Everything we have seen thus far in the book of Revelation has been leading up to and preparing us for the opening of the sealed book in chapter 6. In chapter 1 we saw Christ in his majestic power and glory as our exalted God and Savior. And we were given assurance of his constant presence with his church. The Son of God constantly walks in the midst of his churches. He cares for, protects, and provides for his own. And he holds his messengers, his preachers, his ordained pastors in his own right hand. Who, or what, shall we fear? Christ Jesus, the Son of God, is with us! He holds us in his omnipotent hand.
In chapters 2 and 3 we read the letters to the seven churches, which reveal the various stages of spiritual revival and spiritual declension to which the church of Christ and individual believers are subjected in this world. So long as we are in the body of flesh, we will be subject to sin, even to the terribly evil sins of apathy and indifference. And that which is true of us individually is true of the church collectively. Therefore we constantly need discipline, correction, instruction, encouragement, reviving and grace. And these things Christ faithfully supplies by the gospel and by the Spirit of his grace. Were it not for his all-sufficient grace keeping us, we would soon wither away and die. But our dear Savior always preserves his own!
In chapter 4 we are allowed to ascend with John into heaven itself to behold God's glorious throne of sovereign power. There we are shown the throne, the symbol of sovereign power and dominion, the rainbow about the throne, the symbol of God's everlasting covenant, The twenty-four elders, the representatives of the church, the whole body of God's elect, the four beasts who represent God's faithful gospel preachers in all ages. We were allowed to see the representations of God's wisdom, power, glory and greatness. And we were plainly taught that God's ultimate purpose in all things is the glory of his own great Being. It is as though the Lord were saying to John, and to us by him, "No matter what you read, see, hear, or experience, you have no cause to fear. My throne is secure. My people are safe. My purpose is unalterable. There is no cause for alarm or fear" (Isa. 46:9-10).
In chapter 5 we are given a vision of the throne, the book and the Lamb. The throne represents God's sovereign power and dominion over all things. The book, "written within and on the backside, and sealed with seven seals, "symbolically represents the plan of God for the ages, his eternal purpose and decrees of predestination. But God is unknown and his purpose is a secret mystery, until the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, appears in the midst of the throne. By virtue of his effectual, sin-atoning sacrifice, he is able and worthy to open the book of God, and both reveal and fulfil all that it contains. The entire universe is ruled by the sovereign throne of our God, through the mediation of the Lamb, our Redeemer, according to the book of God's eternal purpose of grace. And ultimately, in the end, all of God's elect shall be saved. There will be no vacant seats around the throne! And all things shall render praise to our God. In essence, the vision of chapter 5 is telling us one thing: The Lord our God is carrying out his will and purpose for the good of his people and the glory of his name. "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth! Therefore we who believe have no reason to fear in times of trial, trouble, affliction, sorrow and persecution. Bring on the lions! Our God and Savior will sustain us, see us through, and make us triumphant!
As we come to chapter 6, we see Christ, the Lamb of God, opening the seals of the book, unfolding to us the mysteries of God's purpose and fulfilling his decree. Here he opens six of the seven seals. The seventh seal is opened in chapter 8. It is, in my opinion, a mistake to make these seals and the horsemen representatives of specific times. They refer to the many trials and difficulties, the tribulations through which we must pass in our pilgrimage through this world to our glorious estate in heaven. And they assure us of ultimate conquest in Christ. These things refer to the condition of God's church and kingdom in this world in all ages.
Proposition:The purpose of this chapter is to assure us that Though We Must Suffer Trials, Afflictions and Persecution, Christ Our Savior Is Always In Control – Christ Is A Mighty Conqueror, And We Are More Than Conquerors In Him.
