STUDY IN REVELATION 14
The Seven Seals
Rev. 6: 1-17
Christ has taken the book, that spells out the events of the end of time, from the hand of God. Before He can open the book He has to break all seven seals. These seals are not the end of history but events that lead up to or precede the end. This is what Jesus meant when He answered the question, His disciples asked, in
Matthew 24: 3 READ. They wanted to know what to look for and Jesus gave them nine signs in Verses 5-14.
What were nine signs of Mt. 24?
1.v.5 False messiahs.
2.v.6 World violence.
3.vs.7-8 Natural disasters.
4.v.9 Severe religious persecution.
5.v.10 Terrible apostasy, betrayal & division.
6.v.11 Rising up of false leaders offering false hope.
7.v.12 People falling away, sin increasing, love growing cold.
8.v13 Some enduring and even being saved.
9.v.14 World evangelism.
Jesus said that after these signs, or what He called “the beginning of sorrows” the end would come.
By the end He meant what He called the great tribulation that would be coming at the end.
The First Four Seals Are Broken: vs. 1-8
1.vs. 1-2 When the first seal is broken there is an explosive appearance of a white horse and rider. Who is this rider?
There are a number of ideas but we will look at just two.
1. Some say he represents the victorious Christ or the proclamation of the gospel. The argument that those who believe this use is that the color white is always associated with Christ. Not only this but the rider is given a crown.
Some say that since Christ can not be commanded by heavenly creatures that this is not actually Christ but the representation of the conquest of the Word of God as prophesied in Mark 13: 10.
2. There is the argument that the rider is conquest in general and the antichrist in particular. Notice several things.
a. Since he is a deceiver he is wearing white. Mt. 24: 5 * 2Th. 2: 11
b. The crown he wears is different from the crown that Christ wears. His crown is the crown of the conqueror Christ wears the royal crown of a King.
c. The rider of the white horse is given his crown. Christ has always worn His crown.
d. The rider shows up with a bow a weapon of war or conquest. The bow has always symbolized military power.
Ps. 46: 9 * Hos. 1: 5
e. The rider sets out to conquer. Christ has always been about the business of conquering the hearts of people.
f. Finally the argument is that in order to be consistent, we must relate this horseman with the other three. The four give us the picture of “the four horsemen of the Apocalypse that are to descend on the earth in the last days with terror and destruction.
How will the antichrist conquer the world?
Scripture tells us that it will be through deception and because the hearts of the people will move from God to sin and evil. 2Th. 2: 8-10
Because people will care less about salvation, they will not receive the love that Christ offers.
2Th. 2: 11 * Rev. 17: 17
But aren’t we smarter than that? Think about what you are seeing right now in 2008. Look at the economy, the # of jobs being lost every day. Businesses closing down, families devastated by things that we seem to have no control over. WE NEED SOME ONE THAT CAN SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!!!!
AND
Suddenly along comes a world full of false messiahs that are saying they have all the answers.
They prepare the way for the antichrist. When all seems hopeless, people will turn to those who offer hope,
even if that hope is false. Mt. 24: 5
In a world filled with violence an war, where lives, homes and families of millions are destroyed, people will turn to any one who seems to offer peace. Mt. 24: 6-7
Look around at the number of natural disasters we see today and understand that this is just the introduction of things to come.
Fear will move people to accept a world leader who can promise economic and medical help and aid. Mt. 24:7b
The world will be torn apart religiously and this will open the door for the antichrist. The will be severe religious persecution and many will abandon the faith. Family against family, neighbor against neighbor until people will accept the one who seems to be able to bring peace between religions. Mt. 24: 9-10
We see new religions starting almost weekly. In the end, false religions and false preachers will open the way for the antichrist. False religion will leave people empty and hungry, spiritually. Many will be ready for the promises of the antichrist. Mt. 24: 11
Think about our society right now. People seem to be drifting way from God. We see things like drugs, alcohol, crime, just absolute lawlessness everywhere. BABY YOU AINT SEEN NOTHING YET!!!
