Chapter 6 begins with the opening of the seals on the scroll. John is reporting what he sees to the reader.  The scene in chapter 6 continues from the events in chapters 4 and 5.

 In Chapter 4, John, caught up into heaven, saw God on his throne surrounded by the four living creatures, the 24 elders and all the angels of heaven.  In chapter 5, we see a scroll, which no one in heaven, on the earth or under the earth can open.  Then a lamb appears on the center of the throne of God, He alone can take the scroll.  Jesus Christ is represented as the slain lamb, which died for the sins of the world.  He alone who became man can take and open the scroll.

 The scroll represents the title of the earth, the title Adam lost at the fall.  In chapter 6, Jesus Christ, the Lamb, has the seven sealed scroll.  When Christ opens the seals, events begin to occur on the earth as Christ takes possession of the earth from the kings of the earth.  By opening the seven-seals,  events described in this chapter begin to unfold. The opening of the seventh seal brings the seven-angels with seven trumpets who complete the judgments in the first half of the tribulation period.

In the book of Revelation, we see the judgments of God presented in three phases; seals, trumpets and bowls.  The 7 seals and 7 trumpet judgments occur in the first half of the tribulation period, the seven bowl judgments occur in the second half of the tribulation period. The two-halves of the tribulation period, are separated by mid-point.  The whole tribulation period is a seven-year period according to Daniel 9:27, and Revelation 11-13. The period begins with the agreement to allow Temple worship and sacrifice on Mt. Moriah.  This same agreement, broken with the stopping of sacrifice and setting up of image in the Jewish Temple separates the first half from the second half.

 

 

 

 

The First Seal: The White Horse

 

Revelation 6

1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see."

2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. Revelation 6;1-2

I Saw   Continuing from chapter 5, John is still in heaven watching the Lamb who had just taken the scroll from God the Father. 

The Lamb   The Lamb is in the midst of the throne with the Father, surrounded by the four living creatures.

Come and see   John is invited by one of the four living creatures to come and see what happens at the opening of the first seal. The opening of the first seal begins the tribulation period, Daniel’s 70^th Week, The time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30;7). 

One prerequisite in the start of the tribulation, is the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple on Mt. Moriah and the establishment of sacrifice in worship.  If the rapture occurs prior the tribulation (Pre-tribulation), it is doubtful Christians will see the rebuilt Temple.  However, there are events that must precede the building of the Jewish Temple.

In order for a Jewish Temple to be built, on the third most holy location to Islam, The building known as the Dome of the Rock must be removed.  This is no small order, when we examine the earth’s population we see about 6.3 billion people,1.3 billion are Muslim over 20% of the worlds population.  They would have a problem with Israel destroying a building which commemorates their prophet, Mohammad, ascent into heaven, and Islam’s victory over Christianity and Judaism. Israel understands the current situation, and for this reason in 1967 when Israel defeated Jordan and conquered East Jerusalem, they allowed the Temple Mount to stay under Muslim control.  Any move by Israel against the Dome of the Rock would unleash the Muslim world against Israel.

Russian Islamic Invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39)

The Bible clearly speaks of a day in the future in the “Latter years” (Ezek. 38:8) after “Many days”, after the Jews are gathered from the nations of the world back in the land of Israel, when they will be attacked.  Nations specifically mentioned in those attacks are Persia (Iran), Put (Libya) and Cush (Ethiopia) all three nations are Muslim today.  Iran is openly hostile to Israel, supporting, arming, and equipping Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, pointing thousands of missiles toward Israel.  Iran is also an ally of Syria, with a mutual defense treaty, today; Syria is still officially at war with Israel.

Included in this alliance against Israel are the nations referred to as Gog and Magog and her allies from the far north of Israel, including Gomer and Togarmah. According to Ezekiel, this invasion into Israel will end in defeat for these attacking nations. To the far north of Israel is Russia, currently Russia has formed an alliance with Iran.  Russia recently built a nuclear reactor for Iran. Russia has also agreed to supply nuclear fuel to power up the reactor. Israel has threatened to attack the nuclear reactor to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear warheads to arm their missiles, the Shahab III, putting Israel in range of Iranian nuclear strike.

