[Read Revelation 6]
I love to call myself an “unexpected pastor.” I use that terminology because nobody expected me to be a pastor. I just connected with one of my old classmates this week, and their response was, “Who would have guessed?” It’s true. My life has been a weird winding path. Who would have guessed that the young adult who dropped out of college to start a bait-shop that never got off the ground, then worked construction, then became a car salesman, then worked in a factory, then started a business, and worked for a vet clinic and a cabinet shop and farmers would become a pastor? It sounds crazy doesn’t it? It’s unexpected. Yet, I can tell you that God was using every one of those seemingly random things to bring about and prepare me for this calling.
God works in unexpected ways. We’re going to see that as we dive into the book of Revelation. Remember this book is about Jesus bringing about the kingdom of God in the world. But, as we’re going to see, that kingdom comes into the world in unexpected ways—ways we would never expect, ways that confuse us.
As we dive into this week’s passage, we can’t forget the things we talked about last week. This chapter is part of the same vision. Remember, this vision is happening “in heaven.” In the midst of things happening on earth, we’re getting a glimpse of what is happening in heaven. That’s extremely important. We also need to remember the picture of Jesus holding the sealed scroll. Jesus is the one who is worthy to bring about the kingdom. He’s the one worthy to open the scroll—which begins happening in this chapter.
And, to be honest, we should be surprised to see what happens when Jesus starts opening the scroll, breaking the seals, and bringing about the kingdom. As Jesus breaks the first four seals, we see four horses with riders. Remember, the number 4 is important—it represents the fullness of earth. We also have to notice that the four living creatures are also mentioned with each of these four horses with riders. The symbolism is pretty clear. These four horses with riders are going throughout the WHOLE earth. These aren’t localized events. It’s happening throughout the earth.
And, I have to say, it’s important for us to recognize these things are happening now—just like the things that were happening in the last couple chapters that were part of this same vision. These events began happening when Jesus was seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and that happened after he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Ever since that moment, he’s been bringing the kingdom—he’s been opening the seals. Yet, don’t forget my sermon from Advent about Birth Pains. All of these things are birth pains that come and go, but increase in intensity the closer they get to giving birth to the kingdom of God. This applies to every one of the seals.
So Jesus breaks the first seal to bring about the kingdom of God and John writes, “And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:2, ESV). I have to admit there are disagreements about what this horse and rider represent. Yet, I think it’s pretty clear. Based on the imagery we’ve already looked at, who is associated with the color white and a crown? God’s people, right? Who is pictured riding a white horse later in Revelation? Jesus Christ. Who has been pictured as the one who has “overcome/conquered”? Jesus Christ. Who was repeatedly encouraged to “overcome/conquer”? God’s people. This is an image of the church, riding out into all of creation—to every nation—with the gospel, conquering and to conquer.
And, you would naturally say: Yeah, that makes sense. Jesus is opening the scroll and bringing about the kingdom. It makes sense that part of bringing about the kingdom is the church going out into the earth with the gospel.
Then the second seal is opened and John writes, “And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.” (Revelation 6:4, ESV). That doesn’t sound good. The color red is associated with blood and death and wrath. This horse takes peace from the earth so that people kill one another. The rider is carrying a sword—a weapon of warfare. The red horse represents wars and rumors of war (Matt 24:6) that will exist throughout the earth, taking peace.
And you might say: Wait! What? How does that bring about the kingdom of God? Maybe the next seal will be better. The third seal is opened and John writes, “And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!”” (Revelation 6:5–6, ESV). The color black is associated with famine. Yet, this isn’t quite describing famine. The rider has scales in his hand. Then someone yells out, “A loaf of bread is $30. A box of cereal is $60.” So, it’s not a complete famine, but things are looking desperate—there’s definitely a shortage.
There’s disagreement about the last phrase about not harming the oil and wine. Some believe this is talking about limits to the shortage—this is a famine but it’s limited. Others point out that oil and wine are already expensive—the products of the wealthy. So, this is not only describing famine, but describing the gap between poverty and riches, between bare subsistence and luxurious living. I flip back and forth.
This seal wasn’t more promising—still confusing about how it brings about the kingdom of God. Let’s look at the next one. Jesus opens the fourth seal and John writes, “And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:8, ESV). The pale color is associated with death. We’re also told the riders name is death. And this horse and rider bring death to 1/4 of the earth with sword, famine, pestilence, and creatures. The number 1/4 reminds us that it’s only part of the earth that will face death—not the entire earth. Yet, people will die and they’ll die from wars, from viruses, from famines, and by natural means. The COVID pandemic is a reminder that the pale horse and rider are still riding throughout the earth.
Again, all of this sounds confusing, doesn’t it? You may be asking yourself: Why does Jesus keep opening these seals if they keep bringing about bad things? HOW in the world can these things bring about the kingdom of God? These are all questions we have to wrestle with. And, to be completely honest, quite often we will never fully understand the answer. Yet, we do know a few things.
As I reminded at the beginning, God brings about his kingdom in unexpected ways. And in these four horses we have a beautiful picture of the church—the white horse—riding forth conquering in the midst of a mess. The church isn’t overcome, but conquering—moving forward. In the midst of wars, the church continues to overcome. In the midst of famine, scarcity, and messed up economics, the church continues to overcome. In the midst of death and disease, the church continues to move forward throughout the earth. NOTHING can stop the church from marching forward. The gates of hell will not prevail against the church. It will keep marching, marching, marching until they kick down the gates of hell.
Yet, in the midst of these four horses, we’re reminded that Jesus is the one who opened the seals. He’s the one in control—even when things seem out of control. We’re also promised in Romans 8 that, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, ESV). For God’s people, we have comfort that all things—even difficult/trying things—will work together for our good.
