Lesson 10: Upon Whom the Ends Have Come
10.1 The Wrath of the Lamb
When the Lamb is Angry – The Final Hour of Grace
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Introduction
There are moments in life when we sense that we’re approaching a decisive crossroads – an invisible line separating the present from the eternal. The Bible speaks of such a moment in Revelation 6:12–17: the day of the wrath of the Lamb. A scene of great upheaval, cosmic signs, and a humanity that hides in fear – not because they are ignorant, but because they have consciously rejected the truth.
This lesson invites us to reflect on how we live, what we believe – and whom we follow. Because we are those “upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” And what we recognize from God’s Word will determine whether we look up with peace in our hearts at Jesus’ return – or whether, like many in Revelation 6, we will seek to hide from the face of the Lamb.
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Bible Study – Revelation 6:12–17 & Matthew 24:36–44
I. Context and Background
1. What does “the wrath of the Lamb” mean?
The Lamb is a consistent symbol of Christ (see John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19). It represents gentleness, purity, and willingness to sacrifice.
But here we find a paradox: “the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev. 6:16). How can a lamb be angry?
This image shows us: Jesus is not only the Savior, but also the Judge. The grace that is rejected becomes judgment. His rejection by the world inevitably leads to a confrontation with His holiness and justice.
2. The sequence in Revelation 6
In the first five seals (Rev. 6:1–11), we see the history of the church from its early days to the end times.
In the sixth seal (vv. 12–17), we find cosmic signs: earthquakes, darkened sun, blood moon, falling stars, people fleeing.
These events closely resemble the return of Christ, as also described in Matthew 24.
II. Verse-by-Verse Analysis (Revelation 6:12–17)
Verses 12–13: Cosmic Signs
“A great earthquake, the sun became black as sackcloth, the whole moon like blood, and the stars of heaven fell…”
These signs are also mentioned in Joel 2:31 / Matthew 24:29 / Luke 21:25.
Historically, many believe these were fulfilled:
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1755: Great Lisbon Earthquake
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1780: Dark Day in New England (sun darkened)
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1833: Meteor storm in North America
Verses 14–16: Humanity’s Reaction
“…they hid in the caves and among the rocks… and said: Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne…”
People are not fleeing from natural disasters – they are fleeing from God.
They know who is coming – the Lamb they once knew but rejected.
The great tragedy: They knew the gospel but didn’t live by it.
Verse 17: Humanity’s Question
“…for the great day of His wrath has come – and who is able to stand?”
This rhetorical question is answered in Revelation 7: God’s sealed people – those washed in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14).
III. Jesus and the Days of Noah (Matthew 24:36–44)
Jesus compares His return to the days of Noah:
Verses 38–39: People continued living as usual – eating, drinking, marrying – and didn’t realize until the flood came.
Verses 42–44: Jesus urges us to stay alert, for He will come at an hour we do not expect.
Important: It’s not knowledge that saves, but the readiness of the heart.
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Answers to the Questions
Question 1: What stands out to you about the reaction of people in Revelation 6:12–17?
The people clearly understand what’s happening. They call Jesus “the Lamb” – a term deeply rooted in the gospel message. They know they are facing “the day of His wrath.” So it’s not ignorance, but rejection. Their fear comes from realizing they knew the truth but rejected it. They consciously chose the world over the Lamb – and now, in the decisive moment, they realize there’s no escape.
This passage shows us: knowledge alone doesn’t save – only a living decision for Jesus does.
Question 2: What conclusions does Jesus want us to draw from the story of Noah?
Jesus shows that God’s judgment never comes without warning. Noah preached for 120 years, yet people remained indifferent. They lived as if nothing would ever happen. The danger wasn’t ignorance, but indifference.
The same is true today. We know about Christ’s coming, the gospel, the signs of the times – but are we spiritually awake? Are we prepared? Or do we keep postponing things for “later”?
Jesus warns us: His return will come unexpectedly for those who live unwatchful lives. They won’t be surprised by ignorance – but by deliberate misplaced priorities.
Question 3: How does the perspective of sudden death help us deal with the “delay”?
The Bible makes it clear: from the moment of death to the resurrection, there is no awareness of passing time. The one who dies today experiences Christ’s return as their very next conscious moment. For them, there is no “delay.”
This perspective helps us not to treat Jesus’ return as a distant reality. Life is short. Every breath could be our last. Whoever lives in Christ lives in constant expectation – always ready.
The “delay” is not an excuse – it’s an opportunity to repent and prepare.
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Spiritual Principles
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Divine warnings are expressions of love: God announces judgment to save.
