[Linux4christians] Revelation 6 (Friday)

[Pastor David]

*Revelation 6 (Friday)*

*Commentary*

“The Seven Seals
6:1 I looked on when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, 
and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a 
thunderous voice, “Come!” 6:2 So I looked, and here came a 
white horse! The one who rode it had a bow, and he was given 
a crown, and as a conqueror he rode out to conquer.”

[Note:  There is some debate as to the identity of the 
“conqueror”, tradition has wanted to identify it as Jesus, 
but the larger context argues strongly for Satan – coming as 
an angel of light but intent upon conquest for its own sake 
versus conquest for the purpose of justice.  The NET 
translators notes observe that the phrase used for 
“conqueror” in the original language differs from that used 
in cases referring to Jesus or to believers.]

“6:3 Then when the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the 
second living creature saying, “Come!” 6:4 And another 
horse, fiery red, came out, and the one who rode it was 
granted permission to take peace from the earth, so that 
people would butcher one another, and he was given a huge 
sword.”

“6:5 Then when the Lamb opened the third seal I heard the 
third living creature saying, “Come!” So I looked, and here 
came a black horse! The one who rode it had a balance scale 
in his hand. 6:6 Then I heard something like a voice from 
among the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat 
will cost a day’s pay and three quarts of barley will cost a 
day’s pay. But do not damage the olive oil and the wine!””

[Note:  The choice between more barley for the same as less 
wheat describes a choice between quantity and quality – 
though according to some commentaries a days pay (a 
denarius) would be a very steep price – typical of disaster 
or wartime.  Olive oil was used to for religious ritual, it 
was also burned with a wick for light.  It may also have 
been used on the body and hair but not in the raw form for 
anointing.  (Exodus 30:26-33 describes the unique oil recipe 
for anointing.)  Wine was used to cover the bitter taste of 
water and was part of both celebrations and religious rituals.]

“6:7 Then when the Lamb opened the fourth seal I heard the 
voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come!” 6:8 So I 
looked and here came a pale green horse! The name of the one 
who rode it was Death, and Hades followed right behind. They 
were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill its 
population with the sword, famine, and disease, and by the 
wild animals of the earth.”

[Note:  This is the Tribulation and believers are not 
spared.  It is a time when everyone is confronted with the 
lifted-hand of protection of God and is pressed to choose 
where they will stand; with Job's wife “Curse God and die?” 
or with Job who despite some confusion – refused to 
disrespect God.]

“6:9 Now when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under 
the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed 
because of the word of God and because of the testimony they 
had given. 6:10 They cried out with a loud voice, “How long, 
Sovereign Master, holy and true, before you judge those who 
live on the earth and avenge our blood?” 6:11 Each of them 
was given a long white robe and they were told to rest for a 
little longer, until the full number was reached of both 
their fellow servants and their brothers who were going to 
be killed just as they had been.

[Note:  Since believers are still on earth and are being 
killed this must still be the Tribulation, prior to the 
Wrath, since we discover further down in 6:17 this is prior 
to the Wrath of God.  This also means that the Rapture 
cannot have occurred prior to the Tribulation.  There is an 
oddity here, not actively addressed in our prior Revelation 
Notes – we are seeing a unique subset of believers in a 
conscious state – presumably these a special few who have 
been called apart from the majority who are “asleep” for 
this specific purpose.]

“6:12 Then I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and 
a huge earthquake took place; the sun became as black as 
sackcloth made of hair, and the full moon became blood red; 
6:13 and the stars in the sky fell to the earth like a fig 
tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a fierce wind. 
6:14 The sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up, 
and every mountain and island was moved from its place.”

[Note:  John is struggling to describe apocalyptic imagery.

  6:15 Then the kings of the earth, the very important 
people, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and everyone, 
slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the 
rocks of the mountains. 6:16 They said to the mountains and 
to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the 
one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the 
Lamb, 6:17 because the great day of their wrath has come, 
and who is able to withstand it?”

[Note:  The Tribulation is almost over, then the believers 
will be set apart by God (see Rev. 7), and only then will 
the full Wrath of God be poured out on those who have 
rejected Jesus, persecuted His children, and asked to be 
apart from the love of God.]

*Interaction*

*Consider* that believers are not spared from the 
Tribulation, God allows us to remain to testify for the sake 
of the still-teachable unsaved.

*Discuss* practical ways to prepare to endure trouble and to 
resist the temptation from the Enemy to convert a test – 
designed to strengthen and empower – into a temptation to 
rebel against God.

*Reflect* upon the hardness of heart that even in the midst 
of the Tribulation some refuse God's invitation to Heaven.

*Share* an example of a disaster where poor and rich alike 
recognized their common bond of powerlessness and need.

*Truth in Action*

Today I am choosing to assist the patterns of my response to 
trouble – do I tend to try to make it through out of my own 
strength?  If so I will partner with the Holy Spirit as I 
move toward a greater dependence upon Him – so that when 
trouble comes I will naturally allow Him to be my strength 
and will also be ready to be used by Him to encourage and 
testify.

*Be Specific*  _______________________________________


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Saturday's text will be: Revelation 7
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Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day!  Pastor David
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Senior Pastor (Interim) Bethel Missionary Baptist
http://bethelstatesboro.org (new site pending)
Bible Commentary & Daily Reflection-Action-Devotional
http://bibleseven.com/b7/b7studies.html
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