Revelation 6
Session 13 — The Study of Revelation
Keep your Bible open as you study with us. While we won’t quote every passage in full, we’ll provide links to an online Bible for easy reference. Thanks for joining us!
Before You Begin If you haven’t already, visit the Victorious – Glorious Main Page for introductory materials that will enrich your study of Revelation. You’ll also find helpful articles on eschatology under Theology › End Times. If you missed any earlier sessions, be sure to review them first to stay connected to the flow of the study.
Overview:
We now step into chapter 6, where the opening of the seals begins to unfold John’s vision of history. How we understand the structure of Revelation will shape how we read what follows. If the book presents a sequence of future events, the seals mark the start of the end-time countdown. But if Revelation unfolds in cycles that span the whole church age, then the seals reveal the ongoing realities of life in this present world under God’s sovereign rule—judgment, suffering, and the perseverance of the saints. As we begin the seals, our task is not only to interpret what John saw but also to discern what these visions mean for the Church in every generation.
John sees the Lamb open the seven seals on a scroll, each revealing events that unfold on the earth. The first four seals bring the four horsemen, symbolizing conquest, war, famine, and death—reminding us of the reality of sin and judgment in the world. The fifth seal shows the martyrs crying out for justice, and the sixth reveals cosmic disturbances that show God’s authority over creation. These visions point to God’s sovereignty: even in chaos and suffering, His plan is unfolding.
Exploring the Passage:
Take a moment to read through the whole passage for yourself. If you can, glance at the section before and after it as well—seeing the bigger picture will make the insights ahead even more meaningful. And if time allows, reading the entire book a few times will help you hear its flow and themes with even greater clarity.
Revelation 6:1-2
The Lamb opened one of the seven seals: The Lamb who was found worthy in chapter 5 now begins to open the seals of the scroll. With this act, the visions of judgment and redemption begin to unfold. Each seal reveals a new scene, symbolic of forces that God releases or allows to move in history. The focus remains on the sovereignty of the Lamb—He is the One who opens the seals, and nothing happens apart from His authority.
I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” One of the living creatures summons the first of four horsemen to ride forth. The thunderous voice indicates divine power and the seriousness of what is being revealed. The living creatures, who stand nearest the throne, act as heralds of God’s judgments.
White horse: The color white in Revelation usually represents purity, victory, or righteousness. However, interpreters differ on the identity of this rider. Some see him as a picture of Christ or the gospel going forth in conquest (Rev. 19:11), while others understand him as symbolizing conquest in general—one of the destructive forces unleashed in the world. The latter seems more likely. What is clear is that this rider goes forth under divine permission as part of God’s unfolding plan.
Its rider had a bow: The bow symbolizes military power and the capacity to subdue.
A crown was given to him: There are two words we see for “crown” in Revelation. Diadem or crown, διάδημα, diadēma: this is a royal crown. The other is crown or wreath, στέφανος, stephanos: this is the crown of victory, won by the winner of a competition or awarded to a general upon a great victory. The crown (stephanos) here represents victory or authority granted to him—it is “given,” indicating that his power is derived, not inherent.
He came out conquering, and to conquer: The phrase “conquering and to conquer” suggests continuous and expanding victory. Whether this represents the spread of the gospel, human conquest, or the deceptive imitation of true victory, the central truth remains: all such power operates only under the Lamb’s sovereign rule.
Revelation 6:3-4
When He opened the second seal: As the Lamb opens the next seal, another phase of judgment or divine permission is revealed. Each opening continues to demonstrate Christ’s sovereignty over history. Nothing unfolds outside of His authority.
I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”: Once again, one of the four living creatures summons the next horseman. Each creature calls forth one rider, reinforcing the idea that these events, though tragic and violent, come under the command of heaven. The call “Come!” introduces the next movement in this unfolding vision.
Red horse: The red color symbolizes bloodshed and violence. If the white horse represented conquest, this one represents the inevitable consequence of conquest—war and slaughter. Throughout human history, ambition for power has always led to bloodshed. The red horse embodies the reality that human conflict and hostility are constant forces in a fallen world.
Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth: The key phrase here is “was permitted.” Even this destructive power operates only by divine allowance. The rider’s mission is to remove peace, unleashing strife and conflict among nations and peoples.
