Here begin the proper prophecies of the book extending onward from the writer's day to the end of the world. For the general plan of the series and the principles on which its several parts are to be interpreted. In the present chapter every thing depends on the interpretation of the sixth seal. The... [ Continue Reading ]
A WHITE HORSE; here, as in Zechariah 1:8; ZECHARIAH 6:1-8, the horses denote dispensations, the character of which is indicated by their color and the other emblems employed. A white horse is the symbol of victory. The rider plainly represents Christ. It is therefore a symbol of victory and under hi... [ Continue Reading ]
RED; an emblem of war and bloodshed. Men left without restraint to the indulgence of their lusts and passions, become the tormentors and destroyers of one another.... [ Continue Reading ]
BLACK; a symbol of devastation, mourning, and woe. BALANCES; indicating that food would be but scantily supplied.... [ Continue Reading ]
A MEASURE; about enough to sustain a man for a day. A PENNY; the price of a day's labor. HURT NOT THE OIL AND THE WINE; these would be needed to keep men from starving, so great would be the scarcity of food. Men are dependent on God for the blessings of this life, as well as the life to come. Wit... [ Continue Reading ]
A PALE HORSE; the original denotes the ghastly paleness of a corpse. By this awful symbol destruction in multiplied forms is indicated. HELL; that is, Hades, the abode of the dead. Hades follows death to swallow in its abyss those whom death has slain. THE FOURTH PART OF THE EARTH; see note to cha... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SOULS OF THEM THAT WERE SLAIN; the souls of the martyrs in Christ's cause represent a period of severe persecution. These are seen under the altar, which may mean either the altar of burnt-offering in the court before the temple, or the altar of incense in the outer sanctuary. If, as seems proba... [ Continue Reading ]
WHITE ROBES; expressive of victory and blessedness. SHOULD REST YET FOR A LITTLE SEASON; an intimation that the full time for avenging their blood has not yet come, but that more must first be added to their numbers. Persecutors, by putting Christians to death, do not annihilate them or their influ... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE HAD OPENED THE SIXTH SEAL; according to either of the interpretations of this seal above given, the course of events indicated in the preceding five seals had a remarkable fulfilment in history. For an account of the events preceding the overthrow of paganism by Christianity, and of the old... [ Continue Reading ]
EARTHQUAKE-THE SUN BECAME BLACK-MOON BECAME AS BLOOD-STARS OF HEAVEN FELL-THE HEAVEN DEPARTED-EVERY MOUNTAIN AND ISLAND WERE MOVED; here as often elsewhere, symbols of great commotions, dissolutions of civil governments, fall of illustrious men, and multitudes overwhelmed in ruin. Compare Isaiah 13:... [ Continue Reading ]
HID THEMSELVES; under the judgments of God, fled, and attempted by concealment to elude the search of their destroyers.... [ Continue Reading ]
FULL ON US, AND HIDE US; representing their great consternation when Christ should appear, in answer to the prayers of the martyrs, to deliver his people and take vengeance on their foes. Compare Hosea 10:8. When Christ comes to take vengeance on his foes, they can neither elude nor withstand him. N... [ Continue Reading ]