The Book of Revelation

Chapter 6

The Opening of the Sealed Book

Introduction: “The main action of the book of Revelation begins with chapter six. From this point on, the seals of the book of destiny are opened, the judgment period for the earth is depicted. Christ as the Lion-Lamb, who holds the title deed to the earth by right of creation and redemption, is about to take over. Chapters four and five are scenes in Heaven. Believers have been raptured and have received their crowns or rewards (Revelation 4:10). The giving of the crown belongs to that period after the rapture of the church (2 Timothy 4:8). After the redeemed have received their rewards, earth’s official Representative takes command. In Heaven, He has been acclaimed “worthy.” Now the earth must received Him, but first the righteous judgment of God must be meted out to the inhabitants of the earth who have rejected Him.

The judgment period takes place in 6:1 to 19:4, the judgment being executed in three series: the seals (6:1 to 8:5); the trumpets (8:6 to 15:8); the vials (16:1 to 19:21).”

The Book of Revelation by Lehman Strauss, p. 153

Seal #1 (vv. 1-2) – The Rider on the White Horse

1. This cannot be Christ

a. not named

b. crowns are different (Gk. Stepahanos not diadem)

c. weapon is a bow, not a sword

2. This rider is the Antichrist.

He is Satan’s man. Satan always has his counterfeit. Even though he rides a white horse, the people are under delusion (2 Thess. 2:11). He offers peace but his is a false peace.

Seal #2 (vv. 3-4) – The Rider on a Red Horse

1. He takes peace from the earth – WAR

2. 1 Thessalonians 5:3

3. Red – the color of communism

Seal #3 (vv. 5-6) – The Rider on a Black Horse

1. Holding scales to measure food – FAMINE

2. Famine usually follows war. Matthew 24:7

3. Black symbolizes famine. Lamentations 5:10

4. Measure – one day’s supply of food for one person

Penny – denariur - one day’s wages. Thus, there will be barely enough for one man divided among his family

5. Oil and Wine – the luxuries will be plenteous but the staples will be scarce.

Seal #4 (vv. 7-8) – The Rider on a Pale Horse

1. Death and Hell – “pale” actually pale green, the color of gangrene, dying flesh

2. Nothing that has happened on earth can compare to this. Ezekiel 14:21

Seal #5 (vv. 9-11) – The martyrs slain during the Tribulation.

1. They have believed but not as New Testament saints.

The Holy Spirit has been removed along with the church.

They believe as Old Testament saints.

2. They may be Jews, part of the 144,000.

3. We deal with others with grace during the age of grace. These martyrs, asking for vengeance, deal with others during the age of judgment.

Seal #6 (vv. 12-17) – Worldwide catastrophe and anarchy.

1. Comes as a result of the plea of the martyred saints.

2. Foretold by Christ. Luke 21:25-26, 30

3. God’s judgment is no respecter of persons.

4. The only rock of safety is Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:11