Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with
a voice like thunder, "Come and see." 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow;
and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1-2)
I. THE SEVEN SEALS AROUND THE SCROLL IN GOD’S COURT (REVELATION 5)
A. The context of the opening of the 7 seals is the heavenly court scene (Revelation 4-5; Daniel 7:9-14) where Jesus is
seen as a slain Lamb who receives the scroll from His Father in the heavenly Throne Room (Revelation 4-5). The scroll
represents the title deed of the earth and the action plan required to reap the two harvests (salvation and judgment) and
to cleanse the earth. The glorious purpose related to the scroll is not released until the 7 seals around it are broken. Jesus
is the only one worthy (deserving and capable) to open (release, set into motion and oversee) the 7 seals of judgment
around the scroll (Revelation 5:5-7). The 7 seals each refer to terrifying judgment events. Jesus administrates (sets in
motion and oversees) the 3 numbered judgment series events related to the scroll. Revelation 6:1 gives us an advanced
preview of the future opening of the 7 seals as the seals are broken one by one releasing punishment on rebellion and
divine purgings of the saints.
B. There is no time lapse between Revelation 5 and 6. Jesus has not actually taken the scroll, but will in the near future.
The timing of Jesus taking the scroll and opening the 7 seals is the interpretive key to the Book of Revelation. Is it future
or past tense? Daniel 7:9-14 is a different view of events just prior to the Second Coming. Revelation 5:8 gives insight into
the timing of Revelation 4-5 as when the prayer movement is mature worldwide.
C. The 3 numbered judgment series (i.e., seals, trumpets, bowls (Revelation 6-19)) are literal (actual events not to be
explained away symbolically or historically), future (their greatest fulfillment is future), progressive (released in a
sequential order as they follow one after the other in a clear chronological sequence) and numbered (with prophetic and
sequential significance).
D. The 3 judgment series are God’s judgment against unbelievers as He purges the earth. The trumpets and bowls are
especially aimed at the worldwide governmental system of the Antichrist to disrupt it through our prayers. These 3
judgment series are part of the unveiling of Jesus’ splendor (Revelation 1:1).
E. Distinctive of the first 4 seals – They are God’s judgments using the rage of Satan and the unrestrained sin of man
against the human race without particular focus on the saints as in Revelation 12-13.
F. The seals are preparatory as one anticipates ‘more to come.’ This is analogous to the wrapping on a gift that is
removed to receive the contents inside the package (it anticipates more to come). The nature of a seal is to keep safe
something that is anticipated (i.e., the contents of the scroll). The seals alert us to something important to come (yet with
an element of mystery). Trumpets warn of impending disaster and rally the righteous to the place of prayer in the presence
of God (Tent of Meeting). Trumpets warn of something more severe to come that requires extreme, desperate emergency
actions. Bowls speak of that which is poured out in fullness without delay or hindrance.
G. The 7 seals surround the scroll requiring that they be broken in order to open the scroll.
H. With close examination, we see that the seals are clearly distinct from the beginning of birth pangs (Matthew 24:4-8) as
well as from God’s judgments through history.
I. Each of the 3 judgment series (seals, trumpets, and bowls) have 7 events which are structured in the same way. Each
series is divided into 3 parts (i.e., the first 4 belong together, the next 2 are clearly grouped together and then the final
one stands alone). This structure is meant to be understood to give more insight into the seals, trumpets and bowls.
J. The first 4 seals are clearly a group distinct from the last 3 seals.
K. The first 4 seals all have a colored horse with a rider released by a decree of one of the living creatures to bring pain
and destruction to the human race (every revealed event is to be turned into a prophetic decree and/or intercessory
prayer as we participate with Jesus in releasing judgment).
L. Some point to a correspondence between the face of the living creatures (Revelation 4:7) and the nature of the seal
judgment they release. The first living creature, being like a lion who releases the Antichrist to conquer with aggression.
II. JESUS RELEASES THE 7 SEAL JUDGMENTS (REVELATION 6:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12; 8:1)
Now I saw when the Lamb (Jesus) opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures
saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see." (Revelation 6:1)
A. I saw the Lamb – the opening of the seals is the responsibility of Jesus in (Revelation 5:5). Jesus is the initiator of these
events as the direct cause, though using sinful instruments. Four sources contributing to the End-Times scenario are all
under Jesus’ ultimate oversight.
1. God’s zeal that His people will be trained to rule the earth in righteousness.
2. The prayer movement significantly impacts the process of End-Time judgment.
3. Satan’s rage to kill and torment humans since they are created in God’s image.
4. Man’s sin that opens the door giving demons access and permission to torment the earth.
B. The four living creatures are Seraphim. These are high-ranking angels next to God’s throne who function in God’s
hierarchical structure. We can see events released on earth as activity takes place in the spirit realm. The first four
seals are broken in heaven releasing the horsemen.
C. A voice like thunder gives a 2-fold call to John to “come and see” (Revelation 6:1, 3, 5, 7). Thunderous voices speak
of a coming storm of God's judgment activity (Revelation 4:6; 14:2; 19:6). Only the first seal is released by a voice of
thunder. The first Seraphim has a face like a lion (Revelation 4:7). He roars as the implications begin that follow the first
seal. The first seal begins a domino affect with the energy of heaven behind it that cannot be stopped by man. Once the
first seal is broken the storm of heaven breaks in upon the earth and the count down begins for the final 31/2 years.
D. We receive this same 2-fold call to receive the spirit of revelation about the end-of-the-age. John is to draw closer to
be filled with awe and wonder at the coming manifestations of God’s power.
1. Come – draw near to God and let your heart be filled with wonder.
2. See – John was to pay close attention as he sees an open vision of future events. He sees this in a dramatic visual
way comparable to Technicolor media production. The Church is to imitate the spirit of this invitation to go deep in the
Book of Revelation. We are to be fascinated like John as we turn what we see into intercession in effective partnership
with Jesus in spiritual warfare at the end-of-the-age.
E. Revelation 6:1-8 depicts 4 colored horses (white, red, black, pale) and are parallel to the horses in Zechariah 6:2-3
which are red, black, white, dappled or “spotted" (Zechariah 1:7-11; 6:1-8). In Zechariah, the meanings of the colors of
horses is not as obvious as in Revelation 6. In Zechariah, they function as heavenly agents to patrol the earth to stop
the enemies of righteousness. In Revelation 6, the 4 horseman are evil forces that punish wicked people. Old Testament
horsemen (Jeremiah 14:12; 24:10; 42:17; Leviticus 26:18-28; Ezekiel 14:12-23).