Chapters 5 - 6
Chapters 5 - 6
Chapter 5
As we concluded Chapter 4, God was sitting on the throne in the present of the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures. Chapter 4 & 5 are introductory to, and explanatory of the remainder of the Apocalypse. In Chapter 5 we see Jesus enthroned and His authority to open the seals of judgment recognized.
“And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.”
In Roman law a will or testament bore seven seals of seven witnesses on the treads that were tied around the scroll. This particular scroll contained so much information that not only was it written on the traditional inside of the scroll but on the outside as well.
I see this scroll as a passing of inheritance from the Father to the Son. A book of prophecy would not require someone worthy to open it. However, the passing of Jesus’ inheritance could only be open by Him. With the inheritance comes instructions and those instruction bring judgment. Remember that Jesus told the apostles that only the Father knew about the end times.
“2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”
“3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.”
The unnamed strong angel asks who is qualified to open this most important document. The results are that no one is found who posses the qualifications to open it. No man, no angel, not Satan or his demons, no matter of being is worthy to open it.
“4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.”
Christians having been looking forward to the day that Jesus would receive His inheritance. John wept because of his concern that righteous might not prevail over the unrighteous. Could it be that the kingdom of God might not come because sin would not be judged? Would the righteous be vindicated? Would the wicked go unpunished? Would the suffering of His Lord and friend Jesus be in vain?
“5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep, Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
One of the twenty-four elders that were before the throne speaks to John. John’s sorrow is turned to joy because there is One who is worthy to open the scroll and to reveal its contents.
Jesus is described as the Lion because He is qualified as judge. John 5:22 says, “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.” Also John 5:27 says, “and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.”
These two titles relate Jesus to the nation of Israel. Some hold that this passage supports the view that some of the twenty-four elders are representative of the twelve tribes of Israel.
“6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
I wonder if John recalled the first time he had heard Jesus referred to as the “Lamb”. In his gospel verse 29 of the first chapter recounts John the Baptist words, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
Now in the midst of all present stood the Lamb looking as if it was freshly slain. Jesus bears the marks of His sacrifice for our sins even in the throne room of God.
The seven horns are symbols of Jesus’ complete power (omnipotence) and the seven eyes His complete wisdom (omniscience). His power is sent into the world through the Holy Spirit and reveals His omnipresence.
The titles of verse 5 are clearly connected to the nation of Israel. This verse is clearly connected to Jesus’ ministry on earth. As the Lamb He has three qualifications; 1) He was sacrificed for man’s sins; 2) He have power over every enemy; 3) He poses all knowledge, know and unknown.
“7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.”
Jesus accepts His inheritance from the Father and prepares to pour out judgment on the world.
“8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
Here once again the Scriptures give us an interpretation so that we might better understand. The golden bowls full of incense we are told represent the prayers of the saints.
The passing of the scroll brings the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures to prostrate themselves before Jesus. It is a clear sign of absolute devotion and worship in recognition of His authority. I see this as a time of great joy on the part of those present. They fall at Jesus’ feet not out of fear but love.
Some hold that the prayers are those of martyrs of 6:10, but I see them as the prayers of all saints through time. Prayers lifted up for ourselves and for others, prayers of praise and thanksgiving to our Lord.
“9 And they sang a new song, saying:
You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open it seals;
For You are slain,
And have redeemed us to God
By Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation
“10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”
For me verse 9 makes it clear that those who are singing the new song are redeemed. Regardless of whom they represent we know they have been born again into God’s Kingdom. Their redemption is made possible by the blood of Jesus at Calvary.
We are also told that the redeemed will come out of every tribe and people and nation, the whosoever of John 3:16.
They sing a new song about an old story, our redeemer lives!
Verse 10 is a fulfillment of 3:21 were Jesus told us,“To Him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” An “I will” promise made to the church of the Laodiceans.
There is debate as to the meaning of “we shall reign on the earth”. Some believe it to be an eternal reign on a new earth, while others see it as the time of the millennial reign over earth.
“11 Then I looked and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.
Now the second of three circles of praise joins the chorus. The first circle being that of the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures, the second a multitude of angels so large in number they can’t be counted. In verse 13 the rest of creation joins the chorus.
Possibly billions of God’s creation singing in harmony! A chorus that starts at the throne and moves out to all of creation fills heaven with praise.
“12 saying with a loud voice;
Worthy if the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom
And strength and honor and glory and blessings!”
