Six Seals Opened ...

Chapter 6 of John’s book Revelations is a continuation of the vision that began in chapter 4.  The scene is set in heaven, God the Father has offered a book that is sealed with 7 seals, but only to one who is worthy to open and read it.  At first, no one is found who is worthy to take the book.  But then, Jesus the Lamb of God, enters the room and takes the book, at which all of heaven rejoices.  John picks back up with the scene here as in verse 1 he writes … “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.”  Now that the Lamb has taken the book, He begins to open the seals that were keeping it closed.  Upon opening the first seal, one of the 4 beasts (or other life forms) invites John to come and see what was revealed in the opening of the first seal.

John continues in verse 2 … “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.”  A literal white horse and rider is probably not the true intention of this passage.  Throughout human history there have been many conquerors and this imagery is probably not intended to simply identify yet another one.  So given a probable lack of literal meaning in the interpretation, a more figurative or spiritual interpretation of the symbolism seems much more likely.  It might also be worth noting that the first beast was likened to a lion (a traditional symbol of power and conquering) that invites John to witness the opening of this particular seal.

The first parallel in the number of 7 seals, would seem to coincide with the previous revelation of messages to the seven churches.  While each of the seven churches might have also represented a time or period in church history, one might ascribe the opening of each of the seven seals to run in parallel.  In this instance, the first church of Ephesus and the purity of the white horse that conquers or brings in many converts may well have substantial synergy.  Jesus Christ had planted the seeds of salvation throughout His ministry here on earth.  After His death and resurrection it was the early Apostolic church that reaped the harvest.  And the harvest was substantial.  The state of the church in this early Christian infancy was likely far more pure than it has been since.  They shared resources (literally selling all their possessions and pooling it for distribution).  They keenly felt the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, transcending language barriers, healing all those in need, working miracles in the name of Christ.  If ever there was a time in the history or state of the church that would have represented the victory of Christianity it may well have been during this first period.

And like the message revealed to the church at Ephesus, the meaning is not restricted “just” to that audience.  He that hath an ear includes readers from every age.  Here too, the message of the gospel in the purity of Jesus Christ has an appeal to conquer evil within us and is extended down through the ages from Ephesus until His second coming.  So too, the rider on the white horse, may continue to carry His message of our salvation from evil down through the ages until the time of His returning.  The good news of the gospel is eternal in its ability to rid us of the sin we once embraced, and see us freed in the power of His so great love.  Contrary to the popular view that what is written here is a description of the 4 horses of the apocalypse, perhaps what is being symbolized instead is a picture of the church and a condition of the faith at various times in our history, and with a warning to readers in every age to heed what they see in the conditions it describes.

John continues then in verse 3 ... “And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.”  It appears there is a correlation between the opening of the seals, and the 4 beasts that invite John to come and see what is revealed as these events occur.  The first beast was identified as similar to a lion, perhaps the roar in the voice of this beast sounded like the thunder John heard on the first invitation.  The second beast had been identified as a similar to a calf and now seemed to be the one inviting John to witness the events surrounding the opening of the second seal.  John continues in verse 4 … “And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”  The idea that wars have extended throughout our history is not a big surprise.  But perhaps a deeper meaning might include the motivations transcending from pure greed, to an attempt to compel the conscience of others.  Indeed, many wars have been waged throughout history in the name of God, or in the name of a particular brand of religion that purports to follow God.

However the second church was identified as Smyrna and generally identified as being the time of early persecution of the faith.  Note too that a calf has the unique characteristic of being a sacrifice in days of old, perhaps not a coincidence it was the beast who invites John to see the opening of this seal.  Indeed, many martyrs were created by Jews who believed Christianity was an abomination to the Jewish faith and purity they held by birthright.  In addition, persecution was conducted by pagan Rome and other pagan faiths against those who bore the message of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.  In this much blood was spilled as the faith marched on.  But also, instead of remaining gentle like a dove, Christianity began to embrace the idea of picking up the sword.  Perhaps initially done with the idea of only defending itself, it is not difficult to begin to see other useful purposes of bringing a sword into our efforts to promote the gospel.  Christians even today, are not typically opposed to carrying guns in the name of defense.  Like our ancestors, there is a perception that we too, are persecuted or killed for our faith, and perhaps we too, need a sword to defend ourselves.  But perhaps also like our ancestors, we too, would think of other uses for our swords and weapons – perhaps we too would attempt to use the sword to enforce His laws, rather than allow His love to inspire that free will choice.

