A quick reminder of what we discussed in our very first week. Revelation 1:3 ESV “3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”
We don’t have to understand every piece or decipher every symbol in order to be blessed. There is so much that will remain a mystery to us until these events unfold. The mystery, therefore, opens the door for many theories and explanations.
Revelation 6 is no exception to that.
Recap from last week:
Jesus steps forward as the only One worthy to break the seven seals on the scroll which may be the title deed to the earth. We discussed how Revelation 6 and the breaking of the seals is an overview or trailer showing highlights. And it’s believed that the breaking of the seals is what unleashes the rest of the events.
A great analogy of this uses the illustration of “a telescope comprising three sections, the outer or larger section containing the inner two. Out of the larger section (the seals) issues the second or middle section (the trumpets), and out of the second section issues the inner section (the vials) [bowls].[i] It becomes a “just when you think it can’t get any worse” situation.
The seven seals are being opened one by one. As these seals are opened, what is released is added to what came before it. They are additions, not replacements.
The first two seals were opened. The first was a white horse whose rider gives the impression of being a good guy but actually, is presumed to be the antichrist. He arrives with a bow but no arrows. He’s given a crown; but as we discussed last week the Greek word used for “crown” was “stephanos” which is a temporary crown. He will ride in appearing to be a hero and peacemaker to those left behind after the Rapture. It will seem that he has all of the answers to bring peace and calmness to the chaos.
But that façade will only last for a time because he actually paves the way for the second horse, a fiery red one, who will join him. This horse, who is released when the second seal is broken, ushers in war. This rider is given a sword as well as the power to remove peace. Nation will turn against nation, neighbor against neighbor.
We ended last week after the second seal had been broken. The removal of peace in the world and where there is no peace, there is war.
A common byproduct of war is economic catastrophe, scarcity, and famine. That brings us to the third seal and the third horse.
“5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (Revelation 6:5 NIV)
Again, a living creature issues a summons. We don’t know which living creature summons each horse, but we can take notice that anything that affects the earth is when the living creatures will speak. The elders speak when it has to do with Heaven.
The color of the horse this time is black. Black is generally not a cheery tint. “It can represent famine in general, mourning and sorrow, or a period of time when no revelation (spiritual light) comes from God.”[ii]
This rider is holding a pair of scales indicating rations and lack of adequate sustenance. This horse is unique in that nothing is given to him. He comes in with scales and nothing is added to that. The other unique thing about this horse is that additional words are spoken by Someone who was among the four living creatures. We know that these four living creatures are around the throne of God, and we know that Jesus is positioned right there as well. It’s possible that the voice belongs to either God or Jesus.
This voice from among the four living creatures proclaims that a day’s wages are what it will take to purchase two pounds of wheat or six pounds of barley. These represent the amount of food one person would need to eat each day to remain nourished. In other words, a person had to work all day just to have enough to feed themselves. What was to happen to those with families? There won’t be enough to go around and, as it generally goes, price gouging will take place. Starvation sets in for many.
There’s a weird command at the end. The horse representing famine is told not to damage the oil and the wine. The reference to the oil and wine “in this context, are less crucial supplies, making them a form of minor luxury. The implication that these are not harmed might suggest that wealthy people would not be hurt by the economic or inflationary catastrophe.”[iii] But for most, the outcome will be catastrophic.
The third broken seal delivers worldwide famine.
This paves the way for the fourth horse.
“7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 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.” (Revelation 6:1 NIV)
This horse is described as pale. The original Greek word used was chlōros which means a pale yellowish green color. When we think of green, we tend to think of vegetation or new growth. While that’s true, green also represented contamination, pestilence, and disease in the Bible. (Leviticus 13:49) Dr. David Jeremiah describes chloros as “the pallor of the face of a corpse in the state of advanced decay.”[iv]
This rider has a name. Death. This is “not Satan, who has the power of death, but death itself; who is represented as a person.”[v] This rider also has a companion. Hades. And look at what was given to them. They are given power to kill over a fourth of the earth utilizing a sword (2nd seal), famine (3rd seal), plague (4th seal) as well as the wild beasts of the earth. This duo of Death and Hades is the natural consequence of war as well as food shortages and worldwide plagues. But what is meant by the wild beasts of the earth? There are a couple of theories.
