revelation 6 the opening of the six seals: tribulation

Revelation 6Revelation 6

The Opening of the Six Seals:The Opening of the Six Seals:

TribulationTribulation

Despite the tribulations and Despite the tribulations and judgments of Revelation 6 and 7, if judgments of Revelation 6 and 7, if you face toward God and belong to you face toward God and belong to Him, you will see the Lamb, the Him, you will see the Lamb, the victorious Jesus by God’s side, and victorious Jesus by God’s side, and you will have nothing to fear.you will have nothing to fear.

3. The Vision of the Seven Seals (Rev. 4-7)3. The Vision of the Seven Seals (Rev. 4-7)a. The Throne-Rome in Heaven (Rev. 4:1-a. The Throne-Rome in Heaven (Rev. 4:1-

11)11)b. The Scroll and the Lamb (Rev. 5:1-14)b. The Scroll and the Lamb (Rev. 5:1-14)c. The Opening of Six Seals (Rev. 6:1-17)c. The Opening of Six Seals (Rev. 6:1-17)

i. The first seal (Rev. 6:1-2) i. The first seal (Rev. 6:1-2)ii. The second seal (Rev. 6:3-4)ii. The second seal (Rev. 6:3-4)iii. The third seal (Rev. 6:5-6)iii. The third seal (Rev. 6:5-6)iv. The fourth seal (Rev. 6:7-8)iv. The fourth seal (Rev. 6:7-8) v. The fifth seal (Rev. 6:9-11) v. The fifth seal (Rev. 6:9-11)vi. The sixth seal (Rev. 6:12-17)vi. The sixth seal (Rev. 6:12-17)

d. The Status of God’s people (Rev. 7:1-d. The Status of God’s people (Rev. 7:1-17)17)

i. The 144,000 (Rev. 7:1-8)i. The 144,000 (Rev. 7:1-8)ii. The great multitude (Rev. 7:9-17)ii. The great multitude (Rev. 7:9-17)

Key Message:Key Message:“These are they who have “These are they who have come out of the great come out of the great tribulation; they have tribulation; they have washed their robes and made washed their robes and made them white in the blood of them white in the blood of the Lamb” Revelation 7:14the Lamb” Revelation 7:14

Revelation 6:1Revelation 6:1

Now I saw when the Lamb opened Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say, one of the four living creatures say, as with a voice of thunder, "Come!"as with a voice of thunder, "Come!"

Notice he says, “Come!” not “come Notice he says, “Come!” not “come and see” as some would translate it. and see” as some would translate it. He is calling forth the rider.He is calling forth the rider.

First sealFirst seal

The scroll has seven seals probably made The scroll has seven seals probably made by tying the roll with seven strings and by tying the roll with seven strings and sealing each knot with a waxed, stamped sealing each knot with a waxed, stamped seal. seal.

The scroll could not be unrolled and read The scroll could not be unrolled and read until all seven seals were broken. until all seven seals were broken.

Nothing is said here about reading the Nothing is said here about reading the document, but the breaking of each seal document, but the breaking of each seal introduces an actionintroduces an action


And I saw, and behold, a white horse, And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and its rider had a bow; and a crown and its rider had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.conquering and to conquer.

4 horseman of the 4 horseman of the Apocalypse Apocalypse

11stst horseman - white horseman - white 1. Righteousness, because white is 1. Righteousness, because white is

associated with the white robes of the associated with the white robes of the redeemed.redeemed.

2. Victorious, because it is a matter of 2. Victorious, because it is a matter of conquest whatever the cause.conquest whatever the cause.

3. Some say deceitfully bad, because the 3. Some say deceitfully bad, because the other three horses represent evils.other three horses represent evils.

