Rev. David Holwick
Study notes (mostly from commentary by Mounce)
September 7, 1991
Revelation 6
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I. Breaking of seals.
A. Not stages in opening of book, but prior to opening.
1) Content begins with chapter 8 and trumpets.
B. Time period:
1) Represent world history up prior to Great Tribulation. [M]
2) Immediate period just prior to Tribulation. [Ladd(J),J]
a) Jesus also gives a three-part scenario: birth pangs, tribulation,
parousia after tribulation.
3) The tribulation itself. [B(J)]
II. Four horsemen.
A. Widely recognized image from Revelation.
B. Imagery comes from Zechariah's visions of 4 horses. Zech 1:8-17, 6:1-8
1) Meaning of colors in Zech:
a) No meaning. [M]
b) Indicates four directions. [J]
1> Also in Rev. [J]
2) Meaning of colors of horses in Revelation:
a) White: conquest.
b) Red: bloodshed.
c) Black: scarcity.
d) Pale: death.
C. Imagery from Zechariah, but content from Jesus.
1) Luke records wars, earthquakes, famines, etc. Luke 21:9ff, cf Matt 24:6ff
2) The 7 woes of Luke are included within the 6 seals of John.
(earthquakes and cosmic disturbances are combined)
a) Birth pangs of Messiah. Mark 13:7-8
3) The calamities separate true faith from false. [L]
D. White horse.
1) Christ. [L,Alford]
a) He rides a white horse and conquers in Rev 19:11,13.
b) Evangelization occurs before tribulation in Mark 13:10.
c) -Problems:
1> The two riders have little in common.
A> Armed with bow in 6:2, sword in 19:11.
B> Conquest in 6:2, retribution in 19:11.
2> The proclamation of the gospel is bracketed by calamities.
3> Confusion if Jesus opens seal, and also rides out.
4> Repeated used of "there was given" points to divine permission granted to
evil powers to do their work - demons from the abyss in 9:1,3,5; the
monster in 13:5,7; the false prophet in 13:14,15. (Caird [M])
2) Spirit of conquest and militarism. [B,M,W,J]
a) Bow symbol of military power in OT. Hosea 1:5, Jer 51:56
b) Veiled reference to Parthians (AD 62)?
E. Red horse.
1) Slaughter and bloodshed.
a) Internal strife? Compare 2 Thess 2:6 ff; Zech 14:13, 19:2
b) Four different emperors in one year, AD 68-69.
F. Black horse, rider with balance.
1) Scarcity and inflation. Compare Ezek 4:16, Lev 26:26
a) Denarius equal to day's pay. Matt 20:2
b) Price is 10 to 12 times normal. Cicero, Verr. iii.81
2) Limits on oil and wine.
a) Roots go deeper, not affect by a limited drought.
b) In harmony with the increasing intensity of the 3 cycles of judgment.
c) Meaning:
1> Underscores social inequity. Poor, not the rich, suffer.
A> But oil and wine necessities, not luxuries.
2> Reference to sacrament. (Lilje)
A> Believers will not suffer from the famine.
3> Best to see as a natural limitation to the famine.
d) Historical background (possible): Domitian's decree in AD 92 to destroy
half of vineyards.
G. Pale horse.
1) Based on "four sour acts of judgment" in Ezek 14:21.
2) Intensification of first three seals?
III. Fifth seal.
A. An interpretaiton of Christian martyrdom.
B. Heaven as temple of God a common Jewish image. Hab 2:20; cf Ps 18:6
C. Altar:
1) Altar of burnt offering (theme of sacrifice).
2) Altar of incense (prayers).
3) Doesn't matter.
D. Souls under altar.
1) Poured out blood of sacrifices signified their life. Cf. 2 Tim 4:6
2) "Throughout history there has been a persistent hostility towards
deeply-committed Christians on the part of those wielding power." (Ladd)
3) Witness - not their own, but Jesus's. Attested by him.
4) "How long?"
a) Contrast with martyr Stephen, who prayed for forgiveness. Acts 7:60
b) But divine retribution common in OT.
1> Vindication, not revenge, is in view.
5) White robe.
a) Symbol of glorified body.
b) Symbol of blessedness and purity. 3:18; 7:13-14; cf 22:14
6) "Wait."
a) Wait for final number of martyrs to be killed.
IV. Sixth seal.
A. Last days heralded.
B. Details not to be taken literally, but illustratively.
1) Reflects common apocalyptic imagery. Exod 19:18, Isa 2:19, Hag 2:6, Isa
34:4, Acts 2:20, Matt 13:25-26
C. Terror of wicked. Cf. Isa 13:7-8
1) "What sinners dread most is not death, but the revealed Presence of God."
(Swete)
2) Various groups:
a) Entire range of human society.
b) Those who normally feel secure. (M)
1> The security of the rich and strong will be shattered.
3) Refuge in rocks. Isa 2:10,19,21; Hosea 10:8 (luke 22:30)
D. Wrath of God.
1) Incongruous with a slain lamb?
2) Fundamental theme in NT.
a) Used of Jesus only in Mark 3:5 in gospels.
b) However, imagery of Lamb is primarily messianic rather than sacrificial.
3) "Who can stand?" Nahum 1:6
V. Seventh seal.
A. Plagues of chapters 8 and 16 follow upon its opening.
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