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Revelation
By Adam Bartlett
Chapter 6
Introduction to the Tribulation Period
Opening of the SEALS which is the “Beginning of Sorrows”
The Tribulation Period is a seven year period broke up into two parts, the first part is in Revelation chapters 6-11 covering the first half or 3 ½ years and chapters 12-19 covering the last half or 3 ½ years. I personally believe that the latter half will be known as what is called “The Great Tribulation” as spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24:21. We need to step back for a moment and see how all these time frames come into play according to the scriptures.
In Daniel 9:24-27 we see the basic summary of the distinction of the two time periods.
Daniel 9
24: Seventy 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.
25: Know 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.
26: And 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.
27: And 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.
God gave Daniel a detailed time frame for His end time dealings with Israel and the world and a specific era of Seventy Weeks. It speaks of Daniel's people and the holy city Jerusalem. The atonement for iniquity would be made for all sin when Jesus paid the price on the cross. His atonement on the cross applies to individuals but the nation of Israel as a whole will not see a complete restoration until He comes again according to Zechariah chapters 12-14. They still reject Jesus, and are lost because of that, but they will be purged according to Ezekiel 20:34-44 and the latter part of Zechariah 14. The "most holy place" (also known as the Holy of Holies) does not exist at this time, which we know as being in the Temple, but it will be reestablished according to Ezekiel chapters 40-48.
The beginning of the time is the decree to rebuild Jerusalem in vs.25 is without a doubt referring to the time of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the walls and Jerusalem. We also know from Nehemiah chapter 4 that it agrees with the end of vs. 25 that this would be done during “troublous times” as they worked with one hand and had a sword in the other according to Nehemiah 4:17. We know that the time spoken of here is when Nehemiah received the call to rebuild the walls and city and the time that Messiah shall be cut off referring to Jesus’ death on the cross. No one knows the accuracy of the calendars throughout this time period but we know that through records and Biblical accounts that these dates are fairly close. Of course we know that the dates given in Scripture are completely accurate but the question comes in as to how well man has kept the calendar and the relation between the two.
The seventy weeks mentioned in vs. 24 is referring to years, which is derived by the supporting scriptures in Revelation 11:2-3, 12:6 and 13:5. The sixty-nine weeks began with the decree that was issued to Nehemiah in approximately 445-444 B.C. and ended about 483 years later (based on 360-day years which is the Jewish calendar) on Palm Sunday. Then there is a gap in Daniel's prophecy which occurs because over thirty years elapsed between the crucifixion of Christ ("shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself,"vs.26) and the destruction of Jerusalem (destroy the city and the sanctuary,"vs.26) which happened at the hands of the Romans around A.D.70. All of this follows the first sixty-nine weeks and I believe that once the "times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24 and Revelation 11:2) are complete, the clock of God's judgment will count off the last remaining week within that generation.
The confirmation of the covenant for “One Week” is the remaining week that was not fulfilled in Daniel’s prophecy. This “Seventieth Week” is what we know as the Tribulation Period. This anti-christ will make a treaty with world leaders centered around the peace of Israel for a seven year period (one week). In the middle of this treaty (3 ½ years) the anti-christ will break this treaty and cause all to worship him or die which corresponds with Revelation chapter 13.
There are many that believe that the desolation spoken of in vs. 26 & 27 with the sacrifice being stopped and the Temple desecrated was fulfilled by Titus and the Roman armies in A.D. 70. I do not agree with this because it would mean that the events of the Tribulation would have already occurred. It is also not consistent with what Paul described this event to be in 2 Thessalonians 2: 3-4 and that of Revelation 13. The anti-christ’s goal is to rule the world and have worship and adoration and he will make it happen by force. The Temple will be rebuilt and it is my personal belief that it will take place during the first 3 ½ years of this Tribulation period.
