“THE 7 SEALS” (REV. 6)

INTRODUCTION:

1. In Revelation 5:1 we read about a book (scroll). This book had 7 seals.

2. This book (scroll) was so significant that only one being was worthy enough to open it and break the

seals.

3. John makes it clear that only Jesus was worthy to open this book.

4. In Revelation 6, tonight’s text, the scroll is opened; the seals are removed one by one; some of the book’s contents are read.

5. Before we deal with the actual text, a couple of general observations need to be made.

6. Most agree that the opening of the seals is an expression of judgment.

7. What John sees coming from this book is punishment.

8. Some of the punishment was going to happen quickly. The first 4 seals describe rapid action.

9. Seals 5 and 6 are more drawn out; the punishment is longer.

10. The 7th seal, when we get to it, will serve as a transition.

11. When the first 4 seals are opened, the word “Come” is heard.

12. John says that something did come – a rider on a horse.

I. LET’S LOOK AT THE FIRST 8 VERSES – READ Rev. 6:1-8.

A. There is some information that is not given in this chapter.

B. Who were the riders? They are not identified. What do the horses symbolize?

C. What period of history does John describe? None is given.

D. Rev. 6 offers very little help in all of these matters.

(1) Since Rev. 6 does not identify the horses/seals, students of the text must make some

judgments.

(2) What do the horses, seals and riders symbolize?

(3) If you ask 3 people, you can get 3 different answers.

(4) The view I am going to advance is based upon Rev. 1.

E. When John started this book he offered a time frame – Rev. 1:1, 3 says – READ.

F. What John was given was to “come to pass shortly”. Time was “at hand”.

(1) We either accept what John says or we do not.

(2) I am going to allow Rev. 1:1, 3 to be our guide in understanding this time.

G. If we combine Rev. 1:1, 3 with Rev. 6, the horses/horsemen had some meaning in John’s day; not

for us.

(1) John saw 4 horses. There was a white horse; red horse; black horse and a pale horse.

(2) Why did John see these horses? This question is not difficult.

(3) To the Hebrews, horses represented battle. They were signs of strength and speed.

(4) If you want some OT references to corroborate this you can look at Job 39:19-25, Jer. 4:13 and Hab. 1:8.

H. The first horse John saw was a white horse with a rider.

I. Again, Rev. 6 does not say what the white horse/rider represented.

(1) Many make allegations.

(2) Many make assertions about this horse and too often little to no proof is given.

(3) Many believe the white horse and rider describe Jesus. This is a possibility.

(a) In support of this view, the color “white” in Revelation often stands for goodness/

righteousness.

(b) Those who think v. 2 refers to Christ would teach that Jesus was the rider on the

horse.

(d) Supporters of this view might also argue that since Jesus was victorious, He had a crown (v.2).

(e) Furthermore, as Jesus did battle with His enemies, there would be problems.

J. Some propose that the red horse symbolizes these problems.

(1) Christianity caused some people to be put to death.

(2) Many believe the red horse represents Christian persecution.

K. The third horse John saw was black.

(1) Supposedly this points to the saints who were being persecuted.

(2) Because of the bitter persecution these brethren would be mourning.

L. Horse number four in Rev. 6 was pale.

(1) The word translated “pale” occurs just a few times in the NT.

(2) In three places it is translated “green”.

M. Some would say the picture of the 4 horses is this:

(1) Christ is going forth into all the world with His people;

(2) The gospel was being preached and the church was having some success;

(3) Because of this success, the church was being persecuted.

(4) Part of the suffering was due to discrimination (black horse).

(5) Brethren were mourning over various hardships.

(6) Because society was being so cruel to God’s people, the pale horse showed up in the vision.

(7) This showed that God would judge those who were hurting His people.

N. What I have just said is one way to explain the text.

O. This view is held by many good Bible students.

P. I prefer a different viewpoint that is not as common.

Q. We have already seen that brethren in Rome were suffering.

R. The suffering was not going to immediately end.

(1) In fact, things were going to get a bit worse.

(2) John had to prepare his readers for this fact.

(3) Plus he had to let Christians know that in the end Rome would lose.

S. These horses and horsemen just may be describing this very thing.

(1) A white horse with a rider could represent Christ, or it could simply be a symbol to

describe power.

(a) Napoleon rode a white stallion when defeated at Waterloo.

(b) There are the legends of the Wild West and a great white stallion.

(2) White horses have been associated with power, leadership and authority.

(3) Rev. 6:1-2 could be describing a powerful enemy (Rome).

(4) The damage that this nation could do is in verses 3-4 – READ.

(5) If this is Rome, the red horse further symbolizes her.

(6) She would kill; hurt; maim and severely damage God’s people.

