This tired old planet has come under cruel times of famine, catastrophe, dictatorship, and many other causes of suffering. But Revelation 6 introduces the most awesome period of time the world has ever known. This seven-year period decreed by GOD is for the primary purpose of shaking human beings loose from a false sense of security. Then perhaps they may call on the name of the LORD just before the end of the age. How well GOD achieves this purpose will be seen in our study of chapter 7.

The first of the three chronological judgments - seals, trumpets, and bowls - is set forth in chapter 6. Some Bible teachers see enough similarity in these judgments to suggest that they run concurrently. That is, the first seal will occur at the same time as the blowing of the first trumpet and the pouring of the first bowl. Certainly all three sets of judgments tend to build up intensity as they get to numbers five, six, and seven. The problem with that idea is that it completely overlooks the face that the opening of the seventh seal introduces the trumpet judgments of chapters 8-9, and the blowing of the seventh trumpet introduces the seven bowls of chapter 16. Therefore we may conclude that the three judgments run chronologically and represent periods of the Tribulation.

The seal judgments cover approximately the first quarter of the Tribulation or the first twenty-one months.

THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE

The first four seals reveal horses and riders in the form of striking imagery. An examination of the context indicates that it is clearly a dramatic presentation of literal facts. It is not GOD's intent to convey individual personality through these horsemen but world conditions. That they all do not refer to specific people can readily be seen by noting that the fourth horseman is called death, and death is not a person.

The four horsemen present the picture of man's inhumanity to man. They seem to be a divine prediction of the affairs of humankind that will cause much human suffering. This is not new, for those in control of the affairs of this world have a history of causing their fellow human beings much suffering, with false hopes of peace followed by wars, famines, and death.

THE FIRST SEAL - THE RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE

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.    (Rev. 6:1-2)

Immediately after the Lamb opens one of the seals, the first of the prophetically well=known "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" appears. Since there are three more horses and riders to follow with the successive breaking of the other seals, it is important that we identify this first rider, as a key to understanding the three that follow him.

The Antichrist

The Antichrist and his kingdom are obviously what is symbolized by the rider on the white horse. Emperors such as Napoleon, Alexander the Great, and many other would-be conquerors rode on horses. The purpose of this rider is clearly stated: "a conqueror bent on conquest." This is none other than "the little horn," that "willful king" that Bible students have been anticipating for many years. One interesting characteristic of his coming is that he has a bow in his hand, symbolic of aggressive warfare, but no arrow, indicating that he will conquer by diplomacy rather than by war. Ushering in a false peace, he will be the superman who promises to solve all the world's problems. That he will be ultimately victorious is seen by the fact that he has a crown on his head.

Interdependence among nations today is increasing at a rapid pace. In spite of the obvious and flagrant uselessness of the United Nations, it is being heralded by many world leaders as the only answer to world peace. The international hysteria of nuclear warfare has created a phobia in the minds of people who will never be satisfied until they have a one-world government. The stupidity of such a possibility is completely ignored by the idealistic aspirations of millions. The fact that socialist thinking and subversive activity dominates the United Nations does not deter the advocates of one-world government. Neither does the fact that socialism has never worked in any country of the world to improve the quality of life. These people dream of a one-world socialist world (without GOD).

Their enthusiasm has not abated over the years, although many small new nations are given equal vote with mature nations like our own, and two-thirds of the voting power resides in the hands of 10 percent of the world's population, which won 5 percent of the world's land area. Dr. J. Vernon McGee once told of a woman in Arkansas who named the United Nations as the beneficiary of her $700,000 estate in the fervent hope that this relatively small contribution could be of some effect in bringing about universal peace on earth and good will among humankind. Doubtless this poor woman never dreamed that her money would be used for a spying headquarters by communists and socialists against her own nation. Nor did she ever dream that her money would be used to help finance the butchery of innocent victims in Katanga in an effort to force the typical communist coalition government upon the people.

In spite of all these things, some of the wealthiest foundations in the United States are doing everything humanly possible to brainwash the population through television and other mass communication with the idea that the only solution to the world's problems is the United Nations. If this is not setting the United Nations in a perfect position to make room for the Antichrist and his one-world government, it is at least preparing the thinking of the people for Antichrist's eventual government.

