Expert: Scott Talbot - 3/11/2005

Question
Hi Scott. I have a question and most appeared to never notice this in revelation. Most of it is badly translated and unfortunately I am not good in the greek. I study on revelation everyday and it appears the Thrown Judagement is the same event as the 6th seal, [judgement on Jerusalem/Harlot?]. The "dead" I believe represent those standing on the earth who didn't receive the seal of Jesus [as they are shown "standing" not being raised].
     One view appears to be from "heaven" and the other from "earth". The saints are already shown in heaven before the bowls of wrath are poured out and then it is finished.  I read the bible spiritually and the symbology of revelation is the same as the OT. For example, the 5 months of the "locusts" is the same amount of time the flood of Noah covered the earth[gen 7:24], [the destruction of the earth in the OT] and may be the actuall period of the Wraths after the Tribulation of the saints!!
Do you by any chance see the similarity and how well do you know the greek? Thanks and God bless.

revelation 20:11 :the earth[mountain/island] and the heaven[the sky] fled away. And there was found no place for them.

revelation 5:14: the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place

revelation 5: 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us

Luke 23:28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 "For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed [are] the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!' 30 "Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!" '

Revelation 20:Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face

Revelation 5:16 from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb

revelation 5:17 "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God


Answer
Hi, Steve!

Your observations are interesting. Both Revelation 6 (Sixth Seal Judgment) and Revelation 20 (Great White Throne Judgment) share some similarities. Both passages speak of:

* The moving of earth and sky
* One who sits on the throne
* A reference to "standing"

While these similarities may arouse curiosity, they do not indicate identical events. Here are my reasons for this conclusion:

1. In Rev. 6, the earth and sky are moved. In Rev. 20, they are completely RE-moved.

2. Reference to Jesus Christ as one who sits on the throne does not necessarily indicate identical events. Christ's throne is mentioned 39 times in Revelation alone, including chapters 4, 5, and 7. These are all separate events.

3. Rev. 6 asks the rhetorical question, "Who can stand?", implying that no one could stand. In Rev. 20, the dead ARE standing.

4. Rev. 6 refers to the Sixth Seal Judgment. As you read Revelation, you will find that the Sixth Seal is followed by a Seventh Seal, then Seven Trumpet Judgments, and Seven Bowl or Vial Judgments. After this comes the thousand year Millennial Kingdom mentioned in Rev. 20:2,3,4,5,6,7. Then, after all these things, come the events of Rev. 20:11-15. So Rev. 6 and Rev. 20 speak of two different events separated by over 1000 years.

I admire you for your careful study of the Scriptures. The book of Revelation is particularly challenging, so you do well to examine it closely. Keep it up! And, if you would like to study another prophetical book that speaks of end-time events, study the book of Daniel, especially chapters 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12. I have found it to be very interesting, as it sheds tremendous light on other passages of Scripture.

Have a great weekend, Steve!

Scott