The Four Horsemen

The Opening of the Seals

Book of Revelation Chapter 6 Verse 1 through 17

The time has finally come that the Book that the Lamb of God, took from our Heavenly Father, is about to be opened and the first of the seven seals is about to be broken and the entire world will know exactly what will happen to the world after the "Rapture of the Church".

The Church will be in Heaven as promised by the Word of God.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, "we shall be saved from wrath through him".

1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, "which delivered us from the wrath to come".

1Th 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath", but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

God does never break a promise!

As long as we are upon this earth, we will see these things called pestilences, as this virus we have today.

We will see some of the wars and rumors of more wars, as we see today.

We will see this climate change, which brings with it, hurricanes, cyclones, tornadoes, and such.

We will see earthquakes and volcanoes.

We will see wicked and immorality increase.

Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

We may even see that wicked Antichrist step out into the public eye.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

God the Father gave the power to His Son to do what was necessary!

The Lord Jesus has given to us the outline of much of the Book of Revelation as He outlined it as written by Matthew in Chapter 4.

Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Before these things get unbearable, Jesus will return to take His Church home!

Once the Church is at home, then Jesus will take the Book and open up those seals to reveal that part of the Book (Scroll)

*****Rev 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.

John is to write about what he sees, and he could not see from where he was located, so one of the beast, that surrounds the Lord at all times, looked over to John and said "come and see".

1) The Lord Jesus has introduced Himself.

2) The Lord Jesus spoke to the Pastor or the Church Leader.

3) The Church has been "Raptured" into Heaven.

4) The "Judgment Seat" of Christ has taken place and rewards have been issued.

5) The Church knowing the unworthiness of receiving rewards have tossed them all back to the Savior's feet.

6) All these things mark the beginning of the Book of Revelation, and now we will see what will happen after all these things have taken place.

The seals.

Many believe that the first beast that spoke was the Lion faced beast because his roar could be as the noise of thunder.

Rev 10:3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

We can see, if John was told to come and see one time then, it would not be necessary for him to relocate as each seal is broken.

It could be said that it is the different horsemen who are called to receive their specific orders.

It could also mean for the Lord to come to get His Church, before the next seal is opened as each rider will bring turmoil to this earth.

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

All of these things are certainly a guess.

What did John see?

*****Rev 6:2 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.

Many have questioned just who is this rider on the white horse?

The one main key to the to the identity of this rider is the actions of the other three riders.

The rider of the Red horse takes peace from the earth with war and bloodshed.

The rider of the Black horse brings famine throughout the world.

The rider of the Pale horse brings pestilence and death and those that die go to Hell.

According to the Scriptures, the Lord Jesus Christ will return after His Church had been called out to Heaven, and then to put an end to all these things and bring peace to the Jews.

This rider of the White Horse cannot be the Lord Jesus Christ.

What do we see?

1) The Horse: The horse in Bible times was never used as a beast of burden but was reserved for war.

Job 39:19 Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

Job 39:20 Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.

Job 39:21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.

Job 39:22 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.

Job 39:23 The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.

Job 39:24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.

Job 39:25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

2) The color white is normally used as a symbol of purity as we have seen in previous lessons and used here has a specific meaning.

3&4) The rider: He is upon a white horse. He is given a crown. He had a bow.

In the New Testament the word bow is used 5 times.

Four times it is used as to bow the knees.

The crown:

Only one time in the New Testament is it used in another way and here in the Book of Revelation it is not a weapon of war but a flimsy bow as in a ribbon used in a child's hair.

We see this rider had a bow, but he was given a crown. This crown not a crown of gold but a garland crown as was given to victors in the Roman games. A "stephanos".

A garland crown tied to his head with the flimsiest of bows.

This tells us many things about the Antichrist and Satan.

Who is this rider? Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

This is not an elder of the Church!

Rev 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

This rider is not the Lord Jesus Christ! For how will the Lord Jesus return to this earth?

Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Rev 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

This rider of the White Horse in this Scripture is that old Deceiver, The False Christ, the Antichrist, set loose upon this earth!

The second seal.

*****Rev 6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

Rev 6:4 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.

