Chapter 6
-The first six seals are opened by the Lamb in chapter 6 of
Revelation. The four living creatures are involved with the word “Come”
repeated over and over as they introduce each seal. The first seal can be
called the “False Christ,” who rode on a white horse (the first of four horses
that represent God’s beginning judgment of humanity’s sin and rebellion). He
has a bow and a crown and went out “conquering and to conquer (Revelation
6:1-2).”
-The second seal is broken as a red horse went out with the
power to take peace from the earth so that men would slay one another (this is
the opposite of God’s command to love one another, John 15:12, 17 among
others). He who sat on the red horse had a great sword given to him. Therefore,
this seal can be entitled “War” (Revelation 6:3-4).
-The third seal was introduced with a black horse with its
rider having scales. This indicates “Famine,” but the oil and wine were not to
be damaged (Revelation 6:5-6).
-The forth seal then came with an ashen horse. He who sat on
it had the name “Death” and “Hades (Hell)” was following with him. These riders
were given authority over a forth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with
famine, with pestilence, and by the wild beasts of the earth (Revelation
6:7-8).
-The fifth seal, which the Lamb broke, revealed “underneath
the alter the souls of those who had been slain because of the Word of God, and
because of the testimony which they had maintained.” These were crying out as
to how long the Lord who refrain from His ultimate judgment in avenging their
blood that was spilt. These were given a white robe and told to wait a little
while longer, until their fellow servants and their brothers who were to be
killed, as they had been, were completed. This seal should then be entitled, “Martyrs”
(Revelation 6:9-11).
-The sixth seal sees a progression in horrific judgment
demonstrations. There was a great earthquake, the sun became black as
sackcloth, the whole moon became red like blood, and the stars of the sky fell
to the earth (John compares it to figs falling from their tree out of season in
a great wind). “The sky was split apart like a scroll when its rolled up, and
every mountain and island were moved out of their places.” At this point the
kings of the earth and great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong
and every slave and free man began to hide themselves in caves and among the
rocks of the mountains. They wanted the rocks to kill them because of the
horrors that were occurring. They wanted to be hidden from the presence of Him
who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. “For the day of Their
wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” This seal could be entitled “Terror”
(Revelation 6:12-17).
-*Application* The presence of the Lord is what we as
believers seek out of our adoration and awe in our compassionate and holy God.
This is the way God wants it to be. Right now He is being patient and extending
His invitation for us to repent and believe in His restoring forgiveness and
mercy (2 Peter 3:7-15). There will come a time when His patience is completed
and then the fury of His wrath will come on all those who persist in rejecting
Him. Don’t be in that category. Accept the Lord Jesus Christ while there is
still opportunity. Don’t delay! There is literal judgment coming upon this
earth, before the Lord restores and make all things new (Revelation 21:5)
Verse to Memorize:
Revelation 6:17
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