 The Seven-Sealed Scroll ◦ The scroll is given ◦ No one worthy is found  The Opener of the Scroll ◦ Jesus is presented to open the scroll ◦ He alone is worthy  Worthiness ◦ Increasing scope of worship to Jesus  Companion to chapter 4

 Seals ◦ Ownership, authenticity ◦ Authority/worthiness ◦ Eph 1:13, II Cor. 1:22  Apocalyptic Language ◦ Thunder, lightning ◦ Earthquakes, floods ◦ Judgment  God is in control

 The “four horsemen” (6:1-8) ◦ The first seal ◦ The second seal ◦ The third seal ◦ The fourth seal  The fifth seal (6:9-11) ◦ The cries of the saints  The sixth seal (12-17) ◦ Wrath of the Lamb

 A Voice like Thunder ◦ Only one of the four ◦ Refers to judgment  A White Horse ◦ Purity (ref. 19:11)  A Conqueror (Rom. 8:37) ◦ Given a crown—victory!  Sounds like Jesus ◦ A reference to Parthian soldiers?

 A “Fiery” Red Horse ◦ Symbolizing war ◦ Common for this time  Given Power ◦ From God ◦ For God’s purposes  Takes away Peace ◦ People killing each other  This would affect God’s people

 A Rider with Scales ◦ To weigh, balance ◦ Apparently food  Likely economic hardship ◦ Ref Eze. 4:10, ◦ Siege of Jerusalem ◦ A day’s wages for food  However, not total famine ◦ Still food to be measured

 “Pale” Horse ◦ Green-yellow ◦ Color of disease  Death and Hades ◦ Defeated, but given power  Four Judgments ◦ Compare Eze. 14:12-23 ◦ Possibly the last three horses  “One fourth” meaning a fraction

 Persecution of the Saints ◦ For the Word of God ◦ For their testimony  John 12:17, 14:12, 19:10  “How long?” ◦ Revenge? (II Tim. 4:14) ◦ Can we relate?  Wait a little longer ◦ A plan to fulfill (Isa. 33:1, Dan. 11:36b, 45)

 Apocalyptic Events ◦ Earthquake ◦ Black sun, red moon ◦ Stars falling ◦ Sky receding ◦ Mountains removed  Why? ◦ Wrath of the Lamb (v. 16) ◦ Not the final judgment ◦ “Day of the Lord” (Isa. 13:9,

 Old Testament Similarities ◦ Exodus 10:21-23—darkness over Egypt ◦ Jeremiah 4:23-25—mountains of Judah ◦ Isaiah 34:4-6—receding of heavens of Edom  None refer to final judgments ◦ Isaiah 13:6-13, 17-22—judgment on Babylon ◦ Isaiah 34—judgment on Edom ◦ Mark 13:24-25—judgment on Jerusalem  “World” is used relatively ◦ II Pet. 2:5, Isaiah 13:1, 11

 Six Seals ◦ Authorized by God ◦ Opened by Jesus  Coming Judgment ◦ Upon the enemies of God ◦ End of their “world” is coming  God’s People Avenged ◦ A purpose to fulfill ◦ The time is at hand