Revelation 6:1
New International Version
I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!”

New Living Translation
As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like thunder, “Come!”

English Standard Version
Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!”

Berean Standard Bible
Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a thunderous voice, “Come!”

Berean Literal Bible
And I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as a voice of thunder, "Come!"

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.”

New American Standard Bible
Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come!”

NASB 1995
Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.”

NASB 1977
And I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then I looked when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.”

Amplified Bible
Then I saw as the Lamb (Christ) broke one of the seven seals [of the scroll initiating the judgments], and I heard one of the four living creatures call out as with a voice of thunder, “Come.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!”

American Standard Version
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come.

Contemporary English Version
At the same time I saw the Lamb open the first of the seven seals, I heard one of the four living creatures shout with a voice like thunder. It said, "Come out!"

English Revised Version
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I watched as the lamb opened the first of the seven seals. I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, "Go!"

Good News Translation
Then I saw the Lamb break open the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice that sounded like thunder, "Come!"

International Standard Version
Then I saw the lamb open the first of the seven seals. I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, "Go!"

Majority Standard Bible
Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a thunderous voice, “Come and see!”

NET Bible
I looked on when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a thunderous voice, "Come!"

New Heart English Bible
I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, "Come."

Webster's Bible Translation
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 living beings saying, Come and see.

Weymouth New Testament
And when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals I saw it, and I heard one of the four living creatures say, as if in a voice of thunder, "Come."

World English Bible
I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, “Come and see!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as it were a voice of thunder, “Come and behold!”

Berean Literal Bible
And I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as a voice of thunder, "Come!"

Young's Literal Translation
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as it were a voice of thunder, 'Come and behold!'

Smith's Literal Translation
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as the voice of thunder, Come and see.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I saw that the Lamb had opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures, as it were the voice of thunder, saying: Come, and see.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I saw that the Lamb had opened one of the seven seals. And I heard one of the four living creatures saying, in a voice like thunder: “Draw near and see.”

New American Bible
Then I watched while the Lamb broke open the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures cry out in a voice like thunder, “Come forward.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures call out, as with a voice of thunder, “Come!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I SAW when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four beasts saying in a voice as of thunder, Come and see.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And I saw when The Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of The Four Beasts speaking like the sound of thunder: “Come and see.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And I saw when the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, with a voice like thunder, Come and see.

Godbey New Testament
And I saw when the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures speaking, like a voice of thunder, Come.

Haweis New Testament
AND I saw when the lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living beings, saying, as with a voice of thunder, Come, and see.

Mace New Testament
Then I saw the lamb open one of the seals, when I heard one of the four animals with a voice like thunder, say, "come, and see."

Weymouth New Testament
And when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals I saw it, and I heard one of the four living creatures say, as if in a voice of thunder, "Come."

Worrell New Testament
And I saw, when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, "Come."

Worsley New Testament
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four animate beings saying, as with a voice of thunder, Come and see.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The First Seal: The White Horse
1Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a thunderous voice, “Come!” 2So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer.…

Cross References
Zechariah 1:8-11
I looked out into the night and saw a man riding on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in the hollow, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. / “What are these, my lord?” I asked. And the angel who was speaking with me replied, “I will show you what they are.” / Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.” ...

Zechariah 6:1-8
And again I lifted up my eyes and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. / The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, / the third white horses, and the fourth dappled horses—all of them strong. ...

Matthew 24:3-8
While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” / Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you. / For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. ...

Ezekiel 14:21
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dire judgments—sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague—in order to cut off from it both man and beast?

Daniel 7:23
This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it.

Daniel 9:26-27
Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed. / And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him.”

Jeremiah 4:13
Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!

Jeremiah 47:6-7
‘Alas, O sword of the LORD, how long until you rest? Return to your sheath; cease and be still!’ / How can it rest when the LORD has commanded it? He has appointed it against Ashkelon and the shore of its coastland.”

Isaiah 34:2-8
The LORD is angry with all the nations and furious with all their armies. He will devote them to destruction; He will give them over to slaughter. / Their slain will be left unburied, and the stench of their corpses will rise; the mountains will flow with their blood. / All the stars of heaven will be dissolved. The skies will be rolled up like a scroll, and all their stars will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like foliage from the fig tree. ...

Isaiah 63:1-6
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. ...

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. / He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Matthew 24:21-22
For at that time there will be great tribulation, unseen from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. / If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.

Luke 21:9-11
When you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end is not imminent.” / Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. / There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

Mark 13:7-8
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. / Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

when.

Revelation 5:5-7
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof…

the noise.

Revelation 4:5
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Revelation 10:3,4
And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices…

Revelation 11:19
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

one.