Such an attack against Iran, could very well justify a Russian/Islamic invasion into Israel foretold by Ezekiel.  A growing orthodox movement which threatens the Dome of the Rock has also brought threats from Iran against Israel.

7 "Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.  8 "After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.

9 "You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you."  

Ezekiel 38:7-9

Following this defeat of the Russian/Muslim powers, Ezekiel specifically refers to a seven-year period where the people of Israel will utilize the remnants of equipment left by this invading army.  Only 1/6 of the army survives, they are left to bury the dead.  The seven-year period mentioned by Ezekiel corresponds to the seven-year of Daniel’s 70^th week. (Ezekiel 39:9)

 

In the history of Israel, Persia has never invaded the land of Israel after it was resettled by Jewish inhabitants, Assyria invaded Israel in 722 B.C., and Babylon invaded Judah three times, (605, 597 and 586 B.C.). Persia however, did not need to invade Israel, because once Babylon was defeated, by Cyrus the Great, in 539 B.C., Persia became masters of Israel and Judah. 

The invasion referred to by Ezekiel takes place in the future following a “long period of desolation” and a resettlement of Jews from the nations of the earth.  This event is unique to the 20^th century, when Israel became a nation again in 1948.  Israel becoming a nation again was an event Ezekiel wrote about in chapters 36, 37, 38, and 39, 2600 years ago.

The chronological events in Ezekiel correspond to the end-time scenario both in Daniel and Revelation. 

 

The invasion of Gog and Magog is seen as an “End Times” event by Judaism[1], Islam[2] and Christianity.  Following the defeat of the Russian/Muslim powers, Israel will feel saved from its enemies.  This will open the way for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple.  The Antichrist, who will come to power before or after this event will consolidate world power and guarantee Israel’s right to build the Temple.

The Antichrist

White horse   The view of the white horse and its rider has been one of debate.  Some see the rider on the white horse as Jesus Christ, who John sees riding white horse in Revelation 19. Jesus Christ at the end of the tribulation period returns in glory with armies of heaven to set up the Messianic Kingdom, the Millennium follows the return of Christ.

The white horse in Revelation 6:2 does not conclude the matter as the Jesus Christ does in Revelation 19.  The white horse of Revelation 6:2, starts the events leading to the return of Christ.  The white horse of Revelation 6, is a picture of the pseudo peace established by the Antichrist at the start of the tribulation period.  This peace is removed by the very next horse the Red horse. Paul speaks of this in I Thessalonians 5. 

1TH 5:3  For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.5:4  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.I Thes. 5:3-4

From the Seventy Weeks of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27) we learn Daniel’s 70^th week, begins with a confirmation of a covenant with “many”. This covenant is a “Peace” agreement giving Israel the right to rebuild the Temple and offer sacrifice.  The Hebrew word for confirm is rbg Gabar, meaning to prevail, to have strength, be strong.  The “Prince to come” (Daniel 9:26) uses the power of military force to guarantee Israel’s right to rebuild the Temple and offer sacrifice. 

When we keep in mind the battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39) which precedes this event, and an earth, weary of religious conflicts between Muslims, Jews and Christians, the earth will be ripe to accept a concluding peace on the Jerusalem issue.

Israel will accept the terms of the world leader, assuming the Temple built will usher in the age of Messiah.  The Temple, however is built by a nation who still rejects Jesus Christ as their Messiah.  Israel will have a temporary false peace, this same person, the Antichrist, will break his agreement with Israel after three and half years and stop sacrifice and set up an image in the rebuilt Temple. This event, known as the Abomination of Desolation referred to by Jesus in Matthew 24:15, starts the second half of the tribulation.  Jesus refers to Daniel, who refers to this event in four verses. (Daniel 8:11-12, 9:27, 11:31, 12:11).