The reason I believe this is because until this “Treaty” is signed by the anti-christ neither the Palestinians nor any other Arab country will allow Israel to rebuild on the disputed Temple Mount. The Arabs have control of this area and they will never relent and allow the Jews to build a Temple there. I have been on this Temple Mount area during a trip to Israel in 1997 and actually went into the Dome of the Rock known as Islam’s holy site. This is the place that they claim Mohammed ascended on a white horse to heaven. It is also on this site that the Jews believe was the place of the Holy of Holies. There is a rock in which this Dome was built over and Islam claims it was Mohammad’s ascending place. The Jews however believe it is the very rock in which Abraham was about to offer Isaac and in which is also the rock in which the Ark of the Covenant rested in the Temple, known as the Holy of Holies.
You can see the dilemma and the reason there will always be tension over this site. There is also a sect of the Orthodox rabbi’s that believe that this site is not the place of the Holy of Holies but that it was actually in the place of the Dome of the Winds which is several hundred yards from the Dome of the Rock. This would allow the Temple to be built without the controversy of destroying the Dome of the Rock. However, since the Arabs have control over this area they will never allow the Jews to build right next to their holy site. It will take this peace treaty to create that acceptance by the Arabs which the anti-christ will provide because it is the place where he will desecrate later in this treaty and proclaim himself to be god according to 1 Thess. 2: 3-4.
The first 3 ½ years of this treaty will be relatively peaceful according to scriptures, and that is ample enough time for the Jews to build this Temple. Jesus alludes to the time that the anti-christ will break the covenant and enter the Temple proclaiming himself to be god in Matthew 24:15. The devil will always try to imitate God and since Jesus will reign and rule from Jerusalem during the Millennial Reign, satan has to try to do the same.
The Three Sets of Seven Judgments in the Tribulation
The Seven Seals
1 – The White Horse: representing false peace - Rev. 6:1-2
2 – The Red Horse: representing war - Rev. 6:3-4
3 – The Black Horse: representing famine - Rev. 6:5-6
4 – The Pale Horse: representing death - Rev. 6:7-8
5 – The Martyrs under the altar: representing persecution - Rev. 6:9-11
6 – The Earth and Heavens shaken bringing great destruction - Rev. 6:12-17
7 – Introduction into the next seven plagues - Rev. 8:1
The Seven Trumpets
1 – One Third of Trees and green grass burnt up - Rev. 8:7
2 – One Third of Seas turned to blood; life dies in them - Rev. 8:8-9
3 – One Third of rivers, streams, all other water dead - Rev. 8:10-11
4 – One Third of Sun, Moon, Stars darkened - Rev. 8:12-13
5 – People on earth tormented terribly for five months - Rev. 9:1-12
6 – Army of 200,000,000 from East kills 1/3 of mankind - Rev. 9:13-21
7 – Heaven opened, Rapture occurs - Rev. 11:14-19
The Seven Vials or Bowls
1 – Sores upon those that have Mark of Beast - Rev. 16:2
2 – Rest of Seas turn to blood; all living things in them die - Rev. 16:3
3 – Rest of Rivers, streams and all water turned to blood - Rev. 16:4-7
4 – Sun scorches man with great heat - Rev. 16:8-9
5 – Darkness upon the kingdom of the Beast - Rev. 16:10-11
6 – Euphrates dried up to prepare the way for the armies of East - Rev. 16:12-16
7 – Great earthquake and hail size of bowling balls - Rev. 16:17-21
Armageddon > The Return of Christ - Rev. 19
Chapter 6
1: And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2: And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Jesus opens the first seal starting the Tribulation Period and all the plagues that will follow. We do not know the exact timing of this first seal judgment whether or not it will be at the beginning of the Tribulation period or at some point into it. All we do know for sure is that once this first plague is unleashed then the secession of events will follow in the order listed. Again, we will not know the timing of the events only the order of them.
The white horse and its rider has been the subject of much debate among scholars whether it is referring to Jesus or the anti-christ. I believe that there is no doubt it is referring to the anti-christ for the following reasons:
1 – The rider in this verse is said to have a bow but no mention of arrows. Jesus will have a sword and not a bow and arrows (Rev. 19:11-16) and Jesus will have His title written on Him, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There will be no mistaking that it is Jesus when He returns on His white horse. The white horse is the only similarity between these two.
