I. Things Which Thou Hast Seen – Rev chapter 1
II. Things Which Are – The Church Age – Rev chapter 2-3
III. Things Which Are To Come – The rapture – Rev chapters 4
IV. The re-claiming of the earth – Rev. chapter 5
V. We are now in chapter six the first six seals are opened – Rev 6
A basic outline of chapter six looks like this:
1. The Opening Of The First Seal – CROWN GIVEN – Rev 6:1-2
2. The Opening Of The Second Seal – WAR -- Rev 6:3-4
3. The Opening Of The Third Seal – FAMINE – Rev 6:5-6
4. The Opening Of The Fourth Seal – DEATH – Rev 6:7-8
5. The Opening Of The Fifth Seal – COMFORT FOR THE MARTYRED SAINTS – Rev 6:9-11
6. The Opening Of The Sixth Seal – THE DAY OF GOD’S WRATH – Rev 6:12-17
We must not forget that chapters 4 and 5 only the Lord is worthy to open the book with seven seals. Now in chapter 6 the Lord is beginning to open the book. Let’s look at…
I. THE FIRST SEAL (White Horse)
The Opening of the First Seal -- CROWN GIVEN.
This is when the tribulation period is starting and a crown is given to the anti-christ. The church has been raptured and there is no godly influence to restrain the anti-christ during this time. Also, the Holy Spirit has returned to heaven. The anti-christ is given a crown, he will be in full control for these seven years.
Look at Revelation 6:1-2 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
In verse 1 John sees the Lamb (Jesus) opening the first seal
He said, I heard the noise of thunder, John sees and hear two things:
1) John hears the beast say, “Come.”
2) John sees the white horse and He who sat upon it
Who is on the white horse?
Most commentaries consider this to be the antichrist.
Some feel that it is not the anti-christ because Christ is on a white horse in Revelation 19:11-12 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
The one riding on a white horse in chapter 6 is not Christ – but the antichrist.
Why we believe the rider on the white horse is the anti-christ.
(1) First, the archangel commands this figure to “Come” (v.1). This hardly fits with the notion that the figure is Christ, who is greater than angels (Heb. 1:4ff). Angels wouldn’t boss Christ around.
(2) Second, John says that “a crown was given to him” (v.2). This implies that he doesn’t have the authority in and of himself. Instead, God gave him this authority for this period of time. In Revelation 19 the Lord is given many crowns.This also fits with chapter 13, where God allows the beast to make war with the saints and “overcome” (Greek nikao) them (Rev. 13:7). This is the same Greek word used in verse 2 to refer to the rider “conquering” (Greek nikao).
(3) Third, this rider carries a bow (v.2), while Christ carries a sword (Rev. 19:15).
(4) Fourth, the context of the passage deals with other riders, who are clearly not Christ or even godly angels.
Again, notice, the rider in Revelation 6 has a bow. But notice this rider has a bow with no arrows. The anti Christ first appearance on the scene he comes to make peace.
At the beginning of the tribulation period this smooth talking individual according to Revelation 13 the whole world will believe on him. He is a politician of politicians.
Revelation 13:5-8 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
The bow that the anti-christ reveals to start with he has no real power, it has to be given to Him.
He is given a crown.
He goes forth conquering and to conquer. How?
Look at 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Now let us look at the…
II. SECOND SEAL (Red Horse)
Revelation 6:3-4 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
Notice again, a crown is given him, and now the Bible tells us power was given to him. He is also given a GREAT SWORD!
When the second seal is open the behavior of the anti-christ begans to change for the worst.
In the first three and a half years this smooth talking individual comes to bring peace on earth and the world falls in love with him.
But during this time the 144,000 jewish missionaries and the two witnesses recognize he is not the Christ and cause many not to believe in him. This anger the anti-christ and now the blood shed starts in the GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD (The last three and a half years of the tribulation period).
Who is on the red horse?
Again the rider on the second horse is viewed in most commentaries as the anti-christ.
He is given power to take peace from the earth.
Look at 1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Notice, while they are saying "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.”
Notice, the Bible tells us HE IS GIVEN A GREAT SWORD.
It is believed that the second horse is not release until around the second half of the tribulation period. The bible talks about a time period of 42 months.
The first half of the tribublation is believe to be a time of PEACE AND SAFETY, but when the last three and a half of years of the tribulation starts this is when He is given a GREAT SWORD and the blood shed starts.
