Revelation Chapter 6

B. If Christ had not prevailed to open the seven sealed book, the wrath of God would not be poured out on the earth, nor would the blessings of God be given to believers.

2. Believers are looking forward to receiving the blessings of God, reserved for us.

3. Any person who is looking forward to the judgment of God does not have the compassion of Christ toward unbelievers.

C. Angels sound the seven trumpets and pour out the seven vials of wrath upon the earth.

f. Revelation 9:13 – the sixth angel sounds. (The second woe.) (Revelation 10 – The seven thunders utter their voices, but John is forbidden to write.)

2. Revelation 15:1 – Seven angels have the last seven plagues to be poured out upon the earth.

II. All of the events that take place at the opening of the seven seals are “extra normal”.

A. These events include a world dictator, world war, famines, death, pestilence, and hunger.

B. It is true that all these events have happened before, but those events are nothing like the events in Revelation 6.

1. All the past dictators, wars, famines, death and destruction are only forerunners of the terrible times described in Revelation 6.

2. I John 2:18 states, Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

3. I John 2:22 openly declares, Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

1. Genesis 4:1-8 – Cain killed Abel because Cain was not willing to submit himself to God’s demands for a proper sacrifice.

2. Genesis 4:23-24 – Lamech declared his righteousness for killing a young man who had injured him.

3. Exodus – the Pharaohs of Egypt openly declared they were gods, therefore should be worshipped as gods.

5. Daniel 3 – Nebuchadnezzar build an image, a type of Anti-Christ, demanding his subjects worship the golden image.

6. Daniel 4 – Nebuchadnezzar spend seven years eating grass as an ox because, as a type of Anti-Christ, he believed he had gained his entire honor by himself.

7. The emperors of Rome considered themselves gods, and demanded to be worshipped as gods.

8. Benito Mussolini in Italy, Adolf Hitler in Germany, Saddam Hussein in Iraq, Joseph Stalin in the USSR, Fidel Castro in Cuba, are only a few of the famous dictators of this world, who are all forerunners of the final Anti-Christ.

D. The events of our present world point toward the soon opening of the seven seals.

1. The United States was founded upon Biblical principles as a republic, but has gradually departed from those holy principles.

a. The government of a republic is based on a set of principles, which every law and every precept of authority is based on.

b. The U. S. based the principles of government on Biblical principles, and described those principles in the Constitution, but those principles have been largely eroded.

1.) The constitution has been described as a “living document”, whose interpretation changes or evolves over time.

2.) Our founders did not believe the constitution was a “living document”, but unchanging, except for amendments.

c. Government officials were called “statesmen” in the beginning of our nation because they were involved in interpreting the Constitution, not discerning the will of the people on any given subject.

b. Therefore, in a democracy, polls are very important, and politicians use polls to discover the will of the people, while the constitution is disregarded.

3. Almost always, in history, a dictator (benevolent or ruthless) follows a democracy.

a. A republic is a state or country that is not lead by a hereditary monarch, or a ruling class.

1.) The first U. S. president, George Washington, refused to serve continually, but returned to his chosen vocation, because he did not wish the federal government to continue to be in the hands of a single family, or ruling class.

2.) In the beginning of our nation, it was very common for representatives and senators to have a chosen vocation, be elected to public office for a time, and then return to their chosen vocation when there term was ended.

3.) Today, businessmen who rule, then return to their business, are scoffed, because it is said they do not understand government operational principles.

4.) Some even believe the government official that has a self-supporting business has a “conflict of interest”, and will not operate honestly.

5.) Today, many senators and representatives serve for life, and never understand the principles of running a profitable business, or of being self-supporting.

b. A democracy has more to do with the people electing to office those that will give them the most.

1.) A democracy must have a measure of free speech, freedom of the press, elections, and the voice of the people.

2.) Majority rule is the major principle of a democracy, but the rights of the minority are supposed to be protected.

3.) When the citizens of a nation continually vote into office those who will give them the most, government takes more responsibility and authority over its citizens.

4.) Instead of citizens supplying for themselves, they depend on the government to supply for them.

5.) The people of a democratic nation will soon give all their rights away and depend on the government for everything.

6.) Examples of how people in a democratic nation depend on the government instead of themselves.

a.) Family members no longer take care of parents and grandparents, but expect the government, through Social Security, and other government programs, to take care of them. (It is very easy to calculate how much parents and grandparents would receive if their children and grandchildren were responsible for their care!)

b.) Arkansas had a senator named Fulbright, who was continually voted in by seniors because he always protected social security.

c.) Aid given to victims of natural catastrophes is unconstitutional because the constitution says nothing about government help to victims of natural catastrophes.

d.) The roll of government is to protect that nation, both nationally and internationally, but that role has been largely disregarded in favor of taking care of people that should be taking care of themselves.

e.) It is my personal opinion that if the government would get out of the way and allow volunteers to help people, the right people would get help, and the loafers would not get so much help.

The Opening of the First Seal

Verse 1-2 – 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 beasts saying, Come and see. 2 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.

1. The Bible did not say John heard thunder, but …as it were the noise of thunder…

3. I think thunder refers to the suddenness of the appearance of the Anti-Christ.

b. Many Anti-Christs, and many prophecies concerning his soon appearing precede the appearance of the Anti-Christ.

1. God wants his people to understand what is going to happen on the earth shortly after the rapture takes place.

c. At the opening of the second seal – Revelation 6:3 – …come and see.

f. At the opening of the fifth seal – Revelation 6:9 – John is more ready to view those that have lost their lives because of their stand against the Anti-Christ, therefore he needs no invitation to …come and see.

g. At the opening of the sixth seal – Revelation 6:12 – All the cosmic cataclysm destruction forces John to look without an invitation.

2. Therefore God gives this prophecy to John, who is to give the prophecy to the seven churches of Asia, who will give the prophecy to all the churches throughout all the ages.

3. God does not mind his children asking about the end of time, or the end of the world, but desires to instruct them in this great mystery.

4. Revelation 1:3 – The book of Revelation is the only book in the entire Bible that promises a blessing to those that read.

II. Many believe this rider on the white horse is Jesus Christ, or the promised Jewish Messiah.

1. The attention of John does not remain long on the horse, but goes immediately to the rider.

1. II Timothy 2:15 states, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

b. Comparing scripture with scripture, and letting the scripture interpret itself do this.

