Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - Revelation 6:3 - 6:4
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Rev_6:3-4. When the Lamb[2034] opens the second seal, John is again commanded, and this time by the second of the beings, to come; it is therefore presupposed, that after the vision of the first seal had ended, and the first image of a horseman had vanished, he had again withdrawn, and taken his original place.[2035] The form proceeding from the book of fate after the opening of the second seal ( ἐξῆλθεν , cf. Rev_6:2) is that of personified shedding of blood. This is so obviously indicated by the red color of the horse,[2036] whereby it was granted ( ἘΔΌΘΗ , cf. Rev_3:21) to take peace away from the earth with the effect of a slaughtering of one another by the dwellers upon earth,[2037] and by the corresponding emblem of a great sword which was given ( ἐδόθη , cf. Rev_6:2),[2038] that expositors are united concerning the essential significance of the vision.[2039] The more accurate determination of the intention of the threatening manifestation is given partly from the words ἐκ τῆς γῆς , and partly from the connection of the whole, decided already in the first sight of a seal. As ἐκ τῆς γῆς does not mean “from the land of Judaea, and the places in which there were Jews,”[2040] certainly the vision as a prophecy post eventum cannot refer to the Jewish war, and the rapine and strifes of factions which occurred during its continuance, especially in Jerusalem.[2041] Since, on the other hand, because of the connection of λαβ . τ . εἰρ . ἐκ τῆς γῆς and ἀλλήλους σφάξουσιν , only the κατοικοῦντες ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς [2042] can be regarded as subject to ἀλλήλους σφάξ ., who kill one another, those massacred cannot be Christians, i.e., the discourse cannot be in reference to the persecutions of Christians; for then also, in reference to the combination of the first four seal-visions, it is entirely arbitrary to assert that the last three horsemen occupy a hostile position towards the first.[2043] Incorrect, therefore, are all expositions which in the second seal-vision find the persecution of Christians; as well those specially expounding it,[2044] as those holding it more or less in general.[2045] On the contrary, as in Mat_24:7-8, wars in the world are regarded as the first presage of the parousia of Christ, the ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων , so there appears here the personification of the shedding of blood, which is to occur on earth in consequence of the Lord’s approach for the glorious and victorious end. Even sanguinary war serves the Lord at his coming. Believers, too, are of course alarmed by the πειρασμός which is thus proclaimed by the second seal-vision;[2046] but their Lord not only preserves them, but at the signs of his coming they are to be the more confident in their hope, since their redemption approaches.[2047]
[2034] Cf. Rev_6:1.
[2035] Cf., also, Rev_6:5; Rev_6:7. Ebrard.
[2036] Cf. 2Ki_3:22; LXX.: ὕδατα πυῤῥὰ ὡς αἷμα .
[2037] The ἳνα with the ind. fut., in the epexegetical clause καὶ ἱνα , κ . τ . λ ., stands in combination with ἐδόθῃ αὐτῷ , just as the ἵνα after ποιήσω , Rev_3:9.
[2038] It is to be noted how excellently the significant instrument, the μάχαιρα , applies to the slaying which is announced ( σφάξουσιν ; cf. Rev_6:6).
[2039] Apart from individual, entirely untenable, arbitrary explanations, as in Alcasar.
[2040] Grot.
[2041] “Intestine dissensions, robbers, assassins, insurrection of Theudas,” etc., Wetst.; cf. Herder, Böhmer, also Eich., Heinr., etc.
[2042] Rev_3:10.
[2043] “Against the victorious and conquering Church, a red horse goes forth, i.e., an unfavorable populace, bloody from their rider, the Devil” (Beda).
[2044] e.g., N. de Lyra: “The red horse is the Roman people; the rider is Nero.”
[2045] e.g., Beda, Zeger, Calov.: “The red horse, an unfavorable people, an assembly of the godless; the rider is the Devil.” Cf. also Andr., Areth., Laun., Vitr., who regard the rider a personification of the Roman Empire, and suggest Decius and others; Stern, who, in the entire form of each personification, sees only the worldly power thirsting for the blood of Christians, etc.
[2046] Cf. Rev_3:10.
[2047] Hengstenb., Ebrard, also Beng., Ew., De Wette.