Revelation 6:1-17
John has been transported to heaven in order to
write the things which God supernaturally allows him to see regarding
future events. Revelation 4 details John's first glimpse of the throne
room of heaven where he witnesses believers as well as angels
worshipping God for His worth. The words of Revelation 5 reveal a scroll
sealed with seven seals, but no one is found worthy to open it. This
scroll can only be opened by One who has been given authority over the
entire universe because it is the title deed of earth. A Lamb, Jesus
Christ, appears and takes the scroll. He is the only One found worthy to
open it because He was slain and redeemed mankind from sin (4:8-10).
These events bring us to Revelation 6 where Jesus begins to open each of
the seven seals which secure the contents of the scroll. Each seal
unleashes a judgment upon the earth during what is termed the "seven
year tribulation period" which follows the removal of the church from
earth (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In fact, there are a series of
judgments unleashed on those who have rejected Jesus Christ as the only
way to God. From Revelation 6:1-16:21, here is the layout: seven seal
judgments (6:1-8:6), seven trumpet judgments (8:7-14:20), and the seven
bowl judgments (16:1-21). Without going into a ton of detail about each
of these judgments, here is what will transpire on the earth beginning
with six seal judgments.
First Seal (white horse) - Antichrist is revealed
Second Seal (red horse) - worldwide war with much death
Third Seal (black horse) - worldwide famine
Forth Seal (pale horse) - 25% of population will die
Fifth Seal - martyrs will cry to God for vengeance
Sixth Seal - great earthquake, sun turns black, moon turns red, meteor shower, sky is removed, continents shift
People
on earth will then begin to recognize that these judgments have been
sent by God to reign down His wrath upon sin (6:16-17).
Dear God, deliver many from this wrath to come that they might acknowledge Jesus as their Savior from sin.