Along these lines I like to ask a question: “Was Jesus’ death on the cross a good thing?” The right answer is: depends what you mean. On the one hand, it was the greatest sin ever committed in the history of the world. So, it was the most wicked evil thing to ever happen. Yet, we know there’s more to the story. Through Jesus’ death, he brought about the salvation and redemption of the world. So, it is also the greatest thing that has ever happened.
We serve a God who is powerful enough to accomplish two things with the same action. He can accomplish judgement and blessing at the same time. So, the wars and rumors of war are judgements on those who’ve rejected God, but God uses them to bless his people and bring about the kingdom. The famine and scarcity are judgements on those who reject God, but God uses them to bless his people and bring about the kingdom. Death is a judgement on those who reject God, but God uses it to bless his people and bring about his kingdom.
And, we get a picture of that when Jesus opens the next seal: “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.” (Revelation 6:9, ESV). These are the martyrs—Christians killed for their faith. Just as God brought about the kingdom through the death of his Son Jesus, he is also bringing about the kingdom through the death of his people. Throughout history there has been a saying, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
The beauty of this picture is where these martyrs are located. They are no longer experiencing the struggle of the earth, the church in the midst of battle, the wars and rumors of war, the economic mess, the death/threats of death. They are now under the altar—protected by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They were killed because they spoke the word of God and pointed people to Jesus, but now they are protected by Jesus’ blood—in his very presence. They have overcome.
And they are crying out, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10, ESV). They are asking, “How long?” How long before those who killed God’s people will be judged? How long before the persecutors of the church will be persecuted by God? They didn’t take vengeance into their own hands. They were faithful unto death. They trusted God when he said, “Vengeance is mine” (Hebrews 10:30). So, they are asking God, “When will you take that vengeance on those who have attacked your people?”
Here’s the answer, “Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.” (Revelation 6:11, ESV). Jesus gives them a white robe and gives them rest. He continues to care for them. But then says, “Not yet.” More Christians will suffer. More Christians will be persecuted. More Christians will die. (Don’t forget that God is able to bless us through these things). Yet, he will not bring judgment until things are “complete”—until their wrath is stored up, until they obviously deserve everything that’s coming to them. The same thing happened with the flood. The same thing happened with Egypt. The same thing happened with those who were wiped out in the Promised Land. Eventually God will come to avenge his people, but He’ll do it in his perfect timing when it will be clear they deserve it.
Then Jesus opens the sixth seal, “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.” (Revelation 6:12–14, ESV). Many, many people interpret this seal as literal. But I struggle to interpret it that way—not because I don’t think God could do this, but because everything else in this vision has been figurative. So, why switch to literal now?
The imagery of creation falling apart is always connected with God’s judgement throughout the Old Testament. It’s a sign of God’s wrath and judgement on those who turn away from Him—even his own people. So, I think this is an answer to the persecuted church. They asked God, “How long before you bring judgement?” And when the sixth seal is opened, they are shown that God IS bringing judgement right now. It’s not his final judgement—that will come eventually—but he is bringing judgement on those who come against God’s people.
Yet, this judgement—just like the other seals—can be a blessing and curse. After talking about creation falling apart by God’s judgement, Joel says, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Joel 2:32, ESV). So, the judgement of God will cause some people to repent, call on God for salvation, and be saved. That’s a blessing.
Yet, we see a completely different picture in Revelation six. The judgement of God comes upon the people and “Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,” (Revelation 6:15–16, ESV). They didn’t repent and call on God to be saved. Instead, they refused to repent. They refused to call on God. They hid from Him and asked to DIE before they would trust in God.
We see both responses today don’t we? Some people fall under the discipline and judgement of God and their heart hardens, they become angry, they refuse to repent, they refuse to turn away, they would rather die than trust in Jesus. Yet, others fall under the same discipline and judgement of God and their heart softens, they repent, they look to Jesus for forgiveness of their sins, they trust Him, and receive salvation and life.
Don’t forget what I said in the first week of this series. This is the REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST. The focus of this entire book is to answer the question: Where is Jesus? In this chapter the question is: Where is Jesus when we see wars and rumors of war? Where is Jesus when we see economies crumble? Where is Jesus when we see viruses spreading across the globe and death everywhere? Where is Jesus when we see his people being killed? Where is Jesus when we see the wicked triumphing?
The answer is: Jesus is holding onto each one of these things, using them to bring about His kingdom. Jesus is still in control. He is judging those who persecute and kill his people. He’s judging the wicked. He is also caring for and protecting his people. He’s with his church. He isn’t allowing his church to be crushed by any of these things. Rather, he is with the church as they ride out victoriously with the gospel throughout the earth in the MIDST of this chaos.
There’s one more thing I want to mention in response to this question about: Where is Jesus? It’s something that I haven’t heard many people mention in this chapter. But this chapter is a beautiful picture of Jesus conquering the idols of the earth. Many want to put their hope and trust in armies and power, yet they fall short and never bring about peace. Many want to put their hope and trust in economies, yet they never bring about true flourishing. Many want to put their hope and trust in humanity, but we continue to die. Many want to put their hope in created things—like the earth—yet we watch it crumble. Many want to put their hope in the goodness of mankind, yet we watch them choose death over repentance.
Yet, the one overwhelming picture is that Christ DOESN’T fall short. Those who put their hope and trust in Jesus Christ WILL overcome. If you put your hope and trust in any of these other things, they will leave you hopeless and in despair. Yet, if you put your hope in Jesus Christ, you will receive salvation, you will receive comfort and protection, even the difficult things of life will be turned into blessings, you will ride out with the church into the world conquering with the gospel, and you will spend eternity in His kingdom that is coming.