Revelation Chapter 6:
Revelation Chapters 4 and 5 reveal the heavenly scene immediately following the rapture. Chapter 6 relates what will happen on the earth following the rapture. Some have asked how long a period of time will there be between the rapture and the time these judgments will begin to fall. While we cannot say with certainty, I believe the examples Jesus gave us concerning the judgment in Noah’s and Lot’s generation are indications that the judgment of the tribulation period will follow soon after Jesus’ coming for the rapture. See Matthew 24: 37-39 and Luke 17:26-30.
The opening of the seals of the book which contains the title deed to the world begins the judicial proceeding of our Redeemer to cast out the rulers of the darkness of this world, and bring in Jesus’ kingdom of righteousness. This is the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, of which he wrote in Daniel 9:27. Because the Lamb was the perfect Sacrifice for sin, therefore He is worthy to begin these judgments on the rejecting world. Note who assists the Lamb in this judging—one of the four living creatures, or some of the overcomers of the church who are in heaven at this time. See 1 Corinthians 6:2.
The noise of thunder is an indication that a storm of judgment is coming. The words “and see” in verses 1, 3, 5 and 7 are in italics. This tells us that they are not in the original translation of the Bible and in this place they would be better omitted, since the word “come” is a calling forth of the four horsemen to begin their evil work. In answer to this call to come of the first living creature, a white horse appears with his rider going forth to conquer. He has a bow in his hand, but no arrow, which indicates that his conquering will be by diplomacy rather than by warfare. Daniel 8:25 tells us that the anti-Christ, along with the false prophet, will destroy many by “peace,” which is what the white horse signifies. However, this is a false peace because it will last but a short while and will only bring a false sense of security to the people.
Israel became a nation again in 1948, but only hours after the papers were signed, war began, and there has been very little time since then that they have not had war in their land. Therefore Israel, along with all the nations in the world, is desperately looking for a solution to the problem of peace. If someone came up with that solution, the whole world would follow after that man. And that is just what will occur when the anti-Christ comes on the scene. This is when he will make a covenant with Israel at the beginning of the seven years’ tribulation, according to Daniel 9:27. Then he will break that covenant at the middle of the week of tribulation.
Notice that John saw a crown being given to the anti-Christ at this time. I believe this indicates that he will not be known as a great ruler until after the rapture. That is why Daniel saw him as a “little horn” in Daniel 7: 8. But he will certainly gain prominence as the seven years progress.
This first seal does not appear at first glance to be one of judgment because it brings a desired peace. But this peace does not come from God, so it only brings a false security; a great deception. Jesus warned of this in Matthew 24:4.
Next, another of the living creatures calls for the second horse to come and a red horse appears which indicates bloodshed. Power “was given” to the rider of this horse to bring war on the earth. It will be true at that time, as it was at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion when Jesus told Pilate, “Thou couldest have no power at all against Me except it were given thee from above.” It will seem that the anti-Christ and his followers, guided by Satan himself, will be doing just what they desire; but God is still in control and they can only do what He allows. However, at this time God will allow great destruction to come on the earth by warfare. In 1 Thessalonians 5:3 we read, “When they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape.” This could very likely be the warfare that is described in Ezekiel 38-39 when Russia and her allies will come against Israel. Ezekiel 38:11 describes a people who have let down their guard and are at rest (note vs. 15-16). But God Himself will fight for Israel at that time, leaving only 1/6 of Russia’s army. However, this war will be wide-spread, affecting the whole earth, according to Revelation 6:4. This will begin a time of tribulation this world has never before known!
Then the third seal is opened and another of God’s saints calls for the black horse to appear. Famine always follows war, and this is no doubt what the black horse represents. Note Lamentations 4:8-9. The balances show that food will be rationed, allowing only a “measure” or a little over l½ pints of wheat and three measures of barley for a “penny.” In Jesus’ parable of Matthew 20, a penny was the wage given for a day’s work. This might be enough for one person to subsist on, but not for a family! However, the oil and wine were not to be hurt. A sign of the end-times is much eating and drinking (partying). Now God has produced a famine of wholesome food, but allowed the luxury of oil and wine, of which the people will soon grow tired. (Proverbs 21: 17) Another thought here is that oil and wine were used for medicinal purposes, and God in His mercy allows them to be in abundance.
