Revelation chapter 6 to Chapter 16 gives us a timetable for 21 seemingly sequential events, namely the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls. This sequence of sevens will be referred to as the 7-7-7 timetable of the seven year tribulation, the time of trouble before the return of Christ. Interspersed into this timetable are ‘snapshots’ of specific events occurring during this time which contain some of the highlights. They include the two witnesses, the 144 000, the beasts (antichrist and false prophet), Babylon and so on. Hence these snapshots, by nature, are not chronological, some of them spanning the entire 7 year period. Refer to posts 7.1 to 7.8 for a more detailed discussion on these ‘snapshots’. (click Xchart-c or chart)

Most western people have heard of the four ‘horsemen of the Apocalypse’. These dramatic horsemen comprise the first four seals. Going back through the centuries, when books were less plentiful and the Bible often the only book in the house, Revelation would have been well read. It’s easy to imagine a candle lit kitchen-table scene with the children’s imaginations primed as grandpa reads from Revelation. Certainly many movies and books have subsequently been inspired by these Revelation horsemen.

The events following the horsemen of Revelation, the remaining three seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls, appear to be in chronological order. (click Rev table 1) Note that each event is announced by an angel, confirming that each event has a defined start and a specific duration before the next event commences, and that events are seemingly sequential. In addition, a study of scripture’s unfulfilled prophecies makes it clear that this particular sequence (seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls), together with Jesus’s words in Matt 24:3-31,  is probably the best guidance to a sequence which is given in scripture, in the most detail, for the end time events.

As discussed earlier in ‘The Jesus Millennium”(section 2.1) and appendix G1, this blog is based on a literal interpretation, wherever it is possible to do so. The traditional interpretation of the four horsemen,however, is figurative. This is  followed by theologians who have been taught a figurative approach, which is taught at virtually all at colleges. (Calvinist, Catholic, Anglican, etc.). While such a figurative approach draws many inspiring and deep parallels, it stops short of their intended end-time purpose. We have discussed the layering of patterns in scripture in 3.1. The figurative approach is in many cases, one of these layers. The final fulfillment, however, is literal.

An example would be the black horse and its rider, which represents famine. The horse itself is figurative. But the famine is not. Any reader would acknowledge that when the cost of a cup of wheat and barley consumes a man’s wages for a full days work, this would be the cause of famine in that family. Unless, that is, that reader has been influenced by theological training, where a figurative approach is encouraged. Theologians are taught that wheat represents bread, and that Jesus, the Word of God, is the bread of life. Therefore, the unavailability or withholding the Word of God, the bible, from people figuratively represents spiritual famine. During the Dark Ages,  the catholic church banned laymen from reading the Bible, causing spiritual darkness.(ref Black horse). Also click RC heresy list, see: ‘Bible forbidden’, 1229. (unfortunately this list doesn’t mention the most serious Catholic heresy, denial of salvation by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9), but promotes a ‘works salvation’.)

The spiritual famine was real, and this is an acceptable view and a valid interpretation of one layer of prophecy. Unfortunately this interpretation stops short of its final, intended and literal meaning. The literal fulfillment of this prophetic black horse is discussed later on in this post.

The same event, the second coming?

Despite the obvious chronological order of the 7-7-7 timetable  there is an issue to be cleared up with the interpretation the fifth and sixth seals. When comparing Jesus’ prophecies (ref 3.3) with the sixth seal (cataclysmic earthquake, darkness, cosmic disaster and worldwide panic, see below) we see great similarities.  The sixth seal events seem to copy the events of the second coming of Christ precisely, which occurs right at the end of the Great Tribulation. Two descriptions of one event, it would seem. This presents a potential chronological problem because the sixth seal is so early in the 7-7-7 timetable, far too early to be associated with Jesus’ 2^nd coming, if we consider His second coming as concurrent with Armageddon.

His 2^nd coming at the end of the Great Tribulation is described by Jesus Himself as follows: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:29-30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Compare this with the sixth seal: Rev 12-17… (12) And I saw when He opened the sixth seal, a great earthquake occurred, and the sun became black like hairy sackcloth, and the moon became entirely like blood (13) and the stars of heaven fell to the earth like a fig tree casting its fruit when shaken by a strong wind, (14) and the heaven retreated like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and hill was moved from its place. (15) And all the kings of the earth and the prominent men and the generals and the wealthy and the powerful and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and the rocks of the mountains. (16) And they say to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One who sits upon the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, (17) because the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?

