Wrath of the Lamb

[SPITWAD]

I have wondered about the phrase "wrath of the Lamb":

"Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of place" (Rev 6:14)
"And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in caves and in the rocks of mountains." (Rev 6:15)
"and said to the mountains and rocks 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!'" (Rev 6:16)
"For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Rev 6:17)

Two things perplex me about this passage:

(1) "wrath of the Lamb" is a mixed metaphor. Lambs are defenseless and easily frightened creatures. They are the vulnerable offspring of a prey species. In Christian types, the lamb pictures the innocent one who is sacrificed for the sins of others. It points to the first coming of the Lord, as a lamb led to slaughter that opens not his mouth (Isa. 53:7). It is out of place in the context of his second coming as the "Lion of Judah". When they say "hide us from the face of Him", who would be afraid of a lamb's face?
(2) Consider the source quoted as using the phrase: worldly, carnal, kings and mighty men. Not Jews, not Christians, not elders, not angels. Considering the source, should we accept that they have any authority to reach that conclusion? Could they be sarcastic? Mocking God? Shaking their fist at God? Jumping to a conclusion?

There are occasions in Scripture when worldly kings and mighty men incorrectly interpret the times:

"But when Pharoah saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said" (Exodus 8:15)

And there are occasions in Scripture when worldly kings and mighty men correctly interpret the times:

"Then word came to the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robes, covered himself in sack cloth, and sat in ashes" (Jonah 3:6)

Whether what these men said concerning the "wrath of the Lamb" was true, partly true, or not true at all makes a big difference to Bible prophecy. The first time in Revelations when a reputable source declares the wrath of God has come is in Chapter 11 when the Elders speak:

"The nations were angry and your wrath has come." (Rev 11:18)

This is after the seal judgments and the trumpet judgments, and before the bowl judgments.

The first time John writes about the wrath of God is in relation to the bowl judgments:

"seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete" (Rev 15:1)

and

"the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God" (Rev 15:7)

At issue is whether the first judgments the seals and the trumpets were judgments of God's wrath or whether they were merely signs meant to demonstrate God's power with the purpose of bringing repentance, similar to the judgments brought against the land of Egypt.

If we are going to believe all the judgments were judgments of wrath, can we base that belief on what the carnal men of this depraved world testify?

It makes sense to me because in Revelation 5: 6-14 says that the Lamb was worshiped by the 4 living beings and the 24 elders, He carried an heir of authority and power, no one to be taken lightly. the inhabitants of the world wanted the rocks and caves to crush them so they could die and perhaps not face the wrath of their creator, of whom they knew who He was very well, no one who sees Christ no matter what form He takes will ever take Him lightly, or mistake His identity.

[T W Taylor]

Hey Dan, I should have said The Roman Church and Roman Empire. I don’t think the Church will go nuclear, but I think the new Empire already has with the help of France and Great Briton.

[Raybob]

..Whether what these men said concerning the "wrath of the Lamb" was true, partly true, or not true at all makes a big difference to Bible prophecy. The first time in Revelations when a reputable source declares the wrath of God has come is in Chapter 11 when the Elders speak:

"The nations were angry and your wrath has come." (Rev 11:18)

This is after the seal judgments and the trumpet judgments, and before the bowl judgments.

The first time John writes about the wrath of God is in relation to the bowl judgments:

"seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete" (Rev 15:1)

and

"the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God" (Rev 15:7)

At issue is whether the first judgments the seals and the trumpets were judgments of God's wrath or whether they were merely signs meant to demonstrate God's power with the purpose of bringing repentance, similar to the judgments brought against the land of Egypt...

I don't know why you call seals and trumpets, judgments. The bible doesn't mention judgment until after the seventh trumpet. When the vials of wrath are poured out in full strength, that IS God's judgment.

It is after the seals, and after the trumpets, that you find judgment of God mentioned.

Rev_14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Then you see the vials of wrath.

Prior to the vials of wrath of God, the only wrath you read about is from Satan.

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
(Rev 12:12)

Notice John wrote that present tense as in "is come".

[dan]

Hey Dan, I should have said The Roman Church and Roman Empire. I don’t think the Church will go nuclear, but I think the new Empire already has with the help of France and Great Briton.

Britain, at least, has a certain security on their nukes. Maybe France has also, but I haven't heard.

The things that will likely happen in Europe in the next few years will mean the end of NATO, and, hopefully, none of their nukes will be lost to Radical Islam. But, Europe will almost certainly fall to Islam, unless Iran is knocked down, and then, it will be the beast that I envisioned.

If Europe becomes the beast without Radical Islam, I will be truly surprised.

[T W Taylor]

Britain, at least, has a certain security on their nukes. Maybe France has also, but I haven't heard.

