The Tribulation

The 4 accounts of the Tribulation Rev. 4-6 (under the figure of Seals) Rev. 7-11 (under the figure of Trumpets) Rev. 12-14 (The work and ministry of the Antichrist Rev. 15-19 (under the figure of vials)

Opening of

The 1st horse

The 2st horse

NOTES This is the Red Horse that personifies War and Bloodshed(red) The Antichrist after the rapture will come on to the seen and calm every concern. He will unite the world Politically, Finically, Environmentally, and Religiously. But this peace will not last long.(Ezk. 38-39)

The 3rd horse

NOTES This is the Black Horse that personifies Famine and Economic devastation Black is the color used in the bible for reference to famine.

The 4th horse

(Rev 6:7) And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. (Rev 6:8) And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and HIS NAME that sat on him was DEATH, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

NOTES This is the 1st rider that has a name “Death” He is death personified in a person He represents death and pandemic Rev. 9:1-11 Abaddon or Apollyon means “perdition or destroyer”

The 5th Seal

(Rev 6:9-11) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

NOTES 1st horse represents the Antichrist and his policies We saw that each of the first 4 seals, when opened, a horse and rider came forth. 1st horse represents the Antichrist and his policies 2nd horse represents bloodshed and war 3rd horse represents Famine and Economic devastation 4th horse represents death and pandemic This 5th seals reveals the souls under the altar represents martyrdom

A. Who are these people?

(Rev 6:9-11) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

NOTES These people are not and can not be the martyrs of the church age. Based on the timeline layout in the book of Revelation , the rapture of the church occurs in chapter 4:1 Based on Thess. 4:16 the dead in Christ will rise with us!

(1Th 4:15-17) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

(1Co 15:52-54) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

(Rev 6:9-11) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

NOTES So we know that these people are not made up of Church age Saints. We also know that saved or lost this people is not made up of anyone that attends this Church.

(2Th 2:9-12) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

NOTES So based on these scriptures this group of people, is made up of people who never heard a clear message of the Gospel and come to know Christ as their savior after the rapture. These people have been martyred for their testimony for Christ. Therefore these are the Tribulation Saints.

NOTES Chapter 7 is a side note to explain the 5th seal. During this time period thousands will come to Christ and be saved. These will be lead to the Lord by the 144,000 (Apostle Paul) They will seal their testimony with their blood (endure to the end)

NOTES During the time of the tribulation, all commerce will be regulated by the “mark of the Beast” You will not be able to buy, sell, or trade without this mark. If you take this mark, you will not have any hope of salvation. If you refuse this mark you will be executed.

(Rev 13:16) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (Rev 13:17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

(Rev 15:2) And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

(Rev 20:4) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

B. Where are these people?

(Rev 6:9-11) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

NOTES The scripture is very clear that these people are “under the altar”

(Exo 29:11) And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. (Exo 29:12) And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.

(Lev 4:7) And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

(Lev 17:11) For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

NOTES The blood is the most important part of the any sacrifice. These people have been martyred for Christ. Therefore making them a sacrifice to God.

C. What happen to these people?

(Rev 6:9-11) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

NOTES God says that these people have been slain. This word was used in the form of sacrifice. It means to butcher. It is the same word used in Ch.5 for the lamb that was slain. God also says that others would be slain in the same manner.

(Rev 12:11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

(Rev 20:4) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

NOTES It is interesting to note that in today's world there is a debate over the cruelty of capital punishment. In the tribulation the whole world will agree to the beheading of Christians the same way that it was in the beginning of Christianity

(Act 12:2) And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (Rom 16:3-4) Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

(2Ti 4:6) For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (Lev 1:8) And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: (Lev 1:15) And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:

D. What are these people saying ?

(Rev 6:9-11) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

NOTES It is very interesting the contrast of what God allows them to cry out compared to the way we are commanded to react.

(Luk 23:34) Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Act 7:60) And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (2Ti 4:16) At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

(Mat 5:44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

(Psa 9:12) When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. (Psa 94:1-3) O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?

NOTES Notice god doesn't rebuke these people. But hands them a white robes According to Rev. 19 white robes are the righteousness of the saints

E. Why are these people killed?

(Rev 6:9-11) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

NOTES They are killed for the same reason that every Christian martyr has been killed. THE WORD OF GOD

(Rev 1:9) I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.