2. Psalm 45 – This Psalm speaks of the glory of Christ when he girds his sword (verse 2) and rides (verse 4) with truth and righteousness.

a. Psalm 45:3 – The rider of Psalm 45 has a sword, but the rider of Revelation 6:1,2 has no sword, only a bow.

b. Psalm 45:4 – The rider of Psalm 45 rides with truth, meekness and righteousness, while the rider of Revelation brings war, famine, death and destruction.

c. The result of the reign of Christ is peace, contentment and happiness to all true followers, while the result of Satan’s reign is death, misery and everlasting destruction.

C. Short examinations of the rider will real this rider is the antichrist, not Jesus Christ.

1. Jesus is the only one in the entire universe who is worthy to open the seals; therefore he cannot be the one who comes when the seal is opened.

c. Jesus Christ will come to the earth again at the end of the Great Tribulation to establish his earthly kingdom.

2. II Corinthians 11:14 states, And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

a. Satan constantly attempts to duplicate the actions and character of Christ, yet all his efforts produce opposite results, because Satan is completely opposite God.

1.) Matthew 7:15 warn, Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

2.) The identity of the rider of Revelation 6 is obscured, but Christ reveals himself plainly and clearly.

3.) Satan and his followers often disguise themselves as truthful followers, yet inwardly, they are predatory wolves.

1.) There is a holy trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit), while Satan has his unholy trinity (Satan, the Antichrist, the Unholy Spirit).

2.) Christ gives true salvation, peaceful assurance, and everlasting hope, while Satan gives false salvation, false assurance, and false hope.

3.) Christ give official baptism by the authority of a true local church, but Satan has his false baptism by his false universal churches.

4.) Christ gives true rewards for a lifetime of faithful service, while the followers of Satan receive the fires of the Lake of Fire for all eternity.

5.) The followers of Christ receive peace in this world, while Satan promises peace, but delivers torments.

3. The rider has a bow, but does not have arrows, or a sword, as Jesus Christ has in Psalm 45 and Revelation 19.

b. Hebrews 4:12 states, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

c. Jesus came with his word, which he has preserved, but Satan has no word, or sword.

4. The crown is different, as different Greek words are used to describe each crown.

2.) Or the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games

a. To conquer refers to Satan’s desire to be victorious over Christ and his kingdom.

1.) Satan’s plan is to destroy everything Christ has established as truth, regardless of what it is.

2.) Satan’s plan also includes conquering all those who have rejected Christ as Saviour or Messiah.

b. The double use of the word “conquer” indicates the time of Satan’s kingdom has come.

c. It is interesting that peace is not taken from the earth until the opening of the second seal.

2.) World war doesn’t erupt until the opening of the second seal when peace is taken from the earth.

b. Satan promised the first woman good if she would eat the forbidden fruit; but the end result is complete misery upon this entire world and all its inhabitants.

d. Satan cannot give good blessings, but he easily delivers the worse kind of misery when his advice is followed.

E. The Jews (and much of this world) will accept the Anti-Christ as the answer to their difficulties.

1. John 5:43 states, I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

a. The Jews rejected Christ as Messiah because they had already rejected him as Saviour.

b. The Jews came to believe they did not need a Saviour, because they were born into the Israelite nation, which was the chosen nation of God.

c. Luke 18:9 – The Jews were earnest (but completely wrong) in their belief that they were righteous and despised others.

2. II Thessalonians 2 states the Anti-Christ will not come before the great apostasy and the rapture.

a. Some believe the words “falling away” of II Thessalonians 2:3 refers to the rapture, but it does not.

b.) There had to be a beginning with the truth, and then a departing from the truth.

1) These deceivers were present and seemed to agree, but when they got on their own; they did as it seemed right to them.

2) These deceivers put on a good front, fooling the righteous, but in their hearts they never believed. [1]

1.) II Thessalonians 2:3 reveals the Anti-Christ will be a man – a man of sin.

b.) There is no reason to think the Anti-Christ is only a system, because every system has individuals pushing and encouraging that system.

a.) Verse 4 – the head of the Babylonian kingdom is Nebuchadnezzar, or Belshazzar, or another individual.

b.) Verse 5 – The head of the Medes/Persian kingdom is Darius, or Cyrus, individuals.

c.) Verse 6 – The head of the Grecian kingdom is Alexander the Great, an individual.

d.) Verse 7 – The head of the Roman kingdom is the Caesars; all are individuals.

c. The Anti-Christ has a bow but not arrows, revealing he will come into his kingdom promising peace, but will deliver trouble, trials and tribulations.

1.) Daniel 9:27 states, 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.

a.) There was 215 years from the time Abraham received the command from God to leave Ur of the Chaldees until Jacob entered Egypt.

b.) There was 215 years from the time Jacob entered into Egypt to the time Israel exited Egypt, with Moses as their leader.

c.) The first 215 years was a time of relative peace and prosperity, and Israel got used to living as strangers in the land of Canaan.

d.) The last 215 years was a time of relative peace and prosperity, but times got tougher and tougher as Pharaoh clamped down on them harder and harder.

e.) Finally, God gave miraculous victories to Israel and Egypt was totally destroyed. [2]

d. In Matthew 24:11-15 Jesus speaks of some events that will take place before the Anti-Christ breaks his covenant with the nation of Israel.

1.) The troubles on this earth (Matthew 24:4-7) are a foretaste of the events immediately after the rapture, during the first 3½ years of “peaceful” tribulation.

2.) Matthew 24:4-14 – There will be deceivers (verse 4-5), wars (verse 6-8), much trouble for the Jews (verse 9-11), abounding iniquity (verse 12), and the gospel will be preached in all the world (verse 14).

4.) Daniel 7:25 reveals And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

a.) The Anti-Christ blasphemes God now, and his blasphemies against the God of heaven will continue with all his false doctrine, and hypocritical actions.

b.) His continual blasphemy will constantly harass and slowly erode the mental stedfastness of believers.

c.) The Anti-Christ plan is to altar the way everything is done; reverting to the days of Lot and the time of Noah.

1) The murder of innocent babies in the womb of their mother will be made legal.

3) God’s laws of righteousness will be considered out of date, while false philosophies will be considered relevant.

