Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Revelation 6
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.
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.
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.
beheld = saw, Revelation 6:1.
lo = behold, Revelation 6:2.
black. Signifying famine. See Lamentations 4:4-8, &c.
pair, &c. = balance.
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.
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 Dan 7 for the Divine description of "the powers" as "wild beasts".
altar. Greek. thusiasterion. First of eight occurances.
souls. See App-110and App-170Compare App-13.
were = had been.
word. App-121.
God. App-98.
testimony. See John 1:7.
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.
white robes = a white robe. See Revelation 7:9 and Mark 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.
sixth seal. The signs immediately preceding the Advent of Rev 19.
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 Psa 46.
moon. The texts add "whole", i.e. the full moon.
as blood. i.e. as to color.
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.
departed = parted asunder. See Acts 15:39.
scroll. See Revelation 1:11.
when, &c. = rolling itself up.
moved = removed, as Revelation 2:5.
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.
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.
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.
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