There is a remarkable parallel between the progress of chapter 6 as a whole and the description given by our Lord of the end of the age in Matthew 24:4–31 (see accompanying chart). In both passages the order is (1) war (Matt. 24:6–7; Rev. 6:3–4); (2) famine (Matt. 24:7; Rev. 6:5–6); (3) death (Matt. 24:7–9; Rev. 6:7–8); (4) martyrdom (Matt. 24:9–10, 16–22; Rev. 6:9–11); (5) the sun darkened, the moon darkened, and the stars falling (Matt. 24:29; Rev. 6:12–14); and (6) a time of divine judgment (Matt. 24:32–25:26; Rev. 6:15–17).
