The 7 Seals of Revelation
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When we look around, we can’t help but think that the end is imminent. This may sound terrifying for a lot of people, however, Christ’s followers have been looking forward to the Messiah’s prophesied reappearance for 2000 years.
But what exactly are we to expect before this happens? It is written in the Bible that cataclysmic events preceding the return of Jesus will unfold, which are known to be the seven series of judgements from God called the ‘7 seals.’
So, let’s take a look at what each seal represents!
THE FIRST SEAL: The White Horse
(Revelation 6:1-2)
In The Book Of Revelation, the white horse is identified as “The Word of God,” which will be carrying a bow once the first seal is opened. The color white usually symbolizes righteousness in the Bible, while Jesus is known to many as a conqueror. However, others say that the first horseman might not be the same horseman of Revelation 19.
“I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come and see!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.”
THE SECOND SEAL: The Red Horse
(Revelation 6:3-4)
The second rider (red horse) represents warfare and will be seen carrying a sword when the second seal is unlatched. It is said in the Bible that peace will no longer exist and men will slaughter one another. Others even say that it is during this time that Christians will be persecuted.
“When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come and see!” Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.”
THE THIRD SEAL: The Black Horse
(Revelation 6:5-6)
The black horse will arrive and will bring about famine when the third seal is opened. Scriptures say that he will be carrying weighing scales on his hands showing how bread would have been weighed during a famine. Hunger will reach staggering levels to the point that everyone will struggle to feed their families.
“When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”
THE FOURTH SEAL: The Pale Horse
(Revelation 6:7-8)
The fourth horseman is death and will be trotting about when the fourth seal is unlocked. Millions will perish due to plagues, hunger and other causes. Unlike the other horsemen, it is not mentioned in Scriptures that he will be carrying a weapon, but instead he is followed by Hades.
When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come and see!” I looked and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine, and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.
THE FIFTH SEAL: Tribulation
(Revelation 6: 9)
The fifth seal depicts martyrs who were slain during the fourth seal and up until the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. These souls will be seen crying out to God under an altar seeking for vengeance.
“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.”
THE SIXTH SEAL: Earthquakes & Cosmic Disturbances
(Revelation 6: 12-14)
Calamitous events will occur such as earthquakes, the sun turning black, the moon turning red, and lands ceasing to exist when the sixth seal is unbolted. All of these are known to be signs of Christ’s return to earth.
“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.”
THE SEVENTH SEAL: Silence In Heaven
(Revelation 8:1)
Once the last seal is opened, silence or an unexpected pause will take place in heaven. This half an hour moment will transpire before all judgments and God’s wrath will fall upon the earth.
“When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.”
*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Whitestone Fellowship