Once again we see the Biblical use of seven. In the song, Jesus is declared worthy of seven joys. Because of being who He is and His obedient sacrifice for our sins Jesus is worthy to receive;
1. power --- over all creation in heaven and on earth --- power over the church – power over my life and yours
2. riches --- all that the world posses --- all that we have ever possessed in His
3. wisdom --- we are to use our intellect for His service
4. strength --- our physical strength for His service
5. honor --- all honor is His not ours for every good and perfect gift is from above
6. glory --- He is worthy of my entire life devote to bringing Him glory
7. blessings --- all our power of praise and blessings are due Him
“13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying;
Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
This calls into remembrance Philippians 2:10 -11, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
“14 Then the four living creatures said Amen! And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshipped Him who lives forever and ever.”
The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders prostrate themselves before the enthroned Christ, Lord and Savior.
With Jesus now properly acknowledged and empowered, He prepares to open the seals of judgment.
Chapter 6
Let’s review before we continue. Place: we are in the throne room with the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures. Purpose: the opening of the seven seals.
What follows is the opening of the seven seals of judgment. It is important to remember that the 7th seal contains the judgment of the seven Trumpets, and that the 7th Trumpet contains the 7 bowel judgments. Therefore, the 7th seal, the seven Trumpets and the seven bowels are locked together and therefore part of the same event.
There is much debate about the timing of the events that follow. Although we will develop some ideas as we proceed, we must learn from Daniel’s questions when he was given visions of this same time. Daniel speaking in Daniel 12:8 says, “Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.”
There are some things we will not know until they happen. And that is OK, but we have a responsibility to search the Scriptures so that we will recognize them when they do occur. We also have an obligation to pass this information on to unbelievers and seekers so that they may know the consequences of their rejection of Christ.
Daniel was clearly told that he could be assured that the righteous will be purified, the wicked will manifest themselves as such, and that only the wise will understand. We are to be the “wise”.
The Liberty Bible Commentary makes this reference, “The Day of the Lord, the time of God’s judgments on earth before the visible reappearing of the Lord Jesus, is the subject in this and following chapters”.
“Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.”
Chapter 24 of Matthew gives us insight into these last days. As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked Him, “What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” He warns them to beware of those who come claiming to be the Christ; He tells them that there will be times of war, famine, pestilence, and earthquakes. And that these are but the bringing of sorrows.
We need to understand that when the Tribulation Period is spoken of it is a reference to the entire Tribulation Period (seven years of Daniel 9:27). The Great Tribulation covers only the last half (three and one half years) of the Tribulation period.
Many conservative Bible scholars hold to the belief that the Great Tribulation period (last three and one half years) reflects the events of Matthew 24:15, the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet. They also hold that the first six seals occur during the first half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week or the first three and one half years of the Tribulation period. As we proceed we will examine this and other viewpoints.
John watches Jesus open one of the seals. The reference to “a voice like thunder” indicated to me that it is more than a casual request for John to “Come and see”. As stated earlier the four living creatures are involved to some degree in the judgments that follows.
2 “And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.”
1 Thessalonians 5:3 says, “For when that say, Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them”
Some say that the rider of the white horse is Christ but I disagree with that viewpoint. They leap to that conclusion because the horse is white; often a symbol of purity, plus the rider is crowned. Many hold the rider to be that Antichrist.
I agree with the viewpoint that the horse and rider are symbolic of conditions not individuals. I say this because of the nature of the seven letters to the churches. Remember we said the letters address three purposes. One of those was a progression through a historical time-line. They were descriptive of a series of events from the early church to the falling away of the church at the end of the Church Age. Here to, as Jesus opens the seven seals, we will find a progression from peace and safety to final judgment.
Throughout history and even today there have been and are attempts at lasting peace. But any success has proven to be short lived.
These are man-made attempts of the white, bloodless victory (arrowless bow). This viewpoint becomes clearer as we go forward in our study.
More and more in our world today we see people and nations conquered by bloodless actions. They may not be occupied by invaders but they are controlled and managed by outside forces. But sooner or later bloodshed comes.
3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see”.
4” Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.”
Matthew 24:6-7,“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to past, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom”…
As we discussed in verse 2, mans attempts at world peace have now failed completely. The second of the four living creatures summons the second rider. War and bloodshed follow. The sword is used in hand to hand combat and the results are extremely bloody. This is more than a local conflict.
5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see”. So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.”
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”
The third living creature calls John forward to observe the opening of the third seal. The rider of the black horse holds in his hands the sign of commerce, the scales. Following the destruction of the bloody war of verses 3 & 4, hard times come.
The conclusion of Matthew 24:7 says,“And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.”
