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"Then I saw the Lamb break open the first of the seven seals,
and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice that
sounded like thunder, "Come!" I looked and there was a white
horse. Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown.
He rode out as a conquerer to conquer.
The the Lamb broke open the second seal; and I heard the
second living creature say "Come!" Another horse came out,
a red one. Its rider was given the power to bring war
on the earth, so that men should kill each other.
He was given a large sword.
Then the Lamb broke open the third seal; and I heard the
third living creature say "Come!" I looked and there was a black horse
Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand. I heard what sounded like a voice
coming from amoung the four living creatures, which said "A litre of wheat
for a day's wages, and three litres of barley for a day's wages.
But do not damage the olive-trees and the vineyards."
Then the Lamb broke open the fourth seal; and I heard the
fourth living creature say "Come!" I looked and there was a pale-coloured
horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades followed close behind.
They were given authority over a quarter of the earth,to kill
by means of war, famine, disease, and wild animals.
Then the Lamb opened the fifth seal. I saw underneath
the altar the souls of those who had been killed because they had proclaimed
God's word and had been faithful in their witnessing. They shouted in a loud voice,
"Almighty Lord, holy and true! How long will it be until you judge the people on earth
and punish them for killing us?" Each of them was given a white robe, and they were
told to rest a little while longer, until the complete number of their fellow-servants
and brothers had been killed, as they had been.
And I saw the Lamb break open the sixth seal. There was
a violent earthquake, and the sun became black like coarse black cloth,
and the moon turned completely red like blood. The stars fell down to earth,
like unripe figs falling down from the tree when a strong wind shakes it. The sky
disappeared like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved
from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the rulers and the military chiefs, the
rich and the powerful, and all other men, slave and free, hid themselves in caves
and under rocks on the mountains. They called out to the mountains and
to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the eyes of the one who
sits on the throne and from the anger of the Lamb!
The terrible day of their anger is here,
and who can stand against it?"
Revelations 6 |