Are these not two passages describing the same event? Both clearly indicate all of mankind in ultimate distress, and all mankind finally admitting and realizing the origin of the disasters,  the display of the Power of God at the second coming of Jesus as Lord.  In addition, we also note that in the Matt. 24 ’initial tribulation or ‘birth pains’ teachings by Jesus, there is no hint of any such cataclysmic disasters occurring early on.(ref  3.3, also click Rev table 2) We are thus left with three interpretation options:

1)     Either the sixth seal signs (cataclysmic earthquake, darkness and cosmic disasters) are repeated again later on, after the 7 trumpets and 7 bowls, by the same signs, cataclysmic earthquake, darkness and cosmic disasters at the second coming of Christ at Armageddon, or

2)    Jesus’ second coming occurs at the sixth seal prior to the trumpets and bowls exactly as written, or

3)   The seven seals, grouped together, are a preview or an agenda of  what is to come during the entire seven year tribulation period,

Which interpretation of the sixth seal?

The first interpretation may be rejected easily . There is not one indication, after Revelation 6, that the combination of  events (v.12-17) of the sixth seal is repeated anywhere else afterwards. These signs (cataclysmic earthquake, darkness and cosmic disasters) are thus a one off event, not again repeated  later on. The second coming is thus either at the sixth seal, or at Armageddon.

The second interpretation is worthy of consideration. If the sixth seal is literally interpreted, Jesus’ second coming occurs at this point, at the sixth seal. Hence Jesus’ return does not coincide with Armageddon, but  occurs prior to the 7 Trumpets and the 7 Bowls, exactly as written. The seals may be seen as representing man made disasters (seal 1-5) followed by Jesus’s second coming. Thereafter the scroll content, containing the 7 trumpets and bowls of God’s wrath, is poured out on humanity.

The rapture coinciding with Jesus’ second coming at the sixth seal may thus be described as the “pre-wrath rapture”. The saints endure the trouble and persecution of the first five seals, but are spared the horrors of the trumpets and vials. This interpretation aligns with the scripture that we, the saints, are not “appointed unto wrath.” Revelation is thus clearly partitioned into two: firstly the tribulation (seals 1-5) and secondly, after the sixth seal, the “wrath of God”, initiated by the loosening of the seventh seal.

The scroll thus does not contain the events of the seals. The scroll, representing the wrath of God, can only be released when the last seal, the seventh, is removed. This is a literal chronological interpretation which considers that the Great Tribulation ends and thus terminates at the sixth seal, when the rapture occurs as Jesus comes in great power and glory (Matt 24:30) . Then angels gather the elect (clearly the rapture) from the four corners of the earth. (v.31)

The wrath of God then commences at the first trumpet. The 7 Trumpets and the 7 Bowls thus occur after the rapture. This makes much sense when reading Rev 6:16 “And they say to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One who sits upon the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, (17) because the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand? ” We all know the disasters of the trumpets and bowls reflect the wrath of God. The words “has come” clearly means “has now started”. 

If we are to consider the book of Revelation as a strictly chronological account, serious consideration to this interpretation needs to be given. The weak point of this interpretation is that it seems to bypass the verse in 1 Cor 15 linking the rapture with the ‘last trumpet’ . If the elect are gathered at the ‘last trump’ how could the tribulation trumpets commence after the ‘last trump’? In addition, there are many OT prophesies linking ‘the day of the Lord’ to both destruction of God’s enemies (Armageddon) and Jesus’ second coming.

The third interpretation, the ‘preview’ theory, as discussed below, is not entirely satisfactory. The ‘preview’ theory seems plausible but does seem a little contrived. It also does not satisfactorily describe why Revelation 19 gives no hint of a rapture prior, or concurrent with Jesus’ appearance on the white horse. However, it is a very plausible interpretation, combining the all the evidence in scriptures in one defensible whole which could stand up to close scrutiny.

The similarities and differences.

The similarities between interpretation 2 and 3 is that we all have to endure the tribulation and the persecution of the Great Tribulation, which ends at the sixth seal. Both interpretations agree that the fifth seal, the great persecution, commences after the abomination of desolation is set up, as per Daniel 9. (ref post 3.5) Hence the difference is in the timing of the second coming of Jesus.

Before we continue we have to ask ourselves some sobering questions. How important is it to know exactly what happens between the fifth and the sixth seal? Up to the send  of the fifth seal we are in agreement. We will need to endure wars, famine, pestilence and great persecution. It seems that our first priority should be to focus on remaining standing throughout the first five seals. It seems wasteful to consume too much energy at this stage to attempt gaining a satisfactory solution to the sixth seal dilemma. We first need to ensure we do all we can to remain standing during the first five!

However, a realistic hope in the imminent return of our Lord will be crucial during the persecution of the fifth seal. If we may hope that we are spared God’s wrath, the horrific contents of the scroll, that will be very encouraging to know when were in the midst of the troubles.

