REVELATION 6

THE SEVEN SEALS, THE FOUR HORSEMEN, + THE DAY OF THE LORD

Continuing John’s vision, the Lamb opens the first four seals of the scroll. Each seal prompts one of the four living creatures to summon a horseman.

The first of the four horses is white, ridden by a man holding a bow and wearing a crown, representing a military commander and warrior. Many expected the Savior to come as a powerful military leader or political ruler, not as a sacrificial lamb.

When the Lamb opens the second seal, a red horse appears, ridden by a man with a large sword and the authority to remove peace and incite war.

As the Lamb opens the third seal, a black horse arrives, ridden by a man holding a pair of scales, measuring wheat and barley. This horse likely represents famine and economic hardship, common results of war and unrest.

With the fourth seal, a pale horse arrives. Its rider, named “Death,” holds power over a portion of the world, inflicting them with sword, famine, and plague.

These four horsemen, often seen as God’s enemies, are believed to represent war, conquest, famine, and death. Previously, the prophet Zechariah was shown a vision of four horsemen which symbolized God's watchful sovereignty and His intentions to judge those who oppressed His people (Zechariah 1).

When the Lamb opens the fifth seal, John is shown the souls of the Christian martyrs, those who were killed for their testimony of faith. The martyrs cry out, asking how long until God brings His judgment upon Earth. Each is given a white robe and instructed to remain patient regarding God’s justice.

As the Lamb opens the sixth seal, there is a great earthquake, causing the sun to turn black and the moon to turn red. When this occurs, the stars in the sky fall and the heavens and the earth are altered. This day represents the time of God’s judgment, known as the Day of the Lord. This day was foretold by many prophets, including Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, Joel, and Ezra.