In the end there will be such an increase in these and the occult that people will turn to anyone who can offer love, care and affection. Mt. 24:12
And that was just the first SEAL, the book hasn’t been opened yet
2. Vs. 3-4 When the second seal is broken we see a red horse and rider come thundering in. Who is he?
He is the rider who was given a great sword. He is the one that will take peace from the earth so that people will literally begin to kill each other.
This ride has the ability to divide race against race, class against class, neighbor against neighbor. He will have the power to tear families apart, to turn employees against employers, religion against religion and even nation against nation.
In the last days evil will be plentiful and truces will be broken. 2Tim. 3: 1-3
There will be wars everywhere and even rumors of wars will be plentiful.
Who else is described in scripture as being red in color?
Moses Peter, because he was so hot headed “The great red dragon” of Rev. 12:3
Who is the dragon? ______ ____________
The devil is a murderer, a liar and a deceiver and has been that way from the start.
The antichrist will be supreme representative of the devil and will use the sword not only against God’s people but against all who oppose him. This will be the only way he will be able to control the whole world, through fear.
Scripture: Rev. 17: 15-18 * 1Th. 5: 3
So who is this rider? We can safely say that he either represents the lack of peace the antichrist and his government will bring or that he is the antichrist. If you say one, you really are saying both, since they go hand in hand.
The antichrist will bring peace and security for a time BUT he, not the people of the world, will break the truce and the world will finally see who he really is.
This will be the increased world violence that Christ predicted would come just before the tribulation period.
Mt. 24: 6-7
3. Vs. 5-6 The third seal is broken and we see a black horse with rider. This rider also seems to be the antichrist with his power to control the economy and distribution of food.
TWO THINGS WE SEE.
a. This rider is holding a set of scales. Scales are used for measuring the weight of something. What does John say he will weigh out? ___________ and _______________.
Food will be rationed in the last days and in John’s day wheat and barley was the basic food.
A penny equaled a day’s wage. What is minimum wage today? $6.55 per hour. Multiply that by 8 hours. What would a measure of wheat cost you today? $52.40.
Now consider that a measure in only one quart. How many measures will it take to feed your family?
In my home, right now, there is Suzanne and me. But in the last days families may need to come together, that is those who can stand each other.
Can you imagine earning just enough money to buy what food you need for the day? What about the other necessities like, housing, heat, clothing, transportation. What we see today is just a taste of what is to come.
b. The rider controls food distribution. This is probably the way he controls the world. For a little while, at least, food will be strictly controlled. The Bible says that will be plenty of oil wine.
How will cops like wheat and barley be scarce while oil and wine will be plentiful? Remember that in
Matthew 24:7 Jesus said there would be pestilence and famine in the world. In a draught which do you think stands a better chance of survival? [circle the correct answer]
a. TREES/VINE with deep roots b. row crops that depend on much needed rainfall
Something to ponder: row crops, such as wheat need to be planted and cared for in order to produce fruit, while trees will grow and produce fruit for years without human help. Think about the parts of the world that are engaged in war right now. What do you think is the number thing on their minds right now?
I have to plant the wheat Let‘s go to Disney World and have a good time SURVIVAL
In a war torn land the last thing that will on your mind will be row crops.
4. vs. 7-8 The fourth seal is broken and there is another explosive scene as we see the pale horse and rider come charging in. The Pale horse has been described as black and blue, as if by bruising.
DON”T forget we haven’t opened the book yet. We are still waiting for the end of time. We are still simply leading up to the end. All of what we see here as with the other three horsemen will appear before the end of time.
When one our grandchildren put a tape or DVD into the machine the first thing that happens is previews. They really want you to know what’s coming, “TO A THEATER NEAR YOU!!” That what theses seven seals are, previews of what is coming, what has to happen before the book is opened.
This rider seems to represent the devastation caused by the antichrist, as well. Two things to look at.
