2. Opening of the seven seals
2. Opening of the seven seals.
The first seal reveals Antichrist making war on the nations prior to entering into a seven year peace treaty with Israel (see comments on Rev 6:1-2, 13:1-7).
The second seal reveals Antichrist breaking the treaty after three and a half years - in the middle of the tribulation - and making war on God's people, under the empowering of Satan (see comments on Rev 6:1-2, 11:1-2, 12:1-5, 12:6, 13:1-7).
The third seal reveals famine in the earth. This is a natural consequence of Antichrist's wars (see comments on Rev 6:5-6). The fourth seal reveals death and hell which together with war and famine kills a quarter of earth's inhabitants (see comments on Rev 6:7-8).
The fifth seal reveals the first martyrs of the tribulation, beheaded for their witness to Christ (see comments on Rev 6:9-11). The sixth seal reveals the first of God's judgments upon sinners (see comments on Rev 6:12-17).
The seventh seal reveals the seven trumpet judgments of God about to be unleashed upon the earth (see comments on Rev 8:1-6).