AM Bible Study Group; March 2, 2016 from Revelation 6:1-8
Theme: The opening of the first four seals releases the first four events of the tribulation.
(All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).
In chapter 4, we were given a glimpse into future events (Revelation 4:1) that will surround the throne of the living God. In chapter 5, we were shown a picture of Jesus Christ in this heavenly scene—having prevailed by His act of redemption on the cross, and having proven Himself worthy to take the title-deed to the earth and open its seven seals. And now, beginning with chapter 6 and going all the way to chapter 11, we’re shown the events that will occur at the opening of those seals.
The first thing that we’re shown is the opening of the first four seals. These four seals need to be seen as a unit because of their similarities:
1. The opening of each of the four seals is followed by an announcement from one of the four living creatures to "Come" (see 4:6-8).
2. Each of the four seals feature a horseman on a horse; each of whom apparently represent the release of a catastrophic event upon the earth. (See Zechariah 1:7-11 for a different prophetic message about the release of similar horses and horsemen.)
3. These four seals release the dreadful events of the great tribulation upon the earth.
And one of the great lessons to learn from these ‘four horsemen’ is that our Lord is in control over their release. He remains the Ruler over this most dreadful of times. We’re told at the very beginning that it is the Lamb Himself (that is, Jesus; see 5:6) who opened the seal. Upon the opening of the seal, the announcement is made from one of the four living creatures: "Come". Some ancient manuscripts have the words “Come and see”; in which case, the command would be given to the apostle John himself. The best manuscripts, however, do not have the words "and see". The shorter reading, “Come”, would indicate that this is not a word of invitation to John to come and see what was happening, since he was already there. Rather, it is a command that calls forth the four horsemen.
I. THE COMING OF THE ANTICHRIST (vv. 1-2).
The first horse is white, representing majesty. Later in the book, we’re given an image of the Lord Jesus in His return to this earth, coming on a white horse (see Revelation 19:11). But this white horse is not ridden by the Lord Jesus. This rider is making a pretense of the majesty that rightly belongs to Christ alone. Its rider carries a bow (representing military conquest), and a crown (representing rule); and he goes forth "conquering and to conquer" (suggesting conquest followed by further conquests). Because this white horse is accompanied by the terrible troubles of the other three horses, it would seem that its conquering rider illustrates to us the career of the Antichrist described in Daniel 11:36-45, Revelation 13 and 2 Thessalonians 2.
II. WAR (vv. 3-4).
Daniel 11:38 tells us that the Antichrist worships “a god of fortresses”; and that “he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god” (v. 39). His riding forth brings, not peace, but warfare to a dreadful degree. And so, the second seal releases a fiery red horse—which is representative of the bloodshed of war. The rider is granted the power to take peace from the earth "that people should kill one another". Note that this rider does not take this power to himself; but rather, it is “granted” to him. It may be that the one granting this power is the first rider—the Antichrist (see 13:7); or it may be that it is given by demonic forces (9:13-15). Ultimately, though, we can say that it is the Lord who gives it to him by breaking the seal. Ominously, along with the power to take peace from the earth, the rider is also given "a great sword"; suggesting that he is given a weapon of great and destructive potential.
III. ECONOMIC DEPRESSION AND INFLATION (vv. 5-6).
The third horse is released by the third seal being opened. It is black; and the fact that its rider bears a pair of scales or balances in his hand suggests economic depression—a situation in which everything must be weighed out carefully. This would, of course, be a natural result of such warfare as is suggested by the second rider. The release of this third rider has a feature that is distinct from the others: A voice, coming from the midst of the four living creatures (which suggests great authority), gives additional information and announces that during this time, a quart of wheat (enough only to sustain a man for a day), would cost a full day’s wages. Three quarts of barley (food for animals) would cost a full day’s wage. What terrible choices a man will have to make!—to feed himself in order to work, or to go hungry and feed his family; or to feed his animals, or to let them starve so he can feed their barley to his children—and all only on the assumption that he is able to work and earn a day’s wage at all! The command to not harm the oil and wine is given; and this could mean that the supply of those luxury items remains undiminished because no one can afford to purchase them.
IV. PLAGUES OF DEATH (vv. 7-8).
Finally, the fourth seal is opened, and a pale horse is released. The color is of a sickly green; which suggests plague and death. This is the only horseman for which we are given a name; and that name is death. Hades—the place of the dead—is personified and is said to ride after him as if ready to take his victims into its possession. Power is said to be given to this pale rider to kill one fourth of mankind. And he does his work in four ways—through the sword, with hunger, with death (that is, disease and plague), and by wild beasts of the earth. This is similar to ‘the four severe judgments’—describes in Ezekiel 14:21—by which God once threatened to ‘cut off man and beast from’ Jerusalem: “the sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence”.
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The release of these four horsemen illustrate the events that Jesus said would occur during the times of tribulation that precede His coming—events that were "such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matthew 24:21). And let’s remember that this is not yet describing the outpouring of the wrath of the Lamb. That is a dreadful event of a completely different nature; and it doesn’t begin until the sounding of the seventh trumpet (see 6:15-17; 8:1ff). The events described here are sovereignly commenced by the Lamb; but they do not appear to be miraculous events that have their immediate source in heaven. They seem to be troubles that human beings bring about upon themselves when God removes His merciful hand from them and allows fallen human nature to have free rein. They show us what happens when human beings completely turns away from God; and how such a turning impacts such vital things as politics and government, global and international relations, economic and commercial soundness, and world health and safety. When people reject their Creator—and when their Creator, in response, pulls His hand away from where it is not welcomed—their world falls apart.
But let’s also remember the promise that our Lord also spoke concerning these times: “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods" (Matthew 24:45-47).