1. The rider has a name. Death is his name and sitting right behind him is hell.
His name tells us that this guy won’t be the life of the party.
2. The rider is given power to cause unbelievable pain and suffering in the world. He will be personally responsible for killing one fourth of the worlds population. ¼ of the world population today would be over a million people, HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? Let’s look at four ways.
a. The sword. This means war, genocide, deliberately setting in place, policies that will destroy certain kinds of people.
Think about this: All it would take is a sick mind like Sadam to launch a much bigger attack. Look at the times, we have seen on the news, where someone in power decided to get rid of certain people. One nuclear attack by someone with the means and power could wipe out ¼ of the world, quickly.
b. Hunger and starvation will help. It may be the slow way to do it but it will work. If I control the food and I want you dead, how much food do you think I will give you?
Did you know that somewhere around 40,000 children died last night while you slept in the comfort of your home, with a full belly? There is enough money in the world that no man, no women or child should go to bed hungry but greed stops us.
In the time yet to come, how much of the earth will be scorched and ruined from war. The land will be left unfit to farm.
c. Pestilence: Disease, germ warfare, sickness that comes from unsanitary conditions. We could see the return of some old and forgotten diseases. New diseases will pop up with no hope for a cure. Remember, its all about survival right now. No one cares about you. If you hurry up and die there might be more for me.
d. Wild beast. How many news reports do we hear today of people being attacked by some wild animal, because they build their house right in the middle of its territory. Now think about all the displaced people that will migrate to the wilderness, seeking shelter from the wars, sickness and all the evil that will be present.
5. Vs. 9-11 The fifth seal is opened and John saw the souls of martyrs under the altar.
When you read verse 9 what mental picture do you get? ________________________________________.
Remember that the earthly Temple was a copy of the perfect temple in heaven. The altar was where the animal sacrifices were made. The blood of the animal was poured out at the foot of the altar. This was a symbol that the animal being sacrificed was for the person offering it. The martyrs have given their lives for the gospel and have paid the supreme price and were literally sacrificed for God. They offered up their lives on the altar of God.
Because of their sacrifice they have been given a special place and are seen standing at the foot of the altar in heaven. This could be a picture of all the martyrs from all the ages, since they all will have a special place together. But most believe that these particular martyrs are end time martyrs, because of what happens next.
v.10 The martyrs cry out for justice. Notice two things here.
1. The slain believers address God as Sovereign Lord, Holy and True.
The word Lord means Master. God is holy, completely set apart from all other beings in the universe.
God is True. His word and His promises are all true.
2. The martyrs cry out for justice and for vengeance against their persecutors. WAIT A MINUTE!!!!
Am I hearing what I think I hear? Believers in heaven looking for pay back instead of mercy and salvation for those who killed them. Is this picture correct? NO!
Listen to what they are saying. READ V. 10 What did they ask God to avenge?
Their name Their country Their blood
What did these die for? Why were they killed? ˜They were in the wrong place @ the wrong time ˜They were being robbed and wouldn‘t give up the money ˜because of the rebellion of those who turned away from God and denied Jesus as the Son of God.
They were not looking for personal vengeance but that God would stop the injustice against His word and
against His Son.
v. 11The martyrs are given white robes. These robes stand for purity and righteousness.
They are assured of justice. They are told to ™ Stop griping and get to work ™mind their own business ™rest
Where are they resting? ________________ . What are they resting from?
The are resting in the peace of Christ and from struggle.
They are resting from their exhausting labor on earth.
They are resting from the wicked.
They are resting from all the trials and all the temptation that this world brings.
They were told to rest for ˜However long it takes ˜”Till I say so“ ˜just a little while
The Lord is saying that it will still be a little while before the end comes. He doesn’t say when but that it will happen. There is still time to share the gospel. There is still time to proclaim the name of Jesus. And yes there are still more who must die for the Kingdom.
