Seals and Birth Pains
Having established that the second coming occurs at the sixth seal in Revelation 6, that means it is preceded by the first five seals. In that case, there should be a recognisable correlation between the first five seals and the signs that Jesus predicted would precede his coming.
A Brief Overview of Revelation
In the last chapter, Jesus took the scroll from the Father's hand (5:8). As he opens each of the seals in the throne room of heaven, he sets off a series of events that take place on the earth. Because each of the seals are numbered, I assume that these events take place in chronological order, and that chapter 6 represents the first chronological section of Revelation. After the seven seal events, seven trumpet events take place (Revelation 8 and 11), followed by seven bowl events (Revelation 15 and 16). In addition to these three series of chronological events, additional sections appear at various points throughout the Book of Revelation to give us a wider overview of what is going on. Let's imagine these three chronological series are like a video drama of end time events surrounding the second coming. Here in chapter 6, Jesus presses 'play'. At the end of the chapter he presses 'pause', we are shown what is going on 'backstage' in chapter 7, and he presses 'play' again in chapter 8. This alternating sequence of 'play' and 'pause' continues throughout the book.
Opening the first four seals releases what are known as 'the four horsemen of the apocalypse'. One intriguing question about these horsemen is what relationship they have to the horsemen in Zechariah's visions. In Zechariah 6:1-8, he described a vision involving four horses with similar colours but in a different order.
1st Seal - White Horse - Antichrist Rides Out to Conquer (v1-2)
Jesus now opens the first seal. In response, one of the living creatures says "Come!" (v1). John looks and he sees a white horse whose rider carries a bow and is given a crown. He rides out as a conqueror, intent on conquest (v2). Many prophecy scholars identify this rider as the Antichrist. Riding on a white horse, he is understood to be a counterfeit of Jesus who will enter the Battle of Armageddon riding on a white horse (Revelation 19:11). The crown might denote his rise to power over the end-time empire (Daniel 7:24), and the power and authority he receives from Satan (Revelation 13:2). The bow, without mention of arrows, is often understood to imply his offer of a false peace. We know that Antichrist will sign a seven-year peace treaty, but break it after three and a half years (Daniel 9:27). And the Apostle Paul tells us that when people are saying "There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come on them (1 Thessalonians 5:3). However, it is also made clear that this rider on the white horse rides out to conquer, so Christians should not be duped by this false offer of peace. In Ezekiel 39:3, where Antichrist is called Gog, God says to him, "I will knock your bow out of your left hand and make your arrows fall from your right hand". So if it is significant that arrows are not mentioned in the first seal, their absence is very short-lived. He soon finds some! Personally I suspect that many prophecy scholars exaggerate Antichrist's role as a peacemaker. In 1938, Hitler signed a peace agreement with British prime-minister Neville Chamberlain who famously returned to Britain declaring 'peace in our time'. But even then, no-one would have described Hitler as a great diplomat of peace. He signed a concession of peace at a time when he was perceived as a great threat to world peace. Although Daniel says that Antichrist will confirm a treaty, it does not say that he will initiate it. So let's not exaggerate Antichrist's perceived role as a diplomat of peace.
When Islam swept through Yemen during the lifetime of Islam's Prophet Mohammed, a Yemeni Jew called Ka'b al-Ahbar converted to Islam. Ka'b al-Ahbar is known among Muslims for his comparisons of Islam with Judeo-Christian texts and traditions (a practice which Muslims call Isra'iliyyat). He is quoted as saying, "I find the Mahdi recorded in the books of the Prophets… For instance, the Book of Revelation says: “And I saw and behold a white horse. He that sat on him…went forth conquering and to conquer" (see 'Al Mahdi and the End of Time' by ‘Izzat and Arif, p.15). Although Muslims consider the bible to have been corrupted, even since the lifetime of Mohammed they have identified the biblical Antichrist with their awaited Messiah-figure, known as the Mahdi. The Mahdi is expected to be Mohammed's 'rightly guided' end-time successor, almost like a second coming of Mohammed himself, but not literally.
