There are six seals opened in chapter 6, with the opening of the seventh seal in chapter 8:1. The seventh seal results in the second series of judgments – the seven trumpets.
First Seal – Rider on the White Horse – Revelation 6:1-2
As the Lord Jesus Christ breaks the seven-sealed book, the Apostle John sees, with the opening of the first seal, a rider on a white horse (Revelation 6:1-2). The first seal is broken from heaven, and judgment is meted out to the earth. As the first command is issued, a man upon a white horse goes out to conquer (v. 2). Many fundamental expositors believe the rider on the white horse is the Anti-Christ or the Anti-Messiah. His coming here signals the beginning of his rise to power. When the Anti-Christ comes to power, he will promise the Jews peace, but he will not be faithful to his pact (I Thessalonians 5:2-3). A promise of peace is the big delusion the Jews and the world will believe. You can’t believe the Anti-Christ because he is a deceiver like Satan (II Thessalonians 2:9). We must remember that the Anti-Christ is a deceiver, for he wants to be worshipped. Furthermore, he is an imitation of Jesus Christ, and will deceive many during the Tribulation Period with his lying wonders!
Second Seal – Rider on the Red Horse – Revelation 6:3-4
Next, John sees and records the opening of the second seal, a rider on a red horse, with war invading the earth. The rider on the white horse must have been the Antichrist, for after he begins to conquer, war inevitably breaks out! The Anti-Christ can never guarantee peace, for Isaiah 57:21 says: “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” When God meted out His judgment upon an ungodly world, the Anti-Christ cannot offer peace! The Antichrist will deceive many during the Tribulation Period, but the pseudo-peace that he offers is only temporary and counterfeit! Notice that everything associated with the second seal involves bloodshed.
Third Seal – Rider on the Black Horse – Revelation 6:5-6
With the coming of the rider on the black horse, the earth experiences famine. After every invasion of war, famine comes. As the earth during the Tribulation Period experiences this shortage of food, the greater will be the demand for a one-man ruler of the world. In the Tribulation Period, a full-day’s wage of man will buy little.
Fourth Seal – The Rider on the Pale Horse – Revelation 6:7-8
As the fourth rider on the pale horse appears, death claims one-fourth of the population by means of a sword (war), hunger (famine that follows war), death, and wild beasts of the earth. This will be a cataclysmic time for those who are left behind after the rapture of the church!
Fifth Seal – Martyrdom – Revelation 6:9-11
These verses clearly reveal that martyrdom will occur during the Tribulation Period. Those who were martyred cried out for vengeance and are told to rest a little season, for there would be believers, like them, who were to be killed for their faith (Revelation 6:10-11; 20:4).
Sixth Seal – Revelation 6:12-17
As the sixth seal judgment is disclosed, there is a great physical disturbance that takes place upon the earth. The judgment of the sixth seal will result in a great earthquake, with the sun becoming black as sackcloth, and with the moon becoming reddened as blood. The result of these judgments will be to strike terror into the hearts of men living on the earth! The populace cannot hide from the wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:17). These men shall expect to see a Lamb, but they will see a Lion! The Lion shall mete out true justice to an ungodly world!
May God Bless!
Dr. Johnny Calvin Smith
