Revelation 6:1-8 The Lamb Breaks the First Four Seals
“As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like Thunder, “Come!” I looked up and saw a white horse standing there. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory. When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living being say, “Come!” Then another horse appeared a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the Earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere. When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.” When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the Earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals” Revelation 6:1-8 (NLT).
Revelation 6:1-8 The Lamb Breaks the First Four Seals
THE FOUR SEALS / 6:1–8
This is the
first of three seven-part judgments. Chapters 6–16 form the core of Revelation.
Chapters 1–5 are introductory, and chapters 17–22 conclude this section;
chapters 6–16 describe the seal judgments (chapter 6), the trumpet judgments
(chapters 8–9), and the bowl judgments (chapters 15–16), with interludes
between them. In Chapter 5, a scroll with seven seals is handed to Christ,
who is the only one worthy to break the seals and open the scroll,
setting into motion the events of the end of the world (5:1–5). In Chapter 6,
the scroll is opened as each seal is broken. This scroll is not entirely opened
until the seventh seal is broken (8:1). The contents of the scroll reveal
mankind’s depravity and portray God’s authority over the events of human
history.
Each of the
judgments (seals, trumpets, bowls) includes seven parts. The first four
judgments involve natural disasters on the Earth; the last three are cosmic
disasters. There are three views on how to understand this series of
judgments—seals, trumpets, and bowls:
1. Recapitulation
View. According to this view,
the three sets of judgments repeat each other (are cyclical); they present
three ways of viewing the same judgments. Because the trumpets and the bowls
have the same order, many have concluded that the three sets are repetitive. In
addition, in all three sets, the first four of the seven judgments are very
similar, as are the last three of each set of seven. Exact repetition, however,
occurs only in the trumpets and bowls.
2. Consecutive
View. This view holds that
judgments will follow in the order described in Revelation: first, the seals,
then the trumpets, then the bowls—in other words, Revelation describes
twenty-one separate events. Thus, chapters 6–16 in Revelation would be
chronological.
3. Progressive
Intensification View. The key
to this view is understanding the results of the judgments. The seals destroy
one-fourth of the Earth; the trumpets destroy one-third; the bowls affect
everything. The picture seems to be one of progressive intensity, with each of
these sets of judgments ending in the same place—that is, the end of history.
These views
are helpful as you consider and study the book of Revelation. While many will
feel very strongly about one view or another, only God knows the truth. He left
much of Revelation unclear to His people for a reason, perhaps so we’ll study
it and be watchful and morally alert. One truth is sure: as God prepares to end
history and usher in His kingdom, He will
bring judgments.
In this
chapter, four men on horses appear when the first four seals are opened; these
are commonly known as the “Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse.” John
describes these four horsemen as introducing God’s judgment on the world. The
first rides a white horse; the second, a bright red horse; the third, a black
horse; the fourth, a pale horse. Each one has a mission related to the Lamb’s
breaking of the first four seals of judgment (Revelation 6:1–8). This series of
judgments will affect one-fourth of the Earth (6:8); in other words, these are
not judgments of the entire Earth, but are partial.
The horses
represent God’s judgment of people’s sin and rebellion. God is directing human
history—even using His enemies to accomplish His purposes. The four horses
provide a foretaste of the final judgments yet to come. Some view this chapter
as a parallel to Jesus’ words about the end times (see Matthew 24:4–8; Mark
13:5–13; Luke 21:8–19). The imagery of colored horses and riders comes from
Zechariah 1:8–17; 6:1–8. In Zechariah, the colors of the horses have no special
significance; in Revelation, the colors of the horses do have symbolic meaning,
as described below. In Zechariah, the horses and riders went out to patrol the Earth;
in Revelation, they are sent out to bring disaster.
Why does
Christ break the scroll’s seals and permit such devastation? Today’s
readers of Revelation must remember that this message was first for the
persecuted early Christians. In breaking these seals, Christ does not send
disaster because the mechanism for evil already exists in the hearts of sinful
humanity. Rather, Christ breaking the seals demonstrates His lordship over
history—even the evil that occurs in history is under His control. While evil
people and evil systems appear to dominate, Christ unfolds a future in which He
will triumph over every enemy (Rev. 17:14). For the first-century believers who
were facing persecution, Revelation revealed that Christ had seen their
suffering and controlled human events. Thus, they could put their trust in Him
and stand up for their faith in times of difficulty.
6:1–2 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of
the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice
like Thunder, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its
rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent
on conquest. NIV The
Lamb, Christ, opened the first of the
seven seals. As each seal was opened, events signaling the end of the world
took place. With the breaking of the first seal came four riders on horseback,
the first of which John saw in this verse. One
of the four living creatures said in a voice
like Thunder, “Come!” The creature was probably beckoning the rider on the
horse to come forward because, when John looked, he saw a white horse with a rider holding a bow. As John watched, the rider was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
This is the
only rider who didn’t bring catastrophe (the others initiated warfare, famine,
and death); this rider was “bent on conquest.” There is much debate over who or
what this horseman represents. Some have suggested that this rider symbolizes
the proclamation of the Good News of Christ. They see the white horse as being
“good” and, therefore, the rider on a good mission. Others believe that the
rider on the white horse is Christ Himself, for Christ later appears on a white
horse (19:11). Jesus is closely associated with the color white in Revelation
(see 1:14; 6:11; 14:14).
The fact that
this white horse and its rider precede three other horsemen who wreak havoc on
the Earth, however, suggests that the white horseman might represent the lust
for conquest. When mankind is bent on conquest, the result is warfare, famine,
and death. The color white could correspond, then, to conquest.
