Jesus Christ and His Revelation The Centerpiece of God’s Universe

Chapter 6

The Tribulation Period

As we come to chapter 6, the scene shifts back to earth. Now that the church is out of the world and in heaven, what then is to happen to the earth?

The Tribulation Period is one of the most significant periods of God’s dealing with mankind and certainly occupies a most prominent place in His prophetic plan. Read Daniel 9:24 – 27. The actual event that triggers the Tribulation Period is found in Daniel 9:27 when Antichrist, “the ruler who will come,” makes a covenant (peace treaty) with Israel for seven years. Chapter 6 introduces the seal judgments, which make up the first quarter of the seven-year Tribulation Period. As John beholds the Lord Jesus Christ, represented by a Lamb, breaking the first seal, we encounter the first of a long series of events that begin in heaven and are brought to completion on earth. God will use this time, through a progressive series of judgments, to force all people remaining on earth after the rapture to make a choice:

1) Either repent of their sinful lifestyle and be saved by receiving God’s Son, Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; or

2) Continue to reject Him and suffer eternal punishment and separation from God.

Each of these judgments is a symbolic announcement in heaven of an event that actually takes place on earth. This seven-year period of future world history, graphically described in chapters 6 – 18, will be the darkest time the world has ever known. The good news is: If you have put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you and I are not destined to some future time of judgment. Our sin debt was paid for eternity on the cross by the atoning death of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us that the Lord Jesus “rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

6:1: At first glance, this opening verse gives the impression that a command was given to John to “Come!” However, since the order is issued from heaven and carried out on earth, a more appropriate translation would be “Watch!” The KJV uses the phrase “Come and see.” John heard and then he saw, and his vision began with that of four horsemen.

6:2: The first seal – the rider on the white horse:

The rider on the white horse symbolizes the end-times Antichrist and his kingdom. We will take a closer look at this person, Antichrist, in chapter 13. The purpose of this rider is clearly stated: “A conqueror bent on conquest.” One interesting characteristic of his coming is that he has a bow in his hand, symbolic of warfare, but no arrows, indicating that he will conquer by diplomacy rather than by war. Amidst widespread chaos throughout the world resulting from the rapture, Antichrist will come onto the scene as a great diplomat and problem solver, ushering in a false peace. The crown on his head indicates his rise to a worldwide position of power and authority. However, the peace that he brings is only temporary.