Seals and Birth Pains
The clear correlation between Matthew 24:29-30 and Revelation 6:12-17 implies that the second coming occurs at the sixth seal in Revelation. This means that the second coming must be preceded by the first five seals. In that case, we should also see a correlation between the events of the first five seals and the signs that Jesus describes in Matthew 24 starting with the 'birth pains'. And if it is true that Daniel's 70 weeks have a second fulfilment starting in 1537 and ending in 2027, then we should see a correlation between the first five seals, the birth pains, and recent world events. Let's look at each of the first five seals in turn.
1st Seal - A Rider on a White Horse
Revelation 6:1-2 says, "I looked on when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a thunderous voice, “Come!” So I looked, and here came a white horse! The one who rode it had a bow, and he was given a crown, and as a conqueror he rode out to conquer."
Many prophecy scholars interpret this rider to be 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). His 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. It is generally understood 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). Revelation makes it clear that this rider on the white horse rides out to conquer, so Christians should be careful not to be duped by a 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 appears to be 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 to be 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.
Christian Widener suggests another interpretation of the first seal and the rider on the white horse who wears a crown. He points out that the latin word for crown is 'corona', and he suggests that the coronavirus pandemic was a fulfilment of this prophecy. The rider carries a bow but with no mention of arrows, suggesting the threat of impending death more than its reality. The coronavirus pandemic had a global impact, with countries around the world imposing forced lockdowns. But the global death toll from covid is estimated at only about 7 million, which is only about 0.1 percent of the world's population. While Widener's interpretation of the first seal seems possible, it is not so obvious that it correlates with Christ's description of deceivers claiming to be the Messiah. Many conspiracy theorists saw the covid pandemic, and the subsequent role-out of vaccines to deal with it, as part of a great deception. Personally, I believe the coronavirus pandemic was real, and I was happy to receive the vaccine.
1st Birth Pain - Deception
Matthew 24:3-5 says, "As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered them, “Watch out that no one misleads you. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many."
There does seem to be some correlation here with the rider on the white horse, although Jesus prophesies a plurality of Antichrists, not just one individual at this point. In 1 John 2:18 the Apostle John also teaches that the Antichrist is more than one individual, "Children, it is the last hour, and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared."
In September 2020, four Muslims nations (The UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan) signed 'The Abraham Accords' with Israel. Is it possible that these four nations are four representatives of the Antichrist? Possibly.
Revelation 6:1-2 says, "I looked on when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a thunderous voice, “Come!” So I looked, and here came a white horse! The one who rode it had a bow, and he was given a crown, and as a conqueror he rode out to conquer."
Many prophecy scholars interpret this rider to be 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). His 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. It is generally understood 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). Revelation makes it clear that this rider on the white horse rides out to conquer, so Christians should be careful not to be duped by a 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 appears to be 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 to be 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.
Christian Widener suggests another interpretation of the first seal and the rider on the white horse who wears a crown. He points out that the latin word for crown is 'corona', and he suggests that the coronavirus pandemic was a fulfilment of this prophecy. The rider carries a bow but with no mention of arrows, suggesting the threat of impending death more than its reality. The coronavirus pandemic had a global impact, with countries around the world imposing forced lockdowns. But the global death toll from covid is estimated at only about 7 million, which is only about 0.1 percent of the world's population. While Widener's interpretation of the first seal seems possible, it is not so obvious that it correlates with Christ's description of deceivers claiming to be the Messiah. Many conspiracy theorists saw the covid pandemic, and the subsequent role-out of vaccines to deal with it, as part of a great deception. Personally, I believe the coronavirus pandemic was real, and I was happy to receive the vaccine.
1st Birth Pain - Deception
Matthew 24:3-5 says, "As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered them, “Watch out that no one misleads you. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many."
There does seem to be some correlation here with the rider on the white horse, although Jesus prophesies a plurality of Antichrists, not just one individual at this point. In 1 John 2:18 the Apostle John also teaches that the Antichrist is more than one individual, "Children, it is the last hour, and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared."
In September 2020, four Muslims nations (The UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan) signed 'The Abraham Accords' with Israel. Is it possible that these four nations are four representatives of the Antichrist? Possibly.
2nd Seal - Red Horse - War
Revelation 6:3-4 says, "Then when the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!” And another horse, fiery red, came out, and the one who rode it was granted permission to take peace from the earth so that people would butcher one another, and he was given a huge sword."
The colour red clearly symbolises bloodshed and war, and the impression given is that this is more than just a regional conflict.
2nd Birth Pain - Wars
In Matthew 24:6-7a, Jesus says, "You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. Make sure that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom."
So there is a clear correlation here between the second seal and the second birth pain. Note again that Jesus points us to wars, plural, but the end is still to come. So this is before the Ezekiel 38 / Zechariah 14 war which includes the invasion of Israel and triggers the second coming.