1) Luke 4:5,6 – during the temptation of Christ, Satan stated that he has been given a kingdom, and he can give that kingdom to whomsoever he will.

2) Many want Satan to rule over them; therefore God will allow that to happen. [3]

III. The events at the beginning of the Anti-Christ kingdom (and the rapture) are many.

A. The witness of the gospel of Christ will continue during the same time the Anti-Christ rules, and blasphemies God, and makes war with the saints, and the Unholy Spirit of Satan causes fire to come down from heaven upon the earth in the sight of men.

1.) The restraining influence of Godly people will be suddenly removed from this earth.

2.) The time of the church is over, but that doesn’t mean God is through dealing with Israel or this world.

1.) The working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers during the church age will be over, but the work of the Holy Spirit is not finished.

2.) Those saved during the tribulation period are saved the same way all believers are saved – by grace, through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

a.) Some use II Thessalonians 2:10-12 to teach that those that reject Christ during the church age and go into the Great Tribulation will never believe, but will be given strong delusion to believe Satan’s lies.

2) There are always those “close” to believing, or not understanding completely, and Christ might bring them to that place, and then save them immediately after the rapture.

3) There are those that have completely rejected the pure gospel, but they have already received strong delusion, before the rapture takes place.

b.) Many rejected the miracles of Christ and the gospel preached by Christ, but was saved on the Day of Pentecost, and soon after.

1) The three year ministry of Christ could be considered a time of preparation for the outpouring of the mercies of God on the Day of Pentecost and afterward.

2) In the same manner, the ministry of the church and believers during the church age could be considered a time of preparation for those that will be saved during the Great Tribulation.

c.) Acts 17:32 states, And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

1) Whether or not these people had another opportunity to hear, I do not know, but I know God is merciful to unbelievers.

2) There is ample scripture to show God gives sinners more than one opportunity to believe.

1.) This prophecy will begin when the rapture takes place, and will continue until the abomination of desolation spoken of in Daniel takes place.

2.) Comparing Revelation 11:2 with Revelation 13:5 reveals the Anti-Christ blasphemies against God and the preaching of the two witnesses will occupy the same time frame.

a.) Revelation 7:1-9 – The preaching and witnessing of the two witnesses will result in the salvation of at least 144,000 Jews, and millions of Gentiles.

b.) Many of these people saved during the Great Tribulation will be killed because of their preaching the eternal gospel of Christ.

4.) Believers are a witness of Christ now, and the two witnesses will be a witness to Christ during the first half of the Great Tribulation.

3. Revelation 14:6 declares an angel will …fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth…

a. The context of Revelation 14:6 indicates the time is toward the middle of the Great Tribulation, but before the wrath of God (in the form of the vials) is poured out.

b. The mercy of God is revealed as God gives sinners ample opportunity to consider their wicked ways, repent and turn to him in saving faith.

1. As the Anti-Christ begins the final establishment of his earthly kingdom, the self-destruction of his kingdom is well under way.

a. There will be much death and destruction and mistrust, something like during the reign of Hitler and Stalin.

b. When the second seal is opened, and men begin to kill each other, it reflects the widespread destruction and fear that will prevail in all the earth.

2. A part of establishing the Anti-Christ kingdom is revealed in Revelation 13 where Satan establishes his worldwide religion, which includes (false) education, and government control of everything.

a. According to revelation 13:13, Satan will be able to cause fire to come from heaven to the earth, in order to deceive.

b. Revelation 13:15 records those that would not worship the Anti-Christ shall be killed, therefore fear will cause many to succumb to this worship, just as in the days of Nebuchadnezzar.

a. Revelation 13:1-3 describes the long history of the Anti-Christ (Pagan Babylon) kingdom.

b. Revelation 18:7 reveals Pagan Babylon sits as a queen, not as a widow, believing she shall never suffer sorrow.

c. Revelation 18:8 describe the swiftness of her destruction, just as the nation of “Rome was destroyed in a day” (shortly before 400 A.D.).

The Opening of the Second Seal

Verse 3-4 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4 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.

I. It is very easy for anybody to even casually read Revelation 6 and see the terrible judgments that shall come upon the earth.

A. God wrote these words on purpose so nobody can say they could not understand.

B. It is very obvious for even lost people to understand the general meanings of the seals.

1. The first seal is somebody or something taking over the entire world – a world dictator.

3. The third seal immediately follows war – famine because the entire world has devoted all natural resources to the world war and not to feeding themselves.

5. The fifth seal may be a little difficult to understand for lost people, but this seal reflects the peace and comfort given to some while others continue to suffer.

6. The sixth seal may be even more difficult for lost people to understand, but it is easy to see there are more calamities coming to the earth.

1. God is very interested in all his children understanding the events of the end times.

2. Matthew 24 – Christ did not rebuke his disciples for asking when the end of the world would come, or the conditions at that time, but he patiently explained how it would happen.

3. Revelation 1:3 – Jesus promises a blessing to all who read (not necessarily understands) the book of Revelation.

4. John is invited to …come and see when each of the first four seals are opened.

B. A red horse goes out; the color red is associated with Satan and his Anti-Christ reign of terror.

1. Revelation 12:3 states, And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

2. Revelation 12:7 speaks of Satan’s war against believers, And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

b. According to Luke 6, I believe authority is granted to Satan by God to give his kingdom to whomsoever he desires, therefore it is Satan that gives this rider his authority to take peace from the earth.

2. When the Anti-Christ first appears, world war does not immediately break out.

a. The Anti-Christ comes to peacefully conquer, not cause war, as reflected by his lack of arrows for his bow.

b. The rule of the “peaceful” Anti-Christ prepares the way for peace to be taken from the earth.

1. Genesis 2 relates the first death was over religion, and these deaths will be no different.

b. Killing people or threatening them with bodily harm does not change the mind or heart, only what is publicly stated.

2. II Thessalonians 2:7 – These deaths occur because God’s restraining hand is removed, and men begin to follow their natural impulses.

a. The positive, good influence of believers is gone, because they are all taken to be with the Lord at the rapture.

b. The restraining power of the Holy Spirit of God is also removed when the rapture takes place.

c. These deaths are not just wicked people killing God’s children, but wicked people killing other wicked people for whatever reason (or excuse).

1.) The Anti-Christ will cause the world war, but it will appear another has caused the war.

