Everyday Life in Revelation: Part 4 the SealsSample

Seven seals must be broken before the contents of this heavenly scroll can be known and lived out. Jesus is the only one with the authority to break the seals and open the scroll. Only Jesus can enact God’s plan for His creation. As the seals are broken, we see the things that must take place. The first two seals release the two horsemen, one riding a white horse and one riding a red horse. They bring war and violence to earth. There is a promise of conflict that will occur until Jesus returns.

In 6:5-6, we see the breaking of the third seal. A rider on a pale horse is released. This rider announces grain prices and a call to preserve oil and wine. We see incredible inflation for the staples in life. John is describing economic problems, probably in connection with the fallout of the war and violence brought on by the first two horses. 

Revelation 6:7-8 reveals a black horse that is set loose to ride throughout the earth. This rider brings forth death—the idea that war, violence, famine, and disease will kill a portion of earth since the time of Jesus. One quarter might not be a literal number—rather a sense that not all of the population of planet earth shall be destroyed by these riders but a significant number. King Jesus is on His throne, and He has set forth boundaries that inhibit even these powerful riders. 

Without undermining the terrible nature of these riders, the message the riders bare is not that life on earth will all come to an end. No, the message is people will suffer, people will die, but the Lord will not end all of life through these four horsemen.  We need not fear pandemics, food shortages, and even world wars. God is in control and the church will survive and even thrive in these tough times.