In 628 AD, when the Muslims were still too weak to conquer Mecca, Mohammed attempted to enter the city with 1,400 of his followers to perform pilgrimage. Instead, they were intercepted at a place called Hudaybiyyah and humiliated by Mecca's Quraysh tribe. Mohammed conceded to a ten-year peace treaty known as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Two years later, when the number of his followers had grown to about 10,000, the treaty was no longer advantageous to him so he broke it and conquered the city. This treaty provides a historical precedent for peace treaties between Muslims and non-Muslims, and will likely be the precedent for Antichrist's seven year peace treaty (Daniel 9:27). According to this precedent, when Muslims are too weak to conquer, they agree to peace in order to buy time and strengthen their position. Later, when they are strong enough to conquer, and the treaty is no longer to their advantage, they break it. Such a treaty is known in Arabic as a 'hudna'. Initially, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah seemed like a great humiliation of Mohammed and Islam, until Mohammed "received" a Quranic revelation that it was actually "a great victory" (Quran 48:1). Similarly, whenever Muslims suffer a humiliating defeat, they tend to declare it a great victory, according to this precedent. In practical terms, because the treaty bound the Quraysh tribe to peace with the Muslims, the Muslims were then free to attack Arabia's Jewish tribes, without fear of retribution from the Quraysh. With bounty to be won, this greatly increased the attraction of Islam and accelerated its growth, at the expense of the Jews. Today, Muslims lift up the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah as a great example of Mohammed as a diplomat and peacemaker. They overlook the fact that he used the treaty as a tactic of war, and broke it as soon as it was no longer to his advantage. It appears from Daniel 9:27 that Antichrist's signing of a peace treaty may in some way facilitate a restoration of Jewish temple worship. Like the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, this treaty may appear humiliating to Muslims, but it will create a facade of Antichrist's peaceful intentions.
From the bible's perspective, which is primarily Israel-focused, Israel's time of trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) begins when Antichrist invades Israel, and sets up the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15, Luke 21:20). It seems from Ezekiel 38-39 that his invasion of Israel takes Israel by surprise. Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:3 says, "Now when they are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape". Again, the 'labour pains' metaphor relates especially to the fall of Jerusalem (Micah 4:9, 5:3, Matthew 24:8 & 15, Revelation 12:2). Jesus used this metaphor to describe events that lead up to it as the 'beginning' of birth pains (Matthew 24:8). However, from Daniel 11:40-45, it seems that Antichrist may not be the one to make the first move. He rides out to conquer in response to being attacked by the 'king of the South' (probably Egypt). As well as counter-attacking Egypt, he uses it as an excuse to invade and conquer many nations, including Israel. My guess is that by conquering Israel, he gains widespread recognition from the Muslim world as their awaited Mahdi, causing most Muslims to unite behind him.
It seems reasonable to assume that the opening of the first seal corresponds with the public appearance of the Antichrist and the beginning of Daniel's 70th week (Daniel 9:27). As the seals are opened and events unfold, it may seem like all hell has been let loose on earth. But from heaven's perspective, Jesus will be in control, orchestrating events according to his plan and timing.
In Zechariah 6:1-8, the release of chariots drawn by white and black horses to the north, and sorrel horses to the south, seems to represent Persia's conquests of Babylon and Egypt in 539 and 525 BC, respectively. These conquests established a period of relative peace throughout the Middle East (Zechariah 6:8), which in turn facilitated the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its temple. The chariot drawn by red horses was never released.
In the last chapter, Jesus took the scroll from the Father's hand (5:8). As he opens each of the seals in the throne room of heaven, he sets off a series of events that take place on the earth. Because each of the seals are numbered, I assume that these events take place in chronological order, and that chapter 6 represents the first chronological section of Revelation. After the seven seal events, seven trumpet events take place (Revelation 8 and 11), followed by seven bowl events (Revelation 15 and 16). In addition to these three series of chronological events, additional sections appear at various points throughout the Book of Revelation to give us a wider overview of what is going on. Let's imagine these three chronological series are like a video drama of end time events surrounding the second coming. Here in chapter 6, Jesus presses 'play'. At the end of the chapter he presses 'pause', we are shown what is going on 'backstage' in chapter 7, and he presses 'play' again in chapter 8. This alternating sequence of 'play' and 'pause' continues throughout the book.
Opening the first four seals releases what are known as 'the four horsemen of the apocalypse'. One intriguing question about these horsemen is what relationship they have to the horsemen in Zechariah's visions. In Zechariah 6:1-8, he described a vision involving four horses with similar colours but in a different order.