Next, we have the second beast, of four that stands before the throne of God, knowing that the Apostle John is standing there says again "come and see".

I got to thinking about that word "come" and from a message from my Pastor and it came to me that when God says to come, He has already built the bridge, or the road, or the means to get to Him safely.

Like Peter when Jesus was walking upon the water, when Jesus told Peter to come, the Lord had already built the bridge for Peter to come to Him. This time it was a bridge of "Faith" and Peter's faith failed him.

The most important bridge that is built between us and our Heavenly Father is that bridge of "faith".

The Lord is always "faithful”, and we need to be as faithful to the LORD to have the best relationship!

The rider who came was the rider of the horse that was red.

This rider was given the power to take away peace.

Notice he had no power, that power was given to him!

Without peace there is war.

Without peace in the family there is no family.

Without peace between each other, there is aimless bloodshed.

There were no more rumors of war, there would be all-out war on every front!

There would be unimpeded murder and mayhem.

That "great sword" was the means to destroy in large quantities!

Hos 4:2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

Hos 4:3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

It could be nuclear, but it could also include all the means available today by all the great militaries upon this earth.

We cannot miss the fact that there is more hatred in our nation today than there ever have been, and it is the same in every nation.

People get tired of abuse and lies. The world is a tinder box ready to explode today and when the Church is in Heaven there will not be anyone left who has common sense!

Without the Lord and without the mind of Christ, only evil will prevail.

The rider of the white horse brought deception.

Deception brings rebellion.

Rebellion brings the "great sword" of the rider of the red horse.

According to the Word of God, the Antichrist will first bring peace to this world, but it is a deceptive peace.

Psa_12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

People can only be deceived for so long and false peace will become a slaughter of people.

The Holy Spirit will not be around to bring conviction.

No one but the Children of Israel will even be mentioning Jehovah God, but they have not yet repented.

Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

It will be a terrible time to be upon this earth, but it will only get worse.

The third seal.

*****Rev 6:5 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.

Rev 6:6 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.

What happens when war is the rule. Famine. The lands of the farmer are destroyed!

The land is destroyed, and crops cannot be produced.

The Antichrist now has control of all the true wealth of the world. The economies of each nation are non-existent and there is no way to recover from such world war.

Lev 26:26 And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

Eze 4:15 Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith.

Eze 4:16 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:

Eze 4:17 That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consume away for their iniquity.

People will slowly be starving to death and this will make things even worse!

When John wrote these words the average wage for one day was a penny.

I read just this week that in one nation a carton of eggs would cost a week's wages and this because of this Covid 19 virus.

Mat 20:2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

It would take an entire day’s wages just to get enough good food for one person.

Those with families of two or more would see that a day’s wages could only purchase food, with very little nourishment, and still not be enough to last for one day.

This being true, the worker would have to work seven days a week just to survive, while slowly dyeing of starvation.

The rich of course, and there will always be rich because the Lord said there would always be the poor.

Mar_14:7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

It would be those who are rich who would have control of the oil and the wine, the good stuff that the poor could not afford!

Yes these are the days of the Tribulation.

The Antichrist will have control of the economy.

The Antichrist will have control of the food distribution.

The Antichrist will have control of the militaries.

The Antichrist will have control of the government.

In reality the Antichrist will control who lives and who dies of all the population and he will specifically try to eliminate anyone who still calls on God. The Jews still call on Jehovah, they will become the enemy when the Antichrist breaks the peace agreement he had made.

There will be some who obtain a copy of the Word of God and see that this Book had the truth all along.

You see all the Bibles of the Church will be left behind. All the things a of the Church on the internet will be left behind.

All those who falsely claimed to be saved will die.

The fourth seal.

*****Rev 6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

Rev 6:8 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.

After great wars come famine and during famine will come pestilence!

Lev 26:25 And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

The Pale horse whose rider is Death and it is Hell that followed after him.

Notice the power was given to them. Not just to the rider.

Death will come to everyone!

Heb_9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

In truth, the Christian will die once and then comes the "Judgment Seat of Christ"

Now those few who will get to be a part of the "Rapture" will not see death as the ordinary man, but they will still see a death during that change to a glorified body.

