CHAPTER 6
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of (a)thunder, one of the four Zoa saying "come."
(a) The opening of the 1st seal marked by the noise described as thunder. This is clearly the nearest description that John can give for us to begin to understand the drama that the first seal opening will produce. The import of this action is the greatest since our Lord's death on the Calvary Cross, as it is the beginning of the Lord's direct dealing with the world, which later ushers in God's rule on earth for 1000 years.
V.2
And I saw, and behold, a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a (a)crown was given unto him: (b)and he went forth conquering, and to overcome.
(a) Clearly the crown signifies the authority given to him. There are many and varied comments and opinions as to who this rider is. Some say the Antichrist, others the Lord Himself, but the latter is certainly wrong as it does not fit the timing or other statements on the Lord's return (second advent.)
This verse and the following, up to and including the release of the 6th seal by the Lamb, relate to our Lord's comments to His disciples in Matt. 24:1-51, Mark 13:1-37, and Luke 21:5-36. There the Lord relates the events leading up to His return, and they graphically show the meanings of the first six seals when opened. As regards the opinion that this rider is the Antichrist, this also seems unlikely, these horsemen and horses from Jehovah Zebaoth are setting up conditions on the earth contrary to those that have been set up by man/Anti-christ. They are necessary for the stage being set by Jehovah Zebaoth, and not by the forces of Satan!
(b) “Conquering and to overcome;” this interpretation will not be accepted by the Christendom teachers and leaders; as it conflicts with the standard teaching now prevalent of “gentle Jesus,” Our Lord is of course gentle, just etc., but here is beginning the great retribution of Jehovah Zebaoth in “His Day,” and “The Lamb,” (CHRIST risen in heaven) has just released the first seal of the Scroll, of which only “He is worthy!”
V.3
And when He opened the 2nd seal, I heard the second Zoa say "go."
V.4
And there went out another horse that was red: and it was given to him that sat thereon to take (a)the peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a (b)great sword.
(a) "The peace;" this is quite remarkable, but clearly shows that in the time of the rule of man they will eventually produce "the peace," a situation that as yet has never happened. For it to be achieved worldwide seems at present to be unlikely, but the "man of sin," who is yet to be made manifest, probably is the one who helps achieve this. It is also notable that the same "peace," is reported to the Almighty in Zech. 1:11; receiving the report that "the earth is still and at peace." It is at this point in Zech., that Jehovah Zebaoth (GOD OF ALL THE WORLD'S PEOPLES,) through the "Lamb that was slain," removes that "peace," which is false, so that man's rule will be terminated, and the rule of Jehovah/Messiah will be ushered in, starting at the 1st seal. It is probable that this "peace" starts at the same time as "the covenant" of Dan. 9:27, which is for Israel, but spreads to the world under the false "messiah!"
(b) "Great sword;" clearly showing that warfare has returned.
V.5
And when He had opened the 3rd seal, I heard the third Zoa say, "Go." And I saw and behold a (a)black horse; and he that sat on him had a (b)balance in his hand.
V.6
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four Zoa say, (b)"A choenix of wheat for a denarius,and three choenix of barley for a denarius; (c)and hurt not the oil and wine."
(a) Black in Scripture signifies famine, see Lam. 4:8.
(b) A "choenix" of corn was a slaves daily ration, and was an amount usually purchased for ⅛ of a denarius. Therefore prices had risen 8 fold. A "denarius" was a day's wage, (Comp. page 1891.)
(c) It is said that oil and wine increases hunger! However, as "oil and wine" in Scripture can represent Israel, it may refer to that portion of Israel which are to be saved from "The Great Tribulation," i.e."the remnant."
It is again noticeable that the instructions are issued by the four Zoa, who carry the administrative responsibility for the earth. The number 4 in Scripture always relates to earth, and earth events.
V.7
And when He opened the 4th seal, I heard the voice of the fourth Zoa say "Go."
And I saw, and behold, a pale green horse, and his name that sat on him (a)Death, and (b)Haydes followed with him. And authority was given to them over the (c)fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the wild beasts of the earth.
(a) "Death;" straightforward symbol, heavenly authority given to the rider to kill by the methods mentioned, but are not able to kill the PSUCHE (individual life.)
(b) "HAYDES;" this is mistranslated HELL. The Greek is Hades which means grave, but by much misuse and confusion is confused with the Hell of myth and legend. The Bible is the only authority on the subject, which states that in this present time (dispensation,) all who truly believe in Christ when they die await His resurrection call, (1 Thess. 4:16.) Those that die not (believing) in Christ, are resurrected at the time of the Great White Throne Judgement (Rev. 20:11-15.) Our Lord said to His disciples (Matt. 10:28,) "Fear not those that kill the body, but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both PSUCHE and body in GEENNA." (Lake of fire i.e. second death Rev. 20:14.)