1st Seal - White Horse - Antichrist Rides Out to Conquer (v1-2)
Jesus now opens the first seal. In response, one of the living creatures says "Come!" (v1). John looks and he sees a white horse whose rider carries a bow and is given a crown. He rides out as a conqueror, intent on conquest (v2). Many prophecy scholars identify this rider as the Antichrist. Riding on a white horse, he is understood to be a counterfeit of Jesus who will enter the Battle of Armageddon riding on a white horse (Revelation 19:11). The crown might denote his rise to power over the end-time empire (Daniel 7:24), and the power and authority he receives from Satan (Revelation 13:2). The bow, without mention of arrows, is often understood to imply his offer of a false peace. We know that Antichrist will sign a seven-year peace treaty, but break it after three and a half years (Daniel 9:27). And the Apostle Paul tells us that when people are saying "There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come on them (1 Thessalonians 5:3). However, it is also made clear that this rider on the white horse rides out to conquer, so Christians should not be duped by this false offer of peace. In Ezekiel 39:3, where Antichrist is called Gog, God says to him, "I will knock your bow out of your left hand and make your arrows fall from your right hand". So if it is significant that arrows are not mentioned in the first seal, their absence is very short-lived. He soon finds some! Personally I suspect that many prophecy scholars exaggerate Antichrist's role as a peacemaker. In 1938, Hitler signed a peace agreement with British prime-minister Neville Chamberlain who famously returned to Britain declaring 'peace in our time'. But even then, no-one would have described Hitler as a great diplomat of peace. He signed a concession of peace at a time when he was perceived as a great threat to world peace. Although Daniel says that Antichrist will confirm a treaty, it does not say that he will initiate it. So let's not exaggerate Antichrist's perceived role as a diplomat of peace.
When Islam swept through Yemen during the lifetime of Islam's Prophet Mohammed, a Yemeni Jew called Ka'b al-Ahbar converted to Islam. Ka'b al-Ahbar is known among Muslims for his comparisons of Islam with Judeo-Christian texts and traditions (a practice which Muslims call Isra'iliyyat). He is quoted as saying, "I find the Mahdi recorded in the books of the Prophets… For instance, the Book of Revelation says: “And I saw and behold a white horse. He that sat on him…went forth conquering and to conquer" (see 'Al Mahdi and the End of Time' by ‘Izzat and Arif, p.15). Although Muslims consider the bible to have been corrupted, even since the lifetime of Mohammed they have identified the biblical Antichrist with their awaited Messiah-figure, known as the Mahdi. The Mahdi is expected to be Mohammed's 'rightly guided' end-time successor, almost like a second coming of Mohammed himself, but not literally.
In 628 AD, when the Muslims were still too weak to conquer Mecca, Mohammed attempted to enter the city with 1,400 of his followers to perform pilgrimage. Instead, they were intercepted at a place called Hudaybiyyah and humiliated by Mecca's Quraysh tribe. Mohammed conceded to a ten-year peace treaty known as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Two years later, when the number of his followers had grown to about 10,000, the treaty was no longer advantageous to him so he broke it and conquered the city. This treaty provides a historical precedent for peace treaties between Muslims and non-Muslims, and will likely be the precedent for Antichrist's seven year peace treaty (Daniel 9:27). According to this precedent, when Muslims are too weak to conquer, they agree to peace in order to buy time and strengthen their position. Later, when they are strong enough to conquer, and the treaty is no longer to their advantage, they break it. Such a treaty is known in Arabic as a 'hudna'. Initially, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah seemed like a great humiliation of Mohammed and Islam, until Mohammed "received" a Quranic revelation that it was actually "a great victory" (Quran 48:1). Similarly, whenever Muslims suffer a humiliating defeat, they tend to declare it a great victory, according to this precedent. In practical terms, because the treaty bound the Quraysh tribe to peace with the Muslims, the Muslims were then free to attack Arabia's Jewish tribes, without fear of retribution from the Quraysh. With bounty to be won, this greatly increased the attraction of Islam and accelerated its growth, at the expense of the Jews. Today, Muslims lift up the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah as a great example of Mohammed as a diplomat and peacemaker. They overlook the fact that he used the treaty as a tactic of war, and broke it as soon as it was no longer to his advantage. It appears from Daniel 9:27 that Antichrist's signing of a peace treaty may in some way facilitate a restoration of Jewish temple worship. Like the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, this treaty may appear humiliating to Muslims, but it will create a facade of Antichrist's peaceful intentions.
