EVENTS OF THE SIXTH SEAL.
By B. F. Snook
THE sixth seal was opened in 1775. All students of prophecy admit that we are living in a solemn time. Events of the most grand and thrilling importance are transpiring daily within our own observation. Signs as precursors of the day of the Lord, are every where looming up before us. To these the faithful saint can look as to so many witnesses, unitedly testifying that the last day is near, that the end of all things is at hand. And seeing them, he can lift up his head and rejoice in anticipation of the great blessings just before him, which he will receive when his Lord shall come. The way is truly plain, the light is clear, and the testimony sure. We can know that the time is near, that the day is at hand. In the book of Revelation the Christian dispensation is divided into seven different periods. These are represented by seven churches, seven seals, and seven trumpets. We call especial attention to the sixth seal, it being under this that the signs are manifested and the great day of wrath appears. "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." Rev. vi, 12. Three important events mark very clearly the date of this seal. 2. The darkening of the sun. 3. The darkening of the moon. These events must appear in the order stated. An earthquake after the darkening of the sun and moon will not answer the specifications of the prophecy. Neither will any darkening of the sun and moon before the occurrence of the earthquake fulfill the prophecy. In order therefore that we arrive at the true data of this seal, we must learn definitely when this great earthquake occurred, for that is the great event designating the time when the seal was opened. 1. The great earthquake. When did it occur? 1st. It could not have occurred during the great Papal persecution against the saints. When the fifth seal was opened, those who had been slain under the fourth seal were seen, and told that they should rest for a little season until their fellow-servants and their brethren should be killed as they were. Verse 11. This great tribulation was gradually slackened from A. D. 1700 till we come down to the latter half of the eighteenth century. We have no record of any general persecution against the saints by the pope since that time. 2d. The great earthquake occurred Nov. 1, 1775. "Lisbon was destroyed by the most terrible earthquake that has ever occurred. Sixty thousand persons perished in six minutes. The sea first retired, then rolled in rising fifty feet above its usual bed. The largest mountain in Portugal rocked and split asunder, and sent forth flames and clouds of dust. The shock was felt nearly all over Europe, in the north part of Africa, in the Atlantic, and even in the West Indies. A vast wave swept over the coast of Spain, and in some places sixty feet in hight. Near Morocco the earth swallowed up about ten thousand persons with their herds, and then closed over them." Cyclopedia Hist. p. 639. This was the greatest earthquake known to historians. It occurred at the right time—soon after the tribulation of the 1260 years, but in the years, as they extended to 1798. We have now located beyond doubt the beginning of the sixth seal. It began in A. D. 1775. We may from that date forward begin to look for those signs to appear which precede and point to the coming of the Lord. 2. The darkening of the sun. This is the second and next event that marks the time when the sixth seal was opened. We understand this to be an unnatural darkness, a darkness caused directly by God himself, as an unmistakable sign of the approaching dawn of the last day. When did this event occur? 1st. It must occur before the 1260 years run out. "In those days after that tribulation the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light." Mark xiii, 24. This testimony shows very clearly that22this sign should appear within the 1260 years. Now as the 1260 years ran out in A. D. 1798, this sign must appear prior to that date. 2d. It is the first sign following the great earthquake, and as that occurred in A. D. 1775, the sun must be darkened this side of that date. 3d. Therefore we are now shut up to this conclusion, that this sign must occur between 1775 and 1798. Here therefore, is the time in which it must appear. Did it appear in that time? If so, in what year? It did appear in that time, and in the year 1780. We refer to the testimony of many living witnesses. We will also give one historical testimony out of many that we might give: "In the dark day of May 19, 1780, the heavens were covered with a dense cloud for three or four hours. During this time the clouds were tinged with a yellowish or faint red for hours, for which no satisfactory cause has been assigned." Noah Webster, LL. D., New Haven Daily Herald. We give this testimony more for the purpose of proving the nature than the reality of the event. No man of literature will call in question the ability of this witness to decide a case of this kind. This sign makes its appearance at the right time and in the right manner, and is therefore a fulfillment of the prophecy. 3. The darkening of the moon. This is the next sign following in consecutive order, and occurred on the night of the 19th of May, 1780, the night following the dark day. The points above which locate the time when the sun was darkened will also apply here, and prove the time for the moon to cease to shine to be the same. Our Saviour has carefully pointed out these signs in other places. Matt. xxiv, 29. 4. The next sign spoken of in this prophecy is the falling of the stars. "And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind." Verse 13. This wonderful sign appeared Nov. 13, 1833. And what an awe-inspiring sight to those who witnessed it! They witnessed the greatest display of celestial fireworks that ever occurred. They saw the heavens rain fire. How highly favored were they! The wise men who saw one star point to the first advent were truly favored by heaven. Matt. ii, 7, 10. But pre-eminently honored were they who saw millions and millions of bright and shining stars point to the second advent. 5. The parable of Matt. xxiv, 32. "Now learn a parable of the fig-tree. When his branch is yet tender, and puteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh." This is a natural and very apt illustration. When we walk forth into the grove in early spring, and behold the trees budding and putting forth leaves and blossoms, we know that the summer is coming—is at hand. But suppose on our return we meet a man who says, Well, sirs, don't you think we are going to have a long time of cold weather? we answer, Why, no, my dear sir, the warm season is at hand; for see these buds and blossoms. O, says he, I don't see any difference between the trees now and the trees in the dead of winter; they all look alike to me. What would you think of such a man, reader? I should consider him a blind man. So likewise when we see the foregoing signs, we may as certainly know that the end is nigh, even at the doors. Verse 33. The man who does not see it must be blind: is either in nature's darkness, or bound with the heavy chains of unbelief. 6. The next event brought to light in the prophecy before us is the "great day." "And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together, and every island and mountain were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens, and in the rocks of the mountains; and said unto the mountains, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?" Verses 14, 17. Grand and sublime are the scenes here depicted! Awful indeed is the event here spoken of. And O, what an important question here follows: Who shall be able to stand? We answer, 1st. It will not be the great men of earth. Kings with their wicked counselors will perish with all their greatness. The rich, proud, and haughty, will all be destroyed. God will receive no excuse from the willful sinner. 2d. Those who love God and do his will shall be able to stand. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give all heed to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things ye shall never fall." 2 Pet. i, 10. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. xxii, 14. These are blessed promises, and surely belong to the remnant who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Chap. xiv, 12. That awful day will soon appear. The storm is already gathering. The dark and heavy clouds appear in the distance. The heavy rolling of the thunders may be distinctly heard, and the red flashes of glaring lightning play furiously upon the angry heavens. Sinners begin to tremble, and men's hearts to fail them for fear of the things coming upon the earth. The sea and the waves roar, while distress and fearful perplexity characterize the angry nations. But in this time the saint looks up, and by faith looks beyond the distress, fear, and perplexity that surround him, to the happy morn that is beginning to dawn, when he will see his Lord coming in great power and glory, when he will be redeemed from all that is mortal, and delivered into the bright joys of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Yea, while here, he groans and prays for the time to hasten when he will part from the wicked, and the persecutors of God's dear children, and meet with the immortal saints on the sunny shores of perpetual joy. There with all the saints he hopes to dwell amid the resplendent and unfading beauties of the world to come. May the Lord help us to be faithful and diligent. Mercy yet lingers, and Jesus yet intercedes. But soon he will leave the sanctuary, and mercy's sweet voice will be heard no more in behalf of the sinner forever. While, therefore, there is time and opportunity, let us prepare to stand in the great day of his wrath.