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Selected Verse: Revelation 6:1 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Re 6:1	Strong Concordance	And [2532] I saw [1492] when [3753] the Lamb [721] opened [455] one [3391] of [1537] the seals [4973], and [2532] I heard [191], as it were [5613] the noise [5456] of thunder [1027], one [1520] of [1537] the four [5064] beasts [2226] saying [3004], Come [2064] and [2532] see [991].
	King James	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.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
THE OPENING OF THE FIRST SIX OF THE SEVEN SEALS. (Rev. 6:1-17) one of the seals--The oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, Vulgate, and Syriac read, "one of the seven seals." noise--The three oldest manuscripts read this in the nominative or dative, not the genitive, as English Version, "I heard one from among the four living creatures saying, as (it were) the voice (or, 'as with the voice') of thunder." The first living creature was like a lion (Rev 4:7): his voice is in consonance. Implying the lion-like boldness with which, in the successive great revivals, the faithful have testified for Christ, and especially a little before His coming shall testify. Or, rather, their earnestness in praying for Christ's coming. Come and see--One oldest manuscript, B, has "And see." But A, C, and Vulgate reject it. ALFORD rightly objects to English Version reading: "Whither was John to come? Separated as he was by the glassy sea from the throne, was he to cross it?" Contrast the form of expression, Rev 10:8. It is much more likely to be the cry of the redeemed to the Redeemer, "Come" and deliver the groaning creature from the bondage of corruption. Thus, Rev 6:2 is an answer to the cry, went (literally, "came") forth corresponding to "Come." "Come," says GROTIUS, is the living creature's address to John, calling his earnest attention. But it seems hard to see how "Come" by itself can mean this. Compare the only other places in Revelation where it is used, Rev 4:1; Rev 22:17. If the four living creatures represent the four Gospels, the "Come" will be their invitation to everyone (for it is not written that they addressed John) to accept Christ's salvation while there is time, as the opening of the seals marks a progressive step towards the end (compare Rev 22:17). Judgments are foretold as accompanying the preaching of the Gospel as a witness to all nations (Rev 14:6-11; Mat 24:6-14). Thus the invitation, "Come," here, is aptly parallel to Mat 24:14. The opening of the first four seals is followed by judgments preparatory for His coming. At the opening of the fifth seal, the martyrs above express the same (Rev 6:9-10; compare Zac 1:10). At the opening of the sixth seal, the Lord's coming is ushered in with terrors to the ungodly. At the seventh, the consummation is fully attained (Rev 11:15).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

THE OPENING OF THE FIRST SIX OF THE SEVEN SEALS. (Rev. 6:1-17)

one of the seals--The oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, Vulgate, and Syriac read, "one of the seven seals."

noise--The three oldest manuscripts read this in the nominative or dative, not the genitive, as English Version, "I heard one from among the four living creatures saying, as (it were) the voice (or, 'as with the voice') of thunder." The first living creature was like a lion (Rev 4:7): his voice is in consonance. Implying the lion-like boldness with which, in the successive great revivals, the faithful have testified for Christ, and especially a little before His coming shall testify. Or, rather, their earnestness in praying for Christ's coming.