The picture
behind this for the first-century readers may have been the powerful Roman
legions and their greatest foes—the Parthians who lived east of the Euphrates
River, which became the eastern boundary of the Roman Empire. The Parthians had
defeated the Roman army twice with their cavalry (the rider on horseback) and
their archery (his bow). This had caused much fear of an invasion by the
Parthians, so Rome eventually made a treaty with them.
Most likely,
the rider on the white horse represents sinful mankind’s desire for conquest;
when this occurs, many suffer.
“If your own
sin and mortality do not drive you to seriously consider Jesus Christ, no
interpretation of Revelation will likely breach your defenses.” –Neil Wilson
6:3–4 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature call out, “Come!” And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the Earth so that people would slaughter one another, and he was given a great sword. NRSV At the opening of the second seal, the second of the four living creatures called out, “Come!” and a rider on a bright red horse appeared. He was given a great sword and was sent out to take peace from the Earth. The Greek word for “sword” here is different from the sharp two-edged sword (1:16). This sword probably would have been about five feet long and would have weighed about twenty-five pounds. Strong warriors would swing it while on horseback to kill foot soldiers.
THE SEVEN SEALS
|
Seal |
Reference |
Description |
Possible
meanings |
||||
|
1.
|
Rider on the White
Horse |
6:1–2 |
A rider on a
white horse has a bow and a crown and rides out as a conqueror bent on
conquest. |
Some believe
that this rider symbolizes the spread of the Good News or that the rider is
Christ Himself. Others suggest that this symbolizes mankind’s lust for
conquest. |
|||
|
2.
|
Rider on the Red
Horse |
6:3–4 |
A rider on a
red horse has a great sword and is permitted to take peace from the Earth so
that people will kill one another. |
This rider
symbolizes coming warfare, even civil warfare, with great bloodshed. |
|||
|
3.
|
Rider on the Black
Horse |
6:5–6 |
A rider on a
black horse has a pair of scales and brings famine and pestilence to the Earth.
|
This rider
symbolizes famine and pestilence. |
|||
|
4.
|
Rider on the Pale
Horse |
6:7–8 |
A rider on a
pale horse is called Death and has Hades with him. |
This rider is
called Death, and Hades (the Grave) is his inseparable companion. Together,
they are given the power to kill a fourth of the Earth. |
|||
|
5.
|
Souls of the
martyrs under the altar |
6:9–11 |
The souls of
the martyrs who were killed for being faithful in their witness are under the
altar, crying out for vengeance for their blood. |
The breaking
of this seal announces God’s plan to judge those who persecuted believers. |
|||
|
6.
|
Great
earthquake |
6:12–17 |
People on the Earth
face calamities: a huge earthquake and strange occurrences in the sky. |
The wrath and
power of the Lamb are seen in the cataclysmic earthquake and the supernatural
events in the sky. |
|||
|
7.
|
Silence in
heaven |
8:1 |
When the last
seal is opened, there is complete silence in heaven. |
The seventh
seal either begins the next cycle of judgments, or it signals the end and
Christ’s return. |
|||
The picture here is of warfare—even civil war because people would slaughter one another. Throughout history, conquest has led to civil war. For example, after Alexander the Great conquered the world, he died in his early thirties. For the next two hundred years, his generals fought each other in an attempt to gain superiority. The conquests of Alexander led to two centuries of civil war. In addition, Rome was nearly destroyed by a civil war in a.d. 68–69, after the death of Nero. In that one year, there were three contenders to the imperial throne. The rider on the white horse went out as a “conqueror bent on conquest,” and in his wake came warfare. The color of this horse, red, symbolizes great bloodshed upon the Earth.
|
JUSTICE AND PEACE |
|
Complete
peace will only come when Christ returns. The picture in Revelation of the
coming persecutions and natural disasters is gloomy, but ultimately, it is
cause for great joy. When believers see these events happening, they will
know that their Messiah’s return is coming soon, and they can look forward to
His reign of justice and peace. Rather than being terrified by what is
happening in our world, we should confidently await Christ’s return to bring
justice and restoration to his people. |
6:5–6 When He opened the third seal, I heard the
third living creature call out, “Come!” I looked, and there was a black horse!
Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand, and I heard what seemed to be a
voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a
day’s pay, and three quarts of barley for a day’s pay, but do not damage the
olive oil and the wine!” NRSV Christ opened the third seal and this time, the third living creature called out,
“Come!” beckoning the rider of another horse. This time, when John looked,
he saw a black horse. This rider is
holding a pair of scales for weighing
food. The words of the four living creatures regarding the amount of food for a day’s pay pictures wartime inflation.
First-century readers would have interpreted this amount as twelve to fifteen
times what they were used to paying. What a person would earn in a day would
buy only enough food to feed that person, no one else, not even his or her
family. This then would lead to widespread famine, another devastating result
of warfare.
Following on the heels of the red horse of warfare, therefore, comes a black horse, which represents the sorrow and desolation of warfare that leaves people without money or food. The phrase “Do not damage the olive oil and the wine” could be a warning to conserve two staples. It could mean that these items would be hoarded and thus unavailable in the marketplace. Most likely, it may be that although this famine would be severe, it would not destroy the olive trees and the vineyards. Worse calamity was still to come.