John continues in the beginning of verse 5 writing … “And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. …”  The third beast was described as having the face of a man.  And the third church was Pergamos.  John continues in verse 5 … “And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. [verse 6] And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.”  From a sheer color perspective the state of the church could be seen to be degenerating.  We have moved from the purity of white, to a red soaked in blood, to now a black color.  The balances in the hand may well symbolize a transition in the church from giving selflessly to now deciding how much to give and how much to retain.  In effect men turn from the purity of Christ, and begin to look inward and please self instead.  This condition in Pergamos was reflected in the temptation to forsake monogamy (or in spiritual terms, to introduce worship of things other than God).  Man often looks in the mirror if he follows his natural inclinations, and does not seek to submit himself to Christ in order to be remade.

Perhaps the color of red, and persecution that resulted in much blood, had ended because now the church was more in harmony with its oppressors than with its originator.  The saying that describes the prices of food is said to represent an unusually high cost, perhaps representing a full day’s wages for a single meal.  The notation not to hurt the oil or the wine may well be a further statement not to waste what little there is in a time of famine or deprivation.  In spiritual terms, famine is a certainty, when we abandon seeking the leadership of Christ, and supplant His leadership with our own.  The minute we believe we understand scriptures enough, and only our versions, or doctrines, or understandings are the right ones, we testify that we look inwardly instead of to Him.  This leads to a spiritual famine where little manna from heaven is able to reach us, for we seek it no longer.  Perhaps the sayings here were to point out to the church in that time, and in ours, that it is easy to find spiritual famine when we abandon seeking Christ first.  These are, after all, revelations about Jesus Christ.

John continues in verse 7 … “And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.”  The fourth beast was likened to an eagle in appearance, traditionally known for speed and ability to cover vast distances in a short period.  The fourth church was Thyatira.  John continues in verse 8 … “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”  At this point the state of the church has degenerated so far it has become dead.  Instead of being a beacon of light and love, it now seeks to kill with the sword, or with forced deprivation of hunger, or with the savagery of beasts any who oppose its will.  And the Dark Ages enter our landscape.  Thyatira had entertained Jezebel who had sought to keep the Word of God from being given to the people of her day.  She introduced the ideas of self-pleasure and infidelity to offset the purity of faithfulness to God.  So, in the dark ages, the church had grown completely corrupt, and completely dead.  It chose to restrict the Word of God from the people at large, and punish them savagely if they dared to question any of its practices.  The parallels are striking.  While not being attributed with a red color, the church did create a great number of martyrs during these dark days, where light was rejected.  And the span of the church was over a great deal of Europe.

But the message of the pale horse or condition of the church is not restricted only to the times of the Dark Ages.  When we forsake the pure worship of God, by introducing the worship of self, and beginning to ignore His word, in favor of our own, we too join with the pale horsemen that characterizes this state of the church, or those who purport to follow God.  It is easy to attempt to use the forgiveness and mercy of God, to give us license to embrace our sin all the more.  Instead of seeking freedom from sin, we seek only forgiveness for it.  Thus who we are is as dead as the horsemen, instead of seeking renewed life in Jesus Christ.  It is when we rely on self for salvation that this occurs.  Self is interested only in its own needs, not in reform, or re-creation.  Our natural inclinations will never see us saved.  If we are to be saved, it must only be by the power of Jesus Christ.  In our complete submission to Him, we can be re-created and find ourselves wanting different things.  Challenging the authenticity of the Bible does not lead to this result, it leads away from it.  Jezebel knew the keeping the true Word of God from the people, would lead them astray.  The Catholic church of the Dark Ages, knew that power over the people could not be maintained if they had the freedom to seek the Word of God for themselves.  And today, Satan knows that if we retain faith in the accuracy and literacy of the Bible, it will lead us to Christ and His redemption.  So he attacks the Bible and suggests that perhaps it is not entirely accurate.  He insinuates that science knows better than God, and that we can trust our own reason ahead of our Creator.  Thus he seeks to make pale horsemen of us all.

John continues in verse 9 … “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:”  Notice here the FIRST reason why these martyrs were slain was for “the Word of God”.  These were men, women, and children who chose to die an earthly death rather than give up their faith in the Word of God, the Bible as we know it.  But it was not for scripture alone that they died.  Scripture absent Christ is worth little, as the Pharisees bear witness to.  These martyrs were also slain for “the testimony which they held”.  Jesus Christ was alive in these followers.  They had a personal testimony of what Jesus Christ had done for them.  Indeed it was this testimony that was so real, and so meaningful, they would choose an earthly death rather than deny it.  The scriptures were made alive in these followers because of the real work of Jesus Christ in re-creating who we are.  When this occurs, it creates a passion that will not be made silent.  Thus the Word of God is combined with power of Christ, and the world must kill us to keep us from spreading it.  Then and now, nothing has changed in this regard.

