The Seals of Revelation: The Lamb’s Seals, the Rapture, the Rebellion, and the Redemption
Revelation 6:3-6
When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 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. When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" 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 [a day's wages], and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!"
John witnesses the opening of the second and third seals, revealing two of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The imagery is vivid and sobering: a red horse with a rider who takes peace from the earth, igniting violence and bloodshed, and a black horse with a rider holding scales, symbolizing scarcity and economic hardship.
War rides a red horse, and he is wielding a great sword, permitting him to disrupt peace, leading to chaos and destruction as people turn against one another. Meanwhile inflation, famine and scarcity ride the black horse bringing widespread suffering for those who are subjected to tyranny under the rule of the elites who are protected from the loss of their luxury.
Yet, even in this sobering prophecy, there is eternal hope. We should always remember that the seals are being opened by the Lamb, Jesus Christ, the One who is sovereign over all human history, and who saves his people.
This scroll, sealed with seven seals, is often understood as a divine document representing the title deed to the earth, a symbol of God’s authority and plan to redeem and judge creation. The earth, was originally created for God’s glory but usurped by sin and Satan’s influence (John 12:31; Ephesians 2:2), and it rightfully belongs to God. Jesus breaking open the seals signifies His rightful authority to reclaim the earth from the grip of sin and Satan's demonic influence. These events reflect the consequences of a fallen world and the beginning of God’s judgment. Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has purchased redemption for humanity and creation (Romans 8:19-21; Colossians 1:20). And by opening the seals, He exercises His authority over all of creation.
If the seals represent the title deed’s opening, the early seals (including Revelation 6:3-6) could unfold while the church is still present, witnessing the initial tribulations (wars, famines), aligning with the "beginning of birth pains" described in Matthew 24:6-8. And before the trials can become beyond the believer's ability to sustain their faithfulness the Lord will take them up into heaven.
Some scholars estimate as many as 2 billion people [a forth] will be killed during the opening of the first four seals. I believe the believers [the church] will be taken up before the "Great Tribulation" (Matthew 24:21), when God’s wrath intensifies (e.g., the trumpet and bowl judgments, Revelation 8-16). The rapture of the church before the Great Tribulation trials overwhelm believers’ faithfulness is deeply rooted in God’s character. Scriptures like 1 Corinthians 10:13 promise that God will not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear, and 1 Thessalonians 5:9 assures believers are not destined for that horrific wrath. And it's also believed that the rapture of the church leads to this intensification of wickedness and evil. The rapture, in my view, occurs before these first few trials overwhelm the believers’ faithfulness, sparing the church from the intensified wrath of the "Great Tribulation" (e.g., earthly quaking, fantastic shifts of the mountains throughout the earth, also cosmic disturbances, demonic plagues, demonic creatures, the mark of the Beast and so on Revelation 8-16). Literally hell on earth.
But before this Great Tribulation there is a great deception. The prerequisite "rebellion" (apostasy) before the "day" of Christ’s return, which connects to my belief that the rapture precedes the Great Tribulation and contributes to this escalating wickedness.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
"Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God."
Paul warns believers not to be deceived about the timing of the “day of the Lord” (often understood as Christ’s return, including the rapture and/or second coming). This is the widespread falling away from faith, likely a global rejection of God’s truth, setting the stage for deception and lawlessness. This figure, the “son of destruction,” exalts himself above all gods, desecrating the temple by proclaiming himself as God. This act echoes the "abomination of desolation" in Matthew 24:15 and Daniel 9:27, marking a pivotal moment in the tribulation, often associated with the midpoint of the seven-year period. This is the hitch-pinning moment in the tribulations. I believe the church is taken up to be with Christ likely around this time when the man of lawlessness is fully revealed in his blasphemous act.
The rapture of the believers removes the church and the Holy Spirit’s restraining influence. Wickedness intensifies post-rapture. With the absence of the church’s “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16) this creates a spiritual vacuum, enabling the rebellion of the Antichrist to intensify. And at the same time the earth itself shudders in violent shaking [the sixth seal]. Dust rising into the atmosphere turning the moon red. Asteroids bombarding the earth. The people left behind live in terror and fear as they hide in the caves and below the earth praying for the rocks themselves to bury them. Kings, the rich, and poor alike will hide in caves, crying out in fear of God’s wrath (vs. 15-17), signaling the lamb's undeniable arrival.
The church is no longer mentioned in Revelation’s narrative during later judgments. They are gone already. The sixth seal’s events bridge the early tribulation (seals 1-5) and the Great Tribulation, aligning with the "great distress" of Matthew 24:21 and the cosmic signs of Matthew 24:29.
Application for Today's Devotion:
Hope - The sixth seal’s terrors await a rebellious world, but you who love God are destined for deliverance.
Restrain Evil Now - As part of the church's priesthood of all believers, your prayers, your witness, and living in Christ will help hold back wickedness (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). Therefore, shine brightly, live for the Lord, commit your life to Christ before the rapture.
Prepare for Trials - The early seals’ war and famine may echo current struggles. Trust God to sustain you, as He promises (1 Corinthians 10:13). Be thankful and faithful, content with what you have, and always giving praise to the King of the Universe.
Proclaim the Gospel - With wickedness rising following the rapture, share Christ’s love now, urging others to turn to Him before the sixth seal’s judgment.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord for Your promise to rapture Your church, for sparing us from wrath and for sustaining our faith. Give us courage to share Your gospel and hope to trust Your deliverance. Come soon, Lord. Amen.
This week, counter the rising tide of wickedness by one act of faithful witness. Pray for revival which will delay apostasy and restore some to Christ before the great deception. Share the hope of the rapture with a friend. Serve a need to stave off scarcity. Let your actions reflect your role as a restrainer and your trust in Christ’s return.
Luke 21:28
"Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Now go in peace and in the Love of God.