Introduction to the seven seals

I will expound on this later. There is a lot to read in just the introduction most of it is from the life Application New Testament Commentary. If you have e-sword this is a great addition to your library.

Revelation 6:1-17

THE LAMB BREAKS THE FIRST SIX SEALS

Revelation 6:1-17

And so it begins, you can call it God's vengeance or the apocalypse or end times how ever you want to view it. What I can say is that it will be unpleasant for everyone left here on earth. If you remain true to God you will be hungry, hunted, and eventually killed/martyred.

 

Introduction form The Life Application New Testament Commentary:

This is the first of three seven-part judgments. In chapter 5, a scroll with seven seals had been handed to Christ, who is the only one worthy to break the seals and open the scroll, setting into motion the events of the end of the world (Rev_5:1-5). In chapter 6, the scroll is opened as each seal is broken. This scroll is not completely opened until the seventh seal is broken (Rev_8:1). The contents of the scroll reveal mankind’s depravity and portray God’s authority over the events of human history.

Each of the judgments (seals, trumpets, bowls) includes seven parts. The first four judgments involve natural disasters on the earth; the last three are cosmic disasters. There are three views about how to understand this series of judgments—seals, trumpets, bowls:

Recapitulation View. According to this view, the three sets of judgments repeat each other (are cyclical); they present three ways of viewing the same judgments. Because the trumpets and the bowls have the same order, many have concluded that the three sets are repetitive. In addition, in all three sets, the first four of the seven judgments are very similar, as are the last three of each set of seven. Exact repetition, however, occurs only in the trumpets and bowls.

Consecutive View. This view holds that judgments will follow in the order described in Revelation: first the seals, then the trumpets, then the bowls—in other words, Revelation is describing twenty-one separate events. Thus, chapters 6–16 in Revelation would be chronological.

Progressive Intensification View. The key to this view is understanding the results of the judgments. The seals destroy one-fourth of the earth; the trumpets destroy one-third; the bowls affect everything. The picture seems to be one of progressive intensity, with each of these sets of judgments ending in the same place—that is, the end of history.

These views are helpful as you consider and study the book of Revelation. While many will feel very strongly about one view or another, only God knows the truth. He left much of Revelation unclear to his people for a reason, perhaps so we’ll study it and be watchful and morally alert. One truth is sure: as God prepares to end history and usher in his Kingdom, he will bring judgments.

The horses represent God’s judgment of people’s sin and rebellion. God is directing human history—even using his enemies to accomplish his purposes. The four horses provide a foretaste of the final judgments yet to come. Some view this chapter as a parallel to Jesus’ words about the end times (see Mat_24:4-8; Mar_13:5-13; Luk_21:8-19). The imagery of colored horses and riders comes from Zec_1:8-17; Zec_6:1-8. In Zechariah, the colors of the horses have no special significance; in Revelation, the colors of the horses do have symbolic meaning, as described below. In Zechariah, the horses and riders went out to patrol the earth; in Revelation, they are sent out to bring disaster.