Russia to Be Destroyed

The way this master diplomat, the Antichrist, could conquer the world through his sudden diplomacy is to offer peace and prosperity to humankind. In all likelihood, this could be accomplished if Russia and her cohorts were out of the way. Ezekiel 38-39 tells us that Russia will conceive of the idea of conquering Israel. Just at the moment when she is preparing to do so, GOD will supernaturally destroy Russia. In the wake of this destruction, the Antichrist could very well offer peace to the entire world in order to avoid any further wars between nations.

When will Russia be destroyed? It is impossible to be dogmatic in answering this question. At the latest, it will occur at the beginning of the Tribulation, for it will take seven years to burn the implements of war after GOD has wrought his destruction on Russia (Ezek. 39:9). It is unthinkable that this would go on during the Millennium; therefore it must come at the very beginning of the Tribulation or even before it.

It is possible that Russia will be destroyed before the Rapture of the Church. There is nothing that demands it, for the LORD can come at any time. However, there is no reason to believe that Russia will not be destroyed before the Rapture. Ezekiel 39:9-10 indicates that for seven winters the people of Israel will burn the leftover implements of war. Since the Jews will be persecuted by the Antichrist for the last three and a half years of the Tribulation, that may suggest Russia and her Arab allies will be destroyed at least three and a half years prior to the beginning of the Tribulation. It could, of course, be more. One of the mysteries of prophecy is whether Russia is destroyed before the Rapture. However, if there is a period of time between the Rapture of the Church and the beginning of the Tribulation, the Church could be raptured, Russia destroyed, and then the Antichrist set up his one-world government. All the more reason Christian's should be ready at any moment to "depart and be with Christ" in the Rapture. It can come at any time.

Although all the world leaders promise peace to the masses, the human race does not have the capacity to fulfill that promise, no matter who they are or what nation they represent. The Antichrist will be no exception! For we will see that his false promises of peace, though giving him control of the world, are impossible for him to fulfill.

THE SECOND SEAL - THE RIDER ON THE RED HORSE

When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.   (Rev. 6:3-4)

The red horse is obviously a symbol of war, for he has the ability to "take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other." This is also evidenced by the fact that a great sword is given to him. Obviously, in the Antichrist's takeover of the world, some dissatisfied nations will have waited too long to make their play to avoid his domination. Yet, rather than remain slaves, they will revolt, thus inaugurating a world war. Although their attempt to throw off the shackles of the Antichrist will be unsuccessful, it is evident from the opening of the next seals that this will be a widespread and bloody war.

THE THIRD SEAL - THE RIDER ON THE BLACK HORSE

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. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"   (Rev. 6:5-6)

The black horse is an evident symbol of famine. Black is used to depict famine in other portions of Scripture (Jer. 4:28; Lam. 4:8-9), and famine often follows war (as it did after World War I).

Inflation also tends to grip the world right after a world war. Such will be the case during the Tribulation. The balances in the hand of the rider on the black horse indicate the scarcity of food. In fact, a penny is the biblical reference to the equivalent of a person's wage for one day (Matt. 20:2,9). Three measures of barley are about a pint, a minimum daily sustenance diet. This, then indicates that a person will have to work for a whole day just to earn enough money to live, which will leave nothing for the family or the elderly. On this basis we can predict that all Social Security and other means of "preparing for our old age" will come to an untimely and unsuccessful end.

The rich, however, are not so injured, as indicated by the fact that the rider on the black horse is instructed not to "damage the oil and the wine," which are traditionally foods of the rich. AS in the case of all war and resulting famine, this famine will take a heavy toll on the common people.

THE FOURTH SEAL - THE RIDER ON THE PALE HORSE

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.   (Rev. 6:7-8).

The pale horse is literally livid or corpse-like, signifying death. The death rate of the first twenty-one months of the Tribulation period will be tremendously high as a result of war, famine, and inflation. In fact, one-fourth of all the world's population will die. According to the present world census, that would total about a billion and a half people - some killed by the edge of the sword, some by hunger, and some by "wild beasts of the earth." This latter phrase may mean a revolt against humanity on the part of the animal kingdom, or it may be a symbolic use of the words "beasts," relating to human governments. In the book of Daniel, human kingdoms are pictured by GOD as beasts. Also in Revelation 13, the beast that comes out of the sea symbolizes the Antichrist and his government. In any event, one-fourth of the world's population will be wiped out as a result of the Antichrist's greedy confiscation of world power.

The fact that Hades follows the pale horse of death indicates that these are unsaved dead. A believer who receives Christ during the Tribulation will not go to Hades, which is a place reserved for unbelievers as they await the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20). Without being dogmatic, I suggest for your consideration that individuals who receive the mark of the beast (Rev. 13) will be those who die during this period. My reason for stating so will be given more clearly when we get to chapter 13.

