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The Book of Revelation
Unit 6
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THE FIRST SIX SEALS - Chapter 6
SEALS 1 TO 4 [vv.1-8] The Four Horses announced by The Four Living Creatures
v.1
"And" There is no break in thought. What follows is firmly linked to the scene set in the previous two chapters."I watch whilst" He looks intently in anticipation as the Little Lamb opens the seals. The Little Lamb hasn't gone. He is still there and remains there. He is in control of events. They happen "when he opens" the seals. [vv.3, 5, 7, 9, 12]
Four major participants are called on to the stage before the the dominant backdrop. We are introduced to the roles they play - not to a sequence of events.
"Come and see" |
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These words are addressed to each of the riders of the four horses. They are summoned to see the display portrayed in chapters 4 and 5 - of the enthroned Almighty God and the adulation given to him as the Creator - and of the sacrificed Little Lamb and the adulation given to him as the victorious Saviour. Adulation is given to both by every creature in heaven and on the earth, by the four living creatures. What role do the four horse riders fullfil, confronted with such a display authority and power?
1st. SEAL [vv.1-2] LION - WHITE HORSE: CONQUERING AND TO CONQUER
"opens" The persistent use of the aorist tense [coupled with the continuous present tense] heightens the drama as though John is relating it as it is happening. And it is happening. By means of amazing signs you are seeing it as it is."the noise of thunder" The slain Little Lamb opens the seals but there is no sign of weekness here. The first rider and horse gain victory upon victory.
"Come and see" This is spoken to the white horse. [See note to verse one]
"conquering" the same word, translated "overcome" etc. elsewhere in the book of Revelation. is here translated "conquer" and "conquering" in the KJV/AV. It is from nikaw meaning to gain the victory.
2nd. SEAL [vv.3-4] CALF - RED HORSE: TAKE AWAY PEACE, KILL ONE ANOTHER
"Come and see" This red horse is summoned. [See note above]"oil and wine" are luxuries.
3rd. SEAL [vv.5-6] MAN's FACE - BLACK HORSE: BALANCES, BUT DON'T HURT OIL AND WINE
"Come and see" The black horse is summoned. [See note above]"oil and wine" are luxuries.
4th. SEAL [vv.7-8] FLYING EAGLE - SICKLY COLOURED HORSE: DEATH AND HADES
EAGLE [aetoV eagle or vulture]"Come and see" The sickly coloured horse is summoned. [See note above]
"ghV"= earth.
5th. SEAL [vv.9-11] UNDER THE ALTAR (Compare 8:3ff) OF INCENSE - THE SOULS SLAIN FOR THE WORD OF GOD
THERE IS NO "Come and see""How long, O Lord" This is the world we live in. God does hear. White robes. Rest a while. Fellow servants. God does hear and he does respond [Compare 8:5].
Paul writes to Timothy from Rome "I am ready to be offered {poured out like a drink offering}" [2Timothy 4:6]"for the word of God" see ch.1 v.9
"white robes" see ch.3 vv. 4 & 5 and ch.19 v.8.
Compare ch.4 v.4.God is longsuffering - ch.22 v.20. He will come suddenly - The faithful are ready "Even so come"
6th. SEAL [vv.12-17] THE JUDGEMENT [ch.1 v.7]
v.12
This vision is in answer to the plea in verse 10. "For how long ..."See figurative use of astronomical catastrophes to predict the destruction of Babylon [Isaiah 13:10&13] and of Edom [Isaiah 34:4-5]
[Haggai 2:6, Heb 12:26,27] once for all "apaz"
v.17
"who is able to stand" [Isaiah 9:1, Matt.4:13-14].Isaiah 24:22 [Isaiah 13:10-13]
c.p. 2:19,21 and 34:4
THE JUDGEMENT [ch.1 v.7]
THE 6TH. SEAL CONTINUES TO THE END OF CHAPTER 7
RESEARCH TOPICS
| 1 | Not done |
| 2 | Not done |
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