1Co_15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, "but we shall all be changed",

These that are asleep are those old wretched bodies that were left behind when that saved soul went back to Heaven.

1Co_15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

The Lord God will raise even those old wretched bodies and glorify those bodies and they will be reunited with that soul when the Lord brings them with Him when He returns to receive His Church.

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Death has no power over the child of God!

Hell cannot touch the child of God!

All others will fall into the hands of these two, Death and Hell the riders of the Pale horse.

We must also keep in mind that all these horses are war horses!

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

At least one fourth of all the people upon the face of this earth will die by the power of the rider of the Pale horse and all of those will go to Hell!

Personally, I know that besides those who totally rejected the Lord during the Church Age, those during the Tribulation who call upon the Lord will still be saved.

God will never go back on His Word!

The Antichrist will immediately see that they are murdered, and most of them will be beheaded and we know what people do such things as beheading.

The fifth seal.

*****Rev 6:9 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:

Rev 6:10 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?

Rev 6:11 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.

We have not seen anything good come from these "seals" so far.

These are all terrible things unleashed upon those who hate the Lord Jesus Christ.

This fifth seal is terrible in one way and lovely in another way.

There will be souls that are saved!

BUT Their death will be by murder and slaughter!

We know that Jesus Christ has only broken the seals of this Book that was in the hands of God.

The Book has not yet been opened! All these are things that are in the future of this world.

These souls.

These could be the souls of all the Martyred throughout the ages, but I do not believe this could be true because by this time the "Rapture" has taken place and all the souls in Heaven have been reunited with their wretched bodies and have been glorified.

What do we know about the altar of sacrifice?

Exo 29:12 And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.

We know that life is in the blood.

Lev_17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

This blood represents all those who have come to know the Lord during the Tribulation and where immediately murdered for their confession.

There will be souls saved during the Tribulation Period, but it will not be any of those who had an opportunity to do so during the Church Age

2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The seven Tribulation years is the time that the Lord Jesus Christ is again dealing with the Jews, and as always there are those from many nations who dwell with and around them.

Mat 24:9 Then 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.

Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Mal 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

This is not any part of the 144,000 because we know that none of those became martyrs.

All those teaching of the Messiah will be severely punished during these years, but these 144,000 Jews will not fall!

It does not mean that these souls are not Jews, just not of those selected by the Lord to preach the Gospel.

We see that these martyred souls are given white robes because they have not yet been given a glorified body.

These souls were comforted and told that they should rest for season which is no more than the last three and one-half years.

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The sixth seal.

*****Rev 6:12 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;

Rev 6:13 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.

When we read this phase "great earthquake" we need to pay attention or we will automatically see one great earthquake, but this is only partially true. There are many earthquakes felt each year in many locations.

This "great earthquake" will be felt, not just in all parts of Asia but will be felt throughout the entire world, causing much damage, and causing the tilt of the earth to change and the orbit of the earth to change.

Isa_2:19 And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

Isa_2:21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

What did the prophet Zechariah say?

Zec 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.

Zec 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Zec 14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

Zec 14:6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:

Zec 14:7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.

These things refer to the coming of the Lord!

Joe 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

Joe 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Isaiah again:

Isa 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

Isa 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

Isaiah:

Isa 34:1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.

Isa 34:2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

Isa 34:3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.

Isa 34:4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.

There are many other places in the Scriptures.

It is obvious that the Lord is serious about these things.

Certainly, the stars from far away galaxies will not fall to earth but those which are close to us probably will be able to.

Meteors and shooting stars will certainly find their way to this earth.

All the dust and debris in the air will not allow the sunlight to be bright, but it will be like the sun is shining through sackcloth and when this happens there will be a blood moon.

We can say the earth will be like the earth is travailing in pain as she labors to bring forth the New Earth and the Millennial Kingdom of our Lord.

The heavens will open up as a scroll!

*****Rev 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Rev 6:15 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;

Rev 6:16 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:

Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

As the world is changing to be like it was before the flood of Noah and in the days of Adam.

