he that sat, &c. Not to be identified with the white horse and rider of Revelation 19:11 , for here is the beginning of the series of terrible judgments. See Revelation 6:12 and the order of events in Matthew 24:4-28 .
on him = thereon. Greek. epi ( App-104 .) auton.
bow. Greek. toxon. Only here in N.T. Compare Revelation 4:3 .
crown. See App-197 .
given. The giver not mentioned. See Revelation 13:5 , Revelation 13:7 . Luke 4:6 . 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9 .
unto = to.
went. Greek."came", see Revelation 6:1 .
conquering, &c. Literally conquering and in order that (Greek. hina) he may conquer. The verb is the same as "overcame" in Revelation 2:7 , &c.
penny. App-51 . Bread by weight means scarcity (compare Ezekiel 4:10 , Ezekiel 4:16 , Ezekiel 4:17 ). A denarius was a day's wage (Matthew 20:2 ), and a choenix of corn was a slave's daily ration, an amount usually purchasable for one-eighth of a denarius.
see. Omit, and read the clause "and hurt thou not" ( App-105 ).
oil . . . wine. By Figure of speech Metalepsis this may point to special protection of the elect in famine times. See Revelation 12:14 .Zechariah 13:8 . Romans 3:1 , Romans 3:2 ; Romans 9:4 , Romans 9:5 .
pale = livid. Greek. chloros ; in Revelation 8:7 ; Revelation 9:4 .Mark 6:39 , rendered "green".
and . . . Death. "Literally and the one sitting on (Greek. epano, first occ Matthew 2:9 , "over") him, the name to him (is) Death.
Death. By Metonymy ( of Effect) ( App-6 ) = pestilence. Famine is invariably followed by pestilence. Here, Death and Hades are personified. Compare Revelation 9:11 .
Hell. App-131 .
power. App-172 .
fourth. See App-10 .
beasts = wild beasts. Greek. therion. Occurs thirty-eight times in Rev., thirty-seven of "the beast". And here it may indicate the nations supporting "the beast". See Daniel 7:0 for the Divine description of "the powers" as "wild beasts".
Fall, &c. See Hosea 10:8 , and compare Luke 23:30 .
face. Greek. prosopon. Same word "presence" in 2 Thessalonians 1:9 .
wrath. Greek. orge. Only once in N.T. is "wrath" attributed to the Lord; see Mark 3:5 . Elsewhere it pertains to God. "Wrath of the Lamb"! Divine love spurned and rejected turning to judicial "wrath" and destruction.
Lamb. In Revelation 5:5 the Lamb-Lion; here, the Lion-Lamb.
Verse 1
saw. App-133 .
Lamb. See Revelation 5:6 .
seals. Read "seven seals", with texts.
as . . . saying. Read, "one of the four zoa saying as with a voice of thunder".
beasts. See Revelation 4:6 .
and see. All the texts omit.
Verse 2
behold. App-133 .
he that sat, &c. Not to be identified with the white horse and rider of Revelation 19:11 , for here is the beginning of the series of terrible judgments. See Revelation 6:12 and the order of events in Matthew 24:4-28 .
on him = thereon. Greek. epi ( App-104 .) auton.
bow. Greek. toxon. Only here in N.T. Compare Revelation 4:3 .
crown. See App-197 .
given. The giver not mentioned. See Revelation 13:5 , Revelation 13:7 . Luke 4:6 . 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9 .
unto = to.
went. Greek."came", see Revelation 6:1 .
conquering, &c. Literally conquering and in order that (Greek. hina) he may conquer. The verb is the same as "overcame" in Revelation 2:7 , &c.
Verse 3
had. Omit.
say = saying, Revelation 6:1 .
Verse 4
went out. Greek."came forth".
another. App-124 .
power. Read "it".
thereon = on him, as Revelation 6:2 .
peace = the peace.
earth. App-129 .
that = in order that. Greek. hina.
Verse 5
beheld = saw, Revelation 6:1 .
lo = behold, Revelation 6:2 .
black. Signifying famine. See Lamentations 4:4-8 , &c.
pair, &c. = balance.
Verse 6
heard. The texts add "as it were".
voice. Same as noise, Revelation 6:1 .
measure. Greek. choenix ; . App-51 .
penny. App-51 . Bread by weight means scarcity (compare Ezekiel 4:10 , Ezekiel 4:16 , Ezekiel 4:17 ). A denarius was a day's wage (Matthew 20:2 ), and a choenix of corn was a slave's daily ration, an amount usually purchasable for one-eighth of a denarius.
see. Omit, and read the clause "and hurt thou not" ( App-105 ).
oil . . . wine. By Figure of speech Metalepsis this may point to special protection of the elect in famine times. See Revelation 12:14 .Zechariah 13:8 . Romans 3:1 , Romans 3:2 ; Romans 9:4 , Romans 9:5 .
