Seven Seals

The book of Revelation is filled with symbols, typical of Bible books which speak about the time of the end. In chapter 6 we read about seals, living creatures, and horses. Like the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, here is a cosmic view of the great battle between good and evil, between Christ and Satan. As Jesus breaks open the seven seals holding a scroll shut, dramatic events take place that describe the progress of the gospel, the reaction of the world, and the impact on God's people throughout the ages. There is not only a historical application to the seven seals, but a universal application to every person presented with the gospel. Chapter 6 ends with the question, "Who can stand?" Chapter 7 answers that question before it moves to the seventh seal found in Revelation 8.

Four Horsemen Revelation 6 opens with four horsemen riding out from the throne room of heaven (see Revelation 4 and 5) with messages. What do they mean?

⋅ First Seal: A white horse goes out with a bow. A crown is on his head and he went out "conquering and to conquer." This picture describes the purity of the apostolic church (A.D. 31—100) when its faith and zeal made perhaps the greatest advancement of the gospel in history. So also does the reception of the gospel bring the white purity of Christ's righteousness into our hearts when we conquer sin.

⋅ Second Seal: A red horse next emerges taking "peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another ..." (v. 4). The violent persecution of church under the hands of the Roman Caesars portrays the condition of the church from about A.D. 100—313. The color of this horse reminds us of the shed blood of Christ who brings peace. The gospel is also like a sword which can cause division as well.

⋅ Third Seal: Next a black horse rides out with a pair of scales and a voice says, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine" (v. 6). If white represents purity, then black would speak of corruption which came into Christianity when church and state were united in the 4th century. References to barley and a denarius speak of a time of famine for the word of God (the Bread of life).

⋅ Four Seal: The fourth horse is a pale—green color and its rider is called "Death, and Hades followed with him" (v. 8). It was given power to kill with the sword, hunger, and death. We are reminded of the dark ages before the Reformation (A.D. 538—1517) when society was so weakened by the ravages of war it could hardly protect itself. Unless the gospel is received and grows in the life (like a living green plant), it turns pale and dies.

⋅ Fifth Seal: Here we see symbolized the voice of martyrs crying out, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood ...?" (v. 10). They are assured a time is coming when all will be made right. This would be very meaningful to those persecuted just before and during the great Reformation in the later Middle Ages (A.D. 1517—1755). They are given a white robe as all followers of Jesus receive when accepting Christ's righteousness.

⋅ Sixth Seal: Cosmic disturbances take place when the sixth seal is opened. There is a great earthquake, the sun becomes black, the moon turns blood red, and the stars of heaven fall. Perhaps the great Lisbon earthquake marks well the beginning of this period (A.D. 1755) which not long after was followed by a great darkening of the sun in 1780 and an unusually spectacular meteorite shower in 1833. This period was called the Great Awakening and opened a time of remarkable interest in Bible prophecy.

Revelation 6:14—16 indicates even greater catastrophes will happen before Christ comes. The question at the end of the chapter, "Who is able to stand?" is answered in Revelation 7. In chapter 8 we return to the seventh seal.

⋅ Seventh Seal: When this seal is opened seven angels are given seven trumpets to sound. References to trumpets, a golden censer, the altar, and incense speak of the sanctuary service when the prayers of God's people ascend and the Lord responds. Trumpets will again sound and God will act on behalf of His people just before Christ comes.