The main differences are:

1. The ‘pre-wrath’ theory considers the scroll contents to be God’s wrath only (last 14 events in the 7-7-7 timetable), the preview considers the scroll contents to be all 21 events.
2. The preview theory identifies the seven trumpets and seven bowls as “the great tribulation”, the pre-wrath theory considers only seal five to be “the great tribulation”.
3. The pre-wrath theory considers the tribulation to end at the sixth seal. The preview theory considers the tribulation to end after the seventh bowl, at Armageddon.
4. The pre-wrath theory considers the rapture to be at the sixth seal, the preview theory at Armageddon.

Note that both interpretations have their strong points. However, the preview theory is not considered any further in this blog.

 

The four horsemen.*

The “four horsemen” represent the troubles facing the entire world (not only believers) at the start of the 7-year end-time period:

The Tribulation:

1. White horse: ‘Peaceful’ Conquests:(6: v 1-2)
2. Red horse: War and death (6: v 3-4)
3. Black horse: Lack and famine (6: v 5-6)
4. Pale horse: Pestilence, plagues and death (6: v 7-8a)

The Great Tribulation :

5. Martyrs: the Great Persecution (of believers by antichrist and his religion)
6. Judgments: the Second Advent.

Rev 6:8b And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger , and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

(31) “But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what God spoke to you when He said, (32) ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’? (32) He is not a God of the dead, but of the living.” Matthew 22:31-32

“And do not fear those who can kill the body, but are not able to take your true life. But fear rather the One who is able to destroy both life and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

 

The ‘Early’ or ‘Pre-wrath’ interpretation of the second coming.

Revelation 19 is the traditionally assumed narrative of the second coming of Jesus. However, a step by step reading of the Revelation 6 seal events alongside Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 gives a close match between each of the events, indicating that the second coming is at the sixth seal (Rev 6). Note if we attempt to do the same with  Revelation 19 events and read them alongside Jesus’ words in Matthew 24, we will find not one event description matching with Matt 24. This causes one wonder if the Rev 19, the account of Jesus making war on the white horse is not perhaps a separate event to the sixth seal ‘coming on the clouds’ and the resurrection of the saints, after which we return with Jesus to heaven. The Rev 19 coming is thus the event where Jesus comes to take ruler-ship of this earth..

The sixth seal rapture is then followed in Rev 7 by the 14400, the multitude in white robes coming from the Great tribulation and now in heaven, the seven trumpets, the two witnesses and concludes with the seventh trumpet.

This ‘pre-wrath’ rapture interpretation places the rapture and resurrection of saints at the sixth seal. At this point the Great tribulation ends and the outpouring of God’s wrath commences {cf 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?}. The wrath of God may thus be considered as the judgement events subsequent to the sixth seal:  the trumpets and bowls.

Revelation 12 then restarts the narrative at the birth of Christ. Like each of the gospels, Rev 6-11 and Rev 12-19 each provide different perspective and detail of similar events, each essentially along the same timeline.

However, prior to accepting the ‘pre-wrath’ rapture, a number of obstacles need to be cleared:

1. All the OT prophesies, which link the return of the Messiah (restoring His people) to the destruction of His enemies needs to be explained. (See the post on ‘The Day of the Lord’)
2. Daniel 7:25 “the saints shall be given into his (antichrist’s)  hand for a time, time and half a time (3.5 years), At that time your people shall be delivered… ” This 3.5 years should logically refer to either the first or second 3,5 year period. The first 3.5 years commences with the horseman, so the logical conclusion is that the 3.5 year persecution of the saints is in the second 3.5 years.
3. The last trump of 1 Cor 15:51 is not the last?

Firstly, in order to decide for yourself whether the OT prophesies do support a simultaneous ‘rapture and destruction of God’s enemies, refer to post 7.0, listing further prophesies (additional to the above) relating to ‘the day of the Lord’.

Secondly, regarding the remainder of the queries, it is necessary to examine an abbreviated narrative of the pre-wrath rapture in a little more detail:

1. Seal one marks the commencement of the tribulation years.
2. Seals 1 to 2 describes a worldwide conquest, initially by peaceful means.(the white horse). This degenerates into worldwide wars, presumably because of the threat posed/initiated worldwide or to other powers. (the red horse)
3. The shortages resulting from the disruption caused by war, are the cause of widespread famine and pestilence. (grey and black horses). This is likely to be the time that the antichrist consolidates his influence by taking control of the chaotic situation. He is seen as a ‘messiah’ for restoring hope and stabilizing food supplies, but forces everyone to comply with his demands in the process.
4. At this stage the the persecution of the saints commences, at some unknown point during the first 3.5 years, before the abomination is set up. For illustrative purposes, consider the fifth seal to start 1.5 years into the tribulation, i.e. 2 years before the ‘abomination of desolation’ of Daniel 9.(click for chart)
5. From this time 1260 days needs to be measured, according to Daniel 7, where the saints are handed over into the power of the antichrist for 3.5 years. The fifth seal thus seems to last for 3.5 years, followed by the sixth seal rapture. Note that the effects of the first four seals will still be felt during these 3,5 years, especially for those not yet under the antichrist’s control.
6. At the halfway point of Daniel’s 70th week, the abomination of desolation is set up and the world ordered to worship the antichrist. At the same time Jerusalem is taken over and faithful, called the Woman of Rev 12′ flee into the desert where they are supernaturally protected as described in post 7.3.(click for chart)
7. At the same time the two witnesses start their powerful 3.5 year ministry, opposing the antichrist.
8. At an unknown point in the second 3.5 years, The sixth seal is opened and Jesus returns for His Bride. According to point 4. above, this may be somewhere up to halfway into the second 3.5 years. At this point the Great tribulation ends and the outpouring of God’s wrath commences.
9. After the sixth seal rapture, the trumpet judgments occur during which the wrath of God is poured out on the unsaved.(click for chart)
10. After the seventh bowl, as described at the end of Revelation 11 and Revelation 20, Jesus now establishes His millennial kingdom.

The white horse (further discussion)

Revelation 6 is the first chapter wherein an indication of the nature of the end time troubles is revealed. The troubles are listed sequentially by virtue of the numbering provided. Similar to the daily planning lists that we tend to make, which are numbered sequentially, so are these events listed sequentially; ie seal one precedes seal two and so on.

The sequential nature of end time events is introduced by Jesus In Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. Jesus responds to the disciples questioning about his second coming and the end of the world. In Mathew 24 there are 12 statements about events or groupings of events, each separated by the words ‘then’, ‘after’ and the ‘beginning of’.    (Refer to Matt 24). Jesus makes it abundantly clear that his second coming will be preceded by a number of recognisable events, each following the other. Revelation 6-11 and 13-16 follows this pattern and are similarly sequential by virtue of the numbering of events.

Note that Protestants, Catholics and Anglicans are all taught at theological college to ignore the obvious. They will flat-out deny the sequential nature of Matt 24 and Revelation, by focusing (or stumbling over) on one or two seemingly recurring events which apparently are out of sequence. At the first test of faith, which is that God has a sequential plan which he will carry out exactly as prophesied, they throw in the towel. A vague and weak ‘God wins, so don’t worry about the details’ prophetic interpretation is then presented. The clear Old Testament prophecies about the literal reign of the Messiah on this earth is skimmed over. More than 50% of Joel, Micah and Zechariah focuses on Jesus’s second coming and the millennial reign of Jesus. Unbelievably, these men try explain away or ignore a metaphorical mountain of O.T. prophecy about Jesus’s physical reign from Jerusalem. In addition, Revelation 20:1-6, which reveals the length of Jesus reign, is isolated from the rest of scripture and discarded. Six times in six verses God informs us that this reign of Jesus will be a 1000 years. This however, does not make any impression on such amillennialists.

An amillennial opinion is considered invalid and false interpretation of scripture.

The horsemen of revelation.

The majority opinion on the first horse of Revelation 6, the white horse, is that this represents the antichrist.

Note however, that horsemen two to horseman four represent events, not persons. War, famine pestilence and death are troubles that come upon mankind. Hence one would expect, for the sake of consistency, that horse one would also represent a troublesome event. Each event is introduced bt the wording “behold/lo a (white, red, black, pale) horse: and he that sat on him..” All horses have a colour and a rider.

Yes, the anti Christ conquering would be troublesome, and in the absence of another interpretation seem reasonable, but it still remains a poor fit. A poor fit because the antichrist is a person, while the other three riders do not represent persons.

The appearance of the Coronavirus has however, presented another option. An event, identified by a crown, powered by a bow, with its arrows silently and stealthily flying through the air, conquering the world in a seeming innocent fashion. The color white could also represent a medical problem, white being a colour associated with medical staff and hospitals.

The Last trumpet

Regarding the ‘last trumpet’, it is good to study the ceremonial feasts of Leviticus 23 and year of Jubilee of Leviticus 25. (post 3.8). Note the day of atonement follows the feast of trumpets. The ‘last trumpet’ (before the millennial feast of tabernacles) was sounded on the day of atonement, 10 days after the feast of trumpets. “Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land.” Leviticus 25:9

If the feast of trumpets foreshadows the outpouring of God’s wrath, wouldn’t the last trumpet then follow the end-time wrath as well? (click Rev table 2 and Rev table 3 for the trumpets)