April 30, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Revelation? Here’s today’s reading:
Revelation 6 (NIV)
The Seals
1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”...........Continue Reading
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On Rev. 6. The scroll, written on both sides, sealed with seven seals, Rev 5:1 perplexes me. I have been taught the writing describes the seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls. John sees, beholds, scenes unfolding. Seventh seal opened in Revelation 8. One would suspect some passage would say what the unsealed scroll read. Nothing. Curious. -gy
It is unfortunate that besides what Scripture actually points to, we are left to wonder what things mean in Revelation. It is an interesting connection to make that what unfolds in the events that follow are contained in the seals, trumpets and bowls and not necessarily what is on the scroll itself. But if what is contained in the seals of the scroll is that significant just imagine how significant is what is on the scroll. And it is unfortunate we are never told…..maybe it’s all the logistics of what needs to happen to accomplish what unfolds in the end…..
Revelation 6. The notable four horseman of the Apocalypse! I have heard it say, the first horseman was the antichrist, but I am not convinced this is correct. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd horsemen, first three seals, were not named. The 4th horseman is named Death, and Hell followed, Rev 6:8. While my human nature wants everything consistent, orderly, and logical, this isn’t the case. I receive verses 2-8 as truth. A conquerer, a killer with sharp sword, a horseman with “economic” balances, and Death. In the end, names are not necessary! Knowing what John beheld is enough. Terrible times ahead, perhaps the beginning of sorrows, Mt 24:8. “Surely, I come quickly “
The take-away I receive from Revelation 6 is, that a time of world upheaval is predicted with suffering and death, and Christians will die, 5th seal. I am encouraged, knowing that physical life is not all there is to reality; a spiritual world exists, just as real. Troubling, how do I convey Christ to unsaved souls that humanity is on the brink of the first seal opening? I believe one will come to conquer world nations, seeming by diplomacy. There will be one who also promotes anarchy, removes peace, compels men to kill each other. Not surprisingly, economic disturbances and upheaval prevail. Significant unbalance of available commodities between the “have and have nots.” Where there is political realignment, lack of peace, economic distress, death will naturally follow, and so Death comes. Unprecedented hunger, death, even by animals. I don’t sense from what I read, that these four visions are God-ordained, God-made tribulations, rather, events which God foretells will happen with men. (Example, God foretold the murder of Bethlehem’s babies, He did not direct/cause it; there is a difference.) Then the vision of the saints, querying God almighty, how much longer? And then the 6th seal, John sees earth up-ended, by the hand of God, men, nations, kings in panic, and they are in fear. Verse 17 is why, the day of great wrath is come. Jesus does not return to earth as a baby, but as KING of Kings, and LORD of Lords, as John stated, 1:7, 19:11-21. The world will not be happy when Jesus comes the second time, but His church will! Just my observations, and what I make of it. Peace to your home, -gy
Good to see you commenting Gordon. I assume this post is the one you intended to be posted and the first one was an initial attempt. I hope there weren’t issues with you posting….
Six seals are opened by the Lamb. The 1st seal = white horse and rider had a bow and a crown. He conquered as he went. The 2nd seal = red horse , power given to take peace from earth People would kill each other. rider had a great sword. The 3rd seal = black horse , rider had a pair of balances [ scales ] . to measure wheat and barley. to spare oil and wine. The forth seal = pale horse , name of rider is Death and Hell. Power given to destroy a forth part of the earth by sword, hunger, death, and beasts. The fifth seal = the souls of those that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony that they held for Christ. They were given white robes. They were told to rest a little while until their fellowservants and their brethren should be killed as they were . Apparently a certain number. The sixth seal = great earthquake, sun becomes black as sackcloth of hair, moon becomes as blood, the stars of heaven fall to the earth, the heaven is rolled away as a scrole when it is rolled together, every mountain and island are moved out of it`s places. Then people hid from the presence of God. There is much destruction to earth and the people on it. God is showing His greatness even through the heavens. He is showing His wrath and people who don`t know Him are hiding . Thank God we don`t have to hide from His presence. Well the Holy Spirit lives in us so that would be hard to do. Although we could grieve Him if we walked in sin. I believe that the believers will be raptured before the great tribulation and these events are during the great tribulation. So in verse 9–11 in the fifth seal these souls are ones that die during this time and God is waiting apparently for a number. I think because of the number they are the start of the 12 tribes of Israel. For in the very next chapter the 12 tribes of Israel are mentioned. In 7 ; 4 there are the 144 thousand and they are Jewish. 12,000 from each tribe.
