Grace in Focus – The Fifth and Sixth Seal Judgments (Revelation 6:9-17)

Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Bob Wilkin, Philippe Sterling, Sam Maher

Episode Overview

In this concise yet engrossing episode, the hosts explore the Fifth and Sixth Seal Judgments described in Revelation 6:9-17. They unpack what these judgments mean for tribulation believers, discuss the interconnectedness of the seal judgments, and examine how God’s justice and grace are displayed through prophetic scripture. The discussion is thoughtful, seeking to clarify biblical prophecy’s relevance to assurance, sanctification, and Christian living.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Recap and Context

[01:01–01:37]

• The first four seal judgments (“the four horsemen”) were explained in the prior episode.
• The destruction of a fourth of the earth is a cumulative effect of all four horsemen acting concurrently, rather than strictly the work of the fourth.

The Fifth Seal: The Martyrs and Their Reward

[02:17–05:10]

• The Fifth Seal shifts the scene to heaven, depicting souls under the altar who were martyred for their faith during the tribulation.
  • Quote: "I saw under the altar the soul of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held." – Philippe Sterling [02:17]
• These martyrs cry out to God, asking how long until their blood is avenged.
  • Quote: "They cry out, 'How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?'" – Philippe Sterling [02:43]
• The altar is identified as being in the heavenly tabernacle, which mirrors the earthly temple.
• Each martyr is given a white robe – a reward for faithfulness, connecting to promises to the “overcomers” in Revelation 2 and 3.
  • Quote: "White garments later in Revelation, we're told, are the righteous deeds of the saints. In other words, these white garments are a reward for faithfulness." – Bob Wilkin [03:46]
• Rewards are not just for Church Age believers, but for all who are faithful: Old Testament, tribulation, and beyond.
  • "God's not only going to reward church age believers, he's going to reward Old Testament believers, and he's going to reward tribulation believers. They're all going to be rewarded." – Bob Wilkin [04:21]
• The timing puts the Fifth Seal near the end of the first half of the tribulation, shortly before the trumpet judgments begin.

The Sixth Seal: Cosmic and Earthly Calamities

[05:21–08:19]

• The Sixth Seal returns focus to earth, unleashing a series of dramatic natural disasters: a massive earthquake, blackened sun, blood-red moon, falling stars, mountains and islands moving.
  • Quote: "And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders…said to the mountains and rocks and fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." – Philippe Sterling [06:29]
• The hosts clarify that these signs DO NOT precede the tribulation; they occur during “the sorrows”—the tribulation itself.
  • "You can't count up the number of earthquakes and go, 'Okay, they're increasing in frequency. So that shows the Rapture must be within so many years.' No, this will be occurring during the sorrows, during the Tribulation." – Bob Wilkin [05:28]
• This is the moment when people on earth gain a glimpse of the heavenly reality and unmistakably recognize God's hand in these judgments.

The Wrath of the Lamb and Human Response

[07:34–08:33]

• The tribulation period is portrayed as the outpouring of God’s ultimate wrath through Christ ("the Lamb").
  • "The Lamb is also the lion…not only takes away the sin of the world…but he does pour out his wrath during the 70th seventh." – Bob Wilkin [07:34]
• The hosts connect this wrath to passages in John and to God’s establishment of justice throughout all ages.

The Mark of the Beast & The Possibility of Repentance

[08:33–09:10]

• Introduction of themes that will be developed later in Revelation (the mark of the beast, economic controls), with the observation that once a person takes the mark, they are "sealed in unbelief."
  • These details are not part of the seals, trumpets, or bowls but appear in interludes (Revelation 12–14).

The Emotional and Spiritual Response of Humanity

[09:10–10:41]

• Sam Maher draws an insightful connection between humanity recognizing God's judgment at the sixth seal and their response after the fall of Babylon (Revelation 18): some recognize God’s justice but don't repent, while others may turn to faith.
  • "They're not ignorant of God's existence at this point, but they still choose not to believe, or some of them may believe." – Sam Maher [10:17]
  • "Bob Bryan argues that during the Tribulation there will be untold millions that come to faith in Christ." – Bob Wilkin [10:21]
• The ongoing possibility of repentance is stressed for all who have not accepted the mark of the beast.

Importance of Prophetic Study for Christians

[10:56–12:28]

• The hosts urge believers not to neglect studying Revelation, Daniel, and other prophetic books, arguing that God’s justice, mercy, and the ultimate fate of humanity are revealed in these passages.
  • "That's a huge mistake, don't y' all think?" – Bob Wilkin [10:56]
• God’s justice is underscored: "God is just. And that is the message of the book of Revelation: God is just and whatever people sow, they reap." – Bob Wilkin [11:28]
• The tribulation is postponed as long as there’s mass repentance, displaying God’s grace.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Concurrent Judgments:
  "1, 2, 3 and 4 [seals] are actually occurring simultaneously… at the end of this time we have a fourth of mankind killed." – Bob Wilkin [02:03]
• Eternal Rewards:
  "White garments…are the righteous deeds of the saints. In other words, these white garments are a reward for faithfulness." – Bob Wilkin [03:46]
• On the Wrath of the Lamb:
  "The Lamb…does pour out his wrath during the 70th seventh." – Bob Wilkin [07:34]
• Possibility of Faith During Tribulation:
  "There'll be hundreds of millions even out of that population that's gradually decreasing because of all the deaths occurring. As long as they haven't taken the mark of the beast…the possibility of believing is there." – Bob Wilkin [10:28]
• Call to Study Prophecy:
  "A lot of people don't study the Book of Revelation…But that's a huge mistake, don't y' all think?" – Bob Wilkin [10:56]

Important Timestamps

• 01:01 – Recap of Four Horsemen & Introduction of Fifth Seal
• 02:17 – The Martyrs under the Heavenly Altar
• 03:32 – Significance of the White Robes
• 04:21 – Discussion of Rewards for All Believers
• 05:21 – Introduction of the Sixth Seal
• 06:29 – Dramatic Reading of Seal Text
• 07:34 – Outpouring of Divine Wrath Explained
• 08:33 – Mark of the Beast and Unbelief
• 09:10 – Parallels with the Fall of Babylon
• 10:56 – Call to Study Prophecy
• 11:28 – God’s Justice articulated

Summary & Takeaway

The episode provides a thorough, scripturally-rooted discussion of the Fifth and Sixth Seal Judgments, focusing on both the cosmic-scale drama of prophecy and the personal implications for believers. The conversation balances theological depth with practical application—urging listeners to study prophetic books, trust in God’s justice, and keep “grace in focus.” Notably, the hosts emphasize that even in periods of intense judgment, God’s door of faith and repentance remains open, right up to the ultimate outpourings of wrath foretold in Revelation.