“In times of severe war, famine, and disease, depopulation occurs, which upsets the precarious balance between human civilization and wildlife. Suddenly, with hunting and developing of wilderness areas reduced or eliminated, the population of predatory creatures expands, increasing the chances of animal attacks on humans.”[vi]
To some degree that makes sense, but it would seem with the ongoing famine that hunting would increase. Perhaps not.
To entertain an additional theory, let’s look at the original Greek word used here. Therion is used in scripture to identify wild animals or used metaphorically to describe a brutal and savage man.[vii] Therefore, the wild beasts may be referring to harm-intending people on the earth. Regardless of whether the reference to wild beasts is literal or symbolic, there is no doubt that they pose a threat as their intent is to destroy and kill.
“In his book Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary: Revelation, Charles Swindoll describes the carnage of the rider on the pale horse this way: ‘In this terrifying scene John saw the grim reaper and the grave digger moving together across the face of the earth. ‘Death’ slays the body while ‘Hades’ swallows up the soul. These two figures symbolize the massive number of deaths that will follow in the wake of the first three horsemen. One-quarter of the world’s population will be lost in their rampage.”iv
At this point, the first four seals have been opened.
What’s interesting and worth discussing for a moment are the things these horsemen have been given.
The first is given a crown which represents authority. The antichrist is given jurisdiction, albeit temporary. The second rider is permitted to remove peace from the world and is given a sword. Obviously, this signifies chaos, hostility, violence, and war.
The third horse is given nothing to add to the scales that he already possesses.
The last horseman is granted the power to murder over one-fourth of the human race left on Earth.
The fact that authority, permission, and power were given indicates God’s involvement. “A theological term for this concept is “divine passive.” These horsemen are sinning. They are doing the works of the devil. However, ultimately God is sovereign over them. He allows them a certain leeway (like a dog on a leash) in order to accomplish His own perfect purposes. If God did not allow them to act, then they wouldn’t. And in fact they haven’t yet for that very reason, because of God’s restraint.”[viii]
Job’s story is the first thing that pops into our minds when we hear God’s restraint on evil. God didn’t create evil, but God can still control evil. He can use all situations – good and bad. Joseph told his brothers who had sold him into slavery that their evil intentions were nullified by God’s good intentions. Romans 8:28 assures us that “For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” All things don’t mean just good things. All things are also the bad things, the injustices, the heartaches, the disappointments that life brings. It’s important to remember that although we lack the understanding of the purpose of such things, we can be assured that God has a plan which is perfect and complete. No matter how bad, how terrifying, and evil things get, God is still in control.
No matter how bad, how terrifying, and evil things get, God is still in control.
The horses are one of those instances in which we don’t know if what John writes is to be taken literally or metaphorically. Will there actually be four horses or is the reference to horses symbolizing God’s activity to accomplish His plan?
When the fifth seal is opened, there is no horse. In fact, this seal opens to something entirely different from the first four seals.
Revelation 6:9 NIV “9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.”
This section appears to refer to those who are persecuted and killed for their faith during the Tribulation period. These souls were not raptured, but instead, were left behind to suffer in the days of the Antichrist, the wars, the famines, the pestilences, and death. Their salvation came after the Rapture. “These saints were slain by the enemy because of their witness to the truth of God and the message of Jesus Christ. The forces of the Antichrist do not accept the truth, because Satan wants them to be deceived and accept his lies.” ii They are under the altar symbolizing God’s protection of them. Their question is how long will it be before God has His vengeance on the evil ones.
One thing to consider is that we currently experience the grace and mercy of God and as God’s children, we are called to extend grace and mercy to others. God’s wrath and judgment are being poured out during this time in Revelation. These saints, therefore, are witnessing and are petitioning God to carry out His justice.