Verse 8
looked = saw, as Revelation 6:1 .
pale = livid. Greek. chloros ; in Revelation 8:7 ; Revelation 9:4 .Mark 6:39 , rendered "green".
and . . . Death. "Literally and the one sitting on (Greek. epano, first occ Matthew 2:9 , "over") him, the name to him (is) Death.
Death. By Metonymy ( of Effect) ( App-6 ) = pestilence. Famine is invariably followed by pestilence. Here, Death and Hades are personified. Compare Revelation 9:11 .
Hell. App-131 .
power. App-172 .
fourth. See App-10 .
beasts = wild beasts. Greek. therion. Occurs thirty-eight times in Rev., thirty-seven of "the beast". And here it may indicate the nations supporting "the beast". See Daniel 7:0 for the Divine description of "the powers" as "wild beasts".
Verse 9
altar. Greek. thusiasterion. First of eight occurances.
souls. See App-110 and App-170 Compare App-13 .
were = had been.
word. App-121 .
God. App-98 .
testimony. See John 1:7 .
Verse 10
loud = great.
voice. As Abel's blood was said to cry (Genesis 4:10 ).
Lord. App-98 .
holy = the Holy.
true = the True.
judge. App-122 .
avenge. See Deuteronomy 32:43 .Luke 18:3 . A call consistent with the day of judgment, not with the present day of grace.
on. apo. App-104 . but the texts read ek.
Verse 11
white robes = a white robe. See Revelation 7:9 and Mar 12:88 .
were = was.
every one = each one.
yet for, &c. = yet a little time (Greek. chronos. App-195 ).
fellowservants. Greek. sundoulos. Occurs only in Matt., Col., and Rev. See App-190 .
that should be = that are about to be.
as they were = even as they also ( had been) .
fulfilled. App-125 .
Verse 12
sixth seal. The signs immediately preceding the Advent of Revelation 19:0 . Matthew 24:4-5 (1st. The False Messiah), Revelation 6:1-2 Matthew 24:6-7 (2nd. Wars.) Revelation 6:3-4 Matthew 24:7 (3rd. Famines.) Revelation 6:5-6 Matthew 24:7 (4th. Pestilences.) Revelation 6:7-8 ) Matthew 24:8-28 (5th Martyrdoms.) Revelation 6:9-11 Matthew 24:29-30 (6th. Signs in heaven of Advent.) Revelation 6:12-17 .
lo. Omit.
was = came to be.
earthquake. Greek. seismos. See Haggai 2:6 , Haggai 2:7 , Haggai 2:21 , Haggai 2:22 .Zechariah 14:5 .Matthew 8:24 .Hebrews 12:26 . Compare Psalms 46:0 .
moon. The texts add "whole", i.e. the full moon.
as blood. i.e. as to color.
Verse 13
stars, &c. See Revelation 9:1 and compare Daniel 8:10 , &c.
heaven. See Revelation 3:12 .
mighty = great, as verses: Revelation 6:4 , Revelation 6:10 , Revelation 6:17 .
Verse 14
departed = parted asunder. See Acts 15:39 .
scroll. See Revelation 1:11 .
when, &c. = rolling itself up.
moved = removed, as Revelation 2:5 .
Verse 15
the kings of the earth. See App-197 . As regards the social fabric, the present conditions will exist when the Lord comes.
great men. Greek. megistanea. Only here; Revelation 18:23 .Mark 6:21 .
men, man = ones, one.
mighty. Greek. ischuros (with the texts). As in Revelation 19:18 . Compare App-172 .
bondman. App-190 .
every. Omit.
Verse 16
said = they say.
Fall, &c. See Hosea 10:8 , and compare Luke 23:30 .
face. Greek. prosopon. Same word "presence" in 2 Thessalonians 1:9 .
wrath. Greek. orge. Only once in N.T. is "wrath" attributed to the Lord; see Mark 3:5 . Elsewhere it pertains to God. "Wrath of the Lamb"! Divine love spurned and rejected turning to judicial "wrath" and destruction.
Lamb. In Revelation 5:5 the Lamb-Lion; here, the Lion-Lamb.
Verse 17
great day All preceding judgments lead up to this. See Joel 2:11 , Joel 2:31 .Zephaniah 1:14 . Compare Jude 1:6 .
who, &c. This solemn question now to be answered by the sealing of 144,000 specially protected and blessed ones.
shall be = is.