Revelation 6:3,5,7
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see…

Revelation 4:6,7
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind…

Acts 4:20
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

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Beasts Beings Broke Creatures First Four Heard Lamb Noise Opened Seals Seven Stamps Thunder Undid Voice Watched
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Beasts Beings Broke Creatures First Four Heard Lamb Noise Opened Seals Seven Stamps Thunder Undid Voice Watched
Revelation 6
1. The First Seal: Rider on White Horse
3. The Second Seal: War
5. The Third Seal: Famine
7. The Fourth Seal: Death
9. The Fifth Seal: Martyrs
12. The Sixth Seal: Terror














Then I watched
The phrase "Then I watched" indicates the Apostle John's active participation and attentive observation in the unfolding of the divine vision. The Greek word for "watched" is "eidon," which implies not just seeing but perceiving with understanding. This suggests that John is not merely a passive observer but is deeply engaged in the revelation being presented to him. Historically, this moment marks the transition from the heavenly worship scene in Revelation 4-5 to the commencement of the judgments on earth, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and spiritual awareness in the Christian life.

as the Lamb
The "Lamb" refers to Jesus Christ, depicted as the sacrificial Lamb who was slain for the sins of the world. The Greek word "arnion" is used here, emphasizing the innocence and sacrificial nature of Christ. This imagery is deeply rooted in the Passover lamb of the Old Testament, symbolizing deliverance and redemption. Theologically, it underscores the centrality of Christ's atoning work in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, reminding believers of the power and authority vested in the Lamb to execute divine judgment.

opened one of the seven seals
The act of opening the "seven seals" signifies the initiation of God's judgment and the revelation of His divine will. The number seven in biblical terms often represents completeness or perfection, indicating the totality of God's plan. The seals are part of a scroll, which in ancient times would contain important decrees or wills, suggesting that what is being revealed is of utmost significance. This act of opening by the Lamb highlights His unique authority and role as the executor of God's sovereign purposes.

and I heard
The phrase "and I heard" emphasizes the auditory aspect of John's visionary experience, indicating that revelation comes through both sight and sound. The Greek word "akouo" implies not just hearing but understanding and comprehending the message. This dual sensory experience underscores the vividness and reality of the vision, inviting believers to be attentive to God's voice in their own lives.

one of the four living creatures
The "four living creatures" are symbolic beings described earlier in Revelation 4, representing aspects of God's creation and His attributes. They are often interpreted as cherubim or seraphim, angelic beings that serve and worship God continually. Their involvement in the opening of the seals signifies the participation of all creation in the unfolding of God's plan, highlighting the interconnectedness of heaven and earth in the divine narrative.

say with a voice like thunder
The "voice like thunder" conveys authority, power, and the seriousness of the message being delivered. Thunder in biblical literature often accompanies divine revelation or judgment, as seen in the theophanies of the Old Testament. This powerful voice serves as a call to attention, urging believers to heed the significance of the events that are about to unfold.

'Come!'
The command "Come!" is an invitation or summons, possibly directed towards the rider of the first horse that appears in the subsequent verses. The Greek word "erchou" can also imply "go" or "proceed," indicating the initiation of action. This imperative highlights the active role of divine will in the progression of history, encouraging believers to trust in God's sovereign timing and purpose.

(1) And I saw when the Lamb (the diminutive form of Lamb is still used) . . .--The words "and see" are doubtful. They are found in some MSS. and omitted in others: the authority for their omission and for their retention is about equally divided. Under these circumstances we may fairly be guided by the context. To whom is the summons addressed? Who is bidden to come? If it was taken to be addressed to the seer, we can understand why some copyist should add the words "and see." But are they addressed to the seer? It seems difficult to see the purpose of such a command. He was near already. He had seen the Lamb opening the seal. There was no object in his drawing near. Are the words, then, addressed, as Alford supposes, to Christ? It is difficult to believe that the living creature would thus cry to the Lamb, who was opening the scroll. The simplest way of answering the question is to ask another: Who did come in obedience to the voice? There is but one answer--the horseman. The living beings cry "Come," and their cry is responded to by the appearance of the several riders. What is the spiritual meaning of this? The living beings represent, as we have seen, animated nature--that nature and creation of God which groans and travails in pain, waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. These summon the emblems of war and pestilence to come on the scene, for these things must needs be, and through these lies the way for the final coming of God's Christ, for whom creation longs. They bid the pains and troubles come, because they recognise them as the precursors of creation's true King. Thus their voice has in it an undertone which sighs for the advent of the Prince of Peace, who is to come.

