In verse 14, there is an interesting description about the sky vanishing like a scroll that is being rolled up. We’ve discussed that all we are studying in Revelation is a scroll that the Lamb, who was worthy, has taken from the hand of Him Who sits on the throne. We might picture that this scroll is being unrolled. As each seal is opened, the scroll is unrolled a little bit further. We know what that imagery would be.

So it is, when a nation comes to an end, it is, as it were, rolled up—no longer visible. Isaiah had said of heathen nations as the end of their time had come, “And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll; and all their host shall fade away, as the leaf falleth from the vine, and as the fading leaf from the fig,” Isaiah 34 and verse 4. Their heaven should pass away, for the nations and their world would be no more.

There are other symbols here in verse 14—the mountains and islands. Mountains, of course, were symbols of permanence, symbols of strength—the very foundations of the world, we might say. But those would be removed. The islands, or the isles, depending on your translations, were symbols to the people of that day of the most remote lands, the far-flung regions. We might say, “The corners of the earth.” These remote lands would be a nation’s possessions far from the ruling, or conquering, nation. Ezekiel wrote in Ezekiel 26, verse 15, speaking of the fall of the City of Tyre, which had been a great commercial power in its day. He said that the isles would shake [“Thus saith the Lord GOD to Tyre: Shall not the isles [their conquered lands/countries] shake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee?”].

All of these symbols, the symbol of the mountains and the islands, indicate and illustrate the fall and the passing of a great national power when it is judged by Jehovah. They fall when God brings His mighty judgment upon that nation.

The Reaction of Mankind (verses 15-17)

15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of Their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

In verse 15, we’re going to see several classes of people described. In a generic way, we see ALL classes of people being brought into view.

First of all, we see the kings of the earth, the rulers of kingdoms, and of provinces, and of sin-filled and unregenerate mankind. After kings, we see princes [NIV] [“the great ones”-ESV] listed here, another type of royalty who would be rulers and have authority over other people. Then we see mentioned “chief captains [KJV]” or “commanders [NKJV]” or “generals [ESV]”, suggesting that these would be the leaders of the military tribunes, the commanders of thousands of men. Then we see listed “the rich”—the wealthy of the earth, “the powerful”—the strong, those who were men of power and strength, perhaps in various positions of life, not necessarily referring to physical prowess. Also listed is “every bondman [KJV]” or “slave[ESV]”, that is, every slave, one who is owned by another. And then, “every free man [KJV].”

That just about takes it all in, doesn’t it? Everyone, from the top to the bottom, and all in between are listed. No one is going to be excluded from the judgment when it strikes. All of these, from the kings to the slaves, will be drawn together by a common calamity. They will seek refuge—try to hide in caves, ask the mountains and the rocks to fall on them, as we see here in verse 16.

One commentator says that this is, perhaps, further evidence that what is being revealed here in the opening of this sixth seal is, indeed, NOT the great and final judgment. He points out that, when THAT day comes, when THAT moment in time occurs, the Lord will come. Paul describes His coming as“in the twinkling of an eye,” 1 Corinthians 15:52. [1 Corinthians 15:51-52: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--⁵²in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”]

The Lord’s coming is also described by Peter, 2 Peter 3, saying that He will come as a thief, in which day the heavens will pass away, the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. [2 Peter 3:10: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”] The clear implication is that in that day when the Lord comes, there will be no time to seek a hiding place.

Further, this suggestion of men seeking refuge in caves and under rocks, and calling for mountains to fall on them actually occurs in other places in Scripture. In fact, at least three other times we see this referred to as it points out an impending calamity.