The 7 Seals of Judment

Seal 1: Military Conquest (vv. 1-2)

Bow = warrior

Crown = King/Ruler

Most likely the Anti-Christ, though some have interpreted this as Christ. The second explaination is not the likely choice.

Also may have had an immediate context reference to the Parthians that were a real threat to the Roman empire. They also road on horses are were excellent archers. White was the sacred color of the Parthians.

Probably the most likely interpretation is a now/not yet fulfilment that referenced both the Parthians in the immediate context, but also primarily the future anti-Christ

The point is that Rome would fall

Seal 2: Peace is Removed (vv. 3-4)

Each seal builds upon the other. Not only is war given in the first seal, but it also continues into the second seal

In the second seal, peace is removed resulting in peoplel turning on one another.

Murders are a regular occurence as trust is deminished

See

Matthew 24:6–7 ESV

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Seal 3: Famine (vv. 5-6)

The result of the wars are that famine ensues

Farmers are likely killed in the wars or drafted into the armies to fight. Fields are burned and destroyed

A quart of barley was just enough for one person to eat in a day. One day’s labor would only feed one person

Wine and Oil were not essentials and this speaks to the fact that the wealthy may not be affected as much by the famine or that the luxuries they enjoyed would still be there while famine is rampant on the earth

Seal 4: Plague, Disease, Animal Predation (vv. 7-8)

The result of famine is always depleted health and sickness begins to result in plagues and diseases

The carnage and lack of food also lead animals to turn from scavenging the dead carcasses that are too many to be burried to turning on people who are alive

Death is the place of the dead and hades is the underworld

This figure is a sort of grim reaper type of figure.

Does not mean that 1/4 of the world is killed, only that they had authority to kill

Seal 5: Slain Martyrs for Christ (vv.9-11)

Big question is are these tribulation saints or saints from all the ages who have been martyred

Shift in plea from God to forgive to call for justice from God - seems to indicated tribulation saints

Answer will lie in your view of tribulation and rapture of the church

Set number means that God is still in control of who He allows to be martyred. It is a mystery as to who and why God allows this, but it is not a mystery that God will give them justice

These are specifically slain for the testimony of Christ

Seal 6: Cosmic Disturbances (vv.12-17)

Possible reference to Mount Vesuvius Erruption

Ash and rockes would have looked like stars falling from the sky

Sky would be blackened by ash clouds

Rocks would fall on the people and landscape would shift

Seems to reference

Joel 2:28–31 ESV

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

Application:

1. Judgment is Coming on the Earth

2. Christ is in Control of the Final Events

3. No One Will Be Hidden From God’s Judgment

4. Many Will Die for Their Faith

5. Signs of Judgment Have Already Begun

6. Christ Will Preserve His Own People