The Seven Seals of Revelation

THE SEVEN SEALS OF REVELATION

The Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, is rich with apocalyptic imagery and prophetic visions. The 7 seals, described in chapters 6-8, are central to its narrative structure and theological message. This commentary delves deep into each seal, exploring various interpretations and their significance.

First Seal: The White Horse (Revelation 6:1-2)

When the Lamb opens the first seal, a white horse appears. Its rider holds a bow and wears a crown, going forth to conquer.

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Detailed Interpretation:

The Antichrist Theory: Many interpreters, especially those adhering to a futurist viewpoint, see this rider as the Antichrist. The white horse suggests a counterfeit of Christ's purity, while the bow (a weapon) and crown indicate political and military power. The crown may indicate the corona virus as well.
The Conquest Theory: Others interpret this seal more generally as a representation of conquest or the spread of imperial power throughout history.

The ambiguity of this seal's identity is often seen as intentional, reflecting the deceptive nature of evil in its attempt to mimic good.

Second Seal: The Red Horse (Revelation 6:3-4)

The second seal reveals a fiery red horse. Its rider is given a large sword and the power to take peace from the earth, causing people to slay each other.

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

Expanded Interpretation:

Global Warfare: This seal is widely understood to represent war on a large scale. The red color evokes bloodshed, while the large sword symbolizes military might.
Civil Unrest: Some interpret this as internal strife within nations, rather than (or in addition to) international conflicts.
Persecution: In some interpretations, this seal represents the persecution of believers, connecting it to Christ's warnings in Matthew 24:9-10.

The removal of peace suggests that this judgment affects not just combatants, but society as a whole, disrupting normal life and social order.

Third Seal: The Black Horse (Revelation 6:5-6)

The third seal brings forth a black horse. Its rider holds a pair of scales, and a voice announces inflated prices for wheat and barley, but warns not to damage the oil and wine.

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

In-depth Analysis:

Economic Crisis: The inflated prices for basic foodstuffs (a day's wages for a day's food) indicate severe economic hardship.
Food Scarcity: This could represent famine, either as a result of war (second seal) or as a separate judgment.
Social Inequality: The protection of luxury items (oil and wine) while basic foods are scarce may symbolize increasing social disparity.
Divine Control: The voice from among the four living creatures suggests that even in judgment, God maintains control and sets limits.

This seal emphasizes the fragility of economic systems and the potential for rapid societal breakdown.

Fourth Seal: The Pale Horse (Revelation 6:7-8)

The fourth seal reveals a pale or yellowish-green horse. Its rider is named Death, and Hell follows him. They are given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine, plague, and wild beasts.

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 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.

Comprehensive Interpretation:

Culmination of Previous Seals: This seal seems to intensify and combine the judgments of the previous seals.
Multiple Causes of Death: The four means of death (sword, famine, plague, wild beasts) echo the "four severe judgments" of Ezekiel 14:21.
Scope of Judgment: The power over a "fourth of the earth" indicates a vast but limited judgment, not total destruction.
Theological Significance: The pairing of Death and Hell (the realm of the dead) emphasizes the finality of this judgment and may allude to their ultimate defeat in Revelation 20:14.

This seal represents a sobering escalation of divine judgment, affecting a significant portion of humanity through various calamities.

Fifth Seal: The Martyrs (Revelation 6:9-11)

The fifth seal doesn't introduce a horse. Instead, John sees the souls of martyrs under the altar, crying out for justice. They are given white robes and told to wait a little longer.

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.

Detailed Examination:

The Altar: This likely refers to the altar of sacrifice, symbolizing that these martyrs have offered their lives for their faith.
Cry for Justice: Their plea, "How long, ...?" echoes the laments found in Psalms and reflects the age-old question of why God allows suffering.
White Robes: These symbolize purity, victory, and vindication of the martyrs' faith.
Waiting Period: The instruction to wait suggests that God's plan includes a specific time for final judgment and vindication.
Completion of Martyrdom: The reference to their fellow servants who are to be killed indicates that martyrdom will continue to play a role in God's plan.
Not Resurrected Yet They are told to rest until their fellowsevents and brethren would be killed, indicating the resurrection of the dead to be sometime later.

This seal provides a heavenly perspective on earthly suffering, assuring believers that their sacrifices are noticed and will be vindicated.

Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances (Revelation 6:12-17)

The sixth seal brings massive upheavals: a great earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon becoming like blood, stars falling, the sky receding, and every mountain and island moved. It culminates with people from all walks of life hiding and calling for the mountains to fall on them.

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and 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?

Multifaceted Interpretation:

Literal Events: Some interpret these as actual cosmic and geological catastrophes that will occur in the end times.
Symbolic Upheaval: Others see this as figurative language representing the total collapse of human power structures and the natural order.
Day of the Lord: The imagery strongly echoes Old Testament descriptions of the "Day of the Lord" (e.g., Joel 2:30-31, Isaiah 13:9-10). But, it is only the lost who are in fear that this is that Day, which will come at the Seventh Trumpet.
Universal Fear: The reaction of all classes of people underscores the universal recognition of divine judgment.
Theophany: Some scholars view this as a description of a theophany - a manifestation of God's presence that instills both awe and terror.
Delayed Judgement: Notice that the mountains and islands are merely "moved out of their places" as a forewarning of their total removal in the 7th Vial of Revelation 16:20.

This seal represents a climactic moment where the reality of divine judgment becomes undeniable to all of humanity.

Seventh Seal: Silence and the Seven Trumpets (Revelation 8:1-5)

When the seventh seal is opened, there is silence in heaven for about half an hour. This is followed by seven angels with seven trumpets preparing to sound. An angel offers incense with the prayers of the saints, then fills the censer with fire from the altar and hurls it to the earth, resulting in "voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake."

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

In-depth Analysis:

The Silence: Interpreted variously as:
- A dramatic pause building anticipation for the trumpet judgments
- A representation of the awe and gravity of the moment
- An allusion to Old Testament passages like Habakkuk 2:20 and Zephaniah 1:7, where silence precedes divine action
Prayers of the Saints: This connects to the cry of the martyrs in the fifth seal, suggesting that these prayers play a role in the coming judgments.
Fire from the Altar: Symbolizes God's response to these prayers, initiating the next phase of judgment.
Transition to Trumpets: The seventh seal doesn't only conclude the seal judgments but also introduces the seven trumpet judgments, indicating an intensification of divine action.

This seal serves as a pivotal moment in Revelation's structure, concluding one series of judgments and setting the stage for the next, all while emphasizing the role of prayer and divine response in the unfolding apocalyptic events.

Conclusion:

The 7 seals present a complex and multifaceted vision of divine judgment and cosmic upheaval. Their interpretation has been a subject of intense scholarly and theological debate for centuries, with different traditions emphasizing literal, symbolic, historical, or spiritual understandings. Regardless of interpretative approach, the seals convey a powerful message about God's sovereignty, the reality of judgment, and the ultimate vindication of faith in the face of earthly trials.

Text by Zach Anderson (zmanderson@gmail.com) and placed in public domain at ultrafree.org. KJV is quoted. Feel free to share, free of charge.