6. Vs. 12-17 The sixth seal is broken and we see the beginning of God’s wrath or His judgment upon the universe.
Vs. 12-14 We see the effects of God’s judgment on the universe.
1. There is a great earthquake. The word great here gives us the idea that will be an earthquake like the world has never seen.
History note: The worst recorded earthquake happened in 1201, killing 1.1 million people in Egypt and Syria.
Are we seeing more earthquakes today? Jesus said they would increase in the latter days. Mt. 24: 7
Revelation mentions three great earthquakes. Rev. 6: 12 * 11: 13 * 16: 17-19
The old Testament predicted earthquakes in “the end time” Ezk. 38: 19 * Jer. 4: 24 * Amos 8: 8 * Joel 2: 10 * Hag. 2: 6
2. The sun and the moon will be eclipsed and the stars will shower the earth. We have seen, on the news, how volcanic eruptions send up a cloud of smoke and ash. Sometimes this will block the suns light and there is darkness around the area. We’ve seen shooting stars and even meteorites that have fallen to the earth. I wonder if this is what is meant here or is there going to be absolute and unbelievable disorder placed on some of the heavenly bodies. So much disorder that there will be massive explosions, hurling meteorites through space and volcanic eruptions in outer space that will effect the whole universe? We can’t know for sure, but we do know that there will be some horrendous catastrophe and that it will happen right before the end time comes.
Scripture gives us some understanding.
a. According to Rev. 6: 13, astronomical events will occur right before the end time.
b. Rev. 8: 12 * 9: 2 * 16: 10 tell us that it will happen during the tribulation.
c. Mt. 24: 29 * Is. 13: 9-11 * Is. 24: 21-23 * Ezk. 32: 7-8 * Joel 2: 30-31 * Joel 3: 15-16 tell us that it will happen right after the tribulation.
3. The heavens will disappear and the mountains and hills will be moved out of place.
7. Vs. 15-16 We see the effects of God’s upon people.
1. Great fear will grip all of the unbelievers. Notice the list of those who will be terrified.
a. The Kings and rulers of the earth.
b. The Great and the powerful of the earth.
c. The rich and the wealthy of the earth.
d. The military leaders of the earth.
e. The mighty and the strong of the earth.
f. The slave and the insignificant of the earth.
g. The free and the independent of the earth.
Every one who remains on the earth and refuses to believe in God will be stricken with more fear than they have ever known. Even those who claim to fear no man or beast will be absolutely terrified. People will literally go mad with fear. There will be no mistaking who God is at this point.
Scripture proof: Is. 13: 6-8 * Zeph. 1: 14 * Joel 2: 1
2. All unbelievers will cry out for death.
There will be world panic because of the fear. People will look for places to hide from God and will begin to beg for death to come. Can you imagine being so afraid of something or someone that you would rather die than to have to face them…
Let’s list a few things that we are afraid of:
We really have no clue as to what it means to be scared to death. We say it all the time but we have not really sensed the reality of what it means. There is a day coming, however, when many will know exactly what it means to be scared to death.
Scripture: Lk. 23: 3 * Is. 2: 19 * Joel 2: 11 * Hos. 10: 8
Vs. 16-17 The reason for all of this catastrophe.
This is the day that all unbelievers must stand before God.
This is the day that all unbelievers will face the one they rejected, Jesus.
Don’t forget, everything we have seen happens before the book gets opened. What we have seen is just the previews of what’s to come. We won’t see the 7th seal opened until chapter 8. Chapter 7 will cover more preview.
I have not painted a very pretty picture for you. If we truly think about it the possibility of all of this is possible right now. With the weapons and technology in the world today we could see this happen.
The Bible says it will happen and I believe the Bible is true, therefore I believe that John saw real things that will happen. These things WILL take place right before the end of the time are launched by God. We should also understand that as bad as these scenes look, the worst is yet to come. After the seal judgments, the world will see the trumpet judgments and the bowl judgments. I beg you to know Jesus and to share Him with your family and friends BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.