All the armies of the world will be so confused they will massacre each other, and just look at all those who will be hiding from the Lord.

The national leaders who have followed the Antichrist.

The so-called great men, those who have controlled the functions upon this earth for ages.

The rich men whose money could not save them.

The chief captains, those who do the dirty work given to them by their leaders.

The mighty men, those who thought they could save themselves.

Every bondman, who served their wicked masters right up to the end.

Every free man who could have made their own choices, but they chose to follow the world.

They hid in those places set aside for the "so-called essential" Presidents and Kings and whoever else and we can be sure some foolish reporters would be able to sneak in.

They will not want any part of the Lamb of God who they have despised and rejected but they will find that, the Lord Jesus does truly hold even their lives in His hand.

Only the people of God will be able to stand because they are in Heaven!

Amen

Lets Pray!

What Is The Seven Sealed Book

THE SEVEN SEALED BOOK, WHO IS WORTHTY?

Our text:

Revelation Chapter 5: 1-14

The basic purpose of our existence is to "Glorify God" in our worship, in our service and in our praise of Him.

The Bible says:

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

This "man" would mean "all mankind".

Once we are in Heaven we will eternally praise Him!

Beginning with Chapter four, John's vision is in Heaven and he will be writing from that point of view. When he wrote about the seven churches he was on Earth writing from an Earthly point of view. When John first got to Heaven, in the spirit, he was preoccupied with the majesty of Christ. He now begins to see other things. John now notices Jehovah God, the great I AM of the Bible.

Our text:

*****Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

John also notices He holds a book. This would be a scroll as it is described.

The Greek word "Biblion" is used here. Our English word Bible is derived from this very word. Biblion means "book" or "roll".

There is little doubt that this is a scroll that is being referred to. This scroll is written on both sides. The side rolled up and the outer side that can be seen and is sealed with seven seals.

What is this seven sealed scroll?

Writing to the Ephesians, Paul said--"Ye were SEALED with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the REDEMPTION of the PURCHASED POSSESSION."

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance [until the redemption of the purchased possession], unto the praise of his glory.

Then there has to be a POSSESSION that is to be REDEEMED. What this is, Paul tells us in the book of Romans.

Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, [even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body].

"We know that the WHOLE CREATION GROANETH AND TRAVAILETH IN PAIN TOGETHER UNTIL NOW. And not only they (all earthly created things), but ourselves also, which are the "First fruits of the Spirit," even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the REDEMPTION OF, OUR BODY."

We see from these references that there is something that was lost to mankind and the Earth that is to be redeemed, and we do not have to go far to find out what it was. It is the inheritance of the Earth and of immortal life given to Adam and Eve, and that was lost in the Fall of Eden. When Adam sinned he lost his inheritance of the earth, and it passed out of his hands into the possession of Satan, to the disinheritance of all of Adam's seed. The forfeited Title Deed is now in God's hands and is awaiting redemption. Its redemption means the legal repossession of all that Adam lost by the Fall.

The Bible says of Adam:

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and [let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth].

Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Psa 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Psa 8:6 [Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet]:

Psa 8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

Psa 8:8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

Then this book must contain the terms of the redemption.

In the Bible times sealed parchment made from papyrus were the means which legal documents were recorded. Wills, deeds, and contracts were all sealed with many seals. It is certain that a seven sealed document would be of royal authority. In most cases it was simply a gob of wax with a ring pressed into it but some sealing methods could be more elaborate. The Hebrews used three seals most of the time but the Romans insisted on seven seals. We know the importance of the number seven in this book of the unveiling of Christ. To break a Roman seven sealed document was at the penalty of death. This seven sealed scroll contains the record of things "which shall be here after" in the third division of this great book. The fact that the Bible mentions that this scroll was written on the inside and the outside shows that this was truly a legal document. The terms were normally written on the inside and the witnessing and sometimes a brief summary were written on the outside.

The Bible says:

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, [inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world]:

The number seven represents fulfillment, completion, and perfection. Though it is noteworthy that the Romans insisted on seven seals on legal documents pertaining to life and death. It is also noteworthy to remind the Church that as Christians, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and Christ has mentioned the seven fold attributes of Him(The Holy Spirit) many times already in this book.

