Hear

God

 Speaks

White Horse 

Red Horse

Black Horse

The Pale Horse

The Persecution of the

 Church of Jesus Christ

Wrath of the lamb

The Great Earthquake

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 begins with the opening of the seals on the scroll. John is reporting what he sees to the reader.  The scene in chapter 6 continues from the events in chapters 4 and 5.

 In Chapter 4, John, caught up into heaven, saw God on his throne surrounded by the four living creatures, the 24 elders and all the angels of heaven.  In chapter 5, we see a scroll, which no one in heaven, on the earth or under the earth can open.  Then a lamb appears on the center of the throne of God, He alone can take the scroll.  Jesus Christ is represented as the slain lamb, which died for the sins of the world.  He alone who became man can take and open the scroll.

 The scroll represents the title of the earth, the title Adam lost at the fall.

 In chapter 6, Jesus Christ, the Lamb, has the seven sealed scroll. 

When Christ opens the seals, events begin to occur on the earth as Christ takes possession of the earth from the kings of the earth. 

By opening the seven-seals,  events described in this chapter begin to unfold.

The opening of the seventh seal brings the seven-angels with seven trumpets who complete the judgments in the first half of the tribulation period.

In the book of Revelation, we see the judgments of God presented in three phases; seals, trumpets and bowls.  The 7 seals and 7 trumpet judgments occur in the first half of the tribulation period, the seven bowl judgments occur in the second half of the tribulation period. The two-halves of the tribulation period, are separated by mid-point.  The whole tribulation period is a seven-year period according to Daniel 9:27, and Revelation 11-13. The period begins with the agreement to allow Temple worship and sacrifice on Mt. Moriah.  This same agreement, broken with the stopping of sacrifice and setting up of image in the Jewish Temple separates the first half from the second half.

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The First Seal: The White Horse

Revelation 6

1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see."

2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. Revelation 6;1-2

I Saw   Continuing from chapter 5, John is still in heaven watching the Lamb who had just taken the scroll from God the Father. 

The Lamb   The Lamb is in the midst of the throne with the Father, surrounded by the four living creatures.

Come and see   John is invited by one of the four living creatures to come and see what happens at the opening of the first seal. The opening of the first seal begins the tribulation period, Daniel’s 70^th Week, The time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30;7). 

One prerequisite in the start of the tribulation, is the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple on Mt. Moriah and the establishment of sacrifice in worship.  If the rapture occurs prior the tribulation (Pre-tribulation), it is doubtful Christians will see the rebuilt Temple.  However, there are events that must precede the building of the Jewish Temple.

In order for a Jewish Temple to be built, on the third most holy location to Islam, The building known as the Dome of the Rock must be removed.  This is no small order, when we examine the earth’s population we see about 6.3 billion people,1.3 billion are Muslim over 20% of the worlds population.  They would have a problem with Israel destroying a building which commemorates their prophet, Mohammad, ascent into heaven, and Islam’s victory over Christianity and Judaism. Israel understands the current situation, and for this reason in 1967 when Israel defeated Jordan and conquered East Jerusalem, they allowed the Temple Mount to stay under Muslim control.  Any move by Israel against the Dome of the Rock would unleash the Muslim world against Israel.

Russian Islamic Invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39)

The Bible clearly speaks of a day in the future in the “Latter years” (Ezek. 38:8) after “Many days”, after the Jews are gathered from the nations of the world back in the land of Israel, when they will be attacked.  Nations specifically mentioned in those attacks are Persia (Iran), Put (Libya) and Cush (Ethiopia) all three nations are Muslim today.  Iran is openly hostile to Israel, supporting, arming, and equipping Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, pointing thousands of missiles toward Israel.  Iran is also an ally of Syria, with a mutual defense treaty, today; Syria is still officially at war with Israel.

Included in this alliance against Israel are the nations referred to as Gog and Magog and her allies from the far north of Israel, including Gomer and Togarmah. According to Ezekiel, this invasion into Israel will end in defeat for these attacking nations. To the far north of Israel is Russia, currently Russia has formed an alliance with Iran.  Russia recently built a nuclear reactor for Iran. Russia has also agreed to supply nuclear fuel to power up the reactor. Israel has threatened to attack the nuclear reactor to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear warheads to arm their missiles, the Shahab III, putting Israel in range of Iranian nuclear strike.

Such an attack against Iran, could very well justify a Russian/Islamic invasion into Israel foretold by Ezekiel.  A growing orthodox movement which threatens the Dome of the Rock has also brought threats from Iran against Israel.

