Calendar Day: December 28
Day of the Year: 362
Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Revelation 6–9
New Year Preparations
Every year we do it—a few days after Christmas we prepare for the New Year. What do we do? We clean the house. All the wrapping paper, boxes, and even Christmas trees are thrown away or burned. Pine needles and other trash on the floors, carpets, and upholstery are vacuumed. Then, we clean the kitchen and the rest of the mess from the holidays. Bring on the New Year!
In today’s Bible reading, God is preparing the world for a New Year—Christ’s return. He’s cleaning it up. A massive sweeping, burning, and destruction of all the wrappings of evil on the earth will precede Christ’s coming. Then he will come to rule and reign the world from Jerusalem for 1,000 years.
In our last Bible reading, we saw the throne room of God. The one on the throne held a large scroll (book) in his right hand with writing on both sides. It was sealed with seven seals. Who was worthy of opening them? Only Jesus. Only Jesus was worthy of taking the scroll and opening the seals. By his blood, he purchased men for God and then triumphed over the grave (meaning he arose from death, Revelation 5).
The Seven Seals
In today’s Bible reading, Jesus opens the seven seals. Each of the first four seals reveals a different colored horse. Here's a classic painting of them.
symbolizes peace because the rider has a bow but no arrows and is given a crown to wear (Revelation 6:2). It's a false peace obtained by the strength of a world leader.
- The Red Horse symbolizes war and bloodshed.
- The Black Horse symbolizes famine.
- The Pale Green Horse symbolizes death (Revelation 6:4-8).
In these seal judgments, war and its effects will kill one fourth of the earth’s population. Even so, the judgments will continue.
A Break in the Action
Evangelism and Martyrdom
The fifth seal depicts a vast number of Christian martyrs receiving white robes for their faithfulness. They’re rewarded for their steadfastness, even during times of persecution and death (Revelation 6:9).They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?
Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed” (Revelation 6:10-11, NIV).
This isn’t the answer the martyrs want to hear, but God is Sovereign, and they’ll have to be patient. Perhaps, this is true in our lives as well.
The opening of the sixth seal reveals terrible destruction on the earth. One-third of it’ll be destroyed by an earthquake and events from the heavens. (see a comparison between Revelation 6 and Isaiah 13)The Sealing and Protection of the Jews
Between the sixth and seventh seals, there’s another parenthesis between the judgments. This describes the sealing (protection) of 144,000 Messianic Jews and the martyrdom of a massive number of non-Jewish believers. They both give praise to God for his salvation.
The Trumpet Judgments
The seventh seal opens up another set of judgments called the Trumpet Judgments. These are like Seal Judgments, but different enough to warrant classification as separate judgments.
A key distinction between the seal and trumpet judgments involves a plague of terrifying locusts. They emerge from an abyss (a chasm created by a massive earthquake or asteroid impact). The locusts are strangely clothed and sting like scorpions, but they’re only allowed to torment unbelievers. They do so for five months.
Another distinction between the Trumpet Judgments and the Seal Judgments is John seeing an army of 200 million soldiers. They’ll destroy a third of the remaining inhabitants of the earth.
These judgments are difficult to comprehend. We may ask, “Is there no mercy for the inhabitants of the earth?” People can turn to God from their wickedness and receive mercy, but they don’t.
The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts (Revelation 9:20-21, NIV).Our next Bible studies reveal more judgments that sweep away the wickedness of the earth and prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Are any of us going through difficult times? If you’re not a follower of Christ, perhaps God is sweeping away at your wickedness. Until, in desperation, you see how much you need him—you’re not ready for Christ’s second coming. If the seven-year tribulation starts today, you’ll have to go through it and try to survive. Then, if you don’t turn to God to receive his mercy and grace, you’ll be judged and condemned to suffer for an eternity in the Lake of Fire (hell). No one wants that. However, if you turn from your sins and cry out to God for forgiveness, he’ll hear and save you from that day.
What about believers in Christ—will we have to go through that awful time, too? Despite false teacher’s claim that God only wants us to be healthy and wealthy, he doesn’t say that. Terrible times and persecution may come into our lives, but God is faithful to either help us persevere through them or deliver us from them. That’s the constant message of the Bible. We can take comfort, however, because followers of Jesus Christ won’t have to go through the seven-year Tribulation Period. We’ll be caught up to be with him before it begins (1Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1Thessalonians 5:9).*For more insights on Revelation 6:12b-14 and Isaiah 13:9-13 go to more….
Discussion
What is the purpose for terrible calamity (judgments) to come upon the earth in the last days?
Identify the four horsemen.
Is there a difference in the destiny of a follower of Christ and one who is not? What is the destiny of each?
Focus Verse
Revelation 7:10b (NIV) “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: Our next lesson reveals spiritual contests between God and Satan during the seven year tribulation period at the end of the age. Who's going to win? Perhaps you are also facing spiritual contests. What can you do about it?
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