When Jesus opened the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12-14), there was a great earthquake, signs in the heavens and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Apocalyptic language doesn’t fit the normal manner of communication. Obviously, the language points to and emphasizes other realities that were represented in nature. For example, earthquakes are a sign of God’s power (Job 9:6), his presence (Judges 5:4; 2Samuel 22:8; Psalm 18:7; 68:8; 77:18; 97:4; 104:32; Isaiah 13:13; 29:6; Amos 8:8; Habakkuk 3:10), and of the Second Coming of Jesus (Revelation 11:13-15; Matthew 24:3-7, 29-30). They also express a time of political upheaval, when kingdoms tumble to their ruin (cf. Isaiah 24:19-23; Haggai 2:6-7, 21-22; Hebrews 12:26-27).
Therefore, the mention of the great earthquake at the opening of the sixth seal should not be taken literally, anymore than the heaven departed like a scroll when it is rolled together should be taken literally. Notice:
Revelation 6:12-14 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; (13) And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree castes her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. (14) And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
Sackcloth was worn at a time of mourning, as is seen when Jacob mourned for Joseph, his son (Genesis 37:34), and when the whole nation mourned over the King of Persia’s decree (Esther 4:1-3). The sun, moon and stars were often used as symbols of men having great authority, such as kings and princes (Numbers 24:17; Isaiah 14:13; Daniel 8:10). If the heavens were clothed in black sackcloth (Isaiah 50:3; Matthew 24:29; Revelation 6:12-13), it would have been a sign of national mourning (Matthew 24:30). At the breaking of the fifth seal, the righteous were given white robes. At the breaking of the sixth seal, the unrighteous were given black robes of sackcloth to wear. The wicked slew the righteous and gave them an occasion to mourn. Now, however, the Lord showed himself ready to vindicate the righteous. Therefore, it was a time for the wicked to mourn.
The phrase, the heaven departed as a scroll, when it is rolled together (Revelation 6:14) is a metaphor similar to the Lord stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in” (Isaiah 40:22; cf. Job 9:8; Psalm 104:2). This is the language of Scripture, and it behooves us to recognize that fact, in order to avoid reading it as though it were American or European prose.
Just as with the heavens being likened to a scroll rolled up in order to express God breaking into human affairs, the mountains and islands are metaphors for the king and the provinces, which were smaller countries that serve him. Notice that: “And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea” (Esther 10:1), but elsewhere his kingdom is described as stretching from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces (Esther 1:1; 8:9). In the context of Revelation 6:14 it would mean the Emperor and his princes (the mountains) and include all the provinces of the Roman Empire (the isles of the sea). In fact, the term mountain was used by royalty to point to their high office.[1]
It would be wrong, therefore, to take the removal of mountains and islands literally (Revelation 6:14). Rather, it points to political dynasties that seemed to be permanent fixtures in the world, and although seeming to be powerful and immovable, they were overthrown. The destruction of minor countries (provinces or isles of the sea) and the abolition of dynasties or political families to give place to the new world order, such as the civil war in Rome that developed after Nero’s assisted suicide[2] and the final establishment of the Flavian dynasty[3] and the destruction of Jerusalem in its war against Rome. Such world events seem to fulfill this metaphor.
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[1] The word eminence was used to describe the awe inspiring height of a mountain. Your Eminence is a term taken from the appearance of a high mountain and applied to men of great authority in an effort to ascribe that awe to themselves (see HERE).
[2] Due to the civil war in Rome and perceiving it would not end in his favor, Nero forced his secretary to kill him. See NERO, because he was not able to take his own life.
[3] The Flavian Dynasty replaced the Julio Claudian Dynasty that ended with Nero.
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