2 – Jesus already has all crowns and has already conquered according to Rev. 1:18 and 2:10. It could be that the reason this rider mentioned in this verse has no arrows is because for the first 3 ½ years this leader will be known for his peace making. The white horse is because the anti-christ is always trying to imitate Jesus and riding on a white horse agrees with that. Jesus said Himself in Matthew 24:5 that “Many will come in my name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many.” The other three horsemen whom we will see in the following verses are those associated with evil and it would not make sense that Jesus would lead this group.
However the anti-christ is always trying to imitate Christ in every way and since Jesus will return on a white horse, this is the anti-christ’s attempt to mock Jesus. We see other attempts to simulate God by satan such as in the three persons of God, Father, Son and Spirit, thus satan, anti-christ, and false prophet.
Many have compared these four horsemen to those of Zechariah 6: 1-7 but it clearly says that those spoken of in Zechariah are spirits sent from God to perform a certain task. The horsemen spoken of here in Revelation are actions of the Judgment for the tribulation period and a result of the first seal of Judgment being released.
What is this rider trying to “conquer?” I believe since we are talking about the anti-christ it is obvious that he is trying to conquer any and all references or belief in Jesus. His object is to rule this earth and to garner worship instead of God. Any person with average common sense can watch the news and read the papers each day and see how this is coming to pass everyday. Look at what he has accomplished in the last 30 or more years. Abortion, Forced acceptance of homosexuality, immorality in schools as well as society, Hollywood being his media headquarters, taking all references of God out of public arenas, pornography, demoralizing and perverting the sanctity of sex, false beliefs soaring, crime, murder and basically every attribute listed in 2 Timothy 3:1-7.
The “crown” being given to him indicates that he will have his time on earth to rule to the extent that God allows. He will think that he is winning and actually has a chance to defeat God.
3: And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
4: And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
This rider represents war and it sounds much like what Jesus described in Matthew 24: 6-7. We all know that wars and fighting have been happening since the beginning of time. However when they increase and intensify I believe that is what Jesus was saying in these verses. There are three major conflicts prophesied to happen in the end times, that being the battle of Armageddon and that of Gog and Magog spoken of in Ezekiel 38-39 and the two hundred million man army that will come across the Euphrates River.
We now face a new enemy in this day known as Terrorism. This enemy kills indiscriminately not showing any compassion for women, children or the innocent. The only aim of this new form of warfare is pure fear, or terror. I believe it is safe to say that they have effectively taken “peace” from the earth because no one is safe from their tactics. Other than the fear of nuclear weapons this group has risen to the top for instilling fear in the hearts of millions of people and effectively taking away their peace. There are thousands of conflicts around this world going on all at one time and most of them instilled and inspired by the enemy of all peace.
5: And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6: And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
Famines have existed all the way back in the Bible to the Jews being held captives in Egypt for over 400 years because of a major drought at that time. The droughts of Biblical times were usually spread out and far between. I believe that during the tribulation period all of these things mentioned will be increased dramatically affecting the whole world, not just one country or region.
How can a famine affect the whole world at once? Easy, if there is nuclear conflict as it is greatly believed will happen during this tribulation time then unimaginable amounts of land will be uninhabitable due to the massive amounts of radiation. I was watching a program on the Discovery Channel just the other day about a drought in Sudan that has been going on for years. It is at the point now that if they don’t get some relief soon there is a fear of over two million people dying of starvation.
There have been discussion for years about the need for food for this world and how long it will last. The U.N. has been trying to figure out what to do with over 6 billion people and not enough food to feed them even now. Pollution has also affected our food supply as well as natural disasters. It is reported that right now there are over 10,000 people die everyday due to starvation.
This is one of the main reasons that there is much concern about Israel and why the armies of the north which are described in Ezekiel 38-39 would be so interested in coming down and taking Israel. Israel has in its possession by the Dead Sea vast mineral deposits. Among those minerals is Potash, used in fertilizer and it is calculated that there is enough in this area to provide the needs of the entire world for 2,000 years. In the end times when famine is a plague, this fertilizer would be extremely valuable. It is also used in making explosives which is valuable to any country. It was estimated over 30 years ago that the value of this Potash and other valuable minerals in the Dead Sea were well over 1 trillion dollars.
