January 15, 2023

Seven Seals #

Revelation 6:1-2

Introduction

Let's go back, just for a moment, and refresh where we have been. Revelation 1

Rev. 1:1 ¶ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Rev. 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Through Chapter 1, 2 and 3, there are messages to the 7 churches. We went through all those messages.

Rev. 4:1 ¶ After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

That is the rapture, when the saved are pulled out of here!

1Th. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Chapters 4 and 5 describe a scene of complete Worship of Jesus Christ! Chapter 4 Jesus is worshipped because He is the Creator! In Chapter 5 Jesus is Worshiped because He is the Lamb, and Lion! These two chapters unfold in heaven, not on earth.

This book that was holden by God, was sealed with seven seals

Rev. 5:1 ¶ And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

These seven seals are the Great tribulation and judgement that is poured out on the earth. They are given as an overview here.

Take note, that this judgement, is ultimately unleashed by Jesus Christ himself. No horse, no rider, no blood shed is allowed save that God himself allows it to take place. (The devil is subject to God!)

I. Seal #1 - White horse (Rev 6:1-2) #

This white horse, is not to be confused with the white horse in Revelation 19:11

Rev. 19:11 ¶ And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

This white horse is the anti-Christ.

A. Antichrist #

He will come, as the saviour of the world, in a time of crisis, when thousands, or millions of people have been raptured out of the world!
It is likely the governments will unite.

B. White #

The devil is a great imitator. white speaks of truth, peace... with which great control taken.

C. Bow - no mention of arrows, probably victory is gained by smooth speech. #

D. Crown - a crown, it was given to him, and allowed by God. #

E. Conquer - with words, uniting. #

II. Seal #2 - Red Horse (Rev 6:3-4) #

Red, as in raging war, fierce bloodshed

A. Power granted "power was given to him" #

B. Provoking war "take peace from the earth,...kill one another" #

There will be those who rebel against the peace, and world unity that is setup.

C. Great Sword #

This sword is not the same as the Word of God referred to in Rev 19:15

Rev. 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

D. Great destruction of themselves! #

III. Seal #3 - Black Horse (Rev 6:5-6) #

Black is often thought of in famines, as bad times.

A. Balances #

WE know little of balances today, but in Bible times, they were used to measure fair market value, and even money.
Obviously war hinders farming, industry and commerce. The result, famine!
With great poverty, finances fail!

Gen. 47:15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.

B. Penny #

The penny is not the same as our penny, and certainly had a different value.

Matt. 20:2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

A days wage, for a days worth of food! - Imagine if all you could purchase, was enough food, nothing else! No gasoline, no house payment, no electric, no cell phone bill...

C. Oil & wine - the poor will get poorer, the rich, will be richer. #

IV. Seal #4 - Pale Horse (Rev 6:7-8) #

Pale often accompanied with disease, fear

A. Death & hell - death is always followed by hell #

A horrific time of extremely widespread death!

B. 1/4 part of earth! 8 billion*1/4 = 2 Billion people #

sword, hunger, death, beasts