7 "Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.  8 "After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.

9 "You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you."  

Ezekiel 38:7-9

Following this defeat of the Russian/Muslim powers, Ezekiel specifically refers to a seven-year period where the people of Israel will utilize the remnants of equipment left by this invading army.  Only 1/6 of the army survives, they are left to bury the dead.  The seven-year period mentioned by Ezekiel corresponds to the seven-year of Daniel’s 70^th week. (Ezekiel 39:9)

In the history of Israel, Persia has never invaded the land of Israel after it was resettled by Jewish inhabitants, Assyria invaded Israel in 722 B.C., and Babylon invaded Judah three times, (605, 597 and 586 B.C.). Persia however, did not need to invade Israel, because once Babylon was defeated, by Cyrus the Great, in 539 B.C., Persia became masters of Israel and Judah. 

The invasion referred to by Ezekiel takes place in the future following a “long period of desolation” and a resettlement of Jews from the nations of the earth.  This event is unique to the 20^th century, when Israel became a nation again in 1948.  Israel becoming a nation again was an event Ezekiel wrote about in chapters 36, 37, 38, and 39, 2600 years ago.

The chronological events in Ezekiel correspond to the end-time scenario both in Daniel and Revelation. 

The invasion of Gog and Magog is seen as an “End Times” event by Judaism[1], Islam[2] and Christianity.  Following the defeat of the Russian/Muslim powers, Israel will feel saved from its enemies.  This will open the way for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple.  The Antichrist, who will come to power before or after this event will consolidate world power and guarantee Israel’s right to build the Temple.

The Antichrist

White horse   The view of the white horse and its rider has been one of debate.  Some see the rider on the white horse as Jesus Christ, who John sees riding white horse in Revelation 19. Jesus Christ at the end of the tribulation period returns in glory with armies of heaven to set up the Messianic Kingdom, the Millennium follows the return of Christ.

The white horse in Revelation 6:2 does not conclude the matter as the Jesus Christ does in Revelation 19.  The white horse of Revelation 6:2, starts the events leading to the return of Christ.  The white horse of Revelation 6, is a picture of the pseudo peace established by the Antichrist at the start of the tribulation period.  This peace is removed by the very next horse the Red horse. Paul speaks of this in I Thessalonians 5. 

1TH 5:3  For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.5:4  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.I Thes. 5:3-4

From the Seventy Weeks of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27) we learn Daniel’s 70^th week, begins with a confirmation of a covenant with “many”. This covenant is a “Peace” agreement giving Israel the right to rebuild the Temple and offer sacrifice.  The Hebrew word for confirm is rbg Gabar, meaning to prevail, to have strength, be strong.  The “Prince to come” (Daniel 9:26) uses the power of military force to guarantee Israel’s right to rebuild the Temple and offer sacrifice. 

When we keep in mind the battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39) which precedes this event, and an earth, weary of religious conflicts between Muslims, Jews and Christians, the earth will be ripe to accept a concluding peace on the Jerusalem issue.

Israel will accept the terms of the world leader, assuming the Temple built will usher in the age of Messiah.  The Temple, however is built by a nation who still rejects Jesus Christ as their Messiah.  Israel will have a temporary false peace, this same person, the Antichrist, will break his agreement with Israel after three and half years and stop sacrifice and set up an image in the rebuilt Temple. This event, known as the Abomination of Desolation referred to by Jesus in Matthew 24:15, starts the second half of the tribulation.  Jesus refers to Daniel, who refers to this event in four verses. (Daniel 8:11-12, 9:27, 11:31, 12:11).

Bow  We see a picture of bow, with no arrows. The lack of arrows demonstrates what Daniel 9:27 already tells us, through military intimidation the Antichrist will enforce peace.  He will not need to attack, because his force will be so overwhelming nations will not risk war, knowing they will loose. With the threat of Russia and Islam removed, the Antichrist will have free reign.

Crown  The type of crown worn by the rider on the white horse is a stevfano Stephanos crown, a crown of victory.  We are told the crown was given to him, his victory on world scene is one permitted by God.  The antichrist, is the ultimate human ruler, he is last ruler on the earth, preceding Messiah’s kingdom.  Daniel (Daniel 11:36-44, 7:8,19-26) give us an insight on the person who will one day rule the nations of the earth. 

Conquering   From the Seventy week of Daniel, (Daniel 9:26) we know he will be a descendent of the armies of Rome.  The armies of Rome, 37 years after Christ’s death, destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem.  Daniel tells us, “The prince to come” will be a descendent of these armies.

