Revelation 6:1-2
Revelation 6:1 (NKJV) Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.”
John saw the opening of the seals.
Before discussing what John saw, we must understand what the seals represent. So, please bear with me as we run through a brief history of humanity. This will be brief and simple but will provide the background we need.
God created man in His image, and because of this, man can know and commune with God. But, from the beginning, man (humanity) rebelled against God. In this rebellion, men have been doing horrible, horrible things (not everything is horrible, but nevertheless, unspeakable evil has been and is being done).
God has held back His judgment. In other words, He did not immediately make things right. But, judgment is coming, as we see in 1 Peter 4:17-18:
1 Peter 4:17-18 (NKJV) 17For the time [has come] for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if [it begins]with us first, what will [be] the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
In the meantime, God’s wrath (righteous judgment) has been “stored up.” In other words, God is keeping score. The record book (scorebook) is behind the “seals” of Revelation.
Now, in Revelation 6, we see the Lamb (Jesus) opening the seal first seal (He is the only One found worthy).
Remember, the Lamb is in the midst of the throne (Revelation 5:6) and the midst of the elders. This throne is the throne of God, and all the worship of heaven and earth is directed to this throne.
John was with Jesus throughout His three-year ministry. He was first a disciple of John the Baptist, who introduced him to Jesus with the words, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Now, John sees Jesus glorified in the midst of the throne of God. He sees Him as the Lamb of God. The implication of the Lamb is that He is the sacrifice that paid the price for our sins. John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as “the Lamb of God,” and the Apostle John was at the cross and witnessed the moment when sin was paid for. Now, in Revelation, the Apostle John sees the fruit of Jesus's sacrifice. Jesus is in the midst of the throne, and He is worthy to open the seals.
Those whose sins are covered by the blood of the Lamb have nothing to fear from the opening of the seals. God’s wrath (righteous judgment) was satisfied by the sacrifice of His Son. But whoa to those who reject Jesus and His sacrifice. Jesus taught the following:
John 3:17-18 (NKJV) 17“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
While much of this talk of sin and judgment applies to the individual, it also helps us to understand what has been happening on a global scale in the last days. The wrath of God is being “stored up” for the day of God’s wrath. This is the truth of the seals, which is reflected in Romans 2:5.
Romans 2:5 (NKJV) But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
The Lamb’s sacrifice paid the price for all the sin of humanity, but the cost of rejecting that sacrifice is suffering the stored-up wrath of God. As the Lamb opens the first seal of the title deed, the judgment of God begins to be poured out.
When the voice of the first of the four living creatures says, “Come and see,” John sees a white horse.
A white horse is a good thing. A white horse symbolizes victory! Great heroes and rulers are often pictured as riding white horses. So, the picture of one seated on a white horse speaks of good things to come.
However, the one sitting on the white horse has a bow.
A bow is an instrument of war. Along with the bow, the one who sat on the horse had a crown. He went out to conquer. The crown represents the authority to rule.
This one then will wage war, conquer, and rule. His reign will span the globe. With his reign, there will be peace. Because of this peace, many will welcome the conqueror as the Messiah, the Anointed One from God. Even the “Church” who remain will be caught up in the adoration of this one and proclaim his victory as the kingdom of God on earth. But remember, Revelation 4 starts with the scene in heaven. The “true” or believing Church has, by this point, been “raptured” (caught up to meet Jesus in the air).
Please notice that the one on the white horse does not have any arrows, just a bow. The war he wages will be bloodless. This is part of the reason that he will be lauded as a hero. He will bring the whole world under his control without shedding blood. This is pure speculation, but given the technology we have in our world today, a “cyber” governed world can be imagined. A single entity could control the world economy.
The one on the white horse appears to be Christ but is not Christ, which defines who the “Antichrist” is. Some mistake him for Christ, but then that is the point of the “Antichrist.” He means to appear as Christ.
Thus, God’s judgment begins on earth with what appears to be a good thing. If anyone chooses not to believe, that person chooses to be deceived. Having made such a choice, those on earth will find themselves subjected to the worst deception possible. They will accept an evil man as their “Messiah,” the one on a white horse who conquers the world and sets up his rule. He brings peace and the promise of prosperity for all. He brings peace by waging war with his bow without arrows.
As we continue reading, we know from the opening of the second seal that the peace is short-lived. But those alive at the time will have no idea of what is about to come. They will welcome the conqueror as the Messiah, the hope of the whole world. The “Church” who remain (those who have not been taken away in the rapture) will be caught up in the adoration of this one and even take his conquering as the setting up of the earthly kingdom of God. This is the apostate church represented as the “mother of harlots” spoken of in Revelation 17. The deception will be complete.
If one looks at Revelation 19:11, one will see Christ seated on a white horse. In chapter 6, we are introduced to the one who would imitate Christ seated on a white horse.
Teaching that the Church of today will usher in the Kingdom of God is part of the deception of the apostate Church. It is not the only factor, but it is one factor. Jesus Christ, riding on a white horse, will usher in the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is indeed a spiritual kingdom, and it is on the earth in the Church in these days. But when the times of the Gentiles are complete, the Kingdom of God on earth will be established by the Messiah with Him sitting on the throne of David.
In Revelation 6, at the opening of the first seal, the world will welcome with open arms and celebration of victory, the beginning of its end, the great day of God’s wrath.
We do not need to be here for that “day.” Those who accept Jesus as Savior will be taken from the earth before these days. We will be spared from the wrath to come.
Some question why God does not judge this sinful world, but this is explained in 2 Peter 3:9.
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
God has sealed up His wrath and is waiting in order to give all time to repent. We do not know when Jesus will come for His Church, nor do we know the day of our death. One or the other of these will happen to us, and it will happen suddenly, without warning. For this reason, the Bible says, “Today is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) Do not put off getting right with God. The Lamb paid the price, and Romans 10:9-10 tells us what we must do to receive the forgiveness of our sins.
Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) 9that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart thatGod has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Do not let anything hold you back from calling on the Lord for salvation.