Next the fourth seal will be opened, bringing forth the last of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. This horse is a pale green or leprous color, representing death. In fact, the name of him that sits on this horse is “Death,” with “Hell” (or Hades) following. This death will come by warfare, famine, disease, and even from ferocious animals who no doubt seek people as prey because of the great famine. This death will continue until one-fourth of the earth’s population has been killed. There are approximately six billion people in the world today, so during this time, approximately l½ billion will die! That is beyond our comprehension. To illustrate the enormity of this number, one writer has given the example of counting: beginning with the number one and counting one number per second, it would take approximately 32 years to count to one billion! So can you imagine l½ billion people dying in a short period of time—from a few months to perhaps one year? In contrast, during World War II, which was a terrible time of slaughter, there were about fifty million killed. That was supposed to be a war to end all wars, according to many.
One important distinction about this 4th horse is that it is said Hell, or Hades, followed with death. Hades is a place of torment and the place of waiting for the spirits of the unsaved. But the lake of fire is a different place and will be their eternal destiny. Therefore, since Death and Hell are seen together, I believe this judgment will come on unbelievers only. Remember that God brought different judgments on Egypt during Moses’ lifetime, and some of these fell on the Egyptians only, sparing the Israelites (Exodus 8-9). We have this same distinction made here. But contrast this with the opening of the next seal which brings judgment on the believers only.
The living creatures are not involved in calling forth this judgment, showing that God does not order what is to follow. Even though He allows it to occur, this judgment is the result of men’s anger. Many believers will be martyred at this time because of their testimony of Jesus. As soon as they are killed, their souls will go immediately to heaven, and their bodies will be raised at a later time. Under the altar was the place where the blood of the burnt offerings was poured, so the presence of these souls there shows completion of sacrifice. They gave their lives for Jesus and now wait and rest until they will be reunited with their bodies. They call for vengeance for “them that dwell on the earth,” indicating that their tormentors are still alive on the earth. This is not speaking of martyrs of years past. This also shows that the doctrine of “soul-sleeping” is not correct. As soon as our bodies die, our souls are in heaven with the Lord.
A holy God demands vengeance for this sin. Contrast this with Acts 7:60 where the martyr Stephen, prayed for mercy for those who were killing him. This is an age of grace and his prayer was correct, but the age of grace will be over during the time of tribulation. Note Psalms 94. White robes of righteousness are given these martyrs, and they are told to “rest yet for a little season” until others like them also would be killed. I believe these martyrs are a part of that “great multitude” which we will study in chapter seven.
Then the sixth seal is opened. These seals follow one after the other, with probably very little time in between. Whereas the first five seals will come from the hand of man, this seal brings judgment directly from God. Thus no one has an excuse for not believing Him and turning to Him for mercy. This seal is no doubt the answer to the cry of the souls under the altar for vengeance for the blood of the martyrs. What a terrible time this will be for those dwelling on the earth! Imagine an earthquake so great that the sun becomes black, the moon becomes as red as blood, the stars of heaven fall to the earth in great numbers, and the heavens “depart as a scroll when it is rolled together!”
Isaiah 34:4 tells us, “The heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll and all the host shall fall down as the leaf falls off from the vine and as a falling fig from the fig tree.” This upheaval shall cause every mountain and island to be moved out of its place. Can you imagine the fear these events will bring to the hearts of the people? Verses 15-17 tell us that the world rulers and leaders, the rich and the poor—all alike will attempt to hide themselves in order to escape God’s wrath. They realize and acknowledge this judgment as the wrath of the Lamb, but they are not willing to receive Him as their Savior and repent of their sins. How sad!