(c) " ¼ of the earth" (population.) We stand at present at approx. 6.5 billion (6,000 500,000) people on earth. (The Global 2000 report to the President) on an exponential basis, this population would double in 20-30 years. On the assumption that the population does double in 20 years time (2020,) and
that these events of chapter 6 are then current, then from approx. 13,000,000,000 people 3,250,000,000, will die; and the pressure of death alone will be enormous, just in this 4th seal, with much more to follow.
And when He opened the 5th seal, I saw under the alter the (a)souls of them that had been slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
(a) See comments Rev. 20:4 (b.) Apps. 110 (2,) 170 (3,) and 13. There is much confusion on this subject. The Greek myth of an enduring entity called the "soul," is now established teaching in the churches, and works against Christ's sacrificial death on the Cross. The Roman teaching in particular gives power to Priests and people for "purgatory" relief of "unrepentant souls," by their prayers, and "special Masses." A careful study of Scripture shows that the spirit of life is given and taken by Almighty God, and by Him alone. The spirit of life and the dust of the ground = the living soul, Gen. 2:7. The word soul is used very loosely in everyday speech, which only adds to the confusion. In the important instances, care is needed to ascertain the actual intended meaning. In this case, the Greek "psucha," in context means the individual. However these "individuals," "have been slain for the Word of God," and they are in the Tribulation age. There is the implication that those so affected go straight to heaven. In this age, when we die, we await the resurrection of either glory with Christ, if we have trusted Him for salvation and we are washed in His redeeming blood, or resurrection to precise judgement at the "Great White Throne," at the end of the Millennial age, Rev. 20:11-12. In the case of the saved and the unsaved, the spirit of life returns to the Father. In the case of the Christian (the true Christ one,) there is the implication in Scripture, that the Christ Spirit returns to Christ, Acts 7:59 & Philippians 1:23.
And they cried with a great voice, saying, (a)"How long, O Lord, the Holy and the true, doest Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?"
V.11
And a white robe was given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet a (a)little time, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that are about to be killed as they had been, should be fulfilled.
(a) "How long etc.;" the fact that this plea/prayer is a "seal," illustrates its power and appeal to Jehovah God and The Lamb, and the force it has with Them for restitution. The request on a quick reading can easily get lost in the drama of the other seals, but carries at least equal weight with God as the others. The request for vengeance on humans on earth, to the corrupted and misguided and mistaught human race, whose values and attitudes have been shaped by Babylon's daughter for generations, to say nothing of the false shepherds, seems illegal and blood thirsty. That is only because the Bible has been ignored for so long by those that should have used it as the only source of Truth. The answer to "slain souls," shows and confirms the infinite knowledge and timing of Jehovah God, in the "little time" reply; white robes being given to each one. We know from Rev. 7:14-17, that these are only given to those "that came out of the Great Tribulation." This Tribulation is that imposed on Israel by the Anti-christ, and must not be confused with that "Wrath of God," "which He shall wreak on the peoples of the earth, at approx. the end of the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy (Dan. Ch. 7 to Ch. 12.) That "Wrath of God," is the subject of the following chapters, and is the fulfilment of the request and plea of V.10.
V.12
And I saw when He opened the 6th seal, and there came to be a great earthquake; and the (a)sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the (b)moon became as blood
(a) Sun;” this event hugely significant, as the sun has been, and is the object of most pagan worship. In ancient times from Babylon onwards, the Phoenicians, Moabites, Amorites, the Israelites, Egyptians etc., to name a few have worshipped the sun under many names. These included; Baal, Chemosh, Moloch, and others. Our Lord mentioned it in Matt. 24, Mark 13, Luke 23, and there are many reference in the Old Testament to the event. It shows here that the Pagan myth is under the control of The One True God, and is used as a sign of His wrath, and control of events!
(b) “Moon;” the above references and comments also apply, the moon given the status in pagan mythology "the queen of heaven!”
V.13
And the (a)stars of heaven fell to the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a great wind.
(a) This may mean meteorites or other skyward bodies. It will be clear at the time.
V.14
(a)And the heaven parted asunder as a scroll, rolling itself up; and every mountain and island were removed out of their places.
(a) See Matt. 24:3-7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:10-11. Clearly this describes earth movement on a massive scale. This is predicted in the prophets. Also Scripture seems to show that Jerusalem will be a sea port in the Millennial.
V.15
And the kings of the earth, and the great ones, and the rich ones, and the chief captains, and the mighty ones, and every bondman, and free one, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
V.16
And they say to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
V.17
For the great day of His wrath is come; and who is able to stand?"
Clearly by this time, nobody denies God! But they still resist Him and Christ. Now the emphasis is on escaping from God and the Lamb. The amazing thing is that still the people do not seek mercy, and they still do not understand or know that escape is impossible, such has been and still is the influence of Satan on their arrogance and pride.
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