1) What source do you think God will use to begin His judgment of the world? What method will He use to get things started?
2) Consider those that have died as martyrs throughout the ages. What do you think they will say to God during the last days? What will God say to them?
3) What are some devastating natural disasters that have occurred in the last several years? What would it be like to know that God will one day use the events of nature to bring His judgment?
The opening of the first four seals release four riders on horses sometimes referred to as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These horses represent what man will do to himself. In reading a variety of commentaries, here is what they seem to represent.
The white horse (6:1-2) represents conquest resulting in peace. Notice that the rider is said to have a bow, but no arrows. This seems to indicate that victory comes through the threat of force and not actual battle.
The red horse (6:3-4) represents war. All this rider must do is remove the peace that existed after the white horse and men would kill each other.
The black horse (6:5-6) represents famine. The discussion of the cost of food indicates that it is very scarce and therefore very expensive.
The pale horse (6:7-8) represents death itself. Verse 8 indicates that one-quarter of the population will be killed either as a result of this seal alone or as a sum total of the first four judgments.
The opening of the fifth seal (6:9-11) reveals those who died for the cause of Christ. These martyrs ask how long they must wait for God to avenge their deaths. They are comforted and cared for as seen through the giving of white robes. They are also told they must wait until all that have been called to be martyrs have joined them in death. It appears that even in the last days there will be those who die standing for Christ.
The events of the first four seals took place at the hand of men (conquest, war, famine and death). Here, the opening of the sixth seal brings events that are supernatural (6:12-14). That everyone realizes these disasters are directly from God is found in verses 16-17 where all the inhabitants of the earth are seen fleeing to the mountains in an attempt to escape God’s wrath although they realize there is no way to escape.
Comments