Podcast Episode 18 (Condensed)
Welcome back to Wytinsea Writes. We’re still studying the book of Revelation. If you haven’t already, check out my bible study of Revelation 5. Jesus (the Lamb of God) is the only one worthy of opening the scroll that is held closed by seven seals. Today, we’re diving into exactly what those six seals are. You can also check out the podcast version of Revelation 5, if you’d prefer.
Being that I’ve been in consecration, I’ll be summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting directly within Revelation 6. Follow along with me or read the chapter prior to finishing this bible study. There has been a major shift in Revelation. Remember, John has been caught up into the spiritual realm. The Lord is showing John the Revelator all these things. Let’s begin with Revelation 6:1-2 NLT, “As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked up and saw a white horse standing there. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory.
Seal #1: White Horse
So much to unpack here. As John watched the Lamb of God (Jesus) break the first seal, the four living beings are speaking with great authority regarding what is unfolding. I want to focus on the rider on the white horse who carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head.
This particular rider won battles and gained victory. After several months of studying, reading different articles from scholars, and using context clues within the bible, I have concluded that the rider on the white horse is the Antichrist.
Now, some may disagree and say that it is Jesus Christ since it is mentioned in Revelation 19 as riding on a white horse. In this case, it doesn’t tell us that the rider is Christ in Revelation 6. We must take things into perspective and draw inferences from what is happening within the context of scripture. Nothing good is occurring right now. Jesus is opening each seal which represents God’s judgment.
Therefore, we must remember that the imposter, The Antichrist will rise in the last days. It will appear that the Antichrist is righteous and victorious at some point during his limited time of having fame, power, and control. But sooner than later, the Antichrist will cause chaos on earth. Being that the crown was “given to him”, it means that the rider on this specific white horse doesn’t have authority in and of himself like Jesus does as the rider on the white horse in Revelation 19. We know that the deceiver (Antichrist) will come due to the great falling away and people’s faith growing cold (2 Thessalonians 2:3) supports.
Some may wonder why the rider on the white horse in Revelation 6 isn’t Jesus? The bible never says that Christ return to earth at the beginning of the tribulation period AND the end of the tribulation person. We know that He returns at the end of the tribulation period (Revelation 19:11 & Revelation 20:14) by introducing a thousand years of peace and security. God is not the author of confusion (Corinthians 14:33). Christ is not going to appear at the beginning of the tribulation period and bring destruction, then reappear at the end of the tribulation period to restore/raise up a might army. The latter is correct but not the beginning. When the white horse is seen in Revelation 19, He comes with the armies of Heaven in the last great war; the battle of Armageddon. The rider of the white horse in Revelation 6 is a counterfeit posing as someone who brings peace and prosperity—the World’s Messiah but trouble and destruction follows. Beware!
Seal #2: Red Horse
Revelation 6:3-4 NLT, “3 When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living being say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere.”
Again, another example of the seal being broken and judgement taking place.
The red horse represents war and slaughtering. The rider on the red horse (who is wicked just the rider on the white horse in seal #1), granted people permission to kill one another and withdrew peace from the earth. The white horse that represented the Antichrist is now representing the red horse for bloodshed.
Seal #3: Black Horse
Revelation 6:5-6 NLT, “5 When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.”
Things have gotten worse on earth! The color black represents the departure of purity of the faith of Jesus. Black signifies sadness. The pair of scales symbolizes scarcity of bread (literal meaning, spiritual meaning of the bread of life, and/or Holy word).
Seal #4: Pale Green Horse
Revelation 6:7-8 NLT, “7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come!” 8 I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals.”
This is the vision of dark times. The rider is yet again someone of darkness. Could it be Satan and his companions who failed to repent/believe in God? We know that they will be sentenced to death as later chapters in Revelation describes. With the horse being described a “pale” green, pale usually symbolizes death. When a person is near death, they become a pale color.
Seal #5: Souls Crying Out From Under the Altar
Revelation 6:9-11 NLT, “9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. 10 They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.”
The souls that are crying out are faithful people who stood bold in their faith and was martyred. The bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:12 NLT, “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” After deep consecration, I discovered a few that were martyred because of their faith from the bible. There are so many more beyond my list. I encourage you to study a bit more about it in the bible.
