September 5, 2009

1Mastering “…the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

LTS

September 5, 2009

The Breaking of the 7 Seals

CHAPTER 6:1B-8SESSION 2


REVELATION 6the Seale

dScrollOpeni

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The Heptadic Structure

2nd1st 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

The 7-Sealed Scroll

Pare

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sis

Pare

nthe

sis

Pare

nthe

sis

8,9 10-14

15

6

7

16


The Heptadic Structure

1 2 3 4

The 7-Sealed Scroll6

FourHorsemen


And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four living creatures, Come and see.

Revelation 6:1

Keep in mind that nothing is being read when the seals are loosed, but actions occur that unquestionably match the corresponding part of the scroll exposed through each consecutive seal…


Historically Unique• Man has always known wars, natural

disasters, famines, etc.• They have been a byproduct of man’s

selfishness, sin, and the fallen world in which man lives


Historically Unique• But with the opening of the seals, a

divinely-initiated series of judgments begin which are historically unique:– Severity – there is “none like it”

Jer 30:7; Dan 12:1; Mtt 24:21; Mark 13:19; Rev 3:10–Wrath of the Lamb – it is the Son, the Lamb of

God’s wrath being manifestedRev 6:16


Historically Unique• But with the opening of the seals, a

divinely-initiated series of judgments begin which are historically unique:– Sin’s Final Ascent – Humanism and Satanism

will be at their apex, which is really their lowest point because the ascent of man has really been a descent

–God’s Kingdom on Earth – This is a sweeping away of the systems of man for the promised Messianic Kingdom which will never pass away


Exodus vs. Tribulation• Similarities exist between the events in this

book and the events leading to the establishment of the first Theocratic Kingdom on earth – when Israel was delivered from Egypt


– The same supernatural preparation for the kingdom in history under Moses and the supernatural judgments that will be poured out on a rebellious world in preparation for the Millennial Kingdom of Messiah

– The same insolent challenge of efei on the part of gentile powers (Psalm 2:1-3)

– The same swift progression in the severity of the divine judgments

Exodus vs. Tribulation


–A striking parallel in the nature of the judgments (Rev 6:1-17 through 18)

– The same victorious outcome:• The destruction of the antichrist and his armies at

Armageddon and deliverance of the people of Israel (Rev 19:1-21)

–Another song of victory referred to as “…the song of Moses…and the song of the Lamb” (Rev

15:1-3)

Exodus vs. Tribulation


• False Messiahs: Mtt 24:5; Mark 13:6; Luke 21:8; Rev 6:2• Wars: Mtt 24:6-7; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9; Rev 6:4• Famines: Mtt 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:10; Rev 6:5-6, 8• Pestilences: Luke 21:11; Rev 6:8• Persecution: Mtt 24:9; Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-17;

Rev 6:9-11• Earthquakes: Mtt 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11; Rev 6:12• Cosmic Phenomena: Mtt 24:29; Mark 13:24-25; Luke 21:11;

Rev 6:12-14

Synoptic Gospel Refresher


The 70th Week

Abominationof Desolation

(Interval)69

3 ½ years42 months1260 days The Great Tribulation

T R I B U L A T I O NThe 70th Week

Covenant Enforced

Revelation 6 - 19

2nd Coming

Millennium

“Time of Jacob’s Trouble”

Arm

aged

don

Satan Bound

False Peace


The 70th Week

Abominationof Desolation

T R I B U L A T I O NThe 70th Week

Covenant Enforced

1 2 3 4

5

6 7

G r e a t T r i b u l a t i o n

7

7



Revelation 6:1

• This voice of thunder may be the source of the seven thunders which John is prevented from recording in Revelation 10:3• It is more likely that it is mentioned to emphasize its

imposing volume to connect its command with the upcoming judgment



Revelation 6:1

• This occurs with each of the first four seals and suggests the voice is speaking to John• Some texts render it simply “Come”, suggesting it is issued

by the living creature to the rider of each horse bringing forth the judgment.• This could emphasize the divine control


REVELATION 6:2

Horse1st

Seal:The

Overcoming Conqueror

the White


And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Revelation 6:2


Who Is It?• This is similar to the vision of Zechariah

Zechariah 1:8; 6:2-6

• In the context of Revelation, white means righteousness

• The similarities between the rider and Messiah are striking:–Riding a White Horse–Wearing a Crown–Overcomer


Who Is It?

Messiah Antichrist


Who Is It?

MessiahAntichrist!


Who Is It?• It is the Lamb who just opened the seal

sending this horseman out• It would be inappropriate for an angelic

being to call forth Messiah• This rider carries a bow whereas Messiah

carries a sword (Rev 2:12; 19:15)• This rider is alone whereas Messiah is

followed by an army of believers (Rev 19:14)



Revelation 6:2


A Bow?• A symbol of strength (Job 29:20; 30:11; Eze. 39:3)• “Bow”: Darts, arrows vs. sword?

