1. Chapter Six THE REVELATION

2. REVELATION 6: JESUS OPENS THE FIRST SIX SEALS Verse 1 only the Lamb is worthy to open the seals. four living creatures = executors of God’s judgment thunder = judgment

3. REVELATION 6: JESUS OPENS THE FIRST SIX SEALS Verse 2 Christ (19:11) opens the whole affair so it doesn’t matter what follows. white horse = victory, heavenly mission crown = victory conquering (cf. Romans 8:37) (i.e. the going forth of Christ in the gospel)

4. REVELATION 6: JESUS OPENS THE FIRST SIX SEALS Verses 3-4 the persecution of the saints from the conflict with the world fiery red = war, bloodshed

5. REVELATION 6: JESUS OPENS THE FIRST SIX SEALS Verses 5-6 famine and economic hardship black horse = evil scales = to weigh food (cf. Eze. 4:10, 16) denarius = a day’s wages not harm oil and wine = famine not extreme Discrimination in labor and business added to the suffering of God’s people.

6. REVELATION 6: JESUS OPENS THE FIRST SIX SEALS Verses 7-8 judgments upon society because it rejected the truth pale horse = death, ghoulish, yellow-green, sick death and Hades = defeated enemies in Revelation fourth of earth = not final, complete judgment sword = war hunger=famine death= pestilence beasts= wild

7. REVELATION 6: JESUS OPENS THE FIRST SIX SEALS Verse 9 martyrs of truth (cf. Rev. 12:11; 20:4) Verse 10 no spite but justice (cf. 2 Tim 4:14; Gen 4:10) Verse 11 (cf. Rev. 14:13) Death is not the end; vindication will come according to God’s plan, timing, way (cf. Daniel 11:36, 45).

8. REVELATION 6: JESUS OPENS THE FIRST SIX SEALS Verses 12-17 the wrath of the Lamb, judgment on the world of the ungodly This is not the end of time. Judgment on the enemy is seen as a dismantling of their world (cf. 2 Pet 2:5; Isa. 13:1, 10, 13; 34:4- 6; Eze. 26:15, 18; 27:35; Jer. 4:23-25; Joel 2:31; Mat 24:29-31).

9. REVELATION 6: JESUS OPENS THE FIRST SIX SEALS Verse 12 great earthquake (cf. Isa. 29:6), black as sackcloth of hair (Isa. 50:3) Verse 13 stars of heaven falling is not a meteorite or nuclear missiles Verses 14-15 How could this all be literal and still have all these people to run and hide? Verse 16 contrast 2 Pet. 3:10 (also cf. Hos. 10:8; Isa 2:10-11, 19-22; Luke 23:30) Verse 17 (cf. Isa. 13:9; Nah. 1:6). The answer to the question here is found in chapter 7.

10. Chapter Six THE REVELATION