III. THIRD RIDER (Black Horse)
Revelation 6:5-6 “And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine."
Rev. 6:5-6 the opening of the third seal – FAMINE
a. John sees the Lamb (Jesus) opening the third seal – v. 5
b. John hears the third beast (one of the four creatures around the throne of God) say, “Come.”
c. John sees the black horse and He who sat upon it
Who is “He” is on a black horse?
Again the rider on the third horse is viewed in most commentaries as the anti-christ.
Notice, he has in his hands a pair of balances
Most of the time we see the balances as a symbol of justice – but not in this case – these scales are to measure out food.
• All those who will take the mark of the beast in their right hand or forehead will be given food.
• All those who will not accept the anti-christ will not be given food.
John heard a voice in the midst of the 4 beast (four creatures around the throne) speak – Revelation 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
The 144 witnesses and the two witnesses that we will read about later will be telling the people do not take the mark of the beast.
IV. FOURTH SEAL (Pale Horse)
Revelation 6:7-8 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Notice as we get further into the GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD (the last three and a half years) thing are getting worst.
4. The Opening of the Fourth Seal is the PALE HORSE – DEATH.
a. John sees the Lamb(Jesus) opening the fourth seal – v. 7
b. John hears the fourth beast say, “Come and see.”
c. John sees the pale horse and He who sat upon it – v. 8
(a) His name is Death
(b) Hades followed Him
d. John sees power is given unto them over a fourth of the world to kill.
Illus: One fourth of the world would be killed (1.75 billion people).
HOW WERE THEY KILLED?
(a) To kill with sword
(b) To kill with hunger
(c) To kill with sword
You don’t think it can happen?
Illus: The Black Death of the 14th century killed over 25 million people or one-fourth of the entire world’s population at that time.
These tribulation saints are facing tribulation like the world has never seen before.
As we come to the fith seal the Lord comforts them.
V. FIFTH SEAL (The Scales)
Revelation 6:6-11 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
The 5th Seal deals not with judgment but the folks who were saved during the tribulation period.
(1) The question is ask…I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
(a) Those who were slain because they refused to take the mark of the beast
(2) Who slew them –
Revelation 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Why they were slain?
1) For the Word of God
2) For the testimony they held
How were they slain?
With the sword, hunger, death, and the beasts of the earth because of their faith.
Where are they shown? They are under the altar –
Look at Revelation 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
How long dost thou not avenge our blood?
The comfort for the crowd – Revelation 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
VI. SIXT SEAL (The Day Of The Lord)
Revelation 6:12-17 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 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; 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: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Notice in verse 17 this is The Great Day of God’s wrath has come.
The “Day” described as a day of a destruction from the Almighty!
Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
The day of the Lord will be as a day of failing hearts.
Luke 21:25-26 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Six Great Disasters Take Place
Kings, great men, rich men, chief captains, mighty, bondmen, and freemen shall fear.
The fleeing of all men – hiding themselves.
“Who Is Able To Stand?” –
No one will be able to stand – for the great day of wrath has come. But later all will stand before God to be judged by Him.
Now we come to…
VII THE SEVENTH SEAL (The Opening of the trumpet Judgments)
To see what this seal is all about we have to look at Revelation 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
Humor: Some interpret this TIME OF SILENCE FOR ONE HOUR IN HEAVEN IS PROOF THERE WILL BE NO WOMEN IN HEAVEN
This chapter opens the second period of this prophesy; which begins upon the opening of the seventh seal, and is distinguished by the sounding of seven trumpets. This period of the trumpets is of much longer duration, and comprehends many more events than any of the former seals. It comprehends indeed seven periods, distinguished by the sounding of seven trumpets, and contains a prophetic description of the state of the world
The silenced in heaven what has happened so far has left them speechless.
The seven trumpet judgments are more severe than the seal judgments.
Conclusion:
In Revelation chapter six we have looked at:
I. THE FIRST SEAL (White Horse)
II. THE SECOND SEAL (Red Horse)
III. THIRD SEAL (Black Horse)
IV. THE FOUTH SEAL (Pale Horse)
V. THE FIFTH SEAL (Scales)
VI. THE SIXTH SEAL (Day of the Lord)
VII. THE SEVENTH SEAL (The opening of the Trumpet Judgments)