7: And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8: And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
This is very troublesome and we can only take this verse as it is written and not make it a symbol or explain it away. At some point in this period of time that these four horsemen are riding it says that a “Fourth” part of the earth will be killed by this horseman. That comes to 1.5 billion people dying during this horseman’s ride. It is unfathomable to think of this many people dying at one time.
It is interesting because it says they will not only die due to war and famine but it says with “death.” I am not sure what that means, but take this into consideration that almost 50 million babies have been aborted since 1973 in this country alone. I believe that this “death” will encompass many forms including abortion, aids, unexplainable diseases like the flesh eating bacteria, and this new bird flu epidemic.
It is also interesting that is says they will be killed with the beasts of the earth. There have been more reports each day of wild animals attacking and even killing people in national parks and other remote places. There have been increasing shark attacks and attacks by animals that were unheard of before.
9: And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11: And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
The first four seals are past and deal with judgments upon the earth and people but now the scene shifts to those that have been and will be martyred for the name of Christ. It is just as Jesus said in Matthew 24: 4-10 with verses 4-5 referring to the first horse, 6-7 referring to the second, third and fourth horsemen. He then says in verse 8 that all these things were the “beginning” of sorrows. If they were the beginning of sorrows how much worse will it get? He then moves into verses 9-10 which go with this fifth seal being the martyrs.
When I read this verse it makes me think of all those that died throughout the years, facing torture and horrible deaths for taking a stand and not denying the name of Jesus. If you have not read the Foxxe’s Book of Martyrs it is a must for EVERY Christian. We need to know about these men that withstood persecution and gave their life because they would not compromise their faith. It is a faith builder to read these accounts, but it also lets us know that we are not beyond this kind of action. We have been truly blessed in this country to not face this type of persecution but believe me it is coming and very soon.
I think about these thousands of men and women throughout history all the way back to the disciple’s day that are under this altar and wondering when it will end. When will there be enough blood, sacrifice, death? Notice that this group is not said to be “all” believers but only those that were slain for the Word of God and the testimony they held. What an honor to be counted worthy to be in this group.
They are given “white robes” and told that they should rest until the rest of their brethren should join them. This goes against all the beliefs of a pre-trib rapture and makes it clear that it is not so. What a sobering thought that there will be more that will follow the pattern of these great martyrs under the altar.
If anyone is naive enough to think that we are protected from these things you need only to watch the news and read the papers to see that we are rapidly approaching this, even in this country. Everything in this country is revealing the rapid path toward this anti-christ culture. Hollywood, homosexuals, pro-choice, liberals and lukewarm Christians are catapulting us into the likes of the Roman Coliseum days when we will be fed to the lions for our faith in Jesus.
I will be the first to admit that I used to believe and adamantly proclaim the pre-trib rapture theory but how can anyone read vs. 11 above and see that teaching as accurate?
12: And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13: And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14: And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
The sixth seal opens up heavenly disturbances that will be seen by all. Vs. 12 is spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24:29. There are five different earthquakes mentioned in the book of Revelation which shows the earth will be shaken greatly during this time.
Vs. 13 brings up an interesting thought that I would like to share. In Revelation 1:20, 9:1 the “stars” are speaking about angels and in 12:4 it is speaking about the fallen angels that followed satan’s rebellion. Could this be referring to the time mentioned in 12:12 when satan is cast down and confined to the earth knowing that his time is short? Joel 2: 30-31 speaks of this event but says nothing about the stars. I also found it an interesting parallel that they are referred to in connection with the fig tree casting down untimely figs. Israel is always referred to as the fig tree and according to Revelation 12:13 the first thing satan does when cast out of heaven is attack Israel. It is just a thought and something I found interesting.
