THE SEVEN SEALED BOOK IS OPENED AND

OUT COMES THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE

REV. 6

Lesson 9

Introduction: Our attention is now focused upon one of the most noteworthy portions of God’s  Word and at the same time least understood. The judgments of God upon the earth are revealed in the seven sealed book. As the seven seals are broken, out comes God’s plan for the future. From the seventh seal come the seven trumpets. They reveal as ever intensifying series of judgments. From the seventh trumpet comes the seven vials or bowls of God’s  wrath. So intense are these judgments, no one would be left on earth

except in Jesus’ own words, these days be shortened.  They probably cover the last 45 days of the Great Tribulation.

Remember from Chapter 5, this seven sealed Book is taken from the hand of

God the father by God the Son who is the Lamb of God.

The Lord Jesus alone has met all the requirements to be the redeemer

of all men including all creation. The events leading from a sin cursed world to an eternity without sin will follow a chain of events all ready outlined in God’s Word.

         I.      The opening of the seven seals.

a.       The breaking of the first seal (Vs 1,2)

1.       A white horse and a victor’s crown

a)  The white horse speaks of peace.

b)  The rider is not Christ but the anti-Christ.

c)  He brings a false peace, and for 3 ½ years leads Israel into a false peace.

d)  Dan 9:26 speaks of Him “as the prince that shall come.”

1)       He is Satan’s masterpiece and the counterfeit of all Christ is.

2)       He has a bow without arrows indicating a bloodless rise to power.

3)       In our future study we shall see how he makes a treaty  with Israel, then breaks that treaty after 42 months or 3 ½ years.

b.       The second seal and the “flame colored, blood red horse”(Vs 3,4)

1.       My personal feeling is that with this seal broken we have the beginning of the 3½ years called the Great Tribulation.

2.       Peace is taken from the earth, and war breaks out that ends with Armageddon.

a)  We will see this has many parts, but all are a part of the whole.

b)  Notice permission is granted the rider of the red horse to take peace from the earth.

c)  This is indicated by the great sword.

3.       The Holy Spirit is no longer restricting evil, so the sinful heart of man when unleashed knows no limits.

4.       Just take all law enforcement out of Indiana for 48 hours and consider what would happen.

c.       The third seal and the black horse(Vs 5,6)

1.       Following war and conflict, we learn black indicates suffering.

2.       From Rev 6:6, we learn that life would be lived with barest of necessities.

3.       The wages indicated here are enough wheat for only one meal or cheaper barely for three meals.

d.       The fourth seal and the pale horse(Vs 7,8)

1.       Here the pale rider brings death to one fourth of the world’s population.

a)  In my lifetime the population of the earth has gone from 1 billion to over 6 billion.

b)  With today’s numbers that would mean over 1½ billion people.

2.       Until the true Prince of Peace sets up His Kingdom, the world without war is only a dream.

e.       The fifth seal and the martyred remnant

1.       As the tribulation moves toward its conclusion, many followers of Christ will lose their lives as martyrs.    

a)  In Chapter 7 God is seen protecting His 144,000 witnesses or preachers.

b)  But for the many across the whole earth that believe the message of the witnesses, death will be the cost.

c)  Satan has and will continue to lead attacks against those who would be true to God’s Word.

d)  It will cost to take a stand and maintain a Christ centered testimony.

2.       The cry to God from those who have died in (Vs 10) reminds us of the Old Testament as God’s people cried out for punishment on their oppressors.

3.       Notice in verse 11, white robes are given.T

a)  hese robes indicate the righteousness of Christ, which is given  to every true saint.

b)  It is of interest to note that time would continue as others are added to their numbers.

c)  Also a look into what’s ahead for us between death and the resurrection body

d)  Need a body to hang clothes on – “clothed upon” (II Cor. 5)

f.         The sixth seal and judgment resumes on earth (Vs 12-17)

1.       A scene of extreme judgment on earth

a)  Luke 21:25-28 reminds us the Gospel writers were aware of the coming time of judgment. 

b)  I believe this is a literal time coming on the earth.

2.       Let us take a look and consider the similarities between Matt.24 and Rev. 6

a)  War – (Matt. 24:6-7)

b)  Famine – (Matt 24:7)

c)  Death –( Matt. 24:7-9)

d)  Martyrdom – (Matt. 24:9-11)

e)  The son and moon darkened and stars falling (Matt 24:29, Rev 6:12-14)

f)    A time of Judgment (Matt 24:26-32 , Rev.6:15-17)

3.       The result on man of these events. (Vs 15-17)

a)  As always when man sins, he attempts to hide.

1)       Adam and Eve

2)       Men in and during the tribulation

b)During the period men will not be living on other planets or taking off in space ships to avoid judgment.

4.       The day of wrath has come and “who can survive it.”

a)  It’s coming! - ARE YOU READY?