Come and see--One oldest manuscript, B, has "And see." But A, C, and Vulgate reject it. ALFORD rightly objects to English Version reading: "Whither was John to come? Separated as he was by the glassy sea from the throne, was he to cross it?" Contrast the form of expression, Rev 10:8. It is much more likely to be the cry of the redeemed to the Redeemer, "Come" and deliver the groaning creature from the bondage of corruption. Thus, Rev 6:2 is an answer to the cry, went (literally, "came") forth corresponding to "Come." "Come," says GROTIUS, is the living creature's address to John, calling his earnest attention. But it seems hard to see how "Come" by itself can mean this. Compare the only other places in Revelation where it is used, Rev 4:1; Rev 22:17. If the four living creatures represent the four Gospels, the "Come" will be their invitation to everyone (for it is not written that they addressed John) to accept Christ's salvation while there is time, as the opening of the seals marks a progressive step towards the end (compare Rev 22:17). Judgments are foretold as accompanying the preaching of the Gospel as a witness to all nations (Rev 14:6-11; Mat 24:6-14). Thus the invitation, "Come," here, is aptly parallel to Mat 24:14. The opening of the first four seals is followed by judgments preparatory for His coming. At the opening of the fifth seal, the martyrs above express the same (Rev 6:9-10; compare Zac 1:10). At the opening of the sixth seal, the Lord's coming is ushered in with terrors to the ungodly. At the seventh, the consummation is fully attained (Rev 11:15).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
And I saw - Or, I looked. He fixed his eye attentively on what was passing, as promising important disclosures. No one had been found in the universe who could open the seals but the Lamb of God Rev 5:2-4; and it was natural for John, therefore, to look upon the transaction with profound interest. When the Lamb opened one of the seals - See the notes on Rev 5:1, Rev 5:5. This was the first or outermost of the seals, and its being broken would permit a certain portion of the volume to be unrolled and read. See the notes on Rev 5:1. The representation in this place is, therefore, that of a volume with a small portion unrolled, and written on both sides of the parchment. And I heard, as it were the noise of thunder - One of the four living creatures speaking as with a voice of thunder, or with a loud voice. One of the four beasts - notes on Rev 4:6-7. The particular one is not mentioned, though what is said in the subsequent verses leaves no doubt that it was the first in order as seen by John - the one like a lion, Rev 4:7. In the opening of the three following seals, it is expressly said that it was the second, the third, and the fourth of the living creatures that drew near, and hence the conclusion is certain that the one here referred to was the first. If the four living creatures be understood to be emblematic of the divine providential administration, then there was a propriety that they should be represented as summoning John to witness what was to be disclosed. These events pertained to the developments of the divine purposes, and these emblematic beings would therefore be interested in what was occurring. Come and see - Addressed evidently to John. He was requested to approach and see with his own eyes what was disclosed in the portion of the volume now unrolled. He had wept much Rev 5:4 that no one was found who was worthy to open that book, but he was now called on to approach and see for himself. Some have supposed (Lord, in loco) that the address here was not to John, but to the horse and his rider, and that the command to them was not to "come and see," but to come forth, and appear on the stage, and that the act of the Redeemer in breaking the seal, and unrolling the scroll, was nothing more than an emblem signifying that it was by his act that the divine purposes were to be unfolded. But, in order to this interpretation, it would be necessary to omit from the Received Text the words καὶ βλέπε kai blepe - "and see." This is done, indeed, by Hahn and Tittmann, and this reading is followed by Prof. Stuart, though he says that the received text has "probability" in its favor, and is followed by some of the critical editions. The most natural interpretation, however, is that the words were addressed to John. John saw the Lamb open the seal; he heard the loud voice; he looked and beheld a white horse - that is, evidently, he looked on the unfolding volume, and saw the representation of a horse and his rider. That the voice was addressed to John is the common interpretation, is the most natural, and is liable to no real objection.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
beasts Living creatures. (See Scofield) - (Eze 1:5). Come and see Come! Omit "and see." So (Rev 1:3); (Rev 1:5); (Rev 1:7).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Of the seals Add seven. And see Omit.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
I heard one - That is, the first. Of the living creatures - Who looks forward toward the east.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
When the Lamb opened one of the seals - It is worthy of remark that the opening of the seals is not merely a declaration of what God will do, but is the exhibition of a purpose then accomplished; for whenever the seal is opened, the sentence appears to be executed. It is supposed that, from Revelation 6:1-11:19, the calamities which should fall on the enemies of Christianity, and particularly the Jews, are pointed out under various images, as well as the preservation of the Christians under those calamities. One of the four beasts - Probably that with the face of a lion. See Rev 4:7. Come and see - Attend to what is about to be exhibited. It is very likely that all was exhibited before his eyes as in a scene, and he saw every act represented which was to take place, and all the persons and things which were to be the chief actors.

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¹⁵ And [2532] the seventh [1442] angel [32] sounded [4537]; and [2532] there were [1096] great [3173] voices [5456] in [1722] heaven [3772], saying [3004], The kingdoms [932] of this world [2889] are become [1096] the kingdoms of our [2257] Lord [2962], and [2532] of his [846] Christ [5547]; and [2532] he shall reign [936] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165].

¹⁰ And the man [0376] that stood [05975] among the myrtle trees [01918] answered [06030] and said [0559], These are they whom the LORD [03068] hath sent [07971] to walk [01980] to and fro through the earth [0776].

⁹ And [2532] when [3753] he had opened [455] the fifth [3991] seal [4973], I saw [1492] under [5270] the altar [2379] the souls [5590] of them that were slain [4969] for [1223] the word [3056] of God [2316], and [2532] for [1223] the testimony [3141] which [3739] they held [2192]:
¹⁰ And [2532] they cried [2896] with a loud [3173] voice [5456], saying [3004], How [2193] long [4219], O Lord [1203], holy [40] and [2532] true [228], dost thou [2919] not [3756] judge [2919] and [2532] avenge [1556] our [2257] blood [129] on [575] them that dwell [2730] on [1909] the earth [1093]?

¹⁴ And [2532] this [5124] gospel [2098] of the kingdom [932] shall be preached [2784] in [1722] all [3650] the world [3625] for [1519] a witness [3142] unto all [3956] nations [1484]; and [2532] then [5119] shall the end [5056] come [2240].

