John,

    That was very interesting, tying the opening of the 6th seal with the blessed hope (rapture).

While considering that, a couple related questions came to mind.

1) if the 6th seal is simultaneous with the blessed hope, then does the heaven remain departed as a scroll during the tribulation?

    Revelation 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

2) the kings of the earth, rich men, chief captains, etc. hid in dens and rocks of the mountains, to hide from what they say is the wrath of the Lamb - if this happens simultaneous with the blessed hope, do they change their minds about the Lamb? And if so, how long do they stay hid, before coming out to follow the antichrist?

    Revelation 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

  16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

  17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

3) what about the possibility that the 6th seal is at the very end of the tribulation? That the 7th seal, 7th trumpet, and 7th vial are all simultaneous with the second advent?