The events of the sixth seal reveal the disjointing of the physical universe. The prophet Joel had already used the figure of an earthquake to describe the upheaval of nature in the day of the Lord (Joel 2:10; cf. Isa. 13:9-11; Amos 8:9).

Inasmuch as the earthquake is followed by the darkening of the sun, and the latter event may be dated in A.D. 1780 (see below on “sun became black”), this earthquake has been identified with the Lisbon quake on Nov. 1, 1755, one of the most extensive and severe seismological disturbances ever recorded. The shock of the quake was felt not only in North Africa but also as far away as the West Indies. Identification with the great Lisbon earthquake suggests 1755 as an appropriate beginning date (cf. p. 754).

 The darkening of the sun is frequently mentioned in OT prophecy in connection with the catastrophes that precede the day of the Lord (see on Isa. 13:10). Jesus took particular note of this phenomenon in His prophecy of the end of the world, and noted it as one of the signs by which His followers might know that His coming was near (see on Matt. 24:29, 33; see GC 334).

 A spectacular, literal fulfillment of the scene described here was experienced in eastern New York and southern New England on May 19, 1780. A careful study of newspaper reports of that time reveals that an unusual darkness appeared in eastern New York and southwestern New England about ten o’clock that morning, and during the day made its way eastward across southern and central New England, and to some distance at sea. Each locality reported that the darkness lasted several hours. This phenomenon occurred at the time predicted—“in those days, after that tribulation” (Mark 13:24; see on Matt. 24:29). It was observed in an area where a remarkable revival of interest in the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation was about to take place, and was recognized by students of these prophecies as fulfilling the present passage (see GC 304-308).

 See on Matt. 24:29.