STUDY IN REVELATION 14
The Seven Seals
Rev. 6: 1-17
What were nine signs that Jesus gave in Mt. 24, when the disciples ask Him how they would know the end was near?
1.v.5 __________ messiahs.
2.v.6 World _______________
3.vs.7-8 Natural _______________.
4.v.9 Severe religious _______________.
5.v.10 Terrible ______________, betrayal & _____________.
6.v.11 Rising up of _________ leaders offering ___________hope.
7.v.12 People ____________away, ______ increasing, love growing ________.
8.v13 Some ______________ and even being _________.
9.v.14 World _______________.
Jesus said that after these signs, or what He called “the beginning of sorrows” the end would come.
By the end He meant what He called the great tribulation that would be coming at the end.
The First Four Seals Are Broken: vs. 1-8
1.vs. 1-2 When the first seal is broken there is an explosive appearance of a _______ _________ and _______. Who is this rider?
There are a number of ideas but we will look at just two.
1. Some say he represents the victorious Christ or the proclamation of the gospel. The argument that those who believe this use is that the color white is always associated with Christ. Not only this but the rider is given a crown.
Some say that since Christ can not be commanded by heavenly creatures that this is not actually Christ but the representation of the conquest of the Word of God as prophesied in Mark 13: 10.
2. There is the argument that the rider is conquest in general and the antichrist in particular. Notice several things.
a. Since he is a _______________ he is wearing __________. Mt. 24: 5 * 2Th. 2: 11
b. The ___________ he wears is different from the crown that Christ wears. His crown is the crown of
the _________________ Christ wears the royal crown of a _______.
c. The rider of the white horse is ___________ his crown. Christ has ___________worn His crown.
d. The rider shows up with a _________ a weapon of war or conquest. The bow has always symbolized military power.
Ps. 46: 9 * Hos. 1: 5
e. The rider sets out to ___________. Christ has always been about the business of conquering the _________ of people.
f. Finally the argument is that in order to be consistent, we must relate this horseman with the other three. The four give us the picture of “the four _____________ of the ___________________ that are to descend on the earth in the last days with terror and destruction.
How will the antichrist conquer the world?
Scripture tells us that it will be through deception and because the hearts of the people will move from God to sin and evil. 2Th. 2: 8-10
Because people will care less about salvation, they will not receive the love that Christ offers.
2Th. 2: 11 * Rev. 17: 17
But aren’t we smarter than that? Think about what you are seeing right now in 2008. Look at the economy, the # of jobs being lost every day. Businesses closing down, families devastated by things that we seem to have no control over. WE NEED SOME ONE THAT CAN SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!!!!
AND
Suddenly along comes a world full of false messiahs that are saying they have all the answers.
They prepare the way for the ___________________. When all seems hopeless, people will turn to those who offer _______, even if that hope is ___________. Mt. 24: 5
In a world filled with violence an war, where lives, homes and families of millions are destroyed, people will turn to any one who seems to offer __________. Mt. 24: 6-7
Look around at the number of natural disasters we see today and understand that this is just the introduction of things to come.
Fear will move people to accept a world leader who can promise ________________ and ___________help and aid. Mt. 24:7b
The world will be torn apart religiously and this will open the door for the ______________. The will be severe religious persecution and many will abandon the faith. Family against family, neighbor against neighbor until people will accept the one who seems to be able to bring peace between r__________________. Mt. 24: 9-10
We see new religions starting almost weekly. In the end, _________ religions and false _______________will open the way for the antichrist. False religion will leave people _________ and _____________, spiritually. Many will be ready for the promises of the antichrist. Mt. 24: 11
Think about our society right now. People seem to be drifting way from God. We see things like drugs, alcohol, crime, just absolute lawlessness everywhere. BABY YOU AINT SEEN NOTHING YET!!!