Bow  We see a picture of bow, with no arrows. The lack of arrows demonstrates what Daniel 9:27 already tells us, through military intimidation the Antichrist will enforce peace.  He will not need to attack, because his force will be so overwhelming nations will not risk war, knowing they will loose. With the threat of Russia and Islam removed, the Antichrist will have free reign.

Crown  The type of crown worn by the rider on the white horse is a stevfano Stephanos crown, a crown of victory.  We are told the crown was given to him, his victory on world scene is one permitted by God.  The antichrist, is the ultimate human ruler, he is last ruler on the earth, preceding Messiah’s kingdom.  Daniel (Daniel 11:36-44, 7:8,19-26) give us an insight on the person who will one day rule the nations of the earth. 

Conquering   From the Seventy week of Daniel, (Daniel 9:26) we know he will be a descendent of the armies of Rome.  The armies of Rome, 37 years after Christ’s death, destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem.  Daniel tells us, “The prince to come” will be a descendent of these armies.

Many Bible expositors speculate he will be the leader of European nation, the successors of the Roman Empire. Europe will rise to the power of Rome. The current problem, with this view is Europe is militarily not in the position to force the nations of earth to accepting peace terms.  Secondly, Israel would not trust Europe with its peace.  Europe is openly hostile to Israel, with a growing Muslim population, Europe is now under constant pressure to appease anti-Jewish viewpoints.

Daniel in reference to the descent of the Antichrist, merely states he will be a descendent of the armies, which destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple.  This opens the possibility of the Antichrist being a descendent of Rome, but not the leader of a European nation. He could be a European, a descendent of the Roman armies, who heads a powerful nation such as the United States following the Rapture, which can guarantee and protect Israel’s security and lull Israel into a false sense of security.

 

 

The Second Seal: The Red Horse

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see."

4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. Revelation 6;3-4

Second seal  The second seal follows the first in chronological order.  The Antichrist brings the earth into a false sense of peace following battle of Gog and Magog and the reestablishment of Temple worship.

Fiery red   The words describing the second horse reveal his character, the Greek word for the color is,  purrov Purrhos,  meaning  having the color of fire, red.  The red color of this horse is the color of red fire. 

Granted The second horse demonstrates the “False Peace” established by the rider on the white horse.  The world wants peace, but without God, and for a short period they will seem like they have peace, without God, but then man’s nature will take hold and war will quickly follow.

Kill one another   The description of what follows, the three remaining horsemen, is what would happen following a nuclear war.  We learn within this early period of the tribulation, ¼ of the earth’s population dies.  The initial death will be from war as described by the Red horse.

Today, nuclear war is more and more a possibility as nations continue to upgrade technology to defend themselves from potential assaults from their neighbors.  India and Pakistan are a great examples, these two nations by themselves have almost 1.2 billion people.  Yet both nations are increasingly their nuclear and missile technology to outdo their neighbor.  A nuclear war between these nations would not just affect those who die from missile strikes but food supplies and diseases, which would follow.

Great sword  The weapon used is called in the Greek a mevga Megas or great.  The destruction humanity can inflict on humanity in the past, pales in comparison to what can happen today.  Nuclear weapons with greater fire power, held by smaller and smaller nations can turn world into chaos.

The description of “Great sword” is very applicable to a nuclear war following the false peace established by the Antichrist.

 

The Third Seal: The Black Horse

5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.

6 And I heard a voice in the midst 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 the wine." Revelation 6:5-6

 

Third Seal   Following the Red horse, we see a black horse this event follows the chronological order of events taking place on earth.  Following a nuclear war, several events take place, one is nuclear fallout and destruction of edible foods.  Nuclear was does not only hurt living humans, but everything living.  Food and food supplies are destroyed in the process of nuclear war as the radioactive waves pass through all living matter.  This is then followed by the particles which then begin to a fall on fields where food is growing to feed the populations.

Black horse The third horse pictured is a black horse, which is used to depict famine elsewhere in scripture. (Jeremiah 4:28, Lamentations 4;8-9). Following the war,  food will be in short supply on the planet and many will die.

