Lesson
15
Revelation Chapter
6
Intro Overview before we dig into
the details
1. Ch 6-19 detail the important events and
conditions of the tribulation period.
2. It revolves
around Major judgments, the pouring out of God's wrath which are
revealed in 3 series of judgments.
#1
Seals = ch 6
|||||||
#2
Trumpets = 8-9 |||||||
#3
Bowls = 16 ||||||| |-> The 2nd
Advent of Christ.
3. The other
chapters reveal vital information needed about this period, but are not
arranged chronologically. 7, 10-15
(intros major characters, 17-19)
4. The question for us here is where does this period
fall, the time of 6-19.
-
find our answer in the prophecy of Dan 9:24-27
Some observations
on Dan 9:24-27 Review
1. 9:22 gives
the intent of the prophecy.
2.
3. The time period is designated
as "70 weeks" 70 - 7's = 490 years.
4. Within this period some specific things
are laid out that are to happen, to be accomplished.
5. The years are not consecutive; 1 - 490;
but are in blocks of time with a GAP when the prophetic clock is turned off, so
to speak, for a period of time.
6. The 490 years break down into
3 distinct time periods.
#1. 7 x 7 + 49 years
in vs:25 for the purpose of restoration.
#2. 62 x 7 = 434
years; Messiah is cut off after it.
#3. 1 x 7 = 7 years; the last week, the
70th week
- This begins with
a Covenant, made by the Prince who is to come, the G/W/D, and ends with the Return of Christ!
- Then in vs:27 we see some important details on the last 7 years.
** Everything up
to and including the 2 events in the Gap are all historical, all history, can
be examined in detail.
** While everything in vs:27
is eschatologically future, all future!
It is here where
Rev 4-19 comes into the picture.
5. The Reasons for the Tribulation period.
#1 will be a time of testing of all who
dwell on the earth
#2 The preparation
of
6. Overview of the 1st 4 seal judgments.
Seal #1 - Rev 6:2-3 Question is what is
the nature of the conquering?
- Seal #1 is characterized by Peace!
Seal #2 Rev 6:3-4 War!
Rider on a red horse;
Mt 24:6-7a
Seal #3 Rev 6:5-6 famine in the world; Mt 24:7b
Seal #4 Rev 6:7-8 Death; Mt 24:7 the result of wars,
famine and earthquakes
** Its at this point
in we find a break in the sequence; with the 4th seal we have the last of the
horsemen yet there are 3 seals to go!
If the pattern is consistent, we should also
find a break in Mt 24 also. Mt 24:8-9
* The next question is do
they both accord with what follows next?
- With Mt 24:9-10 we find tremendous
persecution.
With Rev 6:9, the 5th seal = great persecution, many
martyrs!
- Seal #6
This time begins with peace; then war breaks out; famine and earthquakes and death; It's at that point we have a major shift and
an intensification of the wrath.
The Uniqueness of
the tribulation
Jesus first made this point, that it would
be unlike any that man had ever experienced, Mt 24:21
How is this period different, unique, or distinguished from any other?
#1. It will be world
wide, not a localized judgment as was stated very clearly in the promise of deliverance
(
#2. It will also be unique because of the way
men react to it! Total terror!!
- look at
** So the
Uniqueness of the Trib lies in its being worldwide in scope and in its terror,
which will cause men to want to die rather than live.
The 6 Seals of Rev
6 Detail
The first 4 seals are introduced by one of
the "living beings"
Seal #1 Rider
on the White Horse! Read 6:1-2
Some comparisons:
1. Arrival on the scene; both come on white horses; ch19 = Christ
2. Crowns; 6:2 crown = ste,fanoj an earned reward;
In
3. Weapons used
6:2; bow,
distant warfare;
This rider of the white horse will seek to
fulfill what the world's idea of what the Messiah is to be; Since
the world has rejected God's word as to what the Messiah must be. Most operate on perception not reality.
Imagery used;
1. "white
horse"; horses indicate the intervention into human affairs. (Zech 1:8-10)
2. "bow"
= notice its a bow w/o arrows
This tells us that the nature of the
conquering will be by political means not by warfare.
Summary!
1. The first seal
indicates that this is a time of peace, no warfare, no blood shed; a time of bloodless
conquest. [Dipomacy]
2. This tells us
that the Trib. begins with a period of peace established by a counterfeit, a
false Messiah; GWD.
3. Perspective for us:
a. major world wide
peace talks, plans, movements are significant indicators.
b. Is there a trend in the thinking of the
day to accept, to be open to peace proposals.