo 7
VI. and see--supported by B; omitted by A, C, and Vulgate. The fourth living creature, who was "like …
and see--supported by B; omitted by A, C, and Vulgate. The fourth living creature, who was "like a flying eagle," introduces this seal; implying high-soaring intelligence, and judgment descending from on high fatally on the ungodly, as the king of birds on his prey.
VII
Versículo 8
VII. pale--"livid" [ALFORD].
pale--"livid" [ALFORD].
Death--personified.
Hell--Hades personified.
unto them--Death and Hades. So A, C read. But B and Vulgate read, "to him."
fourth part of the earth--answering to the first four seals; his portion as one of the four, being a fourth part.
death--pestilence; compare Eze 14:21 with the four judgments here, the sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts; the famine the consequence of the sword; pestilence, that of famine; and beasts multiplying by the consequent depopulation.
with the beasts--Greek, "by"; more direct agency. These four seals are marked off from the three last, by the four living creatures introducing them with "Come." The calamities indicated are not restricted to one time, but extend through the whole period of Church history to the coming of Christ, before which last great and terrible day of the Lord they shall reach highest aggravation. The first seal is the summary, Christ going forth conquering till all enemies are subdued under Him, with a view to which the judgments subsequently specified accompany the preaching of the Gospel for a witness to all nations.
VIII
Versículo 9
VIII. The three last seals relate to the invisible, as the first four to the visible world; the fifth, …
The three last seals relate to the invisible, as the first four to the visible world; the fifth, to the martyrs who have died as believers; the sixth, to those who have died, or who shall be found at Christ's coming, unbelievers, namely, "the kings . . . great men . . . bondman . . . freeman"; the seventh, to the silence in heaven. The scene changes from earth to heaven; so that interpretations which make these three last consecutive to the first four seals, are very doubtful.
I saw--in spirit. For souls are not naturally visible.
under the altar--As the blood of sacrificial victims slain on the altar was poured at the bottom of the altar, so the souls of those sacrificed for Christ's testimony are symbolically represented as under the altar, in heaven; for the life or animal soul is in the blood, and blood is often represented as crying for vengeance (Gen 4:10). The altar in heaven, antitypical to the altar of sacrifice, is Christ crucified. As it is the altar that sanctifies the gift, so it is Christ alone who makes our obedience, and even our sacrifice of life for the truth, acceptable to God. The sacrificial altar was not in the sanctuary, but outside; so Christ's literal sacrifice and the figurative sacrifice of the martyrs took place, not in the heavenly sanctuary, but outside, here on earth. The only altar in heaven is that antitypical to the temple altar of incense. The blood of the martyrs cries from the earth under Christ's cross, whereon they may be considered virtually to have been sacrificed; their souls cry from under the altar of incense, which is Christ in heaven, by whom alone the incense of praise is accepted before God. They are under Christ, in His immediate presence, shut up unto Him in joyful eager expectancy until He shall come to raise the sleeping dead. Compare the language of 2 Maccabees 7:36 as indicating Jewish opinion on the subject. Our brethren who have now suffered a short pain are dead under (Greek) God's covenant of everlasting life.
testimony which they held--that is, which they bore, as committed to them to bear. Compare Rev 12:17, "Have (same Greek as here) the testimony of Jesus."
IX
Versículo 10
IX. How long--Greek, "Until when?" As in the parable the woman (symbol of the Church) cries day and n…
How long--Greek, "Until when?" As in the parable the woman (symbol of the Church) cries day and night to the unjust judge for justice against her adversary who is always oppressing her (compare below, Rev 12:10); so the elect (not only on earth, but under Christ's covering, and in His presence in Paradise) cry day and night to God, who will assuredly, in His own time, avenge His and their cause, "though He bear long with them." These passages need not be restricted to some particular martyrdoms, but have been, and are receiving, and shall receive partial fulfilments, until their last exhaustive fulfilment before Christ's coming. So as to the other events foretold here. The glory even of those in Paradise will only be complete when Christ's and the Church's foes are cast out, and the earth will become Christ's kingdom at His coming to raise the sleeping saints.