Many Bible expositors speculate he will be the leader of European nation, the successors of the Roman Empire. Europe will rise to the power of Rome. The current problem, with this view is Europe is militarily not in the position to force the nations of earth to accepting peace terms.  Secondly, Israel would not trust Europe with its peace.  Europe is openly hostile to Israel, with a growing Muslim population, Europe is now under constant pressure to appease anti-Jewish viewpoints.

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 .The Second Seal: The Red Horse

Revelation 6;3-4

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see."

4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

Second seal  The second seal follows the first in chronological order.  The Antichrist brings the earth into a false sense of peace following battle of Gog and Magog and the reestablishment of Temple worship.

Fiery red   The words describing the second horse reveal his character, the Greek word for the color is,  purrov Purrhos,  meaning  having the color of fire, red.  The red color of this horse is the color of red fire. 

Granted The second horse demonstrates the “False Peace” established by the rider on the white horse.  The world wants peace, but without God, and for a short period they will seem like they have peace, without God, but then man’s nature will take hold and war will quickly follow.

Kill one another   The description of what follows, the three remaining horsemen, is what would happen following a nuclear war.  We learn within this early period of the tribulation, ¼ of the earth’s population dies.  The initial death will be from war as described by the Red horse.

Today, nuclear war is more and more a possibility as nations continue to upgrade technology to defend themselves from potential assaults from their neighbors.  India and Pakistan are a great examples, these two nations by themselves have almost 1.2 billion people.  Yet both nations are increasingly their nuclear and missile technology to outdo their neighbor.  A nuclear war between these nations would not just affect those who die from missile strikes but food supplies and diseases, which would follow.

Great sword  The weapon used is called in the Greek a mevga Megas or great.  The destruction humanity can inflict on humanity in the past, pales in comparison to what can happen today.  Nuclear weapons with greater fire power, held by smaller and smaller nations can turn world into chaos.

The description of “Great sword” is very applicable to a nuclear war following the false peace established by the Antichrist. 

 The Third Seal: The Black Horse

Revelation 6:5-6

5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.

6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine."

Third Seal   Following the Red horse, we see a black horse this event follows the chronological order of events taking place on earth.  Following a nuclear war, several events take place, one is nuclear fallout and destruction of edible foods.  Nuclear was does not only hurt living humans, but everything living.  Food and food supplies are destroyed in the process of nuclear war as the radioactive waves pass through all living matter.  This is then followed by the particles which then begin to a fall on fields where food is growing to feed the populations.

Black horse The third horse pictured is a black horse, which is used to depict famine elsewhere in scripture. (Jeremiah 4:28, Lamentations 4;8-9). Following the war,  food will be in short supply on the planet and many will die.

Scales  This is the picture of commerce in the world.  Today, the idol of the earth is no longer socialist doctrines but capitalism and success without God.  Many in the former Communist nations no longer look to Communism as their hope but the success and prosperity of Capitalism.  Nations on the earth are pushing commerce and success as the hope of their nations. Godless capitalism, is a growing movement in the world today.

The hope of success for the most part is a godless and corrupt hope, which pushes sex without marriage, homosexuality, violence, murder and host of other sins.  Many of these same countries reluctantly accept Christian missionaries and evangelism as an appeasement for free trade. The Gospel however continues to give people a choice, what really is important.

In the tribulation period, people will be forced to choose the God of Heaven or humanity.

Quart of wheat  The Greek word used here, coi'nix Choinix, is the amount of food a laboring man would eat in one meal.  Wheat was is a higher quality food then barley.  The cost of wheat was one days wages, or a denarius.  Following the wars of the Red horse, the lack of food will cause world wide inflation resulting in famine.

  The voice is coming from the center of the Throne, from the midst of the four living creatures.  This could very well be the voice of Christ, reminding those who live on the Earth through Revelation chapter 6, that earthly food and commerce is not humanities hope but God’s word alone.  This is the message in John chapter 6, as Christ explains the concept of eternal life versus the temporary life in this world.

33 "For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."  34 Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." 35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:33-35

Denarius  An amount equivalent to what a day laborer would make. (Matthew 20:2) A full day of labor was required to have enough to eat for one day.

Three quarts barley   This was a lower quality food then wheat.  Barley, was food for animals and the poor.  Here the same denarius will purchase 3 meals of barley versus one meal of wheat.

Oil and the wine  These were foods of luxury and wealth.  These items are contrasted to the wheat and barley, which require a whole days labor.  The wealthy will not suffer like those who will need food to get by on a daily basis.