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Grace is available – but not endless: The door of the ark closed before the rain fell.
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Knowledge of the gospel is not enough: It’s about faith, repentance, and obedience.
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Jesus’ return is certain – and for each of us, it may come as suddenly as death.
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Application for Daily Life
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Live every day as if Jesus were coming today – not out of fear, but out of love.
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Don’t ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit calling you to turn back.
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Let your life be a testimony: through kindness, faithfulness, and practical love.
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Talk about your faith – not fanatically, but honestly and humbly.
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Take your time with God seriously – Bible, prayer, silence. Daily fellowship with Jesus will transform your heart.
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Conclusion
The people in Revelation 6 knew what was happening – but they realized it too late. Jesus was to them a known, but rejected Lamb. It was the same in Noah’s day: many heard, but few believed.
Today, we live in the time of grace – between warning and judgment. Every day is God’s call: “Come into My ark!”
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Thought of the Day
“The problem isn’t the day of Jesus’ return – but whether my heart is already living with Christ today.”
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Illustration – “The Last Morning”
The alarm buzzed softly on the nightstand. It was 6:00 a.m., Monday, October 21. Thomas reached for his smartphone, groaned at the notifications, and turned it off. Outside, it was pouring rain – the sky looked like poured-out ash. He got up, brewed coffee, and scrolled through the news. More wars. Political escalation. Another natural disaster. A volcano had erupted in Iceland, and an earthquake had destroyed a hospital in California.
None of it truly touched him. Thomas was 32, a successful engineer at a tech firm in Berlin – rational, grounded – and inwardly empty. His mother had been a believer, a simple woman with deep love for Jesus. She had died four years earlier. As a child, he had prayed with her, listened to Bible stories, sung in church. But that was long gone. Now he believed only in science, calculation, and efficiency.
On the way to work, he heard a radio segment: “Christian groups claim we are living at the end of time. A preacher read from Revelation: ‘And the sky receded like a scroll…’” Thomas scoffed. “Fearmongering,” he muttered.
At noon, the sky suddenly darkened. No storm – it was as if someone had turned off the light. Colleagues gathered at the window. Cars stopped. People stared upward in confusion. Then came the light.
It wasn’t blinding, but something that went through everything – concrete, glass, skin. Something that struck the heart. Thomas’s breath caught. In a second, he knew this wasn’t weather. It was… an arrival. No sirens, no sound. Just silence. And then… the earth shook.
Not like a normal quake. It was as if everything around him pulled back. The air vibrated, the sky split – not like clouds parting, but really torn. Like a curtain ripped open.
People started screaming. Some ran, others stood frozen. Thomas felt exposed. He knew this was the moment his mother had talked about. She had wept, begging him to return to Jesus.
“He’s coming, Tom. He won’t come back as a baby – He’s coming as King. You need to be ready.”
He had smiled back then. Now, he couldn’t even think of a smile.
A figure appeared in the sky – not blurry, not vague, but unmistakable. Majestic, clothed in light. And yet it wasn’t the flashes or fire that terrified him – it was the gaze. That gaze full of truth, purity… and sorrow.
Thomas knew: It was the Lamb. The Lamb who had been sacrificed. The Lamb whose love he had known – and rejected.
People cried out: “Mountains, fall on us!” He heard the sentence he had once mocked, now screamed in panic by thousands: “Hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!”
Suddenly there was silence within him. No urge to run. No excuses. Only the awful realization: He knew – and had chosen to look away.
Then he heard a voice. Not loud, but penetrating.
“Thomas. I called you. I gave you signs. I loved you – to the end.”
Tears flooded his eyes. Not from fear – but from sorrow. Why had he been so proud? Why had he dismissed it all as myth? The years, his mother’s talks, the dreams, the nights his heart had warned him – all now roared back like suppressed memories too loud to ignore.
In one last moment, he lifted his eyes. Not to flee – but to confess.
“Jesus… You really are the Lamb. I knew You. And I rejected You.”
He fell to his knees. Around him were only chaos and screams. But inside, there was a strange peace. He knew it was too late – and yet he prayed.
Not to survive. But because his soul could no longer run.
And as the heavens fully opened, all he could think of was her voice. Her last message on the old answering machine:
“Tom, if you ever feel the moment that you need Him – don’t run. He loves you more than you could ever imagine.”
And now?
This story doesn’t end with explosions or salvation – but with an open look into your heart.
What will you do when the heavens open?
Jesus doesn’t ask for perfection. But He asks for your decision.
Now.
There is still time.
The Lamb is still speaking.
Soon, the Lion comes.
“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:15)
