Revelation 6:8-17 - "Seal Five and Seal Team Six"

We are continuing our study in the book of Revelation.  This morning we are finishing chapter 6 starting at verse 8. To recap, we have been going through the opening of the seven seals to the scroll by our Lord Jesus Christ.  He alone is worthy to open the seals. Each one is a judgement that takes place on the earth and upon the enemies of God.  This morning, as we look at the fourth, fifth and sixth seals that are opened, remember that the church has been raptured at this point, the Holy Spirit is removed, and we (all believers) are in the presence of the Lord, but here on earth God's wrath is beginning to be poured out.The fourth seal. The fourth seal is opened, and John sees a pale horse. “...his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.” (Revelation 6:7–8). The result of this fourth seal is that one fourth of the earth’s population are killed “by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.”The fifth seal. The scroll’s fifth seal reveals those who will be martyred for their faith in Christ during the tribulation (Revelation 6:9–11; cf. Matthew 24:9). The souls of these martyrs are pictured as dwelling under the altar in heaven. God hears their cries for justice, and He gives each of them a white robe. The martyrs are told to wait “until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” God promises to avenge them, but the time was not yet (cf. Romans 12:19).The sixth seal. When the Lamb of God opens the sixth seal, a devastating earthquake occurs, causing massive upheaval and terrible devastation—along with unusual astronomical phenomena: the sun turns black, and the moon turns blood-red, and “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.” (Revelation 6:12–14). Survivors of the sixth seal, regardless of their social position, take refuge in caves and cry out to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (verses 16–17).