The Book of Revelation: Chapter 6

Scripture References:

• Revelation 6:1-17 - The opening of the first six seals and the four horsemen
• Matthew 5:13-14 - Jesus describes the church as salt and light
• Zechariah 1:8-10 - Vision of horsemen patrolling the earth
• Zechariah 6:2-3 - Vision of four chariots with different colored horses
• Daniel 8:23-25 - Prophecy of the future king with fierce features
• Daniel 9:26-27 - Prophecy of the prince who will make a covenant
• John 5:43 - Jesus speaks of one coming in his own name
• Matthew 24:9-10 - Jesus warns of persecution and betrayal in the end times
• Joel 2:31 - The sun turned to darkness and moon to blood
• Joel 3:14-16 - Multitudes in the valley of decision
• Revelation 20:4 - Vision of those beheaded for their testimony
• Revelation 19 - Jesus wearing the crown of a king (diadema)

As we transition from the glorious worship scenes of Revelation chapters 4 and 5 into chapter 6, the tone of John's revelation takes a dramatic turn. The praise and worship around the throne gives way to judgment and tribulation as the Lamb begins to open the seals of the scroll. This shift serves not to frighten believers, but to prepare us and motivate us to share the gospel with urgency.

The Stage is Set: A World Without Salt and Light

Before examining the four horsemen, we must understand what happens when the church is removed from the earth through the rapture. Jesus described the church as both salt and light in Matthew 5. Salt preserves and prevents decay, while light dispels darkness and provides guidance. When the church is taken up, the preserving influence of salt and the illuminating power of light will be removed from the world.

The result will be unprecedented moral decay and spiritual darkness. If the world seems chaotic now with the church still present, imagine the condition when God's restraining influence through His people is completely withdrawn. This sets the stage for the catastrophic events that follow.

Understanding the Three Series of Judgments

Throughout Revelation, we encounter three distinct series of seven judgments each:

• The Seal Judgments (Chapter 6)
• The Trumpet Judgments (Chapters 8-9)
• The Bowl Judgments (Chapter 16)

These judgments are interconnected, with each seventh judgment opening the next series. Just when the world thinks the worst may be over, the next wave of more severe judgments begins.

The Four Horsemen Revealed

The first four seals reveal what have become known as the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." These are not the first horsemen mentioned in Scripture; the prophet Zechariah saw similar riders whose job was to patrol the earth and report back to God's throne. Now their mission has changed: they are sent from the throne to execute judgment upon the earth.

The First Seal: The White Horse (Verses 1-2)

The rider on the white horse represents the Antichrist and his kingdom. This is not Jesus Christ, despite the white horse and crown. Several key details help us identify this rider correctly:

The Bow Without Arrows: The rider carries a bow but no arrows are mentioned. This indicates conquest through politics and diplomacy rather than warfare, at least initially. The Antichrist will begin his career as a peacemaker.

The Crown: The Greek word used here is "stephanos" (victor's crown), not "diadema" (royal crown) which is used for Christ in Revelation 19. This shows the Antichrist as a conqueror, not a legitimate king.

Satan's Counterfeit: Remember that Satan always provides counterfeits for what God offers. The Antichrist will be Satan's great imitation of Christ, appearing as an angel of light to deceive many.

The chaos following the rapture will create the perfect opportunity for this charismatic leader to emerge with solutions and promises of peace. Daniel prophesied that this prince would make a covenant with Israel, appearing as her protector.

The Second Seal: The Red Horse (Verses 3-4)

The red horse symbolizes the removal of peace from the earth. This goes beyond international warfare to include:

• Civil unrest and division
• Assassinations and violence
• The breakdown of law and order
• Hatred even among families and neighbors

Without the Prince of Peace and the restraining influence of the church, the natural hatred in human hearts will be unleashed on a scale never before witnessed.

The Third Seal: The Black Horse (Verses 5-6)

The black horse represents famine and economic collapse. War naturally leads to food shortages as:

• Supply chains are disrupted
• Agricultural workers are killed or displaced
• Resources are diverted to conflict

The voice announces that a day's wages will buy only enough food for one person to survive one day. This represents hyperinflation and government rationing. Meanwhile, luxury items like oil and wine remain available to the wealthy, showing the stark inequality that will exist.

The Fourth Seal: The Pale Horse (Verses 7-8)

This seal introduces two riders: Death and Hades. Death claims the body while Hades takes the soul. Together, they will kill one-fourth of the earth's population through:

• Violence and warfare
• Famine and starvation
• Pestilence and disease
• Wild animals seeking alternative food sources

To put this in perspective: with today's global population of approximately 8 billion people, this would mean 2 billion deaths - a catastrophe that dwarfs any disaster in human history.

The Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs (Verses 9-11)

The fifth seal shifts focus from the death of unbelievers to the persecution of those who come to faith during the tribulation. These "tribulation saints," people who accept Christ after the rapture, will face intense persecution and martyrdom.

These souls are seen "under the altar," symbolizing lives given sacrificially for God's glory. Unlike the raptured church that received glorified bodies, these martyrs must wait for their resurrection. They cry out for justice, but God's response reveals His incredible mercy: He delays final judgment not to make the wicked suffer longer, but to allow more time for sinners to repent and turn to Him.

The Sixth Seal: Cosmic Catastrophe (Verses 12-17)

The sixth seal unleashes cosmic and geological disasters:

• A great earthquake affecting the entire planet
• The sun darkened and moon turned blood-red
• Stars falling to earth (likely meteors)
• The sky rolling up like a scroll
• Mountains and islands moved from their places

These events were prophesied by Joel centuries before John's vision. The description of the sky rolling up like a scroll may indicate nuclear explosions creating vacuum effects in the atmosphere.

Remarkably, instead of repenting, people from every level of society, from kings to slaves, try to hide from God rather than turn to Him. They recognize that divine judgment is falling but choose to pray to rocks rather than the Rock of Ages.

A Message of Urgency and Hope

These chapters are difficult to read because they describe real events that real people will experience - potentially including our loved ones, coworkers, and neighbors who don't yet know Christ. The purpose is not to frighten us but to:

1. Create urgency in sharing the gospel
2. Remind us of God's mercy even in judgment
3. Motivate faithful service while we await Christ's return
4. Provide hope that believers will be spared this wrath

As we study these sobering truths, let us be compelled to action. Now is the acceptable time for salvation. Those we know and love don't have to experience these judgments if they turn to Christ today.

The same God who will pour out righteous judgment on sin is the God who provided a way of escape through His Son. May these chapters motivate us to greater faithfulness in sharing this hope while there is still time.

Remember: we don't study prophecy to satisfy curiosity about the future, but to live differently in the present. The question isn't just "Are you ready?" but "Who are you helping get ready?"

All for Him,

Pastor Dustin