6:7–8 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I
heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there
before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following
close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the Earth to kill by
sword, famine, and plague and by the wild beasts of the Earth. NIV
The Lamb opened the fourth seal, and
the fourth living creature said, “Come!”
calling a rider on a pale horse. The
rider’s name was Death. Following
close behind was Hades. This does not
refer to Hell but, instead, to the Grave. The drive for conquest (white horse),
had led to warfare and bloodshed (red horse), which had brought famine and
pestilence (black horse), resulting in death and the Grave (pale horse). The
“pale” color indicates the color of death. The four riders were given power
over a fourth of the Earth to kill
people by sword, famine, and plague and
by the wild beasts. Death by wild beasts would be expected when millions of
people have died through war, famine, and plague. The number of one-fourth of
the Earth, working from present-day numbers, would mean over a billion people
would die in this first wave of judgment were it to happen today. Nothing that
cataclysmic has occurred in all of history.
|
STILL TIME |
|
That
one-fourth of the people (and not all of the people) will die indicates that
God is still limiting His judgment—it is not yet complete. This means that
there is still time for unbelievers to turn to Christ and away from their
sin. In this case, the limited punishment not only demonstrates God’s wrath
on sin but also His merciful love in giving people yet another opportunity to
turn to Him before He brings final judgment. We must not presume upon God’s
patience. Our repentance must be visible and authentic. In what ways does
your life reflect new and different behavior? [1]
|
First Seal: The Conqueror
“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.” 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.
Second Seal: Conflict on Earth
When He opened
the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.”
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.
Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth
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. 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.”
Fourth Seal: Widespread Death on Earth
When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” So I looked and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the Earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth” Revelation 6:1–8 (NKJV).
Revelation 6
This chapter begins with the action of judgment upon the Earth for its wickedness. The previous two chapters were introductory, setting the stage, showing Who was in control, and preparing the reader for the coming descriptions of judgments. The judgments can be divided into three main series of sevens—seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials. The trumpets and vials are part of the seventh seal, so all the judgments actually come from the seals. The seventh seal, seventh trumpet, and seventh vial are all elongated in their report compared to the previous six judgments of each symbol. Explanatory parenthesis are interjected periodically in the judgments, with the last few chapters of Revelation consummating the prophecy of judgment, showing the winners and losers and their respective destinies. Revelation 6 is all about the first six seal judgments and can be divided into six major divisions as follows:
A. The First Seal—Propaganda (Revelation
6:1, 2)
B. The Second Seal—Provocations (Revelation
6:3, 4)
C. The Third Seal—Poverty (Revelation 6:5,
6)
D. The Fourth Seal—Peril (Revelation 6:7,
8)[2]
A. THE
FIRST SEAL—PROPAGANDA
Revelation 6:1, 2
Each seal
discloses a stage of Divine judgment. The first seal judgment is mild compared
to the others. It involves the conquering of the people by propaganda.
1. The Precursor of the Propaganda
(Revelation 6:1)
“The Lamb opened one [first one] of the seals, and I heard, as it were, the
noise of thunder” (Revelation 6:1). Thunder is the precursor of a storm.
Before a rain storm comes, we hear Thunder. When the first seal was opened, the
sound of Thunder forecasted a storm of judgment on the Earth.
2. The Prevarication in the Propaganda
(Revelation 6:2)
“A white horse” (Revelation 6:2).
Another white horse is seen in Revelation 19:11–16. Its rider is Jesus Christ.
The “white horse” used here is an
attempt to deceive the world about the rider’s character. The deception works
for, as we will note more about later, it beguiles many and helps make possible
the conquering by the rider of this horse.
3. The Portrayal of the Propaganda
(Revelation 6:2)
“He that sat on him had a bow.” There is
no arrow with the bow. This is the key to the character of this evil. The
conquering will be bloodless. It will be done through propaganda. In the end
times, people will be conditioned to believing a lie. Because people have
refused the truth, “God shall send them
strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:11). We
are seeing that end-time condition foreshadowed in our day by the lying
manipulations of political leaders and news media and the gullibility of the
populace to believe the blatant lies. When you witness the belief of many
Americans of the lies of politicians and news media, one has no difficulty
believing the end-time condition of gullibility when evil leaders will deceive
multitudes through their propaganda.
4. The Prospering by the Propaganda
(Revelation 6:2)
The prospering
or success of the white horse and its rider is seen in two different ways in
our text.
•
Seen in the conquering. “He went
forth conquering, and to conquer” (Revelation 6:2). Scripture attests to
his success. The word translated “conquering”
and “conquer” is the same word
translated “overcomer” in the letters
to the seven churches, and the same word translated “prevailed” in Revelation 5:5.
•
Seen in the crown. “And a crown
was given unto him” (Revelation 6:2). The crown was obtained through his
successful conquering. The rule or dominion is seen in the crown and who has
it.
5. The Pattern in the Propaganda
(Revelation 6:1, 2)
This seal
judgment depicts the work of the Antichrist, who will at first conquer through
lies. As we have already noted, the gullibility of our day (seen in the ready
acceptance of the talk of liberal politicians and of news media) says the
end-time conditions are undoubtedly present for one to come and conquer through
propaganda. “Whose coming is after the
working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all
deceivableness of unrighteousness … God
shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” (2
Thessalonians 2:9–11). Like Antiochus Epiphanes, who foreshadowed him, the
Antichrist “shall come in peaceably
[bow without the arrow], and obtain the
kingdom by flatteries” (Daniel 11:21).
B. THE SECOND SEAL—PROVOCATIONS
Revelation 6:3, 4
The peace that
the rider of the first horse brought to Earth without bloodshed was
short-lived, and soon, peace was shattered by the provocations of bloody wars.
The end-time is not characterized by peace and tranquility.