I admit being a bit perplexed by their concern with vengeance. I’ve always felt that once a person is in Heaven, so much of what happened and continues to happen on earth won’t matter to them. Are we going to be troubled with retribution when we get to Heaven? As usual, Warren Wiersbe has a great explanation. “It is not personal revenge that they seek, but vindication of God’s holiness and the establishment of God’s justice. Every believer today who sincerely prays, ‘Thy kingdom come!’ is echoing their petition.”ii
Their concern isn’t revenge for what was done to them but rather, their concern is God having the last word and avenging evil and sinfulness. There’s a lesson in that for all of us, isn’t there? We take wrongdoings and attacks personally and label ourselves “victim” but we completely forget that all sin, including our own, is an infraction against our holy God.
But God is thorough, God is perfect, God is fair, and God is timely in delivering justice.
White robes are given to them symbolizing their victory and they are told to rest a little longer until they are joined by future martyrs. And yes, there will be more killed for their faith.
Dr. David Jeremiah has these words for those left behind. “The truth is, if you choose to follow Jesus Christ, you may have to give your life for your faith. But let me encourage you to stand strong. You may lose your life, but you will receive eternal life that you can never lose.”vii
We have two more seals that will be broken, but we will only get to one more in this chapter. If you recall from last week, I mentioned that there are small breaks of praise and worship that John witnesses in between the carnage and devastation of the judgments. There’s a bit of a reprieve between the sixth and seventh seals. And as we read what takes place at the breaking of the sixth seal, you’ll understand why a rest or intermission is needed.
Revelation 6:12 ESV “12 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.”
This is just an unspeakable catastrophe. This is a culmination of horror, unexplainable science oddities, and natural disasters. All occurring simultaneously.
Earthquake. (This is the first of three that will occur).
Sun becomes black.
Full moon becomes like blood.
Stars fall to the earth.
Sky vanishes.
Mountains and islands displaced.
Can you imagine what people will be saying if the airways are clear and the internet or whatever replaces the internet is available? Can you envision the pictures and images of total destruction? The horrifying terror and vulnerability that those left behind will be experiencing will be like nothing that has ever been experienced before.
“It will appear that God is undoing the created elements He formed in Genesis 1.”[ix]
In the beginning, God created Heaven and Earth. And then He created light and separated it from darkness. The sky was created. Next came the land and the sea followed by the sun, moon, and stars. The only creations left are the inhabitants of His creation; fish, birds, land animals, and people. But even they will be affected.
Revelation 6:15 ESV “15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
Everyone, regardless of their level of authority, their title, their bank account balance, their skin color, their blood type, their ancestry, their address, their Facebook status, everyone hides from God’s wrath. What they do have in common is their fear. They will plead with inanimate objects to crush them and hide them from the object of their fear – He Who sits on the throne. “Sinners will not escape, no matter how powerful or rich they might be. He who carries out this judgment is the Lamb of God, the one who himself bore God’s wrath so that sinners might escape it (15-17).”[x] And yet, there will be many who still refuse Him.
“The Tribulation is a seven-year period during the End Times that is generally broken up into two parts. First, three years of uncontrolled and unrestrained evil followed by three years of unimaginable suffering as God pours out His wrath on the wicked.”[xi]
God’s wrath is just getting started. There’s a lot more to come. It may be difficult and uncomfortable to think of God in this way. We like it when God blesses, forgives, and loves. But God is holy, righteous, and justified in all He does. “God’s wrath is His righteousness reacting against unrighteousness.” J.I. Packer
[i] Revelation by Lehmann Strauss
[ii] Meaning of Color Black in the Bible (biblestudy.org)
[iii] What does Revelation 6:6 mean? | BibleRef.com
[iv] After the Rapture by Dr. David Jeremiah
[v] Revelation 6:8 – Bible Verse Meaning and Commentary (biblestudytools.com)
[vi] What the Bible says about Wild Beasts (bibletools.org)
[vii] Therion Meaning – Greek Lexicon | New Testament (NAS) (biblestudytools.com)
[viii] Revelation 6 Verse By Verse Bible Study Guide With Discussion Questions (studyandobey.com)
[ix] The Tony Evans Bible Commentary
[x] Revelation 6:17 – Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary – StudyLight.org
[xi] What Are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? – Topical Studies (biblestudytools.com)
Beacons of Light 