Revelation 6:1

KJV

¶ And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I saw {G1492} when {G3753} the Lamb {G721} opened {G455} one {G3391} of {G1537} the seals {G4973}, and {G2532} I heard {G191}, as it were {G5613} the noise {G5456} of thunder {G1027}, one {G1520} of {G1537} the four {G5064} beasts {G2226} saying {G3004}, Come {G2064} and {G2532} see {G991}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Next I watched as the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living beings say in a thundering voice, “Go!”

Berean Standard Bible

Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a thunderous voice, “Come!”

American Standard Version

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 6:1 initiates the dramatic unveiling of God's final judgments, shifting the focus from the heavenly throne room's worship to the unfolding of divine wrath on earth. This pivotal verse describes the Lamb, Jesus Christ, commencing the opening of a scroll sealed with seven seals, an act accompanied by a thunderous pronouncement from one of the four living creatures, inviting the Apostle John to witness the ensuing events. It marks the beginning of the apocalyptic sequence that reveals God's sovereign control over history and His ultimate plan for redemption and judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate sequel to the profound worship scenes in [Revelation 4](/revelation/4 "Revelation 4 - The Throne Room Vision") and [Revelation 5](/revelation/5 "Revelation 5 - The Lamb and the Scroll"). In [Revelation 4](/revelation/4 "The Heavenly Throne Room"), John is granted a vision of God's majestic throne, surrounded by twenty-four elders and four living creatures, all engaged in ceaseless worship, establishing God's absolute sovereignty. [Revelation 5](/revelation/5 "The Worthy Lamb") then introduces a scroll sealed with seven seals, which no one in heaven or on earth is found worthy to open. The tension builds until the "Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David" is declared worthy, who is then revealed as a "Lamb as it had been slain" ([Revelation 5:5-6](/revelation/5-5-6 "Revelation 5:5-6 - The Lion and the Lamb")). Thus, [Revelation 6:1](/revelation/6-1 "Revelation 6:1 - The Opening of the First Seal") is the climactic moment where the worthy Lamb begins to execute the divine plan contained within the scroll, transitioning the narrative from heavenly praise to earthly judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Revelation was written during a period of intense persecution for early Christians, likely under the Roman Emperor Domitian (c. AD 95). John, exiled on the island of Patmos, received these visions as a message of hope, warning, and encouragement to the seven churches in Asia Minor ([Revelation 1:4](/revelation/1-4 "Revelation 1:4 - Greeting to the Seven Churches")). The imagery used, such as seals, scrolls, and apocalyptic beasts, would have resonated with Jewish prophetic traditions (e.g., Daniel, Ezekiel) and Hellenistic literary conventions, though reinterpreted through a Christ-centered lens. Seals on a scroll often indicated legal documents, wills, or prophecies that were to remain closed until a specific time or by a specific authority. The act of opening the seals signifies the divine decree being put into action, revealing God's preordained plan for history, which includes both judgment on evil and ultimate vindication for His people.

* **Key Themes:** [Revelation 6:1](/revelation/6-1 "Revelation 6:1 - The Opening of the First Seal") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation. Foremost is the **Sovereignty of God and the Lamb's Authority**. The fact that only the Lamb is worthy to open the seals ([Revelation 5:2-5](/revelation/5-2-5 "Revelation 5:2-5 - No One Worthy to Open the Scroll")) underscores Jesus Christ's unique authority, earned through His sacrificial death and resurrection, to execute God's eschatological plan. This verse also introduces the theme of **Divine Judgment**, as the opening of each subsequent seal unleashes a new wave of tribulation upon the earth. The "noise of thunder" itself is a recurring motif in biblical literature, often associated with the **Manifestation of God's Presence and Power**, particularly in contexts of judgment or covenant establishment, as seen at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19-16 "Exodus 19:16 - Thunder at Sinai"). Finally, the command "Come and see" highlights the **Revelatory Nature** of the entire book, inviting John (and by extension, the reader) to bear witness to these profound and often terrifying truths about God's unfolding plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lamb (Greek, _arníon'_):** Refers to Jesus Christ, consistently portrayed in Revelation as the sacrificial yet triumphant Lamb ([Revelation 5:6](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb as Slain")). The diminutive form "lambkin" emphasizes His tender nature, yet He is simultaneously the powerful executor of divine judgment, highlighting the paradox of His character.
* **thunder (Greek, _brontḗ'_):** This word signifies a loud, rumbling noise, often associated with divine power, presence, and judgment in biblical contexts ([Exodus 19:16](/exodus/19-16 "Exodus 19:16 - Thunder and Lightning at Sinai")). Its presence here signals the gravity and awe-inspiring nature of the events about to unfold, indicating a direct divine intervention.
* **see (Greek, _blépō'_):** This verb means "to look at (literally or figuratively)," "to perceive," or "to regard." In this context, it is an imperative, "see!", inviting John to observe closely and comprehend the vision that is being revealed. It underscores the visual and revelatory nature of the apocalyptic experience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals,"**: John, the visionary, witnesses the pivotal moment. The "Lamb," identified as Jesus Christ in [Revelation 5](/revelation/5 "Revelation 5 - The Worthy Lamb"), takes action, opening the first of seven seals on the scroll. This act signifies the commencement of God's preordained plan for the end times, demonstrating the Lamb's unique authority and worthiness to initiate these events.
* **"and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder,"**: Immediately following the opening of the seal, John hears a sound described as "the noise of thunder." This powerful auditory imagery emphasizes the solemnity, majesty, and divine power behind the unfolding judgments. Thunder often accompanies theophany (manifestations of God) and divine pronouncements in Scripture, signaling the awesome presence and action of God.
* **"one of the four beasts saying, Come and see."**: One of the four living creatures, described in [Revelation 4:6-8](/revelation/4-6-8 "Revelation 4:6-8 - The Four Living Creatures") as guardians of God's throne, issues a command. The phrase "Come and see" (or "Come!" in some manuscripts) is an invitation to John to witness the events that are about to be revealed as a direct consequence of the seal's opening. It highlights the revelatory nature of the vision and draws the reader into the unfolding drama.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 6:1 is rich with **Symbolism**. The "Lamb" is a profound symbol for Jesus Christ, representing both His sacrificial atonement and His ultimate power and authority. The "seals" symbolize divine decrees or judgments that are hidden until the appointed time and opened by the only worthy one. The "noise of thunder" serves as **Auditory Imagery**, evoking a sense of awe, power, and divine presence, often signaling the onset of judgment. The "four beasts" (more accurately, "living creatures") are symbolic guardians of God's throne, and their command, "Come and see," functions as a dramatic **Invitation**, drawing the reader into the unfolding apocalyptic narrative and emphasizing the revelatory nature of John's vision. The entire scene is imbued with **Dramatic Irony**, as the Lamb, once slain, is now the one initiating the judgments that will bring about the consummation of history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 6:1 powerfully establishes the Lamb's ultimate authority and central role in God's eschatological plan. It underscores that the unfolding of history, including periods of tribulation and judgment, is not random but is under the sovereign control of the resurrected Christ. The Lamb, who triumphed through self-sacrifice, is now revealed as the active agent of divine justice, demonstrating that His redemptive work is inextricably linked to His role as judge and executor of God's will. This verse reassures believers that even in the midst of terrifying events, God's purposes are being meticulously fulfilled, leading to the ultimate establishment of His kingdom.