2.) People will continue to worship the Anti-Christ and Satan, because they believe they are looking out for their best interests, not causing all their troubles.

1.) Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

a.) The sword of God destroys the natural man, but leaves the spiritual man intact and stronger than ever before, but the sword of this rider destroys not only the natural man, but also the spiritual man.

b.) Ephesians 6:17 declares that believers are to possess the Word of God, And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

2.) Christ informs his disciples concerning the sword that shall come against them.

a.) Jesus warns his disciples in Matthew 10:34, Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

b.) The enemies of Christ came after him with swords, as stated in Matthew 26:47, And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

c.) Some were killed with a sword, Acts 12:2, And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

1) Hebrews 11:34 – Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

2) Hebrews 11:37 – They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

1) Satan persecutions will not take the love of Christ from us, as stated in Romans 8:35, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

2) Revelation 13:10 states, He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

E. It has been estimated there have been more than 150 wars of varying degrees since the close of World War II.

3. Regardless of that fact, war will continue because of the depravity and wickedness of man. [4]

The Opening of the Third Seal

Verse 5-6 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. 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.

I. It is very obvious this seal speaks about a lack of material substance, and a rationing of those substances.

1. The word “power” in Revelation 6:4 is in italics, meaning the King James translators added the word to make the meaning of the verse clearer.

a. The word “power” might be added, but it is clear the rider was allowed to remove peace from the earth.

b. The rider of the third horse does not cause the famine, but to measure the results of what has happened so far.

a. Verse 4 – the word “power” is italicized, but it is not italicized in verse 8.

b. The word “power” in verse 8 means authority, right, liberty, or strength.

1. During his time of trouble, Job states in Job 30:30, My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.

2. Jeremiah 4:28 declares concerning the desolation the land of Israel shall face because of the coming judgments of God, For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.

3. Jeremiah 8:21 moans his sorrow to God because there is no hope, For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.

4. Jeremiah 14:2 relates the condition of Israel because of the dearth in the land of Israel, Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

5. Lamentations 5:10 relates the condition of Israel, Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.

1. When a country puts all their natural resources into fighting and winning a war, they cannot put those same natural resources into providing for themselves or their citizens.

2. As soon as the food supplies are used up, and having been sent to the battle, there is no more food.

1. The four beasts, according to Revelation 4:6, are in the midst of the throne of God, and represent Jesus Christ in his completion.

2. There seems to be no way of telling to whom the voice belongs, but it seems apparent the voice belongs to Christ.

1. Proverbs 11:1 instructs, A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

2. Proverbs 16:11 confesses, A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

3. Proverbs 20:23 relate, Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

4. Isaiah 40:12 declares, Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

5. Isaiah 40:15 states, Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

1. There is one measurement for the poor and lowly, and another measurement for the rich and powerful.

a. It will be very difficult for a husband and wife to provide for their children.

b. Children will probably be required to work for their own food, or they will not have any food.

c. There will be great starvation in that day, because if a person is sick, or unable to work, he will not have enough to eat.

a. It is not necessarily the wealthy who will have enough, but those with power or authority.

b. It is more important to have power than wealth, because power will produce wealth.

c. Many Christian people will be forced to do without because they will not yield to Satan’s Anti-Christ.

4.) This could mean that Gentiles will be restricted in their ability to purchase food to three times less than the Jews.

b. A penny is considered a day’s wage; therefore a person must work all day for food.

1.) Matthew 20:2, the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, explains a days wage is one penny.

2.) In these times of inflation, many would think a penny a day is too little, but it is more important to know what that penny will buy.

2.) 1 Timothy 6:8 states, And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

3.) Televisions, cell phones, and sometimes, even cars are a luxury, not a necessity to living.

d. This situation is worldwide, not just in any given area; therefore there is no place to go for a better situation.

1.) Leviticus 23:9-14 – Feast of First Fruits - Barley harvest - Christ the First Fruits.

b. Barley sells for three times less than wheat, but wheat is a much better product than barley.

1.) Buying barley will allow one person to help feed more people, even if the quality of food is not as good.

2.) This could mean that Jews will be able to purchase three times as much food as Gentiles.

a. While there will be a worldwide famine, there is still plenty for those with the authority and/or power.

b. There will, no doubt, be merchandise sold on the “black market” to those having the money, and willing to take the risk.

c. Those in authority will provide for themselves, many of whom consider themselves more important than mere peons; the rest of us.

2. The mark of the beast is some type of personal identification – a mark placed on the body.

3. “Country boys” will not be able to survive, because even if a person could raise all they could eat, they will still have to pay taxes on real and personal property.

a. Consider how helpless all of us would be if there were no electricity or other public utilities.

c. Believers would be forced into the wilderness as they try to vanish from society.

1.) It is very possible that God will miraculously feed his faithful, just as he fed them in days gone by.

2.) Elijah believed he alone was faithful to God (I Kings 19:10,14), but God said he had 7,000 in Israel who had not worshipped Baal.

E. This rationing (measurement) takes place at the very beginning of the tribulation period, before any of the judgments of God are poured out.

The Opening of the Fourth Seal

Verse 7-8 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8 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.

1. It is Christ who has died for sinners; therefore it is Christ who will judge them.

2. Sinners will either recognize Christ as the Son of God, or they will face his judgment.

2.) There are believers who will die, but they will die as a result of their witnessing.

c. ¼ of the inhabitants of the earth will die, not counting those that die in the wars of Revelation 6:4. [5]

1. Those that reject the Bible as the sword of God will die with the sword of man.

a. The sword is no doubt speaking of the world war that shall begin shortly after the rapture, because all the Godly influence of the people of God and Holy Spirit of God is removed from the earth.

c. There will be no escape from the effects of this world war, as there will be no place to hide.

1.) Anytime there is an occupying army, there will be many atrocious acts committed on the citizens of that land.

2.) A very short study of the War Between the States will reveal that every person living in the area of the fighting was in danger from both armies.

2. The sword spoken of is a large sword, not a small knife, referred to as the Thracian javelin.

a. This sword is similar to the large javelin worn over the right shoulder of the Thracian army, used to defeat any enemy.

b. The Thracian army would hurl javelins at their enemy, then retreat into a close-knit group behind their collective shields.

d. People during the time when John wrote would understand and fear this terrible invading army.