In the end there will be such an increase in these and the occult that people will turn to anyone who can offer love, care and affection. Mt. 24:12
And that was just the first SEAL, the book hasn’t been opened yet
2. Vs. 3-4 When the second seal is broken we see a ________ horse and rider come thundering in. Who is he?
He is the rider who was given a great __________. He is the one that will take ___________ from the earth so that people will literally begin to kill each other.
This ride has the ability to divide _________ against _________, class against ______________, neighbor against _______________. He will have the power to ________ families ___________, to turn employees against employers, religion against religion and even nation against nation.
In the last days evil will be plentiful and truces will be broken. 2Tim. 3: 1-3
There will be wars everywhere and even rumors of wars will be plentiful.
Who else is described in scripture as being red in color?
Moses Peter, because he was so hot headed “The great red dragon” of Rev. 12:3
Who is the dragon? ______ ____________
The devil is a _____________, a ________ and a deceiver and has been that way from the start.
The _____________ will be supreme representative of the devil and will use the _________ not only
Against __________ people but against all who ___________ him. This will be the only way he will be able to control the whole world, through ________.
Scripture: Rev. 17: 15-18 * 1Th. 5: 3
So who is this rider? We can safely say that he either represents the lack of peace the antichrist and his government will bring or that he is the antichrist. If you say one, you really are saying both, since they go hand in hand.
The antichrist will bring __________ and security for a time BUT ____, not the people of the world,
Will ___________ the truce and the world will finally see who he really is.
This will be the increased world violence that Christ predicted would come just before the tribulation period.
Mt. 24: 6-7
3. Vs. 5-6 The third seal is broken and we see a ______ horse with rider. This rider also seems to be
The _______________ with his power to ____________ the economy and distribution of food.
TWO THINGS WE SEE.
a. This rider is holding a set of _________. Scales are used for measuring the weight of something. What does John say he will weigh out? ___________ and _______________.
Food will be rationed in the last days and in John’s day wheat and barley was the basic food.
A penny equaled a _________ wage. What is minimum wage today? $________per hour.
Multiply that by 8 hours. What would a measure of wheat cost you today? $_________.
Now consider that a measure in only _______ ___________. How many measures will it take to feed your family?
In my home, right now, there is Suzanne and me. But in the last days families may need to come together, that is those who can stand each other.
Can you imagine earning just enough money to buy what food you need for the day? What about the other necessities like, ____________, ________, ____________, ____________. What we see today is just a taste of what is to come.
b. The rider _____________ food distribution. This is probably the way he controls the world. For a little while, at least, food will be strictly controlled. The Bible says that will be plenty of _____ _________.
How will crops like wheat and barley be scarce while oil and wine will be plentiful? Remember that in
Matthew 24:7 Jesus said there would be pestilence and famine in the world. In a draught which do you think stands a better chance of survival? [circle the correct answer]
a. TREES/VINE with deep roots b. row crops that depend on much needed rainfall
Something to ponder: row crops, such as wheat need to be planted and cared for in order to produce fruit, while trees will grow and produce fruit for years without human help. Think about the parts of the world that are engaged in war right now. What do you think is the number thing on their minds right now?
I have to plant the wheat Let‘s go to Disney World and have a good time SURVIVAL
In a war torn land the last thing that will on your mind will be row crops.
4. vs. 7-8 The fourth seal is broken and there is another explosive scene as we see the ______ horse and rider come charging in. The Pale horse has been described as black and blue, as if by bruising.
DON”T forget we haven’t opened the book yet. We are still waiting for the end of time. We are still simply leading up to the end. All of what we see here as with the other three horsemen will appear _________ the end of time.
When one of our grandchildren put a tape or DVD into the machine the first thing that happens is __________. They really want you to know what’s coming, “TO A THEATER NEAR YOU!!” That what theses seven seals are, previews of what is coming, what has to happen __________ the _________ is opened.
This ride seems to represent the devastation caused by the antichrist, as well. Two things to look at.
