2. The major judgments of Revelation

3. Now, it begins... Rev. 6 Compare these seals to Matt. 24! Mt. 24:6-7 = Rev. 6:3-4 1 Thess. 5:3 No other time in history like described in these seals!

4. Revelation 6 and Matthew 24 1)Initiation of the battle with earth Rev. 6:1-2 2)War - Mt. 24:6-7 Rev. 6:3-4 3)Famine - Mt. 24:7 Rev. 6:5-6 4)Death – Mt. 24:7-9 Rev. 6:7-8 5)Martyrdom – Mt. 24:9-10 Rev. 6:9-11 6)Sun/moon/darkness/stars – Mt. 24:29 Rev. 6:12-17

5. Now, it begins... Rev. 6 The first four Seals sound very much like the first half of the Tribulation.

6. Now, it begins... Rev. 6 Zechariah 1:7-11 and 6:1-8 This is divine, not Satanic, judgment initiated by the four living creatures! The horsemen are connected to the throne room of Revelation 5.

8. Now, it begins... Rev. 6 There is also a connection of the horsemen as agencies of divine judgment. Rev. 19:11-16!

9. Now, it begins... Rev. 6 Here, the Rider’s crown is a victor’s crown, anticipating the victories of Israel’s King (Heb. 2:9) Psalm 45:1-7 Rev. 6:2 Ps. 45:4

10. Now, it begins... Rev. 6 The crown Jesus wears at the beginning is “the crown of victory both for the victorious athlete in the games and for the triumphant general in war”. Moulton-Milligan

11. Now, it begins... Rev. 6 Later, he wears the crowns of diadems given a Ruler after His conquest of the kings of this world! Rev. 19:12; Psalm 2

12. Seal 1: Conquest of humanity – v. 2 Psalm 2; 45:3-5; Isa. 11:11-13

13. Seal 1: Conquest of humanity – v. 2 The Church, the subject of chapters 2 and 3 and scarred when last seen, is now absent throughout the Tribulation. When she reappears just before the King is revealed, she is clothed in white.

14. Seal 1: Conquest of humanity – v. 2 The disappearance of the Church is mysterious in the book, as it will be to the world. But the mystery will be solved with the revelation of the Son of God! Col. 3:4

15. Seal 2: War - Vss. 3-4 Mt. 24:6-8; 1 Thess. 5:3 “Great sword” = Great killing power! The “beginning of sorrows” is a world at war!

16. Seal 3: Famine - Vss. 5-6 Denarius = a day’s wages Could normally buy 8 measures of wheat or 24 measures of barley. Severe shortage of food.

17. Seal 3: Famine - Vss. 5-6 Oil and the wine = luxury items. Seems the famine is much harder on the poor, though later judgments effect everyone – 6:14-17.

18. Seal 4: Death – Vss. 6-7 As of this date, the US Census Bureau puts the world’s population at just over 7 Billion people. 1 billion, 750 million people! That is more than the entire populations of the US and China combined! “Beasts”???

19. Seal 4: Death – Vss. 6-7 This is probably the middle point of the Tribulation. There may be more deaths, but this Pale Rider is responsible for massive death! And it is neither Clint Eastwood nor Kurt Russel!

20. Seal 5: Martyrdom – Vss. 9-11 The first four seals precede persecution which takes place after the middle of the Tribulation in which the Beast persecutes the saints - Rev. 13:7 This persecution preceded the end, according to Jesus. Mt. 24:9-14a

21. Seal 5: Martyrdom – Vss. 9-11 Notice the sadness in heaven as the fallen believers wait for God’s righteous vengeance. 6:10

22. Seal 5: Martyrdom – Vss. 9-11 They are told their wait will be short! “White robe” They are given their rewards! The wait was for a particular number of believers to die.

23. Seal 6: Cosmic upheaval – Vss. 12-17 Isa. 13:6-10; 34:4 Joel 3:14-16 Zech. 14:6 Mt. 24:29 = “Immediately after…” This is the end of the Tribulation!

24. Seal 6: Cosmic upheaval – Vss. 12-17 8:12; 9:2; 16:8 – The sun is still around during the other judgments!

25. Seal 6: Cosmic upheaval – Vss. 15-17 Earth’s mighty men will not longer feel so mighty! Isa. 2:9-11

26. Seal 6: Cosmic upheaval – Vss. 15-17 It’s easy to see why the Lord is not anxious for this to happen!

27. Seal 6: Cosmic upheaval – Vss. 15-17 Last week, we ended with Phil. 2:9-11. That’s a good place to end today, as well!