1. Those that did not hunger nor thirst after righteousness will die of physical hunger.

2. Many who escape the sword will die from hunger – a slow and agonizing death.

3. Hunger will be the result of worldwide rationing of food, because every country will put all their natural resources into trying to win the war or simply to defend themselves against invading armies.

2. Matthew 10:28 declares, And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

1. Man is supposed to have control over all this earth, but environmentalists and “greenies” believe the world should have control over us, therefore the beasts “greenies” are trying to protect, God will use to kill them.

a. Genesis 1:26 – God gave man authority and dominion over the earth and all the creatures in the earth.

1.) Psalms 8:6-8 – proves Genesis 1:26 – Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

3.) James 3:7 – Man can tame the beasts of the world, but cannot tame his own tongue.

4.) It could very well be that the laws in force at this present time to protect dangerous animals will cause dangerous animals to fill this earth, so be a threat to all humans.

1.) Environmentalists declare it illegal to kill a snake; therefore God will use snakes and other creatures to kill them.

2.) Many environmentalists believe man is the problem with the environment; not understanding the problem is man’s misuse of his God given dominion.

d. Daniel 6:22 – The lions did not eat Daniel, but ate the enemies of God and Daniel the nest morning.

a. Leviticus 26:22 – I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.

b. II Kings 17:25 – And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.

1.) This passage speaks of the people brought into Samaria by the Assyrians, who were attacked by lions because God would be worshipped in the land, but these foreigners did not worship God.

2.) The king of Assyria then commanded Israelite priests to teach the people how to worship God, so lions would not attack them.

b. There is also a lack of bees to pollinate crops, therefore many crops must be pollinated manually, or they will not reproduce.

a. It is an absolute truth that unbelievers will so hate God and the people of God they will kill.

b. They attempted to kill Christ many time, but could not because it was not his time to die for the sins of the world.

d. In John 15:18 Jesus declared, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [6]

The Opening of the Fifth Seal

Verse 9-11 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

A. John does not wait for an invitation to see the results of the opening of the fifth seal, but immediately looks.

1. The first four seals refer to the official establishment of the Anti-Christ kingdom, and are terrible to behold, therefore John is encouraged to “come and see”.

2. The opening of the fifth seal reveals souls under the altar of God (believers) who have died for the testimony of Christ; therefore John is drawn to them as fellow believers.

a. Believer’s spirits and bodies are united at the rapture; therefore these were not saved when the rapture took place.

b. I Corinthians 15 is the “resurrection chapter” and explains this corruptible body must be replaced with an incorruptible body.

2. Their being “under the altar” signifies they sacrificed their lives for the cause of Christ during the Great Tribulation.

a.) The faithful believers, of which Noah is a symbol, will be taken from the earth.

b.) The unfaithful believers, of which Lot is a symbol, will be taken from the earth.

3.) These souls under the altar were saved and martyred during the tribulation period.

b. These are “souls” which have not yet received their glorified bodies, but soon will.

1.) Revelation 15:1-3 describes these “souls” plus other martyrs who have the victory over the Anti-Christ, his beast, and the forces of evil.

2.) Revelation 7:9 also describes a vast multitude of people who stand before the throne and before the Lamb clothed with white robes.

a.) In Revelation 7:14, John is told these are those that have come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

b.) Therefore Revelation 7:9 describes tribulation saints, but their position is evidently different from the saints of Revelation 6:9, because of their martyrdom.

c.) It could be that the saints of Revelation 6:9, 7:9 and 15:1-3 are the same saints.

3.) The souls described in the sixth seal are apparently kept in this very special place, under the altar, where they can rest and know they are protected, until:

3. The statement in verse 9 relates they were slain (killed, slaughtered, butchered, or put to death by violence).

2.) These souls had knowledge of the word of God, revealing their study time and God’s revealing his word to them.

3.) Satan has tried and tried to do away with the Word of God, but is unable to do so.

4.) Matthew 24:35 states, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

2.) Even though they were saved during terrible times, they could not keep silence concerning what God had revealed to them.

3.) There is something seriously wrong with people who declare they are saved; yet never stand up and openly declare the testimony of what Christ has done for them.

1.) His preaching in Acts 7:2-53 reveals Stephen had spend much time studying the history of Israel, and that he understood many of the details of that history.

2.) Stephen was also willing to speak up about the truth, freely declaring the truths known to himself and his listeners, even if speaking that truth lead to his death.

1.) The tribulation period is only seven years long; therefore there is not much time between their salvation and their martyrdom.

2.) These saints, like Stephen, learned the Word of God very quickly, because they were very interested, and God gave them strength to stand for him, just as God gives all his saints strength to stand for him, if they will use what is given to them.

b.) The Holy Spirit of God is just as big in the heart of a new Christian as he is in the heart of a person who has been saved a long, long time.

c.) Often new believers are more enthusiastic toward Christian doctrine and Christian living than believers who, over time , have compromised the truth.

a. Even though God determined they would give their lives for God, they continue to worship him.

a. They recognize and declare the justice of God by saying …holy and true...

1. The prayers of believers are answered, even after death, while the prayers of unbelievers are never answered.

b. The rich man received nothing he asked for, but the prayers of the righteous are always answered.

b. It is very likely these faithful believers also are referred to in Revelation 7.

1.) Revelation 7:9 declares, After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

2.) Revelation 7:13,14 states, And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

c. The saints of every age will be united together to ride behind Christ when he treads the winepress of his wrath in Revelation 19:11-16 and Isaiah 63:1-6.

a. It is no accident these souls under the altar sacrificed their lives for Christ.

c. It is no accident or “happenstance” that these die for the testimony of Christ.

5. Psalm 116:15 state, Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. [7]

The Opening of the Sixth Seal

Verse 12-17 – And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

1. There was no “compassionate curiosity” as when John looked at the souls under the altar.

2. The very obvious earth shattering events of the sixth seal are so conspicuous nobody could miss them.

1. There are many earth changing events relating to the judgment of God upon this sin cursed earth.

2. Although some of these events may be hard for us to understand, the Bible should always be interpreted literally unless the Bible itself informs us the event is figurative.

7. Verse 15-16 – Every person sees Christ and desires to escape the great day of his wrath.

1. They know physical death is inevitable, but there is a death greater than physical death.

a. They understand the battle is between God and Satan and they are on Satan’s side, and they will lose the battle for their lives and their souls.

b. All the physical evidences of God’s righteous judgments upon them and this earth do not move them to repentance; their hearts are hardened even more.

