Rev 6:15-17 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 15. The universal consternation: And the kings of the earth , etc. The design of this and the following verses, ( ) in the varied language used, is evidently to denote universal consternation and alarm -- as if the earth should be convulsed, and the stars should fall, and the heavens should pass away. This consternation would extend to all classes of men, and fill the world with alarm, as if the end of all things were coming. The kings of the earth . Rulers--all who occupied thrones. The great men . High officers of state. And the rich men . Their wealth would not secure them from destruction, and they would be alarmed like others. And the chief captains . The commanders of armies, who tremble like other men when God appears in judgment. And the mighty men . Men of great prowess in battle, but who feel now that they have no power to withstand God. And every bondman . Servant--δουλος. This word does not necessarily denote a slave , compare Barnes "Eph 6:5" ; ; but here the connexion seems to demand it, for it stands in contrast with freeman . There were, in fact, slaves in the Roman empire, and there is no objection in supposing that they are here referred to. There is no reason why they should not be filled with consternation as well as others; and as this does not refer to the end of the world, or the day of judgment, the word here determines nothing as to the question whether slavery is to continue on the earth. And every freeman . Whether the master of slaves or not. The idea is, that all classes of men, high and low, would be filled with alarm. Hid themselves in the dens . Among the caves or caverns in the mountains. See Barnes on "Isa 2:19" . These places were resorted to for safety in times of danger. Compare and Jos. Ant. book xiv chapter xv, Jewish Wars, book i chapter 16. And in the rocks of the mountains. Among the crags or the fastnesses of the mountains --also natural places of refuge in times of hostile invasion or danger. . See also: , seq. (d) "said"

Revelation of John 6:15-17

Verse 15. The universal consternation: And the kings of the earth, etc. The design of this and the following verses, (Rev 6:15-17) in the varied language used, is evidently to denote universal consternation and alarm --as if the earth should be convulsed, and the stars should fall, and the heavens should pass away. This consternation would extend to all classes of men, and fill the world with alarm, as if the end of all things were coming.

The kings of the earth. Rulers--all who occupied thrones.

The great men. High officers of state.

And the rich men. Their wealth would not secure them from destruction, and they would be alarmed like others.

And the chief captains. The commanders of armies, who tremble like other men when God appears in judgment.

And the mighty men. Men of great prowess in battle, but who feel now that they have no power to withstand God.

And every bondman. Servant--δουλος. This word does not necessarily denote a slave, compare Barnes "Eph 6:5"; 1Timm 6:1; 1Timm 1:16 but here the connexion seems to demand it, for it stands in contrast with freeman. There were, in fact, slaves in the Roman empire, and there is no objection in supposing that they are here referred to. There is no reason why they should not be filled with consternation as well as others; and as this does not refer to the end of the world, or the day of judgment, the word here determines nothing as to the question whether slavery is to continue on the earth.

And every freeman. Whether the master of slaves or not. The idea is, that all classes of men, high and low, would be filled with alarm.

Hid themselves in the dens. Among the caves or caverns in the mountains. See Barnes on "Isa 2:19". These places were resorted to for safety in times of danger. Compare 1Sam 13:6 1Sam 24, Jud 6:2, Jer 41:9 and Jos. Ant. book xiv chapter xv, Jewish Wars, book i chapter 16.

And in the rocks of the mountains. Among the crags or the fastnesses of the mountains --also natural places of refuge in times of hostile invasion or danger. Isa 2:21.

See also:

Rev 6:16, seq.

(d) "said" Rev 9:6, Hoss 10:8, Lk 23:30 Verse 16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, etc.. This language is found substantially in Hoss 10:8: "And they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us." It is also used by the Saviour as denoting the consternation which would occur at his coming: "Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us," Lk 23:30. It is language denoting consternation, and an awful fear of impending wrath. The state of mind is that where there is an apprehension that God himself is coming forth with the direct instruments of his vengeance, and where there is a desire rather to be crushed by falling rocks and hills than by the vengeance of his uplifted arm.

From the face of him that sitteth on the throne. The face of God-- for he seems to be coming forth with the displays of his vengeance. It is not said that God would actually come forth in a visible form, but their consternation would be as great as if he were to do this; the state of mind indicated by this was an apprehension that it would be so.

And from the wrath of the Lamb. The Lamb of God; the Lord Jesus. Rev 5:6. There seems to be an incongruity between the words wrath and Lamb; but the word Lamb here is so far a proper name as to be used only to designate the Redeemer. He comes forth to execute wrath, not as a Lamb, but as the Son of God, who bore that name. It would seem from this that they who thus dreaded the impending terrors were aware of their source, or had knowledge enough to understand by whom they were to be inflicted. They would see that these were Divine judgments, and would apprehend that the end of the world drew near. Verse 17. For the great day of his wrath is come. The threatening judgments would be so severe and awful that they would suppose that the end of the world was coming.

And who shall be able to stand? To stand before him, or to withstand his judgments.

(e) "the great day" Rev 16:14, Isa 13:6, Zeph 1:14 (f) "who shall" Ps 76:7