⁶ And [1161] ye shall [3195] hear [191] of wars [4171] and [2532] rumours [189] of wars [4171]: see [3708] that ye be [2360] not [3361] troubled [2360]: for [1063] all [3956] these things must [1163] come to pass [1096], but [235] the end [5056] is [2076] not yet [3768].
⁷ For [1063] nation [1484] shall rise [1453] against [1909] nation [1484], and [2532] kingdom [932] against [1909] kingdom [932]: and [2532] there shall be [2071] famines [3042], and [2532] pestilences [3061], and [2532] earthquakes [4578], in divers [2596] places [5117].
⁸ All [1161] [3956] these [5023] are the beginning [746] of sorrows [5604].
⁹ Then [5119] shall they deliver [3860] you [5209] up [3860] to [1519] be afflicted [2347], and [2532] shall kill [615] you [5209]: and [2532] ye shall be [2071] hated [3404] of [5259] all [3956] nations [1484] for [1223] my [3450] name's sake [3686].
¹⁰ And [2532] then [5119] shall many [4183] be offended [4624], and [2532] shall betray [3860] one another [240], and [2532] shall hate [3404] one another [240].
¹¹ And [2532] many [4183] false prophets [5578] shall rise [1453], and [2532] shall deceive [4105] many [4183].
¹² And [2532] because [1223] iniquity [458] shall abound [4129], the love [26] of many [4183] shall wax cold [5594].
¹³ But [1161] he that shall endure [5278] unto [1519] the end [5056], the same [3778] shall be saved [4982].
¹⁴ And [2532] this [5124] gospel [2098] of the kingdom [932] shall be preached [2784] in [1722] all [3650] the world [3625] for [1519] a witness [3142] unto all [3956] nations [1484]; and [2532] then [5119] shall the end [5056] come [2240].

⁶ And [2532] I saw [1492] another [243] angel [32] fly [4072] in [1722] the midst of heaven [3321], having [2192] the everlasting [166] gospel [2098] to preach [2097] unto them that dwell [2730] on [1909] the earth [1093], and [2532] to every [3956] nation [1484], and [2532] kindred [5443], and [2532] tongue [1100], and [2532] people [2992],
⁷ Saying [3004] with [1722] a loud [3173] voice [5456], Fear [5399] God [2316], and [2532] give [1325] glory [1391] to him [846]; for [3754] the hour [5610] of his [846] judgment [2920] is come [2064]: and [2532] worship [4352] him that made [4160] heaven [3772], and [2532] earth [1093], and [2532] the sea [2281], and [2532] the fountains [4077] of waters [5204].
⁸ And [2532] there followed [190] another [243] angel [32], saying [3004], Babylon [897] is fallen [4098], is fallen [4098], that great [3173] city [4172], because [3754] she made [4222] all [3956] nations [1484] drink [4222] of [1537] the wine [3631] of the wrath [2372] of her [846] fornication [4202].
⁹ And [2532] the third [5154] angel [32] followed [190] them [846], saying [3004] with [1722] a loud [3173] voice [5456], If any man [1536] worship [4352] the beast [2342] and [2532] his [846] image [1504], and [2532] receive [2983] his mark [5480] in [1909] his [846] forehead [3359], or [2228] in [1909] his [846] hand [5495],
¹⁰ The same [846] [2532] shall drink [4095] of [1537] the wine [3631] of the wrath [2372] of God [2316], which [3588] is poured out [2767] without mixture [194] into [1722] the cup [4221] of his [846] indignation [3709]; and [2532] he shall be tormented [928] with [1722] fire [4442] and [2532] brimstone [2303] in the presence [1799] of the holy [40] angels [32], and [2532] in the presence [1799] of the Lamb [721]:
¹¹ And [2532] the smoke [2586] of their [846] torment [929] ascendeth up [305] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165]: and [2532] they have [2192] no [3756] rest [372] day [2250] nor [2532] night [3571], who [3588] worship [4352] the beast [2342] and [2532] his [846] image [1504], and [2532] whosoever [1536] receiveth [2983] the mark [5480] of his [846] name [3686].

¹⁷ And [2532] the Spirit [4151] and [2532] the bride [3565] say [3004], Come [2064]. And [2532] let him that heareth [191] say [2036], Come [2064]. And [2532] let him that is athirst [1372] come [2064]. And [2532] whosoever will [2309], let him take [2983] the water [5204] of life [2222] freely [1432].

¹ After [3326] this [5023] I looked [1492], and [2532], behold [2400], a door [2374] was opened [455] in [1722] heaven [3772]: and [2532] the first [4413] voice [5456] which [3739] I heard [191] was as it were of [5613] a trumpet [4536] talking [2980] with [3326] me [1700]; which said [3004], Come up [305] hither [5602], and [2532] I will shew [1166] thee [4671] things which [3739] must [1163] be [1096] hereafter [3326] [5023].