Rev 19:15; Eph 6:16; Mt 10:34– Symbol of Nimrod the hunter?– Same word as the token of the covenant with

Noah Gen 9:13• Hebrew: qesheth• Greek (LXX): toxon

a weapon; also, rainbow


And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

Daniel 8:25


And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Daniel 9:27


Antiochus as a Model• We can learn several things about the

coming desecrator:–He will achieve great power by subduing

others Dan 8:24

–He will rise to power by promising false security Dan 8:25

–He will be intelligent and persuasiveDan 8:23

–He will be controlled by Satan Dan 8:24


Antiochus as a Model• We can learn several things about the

coming desecrator:–He will be an adversary of Israel and subjugate

Israel to he authorityDan 8:24-

25–He will rise up in opposition to the Prince of

princesDan 8:25

–His rule will be terminated by Divine judgmentDan 8:25



Revelation 6:2

“Horses” = judgments 2 Kgs 6:15-18; Jer 46:9-10; Joel 2:3-11; Nahum 3:1-7;

Zech 1:8-11; 6:1-7 “Crown” stephanos is not diadema of 19:12


Was Given...• Crown not earned, but given to him• This phrase speaks of efei’s sovereignty

– The first horseman is given his crown (6:2)– The second horseman is given to take peace

with a great sword (6:4)–Death and Hades, who ride with the third

horseman, are given authority to kill a fourth part of the earth (6:8)


Was Given...– The four angels are given the power to hurt

the earth and sea (8:3)– The star from heaven is given the key to loosen

the demonic locusts from the abyss (9:1)• Who were themselves given power to torment

men (9:5)– The beast is given authority to continue for 42

months (13:5)


Was Given...– The fourth bowl is given the ability to scorch

men (16:8)• There is no creature which ultimately does not

serve efei’s purpose, either willingly or unwillingly

• Troubling: For efei’s purposes, evil is allowed to continue

• Comforting: Everything we suffer is subject to efei’s approval and purpose (Job 2:6; Rom 8:28)



Revelation 6:2


The Seven-Sealed ScrollChapters 6 & 7

The Four Horsemen

1st

Conquering

Seal

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12

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REVELATION 6:3,4

HorseWar

2nd Seal:the Red


Revelation 6:3,4

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.


Revelation 6:3,4




Take Peace…• This may correspond to the point in Daniel’s

vision where another “horn which camp up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows”

Dan 7:20

This is the beginning of sorrowsMtt 24:6-8


Revelation 6:3,4



c


For thus efei, the God of Israel, says to me, "Take this cup of the wine of wrath from My hand and cause all the nations to whom I send you to drink it. "They will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them.“ Then I took the cup from efei'S hand and made all the nations to whom efei sent me drink it:

Jeremiah 25:15-17

A Great Sword


A Great Sword• This is the pattern of efei’s judgment on

nations who reject Him–He makes them mad and turn upon one

another (Eze 38:21)



The Four Horsemen

1st 2nd

Conquering War

Seal

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of th

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REVELATION 6:5,6the BlackHorse

3rd Seal:

Famine


Revelation 6:5

Black is often connected with famine Lam 4:4-8; 5:10; Jer 14:1,2

“To eat bread by weight” Lev 26:25-33; cf. Ezek 4:10,11,16

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.


Revelation 6:6

And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

Both oil and wine are listed among the commercial wealth of Babylon at the time of her destruction

Rev 18:13



The Four Horsemen

1st 2nd 3rd

Conquering War Famine

Seal

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REVELATION 6:7,8the PaleHorseDeath

4th Seal:


Revelation 6:7,8

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.


Death and Hell• Here, both are personified (cf. Isa 28:18 where

Death and Sheol sign a covenant)• Death claims the body; Hades claims the soul• May refer to the material and immaterial parts of

man, respectively– The body molders in the grave (death)– The spirit and soul enter the underworld

(Hades)


Death and Hell• The eventual casting of Death and Hades into the

Lake of Fire (Rev 20:14) may describe the total victory over these unsavory realities brought about by the cross of Messiah (Hos 13:14; 1Cor 15:21-

26, 54-55; 2Ti 1:10)


Revelation 6:7,8

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.



The Four Horsemen

1st 2nd 3rd 4th

FamineConquering War Death

Seal

ing

of th

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4,00

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12

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Next Session• Read Revelation 7 & 14• Which Tribes are missing and why?

– Summarize the mysterious prophecies of the Tribe of Dan

• What is the role of the 144,000?


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Documents

September 5, 2009