From the bible's perspective, which is primarily Israel-focused, Israel's time of trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) begins when Antichrist invades Israel, and sets up the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15, Luke 21:20). It seems from Ezekiel 38-39 that his invasion of Israel takes Israel by surprise. Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:3 says, "Now when they are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape". Again, the 'labour pains' metaphor relates especially to the fall of Jerusalem (Micah 4:9, 5:3, Matthew 24:8 & 15, Revelation 12:2). Jesus used this metaphor to describe events that lead up to it as the 'beginning' of birth pains (Matthew 24:8). However, from Daniel 11:40-45, it seems that Antichrist may not be the one to make the first move. He rides out to conquer in response to being attacked by the 'king of the South' (probably Egypt). As well as counter-attacking Egypt, he uses it as an excuse to invade and conquer many nations, including Israel. My guess is that by conquering Israel, he gains widespread recognition from the Muslim world as their awaited Mahdi, causing most Muslims to unite behind him.
It seems reasonable to assume that the opening of the first seal corresponds with the public appearance of the Antichrist and the beginning of Daniel's 70th week (Daniel 9:27). As the seals are opened and events unfold, it may seem like all hell has been let loose on earth. But from heaven's perspective, Jesus will be in control, orchestrating events according to his plan and timing.
In Zechariah 6:1-8, the release of chariots drawn by white and black horses to the north, and sorrel horses to the south, seems to represent Persia's conquests of Babylon and Egypt in 539 and 525 BC, respectively. These conquests established a period of relative peace throughout the Middle East (Zechariah 6:8), which in turn facilitated the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its temple. The chariot drawn by red horses was never released.
2nd Seal - Red Horse - World War (v3-4)
When Jesus opens the second seal, a fiery red horse rides out. Its rider is given permission to take peace from the earth so that people butcher each other, and he is given a huge sword. It seems that the colour red symbolises bloodshed and war. This second seal seems to represent the start of World War III which in turn leads to Antichrist's invasion of Israel. In the vision of Zechariah 6:1-8, Persia's conquests in the 6th century BC established a period of world peace and stability. But here in Revelation, Antichrist's conquests shatter world peace and catapult the world into war.
Zechariah also saw a rider seated on a red horse in Zechariah 1:8. It transpired in that vision that its rider was the Angel of the Lord, an Old Testament guise for Jesus in his pre-incarnate state. He was positioned among myrtle trees in a ravine, which represented that he was standing with Israel at a low point in her history. Being seated upon a red horse perhaps represented his warrior-like status.
Should the rider of the red horse here in Revelation 6 also be identified with Jesus? Could it represent Christ's declaration of war against Antichrist and his empire? It seems unlikely. According to Zechariah 14:3-5, Jesus personally intervenes on behalf of the Jews when Jerusalem falls. He sets his feet on the Mount of Olives and splits it in two, creating an escape route through which the Jewish refugees can escape. According to Revelation 12:5, it seems his intervention on the ground is brief at this stage, and that after facilitating their escape he is caught back up to God and his throne for the next 1,260 days. From there, he continues to direct proceedings from heaven, before personally intervening again on earth at the seventh trumpet. Jesus is portrayed as using a sword in his end-time battles (Psalm 45:3, Isaiah 31:8, 34:5-6 and Revelation 19:15). However, his use of a sword seems to fit better with his actions after the seventh trumpet, and not with his actions near the beginning of the Great Tribulation. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) whose second coming is ultimately to establish peace throughout the earth. In order to establish peace, he must first wage war. But it would be deeply ironic if Jesus were the rider of the red horse who takes peace from the earth. Although it is reasonable to identify the rider of the white horse with a particular individual (the Antichrist), it seems better to interpret the rider of the red horse purely symbolically, representing the outbreak of World War. However, when Jesus appears briefly on the Mount of Olives to help the Jews, it is likely that the Muslim world will identify him as the Dajjal (the Antichrist of Islamic Eschatology).