4. Hal Lindsey says it is a European 4. Hal Lindsey says it is a European Antichrist who rules from Rome (who Antichrist who rules from Rome (who secures the help of a Jewish Antichrist ruling secures the help of a Jewish Antichrist ruling from Israel)from Israel)

11stst horseman - white horseman - white

5. Many say it is a military threat5. Many say it is a military threat 6. Some say it is the Parthians 6. Some say it is the Parthians 7. Some say it is representative of 7. Some say it is representative of

the threat of warthe threat of war 8. Some say it is the ruler from 8. Some say it is the ruler from

Daniel 9:26 and the beast in Rev. 13Daniel 9:26 and the beast in Rev. 13 9. Some say it is a false teacher9. Some say it is a false teacher

11stst horseman - white horseman - white Possible not evil at all.Possible not evil at all. Zechariah 1 there are horseman who are Zechariah 1 there are horseman who are

neutral neutral Zechariah 6 there are four horses in four Zechariah 6 there are four horses in four

colors pulling chariots colors pulling chariots White is typical for the good guysWhite is typical for the good guys Therefore some have suggested it Therefore some have suggested it

represents the Church fulfilling the Great represents the Church fulfilling the Great Commission. Which is a great way to start. Commission. Which is a great way to start.

11stst horseman - white horseman - white He is white, remember Rev. 19 Jesus on He is white, remember Rev. 19 Jesus on

white horsewhite horse Second seal is war rememberSecond seal is war remember He is given a crown, the same crown the He is given a crown, the same crown the

redeemed were promisedredeemed were promised He is called the conqueror, the same He is called the conqueror, the same

conqueror the redeemed were promised to conqueror the redeemed were promised to be. be.

He left peace in his wakeHe left peace in his wake Mark 13:10Mark 13:10

The Rider with a bowThe Rider with a bow

Jesus Christ, because identified in Jesus Christ, because identified in Revelation 19:11Revelation 19:11

ParthianParthian The gospel because of the Word of The gospel because of the Word of

GodGod Spirit of ConquestSpirit of Conquest Antichrist Antichrist

The Rider with a bowThe Rider with a bow

Ps. 45:4-6Ps. 45:4-6 Habakkuk 3:8-13Habakkuk 3:8-13 Ps. 7:10-13Ps. 7:10-13 Some object and say the other riders Some object and say the other riders

represent things, not peoplerepresent things, not people If that be the case that works here for If that be the case that works here for

it is “the Word of God” who rides Rev. it is “the Word of God” who rides Rev. 1919

Conqueror Conqueror

It is conquest. The question is what It is conquest. The question is what kind of conquest?kind of conquest?

Remember war comes nextRemember war comes next Different kind of conquest Mark Different kind of conquest Mark

13:11ff13:11ff

Revelation 6:3-4Revelation 6:3-4

When he opened the second seal, I When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, heard the second living creature say, "Come!""Come!"

4 And out came another horse, 4 And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that take peace from the earth, so that men should slay one another; and he men should slay one another; and he was given a great sword.was given a great sword.

22ndnd rider Red rider Red

Red is appropriate for war and bloodshed. Red is appropriate for war and bloodshed. It fits the results: he removed peace, men It fits the results: he removed peace, men slay each other, given a large sword.slay each other, given a large sword.

Represents war in general. Represents war in general. God is teaching the Church that when you God is teaching the Church that when you

go preach the Gospel you will encounter go preach the Gospel you will encounter war. war.

There is no exemption for war and bad There is no exemption for war and bad stuff for Christiansstuff for Christians

22ndnd rider Red rider Red

What were the Old Testament Jews What were the Old Testament Jews commanded to do in regard to commanded to do in regard to pagans? pagans?

No great commission until after the No great commission until after the ressurectionressurection


When he opened the third seal, I heard When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" And the third living creature say, "Come!" And I saw, and behold, a black horse, and its I saw, and behold, a black horse, and its rider had a balance in his hand;rider had a balance in his hand;

6 and I heard what seemed to be a voice 6 and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and three quarts of barley for a denarius; but do not harm oil and wine!"but do not harm oil and wine!"

33rdrd rider black rider black

A symbol of economic depression of A symbol of economic depression of some type, famine some type, famine

War brings this to be sureWar brings this to be sure Quart of wheat in Cicero’s day was Quart of wheat in Cicero’s day was

ordinarily twelve measures for a day’s ordinarily twelve measures for a day’s wage wage

Wheat was three times more Wheat was three times more expensive than barley (normally it expensive than barley (normally it was two to one)was two to one)

33rdrd rider black rider black

““oil and wine” – some say the rich will oil and wine” – some say the rich will be fine, but probably not the casebe fine, but probably not the case

Some say God will allow, but limit Some say God will allow, but limit tribulation like in Job tribulation like in Job

Likely it means do not waste either. Likely it means do not waste either. They may not be so quickly affected as They may not be so quickly affected as the grain, but they will run out too. the grain, but they will run out too.


