The Revelation of Jesus Christ: "The Seven Seal Judgments" Revelation 6:1-17

Introduction The contents of the scroll are essentially the content of Revelation 6-19 enacted, that is, the judgments of the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls. These judgments take place during the 7-year tribulation/"Seventieth Week of Daniel" (Daniel 9:24-27). The opening of the seal judgments is taking place at the beginning and extending into the middle of the 7-year Seventieth Week of Daniel. The chart below describes the awesome agreement with Jesus' teaching in Matt. 24 and the first six seal judgments as recorded in Rev. 6:1-17:

The first six Seal Judgments of Rev. 6:1-17 consistent with Matt. 24:1-29 Matthew 24:4,5 The First Seal (Rev.6:1,2) False Peace Matthew 24:6,7 The Second Seal (Rev. 6:3,4) War Matthew 24:7 The Third Seal (Rev. 6:5,6) Famine Matthew 24:7 The Fourth Seal (Rev. 6:7,8) Earthquakes/Death Matthew 24:9 The Fifth Seal (Rev. 6:9-11) Tribulation martyrs avenged Matthew 24:29 The Sixth Seal (Rev. 6:12-17) Cosmic and earthly disturbances NOTE: The Seventh Seal judgment (Rev. 8:1,2) is the "Seven Trumpet Judgments"

Are the Seven Seal judgments to be understood as occurring in chronological order? Yes, and will be discussed as occurring one after the other. Dr. John Walvoord writes, "The six seals seem to unfold successively in a chronological pattern. Out of the seventh seal will come another series of seven trumpets and out of the seventh trumpet will come another series of seven vials or bowls of the wrath of God. Different actors are prominent, namely, the Lamb opening the seal, the angels sounding the trumpets, and God Himself pouring out the vials. Actually, however, the seven seals comprehend the whole, as all the trumpets and all the vials are comprehended in the seventh seal. The seven-sealed book therefore is the comprehensive program of God culminating in the second coming of Christ."

I. The First Seal Judgment of False Peace: A White Horse 6:1,2 A. Jesus breaks the first seal, a white horse as a false Chrsit 6:1 B. The white horse appears with a bow, "conquering and to conquer" 6:2

II. The Second Seal Judgment of War: A Red Horse 6:3,4 A. Jesus breaks the second seal, the second living creature says, "Come" 6:3 B. The red horse "went out" to take peace from the earth and cause men to slay one another, represented by the rider with a great sword 6:4

III. The Third Seal Judgment of Famine: A Black Horse 6:5,6 A. Jesus breaks the third seal, the third living creature says, "Come" 6:5a B. The rider of the black horse has a pair scales in his hand to speak of famine 6:5b C. "A quart of wheat for a denarius" and "Three quarts of barley for a denarius" represent ridiculous prices for food, while "Do not damage the oil and the wine" suggests that the wealthy will survive 6:6

IV. The Fourth Seal Judgment of Death: An Ashen Horse 6:7,8 A. Jesus, breaks the fourth seal, and the fourth living creature says, "Come" 6:7 B. The ashen horse has the name "Death", with Hades following, with authority given to them over a fourth of the earth 6:8

V. The Fifth Seal: Souls Under the Altar Cry Out for Vengeance" 6:9-11 A. The Tribulation Martyrs' had been slain because of the Word of God, and the Courageous Testimony they Maintained 6:9 B. The Martyrs Cry Out for Judgment and Vengeance 6:10 C. The Martyrs Comforted by the News that Others Will be Martyred 6:11

VI. The Sixth Seal: Disruption in the sky and on the earth 6:12-17 A. A great earthquake 6:12a; Zephaniah 1:14-16; Joel 2:10,11 B. Cosmic and earthly disturbances 6:12b-14 1. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair 2. The whole moon became like blood 3. The stars of heaven fell to the earth 4. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up 5. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places C. The kings of the earth, the great men, the commanders, the rich, the strong, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and rocks from the wrath of the Lamb 6:15,16 D. The great day of the wrath of the Lamb has come 6:17

VII. The Seventh Seal: Contains the Seven Trumpet Judgments 8:1,2

Concluding Questions Concerning the Seven Seal Judgments: 1. How do the seals fit into God plan in the 7-year tribulation? 2. Are the Seven Seal Judgments chronological, or do the general actions of judgment described in the Seal Judgments extend over the tribulation until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? 3. Is there "recapitulation" in the 7 seal, 7 trumpet, and 7 bowl judgments so that each set of 7 judgments repeat the same description of God's judgments that are poured out during the 7-year tribulation?