Given a great sword: The “great sword” symbolizes the destructive reach of war—civil unrest, international conflict, and the violence that flows from human sin. Yet even in this, the Lamb reigns. These judgments remind us that the chaos of human history is never outside the control of God’s sovereign hand.
Revelation 6:5-6
When he opened the third seal: As the Lamb opens the next seal, the scene once again shifts. Each seal reveals another dimension of suffering and instability in the world—realities that humanity continually experiences, yet all under God’s sovereign oversight.
I heard the third living creature say, “Come!”: The third living creature issues the same call as before. The repetition reminds us that each horse and rider proceeds only by divine command. What unfolds is not random chaos, but part of God’s purposeful revelation.
Black horse: The black color is often associated with sorrow, mourning, and deprivation. In this vision it represents economic hardship and famine—the inevitable aftermath of war and social collapse. The black horse shows that when peace and stability are removed, scarcity and suffering follow.
Its rider had a pair of scales in his hand: The scales symbolize the weighing and rationing of food. They suggest scarcity so severe that food must be measured out carefully and sold at inflated prices. This image portrays economic imbalance and human desperation—a world in which daily survival becomes a struggle.
And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures: The voice likely comes from near the throne, indicating divine oversight even amid famine.
A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius: A denarius was the typical wage for a day’s work, and a quart of wheat was roughly one person’s daily ration. This means a worker’s full day’s pay would buy only enough for himself, leaving nothing for his family—an image of economic strain and inequality.
Do not harm the oil and wine: Suggests that while basic necessities become scarce, luxury goods remain available—an indication that the suffering is not evenly distributed. The black horse reveals a world marked by economic injustice, imbalance, and the fragile nature of human security. Yet even here, the Lamb reigns. The limitations placed on the rider show that judgment and hardship extend only as far as God allows.
Revelation 6:7-8
When he opened the fourth seal: As the Lamb opens the final seal in this first series, the pattern continues. Each seal represents another aspect of the world’s brokenness under divine sovereignty. The unfolding of these judgments reminds us that all of human history, in its pain and struggle, remains under the control of the Lamb.
I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!”: Once more the command goes forth. Each of the living creatures has now called one rider, showing that the entire created order participates in carrying out God’s purposes.
Pale horse: The color pale (Greek chloros, meaning “pale green”) evokes the sickly hue of death and decay. This final horse completes the grim picture begun with conquest, war, and famine. The pale horse represents death itself—both the natural result of the preceding riders and the ever-present reality of human mortality.
Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him: The rider is explicitly named. Death claims the body, and Hades—the realm of the dead—follows to claim the soul. This vivid pairing shows that the ultimate enemy unleashed upon the world is not political or economic but existential. Yet even Death rides only by permission.
And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth: The limitation to “a fourth of the earth” demonstrates that the judgments are partial and restrained. God’s sovereignty still sets boundaries even upon destruction. The four methods—sword, famine, pestilence, and beasts—recall the covenant curses of the Old Testament (Ez 14:21), reminding us that these are not random calamities but instruments of divine justice and warning.
The message is clear: The suffering, violence, and death that mark human existence are not outside God’s control. The Lamb who opens the seals remains Lord over life and death, over judgment and redemption. Even in wrath, His purpose is to bring history toward its ultimate renewal.
Note: It is important to understand that the opening of these seals does not depict a strict chronological sequence of future events but rather portrays the ongoing realities of human history under the sovereign rule of Christ. The forces represented by the four horsemen—conquest, war, famine, and death—are not confined to one particular era but characterize life throughout the present age between Christ’s first and second coming. The remaining seals will likewise unveil dimensions of suffering, want, and judgment that mark the entire course of human history. What Revelation shows us is not a timetable of disasters but a theological portrait of the world as it truly is—a world where the Lamb reigns, even amid chaos, and where every force of history ultimately serves His redemptive purpose.
Revelation 6:9-11
When he opened the fifth seal: The scene now shifts from the judgments unleashed on the earth to a vision within heaven itself. The perspective moves from the external suffering of humanity to the internal suffering of God’s people. The opening of this seal does not release another horseman but reveals the cost of faithfulness in a world opposed to Christ.
I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne: The imagery of the altar recalls the place of sacrifice in the temple, where blood was poured out at its base (Lev 4:7). These martyrs are pictured as sacrifices offered to God, their lives given in testimony to the truth. The word souls does not suggest disembodied spirits in a diminished state but refers to the conscious existence of believers who have died in the faith. They are beneath the altar—symbolically protected and honored in God’s presence.