These are only the beginning of the judgments that will soon follow with the opening of the seventh seal. “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of FAITH and LOVE, and for a helmet the HOPE of salvation, for God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9, (Emphasis mine) God has not appointed His people unto wrath, so let us be awake and watchful for His coming and thus not be on the earth when these things come to pass, but be in heaven with our Redeemer.
The opening of the seals of the book which contains the title deed to the world begins the judicial proceeding of our Redeemer to cast out the rulers of the darkness of this world, and bring in Jesus’ kingdom of righteousness. This is the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, of which he wrote in Daniel 9:27. Because the Lamb was the perfect Sacrifice for sin, therefore He is worthy to begin these judgments on the rejecting world. Note who assists the Lamb in this judging—one of the four living creatures, or some of the overcomers of the church who are in heaven at this time. See 1 Corinthians 6:2.
The noise of thunder is an indication that a storm of judgment is coming. The words “and see” in verses 1, 3, 5 and 7 are in italics. This tells us that they are not in the original translation of the Bible and in this place they would be better omitted, since the word “come” is a calling forth of the four horsemen to begin their evil work. In answer to this call to come of the first living creature, a white horse appears with his rider going forth to conquer. He has a bow in his hand, but no arrow, which indicates that his conquering will be by diplomacy rather than by warfare. Daniel 8:25 tells us that the anti-Christ, along with the false prophet, will destroy many by “peace,” which is what the white horse signifies. However, this is a false peace because it will last but a short while and will only bring a false sense of security to the people.
Israel became a nation again in 1948, but only hours after the papers were signed, war began, and there has been very little time since then that they have not had war in their land. Therefore Israel, along with all the nations in the world, is desperately looking for a solution to the problem of peace. If someone came up with that solution, the whole world would follow after that man. And that is just what will occur when the anti-Christ comes on the scene. This is when he will make a covenant with Israel at the beginning of the seven years’ tribulation, according to Daniel 9:27. Then he will break that covenant at the middle of the week of tribulation.
Notice that John saw a crown being given to the anti-Christ at this time. I believe this indicates that he will not be known as a great ruler until after the rapture. That is why Daniel saw him as a “little horn” in Daniel 7: 8. But he will certainly gain prominence as the seven years progress.
This first seal does not appear at first glance to be one of judgment because it brings a desired peace. But this peace does not come from God, so it only brings a false security; a great deception. Jesus warned of this in Matthew 24:4.
Next, another of the living creatures calls for the second horse to come and a red horse appears which indicates bloodshed. Power “was given” to the rider of this horse to bring war on the earth. It will be true at that time, as it was at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion when Jesus told Pilate, “Thou couldest have no power at all against Me except it were given thee from above.” It will seem that the anti-Christ and his followers, guided by Satan himself, will be doing just what they desire; but God is still in control and they can only do what He allows. However, at this time God will allow great destruction to come on the earth by warfare. In 1 Thessalonians 5:3 we read, “When they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape.” This could very likely be the warfare that is described in Ezekiel 38-39 when Russia and her allies will come against Israel. Ezekiel 38:11 describes a people who have let down their guard and are at rest (note vs. 15-16). But God Himself will fight for Israel at that time, leaving only 1/6 of Russia’s army. However, this war will be wide-spread, affecting the whole earth, according to Revelation 6:4. This will begin a time of tribulation this world has never before known!
Then the third seal is opened and another of God’s saints calls for the black horse to appear. Famine always follows war, and this is no doubt what the black horse represents. Note Lamentations 4:8-9. The balances show that food will be rationed, allowing only a “measure” or a little over l½ pints of wheat and three measures of barley for a “penny.” In Jesus’ parable of Matthew 20, a penny was the wage given for a day’s work. This might be enough for one person to subsist on, but not for a family! However, the oil and wine were not to be hurt. A sign of the end-times is much eating and drinking (partying). Now God has produced a famine of wholesome food, but allowed the luxury of oil and wine, of which the people will soon grow tired. (Proverbs 21: 17) Another thought here is that oil and wine were used for medicinal purposes, and God in His mercy allows them to be in abundance.
