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1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then
I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder,
"Come!"
2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held
a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror
bent on conquest.
3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living
creature say, "Come!"
4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given
power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other.
To him was given a large sword.
5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living
creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was
a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.
6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures,
saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts
of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"
Revelation 6:1-6
Explanation:
This is the first of three seven part judgments. The trumpets and
the bowls are the other two. As each seal is opened, Christ the
Lamb sets in motion events that will bring about the end of human
history. This scroll is not completely opened until the seventh
seal is broken. The contents of the scroll reveal mankind's depravity
and portray God's authority over the events of human history. Four
horses appear as the first seals are opened. The horses represent
God's judgment of people's sin and rebellion. God is directing human
history--even using his enemies to accomplish his purposes. The
four horses are a foretaste of the final judgments yet to come.
Some view this chapter as a parallel to the Olivet Discourse (see
Matthew 24). The imagery of four horses is also found in Zechariah
6:1-8.Each of the four horses is a different color. Some assume
that the white horse represents victory and that its rider must
be Christ. But because the other three horses relate to judgment
and destruction, this rider on a white horse would most likely not
be Christ. The four are part of the unfolding judgment of God, and
it would be premature for Christ to ride forth as conqueror. The
other horses represent different kinds of judgment; red for warfare
and bloodshed; black for famine; pale for death. The high prices
of wheat and barley illustrate famine conditions. But the worst
is yet to come.
7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the
fourth living creature say, "Come!"
8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was
named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were
given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine
and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls
of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony
they had maintained.
10 They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord,
holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and
avenge our blood?"
11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told
to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants
and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.
Revelation 6:7-11
Explanation:
It is not clear whether Hades was on a separate horse than Death
or merely rode along with Death, but the riders described in verses
2-8 are commonly referred to as the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.
The four riders are given power over one-fourth of the earth, indicating
that God is still limiting his judgment--it is not yet complete.
With these judgments there is still time for unbelievers to turn
to Christ and away from their sin. In this case, the limited punishment
not only demonstrates God's wrath on sin, but also his merciful
love in giving people yet another opportunity to turn to him before
he brings final judgment. The altar represents the altar of sacrifice
in the temple, where animals were sacrificed to atone for sins.
Instead of the animals' blood at the base of the altar, John saw
the souls of martyrs who had died for preaching the gospel. These
martyrs were told that still more would lose their lives for their
belief in Christ. In the face of warfare, famine, persecution, and
death; Christians will be called on to stand firmly for what they
believe. Only those who endure to the end will be rewarded by God.
The martyrs are eager for God to bring justice to the earth, but
they are told to wait. God is not waiting until a certain number
is reached, but he is promising that those who suffer and die for
their faith will not be forgotten. Rather, they will be singled
out by God for special honor. We may wish for justice immediately,
as these martyrs did, but we must be patient. God works according
to his own timetable, and he promises justice. No suffering for
the sake of God's kingdom, however, is wasted.
12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake.
The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole
moon turned blood red,
13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from
a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.
14 The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain
and island was removed from its place.
15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich,
the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and
among the rocks of the mountains.
16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us
and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from
the wrath of the Lamb!
17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
Revelation 6:12-17
The sixth seal changes the scene back to the physical world. The
first five judgments were directed toward specific areas, but this
judgment is universal. Everyone will be afraid when the earth itself
trembles. At the sight of God sitting on the throne, all human beings,
great and small, will be terrified, calling for the mountains to
fall on them so they will not have to face the judgment of the Lamb.
This vivid picture was not intended to frighten believers. For them,
the Lamb is a gentle Savior. But those generals, emperors, or kings
who previously showed no fear of God and arrogantly flaunted their
unbelief will find that they were wrong, and in that day they will
have to face God's wrath. No one who has rejected God can survive
the day of his wrath, but those who belong to Christ will receive
a reward rather than punishment. Do you belong to Christ? If so,
you need not fear these final days.
