Revelation 6:12

Translations

Modern

And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red,

Traditional

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;

Literal

And I saw when He opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood,

Latin

Et vidi cum aperuisset sigillum sextum: et ecce terræmotus magnus factus est, et sol factus est niger tamquam saccus cilicinus: et luna tota facta est sicut sanguis:

Original

Greek

English

And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red,

Notes

Revelation 6:12–14

These violent and world-shaking signs are linked in Scripture to the day of the Lord. On this day, God’s judgment will disrupt the entire created order (see Isaiah 13:4–12; 34:1–4; Joel 2:1–32; Zephaniah 2:1–3; Mark 13:1–37).

Revelation 6:12–17

The opening of the sixth seal provides a preview of the end of the world.

Revelation 6:1–16:21

Three sets of seven judgments (the seals, trumpets, and bowls) are central to Revelation. Some believe these judgments happen in a sequence, one after another, totaling twenty-one judgments.

However, it is more likely that the relationship is cyclical, similar to other Jewish apocalyptic writings (compare Daniel 2, 7, 8, 11). Each set of judgments becomes more intense and adds new details about God's judgment on those who rebel against him. In this view, all three cycles end at the same time, with the return of Christ.

Revelation 6:1–8:1

The Lamb breaks the seven seals to reveal the significance of history from God’s point of view.

Theme notes and profiles

The Purpose of the Judgments Visions

Related verses

Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’
Joel 2:10
Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness.
Acts 2:19–20
I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
Mark 13:24–25
But in those days, after that tribulation: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
Joel 2:30–31
I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.
Joel 3:15
The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will no longer shine.
Amos 8:9
And in that day, declares the Lord GOD, I will make the sun go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the daytime.
Revelation 16:18
And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth—so mighty was the great quake.
Isaiah 13:9–10
Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming—cruel, with fury and burning anger—to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it.
Ezekiel 32:7–8
When I extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light.
Revelation 11:13
And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Isaiah 50:3
I clothe the heavens in black and make sackcloth their covering.”

Glossary

Black Book of Revelation Day of the Lord Moon New Creation, New Creature Sackcloth

Topics

Astronomy: Sidereal Phenomena Earthquakes: Symbolical Earthquakes: The Overthrow of Kingdoms Eclipse of the Sun and Moon Heaven: Physical Heavens, Destruction of Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena: General Scriptures Concerning Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena: Symbolical used in the Revelation of John Moon: Darkening of Sackcloth of a Black Colour Sackcloth: (Heavens Becoming As) of Severe Judgments Sackcloth: Made of Coarse Hair Sun: Miracles Concerning: Darkening of The Moon: (Becoming Blood) of Judgments Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Earthquake and the Celestial Phenomena

Revelation 6:12

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