PREPARE

REVELATION 6

JESUS OPENS THE FIRST SIX SEALS ON THE SCROLL

The Lamb (Jesus) begins to open the seals on the scroll. The seals are broken one at a time. As each of the first four seals is broken, a spirit is released upon the earth. Remember, John is witnessing the exact order of events as they take place. When – and only when—the last seal is broken, is Jesus then able to open the scroll. The seven trumpets are contained within the scroll itself. At the end of the seventh trumpet, it is proclaimed: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” So the scroll is, in effect, the title deed to planet earth.

The first four seals of Revelation are the unleashing of Antichrist and his impact upon the world! They are NOT the judgments of God. Yet, even Satan and Antichrist cannot operate, until given permission from God to do so.

When Jesus opens the first seal, one of the four living creatures says in a voice like thunder, “Come and see,” which is a little weak in its translation. John is actually cautioned to “come and beware” what is getting ready to take place. This is not a joyous thing that John is beholding, but a somber, serious one.

The voice of the living creature sounds “like thunder”, indicating the approaching storm of judgment that will come upon the earth. Each one of the first four seals of Revelation is announced by a living creature with the same phrase, “Come and beware…”

With the breaking of seal #1, a white horse and rider holding a “bow” are released. In the book of Genesis, after the flood, God set a “bow” in the sky as a sign of a covenant between Himself and Noah. However, in this scenario the bow is referencing the 7-year covenant that will be signed between Antichrist, Israel, and other nations. Historically, a rider on a white horse is one who comes in peace. The large bow suggests that he has the military might necessary to enforce the covenant or treaty. The absence of arrows also suggests that his conquests are not accomplished primarily on the battlefield but through diplomacy, backed by military might. (Interestingly, at the U.N. in New York, there is a statue of a woman on a horse holding the world in one hand and a large, bow-shaped olive branch in her other hand. The statue is known as the monument to peace.)

The event that occurs with the breaking of this first seal is the signing or confirming of a seven-year peace treaty between Antichrist, Israel, and other nations. This begins the final, 70th “week” of Daniel! In Daniel 9:27 it says, “And he (referring to Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one ‘week’ (seven years); but in the midst of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering...”

The NKJ translation of the scripture above is a little weak. The Hebrew word for confirm is “gabar” and gives a better sense of strengthening or even coercing a treaty upon, suggesting that the other party to the covenant may not have much say in the matter! In light of this, the recent peace treaty talks have Israel giving up some of her land—with a suggested sharing arrangement of the Temple Mount! This is not what Israel necessarily wants, as much as what she may be forced to accept! In this context, use of the Hebrew word “gabar” is telling.

Revelation 6:2 states, “and a crown was given to him”, which may indicate that Antichrist comes to power by free consensus or vote of the people.

The signing of the seven-year peace treaty between Israel and Antichrist signals the beginning of THE GREAT APOSTASY or “falling away” spoken of in scripture. This treaty depicts Israel’s falling away from belief in salvation by her Messiah, and her willingness (along with the rest of the world) to accept another in order to have peace. Jesus said in John 5:43, “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.”

Since there may be many parties involved in this 7-year peace treaty, we may not be fully certain at the signing of it, as to Antichrist’s identity. What will be unmistakable, however, is the midpoint event, 3 ½ years later. This is when Antichrist will enter the Holy Place and set up his abomination of desolation, an idol unto himself or the one he represents. At least three New Testament sources (Matthew 24, Mark 13, II Thessalonians 2) stress that there is a discernible event by which believers will know for certain that they have entered the season of the great tribulation. By the midpoint of the seven-year period, Antichrist will be clearly revealed for who he is.

The opening of seal 2 is, again, authorized by a second living creature with the same thunderous, “Come and beware…” The horse is fiery red (war), carries “a great sword” and its rider is given power to “take peace from the earth”. After the signing of the peace treaty, there will be a brief period of peace. Israel will let her guard down, rebuild her temple, and resume sacrifices. But then the wars start. In Daniel 11:40-45 and 12:1-2 wars are described that actually begin before the midpoint of the 70th week. In speaking of Antichrist, scripture says: