Jesus Christ and His REVELATION Revised and Updated

Chapter 6
Please follow along in your Bible.
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, the question is: “What 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. The actual event that triggers the Tribulation Period is found in the prophecy of Daniel: “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven’” (Daniel 9:27). To further clarify, let’s take a closer look at the elements in Daniel’s prophecy:
1) The pronoun “he” refers to the end-times ruler of the world – Antichrist.
2) The word “covenant” is a reference to a covenant of peace, i.e., a peace treaty.
3) The word “many” refers to the nation of Israel and nine other nations.
4) The term “seven” refers to a period of seven years.

Chapter 6 introduces the seal judgments, which make up the first quarter of the 7-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 of the Church to make a choice:
1) 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 7-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 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 all believers 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 represents the end-times Antichrist and his kingdom. We will take a closer look at the Antichrist in chapter 13. His purpose is clearly stated: “… he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.” One interesting characteristic of his coming is that he has a bow in his hand, which is symbolic of warfare, but there is no mention of 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. Unfortunately, the peace that he brings is only temporary.