November 13, 2016
Evening Service

We began this study of Revelations planning on simply looking at the seven letters to the churches of Asia, but the Lord led us to continue.  In chapter 4 we were given a glimpse into the throne room of heaven.  The description John gave us certainly opened up our eyes to the majesty of the God we serve.  Chapter 5 revealed to us the Lamb of God (Jesus) is the only one worthy to open the scroll of what the future holds.  Jesus is spoken of as the Lamb of God having been the only perfect sacrifice, and also the Lion of the tribe of Judah that will now lead us to victory. 

Chapter 6 begins with Jesus opening the seals of the scroll that each reveal a judgement of God that is coming to the earth.  The seals are the first of 3 sets of 7 part judgements.  The others are the trumpets (Ch. 8-9) and the bowls (Ch. 16).  This sets in motion the beginning of the end for the world as we have known it.  The scroll as a whole reveals the depravity of mankind and the authority of God over the events of human history.

Revelation 6:1-2  And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures like a sound of thunder, saying, “Come and see.”  (2)  And I saw. And behold a white horse! And he sitting on it had a bow. And a crown was given to him, and he went forth conquering and to conquer.

·         This is the first of 4 horsemen that each brings a different judgement.  The imagery of 4 horses is also found in Zech. 6:1-8.

·         The first horse is white which usually represents victory, as it does later in chapter 19 with Jesus as the rider.  This, however, is not believed to be Him.  It is thought that this white horse and rider actually represent the anti-Christ as he often mimics or imitates Christ in his actions.  He does not begin any war, but threaten it as he carries a bow but there is no mention of an arrow.  It is much like what we refer to now as the “cold war.” Jesus also prophesied of this in Matthew 24 which parallels this scripture very closely.

 Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must occur; but the end is not yet.

 

Revelation 6:4  And another, a red horse, went out. And power was given to him sitting on it, to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. And there was given to him a great sword.

·         This red horse stands for time of warfare and bloodshed.  The sword could represent much hand to hand fighting from the invasions of nations.  The world again has gone to war for no given reason.

 

Revelation 6:5-6 And when He had opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” And I looked, and saw a black horse. And he sitting on it had a balance in his hand.  (6) And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures say, “A loaf of bread for a day’s pay, and three loaves of barley for a day’s pay. And do not waste the olive oil and the wine.”

·         The black horseman brings a famine to the whole world as the prices of even common food items are highly inflated.  This has historically often followed a period of war all resources are used to aid victory.

 

Revelation 6:7-8  And when He had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come and see.”  (8)  And I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him sitting on it was Death, and Hell followed with him. And authority was given to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword and with hunger and with death and by the beasts of the earth.

·         The pale horse represents death.  Death comes from a variety of ways; by the sword (casualties of war), hunger (starvation), and death (diseases), and by the beasts of the earth.  A quarter of the world’s population is lost.  Each of these can be easily visualized after a time of war and famine.

·         Though we can see these all being caused by man’s own depravity, lust and greed; God uses these factors to bring about His will and judgements.

 

Revelation 6:9-11 And when He had 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, “Until when, Master, holy and true, do You not judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”  (11)  And white robes were given to each one of them. And it was said to them that they should rest yet for a little time, until both their fellow servants and their brothers (those about to be killed as they were) should have their number made complete.

·         Here we see the first of the martyrs of the tribulation period.  This is also prophesied by Jesus in Matthew 24.

Matthew 24:9 Then they will deliver you up to be afflicted and will kill you. And you will be hated of all nations for My name's sake.

·         These martyrs cry out to the Lord for justice to be done, but they are told to wait because there are more yet that will have to give their lives for the faith.  They are, however honored greatly by being given a white robe of righteousness.  Their suffering is over and their reward is sealed forever.

 

Revelation 6:12-14 And when He had opened the sixth seal, I looked, 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, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs when she is shaken by a mighty wind.  (14)  And the heaven departed like a scroll when it is rolled together. And every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

·         The sixth seal switches the scene back to the physical earth and is a universal judgement as the entire earth is affected.  Natural disasters all strike at one time even changing the very appearance of this world that we know.  The sun, moon, stars and shaken and the earth is rocked as never before.  God here uses His power over nature to fulfill His will.  We now see the reaction of mankind.

 

 

 

Revelation 6:15-17 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains.  (16)  And they said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him sitting on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; (17) for the great day of His wrath has come, and who will be able to stand?

·         All mankind recognize the significance of this day.  It is the wrath of God coming upon a people who did not accept His gift of salvation that was offered to “whosoever will.”  They cry out to be crushed by the rocks rather than to live and see what lies ahead.  Christ followers will have not have such a reaction as they will welcome His coming as the one true Savior.

 

What do we learn about God?

·         He has in His plans a time of judgement for this world and those who have rejected Him as Lord and Savior.

·         He will use both His mighty power over nature as well as the greed and depravity of men to fulfill His judgments.

·         He will give special honor to those who are martyred for their faith in Him.

 

What do I learn about myself?

·         It would be very wise to take my personal walk with the Lord very seriously.

·         I need to be in prayer and busy about spreading the Good News of Christ to this world.

·         I need not be afraid of the wrath of God as I am His child and will overcome in the end.

 

Heavenly Father thank you for Your wonderful plan of salvation and please give us opportunities and the courage to share it with others.