The Opening of the Seals II

Rev. 6:7-17

A study on Revelation

The Opening of the Seals II

Rev. 6:7-17

Theme:  God shows us the other seals He will open.

Introduction:  Last week we saw the Lamb open the book with the first three seals.  Now tonight, He will open the next three seals.  The seals are building in intensity as they are opened.  Notice the clear details here of these seals.

The seventh seal will be opened in chapter 8. 

I. The fourth seal vv. 7-8

A. Its introduction v. 7

1.  As the seal is opened, there is a voice.

2. The voice was the fourth beast who is the Eagle taken from 4:7.

B. Its description v. 8

1.  Pale-yellowish green-named death-the first rider named

2. The Destroyer goes back to

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

3.  God allows the devil at times to take life and here all of hell is literally turned lose.

4. Hell follows death which is the place of departed spirits.

5. One fourth population is destroyed-biggest destruction ever recorded in history-last half of the Tribulation Period-Some might wrongly think the world is getting better-not here- world population 8.2 billion-one fourth is 2.2 billion

6. Four ways that death occurs

a. Sword-second seal

b. Famine-third seal

c. Death-by diseases

d. Beasts-animal turn loose on mankind

II. The fifth seal vv. 9-11

A. Its description vv. 9-10

1. Martyrdom v. 9

a.  Those killed on earth during the Trib. Pd.

“And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, And of all that were slain upon the earth.” (Revelation 18:24)

b.  Those beheaded

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4)

c.  Those who refused to worship the Beast

“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” (Revelation 13:15)

2.  Souls-soul from the body in heaven-their bodies will be resurrection body at the end.

3. Under the altar-Old Testament blood sprinkled under the altar.

4. Reasons 9b

a.  Word of God

b. Testimony

Martyrdom is common during that time-difficult to stand for Christ until death.

5.  Cry of vengeance-how long.

B. Its reward v. 11

1.  White robes given unto them.

2. Rest until the vengeance of God is ready.

III. The sixth seal vv. 12-17

A. Its introduction v12a

1.  God introduces the next seal which is super intense.

2. God showing His might, His power, and His plan.

B. Its description vv. 12b-17

1.  Atmospheric catastrophic conditions vv. 12b-13

a.  Universal earthquake v.12

b. Sun will be darkened.

c. Moon turns to blood red.

d. Stars falling-probably a meteor shower with devastation.

2.  Heavens open v. 14a-so that men on earth can have a glimpse of God on His throne.

3. All places moved out of position v. 14b

4. Terror on mankind vv. 15-17

a.  All men regardless of position will seek to hide v. 15

b. All men will seek to die v. 16a

c. All men seek to hide form the face of His wrath v. 16b

d. All men are too late v. 17

Conclusion:  Here is now the Great Tribulation the world has every seen.  It is characterized by two things:  worldwide and the end of near.  Are we ready?  Are the people around us ready?