Lord--Greek, "Master"; implying that He has them and their foes and all His creatures as absolutely at His disposal, as a master has his slaves; hence, in Rev 6:11, "fellow servants," or fellow slaves follows.
holy--Greek, "the Holy one."
avenge--"exact vengeance for our blood."
on--Greek, "from them."
that dwell on the earth--the ungodly, of earth, earthly, as distinguished from the Church, whose home and heart are even now in heavenly places.
X
Versículo 11
X. white robes--The three oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, read, "A white robe was given."
white robes--The three oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, read, "A white robe was given."
every one of--One oldest manuscript, B, omits this. A and C read, "unto them, unto each," that is, unto them severally. Though their joint cry for the riddance of the earth from the ungodly is not yet granted, it is intimated that it will be so in due time; meanwhile, individually they receive the white robe, indicative of light, joy, and triumphant victory over their foes; even as the Captain of their salvation goes forth on a white horse conquering and to conquer; also of purity and sanctity through Christ. MAIMONIDES says that the Jews used to array priests, when approved of, in white robes; thus the sense is, they are admitted among the blessed ones, who, as spotless priests, minister unto God and the Lamb.
should--So C reads. But A and B, "shall rest."
a little season--One oldest manuscript, B, omits "little." A and C support it. Even if it be omitted, is it to be inferred that the "season" is short as compared with eternity? BENGEL fancifully made a season (Greek, "chronus," the word here used) to be one thousand one hundred and eleven one-ninth years, and a time (Rev 12:12, Rev 12:14, Greek, "kairos") to be a fifth of a season, that is, two hundred and twenty-two two-ninths years. The only distinction in the Greek is, a season (Greek, "chronus") is a sort of aggregate of times. Greek, "kairos," a specific time, and so of short duration. As to their rest, compare Rev 14:13 (the same Greek, "anapauomai"); Isa 57:2; Dan 12:13.
until their . . . brethren . . . be fulfilled--in number. Until their full number shall have been completed. The number of the elect is definitely fixed: perhaps to fill up that of the fallen angels. But this is mere conjecture. The full blessedness and glory of all the saints shall be simultaneous. The earlier shall not anticipate the later saints. A and C read, "shall have been accomplished"; B and Aleph read, "shall have accomplished (their course)."
XI
Versículo 12
XI. As Rev 6:4, Rev 6:6-8, the sword, famine, and pestilence, answer to Mat 24:6-7; Rev 6:9-10, as to…
As Rev 6:4, Rev 6:6-8, the sword, famine, and pestilence, answer to Mat 24:6-7; Rev 6:9-10, as to martyrdoms, answer to Mat 24:9-10; so this passage, Rev 6:12, Rev 6:17, answers to Mat 24:29-30, "the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven; . . . then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming"; imagery describing the portents of the immediate coming of the day of the Lord; but not the coming itself until the elect are sealed, and the judgments invoked by the martyrs descend on the earth, the sea, and the trees (Rev 7:1-3).
and, lo--So A reads. But B and C omit "lo."
earthquake--Greek, "shaking" of the heavens, the sea, and the dry land; the shaking of these mutable things being the necessary preliminary to the setting up of those things which cannot be shaken. This is one of the catchwords [WORDSWORTH] connecting the sixth seal with the sixth trumpet (Rev 11:13) and the seventh vial (Rev 16:17-21); also the seventh seal (Rev 8:5).
sackcloth--One kind, made of the "hair" of Cilician goats, was called "cilicium," or Cilician cloth, and was used for tents, &c. Paul, a Cilician, made such tents (Act 18:3).
moon--A, B, C, and oldest versions read, "the whole moon"; the full moon; not merely the crescent moon.
as blood-- (Joe 2:31).