1. The rider has a name. __________ is his name and sitting right behind him is ________.
His name tells us that this guy won’t be the life of the party.
2. The rider is given power to cause unbelievable _______ and ______________ in the world. He will be personally responsible for killing ______ f_______ of the worlds population. ¼ of the world population today would be over a million people, HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? Let’s look at four ways.
a. The ____________. This means war, genocide, deliberately setting in place, policies that will destroy certain kinds of people.
Think about this: All it would take is a sick mind like Sadam to launch a much bigger attack. Look at the times, we have seen on the news, where someone in power decided to get rid of certain people. One nuclear attack by someone with the means and power could wipe out ¼ of the world, quickly.
b. ___________ and ______________ will help. It may be the slow way to do it but it will work. If I control the food and I want you dead, how much food do you think I will give you?
Did you know that somewhere around _____________ children died last night while you slept in the comfort of your home, with a full belly? There is enough money in the world that no man, no women or child should go to bed hungry but greed stops us.
In the time yet to come, how much of the earth will be scorched and ruined from war. The land will be left unfit to farm.
c. ________________: Disease, germ warfare, sickness that comes from unsanitary conditions. We could see the return of some old and forgotten diseases. New diseases will pop up with no hope for a cure.
Remember, its all about survival right now. No one cares about you. If you hurry up and die there might be more for me.
d. Wild _________. How many news reports do we hear today of people being attacked by some wild animal, because they build their house right in the middle of its territory. Now think about all the displaced people that will migrate to the wilderness, seeking shelter from the wars, sickness and all the evil that will be present.
5. Vs. 9-11 The fifth seal is opened and John saw the of martyrs ________ the altar.
When you read verse 9 what mental picture do you get? ________________________________________.
The Outer Court
The bronze laver and bronze altar were located in the outer court. The altar was 7.5 feet square and 4.5 feet high, was made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze, and had a horn on each corner. The fire on the altar was to be kept burning at all times and the daily sacrifices were offered in the morning and afternoon.

Remember that the earthly Temple was a copy of the perfect temple in heaven. The altar was where the animal sacrifices were made. The blood of the animal was poured out at the foot of the altar. This was a symbol that the animal being sacrificed was for the person offering it. The martyrs have given their lives for the gospel and have paid the supreme price and were literally sacrificed for God. They offered up their lives on the altar of God.
Because of their sacrifice they have been given a special place and are seen standing at the foot of the altar in heaven. This could be a picture of all the martyrs from all the ages, since they all will have a special place together. But most believe that these particular martyrs are end time martyrs, because of what happens next.
v.10 The martyrs cry out for . Notice two things here.
1. The slain believers address God as Sovereign Lord, Holy and True.
The word Lord means . God is , completely set apart from all other beings in the universe.
God is . His word and His promises are all true.
2. The martyrs cry out for justice and for against their persecutors. WAIT A MINUTE!!!!
Am I hearing what I think I hear? Believers in looking for pay back instead of and salvation for those who killed them. Is this picture correct? NO!
Listen to what they are saying. READ V. 10 What did they ask God to avenge?
Their name Their country Their blood
What did these die for? Why were they killed? ˜They were in the wrong place @ the wrong time ˜They were being robbed and wouldn‘t give up the money ˜because of the rebellion of those who turned away from God and denied Jesus as the Son of God.
They were not looking for personal vengeance but that God would stop the injustice against word and
against .
v. 11The martyrs are given robes. These robes stand for and righteousness.
They are assured of .
They are told to ™ Stop griping and get to work ™mind their own business ™rest
Where are they resting? ________________ . What are they resting from?
The are resting in the peace of Christ and from .
They are resting from their exhausting l on earth.
They are resting from the _________
They are resting from all the and all the that this world brings.
They were told to rest for ˜However long it takes ˜”Till I say so“ ˜just a little while
The Lord is saying that it will still be a little while before the end comes. He doesn’t say when but that it will happen. There is still time to share the gospel. There is still time to proclaim the name of Jesus. And yes there are still more who must die for the Kingdom.
