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.

REVELATION 6:1KJV
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Revelation 6:1 (KJV)

What does Revelation 6:1 mean?

Revelation 6:1 describes the beginning of a vision in which John watches the Lamb open a sealed scroll. The opening starts a sequence of events, and a thunder-like call draws attention to what John is about to see.

The Lamb is the figure introduced in the preceding scene as worthy to open the scroll. One of four creatures around God’s throne gives the command “Come and see.” In the KJV, the words invite John to look at what follows.

The Greek behind Revelation 6:1

  • “Lamb” — ἀρνίον (arnion): This means a lamb, a young sheep. The word identifies the figure John has already seen in the vision, standing near the throne.
  • “beasts” — ζῷον (zōon): This means living creatures. The KJV word “beasts” might suggest ordinary wild animals, but these are the four living creatures described around the throne in Revelation 4.
  • “noise” — φωνή (phōnē): This can mean a sound or a voice. Here the word describes the creature’s voice as sounding like thunder.

Why Revelation 6:1 matters

  • The scroll is opened one seal at a time. The phrase “one of the seals” marks the first step in a sequence that continues through the following verses.
  • The voice belongs to one of the four creatures, not to the Lamb. John sees the Lamb open the seal, then hears the creature speak.
  • The thunder comparison describes how the call sounds. The KJV says “as it were the noise of thunder,” comparing the voice to thunder rather than naming a thunderstorm.

Where else these words appear

“thunder” Greek G1027 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
  • Revelation 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
  • 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.

“seals” Greek G4973 · used in 16 verses

  • Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
  • Revelation 5:5 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.
  • Revelation 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

“beasts” Greek G2226 · used in 20 verses

  • Hebrews 13:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
  • Revelation 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
  • Revelation 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

“Lamb” Greek G721 · used in 28 verses

  • John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
  • Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
  • Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.