Divisions:
1. The Lord Jesus Christ Is A Mighty, Triumphant Conqueror (vv. 1-2).
2. We Must Through Much Tribulation Enter Into The Kingdom of God (vv. 3-8).
3. This World Will Not Be Destroyed Until All Of God's Elect Are Saved (vv. 9-11).
4. God Will Avenge Both Himself And His Elect At Last (vv. 12-17).
With the opening of the first seal, we see A Rider Upon a White Horse. We do not have to guess who he is. This is Christ, our Triumphant King, our Victorious Captian, our Conquering Man of War (Rev. 19:11-16). The first thing Christ reveals to us is his glorious sovereignty, his constant triumph over all things, and his sure and certain conquest over all his enemies and ours.
A. The Horse Is White.White is always used as a symbol of holiness, purity, and righteousness. It refers to that which is holy and heavenly. His garments are white. He sits upon a great white throne. He gives his people a white stone of acquittal. And he will come again upon the white clouds of heaven. And a white horse is the color of the horse ridden by a commanding officer returning from the field of battle victorious, with the spoils of his victory. Our Savior's conquest is so sure and certain that even as he goes out to battle, he rides upon a white stallion!
B. Our Savior Has A Bow In His Hand.He has but one weapon by which he conquers his enemies, and that is the everlasting gospel preached by his servants. When his servants preach the gospel in the power of the Spirit, its precious truths are like arrows flung from the bow of Christ himself, piercing the hearts of his people. And his arrows never miss their mark. (Illus: The Sword of Goliath!).
C. And As Our Savior Appears A Crown Is Given To Him.
This Man of War is the King of Glory, the Messiah, the Christ. By virtue of his obedience to the Father, as the reward of his travail, he was given the right to rule over all things, so that he might sovereignly secure the salvation of his people (John 17:2; Rom. 14:9; Acts 2:29-36).
D. The Picture We Are Given Of Christ Is That of A King Who Went Forth Conquering And To Conquer.
His "goings forth have been from old, from everlasting." (Mic. 5:2). He came forth in the covenant of grace and stood as our mighty Captain, agreeing to conquer all our enemies and save his people. And "he shall not fail!" (Isa. 42:4).
Child of God, as you face your enemies in the world and face the many trials and tribulations which be set you, keep your eye of faith fixed constantly upon this mighty conqueror (Heb. 12:1-20). Trust him! You have nothing to fear! The Lion of the tribe of Juda hath prevailed, is prevailing, and shall yet prevail!
II. But of this you may be certain – We Must Through Much Tribulation Enter Into The Kingdom of God (vv. 3-8).
Sorrow is the common lot of God's people in this world. Our Savior told us, "In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33). God's people on this earth suffer all the sorrows of all other mortal men and women in the world. And added to these are the sorrows heaped upon us by wicked, persecuting men. These are the things represented by the Red Horse, the Black Horse, and the Pale Horse.
If there is widespread poverty, God's people will also be among the poor. If there is famine, God's people will also suffer deprivation. If there is injustice, God's people will also suffer injustice. And, on top of these things, the people of God always suffer persecution in one form or another for the gospel's sake (Matt. 10:22-36).
NOTE: But no matter how hard the times may be, no matter how severely we may be persecuted, all who trust Christ may be assured of two things: (v. 6).
1. We may not have plenty, but we will always have enough. A loaf of bread may cost us a day's wages. But if I have bread for today, I have enough – Christ provides for his own!
2. All the poverty, famine, and persecution in the world can never take away, or even diminish the oil of his Spirit and the wine of his love and grace – Christ protects his own!
There are the common woes of humanity. Death comes upon men by many means: the sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts. But death is sure to come. These bodies must return to the dust of the earth. But this pale horse rider will be to the children of God a welcome visitor – (Ps. 23; II Cor. 5:1-9).
Let me show you five things that will help you:
A. As Long As We Are In This World, We Will Suffer Pain, Sorrow, Affliction, And Tribulation – (Isa. 43:2).
B. Whatever We Suffer, Even From The Hands Of Satan And Wicked Men, We Suffer From The Hand Of Our Gracious God And Savior.