1. The Precursor in the Provocations
(Revelation 6:3, 4)
“When he had opened the second seal … there
went out another horse that was red” (Revelation 6:3, 4). Scarlet is the
color of blood, and, therefore, the color of the horse is a precursor of the
bloody ordeal of this judgment.
2. The Peacelessness From the Provocations
(Revelation 6:4)
“Power was given to him that sat thereon to
take peace from the earth” (Revelation 6:4). All rulers, including the
Antichrist, will learn that you cannot have peace without the Prince of Peace,
namely, Jesus Christ. Any peace obtained will be superficial, for underneath is
hostility just waiting to break out. It will require a bow with an arrow to put
down the hostilities, which will be bloody, as this seal describes. Until sin
is removed, there will always be a lack of peace. Peace is through Jesus
Christ. The greatest need for peace is with God, and that comes through Christ
(Romans 5:1). If we do not have peace with God, we will not have lasting peace
with man.
3. The Perniciousness in the Provocations
(Revelation 6:4)
“They should kill” (Revelation 6:4). Lack
of peace in the world means war, and war means killing. Bloody hostilities
break out all over the globe in the end time. “Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars … nation shall rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6, 7).
4. The Product of the Provocations
(Revelation 6:4)
“There was given unto him a great sword”
(Revelation 6:4). The “great sword”
says the killing will be extensive. There will be much slaughter in the
killing. It emphasizes the devastating product of these provocations. War can
be devastating in taking human lives. In our lifetime, we have seen wars take
the lives of hundreds of thousands of people all over the globe. War leaves a
bloody trail of death. It is a “great
sword” of destruction.
C. THE THIRD SEAL—POVERTY
Revelation 6:5, 6
Famine is the
theme of the third seal, and where there is famine there is great poverty of
food but also a great poverty of money. People starve because of no food and no
money to buy food.
1. The Precursor of the Poverty (Revelation
6:5)
“I beheld, and lo a black horse”
(Revelation 6:5). Black is the color of famine. “Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine”
(Lamentations 5:10). The judgment of a poverty of food is the next trouble that
befalls the wicked world.
2. The Progression in the Poverty
(Revelation 6:5)
“He that sat on him had a pair of balances
in his hand” (Revelation 6:5). A famine is a sequence of war. Where war has
occurred, the afflicted nations will experience famine. The raw products used
to make farm machinery have been used to make war implements, and the men who
did the farming have all gone to war. The ravages of war leave nations without
the ability to produce food. Famine then stalks these nations, as history books
attest. The second seal horse represented bloody conflict/war, so it is not surprising
that this next horse speaks of famine. The emphasis of the scales or balances
is upon selling. And the context emphasizes the selling in a famine.
3. The Prices in the Poverty (Revelation
6:6)
“A measure of wheat for a penny, and three
measures of barley for a penny” (Revelation 6:6). For those in America
where a penny is the cheapest coin, the translation here can be very
misleading. Actually, the word translated as “penny” speaks of a coin that, at that time, was a day’s wage for
the typical worker. The amount of food was minimal—some say it was what was
given to a slave. At any rate, inflation soared, and poverty soared because of
the extremely high prices that always come during a famine. Not only does the
lack of food ravage the body, but the inflated prices ravage the economy of the
society until, like Egypt in Joseph’s day, “money
failed” (Genesis 47:15), and eventually, the people had to resort to
extreme actions (selling themselves) in order to get food to live.
4. The Profiteering in the Poverty
(Revelation 6:6)
“Hurt not the oil and the wine”
(Revelation 6:6). When poverty is rampant, there are those who profit big time
from the hard times. The oil and wine represent the property of the wealthy,
and these products are protected during the difficult times of the famine, so
the rich become richer and the poor become poorer. In my small town, I knew of
unscrupulous profiteering men who, during the Depression (real Depression, not
a synthetic depression talked up by politicians for their political advantages)
of the twenties and thirties, profited greatly. They bought up a lot of real
estate during the Depression, then made big money renting and selling it later.
So, this time of famine and poverty that ravages the world will not be without
the wicked, profiteering people who only make the judgments of God worse by
their cruel actions.
D. THE FOURTH SEAL—PERIL
Revelation 6:7, 8
Things do not
get better with the fourth seal. It is like pouring salt in the wound. But
judgment does not result in repentance so more judgment comes.
1. The Proclaimer of the Peril (Revelation
6:7)
“I heard the voice of the fourth beast say,
Come and see” (Revelation 6:7). In the first four seals, one of the four
beasts around the throne says to John, “Come
and see.” However, the next three seals will not have any proclaimer of “Come and see” but simply occur as the
seal is opened. That produces a Septenary division of the seals into four and
three. This Septenary division of four and three is also true in the seven
trumpets judgments and the seven vials judgments.
2. The Precursor of the Peril (Revelation
6:8)
“Behold a pale horse” (Revelation 6:8).
“The corpse-like color of the horse is in keeping with the name and character
of the rider” (Scott). As with the other horses, the color is a precursor of
the judgment to come. Death is the name of the rider of this horse (the only
rider named of the four horses), and the color of the horse matches the
judgment especially represented by the rider.
3. The Pair in the Peril (Revelation 6:8)
“His name that sat on him [the horse] was Death, and Hell followed with him”
(Revelation 6:8). Death and Hell are an inseparable pair. “Hell” is a misleading translation. “Hell” is the final destiny of the soul. The Greek word translated “Hell” here is “hades,” which is the
temporary abode of the soul of the deceased sinner. It is no picnic, as Luke 16
says, and eternal Hell (the final abode of the wicked) will only be worse.