There are many that connect vs. 14 with 2 Peter 3:10-13 but I am not sure they are the same event. The reason is that in 2 Peter it is speaking about the very end because he goes directly into the “new heaven and earth” following the preceding verses. What makes it different in this verse is that in the following verse below we see that men are witnessing this event and trying to flee. What exactly it does mean I am not sure but can only guess that maybe it is speaking of a temporal thing to reveal God’s power to those at this time. Not necessarily the final ending we find after the Great White Throne Judgment. Could this mean that the clouds were rolled away and heaven was opened so that all men were exposed to witness the anger of God which was about to be unleashed on them? They obviously knew that something was coming because of their statements.
15: And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16: And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
This is only referring to those that are lost because of their enmity against God and following the antichrist. This covers everyone that is on the earth at this time, they all witnessed this and all sought for death but they could not die. According to their statements these first six judgments were nothing compared to what was to come. They feared the coming judgment so bad that they would rather die than face it. This is apparently what Jesus was alluding to in Luke 23:30, it is also referred to in Hosea 10:8l.
In Revelation 9:6 is says that they will seek this death and it will not happen. In other words they will have to suffer the persecution and wrath of God just as satan is persecuting the saints. I am quite certain that satan’s wrath pales in comparison to God’s.
There are some that believe that the Rapture and Second Coming are two separate events and that The Day of the Lord and The Day of Christ are also separate. The chart below shows the scriptures and reasoning, I let you judge whether it is sound reasoning or scriptures that are being misrepresented in what they say.
| The Rapture |
The Second Coming |
| Jesus coming FOR His saints. John 14:1-3, 1 Thess 4:14-17, 1 Cor. 15:51-52, Acts 1:11 |
Jesus coming WITH His saints Col 3:4, Zech 14:5, Jude 14, Rev 19:14, 1 Thess. 3:13 |
| Caught up with Him in the air 1 Thess 4:13-18 |
Jesus' feet touch the earth Zech 14:4, Rev:19:11-21 |
| Purpose: To present the Church to Himself and to the Father 2 Cor 11:2, Rev. 19:6-9 |
Purpose: To execute judgment on earth and set up His Kingdom Jude 14-15,Rev 19:11-21, Zech 14:3-4 |
| MARRIAGE: Marriage of Lamb in heaven after the Rapture. Rev. 19:7-9 |
WAR: Marriage is followed by war on earth at the 2nd coming. Rev. 19:11-21 |
| Happens in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (too fast for eyes to see) 1 Cor 15:52 |
Slow coming, people will see Him come back. Zech 12:10 Matt 24:30, Rev 1:7 |
| Jesus descends with a shout(for resurrection) 1 Thess 4:16 |
No shout mentioned Rev. 19:11-21 |
| A resurrection takes place 1 Thess 4:13-18, 1 Cor 15:51-54 |
No resurrection mentioned Rev 1:7, 19:11-21, Zech 12:10, 14:4-5 |
| Can happen at any time Rev 3:3, 1 Thess 5:4-6 |
Occurs at end of 7 years of Tribulation Dan 9:24-27Matt 24:29-30, 2 Thess 2:3-8 |
| No angels are sent to gather (resurrected people don't need angels to help them) 1 Thess. 4:16-17, 1 Cor. 15: 51-54 |
Angels sent forth to gather people together for judgment Matt 13:39, 41, 49, 25:31, 2 Thess 1:7-10 |
| Spirits of those dead in Christ return with Jesus to receive their their resurrected bodies 1 Thess 4:14-16 |
Christians return with Jesus in already resurrected bodies riding on white horses. Rev 19:11-21 |
| Jesus does not return on a white horse 1 Thess. 4:16-17, 1 Cor. 15: 51-54 |
Jesus returns on a white horse
Rev 19:11
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| A message of hope and comfort 1 Thess 4:18, Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:3 |
A message of judgment Joel 3:12-16, Rev 19:11-21, Mal 4:5, Isaiah 2:10-21, 10:20-27, 13:6-16; Amos 5:18; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Joel 1:15, 2:1-11, 31 |
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