2. Psalms 139:7-8 states, Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

a. These verses are a great comfort to believers, but they are a great distress to all unbelievers.

b. There is no place for any person to escape the inevitable question, as stated in Revelation 6:17, …who shall be able to stand?

A. Earthquakes are good for getting the attention of people who do not want to pay attention.

1. Earthquakes not only startle the people in the area of the earthquake, but shakes the foundation of their lives.

a. When the earth quakes, it causes a deep unsettledness, confusion, and quaking in the depths of the souls of men.

b. In these terrible physical, literal plagues God is destroying the foundation every man builds on, using the things of nature against wicked men.

c. God is the creator of this entire world and all the laws of physics that govern this universe.

d. Men have rejected God has creator, believing he has no power over his own creation, therefore God will show his power to them though the creation.

e. Men will still not repent, because they, like Pharaoh, have hardened their own hearts against God.

B. There are many smaller earthquakes mentioned in the Bible, and some small earthquakes mentioned during the Great Tribulation.

1. Revelation 8:5 – After the opening of the seventh seal, which paves the way for the seven angels to sound their trumpets, there is a “small” earthquake.

a. This “small” earthquake reveals the coming plagues happen in part because of the prayers of the saints.

b. Some would say saints should never pray for the evil to happen to their enemies.

1.) In Revelation 6:10, the souls under the altar pray that God will avenge their blood on them that dwell on the earth.

3.) There is a balance between praying for God’s to avenge our enemies and praying for their salvation.

a. This earthquake occurs at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, which is the third woe upon the inhabitants of the earth.

b. The seventh trumpet reflects the end of Satan’s rule, and the beginnings of Christ’s victory over this world, and before the vials are poured out.

c. Revelation 11:19 declares that men all over this world will look into the temple of God in heaven, just as they were able to see the two witnesses lie in the streets of Jerusalem for three days before they were resurrected.

b.) Moses, on Mt. Sinai, saw the tabernacle in heaven, but the Israelites did not see it.

c.) In II Corinthians 12, Paul went into Paradise, but could not relate what he saw or heard.

a.) Revelation 6:16 – God will allow men to see the Lamb of God on the throne of God.

b.) It is likely the dead bodies of the two witnesses will be viewed by satellite television, or some other kind of man made telecommunication system.

c.) When wicked men are able to look into the temple of God in heaven, they will not need any kind of man made communication system.

d.) They will be able to look directly into the temple, for God will open that temple to their gaze.

e.) Wicked men have looked on the dead bodies of the two witnesses with joy, therefore God will allow them to look upon the temple of God in heaven with great terror.

d. These very literal events are worldwide; therefore no person will miss what is happening.

1.) The worldwide lighting, thunder, voices, hail and earthquake will get everybody’s attention.

2.) Those terrible things will not cause any to repent, for only the grace of God leadeth men to repent.

C. Revelation 6:12 record the first of three great earthquakes that occur during the Great Tribulation.

a. According to Revelation 11:14 this second great earthquake is part of the sounding of the sixth trumpet (Revelation 9:13) and is the second woe upon the inhabitants of the earth.

b. This great earthquake occurs to get the attention of the entire world that rejoiced at the slaying of the two witnesses as they watched their dead bodies lie in the streets of Jerusalem.

c. It is as if God is declaring: “You have rejoiced when you killed my two witnesses, but I have raised them from the dead in your sight, but the battle is not over. The worse is yet to come. I will turn your great joy into great sorrow and mourning.”

d. A tenth of Jerusalem is destroyed and seven thousand die, and the rest gave glory to God because of their great fear.

e. It must be noted they did not repent of their wickedness, nor did they turn from their wickedness.

a. This earthquake occurs when the seventh angel pours out the contents of the seventh vial upon the earth.

b. This earthquake literally shakes the entire earth, not just a small section of the earth.

b.) The cities of the nations fell, reflecting this earthquake is worldwide, not local.

2.) It may be that God is using this great earthquake to return the earth to its pre-flood condition, which it will remain in during the millennium.

3.) Men do not repent; rather continue to blaspheme God because of the exceeding great plague of the hail.

2. One explanation: when Christ appears in all his radiant glory, his brightness makes the sun appear as nothing at all.

3. Another explanation: the earthquake stirs up so much dust the shining of the sun is hidden.

4. Another explanation: the sun is to reflect the glory of God; therefore when Christ comes in judgment, the sun hides itself.

a. The moon becoming as blood: moonlight is a reflection of the light of the sun.

b. When the moon reflects the glory of God, men see blood – his blood that was shed for the remission of sins, which blood was rejected, therefore the judgment of God is come.

B. Scriptural explanations reveal the sun being darkened, refusing to shine or becoming black as sackcloth of hair and the moon becoming as blood is the judgment of God upon sin and wickedness.

1.) Revelation 6:15-17 – men desire to be hidden from the face of the Lamb of God.

2.) Revelation 11:9 – men see the dead bodies of the two witnesses lying in the streets of Jerusalem for 3½ days.

3.) Revelation 11:19 – men are able to see the ark of the testimony in heaven.

3. Luke 23:45 – And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. The sun being darkened for three hours is a scriptural sign of the judgment of God upon Christ as he died for the sins of the world.

a. This is a literal darkness, at the very least the same kind of darkness that will come on the earth when God brings his judgment on it.

b. The darkness in the days of the tribulation is an unmistakable sign to all the inhabitants of the earth and heaven that this is no natural calamity, but the judgment of God. [8]

4. Acts 13:11 – And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

a. This blindness upon Elymas the sorcerer is not exactly a “normal” blindness.

c. When my dad lost sight in one of his eyes, he said he felt the iron fragment go into his eye, saw red, then saw nothing at all. He did not see blackness. He saw nothing.

1.) Fanny Crosby was blind because of a mistake made by her doctor when she was very young.

2.) She allowed God to use her blindness so her attention was focused on songwriting.

5. Isaiah 13:10 – For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

a. This passage speaks about Babylon coming to the nation of Israel to capture her and bring her into submission.

b. All this happens because Israel has not listened to God, nor have they repented of their evil ways, but they have continually went their own way.

