The Real World
John has said already that Christ has begun to reign over earthly kings (1:5; 2:6–27). Now in 6:1–8 he explains that this reign extends even over the situations of suffering in which many Christians find themselves. Examples of such suffering have been alluded to in the letters in chs. 2–3. Some Christians may have wondered if Christ really was sovereign over disastrous circumstances, such as Nero’s cruel mass persecution after the fire of Rome in A.D. 64. They may have asked the same question about broader disasters such as the destructive earthquakes in 60, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79, and the calamitous grain famine of 92.
Rev. 6:1–8 is intended to show that Christ rules over such an apparently chaotic world and that suffering does not occur indiscriminately or by chance. This section reveals, in fact, that destructive events are brought about by Christ for both redemptive and judicial purposes. It is Christ sitting on his throne who controls all the trials and persecutions of the church. As already argued, the opening of the seals begins the actual revelation and execution of the contents of the “scroll” of ch. 5. The command for each of the four destructive horses and riders originates from the throne room, where Christ opens each seal. The cherubim around the throne issue commands to the horseman in response to the opening of each seal. Only then do the horsemen wreak their havoc.
John has said already that Christ has begun to reign over earthly kings (1:5; 2:6–27). Now in 6:1–8 he explains that this reign extends even over the situations of suffering in which many Christians find themselves. Examples of such suffering have been alluded to in the letters in chs. 2–3. Some Christians may have wondered if Christ really was sovereign over disastrous circumstances, such as Nero’s cruel mass persecution after the fire of Rome in A.D. 64. They may have asked the same question about broader disasters such as the destructive earthquakes in 60, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79, and the calamitous grain famine of 92.
Rev. 6:1–8 is intended to show that Christ rules over such an apparently chaotic world and that suffering does not occur indiscriminately or by chance. This section reveals, in fact, that destructive events are brought about by Christ for both redemptive and judicial purposes. It is Christ sitting on his throne who controls all the trials and persecutions of the church.
17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”