4. The Particulars of the Peril (Revelation
6:8)
“To kill with the sword, and with hunger,
and with death, and with the beasts of the earth” (Revelation 6:8). Four
great perils are inflicted upon the Earth to bring much death.
• The
peril of the sword. “To kill with
the sword.” There will be much killing, murder, war, and crime in the
judgments. Men will help bring judgment upon themselves by their evil conduct.
Preparation for that killing is going on today in all the millions of
abortions.
• The
peril of starvation. “To kill …
with hunger.” The previous seal judgment emphasized the problem of food
scarcity as part of Divine judgment. To die of starvation is a terrible death.
So much so that Scripture says, “They
that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger”
(Lamentations 4:9). Being slain by the sword here means quick death. Starvation
is a slow, agonizing death.
• The
peril of sickness. “To kill …
with death.” Some translate the word “death”
here as disease or pestilence. This corresponds with the order Christ gave when
He spoke of the end times in what is known as the Olivet discourse—“Ye shall hear of wars … There shall be
famines, and pestilences” (Matthew 24:6, 7). After wars (the second seal),
famine comes (the third seal), and also many diseases plague war-torn nations (the
fourth seal).
• The
peril of savagery. “To kill …
with the beasts of the earth.” The world will become a hunting ground for
wild, savage beasts. Today, they seem to be curtailed in most countries, but
Divine judgment will result in the beasts becoming dominant and deadly.
5. The People in the Peril (Revelation 6:8)
“Power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth” (Revelation 6:8). These are staggering statistics. One-fourth of the world’s population will die in this fourth seal judgment. The sword, starvation, sickness, and savage beasts will take so many lives that only 75% of the world’s population will survive. Funeral homes will be swamped with business.[3]
Chapter 6
“And I saw
when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were, the noise of Thunder,
one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white
horse: and he that sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given unto him: and he
went forth conquering, and to conquer.
And when He had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the Earth and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. And when He had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. And when He had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the Earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth” Revelation 6 1-8 (KJV).
|
Chapter 6 IV. The Seven Seal Judgments:
Events Preceding the Great Tribulation, 6:1–17 A. The Lamb Breaks the First
Four Seals of the Book of Destiny: The Appearance of the Antichrist & His
Power, 6:1–8 |
|
|
1. The first Seal: A white
horse &
rider appeared |
And I saw when the Lamb
opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were, the noise of Thunder, one
of the four beasts saying, Come and see. |
|
a. He possessed a bow b. He was given a crown c. His purpose: He went
forth to conquer |
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him
had a bow, and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and
to conquer. |
|
2. The second Seal: A red
horse & rider appeared |
3 And when He had opened the second seal, I heard the second
beast say, Come and see. |
|
a. He was given power &
a large sword b. He removed peace &
caused killing or war |
4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power
was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the Earth and that they
should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. |
|
3. The third Seal: A black
horse & rider appeared |
5 And when He had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast
say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him
had a pair of balances in his hand. |
|
a. He possessed a set of
scales b. He caused famine &
scarcity c. He controlled food
distribution, but he protected the rich (oil & wine) |
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A
measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the
wine. |
|
4. The fourth Seal: A pale
horse I heard the & rider appeared |
7 And when He had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of
the fourth beast say, Come and see. |
|
a. He had the name of Death b. He was followed by Hades
or Hell c. He was given one-fourth
of the Earth to kill by war & famine |
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat
on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them
over the fourth part of the Earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and
with death, and with the beasts of the Earth. |
THE SEVEN SEAL JUDGMENTS: EVENTS PRECEDING
THE GREAT TRIBULATION, 6:1–17
A. The Lamb Breaks the First Four Seals of the
Book of Destiny: The Appearance of the Antichrist and His Power, 6:1–8
(Revelation
6:1–17) DIVISION OVERVIEW: End Time:
the dramatic moment has arrived. God’s book—the book of destiny, the great book
of history, the book that spells out what is to happen in the end time—is now
to be opened. But note: the Lamb does not open the scroll at this point.
He merely breaks the seals. And the events of the seals are not the end of
history itself. They are the events which immediately precede the end. The
seals of a book have to be broken before the book itself is opened. The seals
are preliminary to opening the book. This is exactly what Christ Himself said.
Remember, the apostles had asked Christ two questions: When would the temple be
destroyed, and what would be the sign of His coming and of the end of the world
(Mt. 24:3)?
⇒ Christ answered by giving nine signs,
and He called this period of history “the
beginning of sorrows”
(Mt. 24:5–14, esp.
v.8).
After He had given the nine signs, He said, “Then shall the end come” (Mt.
24:14).
Note that it was after the nine signs, after the “beginning of sorrows,” that Christ said the end would come. By the end, He meant what He Himself called the great tribulation that is coming upon the Earth in the end time. (The following chart will perhaps help us see what our Lord predicted and what is now beginning to happen in the book of Revelation.)
|
THE END TIME |
||
|
The Words of
Christ |
|
The Book of
Revelation |
|
• The beginning of sorrows: preliminary sorrows, trouble, and evil in
society and nature, yet world evangelism continues (Mt. 24:5–14). |
… corresponds to |
… The Seven Seals (Re. 6:1–17) |
|
• “The Great Tribulation”: unparalleled trials (Mt. 24:15–28). |
… corresponds to |
… The Seven Trumpets, the bowls, and the beast (Re. 8:1–18:24). |
|
• “The Son of Man coming” |
… corresponds to |
… The Final Triumph of Christ (Re. 19:1–22:21). |
Note
the clear and astounding similarity between what our Lord said and the book of
Revelation. The very similarity shows the mind
of God revealing these things. This should make every person, believer and
unbeliever alike, stand in stark amazement and bow before Him who alone can
save us and give us life eternal.
