Revelation 6 - Introduction

The Lamb Opened the Sealed Book Revelation Six

Revelation chapter six gives an account of the Lamb opening six of the seven seals on the little book. It is at this point that we begin to hear many of the wild and fanatic things that are taught by men concerning the Revelation. There is no disagreement as to the first Chapter s in the book. The Lord addressed the churches, showed both their good and their evils and explained to them how to have God's approval.

Now the attention of the book turns to that which was future at the time John wrote. The book began with the words, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John." (Revelation 1:1) The things John saw dealt with things that would shortly come to pass, but the principles would last throughout the history of man.

The book of Revelation does not name people and places. It gives principles of victory for God's persecuted people. John wrote his message primarily for the encouragement of the people of his own day. Much of the book was fulfilled shortly after John wrote it by inspiration. However, the principles of the book were not exhausted then. In the time that followed John there would be many events to which these symbols and principles might well be applied.

God intended us to understand this great book. It contains 278 references to the Old Testament. Prophecy must be obscure by its nature. It is much easier to explain prophecy looking back on it than it is to explain it looking forward. Revelation six pictured Jesus opening the sealed book that dealt with the future of man.

Six seals are revealed in this chapter. (1) The first seal revealed a white horse with a rider that had a bow and a crown. (Revelation 6:1-2) (2) The second seal revealed a red horse with a rider that had power to take peace from the earth. (Revelation 6:3-4) (3) The third seal revealed a black horse with a rider that had a pair of balance scales in his hand. (Revelation 6:5-6) (4) The fourth seal revealed a pale horse with a rider that is named Death, and Hell followed him. (Revelation 6:7-8) (5) The fifth seal revealed souls of those that were slain for the word of God praying to God that He would avenge their blood. (Revelation 6:9-11) (6) The sixth seal revealed a time of public commotion and calamity. As Jesus opened the sealed book we observe God's purpose for the persecuted church.