6. Ezekiel 32:7 – And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.

a. Ezekiel is here prophesying to the nation of Egypt, explaining that God will bring destruction upon them.

b. They are going to be eaten by birds, and their flesh shall be upon the mountains and valleys.

c. A sign that what is happening to them is the judgment of God is the darkness over the land.

a. Joel 2:10 – The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

b. Joel 2:31 – The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

c. Joel 3:15 – The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.

1.) There were many plagues described in Joel, which speak of natural calamities, which are controlled by God himself, yet many might say the calamities are natural, not controlled by God.

a.) Joel 1:4 – wicked, sinful men could ascribe the plague of insects eating the crop to natural situations.

b.) Joel 1:5,6 – the invading army might also be ascribed to circumstances, not to the direct intervention of God.

c.) Joel 2:2 – the day of God’s judgment is a day of clouds and thick darkness, where the sun refuses to shine.

2.) Acts 2:17-21 – Peter declared the marvelous happening on the Day of Pentecost is a fulfillment of Joel, quoting most of Joel 2:17-32, but not all of verse 32.

a.) Peter is saying the happenings on the Day of Pentecost are unmistakably of God, not natural occurrences, or the imagination of men.

b.) There is no record, as far as I can see that the sun actually turned black, or the moon into blood, but these Pentecostal events literally shook the foundation of the nation.

c.) When Peter said, …this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; he was referring to the exhibited power of God.

d.) All of the events referred to in Joel did not come to pass on the Day of Pentecost, but the power of God was exhibited for all to see, which power we are to look forward to seeing.

3.) In the days of the Great Tribulation, no person will be able to say, or convince themselves, that God is not judging.

4.) In that day, every eye shall see him, and know fully that God’s hand of judgment has arrived.

8. Amos 8:9 – And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:

b. In verse 4-7 that God remembers the people’s desire to forsake the worship of God, and get on with the new week so they can take care of earthly buying and selling and getting more material possessions.

c. Verse 8-10 states that God will turn their happiness into great sorrow, and this sorrow shall come very quickly.

d. Verse 11-14 declares that people will travel all over the world seeking the truth, but shall not find it, because they would not find the Lord when he invited them.

e. Verse 14 declares that false prophets shall continue their false preaching, but they shall utterly fall and never be able to rise up again.

9. Micah 3:6 – Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.

a. This chapter, in verses 1-4, speaks of the chastisement that shall come upon Israel, and people will seek his face, but will not find God, for God will hide himself from them.

b. Verse 5 declares false prophets will continue to proclaim “peace”, and people will want to listen to them, instead of listening to God.

c. Verse 6 states there will be no vision or word from God, because the people have not listened to the plain preaching and have refused to repent of their wickedness.

d. When this silence from heaven happens, all will know it is God’s judgment upon them.

a. Matthew 24:29 – Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

b. Mark 13:24 – But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

2.) There is no doubt in my mind that men will face this darkness both at the beginning and end of the Great Tribulation, because they will not repent of their wickedness, nor will they turn to Christ and ask his forgiveness.

3.) All will know and fully understand they are facing the judgment of God, not natural circumstances, or something they did not cause.

1. Sackcloth is exactly what it says – goat’s hair woven into material, used for making sacks.

2. It was a very course material, and used by mourners to reflect their sorrow at the passing of a loved one.

3. The term refers to the terrible mourning, sorrow and loss that will be experienced during the Great Tribulation Period.

IV. The stars falling from heaven is different from the Old Testament and the New Testament.

A. In the Old Testament prophecies, the stars refuse to give their light, but in the New Testament, they fall from the heavens.

a. Isaiah 13:10 declares, For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

b. Ezekiel 32:7 states, And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.

a. Matthew 24:29 states, Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

b. Mark 13:25 states, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

c. Revelation 9:1 declares, And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

B. Genesis 1:14-19 – God put created heavenly bodies for signs, and to rule: give direction.

1. A symbolic interpretation: The scriptures often speak of stars being princes or rulers.

a. Daniel 8:10 states, And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

1.) Daniel 8:20 – The ram in this chapter, having two horns is the joint kingdom of the Medes and Persians.

2.) Daniel 8:21 – The rough goat is the kingdom of Greece, lead by Alexander the Great.

3.) The Grecian kingdom defeats the Medes and Persians and also overcomes many rulers.

4.) It is apparent the stars of Daniel 8:10 are not the stars of heaven, but earthly rulers.

b. Revelation 8:10-11 states, And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

2.) Satan is a ruler, and he burns as it were a lamp, destroying himself in his desire to overcome God.

c. Revelation 9:1 state, And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

1.) It is obvious from even a casual reading of this verse that the star is a “he”, an individual given the key of the bottomless pit.

a. When these stars fall from the sky, it is a symbol that there are major physical changes happening, which disturb the foundations of this universe.

b. In the context of the opening of the sixth seal, with major earthquakes changing the topography of the earth, and the heavens departing as a scroll when it is rolled together and men being able to look into the temple in heaven, it is easy to see that when the heavens depart as a scroll when it is rolled up, the stars have nothing to retain them in the heavens.

c. The stars falling from heaven flows into the next thought: the heavens depart as a scroll when it is rolled together.

1. When a scroll is rolled “apart”, it become wide and hides whatever is behind it.

a. In the beginning of this world, God established a curtain, which separates the spiritual from the physical.

2. When a scroll is rolled together, it become narrow and reveals whatever is behind it.

3. God has hidden his throne from the very beginning of this world, but will reveal it in the ending of this world.

1. Exodus 19:9 – God tells Moses he will appear to him in a thick cloud. And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.

2. II Samuel 22:12 reveals, And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.

b. This chapter is a companion chapter to Psalms 18, where David prays for deliverance.

3. Job 22:13-14 states, And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud? 14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.

b. Eliphaz reasons that Job cannot see God, therefore God doesn't know about his secret sins.

4. Job 38:9 declares, When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

5. Exodus 40:24 records that when Moses and the Israelites finished construction of the tabernacle, the cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

6. II Chronicles 5:13-6:1 states that when Solomon finished building the temple of the Lord and it was being dedicated, a cloud filled the temple.

a. The priests could not stand to minister because the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

b. Solomon quoted Leviticus 16:2, which states that God will dwell in the thick darkness.

