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When the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll, one of the four living creatures said, "Come". Then the scene in heaven shifted to earth and a horseman came out. This was repeated for the opening of the second, third and fourth seals (6:1-8).

  1. RIDER ON A WHITE HORSE came out conquering and to conquer; he held a bow and was given a crown.

    The rider came out with the goal to conquer and actually conquering and was given a victor's crown. Some commentators made the point that the rider had a bow with no arrow mentioned and this means "peaceful conquest" with diplomacy and without bloodshed. But I am wondering whether we ought to interpret based on what is not present because one can add "no this" or "no that" ... and there will be "no end" to possible interpretations. Moreover, the goal to conquer does not exclude peaceful diplomacy and therefore there is no need to resort to "no arrow mentioned".  

    This rider on the white horse is not Christ (the rider on a white horse in Rev. 19:11-16) because the former came early in the Tribulation with more judgments to follow while Christ's coming occurs near the close of the Tribulation period and puts an end of the Tribulation judgments. This rider was given a crown while Christ has many crowns of sovereignty. Moreover, this horseman parallels the other 3 horsemen as instruments of evil and judgment and therefore could not be a symbol of good. 
  2. RIDER ON A RED HORSE was given a large sword and the power to take peace from the earth and to make men kill each other ... a picture of war (sword) and bloodshed (red).
  3. RIDER ON A BLACK HORSE with a pair of scales in his hand came out. A voice sounded out from among the living creatures, "One 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".

    It would take a day's wages to buy a quart of wheat (for about one meal) or three quarts of the less wholesome barley indicating famine. During a famine, the poor would spend all they have on the bare essentials while only the rich would have money for the luxuries like oil and wine.  
  4. RIDER ON A PALE HORSE came out. The rider was named Death and following close behind was Hades (personified).

    Death was a consequence of the horsemen on the red and black horses (i.e., war and famine). Authority was given to the fourth horseman to kill a quarter (¼) of the world's population as a result of the catastrophes of (a) war, (b) the resulting famine and (c) disease and (d) attacks by wild animals. 
  1. MARTYRDOM OF BELIEVERS - The opening of the fifth seal revealed the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for their testimony. These souls were under the altar and they were calling out to God for vengeance. But they were told to wait a little longer for those who yet to be slain ... suggesting more would be killed for their testimony (6:9-11). Note that this scene took place in heaven.
  2. EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY PHENOMENA - When the Lamb opened the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake ...

    What did the people of the earth see when the sky split apart like a scroll? What did they see that cause them such great fear that they would call upon the mountains and the rocks to fall on them so as to hide them?  

    When the sky split apart, they caught a glimpse of the One who sits on the throne and of the Lamb and they realized that the day of reckoning has arrived (6:16-17) ... the day of judgment ... the day of wrath ... and that they would not stand because they were guilty and there would be no escape! 

Reflection

How do you stand in relation to the Lamb who breaks the seals? Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who died for your sins? If you do then then you will be kept from “the hour” of tribulation (Rev. 3:10). Do you recognize that you need to be forgiven of your sins? You cannot hide from Him. There is only one way to escape the judgment of the Lamb who breaks the seals. Trust in His death for your sins.

© Copyright January 2019 Alan S.L. WONG