* [Revelation 5:5-7](/revelation/5-5-7 "Revelation 5:5-7 - The Worthy Lamb Takes the Scroll")
* [Psalm 2:7-9](/psalm/2-7-9 "Psalm 2:7-9 - The Reign of God's Anointed King")
* [Isaiah 11:4](/isaiah/11-4 "Isaiah 11:4 - The Righteous Judgment of the Messiah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 6:1 calls us to a profound trust in the sovereignty of Jesus Christ, the Lamb. In a world often characterized by chaos, injustice, and seemingly random events, this verse reminds us that there is a divine hand orchestrating all of history according to an ultimate purpose. The fact that the Lamb—our Savior—is the one opening the seals should bring both comfort and a sober realization of the gravity of God's plan. It means that even the most terrifying judgments are not arbitrary but are part of a righteous and holy design, executed by the one who loves us most. This should inspire us to live with a sense of urgency, recognizing the temporary nature of this world and the eternal significance of our choices. It compels us to align our lives with God's will, to participate in His redemptive mission, and to anticipate His glorious return with both reverence and hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the image of the Lamb, previously slain, now opening the seals, deepen your understanding of Jesus' authority and role in God's plan?**
* **What comfort or challenge do you find in knowing that even the most difficult periods of history are under the sovereign control of Christ?**
* **How should the "noise of thunder" and the impending judgments shape our perspective on living faithfully in the present age?**

### FAQ

**Why is the Lamb the only one worthy to open the seals?**

Answer: The Lamb, Jesus Christ, is declared worthy in [Revelation 5:2-5](/revelation/5-2-5 "Revelation 5:2-5 - No One Worthy to Open the Scroll") because He triumphed through His sacrificial death and resurrection. He is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David" who has conquered, making Him uniquely qualified to execute God's plan of redemption and judgment. His worthiness stems from His divine nature, His perfect obedience, and His atoning work on the cross, which alone satisfied divine justice and secured victory over sin and death.

**What do the "seals" represent in Revelation?**

Answer: The seven seals on the scroll represent a series of divine decrees or judgments that are progressively revealed and executed as each seal is broken. They contain God's predetermined plan for the end times, leading to the consummation of history and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The opening of the seals initiates a sequence of events that bring about tribulation, war, famine, death, and ultimately, God's righteous wrath upon the earth, culminating in the final judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 6:1 is profoundly Christ-centered, as it is the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who initiates the unfolding of God's eschatological plan. This scene fulfills the prophetic trajectory of the Old Testament, where the Messiah is depicted not only as a suffering servant ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")) but also as a powerful king and judge ([Psalm 2:9](/psalm/2-9 "Psalm 2:9 - The Messiah's Iron Scepter")). The Lamb's worthiness to open the scroll, established in [Revelation 5](/revelation/5 "Revelation 5 - The Worthy Lamb"), directly links His atoning sacrifice on the cross to His authority as the sovereign Lord of history. It is through His finished work that He gains the right to execute God's judgments and bring about the ultimate triumph of righteousness. This verse foreshadows His return as the conquering King ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")), who will fully establish His kingdom and bring all things to their divinely appointed end, demonstrating that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 5:1

¶ And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Revelation 6:5

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

Revelation 19:6

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Revelation 6:7

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

Revelation 14:2

And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

Revelation 5:5

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Revelation 5:7

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.