The Book of Revelation is a marvelous book about the End Times. There are several interpretations of it and most would say it is difficult to understand. There are strong warnings about adding to this book or removing anything from this book, in particular, the plagues. Whenever you read any kind of commentary or explanation of the bible, take it as from a human. It will not be perfect. I always hope to encourage the reader to seek God themselves and that an interest is sparked toward the Word of God and help each of us know what God may want to teach us about His Word. So, enjoy this with an expectation that God will amplify to you what He wants to stand out and that you will come away with more understanding of what is shared about these verses.
The Holy Spirit loves to teach us and that is what He does, He leads us and guides us into all truth.
The Book of Revelation Chapter 6
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard, as it were,
the noise of thunder, one of the four living beings saying, “Come and see!” v 1
Simplification and/or Commentary:
The Lamb, who is Jesus Christ opened one of seals.
Thunder sounded.
One of the four living beasts said, Come and See!
These are called beasts as they are animals who worship the Lord and say, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty Who was and is and is to come!
Their physical description in Revelation 4 and what they proclaimed:
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal.
And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne,
were four living beings full of eyes in front and behind. v 6
And the first being was like a lion, and the second being like a calf, and the third being had the face of a man, and the fourth being was like a flying eagle. v 7
And each of the four living beings had six wings about him,
and they were full of eyes within; and they rested not day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!” v 8
And when those living beings give glory and honor and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, v 9
Back to the opening of the seals. This is the first seal opened Revelation 6:
And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow;
and a crown was given unto him,
and he went forth conquering and to conquer. v 2
Simplification and/or Commentary:
A white horse and he who rode him had a bow and a crown.
He went forth from being released conquering and to conquer.
This conquering rider had a bow and a crown.
Most consider this rider Christ or the church,
some think it is symbolic of the Roman Empire who once ruled the Earth.
And when He had opened the second seal,
I heard the second living being say, “Come and see!” v 3
And there went out another horse that was red; and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, that they should kill one another; and there was given unto him a great sword. v 4
Simplification and/or Commentary:
The red horse had power given to him to take peace from the Earth.
This symbolizes war and fighting between peoples and nations.
Both near and far. Peace was taken from the Earth.
Peace was absent.
And when He had opened the third seal, I heard the third living being say,
“Come and see!”
And I beheld, and lo, a black horse;
and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. v 5
Simplification and/or Commentary:
The third seal had a man on a black horse with balances.
Those symbolize judgment. When that third seal opens, it will be time for God’s Judgment. God often judged Israel by depriving them of rain so that there would be famine. Famine and God’s Judgment go hand in hand.
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living beings say, “A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine!” v 6
Simplification and/or Commentary:
Since this rider is measuring out wheat and barley, some consider this rider the one who causes famines. The oil and the wine are symbolical of spiritual things, so could the wheat and barley be as He gives us our daily bread. No matter the case, we will see our way of life change and it is because of this, that the Antichrist may have an easier time causing people to take His Mark
if people have been deprived of food.
And when He had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living being say, “Come and see!” v 7
And I looked, and behold, a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.
And power was given unto them over a fourth part of the earth to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. v 8
Simplification and/or Commentary:
This is almost like the last horse takes care of those who did not get taken care of by the other horses and their riders.
The one who comes up at the end to finish up.
Additional Scriptural References:
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth:
for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear,
that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
John 16:13
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Revelation 22: 18-19