Let’s look at reaction and response in Revelation 6 by starting with the context in Revelation 4and 5.
In Revelation 4, the Apostle John is summoned by the Spirit of God to a glorious scene—the throne room of Heaven—and witnesses things beyond human comprehension, let alone description. He sees the Father seated on the throne, living creatures continually worshipping at the throne, and elders bowing in worship and casting their crowns before His throne.
As the scene continues into Chapter 5, John’s heavenly vision expands. He sees the One seated on the throne holding a seven-sealed scroll. He hears a mighty angel proclaiming, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” John begins to weep—indeed, who is worthy?—but he is told, “weep no more.” One of the elders describes the Worthy One—the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the Lamb who was slain. Believers recognize who the elder refers to—it is Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man. The chapter concludes with worship and praise for Jesus.
Why is worthiness so important? Shortly after creation, a problem emerged in Genesis 3—the problem of sin, defined as disobedience to God’s commands. Sin created a rift, a broken relationship between the Creator God and humanity. Because God is holy, righteous, and perfect, He cannot be in the presence of unrighteous, unholy, or sinful beings. This issue of sin drives human history. God’s plan from the start was to provide a Substitute, a perfect Sacrifice, who would take away the sins of the world, to restore the relationship between God and humanity.
This restoration was achieved through the perfect life and sacrificial death of Jesus on the Cross. Jesus alone is worthy. He purchased salvation for all who place their faith in His sacrifice. You, too, friend, can receive a restored relationship with God and have eternal life with Him in Heaven if you trust in the completed work of Jesus. I urge you, if you have not already, to respond to Jesus today.
In Revelation 6, John, still in the Heaven’s throne room, writes, “Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals” (Revelation 6:1).
1. When the first seal is broken, a rider on a white horse appears. He carries a crown and goes forth to conquer. While this image harkens to Jesus in Rev. 19, do not be fooled—Satan is the great imitator, and this rider is the Antichrist, sent as judgment from God.
2. When the Second Seal is broken, a rider on a red horse takes peace from the earth, causing people to kill one another (massive, global war).
3. As the Third Seal is opened, a rider on a black horse holds scales, and the world’s economies are turned upside down. Inflation skyrockets, and a loaf of bread costs a whole day’s wages.
4. Another seal is broken, and a fourth horse appears—pale green—ridden by the personification of Death, followed by Hades. This judgment claims the lives of one-fourth of the earth through famine, disease, and wild beasts.
With the breaking of just these four seals, death, destruction, and deception sweep across the earth as never before. These events are cataclysmic and global, but there is more wrath and judgment to come as more seals are broken.
The Fifth Seal doesn’t unleash more wrath. Instead, the focus shifts to a response from Heaven. John writes:
“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. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 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 6:9-11).
Who are these souls under the altar? They are given a white robe and told to rest and wait for their fellow servants, who were to be killed just as they had been. These are Tribulation saints, martyred for their faith. This martyrdom exemplifies the grace of God because it shows the world’s hatred of truth, proves that some will believe in Christ for salvation even during the most destructive time in human history, and removes His children from His wrath. John hears the martyrs’ response; they address God as the sovereign Lord, holy and true. They recognize He is the One in control, with authority over all things. He is a holy God, meting out justice in His wrath against sin. We see their submissive, right response to God’s wrath and judgment.
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