Matthew Poole and continuators on Revelation 6:12

12 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 .

The sixth of those Seals with which the Book was sealed, mentioned chap. 5.1. this signifieth the revelation of some things which should happen in some certain period of time, but what period is the question, as to which Interpreters differ; some think the time when Ierusalem was taken; but this was a time past 26 or 27 years before Iohn was in Pa[illegible: 1 letter] mos, where he had this Vision about things that shall be, ch. 1.1. & 22.6. Some think that period of time which shall be immediately before the day of Judgment; but that guess seemeth worse, for after this there was a seventh Seal▪ to be opened. Some think the period of the Churches conflict with Antichrist; but Mr. Mede's Judgment (followed by many other famous Men) seems best, that it denotes that Period when Constantine the first Christian Emperor restored Peace to the Church, by overturning the whole Pagan State, and making Christianity the Religion of the greatest part of the World. This was about the year 311, and perfected upon his Victory over Licinius 325, in this I acquiese. Let us now see how what is said in this and the following Verses about this Period will agree to that time.

The great Question is here, what is meant by th[illegible: 1 letter]s great Earthquake, the darkning of the Sun, the Moon becoming as Blood, &c. No History recording any such Prodigies, hath made many (taking these things in the natural literal sence) to say the Period under the first Seal signifies either the time when Ierusalem was taken, or the Day of Iudgment: but there is a Metaphorical sense of these expressions, very usual in the Prophetical writings, to shew great changes in States; and in this sense it is to be taken here. Thus the Prophet describeth the great change God would make in Ierusalem, Isa. 29.6. Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of Hosts with Thunder, and with Earthquake, and great noise, with Storm and with Tempest, and the flame of devouring Fire. and Jer. 15.9. Her Sun is gone down while it is yet day. And Ezek. 32.7. the change God would work in the Ruine of Egypt, is thus exprest: When I shall put thee out, I will cover the Heavens, and make the Stars thereof dark, and the Moon shall not give her light: all the bright Lights of Heaven will I make dark over thee. So Joel. 2.10, 31. and ch. 3.15. What is an Earthquake, but the shaking of the Earth? And under this Notion God expresseth the changes he makes in States and Kingdoms, Isa. 2.19, 21. and 24.18. Hag. 2.6, 7. Thus by Earthquake here, is to be understood a great change in the Roman Empire.

The Sun signifies those that are in the highest Power.

The Moon, those that are next to them in Place and Dignity.

Marginal references: Mat. 24.29. Act. 2.20.