THE SEVEN SEALS OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION

The Seven Seals' judgments are the first of God's judgments noted in the seven-year Tribulation period. In Revelation 6:1-17 are the first six seals and then the 7th Seal continues on through Revelation 9:21.

The seals start with the white horse representing the coming of the Antichrist, followed by the 2nd Seal's red horse of war, the 3rd Seal's black horse of famine, and then the 4th Seal's pale horse representing death. The 5th Seal represents the Tribulation martyrs and their prayer asking for God's wrath. The 6th Seal is marked by intense natural judgments on the earth, called the "Day of the Lord." 

Finally, the 7th Seal starts with a short time of silence but includes the even more intense Seven Trumpet judgments within the 7th Seal. The seven bowl judgments are likewise included in the 7th Trumpet.

THE TIMING OF THE SEALS

In his book, Revelation Expounded (pg.80), noted End Times author, Finis Jennings Dake, notes that the seven seal judgments and the first six trumpet judgments take place in the first 3 1/2 years of the 7-year Tribulation week referred to in Daniel 9:27. Daniel 9:27, referring to the Antichrist, notes, "Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week..."

SOME RELATED & AFFIRMING BIBLE VERSES TO THE SEVEN SEALS IN REVELATION

Isaiah 13:9-11 refers to the Seven Seals', specifically the Sixth Seal, also known as "The Day of the Lord." A few quotes from this passage,"...Behold, the day of the Lord comes, Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger...for the stars of heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine. I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity."

Ezekiel 14:21 outlines similar judgments on Jerusalem. 'How much more it shall be when I send My four severe judgments on Jerusalem--the sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence--to cut off man and beast from it?"   While the judgment in this passage was on Jerusalem, the Seven Seals will be on the whole earth. 

Daniel 7:24 outlines the rise of the Antichrist and how he conquers the ten kings in the Revived Roman Empire through the deception implied in the first seal's white horse. "The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shal be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings."  This shows or at least implies a "conquest" by deception, manipulation and/or perhaps by choice of the conquered.

Daniel 11:40-45, referring to the Antichrist as "the King of the North", portrays more conventional conquering, as it notes, "...shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horseman and with many ships..."

In the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24:6-44, after being asked by his disciples, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered with the judgments seen here in this passage about the seven seals:

• "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ," and will deceive many."   Matthew 24:4-5

•   "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars..." Matthew 24:6
•   "...And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places."  Matthew 24:7
•   The Olivet Discourse also speaks of persecution of the righteous, false prophets, lawlessness, false prophets, as well as signs in the heavens.

II Thessalonians 2:8-12 refers to the 1st seal again, the implied deception that the Antichrist, at least, partially uses to conquer. "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they may be saved."

I Thessalonians 5:1-4, addresses in a summarized fashion, the 1st through the sith seal, noting, "For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord (noted in the Sixth Seal) so comes as a thief in the night. for when they say, "Peace and safety!" (the likely promise of the Antichrist in the 1st Seal) then sudden destrction comes upon them...(refers to the desturction of the 2nd through the 4th seals, and on to the 6th Seal brought on by prayers of the martyrs for God's wrath in the 5th Seal).

Revelation 13:1-4 refer to 1st seal. "...And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten crowns..." This beast represents the 10 kings of the Revived Roman Empire, from which the Antichrist will come. This passage refers to the 1st Seal again, the rise of the Antichrist. revelation 17:13 notes that these ten kings will "give give their power and authority to the beast", part of his conquest noted in the 1st Seal.

THE SEVEN SEALS EXPLAINED
1st SEAL - Revelation 6:2 NIV notes, "I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest." 

Finis J. Dake maintains the first seal (and I agree) refers to the Antichrist's conquests which are accomplished, at least in part, by threat, blackmail and/or deception. Dake also maintains the First Seal fulfills Daniel 7:8-9, Daniel 7:23-25, Daniel 8:8-10, Daniel 8:20-23, and Daniel 11:35-45.  Dake in "Revelation Expounded" offers the insight that the Antichrist will be conquering the other kings in the Revived Roman Empire, which is consistent with Revelation 17:12-14.

Daniel 8:23, for example, is but one of these passages referring to the Antichrist, "And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes..." 

The symbolism of the first seal is interesting. A rider that held a bow and was given a crown. No arrows but "bent on conquest." It seems to reflect the deceitful nature of the Antichrist, as Daniel 8:23 notes, he uses schemes/ deception effectively rather than actual weapons to conquer. Although, Daniel 11:35-45 indicates that the King of the North, also seen as the Antichrist, will be an actual conqueror but this passage seems to indicate that it will be at the end of his 7-year reign.

While this passage focuses on the deceiving conqueror, the Antichrist, it is interesting to note that II Thessalonians 2:9-12 confirms that the Antichrist is really God's judgment (He uses Satan as His tool of wrath) on the earth's people, "the coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan...and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved."

I am confident that we are seeing this characteristic increase markedly among many today, that of believing a lie despite massive evidence or lack of evidence to the contrary, ala human-caused climate change, while refusing to believe truth such as the success of the American economy during Trump's Administration, let alone the clear biblical prophetic evidence pointing to the divinity of Jesus Christ.


2nd SEAL - Revelation 6:4 NIV declares, "Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword." Most commentators believe this is a seal/judgment of war. Given the Antichrist's deceit, it is reasonable to believe this "man of peace" would actually be a man of war. Indeed this idea is consistent with I Thessalonians 5:3 which declares, "While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."

I am speculating here but I believe, given the 3rd and 4th seals, that the war of the 2nd Seal, may be nuclear, chemical and/or biological, nuclear at least in part. Why? 

TO BE CONTINUED........3rd through the 7th Seals