In Revelation 1 we saw a vision of Jesus. In Revelation 2-3 we saw seven churches. In Revelation 4-5 we saw things that take place after Revelation 1-3—heaven and God’s throne, the scroll in God’s hand, and Jesus taking the scroll from God.
In Revelation 6 we see six seals (out of a total of seven) broken from that scroll. Jesus is the only One Who will be found worthy to take the book (scroll) and open its seals—that’s why a new song was sung to Him in Revelation 5. Someday soon He will do just that. As He breaks each individual seal, a separate judgment will be dispensed upon the earth. His creation, mankind specifically, will experience God’s wrath when He pours it out on all ungodliness and all unrighteousness.
God hates sin! And, although we have tolerated it for so long that we have come desensitized to it, He will not tolerate sin forever. Praise will be the common reaction when He ultimately pours out His wrath on the unrighteous. His judgments are righteous and true—and they are worthy of praise. The Lamb, Jesus Christ, is the only One worthy to dispense God’s wrath and is therefore deserving of eternal praise!
These things are about to take place—they will begin soon… The time for Jesus to break the seals and release God’s judgments on the earth is near… very near…
The residents of heaven which are around the throne will watch as each and every seal is broken. They will also watch God’s judgments and wrath as they descend upon His creation. The residents of earth will do more than watch, they will experience the horror of each judgment. At that time, the sands in the hourglass will be few…
The summary for Revelation 6 could be “The Lamb Breaks Six Seals”.
When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come.” Revelation 6:3
As John watched Jesus, the Lamb, break the second seal on the scroll of judgments, he heard the second living creatures say, “Come”. The second living creature was the one that was somehow like a calf (from Revelation 4:7). The Greek word for “calf” is moschos and means a tender branch or shoot, a young animal, a calf, or young bull. It is interesting to compare the calf-like creature to the first creature who was like a lion. The Greek word for “lion” is leon and means a lion, a hero, or a deliverer.
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 would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him. Revelation 6:4
The second creature calls a second horse and rider onto the scene. This time it is a red horse and the one who rides it is granted the ability to take peace from the earth.
I don’t necessarily think there will be world war during the first seal and here is one reason why—because there will be peace on the earth at the beginning of the second seal. It tells us peace will be taken from the earth. Perhaps it will be more through diplomacy or intimidation that the first horseman will conquer—no one knows for sure.
No matter which way the rider of the white horse conquers, it will most definitely be war when the rider of the red horse goes out. Men will slay one another over the entire earth. There will be chaos and terror unlike we have ever seen before. He will be given a great sword and there will be terrible time of global war.
Notice that it will granted to the one who sits on the red horse to take peace from the earth. Now… just Who do you think will grant that authority?
Let’s review. John was on the island of Patmos. He received the revelation of Jesus Christ, the unveiling of the things would take place quickly, he saw a vision of Jesus, Jesus spoke and gave messages to the seven churches. Then John saw the throne room in heaven. John was invited to come up and look in the throne room to write down the things that take place after the time of the churches. John saw God being worshiped in the throne room. Then, in the second throne room scene, which is chapter 5, the Lamb comes in and He is praised because He is worthy to open the seals. Now, in chapter 6, John sees the seals on the scroll being broken one by one—each unleashing a catastrophic judgment of God.
While the scroll may possibly be figurative, God’s judgments most certainly are not. They are literal judgments and very real, indeed. Each seal on the scroll, as it is broken, will unleash one of the terrible final judgments of God against His creation… mankind will be held accountable… with great truth and justice… by its Great and Terrifying Judge…