Scales  This is the picture of commerce in the world.  Today, the idol of the earth is no longer socialist doctrines but capitalism and success without God.  Many in the former Communist nations no longer look to Communism as their hope but the success and prosperity of Capitalism.  Nations on the earth are pushing commerce and success as the hope of their nations. Godless capitalism, is a growing movement in the world today.

The hope of success for the most part is a godless and corrupt hope, which pushes sex without marriage, homosexuality, violence, murder and host of other sins.  Many of these same countries reluctantly accept Christian missionaries and evangelism as an appeasement for free trade. The Gospel however continues to give people a choice, what really is important.

In the tribulation period, people will be forced to choose the God of Heaven or humanity.

Quart of wheat  The Greek word used here, coi'nix Choinix, is the amount of food a laboring man would eat in one meal.  Wheat was is a higher quality food then barley.  The cost of wheat was one days wages, or a denarius.  Following the wars of the Red horse, the lack of food will cause world wide inflation resulting in famine.

  The voice is coming from the center of the Throne, from the midst of the four living creatures.  This could very well be the voice of Christ, reminding those who live on the Earth through Revelation chapter 6, that earthly food and commerce is not humanities hope but God’s word alone.  This is the message in John chapter 6, as Christ explains the concept of eternal life versus the temporary life in this world.

33 "For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."  34 Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." 35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:33-35

Denarius  An amount equivalent to what a day laborer would make. (Matthew 20:2) A full day of labor was required to have enough to eat for one day.

Three quarts barley   This was a lower quality food then wheat.  Barley, was food for animals and the poor.  Here the same denarius will purchase 3 meals of barley versus one meal of wheat.

Oil and the wine  These were foods of luxury and wealth.  These items are contrasted to the wheat and barley, which require a whole days labor.  The wealthy will not suffer like those who will need food to get by on a daily basis. 

 

The Fourth Seal: The Pale Horse

7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see."

8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. Revelation 6:7-8

Fourth seal Following the war, and famine of the Red and Black horses, death is the result.  This is the fourth seal.

Pale horse  The color in the Greek clwrov Chloros, and means green or pale green, the color of young vegetation.  The fourth rider, is personified as “Death”, because the result of the war and famine is death on a large scale.  

Hades  As we go through the book of Revelation, we are constantly being informed of the location of those who died. Here for example we are told, the dead enter Hell or Hades. In the fifth seal we see the dead in Heaven.  In chapter 14, those who receive the mark are warned about the lake of fire, in 15 we see those who die after rejecting the mark in Heaven. Many will die and enter an eternity apart from God as a result of these events. Here the dead are being swept into Hades or Hell. 

Fourth of the earth   The Greek word for Earth here is gh' Ge which means the livable or arable earth.  This verse informs us about the magnitude of the events taking place in the early part of the tribulation period.  Today the earth’s population is estimated at 6.3 billion, imagine ¼ of the population of the earth dying, the number would be well over 1.5 billion people. 

The tribulation period will not be mild in any way.  Horror scenes portrayed in the movies cannot begin to describe the events to take place in this period.  For this reason, Jesus warned this is period unlike any in the history of the world and never to be repeated again.  (Matthew 24;21-22, Daniel 12;1, Jer. 30;7)

Kill   The fourth horse and it rider collect the results of the Red and Black horses.  War brings death, causing famine resulting in more death.  Another result from war and famine, the animals also turn on man.  During this period, beasts of the earth see man as another food source. Animals will no longer have the inner fear of mankind.

 

The Fifth Seal: Persecution of the Faithful

9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. Revelation 6:9-11

Fifth seal   During this period of upheaval on the Earth, John is given another glimpse of events taking place.  Following the rapture and the establishment of “Peace” under the rule of the Antichrist, the persecution of Christians begins.  In the first half of the tribulation, the Antichrist will usher in a unified religion combining elements of Christianity and Islam, all who refuse this one world religion will be killed.  This changes in the second half, as the Antichrist proclaims himself to be god and demands to be the center of worship. (Daniel 11:37, 2 Thes 2:4).