Our text:

*****Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

Rev 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

This strong angel could be any angel in Heaven but we do know of three Archangels.

1.) Gabriel which means "God is my strength".

2.) Michael which means "poor; humble". But we know Michael is the "warrior" angle.

3.) Lucifer which means "bringing light".

There is not any doubt that this is "not" Lucifer.

It could very well be Gabriel because his name does coincide with the word "strong".

But I believe it could also be Michael because of what is written in the book of Daniel:

Dan 12:1 And at that time shall "Michael" stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Michael has already confronted the devil and stood his ground:

Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

We know they both are strong:

Psa 103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, [that excel in strength], that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

At this time the Church would already be in Heaven. Michael would know that the children of Israel are about to go through the tribulation period it's about time for Michael to fulfill this prophecy. This angel may not be Michael but we can know for sure that there is a hierarchy among the angels in Heaven.

(who is worthy)

When the "strong angel" proclaimed with a loud voice--"WHO is worthy to open the Book, and to loose the Seals thereof?" that was the time for the "KINSMAN REDEEMER" to appear. But, said John, there was no MAN (redeemed man) in Heaven; nor in Earth, neither under the Earth, who was able to open the Book, neither to look thereon. It was not a question of the worthiness of some angelic being, as Michael or Gabriel, to open the Book, [but of a MAN].

Our text:

*****Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

When John saw that there was no one worthy to open the Book he wept. Some say he wept because he was disappointed that he could not satisfy his curiosity as to the contents of the Book, but such a statement is childish. A man under the influence of the Holy Spirit would not be so foolish. John wept because he knew what the Book was, and that if there was no one to open that "BOOK OF REDEMPTION," that all hope of the redemption of the Earth and of Israel was gone. But John's sorrow was of short duration, for one of the Elders said--"Weep not: behold, the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, the ROOT OF DAVID, hath prevailed to open the Book, and to loose the 'Seven Seals' thereof." And John saw, what he had not noticed before a LAMB, as it had been slain, standing in the midst of the Throne, and of the "Four Living Creatures." John had not seen the Lamb before, because it (He) had been seated on the Throne with the Father, and advanced out of the Glory of the Throne as the Elder spoke.

This verse is real important because again these scriptures are showing the fulfillment of prophecy and it ties the Bible together from Genesis to Revelation.

Jacob the earthly dad of the children of Israel prophesied:

Gen 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.

Gen 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Gen 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

Gen 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

Not only is Adam tied to Jesus, sometimes referred to as the second Adam but also the prophecy of Jacob tied to the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah is found in the first book of the Bible and in the last book of the Bible. This verse also connects Jesus to the throne of David so there is no doubt we have our Kinsman Redeemer.

To become a kinsman He had to be born into the human race. This the Virgin Birth accomplished. Jesus paid the REDEMPTIVE PRICE, which was His own BLOOD, on the Cross.

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

He has not as yet claimed that which He then purchased. When the time comes for the Redemption of the PURCHASED POSSESSION Jesus will do so. That time and the act is described in the scripture we are now considering. The "SEVEN SEALED BOOK" is the "TITLE DEED" to the redeemed inheritance. In Old Testament days when a kinsman desired to redeem a property he took his position, with ten men (Elders) as witnesses, in the gate of the city and advertised his purpose. This is beautifully illustrated in the story of Boaz and Ruth. Ruth 4:1-12. The kinsman who redeemed the property was called the "Goel" or REDEEMER.

Our text:

*****Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Rev 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

John looked for a "Lion" and saw a LAMB. But John the Elder was right in calling Him a "Lion," for Jesus was about to assume His Title as the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, and reign and rule with KINGLY POWER. That the Lamb was not an animal is clear from verse seven, where it says--"And HE (the Lamb) came and took the Book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the Throne." This is an awesome act recorded in the Scriptures. On it the redemption of the whole creation of God depends. It is still future and takes place after the Church has been "caught out" and Judged, and before the Tribulation Period begins, and you and I, if we are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, will witness the scene, and take part in the "Song of Redemption" that follows.