In February 2022, Putin invaded Ukraine. Although this is a regional war between Russia and Ukraine, its effects have been felt globally. In October 2023, after Hamas' invasion of Israel, war has been ongoing between Israel and its neighbours, with Israel defending itself against attack on seven fronts at times. As I write (in April 2026), Israel and the USA are at war with Iran, and Iran has retaliated by attacking neighbouring Arab countries that host American bases.
Revelation 6:3-4 says, "Then when the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!” And another horse, fiery red, came out, and the one who rode it was granted permission to take peace from the earth so that people would butcher one another, and he was given a huge sword."
The colour red clearly symbolises bloodshed and war, and the impression given is that this is more than just a regional conflict.
2nd Birth Pain - Wars
In Matthew 24:6-7a, Jesus says, "You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. Make sure that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom."
So there is a clear correlation here between the second seal and the second birth pain. Note again that Jesus points us to wars, plural, but the end is still to come. So this is before the Ezekiel 38 / Zechariah 14 war which includes the invasion of Israel and triggers the second coming.
In February 2022, Putin invaded Ukraine. Although this is a regional war between Russia and Ukraine, its effects have been felt globally. In October 2023, after Hamas' invasion of Israel, war has been ongoing between Israel and its neighbours, with Israel defending itself against attack on seven fronts at times. As I write (in April 2026), Israel and the USA are at war with Iran, and Iran has retaliated by attacking neighbouring Arab countries that host American bases.
3rd Seal - Black Horse - Inflation and Famine
Revelation 6:5-6 says, "Then when the Lamb opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying, “Come!” So I looked, and here came a black horse! The one who rode it had a balance scale in his hand. Then I heard something like a voice from among the four living creatures saying, “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.
3rd Birth Pain - Famines and Earthquakes
Matthew 24:7b-8 says, "And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth pains."
Here we see correlation in that both the third seal and the third birth pain mention famine. But there are also differences. The third seal emphasises the effect of inflation on basic food prices, the implication being that this will lead to famine, especially for the poor. The third birth pain includes famine, but also earthquakes in various places.
The cumulative effect of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, followed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, caused global inflation and a global cost-of-living crisis that may be seen as a possible fulfilment of the third seal. However, while many poor people have certainly struggled, it is not obvious that it has led to actual famines. Nor has there been an obvious increase in earthquakes.
Revelation 6:5-6 says, "Then when the Lamb opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying, “Come!” So I looked, and here came a black horse! The one who rode it had a balance scale in his hand. Then I heard something like a voice from among the four living creatures saying, “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.
3rd Birth Pain - Famines and Earthquakes
Matthew 24:7b-8 says, "And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth pains."
Here we see correlation in that both the third seal and the third birth pain mention famine. But there are also differences. The third seal emphasises the effect of inflation on basic food prices, the implication being that this will lead to famine, especially for the poor. The third birth pain includes famine, but also earthquakes in various places.
The cumulative effect of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, followed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, caused global inflation and a global cost-of-living crisis that may be seen as a possible fulfilment of the third seal. However, while many poor people have certainly struggled, it is not obvious that it has led to actual famines. Nor has there been an obvious increase in earthquakes.
4th Seal - Pale Horse - Death
Revelation 6:7-8 says, "Then when the Lamb opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come!” So I looked and here came a pale green horse! The name of the one who rode it was Death, and Hades followed right behind. They were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill its population with the sword, famine, and disease, and by the wild animals of the earth."
The pale green colour of this horse represents sickness and disease, and its rider is death. 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. The rider's identification as Death, with Hades following right behind, represents the large number of people who will die of sickness and disease.
4th Birth Pain?
In Matthew's account of the Olivet Discourse there is not a clear equivalent of the fourth seal at this point. However, in Luke's parallel account, Luke 21:11 says, "There will be great earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven." So there is a correlation in the mention of plagues in various places. However, Luke seems to place these later in the chronology of end-time events, for he then says, "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name…"
Death toll during the First Four Seals
Revelation 6:8 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.
Revelation 6:7-8 says, "Then when the Lamb opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come!” So I looked and here came a pale green horse! The name of the one who rode it was Death, and Hades followed right behind. They were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill its population with the sword, famine, and disease, and by the wild animals of the earth."
The pale green colour of this horse represents sickness and disease, and its rider is death. 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. The rider's identification as Death, with Hades following right behind, represents the large number of people who will die of sickness and disease.
4th Birth Pain?
In Matthew's account of the Olivet Discourse there is not a clear equivalent of the fourth seal at this point. However, in Luke's parallel account, Luke 21:11 says, "There will be great earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven." So there is a correlation in the mention of plagues in various places. However, Luke seems to place these later in the chronology of end-time events, for he then says, "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name…"
Death toll during the First Four Seals
Revelation 6:8 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 - Martyrdom
Revelation 6:9-11 says, "Now when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given. They cried out with a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Master, holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” Each of them was given a long white robe, and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached of both their fellow servants and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.
