The Sixth Seal of Revelation: Signs of God’s Coming Wrath

Mary Banks
Jun 4
6 min read

Introduction: A Seal Like No Other

The Book of Revelation is filled with vivid imagery and profound prophecy, but the Sixth Seal stands apart. Unlike previous seals tied to specific events or figures, the Sixth Seal provides a sweeping summary of end-time events, from the coming judgments to the eventual Millennial Reign of Christ. In this post, we explore Revelation 6:12-17 and Revelation 7:1-3, unlocking key truths every believer should know.

Apocalyptic Signs in the Heavens

12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Revelation 6:12-14

The Sixth Seal opens with a powerful sequence of events:

A great earthquake shakes the earth.

Apocalyptic cityscape depicting a massive earthquake splitting a major urban street, with towering skyscrapers crumbling, buildings on fire, debris scattered, and emergency vehicles fleeing the scene under a dark, stormy sky — symbolizing end-time destruction as described in Revelation 6:12.

The sun becomes black as sackcloth.
The moon turns to blood.

Dramatic city skyline at night under a glowing blood-red moon, casting an eerie light over the urban landscape. Skyscrapers are illuminated with bright lights, while a central avenue stretches toward the horizon, symbolizing prophetic imagery from Revelation 6:12—the moon turning to blood as a sign of impending judgment.

Stars fall from heaven.
The sky recedes like a scroll.
Mountains and islands are moved.

These signs are not isolated—they represent a divine turning point announcing that the Day of the Lord’s wrath is at hand.

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Revelation 6:17

A Global Cry for Mercy

15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Revelation 6:15-17

The reaction to these signs is swift and dramatic:

Kings, generals, the rich, and the poor all hide in fear.
They cry out for the mountains to fall on them, hoping to be hidden from the face of the Lamb.

They recognize the wrath of God is imminent. But here’s the critical insight: God’s wrath has not yet been poured out. The world knows it is about to begin—but the outpouring has not started.

The bible teacher app explains the ‘wrath of God’:

The Wrath of God refers to a specific time period when God will pour out His righteous judgments and vengeance on the ungodly who dwell on the earth. This is distinct from the general tribulation and persecution that the Church experiences.

Some key points about the Wrath of God from the texts:

1. The Wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Romans 1:18). It is not orchestrated by man, but is the direct judgment of God.

2. John the Baptist warned the Pharisees and Sadducees to "flee from the wrath to come" (Matthew 3:7), indicating the Wrath of God was a future event, not something the Church was experiencing at that time.

3. Luke 21:23 states there will be "wrath upon this people" - referring to the nation of Israel experiencing God's wrath, though a remnant will be preserved.

4. The Wrath of God is specifically contained in the "seven last plagues" described in Revelation 15:1, which come after the reign of the Antichrist and the Great Tribulation.

5. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 clearly states "God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" - indicating the Church will not experience the Wrath of God.

So in summary, the biblical texts present the Wrath of God as a distinct period of divine judgment and vengeance that will be poured out on the ungodly world, separate from the tribulation the Church faces. This Wrath is reserved for the end times, after the Church has been raptured, and is part of God's plan to judge evil and establish His kingdom.

Why the Wrath Waits: Two Divine Delays (Revelation 7:1-3)

1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Revelation 7:1-3

Before the wrath unfolds, two major events must occur:

The Church is still present. As taught by the Apostle Paul, the Church is not appointed to God’s wrath.
The 144,000 must be sealed. These young, male virgins are servants of God. Until they are sealed, the angels are commanded not to harm the earth (Revelation 7:3).

Prefer to watch? Here’s the full video.

A Heavenly Pause for Divine Purposes

The opening of the Sixth Seal acts like a divine pause, offering a moment of clarity. God holds back judgment to fulfill His covenant with His people, ensuring His servants are sealed and His Church is preserved. This is one of the many prophetic truths that will be explored in greater depth, as Mary Banks will be teaching more on Bible Prophecy at our upcoming World Conference.

This seal reveals God’s mercy before wrath, His order in the midst of chaos, and His sovereignty over end-time events.

The Sixth Seal: A Big Picture Prophecy

The Sixth Seal isn't just a single event—it offers a sweeping view of what’s to come. It reveals:

The trumpet and vial judgments
The coming wrath of God
The role of the Church and Israel
Events leading into the Millennial Reign of Christ

By studying the Sixth Seal, we gain insight not only into what is coming, but also into God’s character—righteous, just, and full of mercy.

A Call to Action

Want to go deeper into Bible prophecy? Watch the full teaching and explore our Revelation study series-“Understanding the book of Revelation”
Explore more end-time resources to grow in wisdom and understanding, Read the following study guides to gain deeper understanding on Bible Prophecy.
- Introduction to Bible Prophecy
- When will the Church be raptured?
Use the Bible Teacher App to understand key biblical terminologies and scripture.
Visit our link : Marybanks.net/bibleprophecy

Conclusion: Are You Prepared for What Happens Next?

The Sixth Seal reminds us that before God's judgment is released, He provides a space for preparation, mercy, and clarity. Believers should live with an eternal perspective, knowing that the signs of the times point to a soon-coming King.