Episode #244. Today we’ll read Revelation chapter 6 together: The Lamb who is worthy opens the first six seals.
Transcript
Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #244. Today we’ll read Revelation chapter 6 together: The Lamb who is worthy opens the first six seals.
Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast. I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together. Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should. It’s just easier to do it with a friend. So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud. I’m so glad you’re here!
Welcome
If you go to a Southern Baptist church, December equals the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. It is an annual offering collected by believers around the world to support international missions.
Lottie Moon was a pistol. Born December 12, 1840, Lottie rebelled against Christianity until she was in college. In December 1858, she dedicated her life to Christ and was baptized at First Baptist Church, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Lottie attended Albemarle Female Institute, the female counterpart to the University of Virginia. In 1861, she was one of the first women in the South to receive a master’s degree. She stayed close to home during the Civil War but eventually taught school in Kentucky, Georgia, and Virginia.
In 1873, Lottie set sail for China. She was 32 years old. She had turned down a marriage proposal and left her job, home and family to follow God’s lead. Her path wasn’t typical for an educated woman from a wealthy Southern family. God had gripped her with the Chinese peoples’ need for a Savior.
Some Accepted Her
For 39 years Lottie labored, chiefly in Tengchow and P’ingtu. People feared and rejected her, but she refused to leave. The aroma of fresh-baked cookies drew people to her house. She adopted traditional Chinese dress, and she learned China’s language and customs. Lottie didn’t just serve the people of China; she identified with them. Many eventually accepted her. And some accepted her Savior.
Lottie frequently sent letters back home detailing Chinese culture, missionary life, and the physical and spiritual needs of the Chinese people. Additionally, she challenged Southern Baptists to go to China or give so that others could go.
I had occasion to read a few of her letters last year and she could have given us all lessons on forthrightness and persistence. Have you ever taken the Gospel to the ends of the earth? In honor of Lottie Moon, tell me a story of your short-term missionary trip at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Revelation Chapter 6
The First Seal on the Scroll
Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked, and there was a white horse. Its rider held a bow; a crown was given to him, and he went out as a conqueror in order to conquer.
The Second Seal
When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” Then another horse went out, a fiery red one, and its rider was allowed to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. And a large sword was given to him.
The Third Seal
When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and there was a black horse. Its rider held a set of scales in his hand. Then I heard something like a voice among the four living creatures say, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, but do not harm the oil and the wine.”
The Fourth Seal
When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and there was a pale green horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following after him. They were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by the sword, by famine, by plague, and by the wild animals of the earth.
The Fifth Seal
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the word of God and the testimony they had given. They cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, the one who is holy and true, how long until you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” So they were each given a white robe, and they were told to rest a little while longer until the number would be completed of their fellow servants and their brothers and sisters, who were going to be killed just as they had been.
The Sixth Seal
Then I saw him open the sixth seal. A violent earthquake occurred; the sun turned black like sackcloth made of hair; the entire moon became like blood; the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a high wind; the sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up; and every mountain and island was moved from its place.
Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come! And who is able to stand?”
Closing Thoughts
Everyone in heaven was at rapt attention as Jesus began to open the seven seals. These signify the commencement of the Tribulation, that 7-year period before the end of the world as we know it. Here in chapter 6, the first six seals are opened.
The white horse is said to represent peace. The first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation will be a time of unparalleled peace in the world under the reign of the Anti-Christ. Because of this, the entire world will be lured into following him.
The second horse – the red one – isn’t hard to figure out. This sets into motion a worldwide war. But this is only the beginning of labor pains.
The black horse denotes famine. The world war will cut off food supplies and spark global hunger. The scales might indicate rationing and food lines. A quart of wheat is about what is required to sustain a person for one day. A denarius in John’s time was a day’s wage. In other words, one day’s pay will pay only for the food one person needs. Three quarts of barley was usually fed to animals and was less nutrient-rich, but at least it would feed three. Oil and wine not only represent basics but also messages that what was once commonplace would now be a luxury.
The CSB says green horse but it is a pale horse in other translations. It was meant to be an ashen pallor, characteristic of a corpse.
The Day of the Lord
The fifth seal releases the prayers of the martyrs who cry out for God’s vengeance. This marks the halfway point in the seven-year period and peace is about to be a distant memory. The martyrs are told to wait a little while longer. Their prayers would be answered but in God’s time.
The opening of the sixth seal releases stark fear. Up til now, everything was a result of human activity that God used to accomplish His own purposes. At this point, He begins direct intervention. Cataclysmic earthquake where the earth’s faults begin to facture, volcanic eruptions that make the moon appear red and the darkening the sun. This will commence the Day of the Lord.
Are you shivering like I am? Let’s pray.
Prayer
Father God, how arrogant and foolish we humans are. Lord, I pray for Your mercy as these events begin to unfold. More importantly, Lord, use us to tell as many people as possible about Your free gift of grace before it’s too late. Amen.
Thank you for joining me here today. I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here. In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort. Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us. If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review. Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. See you right here tomorrow. Be well!
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Show Notes
- Awesome Video of Solomon’s Temple
- These will help! Overview videos of all books of the Bible
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