Matthew Henry Commentary Revelation 6:12-17

"And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood; and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind. And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?" — Revelation 6:12-17 (ASV)

When the sixth seal was opened, there was a great earthquake. The foundations of churches and states would be terribly shaken. Such bold figurative descriptions of great changes abound in the prophecies of Scripture, for these events are emblems and declare the end of the world and the day of judgment. Dread and terror would seize on people of all kinds.

Neither grandeur, riches, valor, nor strength can support people at that time. They would be glad to be no longer seen; indeed, to no longer exist. Though Christ is a Lamb, he can be angry, and the wrath of the Lamb is exceedingly dreadful; for if the Redeemer himself, who appeases the wrath of God, is our enemy, where shall we find a friend to plead for us? As people have their day of opportunity and their seasons of grace, so God has his day of righteous wrath.

It seems that the overthrow of the paganism of the Roman Empire is meant here. The idolaters are described as hiding themselves in their dens and secret caves, and vainly seeking to escape ruin. In such a day, when the signs of the times show those who believe in God's word that the King of kings is approaching, Christians are called to a decided course and to a bold confession of Christ and his truth before others.

Whatever they may have to endure, the short-lived contempt of people is to be endured, rather than the shame that is everlasting.