As Antichrist invades Israel from the north, Ezekiel 38 indicates that he is joined by Persia from the east, Sudan from the south, and Lybia from the west, as well as by many other nations. In other words, Israel is invaded from all directions. Psalm 83 describes an attempt by many of Israel's close neighbours to annihilate them as a nation. It is likely this describes the same invasion but with the camera lens zoomed in to give a more localised perspective. According to Micah 5:5, in which Antichrist is referred to as the Assyrian, God will raise up seven shepherds in response to his invasion of Israel. This represents a coalition of pro-Israel nations that God raises up to oppose Antichrist's empire.
When Jesus opens the second seal, a fiery red horse rides out. Its rider is given permission to take peace from the earth so that people butcher each other, and he is given a huge sword. It seems that the colour red symbolises bloodshed and war. This second seal seems to represent the start of World War III which in turn leads to Antichrist's invasion of Israel. In the vision of Zechariah 6:1-8, Persia's conquests in the 6th century BC established a period of world peace and stability. But here in Revelation, Antichrist's conquests shatter world peace and catapult the world into war.
Zechariah also saw a rider seated on a red horse in Zechariah 1:8. It transpired in that vision that its rider was the Angel of the Lord, an Old Testament guise for Jesus in his pre-incarnate state. He was positioned among myrtle trees in a ravine, which represented that he was standing with Israel at a low point in her history. Being seated upon a red horse perhaps represented his warrior-like status.
Should the rider of the red horse here in Revelation 6 also be identified with Jesus? Could it represent Christ's declaration of war against Antichrist and his empire? It seems unlikely. According to Zechariah 14:3-5, Jesus personally intervenes on behalf of the Jews when Jerusalem falls. He sets his feet on the Mount of Olives and splits it in two, creating an escape route through which the Jewish refugees can escape. According to Revelation 12:5, it seems his intervention on the ground is brief at this stage, and that after facilitating their escape he is caught back up to God and his throne for the next 1,260 days. From there, he continues to direct proceedings from heaven, before personally intervening again on earth at the seventh trumpet. Jesus is portrayed as using a sword in his end-time battles (Psalm 45:3, Isaiah 31:8, 34:5-6 and Revelation 19:15). However, his use of a sword seems to fit better with his actions after the seventh trumpet, and not with his actions near the beginning of the Great Tribulation. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) whose second coming is ultimately to establish peace throughout the earth. In order to establish peace, he must first wage war. But it would be deeply ironic if Jesus were the rider of the red horse who takes peace from the earth. Although it is reasonable to identify the rider of the white horse with a particular individual (the Antichrist), it seems better to interpret the rider of the red horse purely symbolically, representing the outbreak of World War. However, when Jesus appears briefly on the Mount of Olives to help the Jews, it is likely that the Muslim world will identify him as the Dajjal (the Antichrist of Islamic Eschatology).
As Antichrist invades Israel from the north, Ezekiel 38 indicates that he is joined by Persia from the east, Sudan from the south, and Lybia from the west, as well as by many other nations. In other words, Israel is invaded from all directions. Psalm 83 describes an attempt by many of Israel's close neighbours to annihilate them as a nation. It is likely this describes the same invasion but with the camera lens zoomed in to give a more localised perspective. According to Micah 5:5, in which Antichrist is referred to as the Assyrian, God will raise up seven shepherds in response to his invasion of Israel. This represents a coalition of pro-Israel nations that God raises up to oppose Antichrist's empire.
3rd Seal - Black Horse - Famine (v5-6)
The third seal releases a black horse whose rider holds a scale, and when he rides forth the living creatures declare, "A quart of wheat will cost a day's pay and three quarts of barley will cost a day's pay. But do not damage the olive oil and the wine!". The wheat and barley represent basic food commodities. A quart was a dry measure equivalent to about a litre. So a day's ration of food will cost a whole day's pay. This is a picture of inflation affecting food prices and basic necessities, with the poor being most directly affected, and famine being the likely consequence. But for the rich who can afford them, luxuries are still available, as represented by the oil and the wine.
Famine often follows as a consequence of war, and is sometimes a deliberate tactic of war. In World War I, the Allied blockade of Germany caused about half a million German civilians to die of starvation.