Verse 1. - And I saw. A new departure in the series of visions is marked (see on Revelation 4:1). We have here the commencement of the Revelation proper, to which the first five chapters have formed an introduction (cf. Tabular analysis). The vision of the seals, which, although related first, exhibits events concurrent with those symbolized by the trumpets and vials, is contained chiefly in Revelation 6. Revelation 7 is occupied with an account of an episodal character, similar to that which occurs in Revelation 10:1-11:14 after the sixth trumpet; and the vision is completed by the opening of the seventh seal, described in Revelation 8:1. The opening of the first seal pictures the triumph of Christ and his Church, for the comfort and hopeful assurance of those to whom St. John was writing, and for the edification of struggling Christians of all time. To this theme, touched upon here proleptically, the apostle returns at the conclusion of the trumpets; the first six of which bear a general likeness to the last six of the seals. When the Lamb opened one of the seals; one of the seven seals (Revised Version). The insertion of "seven" (ἑπτά) is supported by A, B, C, א, and others; Vulgate, De Dieu's Syriac, Andreas, Arethas, Primasius, Victorinus, AEthiopic. (On the right of the Lamb to open the seals, see on Revelation 5.) And I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts; the voice of thunder... four living creatures (Revised Version). (For the four living beings, see on Revelation 4:6.) Here each living being invites attention to the revelation of the future of that creation of which they are all representative. The thunder is the usual accompaniment of a special revelation of the Divine will, and indicative of the majesty of him whose will is declared (see Revelation 10:3 and Revelation 14:2; also Exodus 19:16; Acts 2:2). Nothing in the text warrants us in particularizing the four living creatures in these four invitations uttered by them, though many writers have endeavoured to do so. Thus, adopting the order in Revelation 4:7, they have supposed that the first voice was uttered by the lion, since the revelation of the first seal is distinguished by the prophecy of victory. The sacrificial nature of the second living being - the steer - is thought to be connected with the slaughter predicted under the second seal by the vision of war and persecution. The man is considered typical of the heresy which it is believed the third seal predicts, and especially of the false opinions concerning the Incarnation; while the eagle is regarded as a symbol of resurrection and the harbinger of the final victory of the just over the death and Hades of the fourth seal. Saying, Come and see. The Revised Version omits "and see." The Textus Receptus, without any apparent authority, reads Αρχου καὶ βλέπε, "Come and see." Αρχου, "Come," simply, is read in A, C, P, fourteen cursives, several versions, two manuscripts of Andreas, etc.; while Αρχου καὶ ἴδε, "Come and behold," is found in א, B, thirty-four cursives, various versions (including the Coptic), two manuscripts of Andreas, etc.; and the Syriac omits Αρχου, "Come." The authorities are thus very evenly balanced; but the addition of καὶ ἴδε, even if not warranted, seems to indicate that the sentence was generally considered to be addressed to St. John; and was intended as an invitation to him to witness the appearances which accompanied the breaking of the seals. Alford contends that the cry, "Come," is addressed, on behalf of creation, to the Lord Jesus, and is a petition to him to speedily bring these things to pass, that his own advent may follow. In support of this, Alford remarks that there is no example of the use by St. John of Αρχου in the sense of "Come and see," "Come hither," without ῶδε, or some qualifying particle; but, on the contrary, it is exactly the expression used of our Lord's advent in Revelation 22:17, 20, "The Spirit and the bride say, Come," etc. Though there is much reason in this contention, yet, on the whole, the weight of evidence, as stated above, makes it probable that the sentence is addressed to St. John.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

I watched
εἶδον (eidon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

as
ὅτε (hote)
Adverb
Strong's 3753: When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lamb
Ἀρνίον (Arnion)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 721: (originally: a little lamb, but diminutive force was lost), a lamb. Diminutive from aren; a lambkin.

opened
ἤνοιξεν (ēnoixen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 455: To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.

one
μίαν (mian)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

seven
ἑπτὰ (hepta)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 2033: Seven. A primary number; seven.

seals,
σφραγίδων (sphragidōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 4973: Probably strengthened from phrasso; a signet; by implication, the stamp impressed, literally or figuratively.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

I heard
ἤκουσα (ēkousa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

one
ἑνὸς (henos)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

four
τεσσάρων (tessarōn)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 5064: Four. Or neuter tessara a plural number; four.

living creatures
ζῴων (zōōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2226: An animal, living creature. Neuter of a derivative of zao; a live thing, i.e. An animal.

say
λέγοντος (legontos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

in
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

a thunderous
βροντῆς (brontēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1027: Thunder. Akin to bremo; thunder.

voice,
φωνῇ (phōnē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5456: Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.

“Come!”
Ἔρχου (Erchou)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 6:1 I saw that the Lamb opened one (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
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