In the last chapter, we were introduced to the scroll with the writing within and on the back. What is the writing? Nobody seems to know for sure, but what we do know is that this is the beginning to the judgments that's going to come to the earth after the Rapture occurs. The beginning of the Tribulation.
The first seal is opened and revealed is a rider on a white horse. He has a bow, and a crown was given to him. He came out conquering and to conquer. The rider is the Antichrist. A lot of people think this is Jesus since the rider is on a white horse wearing a crown, but that's not the case. Jesus will come back at the end of the Tribulation to fight the Antichrist in the battle of Armageddon. The Antichrist will come on the scene as a man of peace, but it's just a front. He'll present himself to be a savior. He'll be handsome, charming, charismatic, etc. The world will be amazed by him. But he'll reveal himself three and a half years into the Tribulation as the evil son of perdition he is.
The second seal is opened and revealed is a rider on a red horse. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword. World War Three is most likely going to break out during this time along with several other wars. There's going to be a lot of bloodshed and devastation in those days. Don't be surprised if there's a radiation fallout due to several countries using nuclear weapons. If you find yourself left behind, make sure you've stocked up on gallons of bottled water because the water's going to be no good. Make sure your food is canned and if you can find a bomb shelter or build one, do so. It will at least give you and your family a chance.
The third seal is opened and revealed is a rider on a black horse with a pair of scales in his hand. John hears a voice in the mist of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!" The crazy thing is as the years pass, inflation has skyrocketed and the price of everything has drastically gone up. It will be worse during the Tribulation because it will cost a day's wages just to get bread. It's going to be quite the struggle for some families which will probably make it easier for some to be the first to take the mark of the beast.
The fourth seal is opened and revealed are two riders instead of one on a pale horse. They are called Death and Hades. 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. The fourth of the population are going to die horrible deaths and most likely head straight for hell. While there already is death by murders, wars, famines, and various plagues, it's going to be far, far worse during the Tribulation period.
The fifth seal is opened and revealed is the altar of the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 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?" 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 completed. Many people will place their trust in Christ during the Tribulation period. People who never believed before will believe. People who professed to be Christians but were living a double life and had double minds will finally commit to Christ completely. As a result, many will die for their faith due to the persecution of those who follow the Antichrist. Understandably, these souls want justice for their deaths, but until the number is complete, justice won't yet be handed down. When the justice does come, it will be swift and very real.
The sixth seal is opened, and an amazing physical event occurs. First, a great earthquake happens. The sun turns black, the moon turns to blood, and the stars in the sky will fall to the earth as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky will roll up like a scroll and every mountain and island will be removed from its place. The kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man will hide in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They will call to the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of him who sits on the throne and the from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who will stand?
This passage reminds me of Joel 2:31. "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." It will be a very terrifying event that will kill millions and frighten many. An earthquake followed by the sun darkening, the moon turning blood red, the stars falling from the sky (possibly meteors), etc. Beyond scary. Some people will know that this is the wrath of God happening and repent. Others will try to hide from God which is why they are calling for the mountains and rocks to fall on them. But they won't remember Psalm 139:7-12. "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in hell, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."
I had once heard a pastor preach about no matter how far you run, God will follow you. He will find you. He went looking for Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden after they sinned. As man continued to sin, God still pursued him. When Jesus came to earth, He died on the Cross in the act of ultimate love. He went into hell to take the keys of Death and Hell from the devil and set the captives free. No matter where we go, we won't be able to hide from Him. He was there when we were conceived. He was there when we were born. He was there as we grew up. He was there when we got hurt by others. He was there when we hurt others. He was watching as we went into places we had no business entering. He was there when we committed our secret sins and whispered things in secret thinking nobody could hear us. He will be there when we breath our last breath. He will even be there should a person enter hell. While it's true a lost soul won't ever be in God's beautiful presence, God will still be there because His full-on wrath will be there. You can run, but you can't hide.
