Devine Scripture

Revelation 6:12

What does Revelation 6:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 6:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 6:12 means

At the opening of the sixth seal, creation convulses: a great earthquake shakes the earth, the sun darkens like black sackcloth, and the moon reddens like blood. These are not everyday events but signals that the order of the world is giving way before God’s judgment. Scripture often uses such language to mark the Day of the Lord; here it outwardly manifests heaven’s verdict. The signs are both literal and symbolic of total upheaval—light withdrawn, foundations trembling. They announce that the patience of God has an end point. The same Lamb who bore wrath for sinners now unveils wrath against persistent rebellion.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I saw when the sixth stamp was undone, and there was a great earth-shock; and the sun became black as haircloth, and all the moon became as blood;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and lo, a great earthquake came, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I saw, when he had opened the sixth seal: and behold there was a great earthquake. And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair: and the whole moon became as blood.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I saw when it opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as hair sackcloth, and the whole moon became as blood,

Context

This begins a multi-verse description of the sixth seal’s cosmic disturbances. Verses 12–14 detail the shaking of heaven and earth; verses 15–17 describe human reaction, from kings to slaves, who recognize the source of these judgments. The movement from the martyrs’ plea for justice (fifth seal) to these signs shows that God’s answer includes public, universal manifestations of His wrath, not merely hidden providences.

v.11And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled their course.

v.12This passage

v.13and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 24:29

    But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

  • Isaiah 29:6

    She shall be visited of Jehovah of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire.

  • Isaiah 50:3

    I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

  • Ezekiel 32:7

    And when I shall extinguish thee, I will cover the heavens, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light.

  • 1 Kings 19:11

    And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before Jehovah. And, behold, Jehovah passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before Jehovah; but Jehovah was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but Jehovah was not in the earthquake:

  • Amos 8:9

    And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.

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