- Abel (Genesis 4:10)
- Zechariah (Matt. 23:35 & Luke 11:51)
- John the Baptist (Matt. 14:1-12)
- Stephen (Acts 5, 6, 7:54-60)
- James (Acts 12:1-2)
- Antipas (Rev. 2:12-13)
- Two witnesses (Rev. 11:7-8)
- Sadly, martyrdom today still happens in various places of the world. The souls crying out even asked God how long He would allow it to continue before He do something about it (paraphrasing; see above) Good news is that the white robe given to each of them signifies purity and victory. God will vindicate them. God will vindicate us when we’re persecuted as well. God doesn’t like injustice. Genesis 4:10 describes how the blood cries out from the ground. Therefore, what God told the souls crying is the same for us. We just have to hold on a little while longer. There will come a time of victory. Until then, find rest in the Lord. Rest is a weapon for us against the enemy. The full number of those martyred will reign with Christ (so will we that are saved).
Seal #6: Earthquake, Moon, and Stars
Revelation 6:12-14 NLT, “12 I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood. 13 Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places. 15 Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”
As we come to the end of the chapter, unfortunately, more destruction is unfolding. This vision of seal six leads to other events that occur in the connection with the second coming of Christ. This chapter is not one to rejoice about (besides seal #5). It is very sad that the earth will have to come to this place.
Some may wonder why? Why would God send his judgement and wrath upon the earth like this? Why would God allow these wicked and deceptive riders on the horses have power and dominion to unleash chaos in the earth? I find it fitting to respond through scriptures.
It’s important to understand Acts 20:29-30 NLT, “29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.” The false teachers are the deceptive riders on the horse and so many today that have strayed from God. It is sad that there is a way that seems right in the eyes of man, but in reality, it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). There has been a great departure from the true gospel. Because God gives everyone free choice, He allows us to make the choices we want in life. Of course, God wants us to keep His commandments (John 14:15). The bible tells us to repent and turn from our sins (Acts 3:19). Unfortunately, many people choose to do evil and wicked deeds instead of keeping His Word (Micah 2:1).
Nevertheless, God promises to bring judgement to all for their good, bad, and/or secret things (Ecclesiastes 12:14). God does not like evilness at all (Psalm 5:4) and this is why He will render judgment and send His wrath down on those who won’t repent. People may think that they are getting away with evilness, but the bible will be fulfilled. Psalm 2:1-12 talks about the Lord will speak to them in His wrath (“them” being those who do evil and refuse to repent).
What should we learn from Revelation 6?
The hard reality is that people who are indifferent, unsaved, and lukewarm are unprepared for the Lord’s return. Even some who profess to be “Christians” are not ready. They have no faith in God’s Word. They’re not looking for the signs. If we just look around, there are signs everywhere. If we just truly ask God for discernment, He will reveal deep and hidden things to us. (Daniel 2:22)
Truth be told, if we don’t line up with God, we will perish. Those who don’t repent of their sins will suffer. All you have to do is repent of your sins and God will save you. God will cleanse us like never before. (John 1:9). Romans 8:1 reminds us that by grace we have been saved through faith. It is a gift to us. We can’t be overcome by evil. We have to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). If we love Christ, then we must hate evil. God will spare us in the end (Psalm 97:10).
Roman 6:23 NLT says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” God loves us more than we’ll ever know. While we were still sinners, God still loved us and laid down His life for us (Romans 5:8).
God instructs us in Isaiah 1:16-17 NLT, “Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good.” God will teach us how to do good through His Word. We must remember John 3:16 NLT, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” We should never think that God doesn’t see, know, or care about our wrongdoings. He does, but He endures a lot to give us more time to get right. On the other hand, we do not have forever to get it right. 2 Peter 3:9 NLT says, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
I challenge you to ask God for forgiveness with a true heart today. Surrender your life to God. Come into agreement with the Word of God. Ask the Lord to help you live for him and to cleanse you of all unrighteousness. By doing so, I believe that you’re starting over with a clean slate. The Lord is giving you a fresh start whether you were lukewarm, lost, or a backslider. Welcome into the Kingdom of God. Go and be free. Share this bible study with someone. By sharing this, you are demonstrating love and care for that person. Their soul is a stake.
Thank you for reading my blog. We’ll be back in the new year as we dive into Revelation 7. Get ready. Things are about to really shake up, but those in Christ have nothing to worry about. Stay safe. Stay prayerful. Enjoy the holidays. Create your vision board for 2025. Believe God for greater in 2025 despite it all. You can also listen to Revelation 6 as a podcast episode by clicking here. Until next time.
