12 I looked when He broke the sixth seal , and there was a great earthquake ; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair , and the whole moon became like blood ; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth , as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind . 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places . 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains ; 16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks , "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne , and from the wrath of the Lamb ; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come , and who is able to stand ?"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Revelation 6:12-17
Commentary on Revelation 6:12-17
(Read Revelation 6:12-17)
When the sixth seal was opened, there was a great earthquake. The foundations of churches and states would be terribly shaken. Such bold figurative descriptions of great changes abound in the prophecies of Scripture; for these events are emblems, and declare the end of the world and the day of judgment. Dread and terror would seize on all sorts of men. Neither grandeur, riches, valour, nor strength, can support men at that time. They would be glad to be no more seen; yea, to have no longer any being. Though Christ be a Lamb, he can be angry, and the wrath of the Lamb is exceedingly dreadful; for if the Redeemer himself, who appeases the wrath of God, be our enemy, where shall we find a friend to plead for us? As men have their day of opportunity, and their seasons of grace, so God has his day of righteous wrath. It seems that the overthrow of the paganism of the Roman empire is here meant. The idolaters are described as hiding themselves in their dens and secret caves, and vainly seeking to escape ruin. In such a day, when the signs of the times show those who believe in God's word, that the King of kings is approaching, Christians are called to a decided course, and to a bold confession of Christ and his truth before their fellowmen. Whatever they may have to endure, the short contempt of man is to be borne, rather than that shame which is everlasting.