Chapter 6: The Seals Are Opened
Next Part The Second Seal—WAR
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We now come to the critically important chapter 6—and the beginning of Christ’s one-by-one removal of each of the seven seals. Watch end-time events unfold in sequence.
First, again understand that, beginning with chapter 6, unsealing the seven seals spans the next 15 chapters of the book. But since chapter 6 explains six of the seven seals, obviously they do not individually receive a large amount of space. The seventh seal is so important—and so multi-faceted—that God devotes much space to its complete explanation. Most of the remainder of Revelation is devoted to just the seventh seal!
This is another key to understanding the whole book.
The world sees the Apocalypse as a mystic, cryptic message of doom! The first four seals are represented by four riders, on four different-coloured horses. Of course, much has been said and written about them. But the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” as they are commonly referred to, are still viewed as mysterious, unexplained horrors to be unleashed upon the world without warning. Again, only briefly explained now for context, each horse and rider receives its own chapter later in the book. But it is still important that we lay enough foundation here regarding the meaning of these horses and riders that you comprehend what is happening as the unveiling of Revelation progresses.
To clearly understand the first seal of Revelation 6:2, we must accept a basic fact. Recall, the Greek term apocalypse simply means “revelation.” So let’s now explain what is to be revealed—the seven seals.
We will read the description of each seal before discussing it. Remember, God wants His servants—“the wise”—to understand!
The First Seal—FALSE CHRISTIANITY
Let’s now examine the first seal: “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” (Rev 6:1-2).
What John records is written in symbols. He does not speak in plain language. It is impossible to understand these symbols by merely rereading Revelation 6:1-17 over and over until their correct meaning sort of “pops into your head.”
It is also absolutely critical to recognize that a list of human interpretations is available for what this horse and its rider, and the others, represent. But, once again, the Bible interprets the Bible. We must permit Christ to explain what He is unsealing! No one else has authority to speak for what God gave to Christ—and authorized only Him to reveal!
Christ Interprets
Jesus reveals the meaning of the white horse. Recall that His disciples asked Him, “…when shall these things [the destruction of the Temple] be? and what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world?”
Understand that Christ is speaking in both Matthew 24:1-51 and Revelation 6:1-17. He is addressing the very same questions in both chapters. He answers His disciples by listing, in time sequence and order, the events and trends that precede the end of the age—and thus His Coming.
Now notice the exact parallel between Revelation 6:1-2 and Matthew 24:4-5: “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Christ [that Christ is Christ]; and shall deceive many.” That’s right! Christ warned that the many will be deceived by those who claim to represent Him—not the few.
The white horse that John described represents false “christs.” Here is proof. The one sitting on this horse is actually a counterfeit of the true Christ and a counterfeit of His Second Coming, described in Revelation 19:11-16. There, the real Christ wields a sharp two-edged sword, while the false christ is represented as carrying a bow. Do not overlook this critical difference!
Here is a partial description of the true Jesus Christ returning in great power and glory. While it does show Him riding a white horse, the rest of the description is very different from Revelation 6:1-17 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He does judge and make war...And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Rev 19:11, 15).
Consider for a moment. Most who study Revelation believe that the white horse of the first seal pictures the true Christ coming before war, famine and disease strike the earth. How ridiculous! Such ignorance and misunderstanding has clouded the timing of the glorious Return of Jesus Christ described in Revelation 19:11-16. This is but one more way Satan’s ministers have deceived false Christianity—the other white horse.
Parallel Chapters
Before proceeding, let’s read more of Christ’s answer to His disciples in Matthew 24:1-51. It will prepare us to see further the precise parallel between it and Revelation 6:1-17.
Carefully notice the rest of Jesus’ answer: “And you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that you 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 various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Mt 24:6-8).
Christ gives a direct answer to a direct question. The events He describes require no interpretation.
In fact, they are Christ’s interpretation of Revelation 6:1-17. By having them in mind as we read the opening of the remaining seals, we have Christ telling us in advance what we are viewing—and what the symbols mean. All mystery is stripped away. This is most crucial to see!
The same Christ would not give two different versions of what happens immediately prior to His Return. He would not tell one thing to His disciples of the first century, and give an entirely different explanation to His servants of the twenty-first century! This should be obvious.
But, it is important to understand that only relatively recently, after almost 2,000 years, has the book of Revelation been opened up to plain understanding for all those who will heed. The words have always been there, but, as with Daniel’s prophecy, their meaning has been “sealed till the time of the end.”
Grasp what you have just read! In effect, Jesus has given an advance newscast—newspaper headlines—of events now lying just ahead, and increasingly already around us today. Jesus’ greatest single prophecy, the entirety of Matthew 24:1-51, Mark 13:1-37 and Luke 21:1-38 contain much more information than just Matthew 24:3-8. But we are not yet ready to discuss it.
In John 1:1-51, Jesus Christ is referred to as “the Word.” Compare Jn 1:1 and Jn 1:14. “The Word” is translated from the Greek word logos, meaning “Spokesman.” Actually, Jesus not only inspired Matthew 24:1-51 and Revelation 6:1-17, but also the entire Bible! (I Cor. 10:4, among other places, reveals that Jesus Christ is in fact the God of the Old Testament. However shocking this is to most, it is true and easily provable!)
For those with “eyes to see and ears to hear,” in Matthew 24:1-51, Jesus is revealing in plain language the true meaning of the symbols recorded in Revelation 6:1-17.
Understanding the last sentence is the single biggest key to understanding the entire book of Revelation!
Parables are much like symbols. Both are different from the actual things or figures being described. As explained, while most believe that Jesus spoke in parables to illustrate His meaning, He said otherwise in Mark 4:1-41 and Matthew 13:1-58, when discussing the parable of the Sower and the Seed. The real reason Jesus spoke in parables was to HIDE His meaning. The same is true of symbols! It is the use of these symbols in Revelation 6:1-17 that kept the prophecy locked—sealed!
If you read the account in Mark, you will find that Jesus explains the Parable of the Sower, but only privately to His disciples. This is exactly what He did in Matthew 24:1-51. He explained privately to His disciples then—“and His disciples came to Him privately”—and for His disciples of the end time, the meaning of the Revelation 6:1-17 symbols.
When the disciples wanted to understand the events that would precede Christ’s Return, they asked HIM, not some uninformed churchman or theologian who could have no idea what he was talking about.
You can do the same. Christ is “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). What He revealed to the disciples long ago is just as true for us today! And the events are foretold to occur in our time. So, if the first-century disciples desired to know the answer to their question of Matthew 24:3, how much more should today’s disciples want to plainly understand what will directly affect their lives?
Understand one final point about Christ’s explanation of the opening of the seals. Each represents a prophetic trend that begins and remains continuous from the moment it is opened, all the way to His Second Coming.
In II Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul recorded how false ministers (or false christs) do their work—deluding, deceiving and causing vast numbers of people to accept counterfeit christs (II Cor 11:4). While this has been happening for 2,000 years, all but the few—to whom Christ is revealing His precious truth—are completely oblivious! This includes deceitful misrepresentation of the entire book of Revelation. You will later learn this in stunning detail.
False ministers and deceivers were prophesied to delude the “many”—not the few.
Almost immediately after Jesus’ death and Resurrection, false ministers and deceivers entered His true flock. This is the very reason He warned His Church, in each of its seven eras of chapters 2 and 3, with separate messages.
Next Part The Second Seal—WAR