⇒ There is a similarity between “the beginning of sorrows” (Mt. 24:5–14) and the seals of
Revelation (Re. 6:1–17).
The end of the world will not come all at
once. The future will be filled with wars, natural disasters, persecutions,
and the claims of false deliverers (messiahs). And at the very end there will
be an increase and intensification of the signs. But this is not all. There is
to be a terrible sign: the appearance of the rider on the white horse (Re.
6:2), “the abomination of desolation” (AV), “the desolating sacrilege” (RSV), “the
man of lawlessness” (2 Th. 2:3), the “little horn” (Da. 7), the Antichrist.
This person will afflict the people of God beyond imagination. (Re. 11:7.)
⇒ There seems to be a similarity between “the great tribulation” spoken of by Christ and
the seven trumpets, the seven bowl judgments, and the beast covered by
Revelation.
⇒ Others point to a remarkable similarity
between “the beast” (Antichrist) pictured
time and again in Revelation and “the abomination of desolation” spoken of by
Christ (Mt. 24:1–31; Re. 11:7).
This distinction is extremely important in understanding the Book of Revelation. Why? Because our Lord Himself said the same thing. In essence, He has told us how to outline and look at Revelation. Therefore, we are most wise to follow the outline of the end times that He has given us. In the final analysis, it is better to be simple minded and to follow what He has said than to be wise and strike out on our own and end up adding something to His Word that displeases Him (Re. 22:18–19). We reverence and fear Him. We want to be acceptable to our wonderful Lord, and during these latter years, more than anything else in all the world, we want to show our love for Him by obeying Him and following His Word to the utmost. For this reason, we shall approach the Revelation as our Lord predicted the end time. (Mt. 24:1–51; 25:1–46)
(6:1–8) Introduction: the dramatic moment has
now come. The seals that bind God’s book are now to be broken. One by one, they
shall be broken. Amazingly, as the seals are broken, the most astounding thing
happens. What is written under the seals of the book leaps off its pages and
acts out the events of the future for John and the heavenly host. They actually
see what appears to be a picture or a movie of the end time. This is important
to note, for John and the heavenly host are not reading the book. They are
witnessing the events of the end time.
The first four
seal judgments seem to be a description of the Antichrist gaining control over
the nations of the Earth. He will do it by waging war (the red horse), by
gaining control over the economy (the black horse), and by having his opponents
put to death (the pale horse).
In the Scripture before us, the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, breaks the first four seals. When He does, one of the four living creatures who surround the throne of God thunders forth the command: “Come forth.” And when He thunders His command, the terrible scene of some end-time event thunders across the scene of world history.
1. The first seal: a white horse and rider
appeared (vv.1–2).
2. The second seal: a red horse and rider
appeared (vv.3–4).
3. The third seal: a black horse and rider
appeared (vv.5–6).
4. The fourth seal: a pale horse and rider appeared (vv.7–8).
1 (6:1–2) Antichrist—Four Horsemen: the first seal is the thundering
appearance of a white horse and its rider.
Who is this rider? His identity is widely disputed, but the conclusion of most
commentators is that he is one of two persons.
1. He
symbolizes the victorious Christ Himself or either the victorious proclamation
of the gospel. It is argued that the color white
is always associated with Christ throughout Revelation. In addition, the rider
is said to be crowned. Therefore, this rider must be Christ Himself.
Others argue,
however, that Christ cannot be commanded by heavenly creatures; therefore, it
cannot be Christ Himself. Hence, the horseman must be the conquest of the Word
of God as prophesied by Christ (Mk. 13:10).
2. The
second major view is that the rider is conquest in general, the Antichrist in
particular.
⇒ He is the deceiver; therefore, he
appears in white (Mt. 24:5; 2 Th.
2:11).
⇒ The crown he wears is different from
the crown worn by Christ in Re. 19. It is the crown of the conqueror
(stephenos), not the royal crown of a king (diadema).
⇒ The bow symbolizes conquest. In the Old
Testament, it is always the symbol of military power (Ps. 46:9; Je. 51:51; Ho.
1:5).
⇒ It is further argued that to be
consistent, one must relate this horseman to the other three. The four present
a picture of the four horsemen of the
Apocalypse that are to descend upon the Earth in the latter days with
terrifying destruction.
In one’s
interpretation, it is extremely important to note this: when the rider appears
upon the scene, he already possesses a
bow. But the crown is given to
him. After it is given, then he goes forth to conquer. This points strongly to
a counterfeit Christ. Note three facts:
⇒ First, this rider has a bow.
Christ possesses no bow; a weapon of war is not a part of His being.
⇒ Second, this rider is given a
crown. Christ is not given a crown. One has to say that Christ has been crowned
throughout all of eternity or else at His ascension.
⇒ Third, this rider sets out to
conquer. There is no specific point of time at which Christ set forth to
conquer the hearts of men. He has always been about the mission of salvation.
Conquering men’s
hearts will continue to be His mission until the day of judgment appears. Thus,
there is no point from which He has to move to conquer; He is conquering souls
even as He has always been conquering souls. But this is not true with this
rider. This horseman who sets out to conquer is one who already possesses a bow
and is given a crown at some point in time. From that point, he goes forth to conquer. (See The Little
Horn of Da. 7; The Man of Sin and the Beast and the Ruler of the Restored Roman
Empire of Re. 13; the Abomination of Desolation of Mt. 24:15.)