They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”: Their cry is not one of personal vengeance but of longing for divine justice. They appeal to God’s holiness and truth, asking for His righteous purposes to be completed. The question “How long?” echoes the lament of the Psalms and the prophets (Ps 13:1; Hab 1:2), expressing both faith and impatience. Even in heaven, the saints long for the full realization of God’s kingdom.
Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer: The white robe symbolizes purity, victory, and acceptance before God. Their rest indicates both comfort and waiting. God’s answer is that His plan is not yet complete—there are still others who must suffer and die for their testimony.
Until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been: This phrase reveals that persecution is not accidental but part of God’s sovereign plan. The suffering of the saints will continue until the full number of witnesses is gathered. This vision comforts persecuted believers by assuring them that their suffering is seen, remembered, and will one day be vindicated by the Lord of history.
Revelation 6:12-17
When he opened the sixth seal: With the opening of this seal, the vision expands dramatically from individual suffering to cosmic upheaval. The imagery now portrays the shaking of creation itself. What has been seen in part through conquest, war, famine, and death now culminates in a vision of divine judgment that affects the entire created order.
There was a great earthquake; the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth: These symbols describe not literal astronomical events but apocalyptic language drawn from the Old Testament prophets (Is 13:10; Joel 2:30–31; Hag 2:6). Earthquakes and celestial disturbances were common biblical symbols for the presence and power of God. Here they signify that no part of creation remains untouched when God moves to judge and renew His world.
The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place: The image of the heavens rolling up emphasizes the unmaking of the old creation in preparation for the new. The removal of mountains and islands—symbols of stability and permanence—illustrates that the foundations of the world are shaken before the presence of its Creator. This is creation responding to the approach of divine holiness.
Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains: The list covers every rank of human society, from the highest to the lowest. No distinction of status or power provides protection from divine judgment. All alike are brought face to face with the reality of God’s wrath.
Calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb”: The image is paradoxical—the Lamb, a symbol of sacrifice and mercy, is now also the agent of judgment. His wrath is not the outburst of uncontrolled anger but the holy opposition of divine love against all evil. Those who once rejected His grace now cannot bear His presence.
For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?: This question forms the climax of the chapter and prepares the way for chapter 7, where the answer will be revealed: only those sealed and redeemed by God can stand. The sixth seal thus portrays not the destruction of creation but the shaking of everything that is temporary so that what is eternal may remain (Heb 12:26–27). It is both a warning and a promise—the Lamb who judges is also the Lamb who saves.
Before the seventh seal is opened, the vision pauses. Chapter 7 serves as an interlude, shifting the focus from the judgments unfolding on earth to the people of God who are kept safe amid them. The scene changes from the turmoil of the sixth seal to the assurance of divine protection and ultimate salvation. This interlude reminds us that even as history moves toward its appointed end, God’s people are never forgotten.
Bringing It Together:
Chapter 6 presents a vivid portrayal of the brokenness of our world under the sovereign hand of Christ. Through the opening of the first six seals, we see conquest, war, famine, death, the suffering of God’s faithful, and cosmic upheaval—realities that characterize life in the present age. These images remind us that human history, in all its chaos and suffering, unfolds under the authority of the Lamb. The chapter emphasizes both the seriousness of sin and the certainty of God’s ultimate justice, pointing forward to the hope of redemption and the stability of God’s eternal kingdom. In the broader sweep of Scripture, these visions echo the covenantal warnings and promises of the prophets, showing that God’s purpose is never thwarted, even amid human rebellion and disaster.
Consider Your Part:
How does the knowledge that Christ reigns over every calamity, both personal and cosmic, change the way you view the difficulties in your own life and in the world around you?
Takeaway:
The Lamb begins to open the seven seals, and we see the realities of sin, suffering, and judgment in the world. Even when events seem chaotic, God is sovereign and in control. Trust Him, persevere in faith, and remember that He is working His plan through every circumstance.
At Cultivating Faith, our desire is to help you grow deeper in God’s Word. You are free to use or adapt this study for personal or group study. May God bless your time in His Word and cultivate faith, hope, and love in your life.
Until the next time we see you here at CultivatingFaith.org, God Bless!
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Coming Next Wednesday
Session 14 — Rev 7
Sealed on Earth, Singing in Heaven