Join us as we study through Revelation verse by verse. Our Bible study guides contain discussion questions, verse by verse commentary, and applications which can help you or your small group get the most out of this book as you grow in understanding and obedience.
Revelation 6 Inductive Bible Study Guide Verse By Verse
Podcast
Outline
I. First Seal (1-2)
II. Second Seal (3-4)
III. Third Seal (5-6)
IV. Fourth Seal (7-8)
V. Fifth Seal (9-11)
VI. Sixth Seal (12-17)
I. First Seal (1-2)
Discussion Questions
- What effect do you see between what is happening in heaven and on earth?
- Are the horses literal or symbolic?
- White does the white horse represent?
- Who do you think the rider is?
- What do the bow and crown represent?
- What do you see about the motive of this man?
Cross-References
Daniel 7:24-25 – As for the ten horns,
out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise,
and another shall arise after them;
he shall be different from the former ones,
and shall put down three kings.
He shall speak words against the Most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the Most High,
and shall think to change the times and the law;
and they shall be given into his hand
for a time, times, and half a time.
Daniel 9:24-27 – “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
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.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Introduction to the tribulation period – The final events before Jesus’ 2nd coming will occur during a year year period of time. Daniel 9:24-27 lays out seventy “weeks.” Each of these “weeks” refers to a seven year period of time. The first seven “weeks” covered the period of time between the edict to “restore and build Jerusalem” given by Artaxerxes to Ezra (Ezra 7:11-26). The next sixty-two weeks cover ta time when Jerusalem will be rebuilt, but shall be in a “troubled time.” It is the time from Ezra/Nehemiah to the time when the Anointed One “shall be cut off and shall have nothing,” pointing to Jesus’ crucifixion. It was at this point that the mystery of the church age began. The time when God primarily dealt with the world through Israel was put on hold (like an intermission in a movie), and He reached out to the Gentiles across the world. At a future point in time the last of the seventy “weeks” will begin when the abomination of desolation (the antichrists) makes a seven year covenant with Israel. This will begin the seven year tribulation, which will culminate with the “great and terrible day of the Lord.” (Joel 2:31).
Note that this time is decreed by God and will accomplish several very specific things. It is only when these things are accomplished that Jesus will return. These things listed are:
- To finish the transgression
- To put an end to sin
- To atone for iniquity
- To bring in everlasting righteousness
- To seal both vision and prophet
- To anoint a most holy place
The tribulation is also known by other names in Scripture including: The Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), “Time of Trouble,” (Daniel 12:1), “Jacob’s Trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), “Great and Terrible/Awesome Day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31).
2. The Lamb opened one of the seven seals – Each seal is opened by Jesus. For the first four seals, the four special order of creatures tell John to “Come!”
3. A white horse, bow, and crown – The rider masquerades as someone who brings peace, a noble savior. Most scholars agree that the rider is the Antichrist. Satan loves to imitate. So the Antichrist will likely come as a messiah figure. He will come promising peace and safety. The disasters befalling the world at the time will likely set the stage for him to step out with all of the answers, quickly gaining power.
But here we see his true intentions. It is not to help or save. It is to conquer and rule. The next seals show that war, famine, and death will follow. Thus Antichrist will not actually bring about the utopia he will boast of. Instead his desire to rule and conquer will be part of the spark to set off the subsequent world-wide disasters.
4. Was given to him – This phrase “was given to him” occurs multiple times in this passage (2, 4, 8). A theological term for this concept is “divine passive.” These horsemen are sinning. They are doing the works of the devil. However, ultimately God is sovereign over them. He allows them a certain leeway (like a dog on a leash) in order to accomplish His own perfect purposes. If God did not allow them to act, then they wouldn’t. And in fact they haven’t yet for that very reason, because of God’s restraint.
II. Second Seal (3-4)
Discussion Questions
- What does the second seal unleash?
- What does the red horse represent?
- What do you learn from the phrase “its rider was permitted?”
- Is the rider doing the slaying? Is this a supernatural judgment?
Cross-References
James 4:1-2 – What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Its rider was permitted – Again, we see that God is sovereign and allows these events to unfold in order to bring about His end time plans.
Application: The world is not at this point of chaos yet, but it is still often chaotic. It will be a comfort to us to remember that the insane things we see happening are permitted by good. And though He is not the author of sin, He will use the willful choices of people to accomplish His greater purposes.
2. The red horse and rider – The effect of this seal will be catastrophic war (a great sword). The peace that was promised by the first rider never materializes. Instead there will be war. People will turn against each other.
War is something that has basically always existed (tracing back to Cain killing Able). However, the seal judgments will bring about a more global and intensified version of it, which is far more destructive than what had ever been experienced in the world to that point.
III. Third Seal (5-6)
Discussion Questions
- What does the black horse and its rider represent?
- How does this judgment connect with the previous one?
- Is it supernatural?
- What might the scales represent?
- What is the point of listing the costs of these items in verse 6?
Cross-References
Luke 21:11 &#