The Seal Judgments

Revelation 6. The scene was heaven in chapters four and five. Now beginning at chapter six, the scene returns back to earth. In chapters four and five we were immersed in worship. In chapter six we are now introduced to the wrath of the Lamb. We've left the praise and shouting of heaven, and we're about to enter the pain and suffering on earth during the tribulation. Chapters four and five were scenes of joy. Chapter six begins a series of judgments.
In chapter five we saw that Christ was the only One found worthy to open the scroll--the title deed to the universe. The seven sealed scroll is now in the hands of the One worthy. He will open the seals one by one, and as He breaks each seal, it unleashes a new demonstration of God's judgment on the earth during the seven years of tribulation. The first four seals are grouped together and are often called "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse".
1st Seal: The White Horse of Deception: 6:1-2
Many commentators jump to the conclusion that because this rider is on a white horse, that he is one of the good guys; perhaps even Jesus Himself. But if this is Jesus then He's traveling in bad company. No. This rider is the false Christ. This rider is deception. He's a man of false peace and deception. This is the one that will bring strong delusion and deceive many -2 Thess.2:9-12.
2nd Seal: The Red Horse of Destruction: 6:3-4
The false peace is short lived because this horse represents war. The peace is broken and now the planet becomes stained with blood.
3rd Seal: The Black Horse of Destitution: 6:5-6
This rider is commanded to leave the luxuries of the rich untouched (oil and wine), but the staple goods (wheat and barley-food of the poor) will be weighed out a pinch at the time. This will be a time of famine, shortages and starvation.
4th Seal: The Pale Horse of Devastation: 6:7-8
This rider is death. Death will claim one quarter of the population. It will be by sword, famine and beast. And not necessarily beast in the sense of lions and tigers. But little furry beast that carry disease: rats, rodents etc. Bird flu and West Nile virus. These will be beast under the microscope.
5th Seal: The Martyred Saints: 6:9-11
Here we see the persecution of those that have gotten saved during this horrific time known as the seven year tribulation.
6th Seal: The Day of Wrath: 6:12-17
The Day of Wrath has come. The Day of the LORD has arrived. There will be such a cataclysmic upheaval on this earth that men will hide themselves in caves and cry out for the rocks to fall on them...for the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?
Chapter seven will answer that question tomorrow.