Revelation 6:1-2 - The Lamb Opens the Seals

“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." 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.” I know some of you have been wondering if we are ever going to get to events of the tribulation period that Revelation 6 through 18 describe. Well, we are finally there. But before we dive into these chapters, I feel I need to remind you a few things about my approach to the Book of Revelation and prophecy. First, I want to acknowledge that I am not an expert on Bible Prophecy! I never written a book or even an article about it.  I did go to Bible college where I took a class on Eschatology, which simply means, “things to come.” I took specific classes on Revelation, Daniel and Ezekiel and of course, took both Old Testament and New Testament survey. Over my 48 years in ministry, I have taught through the entire Bible numerous times, and probably have a pretty good grasp on the contents and the principle doctrines of the Bible, but still never considered myself a serious prophetic student. I was too busy “pastoring”. Also, I have come to the conclusion, that there are really only systems of interpreting prophecy. One is a futurist viewpoint, and the other is the historic viewpoint. The historical theory takes the position that everything in Revelation is history and can be fitted somehow into history. This viewpoint is often taken by those who would call themselves amillennialist.  These dear folks basically say there is no literal millennium, a one-thousand year reign of Christ on earth. And honestly, there are probably hundreds of views in-between these two views. I personally take the viewpoint of a futuristic interpretation, which mean I believe in a literal one-thousand year reign of Jesus Christ on earth that will take place after a literal seven year tribulation of God’s wrath being pour out on the earth. And before that happens there will be a rapture, a catching up to heaven of all the living believers, and a resurrection of everyone who was saved during the church age but had physically died. Someone who believes this is called a Pre-millennialist. I remind you that Revelation 1:19 gives us the general outline of the entire book of Revelation. John was told to write “the things that he saw”, which he did in chapter one. He saw a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ in His glorified state standing in the midst of the seven lampstands, the seven churches of Asia. He was told to write “the things which are”, which he did in chapters two and three, when he wrote the seven letters to the seven literal churches in Asia. And he was told to write “the things which will take place after this”, which he did in chapters four through twenty-two. So, we just finish studying the worship scenes in heaven in chapters four and five where God is worshipped as the Creator, and the Lamb of God is worshipped as the Redeemer! This happens just before God’s judgments and His wrath is poured out on the earth for seven years. In chapter five the seven-sealed book is taken from the hand of God by the Lamb, and He begins to open them in chapter six. These next several weeks we will study what will take place as these seals are opened. The world is desperate for peace! And it will not be long until the “man of peace”, the Antichrist will show up to offer it. He comes riding on a white horse. More than ever, we should be looking up for our Lord’s return as the events of the world are unfolding around us setting up the “end time”. God bless!