² And [2532] I saw [1492], and [2532] behold [2400] a white [3022] horse [2462]: and [2532] he that sat [2521] on [1909] him [846] had [2192] a bow [5115]; and [2532] a crown [4735] was given [1325] unto him [846]: and [2532] he went forth [1831] conquering [3528], and [2532] to [2443] conquer [3528].

⁸ And [2532] the voice [5456] which [3739] I heard [191] from [1537] heaven [3772] spake [2980] unto [3326] me [1700] again [3825], and [2532] said [3004], Go [5217] and take [2983] the little book [974] which [3588] is open [455] in [1722] the hand [5495] of the angel [32] which [3588] standeth [2476] upon [1909] the sea [2281] and [2532] upon [1909] the earth [1093].

⁷ And [2532] the first [4413] beast [2226] was like [3664] a lion [3023], and [2532] the second [1208] beast [2226] like [3664] a calf [3448], and [2532] the third [5154] beast [2226] had [2192] a face [4383] as [5613] a man [444], and [2532] the fourth [5067] beast [2226] was like [3664] a flying [4072] eagle [105].

⁴ And [2532] I [1473] wept [2799] much [4183], because [3754] no man [3762] was found [2147] worthy [514] to open [455] and [2532] to read [314] the book [975], neither [3777] to look [991] thereon [846].

⁶ And [2532] before [1799] the throne [2362] there was a sea [2281] of glass [5193] like [3664] unto crystal [2930]: and [2532] in [1722] the midst [3319] of the throne [2362], and [2532] round about [2945] the throne [2362], were four [5064] beasts [2226] full [1073] of eyes [3788] before [1715] and [2532] behind [3693].
⁷ And [2532] the first [4413] beast [2226] was like [3664] a lion [3023], and [2532] the second [1208] beast [2226] like [3664] a calf [3448], and [2532] the third [5154] beast [2226] had [2192] a face [4383] as [5613] a man [444], and [2532] the fourth [5067] beast [2226] was like [3664] a flying [4072] eagle [105].

¹ And [2532] I saw [1492] in [1909] the right hand [1188] of him that sat [2521] on [1909] the throne [2362] a book [975] written [1125] within [2081] and [2532] on the backside [3693], sealed [2696] with seven [2033] seals [4973].

⁵ And [2532] one [1520] of [1537] the elders [4245] saith [3004] unto me [3427], Weep [2799] not [3361]: behold [2400], the Lion [3023] of [5607] [1537] the tribe [5443] of Juda [2455], the Root [4491] of David [1138], hath prevailed [3528] to open [455] the book [975], and [2532] to loose [3089] the seven [2033] seals [4973] thereof [846].

² And [2532] I saw [1492] a strong [2478] angel [32] proclaiming [2784] with a loud [3173] voice [5456], Who [5101] is [2076] worthy [514] to open [455] the book [975], and [2532] to loose [3089] the seals [4973] thereof [846]?
³ And [2532] no man [3762] in [1722] heaven [3772], nor [3761] in [1909] earth [1093], neither [3761] under [5270] the earth [1093], was able [1410] to open [455] the book [975], neither [3761] to look [991] thereon [846].
⁴ And [2532] I [1473] wept [2799] much [4183], because [3754] no man [3762] was found [2147] worthy [514] to open [455] and [2532] to read [314] the book [975], neither [3777] to look [991] thereon [846].

⁷ Behold [2400], he cometh [2064] with [3326] clouds [3507]; and [2532] every [3956] eye [3788] shall see [3700] him [846], and [2532] they also which [3748] pierced [1574] him [846]: and [2532] all [3956] kindreds [5443] of the earth [1093] shall wail [2875] because [1909] of him [846]. Even so [3483], Amen [281].

⁵ And [2532] from [575] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], who is the faithful [4103] witness [3144], and the first begotten [4416] of [1537] the dead [3498], and [2532] the prince [758] of the kings [935] of the earth [1093]. Unto him that loved [25] us [2248], and [2532] washed [3068] us [2248] from [575] our [2257] sins [266] in [1722] his own [846] blood [129],

³ Blessed [3107] is he that readeth [314], and [2532] they that hear [191] the words [3056] of this prophecy [4394], and [2532] keep [5083] those things which are written [1125] therein [1722] [846]: for [1063] the time [2540] is at hand [1451].

⁵ Also out of the midst [08432] thereof came the likeness [01823] of four [0702] living creatures [02416]. And this was their appearance [04758]; they [02007] had the likeness [01823] of a man [0120].