“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.”
My Notes
What Does Revelation 6:1 Mean?
"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." The Lamb (Christ) begins opening the seven seals of the scroll that no one else in heaven or earth was worthy to open. The first seal releases a rider on a white horse. The invitation "Come and see" (or simply "Come!") is issued by one of the four living creatures with a voice like thunder.
The dramatic shift from the heavenly worship scene (chapters 4-5) to the seal judgments marks Revelation's transition from throne room to earth. The Lamb who was slain now acts as Judge — the same one who was victim of the world's violence now executes heaven's verdict on it. Salvation and judgment flow from the same source.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does the image of the slain Lamb as Judge reconcile God's mercy and justice in your mind?
- 2.What does 'Come and see' suggest about God's intention for you to witness his judgment rather than look away?
- 3.Why does judgment begin with thunder — an experience that's felt before it's understood?
- 4.How does knowing the Judge is also the Lamb who was slain change how you think about divine judgment?
Devotional
The Lamb opens the seal. The same Lamb who was slain — gentle, sacrificial, silent before his shearers — now breaks open the scroll of judgment. And when he does, thunder speaks.
This is the image that holds the entire book of Revelation together: the slain Lamb who has the authority to judge. The one who submitted to the world's worst violence now presides over the world's reckoning. The victim becomes the Judge. And the judgment begins not with an army or a weapon, but with the quiet act of breaking a seal.
"Come and see." The living creature invites John — and through John, you — to watch what happens when the Lamb acts. It's an invitation to witness, not to look away. Revelation doesn't let you avert your eyes from the reality of divine judgment. It says: look. This is what happens when the God who died for the world finally addresses the evil in it.
The thunder is the first sound. Not words. Thunder. The judgment begins with a sound that shakes your body before your mind can process what's happening. That's how God's justice arrives — not as an argument to be evaluated but as a reality that rattles your bones. The Lamb is acting. The seals are opening. And you're invited to see.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And I saw, when the Lamb opened one of the seals,.... Of the sealed book; one of the seven seals of it, as read the…
And I saw - Or, I looked. He fixed his eye attentively on what was passing, as promising important disclosures. No one…
When the Lamb opened one of the seals - It is worthy of remark that the opening of the seals is not merely a declaration…
Here, 1. Christ, the Lamb, opens the first seal; he now enters upon the great work of opening and accomplishing the…
The First Seal. Chap. 6 Rev 6:1-2
1. one of the four Presumably the Lion, as the other voices are described as those of…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture