Revelation 6

1Then I watched as the Lamb broke open the first of the seven seals. One of the four living creatures roared like thunder: Ride forth!

2I looked, and there before me was a white horse. Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown. He rode out as a winner, to win the victory.

3When the Lamb broke open the second seal, the second living creature roared: Ride forth!

4Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. He was given a large sword.

5When the Lamb broke open the third seal, the third living creature roared: Ride forth! I looked, and there before me was a black horse. Its rider held a pair of balance scales in his hand.

6A voice from among the four living creatures declared: A full day's wage will buy only one small loaf of wheat bread! A full day's wage will buy only three small portions of coarse barley. Do not damage the luxury olive oil and wine!

7When the Lamb broke open the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature roar: Ride forth!

8I looked, and there was a sickly, pale-green horse! The rider's name was Death. The Grave marched right behind him, swallowing the dead. God allowed them power over one-fourth of the earth. They slaughtered people with swords, famine, deadly plagues, and wild beasts!

9When the Lamb broke open the fifth seal, I saw the souls of murdered believers under the altar. Enemies had killed them for preaching God's word and testifying about Jesus.

10They cried out in a loud, booming voice: Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will You wait? When will You judge the earth and avenge our shed blood?

11God gave each of them a gleaming white robe. He told them to rest and wait a little longer. More of their fellow servants and brothers must be killed, just like them!

12The Lamb broke open the sixth seal! A violent earthquake shook the entire earth. The sun turned pitch-black like dark goat-hair mourning cloth. The full moon turned blood-red!

13Stars fell from the sky to the earth like storm-shaken figs.

14The sky tore apart and rolled up like a scroll! The quake ripped every mountain and island from its foundation.

15Kings, generals, rich rulers, slaves, and free people scrambled in terror. They hid deep inside mountain caves and between rugged rocks.

16They screamed to the mountains: Collapse on top of us! Hide us from the glowing face of the One on the throne! Shield us from the fierce wrath of the Lamb!

17For the great day of Their wrath has arrived! Who can survive standing before Them?