In his message to the Church of Pergamum, Jesus promised to give hidden manna to the Christians who overcome (Revelation 2:17). Similarly, Isaiah 43:20 portrays God's miraculous provision for the people of Israel during their end-time Exodus. During the Great Tribulation, both Jews and Christians will have to rely on God's miraculous provision. This will be especially true of those living within Antichrist's end-time empire, for Revelation 13:7 says that no-one will be able to buy or sell unless they receive the mark of the beast.
The third seal releases a black horse whose rider holds a scale, and when he rides forth the living creatures declare, "A quart of wheat will cost a day's pay and three quarts of barley will cost a day's pay. But do not damage the olive oil and the wine!". The wheat and barley represent basic food commodities. A quart was a dry measure equivalent to about a litre. So a day's ration of food will cost a whole day's pay. This is a picture of inflation affecting food prices and basic necessities, with the poor being most directly affected, and famine being the likely consequence. But for the rich who can afford them, luxuries are still available, as represented by the oil and the wine.
Famine often follows as a consequence of war, and is sometimes a deliberate tactic of war. In World War I, the Allied blockade of Germany caused about half a million German civilians to die of starvation.
In his message to the Church of Pergamum, Jesus promised to give hidden manna to the Christians who overcome (Revelation 2:17). Similarly, Isaiah 43:20 portrays God's miraculous provision for the people of Israel during their end-time Exodus. During the Great Tribulation, both Jews and Christians will have to rely on God's miraculous provision. This will be especially true of those living within Antichrist's end-time empire, for Revelation 13:7 says that no-one will be able to buy or sell unless they receive the mark of the beast.
4th Seal - Pale Horse - Death (v7-8)
The fourth seal releases a pale green horse. This colour represents sickness and disease. Its rider is Death, and Hades follows right behind. Like famine, disease often follows as a consequence of war. At the end of World War I, so-called Spanish flu killed seventy-five million people worldwide, many times more than those who died in conflict. Since the outbreak of war in Yemen in 2015, international aid organisations have been battling to contain outbreaks of cholera and diphtheria, which are indirect consequences of war. The rider's identification as Death, with Hades following right behind, represents the large number of people who will die of sickness and disease. Jesus listed plagues as one of the end-time signs in Luke 21:11.
Death toll during the First Four Seals (v8)
Verse 8 tells us that they (the four horsemen) will be given authority over a fourth of the earth to kill its population by sword, famine, disease, and by the wild animals of the earth. This could be understood in at least two different ways:-
a) that a quarter of the earth's global population will perish. Currently that would equate to about 2 billion people out of a global population of about 8 billion, leaving about 6 billion survivors. This is a worst-case interpretation.
Or:
b) that the events associated with the four horsemen will affect approximately one quarter of the earth's geographical area, and that within that limited area, many people will die. This interpretation would imply a much more limited total death toll.
It is said that they will kill people "by sword, famine, disease, and by the wild animals of the earth". Although wild animals could be interpreted literally, it is much more likely that this alludes to the wild beasts of Daniel 7 which metaphorically represent conquering nations and empires.
The fourth seal releases a pale green horse. This colour represents sickness and disease. Its rider is Death, and Hades follows right behind. Like famine, disease often follows as a consequence of war. At the end of World War I, so-called Spanish flu killed seventy-five million people worldwide, many times more than those who died in conflict. Since the outbreak of war in Yemen in 2015, international aid organisations have been battling to contain outbreaks of cholera and diphtheria, which are indirect consequences of war. The rider's identification as Death, with Hades following right behind, represents the large number of people who will die of sickness and disease. Jesus listed plagues as one of the end-time signs in Luke 21:11.
Death toll during the First Four Seals (v8)
Verse 8 tells us that they (the four horsemen) will be given authority over a fourth of the earth to kill its population by sword, famine, disease, and by the wild animals of the earth. This could be understood in at least two different ways:-
a) that a quarter of the earth's global population will perish. Currently that would equate to about 2 billion people out of a global population of about 8 billion, leaving about 6 billion survivors. This is a worst-case interpretation.
Or:
b) that the events associated with the four horsemen will affect approximately one quarter of the earth's geographical area, and that within that limited area, many people will die. This interpretation would imply a much more limited total death toll.
It is said that they will kill people "by sword, famine, disease, and by the wild animals of the earth". Although wild animals could be interpreted literally, it is much more likely that this alludes to the wild beasts of Daniel 7 which metaphorically represent conquering nations and empires.