XII
Versículo 13
XII. stars . . . fell . . . as a fig tree casteth her . . . figs-- (Isa 34:4; Nah 3:12). The Church sh…
stars . . . fell . . . as a fig tree casteth her . . . figs-- (Isa 34:4; Nah 3:12). The Church shall be then ripe for glorification, the Antichristian world for destruction, which shall be accompanied with mighty phenomena in nature. As to the stars falling to the earth, Scripture describes natural phenomena as they would appear to the spectator, not in the language of scientific accuracy; and yet, while thus adapting itself to ordinary men, it drops hints which show that it anticipates the discoveries of modern science.
XIII
Versículo 14
XIII. departed--Greek, "was separated from" its place; "was made to depart." Not as ALFORD, "parted asu…
departed--Greek, "was separated from" its place; "was made to depart." Not as ALFORD, "parted asunder"; for, on the contrary, it was rolled together as a scroll which had been open is rolled up and laid aside. There is no "asunder one from another" here in the Greek, as in Act 15:39, which ALFORD copies.
mountain . . . moved out of . . . places-- (Psa 121:1, Margin; Jer 3:23; Jer 4:24; Nah 1:5). This total disruption shall be the precursor of the new earth, just as the pre-Adamic convulsions prepared it for its present occupants.
XIV
Versículo 15
XIV. kings . . . hid themselves--Where was now the spirit of those whom the world has so greatly feare…
kings . . . hid themselves--Where was now the spirit of those whom the world has so greatly feared? [BENGEL].
great men--statesmen and high civil officers.
rich men . . . chief captains--The three oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, transpose thus, "chief captains . . . rich men."
mighty--The three oldest manuscripts, A, B, and C read, "strong" physically (Psa 33:16).
in--literally "into"; ran into, so as to hide themselves in.
dens--"caves."
XV
Versículo 16
XV. from the face-- (Psa 34:16). On the whole verse, compare Hos 10:8; Luk 23:30.
from the face-- (Psa 34:16). On the whole verse, compare Hos 10:8; Luk 23:30.
16
Versículo 17
16. Literally, "the day, the great (day)," which can only mean the last great day. After the Lord has…
Literally, "the day, the great (day)," which can only mean the last great day. After the Lord has exhausted all His ordinary judgments, the sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts, and still sinners are impenitent, the great day of the Lord itself' shall come. Mat. 24:6-29 plainly forms a perfect parallelism to the six seals, not only in the events, but also in the order of their occurrence: Mat 24:3, the first seal; Mat 24:6, the second seal; Mat 24:7, the third seal; Mat 24:7, end, the fourth seal; Mat 24:9, the fifth seal, the persecutions and abounding iniquity under which, as well as consequent judgments accompanied with gospel preaching to all nations as a witness, are particularly detailed, Mat. 24:9-28; Mat 24:29, the sixth seal.
to stand--to stand justified, and not condemned before the Judge. Thus the sixth seal brings us to the verge of the Lord's coming. The ungodly "tribes of the earth" tremble at the signs of His immediate approach. But before He actually inflicts the blow in person, "the elect" must be "gathered "out.
Next: Revelation Chapter 7
Nuevo Testamento
Revelation — Capítulo 6
THE OPENING OF THE FIRST SIX OF THE SEVEN SEALS. (Rev. 6:1-17) one of the seals--The oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, Vulgate, and Syriac read, "one of the seven seals." noise--The three oldest manuscripts read this in th…
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Vi cuando el Cordero abrió uno de los sellos, y oí a uno de los cuatro seres vivientes decir como con voz de trueno: Ven y mira.
2Y miré, y he aquí un caballo blanco; y el que lo montaba tenía un arco; y le fue dada una corona, y salió venciendo, y para vencer.
3Cuando abrió el segundo sello, oí al segundo ser viviente, que decía: Ven y mira.
4Y salió otro caballo, bermejo; y al que lo montaba le fue dado poder de quitar de la tierra la paz, y que se matasen unos a otros; y se le dio una gran espada.