The strongest
arguments seem to point toward the white rider being the Antichrist. How is the
Antichrist going to conquer the world? Scripture tells us that it is going to
be through deception. Because of the sins and evil of people, because people
have chosen to go the way of sin and evil, the Antichrist is going to be able
to deceive them.
V “And then shall that Wicked be revealed … even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Th. 2:8–10).
People do not
receive the love of the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ; people could care
less about God’s salvation; therefore, God is going to judge the world. The
beginning of His judgment is going to be His allowing the Antichrist to come
upon the world scene. God is going to allow men to be deceived because they
have rejected the love of the truth. They have rejected and cursed Him, and His
glorious salvation revealed in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, God
is going to send a strong deception upon the Earth, the very deception for
which men long, a strong world ruler who seemingly can solve the world’s
problems and bring utopia to Earth. And men are going to give their kingdoms to
him; that is, they are going to sign treaties and agreements that will allow
him to rule over their nations and lives.
V
“And for
this cause, God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a
lie” (2 Th. 2:11).
V “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled” (Re. 17:17:).
Thought 1. What could cause men to turn
the government of the world over to one man? Christ Himself told us. (Note that
all of this is given by Christ in Matthew 24:1)
⇒ A world that is full of false messiahs
claiming that they have the answers to life will prepare the way for the Antichrist.
But their claims are false; therefore, they leave the human heart empty and
hopeless. When the heart is empty and hopeless, it will turn to a person (the Antichrist)
who promises utopia, that is, heaven upon Earth.
V “For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Mt. 24:5).
⇒ A world that is full of violence, wars,
and rumors of war will prepare the way for the Antichrist. Millions of lives,
homes, families, and all else will be destroyed. A devastated people will turn
to any leader who can bring peace and restoration.
V “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Mt. 24:6–7).
⇒ A world that is rocked with natural
disaster after natural disaster will prepare the way for the Antichrist.
Disaster after disaster will cause people to quake in fear. Fear will drive
people to a world leader who can promise and provide economic and medical help
and aid.
V “And there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Mt. 24:7b).
⇒ A world that is torn apart religiously
will prepare the way for the Antichrist. Severe religious persecution and
terrible apostasy and betrayal will sweep the Earth. There will be division
within the ranks of religion and families and between neighbors sweeping the Earth
in the end time. This will cause people to turn for help in bringing peace
between religions.
V “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another” (Mt. 24:9–10).
⇒ A world that is full of false religion
and false preachers will prepare the way for the Antichrist. False religion
will leave the heart hungry for something real; therefore, they will be ripe
for the promises of the Antichrist.
V “And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many” (Mt. 24:11).
⇒ A world that falls further and further
away from God, that experiences increasing sin (sin that just grows and grows),
and a love that grows cold will prepare the way for the Antichrist. People will
be begging for help in dealing with lawlessness, drunkenness, drugs, occults,
crime, and on and on. They will look toward anyone who can bring true care,
affection, and love back into society.
V “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Mt. 24:12).
2 (6:3–4) Antichrist—Four Horsemen: the second seal is the thundering
appearance of a red horse and its rider.
Who is this rider? He is the rider who has the power to take peace from the Earth
so that men will kill each other. He is the rider who is given a great sword. He is the rider …
• of strife
• of violence
• of assault
• of division
• of abuse
• of anger
• of hate
• of uprising
• of murder
• of insurrection
• of war
• of bloodshed
He is the
rider who divides race against race, class against class, neighbor against
neighbor, employee against employer, husband against wife, religion against
religion, and nation against nation. He is the rider who takes peace from the Earth
and causes every kind of division he can. He is the rider who destroys every
human relationship that he can.
Now, who is
the rider upon the horse? John does not say, but note these facts:
⇒ The last days will bring terrible days
of evil and truce breaking.
V “This also know that in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good” (2 Tim. 3:1–3).
⇒ The last days will bring terrible days
of wars and rumors of wars.
V “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Mt. 24:6–7).
⇒ The devil himself is called “the great red dragon.”
V “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads” (Re. 12:3).
⇒ The devil is a murderer and a great
liar and deceiver and has been from the beginning.
V “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44).
⇒ The Antichrist, who will be the supreme
representative of the devil upon Earth, will become a mass murderer and use the
sword against both God’s
people and those who oppose him. This is one way that he brings the world into
subjection under his government.
V
“And it
was given unto him [the Antichrist] to make war with the saints, and to
overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and
nations. And all that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him, whose names are
not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world” (Re. 13:7–8; see Re. 17:15–18).
V “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Th. 5:3).
Now, who is
the rider upon the red horse? We can say that he either represents the lack of
peace the Antichrist and his government bring to the world, or else he is the Antichrist
himself. To say one is to say the other. When the Antichrist and his government
appear upon the world scene of human history, he will bring peace and safety
for a while. But then there will be a break in his peaceful behavior: he and
his government will explosively destroy the peace of the world. This will take
place right before the great tribulation
takes place. It is the increased world violence that Christ predicted for the
end time, right before the great
tribulation.
V “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Mt. 24:6–7).
3 (6:5–6) Antichrist—Four Horsemen: the third seal is the thundering
appearance of a black horse and its rider.
This rider also seems to be the Antichrist and his power to control the economy
and distribution of food. Food will be rationed in the end time. Remember,
there will be more wars and conflicts and violence raging all over the world
during the end time than ever before. The result of war is often famine, and
the end time will be no different. The only difference is that the famine will
be far more severe and involve far more people. The end times will see an
intensification of all the terrible sufferings known to man.