Next the fourth seal will be opened, bringing forth the last of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. This horse is a pale green or leprous color, representing death. In fact, the name of him that sits on this horse is “Death,” with “Hell” (or Hades) following. This death will come by warfare, famine, disease, and even from ferocious animals who no doubt seek people as prey because of the great famine. This death will continue until one-fourth of the earth’s population has been killed. There are approximately six billion people in the world today, so during this time, approximately l½ billion will die! That is beyond our comprehension. To illustrate the enormity of this number, one writer has given the example of counting: beginning with the number one and counting one number per second, it would take approximately 32 years to count to one billion! So can you imagine l½ billion people dying in a short period of time—from a few months to perhaps one year? In contrast, during World War II, which was a terrible time of slaughter, there were about fifty million killed. That was supposed to be a war to end all wars, according to many.
One important distinction about this 4th horse is that it is said Hell, or Hades, followed with death. Hades is a place of torment and the place of waiting for the spirits of the unsaved. But the lake of fire is a different place and will be their eternal destiny. Therefore, since Death and Hell are seen together, I believe this judgment will come on unbelievers only. Remember that God brought different judgments on Egypt during Moses’ lifetime, and some of these fell on the Egyptians only, sparing the Israelites (Exodus 8-9). We have this same distinction made here. But contrast this with the opening of the next seal which brings judgment on the believers only.
The living creatures are not involved in calling forth this judgment, showing that God does not order what is to follow. Even though He allows it to occur, this judgment is the result of men’s anger. Many believers will be martyred at this time because of their testimony of Jesus. As soon as they are killed, their souls will go immediately to heaven, and their bodies will be raised at a later time. Under the altar was the place where the blood of the burnt offerings was poured, so the presence of these souls there shows completion of sacrifice. They gave their lives for Jesus and now wait and rest until they will be reunited with their bodies. They call for vengeance for “them that dwell on the earth,” indicating that their tormentors are still alive on the earth. This is not speaking of martyrs of years past. This also shows that the doctrine of “soul-sleeping” is not correct. As soon as our bodies die, our souls are in heaven with the Lord.
A holy God demands vengeance for this sin. Contrast this with Acts 7:60 where the martyr Stephen, prayed for mercy for those who were killing him. This is an age of grace and his prayer was correct, but the age of grace will be over during the time of tribulation. Note Psalms 94. White robes of righteousness are given these martyrs, and they are told to “rest yet for a little season” until others like them also would be killed. I believe these martyrs are a part of that “great multitude” which we will study in chapter seven.
Then the sixth seal is opened. These seals follow one after the other, with probably very little time in between. Whereas the first five seals will come from the hand of man, this seal brings judgment directly from God. Thus no one has an excuse for not believing Him and turning to Him for mercy. This seal is no doubt the answer to the cry of the souls under the altar for vengeance for the blood of the martyrs. What a terrible time this will be for those dwelling on the earth! Imagine an earthquake so great that the sun becomes black, the moon becomes as red as blood, the stars of heaven fall to the earth in great numbers, and the heavens “depart as a scroll when it is rolled together!”
Isaiah 34:4 tells us, “The heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll and all the host shall fall down as the leaf falls off from the vine and as a falling fig from the fig tree.” This upheaval shall cause every mountain and island to be moved out of its place. Can you imagine the fear these events will bring to the hearts of the people? Verses 15-17 tell us that the world rulers and leaders, the rich and the poor—all alike will attempt to hide themselves in order to escape God’s wrath. They realize and acknowledge this judgment as the wrath of the Lamb, but they are not willing to receive Him as their Savior and repent of their sins. How sad!
These are only the beginning of the judgments that will soon follow with the opening of the seventh seal. “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of FAITH and LOVE, and for a helmet the HOPE of salvation, for God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9, (Emphasis mine) God has not appointed His people unto wrath, so let us be awake and watchful for His coming and thus not be on the earth when these things come to pass, but be in heaven with our Redeemer.