When he opened the fourth seal, I heard When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!""Come!"

8 And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, 8 And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, and its rider’s name was Death, and Hades and its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him; and they were given power followed him; and they were given power over a fourth of the earth, to kill with over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.and by wild beasts of the earth.

44thth horse ashen (pale green) horse ashen (pale green)

Catastrophic deathCatastrophic death Ezekiel 14:21Ezekiel 14:21 ¼ implies it is going to be a partial ¼ implies it is going to be a partial

catastrophe catastrophe Remember the meaning of four Remember the meaning of four


When he opened the fifth seal, I saw When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne; they for the witness they had borne; they cried out with a loud voice, "O cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before thou wilt judge and avenge long before thou wilt judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?"earth?"

55thth seal seal

Persecution and martyrdom Persecution and martyrdom Leviticus 4:7Leviticus 4:7 Is it right ask for vengeance?Is it right ask for vengeance? Psalms 137:8-9 Psalms 137:8-9


11 Then they were each given a 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren fellow servants and their brethren should be complete, who were to be should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.killed as they themselves had been.

White robeWhite robe

They have made it to heavenThey have made it to heaven When is the second coming? When is the second coming? Acts 1:6-7Acts 1:6-7


When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale; the sky vanished when shaken by a gale; the sky vanished like a scroll that is rolled up, and every like a scroll that is rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from mountain and island was removed from its place.its place.

66thth seal – God’s Final seal – God’s Final JudgmentJudgment

Some say this is dealing with the fall Some say this is dealing with the fall of Romeof Rome

Some say it is dealing with the fall of Some say it is dealing with the fall of China or RussiaChina or Russia

Some say it is the fall of Jerusalem Some say it is the fall of Jerusalem

66thth seal – God’s Final seal – God’s Final JudgmentJudgment

Natural disasters – Isa. 13:6-11; 24:23; Natural disasters – Isa. 13:6-11; 24:23; 34:4; 50:3; 64:1-334:4; 50:3; 64:1-3

This is the language of a theophany – This is the language of a theophany – when God says He will bring down a when God says He will bring down a nation this is the language He usesnation this is the language He uses

The moon and stars refuse to look or The moon and stars refuse to look or the earth trembles the earth trembles

Matthew 24:29-31; Nahum 1:3, 5, 6; Matthew 24:29-31; Nahum 1:3, 5, 6; Hosea 10:8 also see Luke 21:20-24Hosea 10:8 also see Luke 21:20-24


Then the kings of the earth and the great Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the generals and the rich and the men and the generals and the rich and the strong, and every one, slave and free, hid in strong, and every one, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can day of their wrath has come, and who can stand before it?"stand before it?"

““the Great Day of Wrath”the Great Day of Wrath”

Some say it is the 2Some say it is the 2ndnd or so year of or so year of wrathwrath

More likely the final day, the Day of More likely the final day, the Day of the Lordthe Lord

““wrath of the Lamb” – a scary wrath of the Lamb” – a scary lamb???lamb???

Parallel with Matthew 24Parallel with Matthew 24

22ndnd seal – war vs. 6-7 seal – war vs. 6-7 33rdrd seal – famine vs. 7 seal – famine vs. 7 55thth seal – persecution vs. 9-10 seal – persecution vs. 9-10 66thth seal – end vs. 13 seal – end vs. 13 11stst seal – Gospel vs. 14 seal – Gospel vs. 14 Remember it is a double prophesy of Remember it is a double prophesy of

a.d. 70 and the end of time a.d. 70 and the end of time

revelation 6 the opening of the six seals: tribulation

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tribulation slide

action slide

apocalypse slide

stamped seal

lamb revelation

white robes

horseman white

white horse