Notice there were only 4 horses and riders, as there were only 4 beasts who invited John to witness the events of the first 4 seals.  The fifth seal was witnessed without invitation.  The fifth church was Sardis.  The message of revelation to Sardis was to preserve what was ready to die, or to stop the bleeding.  There were a few who had remained unsoiled by the degeneration of the state of the church all through history.  And now as this seal is opened, the aggregate of the faithful who had gone before speaks out to our God as John continues in verse 10 … “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”  The injustice of being slain for the truth of Jesus Christ causes much pain in this world and in heaven.  Should evil be allowed to continue forever, the pain it causes would also only be magnified forever.  The blood of the martyrs is a testament to the enduring intention of evil to kill all who oppose it, or stand in its way to please self.  This injustice cries out to heaven and to our God, “how long?”

John continues in verse 11 … “And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”  But the response of infinite love, is that they must have patience, in order that the redemption of others still steeped in evil might be accomplished.  He that overcometh shall be clothed in white raiment.  This was the promise given to the church of Sardis, and here during the opening of the fifth seal, it is once again on display.  Those who were slain for sake of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ made personal in their lives, are granted white robes of His righteousness as promised.  In fact white robes, were given to every one of them.  No one dies in vain, for sake of the Word and its Author.  While we are not perfect, nor deserving of His righteousness, He imparts it still as a gift to us.  Notice too, that the answer given is that they should “rest for yet a little season”.  Those who have been slain for the Word and Testimony of Jesus are to continue to sleep in their graves for a while longer.  They have not been forgotten by God, and will soon wake to be clothed in white raiment by their Savior.

As John concludes this chapter he describes a sequence of events that occurs upon the opening of the sixth seal.  You will remember that the book in the right hand of God the Father offered only to the Lamb who is worthy contained 7 seals that kept its contents protected.  This chapter ends having only opened 6 of them, which means the book itself could still not be revealed until after the seventh seal was opened.  John writes as follows in verse 12 … “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; [verse 13] And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.”  The first series of events are signs of the returning of Christ witnessed in the physical universe that surrounds us.  A great earthquake, the sun becoming blackened, the moon appearing as blood, the stars appearing to fall; all of these have found fulfillment in our recent history.

However, then John describes events that occur only AT the second coming of Christ.  This means that upon the opening of sixth seal, events occur which lead to His returning to take us home.  John records in verse 14 … “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. [verse 15] And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; [verse 16] And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: [verse 17] For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”  These are clearly events of worldwide epic proportions that would only occur at the time of His second coming.  Notice they are not hidden, or quiet, or done in secret.  They are instead open, loud, and easy for the entire world to witness.  This would seem to preclude the idea of a secret rapture where the saved have quietly been taken from the planet.  The second coming described here is quite a noisy and cataclysmic affair.

In keeping with our earlier comparisons, the parallel with the messages to the churches would begin with Philadelphia or the sixth church and the physical signs that occurred in nature that corresponded with this church in history.  It then ends however with the seventh church period of Laodicea despite not actually having opened the seventh seal as yet.  This lends some credence to the ideas that perhaps both remnants of Philadelphia and Laodicea are present at His second coming.  There does not appear to be a clear break in the sequence of events described, nor is there a clear break in the transition between Philadelphia and Laodicea.  Perhaps this is by intent, or perhaps it is merely we do not have the complete understanding of how it is to take place.  

In any case what is clear, is that every eye shall behold Him.  In this case, people of great and small stature are asking the rocks to fall upon them to hide them from “the face of Him that sitteth of the throne”.  The wicked of every variety are seeing the face of Jesus Christ, and the evil within them cannot stand in its presence.  When evil is confronted with the holiness of the Love of God, it shrinks away and seeks out darkness.  Evil does not desire to stand in the light.  It does not want to be revealed.  It prefers the comfort of darkness to hide what it does.  When evil is seen and illuminated by the light and love of Christ, it is revealed for the pain and death that it brings.  No one desires evil when they see it for what it truly is.  Thus evil relies upon deception to make us believe it is something we should want, instead of something we should be running from.   Evil attempts to lure us with the gratification of the moment, because it knows that righteousness offers eternal fulfillment with which it cannot compete.  Thus at His return, evil withdraws to hide itself, and run from the purity of His love.

This chapter ends with the opening of the sixth seal.  The book remains unread.  And the time of His second coming is described in the opening of the sixth seal.  Chapter 7 describes a momentary interruption in the events that are about to transpire.  We will explore this pause in the next section …