Chapter 6 The Seals are Broken Background information (in notes) There are three sets of judgments in the book of Revelation Seven Seals (chapters 6 and 8) Seven Trumpets (8:6-11:19) Seven Bowls (16:1-21) All three sets divided into two groups Four in the first – three in the second 24 Elders and 4 Living Creatures – vs. 8 Huge Choir of Angels – vs. 11 “Every” Creature – vs. 13

Parallel Prophecy found in Zechariah 6:1-8 Four sets of horses pulling chariots Red – Black – White – Grizzled and Bay In Zechariah colors don’t appear to be as significant as in Revelation – patrolling the earth rather than destroying it The first four seals are commonly known as the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”

Jesus’ Eschatological Discourse Luke 21, Mark 13 and Matthew 24 1.Nations will rise against nations (War) 2.Great Earthquakes 3.Famines and Pestilences 4.Fearful events and great signs from heaven 5.Persecution 6.Cosmic Disturbances Each of these appear as the seven seals are opened.

Seal # 1 The ________ horse White conquest The horse of ______________ Many possible interpretations 1. _______________________ 2. _______________________ Jesus Satan Compare to Revelation 19:11ff – the passage the Jesus interpretation is based on.

a) Both ride on white horses b) 6:2 wears a crown / 19:12 wears many crowns (see 4:10) c) 6:2 given a bow / 19:11 has a sharp sword coming from his mouth (1:16) d) 6:2 goes out to conquer / 19:11 rides out to administer justice and wage war and in 19:19 rulers gather to fight this this rider and His followers

e) 19:11ff gives a much more complete description of Christ His Names Faithful and True (3:14) Word of God (John 1:1) King of Kings and Lord of Lords Eyes of blazing fire (1:14) Dressed in a robe dipped in blood

Phrase : “was given power” Used in Revelation to indicate: divine permission granted to the forces of evil to do their deeds. All this leads to the conclusion that Satan is the best interpretation of the rider on the white horse, not Jesus Christ.

Who/what is Satan conquering? ____________________________ The saints of God Eschatological discourse: ____________________________ Wars and persecution

Seal # 2 The ________ horse Red war The horse of ____________ “Was given power to…” 1. _______________________ 2. _______________________ war make people kill each other Eschatological discourse: __________________________ take peace from the earth

Seal # 3 The ________ horse Black famine and want The horse of __________________ Food prices 10 times normal Staples effected but delicacies abundant Compare to Leviticus 26:23-26 famine Eschatological discourse: __________________________

Seal # 4 The ________ horse Hades death The horse of __________________ Followed by _________________ “Given power to kill one-fourth of world’s population” Note similarity to Ezekiel 14:21 Famine and war Eschatological discourse: __________________________ Pale

Seal # 5 The lament of the ________ heaven The scene shifts back to __________ John saw __________ of those who had been slain because of their faith persecution Eschatological discourse: __________________________ Martyrs’ the souls Given white robes and told to wait until their full number had been killed

Seal # 6 __Earthquakes and cosmic disturbances____ Notice the things that are predicted: 1. Sun turned black 2. Moon turned blood red 3. Stars fell to earth 4. Heavens (sky) receded like a scroll 5. Mountains and Islands move

Mankind’s reaction: _Hide and Pray to die because they know they cannot stand in face of God’s wrath. Seven groups who will not repent (vs. 15) 1. Kings of the earth 2. The Princes 3. The generals 4. The mighty 5. The rich 6. The slaves 7. The free (everyone not serving God)

Eschatological discourse: __________________________ Earthquakes, cosmic disturbances