Persecution and Martyrdom in the Olivet Discourse
Matthew 24:9-14 says, "“Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nations because of my name. Then many will be led into sin, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many, and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold. But the person who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come."
Similarly, Luke 21:12-19 says, "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses. Therefore be resolved not to rehearse ahead of time how to make your defense. For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will have some of you put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of my name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives."
So both Revelation and the Gospels stress the importance of Christian witness in the period before the second coming, and the cost that many Christian witnesses will face in being persecuted and killed for their faith and witness.
According to Open Doors, about 360 million, or 1 in 7 of the World's Christians, currently face persecution. In 2023 approximately 5,000 Christians were martyred for their faith. As well as in North Korea, Christians are increasingly being squeezed out of the Middle East and North Africa, and exploited and attacked by Islamists in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Sudan.
Revelation 6:9-11 says, "Now when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given. They cried out with a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Master, holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” Each of them was given a long white robe, and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached of both their fellow servants and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.
Persecution and Martyrdom in the Olivet Discourse
Matthew 24:9-14 says, "“Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nations because of my name. Then many will be led into sin, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many, and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold. But the person who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come."
Similarly, Luke 21:12-19 says, "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses. Therefore be resolved not to rehearse ahead of time how to make your defense. For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will have some of you put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of my name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives."
So both Revelation and the Gospels stress the importance of Christian witness in the period before the second coming, and the cost that many Christian witnesses will face in being persecuted and killed for their faith and witness.
According to Open Doors, about 360 million, or 1 in 7 of the World's Christians, currently face persecution. In 2023 approximately 5,000 Christians were martyred for their faith. As well as in North Korea, Christians are increasingly being squeezed out of the Middle East and North Africa, and exploited and attacked by Islamists in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Sudan.
6th Seal - A Huge Earthquake, followed by signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars, and then the second coming
Revelation 6:12-17 says, "Then I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and a huge earthquake took place; the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and the full moon became blood red; 13and the stars in the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a fierce wind. 14The sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 15Then the kings of the earth, the very important people, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16They said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”"
It seems reasonable to conclude that the huge earthquake, which could equally be interpreted as a huge volcano, throws huge amounts of dust and volcanic ash into the atmosphere, blocking out the light of the sun and causing the moon to appear red. I would suggest that the appearance of stars falling to earth is actually what it will look like when Satan and his fallen angels are cast out of heaven onto the earth, as described in Revelation 12:7-9. The sky being split apart is a description of Christ's second coming, and this is confirmed in verses 15-17 by the fact that everyone on earth can then see Jesus and people try to hide from his wrath.
Similarly, Luke 21:11-12 says, "There will be great earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven. 12But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons."
So Luke confirms the same general order of events, that the persecution comes first, and is followed by great earthquakes, famines, plagues, terrifying sights and great signs in the heavens.
Similarly, Jesus says in Matthew 24:29-30, "Immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
These signs in the Sun, Moon and stars are the final signs which indicate when the sixth seal has been opened and the second coming is imminent. As I write this in early April 2026, we are clearly not there yet. But it is possible that the first five seals have been opened, and that the events associated with them have already started to happen, at least to some degree if not yet in all their fullness.
Revelation 6:12-17 says, "Then I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and a huge earthquake took place; the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and the full moon became blood red; 13and the stars in the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a fierce wind. 14The sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 15Then the kings of the earth, the very important people, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16They said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”"
It seems reasonable to conclude that the huge earthquake, which could equally be interpreted as a huge volcano, throws huge amounts of dust and volcanic ash into the atmosphere, blocking out the light of the sun and causing the moon to appear red. I would suggest that the appearance of stars falling to earth is actually what it will look like when Satan and his fallen angels are cast out of heaven onto the earth, as described in Revelation 12:7-9. The sky being split apart is a description of Christ's second coming, and this is confirmed in verses 15-17 by the fact that everyone on earth can then see Jesus and people try to hide from his wrath.
Similarly, Luke 21:11-12 says, "There will be great earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven. 12But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons."
So Luke confirms the same general order of events, that the persecution comes first, and is followed by great earthquakes, famines, plagues, terrifying sights and great signs in the heavens.
Similarly, Jesus says in Matthew 24:29-30, "Immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
These signs in the Sun, Moon and stars are the final signs which indicate when the sixth seal has been opened and the second coming is imminent. As I write this in early April 2026, we are clearly not there yet. But it is possible that the first five seals have been opened, and that the events associated with them have already started to happen, at least to some degree if not yet in all their fullness.