The things that will likely happen in Europe in the next few years will mean the end of NATO, and, hopefully, none of their nukes will be lost to Radical Islam. But, Europe will almost certainly fall to Islam, unless Iran is knocked down, and then, it will be the beast that I envisioned.

If Europe becomes the beast without Radical Islam, I will be truly surprised.

Hey Dan, from the looks of the color of their flags and helmets (breastplates), the EU (new Roman Empire or King of the north) might be leading the UN into the war with Iran (Persia) and the Islamic world or empire, (King of the south). The UN has a blue flag and helmets. The Hezbollah (or Islamic army of God) flag is sulfur yellow. There are a lot of red flags, like maybe Russia and China. These colors might give us a hint just who will be going to get this war going. I think the Islamic world is pushing the EU already.





Rev 9:16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.
Rev 9:17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone.


Dan 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

[markedward]

(1) "wrath of the Lamb" is a mixed metaphor. Lambs are defenseless and easily frightened creatures. They are the vulnerable offspring of a prey species. In Christian types, the lamb pictures the innocent one who is sacrificed for the sins of others. It points to the first coming of the Lord, as a lamb led to slaughter that opens not his mouth (Isa. 53:7). It is out of place in the context of his second coming as the "Lion of Judah". When they say "hide us from the face of Him", who would be afraid of a lamb's face?

You're over-literalizing it. Revelation 5 already revealed that the lion is the lamb, and it is very clear to the reader that the lion/lamb is Jesus. 'The wrath of the lamb' just means 'the wrath of Jesus'. The word 'face' is being used as an idiom for 'presence'. They are trying to hide from the presence of Jesus, so that they will not be condemned.

(2) Consider the source quoted as using the phrase: worldly, carnal, kings and mighty men.

That's not what it says.

Not Jews, not Christians, not elders, not angels. Considering the source, should we accept that they have any authority to reach that conclusion? Could they be sarcastic? Mocking God? Shaking their fist at God? Jumping to a conclusion?

Again, you're over-literalizing it. John's visions are playing out before him as if he is watching a drama. The speech is not literal speech, it is representative of the terror felt by the people coming under judgment. John's vision is echoing Hosea 10.8 (and Luke 23.30).

If we are going to believe all the judgments were judgments of wrath, can we base that belief on what the carnal men of this depraved world testify?

I recommend, in all seriousness, reading a book on how to read the Bible. The How to Read the Bible... series by Gordon Fee is a great place to start. He has sections specifically about developing an appropriate method to reading the Revelation.

[vinsight4u8]

Rev. has been jumbled. John did not write it out to us in the exact way that it was given to him.

Rev. 8:2 says what?
What kind of angels did John tell us that he saw?
How many angels were seen to stand just a bit ahead of this time?


You could also compare the end of Rev. chapter 6 with Malachi chapter 3.
/who shall be able to stand

This happens when Jesus appears.

Malachi 3:2
"But who may abide the day of his coming...stand when he appeareth..."

Rev. 6:17


Scripture tells us that when He shall appear is when we shall be like Him.

[alishaba]

HeIsLord,

To answer the two questions that perplex you, some additional details have to be added from the Bible.

Rev 6 describes the first six of the "Seven Seals" judgments. To understand these six seals, we must turn back to Matthew 24. Matthew 24 gives the Olivet Discourse. It describes the Tribulation that will occur before Christ returns. The outline of this discourse is:

Matt 24:4-14 - The First Half of the Tribulation
Matt 24:15-16 - The Abomination of Desolation (Midpoint of the Tribulation)
Matt 24:17-28 - The Second Half of the Tribulation: "The Great Tribulation"
Matt 24:29-31 - The Return of Christ

The six seals described in Rev 6 parallel the Olivet Discourse and describe the same events.

The first four seals (Rev 6:1-8) parallel Matt 24:7 and describe the events of the First Half of the Tribulation.
The fifth seal (Rev 6:9-11) parallels Matt 24:17-21 and describes Christians being martyred during "The Great Tribulation." (see also Rev 7:9-14)
The sixth seal (Rev 6:12-17) parallels Matt 24:29-30 and describes Christ's return at Armageddon.
- Compare Rev 6:12-13 with Matt 24:29. These verses describe the same events.
- Comapre Rev 6:15-17 with Matt 24:30. These verses describe the nations mourning when Christ returns. (see also Isaiah 2:10-22)

What we find is that the six seals of Rev 6 describe the entire seven-year period of the Tribulation and Christ's return at Armageddon.

To answer your question:
- When Christ returns at Armageddon, his glory will be revealed to the entire world.
- The unrighteous nations of the world will finally realize and acknowledge that Christ is the Son of God and the Messiah.
- The phrase "wrath of the Lamb" in Rev 6:16 is the world's acknowledgement of who Christ truly is (a little bit late to be saved).