A denarius was considered a day’s wages. A small amount of wheat (food for man) cost a day’s wages, as does three measures of barley (food for livestock). The destruction of war has limited the food supply. It could be that the land has been damaged by the conflict too. Ezekiel Chapter 4 gives us another example of hard times requiring the precise measurement of everyday food.
Why are the oil and the wine not to be harmed? There are two viewpoints. One, oil and wine are essentials that can not be harmed. Two, they are symbolic of the wealthy. Although we can not be sure which is correct, the later seems to be the most popular view. When hard times first come, the wealthy are the least effected. But in time they too will suffer.
The seals are revealing a process by which things go from comfort to despair.
7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see”.
8” So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to the over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.”
Death refers to the body while Hades refers to the spirit. In the Old Testament, Death is synonymous with the grave. Hades or Hell is the abode of the departed spirit. First comes death of the body follow by the second death of unbelievers, separation from God in Hades.
On TV we occasionally see stories of some great disaster and scenes of the death and destruction of war. Imagine the horror of an event that involves one-fourth of the planet. Conditions just continue to get worst and worst.
9 “When He opens the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.”
Once again opinions vary. Some say that the location has changed, that we are now in the temple representing Israel. There is no mention of the living creatures as Jesus opens the fifth seal.
Since there is no mention of a new location I trend to believe we are still in the throne room. I have no problem believing we will find an altar there. Others have the opinion that the altar could only be found in a Jewish temple.
In any case, we continue to see a parallel with the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 24 where verse 9 says,“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.”
All agree that we are now looking at the first martyrs of the Tribulation Period. And, there is general agreement that they are Jewish believers who went out and had a great testimony for God and were slain.
The first four seals are obviously grouped. They are connected by the common call of the four living creatures to “Come and see”. We will discover that the remaining seals likewise seemed to be grouped.
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
These departed saints should not be confused with the believers of the Church Age. Remember we defined the Church Age as that time from Pentecost until the Rapture of the church.
The expression “How long, O Lord, holy and true” is considered by many Bible scholars to be reflective of Jewish worship. They cry out for vengeance for the tribulation they have suffered.
11 “Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was complete.”
The white robe given to each indicates that they have been justified and accepted by God. As stated in the notes on verse 10 above, these are not the saints who are already seated with their white robes and crowns (the redeemed of the Church Age).
They are told they must wait until God’s plan is complete. Others will be slain as they were and it is God’s desire to deal with them together. They receive robes but there is no mention or indication they receive crowns. They are not seated as were the twenty-four elders. John saw their souls under the altar not standing in the open court of the throne room.
Remember early on in our studies I cautioned that we would need to be aware of differences between the overcomers of the Church Age and the nation of Israel.
12” I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.”
Jesus’ opening of the sixth seal brings on great turmoil in nature. Are these events literal or are they solely symbolic? In cases like this I believe we should first consider them to be literal unless there is some other Scriptural reason to consider them as symbolic. Of course there are times that events would be both, as we saw in the seven letters to the churches.
Further evidence that these are literal can be drawn from the parallel passages of Matthew 24-29 were Jesus foretold of these events in the Olivet Discourse with the apostles.
The effects of this great upheaval in nature are universal, with dramatic effects on social, emotional, governmental and spiritual lifestyles.
Earthquake: foretold by Jesus in Matthew 24:7
Darkening of the sun: foretold by Isaiah 50:3
Moon: foretold by Joel 2:30-31
13 “And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.”
14 “Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.”
Isaiah 34:4 says, “All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll; all their host shall fall down as the leaf falls from the vine, and as fruit falling from a fig tree.”
Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 24: 21 “there will be a great tribulation such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
The destructive powers of nature will be seen “such as has not been since the beginning of the world”. We have seen the effects of great storms, earthquakes, and floods but none of that will compare to what is coming.
15 “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains.”
The passage goes into great detail to include all manner of man, from rulers to slaves; they all seek shelter from the worldwide holocaust of nature. Societies, governments and military powers are helpless and hopeless.
16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.”
Everyone understands who it is that is bringing judgment upon them. They desire complete destruction rather than to face the eternal judgment that is coming. The Lamb that was slain for their sins, the One who had loved them and whom they had rejected now comes as Judge and He bring with Him terrible eternal punishment.
17 “For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Notice there is no repentance, no outcry for salvation or for forgiveness. Nor do we see them pleading for intervention from God. Instead we see a stark realization that “it is over”. The great day of wrath is no longer a debated future event. It is not something that “Christians” used to scare or intimidate people into coming to church. It is here! It is real! And it is too late to act!