5th Seal - Martyrs (v9-11)
The fifth seal reveals the souls of those who have been violently killed because of their commitment to the word of God and the testimony they had given. Their location under the altar reflects God's acceptance of their lives as sacrifices offered to him.
The presence of the altar also implies that the throne room, which is the setting for chapters 4 to 6, is located in God's heavenly temple (see also Revelation 7:15). In Old Testament times, God was understood to be enthroned between the golden cherubim on the lid of the ark, which was normally housed within the holy of holies in the tabernacle, and later in the temple. So it makes sense that in chapter 4, when God is enthroned between the four living creatures, he is in the holy of holies in the heavenly temple. When Moses was instructed to make the tabernacle, he was told to make everything according to the pattern that God showed him on the mountain (Exodus 25:40). In other words, the ark and the tabernacle were modelled upon God's heavenly throne and temple. The heavenly and earthly dimensions of God's throne are reflected in Isaiah 66:1 in which God says, "The heavens are my throne and the earth is my footstool".
In verse 10, the martyrs cry out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Master, holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?" This is a rare glimpse of the souls of dead believers in their heavenly dwelling. Contrary to what Christians sometimes teach about heaven being outside of time, these departed souls have an awareness of time, and seem to also have some awareness of events taking place on earth. Just because a thousand years are like a day to God (2 Peter 3:8) does not mean that heaven is outside of time (see also Revelation 8:1). Their description as souls represents their present heavenly state. Not until the last trumpet will they be resurrected and receive their resurrection bodies (Daniel 12:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
It is also interesting to note that they retain their natural human desire for justice. Justice will be served through God's judgments at the end of this age, and ultimately at the great white throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). In his parable of the persistent widow, Jesus said, "Won’t God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?" (Luke 18:7).
In verse 11, the martyrs are each given a long white robe and told to rest for a little longer until their full number has been reached. The long white robes imply that their sins have been washed away and they have been clothed in Christ's righteousness (Revelation 3:4-5, 7:14, 19:8). The word 'rest' is used in various scriptures to describe the state of believers who have died (e.g. Genesis 47:30, Deuteronomy 31:16, 2 Samuel 7:12, Daniel 12:13).
The fifth seal reveals the souls of those who have been violently killed because of their commitment to the word of God and the testimony they had given. Their location under the altar reflects God's acceptance of their lives as sacrifices offered to him.
The presence of the altar also implies that the throne room, which is the setting for chapters 4 to 6, is located in God's heavenly temple (see also Revelation 7:15). In Old Testament times, God was understood to be enthroned between the golden cherubim on the lid of the ark, which was normally housed within the holy of holies in the tabernacle, and later in the temple. So it makes sense that in chapter 4, when God is enthroned between the four living creatures, he is in the holy of holies in the heavenly temple. When Moses was instructed to make the tabernacle, he was told to make everything according to the pattern that God showed him on the mountain (Exodus 25:40). In other words, the ark and the tabernacle were modelled upon God's heavenly throne and temple. The heavenly and earthly dimensions of God's throne are reflected in Isaiah 66:1 in which God says, "The heavens are my throne and the earth is my footstool".
In verse 10, the martyrs cry out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Master, holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?" This is a rare glimpse of the souls of dead believers in their heavenly dwelling. Contrary to what Christians sometimes teach about heaven being outside of time, these departed souls have an awareness of time, and seem to also have some awareness of events taking place on earth. Just because a thousand years are like a day to God (2 Peter 3:8) does not mean that heaven is outside of time (see also Revelation 8:1). Their description as souls represents their present heavenly state. Not until the last trumpet will they be resurrected and receive their resurrection bodies (Daniel 12:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
It is also interesting to note that they retain their natural human desire for justice. Justice will be served through God's judgments at the end of this age, and ultimately at the great white throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). In his parable of the persistent widow, Jesus said, "Won’t God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?" (Luke 18:7).
In verse 11, the martyrs are each given a long white robe and told to rest for a little longer until their full number has been reached. The long white robes imply that their sins have been washed away and they have been clothed in Christ's righteousness (Revelation 3:4-5, 7:14, 19:8). The word 'rest' is used in various scriptures to describe the state of believers who have died (e.g. Genesis 47:30, Deuteronomy 31:16, 2 Samuel 7:12, Daniel 12:13).