1.) Jesus Christ was the root of David and a near kinsman of Adam.

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isa 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

Rom 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

2.) Jesus Christ was willing to pay the redemption price.

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

3.) Jesus Christ was able to pay the price.

Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

The redeemer: Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The Slain Lamb: Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

In the Gospels four titles are given to Jesus. He is the Son of David; the Son of Abraham; the Son of Man; and the Son of God.

1. As the Son of David, He has title to the Throne of David.

2. As the Son of Abraham, He has title to the Land of Palestine.

3. As the Son of Man, He has title to the Earth and the World.

4. As the Son of God, He is the Heir of All Things.

It will take the Lamb of God, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, The Creator of all life! Only He is worthy to open this scroll and break the seals.

Our text:

*****Rev 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

A careless reader could get confused at verse seven. This not the case of two different people but of two of the different persons of God. God the Father and God the Son, the Lamb of God. Notice Immediately the Church, the Bride of Christ(elders) fall down to worship along with the Beast. In Chapter four they were worshipping the one on the throne.

Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

It is the Lamb that is in focus now. This is not just a Lamb.

The Greek word "arnion" is used here this is a lambkin. In other words this could be a house pet, showing how God wants us to feel when some one we love would be sacrificed rather than "amnos" which would be any old lamb used for sacrifice. Because the Greek word "arnion" is derived from "aren" we know that this is a male lamb. There is in typology a story in the Bible that represents this:

2Sa 12:1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2Sa 12:2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

2Sa 12:3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

2Sa 12:4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

Even though in this case it is a ewe, a female, the Bible says this poor man had a lamb that grew up with him and his children and ate from the table in the house. This was a pet lamb described here. For anyone that has pets, the loss of such a pet would bring discomfort. We should feel great discomfort when we think of our Lord on the cross.

The children of Israel had gotten so lax in the ceremonies that they just purchased a lamb at the market before they offered it for redemption of their sins. They had no pity for the lamb they used.

We can see the truth of a Holy God for the Lion of the tribe of Judah was truly a Lamb. God's mercy and grace all in the picture of Jesus Christ our Lord.

(the Harps)

This verse also tells us the the church (elders) now have harps "kithara" or the lyre, which according to Webster was a string instrument as an ancient harp.

I have never been able to play a musical instrument. I look forward to this day.

(the odors)

In the Temple days incense was burnt before the Lord along with the meat offering. This verse says that these odors represent the prayers of the saints. When we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God we must pray for forgiveness. But there is a prayer that goes up often.

Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

This prayer has never been answered at least until this time just after the Rapture of the Church. God will have His day of wrath on Earth.

It also the truth that God knows everything about each and every one of His children(Psa 139). He also knows how many hairs are on each head.

Luk 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

You could never sneak up on God because He knows what you smell like too. The vials could be just so God can remember your smell because you haven't been in touch much lately. After all the Bible is our love letter from God and our prayers are our way of staying in touch with Him. These vials also represent those prayers that have not been answered. God promises to answer every prayer that reaches Him but He answers in His Time.

(New song)

That Heavenly choir starts singing a new song. The raptured saints of God sing out praise to the one that shed His blood for our sins. He redeemed us but He has not yet redeemed the the children of Israel and the remaining creation.

Zep 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

This verse in Zephaniah tells us that one day soon we will all again speak a pure language. These saints from every part of the world are already speaking a pure language while singing this song. But only by the blood of the Lamb!

(kings and priests)

Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Our text:

Rev 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

Rev 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

I'm pretty sure that angels sing praises to God but we see in these verses that they are not singing but chanting. These angels have never done anything wrong or sinful. They do no know the feeling of being redeemed but they know who is God.

You know Christ died willingly for our sins but He was slain for what verse 12 says:

The Bible says:

Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Psa 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

Psa 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Psa 110:5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.

Psa 110:6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

Psa 110:7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

He will rule this Earth with all power during the Millennial Kingdom. Not to prove anything except that "He Said He Would".

Our Text:

Rev 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Rev 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Every knee will bow!

Let's Pray!