Read Revelation 6:1–8
Questions from the Scripture text: What did John see the Lamb do in Revelation 6:1? What did he hear? What did its voice sound like? What did it say to do? So what did John do (Revelation 6:2)? And what did he see? What did the One on it have? What was given to Him? What did He go out to do? What does the Lamb do in Revelation 6:3? Who says what? What does John see (Revelation 6:4)? What color is it? What does it do? What is granted to the one who sat on it? What else is given to him? What does the Lamb do in Revelation 6:5? Who says what? What does John do? What does he see? What color is it? What does the one who is on it have in his hand? What does John hear (Revelation 6:6)? From where? What does the voice say? How much wheat can a day’s wage buy? How much barley? What can’t it buy at all? What does the Lamb do in Revelation 6:7? What does John hear? Saying what? What does John do in Revelation 6:8? What does he see? What color is it? What is the name of its rider? Who follows with him? What is given to them, over whom? To do what, in what ways?
What are we to make of these dreadful things described in the seals? Revelation 6:1–8 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus is in control of all of the dreadful things that happen in this age, bringing about the spread of His kingdom and the salvation of all of His elect.
The Lord Jesus, in His earthly ministry, gave us the key to understanding the timing of the seals in Revelation 6. In Matthew 24:2–3, the disciples had mistakenly thought that the destruction of the temple would coincide with Jesus’s coming and the end of the age. But Jesus warns that this would be a deception (cf. Matthew 24:4) and that the things that we now see in Revelation 6:1-8 are merely the beginning of sorrows (cf. Matthew 24:6–8). But the things that will come in the sixth seal (cf. Revelation 6:12-17) come at the end of the period of persecution (cf. Matthew 24:29–31) that extends from the first coming of Christ until the second. More on that next week, Lord-willing.
The Spirit plainly tells us that the second through fourth seals unleash war (Revelation 6:4), poverty (Revelation 6:6), and widespread death (whether by pestilence or by some other means, Revelation 6:8). The latter is so severe that it afflicts one fourth of the earth. But we must heed Jesus’s warning not to be deceived. These are not signs of the end, but ordained occurrences throughout the entire time of His absence.
Matthew 24 taught us not to be deceived. Now Revelation 6 teaches us not to be dismayed. Jesus is in control. The effect of these seals on the earth are dire, but He Who opens the seals in heaven is in control. This all occurs concurrently with the great throne room scenes in chapters 4–5.
And that is the point of the first seal. For, although He is bodily in heaven, the Lord Jesus is actively conquering on the earth (Revelation 6:2). Despite all of the persecution that believers face, and all of the upheaval in all of creation, the gospel goes out with conquering power.
The eye of flesh sees only those dreadful effects of the fall all around us: wars and murders (Revelation 6:4); inflation so bad that a day’s wages can barely buy enough grain for a small loaf of bread, and oil and wine are altogether unaffordable (Revelation 6:6); a created order that spawns death, instead of life, at every turn (Revelation 6:8). But the eye of faith sees the Lamb on the throne, not only reacting to these things, but with authority to rule and overrule their unleashing. The eye of faith sees Him as going forth in His church, conquering and to conquer.
Dear reader, we must learn to see all of history this way: the acts of Jesus Christ, ruling from heaven to bring about the spread of His gospel, and complete the gathering-in of all of His elect (cf. Revelation 6:11). When you hear about war in Ukraine, or hurricanes, or persecutions, or economic crises, or world poverty… it is not merely that Christ is somehow able to bring something good out of all these things. Rather, He is worthily and ably accomplishing His plan of redemption even through these things. How comforting to know that our Redeemer rules over all; Christ is in control!
What things, currently in the news, tempt you to be anxious or discouraged? What is actually the “true story” behind all of these events? How can you be participating in the main story line of what is happening on the earth in our days?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for how easily we are anxious or discouraged about events around the world. Truly, they are grievous, but You rule and overrule them for the success of Your kingdom and the gathering in of Your elect. Give us to adore the authority and glory of Jesus, the Lamb Who sits upon the throne. And give us to trust Him in all that He is doing and to participate in His kingdom-work. Thus, not only forgive us for our wrong responses, but cleanse us from all unrighteousness, making us to live in this age in faith and love, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH256 “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”
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