Certainly each of these seals represents terrible things. Things that we could say are already part of life here on earth but certainly it also points to a much more severe point that is to come. To face these things without the promise we have in eternal life through faith and grace would be so hopeless and so I read them certainly not looking forward to things of this world getting any worse than we are already seeing but I stand confident in my salvation, in knowing that God stands with me and anything that happens here on earth is a temporary state before we get to spend eternity in the glory of the Lord.
Amen, Kelly!
Thanks, Pastor Pete, no problems accessing the blog. Good for me to follow the posts from others in Revelation. Like many, this isn’t my “first rodeo” studying the Apocalypse. But of all, the current study with Mike Defrancesco has opened my eyes to many erroneous teachings and personal misconceptions I considered truth for decades. I spare you all the details of my sordid confusions! Lol. WRT the scroll writing, it is enough to have John’s visions preserved. The visions are far more detailed than I should know; God gave it to us for understanding and encouragement. Will chime in as we walk through the chapters. Peace, -gy
Chapter 6. The four horseman of the apocalypse. Not sure who the white horse is. It would be premature to think it was Christ. Certainly as God is beginning to pour out his wrath on mankind. To follow red horse. War and blood. Black. Famine. Pale. Death. Under the alter martyrs that had been killed for their faith wondering how much longer. They are told more would join them as they would also die for their faith. Than the lord will avenge. Vs 15 all the leaders in the earth that were so cocky previous. Now full of fear as the entire earth sees the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the lamb. What a comforting verse. We will never fear the wrath of our savior. We are co- heirs with him. Nor do we fear these times. I will keep you from the hour of tribulation
Hey Mark, you are correct the white horse at this point is not Jesus.
Revelations 6
Much suffering and hardship come on the earth from the 4 horsemen. Economic, political and social upheaval is what is pictured here as so many things that the people of the world rely on is threatened or destroyed. Just imagine what people will do as these things unfold. I imagine many will turn to God and others will be hardened to Him. It is interesting to consider just who these saints are pictured under the 5th seal. Are they the martyrs from all human history, or just those who have suffered that fate under the 4 horseman as the antichrist rules and Christian are persecuted. Some also see in these horseman the suffering that man brings on man as opposed to the wrath of God that is so clearly expressed in the trumpets and the bowls. And thus believe that believers will be present for the 4 horsemen. Naturally, others believe the rapture will occur before this. But how responsive Jesus is to these martyrs to give them a reward but also caution them that others will need to die like they have before their blood is avenged. But their blood will be avenged, eventually. And what a conundrum exists for these unbelievers at the end of the chapter, unwilling or on some level unable by their darkened hearts to humble themselves before God, they also don’t want to face Him. He is just too glorious. Imagine it being better to have rocks fall on you….
They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” These times will be so destructive that people will hide themselves from the face of God. And this will include the mighty, wealthy, weak and poor. Now is the time to get strong in our relationship with the Lord so that we can stand strong in our faith and know that God is with us no matter what happens. We do this, as Pastor often says, through His Word, worship, prayer and fellowship.
The Lamb opens the seals releasing (allowing…activating?) the Horsemen to implement hardship on the people of earth, and the 5th seal we see the martyrs waiting.
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
There is a place for forgiveness, but it is also not wrong to appeal to God to avenge wrongs, especially bloodshed.