(The Beginning of Sorrows)
(Chap. 6:1-8:5)
The part of the earth that the “seal” and “trumpet” judgments are concerned with is Western Europe, and perhaps North America—western nations that have outwardly embraced Christianity. “The Lamb” (Christ) proceeds to open the seals, signifying the bringing to pass of certain events and judgments in that part of the earth. These judgments will prepare the way for Him to take the inheritance and reign over it in His kingdom glory.
The word by the four living creatures is not, “Come and see,” as the KJV renders it (vss. 1, 3, 5, 7), but simply, “Come,” denoting Christ’s providential power to bring these things to pass. Hence, “come” in this sense, refers to His providential command to cause these events to come to pass. The horsemen represent human agencies that will be moved by the providence of God. The Lord called the first half of Daniel’s prophetic week of years—wherein is found the first six seal judgments—“the beginning of sorrows” (Matt. 24:88All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:8)).
The First Seal Opened
(Chap. 6:1-2)
What is portrayed in the rider on “a white horse” is the very first thing that will happen on earth after the Rapture. The rider is not Christ (chap. 19:11), nor is it the Antichrist (1 John 2:1818Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (1 John 2:18)). It refers to the Church of Rome using its power, influence, and money to gather ten nations in Western Europe into a federation called “the beast.” This is the revival of the Roman Empire indicated in Daniel 2:41-4341And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. (Daniel 2:41‑43) and 7:7-8. Revelation 17:1-61And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (Revelation 17:1‑6) also points to this. It indicates that the Roman Catholic Church (under the figure of the whore) will have control of this newly formed federation of nations in the first 3½ years of the prophetic week in Daniel 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27). If it will be under the control of that religious system during that time, it must of necessity have been revived prior to it.
The horse here in chapter 6 is “white,” signifying papal Rome’s pretense of uprightness and purity of purpose. The rider has a “bow” with no arrows, indicating that Rome’s conquest over the nations of Western Europe and the bringing of them together into a super-power will be a bloodless thing. It will be accomplished by summit meetings and treaties rather than through warfare. The Catholic Church’s rule over the newly-revived empire will be the empire’s 7th form of government in its history—but it will only “continue a short space”—the first 3½ years of Daniel’s prophetic week (chap. 17:9-11).
This man could not be the “little horn” (Dan. 7:8, 20-218I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (Daniel 7:8)
20And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. 21I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; (Daniel 7:20‑21))—the personal “Beast” (Rev. 13:4-7; 19:20,4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Revelation 13:4‑7)
20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20) etc.) because that man rises to power and seizes the office of the Roman prince in the middle of the week. We know this because Revelation 13:55And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Revelation 13:5) and Daniel 7:2525And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:25) tell us that his tenure will be for “forty and two months” or “time and times and the dividing of time.” These time periods in prophecy are measured from the middle of the week through to the end of the week (Dan. 12:1111And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (Daniel 12:11)). Hence, the reign of the “little horn” or the personal Beast will be during the latter half of the week—the time of the Great Tribulation. When he seizes the office of the Roman prince in the middle of the week, he will proceed to breach the terms of the covenant which will have been made with the Jews (Dan. 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)b – the 2nd “he.”). Thus, as L. Laurenson has pointed out, there is the making of the covenant, and there is a breaking of the covenant; these are two different things done by two different men (Messiah the Prince, p. 160). (In the book of Daniel, the positions of those that rule among the Gentile kings are offices that don’t necessarily refer to one individual. For instance, in connection with the Greek Empire in chapter 11, there are nine or ten different men mentioned in the role of the King of the North, who succeed each other in that office: likewise, with the King of the South. It is the same in Daniel 9:27,27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27) in connection with the Roman Empire. The “prince”—the first “he” and the second “he” are not the same person.)
The making of this covenant is significant in prophecy. It marks the resumption of the cycle of weeks (of years) in Daniel 9:24-27,24Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:24‑27) with the 70th and final week about to be fulfilled—after which God will bring in the kingdom as promised in Daniel 9:2424Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (Daniel 9:24). As a result of this pact being made with Israel, the Jews, who are presently scattered worldwide, will feel safe to return to their homeland, and will do so en masse in the first part of the week (Isa. 18:1-41Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: 2That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled! 3All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye. 4For so the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. (Isaiah 18:1‑4); Psa. 73:1010Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. (Psalm 73:10)). This covenant will enable the Jews to practice Judaism (“the sacrifice the and oblation” – Dan. 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)) according to the Law of Moses without being molested. Killing their sacrifices and presenting them to Jehovah is something that they have not done for over 2000 years (Hos. 3:44For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: (Hosea 3:4)).
The Second Seal Opened
(Chap. 6:3-4)
The Third Seal Opened
(Chap. 6:5-6)
The Fourth Seal Opened
(Chap. 6:7-8)
The Fifth Seal Opened
(Chap. 6:9-11)
The authorities in Rome will begin to martyr the Jewish witnesses who will preach the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 24:99Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. (Matthew 24:9)). This gospel announces that there is a King who is coming who will put down all governmental power and will establish His own kingdom wherein He will reign supreme (Psa. 96). This will be considered subversive to the Catholic regime (the harlot – chap. 17) which will be in control of the empire (the beast) at that time, and it will draw out its wrath against these witnesses, whom it will see as revolutionists. Thus, they will be apprehended by the authorities and executed—martyred (Rev. 17:66And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (Revelation 17:6)). The souls of these witnesses will remain in the separate state until the end of the prophetic week, and then they will be resurrected (Rev. 14:1313And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:13)).
The Sixth Seal Opened
(Chap. 6:12-17)
As things approach the middle of the week, Satan will be cast to the earth (chap. 12:7-9, 13), and he will immediately cause a convulsion in the government in the confederated nations of the West under the leadership of the Catholic system. Thus, there will be a great shake-up politically. This is presented symbolically under the figure of “a great earthquake.” As a result, the government offices in the West will be temporarily thrown into a state of confusion and anarchy. It is not mentioned here, but Satan will then energize a man (the personal Beast) who will rise up out of the turmoil and seize control of the leadership of the empire (Rev. 13:1-101And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:1‑10)), and he will motivate the ten kings (nations) in the federation to put down the Catholic regime—the harlot (Rev. 17:16-1716And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. (Revelation 17:16‑17)).
Men’s hearts will fail them for fear in view of what is to come (Luke 21:25-2625And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21:25‑26)). The fact that they speak of “the wrath of the Lamb” shows that they are enlightened people who are familiar with the gospel and certain Biblical truths, but sadly they have neglected to receive Christ as their Saviour when they had opportunity to do so. They mistakenly think that He is about to come and judge the world, but that will be later.