Note two
points.
1. This
rider (the Antichrist) has a set of scales to measure out the wheat. Wheat or
barley was the basic food for people in John’s day. Note that it took …
• a “penny” (denarius) to buy a measure
of wheat, that is, about a quart
• a penny to buy three measures of
barley
A penny was
about a day’s wage. Imagine working and earning only enough money to buy what
food was needed for that day! What would a person do about feeding his family
and providing the other necessities of life, such as housing, heat, clothing,
and transportation? This will be the situation in the end time, right before the great tribulation is to
take place.
2. The
rider controls food distribution. This is probably one way that he gains and
holds control over the world, at least for a season. The idea is that food will
be strictly controlled. But note: there will be plenty of oil and wine. How
could oil and wine, which come from trees and vines, be available when wheat
and barley are scarce and shriveled up with a draught? From stockpiles and from
the fact that trees and vines have roots more deeply in the ground than crops.
They can usually survive and produce more through a drought than crops. Also,
trees will produce for years without being cared for. War will keep men from
growing crops, but trees will keep on producing without much attention. Oil and
wine were luxury items in the ancient world. As is true in most famines, the
wealthy will have food, and the poor will not.
The end time
will be marked by famine after famine all over the world. It will take all a
man can do just to survive.
V
“And ye
shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all
these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and
pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Mt. 24:6–7).
V
“They
that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger:
for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field”
(Lam. 4:9).
V “Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine” (Lam. 5:10).
4 (6:7–8) Antichrist—Four Horsemen: the fourth seal is the thundering
appearance of a pale horse and its rider.
The Amplified New Testament translates the word pale as “ashy pale horse [black and blue as if made so by
bruising].” Remember: this is not yet the end of time. This horseman, just as
the other three, is to appear before the end time. But what happens under his
attack causes such devastation that it boggles and weakens the mind. Note:
this rider also seems to represent the terrible devastation caused by the Antichrist
and his government or the Antichrist himself. Two significant facts are given
about him.
1. The
rider (Antichrist) has a name, that of death, and sitting right behind him is Hell
or Hades, the realm of the dead. His very name announces that some terrible
devastation is about to be set loose upon the Earth.
2. The
rider (Antichrist) is given the power to cause unbelievable pain and suffering:
he is personally responsible for killing one-fourth of the people on Earth.
Unbelievable! How can one rider possibly kill one-fourth of the people? A
number that would equal over one billion today? There are four ways.
⇒ The sword can help to kill that many
people. That is war and genocide, by deliberately setting a policy to destroy
certain races or groups of people.
Thought. All it would take is someone
like Hitler to launch a larger war, perhaps an atomic war upon Earth. Or
someone like Hitler to launch a worldwide holocaust or a Stalin to create a
worldwide Siberia where millions upon millions of people were killed (Mt.
24:6–7).
⇒ Hunger and starvation can help to kill
that many people. That is, the rider can starve people and cause famine due to
war and the rationing of food.
Thought. Reports tell us that while we
slept last night, there were about 40,000 children alone who starved to death.
Imagine! In the twentieth century, 40,000 children starve to death every day!
Yet, think of all the money we have in our pockets and of the money so many are
banking. Tens of thousands are starving to death, and we have the money and the
resources to keep it from happening. But out of selfishness and greed, we
hoard. If so much death from starvation occurs when we could stop it but don’t,
how many would be dying from starvation due to the kind of world war we would
see in the modern world? How much of the Earth would be scorched and unfit for
farming? How savage and lawless would people become if they were starving and
saw someone with little food? (Mt. 24:7)
⇒ Pestilence can help to kill that many
people: that is, germ warfare and the diseases that result from the unsanitary
conditions of refugee and concentration camps and from war and genocide. (Mt.
24:7)
Thought. Think of the outcome of
disease that will occur when the next war breaks out: the unsanitary conditions
and the outbreak of both old and new diseases such as we witnessed with the
venereal diseases, flu epidemics, smallpox, polio, measles, aids, and diphtheria.
And there will be little, if any, medical supplies.
⇒ Wild beasts will help to kill that many
people. That is, due to war and the transplanting of people, billions of
people, especially children, will be homeless. This rider is responsible for
exposing people to the beasts of the forests and jungles, who will be just as
hungry and insane from the lack of food as people will be.
V
“And ye
shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all
these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and
pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Mt. 24:6–7).
Thought. The picture of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse is not a pretty picture; nevertheless, any thinking and honest person knows that it is a real possibility with the weapons of war that exist today. The truth is that Holy Scripture says that it is going to happen. It will happen right before the events of the end time are to be launched by God. But as terrible as the Four Horsemen events are, they are not the worst judgments that are to take place on Earth. The worst will still lie ahead when the end time itself is launched. These judgments are just the seal judgments. The end-time judgments are called the trumpet judgments and the bowl judgments. May God help us to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation before the end comes.[4]
Revelation 6:1-8 The Wrath of the Lamb, The Opening of the Seals, Scenes of Suffering, and The Final Judgment of the Enemies of the Church
NIV
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission
of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
NRSV
Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard
Version of the Bible, copyrighted, 1989 by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of
America, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
NRSV
Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard
Version of the Bible, copyrighted, 1989 by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of
America, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
NIV
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission
of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
[1] Barton, Bruce B. 2000. Revelation. Edited by Grant R. Osborne. Life Application Bible
Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Butler, John G. 2010. Analytical
Bible Expositor: Revelation.
Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.
[3] Butler, John G. 2010. Analytical Bible Expositor: Revelation. Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.
[4] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible.
Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
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