Now, before we look at the first series in God’s program of judgment (the seal judgments) described in the Book of Revelation, let me set the scene for you. In a previous lesson on the rapture I used Revelation 4:1 and the meaning of the Greek term meta tauta to show when the rapture would take place. Let’s start here with the last phrase of that verse when John heard a voice saying, “Come up here, and I will show you the things that must be after these things”. This voice is the same one described in Revelation 1:10-20 (go back and read it and you will see that it is the voice of none other than the glorified Christ).
So, now John begins to survey the scene in God’s domain (if you need to refresh your memory regarding heaven, go back and read the article “The Shape of God” on the website). John sees a literal place with a literal throne and a visible God sitting on the throne (4:2). Around this throne were 24 other thrones (the KJV has “seats” in 4:4, from the same word, thronos, translated “throne” in 4:2) on which were sitting 24 elders. These elders (presbuteros) are raptured saints. They are not angels, as these elders are distinguished from angels in 5:11, which says both elders and angels were present. And they’re clothed in white raiment, which if you look through Revelation you’ll see only Christ and raptured saints described this way (3:5, 18, 6:11, 7:9, 13, 15:6, 19:8, 14). These elders: sit on thrones (4:4, 11:16-17); worship God (4:9-11, 5:8-10; cast their crowns before God (4:10); sing and play instruments (5:8-10); offer prayers of saints to God (5:8) and give John revelation (7:13-17).
Then in 4:5 John further describes the sights and sounds (lightning, thunder, voices) and sees “seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God”. What are the seven Spirits of God? This is answered in 5:6, where we see the Lamb (the crucified Christ) described as “having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God”. The seven lamps, seven horns and seven eyes are all symbolic of the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit given to Christ (Isaiah 11:2, 42:1, 62:1, John 3:34).
The floor in front of the throne looked like a “sea of glass” (4:6) and moving around the throne were four “beasts”. These are “living creatures” (zoa, not therion, translated “beast” later in chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 19), and are literal created beings (read verses 6-8 for their descriptions). These living creatures: continually call attention to God’s holiness (4:8); worship God (5:8-10); also sing and play instruments (5:8-10); also offer prayers of saints to God (5:8); call forth the horsemen (the words “come and see” found in verses 6:1,3,5 and 7 are addressed to horsemen, not to John who is already present); listen to others worship God (14:3) and give vials to angels in God’s last series of judgments (15:7).
In chapter 5 John sees God holding a book sealed with seven seals (5:1) and an angel asking “who is worthy to open the book and loose the seals on it? (5:2). And when no one was found worthy, he wept (5:3-4). The Lamb then takes the book (5:5-7) and is worshipped by the living creatures and elders (5:8-10). The rest of the chapter describes the universal worship of the Lamb and God by the living creatures, the elders, a countless number of angels and every created being “in heaven, on the earth, under the earth and in the sea” (5:11-14).
At this point, in the midst of this great worship scene, the Lamb opens the first seal and God’s program starts (6:1). This is the beginning of the end-times, the tribulation period, Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:27). When the Lamb breaks open the first seal, a white horse appears, its rider carries a bow, is given a crown and proceeds to wage war (6:2). This is the rise of the antichrist. He comes on a white horse, imitating Christ (19:11, Matthew 24:4-6). His bow is symbolic of conquest and evil plans (Psalms 11:2). The crown (given to him by Satan, Daniel 8:24, Revelation 13:2) is symbolic of Satan’s ability to promote lawlessness and rebellion against God (Revelation 13:4-8). And when he “goes forth conquering and to conquer” (6:2), it is to solidify his kingdom by subduing the area that comprises the old Roman Empire as previously discussed.
I’m not going to take the time to explain the details of this, but a close examination of the Book of Daniel (chapters 7, 8, 9 and 11) along with Revelation 13 and 17 shows that the antichrist will come (probably) out of Syria. He will quickly subdue the areas that represent 3 of the kingdoms he will rule, and then wage an on-going war against the remaining 7. Then in the middle of the tribulation period (after 3 ½ years) all 10 will submit to him without further war and follow him in his campaign to destroy Israel. Eventually, this all ends at Armageddon, where Christ returns to the earth and destroys them all (Revelation 19:17-21). We will talk about most of this as we progress through Revelation.
Then the Lamb breaks the second seal and a red horse appears. The description of the red horse in 6:4 is brief and mentions three specific things. The first is this: “and its rider was given the power to take peace from the earth”. The second is the result of the first: “so they would kill one another”. Then the third thing this: “and he was given a great sword”. Remember, Muslims will dominate the revised Roman Empire ruled by the antichrist. Now, I’m going to go out on a limb here, so to speak, and suggest (without any more solid Scriptural proof than what the language indicates) that what we have here is a series of violent and destructive wars between Muslim countries. Muslims slaughtering other Muslims with the rest of the world, by now weary of dealing with Islamic extremism, content to sit back and watch. And with current events kept in mind, the “great sword” (symbolic of the ability to kill and destroy) may be a reference to the acquisition of nuclear weapons – something that would cause the 7 leaders mentioned above to come to terms with the antichrist and follow him.
When the third seal is broken, a black horse appears. The rider on this horse carries a pair of balances in his hand (6:5). So now we have the result of the wars and destruction of the first two seals – widespread famine (Matthew 24:7). This is the significance of the balances carried by the black horse rider. When food is scarce, it is weighed and measured very carefully, because it is so much more valuable. In the next verse (6:6) we see the statement, “a measure of wheat for a penny and three measures of barley for a penny”. The “penny” is actually a denarion, a laborer’s daily wage in Jesus’ day, worth about 17 cents. A “measure” (choinix) is equal to about a quart in dry measure, a slave’s daily ration. The point being that food will be scarce and expensive during this time of famine (see II Kings 6:25 for an example).
Then the last phrase in 6:6, “and do not damage the oil and wine”. This is a reference to the devastating effects of famine. Crops that are cultivated will produce food in one growing season. However, olive trees and grape vines take years to mature before they produce fruit. So, it is common in areas where these two food sources are prevalent to make it unlawful to purposely destroy them.
We’ll continue in the next lesson with the seals judgments.