5Cuando abrió el tercer sello, oí al tercer ser viviente, que decía: Ven y mira. Y miré, y he aquí un caballo negro; y el que lo montaba tenía una balanza en la mano.
6Y oí una voz de en medio de los cuatro seres vivientes, que decía: Dos libras de trigo por un denario, y seis libras de cebada por un denario; pero no dañes el aceite ni el vino.
7Cuando abrió el cuarto sello, oí la voz del cuarto ser viviente, que decía: Ven y mira.
8Miré, y he aquí un caballo amarillo, y el que lo montaba tenía por nombre Muerte, y el Hades le seguía; y le fue dada potestad sobre la cuarta parte de la tierra, para matar con espada, con hambre, con mortandad, y con las fieras de la tierra.
9Cuando abrió el quinto sello, vi bajo el altar las almas de los que habían sido muertos por causa de la palabra de Dios y por el testimonio que tenían.
10Y clamaban a gran voz, diciendo: ¿Hasta cuándo, Señor, santo y verdadero, no juzgas y vengas nuestra sangre en los que moran en la tierra?
11Y se les dieron vestiduras blancas, y se les dijo que descansasen todavía un poco de tiempo, hasta que se completara el número de sus consiervos y sus hermanos, que también habían de ser muertos como ellos.
12Miré cuando abrió el sexto sello, y he aquí hubo un gran terremoto; y el sol se puso negro como tela de cilicio, y la luna se volvió toda como sangre;
13y las estrellas del cielo cayeron sobre la tierra, como la higuera deja caer sus higos cuando es sacudida por un fuerte viento.
14Y el cielo se desvaneció como un pergamino que se enrolla; y todo monte y toda isla se removió de su lugar.
15Y los reyes de la tierra, y los grandes, los ricos, los capitanes, los poderosos, y todo siervo y todo libre, se escondieron en las cuevas y entre las peñas de los montes;
16y decían a los montes y a las peñas: Caed sobre nosotros, y escondednos del rostro de aquel que está sentado sobre el trono, y de la ira del Cordero;
17porque el gran día de su ira ha llegado; ¿y quién podrá sostenerse en pie?
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
Versículo 2
I. Evidently Christ, whether in person, or by His angel, preparatory to His coming again, as appears…
Versículo 3
II. and see--omitted in the three oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, and Vulgate.
Versículo 4
III. red--the color of blood. The color of the horse in each case answers to the mission of the rider.…
Versículo 5
IV. Come and see--The two oldest manuscripts, A, C, and Vulgate omit "and see." B retains the words.
Versículo 6
V. a voice--Two oldest manuscripts, A, C, read, "as it were a voice." B reads as English Version. Th…
Versículo 7
VI. and see--supported by B; omitted by A, C, and Vulgate. The fourth living creature, who was "like …
Versículo 8
VII. pale--"livid" [ALFORD].
Versículo 9
VIII. The three last seals relate to the invisible, as the first four to the visible world; the fifth, …
Versículo 10
IX. How long--Greek, "Until when?" As in the parable the woman (symbol of the Church) cries day and n…
Versículo 11
X. white robes--The three oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, read, "A white robe was given."
Versículo 12
XI. As Rev 6:4, Rev 6:6-8, the sword, famine, and pestilence, answer to Mat 24:6-7; Rev 6:9-10, as to…
Versículo 13
XII. stars . . . fell . . . as a fig tree casteth her . . . figs-- (Isa 34:4; Nah 3:12). The Church sh…
Versículo 14
XIII. departed--Greek, "was separated from" its place; "was made to depart." Not as ALFORD, "parted asu…
Versículo 15
XIV. kings . . . hid themselves--Where was now the spirit of those whom the world has so greatly feare…
Versículo 16
XV. from the face-- (Psa 34:16). On the whole verse, compare Hos 10:8; Luk 23:30.
Versículo 17
16. Literally, "the day, the great (day)," which can only mean the last great day. After the Lord has…