"Power was given to him" (v. 4). Satan can do nothing but by Divine permission!
And our trials are limited and regulated by Divine Decree – "Hurt not the oil and the wine." "Touch not his life!"
C. God Uses These Sorrows, Trials, And Afflictions To Refine, Purify, And Strengthen His People – (Heb. 12:5-11).
It is true, our sorrows often come from a wicked, persecuting world, inspired by the malice of satan against us. But the world and satan are only instruments in the hands of Christ, who takes satan in his own craftiness and spoils him with his own weapons. That by which satan thinks he will destroy faith only strengthens faith. That which he thinks will destroy the church and the gospel, Christ uses to strengthen his church, increase his kingdom, and spread the gospel.
D. In The Midst Of All Your Trials, Your Savior Is With You, And He Will Help You (Isa. 42:10; 43:1-5).
E. Your Trials Will Soon Be Over!
God will graciously deliver you from your sorrows, either by the intervention of his providence or by bringing you home. But he will deliver you.
III. The next thing we learn from this vision is the fact that – God Will Not Destroy This World Until All Of His Elect Are Saved (vv. 9-11).
With the opening of the fifth seal, John sees the souls of Christ's martyrs, men and women who offered their lives as a sacrifice upon the altar to Christ. They believed him, confessed him, and followed him even to death, sealing their faith with their blood.
Here we are told four things about the saints of God in heaven.
A. These Martyrs Cry For Just Retribution Upon Their Enemies.
They are not seeking retribution for their own sake but for Christ's sake. These are men and women who have been slaughtered because of their faith in Christ. Those who persecuted them to death were in reality persecuting Christ! (Acts 9:5). And their blood cries out for justice. Christ Jesus is honor bound to destroy those who oppose his throne. The blood of God's saints cries for vengeance upon Christ's enemies, that wrath may be visited upon the vessels of wrath for the glory of Christ, that he might make known to all his power and justice – (Gen. 4:10; Heb. 11:4; Matt. 23:34-35). Persecutor Beware!
B. All The Saints Of God Are Robed In The Perfect White Righteousness Of Christ.
C. All The Saints Of God In Heaven Are Resting – (Heb. 4:9).
Their trials are over. Their sorrows have ended. Their temptations have ceased. They have finished their work. They keep an eternal sabbath in glory! Our rest begins here and is perfected there. Christ is our Sabbath? Have you entered into his rest?
D. The Number Of The Martyrs Is Not Yet Complete.
All of God's elect are martyrs, men and women who have laid down their lives upon the altar of sacrifice to Christ. And Christ will uphold and sustain this sin cursed earth until he has gathered the last of his elect – (II Pet. 3:9).
God knows the number of his elect. Christ knows the number of his sheep. It was fixed in the eternal decree. And until that number is reached judgment will not come.
IV. But do not foolishly imagine that judgment will not come.
The day of judgment shall come. And God Will Avenge Both Himself And His Elect At The Last (vv. 12-17).
The sixth seal is opened to introduce the great and terrible day of judgment. We have before us a symbolic picture of the terror of the judgment day.
A. There Will Be A Total Dissolution Of The Physical Universe – (12-15; II Pet. 3:10-12). Climatic, not gradual!
B. The Entire Godless World Will Be Seized With Sudden Terror – (15-17).
In that great and terrible day, there will be a strange prayer meeting.
1. Men will pray, but it is not saved men, but unsaved men praying.
2. They pray, but they pray not to God, but to the mountains.
3. They pray not for life, but for death!
4. They pray not that they may see Christ, but that they may be hid from him!
C. When That Day Comes, The Door Of Grace Will Be Forever Shut!
Application:1. Let me reason with you who believe not – (II Cor. 5:10).
2. Children of God, you have nothing to fear – Your trials are sure to come, But conquest is sure to follow – "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
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