1. The First Six Seals: “The Beginning of Birth Pangs”
Revelation 6:1-17
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, by Viktor Vasnetsov (1887).

2. A Long Introduction
Chapter 6 initiates the breaking of the individual seals of the scroll by Christ. In a sense, the first 5 chapters have only served as an introduction to the remainder of the book.
Chapter 1 was John’s preparation to receive the information.
Chapters 2 and 3 provided moral preparation for the 7 churches in order to avoid the coming hour of trial.
Chapters 4 and 5 describe the throne room from which the dreaded punishments will proceed, including the seven-sealed scroll that contains these judgments.
Now, beginning in chapter 6, the revelation of these punishments actually begins.
John is getting an “advanced screening” in visional form of the judgments that will come just before the return of Christ.

3. The Structure of Daniel’s 70th Week (aka The Day of the Lord)
Rapture of the Church
Return of Christ
Abomination of Desolation
3.5 Years
3.5 Years
Not the first time John has heard this. He was part of the group that heard Christ give His discourse on the Mount of Olives, on Tuesday just before His crucifixion on Friday. Read Matthew 24:5-14 (Beginning of Birth Pangs).
Beginning of Birth Pangs
The Great Tribulation

4. The First Six Seals Peaceful Conquest Rev 6:1-2 Warfare Rev 6:3-4
Famine
Rev 6:5-6
Death to ¼ of the earth by sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts
Rev 6:7-8
Prayers for divine vengeance by the martyrs
Rev 6:9-11
Cosmic & terrestrial disorders
Rev 6:12-17
The Black Plague reduced the world population from an estimated 450 million to a number between 350 and 375 million in the 14th century. It took 150 years for Europe's population to recover. The plague reoccurred occasionally in Europe until the 19th century.

5. Comparison of the Olivet Discourse and the Seven-Sealed Scroll
“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many” (Matt 24:5).
“And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars” (Matt 24:6).
And I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him; and he went out conquering, and to conquer (Rev 6:2).
And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men should slay one another (Rev 6:4).

6. Comparison of the Olivet Discourse and the Seven-Sealed Scroll
“…in various places there will be famines…”
“…and earthquakes” (Matt 24:7).
“A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine” (Rev 6:6).
And I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake (Rev 6:12).

7. Next Week: The Slaves of God Rev 7:1-17
Read Rev 4 – 7