7. The song, The Unclouded Day reflects a time when there will be no more clouds, when we see the Lord face to face.

1. Genesis 1:6-8 states, And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

a. There is a literal interpretation, the word “firmament” meaning an expansion, or spreading out.

1.) The firmament is a literal separating between the waters of this earth and the waters of the heavens.

2.) There is also a literal separating or expanding, or stretching out of the heavens, which acts as a shield or barrier between the spiritual and the earthly.

b. This shield or barrier has been in place since creation, but will be removed during the tribulation period.

2.) I believe removing this barrier is also in preparation for the literal reign of Christ on the earth during the millennium.

2. Job 26:7-9 states, He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. 8 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. 9 He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it.

a. These verses continue to explain Genesis 1:7, by stating the waters or clouds form a separating between the spiritual throne of God and this physical earth.

b. God holds back the face of his throne, spreading his cloud upon it so men cannot physically see him.

1.) This is not only for their protection, but also for their spiritual benefit.

c. It is amazing that Job knew all this, yet today men in all their “intelligence” do not know the fundamentals of creation or the presence of God.

3. Psalms 104:1-2 repeats, Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

a. These verses further explain that God has covered himself with light, as with a garment, and stretches out the heaven as a curtain.

c. When God allows the heavenly curtain to be rolled together, it will be a terrible time for all unbelievers.

4. Psalms 18:11 states, He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

a. It is absolutely essential that the entire context of this Psalm be read so this passage can be understood.

b. David is here praising God for his excellent delivery from his enemies, who are much too strong for him.

d. In verse 7-10 David states that God shook the earth when he came to his rescue.

e. Verse 11 states that the pavilion (tabernacle or temporary dwelling place) is hidden from men, but God is there, nevertheless. [10]

2. These are very traumatic events, but they are nothing compared to what happens when the seventh angels pours his vial upon the earth.

3. Physical changes are nothing when compared to the spiritual destruction of unbelievers.

1. Jeremiah 5:22 – Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?

2. Job 26:7-12 reveals the power of God in controlling the placement of water and land.

b. Verse 8 – God created the firmament, and put abundant water into clouds, and holds that water in the air.

d. Verse 10 – God controls the placements of the waters, keeping them restrained until the end of time.

e. Verse 12 also refers to verse 10, defining how God controls the placement of the water – by using land to divide the sea.

3. When the sixth seal is opened, God does not lose control of his creation, but continues his control by directing the islands and water to their new location.

C. While these events are very traumatic, it will be more traumatic when the islands disappear and the mountains are made flat!

1. Revelation 16:20 states, And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

2. This happens when the seventh angel pours out his vial upon the earth, as the earth is returned to its pre-flood condition.

D. I have mentioned several times during the course of the study of Revelation that all events are to be taken literally, except where the Bible states they should be taken symbolically.

1. It is very amazing to read various commentaries concerning the events of the book of Revelation when they state that some events are literal and some other events are symbolic.

2. The writers of these various commentaries automatically switch back and forth from one opinion to another without any scriptural reason or evidence.

3. For example, most commentaries state the catastrophic cosmic events of the sixth seal are symbolic, and cannot be literal, yet they state verse 16-17 is literal and cannot be symbolic!

4. It is much better to follow the Biblical method of interpretation, believing even those things that seem improbable to us, knowing that God knows the end result.

VII. Verse 15-17 – The results of these catastrophic cosmic events on the lost of the world.

1. Kings of the earth – This is the foundation of the power of a nation, or any people.

2. Great men – These are “lords” or people in power, we might call magistrates.

4. Chief captains – These are military officers who are command thousands of soldiers.

5. Mighty men – These are men who are powerful in wealth and influence; strong of soul in bearing up to infirmities and conflicts.

6. Bondman – These are servants or slaves; those that give themselves up to the desires of another – the “working man”.

7. Free men – These are those who are not slaves or controlled by others. (They may not be obligated to others, but they are still obligated to Christ, and will be judged by him.)

B. It is interesting that God lists those first who have the most power and authority, then lists those of less significance.

1. The fear of those in authority is not because of some uprising among the people.

a. There are many riots today because of wickedness in government, because people are so frustrated, but the fear reflected in Revelation 6:15-17 is not the result of insurrection.

f. Revelation 17:15 states the waters the whore sits upon are peoples, multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

2. The powerful people fear the wrath of the Lamb of God, and they cannot escape.

a. Genesis 3:8 – Adam and his wife hid themselves among the trees of the Garden, having made aprons of fig leaves to cover their nakedness.

b. Joshua 10:16 – Five kings (The king of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon) hid themselves from Joshua in a cave.

c. I Samuel 14:11 – In this battle, Israel hid themselves from the Philistines in caves.

b. The worship of Satan always leads to death, while the worship of God always leads to life.

a. They pray to nature, desiring to be delivered from their present fate, not believing they will continue to live (in hell) after they have died.

b. They believe death will allow them to escape the wrath of God, but they are mistaken.

c. Death will allow them to escape the physical calamities before them, but they will still face the more horrible spiritual calamity, which they cannot escape.

2.) Instead, they desire a fire escape – just as many who seek “religion” desire.

a. The gospel message and the message of coming judgment have so permeated the earth, that all know the truth, yet many do not repent and believe.

b. II Peter 3:3-7 plainly declares people are willingly ignorant of the fact of God’s creation, the world wide destruction by water in Noah’s day, and the world wide destruction by fire at a future day.

a. They understand this is not a “small” part of the wrath of God, but the “great” day of his wrath.

b. They also understand no person will be able to endure or establish themselves or make any kind of law that contradicts the laws of God. [11]

[1] Preached to here 11/14/2007

[2] Preached to here 11/14/2007 IBC Wednesday Evening

[3] Preached to here 11/28/2007 IBC Wednesday Evening

[4] Preached to here 12/5/2007 IBC Wednesday Evening

[5] Preached to here 12/12/2007 IBC Wednesday Evening

[6] Preached to here 12/19/2007 IBC Wednesday Evening

[7] Preached to here 12/26/2007 IBC Wednesday Evening

[8] Preached to here 01/02/2007 IBC Wednesday Evening

[9] Preached to here 01/09/2007 IBC Wednesday Evening

[10] Preached to here 01/17/2008 IBC Wednesday Evening

[11] Preached to here 01/26/2008 IBC Wednesday Evening