(7) Rome had made, and would continue to make, war with the church.

(8) Rome would put economic stress upon the church (black horse).

(9) God’s people would be persecuted so much that many would die.

(10) Hence, there would be the need for a pale horse – death.

T. This fits in very well with Rev. 2:10 – “faithful unto death.”

U. It also fits in well with Rev. 6:9-11 – READ.

V. God told these people a “little more time” was needed.

W. Rome was going to be allowed to continue to persecute the church.

X. Things were not going to immediately get better.

Y. We have at least these 2 explanations of the 4 horses.

Z. As I said, my preference is to make the 4 horses refer to Rome.

II. WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE FIRST 4 SEALS IN SOME DETAIL. THE FIFTH SEAL THAT WAS OPENED ALLOWED JOHN TO HEAR FROM CHRISTIANS WHO HAD BEEN KILLED. I MADE A BRIEF COMMENT ABOUT THESE DEAD SAINTS MOMENTS AGO. THESE SOULS WERE SAYING, “HOW LONG, O LORD?” NOW LET’S GO TO SEAL NUMBER 6.

A. Verses 12-13 – READ.

B. When we studied Matthew 24, we came across verses that resemble these.

C. During our previous studies we saw that God used this imagery to describe the overthrow of a

nation.

(1) For those who were not here, or if this has been forgotten, listen to Isa. 13:1, 9-10 –

READ.

(2) When God described the fall of a nation (Babylon), He said the moon would not give any

light; He said the stars would fall.

(3) Isa. 13 makes it clear that this applied to Babylon.

D. Compare this to what John said in Rev. 6.

(1) The sun would become black; the moon would become like blood.

(2) These light-giving bodies would be darkened.

(3) Stars would fall to the earth. This is parallel to the OT.

(4) If we allow God to explain what John wrote, Rev. 6 describes a power (nation) that would

be overthrown.

(5) This makes perfect sense.

(6) When John wrote, Rome was a major persecutor of the church.

(7) This nation, as history well shows, was overthrown.

E. With the first 4 seals John said, “The persecution will intensify. Things will get worse.”

F. However, John also said, “The day is coming when God will bring this nation down.”

G. How severe would God’s judgment be upon Rome?

H. Verses 15-17 of Rev. 6 – READ.

(1) When children of God are mistreated, God notices.

(2) When God’s people are persecuted, God will respond.

(3) When God did battle with those who had persecuted His people it was like an all out war.

I. Take a careful look at who is listed in these verses.

(1) There are 7 groups of people listed; this suggests everyone.

(2) When God came in judgment on Rome, everyone wanted to die.

(3) Even the rich and powerful could not find peace and safety.

III. EARLIER I SAID I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT CHRIST IS THE RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE. I NOW WANT TO GIVE YOU ONE MORE OF MY REASONS FOR TAKING THIS POSITION.

A. This reason is based upon verse 2.

B. John uses a word that is translated “conquer”.

C. In this book, the same word is sometimes used in a negative way.

D. At times the word “conquer” describes a being that conquers saints.

E. Two examples are – Rev. 11:7 and Rev. 13:7 – READ.

F. It is always unwise to be dogmatic about this book.

G. Symbolism can be both tricky and difficult.

(1) Viewing the first 6 seals as a description of Rome is at least consistent with history;

(2) It makes sense of the text:

(3) It harmonizes with the rest of the Bible;

(4) And, most importantly, it allows us to abide by Rev. 1:1, 3.

H. We have looked at 6 of the 7 seals.

I. What can we conclude from our study? How will this material benefit us?

J. Let’s return to seal number 5, verses 9-11.

(1) John saw souls who had been “slain for the word of God”.

(2) Some quick points need to be made about these dead saints.

(3) Some believe that at death we are no longer conscious. We cease to exist.

(4) These souls were conscious. These people were still alive.

(5) John says dead people were alive.

(6) Our definition for “death” is too often more secular than Biblical.

(7) Not only were these people alive … they had memories ... these souls remembered their

lives had been unjustly taken.

(8) I cannot say how much memory is retained when we leave the earth but the Bible teaches

that at least some memory stays with us.

(9) The rich man in Lk. 16 remembered he had brothers. He was told to “remember” his good

days on earth. He even remembered Lazarus.

(10) What kind of memories are we going to carry into eternity?

K. Point number 3 is that these souls were able to “rest”.

L. God allows His people to rest in eternity.

CONCLUSION:

1. Our quality of rest in life varies.

2. Most have peace and tranquility but for some these are never found.

3. For a Christian, perfect peace is found in death.

4. We cannot cease to exist but we can peacefully exist in death.

5. Will our continued existence be with God?

6. Is that what we are striving for in our lives, this perfect rest?