THE FIFTH SEAL - THE MARTYRED TRIBULATION SAINTS

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. 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?" Then each of them was given a white robe and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

Chapter 7 will introduce the fact that at the beginning of the Tribulation there will be a great soul harvest throughout the world. The opening of this fifth seal clearly teaches that after this has begun, there will be a time of great personal persecution for the children of GOD. These are the Tribulation saints, individuals who had not received Christ at the time of the Rapture, before the Tribulation began, but did receive Him as a result of the faithful witnesses depicted in chapter 7. They will be martyred "because of the word of GOD and the testimony they had maintained."

The world despises a clear-cut testimony based on GOD's Word, and that hatred will be given free reign during the Tribulation period, resulting in an agonizing time of persecution for GOD's people. Even though these saints inquire of the LORD, "How long, Sovereign LORD," others will be killed for their testimony. Their prayer will not deter persecution, because it is a time that must be "completed." We know that these people are believers, for verse 11 indicates that each one is clothed in "a white robe." It is comforting to know that although this time must be "completed", it is also only "a little season" (KJV). This will probably be the greatest period of cruelty to Christians the world has ever known. Many of the believers referred to in Revelation 7:9 as "a great multitude that no one could count," will probably be slain.

THE SIXTH SEAL - CATASTROPHE ON EARTH

"I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red" (Rev. 6:12). When the sixth seal is opened, the earth is violently shaken by a giant earthquake, indicating that it is the great day of GOD's wrath. Following the persecution of his saints, He will show His displeasure on the earth for this persecution.

Although there is some conjecture to the contrary, this seems to be a description of a physical shaking of the earth caused by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Such things have happened before EArthquakes in Northern Peru in 1970 took almost 67,000 lives. A professor once stated that in the last four thousand years earthquakes have caused a loss of thirteen million lives, and he claimed the most awful earthquake is yet to come. Dr. Robert Thieme tells of the eruption on August 27, 1883, or Krakatau on an island in the Dutch East Indies. The explosion was heard in Rodriguez, South America, three thousand miles away. AS a result of the volcano, the sun was blotted out. Volcanic ash makes the moon look red and blots out the sun, for after the eruption of Krakatau, it is said that the sun was blotted from view at Batavia, a hundred miles away. At Bondune, 150 miles away, the sun was blotted out and the moon appeared red. Tidal waves traveled as far as Cape horn, seven thousand miles away, and in all 36,000 people were killed.

"And the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind" (Rev. 6:13). This verse indicates that meteors will fall to the ground and hit as hard, unripe things.

"The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed form its place" (Rev. 6:14). This catastrophe will apparently bring about fantastic changes on the physical earth.

"Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains" (Rev. 6:15). Great fear will grip human hearts, but because of their stubborn, willful, rebellious ways, instead of turning to GOD in the hour of peril they will hide in the rocks and the dens of the earth. The cataclysm will be so gigantic in proportions that even the great people of the earth will have no place to hide. Who knows what will happen to the poor?

"They called to the mountains and the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?'" (Rev. 6:16-17). It seems evident from these verses that the world will know that this is a judgment from the LORD Jesus Christ, for they refer to Him as "the Lamb."

These people will also be fully aware that they are in the Tribulation period. The fact that the fifth seal delineates the large scale persecution of Christians during the Tribulation prepares us for the opening of the sixth seal. That is followed suddenly by this great catastrophe, which in turn leads the world to recognize that this is the judgment of GOD because they have persecuted the followers of the Lamb of GOD. Suddenly they will recognize that they are being judged and will be conscious that there is no place to hide. Oh, that people in that day will have enough sense to recognize that the LORD is their defense, as did the people in Nahum's day (Nah. 1:5-7) in a similar experience. These sixth-seal catastrophes are only an introduction to the great cataclysms that will come on the earth during the remainder of the Tribulation.

The first twenty-one months of the Tribulation period consist of horrifying events. After the Antichrist assumes worldwide control, world war, famine, inflation, and the death of 25 percent of the world's population will follow. Then will occur a great persecution of GOD's people, followed by the catastrophic judgment of GOD. If this passage of Scripture teaches anything, it instructs us that the Tribulation is a period no one should enter. The wonderful thing is, you don't have to! If you have received the LORD Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will never go into this period of the Tribulation.

  

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