6. Vs. 12-17 The sixth seal is broken and we see the beginning of God’s or His j upon the universe.
Vs. 12-14 We see the effects of God’s judgment on the universe.
1. There is a great . The word great here gives us the idea that will be
an like the world has never seen.
History note: The worst recorded earthquake happened in 1201, killing 1.1 people in Egypt and Syria.
Are we seeing more earthquakes today? Jesus said they would increase in the latter days. Mt. 24: 7
Revelation mentions three great earthquakes. Rev. 6: 12 * 11: 13 * 16: 17-19
The old Testament predicted earthquakes in “ ” Ezk. 38: 19 * Jer. 4: 24 *
Amos 8: 8 * Joel 2: 10 * Hag. 2: 6
2. The and the will be eclipsed and the will shower the earth. We have seen, on the news, how volcanic eruptions send up a cloud of smoke and ash. Sometimes this will block the suns light and there is darkness around the area. We’ve seen shooting stars and even meteorites that have fallen to the earth. I wonder if this is what is meant here or is there going to be absolute and unbelievable disorder placed on some of the heavenly bodies. So much disorder that there will be massive explosions, hurling meteorites through space and volcanic eruptions in outer space that will effect the whole universe? We can’t know for sure, but we do know that there will be some horrendous catastrophe and that it will happen right before the end time comes.
Scripture gives us some understanding.
a. According to Rev. 6: 13, astronomical events will occur right the end time.
b. Rev. 8: 12 * 9: 2 * 16: 10 tell us that it will happen during the .
c. Mt. 24: 29 * Is. 13: 9-11 * Is. 24: 21-23 * Ezk. 32: 7-8 * Joel 2: 30-31 * Joel 3: 15-16 tell us that it will happen right the tribulation.
3. The will disappear and the and hills will be out of place.
7. Vs. 15-16 We see the effects of God’s upon people.
1. Great will grip all of the unbelievers. Notice the list of those who will be terrified.
a. The and of the earth.
b. The and the of the earth.
c. The and the of the earth.
d. The leaders of the earth.
e. The and the of the earth.
f. The and the insignificant of the earth.
g. The and the independent of the earth.
Every one who remains on the earth and refuses to believe in God will be stricken with more fear than they have ever known. Even those who claim to fear no man or beast will be absolutely terrified. People will literally go mad with fear. There will be no mistaking who God is at this point.
Scripture proof: Is. 13: 6-8 * Zeph. 1: 14 * Joel 2: 1
2. All unbelievers will cry out for .
There will be world panic because of the fear. People will look for places to from and will begin to beg for death to come. Can you imagine being so afraid of something or someone that you would rather die than to have to face them…
Let’s list a few things that we are afraid of:
We really have no clue as to what it means to be . We say it all the time but we have not really sensed the reality of what it means. There is a day coming, however, when many will know exactly what it means to be scared to death.
Scripture: Lk. 23: 3 * Is. 2: 19 * Joel 2: 11 * Hos. 10: 8
Vs. 16-17 The reason for all of this .
This is the day that all unbelievers must stand before .
This is the day that all unbelievers will face the one they rejected, .
Don’t forget, everything we have seen happens before the book gets opened. What we have seen is just the previews of what’s to come. We won’t see the 7th seal opened until chapter 8. Chapter 7 will cover more preview.
I have not painted a very pretty picture for you, of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. If we truly think about it the possibility of all of this is possible right now. With the weapons and technology in the world today we could see this happen.
The Bible says it will happen and I believe the Bible is true, therefore I believe that John saw real things that will happen. These things WILL take place right before the end of the time are launched by God. We should also understand that as bad as these scenes look, the worst is yet to come. After the seal judgments, the world will see the trumpet judgments and the bowl judgments. I beg you to know Jesus and to share Him with your family and friends BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.
