Revelation 6
In chapter 6 we are shown the future, the beginning of a seven-year period known as, “The Great Tribulation”. Here God will extract from mankind the price for his rebellion and sin. Although Jesus will eventually reclaim the title deed to the earth, a price will be paid for man’s rejection of Him.
Below is an accounting of what John saw as each seal on the deed was opened. These recorded events give us a timeline, a map, a way to gage the times and the seasons of this great tribulation period, which is to come.
Seal 1 - a man on a white horse, carrying a bow, wearing a crown of olive branches, conquering (v.1-2). This is the antichrist, promising peace and subduing nations with his diplomacy deceiving many with a false peace (see Daniel 8:23-25).
Seal 2 - a rider on a red horse, given a great sword and the power to take peace from the earth (v.3-4). This is war. No earthly man, nor church, or political organization, can bring about a true peace. There may be peace for a season but war will eventually come again. Where does war and fighting come from? According to James, they come from our own lusts, our own desires (see James 4:1-2) War and rumors of war will continue, until the Prince of Peace, Jesus, returns to establish His Kingdom.
Seal 3 – a rider on a black horse, with a pair of balances in his hand measuring out wheat and barley for a penny but, oil and wine will not be rationed (v.6). This signifies a time of possible famine and economic rationing of basic food staples but not on luxuries which man may live without.
Seal 4 – a rider named “death” sitting on a pale horse, Hell followed him, and power was given to them to kill 1/4th of the earth (v.7-8). The period of the fourth seal is one of great slaughter and devastation, destroying whatever may tend to make life happy, making ravages on the spiritual lives of men.
Seal 5 – under the altar, the blood of the souls that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony they held (v. 9-11). Here John saw the souls of the martyrs under the altar; at the foot of the altar in heaven, at the feet of Christ. Persecutors can only kill the body; after that there is no more they can do; for the soul lives.
Seal 6 – a great earthquake; the sun became black, the moon became red, stars fell from the sky (v.12-13). This is God himself getting involved, avenging the blood of His children from being attacked. These events are the emblems that declare the end of the world and the “day of judgment”.
As men have had their day of opportunity, and their season of grace, so God shall have His day of righteous wrath.
The Truth
“Pray that you may be found worthy to escape all of these things.” (Luke 21:36)