Many of those rejected Christ, never heard of Him or made light Him will know about Him after the Rapture.  Many on the earth, will come to the saving knowledge, Jesus Christ died for their sins and only through Him, can we have eternal life. The tribulation is a time of testing and trial for the earth (Rev. 3;10), people will be forced to make their choice for eternity, time will no longer be a luxury. 

Why are we informed here of the persecution which will occur during this period?  The fifth seal is for those who need to know what will happen, after they killed for their faith. Here Christ reassures the believer on earth, not to fear death.  Death, for those who know Christ, should not be an event of fear but joyful expectation.  Like those killed for their faith today, or any Christian who dies, the Bible tells us we enter the presence of the Lord in Heaven.  Christ assures the new believers of the tribulation, who immediately come under testing. Their home is in heaven, do not fear death.  

Under the altar  There is a special place for those who die after the rapture.  While the raptured saints are before the throne in their resurrected bodies, these saints are under the altar for the time.  They will also be resurrected, but the tribulation still has more souls who will come to Christ at this point.

Those who are die, are clearly in Heaven, for their souls are located under the altar in heaven.  Revelation 5:9-11 is a reassurance to anybody who suffers for their faith, the worst the earth can offer is death.  After death, we are in the Lord’s presence. (John 14:3, Phil. 1:23)

For the word of God   They reason they died is because of their faith.  Following the rapture, many will want to understand what’s happened.  The time after the rapture and before the start of the tribulation, many will hear about Christ and come to a saving knowledge. 

Testimony   Each saint under the altar will have their own unique story on how they found Christ, and died for Him.

Cried   Those who die do not loose their memory, these martyrs even though dead are fully aware of what happened to them.  The rich man who dies and goes to Hell in Luke 16:19-31 was fully aware of his life on earth and where he failed. 

Dwell on …earth   These martyrs are dwelling in heaven as opposed to those who are dwell on earth.  Revelation 7:9-16 informs us during the tribulation, many on the earth are saved, a number beyond counting from every nation, people and language.

White robe They received a temporary covering, until they receive their resurrected body (Rev. 20:4) at a later point.

Would be killed   At this point, more are still to killed for their faith.  During the tribulation, the earth will be faced with two choices to accept or reject Jesus Christ.  Revelation makes one point very clear, death is not the worst event.  Living and dying without Christ is far worst then any temporary suffering on earth.

 

The Sixth Seal: Great Earthquake

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.

13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.

14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,

16 and said to the mountains and 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 His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

Revelation 6:12-17

Sixth seal   Here is the first, of the earthly catastrophes to strike the earth.  Today when events strike other parts of the world, many can instantly watch the events unfold from the comfort of their homes.  Following the wars, famine, disease of the early part of the tribulation, A great earthquake rocks the earth. The whole earth will share in tribulation, including the rich and comfortable.

Great earthquake  An earthquake occurs when the plates on which the crust rest move, causing a quake on the surface.  More severe movements cause greater shaking.  Earthquakes are tied volcanic activity below the crust, they are part of the same system. Pressure from underneath moves plates, this pressure is sometimes released as earthquakes. Other times the pressure is released when hot magna finds its way to the surface causing volcanic activity.

The volcanic soot released during this quake causes the sun to be darkened for a time, followed by strange events in the sky turning the moon blood red.

Stars from heaven  Literally in the Greek, ajsthvr Aster this is where the word asteroid is derived.  If the earthquakes and volcanoes were not enough, the earth is now struck by meteors from space.

Every mountain   This earthquake will shake the entire earth.  During this period many will be moved to accept Christ.  When these events occur, someone earthly status will not protect them from judgment.  Here we ultimately see a demonstration of God’s mercy, people in comfort are confronted with their own mortality.

Wrath of the lamb  On the earth, from the 5^th seal, we read about the persecution of those who know Jesus Christ.  In the 6^th seal, Christ the earth begins to feel the wrath of Christ.  The first five seals were the result of man’s inhumanity to man. In the 6^th seal, Christ repays those on earth for their actions against the saints.